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Coffeehouse & Open Mic 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 PM, and performances start at 6:30 PM. We feature 12 slots, each about 10 minutes or two songs. BYOB, BYO dinner, and BYO friends — we’ll provide the coffee!. < Previous Next Coffeehouse Next >

UUSE has Sunday School options for children and youth from 1 year olds up to high schoolers, and even programs for adults. Sunday School Click to Redirect to Children and Youth Ministry

53db02f0-e0b7-4070-ac73-c3683ef2ca91 < Back to Newsletter January Newsletter Article < Previous Article Next Article > President’s Column January 2026 I was a product of the times I grew up in, the 60s and the 70s, where women’s rights and civil rights were ascending. Girls were told we could be anything and do anything that the opposite sex could do. Girls could take “shop”, become doctors or veterinarians. With the advent of reliable, easy birth control and women’s reproductive health freedoms, we were as free as any of our male counterparts. The Vietnam War and massive student protest movements ushered in a new enlightened age of social justice and equality, as diverse groups forged a coalition in response to the horrors of an unjustified war. We women took progress as a given, our birthright. I personally took full advantage, leaving my early career in women-dominated nursing to explore new available options and became fully-engaged in what had been a male-dominated field in the corporate world. I never thought twice about it or ever thought it was anything but normal in our new age of enlightenment. And now, we are left in the rubble, wondering what happened and can we ever find our way back? A couple of weeks ago, I read a quote that sounded nonsensical, but when I pondered the words, I was horrified because more and more news comes out that makes you realize that there is A Truth to it. The quote came from a book by Margaret Atwood (1982), Second Words , in an essay entitled “Writing the Male Character”. The quote is as follows: “ Why do men feel threatened by women? I asked a male friend of mine...’They’re afraid women will laugh at them…’ Then I asked women students, ‘Why do women feel threatened by men? ‘They’re afraid of being killed,’ they said.” To me, this is profound. In our current times, in just a short couple of years, all the big wins for women, in fact, all minority populations, have evaporated. Mostly, these changes won’t affect me, a retired white woman, but it seems possible that following generations won’t have nearly the opportunities that I have had. Worse is that safety and predictability, as we knew it, is totally gone. Civility is hardly a word in our vocabulary any longer. With the loss of civility and increased calls for violence from the current regime -- we have seen violence at all levels but predominantly impacting vulnerable populations. Women, LGBTQ+, people of color, indigenous people, and immigrants of all nationalities. Far-right extremist groups, which would have been considered fringe groups in the past, are behind the majority of the violence. According to Reuters, in a Special report (2023), outbursts by extremist groups are the worst they’ve been since the 1970s. We need to choose optimism that we will find our path forward once again. Dr. Martin Luther King outlined hope in terms of tailwinds and headwinds in his 1959 sermon, entitled “Shattered Dreams. “In this sermon, he used tailwinds as a symbol of hope. “At times in our lives, the tailwinds of joy, triumph, and fulfillment favor us, and at times the headwinds of disappointment, sorrow, and tragedy beat unrelentingly against us. Shall we permit adverse winds to overwhelm us as we journey across life’s mighty Atlantic, or will our inner spiritual engines sustain us in spite of the [head] winds? “ It is my hope that our resilience and strength can help us weather the storm and that in 2026 the tailwinds will finally return. Patricia Lisle , UUSE President #JanuaryNewsletter Contact Information modified in accordance with UUSE Privacy Policies.

Liberal Religious traditions are all about justice, including social justice and sustainability and green action. Considering Joining UUSE? Have you taken the Intro to UU seminar? Would you like to become a member of UUSE? If yes, please contact Carol Boster and Janet Dauphin at membership@uuse.org . If you have any other questions, please contact Rev. Josh Pawelek at minister@uuse.org .

