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Illustration by Sarah Green from "Brave Clara Barton" Gathering Music Dorothy Bognar, piano Welcome and Announcements Annual Appeal Pulpit Testimonials Robin Byrne Centering Prelude "For What it's Worth" by Steven Stills Dorothy Bognar, piano Chalice Lighting and Opening Words To Remind Ourselves What Is Real by Elena Westbrook Opening Hymn #360 "Here We Have Gathered" Words by Alicia S. Carpenter Music: Genevan Psalter, 1543 Here we have gathered, gathered side by side; circle of kinship, come and step inside! May all who seek here find a kindly word; may all who speak here feel they have been heard. Sing now together this, our hearts' own song. Here we have gathered, called to celebrate days of our lifetime, matters small and great: we of all ages, women, children, men, infants and sages, sharing what we can. Sing now together this, our hearts' own song. Life has its battles, sorrows, and regret: but in the shadows, let us not forget: we who now gather know each other's pain; kindness can heal us: as we give, we gain. Sing now in friendship this, our hearts' own song. Time For All Ages "Brave Clara Barton" by Frank Murphy illustrations by Sarah Green Hymn #1057 "Go Lifted Up" by Mortimer B. Barron Go lifted up, Love bless your way, moonlight, starlight guide your journey into peace and the brightness of day. Joys and Concerns Musical Meditation Offering The recipient of our community outreach offering is the CT Alliance to End Sexual Violence. Their mission is to create communities free of sexual violence ad to provide culturally affirming, trauma-informed advocacy, prevention, and intervention services centered on the voices of survivors. Offering Music "Theme from "To Kill a Mockingbird" by Elmer Bernstein Dorothy Bognar, piano Sermon "On War, Women and Witness or Do UU Know Your History? Part III" Rev. Josh Pawelek Closing Hymn #212 "We Are Dancing Sarah's Circle" Words by Carole A. Etzler Music: African American spiritual We are dancing Sarah's circle, we are dancing Sarah's circle we are dancing Sarah's circle, sisters, brothers, all. Here we seek and find our history... We will all do our own naming... Every round a generation... On and on the circle's moving... Extinguishing the Chalice Closing Circle (music by Dorothy Bognar) May faith in the spirit of life And hope for the community of earth And love of the light in each other Be ours now, and in all the days to come.

Gathering Music Welcome Centering Prelude "Come, Come Whoever You Are" by Lynn Ungar Arr. by Mary Bopp Chalice Lighting and Opening Words "This Faith" by Heide Cottam Opening Hymn #21 "For the Beauty of the Earth" words by F. S. Pierpoint music by Conrad Kocher For the beauty of the earth, for the splendor of the skies, For the love which from our birth over and around us lies: Source of all, to thee we raise this, our hymn of grateful praise. For the joy of ear and eye, for the heart and mind's delight, For the mystic harmony linking sense to sound and sight: Source of all, to thee we raise this, our hymn of grateful praise. For the wonder of each hour of the day and of the night, Hill and vale and tree and flower, sun and moon and stars of light: Source of all, to thee we raise this, our hymn of grateful praise. For the joy of human care, sister, brother, parent, child, For the kinship we all share, for all gentle thoughts and mild: Source of all, to thee we raise this, our hymn of grateful praise. Time for All Ages "The Rabbit Listened" by Cori Doerrfeld Musical Interlude Announcements Introduction to the Service Welcoming Visitors and Joys & Concerns Musical Response Offering Continuing our practice of sharing our gifts with the community beyond our walls, fifty percent of our Sunday plate collections for the month of March will be shared with the CT Alliance to End Sexual Violence. (The Alliance) works to prevent and eliminate sexual violence in our state through education, legislation, advocacy, trauma-informed care, and a state-wide network of support for victims and survivors. Offering Music "With Open Arms" by Mary Bopp First Reflection - Emmy Galbraith Wisdom from Our Experts: Families & Religious Educators Second Reflection - Vivian Carlson Supporting Family Systems Closing Hymn #298 "Wake Now My Senses" words by Thomas Mikelson Traditional Irish melody Wake, now my senses, and hear the earth call; feel the deep power of being in all; keep, with the web of creation your vow, giving, receiving as love shows us how. Wake, now, my reason, reach out to the new; join with each pilgrim who quests for the true; honor the beauty and wisdom of time; suffer thy limit, and praise the sublime. Wake, now, compassion, give heed to the cry; voices of suffering fill the wide sky; take as your neighbor both stranger and friend, praying and striving their hardship to end . Wake, now, my conscience, with justice thy guide; join with all people whose rights are denied; take not for granted a privileged place; God's love embraces the whole human race . Wake, now, my vision of ministry clear; brighten my pathway with radiance here; mingle my calling with all who will share; work toward a planet transformed by our care. Extinguishing the Chalice & Closing Words The flame in our hearts never ceases burning. Closing Circle May faith in the spirit of life And hope for the community of earth And love of the light in each other Be ours now, and in all the days to come.

