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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May 5, “From Discomfort to Curiosity,” Rev. Sam Trumbore, Patti Jo Newell, Karen Kaufmann
When racial issues come up and attention is directed to them, people generally get uncomfortable. Often irritation, anger, anxiety, fear, guilt and shame interfere with working through the issue and moving on. What if, instead of getting stuck in those difficult emotions, we learned how to respond with curiosity?
Music:
Albany UU Choir led by Richard Porterfield
HYMN 1002 “Comfort Me”
HYMN 1023 “Building Bridges”
HYMN 1008 “When Our Heart is in a Holy Place
HYMN 123 “Spirit of Life”
HYMN 1017 “Building a New Way”
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Sunday Services
10:00 am
May's theme: Curiosity
May 12, Youth Service
The youth will be presenting a special service on a topic that has moved them this year.
Music:
TBD
May 19, “This I Believe”
As Unitarian Universalists, we honor the voices of members of our congregation in their individual search for truth and meaning. This service provides an opportunity to hear the thoughts and reflections on life from three Albany UUs: Geoff Abbas, Jora Cohen, and Erik VonHausen. Excellent service to bring a friend.
Music:
Albany UU Choir
May 26, “H8,” Rev. Dr. Lynn Ashley
The local newspaper deciphered this graffiti text painted on the mosque of a small Texas town as ‘hate.’ We will hear voices of some who have been targets of hate speech and hate crimes and how people in their larger communities have positively responded.
(Please note: If you participate in any local group whose aim is to contribute to the building of beloved community, and are willing to share your experience, please contact Rev. Lynn by May 15 at
lynnashley@uuma.org
.)
Music:
TBD
Announcements
Spring cleaning the lost and found
It’s time again to check the lost and found boxes in the Coat Room. Anything not claimed by
May 13
will be donated. Thank you!
Community Breakfast!
Our first community breakfast in Channing Hall is scheduled for May 18 from 8:30 to 10:30. We will have two
meetings about the breakfast - Monday May 13 at 7 PM in Room B-8
and
Wednesday May 15 at 5 PM in Channing Hall
. If you can attend one or both of those meetings, that would be great but attendance is not necessary for participation in the breakfast.
We still need
volunteers to welcome our visitors
at the doors and a person in the lobby for
security
purposes. One person is needed who to
make coffee
and serve it. Volunteers who will bring in food and check on other supplies at the tables are needed (to
wait tables
). We also need one or two
shoppers
to go to Restaurant Depot with Carol to get supplies. Channing is reserved for
set up
on Friday afternoon and evening and people are needed to help. Please see the sign-up sheets on the bulletin board in Channing to indicate how you can help.
Please sign up
so we know we can count on you!
A
huge thank you
to all who enthusiastically embrace this project. Carol Butt
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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, Sanctuary
- Programs for Youth
11:00 AM
- Coffee Hour, Channing Hall
- New Member Reception, Community Hall
11:15 AM
- Albany UU Young Adults Lunch, Iron Gate Cafe
11:45 AM
- Congregational Budget Conversation, Room B-8
- Inclusivity Team, Room B-7
12:00 PM
- CROP Walk Lunch, Channing Hall
Quick Links
Denominational Affairs 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.
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.
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... to join a Congregational Conversation on the 2019-20 Budget
The Albany UU Finance Committee will be holding two Congregational Conversations on the 2019-20 budget:
Sunday, May 5, 11:45 AM, Room B-8
and
Tuesday, May 7, 6:30 PM, Room B-8
.
Three ways to participate:
1 - In person: At Albany UU in Room B-8.
3 - By telephone: 1.669.900.6833 or 1.646.876.9923
Meeting ID:
9667905589
You can read a draft
of the proposed budget
here
.
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Albany UU Annual Meeting
Sunday, May 19, 2019
10:00-11:00 -
Service
11:00-11:45 -
Coffee Hour
11:30-11:45 - Parents take children to assigned rooms for
childcare
and sign them in with caregivers
11:45 -
Annual Meeting
starts in Community Hall
Families needing child care
should reserve space by calling the office at 518-463-7135 so that we will be prepared with sufficient caregivers and snacks.
Light snacks
(for the adults) will be served during the meeting.
Copies of the proposed budget
to be presented at the meeting, may be picked up in the lobby starting Sunday, May 5. It is also available online
here
or at www.Members.AlbanyUU.org.
Absentee ballots
are available for those who cannot attend the Annual Meeting.
Albany UU's bylaws provide for the use of absentee ballots for elections. They are to be used by members who are unable to attend the annual meeting on May 19, 2019. Request a ballot from the church office. Ballots will be available from
Sunday, May 5 to Friday, May 17
.
Completed ballots, sealed in an envelope, must be received in the church office on or before 11:00 AM on Friday, May 17
.
Read about the candidates
here
or pick up a paper copy in the lobby beginning Sunday, May 5.
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Collecting Albany UU Member & Friend Employee Feedback
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In the late spring every year, the Albany UU staff is reviewed and evaluated.
You can help!
The primary goal of this evaluation is to offer support and appreciation for the good work our staff does. Employees here work very hard and deserve to know how they have made a positive difference in accomplishing the mission and vision of our congregation. Concrete, specific examples of what you have observed are very valuable feed back to them in the evaluation process. And you’ll feel good knowing that your appreciation will be integrated into their evaluation!
Of course there will be some dissatisfaction as well. This survey is not primarily for collecting that information. Anyone having a problem with an employee should talk to them directly or if that doesn’t work, talk to them along with their supervisor. If that process has failed to address your concerns, this form can be used to report chronic issues that you have not been able to resolve.