This nationally recognized UU program on human sexuality is designed to help adolescents acquire accurate information, develop positive attitudes, and make healthy decisions about the role of sexuality in their own lives. Advisors are trained by the UUA. Participation requires regular attendance and parental permission. Additional Resources (Coming soon) https://www.uuse.org/cym-resources < Back Our Whole Lives (Gr 7-8) This nationally recognized UU program on human sexuality is designed to help adolescents acquire accurate information, develop positive attitudes, and make healthy decisions about the role of sexuality in their own lives. Advisors are trained by the UUA. Participation requires regular attendance and parental permission. Additional Resources (Coming soon) https://www.uuse.org/cym-resources Previous Next

fc593d16-817d-4aee-a16b-f7a29f904a50 < Back to Newsletter January Newsletter Article < Previous Article Next Article > UUSE General Information UUSE Office Schedule: Monday – Friday, 8:00 AM to 4:00 PM Meetinghouse Office: 860-646-5151 Office Administrator: Annie Gentile email: uuseoffice@uuse.org Minister: Rev. Joshua Pawelek, 860-646-5151, minister@uuse.org Minister Office Hours: Tuesday 10 AM to 7 PM and Thursday 10 AM to 4 PM Director of Children & Youth Ministry: Emmy Galbraith, 860-646-5151, dcym@uuse.org President: Trisha Corey-Lisle, 805-750--3488, uuseoffice@uuse.org Newsletter Editor: Carol Marion, 860-646-5151, newsletter@uuse.org Website Coordinator: uuse.web@uuse.org UUSE Website : https://www.uuse.org #JanuaryNewsletter Contact Information modified in accordance with UUSE Privacy Policies.

< 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

< To Upcoming Services Watch the eBlast for the next scheduled To Love Your Neighbor, Know Your Neighbor To Love Your Neighbor, Know Your Neighbor 3 Conversations on the Religions of Our Neighbors The Connecticut Council for Interreligious Understanding and UU's are providing an opportunity to explore nine different religions at 3 Unitarian Universalist meetinghouses in a lively, candid and highly informative question-and-answer forum: Sunday, May 4th from 12:00 to 1:30 P.M. at the Universalist Church of West Hartford, 433 Fern Street in West Hartford (Buddhism, Christianity, Judaism). Sunday, June 1st from 12:00 to 1:30 P.M. at the Unitarian Society of Hartford, 50 Bloomfield Avenue in Hartford (Islam, Jainism, and Sikhism). Sunday, July 20th from 12:00 to 1:30 P.M. at our own UUSE, 153 Vernon St. West, in Manchester (Bahai Faith, Hinduism, Unitarian Universalism). For questions or more information, please contact uuseoffice@uuse.org or call 860-646-5151. See also the flyers around the UUSE building. #eBlast-04-30 To Love Your Neighbor, Know Your Neighbor 3 Conversations on the Religions of Our Neighbors The Connecticut Council for Interreligious Understanding and UU's are providing an opportunity to explore nine different religions at 3 Unitarian Universalist meetinghouses in a lively, candid and highly informative question-and-answer forum: Sunday, May 4th from 12:00 to 1:30 P.M. at the Universalist Church of West Hartford, 433 Fern Street in West Hartford (Buddhism, Christianity, Judaism). Sunday, June 1st from 12:00 to 1:30 P.M. at the Unitarian Society of Hartford, 50 Bloomfield Avenue in Hartford (Islam, Jainism, and Sikhism). Sunday, July 20th from 12:00 to 1:30 P.M. at our own UUSE, 153 Vernon St. West, in Manchester (Bahai Faith, Hinduism, Unitarian Universalism). For questions or more information, please contact uuseoffice@uuse.org or call 860-646-5151. See also the flyers around the UUSE building. #eBlast -04-30 OOS Sermon YouTube

