Greetings Friends,
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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VIRTUAL SUMMER SUNDAY SERVICE
LIVE on ZOOM
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WELCOME TO ALBANY UU SUMMER SERVICES
Service at 10:00 AM
Begin your Sunday morning with an 8:30 Virtual Meditation session until 9:20. We then have Virtual Service beginning at 10:00 each Sunday and a chance to stay online for virtual "Fellowship and Conversation."
Our summer services, coordinated by Randy Rosette, continue through September 5.
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Aug. 29 "Reckoning with Reparations in Albany: Why Here, Why Now?" Jennifer Burns of SURJ
Jennifer Burns, PhD, is a professor of history in the Africana Studies Department at The State University of New York at Albany, with her concentration in local black history. Professor Burns is a commentator on WAMC’s Round Table Program, is a board member of the Underground Railroad Education Center and the Hart Cluett Museum, and is active in curriculum development and community education. She received her Masters and Doctoral degrees from the State University of New York at Albany. Dr. Burns has presented at numerous community events and conferences, received numerous awards, and has contributed to Civil War Slave Database in Virginia (2011-2012), and Slavery By Another Name (2012).
Music: Bruce Holden
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.
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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SEPTEMBER SUNDAY SERVICE INFORMATION
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Sept. 5 “The Soul of the Worker,” Dan Berggren
Using songs and stories, Dan Berggren asks: What nourishes us? How can our work feed us and others in spiritual ways? Whether it's called pursuing a career, earning a living, doing a job, or answering a call, what is at the heart of work?
Dan, known as an Adirondack folk singer, is also a professor emeritus of SUNY, one of the founding members of the Unitarian Universalist fellowship in Fredonia and a current member of the UU Congregation of Saratoga Springs.
Music: Dan Berggren
Sept 5 is the last Sunday of summer services. Our regular service year begins on Sunday, Sept 12.
Sept 12 "Homecoming and Renewal" with Rev. Trumbore & Elizabeth Baldes
While we are not able to have the kind of homecoming service we might have wanted, whether virtually or in-person, we will be able to reconnect and renew our relationships as we begin the fall season together. Please bring water from your summer adventures or local activities to join in a common vessel. Optionally, stop by at Albany UU with your water Saturday, from 1-3pm, to be video recorded pouring it into our common vessel for the service.
Music: Ann Brandon
Sept 19, "REconnection and REsilience," Dr. Michele Townsend Grove
Learning is a vital component of congregation transitions. Albany Unitarian Universalist Society has experienced a great deal of change including a transition in professional religious education leadership which means you now have the chance to embrace the opportunities embedded in these transitions. This is a great time to reflect, celebrate, converse and dream! Join Dr. Michele Townsend Grove, our worship leader and religious education consultant at we look at the possibilities and opportunities embedded in religious education transitions.
With more than 30 years of experience in Lifespan Religious Education and Program Development for the United Methodist and the Unitarian Universalist Church, Michele Grove will be our Interim RE Consultant. The interim work Dr. Grove will do with us will be three programs for September, October and November to help us reflect on the history and heritage of our RE program, clarify its current identity, and finally vision where we would like the program to go in the future.
Music: Chris Bystroff, Randy Rosette, Chris Jensen
Sept 26 "The Art of Listening" with Rev. Trumbore & Philomena Moriarty
Deep listening requires focused attention. Focused attention is open, interested and curious. It requires an external focus connected to an inner emotional sensitivity. Deep listening is a skill that will benefit all our relationships. (Note: this will be followed up by a workshop led by Philomena Saturday, October 2nd.)
Music: Ann Brandon
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Use this link to join Sunday service:
To dial in by phone: 1-929-436-2866:
Meeting ID: 299 018 7785
Password: 0000
Sunday Offering
and other service information
Joys and Concerns for Online Services
Need to Talk? Albany UU Pastoral Care Associates are here to listen!
Archives
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Not What We Hoped For
How our world has changed in the last three months! And sadly, mostly not for the better.
In June, as the COVID infection rate and hospitalizations dropped, as case numbers dropped into the single digits, we thought we were done with this virus. I was confident vaccination had defeated it and we were on the road back to the “new normal.” Philomena and I socialized with friends without masks. We started eating out again. We even considered going to a movie.
Philomena and I booked a “bucket list” trip for her to see Zion, the Grand Canyon, Antelope Canyon, Mesa Verde, Yellowstone and Glacier National Parks in July. We got lifetime membership cards in the national parks too! We were ready to resume our lives and see the places we’d waited a lifetime to experience.
