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< To Upcoming Services Watch the eBlast for the next scheduled Sunday Service: "The Generous Spirit" Sunday Service: "The 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. Sunday, February 22, 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 2/15/26 service, "Strategic Planning: A Discipline of Resilience" #eBlast-02-18 Sunday Service: "The 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. Sunday, February 22, 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 2/15/26 service, "Strategic Planning: A Discipline of Resilience" #eBlast -02-18 OOS Sermon YouTube

< To Upcoming Services Watch the eBlast for the next scheduled One of UUSE’s Biggest Fun(d)raisers!! Mark your calendar now for Fun, Food & Friends!! Here’s what to expect: 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. Raffle Baskets Committees and small groups donate delightful themed baskets. Buy tickets before/after services starting January 17. Drawing will be at the auction. To claim your theme, email auction@uuse.org . How You Can Help - FILL THE CATALOG WITH EXCITING DONATIONS! What can you donate that will thrill and amaze? Rides, weeding, a scrapbook or pet portrait? Collectibles, sports equipment, art, or something else that needs a new home? Contact merchants for a donation – if you love a place, others will too. #NovemberNewsletter Mark your calendar now for Fun, Food & Friends!! Here’s what to expect: 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. Raffle Baskets Committees and small groups donate delightful themed baskets. Buy tickets before/after services starting January 17. Drawing will be at the auction. To claim your theme, email auction@uuse.org . How You Can Help - FILL THE CATALOG WITH EXCITING DONATIONS! What can you donate that will thrill and amaze? Rides, weeding, a scrapbook or pet portrait? Collectibles, sports equipment, art, or something else that needs a new home? Contact merchants for a donation – if you love a place, others will too. #NovemberNewsletter OOS Sermon YouTube

< To Upcoming Services Watch the eBlast for the next scheduled With Tabitha Sookdeo With Tabitha Sookdeo Tuesday Evening, May 6, 2025 at 7:00 P.M. The UUSE Social Justice/Anti-Oppression Committee welcomes Tabitha Sookdeo, Executive Director of Connecticut Students for a Dream, for an update on the status of Connecticut's TRUST Act. Ms. Sookdeo will join us by Zoom. UUSE members and friends are invited to join the SJ/AO committee at UUSE , or they can join online. Please contact Monica van Beusekom or Rev. Josh Pawelek for the login information. #eBlast-04-30 With Tabitha Sookdeo Tuesday Evening, May 6, 2025 at 7:00 P.M. The UUSE Social Justice/Anti-Oppression Committee welcomes Tabitha Sookdeo, Executive Director of Connecticut Students for a Dream, for an update on the status of Connecticut's TRUST Act. Ms. Sookdeo will join us by Zoom. UUSE members and friends are invited to join the SJ/AO committee at UUSE , or they can join online. Please contact Monica van Beusekom or Rev. Josh Pawelek for the login information. #eBlast -04-30 OOS Sermon YouTube

< To Upcoming Services Nov 24, 2024 Joyful Thanksgiving All Congregational Service. Let us pause and be mindful as the holiday season gets underway. This morning, through story, song and sharing, we reflect on all for which we are grateful in our lives. Coordinators: Emmy Galbraith, Rev. Josh Pawelek. Services at 9:00 and 11:00 AM Sunday, November 24, 2024 Gathering music starts at 8:55 and 10:55 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: View last week's service, "Building a Consensus," November 17, 2024 here. #eBlast-11-20 Sunday, November 24th: Joyful Thanksgiving All Congregational Service. Let us pause and be mindful as the holiday season gets underway. This morning, through story, song and sharing, we reflect on all for which we are grateful in our lives. Coordinators: Emmy Galbraith, Rev. Josh Pawelek. OOS Sermon YouTube

