How We Care

Albany UU offers several ways to receive care, connection, and support during times of need, transition, or grief. You do not need to navigate difficult moments alone.

A child's orange handprints on either side of a painted red heart

Pastoral Care

Compassionate, one-on-one listening and support through loss, illness, life changes, or isolation.

A smiling woman in a quilted jacket handing a stacked metal food carrier to an older woman at her doorway

Caring Network

Practical, everyday help – a meal, a ride, a phone call – for anyone going through a hard stretch.

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Support Groups

Space for connection and mutual support with others walking a similar path.

Pastoral Care

Life brings moments of joy, change, challenge, and loss. Albany UU’s Pastoral Care Team offers compassionate, confidential, nonjudgmental support to members and friends of the congregation. The team includes our co-minister, Rev. Sarah Richards, who leads the team, and our trained lay Pastoral Care Associates (PCAs).

Whether you are experiencing loss or grief, health challenges, caregiver burnout, major life changes, isolation, or simply need someone to listen, our Pastoral Care Team is here to help. You may connect with a PCA through a referral from Joys & Sorrows or the church office, or reach out to Rev. Sarah directly. Each member of the team brings care, compassion, and a willingness to listen, helping you feel supported and less alone.

Offering Compassionate Support

Pastoral Care Associates

Albany UU’s Pastoral Care Associates (PCAs) are trained lay volunteers who offer compassionate, confidential, nonjudgmental support to members and friends of the congregation.

Whether you are experiencing loss or grief, health challenges, caregiver burnout, major life changes, isolation, or simply need someone to listen, our PCAs are here to provide emotional support, connection, and a listening ear.

Pastoral Care Associates work closely with the minister to extend the congregation’s ministry of care through one on ones, supportive conversation, and phone calls and messages.

  • Portrait of Jon Newell, a smiling older man with white hair and glasses

    Jon Newell

    Pastoral Care Associate

    Jon and his wife, Sigrin, raised their two sons (now in their 50's) at Albany UU, where they participated in Religious Education. He has served the congregation in several leadership roles, including as President, and was part of the first class of Pastoral Care Associates in the 2000s. He believes UU values provide a multifaceted guide to a good, responsible life and is glad to return as a PCA, older and perhaps wiser.

  • Portrait of Sharon Babala smiling against a plain wall

    Sharon Babala

    Pastoral Care Associate

    Sharon Babala has been part of Albany UU for more than 25 years. She has served in Religious Education, volunteer leadership, and congregational activities, and brings 33 years of management experience running a small service business. Sharon is also a trained yoga and meditation teacher. She values deep listening and helping others feel heard, cared for, and supported.

  • Portrait of Jim Chicoine

    Jim Chicoine

    Pastoral Care Associate

    Jim Chicoine and his wife Joyce began attending Albany UU in 2019 after seeking a more community-oriented spiritual home. In addition to being active at Albany UU, he volunteers at various organizations throughout the Capital Region. Jim values making connections and listening in order to provide support to others.

  • Portrait of Randy Rosette

    Randy Rosette

    Pastoral Care Associate

    Since 1992, Randy has called Albany UU her spiritual home. A dedicated community leader, Randy has mentored youth, served on numerous varied committees including the music program. Bringing over forty years of health care experience, Randy strives to treat each person in need with compassion and care whether she is serving in a professional or volunteer capacity. She is honored to serve as a Pastoral Care Associate at Albany UU.

  • Frank Traynor smiling in a self-portrait

    Frank Traynor

    Pastoral Care Associate

    Frank Traynor has attended Unitarian Universalist communities for over 20 years and formally joined Albany UU in 2025. He brings a background in scientific research and project management in academic and pharmaceutical settings, along with service as a Vietnam-era veteran and long-term recovery advocate. Frank values active listening and community connection and enjoys gardening, music, travel, and learning.

  • Close-up portrait of Ruth Samuels smiling

    Ruth Samuels

    Pastoral Care Associate

    Ruth Russell is a lifelong Unitarian Universalist shaped by compassion, community, and spiritual growth. She brings a background in scientific research and education that strengthens her curiosity and respect for each person’s journey. Ruth offers a calm, empathetic presence and strong listening skills. As a PCA, she supports congregants with warmth, openness, and care during life’s challenges and joys.

Caring Network

The Caring Network is a group of volunteers who help care for one another in times when a little extra support makes a difference. That support can take many forms: a meal after a hospital stay, a ride to an appointment, a phone call or card, or a visit to let someone know they are not alone. These small acts of care help carry people through difficult or transitional moments.

The Caring Network also reaches out seasonally to members and friends who are homebound or who may appreciate a reminder that they are part of this community.

An older woman in a yellow coat pointing at a phone screen while a volunteer driver sits beside her in a car
A hand writing a note with a white pen on a card
A person in pink pants and a knit hat walking a small black dog on a leash across a crosswalk

Request Help

Need a little extra help, or know someone in the congregation who might? The Caring Network can help coordinate hands-on support such as meals, rides, errands, or walking the dog when life gets complicated. You can request help for yourself or let us know about someone who may appreciate it.

Offer Help

The Caring Network brings members and friends together to offer hands-on support when someone needs a little extra help. Volunteers might provide a meal, give someone a ride, run an errand, walk a dog, or check in with someone during a challenging time. You can help occasionally or as your time allows.

Support Groups

These groups offer space for connection, listening, and mutual support.

Two women sitting together on a couch, one comforting the other with a hand on her face

Support Group on Grief and Loss

Albany UU has an ongoing group for anyone who has experienced any kind of loss in their life, whether the death of a friend, family member or pet, the end of a job or marriage or an experience with dementia. We meet every other week in person on Tuesdays from 6:00 to 7:30 PM. We share stories, discuss issues, do some guided meditations and more. Newcomers are welcome. The program is facilitated by Anny Lapinski and you can sign up by contacting the office.

A close-up of many hands of different skin tones joined together in a circle

BIPOC Racial Healing Group

The BIPOC Racial Healing Group offers a confidential and supportive affinity space for Black, Indigenous, and People of Color within the Albany UU community. Members connect through shared experiences, storytelling, reflection, and conversation while supporting one another’s wellbeing and healing. The group also celebrates diverse cultural identities and works toward greater equity, justice, and collective liberation.

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Monday Men’s Group

The Monday Men’s Group meets about twice a month for conversation, connection, and mutual support. Members share the opportunities and challenges they are experiencing and offer one another a listening ear and encouragement. The group meets on Zoom and welcomes men interested in building supportive relationships within the Albany UU community.