Greetings,
Welcome to Windows Weekly, Albany UU's source for news and updates. We have combined our Weekly Preview email and our monthly Windows newsletter into one central source for all things Albany UU! This means that instead of a monthly newsletter attachment, you will receive a weekly email newsletter. We hope you're enjoying this new way of receiving news - we welcome your feedback.
-Blessings
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W
e welcome everyone. Our Unitarian Universalist community seeks truth and deeper meaning, pursues justice through inspired action, and cultivates compassion and love for all connected by the web of life
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September 2, "A Dark Night of the Soul - In Which You Take an Exquisite Risk," Diane Cameron
A new year begins at Labor Day, and we look around our lives and ask, “What comes next?” and “What should go?”, and we welcome the inevitable invitation to take a risk.
Diane is passionate about advocacy for people living in poverty and for family caregivers. She is a director at Unity House in Troy and is also a spiritual coach and retreat leader.
Music:
Randy Rosette
This is our last summer Sunday. Thank you to all who have participated in our Sunday Summer services!
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Our Church Year Begins Sept. 9
September 9, "Water Knows No Border," Rev. Sam Trumbore
This is our traditional homecoming service. Each year during the service we gather water from our travels in a common bowl to symbolize the start of our fall season together. Water also symbolizes how we all share a common humanity. We don’t fence off some water as illegal because it comes from some particular country. All water is welcomed here just as all people are welcome here.
September 16, "Finding Truth and Meaning on the Margins," Rev. Sam Trumbore
The tribal impulse moves “us” to reject “them.” Yet the Abrahamic religions have another message. Liberation theology teaches the road to our salvation is found through the marginalized and rejected of society. The very people who are stopped at our borders or are marginalized in our communities reveal our greed, hatred, delusion, and rejection of the vision of a Beloved Community. When we care for “us” and not “them,” there is a turning away from care for their wellbeing. How do we respond as a congregation committed to a vision of inclusion and welcome?
September 23, "The American Tradition of Dissent," Rev. Sam Trumbore
We are very fortunate to live in a country that permits dissent from the administration in power. We are allowed to say that we don’t agree with the policies and practices of the government. We can also criticize the culture too. It is our special role as a religious tradition to dissent from that which dehumanizes and is unjust. Our vision is to work for justice for all people.
September 30, "How to Keep Our Heart
Open … In Hard Times," Rev. Sam Trumbore
Our vision of community is very important to our congregation. Yet getting along with other people we may not agree with or like can be challenging. Negotiating our relationships skillfully takes some learning and practice. One very helpful practice to help us build stronger community that comes from the Buddhist tradition is loving-kindness or metta practice. Cultivating one’s capacity for loving-kindness can help us deal with the challenges of inclusion and welcome while negotiating our differences.
Announcements
Presentation on Recognizing Signs of Child Abuse
Saturday, Sept. 8, 9:00 am, Channing Hall
Friends and members of Albany UU are invited to the first part of the RE Volunteer Development Session. A representative from Prevent Child Abuse NY will present on recognizing signs of child abuse and safety on the internet. Leah will review of our congregation's policy to keep children and youth safe at Albany UU. Plan to come a little early for coffee and snacks. The presentations will last until about 10:30.
Calling Albany UU Women!
Julie Lomoe plans to start a women's group this fall at Albany UU, and she'd like to hear from other interested women in the congregation. Several women have already expressed interest, and we've tentatively settled on two evenings a month, either Mondays or Thursdays. It would be leaderless, with rotating facilitators.
Watch for more information in the next Weekly Windows. In the meantime, you can reach Julie at
julielomoe@gmail.com
, to let her know if you're interested, which nights work best for you, and especially if you'd be willing to help coordinate the group.
Are you ready for Wellspring?
UU Wellspring™ is a 10-month program of distinctly Unitarian Universalist spiritual development. It’s is designed to practice deep listening through small group connection, monthly spiritual direction, commitment to a personal practice, and reading for reflection. Wellspring celebrates the depth and breadth of our rich religious tradition. Please consider joining this year’s group! There are a few spaces left in our introductory program, “Sources,” that we hope to fill by mid-September. For more information, contact Jan McCracken or Sharon Babala. To register, send an email to:
registration@albanyuu.org
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Summer Sunday Schedule
9:00 AM
- Mindfulness Meditation
9:45 AM
- Childcare rooms open (ages 7 and younger)
10:00 AM
- Service, Community Hall
11:00 AM
- Fellowship Hour - Community Hall Alcove
Quick Links
Sign up for a class or event
- Sign up at the Sign Up Site in Channing Hall
OR
- Call the church office, 518.463.7135
If childcare is offered for the event, please let us know you need it when you register, including names and ages of children.
