Weekly News

June 4, 2025

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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: "Unchecked"

This morning, we welcome Manchester's amazing poet laureate, Nadia Sims, who will help us explore our June ministry theme, freedom. The larger society puts us in boxes which often limit our sense of freedom, sometimes without our realizing it. Perhaps it's time to uncheck some of those boxes! We will also welcome new members into our congregation. Coordinator: Rev. Josh Pawelek

Summer schedule: 10:00 A.M. service

Sunday, June 8, 2025

Gathering music starts at 9:55 A.M.

Join the virtual service at 10:00 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 link to our 6/1/25 "Affirmation Service."

Click here to view the Gonzalez Family singing Blue Boat Home.

Click here for the Celebration of Life service for Leslie Lisle.

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Improv for UUSE Adult Members & Friends

Wednesday, June 4th at 6:30 P.M. in the Meeting Room

Come join a free improv workshop for UUSE adult members and friends facilitated by UUSE member, Megan Corning. Improv offers an opportunity to practice being fully present, affirming each other's ideas and building mutual trust through the act of play. Wit and comic ability are not required. Exercises typically involve physical movement and standing for several minutes at a time. Adaptations can be made to accommodate different abilities and comfort levels. Please share any such needs when RSVPing. Please RSVP by June 1st to Megan at uuseoffice@uuse.org.

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Middletown Pride Parade - June 7

Middletown Pride is one of Connecticut's largest Pride celebrations. Our friends at the Universalist Church of West Hartford have invited us to march with them in the Middletown Pride Parade this coming Saturday, June 7th at 1:00 PM. Meet up for carpooling from the Universalist Church (433 Fern St., West Hartford) at 10:00 AM. Or find the UU contingent in the parade's third division on Pease Street by 12:30 PM. Parking in Middletown is recommended at the Kidcity lot off of Broad St., Russell Library lot off of Broad St., or Melilli Parking lot next to City Hall. Contact the UUSE office to let us know you're coming. Questions? Contact Rev. Josh or check out Middletown Pride.

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New Member Sunday

June 8, 2025 at 10:00 A.M.

Have you taken the Intro to UU class?

Would you like to become a member of UUSE?

If yes, please contact Carole Boster or Janet Dauphin at membership@uuse.org. There will be a short ceremony at the beginning of the service, as well as a special coffee hour to get to know new members after the service. The next UUSE New Member Sunday is June 8. If you have any questions, please contact Janet or Carole, or Rev. Josh Pawelek at minister@uuse.org.

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CT Crank-In 2025

June 11 to June 14 from 9:00 A.M. to 4:00 P.M. at UUSE

The Connecticut Crank-In 2025 is a gathering of circular sock knitting machine enthusiasts from New England and beyond who share their fascination with and knowledge of these modern and antique machines. UUSE members and friends are invited to drop in anytime and check out what the fascination is all about.

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Yoga on June 11th

Due to a multi-day special event in the Meeting Room during the second week of June, the June 11th Yoga class will be held at Samadhi Yoga Studio at 283 East Center Street in Manchester. Additionally, the class will be held at 11:00 A.M. (not the usual 10:00 A.M.) The regular 10:00 A.M. class will resume at UUSE on June 18th.

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Call for Artists, Photographers and Poets!

Do you wish to participate in the upcoming summer exhibit in the UUSE sanctuary? Registration starts now and runs through Sunday, June 22. Register via email at uuseoffice@uuse.org. Please include your name, phone number, title of piece, sale price or NFS (not for sale).

Drop off is Thursday, June 26th from 12:00 P.M. to 1:30 P.M. If you're unable to fit into that time window, kindly leave your framed artwork in Annie Gentile's office, tagged with your name. Questions? Contact Carolyn Emerson, uuseoffice@uuse.org or 860-646-5151.

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Ladies at Lunch

Friday, June 13th at noon at The Main Pub

Join us at noon Friday, June 13th at The Main Pub, 306 Main Street in Manchester. Let's hope for pretty weather so we can dine outside! Do join us - everyone is welcome. If you plan to attend, please contact Sharon Huber by Thursday afternoon, June 12 at uuseoffice@uuse.org or 860-543-944

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Time Change for June 22 Service!

This service will be held at 11:00 A.M.

Please note: On June 22, UUSE will join this year's UU General Assembly Sunday worship via live stream. Worship will begin at 11:00 A.M. instead of at our typical summer 10:00 A.M. time. Join us as we come together to celebrate Unitarian Universalism.

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Donations Needed

Manchester Early Learning Center's (MELC) summer day camp is collecting donations of clothing, toiletries, and backpacks to be brought to area charities. Through this project, campers will gain the experience that comes from directly helping their community. There will be a box for donations in the coat closet on UUSE's main level until the end of June. Please consider making a donation. Questions? Contact Peter Marotto.

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Death Cafe

UUSE's next Death Cafe will be held at the meeting house on Tuesday, June 24 from 1:00 P.M. to 2:30 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.

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Scheduling Updates for God Talk and Humanist Group

The Humanist Group will not meet in June or July but will resume in August on third Tuesdays at 4:30 P.M. God Talk will not meet in July.

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Chalice Necklace

This chalice necklace was found in the sanctuary. If it is yours, please contact Annie in the UUSE office.

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Pastoral Friends

The Pastoral Friends Committee has a rotating chair throughout the year. Should you need pastoral care during the month of June, please contact Sid Soderholm at uuseoffice@uuse.org.

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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.
• 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.
• God Talk, 4th Tuesdays at 4:30 P.M. (No meeting in July)
• Humanist Group, 3rd Tuesdays at 4:30 P.M. (Resumes in August)
• Science and Religion Discussion Group, 4th Thursdays at 4:30 P.M. June 26 - "Gambling" -- Jessey Ina Lee

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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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