Windows Weekly September 10, 2020
Albany UU Windows Weekly
Greetings,

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 sign up here.


This Sunday, Sept 13 at 10:00 AM, we renew our commitment to Albany UU and our UU values. Join us for Renewal Sunday to renew your spirit and listen to what the Albany UU Choir has prepared for you!

-Blessings and Be Well
We welcome everyone. Our Unitarian Universalist community seeks truth and deeper meaning, pursues justice through inspired action, and cultivates compassion and love for all connected by the web of life.
VIRTUAL SUNDAY SERVICE
10:00 am
LIVE VIA ZOOM

Welcome to the regular service year!

Sept 13, “Renewal Sunday,” Leah Purcell and Rev. Sam Trumbore
Join us as we renew our involvement in Albany UU and our UU values with a special service. As part of the service, we gather water in a common bowl. If you wish, have a container of some water and a bowl ready on Sunday morning during the virtual Sunday service.

Your water could be from a lake, stream, puddle, tap…anywhere!

We’ll encourage people to switch their Zoom screen to “gallery view.” You’ll have the opportunity to show us your container of water then pour it into a bowl all together.

Exciting note: The Albany UU Choir has something special in store for you on Sunday, you don't want to miss this!

Music will be featuring the Albany UU Virtual Choir in addition to Elena Karpoff, Chris Jensen and Randy Rosette


Use this link to join:

To dial in by phone: 1-929-436-2866:
Meeting ID: 299 018 7785
Password: 0000
JOIN US FOR VIRTUAL SUNDAY SERVICES M
Albany UU Virtual Services
Live via Zoom, our regular service year begins with Renewal at 10:00 AM on Sept 13 and continues through June 13, 2021.

Begin your Sunday morning with Rev. Sam guiding an 8:30 Virtual Meditation session until 9:15 (see below under Upcoming Ways to Connect for more info). We then have Virtual Service beginning at 10:00 each Sunday and a chance to stay online for virtual "Coffee Hour" or RE for ALL (beginning Sept 20) following the service. Look for more info about RE for ALL below.

Use this link to join Sunday service:

To dial in by phone: 1-929-436-2866:
Meeting ID: 299 018 7785
Password: 0000
Sept 20, "Bringing Beloved Community to Life,” Rev. Sam Trumbore
As part of working to update and improve our governance, your Board has been working hard to take your guidance from our mission and the January World Café to craft a vision of where we are going to unify and direct our efforts. The Board and the Ministry and Operations Team will announce it and help us recognize how we can be involved in bringing this vision to life.

Music provided by Elena Karpoff, Chris Jensen and Randy Rosette

 
Sept 27, "Return to Love … Again,” Rev. Sam Trumbore
The Jewish High Holy Days begin to end tonight with Yom Kippur. These Days of Awe, a time of repentance and renewal come to a focus during these last twenty-four hours. Unitarian Universalists can join in by reflecting on where we have fallen short and caused harm, reconcile and make amends, renew and restore relationships and return to love … again … for another year.

Music provided by featured artist, Olivia Karis-Nix in addition to Elena Karpoff, Chris Jensen and Randy Rosette



Joys and Concerns for Online Services
We have three ways that you can share your joys and concerns.
  • One: Use the online form. If you use this form, you can indicate if you would like to have your joys and concerns shared at the Sunday service, and you can leave contact info if you would like a Pastoral Care Associate to follow up with you.
  • Two: Email your joy or sorrow to joysandsorrows@albanyuu.org before Sunday morning to have them read aloud during the service
  • Three: We will be giving you instructions during the Sunday service about how to share your joys and concerns then.


Sunday Offering
If you would like to make a contribution to the Sunday Offering "Plate", click https://tinyurl.com/AlbanyUU-Donate or send your check, with Sunday Offering on the memo line, to the church: 405 Washington Ave., Albany, NY 12206. Mail is being processed while the building is closed.

Try our text to give option! Simply text the amount and fund (for example: 20 offering or 20 pledge) to 844-976-2618. There's a helpful video to watch with step by step instructions and an informative written guide with visuals.


