APRIL 11-15, 2022 - 10 Lyons Plains Road Westport, CT 06880 - Phone: 203.227.7205
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OUR PLEDGE DRIVE IS COMING TO A CLOSE: PLEASE PLEDGE HERE
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We are winding down our pledge drive so we can create the budget for our '22-23 fiscal year. Our Finance team needs to understand what it can afford to spend and how to spend it next year on programs, salaries, and regular operating expenses, so that it can put forth a budget for your discussion and approval. Your pledging now gives them the information they need: please pledge if you haven't already! Every pledge matters, no matter its size. Every one of them is valuable and treasured.
Last Sunday we had a great opportunity to hear Randy Burnham share what our pledge process is all about. It's a wise and uplifting message: well worth the five minutes to take a listen HERE.
Remember his call and response: ONLY US, NO ONE ELSE!
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UU WRITERS THURSDAY APRIL 28 ON ZOOM - 1:00 PM or 7:00 PM |
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Explore monthly Soul Matters themes through creative writing. We've had wonderful writing and discussion at our last meetings. Join us for our next meeting -- Thursday, April 28 on ZOOM. Afternoon (1:00 PM) or evening (7:00 PM). The topic this month is "Awakening." Contact Sari Bodi for a ZOOM link and writing exercises to choose from. All are welcome.
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TASTE OF SOUL SPIRITUAL DISCUSSION GROUP:
SUNDAYS IN APRIL 11:15-12:15 IN THE LIBRARY
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REMEMBERING LEGACY SOCIETY MEMBER HOWARD J. AIBEL
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Howard James Aibel died March 9, 2018. He and his wife Katherine were long-time members of the Unitarian Church in Westport. Howard was keenly interested in Racial Justice and as a lawyer worked on overturning the death penalty in Connecticut.
Described as an amazingly humble person, Howard kept the extent of his brilliance to himself and it was a delicious treat to enter into a discussion with him on topics of racial justice, history, the law and just about anything else. He loved theater arts, attended every play at the Westport Country Playhouse, and served on the board there.
He and his wife, Katherine Webster Aibel, were major donors to many organizations, endowing professorships at NYU School of Social Work and Harvard Law School and supporting local community institutions in the Westport-Weston area. We at TUCW are so grateful for his generous Legacy gift. We miss him very much.
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We are sorry to share that Diane, our ever wonderful Congregational Administrator, is moving with her husband to New Jersey at the end of April. She will be leaving her position by April 30th. Oh how we will miss her!
Diane has served us with distinction. She has been efficient, helpful and professional in her many dealings with the running of our very busy congregation. We wish her all the best.
The position of Congregational Administrator is open. HERE is the job description. Please pass this along to anyone you know who might be interested. A cover email and resume should be mailed to Rev. John at revjohn@uuwestport.org
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A NAME MAKES A DIFFERENCE |
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After last November's in-person Town Hall to discuss a possible name change, the Board agreed to set up a lay-led Name Change Committee, to pursue the matter further. It solicited volunteers, and it is grateful to Randy Burnham, Luisa Francoeur, Carolyn Gundell, Rob Herman, Sudha Sankar and Rob Zuckerman for coming forward and agreeing to serve.
On March 6th, we discussed the charge of designing an inclusive process to determine what our name will be. Our goal is to create and manage a process that will be transparent, democratic and time limited, with all members having the opportunity to suggest, advocate for, and select a name.
Specifics will follow in the weeks to come.If you have ideas or concerns about the process, please let us know via email at namechange@uuwestport.org.
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CAREER DAY AT BEARDSLEY SCHOOL |
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Hoping to encourage our Beardsley school students to consider engaging careers, the Beardsley Committee organizes a Career Day each year, and thanks to Sari Bodi’s creativity and organizational skills, this year’s online event was one of the best.
Erica MacQueen of Queen's Delight Cafe in Bridgeport, comic and graphic novel illustrator Rowar MacColl, Deszani Flemmings of the Beardsley Zoom, and TUCW's own Will Comer, now a member of the US Air Force Band, all delighted the students. To read more about their wonderful exchanges with the children, click HERE.
We look forward to creating an in-person Career Day next year. We are always looking for presenters who mirror the demographics of the Beardsley school population. Please send suggestions to Sari Bodi or Anita Pfluger!
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Will Comer, performing in the US Air Force Band |
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Erica MacQueen, chef and co-owner of Queen's Delight Cafe in Bridgeport
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Will Comer, musician, US Air Force Band member, and Tom Comer’s son! |
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HARTFORD RALLY FOR HEALTH CARE FOR UNDOCUMENTED YOUTH: MONDAY, APRIL 11, 10:00-12:00 |
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Let our legislators know that expanding access to HUSKY health insurance for all minors regardless of immigration status is an essential and needed step toward ensuring that CT’s immigrant community has access to the healthcare they need and deserve. Without this bill, kids who are 9-18 years old will not have HUSKY coverage and be left without health care. This is unacceptable. If we want Connecticut to recover from COVID-19, we must work toward ensuring that all our state’s residents can access health care. Carpool from church parking lot or pick you up along the way. I’m going. Will you join me? Contact David Vita, david@uuwestport.org
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Mondays: 6-7:30 PM via ZOOM Buddhist Practice Group Nina Nagy Let Nina know you are attending.Teachings offered on a donation basis. Podcast Discussions with Rev. John first Mondays, 7-8 PM on ZOOM HERE. Linda Lubin
Tuesdays: 11AM-12 noon Interfaith Theology RSVP HERE Nancy McKeever
Fridays: Every other Fri (next, Apr 8), 12:30-2PM Shawl Ministry Jan Braunle.
First Fridays 12-1PM Awakenings ZOOM Kathy Roberts. Last Fridays 7:30 PM
Saturdays: 12:00 noon- 4 PM John Street Bag Lunch Drop Off David Vita
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Our complete calendar is always on our website. Click HERE for quick access
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Women’s Spring Shindig Saturday, April 30, 4-6:30 pm at TUCW. Girls just wanna have fun! COME CELEBRATE SPRING! Dance around the May Pole! Make a beautiful floral wreath to wear! Stretch your funny bone with Laughter Yoga! Reconnect with one another and welcome new members in our community. Great conversation, a Scarf Swap, Music, and Food are on the menu! This is a potluck-please bring finger food if you have time, and something to drink. If you don’t, come celebrate anyway. There is always plenty. Your presence is most important! All women and those who identify as women are welcome. Bring a friend. The more, the merrier! Please RSVP to: tucwomen@uuwestport.org.
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Sacred Circles with Grandmother Nancy: April 19 (1st and 3rd Tuesdays). 7:00-8:30 PM. Learn about Indigenous knowledge and rituals. Grandmother Nancy will teach us about Animal Clans. ZOOM HERE Contact Pat Francek
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Black Lives Matter Meeting, Friday, April 22, 7:00 – 8:00 PM: All are welcome. Program and speaker to be announced. Contact tucwomen@gmail.com, ZOOM: HERE.
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Black Lives Matter Book Discussion, Friday, May 6, 7:00-8:30 PM. "The 1619 Project" by Nikole Hannah-Jones and the New York Times magazine. We will be focusing on pages 219-286. Co-sponsored by the Racial Justice Council and TUCWomen BLM committee. All are welcome whether you've read the book or not. ZOOM: HERE. And click HERE to listen to a podcast from Christopher Lyndon, "1619: Rethinking how it all started."
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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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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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