Gathering Music Welcome and Announcements Centering Prelude “For What It’s Worth” Music and Lyrics by Stephen Stills Performed by Kate Howard-Bender Service Introduction Chalice Lighting and Opening Words “The Task of the Religious Community” By Mark Morrison-Reed The central task of the religious community is to unveil the bonds that bind each to all. There is a connectedness, a relationship discovered amid the particulars of our own lives and the lives of others. Once felt, it inspires us to act for Justice. It is the church that assures us that we are not struggling for justice on our own, but as members of a larger community. The religious community is essential, for alone our vision is too narrow to see all that must be seen, and our strength too limited to do all that must be done. Together, our vision widens and our strength is renewed. Opening Hymn “My Life Flows on in Endless Song” #108 in Singing the Living Tradition Words: Early Quaker song Music: 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. No 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! Joys and Concerns Offering For the month of November, our regular community outreach offering will be dedicated to Manchester Senior, Adult, and Family Services, which works 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. Offering Music “Blowin' in the Wind” By Bob Dylan Performed by Kate Howard-Bender Sermon “Why Faith-Based Community Organizing Matters” (Marika Stewart) Closing Hymn “We’ll Build a Land” #121 in Singing the Living Tradition Words by Barbara Zanotti (Isaiah/Amos), adapt., Music by Carolyn McDade We’ll build a land where we bind up the broken. We’ll build a land where the captives go free, where the oil of gladness dissolves all mourning. Oh, we’ll build a promised land that can be. (Chorus) Come build a land where sisters and brothers, anointed by God, may then create peace: where justice shall roll down like waters, and peace like an ever flowing stream. We’ll build a land where we bring the good tidings to all the afflicted and all those who mourn. And we’ll give them garlands instead of ashes. Oh, we’ll build a land where peace is born. (Chorus) We’ll be a land building up ancient cities, raising up devastations from old; restoring ruins of generations. Oh, we’ll build a land of people so bold. (Chorus) Come, build a land where the mantles of praises resound from spirits once faint and once weak; where like oaks of righteousness stand her people. Oh, come build the land, my people we seek. (Chorus) Extinguishing the Chalice and Closing Words “Commitment” By Dorothy Day People say, what is the sense of our small effort. They cannot see that we must lay one brick at a time, take one step at a time. A pebble cast into a pond causes ripples that spread in all directions. Each one of our thoughts, words and deeds is like that. No one has a right to sit down and feel hopeless. There’s too much work to do. 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.

Gathering Music Welcome, Announcements, Introduction to the Service and Guest Centering (Rev. Sarah Pirtle) Prelude (played by Sarah Pirtle on wooden flute made by Hawk Henries, Nipmuk) Chalice Lighting and Opening Words Opening Hymn "Everyday Bravery" Words and music by Rev. Sarah Pirtle Collaboration on words with Rev. Jan Thomas and Bonnie Lockhart Led by Sarah Pirtle With every hard choice that we make, we keep the flame alive. With ancient embers that we rake, we keep the flame alive. With devoted creativity and rooted authenticity, With flowing generosity, we keep the flame alive. Chorus: Keep the flame alive and let it show. Light your candle and hold it high and the light will grow. Through stormy waters we have crossed, we keep the flame alive. Every time we try when we think we've lost, we keep the flame alive. With joyful celebrations and far-reaching revelations, With unsung generations, we keep the flame alive. Chorus When we move through fear and let trust ring, we keep the flame alive. Every time we stop to shout and sing, we keep the flame alive. With every mountain, every tree, with water pouring to the sea, With daily acts of bravery, we keep the flame alive. Chorus Meditation: "The Heart of the World" Joys and Concerns Musical Response Offering For the month of November, our regular community outreach offering will be dedicated to Manchester Senior, Adult, and Family Services, which works 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. Offering Music Improvisation by Mary Bopp Sermon: "Beacons Who Light Our Way" (Rev. Sarah Pirtle) Closing Chant Part I "We're Not Alone" Written by Rev. Sarah Pirtle Thanks Closing Chant "Peace Prayer" by Sarah Pirtle I hold you in my heart (4x) Shalom, shalom, shalom. As-salamu alaykum. Shalom, shalom, shalom. Alaykum as-salamu. 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.

