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.
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!
If this email was forwarded to you, and you would like to receive it directly, please
-Blessings and Be Well
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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."
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June 27 UUA General Assembly Worship Service
Join us virtually for the largest annual gathering of UUs gathering in worship.
A link to the service will be released on Saturday, June 26. Stay tuned!
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July 4 “Making Amends Rev. Chris Antal
Using a collaborative art installation constructed by Iraq Veterans and Iraqi refugees as an example, we consider how moral repair happens in the aftermath of wrongdoing.
Reverend Chris J. Antal is a Clinical Staff Chaplain at the Michael J. Crescenz VA Medical Center in Philadelphia. Chris interned at Albany UU (2009-2010) and was ordained in 2011.
Music: Elena Karpoff
July 11 “It's a Process,” Rev. Kimberley Debus
They (whoever 'they' are) say that the only constant is change. In this service, we'll explore what that means from a theological and spiritual perspective, and how this way of understanding calls us to our work in the world.
Rev. Kimberley Debus is a community minister based in upstate New York, inspiring an artful and art-filled faith. She consults with congregations and religious professionals throughout the denomination. She has previously served at the Church of the Larger Fellowship as well as congregations on Long Island and Key West.
Music: Elena Karpoff
July 18 “Engaged Spirituality: Confessions of a Militant Mystic,” Rev. Richard Gilbert
For some time, Rev. Gilbert has been pondering the words of German theologian Jurgen Moltmann. Moltmann speaks about a theology of relinquishment and an ethic of class betrayal. Add to that the words of UU theologian James Luther Adams that UUs join churches, not to have their values challenged, but confirmed. Food for thought.
Rev. Dick Gilbert, retired UU minister, has published books on faith development, social justice and meditations. He is currently working on a book entitled: No Consorting with Angels: the Spiritual Life of Susan B. Anthony. He lives in Rochester with his wife Joyce.
Music: Lois Bailey
July 25 “Bikini Bodies,” Rev. Eileen Casey Campbell
We know that liberation for anyone must mean liberation for everyone. That includes the liberation of our bodies from the constraints of a false morality about the "right" size for a body to be. On Sunday, let us embrace the gifts of delight, pleasure, and wonder in our embodied selves as we rejoice that all bodies are good bodies.
Eileen Casey-Campbell (she, her, hers) is a minister serving the UU Church of Canandaigua, NY. She shares a life with her partner, Brian, their children, and their goofy dog. Eileen is a yoga teacher, who is also called to social justice work, creative worship, and to ministry with youth and young adults. She loves the spiritual practice of learning to create with her own hands–art, bread, gardens, knitted caps, and more.
Music: Elena Karpoff
Use this link to join Sunday service:
To dial in by phone: 1-929-436-2866:
Meeting ID: 299 018 7785
Password: 0000
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Albany UU Virtual Summer Services
Our summer services start this Sunday June 20 and continue through September 5.
8:30 a.m. Virtual Sunday Meditation continues through the summer and we will have Virtual Service at 10:00 AM each Sunday. Summer services are coordinated by Randy Rosette, with a delightful list of guests in the pulpit and an opportunity to virtually attend the General Assembly service!
Sunday Offering
and other service information
Joys and Concerns for Online Services
Need to Talk? Albany UU Pastoral Care Associates are here to listen!
Archives
Past service video recordings can be found here and past sermons can be read here.
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A MESSAGE FROM OUR PRESIENT
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Greetings Friends.
It’s wonderful to write to you on the downslope of the pandemic. Promising signs abound and I look forward to more opportunities to see you in person.
The Board recently authorized the Ministry and Operations Team (MOT) and the newly created Reopening Working Group to revise guidelines for congregational meetings and gatherings both at the building and offsite. They also revised the rental contract. Both documents were approved by the Board, effective immediately, and can be viewed here and here.
The Board is grateful for the thoughtful work of the MOT and the Reopening Working Group in these endeavors. The Reopening Working Group included Mary Applegate, Elizabeth Baldes, Tammy Hathaway, Randy Rosette, Reese Satin, and Sam Trumbore.
Thank you for the strength and depth you’ve brought to our virtual congregation, and for your patience as we’ve discerned how to navigate our way back to the new normal.
Peace,
Patti Jo
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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:
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
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Social Responsibilities Team Meeting
Wednesday, June 30, 6:45 PM
All 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 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:
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.
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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! Ellen would like you to be ready for a member art show in September!
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.
