June 26

Led by Pamela Hovland and Matt Leonard

The Quaker Experience

Quakerism and Unitarians and Universalists have co-mingled over the centuries and share many values. Pamela and Matt will provide us some of that history as well as define the core testimonies of Quakerism -- for example, the strong adherent to peaceful conflict resolution and equality for all. They will then guide us into an experience of a silent Quaker 'Meeting.'

Both Pamela and Matt have ties to the Religious Society of Friends. Pamela and her family have been long time attenders of the Meeting in Wilton. Matt is a 'birthright Quaker,' meaning he was raised in the Quaker faith and attended Meetings in several communities.

July 3

Trustee: Stephen Axthelm

This I Believe: Our Veterans Speak

The military and Unitarian Universalist values are sometimes an uncomfortable mix for us. Through the stories and belief statements of veterans and those touched by war, we can perhaps find new value in each. With Ken Lanouette, Sam Brody, Melinda McMillan, John McWeeney, Bill Rother, Vidal Clay.

July 10

Rev. Debra W. Haffner
Trustee: Randy Burnham

The Golden Rule revisited

Almost every religion has a version of the Golden Rule: Do unto others as you would have them do onto you. But what if the other person wants to be treated differently than you do? A sermon on diversity, inclusiveness, and curiosity.

Rev. Dr. Debra W. Haffner is our endorsed community minister and has been a member of UCW since 1989.

July 17

John Hooper
Trustee: Jane Sherman

Humanistic Religious Naturalism as a UU Life Stance

In defending human freedom and drawing on the revelations of science (without resorting to supernatural hypotheses), both religious humanists and religious naturalists seek to continuously improve our objective understanding of the universe and to celebrate our place in it.

John is a former Chair of the Board of Trustees at UCW, and is very involved with the UUA, having been president of the Unitarian Universalist Religious Naturalists (UURN) and was recently elected president of the Association of Unitarian Universalist Humanists.

July 24

Perry Montrose, RE Director
Trustee: Denny Davidoff

Our Sources
(recording incomplete)

Where do you find inspiration? What are your sources of spiritual growth, wisdom, and connection? In addition to our seven Principles, Unitarian Universalism has six "official" sources from which we draw. In this worship journey we will experientially discover those six and reflect on the rich springs that feed us personally.

Perry Montrose has spent eight years as a Unitarian Universalist Director of Religious Education, half of them in this wonderful community in Westport to which he feels deeply connected. He is appreciative of each person’s unique presence and offers companionship to people of all ages on the spiritual journey.

July 31

Steve Gormley
Trustee: Kristen Leddy

Spiritual Birth through Religious Death:
A Unitarian Universalists’ Journey through the formal renunciation of and defection from the Catholic Church

Steve shares the emotionally complex journey of his thoughtfully considered break with the Catholic church on spiritual, moral and political grounds. He and his wife Alex are raising their 4 children in this congregation, and have been members for 5 years.

August 7

Marianne Barber
Trustee: Chuck Colletti

“The Courage to Speak Your Truth”

Marianne has been on the Inspiration Committee for the Small Group Ministry for many years, creating thoughtful, challenging programs for the group to discuss each month. She’ll choose one of her favorite programs to share with us.

Marianne has been an active member of our congregation since 2005 with her son, Lucas, and her husband Schuyler Warner.

August 14

Denny Davidoff
Trustee: Lyn Hamilton

”Lately, I’ve Been Reading ...”

I keep on saving things to read with friends in the congregation. Here's my opportunity to share and reflect. Serving 8 years as the former moderator of the UUA, Denny is a Trustee at the UCW and continues to serve the UUA and world religious community in myriad ways, doing development for Meadville Lombard Theological School, for one.

August 21

Shakti Durga
Trustee: Elaine McMillan

"Fields of Consciousness"

Shakti Durga used to be a left brained analytical lawyer with no time for 'fuzzy' spiritual stuff. A series of epiphanies changed her life. She is now clairvoyant, clairsentient, telepathic and leads a rapidly growing multifaith spiritual charity in Australia called Shanti Mission. From seeing the chakras of litigants, judges and other lawyers wobbling around in court, to blessing disciples and awakening their kundalini, Shakti Durga has had a fascinating journey. She will share a little, facilitate a guided meditation and sacred music with two of her spiritually empowered, beloved disciples, Parvati Ma and Maitreya. Shakti Durga teaches intuitively through energetic transfer.

August 28
canceled due to hurricane

Lynda Shannon
Trustee: Sherry Jagerson

Story Matters
(and never let the facts get in the way of a good one!)

We all love stories, but more than that we need them. If we don’t cast our experiences into some kind of narrative structure, they are lost to our memories. This service is about stories and remembering. The musical theme is “every story tells a song.”

Lynda and Paul have been members of this church going on 20 years and have collaborated on many summer services. Lynda does the preaching and Paul does the music with a lot of help from his friends.

September 4

Summer Worship Committee
Trustee: Kristen Leddy

Powerless!

David Connell, who was scheduled to preach, cannot be with us, so your Summer Worship Committee has prepared a service entitled 'Powerless'. The aftermath of storm Irene has provided challenges, hardships and surprises for many of us. We'll reflect on the nature of power, how we feel when power-less, and what we may have learned from this experience. Our good friend Suzanne has offered to sing for us again.