DEC 24, 2022-JAN 6, 2023 - 10 Lyons Plains Road Westport, CT 06880 - Phone: 203.227.7205
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We wish you and yours the very best of holidays!
Enjoy the time with friends and family, and let's all get ready
for a fabulous New Year!
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SOUNDINGS is taking a break for the holidays. This issue covers Saturday, Dec 24 to Friday, Jan 6. The next issue will come out Jan 6 to cover Jan 7-8. Submissions for both the weekEND and the Jan 9-13 weekDAY editions are due Wed Jan 4, at 5:30 PM.
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All of us Brown Bag Lunch makers can take this Holiday weekend off! We will resume lunches on Saturday, December 31 and Sunday, January 1. Thanks to all for all (over 28,000!) the lunches we have made and the love, not just the peanut butter and jelly, that we've spread.
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LAST CHANCE FOR THE HOLIDAY APPEAL: PLEASE GIVE AS YOU CAN |
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CHRISTMAS EVE CANDLELIGHT SERVICE - 9:00 PM
"A PRECIOUS NEW BEGINNING" - REV. DR. JOHN MOREHOUSE
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Please join us as we celebrate the holidays with our Candlelight service at 9:00 PM.
This is a time of warmth, connection, reflection, celebration and joy. There will be readings, carols, and beautiful choir pieces. We welcome all at this time of the winter solstice to participate in the spirit of love and light, joy and hope that is part of the traditional Christmas story.
Click HERE for the Order of Service.
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SUNDAY, DECEMBER 25, 2022 |
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No worship service. Merry Christmas! |
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"SPREADING THE JOY" - REV. LYNN FORD - 10:00 AM |
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In a world of chaos, how do we bring more joy into our lives? Our guest minister will be Rev. Lynn Ford. Lynn graduated from Meadville Lombard in May with a Masters in Divinity and is a chaplain at Masonicare Health Center in Wallingford.
Offering can be made on VENMO ("The Unitarian Church in Westport"), on vop.tucw.org, or feel free to mail in cash or check.
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Sunday, January 8, 2023 at 10:00 AM
“What is Calling Us On” – Rev. Dr. John Morehouse
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Faith Formation programming, including nursery care, is on holiday until January 8. We will begin the new year with a Children and Youth Chapel service on that second Sunday with music and fun! |
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STORYTELLING: FRIDAY DEC 30, 6:30 PM AT THE MEETING HOUSE |
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A Gift on a Winter's Night!
Following traditions of times past, you are invited to a gathering at the Meeting House on Friday, December 30 from 6:30-8:00 PM. This gathering as adults will enjoy the reflections of three of our seniors. In the presence of a warm fireplace will be our own international indigenous storyteller Grandmother Nancy Andry. She will be joined by our own Connie Rockman, a UU storyteller and spinner of tales from our past. Jim Francek our community minister will also be sharing some of his home spun poetry.
Space is limited. The first forty people who text Jim at 719-534-3338 will get a seat. Seats will go fast so text early. Hot chocolate and cider will be provided. Feel free to bring leftover Holiday sweets to pass on with good cheer!
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'Tis the Season for
Zuum Truupe's A Christmas Carol!
Enjoy!
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NEW ADULT CLASS SUNDAYS JANUARY 8, 15 and 22 at 11:15 AM: CENTERING OUR GIFTS
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Please join Rev. John as he introduces Bobbi Pace from our sister congregation in Hamden who will be introducing us to the idea of Centering Our Gifts. This three part series January 8, 15, 22 from 11:15-12:30 will help us explore what we have to offer the world and how we can use those gifts for lasting change. Bobbi will be with us for the first session and we will go from there. Please email Rev. John if you would like to attend. There is some preliminary work to do before the class, involving short videos and an article. |
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NEIGHBORING FAITHS IS BACK. FIRST UP: QUAKERISM |
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After almost three years, we are venturing out again to visit other places of worship, engage in dialogue with faith leaders, and expand our experience of other religious traditions and rituals. All are welcome to join us as we get to know our neighboring faiths.
