Greetings Friends,
Good afternoon everyone and 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 eventually be discontinued. See more information under the "Announcements" heading. Thank you!
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-Blessings and Be Well
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MULTIPLATFORM SUNDAY SERVICE
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SUNDAY SERVICE at 10:00 AM
Begin your Sunday morning with an 8:30 VIRTUAL Meditation session until 9:20
Multiplatform service begins at 10:00 each Sunday
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Masks are required
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July 24 “The Search for Love” with Rev. Dr. Tom Chulak
At the heart of Universalism is love. But what is love? How do we find it? The search for love has been a personal lifelong exploration. So as a Unitarian Universalist, what have I learned...That will center the service.
Rev. Dr Tom Chulak is a retired Unitarian Universalist Minister and a member of our church. He has served Unitarian Universalism at the local, regional and national level and was previously co-owner of the Chatham Bookstore. Tom currently lives in Troy.
Music: Isaac Allen
Our summer services run until Sunday, Sept. 4
There is no Coffee Hour after our summer services but there will be
cookies and lemonade in the back of Community Hall
Use this link to join the service remotely:
To dial in by phone: 1-929-436-2866:
Meeting ID: 299 018 7785
Password: 0000
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”.
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JULY MULTIPLATFORM
SUNDAY SERVICE INFORMATION
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Albany UU Multiplatform
Summer Services
Our summer services continue through September 4.
8:30 AM Sunday Meditation continues through the summer and we will have Service at 10:00 AM each Sunday as well. Summer services are coordinated by Patience Pechette, with a delightful list of guests in the pulpit.
July 31 “Giving Thanks,” Joseph Bruchac
The power and the importance of giving thanks and living in a thankful way.
Joseph Bruchac, author, traditional storyteller, and enrolled citizen of the Nulhegan Abenaki Nation.
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Use this link to join Sunday service remotely
To dial in by phone:
1-929-436-2866
Meeting ID: 299 018 7785
Password: 0000
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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ALBANY UU SUMMER PICNIC!
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Congregational Picnic on Saturday, July 30
Everyone is invited to join Rev. Sam and Elizabeth Baldes for a picnic at Horseshoe I Pavilion at Thacher Park on Saturday, July 30, 12:00 PM - 3:00 PM. All are welcome!
Here's what you need to know:
- $6 Parking fee payable at entrance to pavilion location
- Bring your own food and beverages and place setting. A dish to share is welcomed, such as an appetizer or dessert to share, including serving utensils. Hot grill available from 12:30 to 1:30 for grilling your food. Volunteers to assist with grilling appreciated.
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Portable grill/camp stove appreciated. Contact Tammy at admin@albanyuu.org if you have one to bring.
- Bring lawn chair for seating comfort outside of the pavilion
- Bring games/activities to enjoy; including frisbees for disc golf & horseshoes
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Live music 1 to 3 pm - The Loosely Wound String Band - invite others to join in the music jam, bass player especially welcomed- old time music - fiddle, banjo, guitar, bass, ukulele
On the Thacher park schedule, there are two hikes scheduled for July 30 (described below) that folks may be interested in - we need a volunteer Albany UU hike leader - if you're interested, please contact Tammy at admin@albanyuu.org
No pre-registration is required. If anyone has questions about the hikes, they can call the Park at 518-872-0800.
A Walk Through the Paleozoic 9:30-11:30AM
Starting at the Visitor Center, participants will be introduced to the rock layers of the Indian Ladder Trail and the fossils found within them. We will descend through the entrance to the Indian Ladder Trail to follow the base of the escarpment and observe the various Devonian Period rock layers and the effects of weathering and erosion that have formed the escarpment. We will return to the Visitor Center along the top of the escarpment that offers spectacular views of the valley and mountains north and east. Suitable for all ages.
Get to Know Thacher Park 1-2PM
Join educators at the Visitor Center for a guided walk in the park. These walks will provide a great introduction to the trails and ecology of Thacher Park. Suitable for all ages.
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Image: left side image Green Text “Summer Sing Poll” on yellow background with a sun on top, right side image choral singer holding sheet music.
The only thing better than singing is more singing. – Ella Fitzgerald
The beginning of the 2022-2023 year is around the corner! Fill out the poll below to let me know when you would like to start singing, the joys you want to share, concerns you may have,and if there is any special music you would like to sing.
**Please note, we will be masked to sing. Questions about singing at services will be answered after August 25th. **
-With Joy, Olga
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Who are your kin?
