< To Upcoming Services Watch the eBlast for the next scheduled Sing Out Love Listening Sessions Sing Out Love Listening Sessions February 12th, 26th and March 5th Are you interested in hearing (and maybe even singing) music from the UUA's new online hymnal, Sing Out Love? Join our Music Director, Mary Bopp, and Rev. Josh for an exploration of the music in this wonderful new resource. Thursdays, February 12th, February 26th and March 5th, 11:00 to 1:00 PM at the meeting house. All are welcome. #eBlast-02-11 Sing Out Love Listening Sessions February 12th, 26th and March 5th Are you interested in hearing (and maybe even singing) music from the UUA's new online hymnal, Sing Out Love? Join our Music Director, Mary Bopp, and Rev. Josh for an exploration of the music in this wonderful new resource. Thursdays, February 12th, February 26th and March 5th, 11:00 to 1:00 PM at the meeting house. All are welcome. #eBlast -02-11 OOS Sermon YouTube

< To Upcoming Services Jan 28, 2024 How We Love. This Sunday we attempt to redefine love and explore its impact on human growth, development and relationships. Coordinators: Gianna DiMaiolo & Vivian Carlson #eBlast-01-24 January 28: “How We Love.” This Sunday we attempt to redefine love and explore its impact on human growth, development and relationships. Coordinator(s): Gianna Dimaiolo & Vivian Carlson OOS Sermon YouTube

< To Upcoming Services Dec 14, 2025 Where the Light Begins "Where the Light Begins" This morning, we celebrate the holidays with our annual, all-congregational music service. Let us welcome the solstice; let us welcome Hanukkah; let us welcome Christmas in this season where the light begins. Coordinators : Mary Bopp, Emmy Galbraith, Rev. Josh Pawelek  Services at 9:00 and 11:00 A.M. #eBlast-12-10 "Where the Light Begins" This morning, we celebrate the holidays with our annual, all-congregational music service. Let us welcome the solstice; let us welcome Hanukkah; let us welcome Christmas in this season where the light begins. Coordinators : Mary Bopp, Emmy Galbraith, Rev. Josh Pawelek  Services at 9:00 and 11:00 A.M. Sunday, December 14, 2025 In Case You Missed It #eBlast -12-10 OOS Sermon YouTube

< To Upcoming Services Sep 27, 2026 Postcarding for the Environmental Voter Project Postcarding for the Environmental Voter Project Sunday, September 27 and Sunday, October 4 - 1:00 to 3:00 P.M. UUSE's Sustainable Living Committee, in conjunction with Third Act--Connecticut's Defending Democracy team--will be gathering to write postcards for the Environmental Voter Project (EVP), in order to turn infrequently-voting people in swing states whose highest priority is the environment, into reliable voters. On September 27 we'll gather in Room 3 and on October 4 we'll be in the Children' Chapel/Room 1 Postcards, stamps, addresses, message text and pens provided. All are welcome! Contact Carole Tenny for further information. #eBlast-09-16 Postcarding for the Environmental Voter Project Sunday, September 27 and Sunday, October 4 - 1:00 to 3:00 P.M. UUSE's Sustainable Living Committee, in conjunction with Third Act--Connecticut's Defending Democracy team--will be gathering to write postcards for the Environmental Voter Project (EVP), in order to turn infrequently-voting people in swing states whose highest priority is the environment, into reliable voters. On September 27 we'll gather in Room 3 and on October 4 we'll be in the Children' Chapel/Room 1 Postcards, stamps, addresses, message text and pens provided. All are welcome! Contact Carole Tenny for further information. #eBlast -09-16 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 CCIU and UU Event CCIU and UU Event To Love Your Neighbor, Know Your Neighbor Sunday, June 1st at the Unitarian Society of Hartford Explore 6 different religions at 2 Unitarian Universalist (UU) meetinghouses in this lively, candid and highly informative question-and-answer forum, produced by the Connecticut Council for Interreligious Understanding (CCIU). In each conversation, 3 panelists from different religions answer your questions about what it means to practice their beliefs. The next gathering will be Sunday, June 1st from 12:00 to 1:30 p.m. at the Unitarian Society of Hartford, 50 Bloomfield Avenue in Hartford. Religions to be discussed include Islam, Jainism and Sikhism. UUSE in Manchester will host the July 20th discussion from 12:00 to 1:30 p.m., which will include a discussion of the Bahai Faith, Hinduism and UUsim. #eBlast-05-28 CCIU and UU Event To Love Your Neighbor, Know Your Neighbor Sunday, June 1st at the Unitarian Society of Hartford Explore 6 different religions at 2 Unitarian Universalist (UU) meetinghouses in this lively, candid and highly informative question-and-answer forum, produced by the Connecticut Council for Interreligious Understanding (CCIU). In each conversation, 3 panelists from different religions answer your questions about what it means to practice their beliefs. The next gathering will be Sunday, June 1st from 12:00 to 1:30 p.m. at the Unitarian Society of Hartford, 50 Bloomfield Avenue in Hartford. Religions to be discussed include Islam, Jainism and Sikhism. UUSE in Manchester will host the July 20th discussion from 12:00 to 1:30 p.m., which will include a discussion of the Bahai Faith, Hinduism and UUsim. #eBlast -05-28 OOS Sermon YouTube

