Greetings Friends,
Welcome to Windows Weekly, Albany UU's central source for news and updates. Please stay safe and stay connected to your Albany UU Community during this uncertain time in the many ways provided online - all described below.
If this email was forwarded to you, and you would like to receive it directly, please
-Blessings and Be Well
|
|
VIRTUAL SUMMER SUNDAY SERVICE
LIVE on ZOOM
|
|
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 "Coffee Hour and Fellowship."
|
|
June 20 “Thoughts About God,” Dan Miyake
Rev. Dan Miyake will share his theological journey with a focus on how Process Theology has influenced his own beliefs about God.
Dan Miyake is currently serving as the minister of the Universalist Unitarian Church of East Liberty in Clarklake, MI, and served as the ministerial intern at Albany UU last year. He received his Master of Divinity degree from Earlham School of Religion (a Quaker seminary) in Richmond, Indiana, and worked as a Chaplain Resident at a level 1 Trauma Hospital in Charlotte, North Carolina. Dan was ordained on November 1, 2020.
Music: Alyssa Yeager
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
|
|
JUNE SUNDAY SERVICE INFORMATION
|
|
Albany UU Virtual Summer Services
Our summer services start this Sunday June 20 and continue through September 5.
8:30 a.m. Virtual Sunday Meditation continues through the summer and we will have Virtual Service at 10:00 AM each Sunday. Summer services are coordinated by Randy Rosette, with a delightful list of guests in the pulpit and an opportunity to virtually attend the General Assembly service!
June 27 UUA General Assembly Worship Service
Join us virtually for the largest annual gathering of UUs gathering in worship.
|
|
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
Past service video recordings can be found here and past sermons can be read here.
|
|
PARTY REFLECTION
Thank you!T
|
|
There are many people to thank for their work and contributions to Leah's retirement and party.
THANK YOU TO:
Elizabeth, Anna and Charlotte Baldes for coordinating, making party decorations and setting up. Jan McCracken for setting up and taking the wonderful photos you see here (plus many more!). Barb Manning for bringing balloons and a huge card for all to sign. Sandy Stone for bringing the delicious cupcakes. Bob Franklin for writing the excellent parody for "Leah P" and to Randy Rosette and Chris Jensen for singing it. Tracie Brazinski, Ann Marie Haber and Rev. Sam for speaking, and Elizabeth Baldes again for emceeing. Rev. Sam again for bringing his toys to make sure everyone was heard and we had video. Jan, Sam and Elizabeth for their work on Leah's slideshow during the June 13th service. Everyone who helped clean up. All of the kids and youth who came to celebrate and those who have been a part of Albany UU over the years. All of you who helped Leah celebrate and generously donated to her gift. And of course to Leah, for being her awesome self. She will be missed.
Thank you.
Let the Adventure Begin, Leah.
(If I missed anyone, please know it was not intentional and I'm deeply sorry!)
|
|
UPCOMING WAYS to CONNECT
|
|
 |
Board of Trustees Meeting
Tonight, Thursday, June 17, 6:30 PM the Board of Trustees holds their monthly meeting. Board meetings are open to all Albany UU members. The UPDATED Agenda is 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 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
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
|
|
|
|
Ps and Qs
Projects and Quilts (Ps and Qs) will zoom next on Wednesday, June 30 at 10:00 AM.
Use this link to join:
By phone: 929-436-2866
Meeting ID: 299 018 7785
Password: 0000
Albany UU Sings
Join your friends and sing your heart out in Virtual Community! We will supply the music and the lyrics.
Save these Wednesday dates at 7:00 PM for the rest of the the service year and on into summer:
June 23
July 7, 21
August 4, 18
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.
|
|
|
|
IMPORTANT ANNOUNCEMENTS!
|
|
Rev. Sam Requests Important Feedback
Every year, staff members are evaluated. Part of that evaluation process is collecting feedback from members of the congregation on their employee satisfaction along with comments about the work of employees. This is a great opportunity to show appreciation of them by giving specific feedback about what they have done well. It is VERY MEANINGFUL for the staff to receive this feedback. Your praise matters! And there may be a problem that you’d like to alert us about too. That may also be done on the feedback form.
PLEASE, PLEASE take a moment to use this form to leave feedback for individual employees. Use the form multiple times, once for each employee for whom you’d like to leave feedback.
Thanks in advance for your participation in this yearly cycle of appreciation and support for the good work our staff does.
