Greetings,
Welcome to Windows Weekly, Albany UU's central source for news and updates. 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 16, “Mystery: Of the Skit”
Our multigenerational service with the 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
Hymn 225: O Come, O Come, Emmnuel
Hymn 246: O Little Town of Bethlehem
Hymn 239: Go Tell It on the Mountain
Hymn 253: O Come, All Ye Faithful
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Sunday Services
10:00 am
December's theme: Mystery
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
Artist Reception this Sunday, Dec. 16
Come to Channing Hall during Coffee Hour to view the art and visit with the artists of the Albany Artists Group (AAG). There will be light snacks available. AAG was formed in 1945 in the Capital Region to help advance the graphic and plastic arts of the community. Enjoy!
UU Humanists
Albany UU Humanists usually meet on the third Tuesday of the month however there will be
no meeting in December
. The next meeting will be on Tuesday, Jan. 15, 2019 at 7 PM in Room B-8 at Albany UU. Find additional information
here
.
Thank you!
Thanks to all who donated to SHARE in last Sunday’s plate giveaway - $1,775 was raised to support the use of renewable energy at the proposed power plant in nearby Sheridan Hollow instead of fracked gas. To support this effort further, call governor Cuomo 518-474-2552 and say: “No fracked gas power plant for Sheridan Hollow. The neighborhood has already had more than its share of toxic emissions. Instead power the Capitol and the Plaza with 100% renewable energy. It’s good for Albany and good for our climate.”
Holiday Albany UU Office Hours
The Albany UU office will be closed on Monday, Dec. 24 and Tuesday, Dec. 25. The office will be open 12:00 N - 5:00 PM on Wednesday, Dec. 26. Regular hours will apply on Thursday and Friday, Dec. 27 and 28 and on Monday, Dec. 31. The office will be closed on Tuesday, Jan. 1. Regular hours will apply Wednesday thru Friday, Jan. 2-4. Thank you!
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
Please gather blankets, sleeping bags, and warm coats, etc. and put them in the bin in the coatroom to be given to those who are homeless. Thank you for your help!
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
- Multigenerational Sunday Service with the Pageant, Community Hall
11:00 AM
- Coffee Hour, Channing Hall
- Artist Reception, Channing Hall
- SRC sponsored card-making
1:00 PM
- Holiday Caroling (meet in the Lobby at 12:30 for carpooling to private residences)
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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Social Responsibilities Council will be supporting the
Unitarian Universalist Service Committee (UUSC)
this year in its effort to let migrant children and families know that they ARE welcome - if we make cards and pictures with welcoming messages, the UUSC will deliver them to asylum-seekers at the US-Mexican borders. We will have materials for card making in Channing Hall after service this Sunday, and encourage people to stop by and make holiday cards. We will also be collecting monetary donations for UUSC.
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Calendar of Holiday Events
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Sunday, Dec. 16
10:00 am
Multigen service with the Pageant
, Community Hall
12:30 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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Budget Requests due Sunday, January 6, 2019
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Yes, it’s time once again to determine how much money your program, committee or group will need in the next fiscal year starting July 1, 2019 and ending on June 30, 2020. While it may seem far away now, planning with a group will take more time than you might think. Especially since a new form, approved by the Board, must provide a more detailed explanation and justification of amounts requested.
The budget form for submission is at:
(Please note: the link to the form in last week's
Windows Weekly
was incorrect. This is the correct link to the updated form.)
It can also be found on the Albany UU web site under Church Office, File Cabinet. If necessary, the office can supply you with a printed form.
The Finance Committee and the Board will use the fully completed form to help determine how much money will be needed to support your group’s planned activities for next year. Combining all the submissions allows us to set a realistic annual stewardship goal. If no form is submitted, it will be assumed that your group does not need any funds from the operating budget. If available, needed funds may be taken from your designated fund.
The form is self-guiding, however, if you have questions or need an alternate method of communication, please contact Steve Moskowitz at 518-439-6347 or
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Benefit Concert January 11
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Please join Alyssa Yeager at 7 pm January 11, for a concert to benefit the local US Committee for Refugees and Immigrants. Popular music from the fifties and sixties and originals will be featured. Monetary and toiletry/school supply donations will be gratefully accepted (suggested value $10-$15). Desserts and beverages will also be available for purchase. This is an Albany UU Choir sponsored event. Contact Randy if you have any questions, 518-783-2637.
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Caroling this Sunday, 12:30 to 2:30 pm
Our annual caroling party begins by meeting in the Albany UU lobby this Sunday, Dec. 16 at 12:30 pm. Join us in bringing songs and joy of the season to members of the congregation who are unable to attend regular services, and to their neighbors and friends. Find more info
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
.
Circle Dinner - Save the date!
