< To Upcoming Services Jun 28, 2026 Hymn Sing Join us in person or online for our third hybrid hymn sing. Coordinators: Martha Larson and Stacey Musulin. Summer Schedule #eBlast-06-24 Sunday Service: "Hymn Sing" Join us in person or online for our third hybrid hymn sing. Coordinators: Martha Larson and Stacey Musulin. Summer Schedule Sunday, June 28 at 10:00 A.M. In Case You Missed It #eBlast -06-24 OOS Sermon YouTube

< 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 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

c9eff758-d32b-4fc1-90df-3e82408079a1 < Back to Newsletter September Newsletter Article < Previous Article Next Article > Humanist Group Join us in on the 3rd Tuesday at 4:30 PM. This ongoing group explores Religious Humanism and its applications to life, both historically and today. All welcome. Contact Rev. Josh at minister@uuse.org for the Zoom link. #SeptemberNewsletter Contact Information modified in accordance with UUSE Privacy Policies.

< To Upcoming Services Watch the eBlast for the next scheduled Reminder: UUSE Spring Art and Poetry Exhibit Reminder: UUSE Spring Art and Poetry Exhibit Our Spring theme is Renewal. Spring brings renewal through longer days, warmer air, and the return of growing things. The fresh light and new life of the season offer a sense of energy and hope after winter's stillness. The Spring Exhibit will be installed on March 26th, and signups are due by March 23rd. Please register your entries at uuseoffice@uuse.org . Include title, medium, price (if for sale), and photo (if you wish to have your submission included in the sanctuary slide show). Poets, please send your poems to Carol for mounting by March 20th. If you would like to include a photo or a small piece of artwork, please send it along as well. Drop-off for entries is March 26th from 11:00 A.M. to 12:30 P.M. Watch the e-blast for more information. Questions? Please contact Eric Vogel or Janet Heller. #eBlast-03-18 Reminder: UUSE Spring Art and Poetry Exhibit Our Spring theme is Renewal. Spring brings renewal through longer days, warmer air, and the return of growing things. The fresh light and new life of the season offer a sense of energy and hope after winter's stillness. The Spring Exhibit will be installed on March 26th, and signups are due by March 23rd. Please register your entries at uuseoffice@uuse.org . Include title, medium, price (if for sale), and photo (if you wish to have your submission included in the sanctuary slide show). Poets, please send your poems to Carol for mounting by March 20th. If you would like to include a photo or a small piece of artwork, please send it along as well. Drop-off for entries is March 26th from 11:00 A.M. to 12:30 P.M. Watch the e-blast for more information. Questions? Please contact Eric Vogel or Janet Heller. #eBlast -03-18 OOS Sermon YouTube

< To Upcoming Services Watch the eBlast for the next scheduled Sunday Service: "In the Morning, Joy: 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 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 4/13/25 service, "Gracefully Amazing." Click here for Dorothy Bognar's Meditation on Amazing Grace. #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 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 4/13/25 service, "Gracefully Amazing." Click here for Dorothy Bognar's Meditation on Amazing Grace. #eBlast -04-16 OOS Sermon YouTube

< To Upcoming Services Watch the eBlast for the next scheduled The Burial at Thebes The Burial at Thebes December 4th - 7th, 2025 The UUSE Affirmation class is planning to attend The Burial at Thebes. We thought others might like to attend as well. This is a version of Sophocles' Antigone, a new translation by Seamus Heaney and directed by our own Kristen Morgan. Shows run from December 4 - 7, 2025 at the Proscenium Theater at Eastern Connecticut State University. For tickets and more information, look for the flyers around the building and scan the code or contact the box office by emailing uuseoffice@uuse.org or phone (860) 465-5123. #eBlast-12-03 The Burial at Thebes December 4th - 7th, 2025 The UUSE Affirmation class is planning to attend The Burial at Thebes . We thought others might like to attend as well. This is a version of Sophocles' Antigone , a new translation by Seamus Heaney and directed by our own Kristen Morgan. Shows run from December 4 - 7, 2025 at the Proscenium Theater at Eastern Connecticut State University. For tickets and more information, look for the flyers around the building and scan the code or contact the box office by emailing uuseoffice@uuse.org or phone (860) 465-5123. #eBlast -12-03 OOS Sermon YouTube

