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< To Upcoming Services Watch the eBlast for the next scheduled SUNDIALS: Out from the Shadows (A Cliff Pelletier Memorial Lecture) Monday, October 6, 7 PM, Unitarian Universalist Society East -- 153 Vernon St. West, Vernon, CT. Expert Fred Sawyer will provide an overview of the 3,500-year history of the sundial as a scientific device -- perhaps humanity's first. Over that period, the sundial has changed in diverse ways to accommodate ur evolving concept of what it means to measure time. Many varieties of sundials will be discussed and illustrated with slides and actual instruments on display. Time will be allocated for the audience to ask questions about how the various unusual and unfamiliar dials work to let us order our days. This event is in memorial honor of UUSE member, Cliff Pelletier, who loved science and was very generous to UUSE (attach photo) . Fred Sawyer is a retired actuary and longtime member of UUSE. He graduated from Yale and the U. of Pittsburgh with degrees in Mathematics and Philosophy and the History of Philosophy and Science. He is the President and editor of the North American Sundial Society and the Patron of the British Sundial Society. He is a featured speaker each year at the NASS conference in the U.S. and Canada and the BSS conference in England He has provided the layouts for a number sundials in Connecticut and has published nine books on Sciatherics -- the study of sundials. THIS EVENT IS APPROPRIATE FOR ADULTS AND HIGH SCHOOL STUDENTS. Monday, October 6, 7 PM, Unitarian Universalist Society East -- 153 Vernon St. West, Vernon, CT. Expert Fred Sawyer will provide an overview of the 3,500-year history of the sundial as a scientific device -- perhaps humanity's first. Over that period, the sundial has changed in diverse ways to accommodate ur evolving concept of what it means to measure time. Many varieties of sundials will be discussed and illustrated with slides and actual instruments on display. Time will be allocated for the audience to ask questions about how the various unusual and unfamiliar dials work to let us order our days. This event is in memorial honor of UUSE member, Cliff Pelletier, who loved science and was very generous to UUSE (attach photo) . Fred Sawyer is a retired actuary and longtime member of UUSE. He graduated from Yale and the U. of Pittsburgh with degrees in Mathematics and Philosophy and the History of Philosophy and Science. He is the President and editor of the North American Sundial Society and the Patron of the British Sundial Society. He is a featured speaker each year at the NASS conference in the U.S. and Canada and the BSS conference in England He has provided the layouts for a number sundials in Connecticut and has published nine books on Sciatherics -- the study of sundials. THIS EVENT IS APPROPRIATE FOR ADULTS AND HIGH SCHOOL STUDENTS. OOS Sermon YouTube

< To Upcoming Services Watch the eBlast for the next scheduled Handler Levesque Guitar Duo Judy Handler and Mark Levesque Guitar Duo WORLD CAFÉ - A Musical World Tour for Mandolin & Guitar Sunday, April 21st, 3:00PM Come and enjoy a musical journey through many countries with Judy Handler & Mark Levesque. They perform their own inspiring arrangements on guitars and mandolin and will include music from the U.S., Europe, Eastern Europe, Brazil, Latin America and more! Audiences respond with enthusiasm to their extraordinary sound, passionate performance, amusing anecdotes, and the joyful spirit of their music. Judy Handler and Mark Levesque Guitar Duo WORLD CAFÉ - A Musical World Tour for Mandolin & Guitar Sunday, April 21st, 3:00PM Come and enjoy a musical journey through many countries with Judy Handler & Mark Levesque. They perform their own inspiring arrangements on guitars and mandolin and will include music from the U.S., Europe, Eastern Europe, Brazil, Latin America and more! Audiences respond with enthusiasm to their extraordinary sound, passionate performance, amusing anecdotes, and the joyful spirit of their music. Husband and wife duo, Handler & Levesque, have performed over 2,500 concerts together over the past 30 years throughout the United States & Europe. They create unique programs of guitar duets and music for guitar & mandolin. Their friendly and entertaining way of chatting with audiences immediately makes a personal and authentic connection. "It's a perfect musical marriage. A rich, zesty guitar gumbo, Handler & Levesque crackle with tasty elements of classical, swing, Gypsy, Brazilian and a dizzying array of world-music flavorings." Owen McNally, music critic, Hartford Courant “What made this eclectic concert so wonderful was the incredible unity of their two instruments, which to the ear sounded as a single instrument...They are so accomplished that if you hear them once, you will want to hear them again. But even once in a single performance their precision blend echoes in one’s memory.” Kevin T. McEneaney, The Millbrook Independent OOS Sermon YouTube