< To Upcoming Services Watch the eBlast for the next scheduled Crafts & Kids Crafts & Kids Wednesday, November 5th from 3:00 PM to 4:00 PM Peggy Gagne is running craft activities for children who live in Squire Village, an affordable housing complex off Silver Lane in Manchester. This is an extension of our partnerships with Verplanck School and PowerUp. She's doing this on Wednesday, November 5th from 3:00 PM to 4:00 PM (3rd, 4th & 5th grades). Although she has one adult (thank you Louisa Graver!), she could use 1 or 2 more helpers. YOU DO NOT NEED TO BE CRAFTY -- JUST WANT TO HAVE FUN! She'll have the plans and supplies. You just need to show up! Please contact Peggy at uuseoffice@uuse.org or call or text 860-646-5151 so she knows who wants to play. And thank you! #eBlast-11-05 Crafts & Kids Wednesday, November 5th from 3:00 PM to 4:00 PM Peggy Gagne is running craft activities for children who live in Squire Village, an affordable housing complex off Silver Lane in Manchester. This is an extension of our partnerships with Verplanck School and PowerUp. She's doing this on Wednesday, November 5th from 3:00 PM to 4:00 PM (3rd, 4th & 5th grades). Although she has one adult (thank you Louisa Graver!), she could use 1 or 2 more helpers. YOU DO NOT NEED TO BE CRAFTY -- JUST WANT TO HAVE FUN! She'll have the plans and supplies. You just need to show up! Please contact Peggy at uuseoffice@uuse.org or call or text 860-646-5151 so she knows who wants to play. And thank you! #eBlast -11-05 OOS Sermon YouTube

< To Upcoming Services Watch the eBlast for the next scheduled The Stewardship Committee is looking for UUSE members and friends to host a potluck during the weekends of March 7 - 9 and March 14 - 16, 2025. The Stewardship Committee is looking for UUSE members and friends to host a potluck during the weekends of March 7 - 9 and March 14 - 16, 2025. Again, this year we hope that potential potluck hosts will team up to create an astounding potluck offering. We would especially welcome a potluck offering from our 'younger' members and friends. The potlucks are often dinners but could be a brunch, lunch or perhaps dessert & coffee/tea. You can steward attendees at your own potluck, or another steward will facilitate the conversation about pledging if you choose. We need to gather a list of hosts (and co-hosts) with dates and times of their potlucks by February 9, 2025. These potlucks are a way to come together in community, enjoy good food and have a deeper conversation about our connection to UUSE and our hopes and dreams for our future. We hope you will consider being a host or a team! Signups for potlucks will begin after services February 16, February 23 and March 2, 2025 when the annual Appeal officially kicks off. Please contact Stan McMillen at 860-72-8447 or uuseoffice@uuse.org to host a pledging potluck in March. THANK YOU! #eBlast-02-13 The Stewardship Committee is looking for UUSE members and friends to host a potluck during the weekends of March 7 - 9 and March 14 - 16, 2025. Again, this year we hope that potential potluck hosts will team up to create an astounding potluck offering. We would especially welcome a potluck offering from our 'younger' members and friends. The potlucks are often dinners but could be a brunch, lunch or perhaps dessert & coffee/tea. You can steward attendees at your own potluck, or another steward will facilitate the conversation about pledging if you choose. We need to gather a list of hosts (and co-hosts) with dates and times of their potlucks by February 9, 2025 . These potlucks are a way to come together in community, enjoy good food and have a deeper conversation about our connection to UUSE and our hopes and dreams for our future. We hope you will consider being a host or a team! Signups for potlucks will begin after services February 16, February 23 and March 2, 2025 when the annual Appeal officially kicks off. Please contact Stan McMillen at 860-72-8447 or uuseoffice@uuse.org to host a pledging potluck in March. THANK YOU! #eBlast -02-13 OOS Sermon YouTube

This nationally recognized UU program on human sexuality is designed to help adolescents acquire accurate information, develop positive attitudes, and make healthy decisions about the role of sexuality in their own lives. Advisors are trained by the UUA. Participation requires regular attendance and parental permission. Additional Resources (Coming soon) https://www.uuse.org/cym-resources < Back Our Whole Lives (Gr 7-8) This nationally recognized UU program on human sexuality is designed to help adolescents acquire accurate information, develop positive attitudes, and make healthy decisions about the role of sexuality in their own lives. Advisors are trained by the UUA. Participation requires regular attendance and parental permission. Additional Resources (Coming soon) https://www.uuse.org/cym-resources Previous Next

