WINDOWS WEEKLY July 29, 2021
Greetings Friends,

Welcome to Windows Weekly, Albany UU's central source for news and updates.

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!

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-Blessings and Be Well
VIRTUAL SUMMER SUNDAY SERVICE
LIVE on ZOOM

WELCOME TO ALBANY UU SUMMER SERVICES
Service at 10:00 AM

Begin your Sunday morning with an 8:30 Virtual Meditation session until 9:20. We then have Virtual Service beginning at 10:00 each Sunday and a chance to stay online for virtual "Fellowship and Conversation."

Aug. 1 “Pushed Back to Strength,” Rev. Dr. Tom Chulak
Often when facing adversity we find a strength we did not know we had. In these times, we have been pushed personally and collectively. What has been your response? As Unitarian Universalists how have we responded? And if we have been strengthened, what is the source of our strength? Come and explore the challenges and celebration of life. 

Tom is a retired Unitarian Universalist minister and member of our congregation. He lives is Ghent with his wife Nicole.

Music: Ann Brandon


Those wishing to access closed captioning/live transcript can turn on the function in their Zoom toolbar. To update to the latest version of Zoom, please do that within the software by finding the menu link and “check for updates”.

Use this link to join Sunday service:

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

ALBANY UU IS HIRING!

Albany UU is hiring a Religious Education Program Assistant
Do you have some time for a fun paid opportunity to work with our newly minted Acting Religious Education Director, Elizabeth Baldes? Interested in joining our super cool Albany UU Staff Team? Apply today!
10 hours a week
$15/hour
Send your resume to: employment@albanyuu.org



Looking for a little income?
Are you--or a friend--looking to make some money occasionally? And, are you able to work on Sundays?
Albany UU needs a ‘backup’ Sunday custodian. The job is from 8:00-1:00 on Sunday mornings (after September 12) and entails a multitude of small tasks that that enable our service and programs to run smoothly. Some lifting is required. The pay is $15 per hour.

If you are interested in finding out more, contact Tammy Hathaway, Church Administrator at 518-463-7135 or admin@albanyuu.org. And pass this on to anyone who might be interested!

Also available: occasional “gigs” as Building Host and Dishwasher. Contact Tammy Hathaway if you’re interested in either of these.
UPCOMING WAYS to CONNECT

Start your Sunday Morning with Meditation 8:30 - 9:15 AM
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 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


Ministries and Operations Team 
The MOT will meet on Wednesday, Aug 4 at 12N. MOT meetings are open to all Albany UU members.

Use the service link to join:

To dial in by phone: 1-929-436-2866:
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 and on into summer:
August 4, 18

Hope to see you there.

Use this link to join:

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


Ps and Qs
Projects and Quilts (Ps and Qs) will zoom next on Wednesday, Aug 11 at 10:00 AM in Room B-8 at Albany UU.

To join remotely, use this link:

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


Walker Book Group
We hope to have the Sunday, Sept 12, 5:30 pm Walker Book Group potluck and discussion back in Channing Hall! We will discuss Walter Isaacson’s Leonardo da Vinci Learn more here.
IMPORTANT ANNOUNCEMENTS!

SOCIAL ACTION


Reading Recommendation for adults and youth, with guidance as needed:

We Are Here: Visionaries of Color Transforming the Art World, by Jasmin Hernandez. (2021).  " Confidently curated by Jasmin Hernandez, the dynamic founder of Gallery Gurls, We Are Here presents the bold and nuanced work of Black and Brown visionaries transforming the art world. Centering BIPOC, with a particular focus on queer, trans, nonbinary, and BIWOC, this collection features fifty of the most influential voices in New York, Los Angeles, and beyond. Striking photography of art, creative spaces, materials, and the subjects themselves is paired with intimate interviews that engage with each artist and influencer, delving into their creative process and unpacking how each subject actively works to create a more radically inclusive world across the entire art ecosystem. A celebration of compelling intergenerational creatives making their mark, We Are Here shows a path for all who seek to see themselves in art and culture."   ~from the back cover. Available in the Upper Hudson Library System.



The Albany UU Social Responsibilities Council (SRC) and Inclusivity Team recommend a 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
  • pandemic concerns: It's important to remember that vaccines protect the vaccinated. Even as restrictions are lifted in New York State, some may choose to take precautions because of inability to be vaccinated (e.g., age, illness, compromised immune system). Please remember that if you are vaccinated, you are still susceptible to being an asymptomatic carrier of Covid-19. Those who wish to take precautions are invited to. If you are no longer taking precautions, please respect the decisions of those who do. Only an individual knows their full risk. It can be perceived as confrontational to ask vaccine-status of others.
  • signs only, no chanting (except for meditative religious practice)
  • the vigil will automatically be canceled due to threat of thunderstorms or other severe weather
RELIGIOUS EXPLORATION

UU WEEKEND AT SILVER BAY
October 15-17
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 15-17, 2021 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.

After a year’s hiatus, the Silent Auction will return!!  New or almost new items, including gift certificates, hardcover books, art, collectibles, nice quality jewelry, bottles of wine, homemade jams, jellies, honey and high-quality crafts, will be gladly accepted. The children’s auction will accept toys, puzzles, and stuffed animals in good condition.


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

UPDATED Building Use Guidelines:
Groups can now meet in the building by following these guidelines

Sunday services will remain online through the summer since all the logistics for these services were set up to be remote, before most restrictions were lifted. We are looking forward to providing our first official in-person service on the first Sunday of our new service year, September 12 at 10:00 AM. This will be a multiplatform service and will include an online option. There will be separate guidelines for Sunday services - those are being drafted - and will be available later in the summer. There will also be guidance provided should conditions change and we need to pivot again to meet those, if needed.


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


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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 Albany UU class or event

- Send an email to: registration@albanyuu.org
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:
Staff are transitioning from working almost exclusively from home to a combination of working from home and at the church office. Right now, office hours are by appointment until a routine is established. 

Our Website:
General: www.AlbanyUU.org

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).

Photo credit: Rev. Sam Trumbore
First Unitarian Universalist Society of Albany | 518.463.7135 | 518.463.1429 Admin@AlbanyUU.org | AlbanyUU.org