Greetings Friends,
Welcome to Windows Weekly, Albany UU's central source for news and updates.
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-Blessings and Be Well
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MULTI-PLATFORM SUNDAY SERVICE
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SUNDAY SERVICE at 10:00 AM
Begin your Sunday morning with an 8:30 Meditation session until 9:20
Service begins at 10:00 each Sunday
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Dec 19 “Albany UU Christmas Pageant 2021” with Rev. Sam Trumbore & Elizabeth Baldes
Each year our elementary age children put on our reenactment of the Christmas story. We’ll sing (quietly in our masks) familiar carols and celebrate this beautiful season of birth and life.
Music: Ann Brandon
REMINDER - Folks who wish to attend Sunday service in-person no longer need to RSVP their intention. If we reach our 50 person limit in Community Hall, we have the technology and capability to seat 30 people distanced in the Sanctuary and 20 people distanced in Channing Hall. This only applies to Sunday service, not Christmas Eve service or other events.
Multi-platform 10:00 AM Sunday Services
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DECEMBER SUNDAY SERVICE &
HOLIDAY INFORMATION
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Friday, Dec 24 – “Albany UU Christmas Eve 2021,” at 7:00pm with Rev. Sam Trumbore
There are several ways to experience this special gathering which commemorates the birth of Jesus. Those who wish to come in person can sit in one of the thirty spots available by reservation in the Sanctuary. As the Sanctuary seating space fills up, or if you'd rather, we will also gather in Community Hall and Channing Hall, to make room for as many people as is safe in our building. There will also be a Zoom option. We will all have the opportunity to light our candles together, dim the lights and sing Silent Night as we do every year. While there will not be a reception, after service you are invited to pick up a chalice ornament made by the children and youth of Albany UU to brighten your home. Our hope is that being together, even if distanced and masked in-person, or attending online, will make it a safe, memorable, and meaningful moment for all of us.
Music: Ann Brandon, Albany UU Virtual Choir, Chris Bystroff, Randy Rosette, Tanya Hotalen
Dec 26 “Seasonal Songs and Stories” with Rev. Sam Trumbore & Randy Rosette
This will be a relaxed Day-After-Christmas service (Zoom only), maybe with a fire going in the background to enjoy a hot drink, listen to some of Rev. Sam’s favorite seasonal stories, and sing (loudly at home) favorite seasonal songs. Not our usual format but a way to be together as a community as we decompress from our seasonal celebrations. There could also be a chance to show off a favorite gift received!
Music: Randy Rosette, Chris Jensen
Looking ahead to Jan 2 “Wheel of Life Service” with Rev. Sam Trumbore &
Elizabeth Baldes
As a New Year begins, it is a time to look back over the previous year. It is a time to appreciate births, our life transitions and remember those who have died in the previous year in our service.
Please email a picture of the person, a symbol or a memento of a loved one you want to honor for a slide show each of births, transitions and deaths to office@albanyuu.org with “Wheel of Life Service” in the subject.
Use this link to join Sunday service virtually
To dial in by phone: 1-929-436-2866
Meeting ID: 299 018 7785
Password: 0000
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Donating flowers for Sunday service
Go to Sunday Hospitality Sign Up to sign up. You can leave a comment to let us know if you will be arranging or if you'd like a member of the Flower Team to arrange for you. You can also tell us your dedication. Or you can always contact the church office to sign up if you prefer: admin@albanyuu.org. Thank you!
Sunday Offering
and other service information
Sharing Joys and Concerns during Service
Need to Talk? Albany UU Pastoral Care Associates are here to listen!
Archives
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Throughout the COVID pandemic, Albany UU has been working diligently to protect the health of all members of our church community. A COVID Response Team representing staff, board, and congregation members (Sam Trumbore, Patti Jo Newell, Tammy Hathaway, Elizabeth Baldes, and Mary Applegate) meets regularly to review current data for Albany and Rensselaer Counties and to consider changes in our COVID-prevention practices.
In the weeks since Thanksgiving, COVID rates have risen significantly in the Capital Region, in NYS, and nationwide. The Team is monitoring infection statistics daily and having group discussions frequently.
As you know, since September, Sunday morning Services and other gatherings have been conducted in a multi-platform mode, with a limited number of congregants attending services in person while most participate virtually, via Zoom or Facebook. In light of the current COVID data, the Response Team agreed at its last meeting (12/10/21) to continue multi-platform services for the time being, but reduce the number of in-person participants. Until now, the limit has been 100 individuals, divided among various parts of the building. The new limit will be 50, effective at the service on Sunday, December 19.
We regret having to reduce the numbers, but hope that this change will not have a significant impact. The total in-person attendance has been quite low ever since in-person services resumed.
Other COVID prevention rules will continue:
-People should not attend services or other AUU gatherings in person if they
- have been exposed to someone with COVID in the past 10 days
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or are experiencing COVID-like symptoms (e.g. cough, fever, loss of taste or smell)
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or have tested positive for COVID
-Masks must be worn at all times, covering both nose and mouth
-Everyone must maintain a 6’ distance from others, except for those who live together or are in a “COVID bubble” together.
To protect our youngest children and other vulnerable members of our congregation, all eligible children, youth and adults are strongly encouraged to be fully vaccinated to attend.
Elizabeth Baldes will be in touch with RE families with further information about how this new guidance affects the RE program.
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Albany UU has an opportunity for a creative, fun-loving individual to join our team as our Lead Youth Group Advisor. This is a unique chance to get in on the ground floor of an evolving program that enjoys strong support from our open-minded congregation. If you know of anyone who might be interested, perhaps a young UU adult 25 years or older, please share this job posting with them. We offer a supportive and welcoming work environment, lots of opportunities for creativity, and a great group of youth to connect with. Contact Acting Director of Religious Education Elizabeth Baldes with inquiries.
