WINDOWS WEEKLY January 6, 2022
Greetings Friends,


Good evening everyone and welcome to Windows Weekly, Albany UU's central source for news and updates. Many apologies for the lateness of the hour - technical difficulties were a 'plenty today!

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-Blessings and Be Well
On Jan. 6, 2021, a violent mob of rally attendees, fresh from hearing President Trump speak near the White House, marched to the Capitol, forced their way past barricades and a line of police officers and stormed the building, interrupting the certification of President Biden’s electoral victory. Let us not forget. Let us act to protect, save and preserve our democracy.
See the even more UPDATED Call the Action below.

Call to Action
Join members of Albany UU's Social Responsibilities Council on Thursday, January 6, 5:00-6:30pm for a Candlelight Vigil for Democracy at West Capitol Park in Albany or on Zoom. It’s been one year since armed right-wing militants attacked our Capitol and tried to overturn the results of the 2020 election. Since that time the same extremist politicians who incited the attack have tried to block the investigation into the violence, state legislators have passed one anti-voter bill after another, local election officials have faced death threats, and the potential for future election sabotage has only grown.
 
We are One America and we must stand together in this moment.
 
Please sign up to join. The vigil will gather in the West Capitol Park (Swan Street side of the Capitol) and will be livestreamed at https://albany.zoom.us/j/93015410229pwd=QTBNQjJFb2ZtaStlVWZUR1JnQjNKUT09

Please remember that we are still in a pandemic and your health, and that of those around you, is especially important. Event participants are expected to wear a mask and to maintain social distancing.

This event in Albany is one of hundreds of events that will take place across the country, including at the U.S. Capitol. Sponsored by: Capital Region Mothers Out Front, League of Women Voters, and Progressive Schenectady. UUA Side with Love is endorsing these events nationwide.
RETURN TO VIRTUAL SUNDAY SERVICE


VIRTUAL SUNDAY SERVICE at 10:00 AM

Begin your Sunday morning with a VIRTUAL 8:30 Meditation session until 9:20
VIRTUAL service begins at 10:00 each Sunday

Albany UU Sunday services will likely remain virtual through the
month of January 2022 due to Omicron and the current Covid spike. The Albany UU Covid Response Team will continue to assess the
situation and keep you informed.

Jan 9, “Zero Sum Dilemma” with Rev. Sam Trumbore
This is part one of a two-part sermon series working with the book by Heather McGhee titled, The Sum of Us: What Racism Costs Everyone And How We Can Prosper Together. This first service will address the bad news, how racism harms everyone in specific, persuasive detail, in many diverse aspects of our lives, that add up to the ongoing destruction of civil society.

Music: Special Guest Musicians: Isaac Allen, Nellson Jacobs-Moore; Randy Rosette
VIRTUAL SUNDAY SERVICE INFORMATION

RELIGIOUS EDUCATION FOR
CHILDREN and YOUTH

This Sunday, 1/9: Online RE Groups for Everyone! Families and guides please see emails from Elizabeth with detailed information for your age group. Please join us at 10AM at this Zoom link (not the same as the one for service):
By phone: 1 929 205 6099
Meeting ID: 963 886 2931
Passcode: 2222

Exciting News: Please join me in welcoming Michael Hornsby as the new Chairperson of the Religious Education Council! We are incredibly fortunate to have his thoughtful and skilled leadership at Albany UU, and particularly in the Religious Education community. Congratulations, and thank you, Michael!

(Photo: Michael Hornsby and daughter Luchia)
A VERY REAL ISSUE
Everyone is encouraged to attend
A
JOIN OUR TEAM!

Albany UU has an opportunity for a creative, fun-loving individual to join our team as our Lead Youth Group Advisor. This is a unique chance to get in on the ground floor of an evolving program that enjoys strong support from our open-minded congregation. If you know of anyone who might be interested, perhaps a young UU adult 25 years or older, please share this job posting with them. We offer a supportive and welcoming work environment, lots of opportunities for creativity, and a great group of youth to connect with. Contact Acting Director of Religious Education Elizabeth Baldes with inquiries.
ADULT RELIGIOUS EDUCATION OPPORTUNITY!

