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The monthly C&YM column holds a trove of interesting ideas for your kids. Director's Corner Emmy's Update For Sunday December 14th Greetings CYM Families & Friends! Our lovely choir director, Jenn Richard, has prepared a phenomenal array of musical pieces perfect for kicking off the holiday season! Do not miss this Sunday’s annual Holiday Music Service for all ages. Children & Youth Ministry (CYM) classes will not be held this Sunday, and we hope that families will enjoy this festive service together in the Sanctuary. The exceptions are that the Nursery will be open and our High School Youth Group programming will run, including Affirmation after the program hour. (Don’t forget to pack a lunch Affirmation youth!) And everyone don’t forget to bring cash or card to purchase some goods at the HSYG Bake Sale being offered after both the 9 and 11am services this Sunday! Proceeds will be split between the HSYG activity fund and UUSE. Children’s Chapel will resume in January. Nursery : Childcare will be available in our nursery at 11 AM for children age 3 and under. Sunday Service : “Where the Light Begins” - This Sunday, 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, Rev. Josh Pawelek, Emmy Galbraith Next High School Youth Group Meeting: Saturday, December 13th 1-3pm at UUSE for baking and Sunday, December 14th for regular HSYG meeting and Bake Sale Next Affirmation Meeting: December 14th at 1pm (pack a lunch) See you Sunday! Seasonal Happenings : Sun, Dec 14: Holiday Music Service @ 9&11am Sun, Dec 21: CYM Winter Holiday Party @ 12pm (outdoors!) Wed, Dec 24: Christmas Eve Service @ 5pm Sun, Dec 28: No CYM Programming - Winter Break Sat, Jan 3: 6PM Talent Show for children and youth in collaboration with the monthly Coffee House. Bring dinner for the family and enjoy the many talents of our community! Children and youth are invited to perform a song, poem, skit, magic tricks, trivia, or any other talent! RSVP to Emmy or Dan Thompson Sat, Jan 24 - Sun, Jan 25: Overnight Con for 7th-12th graders! Located at USH (Unitarian Society of Hartford) with UUSE support. Arrive at 6pm on Saturday and stay for games, movies, video games, foosball, and zoom with other youth! Rise and shine Sunday morning to participate in USH’s long standing tradition of “Soup Sunday!” Sat, Jan 31: UUSE Annual Cook-off and Live Auction Event - fun for the whole family! Sat, Feb 21: 8AM Mount Southington Ski Trip in partnership with USH (Unitarian Society of Hartford) Open to skiers of all ages! Sun, Feb 22: 3pm Kirtan at UUSE Sat, Mar 28: Nightlight Mission in partnership with USH (Unitarian Society of Hartford): Families with children/youth meet @ 2PM to sort clothes & prepare soup, coffee and sandwiches; @8PM distribute clothing and food to the unhoused. With Gratitude, Emmy Galbraith Director of Children & Youth Ministry dcym@uuse.org Office: (860)646-5151 Cell: (860)576-7889 CYM Committee Members: Sudha, co-chair Michelle Spadaccini, co-chair Desiree Holian-Borgnis Paula Baker Kaitlyn Guilmette Committee email: uusecym@uuse.org Angela Attardo, CYM Program Assistant CYMAsst@uuse.org Molly Vigeant, Nursery Coordinator Director of Children and Youth Ministry's Monthly Column for ${month}

< To Upcoming Services Feb 17, 2026 Humanist Group 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. 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. OOS Sermon YouTube

< To Upcoming Services Feb 23, 2026 AA - Mondays at Noon. Every Monday at Noon Every Monday at Noon OOS Sermon YouTube

< To Upcoming Services Feb 16, 2026 Silent Meditation Silent Meditation - 3:30PM in the Sanctuary Silent Meditation - 3:30PM in the Sanctuary. OOS Sermon YouTube

< To Upcoming Services Jan 18, 2026 Mine Eyes Have Seen the Glory "Mine Eyes Have Seen the Glory" Rev. Josh takes another dive into Unitarian, Universalist, and Unitarian Universalist history. This time, in honor of the Martin Luther King, Jr. national observance, he explores some oft-forgotten racial justice stories from our collective past. Coordinator : Rev. Josh Pawelek Services at 9:00 and 11:00 A.M. #eBlast-01-14 "Mine Eyes Have Seen the Glory" Rev. Josh takes another dive into Unitarian, Universalist, and Unitarian Universalist history. This time, in honor of the Martin Luther King, Jr. national observance, he explores some oft-forgotten racial justice stories from our collective past. Coordinator : Rev. Josh Pawelek Services at 9:00 and 11:00 A.M. Sunday, January 18, 2026 In Case You Missed It #eBlast -01-14 OOS Sermon YouTube

< To Upcoming Services Watch the eBlast for the next scheduled Intro to UU Intro to UU Sunday, January 18 from 1:00 to 4:00 P.M. in the Garden Level Chapel Would you like to learn more about Unitarian Universalism and UUSE? Join Rev. Josh Pawelek and members of the Membership Committee on Sunday, January 18. This gathering will include a discussion of UU theology, UUSE's mission, programs and facilities, and an opportunity to meet others and share our religious journeys. To register, contact Annie Gentile at 860-646-5151 or uuseoffice@uuse.org . Please RSVP by Thursday, January 15th and let us know if you need child care. Questions? Please contact Sylvia Ounpuu at membership@uuse.org or Rev. Josh Pawelek at 860-646-5151 or minister@uuse.org . #eBlast-01-14 Intro to UU Sunday, January 18 from 1:00 to 4:00 P.M. in the Garden Level Chapel Would you like to learn more about Unitarian Universalism and UUSE? Join Rev. Josh Pawelek and members of the Membership Committee on Sunday, January 18 . This gathering will include a discussion of UU theology, UUSE's mission, programs and facilities, and an opportunity to meet others and share our religious journeys. To register, contact Annie Gentile at 860-646-5151 or uuseoffice@uuse.org . Please RSVP by Thursday, January 15th and let us know if you need child care. Questions? Please contact Sylvia Ounpuu at membership@uuse.org or Rev. Josh Pawelek at 860-646-5151 or minister@uuse.org . #eBlast -01-14 OOS Sermon YouTube