Sunday services will be online via Zoom at 10:00 AM EST. There will be no service, religious education or other activities in the church building until further notice. Not familiar with Zoom? Our minister, Rev. Sam Trumbore will give you a brief tutorial.

Use this link to join the Sunday service:

To dial in by phone: 1-929-436-2866:
Meeting ID: 299 018 7785
Password: 0000

Zoom Etiquette - NEW
Participation in a Zoom Sunday Service needs everyone’s cooperation for it to be successful. By being careful about your video and audio while attending a UU Zoom Sunday service, you can help can make the service a pleasant, welcoming, inspiring and meaningful experience for everyone.

If your video is on, please be attentive to what others are seeing. If your audio is on, please mute it, and be aware that if you are accidentally un-muted, anything you say could be broadcast to everyone and disrupt the service. It is wise to treat entering a Zoom Sunday service as if you had just walked into Community Hall during a silent meditation


Wearing your Zoom “Name Tag”
When signing into a Zoom worship service on a Sunday morning, you can't put on your traditional name tag to be welcoming to others, but you CAN rename your screen so that it displays your full name. This is the new way to practice hospitality with everyone who is part of the online worship service.

To change your screen name, look for three white dots, usually appearing in the upper right corner of your zoom window when you hover over it with your cursor. Click the dots, and a dropdown menu will appear. One of the options in the dropdown menu is "Rename." Click that option, and a box will pop up that displays the name currently showing in your Zoom window. If it's not your full name or names, change it to your name(s) and click the "Save" button.
 
If you have any questions, feel free to send an Usher a message in the Chat during service or email Tammy Hathaway - admin@albanyuu.org anytime. Thanks for taking this extra step to be welcoming!
ADULT RELIGIOUS EDUCATION (RE)
FOR ALL

Every Sunday beginning Sept 20

Note: all Adult RE for All offerings will be found leaving the Albany UU Zoom #1 where the Sunday service can be seen and heard and moving to Rev. Sam’s Zoom #2. The link will be visible in the Zoom Group Chat after 11:15am.

Conversational Response – This is your opportunity to reflect with the Sunday service presenter on what the service has elicited from you and listen to the responses of others. The purpose isn’t to debate the rightness or wrongness of the service, though references, anecdotes, and stories might be further explored, and fact checked. The goal is for people to go deeper with the service through the process of mutual reflection and response. The first meeting will be after the September 20th service at 11:30am until noon.

Planned for the future:
  • Forums – Social Responsibilities Council or Green Sanctuary or Inclusivity Team will have a guest presenter (not every Sunday) or an announced discussion topic of general interest.
  • Adult Education Classes – UU History, UU Theology, other topics to stimulate growth and development.
  • Learn About Albany UU – Meet with a person from the Membership Committee who can answer your questions about Albany UU and give you information about ways to get more involved in our congregation.
UPCOMING WAYS to CONNECT


Start your Sunday Morning with Meditation - 8:30 - 9:15 AM
Sunday morning meditation, led by Rev. Sam, begins with a ten-minute talk by Sharon Salzberg or Joseph Goldstein from their course on Insight Meditation. 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


Walker Book Group
Join the Walker Book Group for a Zoom discussion on Sunday, Sept 13 at 6:30 pm. We will discuss Warlight by Michael Ondaatje. Directions for joining the meeting will be placed in the Daily Reminders. Learn more here.

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 and discuss their 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


A NEW chance to Connect and Build Community!
Connect with Three
The best way to feel connected in our congregation is to meet people and get to know them. Connect With Three randomly matches you with another person for a 15 minute conversation three times. The conversation can be free form or guided by questions centered on our theme of the month, “renewal” in September, depending on each pairing’s desires. At the end of an hour, you’ll have had three interesting conversations and met or renewed connections with three people.

Tuesdays, Sept 15 and 29 from 7-8pm
Wednesday, Sept 23 from 4-5pm

Use this link to join:

By phone: 929-436-2866
Meeting ID: 299 018 7785
Password: 0000

No reservations required, just show up! (Note that if you arrive late you might be required to wait in the waiting room before being admitted – so come a little early!)


