WINDOWS WEEKLY July 22, 2021
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
VIRTUAL SUMMER SUNDAY SERVICE
LIVE on ZOOM

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."

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 
AUGUST SUNDAY SERVICE INFORMATION

ALBANY UU IS HIRING!

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
Send your resume to: employment@albanyuu.org
UPCOMING WAYS to CONNECT

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
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.
IMPORTANT ANNOUNCEMENTS!

OPPORTUNITIES



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:
  • 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.

Please submit your application by July 5, 2021 for service beginning in September by filling out the form found on this link.


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.  
SOCIAL ACTION


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.

To see the full details about this program and to learn how to sign up, click here.


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
RELIGIOUS EXPLORATION

UU WEEKEND AT SILVER BAY
October 15-17
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.
IMPORTANT INFORMATION

UPDATED Building Use Guidelines:
Groups can now meet in the building by following these 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.


Other important resources, our file cabinet, archives, guidelines and information can be found on the Resource Page of our website, here.


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CONNECTIONS






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

- Send an email to: registration@albanyuu.org
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:
General: www.AlbanyUU.org

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).

Photo credit: Rev. Sam Trumbore
First Unitarian Universalist Society of Albany | 518.463.7135 | 518.463.1429 Admin@AlbanyUU.org | AlbanyUU.org