Board of Trustees 2018-2019
Officers
Trustees
Ex-officio Members
Education Council
Elected Officer
(not on Board of Trustees)
Staff
Minister
Church Administrator
Director of Religious Education
Music Director
Dr. Richard Porterfield,
Administrative Assistant
Religious Education Assistant
Custodian
Izzy Wright
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FROM OUR GOVERNANCE GROUP
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Who’s Responsible Around Here?
This was one of the basic questions discussed by Rev. David Pyle in a workshop he led last May in Channing Hall! David is a UUA consultant who specializes in church governance. Participants in his workshop on “How to Be a Strategic Board” came from a number of UU congregations in our region, including ours.
As David Pyle described it, in some congregations, the board makes all the decisions on program and operations. At the opposite end of the continuum, boards focus their attention on strategic tasks such as policy and strategic planning. Many boards fall somewhere in between.
If the board doesn’t make those program and operational decisions, who does? According to David Pyle, it’s the staff in some congregations, typically the largest. Other congregations rely on a program council of committee chairs, similar to our Program Coordinating Council. Another approach described by David Pyle is the “executive team model.” The executive team usually consists of 3-5 lay leaders and staff, appointed by the board, and is responsible for implementing policy and priorities established by the board.
In the Governance Working Group’s vision of future governance for Albany UU, we call this body “the Program Team.” The Program Team would hold the overall responsibility for program and operational management. The Program Team would delegate the authority to manage specific activities and programs to volunteer teams, just as our committees manage activities and programs today. But in this future vision, when teams want to start a new program or resolve an issue, they would bring their questions to the Program Team, instead of asking the Board
The Board of Trustees has charged the Governance Working Group with developing a plan for implementing this new governance vision. The GWG intends to meet with committees and hold congregational conversations to share more of these ideas and get broad feedback. We are considering piloting the Program Team model, or other aspects of this governance vision, in order to better understand what might work for Albany UU. After these steps, the refined governance vision will be translated into new bylaws that will be presented for congregational approval and new policies for the Board to approve.
The members of the Governance Working Group -- Molly Daniels, Jon Newell, Peggy Sherman and Sam Trumbore – welcome your questions and comments.
It’s still early in the process, and we are happy to hear from any member of the congregation on this topic.
Sam's Outlook:
Read Leah's bog here:
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CHECK IT OUT!
Keep up with what's happening for children and families and other events by checking out Leah's e-News!
RE Newsletter
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Coming up quick - September 9
Bring water
(real or virtual) gathered during your summer (at home or away) to symbolize the regathering of our community.
Send a couple photos
by Sept. 1
of your summer activities for inclusion in the slideshow to:
photos@albanyuu.org
. Hurry! Time's running out!
Plan on lunch after the service!
Everyone is invited to a light lunch in Channing hall right after the service. Please bring a “finger food” to share (no utensils and no heating up needed!): sandwiches (cut in half), raw veggies, fruit, cheese and crackers, deviled eggs, or other appetizers. Drop off your contribution that morning in the kitchen. This is a nice time to catch up with friends and meet some new people after the summer’s activities. See you then!
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Upcoming Learning and Discussion Opportunities with the Minister!
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Mindfulness Meditation Workshop
September 14-15, 2018
Rev. Sam will be leading a meditation workshop/practice session Friday, from 6:00 pm till 9:00 pm and Saturday from 8:00 am to 3:00 pm with a light vegan potluck lunch at about noon. If these dates are not good, this workshop will be repeated on Nov. 9,10. Send an email to
registrations@albanyuu.org
to sign up. Find out more
here
.
The Ware Lecture 2018 with Brittany Packnett – Watch and Discuss with Rev. Trumbore
Monday, September 17, 7:00 pm, Room B-8
In her Ware Lecture Brittany challenged us saying, “‘The more you benefit from supremacy the more responsible you have to be to dismantle it.” Join Rev. Trumbore to watch her powerful presentation then consider our response. Find out more
here
.
Metta or Loving-kindness Meditation led by Rev. Trumbore
Two sessions, October 1 and 8, 7:00 pm, Room B-8
Learn the basics of Buddhist heart-centered meditation that cultivates a non-specific love-for-all that becomes specific in caring for and serving others. Metta doesn’t require a response from others for its growth and development as it arises from an inner sense of abundance. Find out more
here
.
Building a House of Hope with Rev. Trumbore
Six sessions, Nov 6, 13, 27, Dec 4, 11, 18, 7:00 pm, Room B-8
Deepen your appreciation for our Unitarian Universalist purposes, principles, history, values, and traditions using the excellent book
House of Hope
by Rebecca Parker and John Buerhens. Find out more
here
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Walker Book Group
Join the Walker Book Group for a potluck and discussion on
Sunday, Sept. 9 at 5:30 pm
in Channing Hall. Bring your favorite dish to share and a small contribution to cover beverages. We will discuss
Pachinko
by Min Jin Lee. Find more information
here.
