Sunday Services Schedule

April Ministry Theme: Embracing Possibility

Join us at 9 or 11 AM. The 11 AM Zoom service login and call-in information is shared through the congregational eblasts on Wednesdays and Saturdays.

Subscribe to the eblast by sending a message to uuseoffice@uuse.org or call the UUSE office at 860-646-5151.

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Sunday, March 29th: Transgender Day of Visibility. Mindful that March 31st is Transgender Day of Visibility, we will lift up transgender lives in our morning service. We will also explore the work of recertifying UUSE as a Welcoming Congregation. Coordinator: Rev. Josh Pawelek.

Sunday, April 5th: Let There Be Music! Our annual, all-congregation Easter celebration. Join us for music, story, and song as we consider the enduring themes of Easter. What stones are you rolling away? What new life is emerging in you? Coordinators: Mary Bopp, Emmy Galbraith, Rev. Josh Pawelek.

Sunday, April 12th: Anticipation. In keeping with our April ministry theme of embracing possibility, we will explore anticipation. Hopefully, it has stopped snowing, and we are starting to see signs of spring. What are you anticipating as this new season emerges? What possibilities lie ahead? Join us for the magic that is unleashed when we anticipate the possibilities! Coordinators: Liz Garmise and Paula Baker

Sunday, April 19th: Earth Day. Our April ministry theme is embracing possibility. While we often feel like solving the climate crisis is impossible due to political and economic forces, this morning we direct our attention to what is possible. Coordinators: Rev. Josh Pawelek and members of the UUSE Sustainable Living Committee.

Sunday, April 26th: The Possibilities in Us. In this service, we'll explore how there is hardly ever a single answer to a question, a single solution to a problem, or a single path to take. The unknown can certainly be daunting. However, the act of embracing possibility can afford us inspiration, growth, excitement, hope, and liberation. Coordinators: Stacey Musulin and Ellen Williams

Sunday, May 3rd: This Land. UUSE’s meetinghouse sits on four acres at the top of Elm Hill, on the Manchester-Vernon line, above the Hockanum River Valley. What is our collective obligation to steward these four acres? What is our role on this land? Note: A land stewarding project will follow this service. Wear work clothes if you wish to participate. Coordinator: Rev. Josh Pawelek.

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Community Outreach Ministry

Charitable Giving for April

As always, thank you for your generosity.

We do not gather our gifts only for ourselves, but to share with the larger community.

Continuing our practice of sharing our gifts with the community beyond our walls, fifty percent of our Sunday plate collections for the month will be shared with:

• Inter-religious Ecojustice Network



Please contact Louisa Graver at uuseoffice@uuse.org, David Lacoss, or Nancy Madar at nuuseoffice@uuse.org.

Make checks out to UUSE. If the memo line:

✓ is blank or “pledge” - all will go toward your pledge.

✓ has “COM” or the name of the charity - all will go to the charity.

✓ has “1/2 pledge, 1/2 COM” - it will be divided equally.

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2025/2026 Ministry Themes

September: Building Belonging

October: Cultivating Compassion

November: Nurturing Gratitude

December: Choosing Hope

January: Practicing Resistance

February: Embodying Resilience

March: Paying Attention

April: Embracing Possibility

May: Awakening Curiosity

June: Flourishing Together



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Minister's Column

Dear Ones:

Our ministry theme for April is Embracing Possibility. Our friends at Soul Matters (the independent Unitarian Universalist resource hub that provides materials for the exploration of the ministry themes) offered the following quote about who we are as Unitarian Universalists:

Of all our themes this year, Embracing Possibility is arguably most central to our faith. It has distinguished Unitarian Universalists from our beginning. Historically, when others saw depravity and sin at the core of human identity, we saw potential. When many were preaching that this world is fallen, we fell in love with the possibility of heaven on earth. Theologically, you might say we were the people who believed that God hadn’t given up on us and so we shouldn’t give up on each other or this world. Psychologically, it’s led to us being a people of “why not?” Why not give people another chance? Why not fight what seems like a losing battle? Why not risk a little failure? Or forgiveness? Why not trust in the possibility of a new dawn?

