May 17-21, 2021 - 10 Lyons Plains Road Westport, CT 06880 - Phone: 203.227.7205
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ENGAGEMENT: WHAT IT'S ALL ABOUT? |
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Hi, it's Beth Cliff, and I'm excited to support all our congregation in this new volunteer role of Engagement Leader. What, you ask, is this all about?
We know from research that the healthiest congregations are those where folks are the most engaged with each other: membership count is but one measure of a church's growth and well-being: often a lagging indicator. So yes, I'll be working on membership - with so many others - and helping with stewardship - another incredibly important way people are engaged with us - but I'll also be working on other things: fun activities that bring different folks together, and some of those "white space issues" that have no clear place on the org chart: it may not be Music per se, or Social Justice, or Faith Formation, or Worship ... but it's good, important, community activities that bring us together, in spirit, in joy, in fun!
The world is our oyster! The sky is the limit!
I'd LOVE to hear your ideas - send them my way and we'll work it together!
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Get ready! Our Swing into A(uu)ction fundraiser will be going *live* next Saturday, May 22. There are over 100 amazing items that will be up for bid, so keep an eye out for all the details. For more information, click HERE.
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#BLM MOVIE DISCUSSION THIS WEDNESDAY MAY 19 7-8:30 PM |
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Our Racial Justice group invites all to our monthly #BLM movie discussion. This Wednesday we will be discussing Fruitvale Station. Arnela Ten Meer and Kathy Roberts are emcees. Questions? Contact Beth Cliff or Sudha Sankar. ZOOM HERE.
This group is open to all - you are welcome to join us, with friends both inside and outside our congregation. An informal, friendly gathering.
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RAISING THE BAR (BECOMING ANTI-RACIST)
FOCUS ON ENVIRONMENTAL RACISM
THURSDAY, MAY 20 at 7:30 PM
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The Council of Churches of Greater Bridgeport’s Raising the BAR series this month focuses on Environmental Racism. Our congregation is a member of the Council and Ellie Grosso and David Vita are on the Raising the BAR team. Each session delves into history as well as current policies that continue to plague our communities. We hope that you will join us on May 20.
Please click HERE to register and receive pre-meeting readings and videos.
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UU THE VOTE UPDATE FOR CT VOTING RIGHTS |
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Good news! HJ 58 NEAV (No Excuse Absentee Voting) just passed the House! Let’s keep up the momentum!
ACT NOW: Contact friends in other parts of CT to call their own state Senators and Senate leadership; Tell Senators to vote Yes and tell Senate leaders to call to the floor for a vote ASAP both bills: HJ 58: NEAV, as well as HJ 59: EV (Early voting, which will allow more youth, elders, physically challenged and working folks to cast ballots).
Look up CT Senators contact info and find more details here: Our voices are our votes!
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MAY IS MENTAL HEALTH AWARENESS MONTH ... |
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... and this week is Children's Mental Health Awareness Week. Our Safer Congregations Committee wants you to have the facts, for your families, friends, and wider social circles: |
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• 1 in 6 U.S. youth (ages 6 - 17) experience a mental health condition each year.
• 1 in 6 U.S. children aged 2–8 years (17.4%) had a diagnosed mental, behavioral, or developmental disorder.
• 50% of all lifetime cases of mental illness begin by age 14.
• Suicide is the 2nd leading cause of death in youth ages 10 - 24.
• A study released today found almost 50% of parents surveyed said the pandemic has caused mental health problems for one or more of their children, with 19% reporting major problems.
Early Intervention is Crucial!
The average delay between onset of mental illness symptoms and treatment is 11 years!
How do you distinguish between typical child/adolescent behavior and signs of a mental health condition? How do you know it's time to seek professional help? Click HERE for more information. |
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•ONGOING PROGRAMMING EACH WEEK•
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Mondays 6-7:30 PM via ZOOM Buddhist Practice Group Nina Nagy Let Nina know you are attending.Teachings offered on a donation basis. 6:00 PM (Every other Mon) 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
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Our complete calendar is always on our website. Click HERE for quick access.
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NEW! The Listening Path, a series on Mondays based on Julia Cameron's latest book. Mondays May 17, 24, June 7, 21. We will explore the practice of listening deeply to the environment. Contact Carol Hamilton. ZOOM: HERE
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Grandmother's Kitchen: Tuesday, May 18th, 7:00-8:30 PM. Grandmother Nancy Andry invites us into her kitchen to hear songs and stories about the buffalo which she learned from her Lakota teachings. She will teach us how to make Bison Chile. RSVP and we'll email you the recipe. Pat Francek ZOOM: HERE
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Black Lives Matter Meeting, Friday, May 21, 7:00-8:30 PM. We continue to work on: revealing the history of racial inequities; police accountability; and education reform. ZOOM: HERE
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Creating the New Normal Together, Tuesday, May 25, 7:00-8:30 PM. Join us to share what the UU women are doing that have added meaning or worthwhileness during this unusual pandemic time. ZOOM: HERE. We’ll also share the results of the SURVEY you’ve filled out and brainstorm what we want to create in the new normal of our near future. Survey: HERE.
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ZOOM Training, Friday, May 28, 7:00-8:30 PM Brush up on your ZOOM skills with Elizabeth, who has has hundreds of hours experience teaching and conferencing on ZOOM. If you have specific issues you'd like covered, email Elizabeth. ZOOM: HERE
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Black Lives Matter Book Group, Friday, June 4, 7:00-8:30 PM. We will be discussing The Three Mothers: How the Mothers of Martin Luther King, Jr., Malcom X, and James Baldwin Shaped a Nation by Anna Malaika Tubbs. ZOOM: HERE
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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.
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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.
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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
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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.
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