March 23-27, 2020 - 10 Lyons Plains Road Westport, CT 06880 - Phone: 203.227.7205
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VIRTUAL MEETINGS ONLY
For the safety of our community and per government requirements, all in-person meetings and gatherings at TUCW are canceled or postponed until further notice. Virtual meetings can be held using the
ZOOM platform or others such as FaceTime and iMessage. Contact
Diane at the church office to reserve a ZOOM room.
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WORSHIP SERVICE THIS MORNING ONLINE
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We will be holding worship service at 11:00 AM today, Sunday March 22, streamed via our Facebook page,
Unitarian Church in Westport. Feel free to join our
Watch Party then - we will invite you to it if you are on our private
uuwestport group, and we can all watch together and chat and share in real time.
Or view the video on Facebook afterwards on your own time. Not a social media type? Don't worry, we'll also have it posted on our website under "
Sermons - Video."
Click
HERE for the Order of Service. And if you want to make your virtual offering now instead of while watching the service, click
HERE or use the QR code above.
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We Pledge to Keep Our Community Alive
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We are all affected by the current pandemic and are now forced to practice what Rev. John calls “healthy spacing.” But our services will live on virtually each week, and our
Facebook group, email threads and other online connections have served as spiritual platforms for our congregation to connect, share their worries, and help each other through these trying times. When we are back together again in person, we will sing in the choirs, act through our Social Justice groups, and join one another in the space that we call home – our Church.
The people, documents, utilities, and programs that make all this possible require our financial gifts to keep it all running.
Exceeding our planned target for the Annual Operating Budget Campaign only helps to support more programs and create more energy to fuel TUCW. But coming in under target will mean difficult choices that reduce our impact. The current global situation is a clear sign that being under-budget cannot be an option.
Pledge your intentions today, and then make your payment before June 30, 2021. We need your pledge now so we can put together a budget for our next year. Click
HERE to pledge.
Questions? Contact
stewardship@uuwestport.or
g
And for a quick inspiring video from our Stewardship head, Mary Money, click
HERE
.
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We're In This Together
The church is connecting to our congregation in multiple ways: SOUNDINGS, Minister's Messages, eblasts, video blasts, uuwestport.org postings, and social media. W
ebsite:
uuwestport.org
, Facebook public page (
Unitarian Church in Westpor
t
) and private, members-only group (
uuwestport
), and Instagram (
uuwestportct
).
Please
make it a priority to check
SOUNDINGS
each week. A
ll archived copies since October 2019 can be found
HERE
, and the most recent is always posted on the homepage of
uuwestport.org
.
The red bar on our
website's home page will contain the most up-to-date information about the church and the virus, including messages and video blasts. View it
HERE.
(Please note that on some computers, you will need to refresh your browser before you see the latest post; it takes a few seconds to upload the last entry.)
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The Care Brigade Is Here
At times like these, when we are asked to stay physically apart from each other, it can be difficult – and yet very important – to stay connected and support one another whenever and however we can. This is especially true for those of us who are in high risk groups, who must be quarantined, or who live by ourselves or in isolated places.
We have set up the
TUCW Caregiving Support Network
to make sure all our congregants get the care and connection they need: from grocery shopping to pharmacy pick-ups, from meals delivered to personal phone calls to chat and catch up.
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Virtual Talking Circle on ZOOM this Thursday March 26 4:00 PM
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This Thursday Rev.Jim Francek is offering a
virtual
talking circle on ZOOM as a means of support during this time of uncertainty. It is open to all.
Talking circles have been around since people gathered in clans and groups. These circles are a process for sharing hopes, fears, joys and concerns, and of extending real support as gatherers get in touch with their current questions. Everyone in the circle participates. These circles are often experienced as unifying, healing and supportive processes.
There is no preparation. One only needs to show up ready to step into a sacred space that allows each person to be heard in a respectful manner.
Email
Beth Cliff
by Thursday noon and she will send you ZOOM details.
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Membership Meeting - Sunday, April 5, 2020 -
CANCELED
As per the letter from our Board of Trustees, this meeting has been canceled. Visit our
website and read it
HERE if you missed yesterday's email blast.
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Greetings Fellow Hikers!
Your TUCW hiking team had set up a schedule to enjoy nature with each other this spring. Unfortunately trails are crowded. The Aspetuck Land Trust told members that Trout Brook Valley trails are full up; we’re guessing Saturday AM hikes will be busy anywhere! everywhere!
We will be brainstorming ways to enjoy nature together without overcrowding the trails. Join the conversation on our TUCW hiking email group. If you are not yet a member, email Jamie (
jforbes1@gmail.com
) or Gian (
gmorresi@gmail.com
) to join.
And join us at
Sherwood Island State Park on Sunday, March 29, 1:00 PM
(canceled if raining). We will meet near the pavilion. Unlike the trails in the woods, the paths and beaches are wide; we can enjoy the walk while keeping healthy distances.
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Did you know there is a group of over 3,500 Unitarian Universalists from around the world who connect and worship together virtually?
Our own Margalie Belizaire is active in this organization,
The Church of the Larger Fellowship
("CLF"). Join in worship Sunday nights: prelude at 7:45, service at 8 PM. Go
HERE
for more info.
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DID YOU SEE THIS VIDEO STORY?
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We sent this video out via a special eblast yesterday - it was too good to wait until this morning! Nate has done a fabulous job putting this together to explain the virus situation for our children and youth, but of course it is a story for all ages. Thank you Rev.
Shelly Thompson
and our Family Faith Formation team!
Missed it? Click
HERE
to watch this Story For All Ages.
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These programs are canceled, postponed, or being held on a virtual platform.
Please email the leaders for the most up-to-date information.
ONGOING
PROGRAMMING FOR ADULTS
These opportunities for learning and connection are ongoing and currently offered.
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Mondays
6:30-8:00 PM Meeting House
Buddhist Practice Group
ninazcara@gmail.com
Let Nina know you are attending.Teachings offered on a donation basis.
Monthly,
various dates and times.
Small group ministry meetings
.
Rosen323@aol.com
These must be signed-up for ahead of time; they depend on host availability, group size.
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All TUCWomen events at the church are cancelled until further notice.
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Our complete calendar is always on our website. Click
HERE
for quick access.
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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
.
CLICK HERE
to learn more about our Pastoral Care Associates.
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YOU ARE NOT ALONE! - ADDICTION RECOVERY
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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
.
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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.
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