My beloved speaks and says to me: “Arise, my love, my beautiful one, and come away, for behold, the winter is past; the rain is over and gone. The flowers appear on the earth, the time of singing has come, and the voice of the turtledove is heard in our land. The fig tree ripens its figs, and the vines are in blossom; they give forth fragrance. Arise, my love, my beautiful one, and come away.”
– Song of Solomon 2:10-13 (ESV)
Beloved Members and Friends of UUWestport –
I can hardly believe it’s been just over a month since we launched the Get Set … GO! 2026 Pledge Drive. Since then, it was still quite cold outside, with patches of snow on the ground here and there. It was quiet … and now, winter is a memory, like the lover in the Song of Solomon observed thousands of years ago. The birds sing their songs and new growth teems all around us.
So has it been within the congregation in these past weeks. We’ve heard wonderful music together – the March 29th and April 5th Sunday Services spring to mind. Dear ones who’d not been on the campus have healed enough to be in the sanctuary once again. We’ve had beautiful fellowship hours after services, and members have graciously opened their homes to welcome fellow members and friends for Pledge Drive Cottage Parties, where we’ve enjoyed community, hospitality, and delicious food as we’ve reflected on the blessings we’ve received as part of UUWestport.
Generosity abounds. In addition to the joy we felt as we received the extraordinary bequest from the estate of Nancy Treadwell in memory of her parents, we are also blessed with heartfelt giving among us today. An inspiring donor to the congregation committed to matching increases in pledges and new pledges dollar for dollar. As of this message, we are up to $509,000 toward our goal of $580,000 – 88 percent of the way with just over two weeks to go, not including the donor match! Thank you to that donor and to everyone who’s helped the 2026 Pledge Drive go so very well. For those of you who haven’t pledged or increased your pledge yet, please remember to do so by Sunday, April 19, so eligible amounts can be matched when you complete payment of them. Let’s take it all the way to $580,000! Visit uuwestport.org/pledge or complete a pledge card in the foyer after Sunday Service.
And yes, there have been surprises along the way, within the congregation and around the world. Minister Emeritus Rev. Frank Hall departed from this life shortly after the pledge drive got underway. Two weeks ago, we learned that the next Senior Minister for UUWestport wasn’t in the pool of this winter’s settled minister candidates. And of course, we’ve had the escalation of war and international turmoil, affecting some of us very personally. We hold all these things and all our loved ones in our hearts.
Yet spring has faithfully returned, delivering on its promises of warmth, beauty, and new possibilities.
Please make time to enjoy the blessings of your lives in this glorious season.
Love and Joy,
Rev. Carlton
