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< To Upcoming Services Watch the eBlast for the next scheduled New Adult Religious Education Offering New Adult Religious Education Offering Change by Design with Stefanie Toise Sunday, March 15th at 1:00 P.M. Ready to create meaningful change in your life? Join us in the UUSE Sanctuary for Change By Design, a 75-minute interactive workshop presented by longtime UUSE friend, Dr. Stefanie Toise of At One, LLC. This is a stand-alone complimentary session that introduces the foundation for the upcoming 4-part Calm By Design workshop series where participants will learn practical tools and strategies to break the stress-anxiety-burnout loop and build steadiness in real life situations. Space is limited to 12 participants, so please sign up with Annie in the UUSE Office at (860) 646-5151 or uuseoffice@uuse.org . #eBlast-03-11 New Adult Religious Education Offering Change by Design with Stefanie Toise Sunday, March 15th at 1:00 P.M. Ready to create meaningful change in your life? Join us in the UUSE Sanctuary for Change By Design , a 75-minute interactive workshop presented by longtime UUSE friend, Dr. Stefanie Toise of At One, LLC. This is a stand-alone complimentary session that introduces the foundation for the upcoming 4-part Calm By Design workshop series where participants will learn practical tools and strategies to break the stress-anxiety-burnout loop and build steadiness in real life situations. Space is limited to 12 participants, so please sign up with Annie in the UUSE Office at (860) 646-5151 or uuseoffice@uuse.org . #eBlast -03-11 OOS Sermon YouTube

f48b3775-0ad5-4f5d-8a04-5962422ef2dd < Back to Newsletter April Newsletter Article < Previous Article Next Article > God as a Spiritual Experience With special guest, Rev. Robert Forman, Ph.D., D.Hon., B.C.C. (A Special Edition of our Monthly God Talk Group) Tuesday, April 28, 4:30 pm Our April God Talk session (4/28 at 4:30 in person and on Zoom) will feature guest speaker, the Rev. Rober Forman. Rev. Forman will offer a lecture entitled “God as a Spiritual Experience,” followed by a robust discussion. Rev. Forman is a writer, teacher, and spiritual guide whose work bridges the worlds of scholarship and deep personal experience. With a lifelong dedication to exploring the mystical dimensions of life, he has shared his insights with audiences across the globe—from Sweden to Iran, Finland to Israel, and throughout the United States. As a university professor, prolific author, spiritual counselor, and ordained interfaith minister, he brings both intellectual depth and heartfelt wisdom to his writing. Dr. Forman’s work is shaped by decades of meditation practice, interfaith dialogue, and service as a hospital chaplain. His latest book, Christianity Reimagined , offers a fresh perspective on faith, illuminating the voices of “mystics on the margins” whose insights challenge and enrich the spiritual landscape. With clarity, compassion, and an open heart, Dr. Forman writes for seekers of all backgrounds, offering a path to deeper understanding and connection. Learn more about Rev. Forman’s latest book at https://www.christianityreimagined.org/. Watch our regular Wednesday morning eblast for the Zoom link. #AprilNewsletter Contact Information modified in accordance with UUSE Privacy Policies.

< To Upcoming Services Watch the eBlast for the next scheduled Coming Soon: UUSE Choir Coming Soon: UUSE Choir Rehearsals begin TODAY, October 1st at 7:00 P.M. Do you love to sing? You don't have to audition. Whether you sing in your car or with the Metropolitan Opera -- if you like to have fun, you can sing with the UUSE Choir! Weekly rehearsals start on Wednesday, October 1st at 7:00 P.M. in preparation for the Holiday Music Services on December 14th. All ages welcome. For more information, contact Jenn Richard at uuseoffice@uuse.org . #eBlast-10-01 Coming Soon: UUSE Choir Rehearsals begin TODAY, October 1st at 7:00 P.M. Do you love to sing? You don't have to audition. Whether you sing in your car or with the Metropolitan Opera -- if you like to have fun, you can sing with the UUSE Choir! Weekly rehearsals start on Wednesday, October 1st at 7:00 P.M. in preparation for the Holiday Music Services on December 14th. All ages welcome. For more information, contact Jenn Richard at uuseoffice@uuse.org . #eBlast -10-01 OOS Sermon YouTube