I think this is a wonderful “elevator speech” to begin a conversation about Unitarian Universalism with someone who is unfamiliar with our faith. But for now, I offer it as a guide for our spiritual reflection during April. While I am not asking anyone to turn away from all that is happening in our country and the world, all the cruelty and corruption, all the depravity and sin we witness on a daily basis (indeed, we ignore it at our peril), I am inviting you to focus on where you see potential. I am inviting you to focus on when you fell in love with the possibility of heaven on earth. If we’re spiritually descended from the people who believed that God hasn’t given up on humanity, who are you not giving up on now? What in this world are you not giving up on now?

Or, right now, to what new idea—no matter how wild or unreasonable—are you say “why not?” And if there is no new idea in your life, is it time to grab hold of one? Why not? Who in your life deserves another chance? What losing battle still seems worth fighting, even if it means failing over and over again? What apology might you owe to someone who is waiting to offer forgiveness?

What new dawn are you waiting for? Can you trust that it is possible?

We’ll be asking these questions in a variety of ways this month – in Sunday services, in small groups, in Children and Youth Ministry, and more. I urge you to let these questions seep into your consciousness. And as always, I am interested to learn your answers. Feel free to reach out either by email or phone. If you want to get together in person to talk more, please don’t be shy. I’d like to know more about whatever new dawn you trust is possible.

With love, care, hope … and possibility,

Rev. Josh

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Children and Youth Ministry News

Sat, Mar 28: Nightlight Mission in partnership with USH (Unitarian Society of Hartford): Families with children/youth meet at 2PM to sort clothes & prepare soup, coffee and sandwiches; at 8PM distribute clothing and food to the unhoused. Be on the lookout for an announcement of an upcoming zoom call with CYM for initial talks about logistics for this event. Thank you, Emmy

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Green Sanctuary News

Have you used ChatGPT?

It sure can be helpful. But where do the answers come from? There are 2.5 billion queries sent to ChatGPT daily! In addition to ChatGPT, there’s also Claude, Grok, Gemini, Deep Seek, and many more, all using artificial intelligence (AI). AI uses enormous amounts of data it has been trained on to give you an answer. The vast infrastructure behind all of AI’s computing power is stored in huge data centers.

As you may have heard, AI’s data center infrastructure comes at a huge environmental cost:

• Electricity. Each query uses an estimated 0.34 watt-hours of electricity — roughly the energy needed to run a standard LED lightbulb for two minutes. Over a day, that adds up to about 6.8 watt-hours per person. At 100 million users, the number jumps to 680,000 kilowatt-hours daily, comparable to the electricity consumption of more than 22,000 households. According to the International Energy Agency, a request made on ChatGPT consumes almost 10x the amount of electricity compared to a standard search. While renewable energy capacity is expanding, much of the U.S. grid still relies on fossil fuels. As a result, increased electricity use by data centers often corresponds directly with higher greenhouse gas emissions.
• Water. Data centers rely on water-based cooling systems to prevent servers from overheating. Generating the electricity for a single AI-heavy household’s daily energy use can require the equivalent of an entire person’s daily drinking water — just to keep servers cool. Some data centers exist in places where drinking water is already in short supply.

There are currently 4088 data centers in over 50 states in the U.S. These sites are concentrated in Virginia, Texas, and California. In Virginia, data centers consume more than a quarter of the state’s total electricity. Days after pulling us out of the Paris climate treaty, Trump announced plans to build sprawling AI data centers across the country – a 500 billion investment and the largest infrastructure project in history.

