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.
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September 6 is our last Sunday of Summer Session!
September 6 “What is New & What Never Changes,” Diane Cameron
At Labor Day we think about the start of a new year. It’s the time of choosing a new direction, making new plans, and making time to learn new things. After a summer of so much change in all parts of our lives, let’s look at what is new and what never changes.
Diane is passionate about advocacy for people living in poverty and for family caregivers. She is a director at Unity House in Troy and a spiritual coach and retreat leader.
Music: Randy Rosette
Use this link to join:
To dial in by phone: 1-929-436-2866:
Meeting ID: 299 018 7785
Password: 0000
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JOIN US FOR VIRTUAL SUNDAY SERVICES M
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Welcome back to the regular service year, September 13!
Albany UU Virtual Services
Live via Zoom, our regular service year begins with Renewal at 10:00 AM on Sept 13 and continues through June 13, 2021.
Begin your Sunday morning with Rev. Sam guiding an 8:30 Virtual Meditation session until 9:15 (see below under Upcoming Ways to Connect for more info). We then have Virtual Service beginning at 10:00 each Sunday and a chance to stay online for virtual "Coffee Hour" or RE for ALL (beginning Sept 20) following the service. Look for more info about RE for ALL in our next edition of Windows Weekly.
Use this link to join Sunday service:
To dial in by phone: 1-929-436-2866:
Meeting ID: 299 018 7785
Password: 0000
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Sept 13, “Renewal Sunday,” Leah Purcell and Rev. Sam Trumbore
The Sunday after Labor Day we renew our involvement in Albany UU with a special service. As part of the service, we gather water in a common bowl. We’ll have three ways to do that this year. The first is by contributing watery pictures, sending them to office@albanyuu.org. Second bring water to 405 Washington Avenue on Labor Day (2-5pm). Finally showing your water to your Zoom camera and pouring it into a bowl together during the service. However you wish to join in this service we hope to see you there.
Music will be featuring the Albany UU Virtual Choir in addition to Elena Karpoff, Chris Jensen and Randy Rosette
Sept 20, "Bringing Beloved Community to Life,” Rev. Sam Trumbore
As part of working to update and improve our governance, your Board has been working hard to take your guidance from our mission and the January World Café to craft a vision of where we are going to unify and direct our efforts. The Board and the Ministry and Operations Team will announce it and help us recognize how we can be involved in bringing this vision to life.
Music provided by Elena Karpoff, Chris Jensen and Randy Rosette
Sept 27, "Return to Love … Again,” Rev. Sam Trumbore
The Jewish High Holy Days begin to end tonight with Yom Kippur. These Days of Awe, a time of repentance and renewal come to a focus during these last twenty-four hours. Unitarian Universalists can join in by reflecting on where we have fallen short and caused harm, reconcile and make amends, renew and restore relationships and return to love … again … for another year.
Music provided by featured artist, Olivia Karis-Nix in addition to Elena Karpoff, Chris Jensen and Randy Rosette
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 an 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 during service or email Tammy Hathaway - admin@albanyuu.org anytime. Thanks for taking this extra step to be welcoming!
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Three Ways to Participate in our Fall Renewal Virtual Service September 13
Our tradition has been to gather water from the places we visit over the summer, near and far, to bring to Albany UU to pour into a common bowl as part of the first service of our fall season, the Sunday after Labor Day - This year, September 13.
We're doing things different this year!
Instead, here are three options for you to participate in the virtual Sunday service on September 13. You can do one, two or all three!
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On September 7, Labor Day, between 2 and 5pm, drive up to the 405 Washington Ave entrance, tell us where your water is from and pour it into a bowl that will be on a table nearby. You’ll be directed how to do this by a staff member. Rev. Sam will be present along with Leah, Tammy and other staff members, to video record your words and action for inclusion in the Sunday service. This will also be an opportunity to pick up RE materials from Elizabeth and Leah.
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Email a picture of your family in front of or interacting with water for inclusion in the Sunday Service. That could be a picture in front of a favorite waterfall, river, stream, pond, bay or lake. Or it could be some other creative expression of water and your family. Something we can show as part of the Sunday service. Email to: office@albanyuu.org by September 4.
- Have your water ready on Sunday morning, September 13, during the virtual Sunday service. We’ll encourage people to switch their Zoom screen to “gallery view.” Then you’ll have the opportunity to show us your container of water then pour it into a bowl all together.
Hopefully one of these ways will allow everyone to participate in our first service of the fall season. Any questions please contact Tammy or Sapphire: windows@albanyuu.org.
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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:
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 and discuss their 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
Ps and Qs
Projects and Quilts (Ps and Qs) will zoom next on Wednesday, Sept 9 at 10:00 AM.
Use this link to join:
By phone: 929-436-2866
Meeting ID: 299 018 7785
Password: 0000
A NEW chance to Connect and Build Community!
Connect with Three
The best way to feel connected in our congregation is to meet people and get to know them. Connect With Three randomly matches you with another person for a 15 minute conversation three times. The conversation can be free form or guided by questions centered on our theme of the month, “renewal” in September, depending on each pairing’s desires. At the end of an hour, you’ll have had three interesting conversations and met or renewed connections with three people.
Wednesdays, Sept 9 and 23 from 4-5pm
Tuesdays, Sept 15 and 29 from 7-8pm
Use this link to join:
By phone: 929-436-2866
Meeting ID: 299 018 7785
Password: 0000
No reservations required, just show up! (Note that if you arrive late you might be required to wait in the waiting room before being admitted – so come a little early!)
