Programs at the

John P. Webster Library!*

events are FREE unless otherwise mentioned. We ask that you register to secure a spot!

The John P. Webster Library (JPWL), along with First Church’s pastoral staff, sponsors frequent programs for adults. Programs on mental wellness, Islam, memoir-writing, antiracism, climate change, social justice, home improvement, and gardening are just a few of the topics we have explored in recent years. Some programs are offered in person in our beautiful facility, and others have a Zoom option.

*Some Co-Sponsored events are in different rooms, or off site

To stay up-to-date on adult faith formation classes and programs at the JPWL, please contact Jennifer deSimas, Library Director, at jpwebsterdir@westhartfordfirstchurch.org.

Click here for Adult Faith Formation info. which includes book groups, bible study, exercise classes and more!

Lunch & Learn: Navigating the “Goo Stage”

with Stephanie Simpson

Sunday, March 22 from 11:30-1:30 in the JPW Library – A light lunch will be served

Register here

Feeling overwhelmed? You’re not alone. Ongoing life changes—at work, in relationships, with health, or in daily routines—can add up quickly. During times of transition and uncertainty, many of us find ourselves in the “Goo Stage”: the in between space where old ways no longer fit, new ones haven’t formed yet, and things can feel messy, unclear, or unstable.

This free 2-hour interactive workshop offers a supportive pause—a low pressure space to slow down and orient to what’s shifting, without needing answers or feeling pressure to fix anything. Through guided reflection, structured discussion, and small group conversations, you’ll explore the changes you’re navigating, how the “Goo Stage” may be showing up in your life, and learn simple, practical tools to stay grounded and care for yourself and others during times of transition.

Stephanie Simpson, MA, MFA, PCC is an executive and leadership coach and facilitator with a background in clinical psychology, mindfulness, and trauma‑informed practices. She holds an MA in Clinical Psychology with an emphasis in Spirituality and Mind‑Body Studies from Columbia University Teachers College. Stephanie helps individuals and organizations navigate stress, change, and growth with greater awareness, resilience, and connection.

Movie Night with our UU friends

Saturday, February 21, 6 p.m.

Universalist Church of West Hartford (433 Fern Street)

The JPW Library is partnering with the Universalist Church of West Hartford to present Legacy: Apartheid’s Shadow. The film “follows the grandson of the so-called ‘Architect of Apartheid’ as he grapples with his family’s role in one of history’s most brutal regimes. LEGACY is a global call to confront the past in order to re-imagine a more equal future. A vital meditation on accountability and social justice that resonates far beyond one nation, mirroring struggles playing out worldwide today” (legacydocumentary.org). A Q&A with Director Tara Erica Moore will follow.

Located beneath the First Church Meeting House, the JPWL is the go-to place for books and media related to sermons, Sunday School, social justice issues, and so much more!

Monday-Thursday: 9:00 a.m.–5:00 p.m.
Sunday: 9:00 a.m.–12 noon (watch Worship Service from here)
Closed Friday and Saturday

Phone: 860-232-3893

Email: jpwebster@whfirstchurch.org