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Childcare for infants and toddlers is provided year-round in our child-proofed nursery room on the Garden Level, during the 11 AM service from September through June, and the 10 AM service during the summer months. Check The Director's Corner for Nursery availability https://www.uuse.org/cym-update To sign up to volunteer for Nursery (ages 3 and under) https://www.signupgenius.com/go/10C084EAFAC2CA3FFCE9-nursery < Back Nursery (Infant to 3yrs) Childcare for infants and toddlers is provided year-round in our child-proofed nursery room on the Garden Level, during the 11 AM service from September through June, and the 10 AM service during the summer months. Check The Director's Corner for Nursery availability https://www.uuse.org/cym-update To sign up to volunteer for Nursery (ages 3 and under) https://www.signupgenius.com/go/10C084EAFAC2CA3FFCE9-nursery Previous Next

< To Upcoming Services Watch the eBlast for the next scheduled 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 are considering hosting a potluck but need a little motivation, here are some great reasons: get your house clean and organized, show off your cooking and favorite main dish, foster community and fun! 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 & 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 the appetizers, sides, desserts etc. We’ll put sign-up sheets in the lobby after each service in late September. Questions? Ask Sue Myers or Carole Boster. #SeptemberNewsletter 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 are considering hosting a potluck but need a little motivation, here are some great reasons: get your house clean and organized, show off your cooking and favorite main dish, foster community and fun! 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 & 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 the appetizers, sides, desserts etc. We’ll put sign-up sheets in the lobby after each service in late September. Questions? Ask Sue Myers or Carole Boster. #SeptemberNewsletter OOS Sermon YouTube

d8f701c2-c3c4-4f6a-a89e-adfbbed2cdd4 < Back to Newsletter August Newsletter Article < Previous Article Next Article > Sunday, August 2nd: Art and Spirituality. What is your relationship to art? Are you a creator or an appreciator? How does art ground you, move you, lift your spirit, or make you think? Three artists from our congregation will speak about their art as a spiritual practice. Music will include improvisations by Mary Bopp. Speakers are Karin Dionne, Marian Vitale, and Jane Penfield. Coordinators: Jane Penfield and David Klotz Coordinators: Jane Penfield and David Klotz Sunday, August 9th: The 4 Agreements Part 2. Sam Taylor and Liz Garmise close their two-part series about the book The Four Agreements by Don Miguel Ruiz with the last two agreements: Don't Make Assumptions and Always Do Your Best. We know what happens when we ass/u/me... but how do we avoid falling into that trap, especially with the people we know best? And how do we find a balance between always doing our best... and running ourselves ragged? Please join us for a thought-provoking morning as we explore how Ruiz's agreements can help us better live the UU principles and values. Coordinators: Sam Taylor and Liz Garmise Sunday, August 16th: Our Poetry Connection. Many things bind our beloved community together—too many to name here. Among them are the arts, and for this service, poetry. Join us as members and friends share poems they wrote or by their favorite poet that inspire them and hold personal meaning. Coordinators: Sandy Karosi and Martha Larson Sunday, August 23rd: Blessed Are The Animals . As Unitarian Universalists, we believe all life is sacred. For anyone who has had a connection to an animal, you have felt the interdependence of all life. On August 23rd, we will lift up our non-human family and celebrate all that they bring to our lives. Coordinators: Paula Baker and Ellen Williams Sunday, August 30th: Coffee House . Join us for our annual coffee house service, at which many of our UUSE musicians and poets share their talents. This service has become a beloved end-of-summer tradition for us. Always fun, always meaningful, always a wonderful reflection of the diversity and passion within the UUSE community. Coordinator: Rev. Josh Pawelek. #AugustNewsletter Contact Information modified in accordance with UUSE Privacy Policies.

< 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

< To Upcoming Services Watch the eBlast for the next scheduled Sunday Service: "Caring for Parents, Children Sunday Service: "Caring for Parents, Children and Their Families in These Times" The Surgeon General states that parents are more stressed than perhaps ever before; our young people experience unprecedented mental health challenges; and the rights of our beloveds are at grave risk. Yet many families with children show up at our doors seeking community and care. What can we do as a congregation to best respond to the needs of our families? Coordinators: Emmy Galbraith and Vivian Carlson. Services at 9:00 and 11:00 A.M. Sunday, March 8, 2026 Gathering music starts at 8:50 and 10:50 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 video of the 2/22/28 service, "The Generous Spirit." Click here for a Youtube video of the 3/1/28 service, "Belonging and Thriving--Together!" #eBlast-03-04 Sunday Service: "Caring for Parents, Children  and Their Families in These Times" The Surgeon General states that parents are more stressed than perhaps ever before; our young people experience unprecedented mental health challenges; and the rights of our beloveds are at grave risk. Yet many families with children show up at our doors seeking community and care. What can we do as a congregation to best respond to the needs of our families? Coordinators : Emmy Galbraith and Vivian Carlson. Services at 9:00 and 11:00 A.M. Sunday, March 8, 2026 Gathering music starts at 8:50 and 10:50 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 video of the 2/22/28 service, "The Generous Spirit." Click here for a Youtube video of the 3/1/28 service, "Belonging and Thriving--Together!" #eBlast -03-04 OOS Sermon YouTube