meets on 4th Thursdays at 4:30 p.m. Important Note: Rather than the usual 4th Thursday meeting, our November/December meetings will be combined and meet on Thursday December 7. How does science inform our beliefs? Where do science and religion meet? Where are they in opposition? Members of this ongoing group will select and discuss readings covering myriad topics and the way we look at the Big Questions. This hybrid group meets at UUSE in the Children's Chapel on the lower level, and you can also participate via Zoom. All are welcome. Contact Linda Duncan for a list of discussion questions and to get the Zoom link. November/December Topic: "Sustainable Architecture" with Greg Dupuis. #eBlast-11-01

Gathering Music Welcome and Announcements Centering Prelude "Minuet #3" by J. S. Bach Performed by Elliot Vadas, cello Chalice Lighting and Opening Words: "Lighting the Chalice" by Allison Ehrman Opening Song "I'm Gonna Live in Here" (In memory of Charlie Braun) Calling the Quarters (Peggy Gagne & CYM children) Children's Choir (11 AM service only) "Love is All You Need" by The Beatles CYM Children's Choir, Nancy Madar, Director accompanied by Will Alexson Story for All Ages: "The Invisible Web" by Patrice Karst, read by Emmy Galbraith Introductions, Joys and Concerns Musical Interlude Offering The recipient of our community outreach offering is the University of Connecticut's Native American Cultural Program or NACP. NACP provides resources, services and community for UCONN's Native and Indigenous students and faculty, helps foster relationships with local tribal nations, and works towards building good relations between UCONN and the land. Offering Music & Slide Show (prepared by Dan Thompson) Homily: "Samhain, Halloween and Ancestors" Sharing of Memories (Members of the Congregation) Dismissing the Quarters (Peggy Gagne & CYM children) Closing Hymn #1070 "Mother I Feel You" by Windsong Dianne Martin Extinguishing the Chalice and Closing Words: "Extinguishing the Chalice" by Allison Ehrman 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.

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Gathering Music Welcome and Announcements Speaker Introduction Centering Prelude "The Lovers' Waltz" Written and composed by Jay Ungar and Molly Mason Performed by Mary Bopp Chalice Lighting and Opening Words Opening Hymn #170 "We Are a Gentle, Angry People" Words and Music by Holly Near Led by Sandy Johnson 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 ... Joys and Concerns Musical Meditation Reading: Do Stones Feel? by Mary Oliver Offering The recipient of our community outreach offering is the University of Connecticut's Native American Cultural Program or NACP. NACP provides resources, services and community for UCONN's Native and Indigenous students and faculty, helps foster relationships with local tribal nations, and works towards building good relations between UCONN and the land. Offering Music "Seasons of Love" Written and composed by Jonathan Larson Sung by Sandy Johnson Reading: "On the Beach" by Mary Oliver Musical Meditation Sermon (Rev. Aaron Miller) Closing Hymn #131 "Love Will Guide Us" Words: Sally Rogers Music: Betty A Wylder Led by Sandy Johnson Love will guide us, peace has tried us, hope inside us will lead the way on the road from greed to giving. Love will guide us through the hard night. If you cannot sing like angels, if you cannot speak before thousands, you can give from deep within you. You can change the world with your love. Love will guide us, peace has tried us, hope inside us will lead the way on the road from greed to giving. Love will guide us through the hard night. Meditation 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.

