January 18-22, 2021 - 10 Lyons Plains Road Westport, CT 06880 - Phone: 203.227.7205
CLICK HERE for 2 week calendar PDF. .CLICK HERE for past issues of SOUNDINGS.
Well done, all of us, who worked hard to get out the vote in Georgia! UU the Vote lives on! TUCW did our part: postcards, calling, writing, texting. Thank you Janet Luongo, Sari Bodi and Jamie Forbes for leading the charge these past two months. As Rev. John noted in his Minister's Message, little things add up to big ones
 
Now it truly is, onwards and upwards! as the government tries to right itself onto a productive path.... To join our work, click HERE.
If you have registered with the UUA you should also have received an email from UUA President Susan Frederick-Gray on Thursday. Here it is in its entirety: Listening to the Call of Love. A good read on the UUA's position about recent events in Washington, D.C. and beyond.
15th ANNUAL REV. DR. MARTIN LUTHER KING, Jr. CELEBRATION
Sunday-Thursday January 17-21 + February 28 Day Challenge
This year, we are moving our celebration online, with three events and expanded opportunities to take up Dr. King's call to action.
Sunday, January 17, 12 noon: A rare opportunity to hear Layla F. Saad, author of the book Me and White Supremacy, interviewed by TEAM Westport’s Bernicestine McLeod Bailey. Learn more and register.
 
Tuesday, January 19, What Can I Do Next? Rev. Alison Patton, Jenny Nelson (of the Westport Country Playhouse) and Harold Bailey (Chair, TEAM Westport), discuss the 28-day practice of self-reflection outlined in Saad's book and invite community members to take up the challenge. On Zoom. Register here.
 
Thursday, January 21, Toward a More Just WorldThe Playhouse hosts an inspirational evening of monologues from four Black theater artists responding to the work of Dr. King and the themes of Ms. Saad’s book - online. RSVP here.
Monday, February 1, Embark on the 28-Day Challengeduring Black History Month, Westport/Weston community members are invited to take up Ms. Saad’s challenge. Pick up your copy of the book at the Westport Library or consider purchasing your own copy of book and workbook through from one of these Black-owned independent bookstores

All events are FREE and open to the public with RSVP.

Sponsored by The Westport Library, the Westport Country Playhouse, TEAM Westport, the Westport/Weston Interfaith Council and the Westport/Weston Interfaith Clergy Association.
BOARD OF TRUSTEES MEETS THIS TUESDAY NIGHT, JANUARY 19
The Board of Trustees ("BOT") meets every third Tuesday of the month. Minutes from the last meetings can be found here; Rev. John's December 2020 Report to the Board, here.

At our next meeting we will continue to discuss Board business as laid out in an agenda including the Report from the Minister; PBG; Governance, Limitations and Ends; Finance; and Linkage.

Please let the Board know if there is something you wish it to discuss or weigh in on. Board@uuwestport.org.
COUNCIL OF CHURCHES OF GREATER BRIDGEPORT
INTERFAITH PRAYER AND REMEMBRANCES: THURSDAY JANUARY 21
For the 24 people killed in Bridgeport in 2020
Thursday, January 21, 2021, 12:00-12:45 PM
at McLevy Green, Bridgeport (corner of Main St. and State St)

Members of all faiths are invited to join us.
MASKS and SOCIAL DISTANCING ARE REQUIRED.

We will remember those who were killed, and pray for their families, their friends, and the city of Bridgeport, for an end to gun violence, and for peace.
ADDICTION RECOVERY TALKING CIRCLE
LAUNCHING MONDAY FEBRUARY 1 - 7:00 PM
The Addiction Recovery Ministry is sponsoring a Recovery Talking Circle. “Recovery” is a process of moving toward healing. The creation of a peer circle of trust has been found to enhance recovery. Individuals and/or family members may share on a number of issues including compulsive behaviors related to alcohol, drugs, sex, shopping, gaming/gambling, screen overuse and eating.

We are initiating a traditional form of wisdom sharing, a “Talking Circle” used by many indigenous people. The assumption within those communities is that each person has gathered critical learnings and wisdom from their life-long journeys. By creating a circle of
trust formed around qualitative listening joined with shared vulnerability, real growth and support can take place.

