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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January 19, "Listen to the Earth: Perspectives on the Planetary Crisis," Green Sanctuary Committee
In the year 2020, we are finding our species, and all species, far and deep in a planetary health crisis that has resulted from our bifurcation from the earth. Scientists like Eunice Newton Foote, who grew up in Troy, have known since the nineteenth century that there was a connection between carbon dioxide and global surface temperature. So how, in the face of loss, should we be? Join us as we listen to local environmentalists and we meditate on new ways to be in an age of loss.
Music:
Elena Karpoff
Hymn 163: For the Earth Forever Turning
Hymn 203: All Creatures of the Earth and Sky
Hymn 170: We Are A Gentle Angry People (Words on insert)
NOTE: This service will be followed by a forum in Community Hall at 11:45 with speakers, Albany UU member, Meghan Marohn from the Extinction Rebellion and Keith Schue, engineer - from fossil fuels to renewable energy. Join us and deepen the conversation.
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SUNDAY SERVICES
10:00 am
January 26,
"Driven by Fear," Rev.
David Weissbard
Like most things in this world, "Fear" is not something that we could do well without, but an excess is a problem. There are serious issues when our lives are "Driven by Fear," and there are forces we encounter that promote that. We'll be looking at where an appropriate balance lies.
Music:
Elena Karpoff
ANNOUNCEMENTS
Community Breakfast
This Saturday, Jan. 18, 9-11 AM.
Volunteers are always needed to make this a good experience for our neighbors and community members. Sign up in Channing Hall or contact Carol Butt for details: 518.439.6629 or catzen1944@gmail.com. If you would like to contribute muffins, coffee cake, etc., please put those donations in the chest freezer in the pantry. there is also a box in the coat room for gloves, mittens and hats to share with our guests. Thank you for your dedication to make this a success!
Office closed
Please note that the Albany UU office will be closed on
Monday, Jan. 20
in celebration of Martin Luther King Jr. Day. We will reopen at 9:00 AM on
Tuesday, Jan. 21
. Thank you.
Publication deadlines
This is an important reminder that the news and article deadline for Windows Weekly is
9:00 AM on Monday
and submissions to the OOS is
9:00 AM on Tuesday
. The office has been pretty soft on holding folks to these deadlines. We need to tighten this up, making these deadlines more firm in order to be more effective in our work. We thank you for your cooperation and understanding.
Planning for weather emergencies
There is some weather coming in this weekend so not a bad idea to review our plan.
In the event of severe weather, a decision to cancel Sunday morning RE classes will be publicized by 9:00 PM Saturday.
A decision to cancel Sunday meditation and the service will be publicized by 8:00 AM Sunday.
The cancellation of all other classes, programs and meetings depends on a decision by the chairperson. We hope to receive information enabling a cancellation announcement two hours before the event start time.
Notice of all cancellations will be posted on our website and Facebook and by email sent through Constant Contact. Sunday service and programs will also be announced on local TV and radio stations through the “School Closing Network”.
Got
too much stuff???
There seems to be a need for people to talk about what to do with the stuff they have accumulated. We have scheduled two sessions to discuss how we can help each other to deal with this challenge. Join us
Thursday, Jan. 23, 2:00- 3:00 PM
and/or
Tuesday, Feb. 11, 7:00-8:00 PM
both in Room B-8 to discuss "possession consciousness”. We hope to help you with questions such as: Where do I start? How do I keep going? And where can I take things or send them to donate? Please come with your questions and suggestions. Questions about this discussion, contact Carol Butt:
catzen1944@gmail.com
Rev. Sam on Vacation
Rev. Sam will be away
Jan. 15 thru Feb. 19
to New Zealand and Australia. Our intern, Dan Miyake will be covering most ministerial duties during that time.
We’re sending out HUUGS
(Huge UU Greetings)
We're gathering donations for packages for our fledgling young adults. Whether they are now working or volunteering, serving in the military or in college, those who have recently left our youth group so appreciate a package with notes and goodies from us at Albany UU!
Please bring donations to the bin in the Work Room
(where the photocopier is)
by Sunday, Feb 9.
Suggested items:
packets of soup, noodles, dried fruit, tea, coffee, hot chocolate, candy, gum popcorn, granola bars, lip balm, a note with your good wishes.
Grant proposals sought
The Endowment Trust is seeking grant proposals for the Niger Wright Peace Fund. A little more than $3,500 is available for projects and programs furthering world peace. Nigel was particularly interested in Middle East peace. In the past the fund has supported such peace promoting activities as lectures, workshops, training programs, and youth work -- not necessarily exclusively Albany UU initiatives. Proposals can be submitted to the Endowment Trust mail box in the in the workroom where the copier lives or by contacting Jon Newell, chair of ET,
newelj@rpi.edu
.
Plan now for GA in Providence in June 2020
Are you interested in serving as one of Albany UU’s 8 delegates to this annual meeting of the Unitarian Universalist Association June 24-28? Or attending GA. for the first time, to see what it’s all about?
