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< To Upcoming Services Dec 21, 2025 Where the Light Begins. "Where the Light Begins." Let's try it again! This morning, we celebrate the winter solstice and continue with our annual, all-congregational holiday music service (postponed last week due to snow). Come and be joyful where the light begins. Coordinators : Mary Bopp and Rev. Josh Pawelek  Services at 9:00 and 11:00 A.M. #eBlast-12-17 "Where the Light Begins." Let's try it again! This morning, we celebrate the winter solstice and continue with our annual, all-congregational holiday music service (postponed last week due to snow). Come and be joyful where the light begins. Coordinators : Mary Bopp and Rev. Josh Pawelek  Services at 9:00 and 11:00 A.M. Sunday, December 21, 2025 In Case You Missed It #eBlast -12-17 OOS Sermon YouTube

Think green. That's what the sustainability committee does. This is their page. Sustainable Living & Climate Action UUSE is committed to ongoing efforts to save our planet through green action. We are a certified Green Sanctuary. Green Sanctuary News Green Sanctuary News Can we stop climate change? At this moment in time, the jury is still out…but lately it feels like we’re losing ground. In May of this year, atmospheric carbon dioxide concentrations crossed a seasonal threshold of 430 parts per million for the first time in recorded history, according to NOAA. Rising CO2 acts like a thermal blanket, intensifying heatwaves, shifting weather, and altering ocean chemistry. The United States is the second-highest emitter of CO2 emissions in the world, surpassed only by China (and our per capita CO2 emission rate is still considerably higher than China’s). We have the technology to change this! In recent years, the cost of energy from the sun crossed a tipping-point of its own, such that it is now less expensive to produce solar energy than energy from fossil fuels. But we need to change the minds of many in power--even in Connecticut--and we need to act fast. According to the Union of Concerned Scientists, “Climate change is one of the most challenging problems that humanity has ever faced. At stake are hundreds of millions of lives, innumerable species and ecosystems, the health and viability of the economy, and the future habitability of this planet. Fortunately, climate change is solvable. We have the technologies. We have the science. We now need the leadership—and the courage to change course.” In an article entitled “Climate Solutions”, they outline a five-pronged approach to solving the climate crisis: Cut emissions Build resilience Fight disinformation Remove carbon dioxide Act! I belong to an organization called Third Act, a group of senior citizens whose mission is to do what we can to promote “clean” energy (solar and wind power), call attention to the major fossil-fuel producers and their corporate enablers (banks such as Citibank, Chase and Wells Fargo are major financiers of businesses expanding fossil-fuel production), and encourage our politicians to support legislation that promotes sound environmental policy and environmental justice. There are many other organizations working toward similar goals (Citizens Climate Lobby, Sierra Club, the Interreligious Eco-Justice Network, to name just a few). UUSE as a Green Sanctuary and many of our members individually have for years been taking action in many ways. But it is going to take all of us, working together, to turn things around. -Carole Tenny (Boster) #JanuaryNewsletter Go Solar! The Sustainable Living Committee is thrilled to report that UUSE has contracted with Connecticut solar provider, Savkat, to resume our popular solar program! Savkat has agreed to donate $25 to UUSE for every appointment and $1,000 for every signed solar contract. The program begins immediately, and is available to all UUSE members, family, and friends. Just tell them you were referred by UUSE! We will be hosting several informational sessions with our Savkat representative on Sunday mornings during coffee hour to answer any questions congregants may have. If you're interested in learning more about getting solar installed, you can make an appointment at this time. Already know you want to reduce your carbon footprint by installing solar? You can contact our Savkat representative, Jordan Bernstein, right away! His contact info is below. Thank you for caring about our planet! Jordan Bernstein Lead Manager 203.441.7961 Jordan@savkat.com www.savkat.com Schedule a Meeting Green Actions You Can Take Join our ecological landscaping team Help with recycling and composting Help sell "Fair Trade" coffee, tea, and chocolate after Sunday services Help with the annual organic veggie garden About the Green Sanctuary program UUSE has been a certified Green Sanctuary congregation since the spring of 2006. The Green Sanctuary program was developed and begun by the UU Ministry for Earth for UU congregations. The program at UUSE was led by the Sustainable Living Committee with approval and involvement of the policy board, staff, various committees and the full congregation. Goals and projects were developed in four different areas: worship, religious education, sustainable living and social/environmental justice. Our Action Plan for 2005 included 15 different projects, heavily focused on our response to global warming. It included implementing recommendations from an energy audit, starting our children’s organic vegetable garden program, starting recycling and composting programs, working with other state and local organizations on common goals, and much more. The congregation-wide support and success of the program led us to seek out the greenest way we could afford to implement our planned building and expansion project. Between 2007 and the spring of 2010 we were deep into the planning, fundraising for and implementation of our building project. The Growth of the Green Sanctuary Program allowed it to become a project of the UUA. And by 2011 we were encouraged to apply for Re- accreditation. Our application for Re-accreditation included various projects in the areas of worship and celebration, religious education, sustainable living, and active environmental justice efforts, such as helping to pass CT’s first environmental justice law, working with local groups to start school and other community gardens and to help low-income residents benefit from CT’s Home Energy Solutions program. We documented all the work done in the UUSE building project including energy conservation work, the geo-thermal system and eventual solar panel system, and Energy Star certification with a 98% score in 2013, as well as various ecological landscaping projects. On February 17, 2013 we received the notice we were awarded Green Sanctuary Recertification. We were encouraged to continue our efforts to become a net zero facility and continue with our outreach and advocacy work.

