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November Newsletter Article

November Newsletter

Sunday Services Schedule

November Ministry Theme:Repair

Fall Service Schedule: 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.

To subscribe to the eblast, please send a message to uuseoffice@uuse.org or call the UUSE office at 860-646-5151.


Sunday, November 3rd: Election Day I

Tuesday, November 5th is a big day for the United States of America. On the Sundays surrounding the election, Rev. Josh will address what’s at stake in this election. What’s at stake for us as UUs and liberal religious people? What’s at stake for our communities? What’s at stake for country? Our November ministry theme is repair. Rev. Josh sincerely hopes these services can focus on repair, but so much remains unknown. And there is so much at stake. Coordinator: Rev. Josh Pawelek.


Sunday, November 10th: Election Day II

Tuesday, November 5th is a big day for the United States of America. On the Sundays surrounding the election, Rev. Josh will address what’s at stake in this election. What’s at stake for us as UUs and liberal religious people? What’s at stake for our communities? What’s at stake for country? Our November ministry theme is repair. Rev. Josh sincerely hopes these services can focus on repair, but so much remains unknown. And there is so much at stake. Coordinator: Rev. Josh Pawelek.


Sunday, November 17th: Building a Consensus Community

For over five decades, unique individuals at UUSE have created "a welcoming, open-minded, spiritual community seeking truth and meaning in its many forms" by weaving their ideas together creatively to move our society forward. Join us as we share our thoughts around the hard work, commitment, and "love of the light in each other" that guide us in building a consensus community that includes the aspirations of all. Coordinator: Kate Kimmerle.


Sunday, November 24th: Guest At Your Table

All-congregational service. “Guest At Your

Table” is a program of the Unitarian Universalist Service Committee (UUSC). This program is

celebrating its 50 th anniversary year. This morning, through story and song, we will explore

Unitarian Universalism’s global connections and impact through the work of the UUSC.

Coordinators: Emmy Galbraith and Rev. Josh Pawelek


Special Service: Sunday, November 24th at 5 PM at Temple Beth Shalom B’Nai Israel: Manchester’s Multi-Faith Thanksgiving Service. Manchester’s Faith community lifts up the spirit of gratitude. Watch our November eblasts for more information on this uplifting community event.

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Community Outreach Ministry

Charitable Giving for November

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 dedicated to:

Manchester Senior, Adult, and Family Services, working to improve the quality of life and help maintain the independence of Manchester residents by offering information, referral, outreach, advocacy, assessment of needs and individual consultation on human services benefits and programs.

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

Checks made out to UUSE will be treated as follows. If the memo line:

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

✓ has “COM” or the name of the charity is on the memo line, all will go to the charity.

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

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2024/2025 Ministry Themes

September: Invitation

October: Deep Listening

November: Repair

December: Presence

January: Story

February: Inclusion

March: Trust

April: Joy

May: Imagination

June: Freedom

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Minister's Column


Dear Ones:


It seems almost pointless for us to predict what will happen on election day and in the days and weeks beyond it. But we would also be naïve not to expect, in the very least, confusion and turmoil across the nation, especially in the swing states where the election is expected to be very close. And I think it is reasonable for us to anticipate feeling a range of difficult emotions in response to that confusion and turmoil. It’s going to be rocky. It’s going to be anxiety-producing. It’s going to be triggering. It will likely be frightening. My hope is that democracy prevails in this election and endures in the future. My hope is that those who support a turn towards authoritarianism and Christian Nationalism will loss soundly. But as I write these words in late October, there’s no way to know. During those rocky days and weeks following the election, let’s be there for each other. Let’s hold each other, because we’re going to need holding. Let’s be kind to each other, because we’re going to need kindness. Let’s love each other, because we’re going to need the support of a loving community. Whatever happens, let’s not go through it alone. Let’s go through it together.


I’m planning to preach about the election on the first Sunday in November. Right now I’m not sure what I want to say, though I anticipate speaking to what’s at stake when we go the polls on November 5th. After the election, during the confusion and turmoil, I expect to find times when we can come together as a community—to light candles, to pray, to sing, to name our concerns and fears, to read poetry, to share meals. On the Sunday after Election Day, I’ll preach in response to whatever is known at that time. And if not much is known, I’ll speak about that. And I’ll keep looking for times for us to come together. Whatever happens, let’s not go through it alone. Let’s go through it together.