MUSIC + MANTRA KIRTAN AT UUSE A welcoming community of music, meditation, and connection Join us for an uplifting, meditative experience blending contemporary music with the call-and-response singing of mantras. Mantra set to music opens the heart and lifts the spirits. The MUSIC + MANTRA series is a welcoming community gathering where contemporary live music meets the ancient practice of kirtan — call-and-response mantra singing rooted in India’s devotional tradition. No musical experience, spiritual background, or prior knowledge is required. You are welcome to sing along, dance, listen quietly, or simply be present. WHAT YOU'LL EXPERIENCE: • Relaxation through sound – Quiet the mental chatter and de-stress. • A sense of belonging – Singing together fosters connection in a way that feels natural and inclusive—there's no pressure and no performance. • Accessible participation – Sit in a chair, relax on a cushion, or move and dance—engage in whatever way feels right for you. • Tradition shared with care – Rooted in the Indian devotional practice of kirtan and offered in a warm, contemporary community setting that honors its origins. ABOUT THE MUSICIANS:  HEART CENTERED KIRTAN • Libby Volckening — vocals and keys • Ezra Landis — guitar • Nico D'Amico — bass • Chris Ball — drums Together, they offer contemporary arrangements that honor tradition while remaining approachable for newcomers. ABOUT THE SPACE Hosted at the Unitarian Universalist Society East — a welcoming, community-centered venue committed to diversity, equity, and inclusion. • Wheelchair accessible • Scent-free space • Chair seating provided (feel free to bring a cushion if you prefer the floor) • Free parking on site Whether you are spiritually curious, musically inclined, or simply seeking a peaceful and welcoming evening out, Music + Mantra offers a low-pressure way to connect—with yourself and with community. EVENT DETAILS Sunday, March 22 - 3pm Free-will donation ($20 suggested) at the door. No one is ever turned away.

Religious education is not just for kids. We have plenty of programs to keep adults busy too. Intro to UU The Intro to UU program is taught periodically by the minister. There's not one scheduled at the moment. Keep an eye on the Happenings section of the website to see when the next session might be coming.

This is the listing of upcoming services. It is automatically updated from the events database. Old services are moved to the past services page. Upcoming Services Reminder: UUSE has a Low Scent Policy Here's a list of upcoming services. Past services can be found here . 3/15/26 Sunday Service: "On War, Women and Witness" OOS Sermon YouTube Sunday Service: "On War, Women and Witness" or "Do UU Know Your History? Part III" Rev. Josh will share his reflections on the ongoing United States War in Iran with a nod to Women's History month and our ministry theme of paying attention. Josh will draw on the wartime witness of some famous Unitarian and Universalist women. Coordinator: Rev. Josh Pawelek. Illustrated by Sarah Green from "Brave Clara Barton" Services at 9:00 and 11:00 A.M. Sunday, March 15, 2026 Gathering music starts at 8:50 and 10:50 A.M. Join the virtual service at 11:00 A.M. via our Zoom link: Contact the Office for Zoom Link. Or join by phone. Call 1-860-646-5151 Meeting ID 357 815 420#. In Case You Missed It: Click here for a Youtube video of the 3/8/26 service: "Caring for Parents, Children and Their Families in These Times" #eBlast-03-11 3/15/26 or Do UU Know Your History? Part III OOS Sermon YouTube  or "Do UU Know Your History? Part III" Rev. Josh will share his reflections on the ongoing United States War in Iran with a nod to Women's History month and our ministry theme of paying attention . Josh will draw on the wartime witness of some famous Unitarian and Universalist women. Coordinator : Rev. Josh Pawelek. Illustrated by Sarah Green from "Brave Clara Barton" Services at 9:00 and 11:00 A.M. #eBlast-03-11 3/22/26 Ferry Beach Retreat and Conference Center. OOS Sermon YouTube Sunday, March 22nd: Ferry Beach Retreat and Conference Center. What’s it all about? Participants in this service will provide information about Ferry Beach and share thoughts about experiences they have had there. Coordinators: Nancy Madar and David Klotz 3/29/26 Transgender Day of Visibility OOS Sermon YouTube Sunday, March 29th: Transgender Day of Visibility. Mindful that March 31st is Transgender Day of Visibility, we will lift up transgender lives in our morning service. We will also explore the work of recertifying UUSE as a Welcoming Congregation. Coordinator: Rev. Josh Pawelek. 4/5/26 Easter Service. OOS Sermon YouTube Sunday, April 5th: Easter Service. Coordinators: Rev. Josh Pawelek, Emmy Galbraith, and Mary Bopp.

A list of all of our past services, including links to the sermons. Past Services This is a list of past services. Upcoming services can be found here . 3/8/26 OOS Sermon YouTube Caring for Parents, Children and Their Families in These Times  and Their Families in These Times" The Surgeon General states that parents are more stressed than perhaps ever before; our young people experience unprecedented mental health challenges; and the rights of our beloveds are at grave risk. Yet many families with children show up at our doors seeking community and care. What can we do as a congregation to best respond to the needs of our families? Coordinators : Emmy Galbraith and Vivian Carlson. Services at 9:00 and 11:00 A.M. #eBlast-03-04 3/1/26 OOS Sermon YouTube Belonging and Thriving -- Together! Sunday, March 1st: Belonging and Thriving -- Together! All Congregation service featuring beautiful music by the Atrium Brass Quintet! This morning we launch our 2026 Annual Appeal. Rev. Josh will discuss the goals for this year’s appeal. What needs are we trying to meet? What programs are we hoping to grow? What vision are we trying to fulfill? Coordinator: Rev. Josh Pawelek. 2/22/26 OOS Sermon YouTube 02-22-26 Generous Spirit Rev. Josh explores the many ways we manifest generosity and why it matters that we continually cultivate generous spirits. Kate Kimmerle purchased this service at the 2025 UUSE Goods and Services Auction. Coordinator : Rev. Josh Pawelek Services at 9:00 and 11:00 A.M. #eBlast-02-18 2/15/26 OOS Sermon YouTube Strategic Planning: A Discipline of Resilience "Strategic Planning: A Discipline of Resilience" Hear and be heard to form our UUSE vision, mission, and planning statements. Coordinator : Kate Kimmerle. Services at 9:00 and 11:00 A.M. #eBlast-02-11 Show More