What you might traditionally call Sunday School is what we call Programs for Children under Child and Youth Ministries. About Children & Youth Ministry Our Children and Youth Ministry (CYM) offers a thriving program for all young people from infancy through senior high and more! The CYM program is a cooperative effort; we utilize a team approach, with one adult from each family volunteering in some capacity in CYM. We urge families to become informed about UUSE philosophy, themes, and activities by attending services, participating in parent meetings, engaging in discussions with the Director of Children and Youth Ministry, Minister, CYM committee members, classroom volunteers, and other families. The CYM Committee also sponsors many multi-generational events, including winter holiday celebrations, Trunk-or-Treat, game nights, movie nights and more. UU Principles, Children’s Version: • Every person is important. • Be kind in all you do. • We’re free to learn together. • We can search for what is true. • All people need a voice. • Build a fair and peaceful world. • We care for the earth. Sources We Draw From: The living tradition we share draws from many sources, including: • Direct experience of mystery and wonder; • Words and deeds of prophetic women and men; • Wisdom from the world’s religions; • Jewish and Christian teachings; • Humanist teachings using reason and science; • Spiritual teachings of earth-centered traditions. Program Goals: • Continue to make community and connection the primary focus of our ministry, in order to build a strong support system for our children, youth, and families. • Foster UU identity formation by providing opportunities for children and adults of all ages to engage in fun and meaningful activities together. • Strengthen our commitment to dismantling systemic racism by selecting curricula, books, music, and movies with an anti-racist lens. • Build a community that cultivates pre-emptive radical inclusivity.

< To Upcoming Services Nov 30, 2025 Awake My Soul "Awake My Soul" This morning Rev. Josh contemplates what it might mean to have a soul. Jennifer Richard provides the music, including a rendition of "Awake My Soul" by Mumford and Sons. Coordinator : Rev. Josh Pawelek Services at 9:00 and 11:00 A.M. #eBlast-11-26 "Awake My Soul" This morning Rev. Josh contemplates what it might mean to have a soul. Jennifer Richard provides the music, including a rendition of "Awake My Soul" by Mumford and Sons. Coordinator : Rev. Josh Pawelek Services at 9:00 and 11:00 A.M. Sunday, November 30, 2025 In Case You Missed It #eBlast -11-26 OOS Sermon YouTube

< To Upcoming Services Apr 19, 2026 Earth Day Our April ministry theme is embracing possibility. While we often feel like solving the climate crisis is impossible due to political and economic forces, this morning we direct our attention to what is possible. Coordinators : Rev. Joh Pawelek and members of the UUSE Sustainable Living Committee Services at 9:00 and 11:00 A.M. #eBlast-04-15 Sunday Service: "Earth Day" Our April ministry theme is embracing possibility. While we often feel like solving the climate crisis is impossible due to political and economic forces, this morning we direct our attention to what is possible. Coordinators : Rev. Joh Pawelek and members of the UUSE Sustainable Living Committee Services at 9:00 and 11:00 A.M. Sunday, April 19, 2026 In Case You Missed It #eBlast -04-15 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

< To Upcoming Services Watch the eBlast for the next scheduled Council of Elders Inaugural Meeting (Reboot) Wednesday, October 21, 1:00 P.M. in the UUSE Sanctuary Rev. Josh is reconvening the UUSE Council of Elders. The initial purpose of this convening is to explore how UUSE can best provide ministry to elders. Are you an elder? Should you attend this meeting? For the time-being, we're defining an elder as someone who is 70 years or older, along with anyone younger who would like to participate. Questions? Contact Rev. Josh at minister@uuse.org . Planning to attend the inaugural meeting? Please let us know in the UUSE office at (860) 646-5151 or uuseoffice@uuse.org #eBlast-10-21 Inaugural Meeting (Reboot) Wednesday, October 21, 1:00 P.M. in the UUSE Sanctuary Rev. Josh is reconvening the UUSE Council of Elders. The initial purpose of this convening is to explore how UUSE can best provide ministry to elders. Are you an elder? Should you attend this meeting? For the time-being, we're defining an elder as someone who is 70 years or older, along with anyone younger who would like to participate. Questions? Contact Rev. Josh at minister@uuse.org . Planning to attend the inaugural meeting? Please let us know in the UUSE office at (860) 646-5151 or uuseoffice@uuse.org #eBlast -10-21 OOS Sermon YouTube