You have important spiritual resources available to you. The twentieth-century Unitarian theologian, James Luther Adams, once described theology as the attempt to name that in which one places one’s confidence. As the election approaches, and once we’re on the other side of it, I encourage you to do some theologizing. Name to yourself and others that in which you place your confidence and why. You might have many answers: a spouse, a parent, a child, a friend, a mentor, a teacher, a pet, your neighborhood, our UUSE community, your garden, the natural world, the earths, the sun and stars, a passage from scripture, a song, love, justice, freedom, God, Goddess, spirit, life, mystery, the universe. Whatever it is, keep naming it. Make it your mantra for these difficult days. Let it ground you through this time of turmoil and confusion. Let it be your anchor. Let it be your plumb line. Let it be your north star. Let it keep you from sinking into the depths of fear and despair. Let it keep you strong, resilient and hopeful. In what do you place your confidence?


Given that it’s going to be a difficult post-election period; given that we’re likely to experience that range of difficult feelings, I am more than willing to connect with UUSE members and friends to listen, to process, to vent and rage, to cry, and to look forward to a better future. Do not hesitate to reach out to me if you’d like to talk. And please watch for opportunities for us to come together as a community. Let’s not go through it alone. Let’s go through it together.


With love and care,

Rev. Josh Pawelek

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President's Column


Dear Congregation Friends, my message for November


Desiderata: Original Text (Original text from the book where Desiderata was first published.)


Go placidly amid the noise and the haste, and remember what peace there may be in silence. As far as possible, without surrender, be on good terms with all persons.


Speak your truth quietly and clearly; and listen to others, even to the dull and the ignorant; they too have their story.


Avoid loud and aggressive persons; they are vexatious to the spirit. If you compare yourself with others, you may become vain or bitter, for always there will be greater and lesser persons than yourself.


Enjoy your achievements as well as your plans. Keep interested in your own career, however humble; it is a real possession in the changing fortunes of time.


Exercise caution in your business affairs, for the world is full of trickery. But let this not blind you to what virtue there is; many persons strive for high ideals, and everywhere life is full of heroism.


Be yourself. Especially do not feign affection. Neither be cynical about love; for in the face of all aridity and disenchantment, it is as perennial as the grass.


Take kindly the counsel of the years, gracefully surrendering the things of youth.


Nurture strength of spirit to shield you in sudden misfortune. But do not distress yourself with dark imaginings. Many fears are born of fatigue and loneliness.


Beyond a wholesome discipline, be gentle with yourself. You are a child of the universe no less than the trees and the stars; you have a right to be here.


And whether or not it is clear to you, no doubt the universe is unfolding as it should. Therefore be at peace with God, whatever you conceive Him to be. And whatever your labors and aspirations, in the noisy confusion of life, keep peace in your soul. With all its sham, drudgery and broken dreams, it is still a beautiful world. Be cheerful. Strive to be happy.


~by Max Ehrmann ©1927


Peggy Webbe, President

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Director of Children & Youth Ministry Column


Of course as I am writing this, I have no idea who will win the 2024 presidential election. But I do know that our children and youth are hearing a lot about it. Rev. Josh and I had the opportunity to talk with the High School Youth Group about their concerns and questions regarding the current campaign season. They were very insightful and we’ll continue talks about their experiences over the next few weeks.


As a mom of teenagers, my kids are getting most of their information from social media. With the purpose of being funny, edgy, and attention-grabbing, the reels and memes circulating have little to do with issues and proposed solutions. My middle child will have turned 18 just two weeks before the 2028 election, so I’ve been reflecting on ways to bring the conversation to the dinner table, in a way that will interest and engage them. She always enjoys coming to vote with me, and has lots of questions. But I admit, I don’t always get to the polls for local and off-year elections. I’m not promoting that, but it does make me look within. How many opportunities am I missing to engage my children in civic and political matters?


