Windows Weekly August 13, 2020
Albany UU Windows Weekly
Greetings,

Welcome to Windows Weekly, Albany UU's central source for news and updates. Please stay safe and stay connected to your Albany UU Community during this uncertain time in the many ways provided online - all described below.

If this email was forwarded to you, and you would like to receive it directly, please sign up here.


Be sure to scroll down to read about our new members!

-Blessings and Be Well
We 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.
VIRTUAL SUNDAY SERVICE VIA ZOOM
Aug. 16 “Under a Moral Microscope: Pew, Pulpit and Politics 2020,” Rev. Richard S. Gilbert
The “perfect storm” of the Coronavirus Pandemic, economic collapse and racial unrest has served to bring into bold relief dimensions of American culture that were already there. While we bemoan this storm, it provides a unique opportunity for clarification of our national values. Sunday I will attempt to focus a “moral microscope” on the USA today from a Unitarian Universalist perspective.

Rev. Dick Gilbert, retired UU minister, has published books on faith development, social justice and meditations. He is currently working on a book entitled: No Consorting with Angels: the Spiritual Life of Susan B. Anthony. He lives in Rochester with his wife Joyce.

Music: Randy Rosette


Use this link to join:

To dial in by phone: 1-929-436-2866:
Meeting ID: 299 018 7785
Password: 0000

VIRTUAL SUNDAY SERVICES - 10:00 AM
Hope you are enjoying summer session!


Albany UU Virtual Summer Services
Summer services continue through September 6.

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, with a delightful list of guests in the pulpit, including Rev. Sam.

Find more information about our summer services here.

Use this link to join Sunday service:

To dial in by phone: 1-929-436-2866:
Meeting ID: 299 018 7785
Password: 0000

August 23 “Our Adaptive Challenge,” Rev. Chris Antal
What kind of a world is emerging from this pandemic, and what might we do to make it a better one? Learning to distinguish technical problems from adaptive challenges is an important step.

Rev. Antal was an Albany UU intern from 2009-2010 and ordained in 2011. Since then he worked as an Army chaplain, a congregational minister, and a hospital chaplain in the Department of Veterans Affairs, adapting to many challenges along the way.

Music: Elena Karpoff
 

August 30 “Is Doing Your Best … Good Enough?" Rev. Sam Trumbore
Dr. Conrad Trumbore (Rev. Sam’s father) has a favorite expression: “Do your best and to hell with the rest.” Doing “your best” is a common admonition today that is remarkably free of context. Do what best? How do we define what one’s best is? And is one’s best … good enough … as compared to what?

Rev. Sam Trumbore has served as minister of Albany UU since the fall of 1999. He is married to Philomena Moriarty and they have an adult son Andrew.

Music: Elena Karpoff


Joys and Concerns for Online Services
We have three ways that you can share your joys and concerns.
  • One: Use the online form. If you use this form, you can indicate if you would like to have your joys and concerns shared at the Sunday service, and you can leave contact info if you would like a Pastoral Care Associate to follow up with you.
  • Two: Email your joy or sorrow to joysandsorrows@albanyuu.org before Sunday morning to have them read aloud during the service
  • Three: We will be giving you instructions during the Sunday service about how to share your joys and concerns then.


Sunday Offering
If you would like to make a contribution to the Sunday Offering "Plate", click https://tinyurl.com/AlbanyUU-Donate or send your check, with Sunday Offering on the memo line, to the church: 405 Washington Ave., Albany, NY 12206. Mail is being processed while the building is closed.

Try our text to give option! Simply text the amount and fund (for example: 20 offering or 20 pledge) to 844-976-2618. There's a helpful video to watch with step by step instructions and a informative written guide with visuals.


Sunday services will be online via Zoom at 10:00 AM EST. There will be no service, religious education or other activities in the church building until further notice. Not familiar with Zoom? Our minister, Rev. Sam Trumbore will give you a brief tutorial.

Use this link to join the Sunday service:

To dial in by phone: 1-929-436-2866:
Meeting ID: 299 018 7785
Password: 0000


Wearing your Zoom “Name Tag”
When signing into a Zoom worship service on a Sunday morning, you can't put on your traditional name tag to be welcoming to others, but you CAN rename your screen so that it displays your full name. This is the new way to practice hospitality with everyone who is part of the online worship service.

To change your screen name, look for three white dots, usually appearing in the upper right corner of your zoom window when you hover over it with your cursor. Click the dots, and a dropdown menu will appear. One of the options in the dropdown menu is "Rename." Click that option, and a box will pop up that displays the name currently showing in your Zoom window. If it's not your full name or names, change it to your name(s) and click the "Save" button.
 