136c0d20-4e8d-4243-ba13-5530b430213a < Back to Newsletter January Newsletter Article < Previous Article Next Article > Ladies at Lunch Thursday, January 8th , we will enjoy lunch at Kobe Asian Bistro, 1155 Tolland Turnpike, Manchester (in the Plaza at Burr Corners). We meet at noon. Join us! If you will attend, please let Sharon Huber know by Wednesday, January 7. uuseoffice@uuse.org or 860-646-5151. #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 SUNDIALS: Out from the Shadows (A Cliff Pelletier Memorial Lecture) October 6, 2025 at 7:00 P.M. in the UUSE Meeting Room Long-time member Fred Sawyer will provide an overview of the 3,500-year-long history of the sundial as a scientific device--perhaps humanity's first. Dozens of varieties and instruments and how they evolved will be discussed and illustrated with opportunities for the audience to ask questions. Fred is President and editor of the North American Sundial Society and the Patron of the British Sundial Society. He has published nine books on Sciatherics -- the study of sundials. This event is offered in memory of UUSE member Cliff Pelletier who loved science and was very generous to UUSE. #eBlast-10-01 SUNDIALS: Out from the Shadows (A Cliff Pelletier Memorial Lecture) October 6, 2025 at 7:00 P.M. in the UUSE Meeting Room Long-time member Fred Sawyer will provide an overview of the 3,500-year-long history of the sundial as a scientific device--perhaps humanity's first. Dozens of varieties and instruments and how they evolved will be discussed and illustrated with opportunities for the audience to ask questions. Fred is President and editor of the North American Sundial Society and the Patron of the British Sundial Society. He has published nine books on Sciatherics -- the study of sundials. This event is offered in memory of UUSE member Cliff Pelletier who loved science and was very generous to UUSE. #eBlast -10-01 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

Affinity Groups are birds of a feather, where everyone can stick together. Affinity Groups They say birds of a feather flock together. Our affinity groups are where like-minded individuals meet on a monthly basis to discuss books, art, religion and other ideas. Contact the office for details email: info@uuse.org phone: 860.646.5151 Always check the Upcoming Events Calendar for up-to-date weekly information and cancelations. Book Lovers 2nd Tuesdays 3:30 to 5:30 PM The Book Lovers meet in person and simultaneously on Zoom every second Tuesday from 3:30 to 5:00 PM. You are welcome even if you haven’t finished the book. The link is sent out the weekend before by Carolyn Gimbrone. • January 13, 2026: James - A Novel by Percival Everett: Pub. March 2024, 320 pages. Discussion leader: Nancy Thompson • February 10, 2026: The Correspondent- A Novel by Virginia Evans: Pub. April 2025, 304 pages. Discussion leader: Carolyn Gimbrone • March 10, 2026: The Emperor of Gladness by Ocean Vuong: Pub. May 2025, 416 Pages. Discussion leader: Jeannine Gluck #JanuaryNewsletter Next Meeting Buddhist Group 1st Tuesdays 7:00 PM Buddhist Group meets at 7 PM on Zoom the first Tuesday of the month for meditation and discussion of a Buddhist perspective on the monthly ministry theme. Email Nancy Thompson at uuseoffice@uuse.org for details or the Zoom link. Next Meeting God Talk 4th Tuesdays 4:30 PM A discussion group for UU theists 4th Tuesdays at 4:30 PM. This ongoing group explores how UUs can name and experience God in meaningful, useful ways. All are welcome. Contact Rev. Josh at minister@uuse.org for the Zoom link. Next Meeting Humanist Group 3rd Tuesdays 4:30 PM Join us in on the 3rd Tuesday at 4:30 PM. This ongoing group explores Religious Humanism and its applications to life, both historically and today. All welcome. Contact Rev. Josh at minister@uuse.org for the Zoom link. Next Meeting Pagan Group Meets Occasionally Welcoming all paths. Ceremonies include but are not limited to: Summer and Winter Solstices, Spring and Autumn Equinoxes, Beltane (May Day), Imbolc, Litha, Lughnasa, and others as inspired. Contact Rev. Josh for details. Contact Office for Times Science and Religion Discussion Group 4th Thursdays 4:30 PM Where do science and religion meet? Where are they in opposition? Meet 4th Tuesdays at 4:30 in the Chapel, and on Zoom. Contact Chris Larson for the Zoom link. #JanuaryNewsletter Next Meeting Women’s Circle 3rd Tuesdays 7:00 PM Zoom Only 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. Contact Office for Times Writers Group 2nd Mondays Bi-Monthly 7:00 PM The UUSE Writers Group is on hiatus. Check Newsletter