• 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 Church in Westport

10 Lyons Plains Rd., Westport, CT 06880 - Ph: (203)227-7205 Sunday Services: 10:00 AM in person and live online

uua-logo-2
  • Calendar
    • Calendar
    • SOUNDINGS
    • Communications Guidelines
    • ZOOM Instructions
    • Tips For Making Videos
    • Event & Space Reservations
    • TUCWSocial 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
    • 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 2021-22
    • Welcome to Family Faith Formation
    • This Week in Family Faith Formation
    • What to Expect on Sundays
    • Faith Formation for Children Pre-K through 7th Grade
    • OWL Information at a Glance
    • Considering 8th-9th grade OWL
    • Youth Ministry
    • Adult Faith Formation
    • Soul Matters
    • Keeping Safe
    • Faith Formation Registration
  • Social Justice
    • Welcome to Social Justice
    • Social Justice e-mail
    • Advocates for Prevention of Gun Violence
    • Beardsley School Committee
    • Environmental Action Group
    • Immigration and Refugee Committee
    • KIVA Microfinance Committee
    • Mercy Learning Center Committee
    • Racial Justice Committee
    • Rainbow Task Force
    • Westbridge Coalition
    • UU United Nations Office
    • Additional Programs
    • Racial Justice Resources
  • 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 Ministers
    • CURRENTS – our quarterly newsletter
  • Livestream

Dear Friends – September 22, 2003

April 20, 2011 by Rev. Frank Hall - Minister Emeritus

Dear Friends,

The Coleman memorial bench sits solidly in our memorial garden-a granite pew in Nature’s sanctuary. It’s a space made sacred by the lasting love of precious memories.

In the center of the bench’s face is the name Coleman. As you face the bench, Keith’s name is on the left: Keith Eugene, August 15, 1967 – September 11, 2001. Scott’s name is on the right: Scott Thomas, June 3, 1970 – September 11, 2001.

The seat of the bench is engraved with words from the Unitarian poet, Emily Dickinson:

Unable are the loved to die – For Love is Immortality

We had our service of dedication of the bench on September 14, beginning with a violin duet. Todd Coleman’s sister-in-law, Julia, and her friend Merideth, played Pachabel’s Canon.

Just as they finished, as if on cue, the rain started, and I said: “On this day two years ago we were in collective shock. We came together to find support, strength and solace in one another’s company. We knew, in a very deep and profound way, that something essential had changed for us as citizens of this nation. Today we have gathered to dedicate this bench in honor of Keith and Scott Coleman, and in memory of all those who died two years ago on September 11, and to those who love them.

“There are 3016 names represented by the two brothers in whose honor thismonument is placed. Hundreds of thousands of names of family members, friends, fellow workers and neighbors could be engraved in stone-a community of grief. Millions of people the world over have been drawn into the circle of love, care and compassion that followed this tragedy. Our purpose today is simply to remember, and in remembering to dedicate ourselves to the work that remains before us: to build a better, safer and saner world. It’s a
task we freely acknowledge cannot be accomplished in our lifetime, but one in which we must feel involved and to which we must dedicate a portion of our time, talent and energy in the days that remain before us.

“May this memorial bench be an invitation to sit in silence or to join others in caring conversation here in our memorial garden. May we each find ways to bring meaning to this memorial in the days and years before us. May this be our blessing, amen.”

Standing on the hill, a natural choir loft, the men’s chorus sang the now-familiar Freedman prayer, in which the chorus says, “May this be our blessing, Amen.”

Neil spoke, lovingly, movingly and meaningfully. Thunder clapped in the distance and the rain poured down on us, as if tears from heaven were cleansing our parched spirits.

Carl Serbell’s trumpet version of Autumn Leaves closed the service, and as if on cue the rain stopped. We moved on, knowing that we have ‘promises to keep, and miles to go.’

Peace,
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
  • CURRENTS – our quarterly newsletter

     The Unitarian Church in Westport
     is a member congregation of the
     Unitarian Universalist Association

      CLICK HERE if you have any questions      about The Unitarian Church in Westport

Church 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 © 2022 · Visit us at The Unitarian Church in Westport - 10 Lyons Plains Rd., Westport, CT 06880 - All rights reserved.