December 2-6, 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.
CAPITAL CAMPAIGN NEWS
WE DID IT!!! The vote on November 24 to approve spending Capital Campaign funds for building improvements passed UNANIMOUSLY !! Take a look at photos of that joyous meeting by clicking HERE .
Please join the Leadership Development Team in congratulating JOANN COVIELLO, recipient of December’s Leading Light Award. Joann’s contributions are too numerous to list, but among the many are her tireless work as Stage Manager for the TUCW players and the countless hours she devotes to supporting Voices Café. Each year Joann contributes endless volunteer hours to the tag sale and her recent efforts supporting the Capital Campaign’s Lobster Dinner were a tremendous factor in its great success. Joann not only contributes to TUCW’s amazing music programs by performing in the choirs but further enriches our community by writing beautiful, spiritual songs that the choirs have performed. For all of her involvement in and commitment to TUCW, Joann is truly a Leading Light.
CALL FOR SINGERS FOR CHRISTMAS PAGEANT (Dec. 24, 4 PM)
Every year our youth present a Christmas Pageant complete with costumes, carols, solos and drama. Although it is the nativity story and produced on Christmas Eve, the essence of it is not about a historical figure. Nor is it about historical documentary. It is about the ways that the story talks about the human condition.

There is room for everyone in the pageant and this year there are several openings for solos.

All young people ages 7 - 13 can participate. For more information or to view the schedule please CLICK HERE. Or you may also get information by reaching Rev. Ed Thompson 203-227-7205 ext.18 or ed@uuwestport.org.
Congregational Holiday Party/Potluck
Saturday, December 14

SAVE THE DATE - for the annual potluck and carol sing. Fun for the whole family. CLICK HERE to sign up for the potluck! CLICK HERE to sign up to prepare the gingerbread in advance!
5:00 Family Fun! Come make gingerbread houses with us!
6:00 Share in the potluck dinner.
7:00 Join the fabulous carol sing with Rev Ed at the piano.
Calling all Elves!   Letters to Santa for Beardsley School
Letters to Santa for Beardsley School will be gearing up once again just after Thanksgiving. We can always use more elves to make Christmas brighter for more Beardsley families. If you would like to participate this year, or would like more specific details about this program, please call or text Felicity Medinger at 203 923-3664. All help is appreciated!
The Nields - Voices Cafe - Saturday, December 7 at 8:00 PM
The Nields return to Voices Café after a 5 year absence.  XVII, the Nields’ seventeenth album, is both their most personal and their most community-minded. Well into their third decade as musical partners and—judging by this sublime album––at the very top of their game, the Nields turn to meditations on time, and turning points, their roots and community – both musical and personal – and they also express joy in the present, faith in the future, and a whole lot of hope and promise.

“If you don’t like the Nields, you need to get your ears checked.” ~ ESP, Winston-Salem

So come on out and check your hearing. You won’t be disappointed!
CLICK HERE to purchase tickets and more about Voices Cafe.
The Small Group Ministry has 102 members in 11 groups that meet once a month to discuss a topic. Groups meet on different days and at different locations. Join a group near you! The topic for December is “ Awe.” “Awe makes it possible for us to notice that we are not alone. A part of something greater.” For information see a representative in the foyer or contact Steven Rosenberg - Rosen323@aol.com.
Holiday Boutique
Sundays after each service, December 8 and 15

Fabulous jewelry and scarves - Gifts. Indulgences. FUN!
All women are welcome at all events.
Mark your calendar for Holiday Cheer
Share the Joy of the Season at our Holiday Potluck
Afternoon of December 8th, after the service, at the home on Diane Melish in Fairfield
RSVP for events by email:   tucwomen@uuwestport.org
Women, Spirit and Imagination - Sacred Circles with Grandmother Nancy Andry. Tuesday December 10 - 7:00 - 8:30 PM - in the Meeting House

Grandmother Nancy is an elder and storyteller. 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.

Learn about more upcoming events at uuwestport.org/tucwomen-events. Join our mailing list HERE.
TUCW will be participating in Project Feederwatch! You can do this at your home too! November of each year begins a very special six-month citizen-science endeavor called Project Feederwatch. Jointly sponsored by the Cornell Lab of Ornithology and Bird Studies Canada, the project empowers households across the continent to use their own yards to contribute vital data about North American birds, a task that is more crucial now than ever in our era of mass species extinction." We'll update you once our feeding spot is ready to go!
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 ninazcara@gmail.com Let Nina know you are attending.Teachings offered on a donation basis.

Wednesdays 7-8:15 PM. Meeting House The Power of Now jimfrancek25@gmail.com

Monthly, various dates and times. Small group ministry meetings . Rosen323@aol.com These must be signed-up for ahead of time as they depend on host availability, group size etc.
DAILY SPIRITUAL PRACTICE AND FAITH EXPLORATION
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

This holiday season, when the schedule gets hectic, the planning and festivities keep us on the go, the practice of gratitude can ground us in our heart centers. Being thankful opens us to experience the blessings of joy and peace. Try this simple meditation practice and give yourself the gift of gratitude. Meditation on Gratitude and Joy by Jack Kornfield
UPCOMING EVENTS
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.
Sun Dec 1
Meditation - Willow Room - 10:00

Mon Dec 2
Buddhist Practice Group - MH - 6:30
Voices Cafe Committee - WW - 7:30
Bell Choir at 6:45 pm
O&AS - 7:45
 
Wed Dec 4
Leadership Development Team - Rev. John's office - 12:30
Teen Choir - 6:00
Worship Associates - Rev. John's office - 7:00
The Power of Now - MH - 7:00
Eliminating Racism - Library - 7:30
Chamber Choir - 7:45
 
Thurs Dec 5
Children’s Choir - 5:00
Internship Committee - WW - 6:30
Special Projects Choir - 7:45
 
Fri Dec 6
Shawl Ministry - MH - 12:30
Sat Dec 7
ARM - EW - 12:00
Pageant Rehearsal - Sanctuary - 12:00
Voices Cafe - Sanctuary - 8:00

Sun Dec 8
Holiday Boutique - EW - after each service
Meditation - Willow Room - 10:00
OWL - OWL Room - 10:00
OWL Parents - YR - 10:00
PreK-7th - start doewnstairs - 11:00
9th-12th Youth Group - YR - 11:00
Climate Change - Sanctuary - 12:30

Mon Dec 9
Buddhist Practice Group - MH - 6:30
Bell Choir at 6:45 pm
NVC Practice Group - WW - 7:00

Tues Dec 10
TUCWomen’s Workshops - MH - 6:30
SURJ Fairfield County - EW - 7:00

Wed Dec 11
Domestic Violence - EW - 12:30
Teen Choir - 6:00
The Power of Now - MH - 7:00
COM - Rev. John's office - 7:30

Thur Dec 12
Pageant Rehearsal - 5:00
Membership Team - EW - 7:30
Special Projects Choir - 7:45
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.
YOU ARE NOT ALONE! - 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 .
OUR CHURCH
CALENDAR

For a complete listing of all upcoming activities, see our church calendar. Click here.
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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.