Find more information and fill out an interest form at the table in Channing during coffee hour this Sunday!
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Sunday Schedule
9:00 AM
- Mindfulness Meditation, Room B-8
9:45 AM
- Nursery/Toddler Rooms open
10:00 AM
- Service, Community Hall
- Family Chapel, Sanctuary
- Programs for Children and Youth
11:00 AM
- Coffee Hour, Channing Hall
11:45 AM
- GSC Forum: Listen to the Earth, Community Hall
1:00 PM
- Social Responsibilities Council Meeting, Room B-8
Quick Links
Denominational Affairs Links
Helpful Local 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 recorded and acknowledged in writing for tax purposes at the end of the calendar year, please use and write your name on one of the envelopes that are available on the table in the Community Hall lobby. Thank you very much for your generosity.
Albany UU Safety
A reminder that the West St. door will remain locked on Sunday mornings. Though it will be locked from the outside, the West St. door may still be used to exit the building at any time. The Washington Ave. lobby doors will be locked 15 minutes after service begins and reopened again from 11-noon. A Welcome Table or Greeter volunteer will remain in the Lobby for the duration of the morning to monitor doors. We continue to appreciate your patience as we make this transition. If you have questions, please call the church office
.
Warmth for the Homeless
Please gather blankets, sleeping bags, warm coats, etc. for those experiencing homelessness and put them in the bin in the coatroom. Thanks you!
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Brunch and Conversation
Sunday, January 26, 11:45 – 1:30
Our Growth Through Service Conversation Team - Lois Bailey, Dick Dana, Laura Churchill, Jaye Holly,
Linda Hunt, Amie Jamieson, Amy Lent, and Maria Phillips - invites Albany UU members who have not yet had a Growth Through Service conversation to a Brunch & Conversation on
Sunday January 26.
Right after the Get Connected Fair in Community Hall, come downstairs to Room B-8 for a light meal and a conversation. Child care will be available with advanced notice. Contact Dick Dana at 518-813-1992 (phone or text) or at
rhdana@nycap.rr.com
with questions or to express interest.
Growth Through Service is about tapping into what connects you to Albany UU. We want to learn about you so that we can help you connect and collaborate in ways that mean the most to you. Our Conversation Team is committed to holding a 1-hour conversation with every member of our congregation, to be scheduled at your convenience. If January 26 is not convenient, contact Dick Dana to set up a more convenient time for you.
Thanks!
The Growth Through Service Conversation Team
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Join us at
10:00 am on Sunday, Feb. 23
for, “Spiritual Renewal From Mardi Gras through Lent and Beyond” with Rev. Trumbore and Matt Edwards!
Appreciating the music from New Orleans with our former Music Director Matt Edwards and his band, we will learn about the season of Lent that begins with Ash Wednesday, February 26 and end on Maundy Thursday, April 9 right before Easter. Whether we are Christian or not, this is a good time for spiritual renewal.
To make this an enjoyable Sunday, please bring Mardi Gras masks and decorated umbrellas that are traditional for this holiday (the colors are green, gold and maroon), beads and a King Cake to share after the service.
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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.
Join us in keeping our members and friends in your thoughts as they share their joys and concerns.
Member,
Julie Maresco
shares a joy - she and Lucas Johnson got engaged on New Year’s Day! They are so excited to have Sam as their wedding Officiant.
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 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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Get Connected Activity Fair
Attend the Albany UU Get Connected Activity Fair on
Sunday, January 26
and find out about new opportunities to both get involved and meet more fabulous Albany UU members and friends! Learn more
here
.
Getting to Know UU
Join us on
Saturday, Feb. 1 at 8:45 am
if you're thinking of membership, or wondering just what Unitarian Universalism can bring to your life. Learn more
here
.
Trans Inclusion & Radical Culture Shift Workshop
This interactive workshop, provided by
Alex Kapitan of the Transforming Heats Collective,
will follow his service on
Sunday, Feb. 2, from 1:00 - 4:00 pm
and will level up our practice of radical welcome.
Learn more
here.
Walker Book Group
Join the Walker Book Group for a potluck and discussion on
Sunday, Feb. 9 at 5:30 pm
in Channing Hall. We will discuss
Chances Are…,
a
novel by Richard Russo. Learn more
here.
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RELIGIOUS EXPLORATION
For the Faith Development of children and youth this Sunday
The Nursery/Toddler Room
opens at 9:45
January Jams
for children in Pre-K through 6th Grade:
In January, every week we have Family Chapel; then we'll have two sets of workshops: one set for the upstairs groups (Pre-K - 3rd grade) and one set for the downstairs groups (4th - 6th grade). Family Chapel is back in the Sanctuary this week.
Here's how the schedule will look each week of January for grades Pre-K through 6th Grade:
-10:00 - 10:30 Family Chapel
-10:30 - 10:40 Combined Groups meet (upstairs groups in Room 24/25; downstairs groups in room in Room B-7) Guides will let the children know what the choices for workshops are for the day.