This form requires your name. Giving feedback carries with it responsibility for what is said since it can have both very positive and very negative effects on employees. We are not interested in anonymous input for the purpose of employee evaluation. AND you can ask that your input on this form be kept confidential and your name will not be shared with the employee.
Thank you in advance for your help in appreciating our great staff!
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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.
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.
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CROP Walk
CROP Walk is
THIS Sunday, May 5
. Please support Team UU with your pledges, if you haven’t already done so. See Dawn Dana at the CROP Walk table in Channing Hall during Coffee Hour. Thank you for your support.
Learn more
here
.
Volunteers Needed for Our Spring Garden Clean-up!
Join our team of gardeners! The spring garden clean-up is scheduled for
Monday, May 6 from 1 to 3 pm
. Lean more
here
.
Walker Book Group
Join the Walker Book Group for a potluck and discussion on Sunday, May 12 at 5:30 pm in Channing Hall. We will discuss
Ragtime
by E.L. Doctorow. Learn more
here
.
UU Weekend: Where Memories are Made!
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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 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.
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RELIGIOUS EXPLORATION
Leah Purcell, Director of Religious Education (RE) and Family Ministry,
(on sabbatical)
Find information on Leah's Sabbatical
here
.
Faith formation of children and youth this Sunday, May 5:
Nursery/Toddler
Rooms open at 9:45 AM.
Family Chapel
presented by special guest Kimberley Debus for children through 7th grade in the Sanctuary at 10:00.
Parent/caretaker support group
in Room B-8 following Family Chapel.
Grade 8/9 group
is preparing and serving a meal at Joseph’s House in Troy today.
Next week
: Nursery/toddler room will open at 9:45. Youth Group service for grades 4 and up, regular RE for PreK-3rd grade.
Religious Education Office Assistant
at the window in the lobby is Amy Jesaitis. Leah Purcell is on sabbatical until June, please see Elizabeth or Amy if you need anything.
River Rising, Central East Reg
ion’s
new
leadership school
is happening
July 28-August 3
at State College, PA and
August 18-24
in
Schenectady, NY. It’s for youth who will be in 9th-12th grades in the 2019/2020 school year. During this week our community youth will be challenged, learn together, create sacred space, deepen their UU values and build friendships that will last beyond the week. Among other highlights they’re planning a river trip! Registration is $525
before June 15
and matching congregation scholarships are available through CER for up to half. For more information and registration links:
https://www.uua.org/central-east/youth/goldmine
To read how River Rising differs from Goldmine (the previous CER leadership school) see this blog post:
https://www.uua.org/central-east/blog/better-together/introducing-river-rising
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SOCIAL RESPONSIBILITIES COUNCIL (SRC)
-Matt Lesniak, SRC Chair,
email
SRC recommends the following:
Troy Sanctuary City Council Meeting, TONIGHT, Thursday, May 2, 6:30 PM,
Troy City Hall, 433 River Street, Troy - advocates and opponents of a Sanctuary City measure are gathering to keep the pressure on the council, mayor, and candidates.
Interfaith Impact of NYS Advocacy Day in Albany, Monday, May 6, 9-3pm.
We need Albany UU's to be there all or part of the day to participate with teams advocating with State legislators and staff. Further information is available at
https://iinys.org/events/.
Eliminating racism & homophobia: Cuba’s achievements & challenges. Presentation with Prof. Tomás Fernández Robaina, Wednesday, May 8, 7 PM
,
Capital District Latinos, 160 Central Avenue, Albany. Cuba has implemented ambitious and innovative initiatives to change culture to reduce racism and homophobia. Light refreshments provided.
Notice of Public Hearing : Rental Housing & Tenant Protections Thursday May 9, 9:30 AM,
Hamilton Hearing Room B Legislative Office Building, Preserving rental affordability and protecting tenants across the State continue to be among the Assembly’s top priorities
.
Raise Your Voice for End of Life Choice: Advocate for Medical Aid in Dying at the Capitol
Join us on
May 14 for Lobby Day
. Please tell Nancy Willie-Schiff (
n.willie.schiff@gmail.com
)
the dates you plan to attend so you can be scheduled for a team visit with lawmakers.
Albany Advocacy Workshop, Friday, May 17
, Albany Friends Meetinghouse, 727 Madison Ave. Finger food supper begins at 5:30, workshop at 6 PM.
Implement strategic and effective advocacy tools to promote peace and justice and so much more.
Learn more and register
here
or contact David Easter,
davideaster66@gmail.com, 518-475-9532.
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Green Sanctuary's Tip of the Week
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Living our 7th principle
Check out the Green Sanctuary Committee webpage on the Albany UU website at
http://albanyuu.org/green-sanctuary-committee/
. There, you can get some green tips, see our upcoming events, and peruse our accomplishments by linking to our History page. You can also link to our Solar Power page to read about Albany UU's solar panel installation and link to our SHARE page to read about our ongoing collaboration with the
S
heridan
H
ollow
A
lliance for
R
enewable
E
nergy.
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Please join the Capital District Intersectional Feminist Group
, Helens Against Racism and the YWCA of the Greater Capital Region as we welcome racial justice educator and author Debby Irving to Troy on May and 5 at the YWCA of the Greater Capital Region.
This two-part workshop aims to support white people in making the paradigm shift from ‘fixing’ and ‘helping’, to focusing on internalized white superiority and its role in perpetuating racism at the individual, interpersonal, institutional, and cultural levels.
May 4, 7PM:
"I'm a Good Person! Isn't That Enough?"
May 5, 4PM:
"Leveling the Playing Field: Disrupting Patterns of Power and Privilege"
followed by a Panel Discussion with Black Organizers from the Capital District.
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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)
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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 (unless otherwise posted)
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
).
Photo credit: Kathy Hodges
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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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