Albany UU

Albany UU Albany Unitarian Universalist (aka First Unitarian Universalist Society of Albany): You are welcome here!

The First Unitarian Universalist Society of Albany (Albany UU) brings together in one community a wide diversity of beliefs and backgrounds ranging from theistic to nontheistic to atheistic, from humanism to Unitarian Christianity, and including earth-centered and Eastern-focused practices. While we are not all on the same path, nor do we expect to arrive at the same destination, we have chosen to

share our religious journey. The differences we bring to our spiritual search contributes to our respect for, and commitment to, liberal religious and ethical values in the larger community. We are also a growing, nurturing religious community bound by mutual respect and compassion; striving to establish a safe place where questions may be fearlessly addressed, the mind freed, and the soul nourished. We strive to be a caring community, supportive of the individuals within, involved in the world without. We commit ourselves to serving the wider community, working for peace and justice, and preserving the beauty and majesty of the world and all life. Whether by telephone or walking through the front door, we seek to make everyone feel our congregation can be their home too. Whatever your race, gender, affectional orientation, age, or family status, we welcome all free seekers of truth and meaning here.

Tomorrow at Albany UU: Let Us PlayPlay shapes healthy children. It also nourishes adults — strengthening relationships, ...
05/30/2026

Tomorrow at Albany UU: Let Us Play

Play shapes healthy children. It also nourishes adults — strengthening relationships, engaging our brains, and making room for joy in a world that often forgets joy matters.

Join Rev. Ann and Peggy Sherman as we explore play not as distraction, but as a deeply human and spiritual practice.

You do not need to be “good at play.” There will not be a test.

📅 Sunday, May 31 at 10:00 AM
📍 In person at Albany UU or via Zoom: https://tinyurl.com/AlbanyUU-SundayService
🔒 Password: 0000

All are welcome. Come as you are. 🕊️

When was the last time you played?Not worked. Not optimized. Not “made productive use of your free time.” Actually playe...
05/29/2026

When was the last time you played?

Not worked. Not optimized. Not “made productive use of your free time.” Actually played.

This Sunday, Rev. Ann and worship associate Peggy Sherman invite us into the spiritual practice of play — the kind that helps us connect, laugh, imagine, create, and maybe loosen our grip on seriousness for a while.

Turns out humans of all ages need play.

📅 Sunday, 10:00 AM – in person & online
📍 Albany UU

All are welcome. Come as you are. 🕊️

05/25/2026

Last Sunday, guest musician and presenter Dan Berggren invited us to listen deeply — to one another, to our shared values, and to the songs that carry them forward.

In this clip, Dan sings the opening verse of his renewed version of My Country ’Tis of Thee, born from a conversation with Pete Seeger, before the congregation joins in with the familiar first verse many of us have known for years.

Old song. New questions. Shared voices. 🎶

▶️ Watch the full reflection here: https://youtu.be/Im5RTx9Pons

Tomorrow at Albany UU: Democracy, Listening & SingingWe’re looking forward to welcoming Dan Berggren, whose songs and st...
05/23/2026

Tomorrow at Albany UU: Democracy, Listening & Singing

We’re looking forward to welcoming Dan Berggren, whose songs and stories celebrate home, hard-working people, care for the earth, and the ties that hold communities together.

Together, we’ll explore the common ground between democracy, deep listening, and singing side by side — all practices that ask us to pay attention to one another and help create something larger than ourselves.

Come ready to listen. Come ready to sing. 🎶

📅 Sunday, May 31 at 10:00 AM
📍 In person at Albany UU or via Zoom: https://tinyurl.com/AlbanyUU-SundayService
🔒 Password: 0000

All are welcome. Come as you are. 🕊️

🌞🧺 The Congregational Picnic is Almost Here! 🧺🌞Join us on Saturday, May 30 for an afternoon of food, fresh air, laughter...
05/22/2026

🌞🧺 The Congregational Picnic is Almost Here! 🧺🌞

Join us on Saturday, May 30 for an afternoon of food, fresh air, laughter, and community at Thacher Park’s Pear Orchard Pavilion.

Whether you’re brand new to Albany UU or have been around for years, this is one of those easy, joyful gatherings where kids run around, conversations linger, and someone inevitably brings the brownies everyone talks about afterward. Nature heals. Potato salad builds community. Strange but true.