< To Upcoming Services Mar 18, 2026 Stewarding Opportunity! We are looking for people to canvass members & friends. Being a steward is a way to get to know new people, to share your enthusiasm and commitment for UUSE and to help make our Annual Appeal a success. The commitment time is relatively short with one training session and a couple of weeks to contact 2 - 4 members or friends. The stewardship conversations are a time of fellowship and sharing our dreams and aspirations. Talking about financial commitment is a small part of a much larger conversation about generosity and community. So please consider volunteering to be a steward this year. We especially want people who have never been stewards before, especially parents! For those who did not mail in their pledge or did not attend a potluck, the steward will use a personal visit (if both feel comfortable), email, phone calls, or texts to get in touch with people to answer any questions and remind them to fill out their pledge form and return it to Annie. Personal canvassing will be from March 18 – April 6, 2026. We will provide training on Thursday evening, March 5 or Saturday morning, March 7, 2026. Specific times will follow. Please email Phil Sawyer at uuseoffice@uuse.org or call 860-646-5151 if you are willing to help or have any questions. Our Annual Appeal occurs from March 1 – April 6, 2026. #JanuaryNewsletter We are looking for people to canvass members & friends. Being a steward is a way to get to know new people, to share your enthusiasm and commitment for UUSE and to help make our Annual Appeal a success. The commitment time is relatively short with one training session and a couple of weeks to contact 2 - 4 members or friends. The stewardship conversations are a time of fellowship and sharing our dreams and aspirations. Talking about financial commitment is a small part of a much larger conversation about generosity and community. So please consider volunteering to be a steward this year. We especially want people who have never been stewards before, especially parents! For those who did not mail in their pledge or did not attend a potluck, the steward will use a personal visit (if both feel comfortable), email, phone calls, or texts to get in touch with people to answer any questions and remind them to fill out their pledge form and return it to Annie. Personal canvassing will be from March 18 – April 6, 2026. We will provide training on Thursday evening, March 5 or Saturday morning, March 7, 2026. Specific times will follow. Please email Phil Sawyer at uuseoffice@uuse.org or call 860-646-5151 if you are willing to help or have any questions. Our Annual Appeal occurs from March 1 – April 6, 2026. #JanuaryNewsletter OOS Sermon YouTube

081b8519-79d5-4326-ad10-f049f1f5b181 < Back Sunday Services Committee Sunday Services Committee : Shares responsibility with minister for planning and conducting Sunday services. Updated October 9, 2025 at 2:31:32 PM

bb97a117-fb12-4293-adb5-13c95914bfc4 < Back to Newsletter January Newsletter Article < Previous Article Next Article > New World Trio “Treasured Trios” Concert Works for piano trio by Enescu, Beethoven, and Dvorak with violinist Anhared Stowe, cellist Peter Zay, and pianist David Ballena. 3 PM on Sunday, January 11, 2026. George Enescu composed his beautiful Serenade Lointaine for piano trio when he was just 21 years old. Although composed in 1903, the trio was discovered only recently. This opening work explores the Romantic side of the piano trio, and the warmness of Enescu’s textures highlight his influences from the Romantic era. In his Trio #1 , Op 1, Beethoven places content over form for the first time, creating an unprecedented equality between the instruments. Here, the composer is no longer simply accommodating a listener’s desire for formulaic comfort but is instead leading his audience into his own sensibilities. Beethoven’s brilliance is so compelling that his privileged-class patrons only dimly realize that he has created a pathway for artists to emerge as a significant moral force. Antonin Dvorak’s Dumky Trio is one of the composer’s best-known works, and most original. Of Ukrainian origin, dumky refers to epic, lamenting ballads. During the nineteenth century, Slavic composers began transforming these songs into a classical form. Their brooding, introspective themes are contrasted with lively, cheerful sections. Dvorak’s trio is the most-loved of these legendary ballads. Unitarian Universalist Society East, 153 Vernon Street West, Manchester, CT. Suggested donation $20. For information 860-646-5151, www.newworldtrio.org #JanuaryNewsletter Contact Information modified in accordance with UUSE Privacy Policies.

