APRIL 25-29, 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 THAT OUR SERVICES ARE NOW ON uuwestport.org/livestream
If you haven't pledged for next year, please do so: uuwestport.org/2022pledge.
GRIEF SUPPORT GROUP MONDAYS MAY 2, 9, 16, 23. 5-6:15 PM
Two of our Pastoral Care chaplains are offering a Grief Support Group for those who have lost a significant person in their lives. This is a multi -week support group for those experiencing grief from a loss that is recent or in the past. The group is marked by compassion, safety, support and confidentiality. Understanding the grief process, sharing our losses, finding ways to cope and discovering new meaning in life are integrated in our sharing each week. Each session builds upon the one before. Thus we ask that you attend each session if possible.

Sessions run May 2, 9, 16 and 23 from 5 to 6:15 PM. We’ll meet virtually and then if there is a consensus we can switch to in-person meetings. For more info or to register, contact Pastoral Care facilitators Pat Francek or Chuck Harrington.
"MEET THE MINISTER" SUNDAY, MAY 1 - 11:15 AM
Want to know more about our Senior Minister, and meet some of the other newcomers who have been joining us? Are you thinking about joining us as a member? You are invited to join an informal "Meet the Minister" session directly after the service on Sunday, May 1 in Rev. John's office.

Plus, take note: we will be recognizing new members at our service Sunday, May 15. Contact Rob Zuckerman or Beth Cliff should you be ready to take that important step with us! All are welcome, for sure!
WOMEN'S SPRING GATHERING - SAT APRIL 30 - 4-6:30 PM
May Pole top wreath
COME CELEBRATE SPRING! 
Make a beautiful floral wreath to wear! Tickle your funny bone with Laughter Yoga! Reconnect with one another and welcome new members in our community. Special Guest, Grandmother Nancy. Great conversation, a Scarf Swap, Music, Dance, and a Pot Luck are on the menu! Please bring food and drink to share. Your presence is most important! All who identify as women are welcome. Bring a friend. The more, the merrier! RSVP to: tucwomen@uuwestport.org. For more information, click HERE.
Faith Formation
Offered Sundays in May (excluding the 1st), directly after worship service: "Searching for the Self" discussions. Refer to SOUNDINGS weekEND for details. linda@uuwestport.org
Social Justice Banner
EXPOSING THE RACIALLY COMPROMISED HISTORY
OF THE AMERICAN WHITE CHRISTIAN CHURCH
Color of Compromise
Carrie McEvoy, Ellie Grosso and David Vita, members of the Raising the B.A.R. (Becoming Anti-Racist) Team of the Council of Churches of Greater Bridgeport, invite you to a series about the history of race and the American Church. It runs from April 28 through July 7 on Thursday evenings (7:30-8:45) on ZOOM. Each session covers a different historical period so you’re welcome to attend as many as you wish.
 
Guided by The Color of Compromise book and video series by Jemar Tisby, the sessions move chronologically from America’s colonial past to today’s Black Lives Matter movement.

The Color of Compromise is not about shaming or blaming but rather opening our eyes to a history hidden, unknown, or ignored. Please CLICK HERE to register.
HB5414 PROTECTS WOMEN'S REPRODUCTIVE RIGHTS
ACT NOW!
80% of people in America want abortion to remain legal
Across the country states are criminalizing abortion, which has been legal in the United States since the seminal Roe v. Wade decision of 1973. Last Tuesday Connecticut moved in the opposite direction and deepened its commitment to protecting women's reproductive healthcare. HB 5414, which provides protections for persons receiving and providing reproductive health care services in the state, passed in the House, 87-60. It now goes to our Senate. Read Planned Parenthoods Fact Sheet HERE.

Contact your State Senator to pass the bill when it comes up for a vote in the senate. To find your State Senator CLICK HERE and scroll halfway down the page to FIND YOUR LEGISLATOR.
COME READ AT BEARDSLEY! THURSDAY, MAY 5 - 8:30 AM
Beardsley School Committee and kids - October 2021
The Beardsley Read Aloud Day is back! If you have always wanted to meet the children of Beardsley but could not make a long-term commitment, please consider reading to a class on our Read Aloud Day, May 5.

You will arrive at school, have a cup of coffee and read through your book, then be escorted to your classroom to read to the class. The Beardsley Committee will purchase a beautiful picture book for you to read and then present to the teacher for their classroom library. If you would like to make this meaningful connection to Beardsley, kindly email Anita Pfluger

If you are not free to visit the school in person, you can easily make a gift of supplies the teachers have requested through our online Beardsley Board -- or grab a paper Bear tag in the foyer off the display Board. Thank you!
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 Interfaith Theology RSVP HERE Nancy McKeever

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, Apr 8), 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 and in person) ZOOM HERE Janet Luongo

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: May 3 (1st and 3rd Tuesdays). 7:00-8:30 PM. Learn about Indigenous knowledge and rituals. Grandmother Nancy will teach us about identifying our spirit animals.  ZOOM HERE Contact Pat Francek

  • Black Lives Matter Book Discussion, Friday, May 6, 7:00-8:30 PM. "The 1619 Project" by Nikole Hannah-Jones and theNew York Timesmagazine. We will be focusing on pages 219-286. Co-sponsored by the Racial Justice Council and TUCWomen BLM committee. All are welcome whether you've read the book or not. ZOOM:HERE. And click HERE to listen to a podcast from Christopher Lyndon, "1619: Rethinking how it all started."
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.