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Gathering Music Welcome and Announcements Centering Prelude "When You Come Back Down" by Danny O'Keefe and Tim O'Brien Gonzalez Family Singers Chalice Lighting and Opening Words "In Stillness" by Nancy Shaffer Genna Bender, reader Opening Hymn #298 "Wake Now My Senses" Words by Thomas S. J. Mikelson Traditional Irish melody Wake, now, my senses, and hear the earth call; feel the deep power of being in all; keep, with the web of creation your vow, giving, receiving as love shows us how. Wake, now, my reason, reach out to the new; join with each pilgrim who quests for the true; honor the beauty and wisdom of time; suffer thy limit, and praise the sublime. Wake, now, compassion, give heed to the cry; voices of suffering fill the wide sky; take as your neighbor both stranger and friend, praying and striving their hardship to end. Wake, now, my conscience, with justice thy guide; join with all people whose rights are denied; take not for granted a privileged place; God's love embraces the whole human race. Wake, now, my vision of ministry clear; brighten my pathway with radiance here; mingle my calling with all who will share; work toward a planet transformed by our care. Introduction to Service Joys and Concerns Musical Meditation Offering Trans Voices and Visibility-365 (TV-365) is a ministry dedicated to uplifting and supporting the well being of transgender individuals in Connecticut by providing basic human needs information and referral, service coordination and support to individuals. This ministry also works to support and collaborate with relevant support groups and service providers. Our emphasis is on those most underserved, neglected, victimized and oppressed. This includes, but is not limited to, transgender women and men of color, those with disabilities, youth and elderly, immigrants (documented and undocumented), low income and victims of crime. Offering Music "Meditation" by Jules Massenet Margeaux Ford, violin Mary Bopp, piano Credos Margeaux Ford Mentor: Gina Campellone Genna Bender Mentor: Nora Mijares Alpers-Leon Olivia O'Brien-Cohen Mentor: Kate Kimmerle Charlotte Gonzalez Mentor: Kristen Morgan Claude Gonzalez Mentor: Kevin Holian-Borgnis Music "You Were Meant to Be" by Renee Stahl Glen Phillips & Rich Jaques Gonzalez Family Singers Gifts Minister: To celebrate the milestone achievement of completing Affirmation, it is our tradition at UUSE to present each youth with a chalice pendant. We hope you will wear this pendant proudly and that it will serve as a reminder that you are loved and supported by our entire community. Congregation: Just as we have been with you in days past, we are with you now. We care for you. We love you. In you we place our faith. In you we place our hope for a more peaceful, just and loving world. Youth: We are grateful for your love and suppport, and for the faith and hope you place in us as we move into the future. All: We are never complete. We are never finished. We are always becoming more than we have been. May we always help and encourage each other to grow toward all we are capable of becoming. Closing Hymn #108 "My Life Flows on in Endless Song" Early Quaker song American gospel tune My life flows on in endless song above earth's lamentation. I hear the real though far-off hymn that hails a new creation. Through all the tumult and the strife I hear the music ringing. It sounds an echo in my soul. How can I keep from singing! What though the tempest 'round me roars, I know the truth, it liveth. What though the darkness 'round me close, songs in the night it giveth. Nor storm can shake my inmost calm while to that rock I'm clinging. Since love prevails in heav'n and earth, how can I keep from singing! When tyrants tremble as they hear the bells of freedom ringing, when friends rejoice both far and near, how can I keep from singing! To prison cell and dungeon vile our thoughts to them are winging; when friends by shame are undefiled, how can I keep from singing! Extinguishing the Chalice Closing Circle May faith in the spirit of life And hope for the community of earth And love of the light in each other Be ours now, and in all the days to come. Special thanks to Kevin Holian-Borgnis, Molly Vigeant, Sam Taylor and Emmy Galbraith for their assistance in supporting the class.

Gathering Music (Mary Bopp) Welcome and Announcements Prelude "Aria" by Eugene Magalif Peggy Webbe, bass flute Mary Bopp, piano Chalice Lighting and Opening Words Opening Hymn "Be Still and Breathe" by Loretta K. Notareschi and Gabe Perbieri Be still and breathe. Be still and be. Listen to heartache, listen to grief. Be still and breathe. Be still and be. Listen to gladness, listen to joy. Be still and breathe. Be still and be. Listen to anger, listen to hurt. Be still and breathe. Be still and be. Listen to beauty, listen to grace. Be still and breathe. Be still and be. Listen to you, listen to me. Be still and breathe. Be still and be. Time For All Ages "The Word Collector" by Peter H. Reynolds Joys and Concerns Musical Meditation Offering The recipient of our May Community Outreach offering is Hartford Deportation Defense. HDD is an immigrant-led organization in Hartford, CT, working alongside their neighbors and partners to build a just and dignified future for our families and communities in the Hartford region. They engage in a variety of activities in support of immigrants, including fundraising (especially for people facing health emergencies), providing resources for families with a loved-one in detention, working with immigration attorneys, rapid response, accompaniment to hearings and legislative advocacy. Offering Music "Colors" by the Black Pumas Kate Howard Bender, guitar and vocals Sermon "Pride, Pause and Community Care" Kamora Le'Ella Herrington Closing Hymn "There's a River Flowin' in My Soul" by Rose Sanders aka Faya Ora Rose Touré There's a river flowin' in my soul. There's a river flowin' in my soul. And it's tellin' me that I'm somebody. There's a river flowin' in my soul. There's a river flowin' in my heart... There's a river flowin' in my mind... Extinguishing the Chalice Closing Circle (Set to music by Dorothy Bognar) May faith in the spirit of life And hope for the community of earth And love of the light in each other Be ours now, and in all the days to come.

