Windows Weekly December 31, 2020
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.

This is your last Windows Weekly of 2020! Even though there are many reasons we might wish to see the back of 2020, please remember the important words of a wise UU:

In 2020 beloved children were born, couples got married and many joyful milestones were observed. For their sakes let’s not make ‘2020’ a curse word. 2020 was the year we found out how much we loved each other and how our bodies ache to see and be with and touch hands with each other. Bless 2020 and all those who lived through it. And bless those who did not.

Please note, 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!

Also, 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 sign up here.

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

January 3, 2021 “Imagine What Could End, Resume ... and Begin!
Rev. Sam Trumbore

We are so done with the doom and gloom of 2020. Vaccines are giving us hope for an end to this pandemic. Just think of how much of our lives can resume! And what might begin new and fresh? And we don’t want to return to the old status quo, but more justice, equity and compassion as we recover and imagine new ways to be together. January this year is a time to unleash the imagination and give it room to run.

Music provided by Elena Karpoff and special guest, Anya Miller


Use this link to join Sunday service:

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


Join us for Brunch Church for Children and Families at 11:30 AM
Bunch Church for all children and families and RE sessions for 6/7th and 8th grades.

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
Jan 10, “Cultivating Imagination,” Rev. Joe Cleveland, Minister, UU Saratoga
This Sunday we are special guests of UU Saratoga for the service and will spend it exploring imagination as something that grows, that is practiced, and nurturing imagination as both a spiritual practice and a justice practice.

Important note: Albany UU will not be providing it's own virtual service on this Sunday, we are guests of UU Saratoga and will join with their congregation using the following link:

Use this link to join:

Meeting ID: 669 770 660
Passcode: 518624


Jan 17, “Racial Healing,” Rev Sam Trumbore
Clearly Black, Indigenous and People of Color have been harmed by racism and American White Supremacy. White identified people who knowingly or unknowingly cooperate with this systemic oppression experience self-inflicted harm as well as injury due to the reactivity of those oppressed. The whole system harms everyone – and we all need healing as we collectively strive to dismantle it.

Music provided by Elena Karpoff


Jan 24, “Queer Theology,” Rev Sam Trumbore
The Bible, historically, has been interpreted by Christians as reinforcing patriarchy and hetero-normative views of gender and sexuality. Gender non-conforming and non-heterosexual theologians are studying the scriptures and finding an innovative understanding of Jesus, of God, and an affirmation of being non-normative. The theology they are discovering is quite friendly to Unitarian Universalism!

Music provided by Elena Karpoff, Chris Jensen and Randy Rosette


Jan 31, Guest speaker David Weissbard

Music provided by Elena Karpoff



Sunday Service Information

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

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.


Adult RE for ALL, Sunday Offering and other Information

For more information about Sunday service, Zoom, Adult RE for ALL, Sunday Offering, and other important Sunday morning details, check out our Sunday at a Glance page here.
UPCOMING WAYS to CONNECT

New Year’s Day Labyrinth Walk
Friday, Jan 1, 2020 - 10:00 AM
Join your Albany UU friends and families to start 2021 with movement and meditation in the fresh air. We’ll create a simple labyrinth in Lincoln Park using natural materials. Bring sticks or small branches, pebbles, vines, and perhaps a bough from your tree. Everyone is welcome! (Eagle St entrance to Lincoln Park; park by the pool house; use the steps or ramp across from the pool house entrance to enter the Park “Bowl” and find the labyrinth.) Masks required. Learn more here.


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


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

Use this link to join all 11:30 AM adult RE offerings (we use breakout rooms):
Meeting ID: 518-366-4532
Password: 4051842


Free Concerts with Alyssa Yeager to Connect and Refresh
Featuring originals and your favorite 50s-60s folk rock. Mondays at 10:45 AM on facebook.com/alyssayeagermusic and youtube.com/rhiannonslark 
All are welcome, you WON'T be on camera, and engaging in the chat is encouraged.


Philosophy Group
At 10:15 AM every Tuesday, the Albany UU Philosophy Group will meet via zoom and discuss their topic of the day: Can we get ourselves severed from our addiction to the fossil fuel that has us essentially attached to them like a ball and chain?
All are welcome.