< To Upcoming Services May 2, 2026 May Fair Announcement May Fair Announcement Tag Sale! We'll again be offering a tag sale at this year's May Fair celebration to raise money for our beloved UUSE. This year we'll be offering household goods, tools and electronics, gardening items, sports equipment, and even small pieces of furniture in good condition. No clothing, please. So, start that spring cleaning and put your items aside for our Saturday, May 2nd tag sale! Volunteers Needed! We are also looking for volunteers to help with the tag sale. We need help setting up early Saturday morning, staffing the tables during the day, and breaking down and loading up leftovers to take to Savers at the end of the day. Contact Deb Gould or Sandy Karosi with any questions or to sign up to volunteer. #eBlast-03-11 May Fair Announcement Tag Sale! We'll again be offering a tag sale at this year's May Fair celebration to raise money for our beloved UUSE. This year we'll be offering household goods, tools and electronics, gardening items, sports equipment, and even small pieces of furniture in good condition. No clothing, please. So, start that spring cleaning and put your items aside for our Saturday, May 2nd tag sale! Volunteers Needed! We are also looking for volunteers to help with the tag sale. We need help setting up early Saturday morning, staffing the tables during the day, and breaking down and loading up leftovers to take to Savers at the end of the day. Contact Deb Gould or Sandy Karosi with any questions or to sign up to volunteer. #eBlast -03-11 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

< To Upcoming Services Jan 4, 2026 Two Epiphanies "Two Epiphanies" In the lead up to the Christian celebration of Epiphany, Rev. Josh explores the relationship between the Biblical story of the three kings and the Italian folk character, La Befana. How do the two stories connect? And how might they speak to our January ministry theme, resistance ? Coordinator : Rev. Josh Pawelek Services at 9:00 and 11:00 A.M. #eBlast-12-31 "Two Epiphanies" In the lead up to the Christian celebration of Epiphany, Rev. Josh explores the relationship between the Biblical story of the three kings and the Italian folk character, La Befana. How do the two stories connect? And how might they speak to our January ministry theme, resistance ? Coordinator : Rev. Josh Pawelek Services at 9:00 and 11:00 A.M. Sunday, January 4, 2026 In Case You Missed It #eBlast -12-31 OOS Sermon YouTube

< To Upcoming Services Watch the eBlast for the next scheduled Sunday Service: "Let's Imagine Together" Sunday Service: "Let's Imagine Together" Our ministry theme for May is Imagination. Rev. Josh will review what the scientific literature has to say about imagination and make the case that we all need to use our imagination more frequently! Coordinator: Rev. Josh Pawelek. Services at 9:00 and 11:00 A.M. Sunday, May 4, 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 4/27/25 service, "Earth Day." #eBlast-04-30 Sunday Service: "Let's Imagine Together" Our ministry theme for May is Imagination. Rev. Josh will review what the scientific literature has to say about imagination and make the case that we all need to use our imagination more frequently! Coordinator : Rev. Josh Pawelek. Services at 9:00 and 11:00 A.M. Sunday, May 4, 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 4/27/25 service, "Earth Day." #eBlast -04-30 OOS Sermon YouTube

< To Upcoming Services Watch the eBlast for the next scheduled Hosts Needed for UUSE Community Harvest Suppers Hosts Needed for UUSE Community Harvest Suppers The Membership Committee is planning more potlucks at the homes of UUSE members/friends this fall. But we need hosts! If you would like to host a "Community Harvest Supper" at your home sometime in October or early November, please contact Sue Myers or Carole Boster via email or phone by September 15 and let them know the date and time for your event and how many guests you can accommodate. They'll send you back a quick questionnaire to gather further details for the sign-up sheet. Hosts are asked to provide a main dish; guests will bring appetizers, sides, desserts, etc. We'll have sign-up sheets in the lobby after each service in late September. Questions? Ask Sue Myers or Carole Boster. #eBlast-09-10 Hosts Needed for UUSE Community Harvest Suppers The Membership Committee is planning more potlucks at the homes of UUSE members/friends this fall. But we need hosts! If you would like to host a "Community Harvest Supper" at your home sometime in October or early November, please contact Sue Myers or Carole Boster via email or phone by September 15 and let them know the date and time for your event and how many guests you can accommodate. They'll send you back a quick questionnaire to gather further details for the sign-up sheet. Hosts are asked to provide a main dish; guests will bring appetizers, sides, desserts, etc. We'll have sign-up sheets in the lobby after each service in late September. Questions? Ask Sue Myers or Carole Boster . #eBlast -09-10 OOS Sermon YouTube