I’m glad we were able to take that trip in July. When we got back, the infection rate and new case load in August got worse and worse every week. When I started reading about breakthrough infections of vaccinated people and the more contagious nature of the Delta COVID-19 variant, I knew we wouldn’t be able to have the resumption of services in September we had hoped for. If we can have in-person services, it will be fully masked, in socially distanced pods, without singing, food or drink. Socializing will best happen outside rather than in Channing Hall.
There will be no celebratory sheet cake, coffee and tea.
Most of us are disappointed. Some of us are angry that we must deal with yet another round of this viral scourge. Blame is being assigned and fingers are being pointed. Many of us are concerned about getting this more prolific strain that has a viral load many times the original.
There are still so many mysteries and questions about the virus. Will there be more effective treatments that prevent our immune system overreaction that damages internal organs and causes blood clots? How well will our vaccination work and for how long? Will a booster make a difference? And what will the diversion of vaccines to boosters do to lessen the possibility of vaccination of those around the world in poorer countries that need protection too. Places where the next dangerous variant maybe mutating - right now.
No matter what happens with the pandemic, Albany UU will do everything we can to continue as much of our programming as possible. We will have multiplatform Sunday services – in person, on Zoom and Facebook. We will continue to have Religious Education. Meaning Matters will continue (sign up now!).
Wellspring will continue. Green Sanctuary will continue. Inclusivity will continue. The gardens around our building will be tended. We will have our RE Picnic. We will continue to do the interim work with our consultant to transition our RE program from Leah Purcell’s leadership to a new vision that is germinating right now among us, a new vision that was developing before her departure. We will continue growing into our new covenant. We will grow into learning how to transform conflict in a way that facilitates congregational growth and development.
We are not and will not be in a holding pattern. Virus or no virus we have work to do. Social problems need to be addressed. Personal growth and transformation will be supported. Inspiration will continue to be offered on Sunday morning.
If anything, this pandemic is renewing and deepening our commitment to religious community. We need each other more than ever as our social life has been limited. The relationships we cultivate here can be deeper because we are less distracted. Zoom isn’t as good as being in person … but being in a video box is better than not having any contact at all. Circle dinners will continue in person or virtually. Outdoor gatherings continue to be much safer than indoor gatherings. Consider UU Weekend – they go to great lengths to make sure people are safe. (Let’s hope for warm weather)
The future is always uncertain. It is possible that between those that get the more contagious Delta variant and those that are vaccinated, we might be approaching some sort of herd immunity. A milder future variant might overtake Delta and follow the path of the flu just requiring a yearly immunization. We might even find an effective treatment that saves lives. Who knows?
What we do know is humanity, the Spirit of Life itself, is tremendously imaginative and creative. We will continue to innovate around how to live fully with the pandemic in a way that reduces harm and increases our ability to live meaningful lives.
May we not be forced back into lockdown.
May we keep on moving forward, never turning back, until this virus is defeated.
-Rev. Sam
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Exploring our religious education heritage
with Michele Townsend Grove
Dear friends of the Albany Unitarian Universalist Society,
When there is a transition in religious education leadership, there is also an opportunity to look closely at the role and value of learning in your congregation. I am grateful that your congregation’s leadership sees the value of this time and are willing to engage in the reflection, conversation and dreaming that will benefit the next generation. I am honored to travel with you as a consultant and colleague. I look forward to getting to know you and hearing your stories. Over the next 3 months, I will be with you as a guide – in-person or online- as you explore your congregation’s religious education heritage, current identity, and future. To begin this journey, I will be with you in Albany on September 18th and 19th. I look forward to being with you as we explore your congregation’s lifespan religious education heritage. Of course, this is the plan knowing that COVID’s Delta variant may direct us into other ways of being together.
During this weekend visit, I look forward to being present with you in worship as well offering two opportunities to gather where we can explore your religious education heritage. The first gathering, scheduled for Saturday, September 18 from 9:00 AM to 12:00 PM is for the full congregation. You are invited to meet with us in person OR online. We will keep you posted on how this evolves knowing that safety in pandemic times is very important. We hope you all will attend! Since learning is at the core of our Unitarian Universalist faith, we all experience learning in every corner of our time together in community. Therefore, you will have insights and memories that are valuable to this reflective process. This is a time to celebrate! It is a time to reflect and tell stories. Understanding your congregation’s religious education heritage is a vital component of understanding your current lifespan religious education identity and vision for the future.
Our second opportunity to gather will be Sunday, September 19, 2021, from 2:00 to 5:00 PM. This second gathering is specifically for AUU staff, religious education leaders, board members, and the parents and care givers of children and youth, and anyone who participates in religious education programs. We will continue to tell stories, celebrate successes, name religious education challenges, and identify patterns. All of this will guide us in the work of the next two months.
Dr. Michele Townsend Grove
Religious Education Consultant
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Meaning Matters is a small group discussion, growth and development program at Albany UU led by Rev. Sam.
