June 22-26, 2020 - 10 Lyons Plains Road Westport, CT 06880 - Phone: 203.227.7205
CLICK HERE for past issues of SOUNDINGS.
SUMMER SOLSTICE SERVICE TODAY ONLINE 11:00 AM
Private ZOOM ROOM: XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX
Meeting ID XXXXXXXXX Landline : XXXXXXXXXXX PASSWORD : XXXXXXXXXXX

The service will air on our Facebook public page at 11:00 AM. Click HERE for the Order of Service. Virtual offering vop.tucw.org.
IT'S HERE THIS WEEK: VIRTUAL GA

ATTEND ALL OR JUST PARTS OF GA!  The UUA will be hosting GA 2020 online this Wed-Sun June 24-28, 2020. Click  HERE  to register as a participant for the full conference or just the parts that interest you. Registration is $150; if you might need financial assistance contact Rev. John .

On Tuesday June 23, 7-8 PM , he will host a planning meeting for all TUCW GA attendees, so that we can leverage our presence there, and so that everyone is equipped for success. Click HERE to join the ZOOM room. Meeting ID: xxxxxx Password: xxxxxx
CONGRATULATIONS To Kristen Leddy,
recipient of the 2020 Very Fine Lifetime Volunteer Service Award
Each year, the Board of Trustees selects the recipient(s) of The Very Fine Lifetime Volunteer Service award and presents it at our Annual Meeting. Last Sunday, Trustee Carrie McEvoy announced the 2020 Recipient. Well done, Kristen! As Carrie shared:
"The recipient the Board selected this year has put in countless hours in service to The Unitarian Church in Westport. They have served on the Board of Trustees. They have led ministerial search committees and intern minister committees. They have helped organize many events and programs, most recently our latest Capital Campaign. And they have always had a warm word, a smile and before Covid, a hug for anyone in need of support and compassion. Our congregation is in a better position today in part due to the time, skill, wisdom, leadership, heart and soul of this year’s recipient of the Very Fine Award. For these and many other reasons, the recipient of this year’s Very Fine Award is KRISTEN LEDDY ."
Welcome to our Racial Justice Resource page .  
This initial posting will be regularly updated. If you have resource suggestions please email them to  david@uuwestport.org . Thank you.
CHURCH GROUNDS AVAILABLE FOR <25 PEOPLE Thru July 31
The TUCW ReOpen Committee ( Rev. Ed Thompson, Linda Hudson, Desmond Hughes, Jay Lubin, Gian Morresi, Stephen Polmar ) has been meeting regularly.
They have the following recommendations to offer for MEETINGS OUTSIDE THE CHURCH BUILDING (on the lawn or in the parking lot). Effective immediately through July 31. 

They encourage us to observe the following suggestions:

1.    Please be sure that your event gets on the church calendar, i.e. be in touch with Diane in the office so that we do not have too many people here at the same time. (Please note that the Nursery School will be in session from 9:00 to 12:00, Monday through Friday, from June 22 through July 31. During that time it would not be a good idea to meet. Also, there will be construction on the parking lot from August 1 through August 19 and no one will be allowed on the grounds during that time.)
2.    Wear a mask during the time that you are meeting
3.    Practice social distancing
4.    Please bring your own lawn chair
5.    The upper limit of people attending your meeting is 25
6.    Taking attendance is encouraged, in the event that contact tracing is necessary.
7.    If possible not to exceed an hour
8.    The building is not open. Use of the inside bathrooms is NOT an option at this time.
9.     Those planning to attend should refer to the “Recommendations for Attending a Meeting at TUCW” on the website.
10. As always, if you are at risk of contracting the virus, or if you’re a risk to others, it’s best to stay home. 

Questions? Contact Rev. Ed.
Let's Stay Connected! Our TUCW community is always looking for ways to create more connectedness among us. We do have a private Facebook group , but that does not account for so many of us who prefer not to be on Facebook at all, and who appreciate the privacy and simplicity of email.
 
So we are pleased to introduce the  TUCWsocial   group for our members and friends where we can share news, ideas, and announcements directly with each other. It is like a virtual 24/7 coffee hour, but from the comfort of our homes. It is part community bulletin board and part chat group, owned and managed by us congregants and not the church ministry or staff.
 
