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< To Upcoming Services Mar 21, 2026 Save the Date Community Contra Dance March 21, 2026, 4-7 PM in the UUSE Meeting Room Live music! Gender-free! Beginner friendly! All are welcome! Contact: Meghan MacRae, uuseoffice@uuse.org . #JanuaryNewsletter Community Contra Dance March 21, 2026, 4-7 PM in the UUSE Meeting Room Live music! Gender-free! Beginner friendly! All are welcome! Contact: Meghan MacRae, uuseoffice@uuse.org . #JanuaryNewsletter OOS Sermon YouTube

2e547f80-2c95-436d-a7c2-5af8f803a473 < Back Music Committee Music Committee : Advises and supports the Director of Music. Sustains and broadens the music program of the Society. Encourages children and teens, as well as adults, to share their musical talents. Updated October 9, 2025 at 2:20:39 PM

< To Upcoming Services Sep 24, 2023 Why UUSE is Home. Our congregational family is uniquely special to many of our members and friends. But why exactly? Come hear members of the UUSE family share their thoughts about what UUSE means to them and why they are committed members of our community. Coordinators: David Klotz and Marsha Howland #eBlast OOS Sermon YouTube

< To Upcoming Services Jul 20, 2025 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 #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 In case you missed it #eBlast -07-16 OOS Sermon YouTube

Our annual appeal raises over 90% of our operating budget each year. 2025-26 Annual Appeal Our theme for this year’s Annual Appeal is “Strengthen Our Connections.” This idea is especially important this year in the swirl of unrest here and around the world. We are grateful for our community of faith where we are free to express our thoughts and feelings without fear of reprisal. We are grateful for our faith partners in the quest for a more just and caring world. Our current fiscal year (FY25) has been rich with new beginnings and a wide variety of church and community events. Below are some of the highlights for this year: All the new members that have joined our communty! There were 17 in 2024 and so far, there are 7-8 in 2025. Our strong, ongoing commitment to participation in local and statewide community social justice events and coalitions. This year 65 UUSE members attended the GHIAA Power Summit. Members also have opportunities to learn how to support immigrants through court accompaniment and other means. The excellent work of our UUA Discernment and Constitutional Change Task Forces Adding the “Time for All Ages” discussion with the children to Sunday Services The ongoing success of our fund raisers and the wonderful connections they build among us A wide variety of musical events that attract new talent and people from outside of our church. Our ongoing support for Verplank Elementary School; 11 members are tutors The current fiscal year 24-25 is an unusual year for UUSE from a financial perspective. Due to a combination of member financial challenges and concerns about the UUA this year, our income declined for the first time in many years. At the same time, the church expenses increased significantly. HR was especially impacted by a $~20,000 increase in healthcare premium and other benefit expenses. The FY25 budget gap between income and expenses was covered with reserves and pledge grant income. When we cover a gap with non-repetitive income sources, then the next year we face a similar gap again. The FY26 budget proposal is broadly based and includes participation from every sector of the budget to close the gap between income and expenses. Here are the highlights: A 4% increase in member pledge income for this year Deferral/expense cuts in staff salaries and benefits for this year Committee expense cuts Additional Reduction in UUA dues An income contribution from reserves that can be repeated each year. Removed contribution to Building Reserve to a separate project This is a ‘bare bones’ budget. If we can exceed the 4% rate, then we could eliminate the reductions in staff benefits. Additional income could also provide a cushion for pledge income lost during the year and unexpected expenses. Are some of you able to exceed the 4% amount? Below are some examples: Annual Increase Monthly Higher Pledge Rate Increase Increase $1,000 4% $3 $5 $3,000 4% $10 $15 - $20 Please do not underestimate the significance of your contribution. The aggregate of many contributions is what makes a church community work! As many of you are aware, we need to establish a robust Building Reserve that will enable the church to have sufficient funds for repair and replacement of B&G assets. The level of funding required exceeds what can be covered in an operating budget. The Policy Board has some preliminary thoughts about how to build up the reserve and will make proposals to the congregation as their ideas become more concrete. You can send your pledge directly to the church office or attend a fun potluck and fill out the forms there. If the church office has not received your pledge by March 17, a steward will contact you to see if they can provide assistance. As always, we are deeply grateful for your generous giving. We are all stewards of Unitarian Universalist Society East. If you have any questions, you can contact any one of us on the Stewardship Committee. Yours in Spirit, Patricia Wildes, Louisa Graver, Larry Lunden, Stan McMillen, Phil Sawyer How Much? Pledge Form EFT Form Ways to Give

< To Upcoming Services Aug 24, 2025 Coffee House Worship! Sunday Service: "Coffee House Worship!" Back by popular demand! This morning we bring the all-congregational coffee house to Sunday morning worship! Enjoy music, poetry, and community. Coordinator : Rev. Josh Pawelek. Summer schedule: 10:00 A.M. service #eBlast-08-20 Sunday Service: "Coffee House Worship!" Back by popular demand! This morning we bring the all-congregational coffee house to Sunday morning worship! Enjoy music, poetry, and community. Coordinator : Rev. Josh Pawelek. Summer schedule: 10:00 A.M. service Sunday, August 24, 2025 In Case You Missed It #eBlast -08-20 OOS Sermon YouTube