Ps and Qs
Projects and Quilts (Ps and Qs) will zoom next on Wednesday, Sept 23 at 10:00 AM.
Save this Wednesday dates at 10:00 AM for this fall.
Oct 7, 21
Nov 4, 18
Dec 2, 16

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 this fall.
Sept 23
Oct 7, 21
Nov 4, 18
Dec 2, 16
Hope to see you there.

Use this link to join: (Note new Zoom link and meeting ID)

By phone: 1-929-436-2866
Meeting ID: 979 5961 1765
Passcode: 0000


A Virtual Orientation for Newcomers on Zoom!
Getting to Know UU
Saturday, September 26th, is a great chance for some of us at Albany UU to get to know YOU -- but it's also a perfect opportunity for you to learn about this Unitarian Universalist congregation, explore the roots of "UUism," and begin to figure out how participating in congregational life can enhance your personal journey.

Please join us:
8:45 to noon
Saturday, Sept 26

Use this link to join:

To dial in by phone: 1-929-436-2866:
Meeting ID: 299 018 7785
Password: 0000

Signing up is preferred, but logins the day of are welcome!
To sign up: Send an email to Registration@AlbanyUU.org.
LEAH'S BLOG

Religious Education During COVID - Keeping Traditions, Offering Innovations - Still the Same Community

Religious Education for children and youth will look different this year because all our offerings are online now. Still, much of what you’ll see will look remarkably familiar:
  • Family Chapel
  • Theme-based sessions for the younger children
  • A return of Crossing Paths, our program to learn about world religions for 6th and 7th graders
  • YoUUth group (grades 10-12) led by Tracey Hickey
  •  We’ll continue to have occasional family-friendly multi-generational services throughout the year. And as in past years, on those Sundays we won’t have RE; those are services for families to worship together.
  • We’ll continue to provide parents/caregivers with materials on the theme of the month for them to provide faith development for their children at home, as a family.
 
And some of our offerings are new:
  • Preschool parents can opt to do RE at home using provided materials
  • Materials for RE activities will be available each month for children in grades 5 and younger
  • For 8th Grade we’re offering a Book Club style small group, with books chosen to amplify Black voices or relate to #BLM
  • 9th Grade - Coming of Age (a version of Rite of Passage) with pairs of mentor and youth meeting online, plus a “self-study” option.
  • And we have some snazzy online platforms for our RE community to connect anytime.

We’ll have a new schedule this year - one that will give parents/caretakers and RE guides more flexibility.

The first part of the 10:00 service each week will be child-friendly and include the story. Some families may want to attend the 10:00 service and after the story, they can settle young children in another activity nearby while the adults enjoy the rest of the service. That may be their choice for their Sunday morning experience for faith development.

RE will start at 11:30. This way the guides can both attend the service and volunteer in RE. And children (and adults) who are not morning people can sleep in.

The first Sunday of the month we’ll have Brunch Church (at 11:30) for all the children, and youth and their parents/caregivers and their guides. Brunch Church is our relaxed, theme based, child oriented 30 min service. It will be a time for us to hear the story of the week; have our traditional rituals; and explore creative ways for everyone to participate. 

The other Sundays, we'll start at 11:30 with a short Family Chapel that will include the story for the week. Then we'll have break out rooms for each group.

The sessions for the k/1 group will be based on the theme of the month and I expect those will be very short - about 10 - 15 minutes. The idea is to make and keep connections between the children and the guides and among the children. And to keep it fun! The elementary groups (2nd-5th) will also have sessions based on the theme of the month. Their sessions might be a bit longer - maybe 15-20 minutes. The older groups (6th/7th Grade, 8th Grade, and 9th Grade) are written as 45 to 60-minute online programs.

YoUUth group may want to meet one evening a week as well as or instead of Sunday morning.

It is especially important for parents/caretakers to register their children this year. This way we will know how to plan for each group, and ensure you have the passwords to our online events. Correct contact information is vital for communication this year as we are meeting virtually and won’t see each other in the halls or at coffee hour. We’ve shortened up the form to make it as quick and easy as possible.