Bring the People and Pets You Love!
Sign up for a photo session at Albany UU and bring your family and friends – including the four-legged members! It’s easy to make an appointment to make sure that you are part of the new Albany UU Photo Directory:
·
Sunday after the service
·
Call a Lifetouch representative at 1.866.756.0281 and tell them you want to schedule a photo session for the First Unitarian Universalist Society of Albany. Find available dates/times and more information
here.
Workshop to Practice Effective Compassionate Communication
Come learn and practice using tools for nonviolent communication with Philomena Moriarty on
September 29; 9:30am - 4:30pm
, in Channing Hall. Find more information
here
.
Got the End of Summer Blues?
Here's a cure - join us for UU Weekend at Silver Bay from
October 12-14, 2018!
Find more information
here.
Save the Date to Get Connected!
Attend the Albany UU Get Connected Activity Fair on Sunday October 21 and find out what you might be missing! Find more information
here
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Sunday Volunteers
Would you like to be involved in the Sunday service in a more meaningful way?
Visit
Sunday Hospitality Sign Up
to find out about the ways you can volunteer on Sunday morning. We thank you and could not do what we do without YOU!
Gardening Volunteers
Do you have two hours to contribute to maintaining the gardens surrounding Albany UU? The Gardening Committee welcomes you to
sign up here
, where you can select which week(s) you'd like to help. Volunteers often work in pairs. No experience necessary. For more information or to receive e-mail updates, please contact
Donna Meixne
r or 518/439-5947.
RE Spaces Need Beautification
- Elizabeth B. and Leah P. are setting up the RE Rooms and they are looking spiffy! They could use a few more people to help us with the bulletin boards in the rooms and in the hallways to welcome the children and youth. Do you have a few hours to help out during the day or evening? Creativity appreciated, but willingness to help out to get things up is valuable too. Send an email to Leah at dre@albanyuu.org or to Elizabeth at reassist@albanyuu.org.
- Do you know how to do "lazure painting"? There is a blank wall in room 26 (where the 2nd/3rd grade Moral Tales Group will meet) that is calling to be beautified before the start of the Sunday school year. Are you a DIY-er with experience in a glaze painting technique like “lazure painting”? A wall of soft color could be a wonderful feature for this room; it doesn’t have to be a rainbow. Contact me at dre@albanyuu.org if you’d be up for this project. The RE budget will cover the supplies. Rose Tell-Drake is willing to learn; if there is someone who has experience with this, Rose and Leah P. would love your help. The first day of Sunday school is Sept 16th.
See also - volunteer opportunities under the SRC heading below.
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RELIGIOUS EXPLORATION
-Leah Purcell, Director of Religious Education and Family Ministry,
dre@albanyuu.org
Keep up with what's happening for children and families and other events by checking out
Leah's e-News
.
On Sunday, the childcare rooms
open starting at 9:45 AM (ages 7 and under)
Upcoming Sundays at a glance:
- The last Sunday of Summer Session of Religious Services and Childcare is Sept. 2:
*Childcare for infants through age 7
*Children and youth ages 8 and up will attend the service with their families
- September 9
- Multigenerational Homecoming and Water Ceremony Service
- September 16
- Sunday School Resumes
RE Volunteers – mark your calendars for a development session on Saturday, Sept 8, 9:00-noon
This is an important meeting for those of you volunteering in RE this fall – Sunday morning group leaders, nursery/toddler volunteers, and youth advisers. Please complete this doodle poll to RSVP
https://doodle.com/poll/8x9csrgadgyctyqp
. Prevent Child Abuse NY will give a presentation on signs of child abuse and neglect and other safety concerns, including screen use. I’ll give a review of our Safe Congregation Policy. The other half of the session will be devoted to team meetings; I have an activity for you to get the children and youth involved right away in feeling comfortable and a part of your group. Bring your calendars because you'll want to create your schedule of volunteering to lead and assist this fall.
Now is the time to register your child for 2018- 19 RE!
Avoid the rush and register your child for RE today
on line
and pay the registration fee
on line
too! You can also pick up a paper copy in the RE Office or ask the office to mail one to you. Make your check out to Albany UU and put RE Registration in the memo line or pay in cash. Call the office at 463-7135 or email Leah at dre@albanyuu.org with questions.