Use this link to join:

By phone: 1-929-436-2866 
Meeting ID: 987 7102 4708
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:
January 6, 20; February 3, 17; 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


Walker Book Group
Join the Walker Book Group for a Zoom discussion on Sunday, Jan 10, 6:30 pm. We will discuss The System: Who Rigged It, How We Fix ItLearn more here

Use this link to join:
 
To dial in by phone: 1-929-436-2866:
Meeting ID: 299 018 7785
Password: 0000


Ps and Qs
Projects and Quilts (Ps and Qs) will zoom next on Wednesday, Jan 13 at 10:00 AM.

Use this link to join:

By phone: 929-436-2866
Meeting ID: 299 018 7785
Password: 0000

Green Sanctuary sponsored forum: Moving Beyond Plastic Pollution with Judith Enck - Thursday, Jan 14, 7PM

Judith founded Beyond Plastics in 2019 to end plastic pollution through education, advocacy, and institutional change. Learn more here.

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

Racial Healing Workshop
Led by Rev. Sam Trumbore and Jaye Holly
Eight Tuesdays at 7:30pm, meeting on Zoom, beginning January 19, 2021

Our wounds, trauma, fears, misperceptions, misunderstandings, and deficits of imagination and compassion are some of the forces that prevent us from diligently working to dismantle the legacy of racism that continues to warp American culture and feed systems of oppression. Both White-identified people and Black, Indigenous and People of Color have inner work to do that empowers and supports the outer transformative work of dismantling these systems. The goal is for everyone to get free.

The Racial Healing Handbook by Dr. Anneliese A. Singh (2019) will be our source for “Practical activities to help you challenge privilege, confront systemic racism, & engage in collective healing.” Singh has designed a curriculum that is for everyone. She believes we need to heal from racism together.

Please register through the office using the email: register@albanyuu.org or call/text Rev. Sam at 518-366-4532. Note that you’ll need to get a copy of the book for the class. Each week there will be exercises you’ll need to complete before you attend. Please sign up ONLY if you are willing to do the self-reflective, written preparation (worksheets) ahead of each classThere will be little lecture or content presented. This class will focus on personal sharing in small groups with the goal of inner healing for everyone.


Mindfulness Meditation Workshop on Zoom
led by Rev. Sam Trumbore
January 8-9, 2021

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 the 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. People will sit together as we do on Zoom on Sunday mornings and do walking meditation in their own homes. We’ll have a break for lunch on Saturday at noon. Please register with Rev. Sam by email (minister@albanyuu.org) if you would like to participate. A voluntary donation can be offered at the end to the Minister’s Discretionary Fund. This is an experiment to see if a Zoom retreat will work or not.

Rev. Trumbore has practiced Buddhist Vipassana or insight meditation for over 35 years and is Past President of the Unitarian Universalist Buddhist Fellowship. This meditation technique is one of the best for Unitarian Universalists. It helps people train their minds to strengthen concentration and intensify moment-to-moment awareness. Regular practice of this technique quiets and sharpens the mind, opens the heart and improves one's physical and mental health.
GUEST AT YOUR TABLE

What is Guest at Your Table?
Guest at Your Table (GAYT) is Unitarian Universalist Service Committee’s annual intergenerational program to raise support for and awareness about key human rights issues. Since UUSC works in more than 20 countries, with over 60 grassroots partners, there are thousands of individuals involved in and who benefit from the work that our members make possible. The program is an opportunity to celebrate grassroots partnership, support human rights, and learn about just four of these individuals – the “guests” in Guest at Your Table.

We learn about these guests through written descriptions called “Stories of Hope”. This year the UUSC has created a video about each leader as well as a written description. You can download the videos and descriptions here.

How can I send in my donation?
You can download this template to make your own Guest at Your Table box to put on your meal table at home. Many families and households like to include a time before dinner to remember their guests. Often children and household members put coins in the box. This year we’ll ask you to count up the money you collect and send it directly to the UUSC. Please send in your donation by January 25th.

There are two ways to send your donation to the UUSC this year.

1.   This year the UUSC has set up a donation page for us. The donation page is a bit like a GoFundMe in that we can can see the donation totals in real time. Be sure to click the “Make donation anonymous” button under your name if you want your name and amount to be anonymous. Find our unique donation page on our website here.