< To Upcoming Services Watch the eBlast for the next scheduled Sunday Service: "Imagination as a Sacred Tool" Sunday Service: "Imagination as a Sacred Tool" Our UU faith asks us to work for a more just and equitable world. In the words of Rev. Heather Concannon, "one of the sacred tools we must draw on is imagination. The tool of not just denouncing the world as it is, but of announcing: here's what I imagine a better world to look like." This service explores the ways that members of our UUSE community use imagination to conjure "the world our hearts know is possible." Coordinators: Sandy Karosi & Paula Baker Summer schedule begins with ONE service only at 10:00 A.M. Sunday, May 25, 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#. #eBlast-05-21 Sunday Service: "Imagination as a Sacred Tool" Our UU faith asks us to work for a more just and equitable world. In the words of Rev. Heather Concannon, "one of the sacred tools we must draw on is imagination. The tool of not just denouncing the world as it is, but of announcing: here's what I imagine a better world to look like." This service explores the ways that members of our UUSE community use imagination to conjure "the world our hearts know is possible." Coordinators : Sandy Karosi & Paula Baker Summer schedule begins with ONE service only at 10:00 A.M. Sunday, May 25, 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#. #eBlast -05-21 OOS Sermon YouTube

< To Upcoming Services Jan 25, 2026 I Am Today. Sunday, January 25th: I Am Today. Being a changemaker can start today, which causes close to our heart and thoughtful advocacy. UUSE members will speak about actions they've taken to instigate positive change in our communities. Coordinators: Sam Taylor & Martha Larson. Sunday, January 25th: I Am Today. Being a changemaker can start today, which causes close to our heart and thoughtful advocacy. UUSE members will speak about actions they've taken to instigate positive change in our communities. Coordinators: Sam Taylor & Martha Larson. #JanuaryNewsletter OOS Sermon YouTube

< To Upcoming Services Watch the eBlast for the next scheduled Choir Rehearsal. Do you love to sing? Do you love to have fun? If you answered “yes” to these questions you can sing with the UUSE Choir! You don't have to audition. Check the weekly eBlast and monthly Newsletters for rehearsals dates. All ages welcome. For more information, contact Mary Bopp at music@uuse.org . OOS Sermon YouTube

< To Upcoming Services Watch the eBlast for the next scheduled Let's Dance! 6 to 9pm Save the date - Saturday, October 12th - 6 pm to 9pm - for an evening of fun for the whole family. Sponsored by the Membership Committee and open to all UUSE members and friends. We'll have music and dancing, children's activities, prizes, tee shirts and more. Come as you are. You don't have to dance, but we may teach you a dance anyway! Reservations required. Sign up with Jacquie Heintz in the lobby on October 6th, call her at 860-729-0626, or email her at jacqonstance@gmail.com by 8pm, Wednesday, October 9th. This is a free event, but a donation of your favorite cookie or beverage would be appreciated. Save the date - Saturday, October 12th - 6 pm to 9pm - for an evening of fun for the whole family. Sponsored by the Membership Committee and open to all UUSE members and friends. We'll have music and dancing, children's activities, prizes, tee shirts and more. Come as you are. You don't have to dance, but we may teach you a dance anyway! Reservations required. Sign up with Jacquie Heintz in the lobby on October 6th, call her at 860-729-0626, or email her at jacqonstance@gmail.com by 8pm, Wednesday, October 9th. This is a free event, but a donation of your favorite cookie or beverage would be appreciated. OOS Sermon YouTube

< To Upcoming Services Watch the eBlast for the next scheduled UU SpiritLife - The Peace of the Divine Reality UUSpiritLife Mark your calendars. The next SpiritLife Conversation meets on Zoom on Saturday, December 16, 9:00 A.M. to 10:30 A.M. when we will consider The Peace of Divine Reality by Thich Nhat Hahn. Open to members of all three area UU churches. Drop in. No registration required. Read the article here and see the reflections here. Jot a few notes and log in here. Nicholas Bartoli will facilitate this lively conversation! #eBlast-12-13 Mark your calendars. The next SpiritLife Conversation meets on Zoom on Saturday, December 16 , 9:00 A.M. to 10:30 A.M. when we will consider The Peace of Divine Reality by Thich Nhat Hahn. Open to members of all three area UU churches. Drop in. No registration required. Read the article here and see the reflections here . Jot a few notes and log in here . Nicholas Bartoli will facilitate this lively conversation! #eBlast -12-13 OOS Sermon YouTube

< To Upcoming Services Sep 1, 2024 You're Invited!   Sunday, September 1, 2024 Summer Schedule One service only at 10:00 a.m. The service is also live-streamed. Note: We return to the 9:00 and 11:00 a.m. two-service schedule next Sunday. Gathering music begins at 9:55 a.m. “You’re Invited!” As we begin a new congregational year, we come together to explore the spiritual practice of Invitation. How does invitation relate to our UU values centering on love? Are we taking action to invite and include? How do we respond to invitations in our own lives? Coordinators: Stacey Musulin and Paula Baker #eBlast-08-28 Sunday, September 1st : You're Invited. As we begin a new congregational year, we come together to explore the spiritual practice of Invitation. How does Invitation relate to our UU values centering on Love? Are we taking action to invite and include? How do we respond to invitations in our own lives? Coordinators: Stacey Musulin and Paula Baker OOS Sermon YouTube