February 14-18, 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.
HAPPY VALENTINE'S DAY!
SERVANT LEADERSHIP AND JOHN STREET OUTREACH

In 2019, discussions within our Addiction Recovery Ministry (ARM) were in search of activities to support those impacted by addiction. This outreach led to John Street in Bridgeport, a community of food-insecure persons and persons without homes who appear each Sunday, under the Route 25 overpass bridge.
April Barron, a grassroots community organizer, had been there for over 11 years, feeding and helping the community. A collaboration was initiated when 2020’s COVID crisis and isolation created hunger in many people’s lives: a carnal hunger for food and a visceral hunger in the spirit. The collaboration brought two communities together and nourished not only the belly, but the spirit of many involved. Read more about this community outreach HERE.
AN EVENING IN BLACK, WHITE AND GOLD:
FRIDAY, MARCH 4 - 6:00-9:00 PM
It's that time again! To kick off our annual pledge drive, we are planning a fabulous Evening in Black, White and Gold for Friday night, March 4, 6:00-9:00 PM. YES, we will be in person (live-streamed too), with FOOD (POTLUCK!!) and DRINK (SOMETHING BUBBLY!) and FUN and INSPIRATION. And yes, this is free, open to our members, good friends and supporters. More information on the evening will be forthcoming. For now, think about what you might wear that is black, white, gold or some combination - a tux? black jeans and white T-shirt? your mother's gold lamé, or your favorite black and white tracksuit? LOL - it's all good!

Our stewardship theme this year: RISING UP! ...out of the situation we've been mired in ... to the opportunities we have before us ...coming together, getting to the top and making a difference as we go!
To get us in the mood, please send us a picture of you and your loved ones rising up out of the situation we've been in - however that's played out for you. Please email photo with "RISING UP" in the subject line, to events@uuwestport.org by Wednesday, February 23 so you can be included in our festivities. We will be producing a montage that will include many - we want to include you!
CHORAL CHAMELEON - SATURDAY FEBRUARY 26 - 8:00 PM
Choral Chameleon 
February 26 2022 at 8 PM
Choral Chameleon is back with us this year, with a fabulous program. Our own Minister of Music, the Rev. Edward Thompson, has written a 12-movement choral masterpiece entitled "Step Into The Night," that they will be singing as a world premier performance. Also included in the program, the gifts of The Brad Whiteley Trio with Jeff Walton on Saxophone.

For complete information, click HERE. Tickets available at the door and online. This concert is in person only with doors opening at 7:30 PM for an 8 PM start. We look forward to seeing you!
REMEMBERING OUR LEGACY SOCIETY MEMBERS
The Legacy Society is comprised of members who have made a commitment to the long-term future of our beloved congregation by including TUCW in their estate planning. We are pleased to feature various Society members, as a tribute to them and their generosity. Questions? Contact Chuck Harrington.
Dr. Charles E. Reed passed away late 2007 at age 94 and left a sizeable bequest to the Unitarian Church in Westport of which he was a member for many years. A chemical engineer, inventor, author, holder of many patents, Dr. Reed was awarded the National Medal of Technology in 1991. He worked at General Electric for 36 years, attending TUCW most Sundays. Dr. Reed was known for his inspiration and words of encouragement to coworkers, family and friends and his prowess as an engineer, mentor and senior executive at GE. We are grateful for his legacy to us. For one colleague's inspiring remembrance of Charlie Reed, click HERE.
Faith Formation
NEW! CREATIVITY MATTERS! BEGINS FEBRUARY 15, 7:00 PM
All are invited to explore spiritual growth and express themselves through a range of creative exercises. No artistic skill is required. Janet Luongo will lead this reflective and interactive experience. The group will meet for 5 sessions, once a month on the third Tuesday, beginning this Tuesday. Each participant will receive a packet of prompts that includes inspiration (poems, songs, videos), journaling prompts, and several ways participants may respond to the month’s theme. Each chooses one or more project(s) ranging from writing, poetry, painting, collage, photography, video, music, song, and dance – or create whatever you dream up! Contact Janet to sign up.
UU WRITERS: THURS, FEB 24 - 1:00 PM or 7:00 PM ON ZOOM
gold pen
UUWriters. Explore monthly themes through creative writing. Next meeting will be Thursday, February 24 on ZOOM. Afternoon (1:00 PM) or evening (7:00 PM). The topic is "Widening the Circle." Contact Sari Bodi for a ZOOM link and writing exercises to choose from. All are welcome.
SACRED TEXT: FEB 20 9-9:45 AM BEFORE OUR SERVICE
Sacred Text
We have been gratified for the folks who have attended our sacred text discussions and those who have led them. Thanks to Rev. John, Diane Cano, Dayle Brownstein, Rainy Broomfield and Kim Warman for selecting thought-provoking texts and emceeing insightful discussions online.

Beth Cliff will close off this round of the series next week, Sunday the 20th at 9 AM, with a discussion of the parable of The Prodigal Son. (Luke 15: 11-32) How does this story translate into our modern world and our UU values? What part of this story compels us, or repels us? Details including ZOOM link HERE.
NEW! UPCOMING OFFERINGS STARTING FEB 27 and MAR 16
Adult Faith Formation
We are pleased to be gearing up for some new offerings coming soon. Details to follow, questions contact Linda Lubin and go to our website page. For now, save the dates:

Feb 27. Rev. John will be launching his Creating Theology Together program after worship services on designated Sundays through-out the year. First session Feb 27 after the service in the East Wing.

March 16. Tom Hearne will be leading a 4- Sunday program starting March 16, directly after the service. Lent/Passover: Traditional Readings as Metaphor.
 BOARD OF TRUSTEES MEETS THIS TUESDAY, FEB 15 7-9 PM
Board of Trustees of The Unitarian Church in Westport 2021 to 2022
The Board will meet this Tuesday, February 15 at 7:00 PM in the West Wing.

