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220ac58f-7b6a-4d0a-911b-615cd62d3d8d < Back Personnel Committee Advises Policy Board on staff salary, benefits and hiring; establishes job descriptions, performance standards and evaluation procedures; proposes personnel policies. Updated October 9, 2025 at 2:23:28 PM

< To Upcoming Services Jan 26, 2025 The Power of Protest Sunday, January 26: The Power of Protest.Coordinators: Mary Lawrence & David Klotz #JanuaryNewsletter Sunday, January 26 : The Power of Protest. Coordinators: Mary Lawrence & David Klotz #JanuaryNewsletter OOS Sermon YouTube

< To Upcoming Services Watch the eBlast for the next scheduled General Assembly 2025 News from the Denominational Affairs Committee The annual Unitarian Universalist General Assembly (GA) took place in Baltimore, MD, from June 18 -22. General Assembly is the main denomination-wide event; it takes place every year in June and involves worship, music, social justice, networking, and fellowship. A total of 3,279 people attended GA – 2,483 attended in person and 796 attended remotely. UUSE delegates to GA included: Monica van Beusekom, Patricia Corey-Lisle, Carrie Kocher, and Rev. Joshua Pawelek as a ministerial delegate. Everyone appreciated the opportunity to serve the congregation in this way. Delegates cast their votes on a number of ballots during GA. These included an election ballot (UUA Moderator, as well as positions on the Board of Trustees, Commission on Appraisal, and Nominating Committee; results here), a Business Resolution ballot, a Congregational Study Action Issue (CSAI) ballot, and a ballot on the three Actions of Immediate Witness (AIWs). Of the three proposed CSAIs, delegates chose the CSAI: Abolition, Transformation, and Faith Formation for three years of study, reflection, and action. The purpose of a CSAI is to provide congregations with the opportunity to study and mobilize around a common issue. After two years of study and feedback, a Statement of Conscience may be developed during the third year that reflects a UU position on the issue. (More info on the CSAI process). This year’s CSAI, “Abolition, Transformation, and Faith Formation,” defines its aims as follows: “Abolition is a holistic approach to systemic social change that includes, but is not limited to: the abolition of slavery; replacing systems and cultures of violence, coercion and control with transformative justice and relational practices; and dismantling the prison-industrial complex as we now know it. It requires the transformation of our society and the replacement of our current public theologies of retributive justice and violence.” To read the CSAI in its entirety, click here. Actions of Immediate Witness are statements about significant issues that call for immediate action on the part of UUs. (More info on the AIW process). Delegates overwhelmingly voted (98%) to affirm all three proposed Actions of Immediate Witness (AIWs). • We Declare and Affirm: Immigrants Are People Who Have Inherent Worth and Inalienable Rights • Faithful Defiance of Authoritarianism: Reaffirming Our Covenants for Democracy and Freedom • Defending LGBTIQ Freedom Amid Funding Crisis: A Call for Global Solidarity Going forward into 2025-26 and beyond, we will be considering how we as a congregation can take action on both the CSAI and the AIWs. We welcome your input. #AugustNewsletter from the Denominational Affairs Committee The annual Unitarian Universalist General Assembly (GA) took place in Baltimore, MD, from June 18 -22. General Assembly is the main denomination-wide event; it takes place every year in June and involves worship, music, social justice, networking, and fellowship. A total of 3,279 people attended GA – 2,483 attended in person and 796 attended remotely. UUSE delegates to GA included: Monica van Beusekom, Patricia Corey-Lisle, Carrie Kocher, and Rev. Joshua Pawelek as a ministerial delegate. Everyone appreciated the opportunity to serve the congregation in this way. Delegates cast their votes on a number of ballots during GA. These included an election ballot (UUA Moderator, as well as positions on the Board of Trustees, Commission on Appraisal, and Nominating Committee; results here ), a Business Resolution ballot, a Congregational Study Action Issue (CSAI) ballot, and a ballot on the three Actions of Immediate Witness (AIWs). Of the three proposed CSAIs, delegates chose the CSAI: Abolition, Transformation, and Faith Formation for three years of study, reflection, and action. The purpose of a CSAI is to provide congregations with the opportunity to study and mobilize around a common issue. After two years of study and feedback, a Statement of Conscience may be developed during the third year that reflects a UU position on the issue. ( More info on the CSAI process ). This year’s CSAI, “Abolition, Transformation, and Faith Formation,” defines its aims as follows: “Abolition is a holistic approach to systemic social change that includes, but is not limited to: the abolition of slavery; replacing systems and cultures of violence, coercion and control with transformative justice and relational practices; and dismantling the prison-industrial complex as we now know it. It requires the transformation of our society and the replacement of our current public theologies of retributive justice and violence.” To read the CSAI in its entirety, click here . Actions of Immediate Witness are statements about significant issues that call for immediate action on the part of UUs. ( More info on the AIW process ). Delegates overwhelmingly voted (98%) to affirm all three proposed Actions of Immediate Witness (AIWs). We Declare and Affirm: Immigrants Are People Who Have Inherent Worth and Inalienable Rights Faithful Defiance of Authoritarianism: Reaffirming Our Covenants for Democracy and Freedom Defending LGBTIQ Freedom Amid Funding Crisis: A Call for Global Solidarity Going forward into 2025-26 and beyond, we will be considering how we as a congregation can take action on both the CSAI and the AIWs. We welcome your input. #AugustNewsletter OOS Sermon YouTube