Concert
Charles Semowich will play a concert on the famous Albany City Hall Carillon on July 4 at 1 PM. It can be heard at various locations near Albany City Hall and printed programs will be available in front of City Hall. Of course, there is no charge, The program will consist of patriotic music including some form the 18th century, American Folk Tunes, African American music and end with the Fanfare for the Common Man. It will last one hour.
It's not too late - Rev. Sam Requests Important Feedback!
Every year, staff members are evaluated. Part of that evaluation process is collecting feedback from members of the congregation on their employee satisfaction along with comments about the work of employees. This is a great opportunity to show appreciation of them by giving specific feedback about what they have done well. It is VERY MEANINGFUL for the staff to receive this feedback. Your praise matters! And there may be a problem that you’d like to alert us about too. That may also be done on the feedback form.
PLEASE, PLEASE take a moment to use this form to leave feedback for individual employees. Use the form multiple times, once for each employee for whom you’d like to leave feedback.
Thanks in advance for your participation in this yearly cycle of appreciation and support for the good work our staff does.
July 11 Memorial for Scott Bassinson
There will be a memorial service for Scott Bassinson, who passed away last year, on Sunday July 11 at 5 pm at the First Reformed Church in Schenectady. There will be lots of live music and sharing remembrances of Scott. Scott, his wife Meg, and their two sons Paul and Max (who sadly passed away in 2015) were members of UU Albany in the 1990s, and Meg was our music director for several years.
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Racial Healing Monthly Group
One of the many wonderful outcomes of the Racial Healing Workshop was creating a space specifically for BIPOC members for discussion and connection. We continue to hold that space and open it up to other BIPOC members of Albany UU. 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.
Gardening Volunteers
Do you have two hours to contribute to maintaining the gardens surrounding Albany UU? The Gardening Committee welcomes you to sign up here. No experience necessary. For more information or to receive e-mail updates, please contact Donna Meixner or 518/439-5947.
Endowment Trust Grants
Each calendar year the endowment trustees use a prescribed formula based on income from its investments to calculate the amount of money available for special project grants. The 2021 granting capacity is $20,000.
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2021 Music Program Survey!
Over the years, members and friends of Albany UU have consistently told us that our Music Program is a vital part of our community. As we move towards a return to our building, we think it especially timely to get YOUR impressions about the music we presented during virtual services over the past 15 months. In addition, we would like to know your overall thoughts about music and related activities at Albany UU currently, as well as your hopes for the future. To this end, we encourage everyone to participate in the 2021 Music Assessment Survey. Please complete this survey as soon as you can. Your opinion will aid the continuation of a strong and vibrant music program. Thank You!
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:
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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.
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.
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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
PRIDE Event
Who: A PRIDE event Run by the Albany General Defense Committee.
What: A corporate sponsorship-free event for the Capital Region, to be hosted in
When: Sunday, June 27
Where: Townsend Park
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For adults:
Homegoing: A novel, by Yaa Gyasi. (2016). This winner of numerous honors is a story of two sisters and the generations that follow. Starting in Ghana, the story steps through the centuries, bringing characters to life in history. Each chapter develops a character in the family epic, and the stories straddle continents and criss-cross through history. Available in hard copy, CD audiobook, and downloadable e- and audio-book formats from the Upper Hudson Library System (UHLS).
For children and others:
Crown: An ode to the fresh cut, by Derrick Barnes and Gordon C. James. (2017). What is the magic that happens in a barbershop? The transformation is outside and inside! The many awards for this work include: Coretta Scott King Author and Illustrator Honors, Newbery Honor, Caldecott Honor, Ezra Jack Keats New Writer Award, and Society of Illustrators Gold Medal, among others. Available in hard copy in the UHLS. Available for purchase in audiobook.
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No Family Chapel or RE Sessions until the fall. Contact Elizabeth Baldes (Religious Education Coordinator until June 30 and Acting DRE beginning July 1) ebaldes@albanyuu.org, with any questions. Have a wonderful summer!
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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.
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UPDATED Building Use Guidelines:
Sunday services will remain online through the summer since all the logistics for these services were set up to be remote, before most restrictions were lifted. We are looking forward to providing our first official in-person service on the first Sunday of our new service year, September 12 at 10:00 AM. This will be a multiplatform service and will include an online option. There will be separate guidelines for Sunday services - those are being drafted - and will be available later in the summer. There will also be guidance provided should conditions change and we need to pivot again to meet those, if needed.
Learn about submitting announcements to for our virtual 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
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Office hours:
Staff are slowly 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:
Zoom use:
To reserve Zoom for an Albany UU meeting, contact the virtual church office (518.463.7135 or admin@albanyuu.org).
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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