< To Upcoming Services Watch the eBlast for the next scheduled Sunday Service: "General (Assembly) Reflections" Sunday Service: "General (Assembly) Reflections" Rev. Josh Pawelek will share his reflections on the recent Unitarian Universalist Association General Assembly in Baltimore; and maybe a few more general reflections on summer, the state of the nation, etc. Special Music by Jenn Richard. Coordinator: Rev. Josh Pawelek Summer schedule: 10:00 A.M. service Sunday, July 20, 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 13th service, "Sing! Sing! Sing!" #eBlast-07-16 Sunday Service: "General (Assembly) Reflections" Rev. Josh Pawelek will share his reflections on the recent Unitarian Universalist Association General Assembly in Baltimore; and maybe a few more general reflections on summer, the state of the nation, etc. Special Music by Jenn Richard. Coordinator : Rev. Josh Pawelek Summer schedule: 10:00 A.M. service Sunday, July 20, 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 13th service, "Sing! Sing! Sing!" #eBlast -07-16 OOS Sermon YouTube

< To Upcoming Services Watch the eBlast for the next scheduled Music + Mantra: Kirtan at UUSE Music + Mantra: Kirtan at UUSE with Libby Volckening - Sunday, February 22 at 3:00 P.M. at UUSE Join us on Sunday, February 22 at 3:00 P.M. for Music + Mantra, part of a recurring series of live kirtan gatherings at UUSE. Led by Heart-Centered Kirtan with Libby Volckening, these events provide opportunities to connect through music, mantra and shared presence. Seating: Chairs provided. Some cushions. Best to bring a cushion if you prefer floor seating. For more info, visit: https://www.uuse.org/regular-events/kirtan. All are welcome. A $20 donation is requested, but no one will be turned away. #eBlast-02-18 Music + Mantra: Kirtan at UUSE with Libby Volckening - Sunday, February 22 at 3:00 P.M. at UUSE Join us on Sunday, February 22 at 3:00 P.M. for Music + Mantra, part of a recurring series of live kirtan gatherings at UUSE. Led by Heart-Centered Kirtan with Libby Volckening, these events provide opportunities to connect through music, mantra and shared presence. S eating: Chairs provided. Some cushions. Best to bring a cushion if you prefer floor seating. For more info, visit: https://www.uuse.org/regular-events/kirtan . All are welcome. A $20 donation is requested, but no one will be turned away. #eBlast -02-18 OOS Sermon YouTube

48845dad-0966-425a-95d8-356345eef178 < Back Community Outreach Ministries Guides and supervises collections for UUSE’s outreach ministry. Updated October 9, 2025 at 2:00:14 PM

< To Upcoming Services Sep 8, 2026 Book Lovers The Book Lovers meet in person and simultaneously on Zoom every second Tuesday from 3:30 to 5:00 PM. You are welcome even if you haven’t finished the book. The link is sent out the weekend before by Carolyn Gimbrone. • August 11, 2026: Cloud Cuckoo Landby Anthony Doerr: Pub. Sept. 2022, 608 pages. Discussion leader: Martha Larson • September 8, 2026: Becoming Madam Secretary by Stephanie Dray: Published April 2024, 544 pages. Discussion leader: Sande Hartdagen • October 13, 2026: The Correspondent - A Novelby Virginia Evans: Pub. April 2025, 304 pages. Discussion leader: Carolyn Gimbrone #AugustNewsletter The Book Lovers meet in person and simultaneously on Zoom every second Tuesday from 3:30 to 5:00 PM . You are welcome even if you haven’t finished the book. The link is sent out the weekend before by Carolyn Gimbrone. August 11, 2026: Cloud Cuckoo Land by Anthony Doerr: Pub. Sept. 2022, 608 pages. Discussion leader: Martha Larson September 8, 2026: Becoming Madam Secretary by Stephanie Dray: Published April 2024, 544 pages. Discussion leader: Sande Hartdagen October 13, 2026: The Correspondent - A Novel by Virginia Evans: Pub. April 2025, 304 pages. Discussion leader: Carolyn Gimbrone #AugustNewsletter OOS Sermon YouTube

