February 1-5, 2021 - 10 Lyons Plains Road Westport, CT 06880 - Phone: 203.227.7205

visit us at uuwestport.org

CLICK HERE for 2 week calendar PDF. .CLICK HERE for past issues of SOUNDINGS.

NEW! LEADING WITH GRACE Leadership Program offered by Rev. John

Please contact Rev. John to reserve a seat; space is limited. Thursday evenings in February 7-8.30pm.

Our first circle is Monday February 1. Contact: Jim Francek for more information and ZOOM link.

NEXT STARTING POINT STARTS UP IN MARCH

We will be launching a new Starting Point four-session series, led by Rev. John, next month. Please contact Linda Lubin for details.

Miriam Levin, a longtime TUCW member and Starting Point alumna, shares her appreciation of her Soul Matters Sharing Circle experience: “A new topic each month with spiritual exercises, poetry, suggested books and music evokes profound insights and deep interpersonal sharing. I find the open, honest sharing very rewarding."

The first session of Starting Point gives one a taste of the Soul Matters Sharing Circle process, and the remaining three orient folks to our UU faith and invite sharing of spiritual journeys. After the four sessions, all are invited to continue to meet monthly as a Sharing Circle. The circles follow a structured format, with a monthly theme that deepens our connection with ourselves through connection with others.

TUCW is sponsoring a workshop brought to us by The Domestic Violence Crisis Center, to help us recognize the signs of domestic violence and to help someone experiencing abuse: a lifesaving gift. 

Domestic violence has been a growing problem through the pandemic.  The call to “stay home to stay safe” has posed dangerous scenarios for many domestic violence victims who feel isolated and are trapped at home with an abuser. Faith communities remain one of the few places where people can still connect - whether in person on online.

ZOOM room HERE. Meeting ID: 875 7140 7113 Passcode: 739121

Questions? Contact Wendy Levy, head of our Safer Congregations team.

As the DVCC shares with us: Healthy relationship skills are not innate. They are learned. Youth deserve to have the skills and knowledge needed to engage in healthy dating relationships. DVCC offers a wide variety of programs to educate the community on healthy relationships, particularly young people and those in young people’s lives." To find out more, including access to a Teen Dating Abuse Parent Resource Guide, click HERE.

•WELCOME BRIAN CONNELLY!•

Brian Connelly was first introduced to The Unitarian Church of Westport in the late 70’s by his father, John Connelly. When he was 8 years old (the youngest of seven children in an Irish Catholic family) his parents divorced. His father remained spiritually loyal, but had to find a new place to worship and grew to love TUCW where he often brought Brian.

Brian and his wife Tina live in Fairfield, and have two teenage boys, Owen and Griffin. In his free time he enjoys outdoor activities, especially biking, snowboarding, and coaching youth athletics.

Brian has always worked in the software industry selling solutions to healthcare and financial services organizations. He was yearning for a spiritual community to serve and grow, but without the dogma, and is delighted to be a part of TUCW congregation.

Brian is currently very involved in supplying lunches and support to the John Street Bridge effort, participated in our initial Starting Point, and is in a Soul Matters group.

We all extend Brian and his family a warm welcome!

TUCW is introducing a seminar series to help answer these questions. The first will be Sunday February 7 directly following the worship service.

The multimedia program will feature a guest speaker from the Equal Justice Initiative, as well as artistic performances and works, including Joan 'Lyric" Leslie, a slam poetry champion, and our own TUCW member Andy Gundell sharing his anthemic song, “Prayer.” An open mike for free-flowing discussion will follow the prepared program.

Please remain on ZOOM after the worship service to enjoy this engaging session. And feel free to invite others to join us! You can direct them HERE for more complete information. Contact: [email protected].

PASS CLEAN SLATE… NOW!

Clean Slate legislation is now before the Connecticut General Assembly. It will create an automatic process to erase certain prior Connecticut criminal convictions from an eligible person’s record after they have completed their punishment and remained crime free for a number of years.

A criminal record should not be a life sentence limiting employment, education, housing, and other opportunities for those formerly incarcerated to successfully rebuild their lives and reintegrate into society.

Please contact Althea Seaborn if you’re interested in more information or being on a Racial Justice Council team to help pass this important life-changing piece of legislation.

#The BLM Movie Group will be discussing One Night in Miami at our next meeting. This is a fictionalized account of 4 icons of the '60s civil rights era getting together in a hotel room after the famed* Clay vs Liston fight in 1964. In his NY Times review, A.O. Scott declares: "This is one of the most exciting movies I've seen in quite some time." 

All within and outside the TUCW community are welcome to join us for open, spirited, respectful discussion. ZOOM HERE. Questions? Contact Beth Cliff or Sudha Sankar .

*Sports Illustrated ranks the fight as the 4th greatest sports moment of the 20th century!

•ONGOING PROGRAMMING EACH 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. 7 PM Addiction Recovery Talking Circle Jim Francek

Wednesdays: 7-8:15 PM The Power of Now Jim Francek; 7-9 PM Is Mysticism Where Science, Art 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 HERE. Jim Francek. In February, 7-8:30PM Leading with Grace Rev. John

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

Our complete calendar is always on our website. Click HERE for quick access.

All women welcome at all events; visit our website for complete info.

ZOOM Information for most TUCWomen Gatherings: Meeting room: HERE ID: 457 957 6089

Passcode: 998419. Landline: 1.646.558.8656 Questions? Contact [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).

 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.