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This class is based upon episodes of the original “Twilight Zone” series, which tackled a range of social issues and political statements not generally seen in shows of its time. It’s host, Rod Serling, was himself a Unitarian! At each class, an entire episode is viewed. After viewing, the class engages in discussion and activities, designed to encourage deep contemplation of issues. To signup to volunterr with Twilight Zone (6th, 7th and 8th grades) https://www.signupgenius.com/go/10C084EAFAC2CA3FFCE9-5thdimension < Back Twilight Zone (Gr 6-7) This class is based upon episodes of the original “Twilight Zone” series, which tackled a range of social issues and political statements not generally seen in shows of its time. It’s host, Rod Serling, was himself a Unitarian! At each class, an entire episode is viewed. After viewing, the class engages in discussion and activities, designed to encourage deep contemplation of issues. To signup to volunterr with Twilight Zone (6th, 7th and 8th grades) https://www.signupgenius.com/go/10C084EAFAC2CA3FFCE9-5thdimension Previous Next

Children engage in hands-on exploration of UU principles through a wide range of activities led by professional staff and volunteers. A typical class begins with Children’s Chapel (lighting the chalice, sharing of joys & concerns) followed by a themed workshop which might include music, art, poetry, yoga, woodworking, nature, games & more. A hallmark of this program is the chance for the children to come together with adult members of the congregation who share their time, talents, warmth & wisdom! To sign up to volunteer to work with Workshop Adventure (Grades 1 through 5) https://www.signupgenius.com/go/10C084EAFAC2CA3FFCE9-workshop < Back Elementary Workshops (Gr 1-5) Children engage in hands-on exploration of UU principles through a wide range of activities led by professional staff and volunteers. A typical class begins with Children’s Chapel (lighting the chalice, sharing of joys & concerns) followed by a themed workshop which might include music, art, poetry, yoga, woodworking, nature, games & more. A hallmark of this program is the chance for the children to come together with adult members of the congregation who share their time, talents, warmth & wisdom! To sign up to volunteer to work with Workshop Adventure (Grades 1 through 5) https://www.signupgenius.com/go/10C084EAFAC2CA3FFCE9-workshop Previous Next

< To Upcoming Services Aug 2, 2026 TBD Sunday, August 2nd: TBD Sunday, August 2nd: TBD OOS Sermon YouTube

ab6a8680-de00-4188-b603-b84bee5f220b < Back to Newsletter July Newsletter Article < Previous Article Next Article > President’s Column July 2026 A wise woman once told me never doubt a UUA with a dream, a committee, and a lot of determination! Today, we kicked off our initial planning session for a radical new idea: Abundance Budgeting. We had an enthusiastic group of more than 20 individuals who participated in pre-work and today’s sprint—who wanted to understand what this meant and how it could benefit our beloved community. I walked away with a whole new understanding—this really isn’t Abundance Budgeting as much as it is Abundance Planning. To give a bit of a background: many of us have held Corporate, Government, or Non-Profit jobs in our lives, and we have all done what is typically known as “Incremental Budgeting." In an Incremental Budget Process, you typically take the historical budget from the last fiscal year, tack on a bit “extra” to account for inflation and cost-of-living and present this for approval. Once the final numbers roll in, it’s time to do the “haircuts” to cut the numbers back to what the organization feels it can afford. What is wrong with this situation in a “growth-minded” organization? While it can be the lowest risk option for budgets, it’s historical, stability-based, and discourages change. Consider this from a personal finance perspective: you want to buy a house and have been saving $200/a month for 5 years. You decide that this is a very slow process for you to achieve your objective, so you wisely decide to increase your savings to $225/a month. So, let’s turn to a bit of a background on what ABUNDANCE Budgeting or Planning means. In Abundance budgeting, you start with Priorities and Plans, and determine what resources are required to achieve your goals. Abundance budgets are based on a growth mindset, it’s opportunity-based, and supports entrepreneurial thinking and strategic planning. The Personal Finance example would be that if you are determined to buy a house, you plan on what is needed to meet your goal, and this plan determines your savings plan and timeline. So, our Sprint on Saturday focused on the bottom line “fixed and variable” costs that we need to keep our lights on, our current AND future personnel needs, and what we could focus on if we were truly dreaming of a “growth” future. We looked at options to grow, not cut back resources: what gains could support expanded programming and engagement, and to make our Meetinghouse a vibrant, dynamic home both now and in the future. I want to emphasize, this isn’t a change for tomorrow, but a thoughtful process. It goes hand-in-glove with our Strategic Planning initiative. I look forward to sharing more of our insights and to fostering discussion and debates for our congregation's future. If this appeals to you, we are always happy to have new people join our adventure! ~Trisha Corey-Lisle, President #JulyNewsletter Contact Information modified in accordance with UUSE Privacy Policies.

< Back < Latest eBlast eBlast Article < Previous Article Next Article > Weekly News Weekly News July 8, 2026 #eBlast -07-08

< To Upcoming Services Watch the eBlast for the next scheduled Upcoming Workshop Upcoming Workshop Help Brainstorm Vision and Mission Ideas with the Strategic Planning Task Force The Strategic Planning Task Force is offering one final date in March to join us in brainstorming our current vision and mission statements and what revision ideas we may want to consider to help guide our next five years and future strategic plan. During the short workshop (about 2 hours), participants will review both statements and give their ideas to help with brainstorming our new vision and mission statements. Final Date Sunday, March 29 at 1:30 P.M. in the Children’s Chapel after the Chocolate Auction We’d love to hear your thoughts and incorporate your ideas! Please RSVP using the Google Form. #eBlast-03-25 Upcoming Workshop Help Brainstorm Vision and Mission Ideas with the Strategic Planning Task Force The Strategic Planning Task Force is offering one final date in March to join us in brainstorming our current vision and mission statements and what revision ideas we may want to consider to help guide our next five years and future strategic plan. During the short workshop (about 2 hours), participants will review both statements and give their ideas to help with brainstorming our new vision and mission statements. Final Date Sunday, March 29 at 1:30 P.M. in the Children’s Chapel after the Chocolate Auction We’d love to hear your thoughts and incorporate your ideas! Please RSVP using the Google Form . #eBlast -03-25 OOS Sermon YouTube

