February 8-12, 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.
FROM YOUR BOARD OF TRUSTEES
During last Sunday's service, we heard from Luke Garvey, President of the Board of Trustees, as he shared with us our congregation's Priority Ends for the year, and a bit about how we are doing against those ends so far. Recall our priorities are:
  • “We become a sustainable, engaged, growing Congregation comprised of all generations.”
  • “We live out our commitment to promoting social justice causes, especially racial justice and gender equity.”

Take a listen! And please join us on Sunday February 28 after the service when we'll be discussing what these ends could look like for us as we get closer to reaching our goals. As Luke says: "Help us paint the picture." Board information can always be found HERE.
This Wednesday, February 10, 7-8:30 PM the #BLM Movie Group will be discussing "One Night in Miami." Jamie Forbes will emcee. ZOOM HERE. Questions? Contact Beth Cliff or Sudha Sankar .

The UU Movie Group has made its selections for their Friday, February 26, 7:30 PM gathering: Herself” “Sylvie’s Love” “Fisherman’s Friends” and “Supernova”. No need to watch them all; all are welcome. For ZOOM and further details contact Dorothy Rich.
ANNUAL DARWIN DAY CELEBRATION - FRIDAY FEB 19, 2021
The statewide Darwin Day Celebration will be held as a LIVE FREE ONLINE EVENT. We are one of the sponsors of this annual event held in honor of Darwin's birth. James Prosek, internationally acclaimed artist, author, naturalist, conservationist, and Connecticut native will be the evening’s speaker. He will guide us on “The Nature of Reproducing Nature: From Drawing to Naming to Mimicry.” Prosek is a unique visual artist who is attempting to build bridges with the worlds of natural science and the humanities.

A live Q&A with Prosek will follow immediately after his presentation. This year’s online event will also include audience participation in a challenging science quiz. For more information, click HERE. To register click HERE.
PASS CLEAN SLATE… NOW!
Clean Slate legislation is now before the CT General Assembly. It will create an automatic process to erase certain prior CT criminal convictions from an eligible person’s record after they have completed their punishment and remained crime free for a number of years. A criminal record should not be a life sentence limiting employment, education, housing, and other opportunities for those formerly incarcerated to successfully rebuild their lives and reintegrate into society.

Please contact Althea Seaborn if you’re interested in more information or being on a Racial Justice Council team to help pass this important life-changing piece of legislation.
A helpful tip! We are coming down to the final stages of launching a new iteration of our website!! - stay tuned! But even as we wait, we wanted to make sure you knew how to access the church's calendar easily, and to view it in two different ways: the monthly view, and the daily ("agenda") view. First, go to: https://uuwestport.org/calendar-2/, or just click on the calendar bar on the front page of the website. And then you'll see ...
By default, the monthly view will show up, color coded by activity. Remember: Please tell Diane Donahue about all TUCW meetings, whether or not they are on our church ZOOM account or an alternate's.
If you hit the "Agenda" word in the upper righthand corner of the calendar, the calendar will automatically change to this view, and you can scroll down to any date and time.
GENERAL ASSEMBLY - THE UUA's ANNUAL MEETING
JUNE 23-27, 2021

It feels early, but save the dates: June 23-27, 2021. Registration ($200) is open! Financial support for registration as well as a payment plan are available. GA registrants receive access to the 2021 Online Participation Portal, including live, simulive, and on-demand video content, the virtual exhibit hall, chat features, support, and a (new!) GA mobile app. Click HERE to register.
ONGOING PROGRAMMING EACH WEEK
Mondays 6:30-8 PM via ZOOM Buddhist Practice Group Nina Nagy Let Nina know you are attending.Teachings offered on a donation basis. 7 PM (Every other Mon; check calendar) Addiction Recovery Talking Circle Jim Francek

Wednesdays: 7-8:15 PM The Power of Now Jim Francek; 7-9 PM Is Mysticism Where Science, Art and Religion Meet? Bart Stuck and 7-8:30 PM (Every other Wed; check calendar) #BLM Movie Night. ZOOM HERE. Beth Cliff Sudha Sankar

Thursdays, 4-5 PM Talking Circles. ZOOM HEREJim Francek. In February, 7-8:30PM Leading with Grace Rev. John

Fridays 12-1 PM Awakenings ZOOM HERE Kathy Roberts

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

1st Saturday and 3rd Wednesday 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.
  • Tapping Circles with Carol Hamilton Meditations to quiet the mind. Every Monday in February. 7-8:30 PM

  • Sacred Circles with Grandmother Nancy Talking circle, thought-provoking conversations. Tuesday, Feb 16, 7-8:30 PM. Special ZOOM HERE

  • The new Women, Spirit and Imagination Series provides a rich set of opportunities for women to connect more deeply with themselves and other women in our community. Full details HERE.

  • Intensive Journaling offered by Carol Hamilton. Wednesday, Feb 17, 7-8:30 PM Learn a variety of novel journaling techniques to help us deal with life's stressors.

  • Virtual Potluck on ZOOM! Friday, February 19 at 7 PM. Cohosts will be Nancy McKeever and Sari Bodi

ZOOM Information for most TUCWomen Gatherings: Meeting room: HERE ID: 457 957 6089
Passcode: 998419. Landline: 1.646.558.8656 Questions? Contact TUCWomen@gmail.com
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 Mary Jane Cross or Beth Cliff.
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.