Welcome to Unitarian Universalist Society East
Sunday Services at 9:00 and 11:00
Weekly News
May 13, 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: "Flower Communion"
All Congregational Worship. Through wonderful music and our annual flower communion, we celebrate our beloved, multigenerational community. Please bring a flower to share! And that's not all: this morning we are also conducting a child dedication ceremony. And that's still not all: Our 2026 Annual Meeting will begin shortly after the 11:00 service. Coordinator: Rev. Josh Pawelek.
Services at 9:00 and 11:00 A.M.
Sunday, May 17th
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 5/10/26 service, "How to Spot a Mom."
***HEADS UP! On May 24th UUSE will return to one service at 10:00 AM
- also on Zoom -- through Labor Day Weekend ***
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Strategic Planning Task Force
Vision & Mission Statement Community Post-It Wall
For those who have not yet had an opportunity to share their opinions on the current vision and mission statements or for those who would like to add additional comments, we look forward to your opinions.
We hope to get feedback from everyone to best represent the whole congregation with the upcoming work. There are two ways to participate.
1) In person in the Sanctuary lobby and on the Garden Level, after or before services from April 26th until the end of May, you can suggest revision ideas on a Post-It or place a green dot to show satisfaction with the current wording.
2) Online at any time in the next four weeks, you can go to the following link (or the QR Code above) to post revision ideas or simply a smiling emoji 😀 to show satisfaction with the current wording.
Your input is greatly appreciated!
Many thanks for your thoughts,
The Strategic Planning Task Force
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An Important Notice About Absentee Ballots
Annual Meeting, May 17th following the 11:00 A.M. service.
Our annual meeting will be held this Sunday, May 17th shortly after the 11:00 A.M. service. If you plan to vote by absentee ballot, please PRINT your name next to your signature. Every vote should count, but unfortunately, we have received an absentee ballot with an indecipherable signature, and unless we can find out who it is from, it cannot be counted. If this might be your ballot, please contact Annie Gentile in the office at 860-646-5151 or uuseoffice@uuse.org. Thank you!
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Ladies at Lunch
May 14, 2026, Pizza Mia Restaurant at 12:00 P.M.
Join us Thursday, May 14 for lunch at Pizza Mia, 55 E. Center Street in Manchester. We meet at noon. Everyone is welcome. If you plan to attend, please let Sharon Huber know by Wednesday afternoon, May 13. uuseoffice@uuse.org or 860-646-5151.
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Spring Spruce Up
Saturday, May 16th, 8:30 A.M. - 11:30 A.M.
Please join the Building & Grounds Committee on Saturday, May 16th for our annual spring work party to spruce up the grounds. Here is an opportunity to steward the land that is home to UUSE. We'll prepare the grounds for summer and share information about upcoming B&G projects. This is a time for all ages - kids and youth are welcome with a responsible adult. Dress for the weather and bring your favorite lawn tools (we do have some to lend). We'll provide snacks, beverages, and some guidance. For more information, contact Jane Osborn or Cory Clark. See you then!
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Heart-Centered Kirtan - Cancelled
Please note that the Kirtan advertised last week for this Sunday, May 17th will not be held.
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The Heart of the Arts
Friday, May 22nd at 7:00 P.M.
UUSE will host an unforgettable evening of music and poetry featuring Christian Loftus, Manchester's own troubadour and Nadia Sims, the town's celebrated Poet Laureate. This unique collaboration brings together two of Manchester's most gifted artists for a night of soul-stirring songs and evocative spoken word. The event is open to the public and all are welcome. Admission is free, but donations to UUSE are welcome.
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Welcoming Congregation Committee
Reaffirming Our Commitment
Almost 30 years ago, in order to ensure that lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, intersex, asexual, two-spirit, genderqueer, and non-binary people felt fully welcomed, centered and embraced in our congregation, UUSE sought and received Welcoming Congregation certification from the UUA. This required a significant amount of intentional work and education. The UUA has now offered the opportunity for UUSE to reaffirm our commitment.
How will we do this? We'll engage in measurable achievements including offering Welcoming Worship Services, celebrating Welcoming Days of Observance, offering Welcoming Religious Education and supporting a Welcoming Project. Watch for upcoming events. For more information, contact Desiree Holian-Borgnis at uuseoffice@uuse.org.
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Gender-Free Contra Dance
Saturday, June 20, 2026, 4 - 7 P.M. at UUSE
Find your dancing shoes! If you missed the first one, here's your next chance to kick up your heels with all your friends in a joyous, life-affirming, beginner-friendly folk dance. Contra is danced with a partner in long lines, but you don't need to bring a partner or dance with only one. All are welcome! All ages, all experience levels.
Hannah Johlas will bring the tailored instruction, and The First Time String Band will bring the electrifying music!
Admission $15, students $5, under 12 free. Free-will donation; no one turned away. Sponsored by the Music Committee. For more information, click here, email contra@uuse.org, or talk to Jane Osborn and Meghan MacRae.
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Swing Into the Fun!
Saturday, August 1 -- Liberty Bank Pavillion at Dunkin' Park
On Saturday evening, August 1, the 3 area UU societies (Fern Street, USH and UUSE) will be at the Liberty Bank Pavillion at Dunkin' Park. It's a picnic package which will include standard ballpark fare and vegetarian options, free water and soft drinks and a chance to meet other UUs in the area. Doors and the picnic open at 4:30 p.m. with the game scheduled to start at 6:10 p.m. The picnic will remain open and serving food until about 7:00 p.m. A fireworks show follows the game. We are excited our 3 societies are exploring how we can work and play together. Tickets are $50 per person and must be sold by June 30th, but if you need some help, some financial assistance is available. Interested? Sign up here or scan the QR code on the poster on the large bulletin board in the main hallway.
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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 May and June, contact Roy Maynard.
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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. June 9: A Death in the Family by James Agee. Discussion leader: Jacquie Heintz
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. May's topic: "Spectral Beings?" - a group-led discussion.
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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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