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DECEMBER 21, 2024-JANUARY 3, 2025
10 Lyons Plains Road Westport, CT 06880 ~ 203.227.7205 ~ uuwestport.org
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NEXT WEEK'S SOUNDINGS IS THE ANNUAL SINGLE HOLIDAY EDITION | |
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SOUNDINGS is taking a break for the holidays. This issue covers Saturday, December 21, 2024 to Friday, January 3, 2025. The next issue will come out January 3 to cover January 4-5, 2025.
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WORSHIP SERVICE: DECEMBER 20, 2024 ~ 7:00 PM
HOLIDAY BLUES: HOPE THROUGH THE WINTER SOLSTICE ~ PASTORAL CARE CHAPLAINS
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This is a special evening service on a Friday Evening. This is a time of holidays and celebration. It also brings up memories of friends and family who are long gone, of the challenges in our lives, and of the long nights that ring on the winter blues. This will be a meditative service. Our service will help to dispel the blues and bring light into our lives.
Click HERE for the Order of Service.
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WORSHIP SERVICE: DECEMBER 22, 2024 ~ 10:00 AM
THE RETURN OF THE LIGHT ~ REV. ALAN TAYLOR
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On this day after the Winter Solstice, Rev. Alan Taylor will reflect on two different meanings of presence which are critical to learning how to take refuge in one’s spirituality. First, our capacity to pay attention and be fully present to others, and second the presence of the holy in our lives, both of which the Solstice Season encourages us to pay attention to.
Click HERE for the Order of Service. Broadcast at https://uuwestport.org/livestream/. Offering can be made on VENMO ("@UUWestport-10"), on vop.tucw.org, or feel free to mail in cash or check.
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CHRISTMAS EVE CANDLE LIGHT SERVICE:
DECEMBER 24, 2024 ~ 9:00 PM
REV. ALAN TAYLOR & REV. ED THOMPSON
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Come join Rev. Alan Taylor and Rev. Ed Thompson for a festive celebration and poignant reflection of the season. Several carols and readings will be included in our annual Christmas Eve gathering.
Click HERE for the Order of Service. Broadcast at https://uuwestport.org/livestream/. Offering can be made on VENMO ("@UUWestport-10"), on vop.tucw.org, or feel free to mail in cash or check.
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WORSHIP SERVICE: DECEMBER 29, 2024 ~ 10:00 AM
HARMONIES THAT LIFT OUR SPIRITS,
MELODIES THAT BIND US TOGETHER
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Come join us to celebrate Rev. Ed Thompson, our Minister of Music, and his nearly 47 years with us. This will be his last service before he retires, and we will hear memories and stories about the harmonies and melodies that he has weaved into our community.
Broadcast at https://uuwestport.org/livestream/.
Offering can be made on VENMO ("@UUWestport-10"), on vop.tucw.org, or feel free to mail in cash or check.
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Please click HERE to find out more about our Faith Formation programs.
All are always welcome to be with us.
We need all children and youth registered per our congregation’s safety policy.
Please CLICK HERE and fill out the registration form. Thank you.
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First Friday FUUn, Friday, January 3 at 7:00 PM: All ages are welcome to join in on First Friday FUUn board games night in the West Wing. Ask questions and RSVP by emailing Angi Haen.
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December 22 & December 29, 2024 | |
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Nursery: The nursery will be closed December 22 or December 29th. Regular nursery care during the services will resume on Sunday, January 5.
Soul Matters Elementary K-4th Grade: No Faith Formation Classes or Children’s Chapel Choir on December 22 or December 29th. On Sunday January 5, classes will resume with a K-7th grade group quilting project and Children’s Chapel Choir.
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Our Whole Lives OWL 5th, 6th, 7th Grade: OWL for 5th, 6th, and 7th graders is complete. They will not have class on December 22 or December 29th. On Sunday January 5, classes will resume with a K-7th grade group quilting project and Children’s Chapel Choir.