< To Upcoming Services Watch the eBlast for the next scheduled Climate Café Sunday, March 3, 1:00 PM UUSE Sanctuary Jordan, our SavKat rep, will be available on Sunday, March 3, to speak with our congregation about going solar. Please save the date for our first "Climate Café" featuring a discussion of the UUSE solar energy program with SavKat. This will be an informal presentation followed by Q&A where those interested in learning about solar installations can ask questions and hear from UUSE members who have already gotten installations. The presentation begins at 1:00. Coffee, tea, and snacks will be available, and everyone is welcome to bring a "brown bag" lunch (not a potluck). OOS Sermon YouTube

88c23fb5-6289-4482-bd59-8a384084c99d < Back Policy Board THE POLICY BOARD directs UUSE’s business, financial, and administrative affairs, including formulating policy and overseeing church staff; it has charge of the Society’s property. President - Acts as Society’s secular leader and spokesperson; presides at meetings of Society and Policy Board. Vice President - Chairs the Program Council and acts for President in his/her absence. Clerk - Takes minutes at Policy Board and Society meetings; assures proper notice of business meetings and votes. Updated October 9, 2025 at 2:27:12 PM

Stop & Shop Cards Sales This Sunday, Stop & Shop cards will be sold on first the Sunday of the month after the 10:00 A.M. service. We now can use debit or credit cards for these purchases. Come support this UUSE fundraiser! < Previous Next Event Next >

< To Upcoming Services Aug 18, 2024 Ritual and Repetition: Pathways to Spirituality. In this pulpit exchange with the Universalist Society of Hartford, we explore how familiarity with the patterns of ritual deepens the ease into a meditative state. Join us for a two-part harmony as Laurie Kelliher speaks of "In Search of Ritual" and Michael Michaud offers "Over and Over Again! Breath, Mantras, Meditation and Movement. Musicians will include Andy Ricci and Dorothy Bognar. Coordinator: Anne Vogel #eBlast-08-14 OOS Sermon YouTube

< To Upcoming Services May 14, 2023 Spiraling This morning we reflect on the spiritual power of spirals. Where do we encounter spirals in the natural world? What do they symbolize? What guidance might they provide for our spiritual searching? Ted and Nancy Pappas purchased this morning’s sermon at the 2022 UUS:E Goods and Services Auction. Coordinator(s): Rev. Josh Pawelek OOS Sermon YouTube

< To Upcoming Services Dec 22, 2025 Evening Vespers 7 PM: Monday, December 22nd: Evening Vespers Service. In a season busy with ‘bright and merry’, we may also find ourselves sitting with sadness, grief, and pain in body or spirit. Join us as we pause in the quiet to acknowledge and support each other in bearing these burdens. We invite you to bring your chalice from home, where we will light it for the service. Coordinators: Sandy Karosi, Paula Baker, and Ellen Williams. 7 PM: Monday, December 22nd: Evening Vespers Service . In a season busy with ‘bright and merry’, we may also find ourselves sitting with sadness, grief, and pain in body or spirit. Join us as we pause in the quiet to acknowledge and support each other in bearing these burdens. We invite you to bring your chalice from home, where we will light it for the service. Coordinators: Sandy Karosi, Paula Baker, and Ellen Williams. OOS Sermon YouTube

5b73218b-00b4-49ef-97b8-bd606ddbc730 < Back Aesthetics Committee Aesthetics Committee : Provides appropriate visual displays throughout the building. Updated October 9, 2025 at 2:15:30 PM

< To Upcoming Services Watch the eBlast for the next scheduled Mr Lobster Concert for Kids and Families Mr. Lobster (Christian Loftus) peforms music for kids and families on Saturday Nov 8th at 2:00PM. Suggested donation for adults $15. Kids can come for free. OOS Sermon YouTube