Windows Weekly February 18, 2021
ALBANY UU WINDOWS WEEKLY
Greetings Friends,

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.

Please note, you may see announcements in this publication more than once. That is with intent and to ensure that items don't get missed as folks scroll through. Thank you for your understanding.

If this email was forwarded to you, and you would like to receive it directly, please

Learn more about what's happening with UU Kids and Families by reading the Religious Education publication, RE Roundup.

-Blessings and Be Well
MISSION STATEMENT
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.

VISION STATEMENT
Albany UU will be an inclusive, welcoming congregation. Our sacred work is to lift hearts, broaden minds and do justice in the world, in service of building beloved community.

CONGREGATIONAL COVENANT
As a congregation with respect for our past and commitment to the future, we draw from the depth and power of our hearts and minds, guided by our Unitarian Universalist principles, to serve our mission and vision. We celebrate the diversity of our identities and experiences, and foster a culture of appreciation, inspiration, and kindness. We honor both the strength of the collective and uniqueness of the individual, willing to support and challenge each other with love and compassion. We entrust ourselves to each other in beloved community, to embolden personal and congregational growth and transformation.
VIRTUAL SUNDAY SERVICE
10:00 am
LIVE VIA ZOOM


Feb 21, “Beloved Community in Practice,” Rev. Sam Trumbore

The ideals of community make it sound delightful. Yet individuals imperfectly fit themselves into communities and can be in tension with it. How do we resolve the never-ending conflicts between individual interests and the good of the community?

Music provided by our Albany UU Virtual Choir, Elena Karpoff, 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


Join us for Family Chapel for Children and Families at 11:30 AM
We’ll continue the theme of the month - Beloved Community – with the story Anti Racist Baby by Ibrim X Kendi. Then the children in Preschool through 8th grade will go to their separate sessions.

Use this link to join:

To dial in by phone: 1-929-436-2866
Meeting ID 843 1034 5197
Password: 4051842
VIRTUAL SUNDAY SERVICES

Albany UU Virtual Services - Live via Zoom
Main Service at 10:00 AM, Children's Service at 11:30 AM

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" followed by RE for ALL, at 11:30.

Use this link to join Sunday service:

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

UPCOMING WAYS to CONNECT

Virtual Circle Dinner!
We miss seeing you! It’s cold and dark and the pandemic continues to keep us physically distancing, but we can still keep in touch. Sign up for warm conversation with a small group on a cold winter's night! All are welcome at the next Albany UU Virtual Circle Dinner, THIS Saturday, Feb 20 from 6 to 7:30 PM. 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. Sign up by emailing John Sherman: johnssherman@gmail.com by Thursday February 18! That's today!


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


RE for Children and Youth on Sundays at 11:30 AM
We’ll have our 15-minute worship for children, youth, and their parents/caretakers and guides. Then we’ll have breakout groups for: preschool-first grade; 2nd-5th grade; 6th/7th grade and 8th grade.

Use this link to join:

To dial in by phone: 1-929-436-2866
Meeting ID 843 1034 5197
Password: 4051842


Adult RE 11:30 AM on Sundays
Conversational Response: This is your opportunity to reflect with the Sunday service presenter on what the service has elicited from you and listen to the responses of others. Learn more here.

Use the Service Link to join:
 
To dial in 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


Green Sanctuary Forum: HeatSmart Capital Region Info Session
Tuesday, February 23, 7:00PM
If you are considering a new heating or cooling system, looking to save energy in your home, or simply wondering what you can do to reduce your carbon footprint to help address climate change, this campaign is for you! Learn more here.

Use this link to join
 
By phone: 929-436-2866
Meeting ID: 299 018 7785
Passcode: 0000


Ps and Qs
Projects and Quilts (Ps and Qs) will zoom next on Wednesday, Feb 24 at 10:00 AM.

Use this link to join:

By phone: 929-436-2866
Meeting ID: 299 018 7785
Password: 0000
Free Concerts
Every Thursday morning at 10:45, Alyssa Yeager will be offering free live concerts on facebook.com/alyssayeagermusic and
youtube.com/rhiannonslark. Alyssa performs a mix of her originals and your favorite 50s-60s folk rock, including requests. All are welcome!


UU Trivia Night!
UUs from Schenectady, Albany, Saratoga, Kingston and Glens Falls! Gather together on Friday, Feb 26, 7 - 8:30 pm for an inter-congregational online trivia night! Learn more here.
 