Some solutions have been proposed. One practical idea is to build data centers in colder climates to lessen the energy used for cooling. Someday, we might even have space-based data centers. The heat generated from data centers could have various applications. Fengqi You, a professor in Energy Systems Engineering at Cornell, said: “There isn’t a silver bullet…[appropriate] siting, grid decarbonization and efficient operations work together – that’s how you get reductions on the order of roughly 73% for carbon and 86% for water”. But even with these solutions, can we decarbonize the grid faster than the demand for AI grows? Many solutions will depend on regulations. Regulations require the political will to do the right thing, making sure there are guardrails in place so that we can use every advantage AI offers, while still keeping our planet habitable for life.

AI can identify cancer cells, analyze research data, write computer code, explain a medical report, help students learn, write an essay for you, and on and on. While some applications are beneficial, many are not. Either way, AI is here to stay. Could AI help solve the climate crisis even though it’s part of the problem?

Tip: If you’re looking for a browser that doesn’t default to using AI in search results, try Ecosia.

Sources: https://www.earthday.org/the-true-price-of-every-chatgpt-prompt/

https://news.cornell.edu/stories/2025/11/roadmap-shows-environmental-impact-ai-data-center-boom

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Just a Thank You

A Thank You from the Strategic Planning Task Force Many thanks from the Strategic Planning Task Force to everybody who shared ideas regarding the current vision and mission statements. Your input is an essential part of the process, and your ideas will help with our drafting process as we work to update these statements to match the present moment and future planning for our congregation.

Stay tuned for our next steps and opportunities to engage in the process!

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A Thank You from Verplanck School

Dear UUSE Community:

Thank you so very much for helping make our Book Fair a success! Your donations helped over 60 children receive new books! Also, proceeds from the fair put more books in our library and allow us to have a "birthday book" program. This allows all students to receive a new book on their birthday.

Thank you also for the volunteers who came and helped. Your community is so kind and generous. We are so blessed to have you as part of the Verplanck family.

Warmly, Kathy Sikand, Library Media Specialist, Verplanck School

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Upcoming Events

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UUSE Chocolate Auction!!! To Celebrate the end of our 2026 Annual Appeal!!

Sunday afternoon, March 29, 12:30 PM

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. All members and friends of UUSE are invited to create chocolate confections (cookies, brownies, cakes, cupcakes, and any other kind of chocolate dessert you can imagine). Bring your creations to the meeting house on the 31st (include your name and a list of ingredients). Then, come to the auction at 12:30 and bid on whatever looks best to you! Bring your check book or cash and pay when you collect your WINNINGS. It's that simple!!!

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Transgender Day of Visibility Special Event:

Unitarian Universalist Association 2025 Ware Lecture with Imara Jones

Tuesday, March 31st, 7:00 PM



In honor of the 2026 Transgender Day of Visibility Day, the UUSE Welcoming Congregation Recertification Team is screening the UUA’s 2025 Ware Lecture by award-winning Transgender journalist, activist and story-teller, Imara Jones. Jones has won Emmy and Peabody Awards, and is the creator of TransLash Media, a cross-platform project seeking to shift the current culture of hostility towards transgender people in the US. Her powerful 2025 Ware Lecture lays out how the Heritage Foundation and the architects of Project 2025 use anti-trans policies as a wedge to divide the country. While her analysis is chilling, her lecture is equally hopeful and uplifting. Please join us.

Unitarian Universalist Society East, Meeting Room, 153 Vernon St. W, Manchester, CT 06042.

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Sound Healing with Maria Del Carmen

Friday, April 17th at 7:00 PM

Join us as we host seasoned Sound Practitioner, Maria del Carmen, for this Sound Meditation series. Participants will be lying down or seated while Maria immerses them in the sounds of singing bowls, buffalo drums, and much more.

Suggested donation is $20, but no one will be turned away. Unitarian Universalist Society East, 153, Vernon St West, Manchester, CT 06042 uuse.org

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God as a Spiritual Experience

With special guest, Rev. Robert Forman, Ph.D., D.Hon., B.C.C.

