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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MULTI-PLATFORM SUNDAY SERVICE
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SUNDAY SERVICE at 10:00 AM
Begin your Sunday morning with an 8:30 Meditation session until 9:20.
Service begins at 10:00 each Sunday
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Oct 10 “Pipelines, Climate Change and Indigenous People” with Rev. Sam Trumbore
Not building fossil fuel infrastructure is one important way to slow down climate change. We don’t need to make it easier to move dirty Canadian Tar Sand Oil to market and increase production. And pipelines endanger lands and health of Indigenous People. Let us use Indigenous People’s day to dedicate ourselves to being better neighbors to people, plants, animals, soils and waterways.
Music: Bruce Holden
Multi-platform 10:00 AM Sunday Services
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OCTOBER SUNDAY SERVICE INFORMATION
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Oct 17 “Called to be a Peacemaker” with
Erik vonHausen
I grew up with an obsession to find out "what was I going to do and who I was going to be." This was a question posed throughout my father's life to him by my grandfather, and repeatedly asked of me. The only thing I figured out early in my life, is that I am called to be a Peacemaker.
Erik vonHausen is living his best life with his husband Todd, dog Rocco, and 2 cats Gala and Squirrelly Girl. He has a bachelor's degree from Gordon College in Theology and Psychology; but the best lessons he has learned has come from 51 years of constantly screwing up and trying to learn from his mistakes.
Music: Randy Rosette
Oct 24 “Impasse” with Rev. Sam Trumbore
We live in very polarized times. The Red and Blue gulf seems wider than ever. Many of us cannot talk about politics or religion with our families without horrible outcomes and hostile feelings. Are there ways of working with being at an impasse with others that can deescalate tensions and move toward better understanding and appreciation even without agreement?
Music: Ann Brandon
Oct 31 “Great Pumpkin Day” with Rev. Sam Trumbore and Elizabeth Baldes
Come celebrate Halloween safely in our multigenerational service.
Music: Elena Karpoff
Join us in Community Hall
Use this link to join Sunday service virtually
To dial in by phone: 1-929-436-2866:
Meeting ID: 299 018 7785
Password: 0000
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Sunday Offering
and other service information
Sharing Joys and Concerns during Service
Need to Talk? Albany UU Pastoral Care Associates are here to listen!
Archives
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OCTOBER ONLINE WORKSHOPS WITH RE CONSULTANT MICHELE GROVE
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Who are we Now? Our Religious Education Identity
You are invited to join Dr. Michele Grove for a series of workshops on our religious education identity. Join one or all.
Thursday 10/14 7pm "Where Are We Now?" workshop #2
Wednesday 10/20 7pm "Where Are We Now?" workshop #3
Tuesday 10/26 7 pm "Where Are We Now?" workshop #4
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Key Takeaways from
- Lifespan learning is a valued part of this congregation’s work. This is seen in its commitment to professional staff, the dedication of sufficient building space for programming, the dedication of a vibrant religious education council, and the dedication to this interim process.
- Even though there was conflict with past ministers, the consistent and sustained religious education professional leadership remained strong through any historical crisis points.
- There are amazing children, youth and adult learning memories in this congregation. These memories will serve to help us identify the religious education future in creative ways!
- Anti-racism work is important and central to FUUS’s religious education council and program. The religious education council is committed to this and has done some audit work which is helpful to the religious education program and the broader congregation.
- The value of peer group learning for children, youth and adults is important. Multi-generational and family learning is also important. This congregation holds both well and wishes to strengthen both.
- Hospitality is a running theme for lifelong learning. Some felt easily welcomed into the FUUS community while others found it difficult to build relationships. There is an emphasis on the value of small groups for building relationships and inclusion and lifelong learning opportunities are one place where small group learning is evident.
- The connection to the community is a place where there is memory and a place where there is interest for further development. This ties in well with hospitality!
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RELIGIOUS EDUCATION for
CHILDREN and YOUTH
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RE Five Rivers Meetup! Sunday 10/10 @ 10AM
56 Game Farm Road, Delmar NY
This is a chance for the RE Community to get together outside in a setting that uplifts our 7th principle (caring for the earth and the interdependent web of life) and have some fun. Unlike indoor RE, registration is not required, everyone is welcome. This event is in place of indoor RE groups, which will not meet on 10/10.
