Greetings Friends,
Good afternoon everyone and welcome to Windows Weekly, Albany UU's central source for news and updates.
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
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VIRTUAL SUNDAY SERVICE at 10:00 AM
Begin your Sunday morning with a VIRTUAL 8:30 Meditation session until 9:20
VIRTUAL service begins at 10:00 each Sunday
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The Albany UU COVID Response Team (Mary Applegate, Elizabeth Baldes,
Tammy Goddard Hathaway, Patti Jo Newell, and Rev. Sam Trumbore) recently met and determined that the option to attend Sunday morning services in-person,
and in-person Religious Education groups, will resume on Sunday, Feb 27.
The option to attend service on Zoom will remain.
The health and safety of the church community continues to be our top priority, and we thank everyone for their understanding and flexibility as we continue to monitor and navigate this complicated situation.
For more information about how our multiplatform services will look, check out our website. In summary, we will return to the same protocols that were in place before the return to all-virtual services in late December 2021. Masks will be required and limited seating available. These protocols will remain in place through at least all of March 2022.
The CDC and UUA guidelines for masking, distancing and other basic precautions have not changed.
Your Covid Response Team will reconvene during the first week of April to reassess and make any updates to protocols based on science and guidance.
Thank you for your patience.
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Feb 13 “A Life of Integrity” with Rev. Margaret Weis
What does it mean to live a life with integrity and how does our definition of the ideal shape the ways we live into it? Join us for a service where we explore these ideas together.
Rev. Margaret Weis is a lifelong UU originally from the Boston area. She has served as a hospital chaplain in Massachusetts and Connecticut and as a parish minister in Massachusetts, Rhode Island, and New York. Rev. Margaret loves travel, vegan and vegetarian cuisine, and spending time by the water whenever possible.
Music: Albany UU Virtual Choir, Randy Rosette
Use this link to join the service:
To dial in by phone: 1-929-436-2866:
Meeting ID: 299 018 7785
Password: 0000
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VIRTUAL SUNDAY SERVICE INFORMATION
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Feb 20 “Homemade by the River” with
Matt Meyer
What architects, masons, and the sound of water can teach us about crafting a home by hand. And what rivers remind us about living a life in motion and movement.
Matt is a musician and worship leader who has led hundreds of services for UU congregations across the country. He has a degree in hand drumming and serves as Director of Community Life for Sanctuary Boston.
Music: Matt Meyer
Feb 27 "We Need One Another" with
Rev. Dr. Lynn Ashley
Ordained many years ago at Albany UU, The Rev. Dr. Lynn Ashley is a retired minister and long time friend of the congregation.
Music: Al De Salvo
Use this link to join Sunday service
To dial in by phone: 1-929-436-2866
Meeting ID: 299 018 7785
Password: 0000
Sunday Offering and other
service information
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Brighten up Community Hall with a flower donation!
There are plenty of open Sundays waiting for your dedication. Contact the office or Sandy Stone (dsalbany@nycap.rr.com) if you would like to see flowers at our Sunday service.
Sharing Joys and Concerns during Service
Need to Talk? Albany UU Pastoral Care Associates are here to listen!
Archives
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RELIGIOUS EDUCATION FOR
CHILDREN and YOUTH
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This Sunday, 2/13: PreK-6th Grade group as well as Grade 7/8 Book Club will meet online at 10AM. Link below. Next Sunday, 2/20, there are no groups scheduled and everyone is encouraged to attend service, which will be presented by Matt Meyer.
By phone: 1 929 205 6099
Meeting ID: 963 886 2931
Passcode: 2222
Book Lovers: Looking to enrich your February reading? AUU's Inclusivity Team regularly makes book recommendations for readers of all ages and stages, and you can access a list of this year's picks here.
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Call for Nominations
“Life’s most persistent and urgent question is, what are you doing for others?” – Martin Luther King, Jr.
Are you looking for a way to be more involved in the Albany UU community? The Nominating Committee is issuing a call for nominations for the following positions to be elected at the Annual Meeting in May 2022. These positions offer members of our community an opportunity to shape our collective future and ensure our congregation’s strength through service to Albany UU.
Position Term
President Two years
Vice President Two years
Treasurer One year
Assistant Treasurer Two years
Trustee Two positions, each for two years
Nominating Committee Three positions, each for two years
Endowment Trust One position for five years
Requirements for Elected Positions
Any person holding an elected position must be an active member of Albany UU for at least 30 days prior to being elected and must not have a pledge in arrears. Candidates for the Endowment Trust must be members for at least 3 years.
Nomination Procedure
Society members may contact anyone on the Nominating Committee to let them know of their interest in serving or to suggest someone else you feel would be qualified. To express interest or if you have questions, please contact any of the Nominating Committee members: Liz Richards, Kelly Smith, Rick Piet, Randy Rosette, Elizabeth Berberian or Todd Thomas (tsthom61@gmail.com).
To learn about the responsibilities of each position, go to AlbanyUU.org, choose Resources | Church Office | File Cabinet. Under Governance you will see Elected Office Job Descriptions. Any Nominating Committee member can also send a position description to you.
The Nominating Committee hopes that you will consider stepping forward into a leadership position by contacting a Committee member or, if asked, responding with a “Yes, I will serve!”