My 8-year-old son Forrest watched both the Presidential and Vice Presidential debates with me. He also asked a lot of questions and learned quite a bit. The later bedtime on a school night may have been a large part of the appeal. But mostly I think he wanted to see the people behind the memes and jokes on YouTube. Regardless of age, it’s easy to see presidential candidates as celebrities and symbols rather than people. My children’s father is apolitical but if he were to choose a candidate, it would be Trump. Which offers some interesting conversation and jokes within my own family. Forrest is young but he can sense excitement and power dynamics built into that. How many of us, I wonder, are part of families with a similar dynamic? If we look into extended family, probably all of us.


I heard someone this week wisely proclaim that if it wasn’t Trump, it would be someone else. It’s a time in our country and history that has birthed this. A few days later I heard someone else say, this won’t end even if Trump loses. In 4 or 8 years, an even more palatable version of Vance will arrive on the scene. This doesn’t end with this election. It was hard to hear, but I think it’s true and gives me some deeper understanding. “The work” is never ending but we get to take turns.


Children and youth always give me hope for the future when I’m lacking it. If you haven’t spent time with any lately, I highly recommend it. As a liberal, progressive people we have put a lot of work into changing the world. Our communities, culture, and stories are truly better because of it. The proof is in the pudding, just talk to our kids. And by “our” I mean all of “our kids” at UUSE. They belong to all of us. They are watching us, they are eager to carry our legacy, and they already are. They are loving, they are kind. They crave fairness and fight for it. They delight in helping and in learning.


No matter who “wins” there is pain and loss in our country. The fractured families and friendships, the feelings of betrayal and devastation. “Our” children will feel and see it radiating off of us. We can show them how to walk through it, and how to continue “the work” when it is indeed most important. They will carry the seed we’ve planted, and I thank all of you for it.


Emmy Galbraith (she/her/hers)

Director of Children and Youth Ministry

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Report from UUSE's October Policy Board Meeting


Dear UUSE Members and Friends:


At its October meeting, the UUSE Policy adopted the following resolution:


UUSE Policy Board Seven Principles Resolution

October 15, 2024


In response to written and verbal concerns expressed to the UUSE Policy Board during the month of September, 2024, regarding the pace of our UUA discernment process, the following resolution is intended to clarify the Policy Board’s assumptions regarding the congregation’s continuing use of the seven principles and six sources of the Unitarian Universalist living tradition.


First, UUSE is an independent congregation.


Second, UUSE will not make any changes to its historic uses of and references to the seven principles and six sources of the Unitarian Universalist living tradition until after the fall 2024 discernment process, and only if that process determines that changes are necessary. (The historical uses and references include, but are not limited to, the printed order of service, the wall of the meeting house lobby, and the UUSE website.)


Third, any changes to UUSE’s constitution regarding either the previous UUA bylaw Article 2 (principles and sources) or the new UUA Bylaw Article 2 (values and covenants) will be determined as a result of the fall, 2024 discernment process.


In addition, the Policy Board considered a motion to recommend that the congregation vote at this time to alter Article XV of the UUSE constitution (dissolution clause). That motion did not pass. We are confident that votes on this and other clauses in the UUSE constitution that pertain to the congregation’s relationship with the Unitarian Universalist Association will come before the congregation during the current congregational year.


Respectfully submitted,

Peggy Webbe, President

Anne Carr, Vice President

Rev. Josh Pawelek, Minister

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UUSE Dollar$ and $en$e


One of the Finance Committee’s goals for this year, is to increase financial transparency across UUSE. This new monthly newsletter article is a step towards that goal.

Highlights of fiscal year ending June 30,2024, include:

  • Ending the year with a $27k surplus due to lower than budgeted expenses.
  • Due to the surplus, the budgeted transfer of $14k from our Endowment Fund to support operations, was not needed so the withdrawal from the Endowment was not made.
  • Policy Board approved the establishment of a new reserve named, Operations Reserve, to provide a financial buffer for lower income or higher expenses. The Board also approved moving the surplus of $27k to this reserve.
  • Any surplus at the end of the 2024-25 year is planned to go to the Building Reserve


Progress has been made to ensure that the Society has the financial policies and controls in place for an organization that has $500k in annual operating expenses and an endowment of $500k, including:

  • Updating our Building Rental Policy and rental rates
  • Congregational approval of our new Gift Policy
  • Congregational approval of our new Endowment Guidelines
  • Finance completing a proposed Procurement Policy that is pending Policy Board action

All are warmly welcomed to attend any Finance Committee meeting on the second Tuesday of the month, via ZOOM. Please feel free to contact Bob Knapp, Finance Chair with any questions.


