November 16-20, 2020 - 10 Lyons Plains Road Westport, CT 06880 - Phone: 203.227.7205
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EXPO SHOWCASE: GENDER EQUITY TEAM |
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This week we share a message from our Gender Equity Team.
Remember, EXPO 2020 is on the homepage of our website, or you can click to see it HERE .
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90% of CONNECT Campaign Reached: Last Chance
to Reach Our Full Goal, with a 1:1 MATCH Program in Place!
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Great news! We have currently reached 90% of our goal - $9,000 out of the goal of $10,000. Thank you to all that have donated so far!
The goal of the CONNECT campaign is to help fund new required technology such as updated cameras in the Sanctuary, improved routers and WiFi equipment, and new listening devices for hard-of-hearing congregants. These improvements will strengthen our congregation’s ability to engage in these unprecedented times. If you care about modern technology and livestreaming and other digital capabilities, this is your last chance to help reach our full goal of $10,000!
To give, go to vop.tucw.org, or send in a check to the church. Be sure to put CONNECT in the memo line.
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And, to further help reach our goal, the Stewardship Committee has agreed to MATCH the remaining donations that come in, dollar for dollar! Help us help you!
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We are so close!! Please help if you can! Questions? Contact Sam Somashekar. |
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ENJOYING OUR MUSIC BUT MISSING OUR HYMNAL IN YOUR HANDS? |
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If you would like our hymnal (Singing the Living Tradition) at home to access all of the readings or to sing along - even in harmony? - with our singers, we suggest you contact the UUA Bookstore to order one for yourself. It's easy to do! CLICK HERE. Questions? Contact Rev. Ed.
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BRING A FRIEND SUNDAY...TO ZOOM! |
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Yup, it couldn’t be easier. Your friends don’t even have to leave their house.
The Membership Team is organizing a Bring A Friend Sunday in January and we’re looking for people to join us in organizing for that service. Bring your ideas, your energy, and your desire to grow our congregation.
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Meeting 6:00-7:00 PM, Wednesday, November 18. For ZOOM link or want to help but can’t make the meeting? Contact David Vita: david@uuwestport.org or 203.227.7205 x14 |
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The Culture Team of the Racial Justice Council presents:
Celebrating James Baldwin
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Novelist, Playwright, Essayist, Poet, Activist
Sunday December 6 at 3:00 PM
A community-wide zoom event
Come and join us in a Virtual Arts event of readings by writer James Baldwin!
Would you like to help organize the event? Would you like to read an excerpt/quote of Baldwin's work? Contact: Arnela Ten Meer - nelaya21@gmail.com
"Not everything that is faced can be changed, but nothing can be changed until it is faced." ~James Baldwin
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The next #BLM movie selection for Wed. Nov. 25 7-8:30 PM is Ken Burns' documentary " The Central Park Five." Watch ahead of time and then join us in discussion on ZOOM. |
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ANTI-RACISM TRAINING
Organized by Temple Israel, with Rev. John as one of the facilitators.
Five Tuesdays, 8:00-9:00 PM, Nov. 17 & 24, Dec. 1, 8 & 15. via ZOOM
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This course will follow Dr. Ibram X. Kendi’s pioneering model of anti-racism education. We will explore our own assumptions and behaviors, and will develop strategies for dismantling racist attitudes, systems and structures.
Our goal will be to re-orient our own world view and to build habits that lead us to actively confront and combat racism on a regular basis. We all want to turn our homes, schools, institutions and community into anti-racist spaces. Let’s begin here.
Participants are asked to register for the entire series, and advanced registration is required. After registering, participants will receive a confirmation email which contains information about joining the meeting on ZOOM. CLICK HERE to register. |
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UU MOVIE DISCUSSION GROUP - NOV. 27, 2020 - 7:30PM - ZOOM |
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This month the UU Movie Night group will be discussing 4 movies: “Coco”, “The Boy Who Harnessed the Wind”, “The Trial of Chicago 7” and “The Wolf of Snow Hollow”.