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Music Director
The First Unitarian Universalist Society of Albany (Albany UU) is currently seeking a dynamic and creative part-time Music Director for 20 hours per week for 44 weeks annually. The position starts on April 11, 2022, or as soon as possible thereafter. With over 325 members, Albany UU is a vibrant, theologically diverse Welcoming Congregation committed to social justice, inclusivity, and a spirit of community. The candidate should enjoy working collaboratively in a supportive environment and be enthusiastic about employing a broad range of musical genres, including UU repertoire.
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UPCOMING WAYS to CONNECT
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Start your Sunday Morning with Meditation 8:30 - 9:15 AM
We will sit together virtually 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
The Inclusivity Team meets on Sunday, Feb 13 at noon on Zoom. All are welcome to join.
Use the service link to join:
By phone: 1-929-436-2866
Meeting ID: 299 018 7785
Password: 0000
Walker Book Group
Join the Walker Book Group for a Zoom discussion on Sunday, Feb 13 at 6:30 pm. Join at 6:15 for additional time to socialize. We will discuss Kazuo Ishiguro’s Klara and the Sun. Learn more here.
Use this link to join:
By phone: 929-436-2866
Meeting ID: 299 018 7785
Password: 0000
Racial Healing Monthly Group
Next meets Monday, Feb 14.
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.
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.
NOTE: Bridge will NOT be meeting on Tuesday, Feb 22.
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The Social Justice Team meets on Sunday, Feb 13 at 6:15 PM on Zoom. All are welcome to join.
Use the service link to join:
By phone: 1-929-436-2866
Meeting ID: 299 018 7785
Password: 0000
Ps and Qs
At 10:00 AM on Wednesday, Projects and Quilts (Ps and Qs) will meet.
Use this link to join remotely:
By phone: 929-436-2866
Meeting ID: 299 018 7785
Password: 0000
Finance Team will be meeting Thursday, Feb 17 at 4 PM. Albany UU members are welcome to attend.
Use the service link to join:
By phone: 1-929-436-2866
Meeting ID: 299 018 7785
Password: 0000
Virtual Circle Dinner
Friday, February 18, 6:30 - 7:30 PM
Please join us and stay connected with your longtime friends and make new ones at the next Albany UU Virtual Circle Dinner!
The Omicron variant continues keeping us physically distancing, but we still want to keep in touch with one another.
Sign up for warm conversation with a small group on a chilly night! All are welcome! We'll send you a zoom link and assign you to a virtual "table" of 6 to 8 UUs. Get to know longtime and new friends while you enjoy your dinner or favorite beverage. We hope you will join us. Sign up by emailing John at johnssherman@gmail.com by
Wednesday February 16. Please include “Virtual Circle Dinner” in the subject line of your email.
Albany UU Sings
Join your friends on the following Wednesdays for the rest of the service year at 7:00 PM and sing your heart out in Virtual Community! We will supply the music and the lyrics.
Hope to see you there.
Feb 23
Mar 9, 23
Apr 13, 27
May 11, 25
June 8
Use this link to join:
By phone: 1-929-436-2866
Meeting ID: 979 5961 1765
Passcode: 0000
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February Vacations
Your Church Administrator, Acting Director of Religious Education and Board President will all be on vacation the week of February 21. More info to come next week.
A reminder that Patience Pechette, our Administrative Assistant's hours are:
Wednesday, 2-6PM
Thursday and Friday, 8-4PM each day
GA 2022 Goes Multi-Platform: Meet the Moment
Consider participating in General Assembly 2022 -- either online or in-person in Portland, Oregon! GA, the annual meeting of the Unitarian Universalist Association, will be held June 22-26. It’s an immersive, inspirational experience open to everyone, whether you are a lifelong UU or just getting to know our congregation. Check out uua.org/ga for all the details.
Warmth for those who are Homeless
Please gather blankets, sleeping bags, warm coats, etc. for those experiencing homelessness and put them in the bin in the coatroom. Church office hours are generally Mon, Tues, Thurs and Fri from 8-4 - BUT it's always a good idea to call first: 518.463.7135.Thanks for helping folks to keep warm.
An event that may be of interest to Albany UUs
Blood Drive - March 8, 2022
Place:
Millionaire Building
Albany Airport
16 Jetway Drive
Albany, NY 12211
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SOCIAL ACTION and INCLUSIVITY
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BLM Vigil in Troy - Left to right are:
Elizabeth Berberian, Karen Kaufman, Jean Poppei, Deborah Vogel, Jora Cohen, Jean Bolgatz, Mitch Cohen, Sam Trumbore, and Marty Hotvet. Present at the vigil but absent from the photo are: Archie, Chuck Manning, and Anne Marie Haber.
Photo: courtesy of Anne Marie Haber
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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
The Inclusivity Team recommends the following book:
For adults:
Passing, by Nella Larson. (1929). This Harlem Renaissance novel is as riveting as relevant now as it was 100 years ago. What draws together or divides two friends over time? The novel begs the questions: What is race? What is identity? What is belonging? How are we authentic? Available in the Upper Hudson Library system in hard copy and downloadable audio- and e-book formats. Available from the NLS, in braille and audiobook formats, under the title Intimation of Things Distant: The complete fiction of Nella Larson. The Penguin edition of this book has helpful explanatory notes in the back that are easy reference for expressions and places, of which the reader may not be familiar.
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Learn about submitting announcements to for Sunday service and how to reserve a Zoom room for meetings and events here.
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Quick Links
Denominational Affairs Links
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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
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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:
By appointment
Our Website:
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).
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Photo credit: Rev. Sam Trumbore
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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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