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Photo Credits All photos used with permission. Sources: WIX.com, Joe Madar, Nancy Thompson, Sylvia Ounpuu-Adams, Sindre Fs via pexels.com, ATC Photo via pexels.com, Linda Duncan . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

ROMEOS Retired Old Men Eating Out, or The ROMEOs, is a social group that gets together once a month for lunch. Contact the office for details. < Previous Next Meeting Next >

What is Unitarian Universalism? Unitarian Universalism affirms and promotes seven Principles, grounded in the humanistic teachings of the world's religions. Our spirituality is unbounded, drawing from scripture and science, nature and philosophy, personal experience and ancient tradition as described in our six sources. The Seven Principles The inherent worth and dignity of every person. Justice, equity and compassion in human relations. Acceptance of one another and encouragement to spiritual growth relations. A free and responsible search for truth and meaning. The right of conscience and the use of the democratic process congregations and in society at large. The goal of world community with peace, liberty, and justice for all. Respect for the interdependent web of all existence of which we are a part. . The seven Principles and six Sources of the Unitarian Universalist Association grew out of the grassroots of our communities, were affirmed democratically, and are part of who we are. Read them as they are written in our UUA Bylaws. What We Believe We are people of all ages, people of many backgrounds and beliefs. We are gay and straight together. We believe in social justice and role of liberal religion as a force for good. We are brave, curious and compassionate thinkers and doers. We create spirituality and community beyond boundaries, working for more justice and more love in our own lives and in the world. Our Vision Statement Unitarian Universalist Society East will be home to a spiritually alive, richly diverse and growing congregation. We will send forth energy, spirit and strength into our beloved communities. We will love, be present to suffering, comfort, heal, bear witness to oppression, and boldly work toward social and environmental justice. Adopted by the congregation May 20, 2018 A Unique Shared Ministry Unitarian Universalist SocietyEast (UUSE) has a more or less 50/50 split between Reverend Josh and lay led services. Members of the congregation volunteer their time and effort to provide a different point of view, in line with the monthly theme.

< Back Staff Goals UUSE Staff Goals for 2024-2025 Rev. Josh Pawelek, Minister Support the work of the three Task Forces: UUA Discernment, Constitutional Change, and Strategic Planning. Develop Minister's role in supporting Leadership Transitions. Support leadership's engagement with Widening the Circle of Concern recommendations. Co-design multi-generational Affirmation Class with Rev. Josh. Mary Bopp, Music Director Continue with composition project to create music for the liturgical/seasonal year. Explore options for more robust children’s music ministry. Continue researching new music. Emmy Galbraith, Director of Children and Youth Ministry Develop a marketing strategy for CYM. How do we reach more families in our region who may respond well to UUism, but who don’t know we exist? Explore process for “E-bonding” with the families Emmy doesn’t know so well. Build understanding of personal strengths and weaknesses related to technology. Co-design multi-generational Affirmation Class with Rev. Josh Annie Gentile, Office Administrator Continue supporting Membership Committee in creating the picture directory. Collaborate with minister and future UUSE marketing team on ways to increase building rentals. Learn new process for weekly eblast. Jane Osborn, Building Manager Expand VMix/hybrid service tech crew Updated October 4, 2024 at 7:26:56 PM

< To Upcoming Services May 21, 2023 Flower Communion—100 Years Strong All-Congregation Service. Join us for our annual observance of the Unitarian Universalist Flower Communion. This is a special year as it is the 100th anniversary of the follower communion. Through story, song, and music, we celebrate the beauty of our individuality, and the strength and warmth of our community. Bring flowers to share. We also welcome new members into our congregation. Our Annual Meeting will begin shortly after the second service. Coordinator(s): Gina Campellone and Rev. Josh Pawelek OOS Sermon YouTube

< To Upcoming Services Jul 23, 2023 Emphasis on Covenant Rev. Josh will share his experiences of the Unitarian Universalist Association's General Assembly in Pittsburgh. In short, where do things stand with Article 2 of the UUA bylaws? Coordinator(s): Rev. Josh Pawelek OOS Sermon YouTube

Volunteers Needed The Children & Youth Ministry is run by professionals and volunteers working together. We ask that families who enroll their children in the program offer to help – there are LOTS of options designed to fit different comfort levels and availability. Adults without children in the program often help as well! Many hands make light work – and allow all volunteers a chance to become connected to the program, while still having the ability to attend services and feel spiritually nurtured! To sign up to volunteer please select from these links: Nursery (ages 3 and under) https://www.signupgenius.com/go/10C084EAFAC2CA3FFCE9-nursery Workshop Adventure (Grades 1 through 5) https://www.signupgenius.com/go/10C084EAFAC2CA3FFCE9-workshop Twilight Zone (6th, 7th and 8th grades) https://www.signupgenius.com/go/10C084EAFAC2CA3FFCE9-5thdimension High School Youth Group (Grades 9-12) https://www.signupgenius.com/go/10C084EAFAC2CA3FFCE9-high Faith In Action (Grades 10-12) https://www.signupgenius.com/go/10C084EAFAC2CA3FFCE9-faith