And we still need adults to serve as RE guides. As always, we’ll need two guides for each session of each group, so as in past years, we’re aiming for teams of 4 guides. And we’ll need mentors to pair with our 9th graders for Coming of Age. If you have been reluctant to volunteer in RE because classroom management is not your strong suit, this may be the year for you to join a team! Our goals are to keep everyone connected and to make the sessions fun and engaging. Elizabeth, our RE Program Coordinator, and I will be holding an orientation for anyone interested in being an RE guide THIS SATURDAY from 3:00 – 5:00 pm. Email me is you’re interested or have questions at dre@albanyuu.org. I’ll host a separate orientation for Coming of Age mentors, but we need two guides for the Sunday morning sessions.

About those snazzy online platforms:

We have a new Mighty Network for the RE community to connect anytime called “The Treehouse”. This is a social media platform just for the RE community. We had a trial run this summer with our “Chill Summer Camp” Mighty Network and it was great fun for children, youth, and adults to contribute to the different topics. The Treehouse topics include UU’s in Action; UU’s at Play; UU’s at Church; UU’s in Spirit; and UU’s at Home. Email Leah for details to join dre@albanyuu.org There you’ll find resources for parents/caretakers, for children and youth and opportunities for everyone to contribute their thoughts, photos and videos, ideas for resources and upcoming events in the community.
We’ll also set up Padlets – one for each RE group. This is like an online bulletin board with resources for the children and youth of each group and for their parents/caretakers. It’s also a place for children and youth to post responses on their sessions. More on Padlets after we have them set up.

We’re better together. Elizabeth (my partner in planning and implementing our RE program), and I share the disappointment that our RE groups cannot meet in person soon. We are doing our best to meet needs of our children, youth, and families online. And we’ll be sharing our new plans as we make them. We welcome your thoughts on what your family needs from our RE community now.

In joyful service
Leah Purcell
Director of Religious Education and Family Ministry



More from our Blogs:
INCLUSIVITY RECOMMENDS


The New Reconstruction, The United States has its best opportunity in 150 years to belatedly fulfill its promise as a multiracial democracy

"Trump was elected president on a promise to restore an idealized past in which America’s traditional aristocracy of race was unquestioned. But rather than restore that aristocracy, four years of catastrophe have—at least for the moment—discredited it. Instead of ushering in a golden age of prosperity and a return to the cultural conservatism of the 1950s, Trump’s presidency has radicalized millions of white Americans who were previously inclined to dismiss systemic racism as a myth, the racial wealth gap as a product of Black cultural pathology, and discriminatory policing as a matter of a few bad apples...

In the past, the dream of remaking society has faltered when white Americans have realized what they would have to sacrifice to deliver freedom. The question now is whether this time is different."




Our Inclusivity Team is offering resources for our ongoing education and reflection to address white supremacy culture at Albany UU. Are you finding that you have some time for reading and watching videos these days? Consider settling in with these titles by authors of color to help you become familiar with a diversity of human experiences.

For adults:
Salvage the Bones: A novel, by Jesmyn Ward. (2011). Ward has the honor of receiving the National Book Award for Fiction twice: for this novel and Sing, Unburied, Sing. Salvage the Bones deals with 12 days: 11 leading up to Hurricane Katrina and the one following. Available in hard copy, digital download, and digital audio book from the Upper Hudson Library System (UHLS).

For young children:
Saturday, by Oge Mora. (2019). This picture book is a beautiful tradition of keeping Saturdays special. How will Ava and her mother manage when things don't go as planned? Available in hard copy, digital download, and digital audio book from UHLS.
ANNOUNCEMENTS


Community Breakfast - Grab and Go Bags
Grab and go bags will be put outside on Saturday, Sept 19. Some suggested items needed for the bags include cheese sticks, bananas, other fruit, snack bars, juice containers, water bottles, yogurt and spoons, muffins, breakfast bars, bread slices, cookies, or even masks. Food items need to be individually wrapped or bagged. 

To reduce our plastic waste contribution, Carol Butt has wax bags to share. Carol can deliver wax bags or pick up your items or items can be delivered to her house. She will also be at the church on Thursday, Sept 17. Contact Carol by e-mail (catzen1944@gmail.com) or call/text (518) 275-7497 if you can help with supplies or on Saturday. Saturday participation will be limited so volunteers can keep their distance. 

