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< To Upcoming Services Watch the eBlast for the next scheduled Community of the Earth The congregation is invited to view a new art show collaborative entitled, “The Community of Earth.” Families are welcome. refreshments will be served. “Mahjabeen “ is one of a series of portraits I’m working on of world religious leaders that I met at a conference on Star Island last summer. The conference was on Cross-cultural Conversations, and this resonated with me as an important and necessary component of our Community of Earth. That is what inspired me to coordinate this themed exhibit and to ask all of the artists to express their own interpretation of the Community of Earth. Jane Penfield OOS Sermon YouTube

< To Upcoming Services Jul 27, 2025 Adult Credos. Sunday, July 27th: Adult Credos. Some of the adults who participated in this year's Affirmation Class will share their credos. This is a time to reflect on what, how, and why we believe. Coordinator: Martha Larson. Sunday, July 27th: Adult Credos. Some of the adults who participated in this year's Affirmation Class will share their credos. This is a time to reflect on what, how, and why we believe. Coordinator: Martha Larson. #AugustNewsletter OOS Sermon YouTube

< To Upcoming Services Watch the eBlast for the next scheduled Upcoming Feedback Opportunities: Principles and Values Integration Task Force As some of you will remember, one of the recommendations from last year’s UUA Discernment Task Force was for our congregation to integrate the Unitarian Universalist principles with the Unitarian Universalist Values in our collective UUSE life. To that end, our Policy Board commissioned a Principles and Values Integration Task Force last spring with the goal of studying how we can effectively achieve this integration. The task force consisted of Vivian Carlson (Sunday Services Committee), Sudha (Children and Youth Ministry and Communications and Technology Committees), Sheila Foran (Membership Committee), Kate Kimmerle (Policy Board), Ruth Rempt (at large), and Rev. Josh Pawelek (staff). The Principles and Values Integration Task Force has completed its preliminary report and will be sharing it with the congregation in early January. Please watch for it!! We want to hear from you! During the remainder of January, the Task Force will be seeking feedback from the congregation. You will be able to give feedback by emailing principlesvalues@uuse.org . You can also attend an online feedback session on Thursday, January 15th at 7:00 pm, or an in-person feedback session on Tuesday, January 20th at 1:00 PM at UUSE. Once feedback has been reviewed and integrated into the report, the task force will submit a final report to the Policy Board to be accepted at its February meeting. #JanuaryNewsletter Principles and Values Integration Task Force As some of you will remember, one of the recommendations from last year’s UUA Discernment Task Force was for our congregation to integrate the Unitarian Universalist principles with the Unitarian Universalist Values in our collective UUSE life. To that end, our Policy Board commissioned a Principles and Values Integration Task Force last spring with the goal of studying how we can effectively achieve this integration. The task force consisted of Vivian Carlson (Sunday Services Committee), Sudha (Children and Youth Ministry and Communications and Technology Committees), Sheila Foran (Membership Committee), Kate Kimmerle (Policy Board), Ruth Rempt (at large), and Rev. Josh Pawelek (staff). The Principles and Values Integration Task Force has completed its preliminary report and will be sharing it with the congregation in early January. Please watch for it!! We want to hear from you! During the remainder of January, the Task Force will be seeking feedback from the congregation. You will be able to give feedback by emailing principlesvalues@uuse.org . You can also attend an online feedback session on Thursday, January 15th at 7:00 pm, or an in-person feedback session on Tuesday, January 20th at 1:00 PM at UUSE. Once feedback has been reviewed and integrated into the report, the task force will submit a final report to the Policy Board to be accepted at its February meeting. #JanuaryNewsletter OOS Sermon YouTube

< To Upcoming Services Dec 1, 2024 The Practice of Presence "The Practice of Presence." Our December theme is "The Practice of Presence." We can find profound meaning and comfort in practicing awareness of what is present: here and now. In this service, we encourage awareness of the lessons nature offers about acceptance, coping, and the importance of trust and community. We'll also reflect on the idea that the greatest present we can give ourselves and those we love, is that of our presence. Coordinators: Stacey Musulin and Anne Vogel Services at 9:00 and 11:00 AM Sunday, November 24, 2024 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#. #eBlast-11-27 Sunday, December 1 : The Present of Presence. Our December theme is “The Practice of Presence.” We can find profound meaning and comfort in practicing awareness of what is present: here and now. In this service, we encourage awareness of the lessons nature offers about acceptance, coping, and the importance of trust and community. We’ll also reflect on the idea that the greatest present we can give ourselves and those we love is that of our presence. Coordinators: Anne Vogel and Stacey Musulin #DecemberNewsletter OOS Sermon YouTube

