APRIL 17-21, 2023 - 10 Lyons Plains Road Westport, CT 06880 - Phone: 203.227.7205
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PLEDGE CAMPAIGN UPDATE: CLICK HERE TO BE COUNTED
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A huge thanks to all who made a financial pledge for the coming year (July to June). At this point, we have more than $450k in total pledges – 90% of our goal. The Finance Committee has begun work on a budget for next year, based on this total.
Extra thanks to all those who “Stepped Up” – more than half of the pledges were from people whose pledges were higher than last year’s. Another 10% were from new pledgers.
We received 160 pledges – only 80% of the number of households that pledged last year. If you have not yet pledged, it’s not too late. Please consider the importance of TUUCW in your life, and pledge an amount that you feel demonstrates that meaning. Click HERE to pledge.
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UUWRITERS: THURSDAY, APRIL 20 AT 1:00 PM OR 7:00 PM |
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Our next theme for UUWriters is The Path of Resistance. Join on us on Thursday, April 20 at 1:00 PM or 7:00 PM. All are welcome. To kickstart your writing, prompts will be emailed to you. The packet includes poems and songs for inspiration. Take as little as 15 minutes to write something to bring to the workshop on Zoom. Rather than critique the work, we discuss how we connected to it. For questions and the packet, contact Sari at [email protected]
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BOARD MEETS AT MEETING HOUSE TUESDAY, APRIL 18 - 7:00 PM |
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The Board of Trustees will meet on Tuesday, April 18, in the Meeting House at 7:00 PM for their regularly scheduled meeting. The Agenda for the meeting can be found HERE; A draft of the minutes from the March meeting can be found HERE; The Senior Minister's report on Family and Adult Faith Formation can be found HERE.
The meetings are open to anyone to observe except Executive Session. If you'd like to attend, please let our Secretary, Stapley Emberling, know in advance. You are welcome! |
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NEIGHBORING FAITHS: SIKH GURDWARA - FRIDAY, APRIL 21 - 7:00 PM |
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Please join the Adult Faith Formation team as it offers up the next installment of our Neighboring Faiths program on Friday, April 21, 7:00 PM in the East Wing. The religion will be Sikh, and our learning session will be led by Ms Reena Kaur from the Gurdwara.
On Sunday, April 30, 11:45 AM we will meet at the Sikh Gurdwara, 622 West Avenue, Norwalk. RSVP to Ravi Sankar or Jamie Forbes. The Schedule:
11:45 AM-12:00 PM: Arrival and Welcome
12:00-12:30 PM: Attend prayers in the form of singing hymns
12:30-1:00 PM: Witness prayer and reading from Sikh holy scripture
1:00-1:30 PM: Partake in Indian vegetarian meal service (aka Langar)
1:30-2:00 PM: Info session and Q&A
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APPRECIATIVE INQUIRY SATURDAY, APRIL 22 9:00 AM- 1:00 PM |
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ALL ARE INVITED as our Appreciative Inquiry process resumes on Saturday, April 22, from 9:00 AM–1:00 PM.
In March, we became energized as we shared each other’s stories, experiences, and dreams for moving our congregation forward with compassion, strength, and resilience.
On April 22, we’ll create a plan for bringing our aspirations into a reality. This will be a more task-oriented experience. We will seek clarity on exactly what we need to do in order to create a healthy and thriving culture. We’ll be setting forth the framework to implement specific plans as we move forward into a bright future for our UU congregation. RSVP by clicking HERE.
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BARN DANCE FUN! SATURDAY, APRIL 29 - 5:00-9:00 PM |
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It's time once again for some live acoustic music and endorphin-raising dancing! The consummate barn-dance caller Bill Fischer will be leading the dances with the band Wry Bred providing driving rhythms and exuberant harmonies for the fourth time here at UU Westport.
These are simple, social, group dances meant for all ages, so don't be shy. To add to the fun, we will have pizza for everyone to enjoy together and a cake carousel for dessert fun. At the very least come and enjoy the music and community!
Click HERE for the Sign Up Genius (or see Emily Staub or Cathy McElroy next Sunday)
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READ ALOUD DAY AT THE BEARDSLEY SCHOOL: FRIDAY, MAY 5
LOOKING FOR READERS
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Can’t make a regular commitment to help at the Beardsley school? Come just for one morning!
Our next Read-Aloud Day is May 5.
The Beardsley Committee has chosen beautiful picture books for you to read and leave in the classroom for students to enjoy. Simply come to the Beardsley School at 9:00 AM on Friday May 5. We will have coffee for you and time to pre-read your book. A student will escort you to your classroom and you will have the fun of reading to eagerly awaiting children!
First time coming to Beardsley? We will send easy driving directions. Please sign up to help in one of the many services we provide to our adopted school by emailing Anita Pfulger or Kathy Roberts.