< To Upcoming Services Watch the eBlast for the next scheduled Sunday Service: "Summer Solstice and Living Simply" Sunday Service: "Summer Solstice and Living Simply" Join us as we celebrate the summer solstice which represents the triumph of light over darkness and the peak of nature's abundance. The solstice also reminds us to celebrate, reflect and use the energy of the sun for personal growth. The wisdom of our ancestors emphasizes finding meaning in our lives by living simply. Coordinators: Vivian Carlson and Ellen Williams. Summer schedule: 10:00 A.M. service Sunday, July 6, 2025 Gathering music starts at 9:55 A.M. Join the virtual service at 10:00 A.M. via our Zoom link: Contact the Office for Zoom Link. Or join by phone. Call 1-860-646-5151 Meeting ID 357 815 420#. #eBlast-07-02 Sunday Service: "Summer Solstice and Living Simply" Join us as we celebrate the summer solstice which represents the triumph of light over darkness and the peak of nature's abundance. The solstice also reminds us to celebrate, reflect and use the energy of the sun for personal growth. The wisdom of our ancestors emphasizes finding meaning in our lives by living simply. Coordinators : Vivian Carlson and Ellen Williams. Summer schedule: 10:00 A.M. service Sunday, July 6, 2025 Gathering music starts at 9:55 A.M. Join the virtual service at 10:00 A.M. via our Zoom link: Contact the Office for Zoom Link . Or join by phone. Call 1-860-646-5151 Meeting ID 357 815 420#. #eBlast -07-02 OOS Sermon YouTube

