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< To Upcoming Services Watch the eBlast for the next scheduled Women’s Circle Women’s Circle with Nora Alpers-Leon Third Tuesdays at 7:00 Zoom Only December-March Contact alpers6@gmail.com for zoom link Nora describes this women’s circle as a “judgment-free comfort zone.” She invites participants to “sit, connect and share.” Bring a journal and a pen and a cushion or mat to sit on if you prefer that to a chair. Nora Mijares Alpers-Leon is an indigenous (Colombian) mother, developmental psycholinguist and educator, who has a background in dance, yoga, and mindfulness. She completed 2 bachelor and 2 master degrees and a graduate certificate between UW-Madison and UConn. She did her Yoga Teacher Training in the Berkshires, and has led mindfulness workshops and talking circles in the United States and Colombia with both adults and children. To sign up for this circle, or if you want more information, contact Nora. OOS Sermon YouTube

< To Upcoming Services Jun 18, 2023 A Celebration of Children & Youth Ministry. Join us this morning as we look back at a year of love, laughter, and learning, recognize the transitions of our children and youth, and applaud the dedication and enthusiasm of our volunteers. This service includes a year in review slide show, great music, and some really fun Children & Youth Ministry (CYM) swag! Coordinator(s): Gina Campellone & members of the CYM Committee OOS Sermon YouTube

3453d972-ccc4-4cc3-91fc-4d24b5ae3b5d < Back to Newsletter January Newsletter Article < Previous Article Next Article > Yoga at the Meetinghouse Wednesdays at 10:00 AM Holiday Notes: Due to the Christmas Eve service setup, the Wednesday, December 24 yoga class has been cancelled. All are welcome to these gentle-to-moderate yoga classes for all abilities. $5 drop-in fee. Bring a yoga mat (we have some extras). Bring a friend! Questions to: Susan at uuseoffice@uuse.org . Yoga is a UUSE adult education offering. #JanuaryNewsletter Contact Information modified in accordance with UUSE Privacy Policies.

d8fa1dfd-5bf4-49ac-b018-0ac59f7c68fe < Back to Newsletter January Newsletter Article < Previous Article Next Article > 2026 Goods & Services Auction 5 PM, January 31, 2026 One of UUSE’s Biggest Fun(d)raisers!! Mark your calendar now for Fun, Food & Friends!! Here’s what to expect: #JanuaryNewsletter Contact Information modified in accordance with UUSE Privacy Policies.

< To Upcoming Services Watch the eBlast for the next scheduled SUNDIALS: Out from the Shadows (A Cliff Pelletier Memorial Lecture) Monday, October 6th, 7 PM Expert Fred Sawyer will provide an overview of the 3,500-year history of the sundial as a scientific device -- perhaps humanity's first. Over that period, the sundial has changed in diverse ways to accommodate our evolving concept of what it means to measure time. Many varieties of sundials will be discussed and illustrated with slides and actual instruments on display. Time will be allocated for the audience to ask questions about how the various unusual and unfamiliar dials work to let us order our days. This event is in memorial honor of UUSE member Cliff Pelletier, who loved science and was very generous to UUSE. Fred Sawyer is a retired actuary and longtime member of UUSE. He graduated from Yale and the U. of Pittsburgh with degrees in Mathematics and Philosophy and the History of Philosophy and Science. He is the President and editor of the North American Sundial Society and the Patron of the British Sundial Society. He is a featured speaker each year at the NASS conference in the U.S. and Canada and the BSS conference in England. He has provided the layouts for a number of sundials in Connecticut and has published nine books on Sciatherics -- the study of sundials. This event is appropriate for adults and high school students. Unitarian Universalist Society East -- 153 Vernon St. West, Vernon, CT. #OctoberNewsletter Monday, October 6th, 7 PM Expert Fred Sawyer will provide an overview of the 3,500-year history of the sundial as a scientific device -- perhaps humanity's first. Over that period, the sundial has changed in diverse ways to accommodate our evolving concept of what it means to measure time. Many varieties of sundials will be discussed and illustrated with slides and actual instruments on display. Time will be allocated for the audience to ask questions about how the various unusual and unfamiliar dials work to let us order our days. This event is in memorial honor of UUSE member Cliff Pelletier, who loved science and was very generous to UUSE. Fred Sawyer is a retired actuary and longtime member of UUSE. He graduated from Yale and the U. of Pittsburgh with degrees in Mathematics and Philosophy and the History of Philosophy and Science. He is the President and editor of the North American Sundial Society and the Patron of the British Sundial Society. He is a featured speaker each year at the NASS conference in the U.S. and Canada and the BSS conference in England. He has provided the layouts for a number of sundials in Connecticut and has published nine books on Sciatherics -- the study of sundials. This event is appropriate for adults and high school students. Unitarian Universalist Society East -- 153 Vernon St. West, Vernon, CT. #OctoberNewsletter OOS Sermon YouTube

Committee work is done through weekly or monthly meetings, and the documents that support those meetings are kept in Basecamp. Basecamp Committees and Task Forces use a collaborative planning, file sharing, and task management system called Basecamp. If you are a member of a Committee or Task Force click below to access Basecamp. Go To Basecamp Looking for Seework (Basecamp Classic)? Click here.