- Sigrin Newell
It is such a basic part of English language that we don't stop to think about it. We use “people” pronouns for people, “he,” “she,” “we,” and so forth. But for all other living things, plant and animal, we use the pronoun “it.” For example, “Look at the squirrel. It is high in the tree.” “Look at the crow. It is chasing a hawk.”
Robin Wall Kimmerer, author of Braiding Sweetgrass suggests a new pronoun which acknowledges other living beings. Based on a word in the Anishinaabe language which means ‘beings of the living earth,’ Robin suggests that we use “kin” to replace “it” when speaking of plants and animals. When we call birds and squirrels, spring flowers and oak trees our family, it changes our relationship to them. We feel the connection and are called to care for those that live around us.
Try it. When you are outdoors, look around you. Challenge yourself and the children who are with you to make up sentences using “kin.” “Look at the squirrel. Kin is high in the tree.” “Look at the crow. Kin is chasing a hawk.”
Scientists are learning that plants and animals have intelligence. They communicate. They make decisions and act on them. They are more related to us than we ever guessed. Using “kin” in place of “it” reminds us that we are indeed kin to all living creatures in a great interdependent web.
Kin is also a great alternative to the cumbersome “they/them” that people of ambiguous gender have been using. How much more delightful to call them “kin.” As an act of solidarity, I’ve decided to change “she/hers” by my Zoom name to “kin.”
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RELIGIOUS EDUCATION FOR
CHILDREN and YOUTH
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Summer Camp Opportunity: Registration closes August 1 for Young Peacemakers Week! Quite a few Albany UU's are involved as campers, staff, and volunteers at this fun and friendly camp located just a few blocks away from Albany UU at the Friends Meeting House. Family meal and activity offered in addition to the afternoon program for kids, check it out and give yourself a week off from making dinner!
Social Justice Opportunity- Some Albany UU members are joining together to help Upper Hudson Planned Parenthood support patients who have to travel from other areas for reproductive health care. Roles could include providing childcare during parent appointments, staffing community outreach tables at local events, and helping to fill welcome baskets for travelers. Please contact Elizabeth at dre@albanyuu.org if you and/or your family want to help and I will put you in touch with the organizers.
Image by Chhoukent @ Pixabay
Elizabeth Baldes
Director of Religious Education
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JOIN THE ALBANY UU TEAM!
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Albany UU has TWO amazing opportunities!
First, a sweet part-time job opportunity in our Nursery/Toddler Room on Sunday mornings, with additional hours occasionally available. Inquiries can be directed to Elizabeth Baldes, Director of Religious Education, at dre@albanyuu.org.
Second, Albany UU is seeking a dynamic part-time Congregational Life Coordinator for 10 hours per week. The position starts on August 15, 2022, or as soon as possible thereafter. With over 325 members, Albany UU is a vibrant, theologically diverse Welcoming Congregation committed to social justice, inclusivity, and a spirit of community. The candidate should enjoy working collaboratively in a supportive environment and have excellent interpersonal skills.
Our most successful hires come from people connected to our congregation in some way- please share this posting with anyone you think might be interested. Thanks!
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UPCOMING WAYS to CONNECT
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Start your Sunday Morning with VIRTUAL 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. PLEASE NOTE that meditation will be online ONLY through the summer months.
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
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Bridge Group
Tuesdays, 1:00-3:00 PM, Room
B-8 at Albany UU. 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.
Ps and Qs
At 10:00 AM on Wednesdays, Projects and Quilts (Ps and Qs) will meet in Room B-8. Due to the nature of this group, there will not be an online option offered unless otherwise noted.
Congregational Picnic on Saturday, July 30
Everyone is invited to join Rev. Sam and Elizabeth Baldes for a picnic at Horseshoe I Pavilion at Thacher Park on Saturday, July 30, 12:00 PM - 3:00 PM. All are welcome!
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Away at the AUUMM Conference.
Conversations with Olga resume July 26th
Music is the great uniter. An incredible force. Something that people who differ on everything and anything else can have in common. -Sarah Dessen
I am excited to be spending time this week with other UU Musicians and professionals. Coming together, making beautiful music, learning from each other and leaning into our collective knowledge to continue growing on this journey. I look forward to bringing back what I learn to our UU Music Ministry and sharing it with everyone!