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COMING SOON: TUCWOMEN SPRING FEST! SATURDAY, MAY 6 - 3-7 PM |
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TUCWomen's second annual Spring Fest! is on for Saturday, May 6. 3:00 - 7:00 in the Sanctuary. Flowers, Festivities, Fun, Laughter Yoga, Dance, and Song for all women over 13 and those who identify as women. There will be a sign up sheet for our Potluck dinner. Childcare will be provided for any children under the age of 13. If you want to decorate a hat with flowers, bring a hat made of felt, straw, or cloth, and $10 for materials. Questions, contact Carol Hamilton. Scroll down for more TUCWomen activities. |
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THE BAR CAR BAND AT VOICES CAFE - SATURDAY, MAY 13 - 8:00 PM |
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Voices Café’s season finale will be a treat with Connecticut’s favorite, The Bar Car Band,headlined by TUUCW members Nina Hammerling & Russell Smith, as well as special guest artists.
May 13th’s concert features The Bar Car Band’s unique “Songs & Stories from Laurel Canyon”, with the music of timeless and iconic artists… from Joni Mitchell and Carole King to the Doors, and the Eagles, you’ll want to sing and dance along!
Voices Café’s concerts make a difference through music, with net proceeds benefiting Green Village Initiative, whose mission is to grow food, knowledge, leadership and community through urban gardening and farming.
Tickets at: Voices Cafe. Don’t miss this concert and the chance to put the power of music to making a difference!!
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SOCIAL JUSTICE: MEDICAL AID IN DYING (M.A.I.D.) |
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SB1076 in the Connecticut General Assembly will allow residents to access medical aid in dying (M.A.I.D.) M.A.I.D. is a widely supported, trusted, time-tested, safe guarded medical practice end-of-life option supported by a majority of people in Connecticut. Terminally ill, mentally capable adults with a prognosis of six months or less to live can request a prescription from their doctor they can decide to self-ingest to peacefully die in their sleep. M.A.I.D. has been referred to the Judiciary Committee, the committee will vote on the bill in 7 days or less. Now is the time to make your voice heard! Please CLICK HERE for a list of legislators to contact. For additional information email [email protected]. Thank you. David Vita, Legislative Advocacy
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JOHN STREET BRIDGE OUTREACH |
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April Barron’s grandson Elijah (in blue), his friends, and Elizabeth Lee (congregational member), gather to assemble Easter baskets! |
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Thank you to All in our congregational community who contributed to the Joy of Easter for the families in our Bridgeport community! A special thanks to Grandmother Nancy, Pat Francek, Debra and Ed Mahoney, Naree Viner, and Dorothy Rich, who completed assembling the Easter baskets for us! We are so grateful! We also extend a special thanks to Lindy Hennessey for her commitment to the John Street Bridge Outreach, including transporting lunches on Easter and delivering baskets with April Barron of Helping Hands!
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2 of the 5 children in this family show Mom their Easter baskets! |
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Grandma receives Easter baskets for her grandchildren! |
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Which way is up? This youngster is usually riding his bike with Dad! |
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Tuesdays. 11AM-noon. Interfaith Theology. Twice monthly. Check schedule HERE. Nancy McKeever. First and third Tuesdays 7-8:30 PM Women's Circle with Grandmother Nancy. ZOOM HERE Pat Francek.
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 (Buddhist Practice Group will not meet Wednesday, April 19.) A New Earth Bob Bevacqua
Fridays: First Fridays 9:30-10:30 AM Addiction Recovery Ministry. Jim Francek. Third Fridays 6:30 PM Women's Potluck. Location moves monthly. Eileen Belmont. Last Fridays: 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.
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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UU WESTPORT ON THE POLLINATOR PATHWAY |
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Pollination is an essential ecological process on which 75% of the world‘s flowers and 35% of the worlds food crops depend. Pollinators move pollen from one plant to another, so those plants can produce fruit, seeds and other plants: bats, bees, birds, bugs and butterflies are some we are familiar with.
The Pollinator Pathway is an initiative developed to stem the loss of these contributors and help bring back us back into nature's balance . Our Gardens and Grounds committee has pledged to maintain our sanctuary’s property in a way that benefits a healthy ecological system. If you would like to help us maintain our property, please speak to Carol Hamilton or John McWeeney.. To learn more about Connecticut's role. with these pathways, visit HERE or the pollinator pathway website.
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The Women’s Circle with Grandmother Nancy: Tuesday, April 18: 7:00-8:30 PM. (Meetings 1st and 3rd Tuesdays.) Talking circle - thought provoking and inspirational conversations lead by Grandmother Nancy. ZOOM HERE Contact Pat Francek
Potluck Dinner gathering. April 21, 6:30 PM. Bring a dish to share and chat with old friends and new. Sharon Poole will host at her home in Easton. RSVP directly to Sharon and she'll send you the address. [email protected] Upcoming potlucks will be at the homes of Eileen Belmont, May 19; Beth Cliff, June 16.
TUUCW BLM meeting April 28 has been postponed.
See announcement above about the SpringFest, May 6, 3-7PM in the sanctuary.
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SAVE THE DATE: DAVID VITA APPRECIATION EVENT
SATURDAY, JUNE 3 - 6:00 PM
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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 [email protected].
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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 [email protected]
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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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