Much thanks for your enthusiastic support!


Remember to UU the Vote!
Are you worried about voter suppression distorting the upcoming critical elections?

Here's an opportunity to make an impact from the safety and comfort of home!

We are partnering with Reclaim Our Vote to send thousands of postcards to voters of color in states with voter suppression problems to make sure they know how to take advantage of early voting. ROV campaigns have a proven record of making an impact on voter turnout.

This is a nonpartisan effort, but we firmly believe that the more people vote, the better it will be for candidates who share our values!

Packets of postcards with instructions will be available continuing into October. Please contact Karen Kaufmann at karenkaufmann64@gmail.com if you are interested and to get the details of how to join up. 

And spread the word! Non-UUs are welcome to participate!

UU the Vote reminds us that to help lead in the fight against voter suppression and authoritarianism, this work requires all of us to act. Take the Vote Love Pledge today!

Find more information about UU the Vote here: https://www.uuthevote.org/


Recycling Reminder
Don't forget! It's time to start turning in our collected corks, personal products, toothpaste tubes and toothbrushes and Brita filters. These items can be dropped off at Betsy Wright's and left in the plastic container under the front steps. Please call the office for more information: 518.463.7135. Albany UU is also starting to recycle used ballpoint pens. These can also be dropped in the container. Thanks. 
The Green Sanctuary Committee 


Calling all artists
Ellen Chernoff, our Art Wall organizer, would like to call artists to get those paintbrushes painting, pencils drawing, cameras rolling, etc. and make some art! The building will not be opening any time soon, but when it does, Ellen would like you to be ready for a member art show.

Open to artists of all ages, media (watercolor, pastel, photography, etc.) skills, and styles.
Art work should be framed, wired, and ready to hang. Attach a 3x5 index card on the back of the
work with: artist name & contact information, the title of the work, and the price (if for sale).
Questions may be directed to Ellen Thea Chernoff 518-463-5503.

When we are once again able to be together in person, the show will be put together for showing in Channing Hall.


Submitting announcements for the "Announcement Slide" or to be read during virtual Sunday service - UPDATED!
Announcements pertaining to Albany UU activities can be read by either Rev. Sam, the Sunday Service Associate, or the person submitting the announcement. Announcements can ALSO be added to the Sunday service "Announcement Slide".

  • Submit your announcement to Tammy Hathaway, Church Administrator (admin@albanyuu.org), by Friday, 9:00 AM, to be incorporated into the announcement portion of the upcoming Sunday service. Please specify how you would like your announcement handled - to be read aloud and by who, added to the Announcement Slide or BOTH
  • Announcements must be submitted ahead, even if the person submitting will be reading their own announcement.
  • Please write out in words the name of your committee. Too many initials result in confusion and is not welcoming: SRC = Social Responsibilities Council RSC = Religious Services Committee
  • Include contact information if folks should have questions or would like more information.

If you have questions, please contact Tammy. Thank you so much!


Scheduling Zoom Meetings
We understand that during these challenging times, things can get chaotic but please try and remember to request your Zoom meeting several days in advance. If we receive a request on a Saturday for a Zoom meeting the next day, Sunday, that request will not be processed in time and you and your team may be disappointed.

We currently have two zoom accounts that we can use for meetings. To request a Zoom meeting, please do so just as you would when requesting a room to use in our building - using Church Database. When you choose your resources, or "room", choose between Zoom 1 and Zoom 3. There are links to instructions below. This is the preferred method but requests can also be sent via email to Sapphire: office@albanyuu.org.

