• Home
  • rainbow flagA Welcoming Congregation
  • Safe Congregation SealKeeping Safe
  • Capital Campaign
    • Contact: Capital Campaign
  • DONATE/REALM
  • TUCWomen
    • About TUCWomen
    • Join Us
    • Events
    • Contact
  • Contact
  • Instagram

The Unitarian Universalist Congregation in Westport

10 Lyons Plains Rd., Westport, CT 06880 - Ph: (203)227-7205 Sunday Services: 10:00 AM

Unitarian Universalist Association
  • Calendar
    • Calendar
    • SOUNDINGS
    • Communications Guidelines
    • ZOOM Instructions
    • Tips For Making Videos
    • Event & Space Reservations
    • TUUCWSocial Email List Ground Rules
  • Welcome Visitors
    • UU Orientation
    • Directions & Services
    • Special Ceremonies & Dedications
    • Our Congregational History
    • Our Faith
    • What is a Unitarian Universalist?
    • We are Unitarian Universalists
    • How did you become a Unitarian Universalist?
    • History of the Flaming Chalice
    • UU History in 8 Minutes
  • About Us
    • Our Mission Statement
    • Our Vision Statement
    • About Our Ministers
    • Our Staff
    • Getting Involved
    • Board of Trustees
    • Governance
    • Healing and Resilience Task Force
    • Congregant Celebration
    • Pastoral Care Chaplains
    • Our Welcoming Congregation
    • Photo & Video Galleries
    • Links – Beyond Our Walls
    • SOUNDINGS
    • Communications Guidelines
    • Events & Space Reservations
    • Pledging
  • FAITH FORMATION
    • Faith Formation for Children and Youth 2022-23
    • Welcome to Family Faith Formation
    • This Week in Family Faith Formation
    • Faith Formation Age Groupings 2022-23
    • What to Expect on Sunday Mornings
    • OWL Information at a Glance
    • Youth Ministry
    • Adult Faith Formation
    • Soul Matters
    • Keeping Safe
    • Faith Formation Registration
  • Social Justice
    • Welcome to Social Justice
    • Advocates for Prevention of Gun Violence
    • Beardsley School Committee
    • Immigration and Refugee Committee
    • KIVA Microfinance Committee
    • Racial Justice Committee
    • Westbridge Coalition
  • Music Program
    • Music Choir Schedules
    • Evensong
    • Our Minister of Music
    • The Music Committee
    • The Bell Choir
    • The Choir (Women and Men)
    • Special Projects Choir
    • Once & Again Singers
    • Children’s Choir
    • Teen Choir
    • The Chamber Choir
    • Sight-singing Classes
    • Cabaret
    • Voice Classes
    • Love Is the Spirit
    • Tune My Heart To Sing
    • Support Our Music Program
  • Sermons & Poetry
    • Minister’s Messages
    • Sermons – Audio
    • Sermons – Video
    • Rev. John T. Morehouse’s sermons
    • From Your Senior Minister: Facing Grace
    • Facing Grace – Rev. John’s blog
    • Rev. Frank Hall, Minister Emeritus – sermons
    • Rev. Frank Hall, Minister Emeritus – Dear Friends
    • Intern Minister’s sermons
    • Guest Minister’s sermons
    • Poetry & Readings
    • Communications from Your Ministers
  • Live Stream

A Minister’s Message – Circles of Concern – September 28, 2022

September 28, 2022 by Rev. Dr. John T. Morehouse - Senior Minister

The philosopher Martha Nussbaum talks about “concentric circles of concern” (Political Emotions: Why Love Matters for Justice, 2015). Usually our first circle includes those we love, such as family and friends. The next circle includes the communities we are part of including this congregation. From there we might include the circle of our town or city, a circle of nation, and ultimately the circle of our planet and life itself.

Alas, we tend to express less concern for those farther from our center. Sometimes we create a circle around race, ethnicity and political affiliation. Social media is quite good at recognizing and reinforcing these other circles.

It is aspirational for us as a congregation to stretch these circles of concern; to be moved by what Nussbaum calls “public emotions.” It’s halting and messy. We can open our doors to some who are different but not too different. We took some early steps in reaching out to transgender folks but we have yet to reconfigure our restrooms. We have a lift for those differently abled but it doesn’t always work. Or personally, I hand out money to one person who asks but not to everyone. It’s not easy to live up to the aspiration to extend our sense of belonging, is it?

I don’t believe we actually need to be completely consistent or systematic in how we reach out into these circles. Human nature being what it is, it may be enough to extend our concern as often and as far as we can. We need to recognize we fall short of the mark more often than not. This is, in fact, the meaning of sin – falling short of the mark. It’s ok to miss from time to time as long as we continue to aspire to continue reaching.

We are in the midst of Rosh Hashanah, the Jewish New Year which ends on Yom Kippur October 4-5, completing ten days of penitence. I find these holy days very moving. By coupling the Jewish New Year with Yom Kippur, the Day of Atonement, the Jewish people are recognizing that while we do fall short of the mark, we must take time, at the dawn of a new year, to recognize where we have fallen short and do what we can to atone for our shortcomings. This is one reminder that it is never too late to repair the tear in the fabric of our lives. While the tear, like any scar, can be repaired, it will always remind us to strive to embrace those circles which stretch away from us.

Yours always, John

Filed Under: Minister's Message Tagged With: Minister's Message, Rev. John. T. Morehouse

  • Minister’s Messages
  • Sermons – Audio
  • Sermons – Video
  • Rev. John T. Morehouse’s sermons
  • From Your Senior Minister: Facing Grace
  • Facing Grace – Rev. John’s blog
  • Rev. Frank Hall, Minister Emeritus – sermons
  • Rev. Frank Hall, Minister Emeritus – Dear Friends
  • Intern Minister’s sermons
  • Guest Minister’s sermons
  • Readings & Poetry
  • Communications from Your Ministers

     The Unitarian Universalist
     Congregation in Westport
     is a member congregation of the
     Unitarian Universalist Association

      CLICK HERE if you have any questions      about The Unitarian Universalist
    Congregation in Westport

Congregational Hours: Tuesday - Friday
9:30 AM to 4:00 PM

Summer Hours:
July & August until after Labor Day:
Tuesday - Friday 9:30 AM to 4:00 PM

CLICK HERE to contact the web master

CLICK HERE to opt in to receive
the Weekly Congregational Email Blast

Copyright © 2023 · Visit us at The Unitarian Universalist Congregation in Westport - 10 Lyons Plains Rd., Westport, CT 06880 - All rights reserved.