Greetings,
Welcome to Windows Weekly, Albany UU's central source for news and updates. Thank you for your patience in waiting for your news. Enjoy!
-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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December 2, “Mystery: Of the Light,” Rev. Sam Trumbore
Just how did that lamp oil that was supposed to last for only one day actually last for eight? How do we encounter mysteries in our lives that seem to violate what we know, or think we know, to be true? How open are we to making room for the new possibilities?
Music
:
Albany UU Choir sings Hannukah songs in English, Yiddish, and Hebrew.
The hymns we will be singing are:
HYMN 146: “Soon the Day Will Arrive”
HYMN 223: “Rock of Ages, Let Our Song”
HYMN 168: “One More Step”
HYMN 221: “Light One Candle”
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Sunday Services
10:00 am
December's theme: Mystery
December 9, “Mystery: Of the Conception,” Rev. Sam Trumbore
Christians believe that Jesus was conceived through a divine interaction that happened between Mary and God. This was an acceptable idea at the time, less true today because of what we now know about how reproduction works. Can the story still be true even though the science says it can’t? Can UU’s hail Mary as full of Grace?
Music:
Guest artist, soprano, Savannah Gordon
December 16, “Mystery: Of the Skit”
Our multigenerational Christmas pageant!
Just about every Christmas pageant has a few mistakes and miscues. The costumes are non-optimal. The animal hats look a little funny. Yet, in some mysterious way, it still almost unfailingly moves people deeply as they gather together with their children to reenact Jesus’ birth.
Music:
Albany UU Choir and String Quartet led by Richard Porterfield
December 23, “Mystery: Lessons and Carols,” Rev. Sam Trumbore
Join us on an interpretive journey through lessons, readings and carols about Christmas. This approach was inspired by the Festival of Nine Lessons and Carols, celebrated for the past 100 years in the Chapel of King’s College in Cambridge.
Music:
Seasonal Carols
(Monday) December 24, “Mystery: Of the Song,” Rev. Sam Trumbore
Candlelight Christmas Eve Services (6:00 and 8:00 PM, in the Sanctuary)
This is the 200th Anniversary of the song Silent Night. The song powerfully engages the mystery of why God would choose this time, this place, and this child to be God’s agent in the world to bring a message to us. Our response will not be analysis, not be skepticism but rather wonder, awe and gratitude.
Music:
Albany UU Choir led by Richard Porterfield with Chris Jensen, associate conductor; music of Daquin, Victoria, and Vader & Rouse
December 30, "Gentle Giants on the Interdependent Web," David Weissbard
A couple of years ago I read "The Elephant Whisperer" and said to myself, "Self, there's a sermon here." That sermon had a gestation period worthy of an elephant. I look forward to sharing it with you on the 30th.
Music:
Guest artist, Virginia Reed
Announcements
Drop off Finished Crafts for Holiday Bazaar
If you are donating your handmade craft items to the sale, please place your items in the box labeled ‘Crafters’ Box’ on the top right shelf in the coatroom by Friday, Nov. 30. You may also drop off your crafts at Albany UU between 10 am and noon on Sat. Dec. 1.
Albany UU email issues
You may or may not have noticed a hiccup in sending email to the Albany UU office. We've made some changes and think we now have a better system in place. In that process however, we may have not seen some emails that came in, especially between the evening of Thursday, Nov. 29 and the afternoon of Friday, Nov. 30. If you sent an email to Leah, Sapphire or Tammy during that time and believe we did not get it, please resend. We apologize for any inconvenience this may have caused.
"Green" Wrapping
Make your gifting easier this year and wean yourself off the paper habit for wrapping by obtaining some cloth wrap bags at the bazaar. Also gifting a "bag of bags" helps spread the trend to reduce paper waste for next year.
Planning for weather emergencies
In the event of severe weather, a decision to cancel Sunday morning RE classes will be publicized by 9:00 PM Saturday.
