December 14-18, 2020 - 10 Lyons Plains Road Westport, CT 06880 - Phone: 203.227.7205
CLICK HERE for 2 week calendar PDF. .CLICK HERE for past issues of SOUNDINGS.
What a year we have experienced! Our congregation has been adapting and striving to reach all of us. As we approach the Holiday season, please consider a year end gift to help us meet the needs of our community. TUCW has been able to lean into our mission of transforming lives. Your financial support has made a real difference. Please consider making a special and generous year end gift.

You can contribute using our vop.tucw.org or writing a check and sending it to the church. Add “Holiday” to the memo line.
christmas tree made from ribbon

There is always a lot happening at TUCW at holiday time.

For complete line-up of holiday events, click HERE.
OUTDOOR COMMUNITY CAROL SING! SATURDAY DEC 19 - 3:00 PM
We can't circle around the piano this year ... but we can still enjoy the season with some traditional fun! Join us in our roomy church parking lot for some caroling. We'll wear masks, keep at least 6 ft part, and sing, jingle some bells, and wave to each other. It's been a long time! We welcome children and adults of all ages to join the fun.

AND ZOOM will be available for those who prefer to sing from home. ZOOM HERE. Meeting ID: 884 6001 2921 Passcode: 179400

You're welcome to just "Drop In!" but a preliminary headcount can ensure we're all prepared. RSVP to Linda Hudson, and indicate whether you'll be in person or on ZOOM.
BLUE HOLIDAY SERVICE MONDAY, DECEMBER 21 - 8:00 PM
We will have a Blue Holiday Service Monday, December 21 at 8:00 PM. The service will be broadcast from the sanctuary; we will participate via ZOOM. Details to follow.

The holidays are a tender time for many of us. Please join Mss. Kim Warman and Carrie McEvoy for an enriching, spiritual time together.
christmas tree made from ribbon
Did you hear? We are collecting pictures of ALL of TUCW friends and families for a montage that will be part of our December 27 service.

Please see instructions sent out Thursday night, HERE.
Questions? Contact the church office at [email protected].

Send your pic(s) to [email protected] by Monday Dec 21.
BOARD OF TRUSTEES MEETS THIS TUESDAY NIGHT DEC 15
The Board of Trustees ("BOT") meets every third Tuesday of the month. Minutes and reports from the last meetings can always be found here.

This month, the Board met an additional two times as part of a "mini-retreat" series. Since we were unable to meet in person for a weekend over the summer as is the custom for newly-elected TUCW Boards, we have been having 2-hr ZOOM calls to cover needed team-building, education and discussion. On Saturday Dec 6, former President Ken Vogel shared info about Policy Based Governance; this Wednesday Dec 9 current President Luke Garvey engaged the group in a larger discussion about the present and future of churches and religion in the 2020s.

At our next meeting we will continue to discuss Board business as laid out in an agenda including the Report from the Minister; PBG; Governance, Limitations and Ends; Finance; and Linkage.

Please let the Board know if there is something you wish it to understand or discuss: [email protected]. We'd love to hear from you.
In his Minister's Message earlier this week, Rev. John referenced the class he ran earlier this week as part of the Interfaith Anti-Racism Seminar Series sponsored by Temple Israel. To watch this session, click HERE. The passcode is vlk!6s60.
IT'S TUCW At The MOVIES!
UU MOVIE DISCUSSION GROUP - DECEMBER 18, 2020 - 7:30 PM
This month the UU Movie Night group will be discussing three movies: Uncle Frank”, “The Life Ahead” and “Wild Mountain Thyme”.

It’s not required to watch all three; even if you only watch one of these, please log in to our next meeting to discuss it. For further info including ZOOM link, contact Dorothy Rich.
TUCW Racial Justice Council's next #BLM movie for Wednesday, Dec 23, 2020 7-8:30 PM will be LOVING, available on Netflix. Watch the movie on your own and then ZOOM HERE for an informal, open discussion and conversation.

Questions contact Beth Cliff or Sudha Sankar.
UU THE VOTE GEARS UP TO SUPPORT GA SENATE RACES
UUtheVote focuses this December on helping underrepresented voters in Georgia vote on Jan 5th in the runoff election for two U.S. Senate seats. The winners will affects health jobs and justice in GA and U.S.. Early voting starts this week. Please volunteer and donate to super organizations on the ground.

BRING A FRIEND SERVICE - SUNDAY, JANUARY 10, 2021
Are there people that you know - a friend, a neighbor, a co-worker, a family member - that would love to connect with a faith community dedicated to spiritual exploration and civic engagement? Invite them to our Bring A Friend Service, Sunday, January 10 (from the comfort of their home on zoom) at 10:00 AM.

More information about the service will be coming out in SOUNDINGS and on our Facebook pages. In the meantime, start thinking about who to invite!
ONGOING PROGRAMMING THIS WEEK
Mondays 6:30-8 PM via ZOOM Buddhist Practice Group Nina Nagy Let Nina know you are attending.Teachings offered on a donation basis.

Wednesdays: 7-8:15 PM The Power of Now Jim Francek; 7-9 PM Is Mysticism Where Science and Religion Meet? Bart Stuck and 7-8:30 PM (Every other Wed; check calendar) #BLM Movie Night. ZOOM HERE. Beth Cliff Sudha Sankar

Thursdays, 4-5 PM Talking Circles. ZOOM HEREJim Francek

Fridays 12-1 PM Awakenings ZOOM HERE Kathy Roberts

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

1st Saturday and 3rd Wednesday of the month 9:30 AM. TUCW Hiking Group Gian Morresi Jamie Forbes
All women welcome at all events; visit our website for complete info.
ZOOM Information for All TUCWomen Gatherings: Meeting room: HERE ID: 457 957 6089
Password: 998419. Landline: 1.646.558.8656
Join us for our Holiday Potluck on ZOOM
Conversation and good cheer! This Friday, December 18th - 7:00 PM
Any questions, contact us at [email protected]
• Tapping Circles with Carol Hamilton: Every Monday in December - 7:00–8:30 PM
Use a simple meridian tapping technique as well as meditation to relax during these self-isolation times.

• Sacred Circles with Grandmother Nancy Tuesday, December 22 - 7:30-9:00 PM
Includes drumming, story-telling and thought-provoking conversations.
Women, Spirit and Imagination:
Mark your calendars in anticipation of the new Women Spirit and Imagination (WSI) series beginning in the New Year. This series provides a rich set of opportunities for women to connect more deeply with themselves and to develop meaningful connections with other women in our community. For further information, click HERE.
Our complete calendar is always on our website. Click HERE for quick access.
SUPPORTIVE RESOURCES
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].
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 Mary Jane Cross or Beth Cliff.
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]
Find us on digital and social media: website: uuwestport.org, Facebook public page (Unitarian Church in Westport) private group (uuwestport), and Instagram (uuwestportct).
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.