April 13-17, 2020 - 10 Lyons Plains Road Westport, CT 06880 - Phone: 203.227.7205
CLICK HERE for past issues of SOUNDINGS.
WORSHIP SERVICE ONLINE THIS MORNING 11 AM
Private, members and friends only : virtual session via ZOOM . Brush up on how to access and use ZOOM HERE.

Meeting details: https://zoom.us/xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
Meeting ID xxx xxx xxx
Landline : x xxx xxx xxxx
PASSWORD : xxx xxx xxx

The service will also be airing to the public on our Facebook public page if you are more comfortable with that platform. Join us 11:00 AM. Click HERE for the Order of Service.
And if you want to make your virtual offering now instead of while watching the service, click vop.tucw.org . (checks in the mail work too!)

( mnemonic : V irtual O ffering P late then tucw then org, with dots in between: vop.tucw.org )
VIRTUAL MEETINGS ONLY:
BUILDINGS CLOSED
CONTINUE TO USE THE CHURCH CALENDAR

Contact Diane at the church office to reserve a ZOOM room and to include the meeting on the church calendar. The calendar should reflect all our church gatherings, even if they are virtual.
OUR 'NEW NORMAL':
A Place of Integrated Physical and Digital Worship?
What kind of church life do we want when the COVID-19 pandemic is over? Let’s imagine…maybe we’ll want Sunday services that are both in-person and streamed live online, every Sunday; connecting with our fellow congregants during committee meetings and choir practices no matter where we are; using more digital giving options; accessing on-demand Social Justice group activities ….

It seems likely that our “new normal” will involve technology, but we will probably want to upgrade our systems and hardware to support this vision. And that means we need the budget for it -- alongside all our other needs of covering salaries, building needs, and programming.

This is our chance to use our pledge to define a new version of normal, a rare and truly sacred opportunity to implement what works for us, what makes our whole lives richer, what makes our kids happier, and what makes us proud of TUCW.

Please, if you haven’t already, pledge today. We need to understand your intentions so we can budget this May for next year.

Click HERE to pledge. Questions? Contact stewardship@uuwestport.or g
NEW: LUNCH WITH OUR INTERN MINISTER, MARGALIE
Fridays, 12 NOON - 1:00 PM on ZOOM

Come one, come all and join our intern minister, Margalie Belizaire, for (virtual) lunch on Fridays. We'll start with a reading followed by conversation. Bring your lunch, or a snack, or a beverage, or just yourself and let's be in community together. 

Join Zoom Meeting
https://zoom.us/xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx

Meeting ID: xxx xxx xxx Password : xxxxxx Landline : +x xxx xxx xxxx
VIRTUAL EVENSONG SERVICES
Tuesday Evenings, 7-7:20 PM
Join Rev. Ed Thompson and the Worship Associates for an Evensong service on Tuesdays at 7PM. ZOOM details same as last week.

Join Zoom Meeting
https://zoom.us/xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx

Meeting ID: xxx xxx xxx. Password: xxx xxx xxx. Landline: +x xxx xxx xxxx
Virtual Talking Circle Continues on ZOOM Thursdays at 4:00 PM
Rev. Jim Francek is offering a  virtual  talking circle as a means of support during this time of uncertainty. Open to all.

New to the group? Email Beth Cliff by Thursday noon and she will send you ZOOM details. They will be the same as they were for this week.
John Street Bridge Outreach Project - We CAN help!  
The people hit hardest, especially in times like these, are the people with the least. And the people who congregate for food at the John Street Bridge in Bridgeport are these people.
 
So we’re reaching out to help provide some food for the homeless and food insecure at the John Street Bridge Outreach Project in Bridgeport beginning Sunday, April 19. This project is sanctioned by the City of Bridgeport and coordinated by April Barron’s Helping Hands Outreach. April has been coordinating food for the homeless under the John’s Street Bridge for over a decade. You may remember April – how could you not - she spoke at our Sunday Service on January 12.
 
The COVID-19 crisis has forced many providers to temporarily stop their service under the John’s Street Bridge. READ MORE ...
ADULT FAITH FORMATION
Creating Theology Together
Thursdays, 7:00-8:00 PM - April 2-June 4
Creating Theology Together  with Revs. John and Shelly has begun. Join us Thursdays into June for a weekly online class. Our ministers will be sharing John's soon to be published curriculum  Creating Theology Together  from 7:00-8:00 PM. 

No RSVP necessary. Please join us, even if you missed last week.

ZOOM Room:  https://uuma.zoom.us/x/xxxxxxxxxx . Meeting ID: xxxxxxxxx

One tap mobile. +xxxxxxxxxx,,xxxxxxxxxx US (New York)
Dial by your location +x xxx xxx xxxx US (New York)
Many of these programs are being held on a virtual platform.
Please email the leaders for the most up-to-date information.

ONGOING PROGRAMMING FOR ADULTS
These opportunities for learning and connection are ongoing and currently offered.
Visit Adult Faith Formation on our website or email leaders as listed below.
Mondays 6:30-8:00 PM Meeting House Buddhist Practice Group ninazcara@gmail.com Let Nina know you are attending.Teachings offered on a donation basis.

Wednesdays 7-8:15 PM. Meeting House The Power of Now jimfrancek25@gmail.com

Thursdays , 7-8 PM ZOOM Room:  https://uuma.zoom.us/j/941444635.
Meeting ID: 941 444 635 Creating Theology Together revjohn@uuwestport.org

Monthly, various dates and times. Small group ministry meetings . Rosen323@aol.com These must be signed-up for ahead of time; they depend on host availability, group size.
ONLINE RESOURCES FOR ALL AGES
Please contact Rev. Shelly if you have questions or thoughts on any of these resources.
Creating Sabbath Space **New from Soul Matters**

During the COVID-19 crisis, over the next 4-6 weeks, there will be a weekly packet to support families in the creation of sacred space and time together. This resource will include three components:

  • Guidance for building a family home altar
  • A family worship to honor those weekly additions to your altar
  • A couple of “after-worship” activities to continue your family Sabbath time

Soulful Home  
Now is the time to try Soulful Home. It's a packet of resources, questions, games, activities and ideas for talking with your kids as a family all about your faith. Our April theme is Liberation. Click below to see the full packet.
Self Care Wheels and Checklist
Self care is so important especially during times of stress. Take some time to make a self-care plan for yourself and one for the kids using the information and blank wheel provided here.
All women welcome at all events; visit our website for complete info.
TUCWomen is pleased to be offering many interesting opportunities to connect online using ZOOM. RSVP to tucwomen@uuwestport.org for the Zoom connection.
Click HERE for further guidance on ZOOM.
THIS TUESDAY : Back by popular demand, this time online --  "Sacred Circles with Grandmother Nancy" with drumming, rituals, story-telling and a talking circle. Tuesdays , April 14th and 28th 7:30 - 9:00 PM
Biweekly " Tapping Circles " to help us relax in these stressful times, Carol Hamilton will teach us EFT (emotional freedom techniques) to help with navigating the turbulence of Covid19. Also, she’ll show us a finger-tapping technique, which is easy and powerful, and good to use before bedtime.

NEXT Monday April 20th 7:00 - 8:30 PM
Our complete calendar is always on our website. Click HERE for quick access.
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 .

CLICK HERE  to learn more about our Pastoral Care Associates.
TUCW CAREGIVING SUPPORT NETWORK
Our support network is always 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.
YOU ARE NOT ALONE! - 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 .
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.