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< To Upcoming Services Watch the eBlast for the next scheduled Choir Rehearsal. Do you love to sing? Do you love to have fun? If you answered “yes” to these questions you can sing with the UUSE Choir! You don't have to audition. Check the weekly eBlast and monthly Newsletters for rehearsals dates. All ages welcome. For more information, contact Mary Bopp at music@uuse.org . OOS Sermon YouTube

Kirtan Music and Mantra @UUSE Heart-Centered Kirtan returns to Manchester, CT Come chant, breathe, and reconnect through the joy of kirtan. Join us in Manchester, CT, where live music, mantra singing, and community come together in a shared spiritual practice. Upcoming Dates All sessions begin at 3pm in the UUSE sanctuary: · Sunday, September 21, 2025 · Sunday, February 22, 2026 · Sunday, March 22, 2026 · Sunday, May 17, 2026 Each gathering is led by Heart-Centered Kirtan , offering a powerful and inclusive group chanting experience in Connecticut. Save the dates and come sing with us, dance, do yoga, or just soak it in. What Is Kirtan? Kirtan is a form of chanting meditation rooted in Indian spiritual traditions. Through call-and-response singing of simple, repetitive mantras, participants are invited into a shared state of peace, energy, and connection. Whether you're looking for spiritual music events in CT, interested in meditative music, or simply want to try something new, kirtan offers a welcoming space for all. About Heart-Centered Kirtan Led by Libby Volckening , with Dan Thomas, Zach Gregory, and Chris Ball , Heart-Centered Kirtan weaves Sanskrit and Buddhist mantras into a blend of Western musical styles. Their Unitarian Universalist kirtan gatherings are known for being grounding, joyful, and openhearted. Since 2013, they’ve led kirtan across Connecticut and New England, bringing people together through the healing power of music and mantra. Learn more at heartcenteredkirtan.com What to Know Donation: $20 suggested (more or less is always OK—no one is turned away). All are welcome: No experience needed. Families are encouraged to attend. Scent-free space: Please avoid perfumes and essential oils. Seating: Chairs provided; bring a cushion if you prefer the floor. If you're searching for inclusive spiritual events in CT or want to explore community chanting , this is a great place to begin. < Previous Next >

74888f76-d7cf-489c-b9db-5af23c7078b6 < Back to Newsletter December Newsletter Article < Previous Article Next Article > Strategic Planning Task Force Puzzle Me This The Strategic Plan Task Force is just starting the work needed to update UUSE’s Vision and Mission Statements (previously revised in 2011), in addition to creating a new strategic plan to meet set goals of interest to the congregation. To kick off this congregational work and to start some brainstorming, try the following challenge: Can you complete the crossword puzzle with some key pieces from the previous 2011 Strategic Plan? Enjoy the interactive puzzle and the opportunity to start thinking about new goals as we look to the future. The task force will present more information and discuss ideas with the congregation around this work in the coming months. Word Bank: Care, Fifteen, Five, Gifts, Justice, Mission, Rights, Strategic, Technologies, Vision, Youth #DecemberNewsletter Contact Information modified in accordance with UUSE Privacy Policies.

< To Upcoming Services Watch the eBlast for the next scheduled Climate Café with Deb Dauphinais Climate Café with Deb Dauphinais 1:00PM We'll have a presentation by our own Deb Dauphinais, a certified professional rated dive educator for over 30 years. She cares deeply about our oceans and the waters off New England and will include her stories of marine encounters. Click here for more information. The program will also be available on Zoom and a link will be provided. Sponsored by the Sustainable Living Committee. Climate Caf é with Deb Dauphinais 1:00PM We'll have a presentation by our own Deb Dauphinais, a certified professional rated dive educator for over 30 years. She cares deeply about our oceans and the waters off New England and will include her stories of marine encounters. Click here for more information. The program will also be available on Zoom and a link will be provided. Sponsored by the Sustainable Living Committee. OOS Sermon YouTube

< To Upcoming Services Watch the eBlast for the next scheduled Mad Agnes Concert Mad Agnes Concert Stay with us after the Homecoming Picnic Sunday, September 7th for a great concert at 3:00 PM! Mad Agnes has won hearts on two continents with their signature intricate harmonies and compelling songwriting. The genre-bending trio--Margo Hennebach, Adrienne Jones and Mark Saunders--waves contemporary folk with a nod to Celtic , an element of vocal improv, and top-notch arrangements into an exciting, inclusive performance. Mad Agnes continues to play for long-time fans, and they're excited to be creating new ones as well. They exemplify three voices, one soul and forty years of harmony and mayhem. Click here for a video link to Mad Agnes. There is a $20 free will donation for the concert. #eBlast-09-03 Mad Agnes Concert Stay with us after the Homecoming Picnic Sunday, September 7th for a great concert at 3:00 PM! Mad Agnes has won hearts on two continents with their signature intricate harmonies and compelling songwriting. The genre-bending trio--Margo Hennebach, Adrienne Jones and Mark Saunders--waves contemporary folk with a nod to Celtic , an element of vocal improv, and top-notch arrangements into an exciting, inclusive performance. Mad Agnes continues to play for long-time fans, and they're excited to be creating new ones as well. They exemplify three voices, one soul and forty years of harmony and mayhem. Click here for a video link to Mad Agnes. There is a $20 free will donation for the concert. #eBlast -09-03 OOS Sermon YouTube

< To Upcoming Services Watch the eBlast for the next scheduled Choir Rehearsal Do you love to sing? Do you love to have fun? If you answered “yes” to these questions you can sing with the UUSE Choir! You don't have to audition. Check the weekly eBlast and monthly Newsletters for rehearsals dates. All ages welcome. For more information, contact Mary Bopp at music@uuse.org . OOS Sermon YouTube

This is a calendar of internal events. It has things like committee meetings, maintenance and cleaning, and set up for other events.