We will start out the season with a look at Quakerism, led by Gordon Cliff. The study will include a visit to the Friends Meeting House in Wilton. Details below:
- Friday, January 27 7:00 PM Intro to Quakerism, Library or East Wing
- Sunday, January 29 9:55 AM visit to Friends Meeting House, Wilton
- Sunday, Feb 5 11:15 AM Debrief on Quakerism, Library or East Wing.
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BEING MORTAL: A GENTLE AND USEFUL DISCUSSION |
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We have reserved the Meeting House on Saturday morning, January 28 to spend some time over breakfast and coffee discussing the powerful best seller, Being Mortal: Medicine, and What Matters in the End by Atul Gawande. This book examines end of life decisions we make for ourselves and our loved ones, and how they play out for all of us. We'll share our own personal stories and lessons learned. This will be the first of a series of discussions about these tender and sensitive issues. Questions? Contact Beth Cliff or Sudha Sankar. More details will follow. We're telling you about it now so you have time to read ....
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CALLING OUT TO ALL OUR TALENTED FINE ARTISTS |
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We are in the early stages of putting together a Fine Art Show featuring the talents of our gifted artists that are part of our UU congregation. Those of you painters, sculptors, photographers, crafters of skill and beauty - be thinking what you might like to showcase for us all to enjoy as we celebrate your gifts. Want to help? Please contact Beth Cliff. We're hoping for a spring show and it'll be lovely!
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SHAWL MINISTRY SCARVES FOR BEARDSLEY KINDERGARTENERS |
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One of our most treasured traditions with Beardsley School is providing all of the kindergarten students with hand-knitted scarves lovingly created by our Shawl Ministry. This year these knitters outdid themselves, knitting 60 scarves which were presented to the children along with matching hats on Dec. 13, just in time for our recent cold weather streak. Beardsley's new principal, Tiffany Ladson-Lang, made sure each child offered a quiet 'thank you' as they chose their gift. All of us were touched when one student exclaimed, "This is the first scarf I've ever had!" |
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CHILDREN'S COATS FOR BEARDSLEY AND BEYOND |
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Santa's friendly elf was able to deliver a number of gently used coats to needy Beardsley students before the holiday break: thank you to all for your donations! It sure makes the cold easier to take if you can walk to school in comfort! We had such a surplus that we were able to deliver more to the Bridgeport Rescue Mission, who were very grateful, too. |
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LET'S HELP HELPING HANDS WIN $1K FROM FAIRFIELD COUNTY BANK
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Each month Fairfield County Bank provides $1,000 to a local charity. Helping Hands has been nominated for December. Just "vote" for Helping Hands and we could get $1K for this great program!
We have been preparing Brown Bag Lunches for April Barron’s aptly named organization, Helping Hands, since COVID began—now over 28,000 lunches. This is just one of many ways that April helps her Bridgeport community
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You can vote once a day, every day of the month to win the grant. Here's how: CLICK HERE. Then Scroll down click on "Helping Hands," and then scroll down, click submit.
Please vote as many days (once per day) as you can. Let’s help Helping Hands!
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VOICES CAFE WISHES YOU THE MERRIEST OF HOLIDAYS |
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We are especially grateful for your continued support as we enjoy our twelfth Voices Cafe season! It's through you, our enthusiastic music loving audience and volunteers, that we are able to bring talented artists to our beautiful venue, and it is through your caring that we are able to connect the power of song to our deep commitment to social justice in our community.
We are thrilled to introduce our 2023 line-up:
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January 21: The rockin' indie music of "Buffalo Rose"
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March 11: One of Connecticut's all-time favorite's "Back Country Jazz"
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April 1: The positive vibes of bluegrass with "Damn Tall Buildings"
We wish you beautiful mornings and sunshine-filled journeys for the new year with this message from Buffalo Rose & Tom Paxton: I Give You The Morning. We look forward to enjoying the magic that music brings to our lives in 2023!!