< Back < Latest eBlast eBlast Article < Previous Article Next Article > Our Mission Our Mission  Unitarian Universalist Society East is a welcoming, open-minded spiritual community seeking truth and meaning in its many forms. We share responsibility for building a more equitable, peaceful, and sustainable world. #eBlast -01-21

< To Upcoming Services Watch the eBlast for the next scheduled UUSE "Community Suppers" Are Back! UUSE "Community Suppers" Are Back! Would you like to be a host? The Membership Committee is once again organizing Springtime Community Suppers! But we need your help. If you would like to host a "Community Supper" at your home sometime during the merry month of May, please contact Sue Myers via email at uuseoffice@uuse.org or phone 860-646-5151 by April 15 and let her know the date and time you would like to host and how many guests. She'll send you back a quick questionnaire to gather further details for the sign-up sheet. Hosts are asked to provide a main dish. Guests will bring the appetizers, sides, desserts, etc. We'll put sign-up sheets in the lobby after each service on April 20 and 27. Questions? Ask Sue Myers or Carol Boster. #eBlast-04-09 UUSE "Community Suppers" Are Back! Would you like to be a host? The Membership Committee is once again organizing Springtime Community Suppers! But we need your help. If you would like to host a "Community Supper" at your home sometime during the merry month of May, please contact Sue Myers via email at uuseoffice@uuse.org or phone 860-646-5151 by April 15 and let her know the date and time you would like to host and how many guests. She'll send you back a quick questionnaire to gather further details for the sign-up sheet. Hosts are asked to provide a main dish. Guests will bring the appetizers, sides, desserts, etc. We'll put sign-up sheets in the lobby after each service on April 20 and 27. Questions? Ask Sue Myers or Carol Boster . #eBlast -04-09 OOS Sermon YouTube

< To Upcoming Services Oct 15, 2023 Protecting Our Women and Girls. This service serves as an informative platform, shedding light on the daily challenges and threats faced by women. We aim to provide a trigger warning for sensitive topics such as sexual and physical abuse. While our content may be emotionally challenging, it can also be a valuable resource for those experiencing abuse or those seeking to help someone in need. Join us as Jessey Ina-Lee and Madeleine Cahill discuss this heart-wrenching issue and the imperative to protect the well-being of women and girls. The disparities between women's and men's lives will become evident as we delve into this important discussion. Coordinator: Alan Ayers #eBlast OOS Sermon YouTube

< To Upcoming Services Nov 5, 2023 Beacons Who Light Our Way. As we reach for inspiration in these times, our peace-building spiritual ancestors feed us with their light. We'll meet three women: dialogue leader Dr. Paula Green, activist Juanita Nelson, and from a hundred years ago, pacifist Unitarian minister Rev. Anita Pickett. Led by Rev. Sarah Pirtle, award-winning author and musician. Coordinator: Martha Larson #eBlast-11-01 As we reach for inspiration in these times, our peace-building spiritual ancestors feed us with their light. We’ll meet three women: dialogue leader Dr. Paula Green, activist Juanita Nelson, and from a hundred years ago, pacifist Unitarian minister Rev. Anita Pickett. Led by Rev. Sarah Pirtle, award-winning author and musician. Guest: Rev. Sarah Pirtle Coordinator(s): Martha Larson OOS Sermon YouTube