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Youth Group: Youth Group will continue meeting on the first Sunday of the Month and as required for service projects and social events. The next meeting is Sunday, January 5th in the Meeting House Basement.
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Youth Group Chicago Trip Information Meeting for Teens and Caregivers on Sunday, January 5 at 11:30 in the Meeting House. Youth Group trip to volunteer with FORA (Forging Opportunities for Refugees in America). The dates are April 13-April 19. RSVP to Angi.
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Crossing Paths Orientation for 5th, 6th and 7th graders and Caregivers on Sunday, January 5 at 4:00 PM in the Meeting House.Crossing Paths (formerly called Neighboring Faiths) allows children to learn about and experience different faiths, such as Hinduism, Christianity, Buddhism, etc. Crossing Paths celebrates each faith’s unique aims and ends. Crossing Paths will have many field trips to visit other religious houses of worship. Ravi Sankar, David Bue, and Angi Haen will organize the field trips. Classes start at the end of January. RSVP to Angi.
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Our Whole Lives Orientation for Kindergarten-2nd Graders and Caregivers: Saturday, January 11 at 9:00 AM in the Meeting House. The curriculum covers a range of topics-health and safety, media and body image, love, family and friends, puberty and growing up, sex and gender, communication and decision making- in age-appropriate language. The OWL Workshops will start at the end of January. RSVP to Angi.
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The Giving Tree in the Foyer: The Youth Group created the Giving Tree, located in the foyer, to gather new warm hats, new warm gloves and cash donations. Youth Group will purchase necessities, like toiletries, food, and hot coffee to Johns Street Bridge and the Bridgeport Train Station on Sunday, January 19th. The Youth Group is partnering with Johns Street Bridge Committee (Teryl Eisenberg) and Helping Hands Outreach (April Barron) for this event.
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Giving Tree Instructions:
- Take an ornament from the tree. (You are welcome to take more than one!)
- Purchase the item listed or donate money through Venmo to the Youth Group.
- Return the item and place it on or beneath the Tree. (Please do not wrap it)
- Items and donations are due by December 31st. The Youth Group will use the money raised for toiletries and food.
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Holiday Sing Along – December 14, 2024 – Group | |
Holiday Sing Along – December 14, 2024 – David, Barbara and Rev. Alan | |
Christmas Pageant – December 15, 2024 – Diana Sofia and Theo | |
Christmas Pageant – December 15, 2024 – Lizzie and Beau | |
Christmas Pageant – December 15, 2024 – Stan | |
Christmas Pageant – December 15, 2024 – Lucy, Willow, Millie, and Wren | |
Child Dedication – December 15, 2024 – Group | |
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Saturday, December 21 ~ 3:00 PM ~ Winter Solstice Labyrinth Walk
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Sunday, December 22 ~ 10:00 AM ~ Return of the Light - Bells and Once and Again Singers celebrate the Solstice
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Tuesday, December 24 ~ 9:00 PM ~ Christmas Eve Candlelight Service; Doors open at 8:40 PM
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Sunday, December 29 ~ 10:00 AM ~ Gratitude and Song - Our last service with Rev. Ed
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HONORING REV. ED THOMPSON | |
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Would you like to contribute to a Parting Gift for Rev. Ed?
We are gathering funds for a gift that will be presented in late January.
Please send your check, payable to Ed Thompson, to Sue O'Meara, our business manager, by January 15.
Learn more in the letter from the Parting Gift Committee,
Connie Rockman and Bob Perry.
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The talented Jan Braunle is creating a book of memories and tributes for Rev. Ed.
Send your letter, cards, photos or mementos to Ruth Fontilla, our congregational administrator, or to celebrating.ed.thompson@gmail.com by January 15.
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WINTER SOLSTICE LABYRINTH WALK
SATURDAY, DECEMBER 21 ~ 3:00 PM
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Labyrinths have been used for millennia for inner peace, contemplation, walking meditation, spiritual healing, and prayer. The circular paths are a spiritual technology designed to facilitate insight, transformation, and awakening.