A decision to cancel Sunday meditation and the service will be publicized by 8:00 AM Sunday.
The cancellation of all other classes, programs and meetings depends on a decision by the chairperson. We hope to receive information enabling a cancellation announcement two hours before the event start time.
Notice of cancellations will be by email sent through Constant Contact.
Warmth for the Homeless
It's that time again to gather blankets, sleeping bags, and warm coats, etc. Please put them in the bin in the coatroom to be given to those who are homeless. Thank you for helping.
The homeless shelter is so grateful for the donations to the blanket bin!
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Sunday Schedule
9:00 AM
- Mindfulness Meditation, Sanctuary
9:45 AM
- Nursery/Toddler Rooms open
10:00 AM
- Sunday Service, Community Hall
- Family Chapel
- Programs for Youth
11:00 AM
- Coffee Hour, Channing Hall
- Holiday Bazaar/Soup and Pie Sale
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)
Minister
Church Administrator
Director of Religious Education and Family Ministry
Music Director
Dr. Richard Porterfield,
Music Associates (volunteer)
Randy Rosette, Chris Jensen
Administrative Assistant
Religious Education Assistant
Lead Youth Adviser
Tracey Hickey
Custodian
Izzy Wright
Snow Removal Tech
Quintain Murray
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Notes from the Music Director
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This December we have several musical treats in store.
On December 2, the Albany UU Choir will sing Hannukah music including Jill Gallina’s “Light the Candles,” and the world premiere of my own setting of the hymn
Maoz tzur
(“Rock of Ages”).
On December 9, we welcome as guest artist the soprano Savannah Gordon, a recent graduate of SUNY Albany. I will accompany Savannah in “Silent Noon” by Ralph Vaughan Williams, and in Franz Schubert’s
An die Musik
and “Ave Maria,” the latter a prayer of a captive.
Our service on December 16 will include a Christmas pageant with congregational hymns and choral anthems. Each section of the choir will be featured on this day, including the tenors in J.S. Bach’s
“Zion hört die Wächter singen”
(Zion hears the Watchmen Singing) with accompaniment by a string ensemble drawn from our talented congregation.
On December 23, I will be at the Steinway in Community Hall to accompany hymns and carols of the season.
On Christmas Eve, at the 6 p.m. and 8 p.m. Candlelight services in our historic Sanctuary, I’ll conduct the Albany UU Choir in the
O magnum mysterium
of Tomás Luis de Victoria and Michele Weir’s jazzy “O Christmas Tree.” I will be at the Memorial Organ to accompany hymns including “Joy to the World” and “Silent Night,” and Music Associate Chris Jensen will conduct the choir in Jay Rouse’s funky “’Tis a Wonderful Thing.” We’ll also enjoy a visit from mezzo-soprano Virginia Reed, who grew up at FUUSA and is now a graduate student at the Manhattan School of Music in New York City.
Virginia Reed returns as our featured guest artist on December 30, with repertoire to be announced.
Happy Holidays to all!
More from our blogs:
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Calendar of Holiday Events
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Sunday, Dec. 2
11:00 am
Holiday Bazaar
, Channing
11:45 am
Pageant Part Selection
, Room 26
Sunday, Dec. 9
11:00 am
Holiday Bazaar
, Channing
Tree Decorating
, Channing
11:30 am
Pageant Rehearsal
, Community Hall
Sunday, Dec. 16
10:00 am
Multigen service with the Pageant
, Community Hall
1:00 pm
Caroling
Saturday, Dec. 22
4:00 pm
Multigen Winter Solstice Celebration
, Channing
Sunday, Dec. 23
10:00 am
Multigen Christmas service
, Community Hall
11:00 am
Holiday Music Jam!
