< To Upcoming Services Watch the eBlast for the next scheduled Sunday Service: "Bittersweet August" Sunday Service: "Bittersweet August" In this service, we explore the unique bittersweetness of August, when in the midst of our slow savoring of summer, we are reminded of its transition into shorter, busier, unfamiliar days ahead. Like all of life’s seasons, how do we remain present for the savoring and curious about the possibilities ahead? Coordinators: Sandy Karosi & Paula Baker. Summer schedule: 10:00 A.M. service Sunday, August 3, 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 27th service, "We Believe - Adult Credos." #eBlast-07-30 Sunday Service: "Bittersweet August"  In this service, we explore the unique bittersweetness of August, when in the midst of our slow savoring of summer, we are reminded of its transition into shorter, busier, unfamiliar days ahead. Like all of life’s seasons, how do we remain present for the savoring and curious about the possibilities ahead? Coordinators : Sandy Karosi & Paula Baker. Summer schedule: 10:00 A.M. service Sunday, August 3, 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 27th service, "We Believe - Adult Credos." #eBlast -07-30 OOS Sermon YouTube

< To Upcoming Services Jan 14, 2024 The Spirit of Aging. Elders from this congregation will share personal thoughts about aging, with reflections on letting go, loss, change, identity, and humor. Music by Mary Bopp and Jeannine Westbrook. Coordinators: Sande Hartdagen & Nancy Madar #eBlast-01-10 January 14: “The Spirit of Aging.” Elders from this congregation will share personal thoughts about aging, with reflections on letting go, loss, change, identity, and humor. Music by Mary Bopp and Jeanine Westbrook. Coordinator(s): Sande Hartdagen & Nancy Madar OOS Sermon YouTube

< To Upcoming Services Oct 22, 2023 Seasons of Love. As the leaves turn with the fall season, imagine if every leaf was the same color. No reds, oranges, or yellows - no color, no diversity. Just as the universe expresses love with the changing colors of the leaves, we are human expressions of that same love. Join us as our guest, the Reverend Aaron Miller from the Metropolitan Community Church of Hartford, preaches about faith in this universal love that knows no boundaries and has no end. Coordinator: Sandy Karosi #eBlast OOS Sermon YouTube