< To Upcoming Services Watch the eBlast for the next scheduled General Assembly 2025 News from the Denominational Affairs Committee The annual Unitarian Universalist General Assembly (GA) took place in Baltimore, MD, from June 18 -22. General Assembly is the main denomination-wide event; it takes place every year in June and involves worship, music, social justice, networking, and fellowship. A total of 3,279 people attended GA – 2,483 attended in person and 796 attended remotely. UUSE delegates to GA included: Monica van Beusekom, Patricia Corey-Lisle, Carrie Kocher, and Rev. Joshua Pawelek as a ministerial delegate. Everyone appreciated the opportunity to serve the congregation in this way. Delegates cast their votes on a number of ballots during GA. These included an election ballot (UUA Moderator, as well as positions on the Board of Trustees, Commission on Appraisal, and Nominating Committee; results here), a Business Resolution ballot, a Congregational Study Action Issue (CSAI) ballot, and a ballot on the three Actions of Immediate Witness (AIWs). Of the three proposed CSAIs, delegates chose the CSAI: Abolition, Transformation, and Faith Formation for three years of study, reflection, and action. The purpose of a CSAI is to provide congregations with the opportunity to study and mobilize around a common issue. After two years of study and feedback, a Statement of Conscience may be developed during the third year that reflects a UU position on the issue. (More info on the CSAI process). This year’s CSAI, “Abolition, Transformation, and Faith Formation,” defines its aims as follows: “Abolition is a holistic approach to systemic social change that includes, but is not limited to: the abolition of slavery; replacing systems and cultures of violence, coercion and control with transformative justice and relational practices; and dismantling the prison-industrial complex as we now know it. It requires the transformation of our society and the replacement of our current public theologies of retributive justice and violence.” To read the CSAI in its entirety, click here. Actions of Immediate Witness are statements about significant issues that call for immediate action on the part of UUs. (More info on the AIW process). Delegates overwhelmingly voted (98%) to affirm all three proposed Actions of Immediate Witness (AIWs). • We Declare and Affirm: Immigrants Are People Who Have Inherent Worth and Inalienable Rights • Faithful Defiance of Authoritarianism: Reaffirming Our Covenants for Democracy and Freedom • Defending LGBTIQ Freedom Amid Funding Crisis: A Call for Global Solidarity Going forward into 2025-26 and beyond, we will be considering how we as a congregation can take action on both the CSAI and the AIWs. We welcome your input. #AugustNewsletter from the Denominational Affairs Committee The annual Unitarian Universalist General Assembly (GA) took place in Baltimore, MD, from June 18 -22. General Assembly is the main denomination-wide event; it takes place every year in June and involves worship, music, social justice, networking, and fellowship. A total of 3,279 people attended GA – 2,483 attended in person and 796 attended remotely. UUSE delegates to GA included: Monica van Beusekom, Patricia Corey-Lisle, Carrie Kocher, and Rev. Joshua Pawelek as a ministerial delegate. Everyone appreciated the opportunity to serve the congregation in this way. Delegates cast their votes on a number of ballots during GA. These included an election ballot (UUA Moderator, as well as positions on the Board of Trustees, Commission on Appraisal, and Nominating Committee; results here ), a Business Resolution ballot, a Congregational Study Action Issue (CSAI) ballot, and a ballot on the three Actions of Immediate Witness (AIWs). Of the three proposed CSAIs, delegates chose the CSAI: Abolition, Transformation, and Faith Formation for three years of study, reflection, and action. The purpose of a CSAI is to provide congregations with the opportunity to study and mobilize around a common issue. After two years of study and feedback, a Statement of Conscience may be developed during the third year that reflects a UU position on the issue. ( More info on the CSAI process ). This year’s CSAI, “Abolition, Transformation, and Faith Formation,” defines its aims as follows: “Abolition is a holistic approach to systemic social change that includes, but is not limited to: the abolition of slavery; replacing systems and cultures of violence, coercion and control with transformative justice and relational practices; and dismantling the prison-industrial complex as we now know it. It requires the transformation of our society and the replacement of our current public theologies of retributive justice and violence.” To read the CSAI in its entirety, click here . Actions of Immediate Witness are statements about significant issues that call for immediate action on the part of UUs. ( More info on the AIW process ). Delegates overwhelmingly voted (98%) to affirm all three proposed Actions of Immediate Witness (AIWs). We Declare and Affirm: Immigrants Are People Who Have Inherent Worth and Inalienable Rights Faithful Defiance of Authoritarianism: Reaffirming Our Covenants for Democracy and Freedom Defending LGBTIQ Freedom Amid Funding Crisis: A Call for Global Solidarity Going forward into 2025-26 and beyond, we will be considering how we as a congregation can take action on both the CSAI and the AIWs. We welcome your input. #AugustNewsletter OOS Sermon YouTube

