March 7-11, 2022 - 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.
Reminder to wear a bit of purple at today's service in honor of Int'l Women's Day.
RISING UP! ANNUAL PLEDGE CAMPAIGN KICK-OFF
We hope you all had a great time at our party on Friday. What a kick-off! We'll share more photos soon, but for now it's fun to see us making headlines: https://westportjournal.com/community/unitarian-party-kicks-off-stewardship-drive/

So now you know for CERTAIN: It’s time to start our Annual Pledge Campaign! This year’s theme is “Rising Up!” – out of the socioeconomic situation we’ve been stuck in…to the opportunities we have before us…coming together, getting to the top and making a difference as we go! This campaign focuses on funding vital operations such as salaries, various programs, and must-have infrastructure such as heating, internet service - even snowplowing! - so that we as a congregation can thrive by taking on opportunities to further our faith. Together, if we stretch a little for our pledge, we can help our congregation to keep rising. 

Our goal this year is to make it OVER $500,000. Let's do this!
 
To make your pledge online visit us HERE, or visit the Stewardship table on Sundays to drop off your pledge card. Your generous contributions will help TUCW and our community rise up!
LEARN ABOUT THE PROPOSED NEW ORGAN
Learn all about the proposed new organ by clicking here organ.tucw.org where you will find FAQs, pictures and information about our congregation’s decision process.

Mark your calendar!
Town Halls – March 13 and March 27
Special Meeting of the Membership – April 3
Meetings are in-person after the service and broadcast on ZOOM
INTERPERSONAL VIOLENCE & ELDER ABUSE WORKSHOP SATURDAY MARCH 12 - 9:30-11:00 AM - IN-PERSON
Calling all Interested parties, including Pastoral Care and Worship Associates, TUCW Staff, Volunteers, and Congregants.

Faith communities can play a significant role in providing support for victims of domestic violence, particularly those experiencing intimate partner violence (IPV) and elder abuse. During this workshop, church leaders will learn about the complex dynamics of intimate partner violence. Participants will also learn how to identify warning signs of abuse and different ways to help and support someone experiencing IPV or elder abuse, including local resources.

Presenter: Ann Rodwell-Lawton, M.S.W., Associate Director DVCC

Questions? Contact Wendy Levy
TUCW At The Movies
The UU Movie Group has made its selections for their Friday, March 25, 7:30 PM gathering on ZOOM.

This month's films are: “Cyrano” (Bow Tie Rte. 1 Norwalk & Marquis Trumbull), “C’mon C’mon” ( $5 rental on Amazon and iTunes) and “Rescued by Ruby” (Netflix). No need to watch them all; all are welcome. For ZOOM and further details contact Dorothy Rich.
OUR UUA NEEDS YOU AND YOUR SERVICE!
Do you want to help make real and concrete changes to our Unitarian Universalist Association? Do you want to put your skills and expertise to work for our faith movement? Do you want to explore a passion of yours through denominational service?

The UUA Nominating Committee is seeking nominations for our denominational committees elected by the General Assembly. We are seeking nominations for all of our elected committees: Board of Trustees, Board of Review, Nominating Committee, General Assembly Planning Committee, Commission on Appraisal, Commission on Social Witness, and Financial Advisor.

To learn more and to apply, head over to https://www.uua.org/uuagovernance/volunteer We are asking applications to be in ASAP! Have any questions about serving? Reach out to the nominating committee at nominating@uua.org
Social Justice Banner
SONGS OF PROTEST, SONGS OF LOVE AT VOICES CAFE
SATURDAY, MARCH 12 AT 8:00 PM
The Suzanne Sheridan Band will be playing the music of Joni Mitchell, Leonard Cohen, and Bob Dylan in support of the Ukrainian people.
 
Tickets (livestream and in-person) HERE.
 
We can't help but believe that Joni, Leonard and Dylan would be on the musical frontlines opposing the war on Ukraine. While the times have changed, this music is as relevant now as it was in the 60s and 70 so this concert will be dedicated to the freedom loving people of Ukraine. 
 
Voices Cafe proceeds will be directed to Save the Children to provide food, water, clothing, medical supplies, and emergency assistance to Ukrainian refugees entering Poland, Romania, and Lithuania. And since Save focuses on children, it’s also distributing toys.
Faith Formation
PODCAST DISCUSSION MONDAY MAR. 7, 7:00-8:00 PM - ZOOM
Our March “On Being” podcast discussion will focus on the dialogue between Michael Pollen and Katherine May “Michael Pollan is one of our most revelatory explorers of the interaction between the human and natural worlds — especially the plants with which we have, as he says, co-evolved — from food to caffeine to psychedelics. In this episode of our series, The Future of HopeWintering’s Katherine May draws him out on the burgeoning human inquiry and science to which he’s now given himself over — the transformative applications of altered states for healing trauma and depression, for end-of-life care — and the thrilling matter of grasping what consciousness is for. This is an informative, intriguing, utterly uncategorizable conversation.” Listen to the podcast and then join us on ZOOM. Questions? Contact Linda Lubin.
Next Sunday we continue with our Lent/Passover Traditional Reading as Metaphor series, 11:15 AM in Rev. John's office. Info HERE. Contact: Tom Hearne
REGULAR PROGRAMMING
Mondays: 6-7:30 PM via ZOOM Buddhist Practice Group Nina Nagy Let Nina know you are attending.Teachings offered on a donation basis. Podcast Discussions with Rev. John first Mondays, 7-8 PM on ZOOM HERE. Linda Lubin

Tuesdays: 11AM-12 noon [off until Mar 8] Interfaith Theology RSVP HERE

Wednesdays: 7-8:15 PM The Power of Now Bob Bevacqua

Thursdays: 7:30-8:15 AM. MOVING! (Virtual) low impact aerobics ZOOM HERE. Joanne Glasser Orenstein . 4-5 PM Talking Circles. ZOOM HEREJim Francek.

Fridays: Every other Fri (next, Mar 11), 12:30-2PM Shawl Ministry Jan Braunle.
First Fridays 12-1PM Awakenings ZOOM Kathy Roberts. Last Fridays 7:30 PM
UU Movie Group. ZOOM Dorothy Rich

Saturdays: 12:00 noon- 4 PM John Street Bag Lunch Drop Off David Vita

Sundays: 9 AM Meditation (Virtual) ZOOM HERE Janet Luongo 11:15 Lent/Passover Readings Tom Hearne

The Hiking Group first Saturdays and third Mondays, 9:30 AM. Jamie Forbes Gian Morresi
Our complete calendar is always on our website. Click HERE for quick access
Find us on digital and social media: website: uuwestport.org, Facebook public page (Unitarian Church in Westport) private group (uuwestport), and Instagram (uuwestportct).
All women welcome at all events; visit our website for complete info.
Questions? Contact TUCWomen@gmail.com
  • Sacred Circles with Grandmother Nancy: Tuesday, March 16, 7-8:30 PM. (FIrst and third Tuesdays) Talking circle, thought-provoking conversations. ZOOM HERE Contact Pat Francek
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
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.