March 1-5, 2021 - 10 Lyons Plains Road Westport, CT 06880 - Phone: 203.227.7205
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REMINDER: After our Sunday service today, February 28, please stay on ZOOM to participate in a Board discussion about our goals for the church this year.
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CAPITAL CAMPAIGN BUILDING NEWS |
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We wanted to share an update with what has been happening with our Capital Campaign funds.
As we shared in October (see HERE), we spent last summer and fall repaving and resealing our entire parking lot including the installation of an entirely new drainage system. We also rebuilt the front steps to the main building and the meeting house. We replaced all the sidewalks including the front sidewalk with concrete. This cost us about $250,000. It was a big project. |
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Next on our list is the replacement of the skylight down the spine of the main building and replacing the glass in front of the church with insulating glass in the sanctuary. The skylight is a major project as we must also make improvements to the adjacent roofing system while replacing the skylight. Each glass panel will have to be custom made. We may be able to make some improvements to the electrical and sound systems as well.
The budget for this phase of the project is around $1 million. It will take about six months to complete. Projects such as these are subject to the constraints of contractors, suppliers and the Building Department for the Town of Westport. Turner Construction is managing this phase for us and they have all the expertise to see it through. We hope to begin this summer. We will continue our programming while the work is going on, both for the church and the preschool.
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STUDYING AT HOME JUST GOT BETTER FOR SOME BEARDSLEY STUDENTS! |
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How great that some of our Beardsley students received desks for home learning. |
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Members of our Westbridge Coalition built the desks and chairs. |
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And they were delivered to grateful students these past few weeks. Wonderful! |
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... AND NOW, OUR STUDENTS NEED TUTORS
TO HELP THEM AT THIS DIFFICULT TIME
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It has been a trying year for our Beardsley students. As one can imagine, the disruptions to 'normal' classroom teaching and learning since last March have been distressing and difficult. Distance learning has been challenging, and many students, both those learning at home and those in-person each day, are struggling. Countless students could be helped with some individual attention.
Since volunteers are still not allowed to enter the building, the School Volunteer Association (SVA) has created an easy way for volunteer tutors to work with Beardsley students virtually using the MS Teams platform. It is fairly easy to use as there is no App download required...Click HERE for more details.
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ENGAGEMENT CENSUS INFORMATION IS BEING ANALYZED: WE NEED ALL OF US TO MAKE SURE OUR RECORDS ARE ACCURATE! |
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The Leadership Development Team thanks those who filled out our Engagement Census. We heard from 235 people; we'd love to hear from others of you! Survey link is HERE.
The survey is divided into three parts: the first is Demographics. We are eager to make sure this part is filled out by everyone who touches our congregation, since we know our records aren't always up-to-date. But the other parts of the survey are helpful (and interesting!) too. See, for example, the chart below. Who knew? We look forward to sharing more findings over the next few months.
If you need help with the survey contact Carol Seiple: she can take your information in over the phone or via email to make it easier for you.
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#BLM MOVIE FOR WEDNESDAY MARCH 10, 7:00-8:30 PM
The next movie for #BLM discussion is Clemency, by Nigerian-American Chinonye Chukwu. Chukwu was inspired to write the film after the widely protested execution of Troy Davis in Georgia in 2011. Her six years of research included running a film program for inmates in Ohio and advocating for retrials in unsafe cases. The film won the U.S. Dramatic Grand Jury Prize at the Sundance Film Festival (2019), making Chukwu the first black woman to win the award.
ZOOM HERE. Emcee will be Kathy Roberts. Click HERE for trailer.
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COME WALK WITH US! JOIN THE TUCW HIKING GROUP |
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Join us for some winter into spring hikes! The woods are beautiful in the winter!
Weather permitting we will be hiking on the 1st Saturday and the 3rd Tuesday of the month.
You will get all announcements by joining our TUCW Hiking email group. To join email Jamie or Gian Andrea.
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SAVE THE DATE! ONLINE AUCTION EVENT COMING JUNE 12 |
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It's time to Swing into A(UU)ction! Save the date for Saturday, June 12 and start figuring out what you can offer your fellow UUs in this Goods and Services auction. More to follow on this ON-LINE fundraiser which will launch in late May.
Reach out to auction@uuwestport.org with your ideas and willingness to jump in. It's a fun way to meet others!
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•ONGOING PROGRAMMING EACH WEEK•
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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
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Our complete calendar is always on our website. Click HERE for quick access.
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Sacred Circles with Grandmother Nancy Talking circle, thought-provoking conversations. Tuesday, March 2, 7-8:30 PM. Special ZOOM HERE
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Stories of Encounters with "The Other" with Janet Luongo. Each Thursday in March. 7:00 PM Delve into messages from family and culture that shaped our beliefs; and our encounters and relationships with those of other races, gender identities, religions. ZOOM: HERE
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BLM Book Club: Friday, March 5, 7-8:30 PM. The Truth is Marching On: John Lewis and the Power of Hope by Meacham. Kathy Roberts will lead. ZOOM: HERE
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Tapping Circles with Carol Hamilton Every Monday in March, starting March 8, 7-8:30 PM Tapping is an evidence based stress reduction technique that boosts our well being and helps with problem solving. Questions? chhamilton@optonline.net ZOOM: HERE
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Virtual Potluck on Zoom: Get to know your fellow TUCWomen with relaxed, scintillating conversation. The cohosts will be Nancy McKeever and Sari Bodi. Friday, March 19, 7-8:30 PM ZOOM: HERE
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“Grandma’s Kitchen”: Sharing Heritage and Wisdom with Friends. Tuesday, March 23, 7-8:30 PM RSVP before March 15. Beverly Bailey will focus on the foods of her country of origin, Lebanon. 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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