SOUNDINGS THIS WEEKEND
APRIL 2-3, 2022 - 10 Lyons Plains Road Westport, CT 06880 - Phone: 203.227.7205
visit us at uuwestport.org
CLICK HERE for 2 week calendar PDF. CLICK HERE for past issues of SOUNDINGS.
SATURDAY, APRIL 2, 2022
Every Saturday: Brown bag lunch donations to support John Street Outreach. Drop off Saturdays noon- 4:00 PM. Sign up HERE; contact David Vita to learn more.
From the Erlanger/Folkman families:

Please join us for a commemoration of Mary Erlanger’s life this Saturday, April 2 at 11:00 AM (EDT). As family and friends are spread far and wide, we decided that a ZOOM service was the best way to connect all of those interested in helping to celebrate her life and mourn her passing. We hope that you will join us. And because we do not have a comprehensive email list of people, we hope that you will share this message with others who cared about Mary. Join ZOOM Meeting HERE Meeting ID: 857 1651 9222 Passcode: 593666

The service will have a traditional assemblage of speakers, readings, and musical excerpts. After the formal closing, we will have informal opportunities to share memories. For those of you who have not yet seen her obituary, please click HERE. We look forward to seeing you.
SUNDAY, APRIL 3, 2022
WORSHIP SERVICE: 10:00 AM - In Person and Virtual
"AWAKENING TO WONDERMENT" – REV. DR. JOHN MOREHOUSE
Rev. John explores why curiosity may be the best path to spiritual enlightenment.

Click HERE for the Order of Service.

Our service will be in person and virtual; attendance guidelines are HERE. Our ZOOM link is always on our website's homepage. You can also click HERE. Meeting ID 207 517 697 PASSWORD: 8893787678 Landline: 1 646 876 9923.

Offering can be made on VENMO ("The Unitarian Church in Westport"), on vop.tucw.org, or feel free to mail in cash or check.
Next Sunday, April 10, 2022 at 10:00 AM
"GRACE, EVENTUALLY" – REV. DR. JOHN MOREHOUSE
Note next Sunday we will be using a different virtual platform from ZOOM. See below; instructions will be in next week's SOUNDINGS.
NEW! TASTE OF SOUL SPIRITUAL DISCUSSION GROUP SUNDAYS IN APRIL, 11;15-12:15 IN THE LIBRARY
New Offering in Adult Faith Formation. Please grab a cup of coffee and a treat and join us in sharing one another's wisdom and experiences focused on this month’s congregational theme "Awakenings." This will give you a taste of the Soul Matters materials we use in our Sharing Circles. An example of a quote that will be discussed: "The magic wasn’t imprisoned in childhood. We’ve all had adult moments when we’ve “come alive," wonderfully lost in our work, our creativity, or a kiss. Time both stopped and was set on fire."  Provocative quotes and growth-inspiring resources will be shared throughout this month of Spring. Facilitator- Rev. Laurie Andersen. Location: The TUCW Library off the foyer. Contact: linda@uuwestport.org.
CHILDREN AND YOUTH FAITH FORMATION
Please contact Heather Hamilton for info about pre-K to 7th grade programs; Nate Pawelek for 8th-12th grade programs. Your children and youth are always welcome.
CHILDREN’S FAITH FORMATION. The theme for April: AWAKENING.
Faith Formation tree
Pre K-5- 10AM Children's Chapel (downstairs) We will read the book Ada Twist, Scientist by Andrea Beaty. "It is a wonderful story about the importance of asking our questions, staying curious, and continuing on our search for truth and meaning.” 

Crossing Paths- 10AM Meeting House- We have concluded our study of Judaism and begin our exploration of Christianity led by UU member Tom Croarkin. Next Sunday, April 10th we will be meeting at First Church Congregational, UCC in Fairfield to experience a Palm Sunday service!
The children enjoyed going to Temple Israel last Sunday.
The Coming of Age program for 8-9th graders begins this Sunday, April 3 at 10:00 AM in the former OWL room in the Meeting House, which is now officially the Coming of Age room!

Youth Group – Youth Room – 11:00 AM: Speaker tbd.
CONGRATULATIONS TO JIM LUONGO:
OUR LEADING LIGHT AWARD RECIPIENT FOR APRIL
Jim Luongo
Jim’s contributions to our congregation life, especially his dedication in leading the UU Players for many years, is greatly appreciated.

Jim’s role in directing our UU Players has included encouraging members of our community to participate not just as actors, but in behind-the-scenes roles as stage managers and stage hands, nurturing a thriving theatrical troupe with his guidance, caring and kindness. 

Jim’s commitment to our theater troupe has forged friendships, changed lives, and brought lively entertainment, just when we need it. And in bringing performances to our sanctuary as well as to our homes during the pandemic Jim has demonstrated a spirit of creativity, collaboration, and community connection that exemplifies our TUCW mission: inspiring, acting and connecting.  We are grateful to Jim for his leadership.
TECH UPDATE: TESTING A NEW BROADCAST PLATFORM FOR SERVICE NEXT SUNDAY APRIL 10
technical difficulties
The Tech Team is aware of a number of issues with our live streaming and are working to remedy them. ZOOM, while great for chat, is not a good platform for broadcasting.

Next Sunday, April 10, we will be testing a new platform and you can be part of the test! It’s fine if we run a test with 4 or 5 people but a real test with 40-60 people would be better and that means doing it during a Sunday service. We will be testing beforehand as well.

What about chat you ask? We recognize the importance of the chat function so there will be one, just not ZOOM.

We appreciate your patience and ask that you bear with us for one more week. Thank you. David Vita for the Tech Team
OUR SANCTUARY BUILDING IS OPEN AGAIN!
We have had a facelift and now have new floors, a refurbished library, and a few other cosmetic changes you'll see as you walk in the building on Sunday. Thanks to Diane and Francis, the kitchen is all sparkly, too.

From an access point of view, all is "back to normal." Please schedule your meetings in person in the building as you used to do - there is nothing like seeing people face-to-face as we plan, discuss, make decisions and have fun together.

Remember to reserve meeting space with Diane, our administrator, at diane@uuwestport.org.
silhouette of meditation at orange sunset
MEDITATION: ZOOM and in person in the Children's Chapel downstairs. Sundays at 9:00 AM. For info contact Janet Luongo. ZOOM Meeting - click HERE  ID 604 513 6137 Passcode: 068510
Flowers: Should you wish to donate flowers for a Sunday service, please reach out to Diane Donahue.
Pay it forward: please consider being a greeter on Sundays; help our new folks navigate our community. Sign up for virtual or in person greeting, HERE. Thank you, in advance!
PAST SERMONS/SERVICES
Our sermons are archived on the website HERE.

Women and Faith:
Then Go On and Work

Kim Warman, Intern Minister

March 20, 2022
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
Domestic Violence Crisis Center (DVCC)- 24Hr 888–774–2900
Alcoholics Anonymous: 866-783-7712 https://ct-aa.org/meetings
Al-Anon (family members of alcoholics) https://www.ctalanon.org/meetings
National Suicide Prevention Lifeline: 1.800.273.8255 https://suicidepreventionlifeline.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.