Several different types of programming are incorporated to best meet the needs and interests of our high school youth. At bi-monthly meetings the group will get together to talk, play games, cook, eat, watch a movie, attend a service together or work on a service project. Youth can work toward earning the Distinguished Youth Service Award. There will also be opportunities for social activities or other special events outside the building. To signup to volunteer with High School Youth Group (Grades 9-12) https://www.signupgenius.com/go/10C084EAFAC2CA3FFCE9-high < Back HS Youth Group (Gr 9 & up) Several different types of programming are incorporated to best meet the needs and interests of our high school youth. At bi-monthly meetings the group will get together to talk, play games, cook, eat, watch a movie, attend a service together or work on a service project. Youth can work toward earning the Distinguished Youth Service Award. There will also be opportunities for social activities or other special events outside the building. To signup to volunteer with High School Youth Group (Grades 9-12) https://www.signupgenius.com/go/10C084EAFAC2CA3FFCE9-high Previous Next

b7885bcb-5220-4695-9dfb-d217ab84f666 < Back to Newsletter April Newsletter Article < Previous Article Next Article > Intro to UU Learn about Unitarian Universalism & Unitarian Universalist Society East Sunday, April 19, 2026, 1:00 to 4:00 PM, UUSE Chapel (Garden Level) T his gathering will include: A discussion of Unitarian Universalist theology UUS:E’s mission, programs and facilities An opportunity to meet others and share our religious journeys Please RSVP by Thursday, April 16th, 2026. Let us know if you need childcare. To register, contact Annie Gentile at (860) 646-5151 or uuseoffice@uuse.org . Questions? Please contact Sylvia Ounpuu at membership@uuse.org , or Rev. Josh Pawelek at 860-646-5151 or minister@uuse.org We hope you will join us! #AprilNewsletter Contact Information modified in accordance with UUSE Privacy Policies.

< To Upcoming Services Watch the eBlast for the next scheduled Soup Fundraiser The High School Youth Group is holding a soup fundraiser raiser to help support UUS:E and the Youth Group’s activities. Soup will be sold via pre-orders; to order, please contact Kaitlyn Blesso OR click on the link below: https://tinyurl.com/mtnc6ye9 Order no later than March 15 to be sure you get your soup! Pints of frozen soup will be available for pick up on Sunday March 19 after both services. A $5 minimum donation per pint is due at pick up. Options are: Vegan: Tuscan White Bean Vegetarian: Lilly’s Award Winning Chili Meat: Loaded Baked Potato Questions, Allergies? Contact Kaitlyn Blesso OOS Sermon YouTube

