visit us at uuwestport.org. CLICK HERE for past issues of SOUNDINGS

Note: We will return to our regular weekly publishing schedule September 11th with SOUNDINGS: THIS WEEKEND and SOUNDINGS: THIS WEEK editions.

This year, the Safer Congregations Committee (“SCC”) is inviting all TUCW volunteers to this important training. Originally aimed and required for the Church Staff and Faith Formation teachers, SCC is making this available to all volunteers working directly with people this year. This is the time to learn more about relationships, and keeping us safe.

Training topics include: Understanding Domestic Violence Dynamics; Dept Children and Families Mandated Reporting; Sexual Harassment; Physical Safety

ZOOM Meeting HERE Meeting ID: xxxxxxxxxx. Passcode: xxxxxxxxxx

Questions? Contact Wendy Levy at wlevyma@hotmail.com.

Summers Services are at 10AM Sundays on ZOOM and on our Facebook page. Online donations always appreciated at vop.tucw.org, or please mail-in a check.

ZOOM info stays the same each week. ZOOM ROOM: HERE. Meeting ID xxxxxxxxxx

PASSWORD: xxxxxxxxxxxx Landline: xxxxxxxxxxxx

September 6, 10 AM: "Heart Building 101: Sowing the Seeds of Compassion" - Carrie McEvoy

Worship Associate: Linda Lubin

Our annual fall reconnect, known by most of us as Homecoming, will be happening this year on September 13. It will be virtual! We look forward to seeing you with us on ZOOM at 10:00 AM.

This year we are calling it Rededication since "coming home" to the building and grounds is unavailable at the moment. However, as is our tradition, we are once again committing ourselves to the work at hand, of which there is much - from worship to social justice, from music to family faith, from communications to gender equity. The service will contain many of our familiar, usual elements - our rituals and symbols. Please do join us. This is a big year for us, and for our country. Let's kick it off together, in style.

Friends, we are thrilled to welcome Kim Warman as our new Intern Minister starting in September. She will serve in this capacity for two years. Kim comes to us with a rich background in UU congregational life as an active lay person and on staff at Second UU Church in Chicago where she served as Social Justice Director for a time. Kim has spent many years as a teacher in Chicago and enters her second year as a seminarian at Meadville Lombard Theological School in Chicago. I along with her internship committee chaired by Bob Perry have been awaiting her arrival with anticipation. She will be preaching soon enough and in the meantime getting to know all of us virtually and otherwise.

Please welcome Kim with loving hearts and open arms. You can reach her directly at kim@uuwestport.org.

-Rev. John

Your newly formed Board of Trustees has been busy. We have met several times this summer on ZOOM, our most recent gathering Saturday, August 22 where we had our first virtual "mini-retreat." Topics covered were a slight reconfiguration of officers, an introduction of Board process for the newcomers, and the beginnings of discussion about ENDS for this 2020-21 church year. As always, updates to board activities can be found HERE.

Since Catherine Onyemelukwe has stepped down from Board president for personal reasons, our new officers were voted as Luke Garvey as president and Bob Trefry as vice-president. Stapley Emberling remains as Secretary, and Stephen Grathwohl as Treasurer.

As always, please reach out to any of the Trustees: they'd love to hear from you. Click HERE to reach them.

NEW PROGRAM: CONVERSATIONS WITH REV JOHN

Join Rev. John as he explores the issues that face us through the lens of our faith as Unitarian Universalists. John will come prepared with thoughts and resources to share and invites you to join the conversation. These are challenging times that invite us to consider the wisdom and poetry that is all around us.

All are welcome, NO RSVP required, please join when you are able.

ZOOM WITH NATE this Sunday morning August 30 at 11:00 AM. We have a check-in with participants followed by a Story For All. This week's topic is Community Helpers.

ZOOM Meeting: HERE Meeting ID: xxxxxxxxxx Password:xxxxxxxxx

ZOOM Meeting HERE. Meeting ID: xxxxxxxxxxx Password: xxxxxxxxxx

Contact Ravi Sankar - ravisankar100@yahoo.com - for more information.

•ONGOING PROGRAMMING •

Mondays 6:30-8:00 PM via ZOOM Buddhist Practice Group Nina Nagy Let Nina know you are attending.Teachings offered on a donation basis.

Tuesdays, 6-7 PM starting Sept 8. Conversations w Rev. John Rev. John

Wednesdays 7-8:15 PM. The Power of Now Jim Francek

Wednesdays evenings. Timing varies. UU the Vote Beth Cliff Janet Luongo

Thursdays 4-5 PM Talking Circles Jim Francek

Fridays 12-1 PM Awakenings David Vita

Fridays Aug 28, Sept 4 and 11 7-9PM Neighboring Faiths: Buddhism Ravi Sankar

Sundays 8AM - before church. Hiking at Sherwood Island Gian Moressi Jamie Forbes

Sundays 9:00-9:45. Meditation Janet Luongo

All women welcome at all events; visit our website for complete info. ZOOM for All TUCWomen Gatherings: Meeting room: HERE Meeting ID: 457 957 6089

Carol is a certified EFT provider who was trained to use EFT to resolve trauma. Mondays, August 31, September 7, 14, 21, 28 - 7:00– 8:30 PM

Sacred Circles with Grandmother Nancy continues online.

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.

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 Kristen Leddy, Mary Jane Cross or Beth Cliff.

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.

STAY CONNECTED! Find us on digital and social media: website: uuwestport.org, Facebook public page (Unitarian Church in Westport) and private, members-only group (uuwestport), and Instagram (uuwestportct).

 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.