Our annual appeal raises over 90% of our operating budget each year. Lend a Hand! Ways to help at the Holiday Fair When in doubt, email Fair Chair Desiree at fair@uuse.org to offer your time or your stuff. What to Donate & Who to Ask about It It’s time to craft, create, bake, and assemble your stuff! We sell all sorts of things at the fair, from beautiful, handcrafted pieces to fabulous finds from your attic, vintage jewelry to cookies. We group items by “shop” led by various people/teams. Used/Vintage Items Jewelry: We’re in need of a leader for this area! Peggy Webbe and Diana Sherman are happy to advise but have pressing matters that mean they don’t have the bandwidth to donate as much time as they have in the past. Talk to Desiree or email fair@uuse.org if you can set up. We will take donations NOW. Drop off box is in the coatroom. Please label and focus on items of value. Books: Hardcover and “Trade Paperbacks” only please. Be kind! Sort and dust your books before you drop them off. If they’re in bad shape, throw them out at home. Contact Dottie Keating ( dewey190@aol.com ). We’re looking for a co-chair for books who can take over next year. Tag Sale: Don’t use it any more? Let someone else! We need LOTS of items in good condition and are especially looking for a few high ticket items for the Fabulous Finds booth. Contact Sandy Karosi and Deb Gould ( slkarosi@comcast.net , dagould59@comcast.net ) for tag sale and Lesley Schurmann for Fabulous Finds ( Lesley57@cox.net ). Children’s Books, Games, Small Toys, Puzzles: The kids love to shop for treasures. Contact Laurie Semprebon ( lsemprebon@charter.net ). Handcrafts & Arts Original Works of Art: whatever you make, note cards, prints, pottery, jewelry. Talk to Nancy Madar. ( nancymadar@hotmail.com ) Handmade Holiday Crafts or Traditional Items: Any holiday décor, ornaments, etc. are welcome! Talk to Louisa Graver. ( lgraver163@gmail.com ) Sewn & Knitted Items: Contact Phil Sawyer ( psawyer215@gmail.com ) or Carol Marion ( cmarion333@gmail.com ). Especially needed: mitten makers! Phil has patterns if you need them. Justice Table Items: We are looking for items to show our allyship and commitment to justice. This means pride, BLM, economic justice, social justice, gender equality, and all ways we live our values. Contact Desiree Holian-Borgnis at fair@uuse.org . Whimsy Booth : We are looking for items that are fun, whimsical and bring a special flair. They can be earth based, fun or fantastical. Contact Gina Campellone at ginacampellone@comcast.net . Woodworking: Anyone who makes items out of wood is encouraged to donate their handiwork and/or their time working at the table. Contact Bill Graver at billgraver30@gmail.com . Silent Auction: If you have something you think might be right for the auction, contact Mary Ellen Vigeant ( mevig@sbcglobal.net ), Carolyn Gimbrone ( bowbrone@aol.com ), or Jan Knotts ( jknotts43@yahoo.com ). Food There are LOTS of opportunities to bake! Contact Jennifer Klee ( jenduvklee@gmail.com ) for all things food related. Friday Night Dessert : a recipe will be provided. Grab and Go Refreshments on Saturday ( things that can be served on a napkin and eaten by hand ), so we need bars, muffins, cookies, etc., both savory and sweet. The Bake Shop will need its usual cookies, breads and fruit breads, pies, etc. If you bake it, we will sell it! We always sell out of everything. Jams & Jellies: Contact Jennifer Klee at jenduvklee@gmail.com with a list of what and how many you plan to donate and she will make labels for you. Frozen Pies: Last year’s experiment was a success so we will assemble a team to meet at UUSE and make pies to freeze. Interested in helping? Contact Jennifer Klee. Frozen Soup is also under consideration! Watch for eblast notices from Anne Carr. When to Donate Donations of books, tag sale items, children’s items, etc., will be accepted starting after Sunday services on Nov. 17 and Monday through Wednesday (9 am to 8 pm). For everything else, please contact the area coordinators. Help Wanted! Need a job? We’ve got plenty! Only enthusiasm, not experience, required! Starting Now Are you willing to apprentice this year so you can run a booth next year? Let us know! Organize Lunch for the Fair Workers: Easy! Order take out and set/clean it up. After Fair Party Coordinator: Find and reserve a fun venue. Garden Level Coordinator: Organize the team that empties out and resets the Children & Youth Ministry Rooms. Help put up signs. Tell your friends all about it! Share Facebook posts, email the flyer. Watch the eBlast for more opportunities and requests. Sunday, November 17 12:30 – 2 p.m. Set up tables Pack up the Garden Level Start bringing in your donations of books, tag sale & children’s shop items. During the week of Nov. 17 to 20 The areas that can use the most help during set up week are the Book Shop, the Tag Sale, Jewelry and the Children’s Shop but contact ANY of the shop leaders if you have time. Any amount of time you can give is great. Friday Night, November 22 Sneak Peek open from 6:00 to 8:30 p.m. Greeters in Lobby Serve Refreshments Sales in All Areas Clean Up Saturday, November 23 Doors Open from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Greeters in Lobby Sell Refreshments Sales in All Areas Clean Up: 3 p.m. til it’s done This is a great time for some fresh legs to arrive! If you can’t help any other time, please think about coming at the end to help then! Set up Garden Level for CYM. Contact fair@uuse.org with any questions, suggestions or offers to help! The UUSE Holiday Fair’s Silent Auction is Looking for Donations Can you help? We are fortunate to have some very kind UUs who own local businesses or are accomplished artists who help us out yearly with generous contributions. Still, one of the great joys of the silent auction is discovering what surprises you all have to donate. So, what draws bids? Last year, we had a beautiful set of wooden jigsaw puzzles featuring some “whimsy” pieces that attracted numerous bids. A few years back, we had a member buy a new car, and the dealership gave each buyer a new gas grill—which they didn’t need, so they gave it to the auction. A member upgraded her iPad, wiped the old one clean of personal information, and donated it. We’ve had a quilting frame, a fancy Franklin Mint commemorative Monopoly game, sports memorabilia, jewelry a little too high-end for the jewelry sale, gently used designer purses, and decorative home items (did you all see the beautiful inlaid table we had last year?) As it is a holiday fair, themed baskets full of goodies that can be given as a gift are usually a big draw (think spa night basket, pet owner basket, hostess gift basket, etc.) And, of course, we love to feature work from our many talented UUSE artists and crafters! Might you have something for the auction? Share your ideas with Mary Ellen Vigeant Carolyn Gimbrone, or new member, Jan Knotts.

