Dear Friends,
Last Friday night I stood in front of the fireplace in the Northup Room and delivered some favorite pieces of poetry at Barbara Holder’s Lifespan gathering of poets. She invited me to be the first reader of the evening, then I listened with appreciation as others read from their work, putting personal pieces of life into poems. I was moved.
Our new Northup Room is beautiful, and it’s well-used: Our Building Your Own Theology classes have been meeting there, our Board of Trustees and other classes for children and adults are using it. It’s so good to have this wonderful new space. Such a gift.
Now on to the next project. On May 8 our new contractor will begin work on the West Wing project. They are starting early so they can assure us that our new facility will be ready when we return after the summer break.
There will be some disruption. During construction the office will be moved to a portable facility set up in the staff parking area. We’ll bring in a storage trailer to hold most of the files, desks and so forth that are now in the West Wing. There will be temporary toilet facilities in June, and the kitchen will be moved at the end of June.
This is truly a time of renewal. It seems appropriate that it begins in Spring—Easter and Passover were put in the Spring because they are reminders of new beginnings, like Nature itself. We are Nature become aware of itself.
I’ve been talking with some men in the congregation about getting a new men’s group started this Spring. We’re going to have an exploratory meeting after the second service on May 21. All men are invited to have lunch together and share ideas and interests, giving direction to the formation of the new group, or groups&151;not everyone has to do the same kind of thing. I hope to see you there.
There’s a lot happening: The Auction on Saturday night, April 29, is overflowing with great things which go to the highest bidder; Camp Jewell, the annual family retreat in rural Connecticut will take place May 12 to 14, a good way to spend Mother’s Day!
You can read Barbara’s poignant, penetrating Palm Sunday sermon on our website at www.uuwestport.com. Give us feedback or suggestions about the website. You can hear the sermon, too. We have a new speedy tape duplicator for Sunday services for those who may want to keep or give someone a copy of a particular service. All you do is put your name and address on a mailing envelope, indicate the date, insert $3 to cover costs, and it will be sent to you.
All this is a way of saying Happy Passover, Happy Easter, Happy Spring!
To Life,
Frank
