OCTOBER 15-16, 2022 - 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.

Every Saturday 12-4 PM and Sunday 9:30 -9:50 AM: Brown bag lunch donations to support John Street Outreach. Sign up HERE; CLICK HERE for lunch instructions. Contact David Vita. Thank yo!

SUNDAY, OCTOBER 16, 2022

Our mission is to inspire, connect and act. How can we as a congregation live up to that mission in light of the threats to our democracy and personhood? Join us as Rev. John looks at this timely issue and celebrates our efforts to “UU the Vote”

Click HERE for the Order of Service. The service will be in person and virtual; attendance guidelines are HERE. Broadcast of the service is available at uuwestport.org/livestream. 

Offering can be made on VENMO ("The Unitarian Church in Westport"), on vop.tucw.org, or feel free to mail in cash or check.

Music: We are pleased to present a world-premiere performance of an original song that Rev. Ed and Rev. John coordinated especially with the theme of this service.

"Carillon (We Won't Go Back)" will feature our own Andy Gundell on guitar and vocals, and world-class recording artist and vocalist, Tiffany T'Zelle.

Next Sunday, October 23, 2022 at 10:00 AM

“Ordinary Courage" – Rev. Dr. John Morehouse

Please stay after the service for a Town Hall meeting for open discussion and dialogue about the names included on the second ballot. For those participating via Livestream, please stay on the service platform for the meeting.

The Town Hall will be a chance for authors of the top names from Vote #1 to advocate for their name choice; an opportunity for congregants, both in person and online chat, to ask clarifying questions; and is meant to provide key details of the survey results. 

The result of Vote #1 gave us several names whose only difference was the word “the”. Therefore, we consolidated those names and added two names which received similar vote counts. The names, listed in alphabetical order, can be found HERE. 

A reminder that Vote #2, for members only, starts online Sunday October 16 and will end at midnight on October 23. This vote will produce a list of three names. CLICK HERE to vote. Important: add your name to validate your vote and click Submit when finished.

Note all detailed info about the name change process can be found on our website, HERE. Questions/concerns? Contact namechange@uuwestport.org



Forest bathing is a gentle, meditative practice designed to immerse you in the benefits of being - not moving through -nature. Carol Hamilton will engage us in a series of sensory experiences that will increase our awareness of nature surrounding our sanctuary.

Research done with people engaging in this process shows many benefits, including a decrease in blood pressure and an increase in the body’s immune response.

Limit 20 participants. Reserve with Carol Hamilton. If you miss the sign up, see Carol outside the sanctuary on Sunday.  Bring: bag lunch to eat beforehand, drink, and something to sit on. Wear: clothes and shoes, appropriate for the weather and grounds. Journaling is welcome. Leave: your cell phone.

Nature is neutral it accepts you as you are.

Please contact Nate Pawelek for any questions about Faith Formation. All are always welcome to be with us. We look forward to getting to know your children better!

Nursery care is always available for babies and toddlers starting at 9:45 AM downstairs in the sanctuary building. Our ushers can help you. 

PreK-5th graders start in the worship service. After the Story for All we will dismiss to our Faith Formation Exploration classes:

• The K-2nd and 3-5th graders will learn about the courage to be good trouble. We have an interesting activity planned that will be good trouble for the congregation!

• The OWL session this week focuses on gender.

• Coming of Agers will embark on their much-anticipated Boston UU Heritage Trip starting Friday.

• The Youth Group will reflect on the message of Rev. John’s sermon topic: the courage to be good trouble, and also will begin learning about the history and culture of Appalachia in preparation for their service trip in April.

UU Meditation & Mindfulness, now HYBRID! 9:00-9:45 AM Sundays

In person - find us in the Oak Room by the lower level entrance or 

on ZOOM - CLICK HERE Meeting ID: 604 513 6137. Passcode: 068510

A UU mix of mindfulness, discourse, relaxation, visualization and silence. Questions? Contact  Janet Luongo.

Pay it forward: please consider being a greeter on Sundays; help our new folks navigate our community. Contact Beth Cliff or Rob Zuckerman to find a Sunday that works for you! 

• Domestic Violence Crisis Center (DVCC)- 24Hr 888–774–2900
• Alcoholics Anonymous: 866-783-7712 https://ct-aa.org/meetings
• Al-Anon (family members of alcoholics) https://www.ctalanon.org/meetings
• Suicide and Crisis Lifeline - Dial 988 Hours: Available 24 hours. Languages: English, Spanish.