7d055e67-6a26-4453-beb6-e6e0c6d4803f < Back Children and Youth Ministry Committee Children & Youth Ministry : Administers Children & Youth Ministry (CYM) program for children and youth; establishes church school organization, curricula, standards, and objectives. Children & Youth Ministry: uusecym@uuse.org Updated October 9, 2025 at 2:13:55 PM

< 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 Mad Agnes Concert Mad Agnes Concert Stay with us after the Homecoming Picnic Sunday, September 7th for a great concert at 3:00 PM! Mad Agnes has won hearts on two continents with their signature intricate harmonies and compelling songwriting. The genre-bending trio--Margo Hennebach, Adrienne Jones and Mark Saunders--waves contemporary folk with a nod to Celtic , an element of vocal improv, and top-notch arrangements into an exciting, inclusive performance. Mad Agnes continues to play for long-time fans, and they're excited to be creating new ones as well. They exemplify three voices, one soul and forty years of harmony and mayhem. Click here for a video link to Mad Agnes. There is a $20 free will donation for the concert. #eBlast-09-03 Mad Agnes Concert Stay with us after the Homecoming Picnic Sunday, September 7th for a great concert at 3:00 PM! Mad Agnes has won hearts on two continents with their signature intricate harmonies and compelling songwriting. The genre-bending trio--Margo Hennebach, Adrienne Jones and Mark Saunders--waves contemporary folk with a nod to Celtic , an element of vocal improv, and top-notch arrangements into an exciting, inclusive performance. Mad Agnes continues to play for long-time fans, and they're excited to be creating new ones as well. They exemplify three voices, one soul and forty years of harmony and mayhem. Click here for a video link to Mad Agnes. There is a $20 free will donation for the concert. #eBlast -09-03 OOS Sermon YouTube

Repeating Events AA - Mondays at Noon Every Monday Noon Small Title Next Meeting Book Lovers 2nd Tuesdays 3:30 to 5:30 PM Small Title Next Meeting Buddhist Group 1st Tuesdays 7:00 PM Small Title Next Meeting Coffeehouse & Open Mic 1st Saturdays 6:00-9:00 PM Small Title Next Meeting Fair Trade Coffee 2nd Sundays Small Title Next Meeting God Talk 4th Tuesdays 4:30 PM Small Title Next Meeting Humanist Group 3rd Tuesdays 4:30 PM Small Title Next Meeting Ladies at Lunch Alternating Thu/Fri Noon Small Title Next Meeting Pagan Group Meets Occasionally Small Title Next Meeting ROMEOS 2nd Tuesdays Noon Small Title Next Meeting Science and Religion Discussion Group 4th Thursdays 4:30 PM Small Title Next Meeting Silent Meditation Silent Meditation 3rd Monday - 3:30PM Small Title Next Meeting More...

< To Upcoming Services Jan 19, 2025 The Stories We Inherit; The Stories We Pass Down Sunday, January 19: The Stories We Inherit; The Stories We Pass Down. All Congregational service. In honor of the observation of Martin Luther King, Jr’s birthday, we reflect on the stories we inherit from the era of the US Civil Rights movement. And we contemplate the stories we will pass on about our own commitments to justice movements in the 21st century. Coordinators: Emmy Galbraith and Rev. Josh Pawelek #JanuaryNewsletter Sunday, January 19 : The Stories We Inherit; The Stories We Pass Down . All Congregational service. In honor of the observation of Martin Luther King, Jr’s birthday, we reflect on the stories we inherit from the era of the US Civil Rights movement. And we contemplate the stories we will pass on about our own commitments to justice movements in the 21st century. Coordinators: Emmy Galbraith and Rev. Josh Pawelek #JanuaryNewsletter OOS Sermon YouTube

< To Upcoming Services Watch the eBlast for the next scheduled Young Adult Care Packages Young Adult Care Packages Collection runs through November 9 Each year we collect for and put together care packages for our young adults who are moving on with their post-high-school plans. Don't know what to donate? Look for the flyers around the building with the care package symbol, scan the QR code and purchase something from our Amazon wish list by November 2. Drop off your items in the bins in the coat closet upstairs or in the lobby on the Garden Level by November 9. Thank you for your support! #eBlast-10-29 Young Adult Care Packages Collection runs through November 9 Each year we collect for and put together care packages for our young adults who are moving on with their post-high-school plans. Don't know what to donate? Look for the flyers around the building with the care package symbol, scan the QR code and purchase something from our Amazon wish list by November 2 . Drop off your items in the bins in the coat closet upstairs or in the lobby on the Garden Level by November 9 . Thank you for your support! #eBlast -10-29 OOS Sermon YouTube