Before the beginning of the month, Rev. Sam sends out a short packet of materials containing essays, deepening exercises, quotes, poems, music, video clips, podcasts, articles, books, movies, all related to the “theme for the month.” Towards the end of the month, the Meaning Matters groups gather to reflect on the theme using the materials, sermons from that month, and activities that can stimulate growth and development. Participants are free to use as much or as little of these materials as they wish. The focus is personal sharing, reflection and conversation exploring the theme together.
The program meets once a month from September through June for two hours. There are currently three groups (could be more) that meet the third Monday at 1:30pm, the third Tuesday at 5pm and the fourth Monday at 7pm.
The themes for the next 10 months are:
September: Embracing Possibility
October: Cultivating Relationship
November: Holding History
December: Opening to Joy
January: Living with Intention
February: Widening the Circle
March: Renewing Faith
April: Awakening
May: Nurturing Beauty
June: Celebrating Blessings
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ALBANY UU IS STILL HIRING!
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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 (after September 12) and entails a multitude of small tasks that that enable our service and programs to run smoothly. Some lifting is required. The pay is $15 per hour.
If you are interested in finding out more, contact Tammy Hathaway, Church Administrator at 518-463-7135 or admin@albanyuu.org. And pass this on to anyone who might be interested!
Also available: occasional paid “gigs” as Building Host and Dishwasher. Contact Tammy Hathaway if you’re interested in either of these.
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UPCOMING WAYS to CONNECT
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Board of Trustees
Meets tonight, Thursday, Aug 26, 7:00 PM. Albany UU members are welcome to attend. Find the agenda here. Please note that the Board will be holding a retreat from 6:00-7:00 PM. The actual Board meeting begins at 7:00.
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 Meditation 8:30 - 9:15 AM
We will sit together 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 Picnic
The picnic has been rescheduled to Sunday, Aug 29, 1:00 PM at 1 Marion Ave., Albany, NY (brick house). Bring your own lunch, drinks and dessert will be provided.
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 each Wednesday, Projects and Quilts (Ps and Qs) will meet in Room B-8 at Albany UU.
To join remotely, use this link:
By phone: 929-436-2866
Meeting ID: 299 018 7785
Password: 0000
Albany UU Sings
Join your friends on these fall Wednesdays at 7:00 PM and sing your heart out in Virtual Community! We will supply the music and the lyrics.
Sept 8, 22
Oct 6, 20
Nov 3, 17
Dec 1, 15
Hope to see you there.
Use this link to join:
By phone: 1-929-436-2866
Meeting ID: 979 5961 1765
Passcode: 0000
Walker Book Group
We hope to have the Sunday, Sept 12, 5:30 PM Walker Book Group potluck and discussion back in Channing Hall! We will discuss Walter Isaacson’s Leonardo da Vinci Learn more here.
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IMPORTANT ANNOUNCEMENTS!
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Wellspring Sources is now available for registration!
How are you taking care of your spirit these days? Given the ups and downs and unpredictable nature of our lives, how are you doing? Come to Wellspring and be listened to with open hearts and minds. Come to Wellspring to explore and discover what supports your spiritual wellbeing, what grounds you in our faith, what brings solace to your life. Registration Form. (This is not a fillable form, it needs to be printed and filled out. Thank you!)
Love to Sing??
We are going to have two outside choir rehearsals at Randy Rosette and Chris Jensen's home in the Fall. September 15 and October 13 at 6:30pm
Interested and want more information? Please contact Randy at rosette_jensen@juno.com (All current choir members will get an announcement through the choir email.)
Annual Members & Friends Art Show
Sunday, Sept 12
Open to All Ages and Levels
Days to Drop off Art Work
Aug. 31st 11am-1pm
Sept 2nd 10am-noon
Other times by appointment only. Please call Tammy Hathaway at 518-463-7135.
Questions: Call Ellen Thea Chernoff 518-463-5503 (H)
Art work should be ready to hang (framed and wired, if under glass, no exposed edges).
Attach a 3x5 to each piece indicating:
Title of Work
Your name
Contact Information
Price, if for sale
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Flowers for Sunday Services
When we are able to safely hold our Sunday services in our building again, we will be looking for folks to sign up to provide the flowers. Look for a link to an online form coming soon! If you are interested in being a part of the wonderful Flower Team here at Albany UU, please contact Sandy Stone.
Gardening Volunteers
Do you have two hours to contribute to maintaining the Albany UU gardens? The Gardening Team welcomes you to sign up here. No experience necessary. For more information, contact Donna Meixner or 518/439-5947.