To join simply click   TUCWsocial+subscribe@groups.io  and we will approve your request when it comes to us. Ground rules for use are HERE . Questions? Contact Carol Seiple.
Summer is coming. Please note:

1. Summer services will start on June 28 at 10:00 AM . The first one will coincide with GA. Our Worship Associates are planning a rich and fulfilling summer. Stay tuned.

2. SOUNDINGS will be published every other week, starting this Friday June 26 . We will combine WeekDAY and WeekEND into one publication released Friday mornings.

3. We are cutting back on our daily video messages and weekly Minister’s Messages. Savor them when you see them, just don’t expect to hear from the ministers daily.

4: Ministerial Pastoral Care. Ministers will be taking much-deserved breaks, but we are always covered to meet the pastoral needs of our congregation. Please note:

June 22-June 30: Revs. John, Ed, Jim
July 1-July 21: Rev. Ed, Rev Jim back-up
July 22- July 31: Rev. Jim
August 1-September 1: Rev. John, Rev. Ed back-up
September 1-13+: Revs. John, Ed, Jim

Be sure you refer to the calendar for what’s going on this summer, and let Diane know if you have a church-related meeting. We need to keep the master calendar up-to-date.
Introducing... Our new ministerial intern, Kim Warman!
Currently a seminarian at Meadville Lombard Theological School in Chicago, Kim will be starting her 2-year internship with us this summer. As a long time member of 2nd Unitarian Church in Chicago, Kim was the coordinator of the social justice committee and the chair of their anti-racism committee. Her professional experience includes middle school math teacher and other positions in education. While attending GA with a friend as a teenager, she got “hooked” on the common values of UUism. Extensive travel throughout life has brought her back to the east coast. Though she is aware of changes since living here many years ago, Kim considers it a homecoming of sorts. We are delighted to welcome her.
ZOOM with Nate: Sunday Mornings This Summer

Our Family Faith Formation Sunday Coordinator Nate Pawelek is considering offering his hour-long ZOOM with Nate each Sunday, 11AM-noon, from June 28 thru August 2. Please let him know at nate@uuwestport.org if this this is something you'd be interested in pursuing for your children. ZOOM room would be as this week's: Click HERE . Meeting ID: xxxxxxxxxxxxxxx Password: xxxxxxxx.
• ONGOING P ROGRAMMING THIS WEEK •
Mondays 6:30-8:00 PM via ZOOM Buddhist Practice Group ninazcara@gmail.com Let Nina know you are attending.Teachings offered on a donation basis.

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

Wednesdays 7-8PM, UU the Vote Planning Meeting ZOOM HERE . Meeting ID: xxxxxx Password: xxxxxx. Landline: xxxxxxxxxx Janet at jluongo3@optonline.net

Thursdays , 4-5 PM Talking Circles . ZOOM room HERE . Meeting ID: xxxxxxxxxxx
Password: xxxxxxxxxx Landline: xxxxxxxxxx jimfrancek25@gmail.com

Wednesdays or Thursdays : 8:30-11:30AM, weather dependent. Hiking in locations TBD . Gian gmoressi@gmail.com or Jamie jforbes1@gmail.com

Sundays , 8:30- before church. Hiking at Sherwood Island Gian gmoressi@gmail.com or Jamie jforbes1@gmail.com

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.
All women welcome at all events; visit our website for complete info.
ZOOM Information for All TUCWomen Gatherings: Meeting room: HERE
Meeting ID: xxxxxxxxxxxxx Password: xxxxxxxxxx. Landline: xxxxxxxxxxxxx
Tapping Circles
Carol is a certified EFT provider who was trained to use EFT to resolve trauma. She was a volunteer for the Newtown Trauma Relief Resiliency project in Newtown CT after the Sandy Hook tragedy.
Dates: Mondays, June 22, 29 - Time: 7:00 – 8:30 PM
Sacred Circles with Grandmother Nancy continues online.
Talking circles include drumming, rituals, story-telling and thought-provoking conversations.
Dates : Tuesdays, June 23, 30 - Time: 7:30 – 9:00
Food for the Soul
Eileen Belmont leads the conversation, kick-started by quotes from noteworthy women whose contributions have shaped our identity and our destiny. The influence you exert is through your own life and what you become yourself. - Eleanor Roosevelt
Date: Thursday, July 2 - Time: 12:30-2:00
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 .
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.