Greetings Friends,
Welcome to Windows Weekly, Albany UU's central source for news and updates.
Please note, the Daily Reminder was not sent out this morning since there were no events to remind folks about today. Everything you need to know is right here in the Weekly. Daily Reminders will continue tomorrow morning. Thank you!
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-Blessings and Be Well
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VIRTUAL SUMMER SUNDAY SERVICE
LIVE on ZOOM
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WELCOME TO ALBANY UU SUMMER SERVICES
Service at 10:00 AM
Begin your Sunday morning with an 8:30 Virtual Meditation session until 9:20. We then have Virtual Service beginning at 10:00 each Sunday and a chance to stay online for virtual "Fellowship and Conversation."
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July 25 “Bikini Bodies,” Rev. Eileen Casey Campbell
We know that liberation for anyone must mean liberation for everyone. That includes the liberation of our bodies from the constraints of a false morality about the "right" size for a body to be. On Sunday, let us embrace the gifts of delight, pleasure, and wonder in our embodied selves as we rejoice that all bodies are good bodies.
Eileen Casey-Campbell (she, her, hers) is a minister serving the UU Church of Canandaigua, NY. She shares a life with her partner, Brian, their children, and their goofy dog. Eileen is a yoga teacher, who is also called to social justice work, creative worship, and to ministry with youth and young adults. She loves the spiritual practice of learning to create with her own hands–art, bread, gardens, knitted caps, and more.
Music: Elena Karpoff
Those wishing to access closed captioning/live transcript can turn on the function in their Zoom toolbar. To update to the latest version of Zoom, please do that within the software by finding the menu link and “check for updates”.
Use this link to join Sunday service:
To dial in by phone: 1-929-436-2866:
Meeting ID: 299 018 7785
Password: 0000
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AUGUST SUNDAY SERVICE INFORMATION
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Aug. 1 “Pushed Back to Strength,” Rev. Dr. Tom Chulak
Often when facing adversity we find a strength we did not know we had. In these times, we have been pushed personally and collectively. What has been your response? As Unitarian Universalists how have we responded? And if we have been strengthened, what is the source of our strength? Come and explore the challenges and celebration of life.
Tom is a retired Unitarian Universalist minister and member of our congregation. He lives is Ghent with his wife Nicole.
Music: Ann Brandon
Aug. 8 “Addiction and Spirituality: What’s Jung Got to Do With It?” Diane Cameron
Two important themes that touch all of our lives: Addiction & Spirituality. Addiction touches each of us—through family, friends or community. Spirituality too matters as we make sense of our lives, especially as we age. But Carl Jung? Yes, he is part of the story, and it turns out that part of that story begins in Albany N.Y.
Diane Cameron is a writer, and teacher. A columnist for the Albany Times Union, Diane is the author of three books, “Looking for Signs” –a collection of essays; “Out of the Woods” about Twelve-step recovery, and “Never Leave Your Dead”—the history of war trauma.
Diane is passionate about advocacy for people living in poverty and for family caregivers. She is a director at Unity House in Troy and a spiritual coach and retreat leader.
Music: Randy Rosette
Aug. 15 Wellspring Highlights
Wellspring offers a place to explore and choose for yourself what’s important for your body, mind and heart. Together we set out on a journey of deep listening and compassionate connection, along with some laughter and fun along the way. Attendees from both the Sources and Sacred Arts program will be presenting!
Music: Elena Karpoff
Aug. 22 “Olympia Brown, Unsung Heroine,”
Sigrin Newell
Olympia Brown was the first woman to be ordained as a minister with official approval by a national denomination. In 1863, the Northern Universalist Association in Malone NY approved her plea for equality. As a minister, she had to take the bottom-of-the-barrel jobs that no man wanted. In each case, she made her churches thrive. Reverend Brown was also a suffragist from the very beginning, working with Susan B. Anthony. Brown spent the rest of her life working to get the vote for women. She cast her first vote in 1920 at age 85. Hers is a fascinating story that should be better known.
Dr. Sigrin Newell has been active with the First Unitarian Universalist Society of Albany NY for more than 30 years. During this time she has given many sermons. She sings in the choir. At the UU Weekend/Silver Bay retreat, she has led nature walks and conducted sessions focused on poetry in nature and Goddess spirituality. She retired from Walden University, a distance-learning graduate school where she taught students earning their PhDs in education. Sigrin's hobbies are gardening and botany.
Music: Alyssa Yeager
Aug. 29 Service provided by Jennifer Burns of SURJ
This will be a service about racial justice. More information will be coming soon.