< To Upcoming Services Watch the eBlast for the next scheduled Equal Exchange Sale Equal Exchange Sale Sunday, April 13 in the lobby following each service. What could be better than that first cup of coffee in the morning? How about knowing that your purchase is making a real difference? Equal Exchange coffee is better for farmers, better for the environment and better for those who appreciate high-quality, organically grown coffee. Choosing fairly traded, organic coffee has a real and meaningful impact in all three areas. If you want to promote social justice, environmental sustainability and fair-trading relationships, purchasing Equal Exchange coffee (and tea and chocolate!) is an affordable way to connect your values with your actions without sacrificing taste and quality. #eBlast-04-09 Equal Exchange Sale Sunday, April 13 in the lobby following each service. What could be better than that first cup of coffee in the morning? How about knowing that your purchase is making a real difference? Equal Exchange coffee is better for farmers, better for the environment and better for those who appreciate high-quality, organically grown coffee. Choosing fairly traded, organic coffee has a real and meaningful impact in all three areas. If you want to promote social justice, environmental sustainability and fair-trading relationships, purchasing Equal Exchange coffee (and tea and chocolate!) is an affordable way to connect your values with your actions without sacrificing taste and quality. #eBlast -04-09 OOS Sermon YouTube

< To Upcoming Services Watch the eBlast for the next scheduled Sunday Service: "Gracefully Amazing" Sunday Service: "Gracefully Amazing" This morning we offer a multifaceted exploration of the hymn Amazing Grace. We'll experience different musical approaches to this hymn, and we'll probe its history and lyrics for spiritual guidance. Coordinators: Mary Bopp and Rev. Josh Pawelek Services at 9:00 and 11:00 A.M. Sunday, April 13, 2025 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: Click here for a Youtube link to our 4/6/25 service, "Poetry & Joy as Acts of Resistance" #eBlast-04-09 Sunday Service: "Gracefully Amazing" This morning we offer a multifaceted exploration of the hymn Amazing Grace. We'll experience different musical approaches to this hymn, and we'll probe its history and lyrics for spiritual guidance. Coordinators : Mary Bopp and Rev. Josh Pawelek Services at 9:00 and 11:00 A.M. Sunday, April 13, 2025 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: Click here for a Youtube link to our 4/6/25 service, "Poetry & Joy as Acts of Resistance" #eBlast -04-09 OOS Sermon YouTube

This page has the photo credits for images you might find on our website. All photos are used with permission. Photo Credits All photos used with permission. Sources: WIX.com, Joe Madar, Nancy Thompson, Sylvia Ounpuu-Adams, Sindre Fs via pexels.com, ATC Photo via pexels.com, Linda Duncan . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

