June 21-25, 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.
We Did It words centered over jumping Cathy
6 months, 10 committee members, 88 Donors, 119 items, 137 participants, 69 winners....

WAIT! Make that 70, as TUCW came away as the biggest winner at $20,000!! All from YOUR love and generosity. Thank you, thank you.

Click HERE for list of donors.

Huge thanks to the Steering Committee of Mary Jane Cross, Cindy Potter and Linda Hudson who made it all come together for us.
WE HAD FUN! A(UU)CTION CLOSING CEREMONY
The team in action, ready to broadcast live.
Beth Cliff as Bethel Merman
"Bethel Merman" kicks it off in style.
Andy Gundell at Auction Closing Ceremony Saturday June 12 2021
Andy Gundell provides his customary brilliant performance.
AUUCTION finale
The "cast" finishes off the night with the requisite reprise of "Jump In and Swing!"

Didn't get a chance to see the opening montage? Sit back and enjoy some great swing music and good fun from your fellow congregants - 4 minutes of smiles.
CONGRATULATIONS TO MARY JANE CROSS AS
2021 VERY FINE AWARD RECIPIENT
At our Annual Meeting, the Board announced Mary Jane Cross as the 2021 recipient of the Very Fine Award for her years of service to us. As Catherine Onyemelukwe shared on Sunday: "Mary-Jane models some of the very best of volunteerism at TUCW...She is reliable, diligent, and timely. She does what needs to be done quietly, efficiently, and without fanfare... MJ has kept this place operational over the years and … it has been her work behind-the-scenes that has saved the day on many an occasion. MJ has long been an unsung hero at TUCW, and today it is time to sing her praises." For the complete write-up, click HERE. Congratulations, Mary Jane, and THANK YOU!
NEXT NAME CHANGE DISCUSSION: TUESDAY JUNE 29
Reminder that upcoming Name Change discussion meetings will be: Tuesday, June 29, 6:00 PM. Luke Garvey and Beth Cliff, hosts. ZOOM HERE; and Saturday, July 17, 9:00 AM. Catherine Onyemelukwe, host. ZOOM HERE

If you have not attended a prior meeting, we encourage you to join one of these meetings, and share your thoughts and opinions.
OUR BUILDING OPEN FOR SCHEDULED MEETINGS
TUCW members taking notes in East Wing
We're delighted to open up our building to teams and groups. Please clear in advance with Dianediane@uuwestport.org

Here are our requirements: 
1. Alert Diane to your intent to meet in person
2. Masks are required for all if anyone is not vaccinated. If folks are all vaccinated, masks can be off. 
3. If you bring in food or drink, you must take it all with you when you leave. NO EXCEPTIONS. 
4. No food or drink preparation in the kitchen, please. 
5. If you generate any trash, please take that home with you, too, otherwise it could sit in the hot building and fester ...

As always, please leave the space as you found it. This building is our place of worship and our community gathering area. It is also our staff's workplace. Please let's be thoughtful of one another.

Note: The Meeting House is also available for use, but only the main room and bathroom - no kitchen or other floors, please. No food preparation; take any trash home with you.
Our summer schedule for SOUNDINGS will begin next weekend. We will publish a combined WeekEND and WeekDAY edition on June 25, and then move to a 2-week schedule, so that the next edition will be July 9. Please plan accordingly!
Social Justice Banner
JUNETEENTH IS NOW A FEDERAL HOLIDAY!
It's official! June 19 is now Juneteenth National Independence Day, a US holiday commemorating the end of slavery in the United States. 

“What I see here today is racial divide crumbling -
being crushed, this day, under a momentous vote
that brings together people who understand the value of freedom,” Rep. Sheila Jackson Lee (D-Texas), the sponsor of the bill, said at a press conference with other lawmakers shortly before the House vote.
ANTI-RACISM RESOLUTION AND 8th PRINCIPLE
APPROVED BY CONGREGATION
At the Annual Meeting the congregation voted overwhelmingly to pass our Anti-Racism Resolution including adoption of the UUA’s proposed 8th Principle. This followed many months of work by members of the Racial Justice Council and was supported by the Board of Trustees. This is a significant step in committing to becoming an intentionally and proactively anti-racist congregation, supporting the goals of the Black Lives and other similar movements. The Resolution will guide us as we strive to become a more diverse and multicultural Beloved Community. Click HERE for the Anti-Racism Resolution in its entirety.
RACIAL HEALTH INEQUITIES: A VIRTUAL WEBINAR
MONDAY, JUNE 28 - 7:00 PM on ZOOM
chart that shares racial discrepency in CT healthcare
Did you know?
Connecticut is one of our country’s healthiest states, yet there are tragic and costly racial disparities between the health of white residents and residents of color. We must do what we each can to address this situation; join us to learn more at our upcoming webinar brought to us by our TUCWomen.
Rev. Robyn Anderson
Our guest speaker will be Rev. Robyn Anderson, Director of the Ministerial Health Fellowship, an integrated, faith-based health care advocacy network that addresses systemic barrier to black communities' access to care. David Vita will share action steps, and Carolyn Gundell will be our moderator. This event will feature art and musical performances by actor Ryan Williams French and The Quintet, an ensemble led by our own Rev. Ed Thompson
Advance registration is required. Click HERE to register
This event is free and open to the public. Questions? Contact TUCWomen@gmail.com 
VOLUNTEERS NEEDED TO HELP SET UP APARTMENTS
Great news! Refugee families are once again arriving in Bridgeport under the sponsorship of the Connecticut Institute for Refugees and Immigrants (CIRI). As in the past, volunteers from TUCW and four other area churches will assist CIRI in setting up apartments for these new arrivals. The apartment set ups take place during the week and volunteers will work in 2-3-hour shifts usually from 10:00 am until 3:00 pm. If you are interested in volunteering, please contact either Julyen Norman or Stephen Polmar. for further information.
ONGOING PROGRAMMING EACH WEEK
Mondays 6-7:30 PM via ZOOM Buddhist Practice Group Nina Nagy Let Nina know you are attending.Teachings offered on a donation basis.

Wednesdays: 7-8:15 PM The Power of Now Jim Francek; 7-9 PM Is Mysticism Where Science, Art and Religion Meet? Bart Stuck

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

Fridays 12-1 PM Awakenings ZOOM HERE Kathy Roberts

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

1st Saturday and 3rd Tuesday 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.
Questions? Contact TUCWomen@gmail.com
  • Sacred Circles with Grandmother Nancy: Tuesday, June 22, 7:00-8:30 PM. Talking circle, thought-provoking conversations. ZOOM HERE.

  • Meditation Mondays: Starting June 21, 7:00-8:00 PM. FIrst of several different types of meditation: "Setting Your Foundation Physically and Mentally" with Carol Hamilton and Elizabeth Macdonald. Includes a guided meditation. ZOOM HERE

  • Black Lives Matter Book Group, Friday, July 9, 7:00-8:30 PM. We will be discussing the first five chapters (140 pages) of the book The Sum of Us: What Racism Costs Everyone and How We Can Prosper Together by Heather McGhee. ZOOM HERE

  • July 27 Launch of Janet Luongo's new book: Rebellion, 1967: A Memoir. October 9, 9 AM - 5 PM Women’s Retreat at Mercy Center by the Sea, Madison CT
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 Dorothy Rich, Diane Cano, or Sharon Poole.
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.