Masks are encouraged, especially if in close proximity to others. Please see the Five Rivers website for their COVID guidance, advice on what to wear, and other details about the facility. We will meet near the Visitor's Center before taking a walk on Beaver Tree Trail. Scavenger Hunts will be available for those who are so inclined.
Online Family Chapel will begin Sunday, 10/10 at 6:30 pm. This is a short service including the week's story, a meditation, and brief check-in of joys and sorrows. For the Zoom link please email Elizabeth at dre@albanyuu.org or Paula at reassist@albanyuu.org.
Elizabeth Baldes
She/her/hers
Acting Director of Religious Education
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UPCOMING WAYS to CONNECT
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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 remotely:
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, October 10 at 6:30 pm. Join at 6:15 for additional time to socialize. We will discuss Louise Erdrich’s The Night Watchman. 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, Oct 11.
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.
Philosophy Group
At 10:15 AM every Tuesday, the Albany UU Philosophy Group will meet via zoom to discuss the topic of the day which on Tuesday will be: Since we have delayed addressing the climate crisis, is it critical at this time to be looking at nuclear energy as a source for electric power to supplement renewables to replace fossil fuel sources? 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.
Oct 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
A Virtual Orientation for Newcomers on Zoom
Getting to Know UU
Saturday, Oct 23, 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:
10:00 AM to noon
Saturday, Oct 23
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, come as you are!
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LEARNING OPPORTUNITY WITH YOUR MINISTER
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Reading Octavia Butler’s Novel “Parable of the Sower”
Rev. Sam is organizing a book study class to introduce the deep theology and cultural analysis found in Octavia Butler’s Afro-Futurism novels. The source for the class is a podcast called Octavia’s Parables by Adrienne Maree Brown and Toshi Reagon. Both are deeply devoted to her as a writer and a source of inspiration for their activism and their artistic work.
There is one episode of the podcast for each chapter of Butler’s book “Parable of the Sower.” In each episode, the chapter is briefly summarized and discussed. Themes are identified and become the source for discussion questions. We will read (or reread) each chapter and listen to that chapter’s podcast before the class. We’ll discuss the chapter and their podcast for the first part of the class. The second part of the class will be broken into smaller groups to discuss the questions identified in the podcast. We’ll come back together after the discussion time to share highlights from our group discussions.
The class will meet from 7-8pm on Sunday nights on Zoom beginning October 24. Please invite your friends! I’m hoping to identify some guest speakers who are Butler scholars to speak with us and share their analysis. The goal of the class is to grow and develop our own theology through engaging with Butler’s text and the questions that come from the podcast as well as be influenced by Butler, Brown and Reagon’s social and cultural critiques. To register, please send an email to registration@albanyuu.org.
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Putting on Armor by Shannon Lang
"I love my congregation, but as a Black Woman, before I enter the doors of my church or a committee meeting, I often feel like I must put on my armor. Chances are, someone’s going to say something hurtful. They’re not going to mean it, but it's going to happen and I've got to gird myself up for the unintended pain that will come. I know my siblings in faith love me—and I love them, too—but it has happened time and time again.
I’m not alone in this; it’s a common experience for Black and other UUs of color. I identify with the findings of a 2018 survey that BLUU (Black Lives of Unitarian Universalism) conducted of Black UUs. Most Black UUs feel a deep sense of isolation and rely heavily on social media to connect with other Black UUs. Black people tend to become a part of UU congregations because of the theology, not because of the community. White dominant culture gets in the way of their communal experience and serves as an exclusionary force in church life. Simply put: Black people, when they show up in ways that are culturally divergent from white, middle- and upper-class culture, do not feel welcomed.
The impact of these experiences, regardless of intention, is clear: the lack of Black and Brown faces in our spaces speaks volumes.
In contrast, when I attend BLUU worship services, which are Black-only sacred spaces, I feel like I am home. I am comforted. I am nourished. I don’t have to explain myself, I don’t have to address microaggressions, I don’t have to say "I am sorry, but you really can’t say that, and here's why." Instead of having to enter the space girded with armor for protection, I can enter the space with an open mind, heart, and soul.
My hope is that every member of each UU congregation pledges to do their individual anti-racism and anti-oppression work; that every member searches honestly within themselves, and analyzes their individual part in creating an atmosphere that has been historically unwelcoming to Black and Brown siblings of color.