Saturday, Jan 12, 6:00 pm
Circle Dinners are "coordinated potluck" dinners shared by 6 - 9 Albany UU newcomers and old timers, friends and acquaintances of all ages, single or with partners. Our objective is to strengthen our Albany UU family by getting to know each other better while sharing conversation and food in a relaxed atmosphere. Find more info
here
.
Governance Meetings
The Governance Working Group will hold two more meetings in January to introduce changes in Albany UU’s governance that are under consideration: Sunday, Jan. 13, 11:30 to 12:30 and Wednesday, Jan. 16, 5:45 to 6:45 PM, both in B-8. Learn more
here
.
East of Hudson Potluck
Let's gather on
January 25 at 6pm
at the home of Sharon and Mike Babala for our next potluck. If there is snow adventurous spirits are invited to come early and snowshoe or cross country ski! Learn more
here
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Thank you!
The people of Albany UU came together to do a wonderful job of supporting this year's Holiday Bazaar. Proceeds from crafts and vendors, soups and pies totalled $4,142!
Participants made soup, peeled apples for pie, created many wonderful crafts and helped with set up, selling and clean up. Albany UU members helped by buying our creations. Thank you to everyone who contributed to this year's great success.
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Fun in Religious Education sponsored activities!
(Above) On Potluck and Games Nights the kids are rocking the Star Wars launcher!
(Left) Youth group organized the craft making for the tree and help the younger kids
(Below) Pageant rehearsal excitement! This is our pageant of not worrying about making a mistake. We have a few players with set roles, but will be counting on people of all ages to take “walk on” roles on Sunday to fill in our band of shepherds and flock of sheep; chorus of angels; barnyard of animals; and procession of royalty.
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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!
Volunteers are still needed for our Christmas Eve Candlelight services!
We will need a lead usher, 2 support ushers, and a greeter for both the 6:00 PM and the 8:00 PM service. You can sign up at
Sunday Hospitality Sign Up t
o sign up or let Sapphire in the office know of your interest: scorrea@albanyuu.org. Thank 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
RE Calendar for upcoming Sundays
Saturday, Dec 22 at 4:00 pm
Multigenerational Solstice Celebration in Channing Hall -
Bring drums and other noisemakers if you have them - and a plate of finger food to share, if you can
Sunday, Dec 23 Informal Christmas multigen service
· no Sunday school
· Rev Sam and I will present the service in Community Hall
· Christmas Jams (live music) during Coffee Hour
Monday, Dec 24, Christmas Eve services in the Sanctuary
· 6:00 pm and 8:00 pm with cookie reception at 7:00
Sunday, Dec 30 Multiage RE
· fun Sunday school for all - in the 2 large upstairs rooms
· youth can help
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SOCIAL RESPONSIBILITIES COUNCIL (SRC)
-Matt Lesniak, SRC Chair,
email
SRC Recommends the following:
Please bring personal care items
including empty toothpaste tubes and toothbrushes, water filters, tyvek envelopes, hearing aid batteries, corks, paper egg cartons, cell phones, winter garments including coats, hats, scarves, gloves and usable blankets to the recycle center in the Albany UU cloak room. Recycling like this is an easy way to reduce, reuse, and re-purpose. Right now, the company that we send water filters and personal care items is offering a bonus. Albany UU's points and last bonus was used to have 10 trees planted in an American forest.
See also the UUSC Call to Action, above.
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Spokane in 2019, Providence in 2020
Looking for a meaningful experience in an interesting location with programs that will challenge and uplift you – all in the company of thousands of other Unitarian Universalists? Consider General Assembly, the annual meeting of the Unitarian Universalist Association!
In 2019, GA will be held in Spokane, Washington from June 19-23. Closer to home, in 2020, GA will take place in Providence, Rhode Island from June 24-28. Learn more
here
.
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UUA Board announces resignation of Christina Rivera
“For the past four and a half years I have had just about every experience you can imagine on the Board,” said Ms. Rivera. “I have put the best of my abilities to work for our faith, serving with a deep and abiding love for Unitarian Universalism. Some of my proudest moments as a UU are intertwined with my Board service, and it is with deep sadness that I tender my resignation.” UUA Co-Moderators Elandria Williams and Mr. Barb Greve issued the following statement, acknowledging the recent receipt of threatening messages directed to Ms. Rivera and her family: Read more at
https://bit.ly/2C7FKa5
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Albany UU is a
UUA Honor Congregation
! Just some of the benefits of being an Honor Congregation are Personnel support, Worship materials, RE support, Free curriculum, Governance support....and the list goes on. Albany UU members and friends continue to be proud contributors to lifting up our faith tradition and making a difference in our world. Thank you for your support!
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Green Sanctuary's Tip of the Week!
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Practicing Our Seventh Principle:
Did you know that when you buy fair trade coffee you are not only supporting the practice of fair wages, opportunity for employee advancement and safe work conditions, but you are also supporting environmentally sustainable practices for growing coffee? Pick up your Fair Trade coffee at the SRC Table on Sunday!
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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, 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 (4th)
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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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