Music: Bruce Holden
Use this link to join Sunday service:
To dial in by phone: 1-929-436-2866:
Meeting ID: 299 018 7785
Password: 0000
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Albany UU Virtual Summer Services
Our summer services continue through September 5.
8:30 a.m. Virtual Sunday Meditation continues through the summer and we will have Virtual Service at 10:00 AM each Sunday. Summer services are coordinated by Randy Rosette.
Sunday Offering
and other service information
Joys and Concerns for Online Services
Need to Talk? Albany UU Pastoral Care Associates are here to listen!
Archives
Past service video recordings can be found here and past sermons can be read here.
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Albany UU is hiring a Religious Education Program Assistant
Do you have some time for a fun paid opportunity to work with our newly minted Acting Religious Education Director, Elizabeth Baldes? Interested in joining our super cool Albany UU Staff Team? Apply today!
10 hours a week
$15/hour
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UPCOMING WAYS to CONNECT
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Start your Sunday Morning with Meditation 8:30 - 9:15 AM
We will sit together for twenty minutes then have some conversation about the talk, meditation methods or experiences followed by a live loving kindness meditation.
Use this link to join:
By phone: 1-929-436-2866
Meeting ID: 299 018 7785
Password: 0000
Philosophy Group
At 10:15 AM every Tuesday, the Albany UU Philosophy Group will meet via zoom to discuss the topic of the day. All are welcome.
Use this link to join:
By phone: 1-929-436-2866
Meeting ID: 987 7102 4708
Password: 0000
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Ps and Qs
Projects and Quilts (Ps and Qs) will zoom next on Wednesday, July 28 at 10:00 AM in Room B-8 at Albany UU.
To join remotely, use this link:
By phone: 929-436-2866
Meeting ID: 299 018 7785
Password: 0000
Albany UU Sings
Join your friends and sing your heart out in Virtual Community! We will supply the music and the lyrics.
Save these Wednesday dates at 7:00 PM for the rest of the the service year and on into summer:
August 4, 18
Hope to see you there.
Use this link to join:
By phone: 1-929-436-2866
Meeting ID: 979 5961 1765
Passcode: 0000
Walker Book Group
We hope to have the Sunday, Sept 12, 5:30 pm Walker Book Group potluck and discussion back in Channing Hall! We will discuss Walter Isaacson’s Leonardo da Vinci Learn more here.
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IMPORTANT ANNOUNCEMENTS!
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Book Discussion Opportunity
As a measure to address white supremacy (universally present and/or experienced by virtue of our culture and history) in ourselves, our interactions, and our congregation, the Inclusivity Team is collaborating with Gemma Halfi to provide a book discussion learning group to explore the ideas presented in the book Caste: The origins of our discontents, by Isabel Wilkerson.
Staff Vacations
It's summer and vacation time!
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Rev. Sam will be out west until July 29. If you have a pastoral concern, please contact listeners@albanyuu.org.
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Church Administrator, Tammy Hathaway will be on vacation from July 17 through July 25. Office Administrator, Patience Pechette will be able to help you during her office hours: Wednesday 2-6P, Thursday 8-4P and Friday 8-4P.
Resumption of Circle Dinners: Virtual July 30 and In-Person July 31
We are resuming in person Circle Dinners for those who are vaccinated and will continue to hold virtual Circle Dinners for those who can’t attend in person.
The next Virtual Circle Dinner will be held on Friday, July 30 at 6:00 PM. The next In-Person Circle Dinner will be held on Saturday, July 31 at 6:00 PM.
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Calling all artists
Let's be ready for a member art show in September!
Open to artists of all ages, media (watercolor, pastel, photography, etc.) skills, and styles.
Art work should be framed, wired, and ready to hang. Attach a 3x5 index card on the back of the
work with: artist name & contact information, the title of the work, and the price (if for sale).
Questions may be directed to Ellen Thea Chernoff 518-463-5503.
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. No experience necessary. For more information or to receive e-mail updates, please contact Donna Meixner or 518/439-5947.
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A Few Opportunities to Serve as an Albany UU Pastoral Care Associate
Are you a good listener? Do you have good self-awareness, solid commitment to our congregation and are a member in good standing? Do you have a good personal support system and can you work collaboratively? Are you willing to ask for help when needed? Do you have an understanding of Unitarian Universalism and a sense of identity as a Unitarian Universalist?
Then maybe the Pastoral Care Associates program is for you. Each year PCA’s step down and need to be replaced.
The process is simple:
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Submit an application (online)
- If selected for this year, Attend a training program.
- Make a renewable service commitment of two years.
The duties are:
- Make a commitment to being available to offer listening ministry and emotional support for one or more congregants for a limited time period.