-10:40 - 11:10 Workshops: Upstairs Groups have workshops in upstairs Rooms 24/25, 26 and 21; Downstairs groups have workshops in downstairs Rooms B-5, B-6, B-7, and B-2
-11:10 - 11:20 Children return to the room they started in for snack (Room 24/25 upstairs; Room/B-7 downstairs)
7th/8th Grade OWL
meets from 10:00 to 11:20 in Room B-3/4
High School YoUUth Group
meets from 10:00 to 11:20 in Room B-8
Save these dates:
Sunday, Feb. 2
-
Mandatory Orientation for Kindergarten/First Grade OWL
Friday, Feb. 7
– Multigenerational Pot Luck and Game Night, sponsored by the RE Council
Saturdat, Feb. 8
– Elegant Pasta Dinner to support the Rite of Passage spring trip
Friday, Feb. 28 - Sun, March 1
–
Youth Con
. Our youth group is hosting up to 60 UU Youth from Upstate New York to stay in our building for a weekend of UU Youth workshop, workshops and fun. We’ll need adult volunteers from Albany UU to work together to prepare meals and run the dishwasher and to serve in pairs for 3-4-hour shifts as awake chaperons Fri and Night from 11:00 pm to 8:00 am. If you'd like to volunteer, please contact Leah:
dre@albanyuu.org.
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SOCIAL RESPONSIBILITIES COUNCIL (SRC)
-Matt Lesniak, SRC Chair,
email
SRC and Peace Team Recommend:
#HALTsolitary Advocacy Day
at Albany Capitol,
Tuesday, Jan. 21.
The largest event yet to demand legislative action for the Humane Alternatives to Long Term (HALT) Solitary Confinement Act. Organized by New York Campaign for Alternatives to Isolated Confinement. RSVP at
http://bit.ly/HALTsolitaryJan21
. Lunch is provided as needed. Time to be determined.
Martin Luther King day is coming up and February is Black History Month.
Whitewashed: the racism project.
Highly recommended by UUs who have seen it. It's brilliantly created and performed. Archie, of Albany UU, will be performing.
Saturday, Feb. 1 at 7:30 pm
: Opalka Gallery, 140 New Scotland Ave, Albany 12208. Cost: $12.00.
New York’s Medical Aid in Dying Act
would permit mentally capable, terminally ill, adults to get medication they could take to have a peaceful death on their own terms, with multiple safeguards to prevent abuses. This medical practice is now available in 8 states (CA, CO, ME, MT, NJ, OR, WA, VT) and the District of Columbia. More than 20 years of combined experience have shown it be safe and effective. Unitarian Universalists have supported medical aid in dying for over 30 years.
Compassion and Choices’ 2020 campaign to pass the Medical Aid in Dying Act will be the strongest ever. But, it can only succeed with your help. To volunteer or get more information, contact Nancy Willie-Schiff at
n.willie.schiff@gmail.com
.
January 21, 22, and 23 at the LOB.
The 2020 campaign will launch with a display of posters in the Legislative Office Building’s first floor hallway (across from the rest rooms). Plan to be there around 10 a.m. On January 23, a press conference will start around 11 a.m., with speakers and a chance to meet national leaders from Compassion and Choices.
Phone banking from your home.
Even if you can’t get to the LOB, you can make 25 phone calls to supporters of the Medical Aid in Dying Act from comfort of home on your own schedule. You will receive a list of the names and phone numbers of supporters and a script. The goal is to get supportive constituents to make a phone call to their lawmaker.
Contact your lawmakers and the Governor.
Even if you have done it before, do it again. A phone call is easy; an office visit is the most effective. You can thank Assembly Member Phil Steck for being a co-sponsor, and let other capital region lawmakers know you want to see the Medical Aid in Dying Act enacted in 2020. In the Assembly, local members are Jake Ashby (R), a key member who is on Health Committee; John MacDonald (D); Pat Fahy (D); and Angelo Santabarbara (D). In the Senate, they are Daphne Jordan (R); Neil Breslin (D); Betty Little (R); and George Amedore (R).
Do you have a disability?
Compassion and Choices is seeking individuals with disabilities who support medical aid in dying to join their advocacy campaign.
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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!
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:
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GREAT PHOTOS OF EXCITING EVENTS!
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Our Rainbow Pride Flag dedication and ceremony on Nov. 17, 2019
Christmas Eve Candlelight services 2019
World Cafe on Jan. 12, 2020
More photos to come!
Thank you to our photographers, Dave Stone and Jan McCracken!
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Regular events and meetings
Many of these events and meetings take a hiatus in the summer, check with the church office before coming in.
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
10:00 AM Philosophy Discussion (weekly)
1:00 PM Bridge (weekly)
Wednesdays
10:00 AM Projects & Quilts (weekly)
7:00 PM Choir Rehearsal (almost weekly)
Thursdays
1:00 PM All Sides Considered (1st & 3rd)
6:30 PM Board of Trustees (4th)
Saturdays
9:00 AM Community Breakfast (3rd)
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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: Jeannie Thompson
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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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