Windows Weekly June 6, 2019
Albany UU Windows Weekly
Greetings,
Welcome to Windows Weekly, Albany UU's central source for news and updates. Enjoy!

-Blessings
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 .
Sunday Service 10:00 AM
June 9,“The Beauty of Flowers”
This will be our yearly multi-generational flower communion service. Please bring some flowers to share - from a garden, a shop or a crack in the sidewalk. We’ll create a bouquet of all the flowers people bring. At the end of the service, you’ll be able to take home some of those flowers to enjoy. The beauty of flowers has an enchanting power to free us and lift our spirits even in hard times.

Music: Sarah Greene,  soprano,  with Richard Porterfield,  piano,  and Tom Gerbino,  oboe and clarinet

Hymn 65: “Sweet June Days”
Hymn 123: Spirit of Life
Hymn 396: “I Know This Rose Will Open”

Here is a place you might find the words to our hymns.










Sunday Services
10:00 am


The summer schedule begins with Sunday, June 16


Summer at Albany UU
This Sunday, June 9, is the last Sunday of the regular service year; our summer services begin on Sunday, June 16 and continue through Sunday, September 1.

How is a summer Sunday at Albany UU different from other Sundays?

--The 9:00 a.m. Meditation continues.
--We have Service at 10:00 AM. Summer services are coordinated by Randy Rosette, with a delightful list of guests in the pulpit.
-- Children are invited to meet for activities in Room 24/25, youth are invited to help or attend service. The nursery/toddler room will still be open at 9:45 with paid childcare staff.
-- Coffee Hour becomes Iced Tea and Lemonade (in Community Hall Alcove.)
--The people you’ve enjoyed all year are still here, plus it’s a time we often have visitors who are on their summer voyages from elsewhere.
--Contributions of flowers from your garden for the service are welcome!
-- If you can volunteer to help on a Sunday, we have openings for Greeters and Ushers. Call the office, 518-463-7135, or sign up here !



June 16  “Thriving Amidst New Abnormal,” Rev. Chris Antal

Faced with a disturbing reality in which things are not getting better, what value might spiritual disciplines bring to our lives?

Rev. Antal was ordained by Albany UU in 2011. Since then, he served a tour as an Army chaplain in Afghanistan, and earned a doctorate from Hartford Seminary.

Music: Ann Brandon


June 23 “Should there be Limits on Religious Freedom?” Rev. Dick Gilbert

Today religious freedom is being increasingly invoked in problematic moral situations: parents who refuse to have their children vaccinated; merchants who won’t serve same sex couples; congregations which want to endorse political candidates. What is the meaning of church-state separation in this context? What does this say about Unitarian Universalism as we know it?

Rev. Dick Gilbert, retired UU minister, has published books on faith development, social justice and meditations, including In the Holy Quiet and Thanks Be for These.

Music: Randy Rosette


June 30  “Life is a Labyrinth,” Rev. Amanda Poppei

So often we imagine that life is like a straight line--but in reality our lives are much more like a spiral, including those lessons that repeat over and over again when we think we should get a break from them already! Using the image of a labyrinth as a starting place, Rev. Amanda will explore the constancy of change, and how we can find ourselves transformed...even when we feel like we are facing the same darn thing.

Rev. Poppei is a Unitarian Universalist minister as well as a certified Ethical Culture Leader, and has a strong background in interfaith work. Serving as President of the Unitarian Universalist Humanist Association, Amanda is also a co-founder of the Humanist Clergy Collaboratory.

Music: Alyssa Yeager
 




Announcements

Community Breakfast - don’t miss out!
Our next community breakfast is coming up fast on Saturday, June 15! Help is still needed to make this a success, particularly with publicity. Help is also needed with set up on Friday, June 14 beginning at 6:30 pm. Of course there’s always lots of room for helpers on the morning of the breakfast, beginning at 7:00 am. If you’re willing, please sign up on the bulletin board in Channing Hall or call Carol Butt as soon as you are able (518.439.6629). If you would like to contribute some fruit or other tasty food item to the breakfast such as coffee cake, muffins, banana bread, etc., please label it, “community breakfast” and leave it in the kitchen by 8:00 AM Saturday, June 15. Don’t miss this wonderful opportunity to help with this important community event here at Albany UU!