2.   If you prefer, you can mail in a check to UUSC, PO Box 808, Newark, NJ 07101-0808. Make it out to UUSC and write “First UU Society of Albany GAYT” in the memo line. That way your donation by check will be tallied in our overall total.

How can I learn more?

You can check out the Guest at Your Table page at the UUSC website.

Guest at Your Table will be the focus of Brunch Church on Dec 6th at 11:30. All are welcome. Contact Leah Purcell at dre@albanyuu.org for the link to join or if you have questions.
SAM'S OUTLOOK

Finding Freedom Through Imagination

Monotheism has a conflictual relationship with imagining God and the divine.

The pagan cultures that predate them venerated religious images of their plurality of Gods. Judaism is clear in Exodus 20:

Do not have any other gods before Me. Do not represent [such] gods by any carved statue or picture of anything in the heaven above, on the earth below, or in the water below the land. Do not bow down to [such gods] or worship them. I am God your Lord, a God who demands exclusive worship.

Mohammed (peace be upon him) was compelled to differentiate himself from the Pagans of his era too. Removing the idols from the Ka’ba in Mecca established Islam as an iconoclastic tradition. Muslims are forbidden from depicting living beings in their sacred spaces. There are no images of God or Mohammad (PBUH) either.

This wasn’t as true of Christianity. From the very beginning, images of Jesus and Mary were important, especially as it gained converts from Greek and Roman culture quite comfortable with visual and representational art. Likely affected by Islam, the Christian Byzantine Iconoclasm had two spasms of destroying icons, the first between 726-787 and the second 814-842. Differences in icons was part of the schism between the Roman and Eastern Orthodox churches. The Protestant Reformation took it even further, eliminating all personal representations of God, Jesus and Mary. Two of the most extreme are the icon-less Lutheran and Calvinist churches. The European Enlightenment, guided by science and reason, also attacked and belittled fetishizing religious art.

Their concerns have merit. The act of praying using an icon as one’s focus can deceive the worshipper into believing the icon is the divine figure rather than a representation. Patriarchal Protestants also didn’t like Catholic women praying to images of Mary rather than Jesus, the proper intermediary with God.
The combination of these iconoclastic religious traditions and scientific materialism debunking any special spiritual power an icon might possess has profoundly undercut many people’s ability to use images to express their religious feelings, beliefs and faith. These iconoclasts pay a price by limiting their imaginations. This is especially true of individuals who are concrete thinkers and don’t find inspiration in intellectual creeds, doctrines, sermons and theologies.

Unitarian Universalists historically have had strong iconoclastic tendencies. Strains of Puritan iconoclastic influences have left their mark on us. The scientifically minded among us object to the magical thinking involved in praying to statues or portraits of divine figures. We’re quite cautious about putting sacred images on our walls. Like Muslims, we are more comfortable with abstract forms.

Well, it is time for us to consider confronting our fear of images. The veneration of images can be a transformational component of our spiritual lives. Our imagination can free us from limiting views and beliefs.

I know this may sound heretical but sacred images can help us gain access to our imaginations. Many people, including UUs, find having an altar in their homes with inspirational images or beads and stones to touch inspires them in a way that nourishes their spiritual lives. They remind us of meanings and values for our lives that lift us above the profane images our materialistic society uses to stimulate our greed, hatred and delusion.

This month take the blinders off and allow your imagination to roam. Let it roam where it finds nourishment in color and texture, in representations of the sacred and the holy. Allow sensory, aesthetic experience to free you from the limitations of language to communicate the nature and being of Ultimate Reality, of God, of the greatness of being itself.

Words are quite limited in their ability to express the fulness of what is beyond us. Wordless imagination can exceed their power and help us find freedom.
                                                                                              -Rev. Sam

More from our Blogs:
INCLUSIVITY RECOMMENDS

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:
PEN America Best Debut Short Stories 2017, edited by Yuka Igarashi. 2017 is the first year for the publication of this annual collection of excellent short stories. Twelve stories are showcased. All stories are debut fiction from new authors. This collection is original, as diverse as humanity, and refreshing. You may find yourself ready for 2018, 2019, and 2020, when you've read to the end. Available in the Upper Hudson Library System in hard copy. Not available in audiobook at this time.
IMPORTANT ANNOUNCEMENTS!