d6b26b82-72c1-4756-b3bd-3e65a68b4817 < Back to Newsletter August Newsletter Article < Previous Article Next Article > How You Can Help This Summer and Fall Donate! What can you contribute to auction off at this extraordinary event? Could you teach, repair, entertain, bake? Share your talent in other ways? We’ll have the ever-popular dinners, group activities, lessons, services and select items that need a new home. As you are out and about this summer, contact your favorite merchants to ask for donations. If you love a place, others will, too. Pick up a merchant donation letter by emailing us at auction@uuse.org . Think About Entering the Chili Cook-Off! It’s never too early to dream of your favorite chili! Who makes the best chili? Enter your tried and true family recipe or a new experiment you’ve been wanting to try. Vegan, vegetarian and with meat—all are welcome! Bragging rights and a beautiful UUSE Chili Cook-Off Apron are up for grabs for the winners! Entry is limited, so contact Auction@uuse.org ASAP to reserve your spot. Questions??? When in doubt, email uuseoffice@uuse.org or talk to any of the Auction Committee members—Robin Byrne, Susan Gabriele, Jennifer Klee, Colin Guerette, Stan McMillen & Nancy Pappas #AugustNewsletter Contact Information modified in accordance with UUSE Privacy Policies.

b44cfe74-7415-447d-857e-6dabf5b8ad69 < Back Pastoral Care Ministry Pastoral Friends : Works with Minister to provide caring and assistance to members and friends in times of challenge and/or crisis. Contact: PastoralFriends@uuse.org Updated October 9, 2025 at 2:22:28 PM

a1360c5c-96d0-4e4b-8b45-16ca36a21962 < Back Program Council Program Council coordinates the Society's programs for fellowship, service, recreation, and peronal growth; inclues chairs of standing committees and coordinators. The Program Council is presided over by the Vice President Program Council includes the following committees and groups Adult Education Children and Youth Ministries Committee Committee on Ministry Community Outreach Ministries Emergency Preparedness Taskforce Membership Committee Music Committee Nominating and Leadership Development Committee Pastoral Care Ministry Social Justice / Anti-Oppression Committee Stewardship Committee Sunday Services Committee Sustainable Living Committee / Climate Action Team Updated October 9, 2025 at 2:28:29 PM

< To Upcoming Services Watch the eBlast for the next scheduled Heart of the Arts Friday, May 22nd at 7:00 P.M. UUSE will host an unforgettable evening of music and poetry featuring Christian Loftus, Manchester's own troubadour, and Nadia Sims, the town's celebrated Poet Laureate. This unique collaboration brings together two of Manchester's most gifted artists for a night of soul-stirring songs and evocative spoken word. Loftus's heartfelt melodies and rich storytelling will intertwine with Sims's powerful poetry, offering a performance that is both moving and inspiring. The event is open to the public and all are welcome to attend. Admission is free but donations to UUSE are welcome. #MayNewsletter Friday, May 22nd at 7:00 P.M. UUSE will host an unforgettable evening of music and poetry featuring Christian Loftus, Manchester's own troubadour, and Nadia Sims, the town's celebrated Poet Laureate. This unique collaboration brings together two of Manchester's most gifted artists for a night of soul-stirring songs and evocative spoken word. Loftus's heartfelt melodies and rich storytelling will intertwine with Sims's powerful poetry, offering a performance that is both moving and inspiring. The event is open to the public and all are welcome to attend. Admission is free but donations to UUSE are welcome. #MayNewsletter OOS Sermon YouTube

< To Upcoming Services Watch the eBlast for the next scheduled Rob Laurens Concert Saturday, January 11, 2025 at 7:00 P.M., come to the meeting house to experience award-winning, Boston-based singer-songwriter, Rob Laurens. Rob is currently celebrating the release of his new album, "Jubilee." Many UUSE members will remember his heart-warming original song, "You Are Welcome Here." Tickets are $20 and can be purchased in advance here or on the night of the show. #eBlast-12-18 Saturday, January 11, 2025 at 7:00 P.M. , come to the meeting house to experience award-winning, Boston-based singer-songwriter, Rob Laurens . Rob is currently celebrating the release of his new album, "Jubilee." Many UUSE members will remember his heart-warming original song, "You Are Welcome Here." Tickets are $20 and can be purchased in advance here or on the night of the show. #eBlast -12-18 OOS Sermon YouTube