By Madeliene Cahill From: “Protecting our Women and Girls” October 15, 2023, Sunday Service Here’s what I want you to know: Irrational jealousy Violent temper A need to control and isolate you. Does your partner exhibit these characteristics? They are the warning signs of a violent relationship. These signs are as clear as warning signs of skin cancer or diabetes; we need to post them in doctor’s offices, schools, grocery stores, churches. Do you find yourself looking at the ground when you are walking with your partner because you’re afraid that they will accuse you of making flirtatious eye contact with a random stranger. Do you ignore the server at a restaurant because your partner is watching you, ready to rage about any sign of friendliness you display? Are your friends used to text messages you’re your partner, checking to see if you are really with them? Does your partner punch the wall near your head, break items that are precious to you, threaten the children, kick the pets, drive dangerously in order to frighten you? Does your partner have a gun? Does your partner monitor the odometer on your car, monitor your phone records and credit card bills? Does your partner destroy or damage your work: schoolbooks are torn, work files disappear, artwork has paint spilled on it? Do you find your social circle shrinking because your partner says, “That friend of yours doesn’t like me; don’t spend time with them” or “You’re different after spending time with your sister; I think she’s bad-mouthing me.” Violent relationships typically start with verbal abuse…and then profound remorse and feigned bafflement: “I’ve never done that before; I don’t know what got into me. I’ll never do it again.” But then it escalates. The first pregnancy often coincides with the first punch. Why is this? Is the abuser jealous? Or do they feel more secure knowing that their partner is now permanently tied to them and will find it harder to leave? The most dangerous time in a violent relationship is when a woman tries to leave. That is when most murders of women occur. When I began work in what was then called the Battered Women’s Shelter movement, I was surprised to find that the most common question I was asked by friends and family was “Why do women stay?” Not “Why do men hurt the women they say they love?” I began to find the answer in the cases I worked with. They stayed because their husband threatened kill them, their children, or himself if they left. Domestic violence is the most common form of violence in the U.S. A woman is more likely to be murdered by her husband or boyfriend than by a stranger, an acquaintance, a family member, a friend. A woman is most likely to be murdered when she tries to leave. If you are in a situation like this, call the Connecticut Coalition against Domestic Violence hotline: (888) 774-2900, the National Domestic Abuse Hotline 800-799-7233, or visit thehotline.org. If your friend is in a situation like this, set aside a dresser for her in your home. Have her leave clothes, medications, copies of important papers for herself and her children there. If you think that your home is the first place her abuser would look for her, figure out another place for her to go—the closest police station or a friend of yours whom the abuser doesn’t know, for instance. Create an escape plan with her. What is the quickest route to her local police station? Who could she stay with who lives within her children’s school district, so that they don’t have to transfer schools? If you recognize your own behaviors in the list of warning signs of abuse, you can get help. Call the Connecticut Coalition against Domestic Violence, (888) 774-2900, the National Domestic Abuse Hotline 800-799-7233, or visit thehotline.org for names of therapists who can help you change your behavior. A reminder: Irrational jealousy Violent temper A need to control and isolate you If these behaviors sound familiar, please get help. No one should have to live in fear of the people they love.

Gathering Music Welcome and Announcements Prelude Music "Rise Up, Rise Up" Words and Music/Unknown Members of the Manchester Women's Sacred Singing Circle Led by Jeannette LeSure Opening Hymn "Hearts Are Healing Here" Words and Music/Unknown Members of the Manchester Women's Sacred Singing Circle Led by Jeannette LeSure Hearts are healing here. Mother Goddess hold us dear! In your light, our path is clear. Women's hearts are healing here. Introduction to the Service Joys and Concerns Musical Interlude "We Hear Your Cry" Words/Music: Shelley Graff Members of the Manchester Women's Sacred Singing Circle Led by Jeannette LeSure Reading: A Beat Poem written and read by Jessey Ina-Lee Hymn "Comfort Me Oh My Soul" #1002 in Singing the Journey Members of the Manchester Women's Sacred Singing Circle Led by Jeannette LeSure Comfort me, comfort me. Comfort me oh my soul. Comfort me, comfort me. Comfort me oh my soul. (Additional verses as needed:) Sing with me Speak for me Dance with me Offering The recipient of our community outreach offering in October is the University of Connecticut's Native American Cultural Program or NACP. NACP provides resources, services and community for UCONN's Native and Indigenous students and faculty, helps foster relationships with local tribal nations, and works towards building good relations between UCONN and the land. Offering Music "Cradle Me" Words/Music: Deborah Dougherty Members of the Manchester Women's Sacred Singing Circle Led by Jeannette LeSure First Homily: "What Can You (men) Do? (Madeleine Cahill) Interlude "Courage Sister" Attributed to the anti-Apartheid Movement of South Africa Members of the Manchester Women's Sacred Singing Circle Led by Jeannette LeSure Second Homily (Madeleine Cahill) Reading: "Take Back the Day" - Excerpts from a speech by Andrea Dworkin Read by Jessey Ina-Lee Closing Hymn "I Will Not Leave You Comfortless" Words/Music: Jan Phillips Members of the Manchester Women's Sacred Singing Circle Led by Jeannette LeSure I will not leave you comfortless, I will not leave you alone, I'll be there when you need me, At the light of every star and every dawn. 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.