The UUSE Finance Committee

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Update from the Constitutional Change Task Force


To the UUSE community:


We the members of the Constitutional Change Task Force (CCTF) would like to share what we have been working on and what our plans are as we do our work. We are addressing all areas of the Constitution that do not relate to UUSE's relationship to the Unitarian Universalist Association (UUA).


We have met five times as of mid-October with our first meeting to receive our charge having convened on July 30, 2024.


So far the CCTF has reviewed the proposed changes as presented at the meetings on May 5 and 19, 2024, and we have compiled and discussed the concerns and suggestions made at those meetings.


We are now in the process of reaching out to committees and leaders who would be impacted by constitutional changes. We have received some feedback from the Membership, Social Justice/Anti-Oppression, and Finance Committees so far. We will continue this step of the process over the next weeks.


Taking into consideration what we will have learned, the CCTF will then write a new set of proposed changes to the Constitution and share them with the wider UUSE community in order to receive further feedback. Finally, we will work with the Policy Board and possibly the UUA Discernment Task Force to present the results of our work for a congregation-wide vote at a duly called meeting. We hope to complete this last step in the first few months of 2025.


Thank you for your help and support,

Reta Soderholm, chair

Laurie Semprebon, vice-chair

Carol Marion

Kevin Holian-Borgnis

Malcolm Barlow, Policy Board Liason

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Children & Youth Ministry News

Do you have a spiritual practice that you engage in? It could be daily, annually, or anywhere in between. Would you be willing to visit our Elementary classroom once this upcoming program year to simply tell or show them about your spiritual practice and why you do it? Need not be more than 5-10 minutes but can take as long as you’d like. If yes, please email Emmy Galbraith the Director of Children & Youth Ministry at dcym@uuse.org.

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Young Adult Care Packages


From Sunday Sept 29 through Sunday Nov 3, the High School Youth Group will be collecting items for Care Packages to send to our young adults beginning the post-high school chapter of their lives. Please consider donating protein bars, soup, tea, candy, snacks, toiletries, stationary, fun items - anything that a college student or young adult just starting out might enjoy. Not sure what to buy? Please consider purchasing an item from our Amazon Wish at this link: Care Package Amazon Wish List or making a monetary donation to help defray mailing costs. Can't help financially? We would welcome handwritten notes of encouragement to pass along to our young adults. Look for the bins in the lobby and on the Garden Level for the collection location. Please contact Michelle Spadaccini at uuseoffice@uuse.org for more information. Thanks for your support!

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Upcoming Events

Keep up to date on all UUSE happenings here.

Kirtan is Back!

Heart Centered Kirtan Sunday, November 10 at 3pm at Unitarian Universalist Society East (UUSE)


Clear your mind and soothe your soul with Heart Centered Kirtan (HCK). Libby

Volckening and friends will be at UUSE on Sunday, November 10 at 3pm. Everyone is welcome including kids of all ages. Since 2013, Heart Centered Kirtan has traveled throughout New England with their original call-and-response devotional music. HCK weaves Sanskrit and Buddhist mantras into a unique blend of modern Western musical styles, creating a meditative and uplifting experience. Want to learn more about HCK? Click Heart Centered Kirtan, then join us live at UUSE!


The suggested donation is $15, but no one will be turned away. Whether you pay more or less, just let your heart and personal circumstances guide you to offer whatever is right for you.


Unitarian Universalist Society East, 153 Vernon St. West, Manchester CT 06042


Please double-click this link to view the poster for the event.

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New Member Sunday

December 8, 9:00 and 11:00 AM


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.

The next UUSE New Member Sunday is December 8. If you have any questions, please contact Janet or Carole, or Rev. Josh Pawelek at minister@uuse.org.

