• 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

Dear Friends – July 11, 2006

April 22, 2011 by Rev. Frank Hall - Minister Emeritus

Dear Friends,

I went to St. Louis for General Assembly.  The ministers meet for a couple of days before the lay delegates arrive—it was good to catch up with lots of old friends, though there’s inevitable news of illnesses and deaths.

I especially appreciated presentations by Sharon Salzberg, who talked about her experience with Buddhism.  I thought of the old saying, “When I’m a Buddhist my family hates me; when I’m the Buddha, they love me.” She was the Buddha.  She wasn’t trying to convince or convert.

Bill Schulz, who recently completed his ten-year presidency of Amnesty International’s American division, offered the Berry Street Lecture, “What Torture Has Taught Me.” It was extremely moving – thoughtful, personal and provocative.

The Wednesday night opening ceremony, with the banner parade, is always an inspiration, and this year was not a disappointment.  Our Westport delegation was spirited, especially when we saw our banner.

On Thursday morning I participated in a workshop with David Vita and Frances Sink, where we talked about the process we went through to call a Social Justice Director.  The workshop was well attended – Frances, David and I made presentations about our experience in the process, and there were lots of good questions and comments.

After the workshop I walked back to my hotel room and the little red light on the phone was blinking, indicating that I had a phone message.  As soon as I heard the voice of my oldest brother, Chet, I listened with anxiety.  He apologized for calling with news he knew would be very difficult for me to hear, preparing me with a few introductory words, then he said, “Kim died last night.”

I was stunned.  My dear 34-year old niece died suddenly and unexpectedly in her home, where I had visited her last summer, in Maine.  She was healthy and happy.  She had been living with Multiple Sclerosis for fourteen years, but was nearly symptom-free.

I sat there, alone, for a few minutes.  I thought of how devastating this is for my brother Art and his wife, Mary, who have been so devoted to Kim.  She worked in their family business and they bought a house for her, nearby.

Before I got up from the desk chair I had made arrangements to get the next flight home, so I could be with Art, Mary and my family.  Kim, like her mother, was Catholic.  They had a wake for her in Wilmington, Massachusetts, on Saturday, then another wake in Livermore Falls, Maine, on Sunday, and a funeral at St. Rose of Lima Church on Monday morning.

I participated in each of the wakes, the funeral Mass, and the graveside service.  Father Roger Chabot, the parish priest, was very gracious, inviting me to do a reading and eulogy.

Two days after Kim’s funeral Lory and I went to Greece for Steve and Melissa’s wedding

Yours,
Frank

Filed Under: Dear Friends

  • 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.