Gathering Music Welcome and Announcements Centering Prelude "The Oneness of Everything" by Jim Scott, arr. by Mary Bopp Chalice Lighting and Opening Words "Drawn Together" by Jennifer Gracen Opening Hymn "Gather the Spirit" #347 in Singing the Living Tradition Gather the spirit, harvest the power. Our sep'rate fires will kindle one flame. Witness the mystery of this hour. Our trials in this light appear all the same. Gather in peace, gather in thanks. Gather in sympathy now and then. Gather in hope, compassion and strength. Gather to celebrate once again. Gather the spirit of heart and mind. Seeds for the sowing are laid in store. Nurtured in love and conscience refined, With body and spirit united once more. Gather in peace, gather in thanks. Gather in sympathy now and then. Gather in hope, compassion and strength. Gather to celebrate once again. Gather the spirit growing in all, Drawn by the moon and fed by the sun. Winter to spring, and summer to fall, The chorus of life resounding as one. Gather in peace, gather in thanks. Gather in sympathy now and then. Gather in hope, compassion and strength. Gather to celebrate once again. Reading "We Are Connected" by Leslie Takahashi Introductions, Joys and Concerns Musical Interlude Offering The recipient of our community outreach offering is the University of Connecticut's Native American Cultural Program or NACP. NACP provides resources, services and community for UCONN's Native and Indigenous students and faculty, helps foster relationships with local tribal nations, and works towards building good relations between UCONN and the land. Offering Music "You Will Be Found" by Benjamin Pasek and Justin Paul Sung by Jeannine Westbrook Homily "Coming Together for Our Lives" Closing Hymn "Go Lifted Up" #1057 in Singing the Journey Go lifted up, Love bless your way Moonlight, starlight Guide your journey into peace And the brightness of day. Extinguishing the Chalice and Closing Words "Out of Our Yearning" by Susan Manker-Seale 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.

"Coming Together for Our Lives." Our closing words stress the supreme value we place on fostering connection and community. Surgeon General Murthy says this is just what the doctor ordered for an "epidemic of loneliness." How are we called to serve? Coordinator: Vivian Carlson Here's a link to the latest Order of Service #eBlast

In order to make UUSE accessible to people with multiple chemical sensitivities and environmental illness, UUSE strives to be a low scent and chemical-free congregation and facility. UUSE asks congregants, staff, and contractual visitors to limit their use of scented products as much as possible and to refrain from using perfumes and colognes. For more information on the negative aspects of fragrance, click here.

Meet Reiki Master/Teacher Priscilla Gale and experience the soothing sounds of crystal singing bowls. Float blissfully into a deep meditative state where the tumultuous stresses of everyday life are cleared, cleansed and washed away. Sound vibration is extremely effective for reducing stress and anxiety. Join us in the Meeting Room at UUSE on Sunday, October 8th from 3:00 to 5:00 P.M. to experience it for yourself and -- Feel the Chi! Suggested donation is $15. For more information about Priscilla Gale and crystal sound healing, click here.