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BOARD HOLDS VIRTUAL LISTENING CIRCLES
RE MINISTERIAL COVERAGE
SATURDAY ~ DECEMBER 21 ~ 9:30 AM
MONDAY ~ DECEMBER 23 ~ 5:00 PM
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The Board thanks all who joined us at our Listening Circle last Sunday. We appreciated hearing what was on folks' minds as it relates to ministerial coverage for next year and beyond.
For those who couldn’t join us in person, we invite you to join us virtually, on ZOOM, before the holidays get fully underway:
Saturday, December 21 at 9:30 AM. ZOOM link HERE.
Monday, December 23 at 5:00 PM: ZOOM link HERE.
Then on Sunday January 12, after our formal Congregational meeting, we will have a more detailed conversation to make sure everyone understands the options in front of us. We look forward to a rich discussion and answering your questions at that time.
Questions? Contact Beth Cliff or Jon Gage
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MOVIE GROUP MEETING ~ FRIDAY, DECEMBER 27 AT 7:30 PM | |
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Do you enjoy a good movie?
Each month we pick 3 movies to watch. Then we meet on ZOOM to discuss them.
On December 27 we will discuss:“The Brutalist” (in theaters December 20); “Maria” (Netflix December 11); and “The Six Triple Eight”(Netflix December 20).
If you see any of these films, Please join our discussion!
For the ZOOM link, email Dorothy Rich.
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BAGELS WITH THE BOARD ~ JANUARY 5 ~ 11:30-12:30 | |
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The first Bagels with the Board meeting of the new year will be held immediately after the Worship Service on January 5, from 11:30-12:30. These monthly conversations offer members and friends opportunities to talk about and share their thoughts and opinions, issues and concerns.
Our featured question this month relates to the UUA's adoption of Article II bylaws at the General Assembly last June. What is Article II, and does its adoption affect TUUCW's mission, vision, and purpose? Join us for what promises to be an interesting discussion about how we define our faith.
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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 7-9 PM Mysticism: Where Science, Art, and Spirituality Meet Bart Stuck
Thursdays: 4 PM Talking Circles. ZOOM HERE. Jim Francek.
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: 8:30-9 AM ZOOM Chant & Meditation ZOOM - Bart Stuck & Marjorie Partch
9-9:30 AM UU Meditation & Mindfulness ZOOM Janet Luongo
The Hiking Group First Saturdays and third Mondays. Jamie Forbes Gian Morresi
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This year's Holiday Boutique, organized by TUUCWomen, was fun for the sales team and customers, and a very successful fundraiser for our congregation. Thanks to all who donated jewelry and scarves. It's amazing the treasures that poured forth from your drawers, attics, and cubby holes. Thanks to our volunteer team -- Linda Hudson, Kathy Roberts, Sharon Poole, Martha Constable, Leigh Gage, Amy Feinman, Monica Garrison, Pat Francek, Diane Moller, and Eileen Belmont. We are now all jewelry experts who can spot 14K gold from a mile away. (Not always. Ask Sofia Dumery who spotted a $200 gold necklace we had priced at $5.)
One of the highlights of our Boutique was the night of Voices Cafe when the lead female singers from Buffalo Rose gave us a shout-out from the stage. As they danced, showing off their new necklaces, they called out, "We're wearing our jewelry purchased at the Holiday Boutique at incredible prices! Go find out at intermission." If only we could get them to promote the Holiday Boutique every year.
TUUCWomen co-chairs Sari Bodi and Elizabeth Macdonald
TUCWomen's next Potluck is scheduled for Friday, January 17 at 6:30.
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PAST SERMONS/SERVICES
Our sermons are archived on the website HERE.
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Every Night A Child Is Born
Is A Holy Night
Rev. Alan Taylor
December 15, 2024
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Sunday, January 5 ~ 10:00 AM
The Power of Story ~ Dayle Brownstein and Micah Krajca
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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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