(A Special Edition of our Monthly God Talk Group) Tuesday, April 28, 4:30 pm

Our April God Talk session (4/28 at 4:30 in person and on Zoom) will feature guest speaker, the Rev. Rober Forman. Rev. Forman will offer a lecture entitled “God as a Spiritual Experience,” followed by a robust discussion. Rev. Forman is a writer, teacher, and spiritual guide whose work bridges the worlds of scholarship and deep personal experience. With a lifelong dedication to exploring the mystical dimensions of life, he has shared his insights with audiences across the globe—from Sweden to Iran, Finland to Israel, and throughout the United States. As a university professor, prolific author, spiritual counselor, and ordained interfaith minister, he brings both intellectual depth and heartfelt wisdom to his writing.

 Dr. Forman’s work is shaped by decades of meditation practice, interfaith dialogue, and service as a hospital chaplain. His latest book, Christianity Reimagined, offers a fresh perspective on faith, illuminating the voices of “mystics on the margins” whose insights challenge and enrich the spiritual landscape. With clarity, compassion, and an open heart, Dr. Forman writes for seekers of all backgrounds, offering a path to deeper understanding and connection. Learn more about Rev. Forman’s latest book at https://www.christianityreimagined.org/.

Watch our regular Wednesday morning eblast for the Zoom link.

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Hope in Hard Times

Thursday, April 30th at 3 PM

In these troubling times, many of us feel anxious, despondent, or alone. On Thursday, April 30th at 3 PM, Rev. Josh Pawelek and members of the Pastoral Friends Committee will host a hybrid gathering for anyone who is looking for camaraderie and conversation geared towards finding hope in hard times. This will be a hybrid meeting. Watch the Wednesday morning eblast for a Zoom link.

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Ryan Ford Concert

3 PM May 3rd

Join us at 3:00 PM on May 3rd at Unitarian Universalist Society East for a fun afternoon of classical and modern music with Ryan Ford, his daughter Margeaux, and accompanist Lan-Ya Huang.

Suggested donation (to benefit UUSE): $20. No one will be turned away!

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Keep up to date on all UUSE happenings here.

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Sing Out Love Listening Sessions

Wednesday evenings, April 15th, 22nd and 29th

Are you interested in hearing (and maybe even singing) music from the UUA’s new online hymnal, Sing Out Love? Join our Music Director, May Bopp, and Rev. Josh Pawelek for an exploration of the music in this wonderful new resources. Wednesdays, April 15, 22 and 29, 7:00 to 8:30 PM at the meetinghouse. All are welcome.

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Emergency Response Training

First Aid, CPR, AED and the use of Narcan at UUSE

April 9th, 10th or 18th

What if…. You enter the stairway at the church, going up to the lobby, and you find a man who has obviously fallen, lying head down at the bottom of the stairs. You ask, “Are you all right?” and there is no answer. There is no one else around as you go to his side. Do you know what to do? Do you know what NOT to do?

UUSE has an Emergency Management Plan that identifies these life-saving actions. And while waiting for an ambulance to arrive, there may be things only you can do to save a life. You can be trained in these life-saving actions in a three-hour course coordinated by the Emergency Preparedness Task Force and conducted by Jessica Kind, a training officer within the Manchester Police Department. This course will be repeated on three separate dates and times:

• Thursday, April 9, from 1:00 - 4:00 p.m.
• Friday, April 10, from 6:00 - 9:00 p.m.
• Saturday, April 18, from 6:00 – 9:00 p.m.

This training is available for all UUSE members and friends for free. Space in each session is limited. Make your reservation early by calling the UUSE office at 860-646-5151. Note: this training will not lead to certification.

Yes, the first thing to do is call 911 to request an ambulance. Do you know where supplies and equipment are located for use before help arrives? Where are the first aid kits on each floor located? Where is the AED located? Where can you find blankets to keep patients comfortable? Where is Narcan stored for emergency use?