< To Upcoming Services Watch the eBlast for the next scheduled Heart Centered Kirtan Heart Centered Kirtan Sunday, September 21, 2025 at 3:00 P.M. at UUSE Kirtan returns to the UUSE sanctuary on Sunday, September 21 at 3:00 P.M. with Heart-Centered Kirtan, led by Libby Volckening. Kirtan is a spiritual practice from India that involves group singing of simple, repetitive chants or mantras--often in a call-and-response format--to create a sense of connection, calm and community. $20 suggested donation. #eBlast-09-17 Heart Centered Kirtan Sunday, September 21, 2025 at 3:00 P.M. at UUSE Kirtan returns to the UUSE sanctuary on Sunday, September 21 at 3:00 P.M. with Heart-Centered Kirtan, led by Libby Volckening. Kirtan is a spiritual practice from India that involves group singing of simple, repetitive chants or mantras--often in a call-and-response format--to create a sense of connection, calm and community. $20 suggested donation. #eBlast -09-17 OOS Sermon YouTube

< To Upcoming Services Apr 7, 2024 People Need People. In keeping with our April theme of Interdependence, coordinators Anne Vogel and Martha Larson will explore what we as humans need to be more joyful. Featured musician Andy Ricci will sing and play guitar. Dorothy Bognar will be our pianist. Coordinators: Anne Vogel and Martha Larson #eBlast-04-03 OOS Sermon YouTube

Our annual goods and services auction raises important funds to keep our doors open and the lights on. Goods & Services Auction and Chili Cookoff The Chili Cook-off & Auction is coming back—and it’s better than ever! Save the date: January 27, 2024. TASTE some of the region’s best chili! BID on terrific items and experiences! And HEAT up a cold January evening in the company of friends, new and old. To volunteer or ask a question email auction@uuse.org . Click for Auction Site Online Silent Auction Monday, January 15, 8 AM through Friday, January 26, 10 PM at fundraiser.bid/uubid . You can go there now to REGISTER to participate in the auction. Live Event Saturday, January 27 at 5 PM at the meetinghouse The Chili Cook-Off is Back! Enjoy a free, delicious chili dinner with vibrant beloved community, including beer & wine, cornbread, salad and dessert, plus pizza for those who don’t eat chili. Free! Exclusive Live Event Items Places at dinners and activities offered by members and the fabulous live auction items like Rev. Josh’s sermon will only be available at the live event. You will be able to preview all of these offerings under the “Live Events” tab at fundraiser.bid/uubid . If you cannot go to the live event but want to bid on something, just ask a friend! Your proxy can get your bidder number from us at the registration table at the live event (or register you if you haven’t already) and your bill will go to directly to you. For the Kids There will be a Kids Bid Table with items for kids ONLY to bid on. There will also be fun activities and childcare available! Raffle Basket Drawing The winners of the raffle baskets will be drawn at the Live Event, too. You do not need to be present to win. We’ll contact you! Lend a Hand! The Auction Committee would greatly appreciate an hour of your time to help this event run smoothly! We need help with set up, clean up and during the event. Contact auction@uuse.org if you can take a shift. The auction is one of our biggest fundraisers. It’s important to our congregation. We look forward to seeing you there! How You Can Help Donate! What can you contribute to auction off at this extraordinary event? Could you teach, repair, entertain, bake? Share your talent in other ways? We’ll have the ever-popular dinners, group activities, lessons, services and select items that need a new home. Contact your favorite merchants to ask for donations. If you love a place, others will, too. Stop by our table after services or email auction@uuse.org . Email your donation details to auction@uuse.org or complete our form ( 2024 Auction Donation ) by January 10, sooner is better. Include: • a thorough description • value of the item or service • time and date for any events (setting this in advance is a good idea!) • the number of places or offerings • photos: We can include several photos of each item. Use a plain background for best results. If you need help taking photos, let us know as soon as possible. • If you have a firm minimum bid requirement, please let us know. In general, we open bidding at 1/3 to 1/2 of the item’s value to promote active bidding. We will contact you about the timing to drop off your items. Space is very tight, so please don’t drop anything off until we ask. Raffle Baskets We are asking committees and small groups to compile and donate a themed basket for the Basket Raffle at the auction, but individuals are welcome to donate a basket, too. We will display the baskets in the lobby, and sell advance tickets for them, on Sunday, January 14 and 21. The drawing will be at the live event on Saturday, January 27. Timeline By Jan. 1: Claim your theme! There’s a 10-basket limit and we want them all to be different. Email auction@uuse.org. By January 9: Submit the description of your basket and its contents to auction@uuse.org . Write up a fun description that we can post on the auction site and estimate the value. We can include several photos in the posting, so feel free to take pictures of the contents individually or in small groups. Use a plain background for best results. If you need help taking photos, let us know as soon as possible. January 9-11: Drop the basket off at the meetinghouse. We can help package it if you need. We find that wrapping it in plastic is neither desirable nor necessary! What to include? Use your imagination! The value should Enter the Chili Cook-Off! Who makes the best chili? Enter your tried and true family recipe or a new experiment you’ve been wanting to try. Vegan, vegetarian and with meat—all are welcome! Bragging rights and a beautiful UUSE Chili Cook-Off Apron are up for grabs for the winners! Entry is limited, so contact auction@uuse.org ASAP to reserve your spot. Plan on making a crock pot full. You will receive detailed instructions before the event. Bid High and Often! Online Silent Auction Monday, Jan. 15 – Friday, Jan. 26, at fundraiser.bid/uubid . Share the link with your friends! Live Event Saturday, January 27 at 5 PM at the meetinghouse The Auction Committee— Robin Byrne, Susan Gabriele, Jennifer Klee, Chris Larson, Stan McMillen & Nancy Pappas Questions? Email auction@uuse.org !