A reminder that Sapphire will be leaving Albany UU after over two years of service!
It is with bittersweet sadness we announce that our Administrative Assistant, Sapphire Correa, will be leaving Albany UU. We are very sad to see her go as she has been a wonderful addition to the church office staff for over two years and willing to take on many different roles during this pandemic, providing needed support to our virtual production team, and helping us all keep connected during this trying time.

We are also very excited for Sapphire as she continues her Master's work in Public Health. Sapphire will be beginning an internship here in Albany, working for the NYS Council on Children and Families developing an app for mothers of young children to connect with a multitude of services in the area that they may not otherwise know are available. She will also be working to improve the web presence of these services as part of their public awareness program. Exciting and important work! This internship will continue through the spring of 2021, when she hopes to participate in an international internship in her field for the summer. Congratulations, Sapphire!

We would normally have a party for Sapphire during Coffee Hour in Channing Hall after service with cake and fellowship. We can't do that, of course, but we would still like to celebrate Sapphire and thank her for her service to Albany UU. If you would like to participate in wishing Sapphire well and giving her a proper Albany UU send-off, please send cards and donations to Tammy Hathaway at the church - 405 Washington Ave, Albany, NY 12206 - by Friday, Jan 8. Make checks out to Albany UU with "Sapphire" on the memo line. Tammy will collect all cards and compile donations to present our gratitude to Sapphire in a safe way. Hopefully we can do this after a virtual service in early January 2021, so we can enjoy seeing her again before she takes on the world. Sapphire's last day with us will be Friday, Jan 15.

Thank you, Sapphire, and thank you to all for your help in recognizing her service to Albany UU!

For those who may be curious, we will be shuffling things around a bit and adding hours to other part-time staff to continue our important work, keeping us all connected, even though we cannot be together physically at this time. Once we know when we will be able to open our building, we will announce the need to hire an Administrative Assistant at 20 hours/week with a primary focus on rental coordination.


New Year's Day
A reminder that Albany UU staff will be off on New Year's Day. Please stay safe and be well!


Plan Ahead for Virtual GA
General Assembly is the annual gathering of Unitarian Universalists. In 2021, GA will again be all-virtual, held June 23-27.  Consider participating in this inspiring, educational, challenging and joyful gathering! Mark your calendar now and check www.uua.org/ga for more information.

“Circle 'Round for Justice, Healing, Courage” is the theme for GA 2021. Interested individuals are invited to submit a Program Proposal. Proposals are due in two phases. Phase 1: Due January 15. Phase 2: Due January 29.
 
You can register for GA and also find out how to volunteer on the UUA website.
SOCIAL ACTION
Social Responsibilities Council Recommends

The Albany UU Social Responsibilities Council (SRC) and Inclusivity Team recommend a Black Lives Matter vigil in Troy:
When: Saturday, 1/2/20, 10:30-11:00 am
Where: Troy, the sidewalk at the former Price Chopper: 865 2nd Avenue, 12182 - NOTE CHANGE
  • physical distance, masks
  • signs only, no chanting (except for meditative religious practice)
  • all weather

The purpose is two-fold:
  1. to express that Black Lives Matter
  2. to embolden white people to act against racism

To ensure safety as much as we can, we are working under these agreements as a provisionary covenant:
  • We carry signs with the same message: "Black Lives Matter," or "Stand Against Racism."
  • We limit our positive responses to a thumbs-up or a wave.
  • We do not respond to any negative reactions, such as heckling.
  • The police officers at the farmers market (across the street) will be notified that there is a gathering.
  • One person, not holding a sign, will be designated to take photos of license plates of anyone who is inappropriate.
  • We all leave at the end of the vigil, and people leave together.
  • If friends join us, we advise them of the measures above.

If you can’t or don’t want to join standing, you are invited to drive by and wave or honk encouragement.


SRC recommends the following virtual panel discussion, provided by CD SURJ, as a follow up to Action of Immediate Witness #1 Amen to Uprising
CD SURJ (Capital District Showing Up for Racial Justice) will host a panel as part of a larger series, Showing Up For Racial Justice 101: White Allies at Protests.

Join CD SURJ on Tuesday, Jan 5 at 6PM for this virtual panel discussing how white folks can do the most good when showing up at POC led racial justice protests and other actions.
This will be an incredible opportunity to learn from activist leaders in the Capital Region. Learn more on the CD SURJ FB page here.