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Fall Clean-up

Saturday, November 16th

Here’s a great congregational event to build community and prepare the grounds

for our guests for the holiday fair! Join the Building & Grounds Committee for the

annual Fall Clean-up on. Bring what

you have for raking and pruning and we'll supply the rest: snacks, coffee, cider,

equipment, guidance, and a few laughs. Children and youth with responsible

adults are especially invited. Can’t make it November 16th? We could use help

the week before blowing leaves off the lawns. Contact Cory Clark or Jane Osborn

for more information.

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CCIU Love Your Neighbor Dinner

November 18, 2024

The Connecticut Council for Interreligious Understanding (www.ccfiu.org) celebrates its 30th anniversary at the annual Love Your Neighbor Dinner on Monday November 18th at the Hartford Marriott. CCIU is honoring several past and present board members for their contributions and community commitment. CCIU relies on the funding received from this dinner to lay the foundation for solvency in the coming year.


The CCIU board consists of representatives from nine faith traditions (Baha'is, Buddhists, Christians, Hindus, Jains, Jews, Muslims, Sikhs and Unitarian-Universalists), and its mission is to bring awareness and education of Connecticut's religious pluralism. Its work includes Love Your Neighbor, Know Your Neighbor panel discussions, an initiative that was initially funded through a grant from UCC. Other initiatives have included the celebrations of World Religion Day, Race Amity Day, an interfaith film series, author presentations, etc. You can learn more about its activities through the website.


Rev. Dr Alvan N. Johnson, CCIU Co-Chair, is the event emcee. Frank Harris III, former columnist at the Hartford Courant and Chair of the Department of Journalism at Southern Connecticut State University is the keynote speaker. Tickets are $125 per person or $800 for a table of 8. You can buy tickets or make a donation at ccfiu.org.


For the dinner, if you click on the website and scroll to the bottom of the page, you can see where to register. Please consider attending in order to support CCIU. If you are not able to attend, please consider a donation to continue the much needed work of this organization.


Thank you,

Greg Dupuis

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GHIAA the Greater Hartford Interfaith Action Alliance, of which UUSE is a founding member will be holding:

GHIAA Power Summit

Thursday, Nov. 21, 2024

6:30-8:30 pm

Weaver High School

415 Granby Street Hartford, CT 06112

Doors open at 6 pm


We are aiming to bring 75 people to this event. You can support this important coalition working for justice by attending. Sign up after the 9 and 11 am Sunday services. There will be carpooling for those interested. Questions? Contact: uuseoffice@uuse.org.

GHIAA 2024-2025 Issues:

GHIAA is intentional to ensure our issue campaigns are in alignment with our core values. We demonstrate our ongoing commitment to embodying these values in every facet of our work through these guiding principles:

  • Accountability
  • Center BIPOC & Under Represented Voices
  • Balance Power Dynamics
  • GHIAA Leader Led Campaigns
  • Partnership
  • Racial & Economic Justice
  • Strategic Analysis

GHIAA Research Teams have diligently broadened their understanding of the issues to ensure that our next action campaigns reflect our guiding principles. We maintain our commitment to only move forward with action campaigns that are in alignment with our organizational values.

Housing Affordability

Municipal Action Teams: There is a need for thousands of units of affordable housing in CT. Currently, most affordable housing exists in urban areas, with many suburban towns employing any number of tactics to prevent the inclusion of affordable housing in their communities. GHIAA intends to organize leaders in our member congregations to build power in their local towns to overcome these barriers and become part of an organized movement to increase affordable housing across our state.

Eviction Protection: Most tenants in CT can be evicted for no reason at all. These “no-fault evictions” occur two to three times more often against tenants of color, and have been on a steady increase, leading to homelessness and precarious housing situations for many low-income renters. With our allies, GHIAA supports legislation to expand eviction protections so that no one can be evicted without cause.

Fiscal Policy Reform

CT is a wealthy state. Recent budgets have run billion-dollar surpluses. The Rainy Day Fund is projected to reach $4.7 Billion or $21.1% of the net General Fund in 2024. Yet, when it comes to vital social services such as special education, mental health, elder care, child care, and support for people with disabilities, we continue to be told that there is “not enough money.” The state continues to outsource these services to nonprofits and then underfund those same organizations.