If you have any questions, feel free to send an Usher a message in the Chat on a Sunday or email Tammy Hathaway - admin@albanyuu.org anytime. Thanks for taking this extra step to be welcoming!
UPCOMING WAYS TO CONNECT
Start your Sunday Morning with Meditation - 8:30 - 9:15 AM
Sunday morning meditation, led by Rev. Sam, begins with a ten-minute talk by Sharon Salzberg or Joseph Goldstein from their course on Insight Meditation. 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:

To dial in by phone call: 1-929-436-2866 and enter
Meeting ID: 299 018 7785
Password: 0000


Philosophy Group
At 10:15 AM every Tuesday, the Albany UU Philosophy Group will meet via zoom and discuss their topic of the day. All are welcome.

Use this link to join:

To dial in by phone, call: 1-929-436-2866 
Meeting ID: 987 7102 4708
Password: 0000


Albany UU Sings
Sing along in Virtual Community on Wednesday, August 19 at 7:00 PM. Join your friends and sing your heart out! We will supply the music and the lyrics. Hope to see you there.

Use this link to join:
By phone: 1-929-436-2866
Meeting ID: 935725639


Ps and Qs
Projects and Quilts (Ps and Qs) will zoom next on Wednesday, Aug 26 and Sept 9 at 10:00 AM.

Use this link to join:

To dial by phone: 929-436-2866
Meeting ID: 299 018 7785
Password: 0000


Walker Book Group
Join the Walker Book Group for a Zoom discussion on Sunday, Sept 13 at 6:30 pm. We will discuss Warlight by Michael Ondaatje. Directions for joining the meeting will be placed in the Daily Reminders. Learn more here.

Use this link to join:
 
To dial in by phone: 1-929-436-2866:
Meeting ID: 299 018 7785
Password: 0000
SIGN UP FOR A MEANING MATTERS GROUP!
Meaning Matters is a small group discussion, growth and development program at Albany UU. Before the beginning of the month, Rev. Sam sends out a packet of materials containing essays, deepening exercises, quotes, poems, music, video clips, podcasts, articles, books, movies, all on the theme for the month. Toward the end of each month (September – June), the individual Meaning Matters groups led by Rev. Sam meet to reflect on the theme using the packet, sermons from that month, and the deepening exercises that can stimulate reflection, growth and development.
 
If this program interests you, please contact Rev. Sam at minister@albanyuu.org for more information or to sign up for a group. Currently there are three groups with a fourth under consideration in the Sunday RE for All slot. He can send you a sample packet for your consideration.
INCLUSIVITY RECOMMENDS
How much do you know about systemic racism? Check out this 4- and 1/2-minute video for some basics:



Our Inclusivity Team is offering resources for our ongoing education and reflection to address white supremacy culture at Albany UU. Are you finding you have some time for reading and watching videos these days? Consider settling in with these titles by authors of color to help you become familiar with a diversity of human experiences.

For adults:
The Wedding, by Dorothy West. (1996). Have you ever read about life in a wealthy Black community? No one writes it like Dorothy West. Escape to Martha's Vineyard for a tale about a family grappling with issues of race and class. Maybe you'll recognize these issues, or maybe you'll be seeing them in this way for the first time Dorothy West, of the Harlem Renaissance, is a master story-teller. Available in the Upper Hudson Library System (UHLS) and in audiobook by Audible.

For youth, with guidance as needed:
Roll of Thunder, Hear My Cry, by Mildred D. Taylor. (1976). Winner of the Newbery Medal, this classic takes place in Mississippi during the Great Depression. It follows the story of 9-year-old Cassie Logan and her family. Independence, self-respect, and dignity are themes that emerge from the story and its characters. This is an excellent book to serve as a platform to for family discussions of fairness, bullying, racism, history, and more. Available in hard copy, digital download, and audiobook download from UHLS.