A reminder that this outreach opportunity was put into action as a result of the Albany UU Board asking the congregation the open question, “What would it look like for Albany UU to be a good neighbor?” A proposal from Carol Butt was approved by the Board to provide a free public community breakfast once a month in Channing Hall.

Did you notice the yellow Black Lives Matter banner was missing?
Here is what happened. You may have noticed that it had gotten weathered over the years now it has been up. One of the ropes holding it up broke, so we took it down with the plan to replace it. A new banner has been ordered and will be put up after it has arrived. We are fortunate that we haven’t had it removed or defaced by vandals as has happened in other congregations.
 
May the banner be a reminder to the world driving by, and also to our members of the critical importance of our inner and outer work to dismantle white supremacy culture.

Memorial service for Teddy Archer - Save the date 
A memorial service will be held for Teddy on Sunday afternoon, September 29. The date of the service has been set to also honor her 100th birthday, and there will be cake to celebrate a vibrant life well lived! 

Sheridan Prep Volunteer Training  
Whether you are currently volunteering, waiting to volunteer, or want to start next fall. Please come to an end-of-school-year training at Eagle Point Elementary Wednesday June 19 at 3:45 pm
RSVP to Fiona Thompson at: fthompson@albany.k12.ny.us

Your reply would be appreciated so we can gauge the number to expect.

Location and parking:
Eagle Point Elementary is on Western Avenue across from the Harriman State Office Campus.
There should be parking in lots on both sides of the school and in the street at that time as the school closes well before our meeting time.

Homecoming service - Water and Photos!
I know, I know, summer services haven't even begun...BUT, it's never too early to remind folks to gather a little water from your summertime experiences. It could be from a lake, a creek, an ocean, a puddle, or a tap, while you're away or from right here at home. During our Homecoming Service on Sunday, Sept. 8, we'll share our water to symbolize the regathering of our community.

Also, be thinking about those summertime photos that we'll be asking you to send into the office for our Homecoming slideshow!
Sunday Schedule

9:00 AM
- Mindfulness Meditation, Sanctuary

9:45 AM
- Nursery/Toddler Rooms open

10:00 AM
- Multigenerational Service, Community Hall

11:00 AM
- Coffee Hour, Channing Hall

(Social Responsibilities Council Meeting has been cancelled)

5:30 PM
- Walker Book Group, Channing Hall


Quick Links



Denominational Affairs Links



Sign up for a class or event

- Send and email to: registration@albanyuu.org
- 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.






Offering envelopes

We appreciate donations of cash during the offering that occurs as part of our Sunday service. If you would like to have cash contributions acknowledged and recorded, please use one of the envelopes that are available on the table in the Community Hall lobby. Thank you very much for your generosity.




From our blogs
JOYS and CARING CORNER
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.


We are sad to announce that Glenn Durban died at his home in Voorheesville on Tuesday, May 28, 2019. He was 101. Glenn and his family were involved in the congregation some years ago and his children grew up in our RE program. For more information about Glen click on the link below. https://altamontenterprise.com/06022019/glenn-durban


We light a candle of concern for Renee Howard . She fell and broke a hip. After surgery, she is not doing well. Cards may be sent to her son Dean Howard: 153 Colonial Avenue, Albany, NY 12208.


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, Dee VanRiper and Sharon Babala.

Albany UU Caring Network
The Caring Network (CN) reflects the words of the Albany UU chalice lighting - “to sustain a vital and nurturing religious community.” The CN provide encouragement and short term support to Albany UU members who, due to hospitalization, sickness, loss, or isolation, need assistance. Services typically include transportation to medical appointments, meals and shopping during recovery, and friendly visits and “check in’s” from Caring Network members. Please reach out to the Caring Network if you need.
UPCOMING EVENTS
Walker Book Group
Join the Walker Book Group for a potluck and discussion on Sunday, June 9 at 5:30 pm in Channing Hall. We will discuss three short stories: “The Trojan Sofa” by Bernard MacLaverty, “A Silver Dish” by Saul Bellow, and “The Way We Live Now” by Susan Sontag. Learn more here .


