• 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 – September 12, 2005

April 21, 2011 by Rev. Frank Hall - Minister Emeritus

Dear Friends,

Last Tuesday Randi Tarczali was walking her dog, had a heart attack and died.  She was only 46 and she left two children, Jen (15) and Max (11) as well as her husband, Peter.

Randi has been active in the church for the past three years.  She listened to the frequent benediction:  “Now say to thyself, ‘If there’s any good thing I can do, or any kindness I can show to any person, let me do it now, let me not defer or neglect it, for I may not pass this way again.’”

Randi’s husband, Peter, is from a Catholic family and they planned a service at Holy Family Church in Fairfield before talking with one of us.  Then they called to ask if I’d participate in the service on Saturday morning, but I had a commitment to officiate at a wedding.  Manish stepped in and provided the Unitarian presence that was so important to Randi’s family and friends—her background is Jewish.

I appreciated Manish’s work.  Those who were at the planning meeting he conducted with family and close friends, and at the service at which he co-officiated, sang his praises.  It’s good to have an Associate Minister again.

Randi’s sudden death is another reminder of our limited stay on the planet, just as Katrina was a stark reminder of our vulnerability.

Two weeks ago Lory called me from her cell phone while she was riding in an ambulance on the way to Bridgeport Hospital following a terrible car accident on the Merritt.  She assured me that she and Carlyn and Carlyn’s friend, Emily, were all ‘okay.’

Lory was taking Emily to her home in Trumbull.  Anticipating the exit, she was changing lanes from left to right and didn’t see the car passing her on the inside.  He swerved to his right, then lost control, wound up in front of Lory’s car and they crashed, pushing Lory to the median rail, which she hit and then spun around and turned over.  Both cars wound up on their roofs.

Lory and the girls were left hanging upside down—the car was completely demolished, but they were safe inside.  No other cars were involved and several good Samaritans came to their aid, including prying open doors to help them out, quickly, not knowing what might happen with fuel spilling and fumes from the A/C filling the car.  Lory swears by the Volvo, which she has since replaced.

Shortly after the accident Katrina hit the Gulf region—another reminder of our vulnerability, and another reason to acknowledge some of the basic things we take for granted.  We’ve started a fund to help our sister Unitarian Universalist congregation in New Orleans.

It’s good to be back—Sunday’s Homecoming was spectacular.  We’re especially pleased to have our new Social Justice Director, David Vita, beginning his work with us.  He has a lot to offer, which you’ll be learning more about in the days and weeks ahead.   Karen Wright has been working to expand the youth group to a full youth program.  Welcome aboard to them and you.

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.