Note: The Emergency Preparedness Task Force offers brief 20-minute table-top discussion exercises for committees and groups to hold before a regular meeting on any of the 10 emergency situations in UUSE’s Emergency Management Plan. To request such a session, contact the UUSE office at 860-646-5151.

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Intro to UU

Learn about Unitarian Universalism & Unitarian Universalist Society East

 Sunday, April 19, 2026, 1:00 to 4:00 PM, UUSE Chapel (Garden Level)

This gathering will include:

• A discussion of Unitarian Universalist theology
• UUS:E’s mission, programs and facilities
• An opportunity to meet others and share our religious journeys

Please RSVP by Thursday, April 16th, 2026. Let us know if you need childcare. To register, contact Annie Gentile at (860) 646-5151 or uuseoffice@uuse.org.

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

 We hope you will join us!

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High School Youth Group Bake Sale

Sunday, April 26th

Please join us on Sunday, April 26th, after each service in the main lobby to support the High School Youth Group Bake Sale!

Proceeds will be shared between the HSYG activity fund and the UUSE general fund. Contact Michelle Spadaccini at uuseoffice@uuse.org with questions.

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Join us for Mayfair

Welcome Spring with good company, food and music on the UUSE grounds—it’ll be fun for everyone!

Saturday, May 2, 2026, 10 AM to 2 PM

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Saturday, May 2, 2026

Rain or shine (Rain will move all activities indoors and cancel the Bike Rodeo.)

• Beltane Ritual at 11 AM
• Reggaeton Music Demonstration at 1 PM
• Bike Rodeo
• Children’s Activities
• Food Trucks
• Tag Sale
• Bake Sale
• Plant Sale

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There are many ways you can help out!

Tag Sale

No theme; we’ll gladly take household goods, tools and electronics, gardening items, sports equipment, and even small pieces of furniture in good condition. NO CLOTHING. Contacts: Sandy Karosi and Deb Gould.

Bake Sale

Contact Gail Crook if you can make something.

Plant Sale

Contact Sharon Gresk if you have plants to donate. Houseplants or garden plants, but please NOTHING INVASIVE.

Donations Timeline

You can drop off your donations on Thursday & Friday, Apr. 30 and May 1 during office hours (9-4). Please bring them to the garden level; tag sale items can be put on the back porch. You can also bring things early on Saturday morning by 8 AM.

Volunteer for a Shift

Set up, clean up, help at a sale table — Sign up in the lobby or conta

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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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Help Us Spread the Word and Keep Up on Happenings!

Social media is another way to keep you informed...and share our bounty of events and happenings. You can also share with just the UUSE community your joys, accomplishments, and concerns. Look us up! Don't forget to Like and Share.

• Facebook: UUSEast, Instagram: uu_society_east.
• Community sharing only:UUSE Happenings on Facebook is a private page for sharing among members.
• You can also share events or posts in other groups on Facebook.

If you have any suggestions for places to publicize events, email uuseoffice@uuse.org, the Communications/Technology Committee.

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Ongoing Groups, Activities, and Fun

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UUSE Coffeehouse and Open Mic

Sign-up starts at 6 PM-- performances start at 6:30 PM



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 PM, and performances start at 6:30 PM. We feature 12 slots, each about 10 minutes or two songs. BYOB, BYO dinner, and BYO friends — we’ll provide the coffee!

Unitarian Universalist Society East, 153 Vernon Street West, Manchester, CT

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Ladies at Lunch

Join us Friday, April 10, for lunch at Simply Thai in Vernon, 409 Hartford Turnpike. We meet at noon. All are welcome! If you will attend, please let Sharon Huber know by Thursday afternoon, April 9.

uuseoffice@uuse.org or 860-646-5151.

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Romeos for Lunch

Romeos (Retired Old Men Eating Out) meet at noon on the 2nd Tuesday of each month for lunch and conversation at various local restaurants. If you are retired or simply have free time, feel welcome to participate. Contact Annie at the church office to be included on the email call list.

