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< To Upcoming Services Mar 21, 2026 Save the Date Community Contra Dance March 21, 2026, 4-7 PM in the UUSE Meeting Room Live music! Gender-free! Beginner friendly! All are welcome! Contact: Meghan MacRae, uuseoffice@uuse.org . #JanuaryNewsletter Community Contra Dance March 21, 2026, 4-7 PM in the UUSE Meeting Room Live music! Gender-free! Beginner friendly! All are welcome! Contact: Meghan MacRae, uuseoffice@uuse.org . #JanuaryNewsletter OOS Sermon YouTube

2e547f80-2c95-436d-a7c2-5af8f803a473 < Back Music Committee Music Committee : Advises and supports the Director of Music. Sustains and broadens the music program of the Society. Encourages children and teens, as well as adults, to share their musical talents. Updated October 9, 2025 at 2:20:39 PM

< To Upcoming Services Sep 24, 2023 Why UUSE is Home. Our congregational family is uniquely special to many of our members and friends. But why exactly? Come hear members of the UUSE family share their thoughts about what UUSE means to them and why they are committed members of our community. Coordinators: David Klotz and Marsha Howland #eBlast OOS Sermon YouTube

< To Upcoming Services Jul 20, 2025 General (Assembly) Reflections Sunday Service: "General (Assembly) Reflections" Rev. Josh Pawelek will share his reflections on the recent Unitarian Universalist Association General Assembly in Baltimore; and maybe a few more general reflections on summer, the state of the nation, etc. Special Music by Jenn Richard. Coordinator : Rev. Josh Pawelek Summer schedule: 10:00 A.M. service #eBlast-07-16 Sunday Service: "General (Assembly) Reflections" Rev. Josh Pawelek will share his reflections on the recent Unitarian Universalist Association General Assembly in Baltimore; and maybe a few more general reflections on summer, the state of the nation, etc. Special Music by Jenn Richard. Coordinator : Rev. Josh Pawelek Summer schedule: 10:00 A.M. service Sunday, July 20, 2025 In case you missed it #eBlast -07-16 OOS Sermon YouTube

Our annual appeal raises over 90% of our operating budget each year. 2025-26 Annual Appeal Our theme for this year’s Annual Appeal is “Strengthen Our Connections.” This idea is especially important this year in the swirl of unrest here and around the world. We are grateful for our community of faith where we are free to express our thoughts and feelings without fear of reprisal. We are grateful for our faith partners in the quest for a more just and caring world. Our current fiscal year (FY25) has been rich with new beginnings and a wide variety of church and community events. Below are some of the highlights for this year: All the new members that have joined our communty! There were 17 in 2024 and so far, there are 7-8 in 2025. Our strong, ongoing commitment to participation in local and statewide community social justice events and coalitions. This year 65 UUSE members attended the GHIAA Power Summit. Members also have opportunities to learn how to support immigrants through court accompaniment and other means. The excellent work of our UUA Discernment and Constitutional Change Task Forces Adding the “Time for All Ages” discussion with the children to Sunday Services The ongoing success of our fund raisers and the wonderful connections they build among us A wide variety of musical events that attract new talent and people from outside of our church. Our ongoing support for Verplank Elementary School; 11 members are tutors The current fiscal year 24-25 is an unusual year for UUSE from a financial perspective. Due to a combination of member financial challenges and concerns about the UUA this year, our income declined for the first time in many years. At the same time, the church expenses increased significantly. HR was especially impacted by a $~20,000 increase in healthcare premium and other benefit expenses. The FY25 budget gap between income and expenses was covered with reserves and pledge grant income. When we cover a gap with non-repetitive income sources, then the next year we face a similar gap again. The FY26 budget proposal is broadly based and includes participation from every sector of the budget to close the gap between income and expenses. Here are the highlights: A 4% increase in member pledge income for this year Deferral/expense cuts in staff salaries and benefits for this year Committee expense cuts Additional Reduction in UUA dues An income contribution from reserves that can be repeated each year. Removed contribution to Building Reserve to a separate project This is a ‘bare bones’ budget. If we can exceed the 4% rate, then we could eliminate the reductions in staff benefits. Additional income could also provide a cushion for pledge income lost during the year and unexpected expenses. Are some of you able to exceed the 4% amount? Below are some examples: Annual Increase Monthly Higher Pledge Rate Increase Increase $1,000 4% $3 $5 $3,000 4% $10 $15 - $20 Please do not underestimate the significance of your contribution. The aggregate of many contributions is what makes a church community work! As many of you are aware, we need to establish a robust Building Reserve that will enable the church to have sufficient funds for repair and replacement of B&G assets. The level of funding required exceeds what can be covered in an operating budget. The Policy Board has some preliminary thoughts about how to build up the reserve and will make proposals to the congregation as their ideas become more concrete. You can send your pledge directly to the church office or attend a fun potluck and fill out the forms there. If the church office has not received your pledge by March 17, a steward will contact you to see if they can provide assistance. As always, we are deeply grateful for your generous giving. We are all stewards of Unitarian Universalist Society East. If you have any questions, you can contact any one of us on the Stewardship Committee. Yours in Spirit, Patricia Wildes, Louisa Graver, Larry Lunden, Stan McMillen, Phil Sawyer How Much? Pledge Form EFT Form Ways to Give

