Greetings Friends,
Welcome to Windows Weekly, Albany UU's central source for news and updates.
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
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VIRTUAL CHRISTMAS EVE SERVICE
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The Albany UU COVID Response Team has decided that Friday’s Christmas Eve service will be a 100% online celebration.
This is an unhappy reversal of the direction in which we'd all hoped we were going. We know that the Christmas Eve service is a special occasion for family and friends to experience together. We share in your disappointment, but trust you'll understand the gravity of this latest trend and the need to prioritize the safety of our congregation and community.
We have been monitoring COVID data daily and meeting frequently to determine the best course of action to keep members of our congregation healthy and safe while still gathering to celebrate the season.
As you know, the COVID Omicron variant has been spreading rapidly across the globe, with alarming increases in statewide rates in New York. Infection rates have been rising more gradually in the Capital Region than in downstate counties (which are driving the statewide caseload).
Nonetheless, rates in our area are rising. With the holidays, many families are gathering and welcoming visitors from out of town, increasing the likelihood that our rates will begin to rise more sharply.
To keep everyone healthy and safe and to avoid creating a super-spreader event, AUU is returning to 100% virtual services for the rest of 2021. We expect this plan to continue for the first few weeks of the New Year. Please stay tuned for further updates.
Warmest holiday wishes and be well.
Mary Applegate
Elizabeth Baldes
Tammy Goddard Hathaway
Patti Jo Newell
Rev. Sam Trumbore
Friday, Dec 24 – “Albany UU Christmas Eve 2021,” at 7:00pm with Rev. Sam Trumbore
Even though this will be an online only celebration, we will all have the opportunity to light our candles together and sing Silent Night as we do every year. Our hope is that being together 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
Use the service link to join:
To dial in by phone: 1-929-436-2866
Meeting ID: 299 018 7785
Password: 0000
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RETURN TO VIRTUAL SUNDAY SERVICE
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VIRTUAL SUNDAY SERVICE at 10:00 AM
Begin your Sunday morning with a VIRTUAL 8:30 Meditation session until 9:20
VIRTUAL service begins at 10:00 each Sunday
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Dec 26 “Seasonal Songs and Stories” with Rev. Sam Trumbore & Randy Rosette
This will be a relaxed Day-After-Christmas VIRTUAL service , 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
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SUNDAY SERVICE INFORMATION
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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
To dial in by phone: 1-929-436-2866
Meeting ID: 299 018 7785
Password: 0000
Please welcome the new year with a
flower donation.
The month of January is waiting for your dedication. Contact the office or Sandy Stone (dsalbany@nycap.rr.com) if you would like to see flowers at our Sunday service.
OR
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!
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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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RELIGIOUS EDUCATION FOR
CHILDREN and YOUTH
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Thank you all for the wonderful comments about the Christmas Pageant! It was fun to do and I assure you no teenagers were harmed or coerced during production. Kudos once again to our children, youth, and their families and Rev. Sam for his video editing!
Friday, 12/24: Christmas Eve Service at 7 pm! The Albany UU COVID Response Team has decided that Friday’s Christmas Eve service will be a 100% online celebration. Please bring your candles, holiday spirits, and beautiful selves to https://tinyurl.com/AlbanyUU-SundayService and join in this annual tradition.
I also want to acknowledge how frustrating it might be to still be dealing with COVID-related changes in plans. Perhaps you finally have a fully vaccinated 5-11 year old in your household, and had high hopes for the additional opportunities that would bring. It has been a long and difficult pandemic road, and the disappointments are real. Supportive thoughts are with you all.
If your child was signed up for a special role in service, an email has been sent with the info you need to transition to the new format.
Next week 12/26: RE is on break. Enjoy a rest as we look forward to a robust and joyful return to RE programming in January.
Thank you all so very much for your support and participation, and Merry Christmas!
Elizabeth Baldes, Acting Director of Religious Education
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A MESSAGE from the CONFLICT TRANSFORMATION WORKGROUP
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The Conflict Transformation Workgroup has decided not to share the results of our recent Conflict Experience Survey. We learned that one of Michael Hornsby’s comments appeared and was inadvertently published (due to technical details, of which the workgroup was unaware). That some saw Michael’s comment means that the survey was not administered as it was intended, and the information from participants may not be valid or reliable.
We deeply regret this intrusion into what should have been a confidential and anonymous response. Further, someone who did fill out the survey (anonymously) and saw Michael’s response, included an unkind and unnecessary comment criticizing Michael for identifying racism as a source of conflict at Albany UU. This comment caused Michael harm.
We recognize that this mean-spirited comment is an indication that further work in dismantling white supremacy culture, as well as exploration into the process of conflict transformation, are warranted.
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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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UPCOMING WAYS to CONNECT
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Start your Sunday Morning with Meditation 8:30 - 9:15 AM
We will sit together virtually 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
Ps and Qs
At 10:00 AM on Wednesday, Projects and Quilts (Ps and Qs) will meet on Zoom.
Use this link to join:
By phone: 929-436-2866
Meeting ID: 299 018 7785
Password: 0000
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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
Albany UU Sings
Join your friends on the following Wednesdays for the rest of the service year 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
June 8
Use this link to join:
By phone: 1-929-436-2866
Meeting ID: 979 5961 1765
Passcode: 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.
Religious Education for Children and Youth is on break.
Enjoy a rest as we look forward to a robust and joyful return in January!
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 address the word racism in the phrase "racism and other oppressions" as used in the 8th Principle.
Why single out racism? At a global level, this would not necessarily make sense, but in the USA, racism stands out. The two worst crises of the UUA (late 1960’s and 2017) were both related to race. Current events in Minneapolis, Georgia, Rochester, Louisville and other locations have amplified the sense of urgency to confront racism.
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The Inclusivity Team and the Social Responsibilities Council recommend this 8-minute video on the 8th Principle. It's a segment by Rev. Sara LaWall, from the Boise, Idaho UU Fellowship, discussing why her congregation chose to adopt the 8th Principle. As you listen, ask yourself: What is your anchor to your social justice work? https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WKvym76E-9M
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
Important note: There will be no Black Lives Matter vigil in Troy on Christmas Day.
The vigil will take place, as usual, on New Years Day.
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. Email Amanda at acavanaugh@malkinross.com for details.
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Left to right are:
Elizabeth Berberian, Karen Kaufman, Jean Poppei, Deborah Vogel, Jora Cohen, Jean Bolgatz, Mitch Cohen, Sam Trumbore, and Marty Hotvet. Present at the vigil but absent from the photo are: Archie, Chuck Manning, and Anne Marie Haber.
Photo: courtesy of Anne Marie Haber
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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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