January 17-21, 2022 - 10 Lyons Plains Road Westport, CT 06880 - Phone: 203.227.7205
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Please note that the Westport Library has postponed Heather McGhee's appearance for today, Sunday, January 16. We look forward to it another time. In the meantime, check out her Ted Talk HERE, "Racism has a cost for everyone." Very powerful.
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NEW! BRAIDING SWEETGRASS: MONDAYS JAN 17+, 7-8:15 PM REGISTER TODAY; SPACE IS LIMITED
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Based on the book Braiding Sweetgrass by Robin Wall Kimmerer, Grandmother Nancy Andry, Kim Warman, and Rev. Jim Francek will facilitate a bi-monthly virtual discussion beginning Monday January 17. Dates will be: January 17 and 31; February 14 and 28; March 14 and 28, and April 18. 7:00-8:15 PM.
Kimmerer eloquently uses the indigenous cultures’ sacred plant, sweetgrass, as a poetic metaphor to explain the origins of plant, animal, and human life on Mother Earth, their intertwined relationships, and the hope of ecological restoration to return the gifts of Mother Earth, and the balance that once was. The book is “meant to heal our relationship with the world” by weaving together the three strands of indigenous ways of knowing.
To register contact jimfrancek25@gmail.com by Sunday January 16. Space is limited. Please acquire your own copy of this book.
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UU WRITERS: THURSDAY JAN. 20, 1:00 PM or 7:00 PM ON ZOOM |
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All are welcome to UUWriters, an online small group that explores monthly themes through creative writing. You can come to the afternoon or evening class on January 20. Each participant will receive a packet containing a choice of writing exercises to choose from as well as poems, songs, and prose for inspiration. We respond to each other's writing using Soul Matters deep listening techniques to create an environment of self-discovery. Contact Sari Bodi for further information and a ZOOM link.
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SACRED TEXTS: 9:00-9:45 SUNDAY MORNINGS ON ZOOM |
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Member Diane Cano leads our next Sacred Text discussion Sunday January 23, 9-9:45. ZOOM link is HERE. Note it is different from the worship ZOOM. All are welcome; we will be running sessions through February 20. For full schedule click HERE. Questions? Beth Cliff
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The UU Movie Group has made its selections for their Friday, January 28, 7:30 PM gathering.
This month's films are: “The Lost Daughter” (Netflix), “Being the Ricardos” (Amazon) and “The Tender Bar” (Amazon). No need to watch them all; all are welcome. For ZOOM and further details contact Dorothy Rich.
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Despite pandemic circumstances, our support for the Beardsley children and faculty has never wavered. This fall we tutored children and read to the class; we’ll be back soon when the school opens up again. Library volunteers set up a free book fair of donated books: every child took home a book of their choice. Our knitting group knit seventy colorful scarves for Kindergartners, and our remarkably generous Christmas elves, led by chief elf, Felicity Medinger, donated $4500 in gift cards, divided among 10 families. In November we collected and distributed over 50 coats to young children to keep children warm on walks to school and at recess.
If you have a talent to share with our adopted school, please contact Anita Pfluger. Our virtual Beardsley Board is available too. New items have been added! Thank you –TUCW’s generosity is boundless!
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FURNITURE NEEDED FOR REFUGEES FROM AFGHANISTAN |
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Do you have furniture in good condition that you no longer need? |
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The Immigration and Refugee Outreach Committee of the Unitarian Church in Westport is helping the Connecticut Institute for Refugees and Immigrants (CIRI) to resettle immigrants and refugees in our area. We are setting up as many as two or three apartments per week for refugees from Afghanistan and need furniture for them. If you have furniture in good condition that you would like to donate, please click HERE to see the types of furniture needed and details about the donation process. We also need drivers and helpers to pick up donated furniture – please click HERE for further information. (Dresser donated by Claire Schoen)
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SIGN A PETITION HERE FROM CT AGAINST GUN VIOLENCE
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Tell school superintendents: lockdowns aren't enough! Ask parents to secure their guns. Students can’t learn, and teachers can’t teach, if they aren't safe in their schools. School district superintendents and boards of education need to do more than lockdown drills to protect students, teachers and staff from the threat of gun violence. They need to address a root cause of school shootings: the irresponsible behavior of gun owners who don’t securely store their firearms.
Two-thirds of school shooters obtain the gun they used from their home or the home of a relative. Without unsupervised access to his mother’s assault rifle, 20 Sandy Hook School first-graders and six educators would still be alive. Please CLICK HERE to sign and share this petition. More Guns Locked Up. Fewer Lockdowns. |
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THE 1619 PROJECT: BOOK DISCUSSION - FRIDAY FEB 4 - 7-8PM |
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On Friday Feb 4 we invite all to a book discussion for all interested in reading The 1619 Project created by Nikole Hannah-Jones and The New York Times Magazine. Discussion is on the first 4 chapters. All are welcome. Bring a friend. Whether or not you read all or a portion of the book, please come to listen, ask questions, or discuss as you are comfortable doing. Co-sponsored by the Racial Justice Council and TUCW Women BLM committee.
And click HERE to listen to a podcast from Christopher Lyndon, "1619: Rethinking how it all started."
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NOMINATING COMMITTEE SEEKS QUALIFIED CANDIDATES
FOR CONGREGATIONAL LEADERSHIP
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The Nominating Committee is currently evaluating potential nominees for elected committee positions that will open in June 2022. For descriptions and terms of office for The Board of Trustees, Endowment Committee, Committee on Ministry, and Nominating Committee, please click HERE. If you have an interest in being considered or would like to suggest a member for consideration, kindly email the Nominating Committee at nominating@uuwestport.org this week. |
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THE BOARD OF TRUSTEES MEETS THIS TUESDAY ON ZOOM |
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The Board of Trustees meets every third Tuesday, either on ZOOM or in the West Wing, depending on COVID conditions. Accordingly it will meet this coming Tuesday January 18 at 7 PM on ZOOM. These meetings are open to the public should you wish to attend. And all congregants and members are always invited to reach out to any of the board members should you have questions, comments, observations or opinions to share. We welcome your thoughts! board@uuwestport.org. Board members: Luke Garvey, Stapley Emberling, Steve Grathwohl, Catherine Onyemelukwe, Beth Cliff, Andy Gundell, Wendy Levy, Ravi Sankar, Deb Garskof
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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 meet first Mondays, 7-8 PM on ZOOM HERE. Linda Lubin
Fridays: Every other Fri (next, Jan 28),12:30-2PM. Shawl Ministry ZOOM Jan Braunle.
First Fridays 12-1PM Awakenings lunch 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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Fierce Self-Compassion book discussion and self reflection workshop Mondays January 17, 24, 31. 7-8:30 PM. Based on the book Fierce Self-Compassion by Dr. Kristin Neff, we will explore what it means to have self-compassion as we work to manifest change within ourselves and the world. ZOOM: HERE Contact Carol Hamilton.
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Sacred Circles with Grandmother Nancy: Tuesday, January 18, 7-8:30 PM. (FIrst and third Tuesdays) Talking circle, thought-provoking conversations. ZOOM HERE Contact Pat Francek
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Black Lives Matter Meeting: Friday, January 21, 7:00-8:00 PM. We will be discussing actions that dismantle racism within ourselves, as well as continue working on the following areas: police accountability, education reform, and conferences intended to inspire and create further action. ZOOM: HERE.
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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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