< To Upcoming Services Watch the eBlast for the next scheduled UU SpiritLife - Leaning Into the Light 2023 October 21. Leaning Into the Light, Stephen Levine. The late Stephen Levine was a spiritual teacher and writer. Many of us have read and re-read “A Gradual Awakening,” “Who Dies?,” “Healing into Life and Death,” and others. His article “Leaning Toward the Light,” picks up familiar spiritual themes. To paraphrase Levine: “I find myself using the term “God” and am comfortable with that term because I don’t have the foggiest idea what it means.” What else are we to call that spiritual stirring that tugs at our hearts when we look into the eyes of a baby or study any living thing up close? Is that thing we call “God” a constant in our lives or is it something we long for and seek, even as we question its existence? UUs are often called a community of seekers but are we ever finders? Why is all this important? Click this link for the Article. https://g0kaba.p3cdn1.secureserver.net/handbook/Stephen%20Levine%20Essay.pdf And for Discussion Questions and Things to Think About Click Here. https://g0kaba.p3cdn1.secureserver.net/handbook/Levine%20study%20Qs.pdf Facilitator: Judy Robbins. OOS Sermon YouTube

< To Upcoming Services Watch the eBlast for the next scheduled September Ministry Theme: Building Belonging Regular Hours begin on September 7th, 9 AM and 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. #SeptemberNewsletter  Building Belonging Regular Hours begin on September 7th, 9 AM and 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. #SeptemberNewsletter OOS Sermon YouTube

< To Upcoming Services Mar 30, 2025 The Truth About Trust Sunday Service: "The Truth About Trust" What makes a person trustworthy? In this service for all ages, we'll explore some of the components of trust as it relates to developing and maintaining relationships. Telling the truth and doing the right thing isn't always easy, especially when we've made mistakes, and we fear the consequences. However difficult it is, doing our best to be people worthy of others' faith and trust is important life-long work. Coordinators : Stacey Musulin & Martha Larson Services at 9:00 and 11:00 A.M. #eBlast-03-26 Sunday Service: "The Truth About Trust" What makes a person trustworthy? In this service for all ages, we'll explore some of the components of trust as it relates to developing and maintaining relationships. Telling the truth and doing the right thing isn't always easy, especially when we've made mistakes, and we fear the consequences. However difficult it is, doing our best to be people worthy of others' faith and trust is important life-long work. Coordinators : Stacey Musulin & Martha Larson Services at 9:00 and 11:00 A.M. Sunday, March 30, 2025 In Case You Missed It: #eBlast -03-26 OOS Sermon YouTube

