SEPTEMBER 17-18, 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.

BROWN BAG LUNCH PROGRAM EXPANDS TO INCLUDE SUNDAYS

In coordination with April Barron of Helping Hands Outreach, we have provided over 26,000 lunches to folks in Bridgeport at the John Street Bridge, the PT Barnum Community, and five half-way houses since April, 2020!

Beginning this Sunday we’re expanding our lunch drop-offs at the church to include Sunday mornings 9:30 AM to 9:50 AM. Our Saturday drop off between 12:00 and 4:00 will continue.

We’re doing this for two reasons:

So that folks who have been dropping off lunches on Saturday and coming to Sunday service can make one trip instead of two.

So that folks who have not been participating can have the opportunity to provide lunches on their way to Sunday service.

Please CLICK HERE for lunch instructions. Thank you!

SUNDAY, SEPTEMBER 18, 2022

Belonging to a spiritual community involves genuine engagement with one another. In this service, Rev. John will explore how such engagement is possible.

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. You can always access it from the BLUE button to the far right on the homepage of our website, uuwestport.org. 

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 25, 2022 at 10:00 AM

“Whose Are We?” – Rev. Dr. John Morehouse

plus EXPO 22! - scroll below for details -

"MEET THE MINISTER" 11:15 AM

Have you joined us this summer and liked what you experienced? And now, want to know more about who leads our congregation as our Senior Minister? And want to meet some other newcomers who have been joining us who have questions too?

Who is Rev. Morehouse? What's his background, what are his thoughts about Unitarian Universalism, and about congregational life here in Westport?

You are invited to join an casual "Meet the Minister" gathering directly after the service this Sunday, Sept 18 in Rev. John's office. This will be an informal conversation: a time to ask questions and to get to know each other more personally, outside of the Sunday AM post-worship rush!

RSVP to Rob Zuckerman or Beth Cliff.  See you then!

ALL NAME SUBMISSIONS DUE TODAY, SEPTEMBER 18

PLUS STAY AFTER CHURCH TO GET QUESTIONS ANSWERED 

The Naming Committee reminds everyone that this Sunday September 18 is the final day to submit recommendations for a name for TUCW. To find out more, please go to our dedicated webpage https://uuwestport.org/naming-committee/, that includes answers to Frequently Asked Questions HERE. Also refer to Rev. John's letter from Tuesday for a broader context, by clicking HERE.

After Sunday's service all are invited to join Committee members in the sanctuary to learn more about our process. Can't make that? Then join them on ZOOM this Wednesday, 7-8 PM, ZOOM link HERE. Meeting ID: 838 2753 2380 Passcode: 558581. 

This is a very important process in the life of our congregation. Please, participate in it! We want your thoughts and points of view.  

Questions? Contact namechange@uuwestport.org.

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!

If you haven't registered, please do so, now! Click here for an easy online form. 

Nursery care is always available for babies and toddlers starting at 9:45 AM. (Sanctuary building; downstairs. Please drop off and pick up.)

For this Sunday, here's what's happening:

preK-5th grades start in the sanctuary with their parents/caregivers and will leave the sanctuary with their teachers after the Story for All. All classes are as follows:

• preK through 2nd grade (Chapel - sanctuary building, downstairs) Please pick up your child after the service.
• Grades 3-5 (Meeting House, main level). We will bring your child to you in the sanctuary building after the service.
• Our Whole Lives ("OWL") 6-7th grades (Meeting House - OWL’s Nest 3rd floor). At capacity.
• 6th-8th graders not in OWL: For now, join us in worship in the sanctuary. Programming to follow shortly: stay tuned and feel free to reach out to Nate with your thoughts.
• Coming of Age 9th graders (Meeting House, COA Room 3rd floor). This class runs through til c.11:30 AM. At capacity.
• High School Youth Group for all 9-12 graders, 11:00 AM (Meeting House, lower level Youth Group Room). Their Learning Journey will be the Appalachian Service Project in VA.

This Sunday is our official first day of Faith Formation programming for all ages! This year, each age group will experience a UU-principled Learning Journey (even the young children!) where we will travel to a destination to experientially apply all that we explore during our Sunday morning Faith Formation classes. 

Through-out the year, the preK-5th grade groups will explore a modified, age-appropriate program from Soul Matters.The culmination of their exploration will be either Kroka Expeditions in Marlow, New Hampshire or the Maine Local Living School in Temple, Maine during the late winter or early spring of 2023.

EXPO 22 DIRECTLY AFTER SERVICE NEXT SUNDAY, SEPTEMBER 25: FOOD AND FUN! CHILDCARE!

NEXT SUNDAY! 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. We are grateful to our Committee on Ministries ("COM") for providing FOOD! And yes! Childcare supervision at the playground will be provided for parents with youngsters - we have a high schooler who is excited to be helpful. Maybe there'll even be some wiffle ball ...!

SEE YOU THERE! Questions? Contact Kathy Roberts.

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.