Dear Members and Friends,
I can’t believe we are already into the Holiday Season! Here at UU Westport, there are plenty of Holiday gatherings in which to participate.
This Sunday, the worship service will be the Holiday Concert with the full choir led by Rev. Ed Thompson. I understand the Choir is doing an especially beautiful and complex set of pieces, not to be missed. On Friday, December 15, there’s an open invitation for all to join in singing at the Carol Sing-Along at Potluck that begins at 5:30. It’ll be fun for the entire family.
I’m delighted that Rev. Carrie McEvoy, UU Westport’s Community Minister, will lead our Blue Christmas: Somber Season worship in the downstairs chapel at 3pm on December 23. This will be followed by the Winter Solstice Meditation & Labyrinth Walk that begins at 4:30 PM.
If you want to celebrate Christmas Eve at UU Westport with children and the 9:00 PM gathering is simply too late, join us on December 24th at 10:00 AM. I will lead a fun and engaging multi-generational service with carols and lessons of the season!
I have heard from many of you that the lighting of candles during the 9:00 PM Christmas Eve service is the most meaningful moment here at UU Westport. I so look forward to joining you for this service.
I’m grateful to Jenny Klein and Ruth Fontilla for creating a flyer to share about all these gatherings. I encourage you to view it here and share with friends and family. Share on your social media accounts. The Holiday Season is a time a lot of people are in need of connecting with others. Who might be feeling isolated at this time? Who would benefit joining in our community gatherings?
Hard copies of the flyer will be available to pick up this Sunday. Would you be willing to post a hard copy of the flyer in your community? UU Westport is a Congregation that serves a large region. I encourage you to pick up a few flyers and post them at the local supermarket, at the pharmacy, at the library, any community gathering center! In this way you can be a part of sharing what this Congregation has to offer through worship.
It has been my experience that people who wish to find a new spiritual home often attend during this Season. The most common reason that someone visits a house of worship is because someone they know invited them. Who do you know that would likely benefit from attending our services and participating in the community here at UU Westport?
My own schedule has changed. I will return to Westport December 16 to 20, and then return on December 23 to join you for Christmas Eve services. After being in Westport two Sundays in a row, I will take two Sundays away and my schedule in the new year will be the following:
- January 13-17, 2024
- January 24-29, 2024
- February 3-7, 2024
- February 17-21, 2024
- March 16-20, 2024
- March 23-March 31, 2024
- April 13-17, 2024
- April 26-30, 2024
May you have a meaningful Holiday Season.
Warmly,
Alan
“There are only two ways to live your life. One is as though nothing is a miracle. The other is as though everything is a miracle.” ~ Albert Einstein
“A Winter Blessing” by Rebecca Ann Parker
In the shadowed quiet of winter’s light
earth speaks softly
of her longing.
Because the wild places are in tears.
Come, she cries to us.
Kneel down here
on the frosty grass,
and feel the prayer buried in the ground.
Bend your ear to my heart
and listen hard.
Love this world, she whispers.
Distill peace from the snow
and water the cities
with mercy.
Weave wonder from the forest
and clothe grief
with beauty.
Rest in the rhythm of the turning year,
Trace the bending arc
Rounding the curve toward justice.
And vow anew to do no harm.
The winter trees stand watch
haloed in the last gleams of the slanting sun.
Glory sings here.
Heaven echoes the call:
Repeat the sounding joy.
Make your life an answer:
Bow.
Praise.
Rise.