< To Upcoming Services Watch the eBlast for the next scheduled Last Call to Be a Delegate to General Assembly Last Call to Be a Delegate to General Assembly Do you want to learn more about Unitarian Universalism and play a role in decision-making at the national level? We are looking for a few more UUSE members who are interested in learning about how UU "business" gets done at GA by serving as delegates. GA will be held June 18th to 22nd, 2025 in Baltimore and will be in a hybrid format. Delegates are welcome to attend in person but can also serve online. Participation as an online delegate can be at no cost to you. Attendance at all General Sessions is advised but not mandatory. Voting takes place online after General Sessions. For more information, contact Carrie Kocher at uuseoffice@uuse.org . #eBlast-05-28 Last Call to Be a Delegate to General Assembly Do you want to learn more about Unitarian Universalism and play a role in decision-making at the national level? We are looking for a few more UUSE members who are interested in learning about how UU "business" gets done at GA by serving as delegates. GA will be held June 18th to 22nd, 2025 in Baltimore and will be in a hybrid format. Delegates are welcome to attend in person but can also serve online. Participation as an online delegate can be at no cost to you. Attendance at all General Sessions is advised but not mandatory. Voting takes place online after General Sessions. For more information, contact Carrie Kocher at uuseoffice@uuse.org . #eBlast -05-28 OOS Sermon YouTube

< To Upcoming Services Aug 10, 2025 Star Island - Science and Spirit on an Island Sunday Service: "Star Island -  Science and Spirit on an Island" Star Island, in the Isles of Shoals, operates as a retreat and conference center. "Shoalers" - those who attend - consider it a spiritual home. David and Jane have been part of the Institute on Religion in an Age of Science for decades, and this year were joined by Stan McMillen. The service will share some insights from this year's conference on Science and Spirituality. Coordinators : Jane Penfield and David Klotz. Summer schedule: 10:00 A.M. service #eBlast-08-06 Sunday Service: "Star Island -  Science and Spirit on an Island" Star Island, in the Isles of Shoals, operates as a retreat and conference center. "Shoalers" - those who attend - consider it a spiritual home. David and Jane have been part of the Institute on Religion in an Age of Science for decades, and this year were joined by Stan McMillen. The service will share some insights from this year's conference on Science and Spirituality. Coordinators : Jane Penfield and David Klotz. Summer schedule: 10:00 A.M. service Sunday, August 10, 2025 #eBlast -08-06 OOS Sermon YouTube

< To Upcoming Services May 26, 2024 Aging - Whats Next?. This is the second service we have had this year on aging. As we get older, we may find ourselves making decisions about numerous things including where we will live. Today we will hear from three members who have chosen different options. Coordinators: Nancy Madar and David Klotz #eBlast-05-22 OOS Sermon YouTube

29e84d96-5441-4d8d-8eed-6ab4145b5d34 < Back to Newsletter January Newsletter Article < Previous Article Next Article > Upcoming Feedback Opportunities: Principles and Values Integration Task Force As some of you will remember, one of the recommendations from last year’s UUA Discernment Task Force was for our congregation to integrate the Unitarian Universalist principles with the Unitarian Universalist Values in our collective UUSE life. To that end, our Policy Board commissioned a Principles and Values Integration Task Force last spring with the goal of studying how we can effectively achieve this integration. The task force consisted of Vivian Carlson (Sunday Services Committee), Sudha (Children and Youth Ministry and Communications and Technology Committees), Sheila Foran (Membership Committee), Kate Kimmerle (Policy Board), Ruth Rempt (at large), and Rev. Josh Pawelek (staff). The Principles and Values Integration Task Force has completed its preliminary report and will be sharing it with the congregation in early January. Please watch for it!! We want to hear from you! During the remainder of January, the Task Force will be seeking feedback from the congregation. You will be able to give feedback by emailing principlesvalues@uuse.org . You can also attend an online feedback session on Thursday, January 15th at 7:00 pm, or an in-person feedback session on Tuesday, January 20th at 1:00 PM at UUSE. Once feedback has been reviewed and integrated into the report, the task force will submit a final report to the Policy Board to be accepted at its February meeting. #JanuaryNewsletter Contact Information modified in accordance with UUSE Privacy Policies.