We'd like to thank everyone who gave to the recent Holiday Appeal campaign, where we raised a total of $12,000! | |
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JOIN A COTTAGE PARTY TODAY
AND TELL US WHAT YOU VALUE AT UUWESTPORT
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Throughout the month of February, select congregants will be hosting a Cottage Party in their homes across Fairfield County. Join Rev. Alan and a small group of other congregants to talk about the answers to these questions. This is an opportunity to share your thoughts with our transition minister, a Board Member, and other local congregants.
Log into Realm using this link: https://e.onrealm.org/events and look for upcoming events that start with the title “Cottage Party”. Select a local cottage party to attend. Be sure to communicate any dietary information in the “memo”. Please contact Elena Rockman-Blake for any questions.
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BE ON THE LOOKOUT FOR YOUR 2023 TAX GIVING STATEMENT | |
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If you have made a contribution of record to the congregation during calendar 2023, a statement will be emailed to you in the coming week. Please check your email for this important tax documentation.
Sender: The Unitarian Universalist Congregation in Westport (notifications@onrealmmail.org)
Subject Line: Your giving statement from The Unitarian Universalist Congregation in Westport
If you do not receive your statement, need a replacement, or otherwise have a question, please contact Sue O’Meara at sue@uuwestport.org
And thank you for your contributions!
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HISTORY PROJECT VOLUNTEERS | |
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An important part of transitional ministry is coming to learn the history of the congregation. Given that 2024 marks the 75th year of this congregation’s existence, Rev. Alan encourages the congregation to bring together stories, documents, articles as possible.
Rev. Alan Taylor is looking for coordinators for four different eras of the congregation:
- prior to Rev. Frank Hall
- Rev. Frank Hall’s early days 1984-1999
- Rev. Franks later years and Rev. Roberta Finkelstein 200-2015
- Ministry of Rev. John Morehouse 2015-present
Please email Rev. Alan at alan@UUWestport.org if you want to help with this or call him at 708-826-0006.
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ANNOUNCING FIRST FRIDAY FUUN NIGHT ~ FRIDAY, FEB. 2 ~ 7:00 PM | |
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Come to the sanctuary at 7:00 PM the first Friday of the month and play board or card games with your fellow congregants. BYO snacks and games.
Inaugural game night is Friday, February 2. See you then!
Contact Elena Rockman with questions.
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THE MUSIC COMMITTEE PRESENTS EVENTS FOR FEBRUARY | |
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There are still a few spots open for the Cabaret on February 10, Saturday, at 8:00 PM. It promises to be fun, and friend-building. It doesn't not have to be a piece of music that you share; it could be a poem, a joke. a skit, an instrumental solo or anything fun to share. It is a BYO with Cabaret seating and it is free. Bring goodies; share goodies. Questions: Ed at 203-227-7205 or ed@uuwestport.org.
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Save the date: the Music Committee hosts a concert: Saturday, February 24, 7:30 PM, Choral Chameleon from New York. More information to come.
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EXPLORE AND ENRICH YOUR SPIRIT WITH A
SOUL MATTERS SHARING CIRCLE
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As you learned from this past Sunday’s service, the Soul Matters Sharing Circle is a newer version of Small Group Ministry. It is a little different than our SGM groups in that they are more focused on deep listening and “hold up, hold out” activities around a monthly theme. But both types of groups are ways to thread a life line through the congregation.
The opportunity to get to know your fellow congregants in these small groups (6-10 people), enrich your spirit, and engage with wonderful personal stories are just some of the benefits. It is an opportunity for personal reflection and turning inward, to learn from our own history.
If you are interested in joining a Sharing Circle, let us know by sending us an email at soulmatters@uuwestport.org.
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CONGREGATIONAL ENGAGEMENT ON CONSTRUCTION
STARTS UP AGAIN IN FEBRUARY
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In consultation with Rev. Alan, the Board is putting together an engagement team to help the congregation decide how it wants to proceed on possible construction in the sanctuary. This Congregational Engagement on Construction ("CEC") team will be designing and implementing a process to enable everyone to understand the choices ahead of us, to ask questions and gather information so we can all come together to make a shared decision on how to proceed. The CEC will share its full engagement plan shortly; stay tuned! And if you have immediate questions or suggestions, please contact Beth Cliff.
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16th ANNUAL DARWIN DAY DINNER - SAT, FEBRUARY 10, 2024 - 6:00 PM | |
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This year we are again sponsors of the annual Darwin Day Dinner, traditionally held on or near Darwin's birthday of February 12, 1809. This year the program is entitled: Using the Oceans to Address Climate Change. There will be a science quiz (with prizes!), and a presentation by Yale Professor Matthew Eisaman.
Cocktails at 6:00 PM, dinner at 7:00 PM at the Inn at Longshore, 260 Compo Rd, Westport. Click HERE for more information and to RSVP.
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KUNDALINI YOGA WITH THE GONG MEDITATION CONTINUES | |
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Join Susan Cain for the opportunity to increase your health, reduce stress, and expand spiritual awareness.
