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 an 8:30 Multiplatform (both in-person and via Zoom) Meditation session until 9:20
Multiplatform service begins at 10:00 each Sunday
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Masks are required
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We will have Flower Communion this Sunday! Please bring a flower or flowers to service on Sunday to put in a community vase. Flower Communion is an annual ritual that celebrates beauty, human uniqueness, diversity, and community.
Recorded Music: Elena Karpoff, Randy Rosette, Chris Jensen, Chris Bystroff
COFFEE HOUR IS BACK! SEE BELOW FOR DETAILS
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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MAY MULTIPLATFORM
SUNDAY SERVICE INFORMATION
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May 15 “Reclaiming Ugly” with
Rev. Sam Trumbore
This is the title of the work Vanessa Rochelle Lewis started to reverse the damage done by being bullied and called ugly. A large, queer, Black woman, her mother saved her life as a teen by loving her beauty and helping her connect to it through a theater class. Vanessa has a message of uplift, glory, and self-love that all of us can benefit from. Preview: listen to her interview on this podcast.
May 22 Youth Service
This is our annual service put on by Albany UU's Youth Group, led by Adrian Cattell. This service will also be a time to express appreciation for the dedicated volunteers who have been working with the children and youth in our Religious Education Program since September.
May 29 “Nurturing Beauty - Goosebump Moments” with Rev. Steve Anderson
What is beauty? How can we nurture it? In the presence of beauty, why do we sometimes have goosebumps? How can those moments impact our lives? Join us for an interspiritual exploration of beauty.
Rev. Steve Andersen grew up UU, and explored paths of Christianity and Sufism. Retired from the corporate world, he is now an ordained Interspiritual Minister, a chaplain at Albany Medical Center, and is currently studying to become a Spiritual Director.
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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Addressing Two Concerns About the 8th Principle by Rev. Sam Trumbore
I’ve heard concerns expressed about a phrase and a word in the 8th Principle, “Journey toward spiritual wholeness” and “accountability” that I’d like to address because they have historical context.
Race became a big issue within Unitarian Universalism because of the Black Empowerment Controversy that exploded at the 1969 General Assembly in in Boston. (for all the details see the UU World article below) It was overshadowed by a UUA funding crisis that almost sank the Association causing a 40% budget cut and laying off many UUA staff. Many Black members left our congregations at that time along with others upset about UUA stands on the Vietnam War. These were turbulent times soon followed by the Women’s Empowerment Movement of the 1970’s along with the Gay and Lesbian rights advocacy after Stonewall. Black Empowerment took a back seat.
It came back to the front seat with the Thomas Jefferson Ball at the 1993 General Assembly. Delegates were encouraged to come in period costume. Black delegates were outraged asking if they should come in the rags and chains slaves of that era would have worn. Newly elected President John Buehrens took strong leadership to bring the issue of race to the front of the UUA agenda. The culmination of that work was an anti-racism resolution at the 1997 General Assembly in Phoenix. That resolution used the term “Journey Toward Wholeness.” Journey Toward Wholeness was the implementation of that resolution to develop anti-oppressive, multicultural, anti-racist ways of being in the world so that we can truly live our principles. The goal of that journey was to:
- Dismantle racism
- Eradicate heterosexism
- Abolish ableism and
- Combat economic injustice
A spiritual dimension was explicit in their work. In their words:
To say that we want to move toward a greater sense of wholeness is to recognize there is a brokenness caused by racism that needs to be healed and transformed. There is a brokenness that exists in our nation because of the extermination of Native Americans, the enslavement of African peoples, the exclusion of Asians, and the internment of Japanese Americans.
The brokenness in our nation’s history is mirrored in the brokenness of our faith community…And there is brokenness in our hearts as individuals … To walk the path of the Journey Toward Wholeness is to heal the brokenness in our nation, in our faith community, and in our individual hearts.
The 1997 resolution was also explicit about the need for accountability. A Task Force was requested in the resolution to monitor and assess progress and report findings to the General Assembly every year. Sadly, there were many recommendations for action in the 1997 resolution that again took the back seat to other priorities. What became clear was the lack of enthusiastic support for this work by white leaders and members of our congregations. They are happy to vote yes for resolutions but the follow up has been weak. White folks get uncomfortable doing this work and would rather avoid it. Facing the evils of racism in our history and in our heritage is very unpleasant for white folks. Discovering racist social programming influencing white behavior and stimulating white emotional reactivity is even more unpleasant for white folks. The accountability language of the resolution acknowledges this emotional reality and recognizes predominately white congregations are likely to need regular encouragement to push through the barriers and get beyond them. As one who has been doing that work for a long time, I both know the fruits of facing the cultural programming and striving to unlearn it and accepting that I’ll have more work to do in the future, given the society around us hasn’t been transformed.
I hope this gives a greater context for the choice of language in the construction of the 8th Principle. It is designed to deepen our commitment to the work the 1997 resolution started and the Journey Toward Wholeness has done to implement it. The spiritual wounds of racism affect every American. Unfortunately, people who identify as “white” are frequently unwilling to acknowledge that pervasive damage to their religious lives. It is deeply religious work to heal the scourge of racism and why that language is very appropriate for this principle.
