DECEMBER 5-9, 2022 - 10 Lyons Plains Road Westport, CT 06880 - Phone: 203.227.7205
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ANNUAL HOLIDAY APPEAL IS UNDERWAY; PLEASE GIVE AS YOU CAN |
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It's that time of year again! We invite all who are able to give a little extra this December - beyond their pledges - to the Annual Holiday Appeal. As Rev John wrote us last week: "Your gift is important because it offers immediate resources that are directed to current needs and opportunities at the church. ... [It] will help make an immediate impact on ... reach[ing] out to so many in need of a liberal religious home."
Please send your gift by check or VENMO ("The Unitarian Church in Westport") or by clicking vop.tucw.org. Be sure to put "holiday appeal" in the memo line.
Many thanks, in advance, for your care and generosity. Questions? Contact Rev. John.
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ENCORE BENEFIT PERFORMANCE! NEXT SAT DEC 10, 7PM |
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The Laramie Project will make a one night return engagement on Saturday, December 10th at 7:00 PM. This comes as a request by several audience members, and will be a benefit for the Triangle Community Center, located in Norwalk. All proceeds will benefit LGBTQ programs related to the center.
If you missed the performances earlier this month, or want to see it again, here is your chance! Suggested ticket price: $20, or pay what you can. More info HERE. Tell your friends! This is an extraordinary performance.
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UU WRITERS: THURSDAY DEC 15 - 1 or 7 PM. VIRTUAL SESSIONS |
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The next UUWriters meeting on Zoom will be Thursday, December 15.. All are welcome. The theme is WONDER! We meet at 1:00 PM or 7:00 PM. You can come to either session.
Contact Sari for the writing packet and a ZOOM link.
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FINANCIAL SUSTAINABILITY TOWN HALL FOLLOWUP |
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Many thanks to those who participated in our town hall on November 20. More than 40 people stayed after the service to hear our consultants Rachel Maxwell and Barry Finkelstein.
We then broke-out into small groups to discuss two questions:
- What do you consider to be the assets of TUCW?
- How might these assets be put to use in a different fashion, to further support our Annual Budget?
There was notable agreement about answers to question 1: our sanctuary building and the Meeting House, our land, the Endowment, etc. Happily, one asset mentioned repeatedly was…us! Our congregants! …smart, caring, compassionate.
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Answers to the second question were tougher to focus in on. This will be important work going forward, using a framework of “suggest a new idea, validate it, implement it.” This process will take most of our time and effort as we move forward through to March/April.
We will give periodic updates as we move forward. And if anyone is interested in joining our small planning team, please let us know. We’d love one or two more folks to join us! -- Steve Grathwohl, Treasurer
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MEMBERSHIP DIRECTORY TO BE UPDATED:
CHECK YOUR NAME FOR ACCURACY
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The Communications team is going to update a simple membership directory that will serve us all (for now!) so that we will have ready access to names, addresses, and emails. This will be a straight-forward alphabetical listing, in paper and pdf forms.
Please stop by the foyer and check your name, address and email in the listing we currently have for you. Kindly change any info there, or put an OK in the space provided, to let us know that you have reviewed the information and it is accurate. Questions? Contact Beth Cliff and put "directory" in the subject line. Want to help? Contact her with that good news, too!
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CHRISTMAS POTLUCK AND CAROLING SATURDAY, DEC 17 6-8:30 PM |
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Join us for a ho-ho merry time! Socializing and holiday-themed crafts for all ages - youth and adults - (6PM) will be followed by a warm potluck surrounded by family and friends new and old (6:30 p.m.). And what could be more joyful than to conclude this family-friendly evening around the piano, caroling (7:30 PM)? Click HERE to sign up!
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CALLING FOR DELEGATES FOR GA IN PITTSBURGH, YES, NOW! |
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We have the opportunity to represent our congregation at the UUA’s General Assembly 2023 in Pittsburgh, PA June 21-25 either live in person or online. We are allowed 8 delegate spots and you can be one of them! Click on the picture to watch a 2-minute video about GA -
If it seems like we are asking about your interest early - we are! Designated delegates will be participating and voting ahead of GA this year on several topics, one of which is our UU Principles & Values. We encourage you to take the plunge and find out what goes on outside our own four/three(?) walls! Please contact Rev John with your interest in attending GA as a delegate in 2023. |
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UUtheVOTE PHONE BANKING WITH CENTER FOR COMMON GROUND - MONDAY, DECEMBER 5 |
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"When I called a voter in Georgia last week he said, “Thank you sister, God bless you.” Voters of color in Georgia welcome and need info on where & when to vote in the December 6 Runoff Election for U.S Senate. We leave messages; some folks opt out; but I most remember that gentleman’s gratitude. Please make friendly nonpartisan calls with us, as we join UU the Vote and our partner, Center for Common Ground. Training & support provided. Stay for an hour or 2. For questions click HERE. Or call Janet - 203-722-3634."
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BEARDSLEY CHRISTMAS ELVES NEEDED - BY DECEMBER 5 PLEASE! |
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The Beardsley Committee is organizing Christmas gifts cards for the neediest Beardsley School families. If you would like to help, please purchase gift cards to share. Stores convenient for these families include: Stop & Shop, Big Y, Price Rite, Shop Rite, Target, Walmart and Kohls.
Please mail cards before December 5th to: Kathy Roberts, 260 Shagbark Drive, Derby, CT 06418. Questions? kproberts@att.net
Thank you for giving our neediest Beardsley families a joyful holiday!
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IMMIGRATION & REFUGEE OUTREACH COMMITTEE:
VOLUNTEERS NEEDED
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The CIRI Apartment Setup Team (CAST) has prepared apartments for over 60 families from Afghanistan, Africa, the Middle East and Central and South America.
On a typical day we clean the apartment, pickup, deliver and arrange donated furniture, make beds and organize kitchen and bathroom items, and supply toys for the children. Volunteers decorate the apartment and provide finishing touches to create comfortable, welcoming homes for the new arrivals to our country.
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IF YOU MISSED THE HOLIDAY BOUTIQUE, DON'T DESPAIR! |
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You'll have another opportunity on Sunday, December 18 before (9:00 AM-9:45) and after the service. Buy your last minute holiday gifts -- jewelry and scarves! We'll also have some new items.
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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.
Tuesdays. 11AM-noon. Interfaith Theology. Twice monthly. Check schedule HERE. Nancy McKeever
Fridays: Last Friday of each month: 7:30 PM UU Movie Group. Hybrid. Dorothy Rich
Saturdays and Sundays: Sat 12:00 noon- 4 PM; Sun 9:30- 9:50 AM John Street Bag Lunch Drop Off David Vita
Sundays: 9 AM UU Meditation & Mindfulness (virtual and in person) Janet Luongo
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Our complete calendar is always on our website. Click HERE for quick access
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The next TUCWomen Potluck will be Friday, December 16 at 6:30. We will be meeting at Melanie Wyler's house in Weston, right near the church.. Bring something tasty to share. Please RSVP by December 13 to Eileen Belmont, 215-350-3015. She will email you the address.
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The Women’s Circle with Grandmother Nancy: Tuesday, December 20, 7-8:30 PM. (First and third Tuesdays of the month) Talking circle - thought provoking and inspirational conversations. ZOOM HERE Contact Pat Francek
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Available 24 hours. Languages: English, Spanish.
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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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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 Dorothy Rich,or Diane Cano,
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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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