Racial Healing Monthly Group
One of the many wonderful outcomes of the Racial Healing Workshop was creating a space specifically for BIPOC members for discussion and connection. We continue to hold that space and open it up to other BIPOC members of Albany UU. 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.
July 11 Memorial for Scott Bassinson
There will be a memorial service for Scott Bassinson, who passed away last year, on Sunday July 11 at 5 pm at the First Reformed Church in Schenectady. There will be lots of live music and sharing remembrances of Scott. Scott, his wife Meg, and their two sons Paul and Max (who sadly passed away in 2015) were members of UU Albany in the 1990s, and Meg was our music director for several years.
|
|
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. No experience necessary. For more information or to receive e-mail updates, please contact Donna Meixner or 518/439-5947.
Endowment Trust Grants
Each calendar year the endowment trustees use a prescribed formula based on income from its investments to calculate the amount of money available for special project grants. The 2021 granting capacity is $20,000.
|
|
A Few Opportunities to Serve as an Albany UU Pastoral Care Associate
Are you a good listener? Do you have good self-awareness, solid commitment to our congregation and are a member in good standing? Do you have a good personal support system and can you work collaboratively? Are you willing to ask for help when needed? Do you have an understanding of Unitarian Universalism and a sense of identity as a Unitarian Universalist?
Then maybe the Pastoral Care Associates program is for you. Each year PCA’s step down and need to be replaced.
The process is simple:
-
Submit an application (online)
- If selected for this year, Attend a training program.
- Make a renewable service commitment of two years.
The duties are:
- Make a commitment to being available to offer listening ministry and emotional support for one or more congregants for a limited time period.
- Serve as a PCA on duty Sunday morning at least once a month.
- Participate in monthly ongoing support, training and guidance from the minister and the PCA Team.
Building a Multi-Platform Tech Team
As we plan a return to in-person Sunday Services in Community Hall September 12, we will continue to stream out services out on Zoom for those who are not vaccinated, not able to be vaccinated or attend in person. Three “PTZ” (remote control) cameras, a camera controller, a video switcher, fast computer and lots of cables have been purchased to accomplish this goal.
We have the equipment now we need. What is missing right now are a team of people needed to operate the cameras, to support the Multi-Media Tech. If we could build a big enough team, each person would volunteer once a month.
If operating remote control cameras and adjusting audio levels sounds like fun to you, please contact Rev. Sam at minister@albanyuu.org or by cell phone 518/366-4532. Trainings begin in July 31.
|
|
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
|
|
No Family Chapel or RE Sessions until the fall. Contact Elizabeth Baldes (Religious Education Coordinator until June 30 and Acting DRE beginning July 1) ebaldes@albanyuu.org, with any questions. Have a wonderful summer!
|
|
UU WEEKEND AT SILVER BAY
October 15-17
|
|
Special Attractions at Silver Bay
-Jill Peckenpaugh
Want to sleep in? Don’t want to be on a workshop schedule? Here are a few of the activities you can enjoy on your own time table: archery, canoeing, fitness center, kayaking, labyrinth walks and self-guided trails, board games and puzzles, horseshoes, shuffleboard and tennis.
Registration is now open. Bring your family! Children under 6 are free, with substantial discounts for older children and youth. You do not have to be a member of Albany UU to attend this special weekend. Access additional information about Silver Bay and the UU weekend, including a preliminary schedule of events and a registration form, at http://members.albanyuu.org/wp/uu-weekend-at-silver-bay/
Remember – the cost is all-inclusive for room and board, activities and entertainment - including all meals from Friday dinner through Sunday lunch.
|
|
Essential Building Use Guidelines:
The Board and MOT are in the process of reassessing our guidelines for the use of our building. We will conduct that review with the needs of both congregants and potential renters in mind. Thank you for your patience in this important matter.
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
|
|
|
Quick Links
Denominational Affairs Links
Helpful Local Links
|
|
|
|
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 online class
|
|
|
|
First Unitarian Universalist Society of Albany
|
Office hours:
The Albany UU Office is closed during this time of physical distancing. Sam, Leah and Tammy have their messages forwarded to their personal cell phones and are available by email.
Our Website:
Zoom use
To reserve Zoom for an Albany UU online meeting, contact the virtual church office (518.463.7135 or admin@albanyuu.org).
Photo credit: Rev. Sam Trumbore
|
|
|
First Unitarian Universalist Society of Albany | 518.463.7135 | 518.463.1429 Admin@AlbanyUU.org | AlbanyUU.org |
|
|
|
|
|
|
