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< To Upcoming Services Watch the eBlast for the next scheduled Getting to Know You Gathering Getting to Know You Gathering NOTE CHANGE OF DATE: Sunday, April 27 at 1:00 P.M. Due to the weather forecast for this weekend, the UUSE Membership Committee has moved its "getting to know you" gathering to our rain date of Sunday, April 27th at 1:00 P.M. at the Manchester Land Trust property, 330 Bush Hill Road in Manchester. All Welcome, especially newcomers, visitors and new members. Join us for a nature walk and good conversation. Light refreshments will be served, and all are welcome to bring a favorite poem or saying to share. Manchester town historian Susan Barlow will lead our walk and there will be members of various committees to chat with you. Children are welcome. Parking is plentiful. To register please contact Annie Gentile in the church office at uuseoffice@uuse.org no later than Thursday, April 24th. #eBlast-04-23 Getting to Know You Gathering NOTE CHANGE OF DATE: Sunday, April 27 at 1:00 P.M. Due to the weather forecast for this weekend, the UUSE Membership Committee has moved its "getting to know you" gathering to our rain date of Sunday, April 27th at 1:00 P.M. at the Manchester Land Trust property, 330 Bush Hill Road in Manchester. All Welcome, especially newcomers, visitors and new members. Join us for a nature walk and good conversation. Light refreshments will be served, and all are welcome to bring a favorite poem or saying to share. Manchester town historian Susan Barlow will lead our walk and there will be members of various committees to chat with you. Children are welcome. Parking is plentiful. To register please contact Annie Gentile in the church office at uuseoffice@uuse.org no later than Thursday, April 24th. #eBlast -04-23 OOS Sermon YouTube

Silent Meditation Silent Meditation - 3:30PM in the Sanctuary < Previous Next >

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 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 Watch the eBlast for the next scheduled Coffeehouse & Open Mic Coffeehouse & Open Mic Saturday, January 3 Join us on the first Saturday of each month, October through May, for an evening of music, poetry, stories, and community! Bring your own songs, poems, stories or any creative offering -- or simply come enjoy the warm, supportive atmosphere as part of our appreciative audience. Sign-ups begin at 6:00 P.M. and performances start at 6:30 P.M. We feature 12 slots, each about 10 minutes or two songs. BYOB, BYO dinner, and BYO friends - we'll provide the coffee! #eBlast-12-17 Coffeehouse & Open Mic Saturday, January 3 Join us on the first Saturday of each month, October through May, for an evening of music, poetry, stories, and community! Bring your own songs, poems, stories or any creative offering -- or simply come enjoy the warm, supportive atmosphere as part of our appreciative audience. Sign-ups begin at 6:00 P.M. and performances start at 6:30 P.M . We feature 12 slots, each about 10 minutes or two songs. BYOB, BYO dinner, and BYO friends - we'll provide the coffee! #eBlast -12-17 OOS Sermon YouTube

< To Upcoming Services Watch the eBlast for the next scheduled SING, SING, SING! Sing, Sing, Sing! Please be a part of the July 13 Hymn Sing service. This is our second hybrid hymn sing, and in order to make it accessible to those on Zoom, we need to make slides of the lyrics. Therefore, hymns must be chosen in advance. EVERYONE - please send the title of your favorite hymn to Martha Larson at uuseoffice@uuse.org starting as soon as you read this. The most popular hymns will be chosen and perhaps some lesser known but worthy hymns as well. If you would like to speak in the service about why a particular hymn is important to you, please let Martha Know. A few short talks add meaning to the service - and give Mary a break! #eBlast-06-18 Sing, Sing, Sing! Please be a part of the July 13 Hymn Sing service . This is our second hybrid hymn sing, and in order to make it accessible to those on Zoom, we need to make slides of the lyrics. Therefore, hymns must be chosen in advance. EVERYONE - please send the title of your favorite hymn to Martha Larson at uuseoffice@uuse.org starting as soon as you read this. The most popular hymns will be chosen and perhaps some lesser known but worthy hymns as well. If you would like to speak in the service about why a particular hymn is important to you, please let Martha Know. A few short talks add meaning to the service - and give Mary a break! #eBlast -06-18 OOS Sermon YouTube

< To Upcoming Services Watch the eBlast for the next scheduled Attention UU Artists! Attention UU Artists! Juried multimedia exhibition celebrating summer at Arts Center East "Summertime!" - All artists working in all media are invited to capture the essence of summer and submit their creative work online at artscentereast.org/exhibits/#artist-opportunities. Submission deadline is Friday, June 20, 2025. Juried results will be announced Wednesday, June 25, 2025 with accepted artists drop-off on Saturday, June 28 from 11:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m., and Sunday, June 29, 11:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. See the flyer on the bulletin board or visit artscentereast.org for more information. #eBlast-06-18 Attention UU Artists! Juried multimedia exhibition celebrating summer at Arts Center East "Summertime!" - All artists working in all media are invited to capture the essence of summer and submit their creative work online at artscentereast.org/exhibits/#artist-opportunities . Submission deadline is Friday, June 20, 2025 . Juried results will be announced Wednesday, June 25, 2025 with accepted artists drop-off on Saturday, June 28 from 11:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m., and Sunday, June 29, 11:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. See the flyer on the bulletin board or visit artscentereast.org for more information. #eBlast -06-18 OOS Sermon YouTube

< 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

< To Upcoming Services Dec 22, 2024 On Being Present as the Sun Returns In the midst of many festivals of light, Rev. Josh shares more thoughts on presence. And we'll sing all those carols that never make it into our Christmas Eve service!!! Coordinator: Rev. Josh Pawelek. #eBlast-12-18 Sunday, December 22 : “On Being Present as the Sun Returns.” In the midst of many festivals of light, Rev. Josh shares more thoughts on presence. And we’ll sing all those carols that never make it into our Christmas Eve service!!! Coordinator: Rev. Josh Pawelek #DecemberNewsletter OOS Sermon YouTube

< To Upcoming Services Jan 12, 2025 Telling Our Stories Sunday, January 12: Telling Our Stories. According to author Madeleine L’Engle, “Stories make us more alive, more human, more courageous, and more loving.” In this service we explore how telling our own stories and listening to the stories of others can foster the healing, authenticity, understanding, and connection we need so much right now. Coordinators: Paula Baker & Gina Campellone #JanuaryNewsletter Sunday, January 12 : Telling Our Stories . According to author Madeleine L’Engle, “Stories make us more alive, more human, more courageous, and more loving.” In this service we explore how telling our own stories and listening to the stories of others can foster the healing, authenticity, understanding, and connection we need so much right now. Coordinators: Paula Baker & Gina Campellone #JanuaryNewsletter 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 Feb 23, 2026 AA - Mondays at Noon. Every Monday at Noon Every Monday at Noon OOS Sermon YouTube