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RELIGIOUS EDUCATION for
CHILDREN and YOUTH
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This week, 12/19: Come to our multigenerational service to view Albany UU's 2021 Christmas Pageant! No reservation required- if capacity is reached in Community Hall there is also seating in Channing. We will also be saying goodbye to our Lead Youth Group Advisor, Tracey Hickey, and wish her well as she and her husband embark on a new adventure!
Next Friday, 12/24: Everyone is welcome to join us at our Christmas Eve service with carols, candlelight, and companionship. For this service, reservation is required, please click here. If your child would like to serve as an acolyte and help light candles, please let me know at dre@albanyuu.org by Tuesday 12/21. Thanks to Ben, Natalie, Noah, and Rowan, who already signed up.
Next week 12/26: RE is on break. Enjoy a rest as we look forward to a robust and joyful return in January.
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UPCOMING WAYS to CONNECT
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Board of Trustees
Use the service link to join:
By phone: 1-929-436-2866
Meeting ID: 299 018 7785
Password: 0000
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 remotely:
By phone: 1-929-436-2866
Meeting ID: 299 018 7785
Password: 0000
The Green Sanctuary Team - meets next on Sunday, Dec 19 at 11:30 on Zoom. All are welcome.
Use this link to join:
Philosophy Group
At 10:15 AM every Tuesday, the Albany UU Philosophy Group will meet via zoom to discuss the topic of the day, which on Tuesday is: What do we do about electronic snooping into our personal lives? Is it mainly to target us for advertising? All are welcome.
Use this link to join:
By phone: 1-929-436-2866
Meeting ID: 987 7102 4708
Password: 0000
Finance Team will be meeting Tuesday, Dec 21, at 3:30PM in Room B-8 and via Zoom. 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
Ps and Qs
At 10:00 AM each Wednesday, Projects and Quilts (Ps and Qs) will meet 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
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Albany UU Sings
Join your friends on the following Wednesdays this winter/spring 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.
Jan 12, 26
Feb 9, 23
Mar 9, 23
Apr 13, 27
May 11, 25
Use this link to join:
By phone: 1-929-436-2866
Meeting ID: 979 5961 1765
Passcode: 0000
Virtual Circle Dinner
Join a friendly group of UUs on Saturday, December 18 for dinner time conversation! Our Virtual Circle Dinner will take place on zoom from 6 to 7:30 pm. We’ll break into smaller groups so everyone has a chance to introduce themselves and talk. Sign up by emailing John Sherman at johnssherman@gmail.com by TODAY, Thursday, December 16.
A Virtual Orientation for Newcomers on Zoom
Getting to Know UU
Saturday, Jan 9, 2022, 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:
10:00 AM to noon
Saturday, Jan 9,2022
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, come as you are!
Walker Book Group
Join the Walker Book Group for a Zoom discussion on Sunday, Jan 9 at 6:30 pm. Join at 6:15 for additional time to socialize. We will discuss Homegoing by Yaa Gyasi. Learn more here.
Use this link to join:
By phone: 929-436-2866
Meeting ID: 299 018 7785
Password: 0000
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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 and entails a multitude of small tasks that that enable our service and classes to go smoothly. Some lifting is required. The pay is $15 per hour.
If you are interested in finding out more, contact Tammy Goddard (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 if you’re interested in either of these.
Staff Holiday Hours
Your Albany UU staff will be either on break or working from home from Dec 24, 2021 through Jan 3, 2022. The Albany UU physical office will be mostly closed during that time. Have a safe and peaceful holiday.
Bridge Group on Holiday Break
The Bridge Group will not meet for the remainder of the month of December 2021 and will resume on Tuesday, Jan 4, 2022 from 1:00-3:00. 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.
An 8th Principle Minute
"We, the member congregations of the Unitarian Universalist Association, covenant to affirm and promote: journeying toward spiritual wholeness by working to build a diverse multicultural Beloved Community by our actions that accountably dismantle racism and other oppressions in ourselves and our institutions."
Today's we discuss the phrase is "journeying toward" as used in the 8th Principle.
Our denomination has a checkered history when it comes to the goals of multiculturalism and anti-racism. Our congregation has expressed a serious commitment to anti-racism several years ago when we formed the Inclusivity Team, charged with addressing “institutional racism and other types of oppressions." The past few years have shown us how slow and difficult this journey is. A prime goal of the 8th Principle is to instill in a given congregation a greater commitment to this journey towards achieving justice for all oppressions, starting with racism.
Jan 2 “Wheel of Life Service”
As a New Year begins, it is a time to look back over the previous year. It is a time to appreciate births, our life transitions and remember those who have died in the previous year in our service.
Please email a picture of the person, a symbol or a memento of a loved one you want to honor for a slide show each of births, transitions and deaths to office@albanyuu.org with “Wheel of Life Service” in the subject.
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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
Raise Your Voice for End of Life Choice
SAVE THE DATES: On January 10, you are invited to the Capitol to help deliver to Governor Hochul over 3,000 petition signatures supporting medical aid in dying. On January 18-21, you are invited to be in-person at the Capitol or on Zoom to launch the 2022 campaign to pass the Medical Aid in Dying Act and meet with lawmakers.
Our Inclusivity Team Recommends this book:
For adults:
Heart Berries: A memoir, by Terese Marie Mailhot. (2018). Sprinkled with abuse, mental illness, and survival, Mailhot, a Native American woman, pulls us into the searing reality of her painful truth and experience. The writing moves forward in the slow, steady marching beat of a drum. Available in the Upper Hudson Library System in hard copy, CD audiobook, and downloadable e- and audio-book formats. Not available in the NLS at this time.
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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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