The group will meet every other Monday at 7PM, starting February 1. Zoom details to follow. Questions? Contact Jim Francek or Rob Zuckerman.
DVCC DOMESTIC VIOLENCE WORKSHOP
SATURDAY, FEBRUARY 6 - 10:00 AM
Domestic violence has been a growing problem through the pandemic.  The call to “stay home to stay safe” has posed dangerous scenarios for many domestic violence victims who feel isolated and are trapped at home with an abuser. Faith communities remain one of the few places where people can still connect - whether in person on online. 

TUCW is sponsoring a workshop brought to us by The Domestic Violence Crisis Center, to help us recognize the signs of domestic violence and to help folks who might be experiencing abuse: a lifesaving gift. ZOOM details to follow. For more details contact Wendy Levy, head of our Safer Congregations team.
SPECIAL RACIAL JUSTICE PROGRAM:
SUNDAY, FEBRUARY 7 DIRECTLY AFTER WORSHIP
The Racial Justice Council and TUCWomen invite you to join us as we launch Revealing History: How We Got Here, Why It Matters, a series about Black history and its implications for today. We will be joined by Elliott Spillers of the Equal Justice Initiative, who will speak about the justice system and mass incarceration. This multimedia program will also feature art, music and a spoken word performance. 

Stay tuned for more details. The program will be directly after our Sunday Service and use the same ZOOM meeting numbers.
If you haven't completed your Engagement Census, you can do so by clicking HERE. We'd like to hear from every adult affiliated with the church; we don't want anyone lost in the cracks. Thank you.
ONGOING PROGRAMMING EACH WEEK
Mondays 6:30-8 PM via ZOOM Buddhist Practice Group Nina Nagy Let Nina know you are attending.Teachings offered on a donation basis. Starting February 1 7 PM Addiction Recovery Talking Circle. Jim Francek

Wednesdays: 7-8:15 PM The Power of Now Jim Francek; 7-9 PM Is Mysticism Where Science, Art and Religion Meet? Bart Stuck and 7-8:30 PM (Every other Wed; check calendar) #BLM Movie Night. ZOOM HERE. Beth Cliff Sudha Sankar

Thursdays, 4-5 PM Talking Circles. ZOOM HEREJim Francek

Fridays 12-1 PM Awakenings ZOOM HERE Kathy Roberts

Saturdays in January 12-2 PM. Starting Point. Linda Lubin

Sundays 9:00-9:45. Meditation Janet Luongo

1st Saturday and 3rd Wednesday of the month 9:30 AM. TUCW Hiking Group Gian Morresi Jamie Forbes
Our complete calendar is always on our website. Click HERE for quick access.
All women welcome at all events; visit our website for complete info.
ZOOM Information for most TUCWomen Gatherings: Meeting room: HERE ID: 457 957 6089
Password: 998419. Landline: 1.646.558.8656 Questions? Contact TUCWomen@gmail.com
  • Tapping Circles with Carol Hamilton All Mondays in January - 7:00–8:30 PM
  • Sacred Circles with Grandmother Nancy January 19 - 7:30-9:00 PM - note special ZOOM HERE
POTLUCK ON ZOOM: Friday, Jan. 22 - 7:00-8:30 PM
Join us for our January getting to know you event! Cohosts will be Eileen Belmont and Nancy McKeever.

Full details of our Women, Spirit and Imagination Series HERE.
Intensive Journaling offered by Carol Hamilton
Wednesday, January 20th, 7:00-8:30 pm
A biweekly workshop. When regularly practiced, journaling can connect us to our creativity and inner resources for dealing with life’s stressors.
Black Lives Matter Meeting - Friday, January 29, 7:00-8:30
We are stepping out to act in three specific areas: police accountability, education reform and a women’s conference intended to inspire, connect and create further action.

BLM Book Club: Friday, February 5, 7:00-8:30. We are reading two short books. The Fire Next Time by James Baldwin and Between the World and Me by Ta-Nehisi Coates.
SUPPORTIVE RESOURCES
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.
CARING NETWORK
Our support network is 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 Mary Jane Cross or Beth Cliff.
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
Find us on digital and social media: website: uuwestport.org, Facebook public page (Unitarian Church in Westport) private group (uuwestport), and Instagram (uuwestportct).
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.