Weekly News

December 17, 2025

------------------------------

Welcome to Unitarian Universalist Society East

Email our office to receive a visitor packet or to find out more. We schedule several newcomer events throughout the year after Sunday services.

------------------------------

Sunday Service:

"Where the Light Begins."

Let's try it again! This morning, we celebrate the winter solstice and continue with our annual, all-congregational holiday music service (postponed last week due to snow). Come and be joyful where the light begins. Coordinators: Mary Bopp and Rev. Josh Pawelek



Services at 9:00 and 11:00 A.M.

Sunday, December 21, 2025

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 the December 14, 2025 service, "Where the Light Begins."

------------------------------

CYM News

Do you feel comfortable talking about your personal spiritual practice? Would you be willing to come in to the 2nd-5th grade classroom to explore big questions with our young UUs, with the support of seasoned classroom teachers? If so, please reach out to the Director of Children & Youth Ministry at dcym@uuse.org.

------------------------------

MACC Christmas Mitten/Gloves Drive!

December at UUSE

The Manchester Area Conference of Churches has put out a call for mittens and gloves in all sizes. UUSE is going to formally re-establish our holiday Mitten Tree. During the month of December, please bring mittens and gloves to decorate the Christmas tree in the UUSE sanctuary. For more information, contact Diana Creamer at (860) 648-9546. 

------------------------------

Yoga

Monday, December 22 at noon at Samadhi Studio

Due to the Christmas Eve service setup, the Wednesday, December 24 yoga class has been cancelled. However, Susan Barlow will be holding a class at Samadhi Yoga Studio, 283 East Center Street in Manchester on Monday, December 22 at noon. All are welcome. The cost for the class is $8.

------------------------------

Death Cafe

Tuesday, December 23rd at 1:00 P.M.

UUSE's next Death Cafe will be held at the meeting house on Tuesday, December 23rd at 1:00 P.M. Death Cafe is a global movement with a simple goal: to provide participants in any stage of life with an opportunity for an open-ended discussion about death and dying. There is no formal agenda, but there is tea, cake, and a comfortable place to discuss this issue that will touch all of us at some point in our lives. All are welcome. Questions? Contact Rev. Josh Pawelek at minister@uuse.org.

------------------------------

Upcoming Holiday and Seasonal Services

Evening Vespers Service: Monday, December 22nd at 7:00 P.M. - In a season busy with 'bright and merry', we may also find ourselves sitting with sadness, grief, and pain in body or spirit. Join us as we pause in the quiet to acknowledge and support each other in bearing these burdens. We invite you to bring your chalice from home, where we will light it for the service.

Silent Night, Holy Night: Wednesday, December 24th at 5:00 P.M. - Join us for Christmas Eve worship with beautiful music, timeless stories, and more. Anything might happen!!! Note: Unless otherwise indicated, the offertory collection will be given to the Minister's Discretionary Fund.

Reflections and Hopes: Sunday, December 28th, one service only at 10:00 A.M. - Join us for shared reflections on the year gone by and our hopes for the upcoming year.

------------------------------

Coffeehouse & Open Mic

Saturday, January 3

Join us on the first Saturday of each month, October through May, for an evening of music, poetry, stories, and community! Bring your own songs, poems, stories or any creative offering -- or simply come enjoy the warm, supportive atmosphere as part of our appreciative audience.

Sign-ups begin at 6:00 P.M. and performances start at 6:30 P.M. We feature 12 slots, each about 10 minutes or two songs. BYOB, BYO dinner, and BYO friends - we'll provide the coffee!

------------------------------

General Assembly 2026

Virtual gathering June 14th - June 21st

General Assembly (GA) is the annual meeting of the Unitarian Universalist Association (UUA), where participants gather to worship, witness, learn, connect, and make policy decisions for the Association through a democratic process. The 2026 GA will be held virtually June 14th-21st.

Are you interested in representing UUSE at this year's General Assembly? Questions? Email Desiree at uuseoffice@uuse.org

------------------------------

Pastoral Friends

The Pastoral Friends Committee has a rotating chair throughout the year. Should you need pastoral care during the months of November and December, please contact Laurie Semprebon.

------------------------------

Ongoing Happenings at UUSE!

There’s Always Something Good Going On

• Stop & Shop Gift Card sales after services on 1st Sundays
• Fair Trade Coffee/Tea/Chocolate sales after services on 2nd Sundays
• Yoga, every Wednesday at 10 A.M. All welcome!
• Manchester Women's Singing Circle, every Thursday at 7 P.M.
• Book Lovers, 2nd Tuesdays at 3:30 P.M. in person and on Zoom. January 13: James - A Novel by Percival Everett. Discussion leader: Nancy Thompson.
• Women's Circle, 3rd Tuesdays at 7:00 P.M. (Zoom only December through March) Email Nora Alpers-Leon atuuseoffice@uuse.org for the Zoom link.
• Romeos, a monthly lunch for retired men on second Tuesdays - contact the UUSE office to be put on the email list.
• Ladies at Lunch, a monthly women's lunch typically on second Thursdays - advertised in the weekly eblasts.
• Buddhist Group, 1st Tuesdays at 7 P.M.
• NEW! Meditation Group, 3rd Mondays, 3:30 P.M. to 5:00 P.M.
• God Talk, 4th Tuesdays at 4:30 P.M.
• Humanist Group, 3rd Tuesdays at 4:30 P.M.
• Science and Religion Discussion Group, 4th Thursdays at 4:30 P.M. November/Dec - "Origin Myths" with Jackie Muschiano -- Due to the Thanksgiving and Christmas holidays, meeting is on December 11th.

------------------------------

Our Mission

Unitarian Universalist Society East is a welcoming, open-minded spiritual community seeking truth and meaning in its many forms. We share responsibility for building a more equitable, peaceful, and sustainable world.

------------------------------

UUSE Links and Information

• Monthly Newsletter • Website • Previous Sunday Services

 • Children & Youth Ministry • Facebook •

New England Region of the Unitarian Universalist Association

uuse.org • 860-646-5151

------------------------------