< To Upcoming Services Watch the eBlast for the next scheduled Music + Mantra: Heart Centered Kirtan MUSIC + MANTRA KIRTAN AT UUSE A welcoming community of music, meditation, and connection. Sunday, March 22, 2026, at 3:00 PM Join us for an uplifting, meditative experience blending contemporary music with the call-and-response singing of mantras. Mantra set to music opens the heart and lifts the spirits. The MUSIC + MANTRA series is a welcoming community gathering where contemporary live music meets the ancient practice of kirtan — call-and-response mantra singing rooted in India’s devotional tradition. No musical experience, spiritual background, or prior knowledge is required. You are welcome to sing along, dance, listen quietly, or simply be present. WHAT YOU'LL EXPERIENCE: • Relaxation through sound – Quiet the mental chatter and de-stress. • A sense of belonging – Singing together fosters connection in a way that feels natural and inclusive—there's no pressure and no performance. • Accessible participation – Sit in a chair, relax on a cushion, or move and dance—engage in whatever way feels right for you. • Tradition shared with care – Rooted in the Indian devotional practice of kirtan and offered in a warm, contemporary community setting that honors its origins. ABOUT THE MUSICIANS: HEART CENTERED KIRTAN • Libby Volckening — vocals and keys • Ezra Landis — guitar • Nico D'Amico — bass • Chris Ball — drums Together, they offer contemporary arrangements that honor tradition while remaining approachable for newcomers. ABOUT THE SPACE Hosted at the Unitarian Universalist Society East — a welcoming, community-centered venue committed to diversity, equity, and inclusion. • Wheelchair accessible • Scent-free space • Chair seating provided (feel free to bring a cushion if you prefer the floor) • Free parking on site Whether you are spiritually curious, musically inclined, or simply seeking a peaceful and welcoming evening out, Music + Mantra offers a low-pressure way to connect—with yourself and with community. EVENT DETAILS Sunday, March 22 - 3pm Free-will donation ($20 suggested) at the door. No one is ever turned away. Kirtan is a form of participatory music that blends melody, rhythm, and meditation. Originating in the devotional singing traditions of India, kirtan invites people of all backgrounds to join in simple, call-and-response chanting. No experience is needed—just a willingness to listen, repeat, and let the music open the heart. The result is a joyful, community-centered practice that brings people together through sound and shared intention. The Music + Mantra series at UUSE features inclusive, interfaith, and community-oriented musical gatherings designed to nurture connection and reflection. All events in the series begin at 3:00 PM and are open to the public. Admission is by free-will donation ($20 suggested) at the door. Upcoming Music + Mantra events will take place on: • Sunday, March 22, 2026 For more information, visit uuse.org/kirtan or connect with the community at Central CT Community Kirtan on Facebook. Or download the flyer here. All are welcome to join this growing community celebration of music, mindfulness, and connection. MUSIC + MANTRA KIRTAN AT UUSE A welcoming community of music, meditation, and connection. Sunday, March 22, 2026, at 3:00 PM Join us for an uplifting, meditative experience blending contemporary music with the call-and-response singing of mantras. Mantra set to music opens the heart and lifts the spirits. The MUSIC + MANTRA series is a welcoming community gathering where contemporary live music meets the ancient practice of kirtan — call-and-response mantra singing rooted in India’s devotional tradition. No musical experience, spiritual background, or prior knowledge is required. You are welcome to sing along, dance, listen quietly, or simply be present. WHAT YOU'LL EXPERIENCE: • Relaxation through sound – Quiet the mental chatter and de-stress. • A sense of belonging – Singing together fosters connection in a way that feels natural and inclusive—there's no pressure and no performance. • Accessible participation – Sit in a chair, relax on a cushion, or move and dance—engage in whatever way feels right for you. • Tradition shared with care – Rooted in the Indian devotional practice of kirtan and offered in a warm, contemporary community setting that honors its origins. ABOUT THE MUSICIANS: HEART CENTERED KIRTAN • Libby Volckening — vocals and keys • Ezra Landis — guitar • Nico D'Amico — bass • Chris Ball — drums Together, they offer contemporary arrangements that honor tradition while remaining approachable for newcomers. ABOUT THE SPACE Hosted at the Unitarian Universalist Society East — a welcoming, community-centered venue committed to diversity, equity, and inclusion. • Wheelchair accessible • Scent-free space • Chair seating provided (feel free to bring a cushion if you prefer the floor) • Free parking on site Whether you are spiritually curious, musically inclined, or simply seeking a peaceful and welcoming evening out, Music + Mantra offers a low-pressure way to connect—with yourself and with community. EVENT DETAILS Sunday, March 22 - 3pm Free-will donation ($20 suggested) at the door. No one is ever turned away. Kirtan is a form of participatory music that blends melody, rhythm, and meditation. Originating in the devotional singing traditions of India, kirtan invites people of all backgrounds to join in simple, call-and-response chanting. No experience is needed—just a willingness to listen, repeat, and let the music open the heart. The result is a joyful, community-centered practice that brings people together through sound and shared intention. The Music + Mantra series at UUSE features inclusive, interfaith, and community-oriented musical gatherings designed to nurture connection and reflection. All events in the series begin at 3:00 PM and are open to the public. Admission is by free-will donation ($20 suggested) at the door. Upcoming Music + Mantra events will take place on: • Sunday, March 22, 2026 For more information, visit uuse.org/kirtan or connect with the community at Central CT Community Kirtan on Facebook . Or download the flyer here . All are welcome to join this growing community celebration of music, mindfulness, and connection. OOS Sermon YouTube