It’s not required to watch all four; even if you only watch one of these, please log in to our next meeting to discuss it.
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UU the VOTE: What’s Next? Planning for Georgia and Beyond
Wednesday, November 18, 7:00 PM
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UUtheVote celebrates volunteers for #votelove. We are a non-partisan long-term pro-democracy movement charged up for 2021! Please join us to plan what’s next, starting with Georgia’s two January races for U.S. Senate. Engage with newly elected officials in CT and USA.
Now is the time to read, watch films, listen to leaders and discuss issues most important to us. We continue reaching out to voters through education and compassionate conversations, and bonding with other congregations, justice partners and our own beloved community.
Our next planning meeting is on Wed. Nov 18, 2020, 7 PM. Please join us on ZOOM HERE: Meeting ID: xxxxxxxxxxx Passcode: xxxxxxxxxx phone xxxxxxxxxxx
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BOARD OF TRUSTEES MEETS THIS TUESDAY NIGHT |
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The Board of Trustees ("BOT") meets every third Tuesday of the month. Minutes can always be found here.
At the October meeting, the BOT continued to discuss our two priority ends for this church year:
- “We become a sustainable, engaged, growing Congregation comprised of all generations.”
- “We live out our commitment to promoting social justice causes, especially racial justice and gender equity.”
Please let it know if there is something you wish the Board to understand or discuss: board@uuwestport.org. |
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The Board is pleased to announce it has appointed Ravi Sankar to fill the Trustee’s open seat vacated when Judy Eckert resigned earlier this fall. His term will last through June, 2021.
Ravi grew up in India in a Hindu household that held fairly secular views, and was exposed to multiple religious faiths in India. He became a member of TUCW in 1994, and has been an active member since then: he spent over 6 years running RE classes; is a certified instructor of OWL; spent 20+ years leading classes on Hinduism; has been an active participant in social justice programs, and a member of the Finance, Immigration and Membership Committees. Ravi has been a Pastoral Chaplain since its inception. Professionally, Ravi has over 30 years in Operations, Consulting and Technology working on domestic and international projects. and is currently employed as the Director of Digital Transformation at Wipro. He is married to Sudha Sankar, with two adult daughters, Amrita and Shrutika, who grew up in the church.
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•ONGOING PROGRAMMING THIS WEEK •
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Mondays 6:30-8 PM via ZOOM Buddhist Practice Group Nina Nagy Let Nina know you are attending.Teachings offered on a donation basis.
Tuesdays 8-9 PM , Nov. 17, 24; Dec 1, 8, 15. Anti-Racism Training. Organized by Temple Israel. Must register in advance. See above. Rev. John.
Wednesdays: 7-8:15 PM The Power of Now Jim Francek; 7-9 PM Is Mysticism Where Science and Religion Meet? Bart Stuck and 7-8:30 PM (Every other Wed; check calendar) #BLM Movie Night. ZOOM HERE. Beth Cliff Sudha Sankar
Thursdays, 4-5 PM Talking Circles. ZOOM HERE. Jim Francek
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Our complete calendar is always on our website. Click HERE for quick access.
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ZOOM Information for All TUCWomen Gatherings: Meeting room: HERE ID: xxxxxxxxxxx
Password: xxxxxxxxxx. Landline: xxxxxxxxxx
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• Tapping Circles with Carol Hamilton: Every Monday in November. 7:00–8:30 PM
• Sacred Circles with Grandmother Nancy Tuesday Nov. 24 & Dec. 8 - 7:30-9:00 PM
• Virtual Potluck: Join us from the comfort of your own home for conversations with old friends and new. Friday, November 20, 7:00 PM on ZOOM. Contact Eileen Belmont
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Black Lives Matter Book Group: Friday, December 4, 7:00-8:30 PM
We’re discussing the non-fiction book, CASTE: The Origin of Our Discontents by Isabel Wilkerson, Parts 4 and 5. Friday, December 4th: 7:00-8:30 PM. Everyone is welcome even if you haven’t read the beginning.
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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 Mary Jane Cross 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 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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