Because people who identify as “white” are so resistant to willingly and enthusiastically do the work of healing that spiritual damage, the accountability language is needed to remind everyone of the importance of this work for achieving the wholeness that is the goal of this work. The spiritual wholeness desired is a world free of racism, heterosexism, ableism and economic injustice. This is not a theological commitment but rather a moral and ethical commitment to creating a good society and good relations between people that is named “Beloved Community.”
References that will be informative:
A UU World article on the Black Empowerment Controversy:
Information about the Journey Toward Wholeness:
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RELIGIOUS EDUCATION FOR
CHILDREN and YOUTH
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Sunday 5/8: Please bring a flower for Flower Communion! RE groups will meet in the building. Children and youth through 8th grade should start out in service at 10 and will go to groups after the Wisdom Story. High school Youth Group meets at 10 without going to service first.
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. Registration is open now.
Do Your Part for the Earth! Albany UU's Green Sanctuary Committee is trying to get 100 households at Albany UU to use Green Energy (currently there are 65). If you aren’t getting Green Electricity, the Green Sanctuary Committee encourages you to sign up with Dynamic Energy. Call Don Greenburg at 518-203-1181 to sign up and Albany UU will get $50 for each new signup. When you sign up, or if you have questions, contact Chuck Manning (chuckmanning@hotmail.com)
Elizabeth Baldes
Acting Director of Religious Education
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ALBANY UU ANNUAL MEETING
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Please note the time change for the
start of the Annual Meeting
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Sunday, May 22, 2022
10:00 AM Multiplatform Service - both in-person and online via Zoom
11:00 AM Special Coffee and Ice Cream Hour hosted by Religious Education Council, celebrating the youth who are presenting service that day along with this year's RE Program volunteers. All are welcome, come say hello!
12:00 N Multiplatform Annual Meeting (please note the time change)
Ballots for all elections, both contested and uncontested, have been handled by mail. Active members eligible to vote will receive a ballot by mail, along with a self-addressed stamped envelope for returning completed ballots.
Links to the proposed budget, and resolutions to be presented at the meeting are below. Hard copies may also be picked up in the lobby starting May 8. These are also available at AlbanyUU.org.
To join remotely, remain on Zoom after service, or use the service link to join:
To dial in by phone: 1-929-436-2866
Meeting ID: 299 018 7785
Password: 0000
ANNUAL MEETING: IMPORTANT INFORMATION:
If attending via Zoom, voting at the Annual Meeting can only be accomplished by one person per screen, whether a computer, laptop, tablet or smart phone. If you have more than one eligible voter in your household, you will need to vote on separate devices, even if you view the meeting together using one screen. If you do not have separate devices that feature screens, separate votes can be tallied using a regular cell phone or house phone. And if you do not have any device that features a screen, you can still participate in, and vote during, the annual meeting on a regular cell phone or house phone.
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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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Congregational Conversation on the Eighth Principle of Unitarian Universalism
Tonight, Thursday, May 5, 7:00 - 8:00 PM on Zoom
As we move forward towards a congregational vote, the Eighth Principle subteam of the Inclusivity Team would like to invite you to participate in a congregational conversation surrounding the adoption of the Eighth Principle of Unitarian Universalism. Please join the virtual zoom conversation and let your voice be heard. Learn more here.
Use the service link to join:
To dial in by phone: 1-929-436-2866:
Meeting ID: 299 018 7785
Password: 0000
Start your Sunday Morning with Multiplatform 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
Coffee Hour Returns!
Join us for Coffee Hour after service, outside the Sanctuary steps at the "point" where Robin Street, Washington Ave and West Street all converge. The Board will be providing simple treats! Masks will be optional outside. See the photos below of our first outdoor coffee hour on May 1. Thank you Peggy Sherman for providing the photos and to Ministry and Operations Team for hosting!
The Inclusivity Team meets on Sunday, May 8 at noon on Zoom. All are welcome to join.
Use the service link to join:
By phone: 1-929-436-2866
Meeting ID: 299 018 7785
Password: 0000
Walker Book Group
Join the Walker Book Group for a Zoom discussion on Sunday, May 8 at 6:30 pm. Join at 6:15 for additional time to socialize. We will discuss Willa Cather’s novel, Death Comes for the Archbishop. Learn more here.
Use this link to join:
By phone: 929-436-2866
Meeting ID: 299 018 7785
Password: 0000
Racial Healing Monthly Group
Next meets Monday, May 9.
Specifically for BIPOC members for discussion and connection. We meet on the second Monday of the month from 7:00 to 8:00 pm via Zoom. If interested or to get more info, please reach out to Jaye Holly jholly63@gmail.com.
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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: Should we incentivize people to limit their reproduction? If so, how? 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.
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.
