2019 SUMMER SERVICES
June 23, 2019 – 10:00 AM
Juneteenth – Shanonda Nelson
Sometimes called Freedom Day, Juneteenth commemorates the abolition of slavery. You will hear stories, some newly discovered, of African men and women enslaved in Alabama, where Shanonda’s family owned property. She will salute the people who fought the system, enslaved women who refused to be beaten, women abolitionists, and a man who turned to Nora Zeale Hurston to tell his surprising story.
Shanonda is active at TUCW – a chaplain, worship associate and member of the Board and Eliminating Racism. Raising two teenagers, she considers “Freedom,” and has to ask, are we there yet? Music will resonate with the theme.
Worship Associate: Joanne Glasser Orenstein
Pastoral Care Chaplain: Ann Sikes Taylor
Music: Choir/pianist, acapella
June 30, 2019 – 10:00 AM
Wandering – Cheryl Dixon Paul and Judy Eckerd
Join us in paying attention to the art of Wandering; through story, meditation and song. Whether your journey is intentional exploration, or you prefer to perambulate, we will discover how Wandering can bring us joy and insight. Take away a new perspective for the summer season.
Cheryl & Judy are both Worship Associates and Cheryl will be the new WA Chair. This multi-generational service sprang out of a UUA workshop they both attended in Nashua, NH where an inclusive, interactive approach to worship was the theme. Both have previously led worship services: Cheryl on Aging to Saging, on mentorship; and Judy on discovering our own Superpower – her’s is making people laugh!
Worship Associate: Cheryl Dixon Paul and Judy Eckerd
Pastoral Care Chaplain: Kate Croarkin
Music: Florence Romanov, piano
July 7, 2019 – 10:00 AM
Freedom is Not Free: A UU perspective on good citizenship – Carrie McEvoy
Freedom of Speech, Freedom of Religion, Freedom of the Press… Just because we live in a free society doesn’t mean we can do anything we want. This sermon will explore the boundaries between freedom, civic responsibility and morality.
Carrie McEvoy has been a member of The Unitarian Church in Westport since 2011. She has sung in the choir, has been a Worship Associate, and has served on various committees including search committees for the Senior Minister and the Assistant Minister for Faith Formation. Carrie is a member of the Board of Trustees. She is also currently pursuing a Master of Divinity degree at Meadville Lombard Theological School with hopes to eventually become a minister.
Worship Associate: Linda Lubin
Pastoral Care Chaplain: Lindy Hennessy
Music: choir and pianist, Florence Romanov
July 14, 2019 – 10:00 AM
Losing Patience, Finding Grace on the MTA – Mary-Megan Marshall
Mary-Megan says, “We often believe peace is to be found in a quiet environment. Truly, though, we must search for peace in chaotic environments and we can find it there and other strange places too.” In her sermon, she will discuss how she finds a state of grace on an extra long commute.
A former worship associate at TUCW, this is her 3rd time preaching. Mary-Megan now lives in Brooklyn and commutes to work in Norwalk as a Case Manager. She helps her clients learn mindfulness skills and ways to emotionally self-regulate.
Worship Associate: Linda Hudson
Pastoral Care Chaplain: Shari Brennan
Music: selected recording artists
July 21, 2019 – 10:00 AM
Working the Muscle of Resilience – Marjolijn de Jager
Are we born with resilience? Where does it come from? How, when, and why do we need it? Richard Davidson, neuro-scientist, defines resilience as “the rapidity with which one recovers from adversity.” Marjolijn says, “My experience with resilience goes back possibly to age 4, but certainly to age 6. This was at the beginning of the 3.5 years (March 1942-November 1945) that my mother and I were incarcerated in a Japanese POW camp on the island of Java, Indonesia. It was not until recently that I identified ‘resilience’ as the guideline of much of my life.” you are welcome to join Marjolijn for a follow-up discussion.
Worship Associate: Margalie Belizaire
Pastoral Care Chaplain: Eileen O’Reilly
Music: Choir and pianist, Anita Pfluger
July 28, 2019 – 10:00 AM
Love in an Angry World. Meditation on Peace and Happiness – Manjushri
The modern world seems to be in chaos with social progress going backwards. Opinions are strong and emotions often explode, tearing families and friends apart. How can activists for progress avoid anger, and still be grounded, calm and peaceful within? Manjushri’s meditation will open a window on love, peace and happiness which are available for all of us, should we decide to embrace them. He is a teacher and energy healer who practices Ignite Your Spirit and color therapy. During travels from his birthplace, France, witnessing human conditions in various cultures deeply touched him. Now on the East Coast, he serves humanity with ease and grace, and a touch of humor. After refreshments he will facilitate informal sharing and a Q&A.
Worship Associate: Janet Luongo
Pastoral Care Chaplain: Marie-Claire Bue
Music: Shanti Mission recording artists
August 4, 2019 – 10:00 AM
Riding a Light Beam: Dare to Imagine – Janet Luongo
Einstein said “Imagination is more important than knowledge.” In developing Relativity, he pictured himself riding a wave of light. Stretch your imagination as Janet guides you in visualizing your light and yearnings, and Jenna Jacob’s angelic voice lifts your spirit. Affirmations will help you manifest what you imagine.
Janet is an artist and author of 365 Affirmations for Creativity, and the upcoming, Runaway, 1967. She coordinated the “Women, Spirit and Imagination Series,” and guides meditation on Sunday mornings before worship. A yoga philosophy practitioner and teacher, Shanti Mission devotee, she now studies Paramahansa Yogananda’s Lessons in Self-Realization. A discussion follows.
Worship Associate: David Smith
Pastoral Care Chaplain: Julia Wyant
Music: Songs sung by Jenna Jacobs
August 11, 2019 – 10:00 AM
Migration, Our Human Story – Claudia Connor
Hear short personal stories of courage and hope from refugees and immigrants and from members of our UU Outreach Committee, who have worked with other churches to set up apartments to help them settle in our community. Participate in congregational songs, “Come, Come, Whoever you Are,” and “Break Down These Walls,” led by Once and Again Singers.
Claudia Connor, worship leader, is CEO/director of CIRI, CT Institute for Refugees and Immigrants, celebrating 101 years. A follow-up discussion will follow the service. Visit cirict.org.
Worship Associate: Doug Flam
Pastoral Care Chaplain: Kathy Roberts
Music: Once and Again Singers
August 18, 2019 – 10:00 AM
A Better Man – Jim Cooper, Luke Garvey and Rob Laug
What does it mean to be a good man in 2019? A better man? We will explore what manhood meant in the past, navigating changing waters in the present, and the implications for the future.
Worship Associate: Jamie Forbes
Pastoral Care Chaplain: Beverly Bailey
Music: Chris Seiple
August 25, 2019 – 10:00 AM
Liberate Yourself from Addiction & Trauma – Denise Lamoureux
If an underlying traumatic experience gets buried in the body and the brain, it may lead to anxiety and addiction. The trauma can be conscious or unconscious, real or perceived. Addictions are not limited to drugs and alcohol, but include addictions to shopping, power, sugar, etc. Denise will guide us in clearing out stuck energy, and experiencing being free. HealingswithDenise.com
Denise founded Finding Feathers Wellness Center in Fairfield, CT. She is a channel and healer and is certified in many therapies: Crystal Dreaming, Ignite your Spirit, and Reiki. She studies the brain and the neurological system and their effects. She offers transformational workshops, powerful healing meditations and one-on-one healing. Suzanne Sheridan will perform original songs. Denise will give a demonstration after the service.
Worship Associate: Connie Rockman
Pastoral Care Chaplain: Chuck Harrington
Music: Suzanne Sheridan