HAVE YOU PARTICIPATED IN WELLSPRING?
If not, you are invited to join the Sources group this year, a prerequisite for all other years of Wellspring programs. Wellspring is a heart-opening, small group experience. In Wellspring Sources, participants become grounded in the 'big questions" that are central to our Unitarian Universalist faith while developing practices of listening and spiritual deepening. Wellspring groups meet for two hours on Zoom, twice/month, from September to June. If you are ready to join, please register with the church office and a facilitator will follow up with you: registration@albanyuu.org
If you are thinking about joining and have questions about the content or commitment, please come to a Wellspring Sip & Chat on Zoom where facilitators will be available to talk with you. Here are some times when you can drop in: 
August 13, 7pm (that's tonight!), August 24, 7pm

Use this link to join:
password: 1842

To dial in by phone: +1 646 876 9923
Meeting ID: 966 790 5589
Password: 1842
ANNOUNCEMENTS
Community Breakfast - Grab and Go Bags
Grab and go bags will be put outside this Saturday, August 15. Some suggested items needed for the bags include cheese sticks, fruit, snack bars, juice containers, water bottles, yogurt and spoons, muffins, breakfast bars, bread slices or cookies. Items need to be individually wrapped or bagged. 

To reduce our plastic waste contribution, Carol Butt has wax bags to share. Carol can deliver wax bags or pick up your items or items can be delivered to her house. Contact Carol by e-mail (catzen1944@gmail.com) or call/text (518) 275-7497 if you can help with supplies or on Saturday. Saturday participation will be limited so volunteers can keep their distance. 

Much thanks for your enthusiastic support!


Remember to UU the Vote!
Are you worried about voter suppression distorting the upcoming critical elections?

Here's an opportunity to make an impact from the safety and comfort of home!

We are partnering with Reclaim Our Vote to send thousands of postcards to voters of color in states with voter suppression problems to make sure they know how to take advantage of early voting. ROV campaigns have a proven record of making an impact on voter turnout.

This is a nonpartisan effort, but we firmly believe that the more people vote, the better it will be for candidates who share our values!

Packets of postcards with instructions will be available continuing into October. Please contact Karen Kaufmann at karenkaufmann64@gmail.com if you are interested and to get the details of how to join up. 

And spread the word! Non-UUs are welcome to participate!


Upcoming Staff Vacations
Please note that Administrative Assistant, Sapphire Correa will be on vacation from Saturday, August 15 through Wednesday, August 19. Please contact Church Administrator, Tammy Hathaway (admin@albanyuu.org) during that time.

Church Administrator, Tammy Hathaway will be on vacation from Saturday, August 22 through Sunday, August 30. Please contact Administrative Assistant, Sapphire Correa (office@albanyuu.org) during that time. Thank you!


Submitting announcements to be read during virtual Sunday service
Announcements pertaining to Albany UU activities can be read by either Rev. Sam, the Sunday Service Associate, or the person submitting the announcement.

  • Submit your announcement to Tammy Hathaway, Church Administrator (admin@albanyuu.org), by Friday, noon, to be incorporated into the announcement portion of the upcoming Sunday service.
  • Announcements must be submitted ahead, even if the person submitting will be reading their own announcement.
  • Please write out in words the name of your committee. Too many initials result in confusion and is not welcoming: SRC = Social Responsibilities Council RSC = Religious Services Committee
  • Include contact information if folks should have questions or would like more information.

If you have questions, please contact Tammy. Thank you so much!


Scheduling Zoom Meetings - UPDATED!!
We understand that during these challenging times, things can get chaotic but please try and remember to request your Zoom meeting several days in advance. If we receive a request on a Saturday for a Zoom meeting the next day, Sunday, that request will not be processed in time and you and your team may be disappointed.

We currently have two zoom accounts that we can use for meetings. To request a Zoom meeting, please do so just as you would when requesting a room to use in our building - using Church Database. When you choose your resources, or "room", choose between Zoom 1 and Zoom 3. There are links to instructions below. This is the preferred method but requests can also be sent via email to Sapphire: office@albanyuu.org.

When you send an email, please have a few dates and times that will work for your meeting to minimize a lot of time consuming negotiating. Thank you!


Raise Your Voice for End of Life Choice
New York’s Medical Aid in Dying Act would permit terminally ill adults, with a prognosis of six months or less to live, to request medication for a peaceful death, so long as they were able to take the medication themselves. It would give New Yorkers the same end of life choice now available to residents of nine others states (CA, CO, HI, ME, MT, NJ, OR, VT, WA) and the District of Columbia. The Act is consistent with a general resolution adopted by the UUA General Assembly in 1988.
  • Advocate on Zoom with a State Senate candidate. If you are a resident of New York’s 46th Senate district, currently represented by George Amedore, who is retiring, you are invited to a yet-to-be-scheduled Zoom meeting with a candidate for that district, Michelle Hinchey (D), who would like to hear from voters about medical aid in dying. To participate, email Nancy Willie-Schiff at n.willie.schiff@gmail.com by August 30.
  • Attend a webinar on August 26 at 6 pm. Compassion and Choices New York (CCNY) invites you to a webinar, co-presented with the Whitney Museum of American Art, consisting of a film and discussion of a 2018 lecture given by Barbara Hammer, acclaimed feminist filmmaker and pioneer of queer cinema who died in 2019, entitled The Art of Dying (or Palliative Art Making in the Age of Anxiety), Revisited. To register, click here.