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Yoga at the Meetinghouse Wednesdays at 10:00 AM

All are welcome to these gentle-to-moderate yoga classes for all abilities. $5 drop-in fee. Bring a yoga mat (we have some extras). Bring a friend! Questions to: Susan at uuseoffice@uuse.org. Yoga is a UUSE adult education offering.

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Women's Sacred Singing Circle

Every Thursday at 7 PM

We sing songs and chants from a variety of traditions, including some written by women from circles around the country, including our own. All are about the earth, healing, spirit, and, of course, women.

Come late, leave early, or stay the whole time. Come every week or off and on, when you choose. But come! We have so much fun each week, we want you to join us in the laughter, song and community!

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Pastoral Friends Rotating Chair

March/April: Ellen Williams 

PastoralFriends@uuse.org. 

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Books, Classes, and Discussions 

Adult Religious Education

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Meditation Group

The Meditation Group will meet third Mondays from 3:30 PM in the Sanctuary to meditate in community. The group started because members of the Buddhist Group, which meets on Zoom, wanted to gather in person. You don’t have to be a member of the Buddhist Group or interested in Buddhism to join. Everyone is welcome; no experience required. Contact Nancy Thompson with questions, uuseoffice@uuse.org.

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Book Lovers 

The Book Lovers meet in person and simultaneously on Zoom every second Tuesday from 3:30 to 5:00 PM. You are welcome even if you haven’t finished the book. The link is sent out the weekend before by Carolyn Gimbrone.

• April 14, 2026: Stone Yard Devotional by Charlotte Wood: Pub. Feb. 2025, 304 pages. Discussion leader: Lesley Schurmann
• May 12, 2026: What the Fireflies Knew by Kai Harris: Pub. Feb. 2021, 288 pages. Discussion leader: Louisa Graver
• June 9, 2026: A Death in the Family by James Agee: Pub. 1957, 310 pages. Discussion leader: Jacquie Heintz

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Buddhist Group

The UUSE Buddhist Group will meet on the 1st Tuesday, at 7 PM on Zoom for meditation and discussion of a Buddhist perspective on the monthly ministry theme. Email Nancy Thompson at uuseoffice@uuse.org for details or the Zoom link.

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Humanist Group 

Join us in on the 3rd Tuesday at 4:30 PM. This ongoing group explores Religious Humanism and its applications to life, both historically and today. All welcome. Contact Rev. Josh at minister@uuse.org for the Zoom link.

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Science and Religion Discussion Group 

Where do science and religion meet? Where are they in opposition?

Meet 4th Tuesdays at 4:30 in the Chapel, and on Zoom.

Contact Chris Larson for the Zoom link.

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God Talk

A discussion group for UU theists

4th Tuesdays at 4:30 PM.

This ongoing group explores how UUs can name and experience God in meaningful, useful ways. All are welcome. Contact Rev. Josh at minister@uuse.org for the Zoom link.

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Newsletter Submissions

Submit articles using newsletter@uuse.org or use this publicity form. Deadline for the Newsletter is the 20th of each month.

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UUSE General Information

UUSE Office Schedule: Monday – Friday, 8:00 AM to 4:00 PM

Meetinghouse Office: 860-646-5151

Office Administrator: Annie Gentile email: uuseoffice@uuse.org

Minister: Rev. Joshua Pawelek, 860-646-5151, minister@uuse.org

Minister Office Hours: Tuesday 10 AM to 7 PM and Thursday 10 AM to 4 PM

Director of Children & Youth Ministry: Emmy Galbraith, 860-646-5151, dcym@uuse.org

President: Trisha Corey-Lisle, 805-750--3488, uuseoffice@uuse.org

Newsletter Editor: Carol Marion, 860-646-5151, newsletter@uuse.org

Website Coordinator: uuse.web@uuse.org UUSE Website:https://www.uuse.org

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