< To Upcoming Services Apr 20, 2025 In the Morning, Joy: A Service for Easter Sunday Service: "In the Morning, Joy: A Service for Easter" Don't miss our annual, all-congregation Easter service. Through music and story, we celebrate Easter and bear witness to the joyful unfolding of spring. Coordinators : Mary Bopp, Emmy Galbraith and Rev. Josh Pawelek. Services at 9:00 and 11:00 A.M. #eBlast-04-16 Sunday Service: "In the Morning, Joy: A Service for Easter" Don't miss our annual, all-congregation Easter service. Through music and story, we celebrate Easter and bear witness to the joyful unfolding of spring. Coordinators : Mary Bopp, Emmy Galbraith and Rev. Josh Pawelek. Services at 9:00 and 11:00 A.M. Sunday, April 20, 2025 In Case You Missed It: #eBlast -04-16 OOS Sermon YouTube

< To Upcoming Services Watch the eBlast for the next scheduled Special Congregational Meeting Notice Special Congregational Meeting Dear UUSE Voting Members: UUSE's Policy Board is calling a special congregational meeting to take place on Sunday, March 30th, following the second service. The purpose of the meeting is to vote on recommendations from our Constitutional Change and UUA Discernment Task Forces. There will be an option to join and vote on Zoom using the Sunday Service link. Our Constitution requires a quorum of voting members to be present at the meeting to vote on business items. Please plan to attend either in person or on Zoom to help us accomplish this important Society business! And please feel free to bring lunch and eat during the meeting. The agenda for the special congregational meeting will include: 1) A vote to approve the Constitutional Change Task Force's recommendations. Any changes approved will enter the UUSE Constitution. The final version of these recommendations after congregational feedback is here. You can also pick up a copy on the UUSE Welcome Table in the Meeting House lobby, or contact the UUSE office to have one mailed to you. 2) A vote to approve the Discernment Task Force's recommendation to change Article XV of the UUSE Constitution, known as the Dissolution clause. This change, if approved, will also enter the UUSE Constitution. The proposed new language is the following: In the event this Society ceases to function and the membership votes to dissolve the corporation at a duly called Congregational Meeting, the net assets of the society shall be distributed to charitable 501(c)(3) organizations that the congregation determines have similar values to those of the Society and may include the Unitarian Universalist Association, and also with the objective of caring for the needs of the Memorial Garden. The vote to dissolve the corporation shall be by a two-thirds vote of the quorum present at such meeting. There are four ways you may vote at the March 30th meeting: A) in person at UUSE; B) by mail/email absentee voting form; C) by proxy; and D) by Zoom vote during the meeting. Mail/Email Voting Form: If you are unable to be present for the meeting but wish to vote absentee, click here for the form or pick one up on the Welcome Table. You can also contact Annie in the UUSE office to send you a copy. Print and return a hard copy to the UUSE office at 153 Vernon Street West, Manchester, CT 06042, or email a photo of the completed form to uuseoffice@uuse.org by Friday, March 28th at noon. Proxy Form: If you would like to vote by proxy, click here for the proxy form or pick one up from the UUSE Welcome Table. You can also request a copy from Annie in the UUSE office. Be sure to advise your proxy of your wishes in advance of the meeting. Your proxy can bring your completed form with them to the congregational meeting, or you can send the completed proxy form to the UUSE office by Friday, March 28th at noon. To request childcare, please contact the UUSE office by Monday, March 24th. We look forward to seeing you on March 30th and keeping our connection to UUSE strong! Sincerely, Peggy J. Webbe, President Anne Carr, Vice President Rev. Josh Pawelek, Minister Special Congregational Meeting Dear UUSE Voting Members: UUSE's Policy Board is calling a special congregational meeting to take place on Sunday, March 30th , following the second service. The purpose of the meeting is to vote on recommendations from our Constitutional Change and UUA Discernment Task Forces. There will be an option to join and vote on Zoom using the Sunday Service link. Our Constitution requires a quorum of voting members to be present at the meeting to vote on business items. Please plan to attend either in person or on Zoom to help us accomplish this important Society business! And please feel free to bring lunch and eat during the meeting. The agenda for the special congregational meeting will include: 1) A vote to approve the Constitutional Change Task Force's recommendations. Any changes approved will enter the UUSE Constitution. The final version of these recommendations after congregational feedback is here . You can also pick up a copy on the UUSE Welcome Table in the Meeting House lobby, or contact the UUSE office to have one mailed to you. 2) A vote to approve the Discernment Task Force's recommendation to change Article XV of the UUSE Constitution, known as the Dissolution clause. This change, if approved, will also enter the UUSE Constitution. The proposed new language is the following: In the event this Society ceases to function and the membership votes to dissolve the corporation at a duly called Congregational Meeting, the net assets of the society shall be distributed to charitable 501(c)(3) organizations that the congregation determines have similar values to those of the Society and may include the Unitarian Universalist Association, and also with the objective of caring for the needs of the Memorial Garden. The vote to dissolve the corporation shall be by a two-thirds vote of the quorum present at such meeting. There are four ways you may vote at the March 30th meeting: A) in person at UUSE; B) by mail/email absentee voting form; C) by proxy; and D) by Zoom vote during the meeting. Mail/Email Voting Form : If you are unable to be present for the meeting but wish to vote absentee, click here for the form or pick one up on the Welcome Table. You can also contact Annie in the UUSE office to send you a copy. Print and return a hard copy to the UUSE office at 153 Vernon Street West, Manchester, CT 06042, or email a photo of the completed form to uuseoffice@uuse.org by Friday, March 28th at noon. Proxy Form : If you would like to vote by proxy, click here for the proxy form or pick one up from the UUSE Welcome Table. You can also request a copy from Annie in the UUSE office. Be sure to advise your proxy of your wishes in advance of the meeting. Your proxy can bring your completed form with them to the congregational meeting, or you can send the completed proxy form to the UUSE office by Friday, March 28th at noon. To request childcare, please contact the UUSE office by Monday, March 24th . We look forward to seeing you on March 30th and keeping our connection to UUSE strong! Sincerely, Peggy J. Webbe, President Anne Carr, Vice President Rev. Josh Pawelek, Minister OOS Sermon YouTube