To be a truly welcoming community, the systems of power and privilege that exist in our spaces need to be actively dismantled. Together, we can become radically welcoming—but only if we're willing, as individuals and as a movement, to do the hard work that comes along with it."
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Larry Snyder Memorial Service
A Celebration of the Life of Larry Snyder, Lynn Ashley's husband, will take place this Friday, October 8, at 2:00 at Alumni House on the periphery of the main campus of the University at Albany. For those who are unable to attend but would like to participate a Zoom link is available.
Those who plan to attend in-person, parking permits are required and may be obtained at Alumni House. Most accessible both in number and proximity to Alumni House are to the right of the lot entrance 3 or 4 lanes. Masks are required.
Election Day apple peeling and pie assembly
Tuesday, Nov. 2, 9:00 to noon, Channing Hall
Join Sandy Stone and Barb Manning as they lead the masked and distanced effort of getting the pies assembled for our fall pie sale. Don’t forget to bring your favorite peeling knife! Questions? Contact Sandy Stone: 518-489-8293 or dsalbany@nycap.rr.com.
Calling all pie crust makers!
Interested in making pie crusts for our fall fundraiser?
Recipe and pans provided. You provide the ingredients. Please reach out to Sandy Stone if you’d like to help with this important part of our pie fundraiser. 518-489-8293 or dsalbany@nycap.rr.com.
Conflict Transformation Workgroup
This is a group exploring what’s needed to support our AlbanyUU community to work with conflict. We want to be a resource of resources, building Albany UU's collective capacity to stimulate ways of thinking how we "do conflict" and what can bring us closer to our vision of being in Beloved Community. Here is our 2-minute Community Message video that was delivered in the service on September 26, to listen and watch. or read the text here.
The members of the group are Jan McCracken (Facilitator), Sharon Babala, Paula Brewer, Anne Marie Haber, Michael Hornsby, Jean Poppei, Deborah Vogel, Sam Trumbore, We welcome your input and questions!
Invitation to submit proposals and join a conversation
Did you miss our president's message inviting Individuals and committees/teams to submit a proposal for the use of funds made available from the federal Paycheck Protection Programs (PPP) loan and join a congregational conversation about it? Learn more here.
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A Global Multi-Faith Action, Sunday, October 17, 2021
The Green Sanctuary Committee is participating in the walk for Climate Justice across the Rip Van Winkle Bridge. We would love to have members of Albany UU join us on Sunday October 17 at 3:30.
If you want to participate, please contact Barbara Spink, Chris Bystroff, or Kathy Harris. Carpools are being formed.
Click on this link for more information and also to RSVP
And, click on this link for yet more information from the local organizers
Miki Conn presents: Integrating Delmar 1957: The Story of a Friendship
Join us for a unique opportunity with a local artist with many connections to Albany UU. On October 21 at 4:30 pm, the Inclusivity Team brings to Albany UU's Community Hall (and on Zoom) local artist and poet, Miki Conn, who will present a very unique memoir. Integrating Delmar 1957: The Story of a Friendship chronicles a middle class African American family’s search for housing during the summer of 1957 and the results of they decision by a white couple, long-time UU Arlen Westbrook and her husband, to rent their house to the Cunningham family. Learn more here
RSVP to attend in-person by following this link
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
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UU WEEKEND AT SILVER BAY
October 15-17
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Enjoy Silver Bay with your Family
Three generations of my family love attending UU weekend. It's a time for family in a beautiful setting. ~Ann D'Attilio
Sign up today! Children under 6 are free and there are substantial discounts for older children and youth.
Children’s adult-guided activities will be held primarily outdoors or under the covered deck of the boathouse. A family movie night will also be held.
Check out http://members.albanyuu.org/wp/uu-weekend-at-silver-bay/ for more information. Day trip registrations and payment are due by October 11. The deadline for registrations for weekend stays will be based on room availability. Payments must be made prior to your arrival. A late registration fee of $25 will be applied for overnight stays.
Note: Guidelines related to COVID safety and attendance at this event have been developed and will continue to be refined and updated in accordance with the status of the pandemic. To ensure the protection of attendees, all County, State and Silver Bay COVID guidelines will be followed, as they were during last year’s event. Final guidelines will be provided to all participants.
A full refund will be provide to anyone requesting cancellation by September 30 - that's today!
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Learn about submitting announcements to for Sunday service and how to reserve a Zoom room for meetings and events here.
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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 |
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:
By appointment
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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