🕚 11:00 AM – 2:00 PM
📍 Thacher Park — Pear Orchard Pavilion

🍉 Please bring:
• A dish to share (about 8 servings)
• Your own plates, utensils & non-alcoholic drinks if you can
• Outdoor chairs, if available

🚗 Parking is $6 per car
🌿 We’re aiming for a low-waste picnic, so reusable items are appreciated!

👉 Please sign up here: https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1_1hwzT6UzYePa2nNeTVgT4Sr3alIPSdrDQj8IGhYGpY/edit?usp=sharing
(The sign-up helps us coordinate food and organize setup/cleanup help.)

What do democracy, listening, and singing have in common?More than you might think.This Sunday, guest musician and prese...
05/22/2026

What do democracy, listening, and singing have in common?

More than you might think.

This Sunday, guest musician and presenter Dan Berggren joins us for a service exploring the connections between voice, community, and the ways we learn to live together.

With honesty, humor, and deep roots in place and people, Dan’s music reminds us that democracy is not just something we vote for — it’s something we practice by listening, participating, and raising our voices together.

📅 Sunday, 10:00 AM – in person & online
📍 Albany UU

All are welcome. Come as you are. 🕊️

⏰ Don’t Miss Out — The Building Connections Auction Closes This Sunday! ⏰There’s still time to browse, bid, and grab som...
05/21/2026

⏰ Don’t Miss Out — The Building Connections Auction Closes This Sunday! ⏰

There’s still time to browse, bid, and grab something special from this year’s Albany UU Building Connections Auction!

From shared meals and fun outings to homemade treats, helpful services, and unique experiences, the auction is full of opportunities to connect with members of our community while supporting Albany UU. 💛

Whether you’ve already participated or haven’t had a chance to look yet — now’s the time!

📅 Auction closes Sunday, May 24

Take one more look before your favorite events and experiences are gone! ✨

Support our community. Build connections. Have some fun.

https://www.32auctions.com/AlbanyUUAuction2026

05/20/2026

This Sunday’s service truly lived up to its title: A Celebration of Community. 💛🚣

Together, all ages chanted “We’re all in the same boat!” during Barney Saltzberg’s story of the same name, then raised our voices in “This Boat” by Laura Zucker, led by Cathy DeMille & Chris Milkins:

“In this boat, there’s nothing we can’t do together…”

Because community isn’t just something we talk about. It’s something we practice — singing together, showing up for one another, grabbing an oar when the waters get rough, and occasionally letting a tiny dog captain the vessel. Simba took the assignment very seriously. 🐶🛶

Here’s to the steady boats that carry us.

05/19/2026

✨ It has been a very full year. ✨

The Albany UU 2025–2026 Year in Review is now on YouTube, featuring moments of worship, music, service, friendship, learning, laughter, and community life across the year.

💛 Watch the full video here: https://youtu.be/E2r4W2RZkmA

Thank you to everyone who helped shape this year together. What a beautiful, living community this is.

🎶 You Belong Here by Heather Houston
Performed by Olga Martinez & Chris Milkins

🎨 Call for Artwork — Congregational Art ShowThe Arts & Aesthetics Team invites congregants of all ages to participate in...
05/18/2026

🎨 Call for Artwork — Congregational Art Show

The Arts & Aesthetics Team invites congregants of all ages to participate in our upcoming Congregational Art Show, opening Sunday, June 7!

Whether you paint, draw, photograph, sculpt, stitch, collage, or create in another medium, we would love to celebrate the creativity within our community. Each person may submit one original artwork for display.

📅 Art Show Opening: Sunday, June 7 • 12–2 PM
🖼 Artwork Drop-Off: Saturday, June 6 • 10 AM–12 PM
📍 Albany UU

This is an all-ages, family-friendly event, and artwork should be appropriate for audiences of all ages. All submissions will be reviewed in advance for appropriateness. Submission does not guarantee placement on the Art Wall.

For more information, contact Art Wall Coordinator Ilene Kane or call the church office.

We can’t wait to see what our community creates! ✨

Address

405 Washington Avenue
Albany, NY
12206

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