-Olga
The Daily Reminder
It's been a challenging couple of years, dealing with a global pandemic. We've all had to adjust, pivot, rethink and reorder how we structured our lives. It's been exhausting. One of the necessary outgrowths of the pandemic was the Daily Reminder - a seven-day-a-week eBlast with relevant information happening that day and a few reminders about what was coming up that needed attention. The Daily Reminder is very time consuming for your staff and we would like to direct folks back to this Windows Weekly newsletter and to our website. Please, if you have ideas, questions or concerns, contact Tammy Goddard in the church office: admin@albanyuu.org
Volunteers Needed to Prepare Weekend Food Bags!
For eight weeks, 344 students attending Albany Public Schools will receive a bag of healthy food each Thursday, including fresh produce, and coupons for milk and eggs. These meals help ensure that children do not go hungry over the weekend when school and community meals are not available. Food bags will be assembled at Pine Hills Elementary School on Thursday mornings. We are in need of 10-15 volunteers each Thursday (9:00 am - 10:30 am) through - August 25 to help set up assembly stations and pack bags. In addition, volunteers are also needed on Wednesday mornings August 3, and August 17 at 9:15 am to help unpack our delivery from the Regional Food Bank. If you are interested in volunteering, please email execdir@albanyfundforeducation.org or text 518-417-2107.
Gardening Volunteers
Do you have two hours to contribute to maintaining the gardens surrounding Albany UU? The Gardening Committee welcomes you to sign up here, where you can select which week(s) you'd like to help. Volunteers often work in pairs. No experience necessary. For more information or to receive e-mail updates, please contact Donna Meixner or 518/439-5947.
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, 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. We really need more people to add to our list!
A Rich and Rewarding Experience Awaits You at UU Weekend at
Silver Bay
Join us at the UU Weekend at Silver Bay from October 14-16, 2022.
Here are some highlights from the draft schedule for the weekend:
- Keynote speaker, Pastor David Trayham, leading a discussion on building better racial and community relationships
- Workshop topics including a proposal to bring the Hudson River into Albany, getting off fossil fuels, book discussions, and an opportunity to create art
- Several hikes, a bird walk, a presentation by a wildlife rehabilitator including her five live raptors, a discussion of the islands and bays of Lake George, a presentation about a trek across Northern Spain, and boat tours
- A full children’s program including movies, kite and bead making and games
- Several live musical events
- The annual auction (Bring and purchase gently used items.)
Remember – the cost is all-inclusive for room and board, activities and entertainment - including all meals from Saturday breakfast through Sunday lunch. Children under 6 are free, with substantial discounts for older children and youth.
Note: Adaptions will be made to accommodate the status of the pandemic, if needed.
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SOCIAL ACTION and INCLUSIVITY
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Delmar Vigil participants: Mary Baker, Deborah Vogel, Dawn Dana, Carol Butt,
Barb Manning, Chuck Manning, Ed Hancock
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Albany UU is again partnering with the Center for Common Ground to send 1.2 million postcards to FLORIDA residents to encourage people of color to vote. The Florida primary is on August 23rd. Karen Kaufmann and Elizabeth Berberian are coordinating this effort, as they did in 2020. We will be distributing postcard packets in early July, to be mailed out in early August.
Please email Elizabeth Berberian at elberberian@nycap.rr.com, including the number of postcards you will write and whether you will cover the cost of postage, if you want to participate.
Spread the word! Tell your friends and members of other organizations you belong to! Thank you!
Stand Against Racism Vigil in Delmar
Join Albany UUs each Saturday to Stand Against Racism, in front of the Delmar Farmers Market at the middle school, 332 Kenwood Avenue, from 9:30 to 10 AM. Welcoming all - whether you live in Delmar, Albany, or anywhere nearby!
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
The Inclusivity Team recommends the following book:
For adults:
Born Both: An intersex life, by Hida Viloria. (2017). What exactly does intersex mean? What are the options when parents have a healthy baby with "ambiguous genitalia?" What can you do to support inclusion of intersex individuals in our community? There are many conditions that are associated with being intersex, and they are common enough that we all probably know someone who is intersex. Viloria's insightful memoir has something to offer us all. Viloria has been a pioneer in the United States in the area of intersex recognition. Available in hardcopy from the Upper Hudson Library System, sound recording and braille formats from the National Library Service, and for purchase in downloadable audiobook format (read aloud by the author) from Libro.fm.
To experience a 5-minute video of the author, in her appearance on Oprah, in 2013, talking about being intersex, click here:
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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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