WINDOWS WEEKLY September 9, 2021
Greetings Friends,

Welcome to Windows Weekly, Albany UU's central source for news and updates.

Important Note: The upsurge in Covid cases in the Albany Metro area has delayed our planned reopening for an in-person service option. We will continue virtually.

The Daily Reminder was not sent out this morning since there were no events to remind folks about today. Everything you need to know is right here in the Weekly. Daily Reminders will continue tomorrow morning. Thank you!

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-Blessings and Be Well
VIRTUAL SUNDAY SERVICE
LIVE on ZOOM

SUNDAY SERVICE at 10:00 AM

Begin your Sunday morning with an 8:30 Virtual Meditation session until 9:20.
Virtual Service begins at 10:00 each Sunday followed by a chance to stay online for virtual "Fellowship and Conversation."

Welcome to the first Sunday of the new service year!

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, yet 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 Albany UU on Saturday, Sept 11 from 1-3pm, to be video recorded pouring it into our common vessel for the service. 

Scroll down for more detailed information about all the ways to participate
in Homecoming Sunday!


Music: Ann Brandon



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 
SEPTEMBER SUNDAY SERVICE INFORMATION

SPECIAL SERVICE

9/11 Twentieth Anniversary Memorial Gathering
Saturday, 10:00am, September 11, 2021
(via Zoom)

Use the service link to join:
 
To dial in by phone: 1-929-436-2866
Meeting ID: 299 018 7785
Password: 0000

 
The American evacuation from Afghanistan and its transition to Taliban control has made this twentieth anniversary emotionally difficult. So many lives were harmed or lost in what now seems like a fruitless effort at nation building. Dealing with an upsurge of the delta variant of COVID at the same time while remembering that terrible day 20 years ago adds insult to injury.
 
Rev. Trumbore will create an electronic space for us to be together on Zoom and share our emotions and stories. We will honor the memories of those who died for whom we had personal connections. We will mourn what the “War on Terror” has done to damage and deplete our nation and wreak havoc on the world.
 
We will also appreciate the service of those who have quietly protected us from another such attack. Airline travel is safer. Our borders are more secure. Yet we pay a hefty price for this security system that needs to be limited. Our nation is moving toward becoming a surveillance state just as China has become. That tightening will only take one more 9/11 style attack to become much more repressive. As we saw on January 6th, the greatest threats to democracy will not come from Jihadists. It will come from within.
HELP US TO BEGIN THE NEW SERVICE YEAR!
Three Ways to Participate in
Homecoming Sunday September 12

It is not the Homecoming we envisioned and we're making
lemonade anyway!

The upsurge in Covid cases in the Albany Metro area has delayed our planned reopening for an in-person service option. We will not be welcoming people back to in-person services at Albany UU just yet. Here's what we ARE going to do....

Three options for you to participate on Homecoming Sunday.
Choose one, two or all three!

ONE - On Saturday, Sept 11, between 2 and 4pm, drive up to the 405 Washington Ave entrance, tell us about your water and pour it into a community bowl that will be on a table nearby. Rev. Sam will be present to video record everyone for inclusion in the Sunday service. Remember, your water could be from a lake, stream, puddle, tap…anywhere!

TWO - Have your water ready on Sunday morning, Sept 12, during the virtual Sunday service. We’ll encourage people to switch their Zoom screen to “gallery view.” Then you’ll have the opportunity to show us your container of water then pour it into a bowl all together. We have a wonderful virtual service planned for all of you!

THREE - Join us for an outdoor social gathering at Henry Hudson Park Pavilion on Sunday, Sept 12 from 1 to 4pm for fun and fellowship! See the flyer below for details.
Hopefully one of these ways will allow everyone to participate in our first service of the fall season.

Any questions please contact the church office: windows@albanyuu.org.
IMPORTANT ANNOUNCEMENTS!

UPCOMING WAYS to CONNECT

Bring us your water!
On Saturday, Sept 11, between 2 and 4pm, drive up to the 405 Washington Ave entrance, tell us about your water and pour it into a community bowl. Remember, your water could be from a lake, stream, puddle, tap…anywhere! Learn more here.


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

Join us for an outdoor social gathering
At Henry Hudson Park Pavilion on Sunday, Sept 12 from 1 to 4pm for fun and fellowship! Learn more here.


Walker Book Group
Sunday, Sept 12, 5:30 PM the Walker Book Group meets to discuss Walter Isaacson’s Leonardo da Vinci 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, Sept 13. 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.


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.
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
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


Exploring our religious education heritage with Michele Townsend Grove
Part 1 
Saturday, Sept 18, 9-12N. Open to all congregants. 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. Learn more here.


Exploring our religious education heritage with Michele Townsend Grove
Part 2 
Sunday, Sept 19, 2-5PM. This 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. Learn more here.


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 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



RELIGIOUS EXPLORATION

MEANING MATTERS

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 

If this program interests you, please contact Rev. Sam at minister@albanyuu.org.  
JOYS & CARING CORNER

Susan Thompson Memorial Service
A memorial service for member, Susan Thompson, wife of Al De Salve, will be held on Saturday, Sept 25 at 10:30 AM in Community Hall. Due to pandemic concerns, food will not be served. We do have permission to use the UAlbany Hawley Lot for this event. Read more about Susan here.


Rodger Fink
We are sad to announce that member Rodger Fink, long-time partner of Laura Paris, died on August 28 in hospice at St. Peter's. A service for Rodger will be announced at a later time. Read more about Rodger here.
Send cards to Laura at:
16 Drawbridge Drive, Albany, NY   12203
SOCIAL ACTION

WELCOME PAUL BREWER TO THE ALBANY UU STAFF TEAM!
Paula Brewer has joined the RE team as the RE Program Assistant. She’ll be working approximately 10 hours/week to support RE activities. Paula’s many years of experience as a volunteer in the program and as an RE Council member make her a strong addition to the team, we are so glad she is here. Welcome, Paula!

Paula Brewer moved to Albany NY in 1991, and shortly thereafter began to attend Albany UU (AUU). She became more active in AUU after the birth of her daughter, Anna, in 1996, focusing her activity on the Religious Education Program. Her volunteer AUU RE activities followed Anna as she grew, beginning with her coordination of a monthly Parent Group potluck and discussion group. Being older parents, Richard and Paula found comradery with other similar parents in this group. Paula followed Anna through the RE program volunteering in the Toddler Room and into other grades as Anna got older. She moved to being a youth group advisor, so that she could learn how to deal with her soon to be young adult child. Paula’s commitment to RE included 3 terms on the RE Council and one term as RE Council Chair. She most recently assisted with the 8th Grade Reading Group. Richard and Paula are grateful for the Albany UU ‘village’ and its excellent RE program, which helped them to raise their daughter into a responsible adult UU. She is excited to assist Elizabeth Baldes and Albany UU in continuing its excellent RE program and working with Michele Townsend Grove to ensure that RE continues to meet the needs of the next generation of UUs. 
UU WEEKEND AT SILVER BAY
October 15-17
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.
IMPORTANT INFORMATION

Important Note: The upsurge in Covid cases in the Albany Metro area has delayed our planned reopening for an in-person service option. We will not be welcoming people back to in-person services at Albany UU just yet.


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 Albany UU class or event

- Send an email to: registration@albanyuu.org
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:
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:
General: www.AlbanyUU.org

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).

Photo credit: Rev. Sam Trumbore
First Unitarian Universalist Society of Albany | 518.463.7135 | 518.463.1429 Admin@AlbanyUU.org | AlbanyUU.org