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OUR HOLIDAY BOUTIQUE WAS A SUCCESS! |
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The Holiday Boutique was a success! Back for the first time since 2019 and the Covid hiatus, the event was great fun. Coordinated by the TUCWomen's group, and headed by Sari Bodi and Elizabeth Macdonald, the event made over $7,000 for the TUCW operating fund. Former Holiday Boutique coordinators Sharon Poole, Chris Place, and Barbara Thomahlen mentored the newbie team who spent hours setting up the displays, selling goods, and taking it all back down again. These include: Linda Hudson (who washed and ironed all those beautiful scarves), Pat Francek, Eileen Belmont, Carol Hamilton, Leigh Gage, Martha Constable, Kathy Roberts, Diane Cano, Sudha Sankar, Julie Kennedy, Joann Coviello, and Marie-Claire Bue. Many thanks to all who donated wonderful jewelry and scarves, as well as our customers who supported the sale. And a shout-out to Beth Cliff for promoting the sale and bringing in new faces. Now the leftover goods are safely packed into dozens of boxes in Eileen Belmont's storage space until next year. Whew! Happy Holidays!!
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FAMILY FAITH FORMATION: WE'VE BEEN BUSY! |
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Please click HERE to find out more about our Faith Formation programs, or contact Nate Pawelek. All are always welcome to be with us.
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Grandmother Nancy was our guest speaker for the Witness Stones Project class on December 18. We got to see and touch many Native American objects that she brought with her and learn more about the pivotal 17th century in Connecticut. The youth in turn impressed Grandmother Nancy to tears when they shared their knowledge of CT Tribal history that they had already learned from our earlier sessions! |
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The High School Youth Group finished raking their final lawn (sixth of six!) in effort to earn money for their Appalachia Service Project trip in April, 2023. |
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Please check with the hosts as to whether your group is meeting over the holidays. |
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Tuesdays. 11AM-noon. Interfaith Theology. Twice monthly. Check schedule HERE. Nancy McKeever
Wednesdays: 6-7:30 PM via ZOOM Buddhist Practice Group Nina Nagy Let Nina know you are attending.Teachings offered on a donation basis. 7-8:15 PM A New Earth Bob Bevacqua
Fridays: Last Friday of each month: 7:30 PM UU Movie Group. Zoom. Dorothy Rich
Saturdays and Sundays: Sat 12:00 noon- 4 PM; Sun 9:30- 9:50 AM John Street Bag Lunch Drop Off David Vita. NO DROP OFF DEC 24 and 25
Sundays: 9 AM UU Meditation & Mindfulness (virtual and in person) Janet Luongo
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Our complete calendar is always on our website. Click HERE for quick access
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PAST SERMONS/SERVICES
Our sermons are archived on the website HERE.
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"The Antidote is Awe"
Rev. Dr. John Morehouse
December 18, 2022
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Flowers: Should you wish to donate flowers for a Sunday service, please reach out to Ruth Fontilla, our administrator, or fill out the form in the notebook on the table in the foyer. |
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UU Meditation, 9:00-9:40 AM Sundays. Hybrid. A UU mix of mindfulness, discourse, relaxation, visualization and silence. In person, go downstairs and find us in the Chapel by the lower level entrance. On ZOOM -- CLICK HERE Meeting ID: 604 513 6137. Passcode: 068510. Questions? Contact Janet Luongo.
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Pay it forward: please consider being a greeter on Sundays; help our new folks navigate our community. Contact Beth Cliff or Rob Zuckerman to find a Sunday that works for you!
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Available 24 hours. Languages: English, Spanish.
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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 pca@uuwestport.org.
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CARING NETWORK
Our support network is available to provide tangible help for friends in need: meal delivery, pharmacy runs, grocery shopping, a regular phone call of connection. Contact a minister or coordinators Dorothy Rich,or Diane Cano,
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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 pca@uuwestport.org
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The Unitarian Church 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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