Greetings Friends,
Welcome to Windows Weekly, Albany UU's central source for news and updates.
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
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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
(Meditation will be virtual only this Sunday, Nov 21)
Service begins at 10:00 each Sunday
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Dec 5 “The Peaceful Joy of Frozen Ground” with Rev. Sam Trumbore
For many upstate folks, winter is a joyful time. Snowshoes, skiing, fires in the fireplace, hot cocoa, the stillness and quiet of the winter world are all ways of accessing that joy. Rev. Sam will be collecting your stories of winter joy to share in this service. Contact him via email: minister@albanyuu.org
Music: Albany UU Virtual Choir, Chris Bystroff, Randy Rosette, Elena Karpoff
Multi-platform 10:00 AM Sunday Services
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DECEMBER SUNDAY SERVICE &
HOLIDAY INFORMATION
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Dec 12 “The Joyful Presence of the Holy” with Rev. Sam Trumbore
There can be joy being in the presence of the Holy. We individually define “the Holy” because it is beyond definition (non-physical, non-sensory though may have physical or sensory perceptions). It awakens & nurtures in us love, joy, meaning, purpose and/or fulfillment. It is a welcome gift of the season.
Music: Bruce Holden, Albany UU Outdoor Choir, Randy Rosette
Dec 19 “Albany UU Christmas Pagent 2021” with Rev. Sam Trumbore & Elizabeth Baldes
Each year our elementary age children put on our reenactment of the Christmas story. We’ll sing (quietly in our masks) familiar carols and celebrate this beautiful season of birth and life.
Music: Ann Brandon
Friday, Dec 24 – “Albany UU Christmas Eve 2021,” at 7:00pm with Rev. Sam Trumbore
There are four ways to experience this special gathering which commemorates the birth of Jesus. Those who wish to come in person can sit in one of the thirty spots available by reservation in the Sanctuary. As the Sanctuary seating space fills up, or if you'd rather, we will also gather in Community Hall and Channing Hall, to make room for as many people as is safe in our building. There will also be a Zoom option. We will all have the opportunity to light our candles together, dim the lights and sing Silent Night as we do every year. While there will not be a reception, after service you are invited to pick up a chalice ornament made by the children and youth of Albany UU to brighten your home. Our hope is that being together, even if distanced and masked in-person, or attending online, will make it a safe, memorable, and meaningful moment for all of us.
Music: Ann Brandon, Albany UU Virtual Choir, Chris Bystroff, Randy Rosette, Tonya Hotalen (TBD)
Dec 26 “Seasonal Songs and Stories” with Rev. Sam Trumbore & Randy Rosette
This will be a relaxed Day-After-Christmas service (Zoom only), maybe with a fire going in the background to enjoy a hot drink, listen to some of Rev. Sam’s favorite seasonal stories, and sing (loudly at home) favorite seasonal songs. Not our usual format but a way to be together as a community as we decompress from our seasonal celebrations. There could also be a chance to show off a favorite gift received!
Music: Randy Rosette, Chris Jensen
Looking ahead to Jan 2 “Wheel of Life Service” with Rev. Sam Trumbore &
Elizabeth Baldes
As a New Year begins, it is a time to look back over the previous year. It is a time to appreciate births, our life transitions and remember those who have died in the previous year in our service.
Please email a picture of the person, a symbol or a memento of a loved one you want to honor for a slide show each of births, transitions and deaths to office@albanyuu.org with “Wheel of Life Service” in the subject.
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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
Donating flowers for Sunday service
Go to Sunday Hospitality Sign Up to sign up. You can leave a comment to let us know if you will be arranging or if you'd like a member of the Flower Team to arrange for you. You can also tell us your dedication. Or you can always contact the church office to sign up if you prefer: admin@albanyuu.org. Thank you!
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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RELIGIOUS EDUCATION for
CHILDREN and YOUTH
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This week, 12/5: In-person RE groups will meet at Albany UU. Youth group for Grades 9-12 starts at 10AM in B-8, the other age groups go to service at 10 and stay until just after the story. If you want to make a reservation to attend service, use this link: https://rsvp.church/r/FQ4SoJA9. If you prefer, you can also listen to service in Channing Hall. After the Wisdom Story, the service associate will announce it is time to go to Sunday Religious Education groups, and you will know it is time to head out.