May 11, 25
June 8
Use this link to join:
By phone: 1-929-436-2866
Meeting ID: 979 5961 1765
Passcode: 0000
Join a Congregational Conversation on the 2022-23 Budget
The Albany UU Finance Committee will be holding two Conversations on the 2022-23 budget:
Sunday, May 15, 11:00 AM - Both in-person and online via Zoom
OR
Tuesday, May 17, 7:00 PM Online via Zoom only
Use the service link to join:
To dial in by phone: 1-929-436-2866:
Meeting ID: 299 018 7785
Password: 0000
Join an Orientation for Newcomers
Getting to Know UU
Saturday, June 4, 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, June 4
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!
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The Ministry and Operations Team hosted coffee hour outdoors, and a good time was had by all! MOT invites every Albany UU team, committee or affinity group to choose a date to host coffee hour and contribute treats. To learn more and sign up contact Tammy Goddard in the church office: admin@albanyuu.org.
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Albany UU 2022 Auction
Our new Albany UU auction is blooming and we need your donation! The coronavirus has caused us to forgo the auction for the past two years, but we are ready to go this year with a new and different auction. This auction will be online and all items will be fixed price. The auction is an important annual event at Albany UU. Not only does it raise critical funds for the church’s budget, it is an important way of building connections among members. Both goals are especially critical this year.
We hope that everyone will participate in our online auction. We will provide a variety of events and services at a range of prices to meet everyone’s needs. We welcome creative ideas, but if you are stuck here are some popular ideas from our survey: communal meals, social events, main dishes, jams, and sweets. For those worried about covid risk, meals—brunch, lunch, dinner, or dessert—can be offered outdoors or the host can require that guests be vaccinated and boosted.
In addition to items involving foods, survey respondents want to bid on outdoor events, which offer little risk, healthy fun, and income for the church. Hikes, perhaps including snacks or a picnic, help for gardening and yard work, or a pool party are great options.
Other items to consider include gift cards and tickets to music or other performances. If you are fortunate enough to own a vacation home or a timeshare, many bidders would be interested.
You can donate online at HERE. If you prefer, call a volunteer who will be happy to complete the form for you. Finally, paper forms will be available in the church office. Please submit your donation by May 17, if possible. We will release the auction time and website after that date. Questions? Please contact Martha Musser at 518-313-9674 or mussermartha@gmail.com.
For help with making your auction contribution, please call one of these volunteers:
Sharon Babala: 518-312-8973
Linda Hunt: 518-432-3212
Lea Ryman: 518-488-7330
17th Annual Guided Wine and Cheese Tasting
In-person, Saturday, May 14, 7:00 PM in Channing Hall
Your UU Wineaux team is back for year 17! And we’re back in Channing Hall!
$30 per person. Sign up on Sunday mornings, send a check to the church with "wine and cheese" on the memo line or sign up and pay online: registration form here. Deadline to register: May 8.
Masks will be optional; social distancing will not be possible; covid vaccines and boosters or acquired immunity will be expected of attendees.
Annual reports due May 9!
It's been ANOTHER challenging year for all of us, but we have adapted and done wonderful things this year despite the crazy. Let's celebrate those. Bring on your reports! If your team did not meet due to the pandemic, that's ok, just let Tammy know.
Our Annual Meeting will be both in-person and online, May 22
The deadline for reports is Monday, May 9. If you have any questions about the annual report process, contact Church Administrator Tammy Goddard: admin@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 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!
UU Weekend at Silver Bay: Where Memories are Made
Have you registered for this eagerly awaited highlight of the fall season, featuring stimulating workshops, family togetherness, music floating over Lake George, cozy conversations by the fireplace, the sights and smells of fall, and silent auction skirmishes?
Access additional information about Silver Bay and the UU weekend, including a registration form, at http://albanyuu.org/uu-weekend-at-silver-bay/ A preliminary schedule will be posted in the coming weeks. Rooms will be assigned on a first-come, first-served basis based on receipt of the completed registration form and accompanying deposit.
Note: Adaptions will be made to accommodate the status of the pandemic, if needed.
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.
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AN EVENING WITH DR. ALICE GREEN
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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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Stand Against Racism gathering in Delmar
Each Saturday through the warmer season, starting the first Saturday in May there will be a Stand Against Racism gathering in Delmar in front of the middle school on Kenwood Avenue from 9:30 to 10 AM. Hope you can participate.
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
Don't miss the screening of Ira McKinley's new documentary film "Outta the Muck", Saturday, May 7, 7:00 PM, wherein Ira rediscovers and documents his family's history in Florida and paints a portrait of Black family resilience and achievement. Ira is an old friend of Albany UU; we supported him and the development of his previous award-winning documentary, "The Throwaways," some years ago when he lived in Albany. Find details and registration info here
The Brothers: The Forgotten Struggle for Civil Rights in Albany”
Exhibit opens at the Albany Public Library - Arbor Hill/West Hill Branch
"n the mid-1960s, a few months before The Black Panthers were founded in California, The Brothers formed in Albany, and made huge strides for civil rights in the area and beyond." This exhibit honors the many contributions of The Brothers to the City of Albany and its residents, particularly the South End and Arbor Hill neighborhoods. It will remain open to the public through the month of May (Local History Month).
Arbor Hill/West Hill Branch -148 Henry Johnson Blvd, Albany
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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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