SEPTEMBER 10-11, 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.

SUNDAY, SEPTEMBER 11, 2022

Welcome back to everyone as we reconvene and formally kick off our church year. It's good to be back and it will be great to see everyone!

A reminder that this Sunday, we will start outside near the children's playground and parking lot, and then march in together after the first part of the service is conducted outside. This is a time-honored tradition here at our UU home in Westport and we look forward to sharing it again with each other on Sunday. 

Reverend John will be delivering his sermon, entitled "Walking the Way." We come home to a world faced with struggle. How shall we walk the way?

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.

Next Sunday, September 18, 2022 at 10:00 AM

“Being With, Not Doing For” – Rev. Dr. John Morehouse

Please contact Nate Pawelek for any questions about Faith Formation (traditionally known as "Sunday School," "religious education" or "RE") for your children. All are always welcome to be with us - newcomers and oldtimers alike - and we know we can make a positive difference in famiies' lives. We look forward to getting to know your children better!

The High School Youth Group traveled to Alaska last April on an amazing environmental learning journey. This year, we are very excited to share that we are planning UU-principled learning journeys for ALL ages! (Destinations and themes TBD). This is a great time to be part of our Faith Formation program! 

Notes for this Sunday: 

Nursery care for babies and toddlers is available this Sunday in the library (to the right as you enter the sanctuary.)

Young children in grades PreK/Kindergarten through 5th will gather for a special Children’s Chapel service led by Nate Pawelek at 10:00 AM. Our topic is pineapples. Did you know that the pineapple is a symbol for welcoming? After the Story for All in the adult worship service, we will dismiss together to the chapel room for all things pineapples, including a special song and some sampling of yummy pineapple chunks!

The 6-7th grade Our Whole Lives (OWL) program will commence this Sunday with a required Parent/Child Orientation from 11:15 AM-1:45 PM in the Meeting House. If you have a youth who is of the 6-7th grade age, please consider participating in this important 10-session program about human sexuality, offered at a pivotal point in children's lives.

The Coming of Age program for 9th graders continues at 10:00 AM in the COA room of the Meeting House.

The High School Youth Group convenes for its first meeting of the church year this Sunday at 11:00 AM in the youth group room of the Meeting House.

As a regular practice (this Sunday being special because it's Homecoming), our Faith Formation classes are as follows:

• Nursery and toddler care (infant-preK) (Library - sanctuary building, to right of entrance)
• Kindergarten through 2nd grade (Chapel - sanctuary building, downstairs)
• Grades 3-5 (Meeting House, main level)
• Our Whole Lives ("OWL") for 6-7th grades (Meeting House - OWL’s Nest 3rd floor)
• Coming of Age for 8-9th grades (Meeting House, COA Room 3rd floor)
• High School Youth Group, 11:00 AM (Meeting House, lower level Youth Group Room)

EXPO 22 DIRECTLY AFTER SERVICE SUNDAY, SEPTEMBER 25

COMING UP! EXPO 22: a chance for us to learn more about all that we as a congregation are doing to support each other and causes we care deeply about. This is the time to learn from our various committees, and to sign up and introduce yourselves to friends and fellow congregants! 

SUNDAY, SEPTEMBER 25 - directly after church, outside in the patio. Light refreshments provided. And yes! childcare supervision at the playground provided for parents with youngsters. Maybe there'll even be some wiffle ball ...!

SEE YOU THERE! Questions? Contact Kathy Roberts.

ALL NAME SUBMISSIONS DUE NEXT SUNDAY SEPTEMBER 18: VIRTUAL INFO SESSIONS THURS SEPT 15 and WED SEPT 21

The Naming Committee reminds everyone that Sunday September 18 is the final day to submit a recommendation for a name for TUCW. Frequently Asked Questions about the naming and voting process can be found HERE.

All are invited to attend two ZOOM meetings planned to provide more information and an opportunity for attendees to ask questions about name submissions and the voting process. The ZOOM events will be held Thursday, September 15 and Wednesday, September 21 from 7:00-8:00 PM. The ZOOM link is HERE. Meeting ID: 838 2753 2380 Passcode: 558581. Questions can be sent to [email protected].

We had previously announced the news of longtime member Bill Rother's passing. Our sympathies go to his wife Bonnie and daughter Samantha and their extended family and friends. Bill's obituary is HERE.

Bill's memorial service will be in our sanctuary on Saturday, September 24 from 4-5:30. All are warmly invited to join Bonnie and Bill's family and friends to celebrate his rich and full life.

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.