Greetings Friends,
Good afternoon everyone and 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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MULTIPLATFORM SUNDAY SERVICE
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SUNDAY SERVICE at 10:00 AM
Begin your Sunday morning with a VIRTUAL 8:30 Meditation session until 9:20
MULTIPLATFORM service (both in-person and via Zoom)
begins at 10:00 each Sunday
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Masks are required and distanced seating available.
These protocols will remain in place on Sundays for March 2022.
Your Covid Response Team will reconvene on March 29 to reassess and make any updates to protocols based on science and guidance.
Thank you for your patience.
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March 27 This I Believe
This is the Sunday Service when we hear from members of the congregation who will share their own personal religious perspective. Our presenters this year we will be Sarah Hickman (she/her), Molly Daniels, and Fred Eames. This has been a perennially popular service. We appreciate our presenters' willingness to participate this year and look forward to hearing from them.
Music: Randy Rosette
Focus Food Pantry Sunday
Please consider a donation to the Focus Food Pantry on Sunday. If you write a check, make it payable to Albany UU with "Focus" on the memo line. Checks for your annual pledge should be made payable to Albany UU, and have "pledge" written on the memo line. As always, envelopes will be available for cash contributions that you want to earmark toward a specific fund or pledge. If you're donating online, there is a specific box to check labeled "Focus Food Pantry". Thank you for your generosity!
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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APRIL MULTIPLATFORM
SUNDAY SERVICE INFORMATION
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April 3 Insights From the Cushion with Rev. Sam Trumbore
One important purpose of attending a silent mindfulness meditation retreat is to have an experience of awakening. Rev. Trumbore spent 14 days in the beginning of March at the Insight Meditation Center Forrest Refuge in Barre, Massachusetts. He will reflect on the value of Buddhist meditation practice, some of what he experienced, what he learned and how he was awakened.
Stay tuned to your next edition of Windows Weekly for more information about April services!
Use this link to join Sunday service
To dial in by phone: 1-929-436-2866
Meeting ID: 299 018 7785
Password: 0000
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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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Sunday 3/27: Most RE groups will meet in the building, following the same COVID-19 protocols as we've had all year- please wear a mask, give the people around you some space, sign in when you arrive at the building, and no food or drinks.
Children and youth through 8th grade should start out in service at 10 and will go to groups after the Wisdom Story. If you are just starting out with RE this year, please note registration is required due to COVID, it can be done online or in-person. Please do not let fees be a deterrent, what's important is the contact and medical info.
Youth Group will not be meeting so members can go to service in support of their fellow group member, Sarah Hickman, who will be one of the three presenters in the "This I Believe" service. Service can be viewed in-person at Albany UU or online at https://tinyurl.com/AlbanyUU-SundayService.
Story-tellers needed 4/17: I am looking for a family interested in presenting the story of Rechenka's Eggs at the multi-generational service on 4/17. There are quite a few ways to tell this story, please email Elizabeth at dre@albanyuu.org if you are interested!
Young Peacemakers Week 2022: Join Albany Friends Meeting (Quakers) for Young Peacemakers Week (YPW), for children in grades 2 through 8, at the Friends Meetinghouse, 727 Madison Ave, Albany, from August 22 to 26, 1:30-5:30 each day. Learn more here.
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Music Director
The First Unitarian Universalist Society of Albany (Albany UU) is currently seeking a dynamic and creative part-time Music Director for 20 hours per week for 44 weeks annually. The position starts on April 11, 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 be enthusiastic about employing a broad range of musical genres, including UU repertoire.
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UPCOMING WAYS to CONNECT
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Board of Trustees
Meets Tonight, Thursday, March 24, 6:30 PM. Albany UU members are welcome to attend. Find the agenda here.
Use this link to join (Note: this is a unique link, not the same as the service link)
By phone: 1-929-436-2866
Meeting ID: 988 1049 6531
Passcode: 0000
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. Note: Meditation will remain virtual only through March.
Use this link to join:
By phone: 1-929-436-2866
Meeting ID: 299 018 7785
Password: 0000
Sesquicentennial Quilt Discussion
Join us on Sunday March 27 at 11:30 in Community Hall and on Zoom for a multiplatform discussion to learn more, in anticipation of a congregational vote this spring. This is a correction to the previously announced process. All are welcome to join the discussion either in-person in Community Hall or online. More information can be found here.
Use the service link to join remotely:
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 which will be "No to war. Give peace a chance". All are welcome.
Use this link to join:
By phone: 1-929-436-2866
Meeting ID: 987 7102 4708
Password: 0000
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.
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Ps and Qs
At 10:00 AM on Wednesday, Projects and Quilts (Ps and Qs) will meet.
Use this link to join remotely:
By phone: 929-436-2866
Meeting ID: 299 018 7785
Password: 0000
Orientation for Newcomers
Getting to Know UU
Saturday, Apr 2, 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 either in-person in Room B-8 or via Zoom:
9:00 AM to noon
Saturday, April 2
Use this link to join remotely:
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, Apr 10, 6:30 pm. Join at 6:15 for additional time to socialize. We will discuss James McBride’s novel, Deacon King Kong. 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.