< To Upcoming Services Watch the eBlast for the next scheduled Ryan Ford Concert Ryan Ford Concert Sunday, May 3 at 3:00 P.M. at UUSE Join us at 3:00 P.M. on May 3rd at UUSE for a fun afternoon of classical and modern music with Ryan Ford, his daughter Margeaux, and accompianist Lan-Ya Huang. Suggested donation (to benefit UUSE): $20. No one will be turned away! #eBlast-04-29 Ryan Ford Concert Sunday, May 3 at 3:00 P.M. at UUSE Join us at 3:00 P.M. on May 3rd at UUSE for a fun afternoon of classical and modern music with Ryan Ford, his daughter Margeaux, and accompianist Lan-Ya Huang. Suggested donation (to benefit UUSE): $20. No one will be turned away! #eBlast -04-29 OOS Sermon YouTube

< To Upcoming Services Watch the eBlast for the next scheduled High School Youth Group Bake Sale High School Youth Group Bake Sale! Sunday, April 26th after each service in the lobby Please join us on Sunday, April 26th after each service in the main lobby to support the High School Youth Group Bake Sale! Proceeds will be shared between the HSYG activity fund and the UUSE general fund. Contact Michelle Spadaccini at uuseoffice@uuse.org with questions. #eBlast-04-22 High School Youth Group Bake Sale! Sunday, April 26th after each service in the lobby Please join us on Sunday, April 26th after each service in the main lobby to support the High School Youth Group Bake Sale! Proceeds will be shared between the HSYG activity fund and the UUSE general fund. Contact Michelle Spadaccini at uuseoffice@uuse.org with questions. #eBlast -04-22 OOS Sermon YouTube

79810c07-3a8f-405e-bdb5-25f9b4dd6ee8 < Back to Newsletter July Newsletter Article < Previous Article Next Article > Community Outreach Ministry Charitable Giving for June As always, thank you for your generosity. We do not gather our gifts only for ourselves, but to share with the larger community. Continuing our practice of sharing our gifts with the community beyond our walls, fifty percent of our Sunday plate collections for the month will be shared with: MACC Food Pantry Hockanum Valley Food Pantry CT Mutual Aid East of River Food Pantry TLC Foundation Please contact Louisa Graver at uuseoffice@uuse.org , David Lacoss, or Nancy Madar at n uuseoffice@uuse.org . Make checks out to UUSE. If the memo line: ✓ is blank or “pledge” - all will go toward your pledge. ✓ has “COM” or the name of the charity - all will go to the charity. ✓ has “1/2 pledge, 1/2 COM” - it will be divided equally. #JulyNewsletter Contact Information modified in accordance with UUSE Privacy Policies.

< To Upcoming Services Watch the eBlast for the next scheduled Annual Appeal 2025 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. The Annual Appeal began in March and you should have received a letter with information on our accomplishments from this past year and our aspirations for the next fiscal year (July 1, 2025 through June 30, 2026). The letter and forms are on our website at uuse.org. We have asked each member and friend to complete a pledge form and electronic funds transfer (EFT) form (if desired) and return to the church office by April 6. Please consider this a friendly reminder to send your pledge if you haven’t done so. A steward may contact you if we haven’t received your pledge. DON’T FORGET TO TAKE ADVANTAGE OF THE TWO CHALLENGE GRANTS AVAILABLE! The Annual Appeal ends on Sunday, April 6. We look forward to your support of UUSE’s mission in the wider community and our day-to-day operation. Thank you for your contribution. The Stewardship Committee: Louisa Graver, Larry Lunden, Stan McMillen, Patricia Wildes and Phil Sawyer #AprilNewsletter 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. The Annual Appeal began in March and you should have received a letter with information on our accomplishments from this past year and our aspirations for the next fiscal year (July 1, 2025 through June 30, 2026). The letter and forms are on our website at uuse.org. We have asked each member and friend to complete a pledge form and electronic funds transfer (EFT) form (if desired) and return to the church office by April 6. Please consider this a friendly reminder to send your pledge if you haven’t done so. A steward may contact you if we haven’t received your pledge. DON’T FORGET TO TAKE ADVANTAGE OF THE TWO CHALLENGE GRANTS AVAILABLE! The Annual Appeal ends on Sunday, April 6. We look forward to your support of UUSE’s mission in the wider community and our day-to-day operation. Thank you for your contribution. The Stewardship Committee: Louisa Graver, Larry Lunden, Stan McMillen, Patricia Wildes and Phil Sawyer #AprilNewsletter OOS Sermon YouTube

< To Upcoming Services Jun 9, 2024 May the River Renew Us Our ministry theme for June is renewal. Given all the trends in the wider world that wear us down these days, finding avenues for renewal seems essential. When you feel down, what renews your spirit? We will also be welcoming new members into our congregation this morning. Coordinator: Rev. Josh Pawelek #eBlast-06-05 OOS Sermon YouTube

Yoga All are welcome to these gentle-to-moderate yoga classes for all abilities. $5 drop-in fee. Bring a yoga mat (we have some extras). Bring a friend! Questions to: Susan at uuseoffice@uuse.org . Yoga is a UUSE adult education offering. < Previous Times Are Listed Here Next >