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< To Upcoming Services Dec 3, 2023 Holy Clues. UUSE welcomes Rev. Stephen Kendrick as our guest speaker. Coordinator: Anne Vogel #eBlast-11-29 OOS Sermon YouTube

< To Upcoming Services Jul 14, 2024 Principles and Values: Reflections on Article 2 This morning Rev. Josh Pawelek shares his thoughts on the outcomes of the recent Unitarian Universalist Association General Assembly. What do the results mean for our congregation? What do the results mean for Unitarian Universalism? Special music by Pat Eaton-Robb. Coordinator: Rev. Josh Pawelek. Coordinator: Sheila Foran #eBlast-07-10 OOS Sermon YouTube

< To Upcoming Services Mar 3, 2024 Love is the Spirit of This Church This morning, we kick off our 2024 Annual Appeal. We are joined on this truly celebratory morning by the Unitarian Universalist folk rock group Meetinghouse! Coordinator: Rev. Josh Pawelek #eBlast-02-28 OOS Sermon YouTube

< To Upcoming Services Jul 5, 2026 The Idea of America In its 250th year, it can be difficult to celebrate America. You only need look around to see how far America, the nation, is from America, the Idea. But that Idea lives on. We see it in every city that says no, not here. In every state that says, yes, you are welcome. In every community that offers safety for all. This is not the first time America has fallen back. We've been here before, and through struggle, we've arisen better than we were. We can still celebrate the Idea of America, and we can move towards it again. Coordinators: Rob Napier, Sandy Karosi, Paula Baker. Summer Schedule #eBlast-07-01 Sunday Service: "The Idea of America" In its 250th year, it can be difficult to celebrate America. You only need look around to see how far America, the nation, is from America, the Idea. But that Idea lives on. We see it in every city that says no, not here. In every state that says, yes, you are welcome. In every community that offers safety for all. This is not the first time America has fallen back. We've been here before, and through struggle, we've arisen better than we were. We can still celebrate the Idea of America, and we can move towards it again. Coordinators: Rob Napier, Sandy Karosi, Paula Baker. Summer Schedule Sunday, July 5th at 10:00 A.M. In Case You Missed It #eBlast -07-01 OOS Sermon YouTube

b44cfe74-7415-447d-857e-6dabf5b8ad69 < Back Pastoral Care Ministry Pastoral Friends : Works with Minister to provide caring and assistance to members and friends in times of challenge and/or crisis. Contact: PastoralFriends@uuse.org Want more information about who's who in a committee? Pick up a paper copy of the UUSE Directory in the lobby to get the details! Updated October 9, 2025 at 10:22:28 AM

< To Upcoming Services Nov 16, 2025 Do UU Know Your History? "Do UU Know Your History?" Rev. Josh offers a primer on Unitarian Universalist and Unitarian Universalist history. Where have we come from as a people of faith? This sermon was purchased at last year's goods and services auction by Josh's mother-in-law, Elaine Pascetta. Coordinator : Rev. Josh Pawelek Services at 9:00 and 11:00 A.M. #eBlast-11-12 "Do UU Know Your History?" Rev. Josh offers a primer on Unitarian Universalist and Unitarian Universalist history. Where have we come from as a people of faith? This sermon was purchased at last year's goods and services auction by Josh's mother-in-law, Elaine Pascetta. Coordinator : Rev. Josh Pawelek Services at 9:00 and 11:00 A.M. Sunday, November 16, 2025 In Case You Missed It #eBlast -11-12 OOS Sermon YouTube