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< To Upcoming Services Apr 6, 2025 Poetry & Joy as Acts of Resistance Sunday Service: "Poetry & Joy as Acts of Resistance" "Joy is an act of resistance." We hear this phrase a lot these days, and it serves as an important reminder that finding joy in the midst of turmoil is a powerful form of defiance and protest. There are many avenues to joy, and poetry is one of them. Today, in honor of National Poetry Month, several members of the congregation will share how they find joy and strength in poetry. Coordinators : Gina Campellone and Paula Baker. Services at 9:00 and 11:00 A.M. #eBlast-04-02 Sunday Service: "Poetry & Joy as Acts of Resistance" "Joy is an act of resistance." We hear this phrase a lot these days, and it serves as an important reminder that finding joy in the midst of turmoil is a powerful form of defiance and protest. There are many avenues to joy, and poetry is one of them. Today, in honor of National Poetry Month, several members of the congregation will share how they find joy and strength in poetry. Coordinators : Gina Campellone and Paula Baker. Services at 9:00 and 11:00 A.M. Sunday, April 6, 2025 In Case You Missed It: #eBlast -04-02 OOS Sermon YouTube

< To Upcoming Services Watch the eBlast for the next scheduled UU SpiritLife Conversations UUSpiritLife Conversations is a monthly drop-in Zoom for the areas three UU churches to talk about spiritual topics. On Saturday, October 21, 9-10:30 A.M., Judy Robbins will facilitate a conversation about Stephen Levine's Leaning Into the Light. Go to UU SpiritLife Conversations --UU SpiritLife and you'll find an article to read and the Zoom link. See you then! OOS Sermon YouTube

< To Upcoming Services Watch the eBlast for the next scheduled Early Bird registration will be open until Early Bird registration will be open until March 31, 2025. UUA General Assembly (GA) will be held June 19-25, 2025 in Baltimore,, MD and will be in a hybrid format. General information about GA: General Assembly: The Unitarian Universalist Association's Premier Annual Gathering | UUA.org Register for GA: General Assembly Registration | General Assembly | UUA.org Delegate information: How Congregations Are Represented at General Assembly / Delegates | UUA.org Tentative Business Agenda and Being a Delegate: Shape Our Future Together at GA 2025! UUSE is entitled to 8 delegates in 2025: 6 lay delegates plus the minister and CYM Director. For more information about being a delegate, please check out the links above and let Carrie Kocher - uuseoffice@uuse.org - know if you have any questions or are interested in serving as a delegate. #eBlast-03-26 Early Bird registration will be open until March 31, 2025 . UUA General Assembly (GA) will be held June 19-25, 2025 in Baltimore,, MD and will be in a hybrid format. General information about GA: General Assembly: The Unitarian Universalist Association's Premier Annual Gathering | UUA.org Register for GA: General Assembly Registration | General Assembly | UUA.org Delegate information: How Congregations Are Represented at General Assembly / Delegates | UUA.org Tentative Business Agenda and Being a Delegate: Shape Our Future Together at GA 2025! UUSE is entitled to 8 delegates in 2025: 6 lay delegates plus the minister and CYM Director. For more information about being a delegate, please check out the links above and let Carrie Kocher - uuseoffice@uuse.org - know if you have any questions or are interested in serving as a delegate. #eBlast -03-26 OOS Sermon YouTube

< To Upcoming Services Aug 27, 2023 Peace is Every Step August 27: “Peace Is Every Step.” Fred Louis, from the Unitarian Society of Hartford joins us in a lay pulpit exchange. A Viet Nam veteran, he was blessed to attend about 12 Buddhist retreats with Thich Nhat Hanh and others and he will share some of his experiences and Buddhist teachings. Fred gave this reflection in Hartford on January 29, 2023. Members of the Manchester Women's Sacred Singing Circle will provide some of the music. Coordinator(s): Martha Larson OOS Sermon YouTube