< To Upcoming Services Jul 2, 2023 Let Freedom Ring! On this 4th of July weekend, join us to hear from Judy Robbins, a member of the Unitarian Society of Hartford, as she explores freedom in its historical context, defining for us what was meant by freedom and liberalism at our country's inception, how that has evolved, and how it shows up in our practice of Unitarian-Universalism today. She delivered this sermon one year ago at her home congregation. Welcome Judy! Coordinator(s): Sande Hartdagen OOS Sermon YouTube

< To Upcoming Services Watch the eBlast for the next scheduled Help Children Learn to Read Help Children Learn to Read Can you spare an hour a week to help young students become stronger readers? UUSE volunteers work with kindergarten and first grade students at Verplanck Elementary School in Manchester. Last year (2025-26) we helped to pioneer a new model: The same students got 15 minutes of one-on-one help four days a week. Educators found the "intervention group" made progress more quickly than other classmates. Equally important, the children seem to look forward to their time with our volunteers. We hope to recruit 16 volunteers to commit to an hour per week in late morning. Training will be in early October and then tutors meet their students. It is truly rewarding to visit this public school each week, see talented teachers in action and support what the faculty calls "our scholars." Please email Nancy Pappas, uuseoffice@uuse.org , by September 20 with your questions and (we hope) commitment. Thank you! #eBlast-09-02 Help Children Learn to Read Can you spare an hour a week to help young students become stronger readers? UUSE volunteers work with kindergarten and first grade students at Verplanck Elementary School in Manchester. Last year (2025-26) we helped to pioneer a new model: The same students got 15 minutes of one-on-one help four days a week. Educators found the "intervention group" made progress more quickly than other classmates. Equally important, the children seem to look forward to their time with our volunteers. We hope to recruit 16 volunteers to commit to an hour per week in late morning. Training will be in early October and then tutors meet their students. It is truly rewarding to visit this public school each week, see talented teachers in action and support what the faculty calls "our scholars." Please email Nancy Pappas, uuseoffice@uuse.org , by September 20 with your questions and (we hope) commitment. Thank you! #eBlast -09-02 OOS Sermon YouTube

< To Upcoming Services Watch the eBlast for the next scheduled Book Drive for Immigrant Families Book Drive for Immigrant Families Thursday, October 23 at 5:00 P.M. at UUSE "Books and Blankets," a new Connecticut-based nonprofit, will visit UUSE on Thursday evening, October 23rd at 5:00 P.M. They are collecting children's books and blankets to bring to families living in detention along the US southern border. Learn more here. Join us on the 23rd at 5:00 P.M. to hear more about this exciting project. Children's books and blankets welcome! Questions? Contact Rev. Josh Pawelek at uuseoffice@uuse.org . #eBlast-10-22 Book Drive for Immigrant Families Thursday, October 23 at 5:00 P.M. at UUSE "Books and Blankets," a new Connecticut-based nonprofit, will visit UUSE on Thursday evening, October 23rd at 5:00 P.M. They are collecting children's books and blankets to bring to families living in detention along the US southern border. Learn more here . Join us on the 23rd at 5:00 P.M. to hear more about this exciting project. Children's books and blankets welcome! Questions? Contact Rev. Josh Pawelek at uuseoffice@uuse.org . #eBlast -10-22 OOS Sermon YouTube

< To Upcoming Services May 4, 2025 Lets Imagine Together Sunday Service: "Let's Imagine Together" Our ministry theme for May is Imagination. Rev. Josh will review what the scientific literature has to say about imagination and make the case that we all need to use our imagination more frequently! Coordinator : Rev. Josh Pawelek. Services at 9:00 and 11:00 A.M. #eBlast-04-30 Sunday Service: "Let's Imagine Together" Our ministry theme for May is Imagination. Rev. Josh will review what the scientific literature has to say about imagination and make the case that we all need to use our imagination more frequently! Coordinator : Rev. Josh Pawelek. Services at 9:00 and 11:00 A.M. Sunday, May 4, 2025 In Case You Missed It: #eBlast -04-30 OOS Sermon YouTube