< To Upcoming Services Watch the eBlast for the next scheduled Winter Woods Work Party Winter Woods Work Party Saturday, January 17, 2026 - 10 AM - 1 PM The Building & Grounds Committee invites you to its second annual winter woods work party on Saturday, January 17, 10:00 A.M. to 1:00 P.M. This is a de-vine opportunity to clip twining vines and invasive shrubs while they are dormant in winter. Bring pruning shears and loppers (we will also have some to lend). Children and youth are welcome with a responsible adult. Snacks and beverages provided. Wet weather cancels. Contact Cory Clark or Jane Osborn for more information. Here are the top five reasons to do this work in winter: 1. No bugs! 2. No sweat! 3. No sunburn! 4. No poison ivy! 5. Hot chocolate! #eBlast-01-14 Winter Woods Work Party Saturday, January 17, 2026 - 10 AM - 1 PM The Building & Grounds Committee invites you to its second annual winter woods work party on Saturday, January 17 , 10:00 A.M. to 1:00 P.M. This is a de-vine opportunity to clip twining vines and invasive shrubs while they are dormant in winter. Bring pruning shears and loppers (we will also have some to lend). Children and youth are welcome with a responsible adult. Snacks and beverages provided. Wet weather cancels. Contact Cory Clark or Jane Osborn for more information. Here are the top five reasons to do this work in winter: 1. No bugs! 2. No sweat! 3. No sunburn! 4. No poison ivy! 5. Hot chocolate! #eBlast -01-14 OOS Sermon YouTube

< To Upcoming Services Feb 19, 2026 Women's Sacred Singing Circle . Every Thursday at 7 PM We sing songs and chants from a variety of traditions, including some written by women from circles around the country, including our own. All are about the earth, healing, spirit, and, of course, women. Come late, leave early, or stay the whole time. Come every week or off and on, when you choose. But come! We have so much fun each week, we want you to join us in the laughter, song and community! For more information visit Meetup. Every Thursday at 7 PM We sing songs and chants from a variety of traditions, including some written by women from circles around the country, including our own. All are about the earth, healing, spirit, and, of course, women. Come late, leave early, or stay the whole time. Come every week or off and on, when you choose. But come! We have so much fun each week, we want you to join us in the laughter, song and community! For more information visit Meetup . OOS Sermon YouTube

< To Upcoming Services Watch the eBlast for the next scheduled Upcoming Feedback Opportunities: Principles and Values Integration Task Force As some of you will remember, one of the recommendations from last year’s UUA Discernment Task Force was for our congregation to integrate the Unitarian Universalist principles with the Unitarian Universalist Values in our collective UUSE life. To that end, our Policy Board commissioned a Principles and Values Integration Task Force last spring with the goal of studying how we can effectively achieve this integration. The task force consisted of Vivian Carlson (Sunday Services Committee), Sudha (Children and Youth Ministry and Communications and Technology Committees), Sheila Foran (Membership Committee), Kate Kimmerle (Policy Board), Ruth Rempt (at large), and Rev. Josh Pawelek (staff). The Principles and Values Integration Task Force has completed its preliminary report and will be sharing it with the congregation in early January. Please watch for it!! We want to hear from you! During the remainder of January, the Task Force will be seeking feedback from the congregation. You will be able to give feedback by emailing principlesvalues@uuse.org . You can also attend an online feedback session on Thursday, January 15th at 7:00 pm, or an in-person feedback session on Tuesday, January 20th at 1:00 PM at UUSE. Once feedback has been reviewed and integrated into the report, the task force will submit a final report to the Policy Board to be accepted at its February meeting. #JanuaryNewsletter Principles and Values Integration Task Force As some of you will remember, one of the recommendations from last year’s UUA Discernment Task Force was for our congregation to integrate the Unitarian Universalist principles with the Unitarian Universalist Values in our collective UUSE life. To that end, our Policy Board commissioned a Principles and Values Integration Task Force last spring with the goal of studying how we can effectively achieve this integration. The task force consisted of Vivian Carlson (Sunday Services Committee), Sudha (Children and Youth Ministry and Communications and Technology Committees), Sheila Foran (Membership Committee), Kate Kimmerle (Policy Board), Ruth Rempt (at large), and Rev. Josh Pawelek (staff). The Principles and Values Integration Task Force has completed its preliminary report and will be sharing it with the congregation in early January. Please watch for it!! We want to hear from you! During the remainder of January, the Task Force will be seeking feedback from the congregation. You will be able to give feedback by emailing principlesvalues@uuse.org . You can also attend an online feedback session on Thursday, January 15th at 7:00 pm, or an in-person feedback session on Tuesday, January 20th at 1:00 PM at UUSE. Once feedback has been reviewed and integrated into the report, the task force will submit a final report to the Policy Board to be accepted at its February meeting. #JanuaryNewsletter OOS Sermon YouTube

< To Upcoming Services Feb 10, 2026 Book Lovers 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 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 Nove l 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 OOS Sermon YouTube

< To Upcoming Services Feb 18, 2026 Yoga . 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. 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. #SeptemberNewsletter OOS Sermon YouTube

< To Upcoming Services Feb 10, 2026 ROMEOS Retired Old Men Eating Out, or The ROMEOs, is a social group that gets together once a month for lunch. Contact the office for details. OOS Sermon YouTube