Recycling!
Time to start turning in our collected corks, personal products, toothpaste tubes and toothbrushes and brita filters. These items can be left in a plastic container under the front steps of 21 Terrace Avenue, Albany NY 12203, which is west of Albany UU off Washington -- 3 blocks west of Manning Blvd., left on Terrace, between Washington and Western, closer to Western Avenue. Albany UU is also starting to recycle used ballpoint pens, Please also insert these in the container. Thanks. 
The Green Sanctuary Committee 


Kateri Peace Conference goes virtual
The 22nd annual Kateri Peace Conference - Aug 21 and Aug 22 via ZOOM
Bending the Arc: Striving for Peace and Justice in a World of Endless War, supported on ZOOM by World Beyond War. Find more information here.
RELIGIOUS EXPLORATION
-Leah Purcell, Director of Religious Education and Family Ministry (DREFM), lpurcell@albanyuu.org


August Evening Fun and Games: Tues, Aug 25 and Wed, Aug 26 from 7:00 to 7:30 pm.
We'll have scavenger hunts. Leah will have will a list of descriptions, and for each description, everyone participating will have some time to scout out an item from their house that they feel matches the description and bring it back to their screen to share with the whole group. Descriptions will range from “three green things” to “something that makes you feel at home.”

Use this link to join: 
Passcode: 1842
Dial by phone
       +1 929 436 2866 US
Meeting ID: 854 1776 6651
Story Time: Leah is finishing reading the book One Crazy Summer by Rita Williams-Garcia these evenings: Aug 13 (that's tonight!), 16, 18, 19, 20 and 23. 
7:00 pm - same zoom link as above

ANYTIME, you can connect anytime on the Chill Summer Camp platform
  • This is an online space for us using a new platform called Mighty Networks. You can participate on this platform whether you come to the evening sessions or not. So little kids can contribute too! So far we have 22 individuals and households signed up!
  • This is the place to have text conversations about whatever comes up. So far, folks have been sharing things like their "forts"; the harvests from their backyard gardens; ways they are staying grounded these days; and Black Lives Matter events for families and for youth. 
  • It's also where you can share about the Chill prompts under "Topics"; and send personal messages to members. Think of it as our own private Facebook. No ads and no algorithms. I invite and welcome people in.
  • You control the settings for notifications. You do you - it's chill!
  • And, once camp is over, we can continue the love and use this platform all year if it's working for folks. 
  • Go ahead and sign up now!  https://tinyurl.com/ChillSummerCamp

Brunch Church: Save the Date, Sept 6 at 11:30 am
This will be a time for the Religious Ed community - parents/caretakers, children, youth, their guides and the RE Council to gather over Zoom with some food, hang out and talk a little about the start of the school and church year. 

Use this link to join:
Password: 4051842
By phone +1 929 436 2866
Meeting ID: 867 9876 7127

For more information about plans for the RE program this coming year, recommendations from the Inclusivity Team and an invitation to families to participate in the postcard campaign for voter registration, see this week’s RE newsletter, The Summer Sizzler https://mailchi.mp/58f3512e20d6/updated-info-5025742
JOYS AND CONCERNS
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. 

Join us in keeping our members and friends in your thoughts as they share their joys and concerns.

Minister healing on track! Rev. Sam had laparoscopic double hernia surgery August 4. It was successful without complications. He reports he is back to his regular activities (that don’t include weights greater than 20 lbs) and feeling good as the internal healing continues. He is grateful for the emails, texts, cards, Facebook comments and likes and thanks everyone for their well wishes. The circle of support may be part of his speedy recovery! 


Member, Dawn Dana shares a sorrow: Our daughter's mother-in-law, beloved Nana to our twin grandchildren, is very ill in hospital in Dallas. Please keep Beth's family in your thoughts.


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: Sharon Babala, Chuck Manning, Donna Meixner, Dan Miyake, Phil Rich, Randy Rosette, Dee VanRiper and Erik F. vonHausen.