Channing
Monday, Dec. 24
6:00 pm
Candlelight Christmas Eve service
, Sanctuary
7:00 pm
Cookie Reception
, Channing
8:00 pm
Candlelight Christmas Eve service
, Sanctuary
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Invitation to a conversation
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The Albany UU Board of Trustees has announced its intention to involve the congregation in a discussion of "What would it look like for Albany UU to be a good neighbor?" Its announcement stated that the Board believes that a sharper focus and greater intentionality will allow our congregation to make a more significant positive impact "on our community, our neighbors, and the world."
Over the past year, the Governance Work Group has been talking with the Board about a new vision of how our congregation will govern itself, one that will enable the Board to focus on such important questions about our future.
The Governance Working Group has also been meeting with several committees and individuals as it works on this new governance structure. We now invite everyone to a presentation about what we have done so far. On
Sunday, Dec. 9 at 11:30 AM following the Service, we will meet in Room B-8 with everyone interested. We also want to hear comments and questions from everyone. Please come to hear a brief presentation, followed by a Q & A with the Governance Working Group.
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Getting to Know UU: orientation to UUism
Saturday, Dec. 1, 8:45 am-noon
We invite you to join us for "Getting to Know UU" to learn about Unitarian Universalism and about our congregation. If you haven't registered that's OK, walk-ins are welcome! Learn more
here
.
Come to the Holiday Bazaar!
This Sunday, Dec. 2, from 10:00 - 2:00
Shop the bazaar for beautiful gifts handmade by Albany UUs. This year’s offerings include stained glass, aprons, table linens, handknits, tree ornaments, candles, gift bags, jams and many other handcrafted items. Sunday will also be your last chance to take home delicious homemade soups and pies. Buy local – support our members and the good work of our congregation!
Pageant part selection, Dec. 2
If your child would like a part in the pageant this year, come to Room 26 at 11:45. The roles include Mary, Joseph, royalty, shepherds, barn animals, and angels, plus narrators. Learn more
here
.
Holiday Tree decorating
Sunday, Dec. 9, during Coffee Hour -
please note date change from previous publications
Join in the making of simple ornaments and decorations to decorate the tree in Channing Hall. You can also bring an ornament to donate to the tree.
Game Night and Potluck
The Religious Education Council will host a Game Night and Potluck on
Friday, Dec. 7
. Potluck dinner starts at 6 PM. Games start at around 6:30 PM. Find more information
here
.
Walker Book Group
Join the Walker Book Group for a potluck and discussion on
Sunday, Dec. 9 at 5:30 pm
in Channing Hall. Bring your favorite dish to share and a small contribution to cover beverages. We will discuss
Killers of the Flower Moon: The Osage Murders and the Birth of the F.B.I.
, By David Grann. Find more information
here
.
Solstice Celebration
Saturday, Dec. 22, 4:00 pm, Channing Hall
All are welcome - this is an event that children can join in. Bring drums and noisemakers if you have them. Bring finger food, if you're able, for our gathering afterwards.
Holiday Music Jam!
The annual Albany UU Holiday Music Jam will take place on Dec. 23 during coffee hour.
The event is multi-generational, multi-level, and multi-instrumental. Learn more
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 need volunteers for our Christmas Eve Candlelight services at 6:00 and 8:00, too! We thank you and could not do what we do without YOU!
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RELIGIOUS EXPLORATION
-Leah Purcell, Director of Religious Education (RE) and Family Ministry,
dre@albanyuu.org
Keep up with what's happening for children and youth
Includes
resources to support parents and caretakers at home by checking out Leah's
RE Newsletter!
Nursery/Toddler Room
opens at 9:45 for children and infants under 2 years old
The Exploring Chickens, Compassionate Hawks, Kick-Butt Unicorns and Crossing Paths Groups
(pre-k through 7th grade) will attend Family Chapel starting at 10:00.
The Crossing Paths Group
will leave Family Chapel a bit early so they can have a snack in their room before their visit to the Immaculate Conception Cathedral. Parents or Caretakers are to pick their children up at the cathedral between 12:45 and 1:00.
