November 11-15, 2019 - 10 Lyons Plains Road Westport, CT 06880 - Phone: 203.227.7205

CLICK HERE for past issues of SOUNDINGS . The Upcoming Events calendar is below.

Thanks to all who attended last Sunday's Town Hall Meeting with Goody Clancy and Turner Construction, who shared information on our campaign projects and costs. A video of the meeting will be available as soon as possible; in the meantime, catch up with friends who were there. It’s all very exciting!

November 24 - Membership Meeting. You should have received via email the formal announcement regarding our November 24 Membership Meeting, where we vote whether to approve the allocation of funds to support our Capital Campaign plans. This is a critical piece of our process. Please be prepared to be there. (It’s the Sunday before Thanksgiving weekend.) CLICK HERE for the Agenda.

Meet the members of our Facilities Team!

Our newly assembled Facilities Team has years of experience and will guide us well. Headed up by John Turmelle, it includes Jay Lubin, Diane Melish, Sal Mollica, Ulla Surland and Dan Valentine. They will be working together with Rev. John on all aspects of the Capital Campaign project. We trust them to make the best possible decisions for the congregation as the project unfolds. Please CLICK HERE to read about their extensive backgrounds.

Finally, we are always delighted to accept pledges should you have missed the window earlier, or want to add in a bit more, now. CLICK HERE to do so.

UPCOMING CAPITAL CAMPAIGN EVENT

See Capital Campaign website for all info, and email: [email protected]

Did you miss the great testimonials of your fellow TUCW-ers at Beardsley? It's so much fun to see them in action and hear what they have to say. Click HERE and catch up!

SURJ Meeting - Tuesday, November 12 at 7:00 - East Wing

What are our roles, as white people, in supporting racial justice movements? How do we own our whiteness in helpful ways?

Join us every 2nd Tuesday of the month to organize in solidarity with people of color and challenge racism.

Showing Up for Racial Justice (SURJ) is a national network of groups and individuals working to undermine white supremacy and to work toward racial justice. Through community organizing, mobilizing, and education, SURJ moves white people to act as part of a multi-racial majority for justice with passion and accountability. This is a Fairfield County chapter that will be meeting at our church.

Heather Pierson Acoustic Trio at Voices Café

Saturday, November 16 at 8:00 PM

"Heather's Trio gave one of the most entertaining, artistic, and engaging performances we've hosted in our 46 years! Their consummate musicianship, gorgeous vocal harmonies, and excellent songwriting held me and our full-house audience spellbound. Individually, the three of them are terrific. As a trio they are astounding... The walls of our little venue hold many wonderful sounds and memories. We've just added some of the best." ~ Dave Humphreys ~ Two Way Street Coffeehouse ~ Downers Grove, IL

CLICK HERE to purchase tickets. CLICK HERE to listen to the Trio.

Celebrating the Feminine in Our Sacred Texts

Sunday, November 17 at 3:00 pm

Saugatuck Congregational Church

245 Post Road East, Westport

Three women faith leaders - Jewish, Christian, and Muslim - will discuss the pivotal, often overshadowed, role of women in their ancient sacred texts and reflect on the relevance of those texts for women and men in today’s interfaith world.

Rabbi Elana Nemitoff-Breiser, Temple Israel, Westport

Reverend Heather Sinclair, Methodist Church, Westport

Dr. Mahjabeen Hassan, (AMWA) American Muslim Women Association

Moderator: Reverend Alison Patton, Saugatuck Congregational Church

Holiday Boutique is coming!

The jewelry, the scarves you never wear - they will be the delight of someone else. Now is the time to donate.

Bring your contributions of jewelry and scarves to the Church Office and include your name so we can say thank you.

All women are welcome at all events.

Sacred Circles with Grandmother Nancy Andry

Tuesdays, November 12, 19 and December 10, 7:00 - 8:30 PM

in the Meeting House. Grandmother Nancy is an elder and storyteller, a lifelong student of the native red road of spirituality. She has studied with medicine teachers of the Lakota, Ojibwa and Mi’kmaq nations. She is also a Sun dancer and Sacred Pipe Carrier. She will be sharing a few stories during the evening and will lead a talking circle.

Learn more about Grandmother Nancy and our Sacred Circle HERE.

Mark your calendar - Holiday Potluck at the home of Diane Melish, Sunday afternoon, December 8th.

Learn about more upcoming events at uuwestport.org/tucwomen-events

RSVP for events by email: [email protected] Join our mailing list HERE.

