WINDOWS WEEKLY June 17, 2021
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.

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-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

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!

OPPORTUNITIES


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.

Please submit your application by July 5, 2021 for service beginning in September by filling out the form found on this link.


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.  
SOCIAL ACTION


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
RELIGIOUS EXPLORATION

UU WEEKEND AT SILVER BAY
October 15-17
Special Attractions at Silver Bay
Comradery, colorful fall scenery, campfires, and culinary pleasures await you at a coveted setting.  Please join us at the UU Weekend at Silver Bay on Lake George from October 15-17, 2021.

-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.
IMPORTANT INFORMATION

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.
Find more information about our Building Use Guidelines during COVID HERE.




Learn about submitting announcements to for our virtual Sunday service and how to reserve a Zoom room for meetings and events here.


Other important resources, our file cabinet, archives, guidelines and information can be found on the Resource Page of our website, here.


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CONNECTIONS









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

- Send an email to: registration@albanyuu.org

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:
General: www.AlbanyUU.org

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