Albany UU Sings
Join your friends and sing your heart out in Virtual Community! We will supply the music and the lyrics.
Save these Wednesday dates at 7:00 PM for the fall!
Sept 9, Sept 23
Oct 7, Oct 21
Nov 4, Nov 18
Dec 2, Dec 16
Hope to see you there.
Use this link to join: (Note new Zoom link and meeting ID)
By phone: 1-929-436-2866
Meeting ID: 979 5961 1765
Passcode: 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:
By phone: 1-929-436-2866:
Meeting ID: 299 018 7785
Password: 0000
A Virtual Orientation for Newcomers on Zoom!
Getting to Know UU
Saturday, September 26th, is a great chance for some of us at Albany UU to get to know YOU -- but it's also a perfect opportunity for you to learn about this Unitarian Universalist congregation, explore the roots of "UUism," and begin to figure out how participating in congregational life can enhance your personal journey.
Please join us:
8:45 to noon
Saturday, Sept 26
Use this link to join:
To dial in by phone: 1-929-436-2866:
Meeting ID: 299 018 7785
Password: 0000
Signing up is preferred, but logins the day of are welcome!
To sign up: Send an email to Registration@AlbanyUU.org.
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The Role Publishing Plays in the Commodification of Black Pain
L.L. McKinney
"...the United States, and much of the world, has seen daily protests and demonstrations following yet another slew of murders of unarmed Black people. George Floyd, Breonna Taylor, Tony McDade, Ahmaud Arbery, and so many others, too many others, have had their lives snuffed out by the ever-present pandemic of racial and police violence...This led to a boom in follows, subscriptions, book sales, likes, and retweets across the board. Hundreds, if not thousands of people showed up to support Black authors. I, like my colleagues, am grateful for the boost in visibility and sales...I can’t truly savor what’s happening in any real capacity, because I’m plagued by a particular question: Where was this support before?
I can’t say all, but most Black authors I know, if you ask them which book of theirs is the most “successful” in terms of numbers, awards, engagement, it’s gonna be the one that focuses on Black pain.
And don’t get me wrong, Black authors are happy the industry is paying attention in this moment, but it has to go beyond that. It has to go beyond this hyper focus on our trauma. Publishing and the various entities within it have to see all of us, or this equality thing won’t work. Black people are worth more than our suffering."
Our Inclusivity Team is offering resources for our ongoing education and reflection to address white supremacy culture at Albany UU. Are you finding that 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 and youth
(with guidance as needed; some poems contain mention of profound violence):
Say Her Name, by Zetta Elliot. Illustrated by Loveis Wise. (2020). This book "...engages poets from the past two centuries to create a chorus of voices celebrating the creativity, resilience, and courage of Black women and girls.... [The poems herein] pay tribute to victims of police brutality as well as the activists championing the Black Lives Matter cause. This compelling collection reveals the beauty, danger, and magic found at the intersection of race and gender." (from the back cover). This new book is not yet available at the library, but is available in hardcopy at Market Block Books and audiobook from Audible.
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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!
UU the Vote reminds us that to help lead in the fight against voter suppression and authoritarianism, this work requires all of us to act. Take the Vote Love Pledge today!
Recycling Reminder!
Don't forget! It's time to start turning in our collected corks, personal products, toothpaste tubes and toothbrushes and Brita filters. These items can be dropped off at Betsy Wright's and left in the plastic container under the front steps. Please call the office for more information: 518.463.7135. Albany UU is also starting to recycle used ballpoint pens. These can also be dropped in the container. Thanks.
The Green Sanctuary Committee
Calling all artists!
Ellen Chernoff, our Art Wall organizer, would like to call artists to get those paintbrushes painting, pencils drawing, cameras rolling, etc. and make some art! The building will not be opening any time soon, but when it does, Ellen would like you to be ready for a member art show.
Open to artists of all ages, media (watercolor, pastel, photography, etc.) skills, and styles.
Art work should be framed, wired, and ready to hang. Attach a 3x5 index card on the back of the
work with: artist name & contact information, the title of the work, and the price (if for sale).
Questions may be directed to Ellen Thea Chernoff 518-463-5503.
When we are once again able to be together in person, the show will be put together for showing in Channing Hall.
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.
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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
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!
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Brunch Church - 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
We are all wondering.... What will Religious Education for children and youth look like this fall?
We know that meeting only online is not optimal for any of our education and ministry; still, we will not be meeting in person until the Board has decided it is safe. Elizabeth and I are making plans for online Religious Education, which will start in mid-Sept. The theme for Sept is Renewal. Elizabeth and I invite you to start the year by participating in online RE events with your children to help keep/make connections within our RE community. These RE events will be after the 10:00 service - at 11:30, for about 30 minutes - up to 45 minutes. There is talk of having some Adult Religious Ed opportunities also at 11:30. We are joyfully calling this time “RE for All.” More about the groups and curriculum and other information. https://drive.google.com/file/d/16yui6SF8Bu24IT7J7JS2gHC0136r5Du8/view?usp=sharing
Watch your email for this week’s RE newsletter, The RE Roundup for more information for families, including the start to the RE program and material recommendations from the Inclusivity Team
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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.
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Virtual Service Ushers - We need more volunteers as we start the service year!
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:
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Quick Links
Denominational Affairs Links
Helpful Local 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 online class
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First Unitarian Universalist Society of Albany
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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
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
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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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