< To Upcoming Services Watch the eBlast for the next scheduled Sunday Service: "General (Assembly) Reflections" Sunday Service: "General (Assembly) Reflections" Rev. Josh Pawelek will share his reflections on the recent Unitarian Universalist Association General Assembly in Baltimore; and maybe a few more general reflections on summer, the state of the nation, etc. Special Music by Jenn Richard. Coordinator: Rev. Josh Pawelek Summer schedule: 10:00 A.M. service Sunday, July 20, 2025 Gathering music starts at 9:55 A.M. Join the virtual service at 10:00 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 link to the July 13th service, "Sing! Sing! Sing!" #eBlast-07-16 Sunday Service: "General (Assembly) Reflections" Rev. Josh Pawelek will share his reflections on the recent Unitarian Universalist Association General Assembly in Baltimore; and maybe a few more general reflections on summer, the state of the nation, etc. Special Music by Jenn Richard. Coordinator : Rev. Josh Pawelek Summer schedule: 10:00 A.M. service Sunday, July 20, 2025 Gathering music starts at 9:55 A.M. Join the virtual service at 10:00 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 link to the July 13th service, "Sing! Sing! Sing!" #eBlast -07-16 OOS Sermon YouTube

< To Upcoming Services Watch the eBlast for the next scheduled Amuse Blues Jazz Trio Enjoy an afternoon with our very own beloved Amuse Blues Jazz trio. as Paul Shumsky, Zack Bates, and Steve Dauphinais turn out tasty tunes with an eclectic mix of jazz standards and original compositions by Paul Shumsky. Sunday, November 2nd at 3:00PM. $20 Freewill Donation, no one turned away. Enjoy an afternoon with our very own beloved Amuse Blues Jazz trio. as Paul Shumsky, Zack Bates, and Steve Dauphinais turn out tasty tunes with an eclectic mix of jazz standards and original compositions by Paul Shumsky. Sunday, November 2nd at 3:00PM. $20 Freewill Donation, no one turned away. OOS Sermon YouTube

< To Upcoming Services Jun 15, 2025 CYM Sunday Sunday Service: "CYM Sunday" Please join us for our All-Congregation CYM Celebration Sunday service! We will reflect on everything we accomplished this year through pictures, stories, and song. Volunteer recognition and Bridging ceremonies will close out our time together! Coordinator : Emmy Galbraith, Director of Children & Youth Ministry Summer schedule: 10:00 A.M. service #eBlast-06-11 Sunday Service: "CYM Sunday" Please join us for our All-Congregation CYM Celebration Sunday service! We will reflect on everything we accomplished this year through pictures, stories, and song. Volunteer recognition and Bridging ceremonies will close out our time together! Coordinator : Emmy Galbraith, Director of Children & Youth Ministry Summer schedule: 10:00 A.M. service Sunday, June 15, 2025 In Case You Missed It: #eBlast -06-11 OOS Sermon YouTube

< To Upcoming Services Watch the eBlast for the next scheduled Saucy Cook-Off 2.0 The competition is hot and heavy for the title of ‘UUSE Top Chef.’ Jump into the contest with your terrific tetrazzini or perfect pesto. Then everyone enjoys a luscious free pasta dinner prepared by UU friends who want YOUR votes! Going, going, gone!! Live Auction Snag meals in members’ homes, special activities, vacation getaways and Rev. Josh’s personalized sermon only at the meetinghouse on January 31! For the Kids No grownups allowed! Lots of low-cost items at the Kids Bid Table and ONLY children can bid! There will also be fun activities and childcare available. #FebruaryNewsletter The competition is hot and heavy for the title of ‘UUSE Top Chef.’ Jump into the contest with your terrific tetrazzini or perfect pesto. Then everyone enjoys a luscious free pasta dinner prepared by UU friends who want YOUR votes! Going, going, gone!! Live Auction Snag meals in members’ homes, special activities, vacation getaways and Rev. Josh’s personalized sermon only at the meetinghouse on January 31! For the Kids No grownups allowed! Lots of low-cost items at the Kids Bid Table and ONLY children can bid! There will also be fun activities and childcare available. #FebruaryNewsletter OOS Sermon YouTube