< To Upcoming Services Watch the eBlast for the next scheduled Cards and Cocoa Cards and Cocoa from 1 - 3PM in the Sanctuary. Enjoy cocoa while handcrafting holiday cards for your loved ones! Free. Cards and Cocoa from 1 - 3PM in the Sanctuary. Enjoy cocoa while handcrafting holiday cards for your loved ones! Free. OOS Sermon YouTube

This is the page with our minister, our director of child and youth ministries, and our music director. Our Staff Rev. Josh Pawelek Minister Josh came to us in 2002. He often expresses his gratitude for the work and love of our community, but rest assured we know exactly how lucky we are to have his leadership. A theistic Unitarian Universalist, Josh is a spiritual leader dedicated to transformative preaching, teaching, healing and social justice ministries. He lives that dedication to the greater good. The man works tirelessly for social justice for all human beings, at national, state, and local levels - plus, he participates in every level of our services, beyond preaching. He happily plays parts in children's stories, leads hymns, and supports the creativity of our whole spiritual community. Well, after all, he was a drummer in a rock band, as you will see during some services! (860) 652-8961. minister@uuse.org Emmy Galbraith Director of Children and Youth Ministry UUSE’s Committee for Children and Youth Ministry, Policy Board, and Rev. Josh Pawelek are overjoyed to announce the hiring of Emmy Galbraith as our new Director of Children and Youth Ministry (DCYM). Emmy has worked with UUSE’s Children and Youth Ministry in the past as a staff member, a volunteer and a parent. She brings to the position a wide range of work experience, great passion and enthusiasm, and a commitment both to Unitarian Universalism and to children’s spiritual development. dcym@uuse.org Mary Bopp Music Director Mary has served UUSE since 2015, after over 30 years as a professional full-time musician in New York City! An award-winning artist, Mary brings more than hymns and classical composers' music to our services. She is also an improv-magician to many, directs our choir with her unique creativity and adaptability, and brings a variety of professional artists to perform at services and more! Mary is a beloved inspiration to us all. music@uuse.org Annie Gentile Office Manager Annie Gentile joined UUSE as office administrator in 2000. She is, among other things, the friendly voice on the other end of the phone when you call weekdays and is always happy to help you with any of your questions about our church organization. 860 646-5151 uuseoffice@uuse.org Molly Vigeant Nursery Coordinator I've gone to UUSE since I was in nursery myself. I'm a special needs paraprofessional and a mom. UUSE's youth programs met my incessant curiosity with consistent open-minded love and compassion, it is my goal as nursery coordinator to be one of the people who shares their open-minded love and compassion with future generations. uusecym@uuse.org Jane Osborn Building Manger / Tech Leader Jane manages all aspects of our building maintenance, but she is also our amazing tech guru, assuring the excellent sound and visual quality of our hybrid Sunday services. On top of this, over 10 years ago, she independently founded the ever-growing Manchesters Women's Sacred Singing Circle, housed here at UUSE. As an artisan and builder, Jane has also built canoes, musical instruments, and more— come join us as we see what's next! 860 646-5151 sexton@uuse.org

< To Upcoming Services May 4, 2025 Lets 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. #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 In Case You Missed It: #eBlast -04-30 OOS Sermon YouTube

< To Upcoming Services Watch the eBlast for the next scheduled Strategic Planning Task Force Strategic Planning Task Force Vision & Mission Statement Community Post-It Wall For those who have not yet had an opportunity to share their opinions on the current vision and mission statements or for those who would like to add additional comments, we look forward to your opinions. We hope to get feedback from everyone to best represent the whole congregation with the upcoming work. There are two ways to participate. 1) In person in the Sanctuary lobby and on the Garden Level, after or before services from April 26th until the end of May, you can suggest revision ideas on a Post-It or place a green dot to show satisfaction with the current wording. 2) Online at any time in the next four weeks, you can go to the following link (or the QR Code above) to post revision ideas or simply a smiling emoji 😀 to show satisfaction with the current wording. Your input is greatly appreciated! Many thanks for your thoughts, The Strategic Planning Task Force #eBlast-04-22 Strategic Planning Task Force Vision & Mission Statement Community Post-It Wall For those who have not yet had an opportunity to share their opinions on the current vision and mission statements or for those who would like to add additional comments, we look forward to your opinions. We hope to get feedback from everyone to best represent the whole congregation with the upcoming work. There are two ways to participate. 1) In person in the Sanctuary lobby and on the Garden Level, after or before services from April 26th until the end of May, you can suggest revision ideas on a Post-It or place a green dot to show satisfaction with the current wording. 2) Online at any time in the next four weeks, you can go to the following link (or the QR Code above) to post revision ideas or simply a smiling emoji 😀 to show satisfaction with the current wording. Your input is greatly appreciated! Many thanks for your thoughts, The Strategic Planning Task Force #eBlast -04-22 OOS Sermon YouTube