< To Upcoming Services Watch the eBlast for the next scheduled Salon Unplugged Salon Unplugged Friday, September 26 at 6:30 P.M. in the UUSE Meetingroom If you like music and fun, you will like the salon. We play instruments of all types for each other, sometimes sing, sometimes solo, sometimes in groups--lots of variety. This is a low-key group of friendly folks that are happy to hear music of all types. If you are an amateur, a sometimes professional, a beginner, a player who is rusty on an instrument you used to play... ALL ARE WELCOME! You may play alone or with others. We typically try to play a couple pieces together as a group. You are also welcome to just sit and listen. If you have questions or comments, please contact Peggy Webbe at uuseoffice@uuse.org . #eBlast-09-24 Salon Unplugged Friday, September 26 at 6:30 P.M. in the UUSE Meetingroom If you like music and fun, you will like the salon. We play instruments of all types for each other, sometimes sing, sometimes solo, sometimes in groups--lots of variety. This is a low-key group of friendly folks that are happy to hear music of all types. If you are an amateur, a sometimes professional, a beginner, a player who is rusty on an instrument you used to play... ALL ARE WELCOME! You may play alone or with others. We typically try to play a couple pieces together as a group. You are also welcome to just sit and listen. If you have questions or comments, please contact Peggy Webbe at uuseoffice@uuse.org . #eBlast -09-24 OOS Sermon YouTube

< To Upcoming Services Watch the eBlast for the next scheduled Auction Update! Auction Update! We hope everyone had a great time at the auction! We earned $11,500+ for UUSE. Raffle Baskets The drawing for the raffle baskets will be this Sunday, Feb. 8 after the second service. You don't have to be present to win, and you can still buy tickets to enter on Sunday! Room for More There are a couple items that have room for more participants. You can sign up for them in the lobby on Sunday or you can email auction@uuse.org . Keep On Truckin' What do you need moved? Stan McMillen will move brush, debris, household items (no pianos) from your place to the dump or wherever. You get him for two hours. If your town charges for access to the dump, etc., you will be responsible for those fees. $150. Genealogic Research Want to find out who you are related to? Want to find where your ancestors came from? Larry Lunden will search your family tree on Familysearch.org to see what he can find. Maybe a lot, maybe not so much. Hopefully he can find their names and dates, and records of vital events of their lives. He will send results as he searches. $50. Pair of Tour Passes for the Mark Twain House Get a guided tour of the famous Mark Twain House & Museum in Hartford. Two tickets: No expiration date. Not valid on holidays or for specialty tours. $20 per pair. Biscotti Making Join Jennifer Klee at her friend Kathleen's home in Granby to learn the technique and tips for making delicious biscotti. We'll make 2-3 flavors and learn how to dip them. As well as trying a few samples with coffee or tea. Saturday March 21, 2026 at 2PM in GRANBY - 4 places still available. #eBlast-02-04 Auction Update! We hope everyone had a great time at the auction! We earned $11,500+ for UUSE. Raffle Baskets The drawing for the raffle baskets will be this Sunday, Feb. 8 after the second service. You don't have to be present to win, and you can still buy tickets to enter on Sunday! Room for More There are a couple items that have room for more participants. You can sign up for them in the lobby on Sunday or you can email auction@uuse.org . Keep On Truckin' What do you need moved? Stan McMillen will move brush, debris, household items (no pianos) from your place to the dump or wherever. You get him for two hours. If your town charges for access to the dump, etc., you will be responsible for those fees. $150. Genealogic Research Want to find out who you are related to? Want to find where your ancestors came from? Larry Lunden will search your family tree on Familysearch.org to see what he can find. Maybe a lot, maybe not so much. Hopefully he can find their names and dates, and records of vital events of their lives. He will send results as he searches. $50. Pair of Tour Passes for the Mark Twain House Get a guided tour of the famous Mark Twain House & Museum in Hartford. Two tickets: No expiration date. Not valid on holidays or for specialty tours. $20 per pair. Biscotti Making Join Jennifer Klee at her friend Kathleen's home in Granby to learn the technique and tips for making delicious biscotti. We'll make 2-3 flavors and learn how to dip them. As well as trying a few samples with coffee or tea. Saturday March 21, 2026 at 2PM in GRANBY - 4 places still available. #eBlast -02-04 OOS Sermon YouTube

God Talk A discussion group for UU theists 4th Tuesdays at 4:30 PM. This ongoing group explores how UUs can name and experience God in meaningful, useful ways. All are welcome. Contact Rev. Josh at minister@uuse.org for the Zoom link. < Previous Next Meeting Next >