- Serve as a PCA on duty Sunday morning at least once a month.
- Participate in monthly ongoing support, training and guidance from the minister and the PCA Team.
Building a Multi-Platform Tech Team
As we plan a return to in-person Sunday Services in Community Hall September 12, we will continue to stream out services out on Zoom for those who are not vaccinated, not able to be vaccinated or attend in person. Three “PTZ” (remote control) cameras, a camera controller, a video switcher, fast computer and lots of cables have been purchased to accomplish this goal.
We have the equipment now we need. What is missing right now are a team of people needed to operate the cameras, to support the Multi-Media Tech. If we could build a big enough team, each person would volunteer once a month.
If operating remote control cameras and adjusting audio levels sounds like fun to you, please contact Rev. Sam at minister@albanyuu.org or by cell phone 518/366-4532. Trainings begin in July 31.
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Book Discussion Opportunity
As a measure to address white supremacy (universally present and/or experienced by virtue of our culture and history) in ourselves, our interactions, and our congregation, the Inclusivity Team is collaborating with Gemma Halfi to provide a book discussion learning group to explore the ideas presented in the book Caste: The origins of our discontents, by Isabel Wilkerson.
Are you interested in protecting voting rights?
Then you should sign up for a forum presented by UUSJ, UU the Vote and Public Citizen or tonight, July 22, that will discuss the Action of Immediate Witness on voting rights that just passed at General Assembly, and strategize about how UUs can fight voter suppression and help protect democracy. Remember how Albany UUs and friends sent 17,000 postcards last year to promote voter participation? Let's keep up the good work!
The Albany UU Social Responsibilities Council (SRC) and Inclusivity Team recommend a Black Lives Matter vigil in Troy:
When: Saturdays,10:30-11:15 am
Where: Troy - corner of River Street at the intersection of Fulton and Third Streets, 12180
- pandemic concerns: It's important to remember that vaccines protect the vaccinated. Even as restrictions are lifted in New York State, some may choose to take precautions because of inability to be vaccinated (e.g., age, illness, compromised immune system). Please remember that if you are vaccinated, you are still susceptible to being an asymptomatic carrier of Covid-19. Those who wish to take precautions are invited to. If you are no longer taking precautions, please respect the decisions of those who do. Only an individual knows their full risk. It can be perceived as confrontational to ask vaccine-status of others.
- signs only, no chanting (except for meditative religious practice)
- the vigil will automatically be canceled due to threat of thunderstorms or other severe weather
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No Family Chapel or RE Sessions until the fall. Contact Elizabeth Baldes, Acting Director of Religious Education, ebaldes@albanyuu.org, with any questions. Have a wonderful summer!
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UU WEEKEND AT SILVER BAY
October 15-17
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Renew, Refresh and Relax at Silver Bay
Do you feel as though the summer is moving too fast? Keep the good times rolling! Come to the UU Weekend at Silver Bay from October 15-17, 2021 to build and strengthen relationships and nurture spirit, mind and body. Learn, play and hang out with your fellow UU’s before winter sets in.
After a year’s hiatus, the Silent Auction will return!! New or almost new items, including gift certificates, hardcover books, art, collectibles, nice quality jewelry, bottles of wine, homemade jams, jellies, honey and high-quality crafts, will be gladly accepted. The children’s auction will accept toys, puzzles, and stuffed animals in good condition.
Remember – the cost is all-inclusive for room and board, activities and entertainment - including all meals from Friday dinner through Sunday lunch.
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UPDATED Building Use Guidelines:
Sunday services will remain online through the summer since all the logistics for these services were set up to be remote, before most restrictions were lifted. We are looking forward to providing our first official in-person service on the first Sunday of our new service year, September 12 at 10:00 AM. This will be a multiplatform service and will include an online option. There will be separate guidelines for Sunday services - those are being drafted - and will be available later in the summer. There will also be guidance provided should conditions change and we need to pivot again to meet those, if needed.
Learn about submitting announcements to for our virtual Sunday service and how to reserve a Zoom room for meetings and events here.
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Quick Links
Denominational Affairs Links
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Publication deadlines
This is an important reminder that the news and article deadline for Windows Weekly is 9:00 AM on Monday. Thank you for your cooperation.
Sign up for an Albany UU class or event
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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:
Staff are transitioning from working almost exclusively from home to a combination of working from home and at the church office. Right now, office hours are by appointment until a routine is established.
Our Website:
Zoom use:
To reserve Zoom for an Albany UU meeting, contact the church office (518.463.7135 or office@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 Patience Pechette (518.463.7135 or office@albanyuu.org).
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Photo credit: Rev. Sam Trumbore
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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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