State leaders often refer to our budget policies as “fiscal guardrails.” But guardrails are supposed to keep us safe. Instead, we are stuck with Fiscal Roadblocks that are preventing the resources we have from reaching the communities and individuals who need them. While fiscal responsibility is important, we cannot afford to starve current and future generations in order to pay excessive fees and penalties for the mistakes of the past. It’s time to change these outdated policies and create a budget that meets human needs while also maintaining our state’s fiscal health.

Combating Racial & Religious Hate

In response to stories shared by GHIAA members, we have established a working group to address the harm caused by antisemitism, anti-Muslim bigotry, and racism as they show up in our local communities. We are developing opportunities for learning, leadership development, and relationship building, so that we can continue to deepen our shared understanding and strengthen the connections we share in the work of justice. Opportunities will begin in the new year.

MIRA Polluted Land Remediation

The plans for remediation of the land surrounding the former incinerator plant in the South End of Hartford are moving forward. However, our work is not done. During a recent planning meeting, the MIRA Dissolution Authority (MDA) reproposed using the property for an updated trash processing plant. Despite previous guarantees that MIRA land would not be used for trash processing, they have included this possibility in order to “keep their options open.”


Hartford residents have borne the negative health impacts of this site, and of the region’s garbage, for generations. Residents in the surrounding neighborhoods have some of the highest asthma rates in the state. It is time to hold decision-makers accountable and stop this environmentally racist practice.

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UUSE Artisan Holiday Market News!

Questions can be sent to our fearless leader, Desiree Holian-Borgnis, and the planning committee Jennifer Klee and Michelle Spadaccini at Fair@uuse.org.


The UUSE Artisan Holiday Market (because it's so much more than a run-of-the-mill fair) will be held on

Friday, Nov. 22, 6 to 8:30 PM

Saturday, Nov. 23, 9 AM to 3 PM


Attention all Crafters! Join us Sunday, September 29 after the second service to make crafts for the holiday fair. We'll provide the materials and instruction for several different projects, or feel free to come and work on whatever it is you are making for the holiday fair. Bring your lunch. We'll provide dessert. Please contact Gina Campellone at uuseoffice@uuse.org to let us know you're coming.


Silent Auction is Looking for Donations

We have some UUs who own local businesses or are accomplished artists who help us out yearly with generous contributions. But you may have some treasures to donate. What draws bids? Past items that attracted numerous bids include a beautiful set of wooden jigsaw puzzles featuring some “whimsy” pieces, a new gas grill (a thank you gift for purchasing a car), a member upgraded her iPad, and donated her old one. We’ve had a quilting frame, a fancy Franklin Mint commemorative Monopoly game, sports memorabilia, high-end jewelry, gently used designer purses, and decorative home items. Themed baskets full of goodies that can be given as gifts are usually a big draw (think spa night basket, pet-owner basket, hostess gift basket, etc.) And, of course, the work of our many talented UUSE artists and crafters is always a big draw! Have an idea? Talk with Mary Ellen Vigeant.

Also --

Canning jars: Do you have any to donate to the cause? Leave them in the fair bin in the coat closet.

Leadership: We need people to take on a few leadership roles • Organize Lunch for the Fair Workers: Easy! Order take out and set/clean it up. • After Fair Party: Find and reserve a fun venue. • Garden Level Coordinator: Organize the team that empties out and resets the Children & Youth Ministry Rooms. • Jewelry team leader. Past chairs Peggy Webbe and Diana Sherman are happy to advise but have family matters that mean they don't have the bandwidth to donate as much time as they have in the past. Talk to Desiree or email Fair@uuse.org if you can step up. • Books: Are you willing to apprentice this year with the goal of taking over the leadership of the book shop next year? Talk to Dottie Keating at uuseoffice@uuse.org or Fair@uuse.org.

Fabulous Finds: The former “Friday Night Specials” booth has been renamed “Fabulous Finds” because it is open throughout the Fair. Please start setting aside any “upscale” tag sale items you would like to donate, including new or nearly new art, kitchen ware, serving pieces, clothing and accessories, tools, housewares or one-of-a-kind treasures. Contact Lesley Schurmann at uuseoffice@uuse.org if you’re unsure if your fabulous finds are appropriate or with other questions.