< To Upcoming Services Dec 29, 2024 Sunday Service Lessons from 2024 One Service Only at 10:00AM - As we approach the new year, perhaps with apprehension, we take time today to look back with positivity at the year now ending. As has become tradition at UUSE, three people will reflect on what they learned in 2024. Speakers: Micah Baxter, Maureen Flanagan and Pat Eaton-Robb. #eBlast-12-03 Sunday, December 29, one service at 10:00 AM : Lessons from 2024 . Speakers: Micah Baxter, Maureen Flanagan, and Pat Eaton-Robb. Coordinators: Martha Larson & Ellen Williams. #JanuaryNewsletter OOS Sermon YouTube

< To Upcoming Services Jun 29, 2025 Sunday, June 29th: What Does Your Quilt Say? Sunday, June 29th: What Does Your Quilt Say? As Unitarian Universalists, we are called to "live our values aloud" and work for a more just world in which all may thrive. In this service, we'll explore together the concept of "freedom" as an inherent human right as well as a responsibility to uphold for others. Summer holidays and events marking Memorial Day, Pride Month, Juneteenth, the anniversary of the Stonewall riots, and Independence Day offer moments for us to reflect on what freedom means to each of us and how we communicate and act on what we value. Coordinators: Stacey Musulin and Martha Larson. Sunday, June 29th: What Does Your Quilt Say? As Unitarian Universalists, we are called to "live our values aloud" and work for a more just world in which all may thrive. In this service, we'll explore together the concept of "freedom" as an inherent human right as well as a responsibility to uphold for others. Summer holidays and events marking Memorial Day, Pride Month, Juneteenth, the anniversary of the Stonewall riots, and Independence Day offer moments for us to reflect on what freedom means to each of us and how we communicate and act on what we value. Coordinators: Stacey Musulin and Martha Larson. #JulyNewsletter 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