< To Upcoming Services Mar 8, 2026 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  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. Sunday, March 8, 2026 In Case You Missed It: #eBlast -03-04 OOS Sermon YouTube

< To Upcoming Services Nov 26, 2023 Observations on Generosity. Join us as we celebrate everyday generosity at UUSE featuring music from Meetinghouse! Some examples of everyday generosity include volunteering, helping a stranger, cooking for others, and so much more. What everyday acts of generosity have you observed at UUSE and in the wider world? #eBlast-11-22 November 26: “Observations on Generosity .” Join us as we celebrate everyday generosity at UUSE, featuring music from Meetinghouse! Some examples of everyday generosity include volunteering, helping a stranger, cooking for others, and so much more. What everyday acts of generosity have you observed at UUSE and in the wider world? Submit your short observations to Gianna DiMaiolo or Sandy Karosi no later than November 15. Coordinator(s): Gianna DiMaiolo and Sandy Karosi OOS Sermon YouTube

< To Upcoming Services Watch the eBlast for the next scheduled Nu Haven Kapelye The Kapelye is a multi-generational, multi-ethnic band that plays joyous, foot- tapping, tuchus-shaking arrangements of Klezmer and Yiddish music from Eastern Europe and other locales and cultures. Klezmer music, in turn, influenced Jazz in particular, New Orleans. The Kapelye will have you clapping, laughing, weeping, dancing in the aisles, and embracing this timeless music. Wear your dance shoes! For more information and videos of the band, visit https://nuhavenkapelye.com/home. Click here for more on interplay of Yiddish music, jazz & Louis Armstrong. OOS Sermon YouTube

< To Upcoming Services Watch the eBlast for the next scheduled Music + Mantra: Kirtan at UUSE 3:00PM Sunday Feb 22nd 2026 Music + Mantra: Kirtan at UUSE 3:00PM Sunday Feb 22nd 2026 Music + Mantra: Kirtan at UUSE A welcoming community of music, meditation, and connection Join us for Music + Mantra, a recurring series of live kirtan gatherings at the Unitarian Universalist Society East (UUSE) in Manchester, CT. Led by Heart Centered Kirtan, these events offer a warm, inclusive space to connect through music, mantra, and shared presence. What is Kirtan? Kirtan is a form of participatory music that blends melody, rhythm, and meditation. Rooted in the devotional singing traditions of India, kirtan invites people of all backgrounds to join in simple, call-and-response chanting. You don’t need to be a singer or have any experience—just an open heart and a willingness to listen and participate. The focus is on community, not performance. Through music and repetition, we create a shared space for reflection, connection, and joy. Led by Heart Centered Kirtan Our gatherings are led by Libby Volckening (vocals/keys), Ezra Landis (guitar), Reed Sutherland (bass), and Chris Ball (drums). Together, they bring a contemporary sound to this ancient practice—grounded in authenticity, openness, and community spirit. When and Where All Music + Mantra events are held on Sundays at 3:00 PM in the UUSE sanctuary:153 Vernon Street West, Manchester, CT Upcoming 2026 dates: February 22 March 22 May 17 Admission: By free-will donation ($20 suggested) at the door. No one is ever turned away. Chair seating is available, or bring your own floor cushion.Please note: UUSE is a scent-free space. Download the FlyerClick here to download the latest event flyer and share it with friends: Music+Mantra Flyer PDF . All Are Welcome These gatherings are open to people of all ages, backgrounds, and spiritual traditions. Whether you come for the music, the meditation, or the sense of community, you’ll find a place where everyone’s voice belongs. Stay Connected Join the local kirtan community on Facebook: Central CT Community Kirtan . About UUSE The Unitarian Universalist Society East is a welcoming congregation. Our Music + Mantra series reflects our values by creating opport unities for reflection, belonging, and shared expression through music for people of all backgrounds. OOS Sermon YouTube