For more ways about how you can pitch in, click here.

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A December Brass Concert

Sunday, December 1, 3 PM

Celebrate the Holidays with The Atrium Brass Quartet at UUSE on Sunday December 1st at 3PM at the UUSE Meetinghouse in Manchester. Admission is free. This concert is given in memory of Lynn and Roland Chirico, longtime members of UUSE.

The program will be held at the Unitarian Universalist Society East located at 153 Vernon Street West, Manchester, CT. It is free and open to the public.

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Green Sanctuary News

Many of us spent some time this past summer either sailing or cruising on the ocean, maybe fishing or crabbing. Some loved walking on the beach looking for shells or stones, some built sandcastles. Some just enjoyed soaking in the beauty, the vastness, the mystery, the powerful waves. Something about the ocean often makes us feel a deep spiritual connection to the universe.


The Sustainable Living Committee is excited to sponsor a Climate Café on Sunday, November 3rd following the second service with a presentation by our own Deb Dauphinais, an experienced scuba diver who cares deeply about our oceans, and the waters of New England. Here, in Deb’s own words, is what you’ll experience November 3rd.


I would like to share my passion with the community, including education about the fish, invertebrate, and plant life that is active right off the shores of the beaches that many of us visit. I will include stories of marine encounters and educate people about the small invertebrates that many of us overlook, from the small, harmless dog sharks down to the small barnacles which are actually quite beautiful when they actively feed with their feather-like appendages. I'd like to share some information that may be delightfully surprising to many - did you know that we have beautiful corals here?


As someone who loves our darker, colder New England waters as much as I love the warm tropical waters that get most of the attention when it comes to conservation and marine species information, I have successfully shared this passion with and educated many people about our own local waters. We take care of what we love - and the more we know, the more we can appreciate it.


Deb has been a certified professional rated dive educator for over 30 years. She is a PADI (Professional Association of Dive Instructors) Assistant Instructor and an AWARE Instructor, having been certified to teach their courses related to marine conservation and protection. She is on the teaching staff at Scuba Shack in Rocky Hill. Deb has completed hundreds of dives off the CT, RI, Mass, and Maine shorelines and countless hours of tide pool and beach exploration and has also been a volunteer at both the New England Aquarium and Mystic Aquarium, both as an educator and within the marine mammal rescue program. Most importantly, Deb says she’s simply a New England marine life geek who loves to share her passion!


UUSE was the first accredited Green Sanctuary in CT and still the only recertified congregation. As of 2020 at least 30% of all UU congregations are Green Sanctuaries, 5 of which are in CT. But now UUA has revised and begun a new version called Green Sanctuary 2030. The Sustainable Living Committee endorses this new project but needs new people to take on the leadership of such a project. Does this interest you? We welcome anyone interested in this or other projects of the Sustainable Living Committee to join us for our monthly zoom meeting on second Tuesdays at 7:00 PM. Let Anne Vaughan, uuseoffice@uuse.org know so you can receive an agenda and zoom link for the October 8th meeting.

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UUSE: Our History

ROMEOS (aka Retired Old Men Eating Out)


Hello UUSE Friends,


This month Bill Graver is sharing with us the story of our famed men’s group, “Romeos”, a fun tradition at UUSE. Of course, Romeos is only a nickname, short for Retired Old Men Eating Out. We love the clever name, but must be honest and let you know that there are other “Romeos” groups out there. Here’s Bill:


"Retired Old Men Eating Out (ROMEOS) was inspired back in the 90’s by Hal Sternberg, spouse of Rev. Connie Sternberg our minister at that time. Hal was friendly and social and felt we we could benefit from a monthly luncheon group to promote greater fellowship. The lunches have continued through the years as different members have stepped up to organize and maintain the group.


A brief online search reveals that our group is not unique. There are ROMEOS groups around the country, many clustered in areas that attract numbers of retirees. Our group sports green and tan ball caps with UU ROMEOS front and center while some groups have T-shirts or some other type of identification. There are no rules, no agendas save for the three F’s: Food, Fun and Fellowship.


We meet on the second Tuesday of each month at various restaurants that can accommodate a group as large as 15-20. We are not limited to just retirees as all are welcome if they are available and would like to participate. Simply contact Annie and have you name added to our email list."