Minutes, reports, and other information about Board activities can always be found on our website HERE, including the monthly Senior Minister's and Treasurer's reports.

In January, Rev. Morehouse reported to the Board on one of the congregation's ends [strategic goals] for the year: “End 1.3.3 – Live out our commitment to promoting social justice causes, especially racial justice and gender equity.” His report can be found HERE.

Reminder that all ends, including the three priority ends, can be found HERE.

The Board meetings are open to all; anyone is welcome to attend. Advanced notice to Luke Garvey, the President, would be appreciated but is not required.
FEBRUARY IS TEEN DATING AWARENESS MONTH
Did you know...
One in three teens in the US will experience physical, sexual, or emotional abuse from someone they are in a relationship with before they become adults. In Connecticut, 26% of students surveyed, reported that someone they were dating or going out with, purposely tried to control them or emotionally hurt them.

The Domestic Violent Crisis Center of Connecticut is pleased to offer programs and activities for teens and the adults who support them. Register for a workshop, download our free Parent Resource Guide and share this information with a teen in your life. Click HERE for more info.
Social Justice Banner
IMMIGRATION & REFUGEE OUTREACH (VIRTUAL) MEETING:
TUESDAY FEBRUARY 15 7:30 PM
Refugees Welcome
Please join us for our monthly Immigration and Refugee Outreach meeting this coming Tuesday, February 15 at 7:30 PM. We will be getting an update from the apartment set-up team, watch video clips from the legislative launch for Husky 4 All, and a have a Q&A with Katia Daley, Healthcare Campaign Organizer for CT Students for a DREAM. Contact Marjolijn de Jager or Kathy Roberts for the ZOOM link.
VOICES CAFE GOES DEEPER THAN THE SKIN - IN PERSON AND LIVE STREAM! SUNDAY FEBRUARY 20 7:30 PM
Reggie Harris and Greg Greenway
Reggie Harris and Greg Greenway have an inspiring story to share through stories and songs… two friends… one Black, one White… one from the North… one from the South… musicians, storytellers, students of history and world travelers… and born just 3 days apart! While racial divisions in America brought them into two very different worlds, the amazing bonds of music, shared vision, and sheer admiration, have brought them together as friends, colleagues, and committed pilgrims, join them on a journey that is Deeper Than The Skin.
 
Please CLICK HERE for tickets and CLICK HERE to meet Reggie and Greg in conversation.
 
Voices Café’s offers both individual seating as well as café-style (at tables). Bring snacks and beverages. Seating is prioritized by ticket purchase date.
IDI SESSIONS: SUN FEB 27 4:30 PM OR WED MAR 2 7 PM
IDI and YOU! The Intercultural Development Inventory or IDI is a tool for The Unitarian Church in Westport as individuals and a congregation to provide a pathway in Widening the Circle. As we learn more deeply about ourselves, we will be able to develop plans to reach our goals of greater inclusion. About 45 members of our congregation have taken this assessment to date. We are planning two Part I sessions and we invite you to sign up for either Sunday February 27 at 4:30 PM or Wednesday March 2 at 7:00 PM for an hour and 15 minutes. Please write to idi@westport.org for more information. We look forward to sharing this exciting process with you! IDI Team: Cheryl Dixon, Kim Warman, and David Vita
THE 1619 PROJECT DISCUSSION: FRIDAY MARCH 11 7-8:30 PM
The 1619 Project
(Note new date.) All are welcome to the second book discussion of The 1619 Project created by Nikole Hannah-Jones and The New York Times Magazine. Discussion is on chapters 5 through 7. Whether you've read all or a portion of the book, please come. Co-sponsored by the Racial Justice Council and TUCWomen BLM committee. ZOOM Link HERE. And click HERE to listen to a podcast from Christopher Lyndon: "1619: Rethinking How It All Started."
RACIAL JUSTICE RESOURCES GUIDE #5
Black Lives Matter
  • Watch a retrospective of photographer Zora J. Murff’s influential and award-winning body of work.  
  • Attend an educational workshop to learn about social justice theories, including Critical Race Theory, what it is and what it is not.
  • Go on a virtual tour of the NYC Tenement Museum, highlighting the many ways African Americans shaped the development of the Lower East Side.
  • See a virtual celebration of Black History Month, including a craft honoring influential African Americans, for kids and families.
  • Support Project Flashlight, a new initiative of the ACLU CT, which shines a light on police agencies and strives to push local governments to redirect resources to public health and safety.

Please CLICK HERE for details.
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

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, Feb 25), 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 Sacred Texts ZOOM HERE Beth Cliff; 9 AM Meditation (Virtual) 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: Tuesday Feb 15, 7-8:30 PM. (1st and 3rd Tuesdays) Talking circle, thought-provoking conversations. ZOOM HERE Contact Pat Francek

  • Motivational Storytelling. How to transform a good story into a motivational one. Led by Elizabeth Macdonald. Monday, February 21. 7:00-8:30. For further information, contact Elizabeth at macdonald.e@me.com. ZOOM: HERE

  • Save the dates! Mondays, February 21 and 28 at 4:00 PM. Tapping for Self Compassion. Led by Carol Hamilton. ZOOM: HERE Contact Carol Hamilton

  • TUCW Women’s BLM Meeting, Friday, February 25. 7:00-8:30 pm Come join one of our three committees -- Police Accountability, Education, and the series on Revealing History: How it Happened and Why it Matters. (Our last program presented a member of Desegregate Connecticut who spoke about the history of residential segregation within our state.) For further information, contact tucwomen@gmail.com. Click here for ZOOM.
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.