< To Upcoming Services Watch the eBlast for the next scheduled Transgender Day of Visibility Special Event: Transgender Day of Visibility Special Event UUA 2025 Ware Lecture with Imara Jones Tuesday, March 31st, 7:00 P.M. at UUSE  The UUSE Welcoming Congregation Recertification Team is screening the UUA's 2025 Ware Lecture by award-winning Transgender journalist, activist and story-teller Imara Jones. Jones is the creator of TransLash Media, a cross-platform project seeking to shift the current culture of hostility towards transgender people in the U.S. Her powerful lecture lays out how the Heritage Foundation and the architects of Project 2025 use anti-trans policies as a wedge to divide the country. While her analysis is chilling, her lecture is equally hopeful and uplifting. Please join us. #eBlast-03-25 Transgender Day of Visibility Special Event UUA 2025 Ware Lecture with Imara Jones Tuesday, March 31st, 7:00 P.M. at UUSE   The UUSE Welcoming Congregation Recertification Team is screening the UUA's 2025 Ware Lecture by award-winning Transgender journalist, activist and story-teller Imara Jones. Jones is the creator of TransLash Media, a cross-platform project seeking to shift the current culture of hostility towards transgender people in the U.S. Her powerful lecture lays out how the Heritage Foundation and the architects of Project 2025 use anti-trans policies as a wedge to divide the country. While her analysis is chilling, her lecture is equally hopeful and uplifting. Please join us. #eBlast -03-25 OOS Sermon YouTube

< To Upcoming Services Sep 17, 2023 Sweetness Everywhere. As we begin settling into the congregational year, Rev. Josh offers some musings on what it means to be welcoming in our present age. He takes a cue from Rabbi Rachel Barenblat, who counsels us to "seek out sweetness everywhere." We'll also welcome new members into our congregation. Coordinator: Rev. Josh Pawelek #eBlast OOS Sermon YouTube

< To Upcoming Services Sep 6, 2026 Labor in the Pulpit This Labor Day weekend we're participating in "Labor in the Pulpit," a program of the AFL-CIO. We'll be joined by the president of the Connecticut AFL-CIO, Ed Hawthorne. Mr. Hawthorne is a skilled organizer and speaker. We'll have an opportunity to engage in dialogue with him about the state of the labor movement in Connecticut and nationally. Learn more about Ed Hawrthorne here . Learn more about the CT AFL-CIO here . Coordinators: Rev. Josh Pawelek and Rob Napier. Summer Schedule #eBlast-09-02 Sunday Service: "Labor in the Pulpit" This Labor Day weekend we're participating in "Labor in the Pulpit," a program of the AFL-CIO. We'll be joined by the president of the Connecticut AFL-CIO, Ed Hawthorne. Mr. Hawthorne is a skilled organizer and speaker. We'll have an opportunity to engage in dialogue with him about the state of the labor movement in Connecticut and nationally. Learn more about Ed Hawrthorne here . Learn more about the CT AFL-CIO here . Coordinators: Rev. Josh Pawelek and Rob Napier. Summer Schedule Sunday, September 6th at 10:00 A.M. In Case You Missed It #eBlast -09-02 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 Watch the eBlast for the next scheduled Now's the Time to Consider Attending General Assembly! Now's the Time to Consider Attending General Assembly! Early Bird registration will be open until March 31, 2025. UUA General Assembly (GA) will be held June 19-25, 2025 in Baltimore,, MD and will be in a hybrid format. General information about GA: General Assembly: The Unitarian Universalist Association's Premier Annual Gathering | UUA.org Register for GA: General Assembly Registration | General Assembly | UUA.org Delegate information: How Congregations Are Represented at General Assembly / Delegates | UUA.org Tentative Business Agenda and Being a Delegate: Shape Our Future Together at GA 2025! UUSE is entitled to 8 delegates in 2025: 6 lay delegates plus the minister and CYM Director. For more information about being a delegate, please check out the links above and let Carrie Kocher - uuseoffice@uuse.org - know if you have any questions or are interested in serving as a delegate. #eBlast-03-26 Now's the Time to Consider Attending General Assembly! Early Bird registration will be open until March 31, 2025 . UUA General Assembly (GA) will be held June 19-25, 2025 in Baltimore,, MD and will be in a hybrid format. General information about GA: General Assembly: The Unitarian Universalist Association's Premier Annual Gathering | UUA.org Register for GA: General Assembly Registration | General Assembly | UUA.org Delegate information: How Congregations Are Represented at General Assembly / Delegates | UUA.org Tentative Business Agenda and Being a Delegate: Shape Our Future Together at GA 2025! UUSE is entitled to 8 delegates in 2025: 6 lay delegates plus the minister and CYM Director. For more information about being a delegate, please check out the links above and let Carrie Kocher - uuseoffice@uuse.org - know if you have any questions or are interested in serving as a delegate. #eBlast -03-26 OOS Sermon YouTube