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Raise Your Voice for End of Life Choice – Call to Action
-Call to Action. Lieutenant Governor Kathy Hochul became the Governor of New York on August 24. Her position on medical aid in dying is not known. Compassion and Choices, which leads the campaign to pass New York’s Medical Aid in Dying Act, is seeking signatures on an on-line petition to let our new Governor know how important it is for the terminally ill to have a full range of end of life choices, including medical aid in dying. If you support end of life choice, please, please, please take two actions this week:
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Sign the petition here. (You will be asked for a donation after signing, but you do not have to donate to have your support count.)
- Send the link to the petition to family, friends, neighbors, colleagues and others. Thousands of signatures will help get this issue on the new Governor’s agenda.
-Learning Opportunity. On September 13, from 3:30-5:00, there will be an online panel discussion about an established medical practice. The webinar is titled Perspectives on Medical Aid in Dying: Personal and Professional. Register here. Panelists will include Rochester, NY, native Joanne Kelly, whose husband utilized Colorado's medical aid in dying law and who is writing a book about the experience; Rev. Richard Gilbert, retired Unitarian Universalist minister from Rochester, NY; Dr. Benzi Kluger, professor of neurology and medicine and founding director of the Palliative Care Research Center and Neuropalliative Care Division of the University of Rochester Medical Center; and Dr. David Pratt, former Commissioner of Public Health Services for Schenectady County.
The Albany UU Social Responsibilities Council (SRC) and Inclusivity Team recommend a 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
- pandemic concerns: It's important to remember that vaccines protect the vaccinated. Even as restrictions are lifted in New York State, some may choose to take precautions because of inability to be vaccinated (e.g., age, illness, compromised immune system). Please remember that if you are vaccinated, you are still susceptible to being an asymptomatic carrier of Covid-19. Those who wish to take precautions are invited to. If you are no longer taking precautions, please respect the decisions of those who do. Only an individual knows their full risk. It can be perceived as confrontational to ask vaccine-status of others.
- signs only, no chanting (except for meditative religious practice)
- the vigil will automatically be canceled due to threat of thunderstorms or other severe weather
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The Inclusivity Team Book Recommendations:
For adults:
Caste: The origins of our discontents, by Isabel Wilkerson. (2020). Wilkerson spells out history, defining caste and bringing the reader on three parallel journeys through history: caste in India, treatment of Jews during the Nazi-time, and treatment of Black and Brown people in the United States of America. Available in the Upper Hudson Library System (UHLS) in hard copy, CD audio book, and downloadable e- and audio-book formats.
For all:
No Mirrors in My Nana's House, by Ysaye M. Barnwell & Synthia Saint James. (1998). The lyrics to the beloved Sweet Honey in the Rock song by the same name is set to beautiful illustrations in bright colors. Available in hard copy in the UHLS. For a read-aloud version, see link below.
SisterSister from Storyline Online read aloud with illustrations and are followed by the recording of Sweet Honey in the Rock singing No Mirrors in My Nana's House (6 minutes): https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mAG1j_Z850E
Shades, an a cappella group based at Yale University and focused on music of the African diaspora, is here, singing No Mirrors in My Nana's House (3 minutes):
Dr. Ysaye Barnell shares the story of writing No Mirrors in My Nana's House (2 minutes):
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UU WEEKEND AT SILVER BAY
October 15-17
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Renew, Refresh and Relax at Silver Bay
Do you feel as though the summer is moving too fast? Keep the good times rolling! Come to the UU Weekend at Silver Bay from October 15-17, 2021 to build and strengthen relationships and nurture spirit, mind and body. Learn, play and hang out with your fellow UU’s before winter sets in.
After a year’s hiatus, the Silent Auction will return!! New or almost new items, including gift certificates, hardcover books, art, collectibles, nice quality jewelry, bottles of wine, homemade jams, jellies, honey and high-quality crafts, will be gladly accepted. The children’s auction will accept toys, puzzles, and stuffed animals in good condition.
Remember – the cost is all-inclusive for room and board, activities and entertainment - including all meals from Friday dinner through Sunday lunch.
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Those who knew former Albany UU member, Ursula Poland, are invited to Helen Lindsay's Celebration of Life on Saturday, Sept 4 at 1:00 PM on Zoom:
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UPDATED Building Use Guidelines:
Sunday services will remain online through the summer. There is a team working hard to provide recommendations to the Albany UU Board regarding safe gathering again in our building for Sunday services. This information will be provided as soon as it is available.
Learn about submitting announcements to for our virtual Sunday service and how to reserve a Zoom room for meetings and events here.
If this email was forwarded to you, and you would like to receive it directly, please
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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
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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:
Staff are transitioning from working almost exclusively from home to a combination of working from home and at the church office. Right now, office hours are by appointment until a routine is established.
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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