The event will be held on Zoom. You must register for the event to attend. Find registration information here: http://bit.ly/CDSURJWhiteAllies



Green Sanctuary sponsored forum: Moving Beyond Plastic Pollution with Judith Enck - Thursday, Jan 14, 7PM

Judith founded Beyond Plastics in 2019 to end plastic pollution through education, advocacy, and institutional change. Learn more here.

Passionate about protecting public health and the environment, she teaches classes on plastic pollution as a Senior Fellow and visiting faculty member at Bennington College, and was recently a Visiting Scholar at the Elisabeth Haub School of Law at Pace University.

Judith has held top influential positions in state and federal government. Appointed by President Obama, she served as the Regional Administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency, overseeing environmental protections in NY, NJ, eight Indian Nations, Puerto Rico and the US Virgin Islands.

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


-Leah Purcell, Director of Religious Education and Family Ministry (DREFM), lpurcell@albanyuu.org

-Elizabeth Baldes, Religious Education Coordinator, elizabethbaldes@yahoo.com


Labyrinth Walk in Lincoln Park, Friday, Jan 1, 10:00 am – noon
Join your Albany UU friends and families to start 2021 with movement and meditation in the fresh air.

We’ll create a simple labyrinth in Lincoln using natural materials starting at 10:00. Bring sticks and small branches, pebbles, vines, and perhaps a bough from your tree.

Leah Purcell will be on hand to create the labyrinth and stay until noon to give people guidance on how to use it if they would like.

Labyrinth walking is an ancient practice used by many different faiths for spiritual centering, contemplation, and prayer. Our young children have used one in RE. Everyone is welcome!
Go to the Eagle Street entrance to Lincoln Park and park by the pool house and use the steps or ramp across the street from the pool house entrance to enter the Lincoln Park “Bowl” and find the labyrinth. We’re not sure about the public restrooms there so we recommend using the restroom prior to attending. Everyone will wear a mask.

 
Winter RE Supply Pickup Saturday Saturday, Jan 2, 10AM-12PM!
This is a masked, socially-distanced opportunity for guides and families of kids in our Pre-1st and Grade 2-5 groups to pick up their materials for January and February. Also a good chance to return Christmas Pageant costumes! Leah and Elizabeth will be at the door to bring out your items. If you can't make it, we'll also have the materials at the Labyrinth Walk on 1/1, or email Leah (dre@albanyuu.org) or Elizabeth (reassist@albanyuu.org) to make other arrangements.


Bunch Church for all children and families and RE sessions for 6/7th and 8th grades - at 11:30 on Sunday, Jan 3

Use this link to join:

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


Who We Are Supporting through the Guest at Your Table Program?
This is the annual giving program from the Unitarian Universalist Service Committee to provide direct aid to activists and leaders meeting the needs of people in their own communities. Here is more info about the 4 leaders the UUSC is supporting this year.

There are two ways to send your donation to the UUSC this year.
 
  1. This year the UUSC has set up a donation page for us. Find it on our website here. The donation page is a bit like a GoFundMe in that we can see the donation totals in real time. Be sure to click the “Make donation anonymous” button under your name if you want your name and amount to be anonymous. 
  2. If you prefer, you can mail in a check to UUSC, PO Box 808, Newark, NJ 07101-0808. Make it out to UUSC and write “First UU Society of Albany GAYT” in the memo line. That way your donation by check will be tallied in our overall total.

The deadline to submit donations to First UU Society of Albany's Guest at Your Table program this year is January 25, 2021


Families, Please Join The Treehouse; it’s our own multigenerational community
Celebrating the theme for January of Imagination. Everyone - parents/caretakers, children and youth can share their written thoughts, pictures, videos they make. And this is where the guides keep resources for the Crossing Paths group; the 8th Grade Book Club and Coming of Age. Click here to join https://the-treehouse-re-and-family-ministry.mn.co/share/15kehOKiuER_AVpB?utm_source=manual

Parents/caretakers can find resources in the RE Roundup this week.
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.

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

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, Dec 27 watch it here.

Thursday, Dec 24 watch it here.

Sunday, Dec 20 watch it here.

Sunday, Dec 13 watch it here.

Sunday, Dec 6 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