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SOCIAL RESPONSIBILITIES COUNCIL (SRC)
-Matt Lesniak, SRC Chair,
email
Screening of American Socialist
Saturday, September 8, at 7:30 PM, the Solidarity Committee of the Capital District kicks off its 2018-19 film series with the screening of "American Socialist: The Life and Times of Eugene Victor Debs" (2018, 97 minutes). Find our more
here
.
Pull tabs for Ronald McDonald House - Kathy Harris
A few people at Albany UU have been joining me to deliver gallons of tabs over the last few years to the local Ronald McDonald House on Lake Avenue. Thank you especially to Josh and Reese Satin. This collection is an on-going effort that I am committed to continuing. I would love people’s donations and have placed a container on the collection station in the coat room that I will check periodically. This is really quick and really easy – even kids can get in on this project!
Check out the flyer!
Raise Your Voice for End of Life Choice
Ask a Candidate.
It’s election season, with a primary on September 13 and a general election on November 6. Make sure you are registered to vote. When a candidate asks for your vote, or when you are deciding on your vote, you can ask whether a candidate supports medical aid in dying. If you
click here
to take the pledge to “Ask the Candidate,” Compassion and Choices New York will send you everything you need to be successful in your efforts. (NOTE: You are not required to make a financial pledge, regardless of where the website routes you.)
Advanced Care Directives: The Dementia Provision.
Death with Dignity Albany invites you to attend a presentation by Judith Schwartz, RN, PhD, and the Clinical Director of End of Life Choices New York, on
September 12 from 11:30-1:30 at the Bethlehem Public Library
.
Find more information here
.
Volunteers requested
PAUSE (People of Albany United for Safe Energy) has partnered with the city of Albany to turn the Albany Jazz Festival into a zero waste event. On
Saturday, Sept. 8, 1:00-9:00 pm
they will attempt to redirect vendors and the public alike from throwing their food waste into the trash. They will provide compostable buckets and bags for the refuse instead.
PAUSE is asking for help.
Please see the
flyer
for details. The most important thing you can do is to let Sandy Steubing know that you can help on Sept. 8 by devoting an hour or two of your time.
Sandy Steubing 518-268-7045 or ssteub@gmail.com.
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To share your Joy or Sorrow
with our Albany UU community, you may submit it on a yellow card during the service or by using our
online form.
Need to Talk? Albany UU Pastoral Care Associates are here to listen!
Our Pastoral Care Associates have been trained in compassionate listening skills and are available to all members and friends of our congregation. To contact a Pastoral Care Associate, email:
listeners@albanyuu.org
, contact
Rev. Sam Trumbore
, the Albany UU office at 518.463.7135, or one of them personally. They are: Chuck Manning, Phil Rich, Randy Rosette, Sandy Stone, Lisa Barron, Donna Meixner and Dee VanRiper.
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Regular events and meetings
Exceptions: It’s still summer when many of the “regular" activities listed below take a vacation. Call the church office if you want to find out if an event or meeting will take place.
Check Windows Weekly for changes to date, time and location.
Sundays
5:30 PM Walker Book Group (2nd)
11:45 AM Green Sanctuary Committee (1st)
11:45 AM Social Responsibilities Council (3rd)
Mondays
6:15 PM Religious Education Council (1st)
Tuesdays
10:00 AM Philosophy Discussion (weekly)
1:00 PM Bridge (weekly)
7:00 PM UU Humanists (3rd)
Wednesdays
10:00 AM Projects & Quilts (weekly)
7:00 PM Choir Rehearsal (almost weekly)
Thursdays
1:00 PM All Sides Considered (1st & 3rd)
7:00 PM Program Coordinating Council (2nd)
7:00 PM Board of Trustees (3rd)
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Going to miss a Sunday?
You can listen to the entire Albany UU Sunday service at home or on your mobile device. The two most recent services are available as MP3 files on the Albany UU member resource website. Here is how to access:
username: fuusan, password: Emerson405.
Our sermon archive (select Ministry/Sermon Archive on the left website menu) has pdf files of sermons texts (when available) and audio files of sermons. You can also request the office put a service on a CD.
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First Unitarian Universalist Society of Albany
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Parking:
Parking is available on the street. On Sundays (and for some special events) Albany UU has permission to use the University at Albany’s Hawley Parking Lot on Robin Street at Washington Avenue.
Office hours
September-June:
Monday-Friday, 9:00-3:00
July-August:
Monday–Thursday 9:00-1:00
Websites
Building use
To
reserve a room
for an Albany UU activity
or to rent a hall or classroom space
, for a personal or non-Albany UU activity, contact Administrative Assistant Sapphire Correa (518.463.7135 or
office@albanyuu.org
).
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First Unitarian Universalist Society of Albany | 518.463.7135| 518.463.1429 | Admin@AlbanyUU.org | AlbanyUU.org
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