December 11-12, 2021 - 10 Lyons Plains Road Westport, CT 06880 - Phone: 203.227.7205
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Please note we have a memorial this week. |
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Last Sunday the children did a fabulous job with their rendition of Pote and McCann's Jonah and the Whale. Thank you to all of them, and their parents, and Rev. Ed, for making this available to us. We all learned a lot - especially about responsibility!
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We loved seeing the whale come down the aisle! Click on the picture to see him make it to the front and swallow Jonah, while hearing the children's choir sing.
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IT'S TIME FOR OUR 2021 TUCW HOLIDAY APPEAL |
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As we reach the end of 2021, we want to thank the entire congregation for the generous support provided through campaigns such as our first ever online auction, the “Children Are Our Future" 1:1 matching campaign, and our annual budget drive. Your gifts continue to help us stay connected and transform lives as we push ahead through various challenges with grace, strength, and an open heart.
Additional gifts can ensure we continue our successful path. We wanted to be sure you left a space in your charitable giving plans for your congregation and the annual holiday end-of-year appeal. Please take a moment to give to your beloved congregation by using Venmo, vop.tucw.org or by mailing in a check with "holiday appeal" in the memo line.
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SATURDAY, DECEMBER 11, 2021 |
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Every Saturday: Brown bag lunch donations to support John Street Outreach. Drop off Saturdays noon- 4:00 PM. Sign up HERE; contact David Vita to learn more.
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SUNDAY, DECEMBER 12, 2021 |
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WORSHIP SERVICE: 10:00 AM, Virtual and In Person
"WE ALL CAME DOWN" ANNUAL HOLIDAY CONCERT
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We look forward to our annual Holiday concert this Sunday, featuring the Women's/Men's Choir, the women's Septet, and three soloists: Jenna McPartland, Mike Costantino, and Chris Beaurline.
Since there is no way to capture the feeling of the event in words, we invite all to come and hear it first-hand. If you find yourself in a place that is less than Christmas-like, here is an opportunity to change that. Joy is knocking at your door; will you let it in?
Click HERE for the Order of Service.
For virtual participation: our ZOOM link is always on our website's homepage and does not change from week to week. You can also click HERE. Meeting ID 207 517 697 PASSWORD: 8893787678 Landline: 1 646 876 9923.
Offering can be made on VENMO ("The Unitarian Church in Westport"), on vop.tucw.org, or as we pass the plate Sunday morning.
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Next week service: December 19, 2021
"JOY IN THE STREETS" - REV. DR. JOHN MOREHOUSE
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THE KIVA CHRISTMAS CARD SALE IS BACK!
THIS SUNDAY BEFORE AND AFTER THE SERVICE
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We’ll be selling cards in the foyer this Sunday before and after the service. Bring cash or a check.
KIVA is a non-profit microfinance organization that lends money, via the internet, to low-income entrepreneurs in 77 countries around the world. Its mission is to expand financial access to help underserved communities thrive.
In the past 12 years the Westport UU KIVA committee has loaned more than $145,000 to over 5,000 women. This year, one of the loans went to Nomwende Noelie, a weaver who makes traditional pagnes (lengths of brightly colored cloth) on a loom in her home in Burkina Faso. She will use the loan to buy thread to make more pagnes to sell. Her income supports her family of four.
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Note of Thanks to Kareen Garrison – We will be saying goodbye to Ms. Kareen, a wonderful children’s teacher, on Sunday, December 19th as she is graduating and moving onto new adventures. We thank her for all her years of being with our children and leading them in our UU principles. She will be missed. And she will be back as a volunteer or in our Sanctuary so you we look forward to future sightings! |
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Kareen shares: "I've been working here at TUCW for about 4 years now, and have been attending since I was a baby. I have loved meeting and working with the youngest of our congregation, and watching them grow together. The space we have created for the children is a special one, and I have been honored to be a part of it. I am going on to finish my Associate's degree at Norwalk Community College and then on to a four year college.”
The children will say goodbye on Sunday, December 19th during their morning class. Any parents who want to attend, please let Heather know. If you'd like to send Kareen a "thank you" email directly, she can be reached HERE.
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THIS SUNDAY'S FAITH FORMATION PROGRAMS |
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Every Sunday, adults with infants - pre-K are welcome to bring their children into the sanctuary with them, or to sit in the foyer or library, where they can hear the service but have a bit more flexibility. As always, please contact Heather Hamilton for information about pre-K to 7th grade programs; Nate Pawelek for 8th-12th grade programs.
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Pre K-5th Grades, downstairs in the Children’s Chapel with Ms. Rachel and Ms. Kareen. The topic for the month of December is JOY. Our topic in Pre K- 5 is: “Love is something if you give it away… you end up having more!”.
6th-7th Grades - Meeting House, Main Level.
Crossing Paths program, discussing Buddhism.
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8th-9th grade OWL 10:00 AM-12:00 PM in the OWL room. The OWL Parent Group will meet - 11:15 AM in the Chapel Room.
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Youth Group (HS) 11:00 AM main floor, Meeting House, the Youth Group welcomes Misha Golfman, founder of Kroka Expeditions in Marlow, NH. Kroka is a wilderness expedition school on an organic farm. Its are in line with UU principles: it believes that consciousness and selfless compassion can be fostered through a living relationship with the natural world. Kroka and Golfman have offered to consult with our youth group as we prepare for our environmental learning journey to Alaska in April. Parents of the youth are invited to join us today.
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Adults: Sundays Dec 12 and 19 directly after worship: SEASON OF HOPE: LIGHTS IN THE DARKNESS Click HERE for more information.
Check SOUNDINGS WeekDAY or go to our website to get the latest information on our Adult Faith Formation and Soul Matters programs. Questions? Linda Lubin. |
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We are sad to share the news that Ed van Gelder, a long-time member of our congregation, passed away recently. We will share more details as we get them. For now, perhaps this post from Dan Woog's 06880 blog on the occasion of the van Gelders' 60th anniversary will help paint the picture of what vibrant residents of Westport Ed and his wife Inge were. Click HERE for the blog.
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MEDITATION: ZOOM and in person in the Oak Room - Sundays at 9:00 AM. For info contact Janet Luongo. Zoom Meeting - click HERE ID: 604 513 6137 Password: 068510 |
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Flowers: Should you wish to donate flowers for a Sunday service, please reach out to Diane Donahue or fill in a spot in the Reservation Book which is out in the foyer. |
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Pay it forward: please consider being a greeter on Sundays; help our new folks navigate our community. Sign up for virtual or in person greeting, HERE. Thank you, in advance! |
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PAST SERMONS/SERVICES
Our sermons are archived on the website 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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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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Domestic Violence Crisis Center (DVCC)- 24Hr 888–774–2900
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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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