The Exploring Chickens, Compassionate Hawks, and Kick-Butt Unicorns
will go to their separate groups after Family Chapel and end at 11:20.
8th/9th Grade Social Justice Group
will meet in their room (B-7) starting at 10:00.
High School Youth Group
will meet in their room (23) starting at 10:00.
Parent/Caretaker Support Group
will meet from about 10:30 until 11:15 in room B-8. All parents/caretakers of school-aged children and youth are welcome.
Note
– the date of the tree decorating at Coffee Hour has been moved from Dec. 2 to Dec. 9.
Our group leaders need help making your child feel welcome.
Please have your child stop by the cart in the hallway for their name button. If you're new or visiting and haven't registered your child yet, please go to the Welcome Table in the lobby to make a paper name tag.
Pageant Part Selection
is this Sunday, Dec 2 at 11:30 in Room 26, upstairs.
Please also plan on coming to the rehearsal from 11:45 to about 12:45 in Community Hall. The service with the pageant is Suandy, Dec. 16. If your child would like to participate but can’t come this Sunday or next, please send Leah an email at dre@albanyuu.org, and we’ll work something out.
Multigen Pot Luck and Game Night
– Sign up if you can – “walk ins” are most welcome too!
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SOCIAL RESPONSIBILITIES COUNCIL (SRC)
-Matt Lesniak, SRC Chair,
email
SRC Recommends the following:
GSC Forum
Thursday, Dec. 6 talk on Solar by Dr. Perez in the Community room at 7PM
There will be refreshments and other solar representatives to discuss how to generate your own solar energy for homes, apartments, any living place and save money on your electric bill.
Sanctuary City resolution hearing
with Troy's Public Safety Committee,
Tuesday, Dec. 4, 6 pm
.
NYS Coalition Against Sexual Assault (NYSCASA) conference
- Building Connections: Sexual Assault & Mental Health with a performance and dialogue with Donna Jenson.
At Albany UU Society, 9 am to 4 pm.
$40.00 Registration needed.
Albany UU has provided meals for one evening every two weeks for Albany's Overflow Homeless Shelter
located at the Lutheran church, a few blocks away, for the past seven years. This year, a new coordinator is needed for the Overflow Shelter Meals. The meals need to be delivered by 6:30 PM on the 2nd and 4th Monday of each month, from November until mid-April. The meals are to serve 25 people, and they consist of an entree, salad, and dessert (the former coordinator also included rolls or bread as an extra). Some parts of the meal can be made ahead of time, and brought together and delivered on Monday. This is a BIG volunteer job, but advice is available from the former coordinator, and there is a list of other Albany UUs who aided last year. Also, Matt Lesniak can be available for as many as half the Mondays to help. Contact Matt at (518) 496-3760 or
mattlesniak@tutanota.de
if interested or for more details.
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Soweto Gospel Choir
Songs of the Free - in honor of Nelson Mandela's 100th Birthday
South Africa's Most Heavenly Voices
Presented by The Troy Savings Bank Music Hall
December 6, 2018 at 7:30pm
The Grammy Award winning Soweto Gospel Choir was formed in Soweto, South Africa, in 2002. The more than 30-member ensemble blends elements of African gospel, Negro spirituals, reggae, and American popular music. The group sings in English and eight South African languages, including Xhosa, famous for its clicking sounds, and they are dedicated to sharing the joy of faith through music with audiences around the world.
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Green Sanctuary's Tip of the Week!
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Practicing Our Seventh Principle:
Use LED lights wherever you can -- save up to 75% off regular lighting. Replace standard Christmas lights with LED lights and recycle old strings at the GSC table.
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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.
Jacqui Williams has had her knee successfully replaced and is now recovering at home.
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.
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Regular events and meetings
Check Windows Weekly for changes to date, time and location.
Sundays
11:45 PM 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) - Nov. only
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: 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.
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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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