Greetings Friends,
Good evening everyone and welcome to Windows Weekly, Albany UU's central source for news and updates. Many apologies for the lateness of the hour - technical difficulties were a 'plenty today!
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-Blessings and Be Well
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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
Albany UU Sunday services will remain virtual through the
month of January. The Albany UU Covid Response Team will continue to assess the situation and keep you informed.
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Jan 23, “Reproductive Justice Sunday” with Rev. Sam Trumbore &
Side With Love
The Unitarian Universalist Association and the Side With Love campaign have identified this Sunday, the day after the 1973 Roe v. Wade Decision is remembered each year, as a time to have a celebration of our collective work for Reproductive Justice. We’ll join UUs across the Continent to uphold the right for women to have the freedom to control their own bodies and their reproductive decisions. It is a right the Supreme Court is likely to curtail in June.
Music: To Be Acknowledged, Elena Karpoff
Focus Food Pantry
Use this link to join the service:
To dial in by phone: 1-929-436-2866:
Meeting ID: 299 018 7785
Password: 0000
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VIRTUAL SUNDAY SERVICE INFORMATION
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Jan 30, "Myth and History" with
David Weissbard
On January 17th we celebrated the 93rd anniversary of the birth of Martin Luther King, Jr. It has been suggested that one of the roots of the controversial Critical Race Theory is Dr. King’s realization that the roots of racism were deeper than most Americans recognized. He said, “The value in pulling racism our of its obscurity and stripping it of its rationalizations lies in the confidence that it can be changed.” Remembering Dr. King and noting Ibram X. Kendi’s assertion in The Atlantic that Dr. King is effectively being assassinated for the second time, we will be looking at what CRT is and isn’t, and why so many are upset by it.
Dave Weissbard was born into and raised in this congregation where he served as president of LRY, the youth group. He was the final graduate of the Theological School of St. Lawrence University in Canton. [His was the last name in the school’s final graduating class.] He served as minister of the UU congregations in Bedford, MA, Fairfax, VA, and Rockford, IL [the latter for 27 years], before retiring and returning to Canton in 2006. He preaches monthly for the UU congregations in Central Square and Watertown, as well as annually in our pulpit, and occasionally in other area churches.
Music: Al De Salvo
Use this link to join Sunday service
To dial in by phone: 1-929-436-2866
Meeting ID: 299 018 7785
Password: 0000
Brighten up Community Hall with a
flower donation!
There are plenty of open Sundays 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.
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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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This Sunday, 1/23: PreK-6th Grade group as well as Grade 7/8 Book Club will meet online at 10AM. Link below.
Next Sunday, 1/30: Religious Education Council Outreach Event at 12pm! Rev. Sam, Elizabeth Baldes, and the Ministry and Operations Team invite you to join us in welcoming our new Religious Education Council Chairperson, Michael Hornsby. Michael will share some of his vision and plans for the Religious Education Program at Albany UU, we'll have an update on the Interim Consulting process, and also explore ways the RE Program and Council can connect with the other congregational initiatives to support and engage with one another. Please bring an idea from an Albany UU Committee or Team to build collaboration between the RE Program and other activities in our congregation. Link below.
By phone: 1 929 205 6099
Meeting ID: 963 886 2931
Passcode: 2222
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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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MINDFULNESS MEDITATION WORKSHOP
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Mindfulness Meditation Workshop on Zoom
led by Rev. Sam Trumbore
January 28-9, 2022
This meditation training and practice workshop will be led by Rev. Trumbore, on Friday 6:00pm to 9:00pm, and Saturday 8:00am to 3:00pm. It gives the participants an opportunity to learn Buddhist mindfulness meditation techniques and/or refresh and deepen their meditation practice. All are welcome from first timers to experts. People will sit together as we do on Zoom on Sunday mornings and do walking meditation in their own homes. We’ll have a break for lunch on Saturday at noon. Please register with Rev. Sam by email (minister@albanyuu.org) if you would like to participate. A voluntary donation can be offered at the end to the Minister’s Discretionary Fund.
Note: It is possible there will be an in-person option but that depends on what happens with COVID in the next weeks.