UU Weekend: Put it on your calendar now!
UU Weekend at Silver Bay Discounted Rate Ends Soon
Join us at the UU Weekend at Silver Bay from October 18-20, 2019. First-timers will receive an additional 10% discount! Children under 6 are free and there are substantial discounts for older children and youth. Don’t forget: June 10th is the last day to receive the early bird rate . Sign up today! 
Learn more here .
VOLUNTEER OPPORTUNITIES
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.
RELIGIOUS EXPLORATION
-Leah Purcell, Director of Religious Education and Family Ministry (DREFM), lpurcell@albanyuu.org

Find information on Leah's Sabbatical here .

Faith formation of children and youth this Sunday, June 9:    

Nursery/Toddler Rooms open at 9:45 AM.
 
All children invited to attend Multigenerational Flower Communion service in Community Hall

Summer Session of RE – It’s all for fun! Come Volunteer!
Summer session of RE is a great time for me to get out some art projects. And the children of all ages also enjoy free play with our unit blocks and other materials. We staff summer session with three volunteers or staff: one person (youth or adult) in the nursery/toddler room; one person (youth or adult) in room 24/25 with the multi-age-children’s activities; and one adult "floater" to check on both rooms and fill in as needed. Are you ready for some summer fun with our children? You can volunteer just one Sunday or as many as you like June 16 – Sept 1. Contact Leah Purcell at dre@albanyuu.org

SOCIAL RESPONSIBILITIES COUNCIL (SRC)
-Matt Lesniak, SRC Chair, email

SRC recommends the following:


Troy City Council Meeting with Sanctuary Resolution on agenda, Thursday, June 6, 6:30pm. Opponents of the resolution are gathering, and it will be important that supporters come to the meeting to advocate for the resolution. 433 River Street, Troy.


#HALTsolitary Day of Action - Wednesday, June 12 .
Thousands of New Yorkers are right now suffering in solitary confinement, for months, years, and decades. The majority of NY Senators and Assembly Members publicly support the HALT Solitary Confinement Act, S1623/A2500. But HALT is still not being brought to a vote. #HALTsolitary will be taking action in Albany to urge the Senate and Assembly to pass HALT before session ends. Sign up: http://bit.ly/HALTsolitaryJune12 .







Our 2019 General Assembly Albany UU Delegates are**

Dawn Dana
Kathy Harris
Tammy Hathaway
Amy Lent
Jan McCracken
Jean Poppei
John Sherman
Peggy Sherman

** Please note that this list has been updated from an earlier incorrect version. Apologies for any confusion.

Other important info:

Rev. Trumbore will be away attending UUMA Ministry Days and UUA General Assembly in Spokane, Washington, from Sunday June 16 through Sunday, June 23. He will be back in the office Monday morning, June 24.

Office Administrator, Tammy Hathaway will be away attending AUUA Admin Days and UUA General Assembly from Monday, June 17 through Monday, June 24. She will be back in the office Tuesday morning, June 25.
Regular events and meetings
Check Windows Weekly for changes to date, time and location. 

Sundays        
11:45 AM      Inclusivity Team (1st)
5:30 PM       Walker Book Group (2nd)
11:45 AM      Social Responsibilities Council (3rd)
11:45 AM      Green Sanctuary Committee (4th)
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)
6:15 PM       Board of Trustees (4th)
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: AlbanyUU
password: EEthelredBrown405

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.
First Unitarian Universalist Society of Albany
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 (unless otherwise posted)
September-June: Monday-Friday, 9:00-3:00
July-August: Monday–Thursday 9:00-1:00

Websites
General: www.AlbanyUU.org

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 ).

Photo credit: Kathy Hodges
First Unitarian Universalist Society of Albany | 518.463.7135| 518.463.1429 | Admin@AlbanyUU.org | AlbanyUU.org