A church-based community ministry dedicated to people
touched by addiction has been recently established at the Unitarian Church
in Westport (UCW) with four major goals:
- To provide UCW members with pastoral services and support in addiction
prevention and recovery.
- To provide a resource for UCW members to obtain information on
addiction prevention and recovery.
- To bring those and other addiction-related services to the larger
community, once established within UCW.
- To sponsor shared leadership, resources, and goals for this community
work among other Unitarian Universalist churches and fellowships
in our area.
Our ministry is based on the following observations and convictions:
- One in every six people (depending on whose numbers you choose
to believe) is struggling with some form of addiction. Addiction
also has a devastating effect on the friends and loved ones of addicts,
and it is further estimated that the lives of one out of every three
people are seriously disrupted by addiction. Thus, every congregation
has a significant number of people, most probably known only to themselves
and their families, who are in need of help and compassion.
- Addiction is in part a spiritual disorder, and long-term recovery
is in large part a spiritual process. The spiritual component of addiction
can be defined this way: Addiction causes a separation of the person
(a) from her/his true self (the self that is free to exercise choice
in matters of behavior and attachment); (b) from meaningful, loving,
freely chosen relationships with other people; and (c) from God, however
God is understood (the transcendent, ultimate meaning, the good, etc.).
- Recovery from addiction needs to encompass spiritual healing: a process
of reconnection to true self, others, and God. Such healing always
takes place in community, and a community of faith – a church – can
be an ideal environment for spiritual growth toward wholeness. Perhaps
for such purposes there is none better than a Unitarian Universalist
church community, which professes the inherent worth and dignity of
every person and acceptance of one another, and encourages spiritual
growth in our congregations. No matter what one's faith tradition,
a UU church can be a safe, nondogmatic environment in which to find
one's spiritual bearings in community.
Addictions Service Committee (ASC)
The ASC serves the needs of those in the congregation and the larger
community, including family members and friends, touched by addiction.
We understand "addiction" in its broadest sense to include
substance abuse and behavioral addictions, e.g., gambling, sexual activity,
overeating, and workaholism. The committee develops and implements programs
for prevention and recovery, and sponsors educational offerings for adults
and the Children and Youth Ministries. The committee meets on the second
Tuesday of each month, and we invite anyone interested in this work to
join us.
Addictions Small Group
The Addictions Small Group is a support group for all with addiction
concerns. It meets the first Sunday of every month, year round. The ASG
is part of our church's Small Group Ministry, but unlike other groups,
it is always open to new attendees. We usually have a speaker followed
by open discussion. The meetings are from 12:30 to 2:00 PM at the Meeting
House, located on the church grounds.
Addictions Service Committee:
John Hooper: 203-222-7903 - 
Jeff Klomberg: 203-454-2246 -
Peter Mathews: 203-438-7416 -
Chris Place: 203-966-1821 -
Mary Skarstrom: 203-373-1346 - |