Pageant Filming 12/11: ACT NOW! Christmas pageant filming is scheduled for Saturday 12/11 at Albany UU. Families have the choice of choosing to film with other children and youth present, or to reserve a time for their child/children to film individually. Please complete this survey by Sunday 12/5 to be included in this year's pageant. You will need to complete a survey for each child or youth interested in doing the pageant. Children and youth do not need to be registered for RE this year to participate in the pageant. We expect a fun time to be had by all!
Pageant will be viewed at the service on 12/19.
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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
Second pick up date for soups, pies and CRAFT orders!
If you ordered soups and pies and chose the Sunday, Dec 5 from 12N-3PM pickup date, or if you ordered any crafts be sure to come to Albany UU during that time to get them! Volunteers will be set up in the lobby and Channing Hall. Wear your mask and bring your check or cash. No credit cards, please. Thank you so much for your support!
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
The Ministries and Operations Team will meet virtually on Tuesday, Dec. 7 at 12N. MOT meetings are open to all Albany UU members.
Use this link to join:
By phone: 1 929 205 6099
Meeting ID: 963 886 2931
Passcode: 2222
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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 this Wednesday Dec 15 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
A Virtual Orientation for Newcomers on Zoom
Getting to Know UU
Saturday, Jan 9, 2022, 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, Jan 9,2022
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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From the Conflict Transformation Workgroup
Yippee! Another survey! Are you one who is interested in exploring conflict within ourselves and our congregation? Or do you have little interest in this topic? Wherever you land, please give us your input to help us on our mission. We want to hear from many people, which is why we created a brief survey! If you would like to submit a paper copy or have a member of the workgroup gather your info confidentially by phone, contact Jan McCracken at janmccracken56@gmail.com.
“We, the member congregations of the Unitarian Universalist Association, covenant to affirm and promote: journeying toward spiritual wholeness by working to build a diverse multicultural Beloved Community by our actions that accountably dismantle racism and other oppressions in ourselves and our institutions.”
Today, we look at the phrase “Beloved Community” in the 8th Principle.
“Beloved Community” happens when people of diverse racial, ethnic, educational, class, gender, sexual orientation, and backgrounds/identities come together in an interdependent relationship of love, mutual respect, and care that seeks to realize justice within the community and in the broader world.
The UU Principles were designed to be dynamic, not fixed. Unitarian Universalism is a religion that intentionally builds in the flexibility to acknowledge the importance of ongoing revealed truth. None of the other Principles mention love. By having “Beloved Community” in the 8th Principle, it brings our commitment to love higher in our consciousness. The 8th Principle is really just the beginning of action, rather than the ultimate goal. Adopting the 8th Principle would lead us towards making our actions match our values, a major step towards spiritual wholeness.
This may be of interest to Albany UUs:
The Albany Gay Men's Chorus will have a short holiday recital on Wednesday December 15 at 7:30pm at First Lutheran Church 181 Western Avenue Albany NY. Donations suggested. Masks are required.
Jan 2 “Wheel of Life Service”
As a New Year begins, it is a time to look back over the previous year. It is a time to appreciate births, our life transitions and remember those who have died in the previous year in our service.
Please email a picture of the person, a symbol or a memento of a loved one you want to honor for a slide show each of births, transitions and deaths to office@albanyuu.org with “Wheel of Life Service” in the subject.
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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
Inclusivity Recommends these books in addition to The Sum of Us in the flyer below:
For children and all:
Hey, Wall: A story of art and community, by Susan Verde. Illustrated by John Parras. (2018). “Walls do not just create barriers and divide spaces. They can be canvases for artmaking; opportunities to shape a community.” —The Horn Book Available in the Upper Hudson Library System. Not available in audiobook or Braille at this time.
For youth:
Root Magic, by Eden Royce. (2021). 1963 South Carolina is full of change for 11-year-old Jezebel and her twin brother, Jay. Their world is full of Gullah Geechee language, heritage, and lore, and we are invited into the story of these siblings as they begin to learn family rootwork traditions. They are occupied with learning this work while dealing with the everyday challenges of life in 1963 South Carolina. Available in the Upper Hudson Library System in hard copy, CD audiobook, and downloadable e-book and audio-book formats.
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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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