< To Upcoming Services Watch the eBlast for the next scheduled Special Screening: Intersexion Tuesday night, March 25th, at the UUSE meeting house 7:00 PM Co-sponsored by UUSE’s Adult Religious Education and Social Justice/Anti-Oppression Committees. We’ve heard it said recently that there are only two genders. Indeed, the first question most new parents ask … “Is it a boy or a girl?” What if it’s neither? Fact: 1 in 2,000 babies is born with genitalia so ambiguous that the doctors cannot easily answer this question. In this groundbreaking documentary, intersex individuals reveal the secrets of their unconventional lives – and how they have navigated their way through this strictly male/female world, when they fit somewhere in between. #FebruaryNewsletter Tuesday night, March 25th, at the UUSE meeting house 7:00 PM Co-sponsored by UUSE’s Adult Religious Education and Social Justice/Anti-Oppression Committees. We’ve heard it said recently that there are only two genders. Indeed, the first question most new parents ask … “Is it a boy or a girl?” What if it’s neither? Fact: 1 in 2,000 babies is born with genitalia so ambiguous that the doctors cannot easily answer this question. In this groundbreaking documentary, intersex individuals reveal the secrets of their unconventional lives – and how they have navigated their way through this strictly male/female world, when they fit somewhere in between. #FebruaryNewsletter OOS Sermon YouTube

< To Upcoming Services Oct 1, 2023 A Liberal, Liberating Heritage. Our October ministry theme is heritage. Rev. Josh offers thoughts on the liberal and liberating streams of our Unitarian and Universalist heritage. Coordinator: Rev. Josh Pawelek #eBlast OOS Sermon YouTube

< To Upcoming Services May 11, 2025 Flower Communion Sunday Service: "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! Note: Our 2025 Annual Meeting will begin shortly after the 11:00 service. Coordinators : Emmy Galbraith, Rev. Josh Pawelek Services at 9:00 and 11:00 A.M. #eBlast-05-14 Sunday Service: "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! Note: Our 2025 Annual Meeting will begin shortly after the 11:00 service. Coordinators : Emmy Galbraith, Rev. Josh Pawelek Services at 9:00 and 11:00 A.M. Sunday, May 11, 2025 In Case You Missed It: #eBlast -05-14 OOS Sermon YouTube

What do you want to know about UUSE? This page is a good place to start. What is Unitarian Universalism? Unitarian Universalism affirms and promotes seven Principles, grounded in the humanistic teachings of the world's religions. Our spirituality is unbounded, drawing from scripture and science, nature and philosophy, personal experience and ancient tradition as described in our six sources. The Seven Principles The inherent worth and dignity of every person. Justice, equity and compassion in human relations. Acceptance of one another and encouragement to spiritual growth relations. A free and responsible search for truth and meaning. The right of conscience and the use of the democratic process congregations and in society at large. The goal of world community with peace, liberty, and justice for all. Respect for the interdependent web of all existence of which we are a part. . The seven Principles and six Sources of the Unitarian Universalist Association grew out of the grassroots of our communities, were affirmed democratically, and are part of who we are. Read them as they are written in our UUA Bylaws. What We Believe We are people of all ages, people of many backgrounds and beliefs. We are gay and straight together. We believe in social justice and role of liberal religion as a force for good. We are brave, curious and compassionate thinkers and doers. We create spirituality and community beyond boundaries, working for more justice and more love in our own lives and in the world. Our Vision Statement Unitarian Universalist Society East will be home to a spiritually alive, richly diverse and growing congregation. We will send forth energy, spirit and strength into our beloved communities. We will love, be present to suffering, comfort, heal, bear witness to oppression, and boldly work toward social and environmental justice. Adopted by the congregation May 20, 2018 A Unique Shared Ministry Unitarian Universalist SocietyEast (UUSE) has a more or less 50/50 split between Reverend Josh and lay led services. Members of the congregation volunteer their time and effort to provide a different point of view, in line with the monthly theme.

< To Upcoming Services Watch the eBlast for the next scheduled Hartford Chorale at the Bushnell Hartford Chorale at the Bushnell Friday, May 16 at 7:30 P.M. in The Belding Theatre Former member Catherine Kalonia invites all to attend the Hartford Chorale presentation of Vox Feminae His Story, Her Voice - a Celebration of Visionary Women in Choral Music! See the flyer on the bulletin board. Click here for more information and to purchase tickets online. #eBlast-05-14 Hartford Chorale at the Bushnell Friday, May 16 at 7:30 P.M. in The Belding Theatre Former member Catherine Kalonia invites all to attend the Hartford Chorale presentation of Vox Feminae His Story, Her Voice - a Celebration of Visionary Women in Choral Music! See the flyer on the bulletin board. Click here for more information and to purchase tickets online. #eBlast -05-14 OOS Sermon YouTube