ONGOING PROGRAMMING FOR ADULTS

These opportunities for learning and connection are ongoing and offered in November and December. Visit Adult Faith Formation on our website or email leaders as listed below.

Mondays 6:30-8:00 PM Meeting House Buddhist Practice Group [email protected] Let Nina know you are attending.Teachings offered on a donation basis.

Mondays 7:00-8:30 PM. Rev. John's Office thru November 18. Grief Support Group [email protected] or [email protected]

Tuesdays 7:00-8:30 PM (Nov 12,19; Dec 10) Meeting House. Sacred Circles with Grandmother Nancy Andry [email protected]

Wednesdays 7-8:15 PM. Meeting House The Power of Now [email protected]

Monthly, various dates and times. Small group ministry meetings . [email protected] These must be signed-up for ahead of time as they depend on host availability, group size etc.

SPIRITUAL PRACTICE AND FAITH EXPLORATION:

DAILY ACTIVITIES FOR BUSY FAMILIES

Spiritual practice and faith exploration take place at church, and outside TUCW walls as we lead our daily lives. At TUCW we draw on Soul Matters , among other resources, to help guide us in this process. See Soulful Home - Supporting Families as They Explore the Sacred in Everyday Spaces

November’s Mantra: "Where My Attention Goes, My Energy Flows"

This week, pay special attention to the things that “catch your eye.” When doing our usual routines, little things often grab our attention: rocks, seedpods, an old coin or a broken piece of pottery, etc. Most often, we walk right past them. But this week, let's start a temporary collection as a way to capture these little gifts of paying attention and to be extra grateful for the ways our world surprises us with tiny treasures. Make a small centerpiece or display somewhere where you can see it and appreciate it each day.

Questions re Faith Formation? Contact Rev. Shelly at [email protected].

Child care is provided for Sunday Services and on an as needed basis for other events. Organizers of events should contact  Nate Pawelek  to arrange child care.

Mon Nov 11

Buddhist Practice Group - MH 6:30

Bell Choir - 6:45

Grief Support Group -Rev. John’s office - 7:00

Tues Nov 12

TUCWomen’s Workshops - MH - 6:30

SURJ Fairfield County - EW - 7:00

Wed Nov 13

Domestic Violence Task Force - EW - 12:30

Teen Choir - 6:00

NVC Practice Group - WW - 7:00

The Power of Now - MH - 7:00

COM - Rev. John's office - 7:30

Thur Nov 14

Children’s Choir - 5:00

Membership Team - EW - 7:30

Women’s & Men’s Choir - 7:45

Fri Nov 15

Small Group Steering Committee - WW - 11:30

Climate Change Potluck - EW - 6:00

Sat Nov 16

A Better Man - MH - 8:00

Choir rehearsal - Sanctuary - 9:00

Small Group Facilitators - MH - 10:00

Creating Theology Together - WW - 11:00

Voices Cafe - Sanctuary - 8:00

Sunday, Nov 17

Meditation - Willow Room - 10:00

OWL - OWL room - 10:00

OWL Parents - YR - 10:00

2nd-3rd Grade - Pine Rm - 11:00

4th-7th Grade - MH - 11:00

9th-12th Youth Group - YR - 11:00

COM "Talk Backs with Ministers" - Sanctuary - 12:30

Mon Nov 18

Buddhist Practice Group - MH 6:30

Bell Choir - 6:45

BOT – Communications - WW - 7:00

Grief Support Group -Rev. John’s office - 7:00

O&AS - 7:45

Tues Nov 19

Gender Equity - WW - 10:00

TUCWomen’s Workshops - EW - 6:30

BOT - EW - 7:00

Wed Nov 20

Teen Choir - 6:00

Stewardship - WW - 7:00

The Power of Now - MH - 7:00

Chamber Choir - 7:45

Thur Nov 21

Children’s Choir at 5:00 pm

Finance Committee - WW - 6:00

Women’s & Men’s Choir - 7:45

Fri Nov 22

Shawl Ministry - MH - 12:30

UU Movie Discussion - MH - 7:30

Sunday, Nov 24

PreK-1st - Oak Room - 9:00

Meditation - Willow Room - 10:00

Family Friendly Service - sanctuary - 11:00

Member Meeting - Sanctuary - 12:30

SEE TUCW'S CALENDAR FOR MORE INFORMATION   

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  [email protected] .

CLICK HERE  to learn more about our Pastoral Care Associates.

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  [email protected] .

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.