UPCOMING WAYS to CONNECT

Trivia Night on Friday!
The Hudson Mohawk Cluster of UU Congregations will host its second annual online, multigenerational, multi-congregational Trivia Night at Friday, Jan 7, from 7-8:30pm - That's tomorrow! 

Back by popular demand will be the music round of “name that UU hymn,” and a photo round. New this year, a trivia preparation crew of UUs will develop sets of trivia questions to challenge and entertain the wide variety of people in our congregations.
 
Use this link to join:
 
Meeting ID: 982 9489 7349
Passcode: 592653


There's still time to join a Virtual Orientation for Newcomers on Zoom!
Getting to Know UU
Saturday, Jan 8, 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 8, 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!
To sign up: Send an email to Registration@AlbanyUU.org.


Start your Sunday Morning with Meditation 8:30 - 9:15 AM
We will sit together virtually 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


Ministry & Operations Team and Leaders Budget Meeting
A meeting for creative thinking and budget planning based on Albany UU's vision.

Use the service link to join:
 
To dial in 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, Jan 9 at 6:30 pm. Join at 6:15 for additional time to socialize. We will discuss Homegoing by Yaa Gyasi. 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, Jan 10. 
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. 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 on Wednesday, Projects and Quilts (Ps and Qs) will meet.

Use this link to join remotely:

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


Albany UU Sings
Join your friends on the following Wednesdays for the rest of the service year 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.

Jan 12, 26
Feb 9, 23
Mar 9, 23
Apr 13, 27
May 11, 25
June 8

Use this link to join:

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

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 and entails a multitude of small tasks that that enable our service and classes to go smoothly. Some lifting is required. The pay is $15 per hour.

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

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


An 8th Principle Minute
“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 discuss the phrase "racism and other oppressions in ourselves and our institutions."
 
Our country was founded on racism and oppression because the phrase, “all men are created equal,” excluded the native peoples who’s lands we conquered, Africans whose black bodies we captured, violate and sold into slavery as property, and, of course, all women. While some progress has occurred since the USA was founded, oppression of African-Americans, Native Americans and women still persists today. Examples of other oppressions include but are not limited to: ancestry, national origin and immigration status, age, sex and religion, obesity, physical, emotional or mental disability, LGBTQAI+ status, class and/or socioeconomic status.
 
Anti-oppression work is about recognizing that oppression and privilege are institutional problems that work hand in hand. Each of us must accept our personal responsibility to realize the power that we individually hold, and how our actions of maintaining that power for ourselves adversely affects other people. We must ask ourselves whether we, as individuals and as a congregation, are committed to do the work necessary to eliminate oppression and to adopt and sustain the 8th Principle. 
SOCIAL ACTION

Call to Action
Join members of Albany UU's Social Responsibilities Council on Thursday, January 6, 5:00-6:30pm for a Candlelight Vigil for Democracy at West Capitol Park in Albany or on Zoom. See additional information at the top of this newsletter or on our website.


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

The vigil will take place, as usual, on New Years Day.



Raise Your Voice for End of Life Choice
  • SAVE THE DATES: On January 10, you are invited to the Capitol to help deliver to Governor Hochul over 3,000 petition signatures supporting medical aid in dying. On January 18-21, you are invited to be in-person at the Capitol or on Zoom to launch the 2022 campaign to pass the Medical Aid in Dying Act and meet with lawmakers. Email Amanda at acavanaugh@malkinross.com for details.
  • CONTACT YOUR LAWMAKERS: It is important for your lawmakers to hear from you as they look forward to next fall’s elections. Even if you’ve contacted them before, and, especially if you haven’t, please let your lawmakers know you want them to support medical aid in dying as an end-of-life option for New Yorkers. This link makes it easy for you, and allows you to personalize your message.
  • SEND REMEMBRANCES: Compassion and Choices New York would like to create a Memorial Wall in the Legislative Office Building to honor those we have lost and to demonstrate why we want New Yorkers to have the compassionate care of medical aid in dying. You can send photos, names, or other remembrances before January 16 for as many people as you would like to CCNY@compassionandchoices.org
IMPORTANT INFORMATION

Learn about submitting announcements to for 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:
By appointment

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