Weekly News

March 18, 2026

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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.

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Sunday Service: "Ferry Beach Retreat

and Conference Center. What's It All About?"

Participants in this service will provide information about Ferry Beach and share thoughts about experiences they have had there. Coordinators: Nancy Madar and David Klotz

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

Sunday, March 22, 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 3/15/26 service: "On War, Women and Witness or Do UU Know Your History? Part III"

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Gender Free Contra Dance

Saturday, March 21, 2026 - 4:00 P.M. to 7:00 P.M. 

Come enjoy live music and joyous movement at this community dance for all ages, no experience necessary. Bring a friend or come solo. Beginner lesson and orientation at 3:45 P.M.; dance begins at 4:00 P.M.

Bring soft-soled shoes to protect our floors.

Admission $15, students $5, under 12 free. Free-will donation; no one turned away. All are welcome. The dance, sponsored by the Music Committee, will be held at the Unitarian Universalist Society East. For more information, click here or contact Meghan MacRae or Jane Osborn.

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Help a Child Learn to Read



Can you spare an hour per week to help a child learn to read? Throughout this school year, UUSE members have been working with kindergarten and first grade students at Verplanck Elementary who are struggling with basic literacy skills. And it's really been working! The reading specialists and classroom teachers see clear, measurable progress!

We could use five more adult volunteers for the rest of the school year, as well as a few who can fill in for tutors who are sick or traveling. Sessions are Monday, Tuesday, Thursday and Friday at 10: 45 or 11:45. Please contact Nancy Pappas at uuseoffice@uuse.org for more details or to set up a school visit.

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Reminder: UUSE Spring Art and Poetry Exhibit

Our Spring theme is Renewal. Spring brings renewal through longer days, warmer air, and the return of growing things. The fresh light and new life of the season offer a sense of energy and hope after winter's stillness.

The Spring Exhibit will be installed on March 26th, and signups are due by March 23rd.

Please register your entries at uuseoffice@uuse.org. Include title, medium, price (if for sale), and photo (if you wish to have your submission included in the sanctuary slide show). Poets, please send your poems to Carol for mounting by March 20th. If you would like to include a photo or a small piece of artwork, please send it along as well. Drop-off for entries is March 26th from 11:00 A.M. to 12:30 P.M. Watch the e-blast for more information.

Questions? Please contact Eric Vogel or Janet Heller.

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Upcoming Workshops

Help Brainstorm Vision and Mission Ideas

with the Strategic Planning Task Force

The Strategic Planning Task Force is offering three upcoming dates in March to join us in brainstorming our current vision and mission statements and what revision ideas we may want to consider to help guide our next five years and future strategic plan. During the short workshop (about 2 hours), participants will review both statements and give their ideas to help with brainstorming our new vision and mission statements.

Upcoming Dates

Sunday, March 22, at 12:30 P.M. in the Children’s Chapel right after services

Tuesday, March 24 at 7:00 P.M. in the Children’s Chapel

Sunday, March 29 at 1:30 P.M. in the Children’s Chapel after the Chocolate Auction

We’d love to hear your thoughts and incorporate your ideas! Please RSVP using the Google Form.

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Heart-Centered Kirtan

Sunday, March 22 at 3:00 P.M.

Join us on Sunday, March 22 at 3:00 P.M. for an uplifting, meditative experience blending contemporary music with the call-and-response singing of mantras. The featured band, Heart Centered Kirtan, includes Libby Volckening, vocals and keys; Ezra Landis, guitar; Nico D'Amico, bass; and Chris Ball, drums. Together, the musicians offer contemporary arrangements that honor the roots of kirtan while remaining approachable for newcomers. Admission is by free-will donation ($20 suggested) at the door, but no one will be turned away. No ticket required but advance registration at eventbrite.com is encouraged to help organizers anticipate attendance. For more information, visit: https://uuse.org/kirtan.

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UUSE Chocolate Auction

Sunday, March 29 at 12:30 P.M.



Chocolate is awesome, and a chocolate auction is a great way to raise $$$$ for UUSE! This year's chocolate auction helps celebrate the end of our 2026 Annual Appeal. (Note: The March newsletter incorrectly advertised the event for March 31. It is on Sunday, March 29 at 12:30 p.m. following the second service.) All are invited to create chocolate confections (cookies, brownies, cakes, cupcakes--you name it!). Bring your creations to the Meeting House on the 29th and bid on whatever looks best to you. Bring your checkbook or cash and pay when you collect your WINNINGS. It's that simple!!!

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Best Practices for Community Health

Spring is just around the corner (fingers crossed!) but colds, influenza, respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) and COVID continue to circulate in the wider community.

According to the CT Department of Public Health, there have been 30,440 seasonal reported cases of influenza, 5388 reported cases of RSV and 14,552 reported cases of Covid-19. What do these respiratory viral diseases all have in common? They are proving to be especially dangerous, even deadly, for those of us who are 70 and older. This is a friendly reminder that no matter your age, if you are experiencing any symptoms of illness, you always have the option to join Sunday services and other meetings and activities by Zoom from the comfort of your home. If you do need to come to the meetinghouse, keep in mind that masks have the power to protect both you and those with whom you come in contact.

Let's all help keep each other as healthy as we can!

From the UUSE Emergency Preparedness Task Force

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Jazz Group Forming

Organizational Meeting on Sunday, March 29th

If you're interested in being part of a new jazz group at UUSE, please come to the organizational meeting on Sunday, March 29, from 2:00 to 3:30 P.M., right after the Chocolate Auction. We're looking for input from people comfortable with playing or singing jazz, to put our heads together about forming a group. We'll discuss goals, interests, rehearsing, performing, availability, experience, instruments, etc. Then we'll play a song or two. So, please bring your instrument. If interested, please contact Eric Rosenberg. 860-646-5151.

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Pastoral Friends

The Pastoral Friends Committee has a rotating chair throughout the year. Should you need pastoral care during the months of March or April contact Ellen Williams.

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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. April 14: Stone Yard Devotional by Charlotte Wood. Discussion leader: Lesley Schurmann
• 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.
• 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. March's topic: Hertog's "Origin of Time" with Bill Bosworth.

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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.

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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

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