When you send an email, please have a few dates and times that will work for your meeting to minimize a lot of time consuming negotiating. Thank you!
RELIGIOUS EXPLORATION

-Leah Purcell, Director of Religious Education and Family Ministry (DREFM), lpurcell@albanyuu.org

-Elizabeth Baldes, Religious Education Coordinator, elizabethbaldes@yahoo.com


Training for RE Volunteers This Sat from 3:00 – 5:00 pm.
This may be the year for you to volunteer in RE. Since we’ll be offering RE online and at a different time, some things that have been barriers to volunteering in the past have been removed. Some adults have felt challenged with classroom management. With online sessions, the challenge will be using the materials we’ll provide you to host fun and engaging sessions for the children (not managing their behavior). RE will be offered at 11:30; that means everyone will be able to attend the service whenever they like and volunteer in RE one or two times a month. Elizabeth Baldes and Leah Purcell ,will be holding an orientation for anyone interested in being an RE guide THIS SATURDAY from 3:00 – 5:00 pm. Email me is you’re interested or have questions at dre@albanyuu.org. Watch for a separate orientation for Coming of Age mentors, but we need two guides for the Sunday morning sessions.

It is especially important for parents/caretakers to register their children this year.
This way we will know how to plan for each group, and ensure you have the passwords to our online events. Correct contact information is vital for communication this year as we are meeting virtually and won’t see each other in the halls or at coffee hour. We’ve shortened up the form to make it as quick and easy as possible. Click here to register

Join the RE Mighty Network
We have a new Mighty Network for the RE community to connect anytime called “The Treehouse”. This is a social media platform just for the RE community. We had a trial run this summer with our “Chill Summer Camp” Mighty Network and it was great fun for children, youth, and adults to contribute to the different topics. The Treehouse topics include UU’s in Action; UU’s at Play; UU’s at Church; UU’s in Spirit; and UU’s at Home. Email Leah for details to join dre@albanyuu.org There you’ll find resources for parents/caretakers, for children and youth and opportunities for everyone to contribute their thoughts, photos and videos, ideas for resources and upcoming events in the community.
 
Watch your email for this week’s RE Roundup! The RE Roundup includes information for families, including the start to the RE program and material recommendations from the Inclusivity Team. 
JOYS and CONCERNS
To share your Joy or Sorrow with our Albany UU community, you may submit it on a yellow card during the service or by using our online form. 

Join us in keeping our members and friends in your thoughts as they share their joys and concerns.

Need to Talk? Albany UU Pastoral Care Associates are here to listen!
Our Pastoral Care Associates have been trained in compassionate listening skills and are available to all members and friends of our congregation. To contact a Pastoral Care Associate, email: listeners@albanyuu.org, contact Rev. Sam Trumbore, the Albany UU office at 518.463.7135, or one of them personally. They are: Sharon Babala, Chuck Manning, Donna Meixner, Phil Rich, Randy Rosette, Sandy Stone, Dee VanRiper and Erik F. vonHausen.

Albany UU Caring Network
The Caring Network (CN) reflects the words of the Albany UU chalice lighting - “to sustain a vital and nurturing religious community.” The CN provides encouragement and short term support to Albany UU members who, due to hospitalization, sickness, loss, or isolation, need assistance. Services typically include transportation to medical appointments, meals and shopping during recovery, and friendly “check in’s” from Caring Network members. Please reach out to the Caring Network.
UU WEEKEND at SILVER BAY

Silver Bay Revisited

This is my end-of-the-summer joy. I don’t mind the winter coming after this glorious weekend..  Darnell Rohrbaugh

Lake George in the fall is spectacular. This year, the UU weekend at Silver Bay on Lake George from October 16-18 will be a unique experience. It will be smaller and less workshop-oriented, but it will be awesome!

The weekend will focus more on outdoor activities including archery, disc golf, nature hikes, boating, hiking, tennis, and other fun experiences.  Almost all kids’ activities are outside or on a large covered deck.  Many adult programs are outside.. All indoor activities, including enticing workshops and a keynote address by cartoonist John McPherson, will be held in large spread-out spaces to ensure social distancing.  The auction is cancelled due to COVID-19 restrictions. There will be a not-too-social social on the front and side porches with a four piece band called “Oldies But Goodies.” 

There is still time to register for the weekend. Information, including the registration form, is available at the Albany UU members site here.   
Questions about the weekend can be directed to Mike D’Atillo at mike.datti@gmail.com or 518-577-1399.

