WINDOWS WEEKLY September 2, 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

SUNDAY 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."

Our summer services have been coordinated by Randy Rosette.
Sunday, Sept 12 begins the regular service year.
Sept. 5 “The Soul of the Worker,” Dan Berggren
Using songs and stories, Dan Berggren asks: What nourishes us? How can our work feed us and others in spiritual ways? Whether it's called pursuing a career, earning a living, doing a job, or answering a call, what is at the heart of work?

Dan, known as an Adirondack folk singer, is also a professor emeritus of SUNY, one of the founding members of the Unitarian Universalist fellowship in Fredonia and a current member of the UU Congregation of Saratoga Springs.

Music: Dan Berggren


This is the last summer Sunday for 2021.
Our regular service year begins on Sunday, Sept 12



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 
SEPTEMBER SUNDAY SERVICE INFORMATION

SPECIAL SERVICE

9/11 Twentieth Anniversary Memorial Gathering
Saturday, 10:00am, September 11, 2021
(via Zoom)

Use the service link to join:
 
To dial in by phone: 1-929-436-2866
Meeting ID: 299 018 7785
Password: 0000

 
The American evacuation from Afghanistan and its transition to Taliban control has made this twentieth anniversary emotionally difficult. So many lives were harmed or lost in what now seems like a fruitless effort at nation building. Dealing with an upsurge of the delta variant of COVID at the same time while remembering that terrible day 20 years ago adds insult to injury.
 
Rev. Trumbore will create an electronic space for us to be together on Zoom and share our emotions and stories. We will honor the memories of those who died for whom we had personal connections. We will mourn what the “War on Terror” has done to damage and deplete our nation and wreak havoc on the world.
 
We will also appreciate the service of those who have quietly protected us from another such attack. Airline travel is safer. Our borders are more secure. Yet we pay a hefty price for this security system that needs to be limited. Our nation is moving toward becoming a surveillance state just as China has become. That tightening will only take one more 9/11 style attack to become much more repressive. As we saw on January 6th, the greatest threats to democracy will not come from Jihadists. It will come from within.
RELIGIOUS EXPLORATION

MEANING MATTERS

Meaning Matters is a small group discussion, growth and development program at Albany UU led by Rev. Sam.

Before the beginning of the month, Rev. Sam sends out a short packet of materials containing essays, deepening exercises, quotes, poems, music, video clips, podcasts, articles, books, movies, all related to the “theme for the month.” Towards the end of the month, the Meaning Matters groups gather to reflect on the theme using the materials, sermons from that month, and activities that can stimulate growth and development. Participants are free to use as much or as little of these materials as they wish. The focus is personal sharing, reflection and conversation exploring the theme together.

The program meets once a month from September through June for two hours. There are currently three groups (could be more) that meet the third Monday at 1:30pm, the third Tuesday at 5pm and the fourth Monday at 7pm.

The themes for the next 10 months are:

September:  Embracing Possibility
October:  Cultivating Relationship
November: Holding History
December:  Opening to Joy
January:  Living with Intention
February: Widening the Circle
March: Renewing Faith 
April: Awakening
May:  Nurturing Beauty
June:  Celebrating Blessings 

If this program interests you, please contact Rev. Sam at minister@albanyuu.org.  
JOYS & CARING CORNER

After fending off several maladies for several years, member, Lee Newberg's mother, Babette Josephs, died in her sleep early morning August 27, 2021. She was a progressive powerhouse in Philadelphia politics, including 28 years in the Pennsylvania State House, and she kept up that fighting spirit until her last days. She will be missed.
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


Bridge Group
Tuesdays, 1:00-3:00 PM, Room B-8 at Albany UU. No matter how many people come, all are fitted into play. All are welcome and assumed vaccinated. Due to the nature of this group, there will not be an online option offered.
Ps and Qs
At 10:00 AM each Wednesday, Projects and Quilts (Ps and Qs) will meet 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 on these fall Wednesdays at 7:00 PM and sing your heart out in Virtual Community! We will supply the music and the lyrics.
Sept 8, 22
Oct 6, 20
Nov 3, 17
Dec 1, 15

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
Sunday, Sept 12, 5:30 PM the Walker Book Group meets to discuss Walter Isaacson’s Leonardo da Vinci Learn more here.


Racial Healing Monthly Group
Next meets Monday, Sept 13. Specifically for BIPOC members for discussion and connection. We meet on the second Monday of the month from 7:00 to 8:00 pm via Zoom. If interested or to get more info, please reach out to Jaye Holly jholly63@gmail.com.

IMPORTANT ANNOUNCEMENTS!

SOCIAL ACTION


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

Important Note: The upsurge in Covid cases in the Albany Metro area may delay our planned reopening for an in-person service option on Sept 12. Please stay tuned for more information after Labor Day.


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