Weekly News

January 21, 2026

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

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:

"I Am Today"

Being a changemaker can start today, which causes close to our heart and thoughtful advocacy. UUSE members will speak about actions they've taken to instigate positive change in our communities. Coordinators: Sam Taylor & Martha Larson

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

Sunday, January 25, 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#.

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

CYM News

Children & Youth Ministry caregivers, extended family, volunteers and all stakeholders (that means "anyone" interested in keeping up with the CYM news or who feels invested in its future): The email distribution program I (Emmy) have been using for my weekly Friday Update has locked us out of our account which expired without proper notice. I am unable to access the email distribution list I used on that platform. So, I am going to create a new account and distribution list! Please email if you would like to receive my weekly Friday Update which includes all the details of what each age group is doing the following Sunday, news on upcoming events, as well as reflections and spiritual care. Kindly send your request to dcym@uuse.org to be added to the new distribution list. Caregivers of children and youth registered for CYM do NOT need to email me. Thank you, Emmy.

Also:

We are looking for help in the Elementary (grades 2-5) class this winter! Please reach out to Emmy at dcym@uuse.org if you can help on any of these dates:

(Lesson from the "Signs of Our Faith" Curriculum").

January 25: Signs of Welcome continued (need assistant)

February 1: Imbolc/St. Brigid Activity (beeswax candle making) (need assistant))

February 15: Worshipping Together (need lead and assistant)

March 1: Finding Beauty in Uniqueness (need lead and assistant)

March 29: Fair Group Decisions (need assistant)

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

2026 Goods & Services Auction

Phase I of the 2026 Goods & Services has begun, so don't let the snow this past Sunday put you off. We'll reveal the 10 fabulous baskets for this year's teacup raffle on Sunday, January 25th!

Tickets will be sold before/after both services on January 25, and also during the January 31 party. Will you snag UConn women’s basketball tickets, a romantic Valentine’s meal, an evening in Italy or a visit to KidCity?

YOUR ATTENTION PLEASE!!!

**** The silent auction catalog opened on Monday morning January 19. What treasures will you find? So many talented UUs have donated artwork, scrumptious food, household assistance and more! NOW IS THE TIME to log in at uubid.fundraiser.bid to browse, register and place a bid.****

KEEP READING!

A few more spaces remain in the Get Saucy Cook-off. The competition is stiff for a prized Championship Apron! If you make a mean marinara or a boffo basil pesto, please let us know at auction@uuse.org

Of course, the ‘Main Event’ is Saturday January 31 from 5-8 pm. Enjoy the free dinner with old and new friends - pasta, salad and dessert. Sign-up for meals in members’ homes, bid on premium items, while the kids enjoy their own activities.

Click here for the full flyer. If you have any questions, write to auction@uuse.org.

Come for the pasta, stay for the party!

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

Looking for Stewards!

Annual Appeal 2026 - 2027

We are looking for people to canvass members & friends. Being a steward is an opportunity to get to know new people, share your passion and commitment for UUSE and help make our Annual Appeal a success. The commitment time is 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!

The steward will use a personal visit (if both feel comfortable), email, phone calls, texts, etc. 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.

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

UUSE Choir coming back

Rehearsals start on Wednesday, January 21st at 7:00 P.M.

Do you love to sing? You don't have to audition. Whether you sing in your car or with the Metropolitan Opera, if you like to have fun, you can sing in the UUSE Choir! Weekly rehearsals start on Wednesday, January 21st in the Meeting Room at 7:00 P.M. in preparation for the Holiday Music Services on April 5th. For more information, contact Jenn Richard at uuseoffice@uuse.org.

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

Hope in Hard Times

In these troubling times, many of us feel anxious, despondent, or alone. On Tuesday, February 3 at 3:00 P.M., Rev. Josh Pawelek and members of the Pastoral Friends Committee will host a gathering for anyone who is looking for camaraderie and conversation geared towards finding hope in hard times. Our ministry theme for February is resilience. Let's cultivate resilience together.

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

Coffeehouse and Open Mic

February 7th - 6:00 P.M. in the Meeting Room

The Coffeehouse and Open Mic is held monthly on first Saturdays October through May. Musicians, Poets, and Storytellers share their talents. Performer signups start at 6:00 P.M. with 12 slots of 10 minutes each. Performances start at 6:30 P.M. Bring your dinner. Bring your friends. Bring your favorite beverage. We'll provide the coffee. A $5 suggested donation goes directly to UUSE. Coffeehouse is sponsored by the Music Committee.

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

Time to Clean Up

While we greatly appreciate the goodies members and friends have made for the Holiday Fair and other events here at UUSE, we really don't have the space to store empty containers and other miscellaneous items. It's time to clean house! Empty containers and various other items have been moved to the kitchen for members and friends to easily access. If you're not sure what happened to your old Tupperware type containers, chances are it's in the collection. Please take a look at what's there and take home what is yours. Items not claimed shortly will go to Goodwill.

And while we have your attention ...

A lot of groups and individuals use our kitchen, and sometimes things don't always get cleaned up as well as they should be. That can make things especially difficult for our faithful hospitality helpers who arrive early to make the coffee each Sunday morning. Please help them out by cleaning up before you leave - coffee pot, dishes, spills, cleaning the sink area and wiping down the counters or whatever it is that happened or was used on your watch. Your thoughtfulness is much appreciated!

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

GHIAA Winter 2026 Organizing Leadership Training

In Person - Tuesday evenings 6:30 - 8:30 p.m. - 2/10/26 - 3/10/26

at Temple Sinai in Newington

Join us to explore the fundamentals of faith-based organizing, practice the tools of relational culture (individual meetings and house meetings), consider how we build and wield power, share our process of identifying issues and developing campaigns, and build our skills for action. For more detailed info and to register, click here.

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

Ladies at Lunch

Friday, February 13 at 110 Grill

Join us for lunch on Friday, February 13th at the 110 Grill, 1127 Tolland Turnpike in the Plaza at Burr Corners in Manchester. We meet at noon. Everyone is welcome. If you plan to attend, please RSVP to Sharon Huber by Thursday afternoon, February 12: uuseoffice@uuse.org or 860-646-5151.

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

Pastoral Friends

The Pastoral Friends Committee has a rotating chair throughout the year. Should you need pastoral care during the months of January and February, contact Sid Soderholm.

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

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. February 10th: The Correspondent - A Novel by Virginia Evans. Discussion leader: Carolyn Gimbrone.
• 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. January's topic: Sound Therapy with Heli Roy.

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

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

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