WINDOWS WEEKLY August 19, 2021
Greetings Friends,

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

Please note, 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 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 "Fellowship and Conversation."

Aug. 22 “Olympia Brown, Unsung Heroine,” Sigrin Newell
Olympia Brown was the first woman to be ordained as a minister with official approval by a national denomination. In 1863, the Northern Universalist Association in Malone NY approved her plea for equality. As a minister, she had to take the bottom-of-the-barrel jobs that no man wanted. In each case, she made her churches thrive. Reverend Brown was also a suffragist from the very beginning, working with Susan B. Anthony. Brown spent the rest of her life working to get the vote for women. She cast her first vote in 1920 at age 85. Hers is a fascinating story that should be better known.

Dr. Sigrin Newell has been active with the First Unitarian Universalist Society of Albany NY for more than 30 years. During this time she has given many sermons. She sings in the choir. At the UU Weekend/Silver Bay retreat, she has led nature walks and conducted sessions focused on poetry in nature and Goddess spirituality. She retired from Walden University, a distance-learning graduate school where she taught students earning their PhDs in education. Sigrin's hobbies are gardening and botany.

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 
AUGUST SUNDAY SERVICE INFORMATION

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.  
ALBANY UU IS STILL HIRING!

Looking for a little income?
Are you--or a friend--looking to make some money occasionally? And, are you able to work on Sundays?

Albany UU needs a ‘backup’ Sunday custodian. The job is from 8:00-1:00 on Sunday mornings (after September 12) and entails a multitude of small tasks that that enable our service and programs to run smoothly. Some lifting is required. The pay is $15 per hour.

If you are interested in finding out more, contact Tammy Hathaway, Church Administrator at 518-463-7135 or admin@albanyuu.org. And pass this on to anyone who might be interested!

Also available: occasional paid “gigs” as Building Host and Dishwasher. Contact Tammy Hathaway if you’re interested in either of these.
UPCOMING WAYS to CONNECT

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


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


Board of Trustees
Meets Thursday, Aug 26, 6:30 PM Albany UU members are welcome to attend. 

Use the service link to join:

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


Albany UU Sings
Join your friends on Wednesday, Sept 8 at 7:00 PM and sing your heart out in Virtual Community! We will supply the music and the lyrics.

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!

SOCIAL ACTION


Raise Your Voice for End of Life Choice – Call to Action
Lieutenant Governor Kathy Hochul will become the Governor of New York on August 24. Her position on medical aid in dying is not known. Compassion and Choices, which leads the campaign to pass New York’s Medical Aid in Dying Act, is seeking signatures on an on-line petition to let our new Governor know how important it is for the terminally ill to have a full range of end of life choices, including medical aid in dying. If you support end of life choice, please, please, please take two actions this week:
  1. Sign the petition here. (You will be asked for a donation after signing, but you do not have to donate to have your support count.)
  2. Send the link to the petition to family, friends, neighbors, colleagues and others. Thousands of signatures will help get this issue on the new Governor’s agenda.
Thank you for your help!



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
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.
JOYS AND CARING CORNER



Those who knew former Albany UU member, Ursula Poland, are invited to Helen Lindsay's Celebration of Life on Saturday, Sept 4 at 1:00 PM on Zoom:
IMPORTANT INFORMATION

UPDATED Building Use Guidelines:
Small groups can meet in the building by following these guidelines. 

Sunday services will remain online through the summer. There is a team working hard to provide recommendations to the Albany UU Board regarding safe gathering again in our building for Sunday services. This information will be provided as soon as it is available.


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