< To Upcoming Services Jul 28, 2024 Spinoza's God: Wisdom from the 1600s July 28: “Spinoza's God: Wisdom from the 1600s.” Spinoza wrote that God is the world and the entire world is in God. He used a rationalistic perspective to show that human life is subject to the universal laws of nature. Learn about the remarkable ways in which this early philosophy mirrors the fundamental principles of Unitarian Universalism. Guest Presenter: Malcolm Barlow Coordinator(s): Vivian Carlson OOS Sermon YouTube

< To Upcoming Services Sep 17, 2023 Sweetness Everywhere. As we begin settling into the congregational year, Rev. Josh offers some musings on what it means to be welcoming in our present age. He takes a cue from Rabbi Rachel Barenblat, who counsels us to "seek out sweetness everywhere." We'll also welcome new members into our congregation. Coordinator: Rev. Josh Pawelek #eBlast OOS Sermon YouTube

What you might traditionally call Sunday School is what we call Programs for Children under Child and Youth Ministries. UUSE Children & Youth Ministry Program 2025-2026 Curricula: Children’s Chapel : New this year, Emmy will lead dedicated Children’s worship in the Children’s Chapel on the Garden Level at 10:15 AM most Sundays. (Please see weekly Friday Update from Emmy to confirm each week.) Children’s worship will center around nature-based teachings, mythology, and practices. A time for sharing joys and concerns, seasonal conversation, crafts and singing will take place. Children’s Chapel will wrap up about 10:45, to allow time to transition to the Sanctuary. Time For All Ages : Children and youth in grades 2-12 will begin in the Sanctuary every Sunday to participate in worship including opening music and words, chalice lighting, and a specially prepared child-centered activity. After the Time For All Ages, children and youth will be dismissed to the Garden Level for classes. Nursery : Childcare will be available in our Nursery at 11 AM for children 3 and under. Care is provided by two regular childcare staff including our Nursery Coordinator Molly, and an assistant teacher. Molly grew up at UUSE and is equipped with loads of experience, patience, and creativity to keep our youngest UUs safe and engaged. Families are always welcome to tour and stay in the nursery at any time. Pre-K – 1st Grade, Spirit Play : The goal of Spirit Play is to help children live into their own answers to the existential questions: Where did we come from? What are we doing here? How do we choose to live our lives? This highly successful Montessori based program engages children using stories from many traditions and group “wonderings”. Children choose work activities, sing songs, and partake in a “feast” each week. Spirit Play participants start in their classroom at 11 AM. Grades 2-5, UU Identity : Our young UUs will engage in hands-on exploration of broad religious concepts and questions through a wide range of activities led by professional staff and volunteers. A typical class will include a lesson explored through art, storytelling, yoga, nature, games & more. A hallmark of this program is the chance for the children to come together with adult members of the congregation who share their time, talents, warmth & wisdom! Grades 6-8, Junior Youth Group : The junior youth group will follow a nature-based program, focusing on connecting with the land, for both spiritual and practical purposes. We will be using a curriculum called "Wonders of Nature", inspired by the works of "Coyote's Guide to Connecting with Nature" written by Jon Young, Ellen Haas, and Evan McGown, as well as Richard Louv’s "The Last Child in the Woods”, and "Braiding Sweetgrass" by Robin Wall Kimmerer. The bulk of the class takes place outdoors on UUSE grounds. Grades 9-12, High School Youth Group : Several different types of programming are incorporated to best meet the needs and interests of our high school youth. At bi-monthly meetings the group will get together to talk, play games, cook, eat, watch a movie, attend a service together or work on a service project. There will also be opportunities for social activities or other special events outside the building. Many of these activities will enable youth to work toward the Distinguished Youth Service Award (DYSA) if they choose. Affirmation : A Coming of Age program for our 10th graders to explore their own spiritual beliefs as emerging young adults. This year-long program is led by a dedicated teacher team including a facilitator, two assistant facilitators, the DCYM, and our Minister. Youth will also be paired with mentors who will serve as “spiritual peers with more years of lived experience,” and attend an overnight field trip and pilgrimage to Boston. Contact Us Emmy, the Director of CYM, can be reached by email at dcym@uuse.org And the CYM Committee is available for questions or comments at uusecym@uuse.org