Getting Involved

Whether you are visiting us or have recently become a member, we are truly happy to welcome you into our church.  You are joining an active community of warm and caring people whose skills, talents and concerns make this a special place.  There are many ways to learn more about this church - the very best way is to jump right in and participate.

Check out the Foyer for Sign-up Sheets: There's always something doing at the Unitarian Church in Westport. One way committees and programs look for volunteers is by using the clip-board sign-up sheets at the rear of the foyer as you exit the sanctuary.  Adding your name to a list to volunteer to help with an activity or group effort is an excellent way to get into the mix immediately.  We're always looking for ushers, for volunteers for social justice projects, for, well - for everything that makes this congregation so vital.  Sign up sheets are one way our needs are communicated to those who want to get more involved.  

Watch Soundings for Music Programs: Throughout our regular church year (September through June) the musical offerings at this church are as numerous as they are varied. Ed Thompson's sight singing classes in the fall are always a big hit.  We have also had drumming circles, toning classes, shape note singing, and the unison choir that are for learning and doing.  The special programs that are part of Sunday worship services, often including one or more of our seven choirs, also enrich us.  There are our Cabaret Nights where members of our talented congregation take the stage to entertain you - or maybe you will decide to entertain us!  Choral events that we all look forward to year after year include our Christmas Eve Candlelight Services and the three Special Projects Choir Concerts that are offered in the winter, spring and summer on Sunday mornings.

Save the Date for our Annual Giving Campaign's Kick-Off Event: Don't miss it!  Every year on the first weekend in the spring we kick-off the Annual Giving Campaign with fellowship events.  This is a time when we can all be together for food and drink.  There is entertainment and time to get to know other members of the Church.  Oh, yes - there will be sign-up sheets at the rear of the foyer.  Each year the Chairperson for this event is always looking for help.  Make his or her day and call her with an offer of help!

Make Your Pledge: There is no price tag on membership, but sustaining our church requires the financial support of members and friends. Each year we have an Annual Giving Campaign to collect members' pledges of financial support - what they plan to contribute to the church in the coming year. New members always want to know, "What's the right amount to pledge?" 

There is no set "fee" - pledges in this congregation range from about $2,000 per month to $20 per month. The Annual Giving Campaign's chair, with a great deal of help from more than 100 volunteers from the congregation, works to contact every member of the congregation.  YOU will be called on by a member of the church who will take your pledge for the year.  Most of us enjoy meeting with our canvassers and getting to know them while we commit to support the church for the coming year.

BYOT: To UU's that stands for "Building Your Own Theology" - a course offered a couple of times each year.  Those of us who have taken a BYOT series regard it as one of the most special offerings of the church.  In the intimate setting of the Children's Chapel downstairs, Frank and the BYOT class explore together religious ideas from the past and the spiritual journeys that have led us to this church.  Be on the alert for the BYOT sign up sheets for the next series - class-size is limited, and this is one of the most popular Odyssey programs offered.

More on Odyssey:  Odyssey is the adult educational program of the Unitarian Church in Westport.  Odyssey sponsors many exciting and inspirational classes. Along with offerings from our ministers, you will find a variety of subjects to stimulate your creative and intellectual appetites. Taking classes like BYOT is one of ways that many of us have formed close friendships within the larger church family, so do take advantage of these classes. 

Share your Skills as a Handyman - Gardening - Singing - Folding, Stapling and Mailing: Our church functions only because of the thousands of hours of volunteer time contributed each year. Building and Grounds is always looking for those who can ably assist him with maintenance projects for our physical plant.  If you can read music, sing and/or play a musical instrument, Ed Thompson, our Minister of Music wants to know you.  We have seven choirs (Men's, Women's, Once & Again Folk Singers, Special Projects, Chamber, Teen and Youth Choir) that rotate singing at services. 

If you have no talent for handyman work, gardening or singing, then how about helping our administrative staff with office support?  We always seem to have projects that need extra help.  Call Jan at the church office to volunteer.

Enjoy our Services and other Offerings: Sundays are the day we gather for worship service and coffee hour.  However, the Church is a busy place most other days of the week also.  Check out the "Adult Enrichment" table at the rear of the Foyer to find out about other opportunities for involvement: book clubs, outings, pot-lucks, volunteer opportunities, small group ministries, groups for seniors, social justice projects, etc.  Join a committee!  Don't think that because you are new here you won't be a welcome addition to one of our many committees, which range from Religious Education to Finance to Music to Social Justice, etc.

Surf the Net: To learn more about our church visit our website, www.uuwestport.org.  Visit the Unitarian Universalist District of Metropolitan New York to learn more about the other congregations in our area. To learn a LOT about Unitarian Universalism go to what Wired Magazine continually rates as the best religious website on the net, www.uua.org.  Click on the link "About Unitarian Universalism" and you will be taken to a place where you can look up famous UU's, learn our history as a liberal religious movement, and so much more.

We hope that you will become as involved in church life as you want to be, and as active as your time and energy will allow.  Please call if you have any questions: 203-227-7205.

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