School Partners August 2023 As part of our partnership with Verplanck Elementary in Manchester, ten UUSE members have been providing weekly assistance to struggling readers in kindergarten and first grade. Our members report they’ve had a wonderful experience getting to know the children and helping the teachers. This opportunity is organized by RSVP Reads, a federal program that’s sponsored locally by Community Renewal Team. Here's how the program describes itself: “READS volunteers partner with students, providing reading guidance and support to students just below grade level for one hour per week from October-May of each school year. No previous professional educational background is required. RSVP READs tutors make reading interesting, fun, and act as positive adult role models, all while helping students improve academically.” Does this interest you? RSVP Director Theresa Strong can be reached at 860-519-3484 or email strongt@crtct.org Or email Nancy Pappas with your questions. Meantime, please drop off backpacks in the UUSE coat room by August 22. The kids and parents are so grateful for all of the UUSE donations!

2024-25 Annual Appeal "Gratitude makes sense of our past; brings peace for today; and creates a vision for tomorrow." (Melody Beattie on BrainyQuote.com) Dear Members and Friends, This year the theme for our Annual Appeal is “Gratitude for Our Community”. Each of us has our own reasons for the deep gratitude we feel for UUSE. We have many shared memories of challenges and blessings. Here are some highlights of things we are grateful for this year: First, and most important, is our gratitude to our volunteers who do so much for this church. Their dedication, their creative ideas, their service to other members, their spirit of hope and their commitment to a better life for all. Our volunteers are the lifeblood of our community, and we are deeply grateful. Our donors rallied to the cause when the Buildings and Grounds team presented their assessment on our aging property! They increased their pledges significantly so that we can build a Building Reserve fund to cover the repair and replacement costs. We found a wonderful person to fill our CYM director position. Emmy Galbraith brings a warm, kind, and wise leadership to our children’s ministry. With the combined efforts of NLDC and the Finance community, we partitioned the Finance chair into three positions: Finance Chair, Treasurer, and a part-time, paid bookkeeper. Some highlights of our preliminary financial budget for Fiscal Year 24-25 include: COLA increases and a few adjustments for staff salaries and benefits, the cost for the new bookkeeper, our commitment to building up the reserve fund for our building and grounds, a reduction in our UUA dues to 90% of the UUA request (to assist in achieving a balanced budget), our youth affirmation budget which occurs every other year, and our ongoing commitments to community outreach. Your donations keep the spirit of our church alive and well. They are much appreciated and will be used well. Please complete your pledge form (and EFT if you chose that option) and mail to the church office or give to your steward by March 31st. As always, we are deeply grateful for your generous giving. We are all stewards of Unitarian Universalist Society East. If you have any questions, you can contact any one of us on the Stewardship Committee. For your current pledge amount, please contact the church office at 860-646-5151. Yours in spirit, Patricia Wildes, Louisa Graver, Jean Knapp, Larry Lunden, Stan McMillen, Phil Sawyer How Much? Pledge Form EFT Form Ways to Give

IMPORTANT PHONE NUMBERS Mental Health, Health, Suicide Prevention and Addiction Resources 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline 9-8-8 - call text or chat if you or someone you know has thoughts about suicide Mobile Crisis 2-1-1 is a statewide, community based and family supportive clinical intervention service for children & adolescents experiencing a behavioral or mental health crisis. Mobile Crisis provides rapid emergency crisis stabilization for children and their families as well as short-term follow-up care and connection to other services. Call 2-1-1 and ask for mobile crisis. A child can receive Mobile Crisis services in: Their home At school At their doctor’s office In the Emergency Department (ED) Any other community setting Arrive within 45 minutes or less Convenient Hours: Mobile hours are 6am-10pm M-F; 1pm-10pm weekends/holidays. Available by phone all other hours https://www.TurningPointCT.org - Mental Wellness Website for and by CT youth who want to chat, text, talk about young people in recovery from mental health and substance use issues. "We know what it’s like to feel alone, stressed, worried, sad, and angry. We’ve lived through the ups and downs of self- harm, drugs and alcohol, and the struggle to find help." Planned Parenthood of CT https://www.plannedparenthood.org/planned-parenthood-southern-new-england (birth control, STDs, HIV/AIDs testing, reproductive care, abortion https://www.plannedparenthood.org/online-tools/chat 1-800-230-PLAN Toivo - Center for Holistic Healing Hartford, CT Anti-Violence and Safety Resources CT Alliance to End Sexual Violence 24 Hour Hotline: 1-888-999-5545 ENGLISH (Call or Text) 1-888-568-8332 ESPAÑOL CT Coalition Against Domestic Violence (intimate partner violence, family violence) https://www.ctsafeconnect.org/ Help with Basic Needs United Way health and human services hotline 2-1-1 (help with food, child care, housing, fuel, other basic needs) https://www.211ct.org/

< Back Events for Families of All Ages Community bonds are strengthened in a variety of activities that bring families together! Events like our annual Trunk-or-Treat (featuring a special not-too-spooky hallway designed by members of the High School Youth Group), Holiday Card-Making & Cocoa, Family Game Nights, and more. Previous Next