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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Renewing our Commitment, Renewing our Community
Many thanks to all who submitted their pledge. For those who haven't yet, pledges need to be returned by April 10th. Remember to include your UU Bucks raffle ticket when you return your pledge.
To Return Your Pledge by April 10, you can:
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Pledge online using this link: http://albanyuu.org/pledge-form/ (a UU Bucks raffle ticket will be filled out for you, if you choose)
- Mail your pledge to the Albany UU office: 405 Washington Ave., Albany 12206
Thanks for all you do to support Albany Unitarian Universalist!
Story-tellers needed April 17
Acting Religious Education Director, Elizabeth Baldes is looking for a family interested in presenting the story of Rechenka's Eggs at the multi-generational service on 4/17. There are quite a few ways to tell this story, please email Elizabeth at dre@albanyuu.org if you are interested!
This June, Get Inspired at General Assembly!
General Assembly is the annual meeting of the Unitarian Universalist Association. It’s an immersive, inspirational experience that is open to everyone, whether you are a lifelong UU or just getting to know our congregation. GA will take place in Portland, OR from June 22-26, as well as online. Our congregation is entitled to 7 delegates who vote on business matters, but our participation has often exceeded that.
If you'd like to participate virtually or in Portland, please fill out this interest form. Registration and housing reservations are open now at uua.org/ga, and delegate registration fees will be reimbursed by Albany UU. Contact Peggy Sherman with questions, pegmcgsherman@gmail.com.
Participate in the UUA Article 2 Study Commission –
UU Principles and Sources
The UUA Board has established the Article 2 Study Commission to consider revisions to Article 2 of the UUA Bylaws, which sets forth the Seven Principles and Six Sources that are the foundation of the work and life of the UUA and its member congregations. Article 2 has not been revised since 1987, although some amendments have been proposed since then. The Commission will be considering changes to the UU Principles, including the possible addition of an 8th Principle calling for active anti-racism work, and they need your input! An Article 2 Individual Survey has been created and all UUs are encouraged to complete it. It can be found HERE and will remain open until April 30th. Learn more about the Article 2 Study Commission at Article II Study Commission | UUA.org.
The Survey requires serious thought about our fundamental principles and values and it may be useful to discuss the questions raised in the Survey with other members of our community. So there will be a meeting of interested respondents after the Sunday Service on April 3rd. Watch for details!
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SOCIAL ACTION and INCLUSIVITY
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BLM Vigil in Troy - 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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Raise Your Voice for End of Life Choice
Did you know that New York UU Justice (NYUUJ), our statewide advocacy organization, has made New York’s Medical Aid in Dying Act one of its legislative priorities for this year? Join committed UUs in Albany and other congregations to make this the year the bill will pass!
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WEBINAR on April 5, 4:00-5:30 pm: Our very own Rev. David Munro, Esq. and Schenectady UU David Pratt, MD, will discuss ADVANCE PLANNING FOR HEALTH CARE: MEDICAL AND LEGAL CONSIDERATIONS, sponsored by Death with Dignity Albany. Advance planning – which includes Living Wills, Health Care Proxies, Do Not Resuscitate (DNR) orders, and Medical Orders for Life Sustaining Treatment (MOLST) – is important for people of all ages, and should be reviewed every now and then even if you’ve already done it. Register in advance (required) here.
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ZOOM CALL on April 14, 7:00-8:00 pm: Compassion and Choices New York invites you to an update on the campaign to pass New York’s Medical Aid in Dying Act and participate in break-out room discussions with other advocates. Register here.
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ADVOCATE AT THE CAPITOL: Definitely plan to be at the Capitol on April 27, 10:00-4:00 for an in-person rally to advance New York’s Medical Aid in Dying Act. Register here. You can also come on other Wednesdays at 10 am to show lawmakers your support by registering here.
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CONTACT YOUR LAWMAKERS: Let your lawmakers know you want them to support medical aid in dying as an end-of-life option for New Yorkers. If you are in Assembly Member John T. McDonald’s district, it is especially important to reach out to him, since he is on the Assembly Health Committee and his vote is essential. This link makes it easy for you, and allows you to personalize your message.
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
Inclusivity Team Recommends:
"Abolition" with Taina Asili
Albany Public Library - Online March 31
7:00 - 8:00 PM
"Taína Asili will share Abolition, a music video documentary she wrote, directed and produced in collaboration with The Social Justice Portal Project. Abolition explores the growing social movement advocating for abolition throughout the United States. The film shares Asili’s original song and examines the visions and practices of abolitionist activists, Derecka Purnell, Greisa Martínez Rosas, and Aislinn Pulley. The film invites viewers to envision abolition not only as the absence of police, prisons, and detention centers but as an opportunity to imagine possibilities for building more peaceful and just communities. Taína Asili created this film during her artist residency with The Social Justice Portal Project – a movement-centered collaborative think tank created to bring together scholars, organizers, artists, and activists to address the urgent questions of racial and social justice – hosted by the Social Justice Initiative at the University of Illinois at Chicago."
A discussion and Q&A with Asili will follow the documentary screening.
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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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