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 provides 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 “check in’s” from Caring Network members. Please reach out to the Caring Network.
WELCOME NEW MEMBERS!
Barb Spink is a wife, Mom of 2 grown children, and before retiring she was a cancer researcher at the NY State Department of Health. Barb is involved with the Green Sanctuary Committee, and an alto in the Choir. In retirement she has been painting, building websites, and is active in environmental causes. 
Joyce Chicoine is a retired special education teacher and currently enjoys learning languages and political activism. Jim Chicoine is looking forward to retiring soon. He enjoys gardening and traveling with Joyce to visit historic and scenic sites in and out of the States. They have two adult sons and a daughter-in-law that live locally. Joyce and Jim have been married 36 years.
Joyce DeFlumer is a native Delmartian who has taught math in both high school and community college. Her second career was in corporate finance in and around Westchester County. There she attended the UU Fellowship in Mt Kisco for more than twenty years. Back in Albany now, Joyce enjoys her friends and family; loves learning and mentoring of all kinds; she finds relaxation in nature, dogs and traveling.
Kate Pierce is a communications professional who stayed in the area after graduating from the College of Saint Rose in 2018. She is very grateful to everyone in the congregation who have been incredibly welcoming and made her feel like the UU is a place where she can belong. She is happy to participate in the choir, and is excited to discover more opportunities to become involved with the Albany UU community.  
Ingathering of New Members Responsive Reading

Congregation: We the members of the First Unitarian Universalist Society of Albany, gratefully acknowledge your choice to join with us in our continuing religious life.

New Members: I become a member of this congregation aware of the significant responsibilities of membership and with a deep feeling that I have come home this day.

Congregation: Ours is a faith which appreciates the past, envisions the future and lives with passion in this moment. Remembering those who have brought us to this day, we celebrate your commitment and joyfully anticipate your participation.

New Members: I bring you my talents and enthusiasm, my shortcomings and doubts, and I ask you to direct me into opportunities for service.

President: As an elected representative of this congregation, I welcome you into our membership.

In Unison: Having affirmed one another and having renewed our best intentions, let us continue the noble work of seeking and speaking the truth in love, and serving the greater good of our community and wider world.
Michael Crowell lived 12 of his first 20 years outside the US, in Pakistan, Turkey and Algeria, where his American parents were teachers. Since then, and prior to coming to Albany, he has been a friend or member and choir singer at UU congregations in Providence, RI, Springfield, Mass, NYC, Manhasset and Stony Brook on Long Island and Baltimore, Maryland. He values his connection to Unitarian-Universalism both for the community as well as for the important (universal!) values it espouses. He loves singing and learning and speaking foreign languages, but currently works as a statistical analyst at the NYS Health Department. He lives alone in Albany and has no children of his own, but has played the role of step-parent to 2, Alexandra, 26 and Robert, 21, both living on Long Island. He loves the outdoors, especially bicycling, hiking and frisbee slinging. He looks forward to a happy and active life as a member of Albany UU community.
Owen Smith is a Capital Region native, born in Albany and raised in Delmar, who returned to the area in 2010, after eight years living in New York City, to take the lead of the Capital Region’s Park Playhouse theatre program. He has been the artistic director of Park Playhouse, now known as Playhouse Stage Company, ever since, and also served a six-year term as the Managing Director of Albany’s Palace Theatre. Owen lives in Albany and has been very grateful to find the welcoming and active Albany UU community this year.

WELCOME NEW MEMBERS
TO
ALBANY UU!!
Sarah Belova lives in Albany (not far from the church) with her husband, Dimitri, and her daughter, Anya. Although Sarah is legally blind, she will greet you with a warm and friendly smile. Sarah likes the Religious Education program for her daughter, Anya, and is happy to be part of Albany UU community which she finds so warm and welcoming.

GREEN SANCTUARY: RENEWABLE ENERGY
Just because we are in the midst of a pandemic doesn’t mean that the climate crisis is not progressing. It is more important than ever to keep up the momentum. The Green Sanctuary hopes you will do your darnedest to get connected to renewable energy.  If you have not signed up for renewable energy either on your property or to receive community solar electricity, please check these out to get started. Please update your renewable energy survey when you have taken action on this. THANKS

suncommon.com 866-452-7652 (home and community solar)

commonenergy.us. 1-844-899-9763 (community solar)

nexamp.com. 914 227-2323 (community solar)

Some questions to ask:

If I sign up for community solar, will my cost of electricity be less than I pay now?

Will the bill for electricity look different?