Note regarding safety:
Silver Bay staff have assured us that the facility is following and will continue to follow all appropriate local, state and federal guidelines and protocols related to COVID-19 to ensure the safety of all staff and guests. Updates on those guidelines and protocols will be provided in our publicity. The most current guidance in effect will be shared with all attendees just prior to the weekend. Dining during the weekend will be at tables placed a minimum of 10 feet apart. About one week before the event, attendees will be asked to identify individuals with whom they would like to share a dining table for the entire weekend. 
Registered participants who decide not to attend will be able to request a full refund up to 48 hours prior to the start date of the UU Weekend. If the Weekend is cancelled altogether because of updated social restrictions, all registered participants will receive a full refund. Individuals who prefer a single room can obtain one at the same per person rate as a shared double room. If you have already signed up for a double room and wish to change to a single, please contact Linda Way at lway1@nycap.rr.com.

Note regarding affiliation: While many Albany UU members and friends organize, promote and participate in UU Weekend, it is not an Albany UU event and is not subject to Albany UU policy.
VOLUNTEER OPPORTUNITIES

Virtual Service Ushers - We need more volunteers as we begin the service year!
This is a great opportunity to volunteer on a Sunday morning! Ushers are needed on Sunday mornings to help provide a welcoming, safe and enjoyable virtual experience. We need folks who would be willing to volunteer to help. Tammy will provide a quick and simple training. PLEASE contact her if you'd like to learn more: admin@albanyuu.org.

Gardening Volunteers still needed
Do you have two hours to contribute to maintaining the gardens surrounding Albany UU? The Gardening Committee welcomes you to sign up here, where you can select which week(s) you'd like to help. Volunteers often work in pairs. No experience necessary. For more information or to receive e-mail updates, please contact Donna Meixner or 518/439-5947. Our gardeners have the grounds looking beautiful!

YOU can make a difference!
We at Albany UU are making an effort to increase our visibility and connectivity online. YOU can help, and it's quick and easy! Simply like, follow and share pages and posts on any of our social media platforms, or leave a positive Facebook or Google review. Google Albany UU or find us here:
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
Regular events and meetings

Most of these events and meetings continue online, however dates and times may vary. Please contact the Team or Group Leader or email admin@albanyuu.org if you have questions.

Sundays       
11:45 AM     Inclusivity Team (2nd)
5:30 PM       Walker Book Group (2nd)
11:45 AM      Social Responsibilities Council (3rd)
11:45 AM      Green Sanctuary Committee (4th)

Mondays       
6:15 PM        Religious Education Council
                               (1st, Nov., Feb., May)

Tuesdays      
10:15 AM      Philosophy Discussion (weekly)

Wednesdays
10:00 AM     Ps and Qs (alternating)
7:00 PM     Albany UU Sings (alternating)

Thursdays    
1:00 PM       All Sides Considered (1st & 3rd)
6:30 PM       Board of Trustees (4th)
Going to miss a Sunday?

Online service is generally recorded

Sunday, Sept 6 watch it here.

Sunday, Aug 30 watch it here.

Sunday, Aug 23 watch it here.

Sunday, Aug 16 watch it here.

Sunday, Aug 9 watch it here. Read the text here.

Sunday, Aug 2 watch it here.

For previous services, pre-pandemic:
You can listen to the entire Albany UU Sunday service at home or on your mobile device. March 1 and 8 services are available as MP3 files on the Albany UU member resource website. Here is how to access:

username: AlbanyUU
password: EEthelredBrown405

Our sermon archive (http://members.albanyuu.org/wp/ - select Ministry/Sermon Archive on the left website menu) has pdf files of sermons texts (when available) and audio files of sermons. You can also request the office put a service on a CD.
First Unitarian Universalist Society of Albany
Parking - when the building reopens: 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:
The Albany UU Office is closed during this time of physical distancing. Sam, Leah, Tammy and Sapphire have their messages forwarded to their personal cell phones and are available by email.

Websites
General: www.AlbanyUU.org

Zoom use
To reserve Zoom for an Albany UU online meeting, contact Administrative Assistant Sapphire Correa (518.463.7135 or office@albanyuu.org).

Photo credit: Jeannie Thompson
First Unitarian Universalist Society of Albany | 518.463.7135| 518.463.1429 | Admin@AlbanyUU.org | AlbanyUU.org