< To Upcoming Services May 3, 2026 This Land UUSE's meetinghouse sits on four acres at the top of Elm Hill, on the Manchester-Vernon line, above the Hockanum River Valley. What is our collective obligation to these four acres? What is our role on this land? Note: This service will be followed by a land stewarding project. Wear work clothes if you wish to participate. Coordinator: Rev. Josh Pawelek. Services at 9:00 and 11:00 A.M. #eBlast-04-29 Sunday Service: "This Land" UUSE's meetinghouse sits on four acres at the top of Elm Hill, on the Manchester-Vernon line, above the Hockanum River Valley. What is our collective obligation to these four acres? What is our role on this land? Note: This service will be followed by a land stewarding project. Wear work clothes if you wish to participate. Coordinator: Rev. Josh Pawelek. Services at 9:00 and 11:00 A.M. Sunday, May 3 In Case You Missed It #eBlast -04-29 OOS Sermon YouTube

< To Upcoming Services Feb 16, 2025 On Inclusion, Part II Sunday Service: "On Inclusion, Part II" Our February ministry theme is inclusion. Rev. Josh will speak about inclusion in light of trends both within the Unitarian Universalist Association, and within the United States. We also welcome new members into our congregation. Coordinator : Rev. Josh Pawelek. Snow Closure - Zoom Only at 11:00 A.M. #eBlast-02-13 Sunday Service: "On Inclusion, Part II" Our February ministry theme is inclusion. Rev. Josh will speak about inclusion in light of trends both within the Unitarian Universalist Association, and within the United States. We also welcome new members into our congregation. Coordinator : Rev. Josh Pawelek. Snow Closure Zoom only 11:00 A.M. Sunday, February 16, 2025 #eBlast -02-13 OOS Sermon YouTube

< To Upcoming Services Jul 28, 2024 Spinoza's God: Wisdom from the 1600s July 28: “Spinoza's God: Wisdom from the 1600s.” Spinoza wrote that God is the world and the entire world is in God. He used a rationalistic perspective to show that human life is subject to the universal laws of nature. Learn about the remarkable ways in which this early philosophy mirrors the fundamental principles of Unitarian Universalism. Guest Presenter: Malcolm Barlow Coordinator(s): Vivian Carlson OOS Sermon YouTube

< To Upcoming Services Watch the eBlast for the next scheduled To Love Your Neighbor, Know Your Neighbor To Love Your Neighbor, Know Your Neighbor 3 Conversations on the Religions of Our Neighbors The Connecticut Council for Interreligious Understanding and UU's are providing an opportunity to explore nine different religions at 3 Unitarian Universalist meetinghouses in a lively, candid and highly informative question-and-answer forum: Sunday, May 4th from 12:00 to 1:30 P.M. at the Universalist Church of West Hartford, 433 Fern Street in West Hartford (Buddhism, Christianity, Judaism). Sunday, June 1st from 12:00 to 1:30 P.M. at the Unitarian Society of Hartford, 50 Bloomfield Avenue in Hartford (Islam, Jainism, and Sikhism). Sunday, July 20th from 12:00 to 1:30 P.M. at our own UUSE, 153 Vernon St. West, in Manchester (Bahai Faith, Hinduism, Unitarian Universalism). For questions or more information, please contact uuseoffice@uuse.org or call 860-646-5151. See also the flyers around the UUSE building. #eBlast-04-30 To Love Your Neighbor, Know Your Neighbor 3 Conversations on the Religions of Our Neighbors The Connecticut Council for Interreligious Understanding and UU's are providing an opportunity to explore nine different religions at 3 Unitarian Universalist meetinghouses in a lively, candid and highly informative question-and-answer forum: Sunday, May 4th from 12:00 to 1:30 P.M. at the Universalist Church of West Hartford, 433 Fern Street in West Hartford (Buddhism, Christianity, Judaism). Sunday, June 1st from 12:00 to 1:30 P.M. at the Unitarian Society of Hartford, 50 Bloomfield Avenue in Hartford (Islam, Jainism, and Sikhism). Sunday, July 20th from 12:00 to 1:30 P.M. at our own UUSE, 153 Vernon St. West, in Manchester (Bahai Faith, Hinduism, Unitarian Universalism). For questions or more information, please contact uuseoffice@uuse.org or call 860-646-5151. See also the flyers around the UUSE building. #eBlast -04-30 OOS Sermon YouTube