Use this link to join:
By phone:1 646 876 9923 US
Meeting ID: 912 0415 6937
Passcode: 146088


Movie Discussion: Just Mercy
The Inclusivity Teams invites you to join our discussion of Just Mercy on Friday, Feb 26, 7-8:30 pm. You watch the movie at your convenience, then join the conversation on the 28th. We’ll forward discussion questions in advance. Learn more here.

Use this link to join
By phone: 929-436-2866
Meeting ID: 299 018 7785
Passcode: 0000


Wine and Cheese Tasting Fundraiser!
Our 16th Annual Wine and Cheese tasting will take place Saturday, Feb 27 at 7:00 PM on ZOOM. See below or click here for details!


Special Congregational Meeting on Proposed Bylaws
Sunday, Feb 28 following service. Learn more here.

Stay on the service link to join:
 
By phone: 929-436-2866
Meeting ID: 299 018 7785
Password: 0000


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 rest of the the service year:
March 3, 24; April 7, 21; May 12, 26; June 9
Hope to see you there.

Use this link to join:

By phone: 1-929-436-2866
Meeting ID: 979 5961 1765
Passcode: 0000


Mindfulness Meditation Workshop on Zoom
March 12 & 13
This meditation training and practice workshop will be led by Rev. Trumbore, on Friday 6:00pm to 9:00pm, and Saturday 8:00am to 3:00pm. It gives participants an opportunity to learn Buddhist mindfulness meditation techniques and/or refresh and deepen their meditation practice. All are welcome from first timers to experts. Please register with Rev. Sam by email (minister@albanyuu.org) if you would like to participate. Learn more here.


Walker Book Group
Join the Walker Book Group for a Zoom discussion on Sunday, March 14 at 6:30 pm. We will discuss The Sense of an Ending by Julian Barnes. 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 NOW FOR OUR WINE & CHEESE TASTING FUNDRAISER!

There's still time to register - Don't miss this exciting event!
 
Fasten your virtual seatbelts and practice your ‘Stralian accents, as your UU Wineaux group flies you on a ZOOM tour of Australian and New Zealand Wines.
 
Our 16th Annual Wine and Cheese tasting will take place Saturday, February 27 at 7:00 PM on ZOOM. That afternoon, between 3 and 6 PM, you will pick up (and if you’re unable to drive, we will deliver) the selected servings of wines paired with cheeses and appropriate crackers, fruits and condiments. That evening, at 7 PM will we all join together for guided tastings and commentary. Check out the flyer here!

Exciting Raffles will be for either one bottle of "Blue Eyed Boy" from Molly Dooker, a lovely 2018 shiraz retailing for $50.00, or one bottle of a marvelous 2019 chardonnay from Tolpuddle Vineyard, retailing for $53.00. Raffle tickets are 2 for $5.00 or 5 for $10.00 and there is no limit on how many you wish to purchase!

Please use this form to register, tell us how you intend to pay, and if you'd like to participate in the wine raffle. You can register up to two people with this form. Use this form to register multiple times, but only register two people at a time per form. Pre-registration and prepayment before Thursday, Feb 25 is REQUIRED. Our online payment link will appear after you submit your form. 

For more information or questions about the Wine & Cheese event, contact:
John Sherman: 518-669-3332
Toni Daniel: 518-322-6097
Rick Whitebread: 518-986-6057 

For questions about the form, please contact Tammy Hathaway: admin@albanyuu.org

IMPORTANT ANNOUNCEMENTS!

CALL FOR NOMINATIONS

Call for Nominations
The Nominating Committee has issued a call for nominations for the following positions to be elected at the Annual Meeting on May 16, 2021. If the By-law change resolution does not pass on February 28 at our Congregational Meeting we will also have open positions for RE council and Social Responsibilities Council along with chairs for each and two Board of Trustee positions.

Position                     Term
President                  1 year
Vice President          1 year
Secretary                  2 years
Treasurer                 1 year
Assistant Treasurer  2 years

Nominating Committee (2)   1 for a 1 year
                                              1 for a 2 years
Endowment Trust (2)           1 for 5 years
                                              1 for 2 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 (2020-2021 pledge year or previous). 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 the above positions or to suggest someone else you feel would be qualified.  If you have questions please contact any of the Nominating Committee members: Sharon Babala, Kelly Smith, Pat Bailey, Randy Rosette, Todd Thomas, Elizabeth Berberian. 

To read job descriptions of each position, go to the AlbanyUU.org file cabinet here. Under Governance you will see Elected Office Job Descriptions.
CHECK OUT OUR BLOG POSTS

INCLUSIVITY RECOMMENDS

SOCIAL ACTION
Social Responsibilities Council Recommends

SRC recommends that for those who can, and wish to do so, stimulus check(s) can be sent to Albany UU with UU Unified Community Designated Fund in the memo line, which will at a future time be distributed to these three organizations: Regional Food Bank of Northeastern NYUnited Tenants of Albany, and Joseph House in Troy as a gift from Albany UU. Thank you for your consideration.