Come and have fun with the ROMEOS. Peggy Webbe


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Join Us in Activities at UUSE!

Keep up to date on all UUSE happenings here.

Ladies at Lunch

Thursday, November 14, we will have lunch at Simply Thai, 409 Hartford Turnpike, Vernon. We meet at noon. Everyone is welcome! Join us if you can. Please RSVP by Wednesday November 13 to Sharon Huber ~ uuseoffice@uuse.org or 860-646-5151.

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New Adult Religious Education Offering

Adult Affirmation

3rd Sunday of each month, October to May, from 1:00 to 3:00 PM


Beginning in late October, Rev. Josh will offer a new course entitled “Adult Affirmation.” This is a mash-up of a previous course entitled Building Your Own Theology and the Affirmation class which UUSE youth take around their 9th-grade year. Participants will have an opportunity to explore theological and spiritual questions related to God, humanity and human nature, the earth, the role of the individual in community, and social and environmental justice engagement. Participants will also craft a credo—a statement of their personal theology.


There’s an exciting twist to this year’s class. We’re going to experiment with having the youth Affirmation class participate in Rev. Josh’s classes. Yes—this will be our first attempt at multigenerational Affirmation.


The class is currently scheduled to meet at UUSE on the 3rd Sunday of each month, October to May, from 1:00 to 3:00 pm. If there are adults who want to participate in this class but can’t do so on Sunday afternoons, please let Rev. Josh know at minister@uuse.org or (860) 652-8961. If there is a sufficient number of people who’d prefer to take the class during the week, we can add another section.


Want to sign up? Contact our office at uuseoffice@uuse.org or 860-646-5151. Questions, contact Rev. Josh.

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UUSE Holiday Choir

Wednesdays, starting October 30th at 7:15 PM


Do you love to sing? Do you love to have fun? You don't have to audition. If you answered “yes” to these questions you can sing with the UUSE Choir! Weekly rehearsals start Wednesday, October 30th at 7:15 PM. in preparation for the Holiday Music Services on December 15th. All ages welcome. For more information, contact Mary Bopp at music@uuse.org.

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Pastoral Friends Rotating Chair

PastoralFriends@uuse.org.

Sep – Oct: Sally Gifford

Nov – Dec: Sue McMillen

Jan – Feb: Sid Soderholm

Mar – Apr: Laurie Semprebon

May – Jun: Anne Stowe

Back-up Gene Sestero

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Books, Classes, and Discussions

Adult Religious Education

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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 each month with the meeting reminder, usually the weekend before that Tuesday by Carolyn Gimbrone. Here are the books, with number of pages, for the next several months.

Goodreads descriptions:

  • November: Wide Sargasso Sea, by Jean Rhys (176 pages) Discussion Leader Janet Dauphin
  • December: The Wind Knows My Name, by Isabel Allende (272 pages) Discussion Leader - Louisa Graver

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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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Buddhist Group

The Buddhist Group meets at 7 PM on the first Tuesday of the month 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

3rd Tuesdays 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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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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Science and Religion Discussion Group

Fourth Thursdays at 4:30 PM in the Chapel and on Zoom

  • Nov/Dec: Mark Gilbert? Where do science and religion meet? Where are they in opposition? What about evolutionary biology, artificial intelligence, climate change, the brain, genetics? Members select favorite topics. Contact Linda Duncan for questions and Zoom link.

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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!


For more information visit Meetup.

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UUSE Coffeehouse is Back!

Sign up starts at 6 PM-- performances will start at 6:30 PM NEW START TIME


UUSE's monthly coffeehouse opens its 24th season. Sign up starts at 6 pm -- performances will start at 6:30 pm NEW START TIME. Poets, singers, songwriters, storytellers, bagpipers, and performers of all kinds may sign up for a 10-minute or two-song slot. Non-performing audience members are warmly welcomed. We provide the coffee -- BYO food or libations

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Newsletter Submissions

Submit articles using newsletter@uuse.orgor 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: Peggy Webbe, 860-646-5151, uuseoffice@uuse.org

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

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

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Contact Information modified in accordance with UUSE Privacy Policies.
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