I have heard that I will have to give you credit card information. Why is that?

Will I still get a bill from my electric company?

Will I get any additional bill?

I have heard that I have to be in a particular load zone.  How does that work?

When can I expect to see a difference in my electric bill?

If I have savings, will that continue indefinitely?

Will any savings that I get be every month?

Can I change my mind at any time?

How can I get customer reviews of your service?

Is there anything else I should know about before I make a decision?
FROM OUR BLOGS
UU WEEKEND
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 16-18, 2020 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.
 
Join us for this annual celebration!  First-timers will receive an additional 10% discount! Children under 6 are free and there are substantial discounts for older children and youth.
 
If you find yourself cleaning out your house, don’t forget to save gently used items for young and old alike for the annual auction.
 
Fill out a registration form here and follow the mailing instructions.
 
Note:
We are currently experiencing a time of social distancing and cancellations of group gatherings due to Covid-19.

Silver Bay staff has assured us that the facility is and will continue to follow all appropriate local, state and federal guidelines and protocols related to COVID-19 to ensure the safety of all staff and guests. Updates on those guidelines and protocols will be provided in our publicity. The most current guidance in effect will be shared with attendees just prior to the weekend.

Registered particpants who decide not to attend will be able to request a full refund up to two weeks prior to the start date of the UU Weekend.  If the Weekend is cancelled altogether abecause of continued or reinstated social restrictions, all registered participants will receive a full refund. 

Learn more here.
VOLUNTEER OPPORTUNITIES
Virtual Service Ushers
This is a great opportunity to volunteer on a Sunday morning! Ushers are needed on Sunday mornings to help provide a welcoming, safe and enjoyable virtual experience. We need folks who would be willing to volunteer to help. Tammy will provide a quick and simple training. PLEASE contact her if you'd like to learn more: admin@albanyuu.org.

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 Meixner or 518/439-5947.

YOU can make a difference!
We at Albany UU are making an effort to increase our visibility and connectivity online. YOU can help, and it's quick and easy! Simply like, follow and share pages and posts on any of our social media platforms, or leave a positive Facebook or Google review. Google Albany UU or find us here:
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 online class

- Send an email to: registration@albanyuu.org
Regular events and meetings

Some of these events and meetings continue online, however dates and times may vary, especially during the summer months. Please contact the Team or Group Leader or email admin@albanyuu.org if you have questions.

Sundays       
11:45 AM     Inclusivity Team (2nd)
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, Nov., Feb., May)

Tuesdays      
10:15 AM      Philosophy Discussion (weekly)

Wednesdays
10:00 AM Ps and Qs (Aug 26, Sept 9)

Thursdays    
1:00 PM       All Sides Considered
(1st & 3rd - except during the summer months)
6:30 PM       Board of Trustees (4th)
Going to miss a Sunday?

Online service is generally recorded

Sunday, Aug 9 watch it here. Read the text here.

Sunday, Aug 2 coming soon

Sunday, July 26 watch it here.

Sunday, July 19 watch it here.

Sunday, July 12 watch it here.

Sunday, July 5 watch it here.

Sunday morning General Assembly Worship, June 28, watch it here.

Sunday, June 21 watch it here.

Sunday, June 14 watch it here.

Sunday, June 7 watch it here.

"Religion, Sex and Politics: A Conversation for Polite Company" with Rabbi Dennis Ross watch it here.

Building Justice, Equity and Compassion in Human Relations: A Trauma-Informed Perspective with Jaye Holly and Danisha Burnett-Bonner, May 17, watch it here

HMUU Join Service with Paula Cole Jones, Sunday, April 5, watch it here

Community of Communities workshop with Paula Cole Jones, watch it here

For previous services, before quarantine:
You can listen to the entire Albany UU Sunday service at home or on your mobile device. March 1 and 8 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 (http://members.albanyuu.org/wp/ - 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.
First Unitarian Universalist Society of Albany
Parking - when the building reopens: 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:
The Albany UU Office is closed during this time of physical distancing. Sam, Leah, Tammy and Sapphire have their messages forwarded to their personal cell phones and are available by email.

Websites
General: www.AlbanyUU.org

Zoom use
To reserve Zoom for an Albany UU online meeting, contact Administrative Assistant Sapphire Correa (518.463.7135 or office@albanyuu.org).

Photo credit: Jeannie Thompson
First Unitarian Universalist Society of Albany | 518.463.7135| 518.463.1429 | Admin@AlbanyUU.org | AlbanyUU.org