< To Upcoming Services Watch the eBlast for the next scheduled Special Presentation on the Connecticut TRUST Act With Tabitha Sookdeo Tuesday Evening, May 6, 2025 at 7:00 PM The UUSE Social Justice / Anti-Oppression Committee welcomes Tabitha Sookdeo, Executive Director of Connecticut Students for a Dream, for an update on the status of Connecticut’s TRUST Act. Ms. Sookdeo will join us by Zoom. UUSE members and friends are invited to join the SJ/AO Committee at UUSE, or they can join online. Please contact Monica van Beusekom or Rev. Josh Pawelek for the login information. #MayNewsletter With Tabitha Sookdeo Tuesday Evening, May 6, 2025 at 7:00 PM The UUSE Social Justice / Anti-Oppression Committee welcomes Tabitha Sookdeo, Executive Director of Connecticut Students for a Dream, for an update on the status of Connecticut’s TRUST Act. Ms. Sookdeo will join us by Zoom. UUSE members and friends are invited to join the SJ/AO Committee at UUSE, or they can join online. Please contact Monica van Beusekom or Rev. Josh Pawelek for the login information. #MayNewsletter OOS Sermon YouTube

< To Upcoming Services Watch the eBlast for the next scheduled Declare Your Love and Gratitude for UUSE! Declare Your Love and Gratitude for UUSE! Paula Baker and Sandy Karosi are organizing a service for November 23 entitled "Gratitude for UUSE," and we want to include messages from our congregation! We're looking for an answer to the question: "What is it about UUSE that fills you with gratitude?" Maybe it's the community, the building and grounds, a committee, our staff, an experience you've had, relationships formed, or an event your family loves! While it might be hard to pick just one thing, we need to keep responses to a single, brief sentence. Looking for messages from all ages! Send your message by November 9 to either Paula (uuseoffice@uuse.org ) or Sandy (uuseoffice@uuse.org ). #eBlast-11-05 Declare Your Love and Gratitude for UUSE! Paula Baker and Sandy Karosi are organizing a service for November 23 entitled "Gratitude for UUSE," and we want to include messages from our congregation! We're looking for an answer to the question: "What is it about UUSE that fills you with gratitude?" Maybe it's the community, the building and grounds, a committee, our staff, an experience you've had, relationships formed, or an event your family loves! While it might be hard to pick just one thing, we need to keep responses to a single, brief sentence . Looking for messages from all ages! Send your message by November 9 to either Paula ( uuseoffice@uuse.org ) or Sandy ( uuseoffice@uuse.org ). #eBlast -11-05 OOS Sermon YouTube

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 Jul 7, 2024 The Many Faces of Truth will explore the differences between deeply held beliefs and the truth(s) that surround them; we will ponder the issue of why my truth may be different from yours. Guest Presenter: Peggy Webbe. Coordinator: Sheila Foran #eBlast-07-03 OOS Sermon YouTube

< To Upcoming Services Apr 28, 2024 Shine. Sometimes we get what we don't deserve ... and it's wonderful. One traditional religious term for this phenomenon is grace, though Unitarian Universalists typically don't embrace this term. Given, that, what might grace look like for UUs? Coordinator: Rev. Josh Pawelek #eBlast-04-24 OOS Sermon YouTube

< To Upcoming Services Watch the eBlast for the next scheduled Coffee House is Back! Coffee House is Back! Begins Saturday, October 4th - New Start time at 6:30 P.M. UUSE's monthly coffeehouse opens its 25th season. Sign up starts at 6:00 P.M. -- performances start at 6:30 P.M. NEW START TIME! Poets, singers, songwriters, storytellers, bagpipers and performers of all kinds may sign up for a10-minute or two-song slot. Non-performing audience members are warmly welcome. We provide the coffee - BYO food or libations. Join us in the Meetingroom at 153 Vernon Street West, Manchester, CT. #eBlast-10-01 Coffee House is Back! Begins Saturday, October 4th - New Start time at 6:30 P.M. UUSE's monthly coffeehouse opens its 25th season. Sign up starts at 6:00 P.M. -- performances start at 6:30 P.M. NEW START TIME! Poets, singers, songwriters, storytellers, bagpipers and performers of all kinds may sign up for a10-minute or two-song slot. Non-performing audience members are warmly welcome. We provide the coffee - BYO food or libations. Join us in the Meetingroom at 153 Vernon Street West, Manchester, CT. #eBlast -10-01 OOS Sermon YouTube

< To Upcoming Services Jan 21, 2024 Applying Our UU Values to Housing in CT. Guest Speaker: Erin Boggs, Executive Director of Open Communities Alliance. This service will introduce us to the work of the Open Communities Alliance and help us to reflect on the values that underlie the work of increasing affordable housing in CT. Coordinator: David Klotz #eBlast-01-17 January 21: “Applying Our UU Values to Housing in CT.” Guest Speaker: Erin Boggs, Executive Director of Open Communities Alliance This service will introduce us to the work of the Open Communities Alliance and help us to reflect on the values that underlie the work of increasing affordable housing in CT. Coordinator(s): David Klotz OOS Sermon YouTube