Weekly News

December 31, 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:

"Two Epiphanies"

In the lead up to the Christian celebration of Epiphany, Rev. Josh explores the relationship between the Biblical story of the three kings and the Italian folk character, La Befana. How do the two stories connect? And how might they speak to our January ministry theme, resistance? Coordinator: Rev. Josh Pawelek

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

Sunday, January 4, 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 the December 28th service "Reflections and Hopes"

Click here for the December 24th Christmas Eve Service

Click here for the December 22nd Vespers Service

Click here for the December 21st Holiday Music Service.

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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.

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Stop and Shop cards

Do you shop at Stop and Shop? Stop and Shop cards are sold on the first Sunday of the month after each service. The cards are sold at face values of $50, $100 and $250 with 5 percent of the purchase price going to UUSE. Come support this easy fundraiser for UUSE!

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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!

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Ladies at Lunch

Thursday, January 8

On Thursday, January 8th, we will enjoy lunch at Kobe Asian Bistro, 1155 Tolland Turnpike, Manchester (in the Plaza at Burr Corners). We meet at noon. Join us! If you plan to attend, please let Sharon Humber know by Wednesday, January 7: uuseoffice@uuse.org or 860-646-5151.

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New World Trio "Treasured Trios" Concert

Sunday, January 11th at 3:00 PM

Enjoy works for piano trio by Enescu, Beethoven, and Dvorak with violinist Anhared Stowe, cellist Peter Zay and pianist David Ballena. This concert will be held at UUSE on Sunday, January 11 at 3:00 PM. Suggested donation $20. For more information, call 860-646-5151 or visit: www.newworldtrio.org.

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Volunteer Drivers Needed

The Pastoral Friends Committee is looking for additional volunteers to drive long-time member Bill Lautenbach to the 11:00 A.M. service on one Sunday a month. He recently stopped driving. We have drivers for the third and fourth Sundays. We need a volunteer driver for the first, second, and fifth Sundays each month. Two back-up drivers are available, but we could use a third. Please contact Sid Soderholm for more information or to volunteer: uuseoffice@uuse.org, 860-646-5151.

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Intro to UU

Sunday, January 18 from 1:00 to 4:00 P.M. in the Garden Level Chapel

Would you like to learn more about Unitarian Universalism and UUSE? Join Rev. Josh Pawelek and members of the Membership Committee on Sunday, January 18. This gathering will include a discussion of UU theology, UUSE's mission, programs and facilities, and an opportunity to meet others and share our religious journeys. To register, contact Annie Gentile at 860-646-5151 or uuseoffice@uuse.org. Please RSVP by Thursday, January 15th and let us know if you need child care.

Questions? Please contact Sylvia Ounpuu at membership@uuse.org or Rev. Josh Pawelek at 860-646-5151 or minister@uuse.org.

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Strategic Planning Task Force

The above word cloud represents the top 500 repeated words from UUSE's 2012 Strategic Plan documents. To interact with the words and explore some of the key ideas, click on the link: UUSE Word Cloud – WordArt.com

With community engagement, the Strategic Planning Task Force looks forward to crating all-new Vision and Mission Statements and an updated Strategic Plan in the coming months and looks forward to exploring what words and ideas will be represented as we look to the future.

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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

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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 January and February, contact Sid Soderholm.

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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. 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.

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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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