April 19-23, 2021 - 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.

Join us Saturday to celebrate in our parking lot - at a safe distance, but TOGETHER AGAIN! It's been a looooong time!

FIRST: ZUUM TRUUPE! see below.

SECOND: We’ll eat out of our respective cars, walk around and say "hi" to each other. Elbow bumps are in order!

THIRD: Each of us will have something available to share with others: a plant, a spotify playlist, a poem, a story – that celebrates our earth and/or educates us how to be good stewards. It'll be a science-fair kind of vibe.

Get ready! Contact Beth Cliff for more info.

A small group of theatre loving church members early in the pandemic took to reading plays on Zoom. As the weather grew warm we sat outside on the church lawn, in back yards and then around a fire pit, until the Autumn chill sent us back indoors and onto Zoom again reading the parts of wild, whacky and wonderful characters. We read an ancient Greek comedy, and dozens of plays written for groups like ours to be read on Zoom, even one written by one of our own members, and recorded three classic Radio Plays ( which are posted for your listening pleasure on the church’s web site.) Last winter we gave ourselves the name, the zUUm trUUpe.

As part of the Earth Day celebration, the zUUm Truupe will read one of our favorite ZOOM plays: The Human is Sad; Let's Start a Band by Juliany Taveras. (Commissioned by The Sol Project). Cast: Candace Clinger/Hope - Joanne Coviello/Fig - Meg Jones/Cassie - Lindy Hennessy/Rhaphi - Sarah Bell/Aura - Gian Morresi/Chorus

The Safer Congregation's presentation on Addiction and Mental Health last Friday was chock-full of useful and helpful perspectives and resources. One of the biggest takeaways: the opposite of addiction is connection. Clearly, this has big implications for us as a faith community!

We will share information each week. Today, this chart's statistic: 90% of those who are in treatment for substance misuse started in their teens. Get them to wait til 21 - or even better, 25 - and it can make a huge difference.

We also want to share two quick films that are really useful. Watch with your loved ones!

STARTING POINT AVAILABLE THURSDAYS IN MAY

Our Board of Trustees meets the third Tuesday of every month, and this Tuesday is no exception. Minutes from prior meetings and agenda items can be found HERE.

Recall that our ends - think of them as strategic goals - can be found HERE.

Questions? Concerns? Please contact board@uuwestport.org

Wondering how you can help with our on-line Auction coming in May? Here’s what we need:

Keep thinking about what you can offer, from your favorite recipe to sports tickets to an offer of your time. Contact the team through auction@uuwestport.org.

Our next #BLM movie discussion this Wednesday is Spike Lee's 2018 American biographical black comedy crime film BlacKKKlansman. Our emcee will be Arnela Ten Meer. ZOOM HERE.

Contact Beth Cliff to get on our mailing list for up-to-date notifications.

We had 32 people on ZOOM last Saturday as we heard about Police Accountability. Rainy Broomfield shares key takeways:

A. Have patience. You can’t always see the impact of your work but keep nibbling at the edges by weakening the foundations and taking the long view. The death of George Floyd focused nationwide attention on police reform.

B. Consider focusing on two areas: Making sure:

The TUCWomen’s #BLM group will be taking up these recommendations. Please contact Rainy if you are interested in joining the group.

The Refugee Services Program at CIRI (The Connecticut Institute for Refugees and Immigrants) is seeking volunteers to tutor students 8-16 years of age. The Homework Club will be held on Tuesday afternoons from 3:45 PM-5:00 PM in May and June and will be conducted remotely using ZOOM. It is anticipated that the greatest need will be for tutors who are able to help with reading and writing English and with Math. If you are interested in volunteering or would like further information, please contact Kathy Roberts of the Immigration and Refugee Outreach Committee.

The Racial Justice Council is putting together a monthly e-newsletter for interested readers. We’ll be providing a collection of local events, including virtual programs and meetings, that offer further education, actions to take, or organizations leading the way. We’re also looking to expand the newsletter team. If you’d like to learn more please reach out to David Vita or editors Liane Roseman and Kiera Parrott We’d love to have you join us!

The Addiction Recovery Ministry will hold its next Recovery Talking Circle Monday April 26 . Individuals and family members can share on a number of issues including compulsive behaviors related to alcohol, drugs, sex, shopping, gaming/gambling, screen overuse and eating. Contact: Jim Francek for more information and ZOOM link.

•ONGOING PROGRAMMING EACH WEEK•

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; 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

Thursdays, 4-5 PM Talking Circles. ZOOM HERE. Jim Francek. 7-8PM in April Building Your Own Theology. ZOOM HERE, Rev. John

Fridays 12-1 PM Awakenings ZOOM HERE.  Kathy Roberts

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

1st Saturday and 3rd Tuesday 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.

Questions? Contact TUCWomen@gmail.com

Find us on digital and social media: website: uuwestport.org, Facebook public page (Unitarian Church in Westport) private group (uuwestport), and Instagram (uuwestportct).

 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.