Rev. Trumbore has practiced Buddhist Vipassana or insight meditation for over 35 years and is Past President of the Unitarian Universalist Buddhist Fellowship. This meditation technique is one of the best for Unitarian Universalists. It helps people train their minds to strengthen concentration and intensify moment-to-moment awareness. Regular practice of this technique quiets and sharpens the mind, opens the heart and improves one's physical and mental health.
UU Buddhist Fellowship Convocation
with David Loy
March 17-20 in Racine, Wisconsin
Also, note that the Unitarian Universalist Buddhist Fellowship is planning a Convocation in Racine, Wisconsin, March 17-20. Rev. Trumbore plans to participate in it. It will be multi-platform so you’ll be able to attend on Zoom. Find out more at the UUBF web site: https://uubf.org and check out the flyer here: https://uubf.org/docs/Convo-2022/Convocation-2022.pdf
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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
Green Sanctuary Committee Meeting
The next meeting of the will be on Sunday Jan 23 at 11:30 on zoom. All are welcome.
Use this link to join:
Meeting ID: 892 8832 8018
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
Finance Team will be meeting Tuesday, Jan 25, at 4PM. 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
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 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
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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 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
Board of Trustees
Meets Thursday, Jan 27, 6:30 PM. 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
Religious Education Council Outreach Event at 12pm on Sunday, Jan. 30! Rev. Sam, Elizabeth Baldes, and the Ministry and Operations Team invite you to join us in welcoming our new Religious Education Council Chairperson, Michael Hornsby. Michael will share some of his vision and plans for the Religious Education Program at Albany UU, we'll have an update on the Interim Consulting process, and also explore ways the RE Program and Council can connect with the other congregational initiatives to support and engage with one another. Please bring an idea from an Albany UU Committee or Team to build collaboration between the RE Program and other activities in our congregation.
Use this link to join:
By phone: 1 929 205 6099
Meeting ID: 963 886 2931
Passcode: 2222
Walker Book Group
Join the Walker Book Group for a Zoom discussion on Sunday, Feb 13 at 6:30 pm. Join at 6:15 for additional time to socialize. We will discuss Kazuo Ishiguro’s Klara and the Sun. Learn more here.
Use this link to join:
By phone: 929-436-2866
Meeting ID: 299 018 7785
Password: 0000
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GA 2022 Goes Multi-Platform: Meet the Moment
Consider participating in General Assembly 2022 -- either online or in-person in Portland, Oregon! GA, the annual meeting of the Unitarian Universalist Association, will be held June 22-26. It’s an immersive, inspirational experience open to everyone, whether you are a lifelong UU or just getting to know our congregation. Check out uua.org/ga for all the details.
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.
Warmth for the Homeless
It is time again to gather blankets, sleeping bags, warm coats, etc. for the homeless. Please put them in the bin in the coatroom. Thanks for helping the homeless to keep warm while they try to survive the winter.
An event that may be of interest to Albany UUs
Blood Drive - March 8, 2022
Place:
Millionaire Building
Albany Airport
16 Jetway Drive
Albany, NY 12211
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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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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
Please call Assembly Member John T. McDonald if you live in his district (#108), which includes parts of Albany, Troy, western Rensselaer county, Green Island, Cohoes, Waterford and surrounding areas. His office number is 518-455-4474. He serves on the Assembly Health Committee, which has to approve end of life choice for New Yorkers before the full Assembly can do so. Please ask him to vote for New York’s Medical Aid in Dying Act in the Health Committee. His vote is essential. (Enter your address here if you want to confirm you live in the district.)
Inclusivity Team recommends the following book:
For adults:
Black Fatigue: How racism erodes the body, mind, and spirit, by Mary-Frances Winters. (2020). This book deals with the physical, intellectual, and emotional effects of racism: individually, for communities, and across generations. Read it and get an insight into why People of Color are constantly thinking about race. Maybe you already are, and maybe, if you're not, you should be. Available in the Upper Hudson Library System in hardcopy and downloadable e- and audio-book formats. Available from the NLS as a downloadable talking book.
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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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