WHEN: February 1 - February 15
WHERE: Meeting House ~ Thursdays ~ 10:00-11:30
WHY: To benefit your mind, body and spirit
All donations go to Beardsley School library, Bridgeport
DETAILS:
- Class is open to all and postures are done on the mat or on the floor
- Bring a mat and a cover up blanket for relaxation
- Class ends with a gong meditation
- Kundalini Yoga uses breathing techniques, movements, and sound to increase wellness
- DO NOT eat an hour before the practice
Questions or concerns: Susan Cain
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VOICES CAFE FEATURING CRYS MATTHEWS
SATURDAY, FEBRUARY 3 ~ 8:00 PM
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Join us — live or streaming — next Saturday at 8:00 PM! Crys Matthews is a bright star among the new generation of social justice music-makers. Hailed as the next Woodie Guthrie and compared to Tracy Chapman, Matthews tackles tough issues of our times while leaving audiences filled with encouragement! “After all,” she says, “That is part of the job of resistance…refusing to let the joy, and the hope and the love be extinguished.” She will also take us back to her country roots in North Carolina, but with a sound that reflects the full breadth of her lived experiences as a proud Black woman, lesbian and southerner. Check out her “Where you Are.” Proceeds benefit Trans Haven, supporting trans, questioning and non-binary individuals. Click HERE for the hottest ticket for a cold winter night!
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Laundry Love Bridgeport is an opportunity for low/no income people to wash their clothes for free. The event happens on the third Tuesday of every month from 1:00-7:00 PM at the SuperSaver Free Dry Laundromat, 1020 Fairfield Avenue, Bridgeport.
One of the principal elements of LLB is developing person to person relationships not only with our neighbors who need some help but between kindred souls of our community of interfaith congregations sponsoring the project...
Click HERE for more information and sign up to volunteer.
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REACH TEACH-IN ON ABORTION WAS A BIG SUCCESS! | |
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Many thanks to both the Gender Equity and Reproductive Justice teams for bringing REACH to us last Sunday. We learned a lot, dispelled a bunch of myths, and now have more thoughts on how UU Westport can support pro-abortion advocacy in the coming months. Fun to see so many pussycat hats, too! If you'd like to continue to learn about the issues, and stay connected with what we're doing, please sign up to our group by clicking ReproJusticeUUWestport+subscribe@groups.io.
And we have some wonderful photos from the day - click HERE to see!
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Tuesdays: 6-7:30 PM via ZOOM Buddhist Practice Group Nina Nagy Let Nina know you are attending.Teachings offered on a donation basis. First and third Tuesdays 7-8:30 PM Women's Circle with Grandmother Nancy. ZOOM HERE Pat Francek.
Wednesdays: 7-8:15 PM A New Earth Bob Bevacqua
Thursdays: 4 PM Talking Circles. ZOOM HERE. Jim Francek. 7-9 PM Mysticism: Where Science, Art, and Spirituality Meet Bart Stuck
Fridays: Third Fridays 6:30 PM Women's Potluck. Location moves monthly. Eileen Belmont. Last Fridays: 7:30 PM UU Movie Group. ZOOM. Dorothy Rich Every other Friday 12:30- 2:00 PM Meeting House Shawl Ministry Jan Braunle
Saturdays and Sundays: Saturday anytime drop of lunches in outside bins. Sunday 9:30- 9:50 AM John Street Bag Lunch Drop Off Teryl Eisenberg.
Sundays: 9 AM UU Meditation & Mindfulness ZOOM Janet Luongo
The Hiking Group First Saturdays and third Mondays. Jamie Forbes Gian Morresi
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Sacred Circle with Grandmother Nancy on Tuesday, February 6 from 7-8:30 PM on ZOOM. All who identify as women are welcome. Thought-provoking and inspirational conversation. First and third Tuesday of the month. Contact patfrancek@gmail.com | |
POTLUCK: The next potluck will be Friday, February 16 at Marie-Claire Bue's house in Westport. Starting at 6:30 PM, chat with old friends and meet new ones at the home of Marie-Claire Bue in Westport. RSVP's will go to Marie-Claire who will also give you the address. marieclaireafs@gmail.com | |
Don't miss it! Close to 30 women attended our last potluck at the home of Linda Hudson. A fun night was had by all. | |
STARTING IN MARCH – THE GODDESS WORKSHOP Janet Luongo will be hosting a 13-week session workshop called Rise Up and Call Her Name – where we’ll be learning about the ancient goddesses we never learned about. Contact tucwomen@gmail.com with questions. This will begin in March and end in June. | |
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PASTORAL CARE
If you are going through a challenging time or know somebody in the congregation who needs support from our Pastoral Care Chaplains, call to leave a confidential message in the PCA voice mailbox 203-227-7205 ext. 19 or email pastoralcare@uuwestport.org.
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CARING NETWORK
Our support network is available to provide tangible help or a supportive gift of connection for friends in need: meal delivery, pharmacy runs, grocery shopping or a small little gift, flowers, or a yummy food treat. Contact a minister or coordinators
Dorothy Rich or Beth Cliff
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ADDICTION RECOVERY
For individuals or families of our congregation seeking confidential support or information about addiction issues. Please contact our Addiction Recovery Ministry by calling 203-227-7205 ext. 19 or emailing pastoralcare@uuwestport.org
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The Unitarian Universalist Congregation in Westport is a diverse and welcoming religious community, free of creed and dogma, and open to people of all backgrounds and beliefs.
WE INSPIRE and support individual spiritual growth.
WE CONNECT through worship, music, learning, and caring ministries.
WE ACT in the service of peace and justice.
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