The Albany UU Social Responsibilities Council (SRC) and Inclusivity Team recommend a Black Lives Matter vigil in Troy:
When: Saturdays,10:30-11:00 am
Where: Troy, the sidewalk at the former Price Chopper: 865 2nd Avenue, 12182
  • physical distance, masks
  • signs only, no chanting (except for meditative religious practice)
  • the vigil will automatically be canceled if the temperature is 20 or below OR if the wind chill is below 10 degrees Fahrenheit 


Raise Your Voice for End of Life Choice
CALL TO ACTION: Be a virtual volunteer to change the world from the comfort of your home.
Many thanks to all who attended the inspiring virtual rally to launch the 2021 campaign to pass New York’s Medical Aid in Dying Act. More than 125 people attended! If you missed it, you can view it here. We invite everyone to join the campaign to stop the suffering.
  • Zoom with us on Sunday, February 28, 3:00-4:30, when New York UU Justice will feature presentations on three legislative advocacy issues for 2021, including medical aid in dying, for UUs from congregations across the state. Register here.
  • Volunteer to be a virtual advocate to meet with lawmakers on Zoom. No experience needed. Contact Amanda Cavanaugh at NY@compassionandchoices.org.
  • Contact your Assembly Member and Senator to express your support for medical aid in dying. Even if you have contacted them before, please do it again.  Contact information is here.
  • Invite others to join your efforts.  Many voices will send a message to lawmakers: the terminally ill cannot wait. 
RELIGIOUS EXPLORATION

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.

Member, Bill Batt would like to convey his thanks for the wonderful cards he has received from folks expressing sympathy about his partner, Karen's death. 

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, Phil Rich, Randy Rosette, Sandy Stone, 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.
UU WEEKEND AT SILVER BAY

A Sure Cure for the Pandemic blues
 
Spectacular autumn leaves are the perfect background for deep conversations with UU friends. Sigrin Newell
 
The UU Weekend at Silver Bay is a sure cure for the pandemic blues! Join us from October 15-17, 2021 for a weekend filled with fun events for the whole family. For nature lovers - hikes, bird walks, campfires, a porch with lake views, an outdoor labyrinth, and boat rides are among the activities that await you!

Registration is now open. Register by June 7, 2021 to receive the lowest rates! Children under 6 are free, with substantial discounts for older children and youth. Access additional information about Silver Bay and the UU weekend, including a preliminary schedule of events and a registration form here. Rooms will be assigned on a first come, first served basis based on receipt of the completed registration form and accompanying deposit.

Remember – the cost is all-inclusive for room and board, activities and entertainment - including all meals from Friday dinner through Sunday lunch.

Note: Curranty, we are experiencing a time of social distancing and modifications of group gatherings due to Covid-19. Any restrictions in place at the time of the UU Weekend at Silver Bay will be communicated to registrants.
IMPORTANT INFORMATION

Essential Building Use Guidelines:
Find more information about our Building Use Guidelines during COVID HERE.




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, guidelines and information can be found on the Resource Page of our website, here.
VOLUNTEER OPPORTUNITIES

Call for Stewardship Volunteers - We Need YOU!
Lifting Hearts, Broadening Minds, Doing Justice…Together

It’s that time again! We’re about to start our Stewardship Campaign, Lifting Hearts, Broadening Minds, Doing Justice…Together, and we’ll need some volunteers to help make it happen. Each year during Sunday services in the campaign, we feature the testimonials of members and friends who share with us why they are committed to supporting Albany UU with a financial pledge. We need four people to give these three to five minute testimonials. And starting in April, we’ll need volunteers to make follow-up calls to members and friends to encourage them to complete their pledges. You can indicate your interest using this form. Thank you for considering this important contribution to the Stewardship Campaign! Every little bit helps!


Virtual Service Ushers - It's never too late to volunteer!
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.

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

Most of these events and meetings continue online, however dates and times may vary. 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 (alternating)
7:00 PM     Albany UU Sings (alternating)

Thursdays    
6:30 PM       Board of Trustees (4th)
Going to miss a Sunday?

Online service is generally recorded

Sunday, Feb 14 watch it here.

Sunday, Feb 7 watch it here.

Sunday, Jan 31 watch it here.

Sunday, Jan 24 watch it here.

Sunday, Jan 17 watch it here.

Sunday, Jan 3 watch it here.

For previous services, pre-pandemic:
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