Gathering Music Welcome and Announcements Centering Prelude "There is a Love" by Elizabeth H. Norton, Rebecca Ann Parker arr. by Mary Bopp Chalice Lighting and Opening Words Opening Hymn #122 Sound Over All Waters Words: John Greenleaf Whittier Music: Welsh Melody Sound over all waters, reach out from all lands the chorus of voices, the clasping of hands! Rise, hope of the ages, arise like the sun, all speech flow to music all hearts beat as one! Sing bridal of nations, with chorals of love! Sing out the war vulture and sing in the dove! With glad jubilation sing hope for the world; the great storm is ending, the clouds are all furled. Sound trumpets of triumph for marches of peace, east, west, north, and south, let the quarrels cease! Sing songs of great joy that the angels began, give glory to children, to woman and man! Hark! Joining the chorus the heavens resound! The old day is ending, a new day is crowned! Rise, hope for the ages, arise like the sun, all speech flow to music, all hearts beat as one! Introduction to the Service Responsive Invocation Story 1: The Sharps read by Martha Larson and Bill Graver Story 2: The Chalice read by Sandy Karosi and Susan Barlow Story 3: Abolition read by Martha Larson and Rob Napier Song: There Is a Love Joys and Concerns Musical Interlude Story 4: The Secret Six read by Sandy Karosi and Sue McMillen Offering Offering Music "Fire of Commitment" by Jason Shelton arr. by Mary Bopp Story 5: The Women of the Unitarian Society of New Haven read by Martha Larson and Susan Barlow Song: There Is a Love Story 6: The Clergy Consultation Service read by Sandy Karosi and Bill Graver Song: There Is a Love Story 7: AIDS read by Martha Larson and Sue McMillen Song: There Is a Love Story 8: Responding to ICE/Minneapolis read by Sandy Karosi and Rob Napier Moment of Silence A Prayer for Hope and Justice by Rev. Michelle Collins Closing Hymn #170 We Are a Gentle, Angry People Words and Music: Holly Near We are a gentle, angry people, and we are singing, singing for our lives. We are a gentle, angry people, and we are singing, singing for our lives. We are a justice-seeking people... We are young and old together... We are a land of many colors... We are gay and straight together... We are a gentle, loving people... Extinguishing the Chalice and Closing Words Closing Circle May faith in the spirit of life And hope for the community of earth And love of the light in each other Be ours now, and in all the days to come.

Religious education is not just for kids. We have plenty of programs to keep adults busy too. Intro to UU The Intro to UU program is taught periodically by the minister. There's not one scheduled at the moment. Keep an eye on the Happenings section of the website to see when the next session might be coming.

Music plays a key role in our services and in our congregational life. Upcoming Concerts & Musical Events Contact the office for details - email: info@uuse.org phone: 860.646.5151 Saturday 6/20/26 Read More Gender-free CONTRA DANCE Gender-Free Contra Dance Saturday, June 20, 2026, 4 - 7 P.M. at UUSE Here's your next chance to kick up your heels with all your friends in a joyous, life-affirming, beginner-friend... More...

A list of all of our past services, including links to the sermons. Past Services This is a list of past services. Upcoming services can be found here . 5/24/26 OOS Sermon YouTube Rooted in Solidarity This worship service tells eight stories from our Unitarian, Universalist, and UU histories: stories about how ordinary people showed up, in very different ways and in particular contexts, to side with love and show up for justice. Coordinators: Sandy Karosi and Martha Larson Summer Schedule Begins #eBlast-05-20 5/17/26 OOS Sermon YouTube Flower Communion. Sunday, May 17th: 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. Coordinators: Rev. Josh Pawelek. Return to one service at 10 AM 5/10/26 OOS Sermon YouTube How to Spot a Mom This Mother's Day, experience a tribute to the joys and challenges of motherhood inspired by the tongue-in-cheek childen' book "Hot to Spot a Mom," and supplemented with the wisdom and whimsy of our very own UUSE moms. Coordinators: Kate Kimmerle and Sam Taylor. Services at 9:00 and 11:00 A.M. #eBlast-05-06 5/3/26 OOS Sermon YouTube 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 these four acres? What is our role on this land? Note: This service will be followed by a land stewarding project. Wear work clothes if you wish to participate. Coordinator: Rev. Josh Pawelek. Services at 9:00 and 11:00 A.M. #eBlast-04-29 Show More