< Back < Latest eBlast eBlast Article < Previous Article Next Article > Exploring Christian Nationalism Exploring Christian Nationalism #eBlast -09-16

The monthly C&YM column holds a trove of interesting ideas for your kids. Director's Corner Emmy's Update For Sunday February 22nd Greetings CYM Families & Friends! I have a few things to share! First, please note a change to the CYM program schedule: Sunday, March 1st will be an All Ages Sunday service, instead of a classroom day . Classroom teachers: I will be updating the curriculum schedule to account for this. The nursery will be open as usual on this day, but all other classrooms will be closed and families are invited to attend Sunday service in its entirety together. Next, I wanted to give more information about the upcoming Nightlight Mission than many are excited about, myself included! This is an event I have previously communicated about with a “mark your calendars” date of Saturday, March 28th from 2pm-9pm. (But you do not have to stay the whole time to participate.) This event is being planned and sponsored by our sister congregation, the Unitarian Society of Hartford. It is modeled after NYC’s successful program“Midnight Run”, and USH has done their own local Nightlight Mission before. I am so grateful to be invited to engage with this activity! Beginning this coming Sunday, you will see collection bins in the Lobby for donations to the Nightlight Mission. Needed items include warm socks, gloves, boots, small fleece blankets, hand warmers, snack packs, sweaters and other good quality clothing. The three area UU congregations are collecting items over the coming weeks, and we will bring what we’ve gathered over to USH on March 28th at 2pm. At USH, all of the donation items will be sorted and organized by the group of volunteers gathered there. During this timeframe folks will also be working in the kitchen, cooking up soup, sandwiches, and coffee. Once all the work is done, we will load up into USH vans and family vehicles and caravan to an area inhabited by unhoused people in Hartford. A Hartford police officer who specializes in working with the unhoused will accompany us there. With his assistance we will distribute the goods directly to the unhoused people there. They are familiar with this process, and it is always appreciated. And that is the plan! Families can choose to participate in whatever parts they would like, and its open to all ages. If any older children or youth would like to attend but need an adult chaperone, I would be happy to bring them with me in my car. Just let me know! And now, here’s some news from the CYM Committee : General Assembly (GA) is the annual meeting of the Unitarian Universalist Association (UUA), where participants gather to worship, witness, learn, connect, and make policy decisions for the Association through a democratic process. UUSE is looking for people to attend virtually or at a satellite location. The 2026 GA will be held virtually June 14th-21st. Check out https://www.uua.org/ga for some info. Are you interested in representing UUSE at this year's General Assembly? Would you be interested in supporting a group of children of youth to attend virtually together from UUSE? Questions? Email Desiree at desiree.holian@gmail.com Stewardship : The CYM steward, Desirée Holian-Borgnis, will be holding "office hours" on Sunday March 15th and 22th from 12-12:30 in the Garden Level Lobby to collect pledges, answer questions and help in any other way. If you have questions or need to meet at a different time please reach out to Desirée at desiree.holian@gmail.com or text 203-206-3605 And now onto this coming Sunday: Here's What's Happening in CYM this Sunday, February 22nd: Children’s Chapel will *NOT* be held this Sunday Nursery : Childcare will be available in our nursery at 11 AM for children age 3 and under. Sunday Service : “The Generous Spirit” - Rev Josh explores the many ways we manifest generosity and why it matters that we continually cultivate generous spirits. Kate Kimmerle purchased this service at the 2025 Goods and Services Auction. Coordinator: Rev. Josh Pawelek Time For All Ages : Children and youth in grades 2-12 will attend the beginning of the Sunday service in the Sanctuary on the Main Level. The first two rows on the right are reserved for children and youth to sit together, and families are welcome to join them. After the “Time For All Ages” segment of Sunday service, children and youth will be dismissed to the Garden Level to attend further programming. Spirit Play : “Jetpig Comes to Spirit Play” - Spirit Play children will go directly to their classroom at 11 AM for the day’s lesson, a story about new UU character “Jetpig”. You may have seen a crocheted pig hanging around the Garden Level, wearing a rainbow jetpack! Jetpig introduces children to the new UU values language, and a handy tool to remember them! (JETPIG stands for: J=justice, E=equity, T=transformation, P=pluralism, I=interdependence, G=generosity) Young UUs: "Signs of Welcome: Part 2" - Welcoming others is a sign of our Unitarian Universalist faith. In this session, the children hear a story based on a Hawaiian tale in which Pele, the goddess of fire, visits two families in disguise to teach a lesson of welcoming. They will also start some of their own art pieces featuring signs of welcome! Jr Youth Group : “Hoot" - O ur Junior Youth will watch a film in two parts, based on Carl Hiaasen’s novel “Hoot” - a tale about a group of middle school children trying to save a burrowing owl habitat from destruction by a developer. Junior youth are invited to wear their comfiest clothes and hunker down with popcorn and friends in the junior youth classroom this Sunday for part one of the film screening. High School Youth Group: Meets this Sunday, February 22 in the couch room after attending TFAA in the Sanctuary. Bring your imaginations and creativity for a group vision board activity! Next Affirmation Meeting: Sunday, March 8th will be a full group class in the couch room from 12:30-2. Bring a lunch! Tentative group outing scheduled for March 21st at 10am. Next OWL Teacher Team Meeting: Sunday, March 8th at 12:45 in classroom #7 ! See you Sunday! Seasonal Happenings : FEBRUARY Sun, Feb 22: Annual PFLAG "Love is Love" Roller-skate at Ron-A-Roll located at 85 S Frontage Rd, in Vernon, CT. For all ages! "Get ready for our annual LOVE IS LOVE roller skating event! This year’s theme is K-POP DEMON HUNTERS! We will be hosting an auction for everything from themed banners, standees and more! Get your tickets today at the QR Code and message us with any questions." PFLAG (Parents and Friends of Lesbians and Gays) is a longstanding civil rights organization and this family and kid-friendly event is always a fun and fabulous time. See the graphic at the top of this email for the QR code for more info and to buy tickets for the event. MARCH Sun, March 8, 2026: Interfaith Film Series: Soul Co-presented with the Connecticut Council for Interreligious Understanding. Location: Wadsworth Antheneum Museum of Art at 600 Main Street, Hartford, CT Joe Gardner, a middle school music teacher, finally gets his big break playing jazz in New York City, only to find himself unexpectedly separated from his body and transported to the realm where souls develop before birth. There, he teams up with a reluctant soul named 22 to rediscover what it means to live a full and purposeful life. Soul offers a moving reflection on creativity, destiny, and what truly makes life worth living. Free. Museum admission not included. Registration encouraged. 1 hour, 40 minutes. Rated PG. 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. Be on the lookout for an announcement of an upcoming zoom call with CYM for initial talks about logistics for this event. Director of Children and Youth Ministry's Monthly Column for ${month}

Think green. That's what the sustainability committee does. This is their page. Sustainable Living & Climate Action UUSE is committed to ongoing efforts to save our planet through green action. We are a certified Green Sanctuary. Green Sanctuary News Green Sanctuary News September 2026 Agrivoltaics. Have you heard of this term? It’s a relatively new process integrating solar power and agriculture. Rather than having a huge acreage of valuable farmland being used just for solar panels, the agrivoltaic workers adjust the height and type of panel to work with many different crops and animals. For example, sheep love grazing under them, and appreciate the shade they provide on hot days. A higher version can be built over orchards, providing both solar power and shade for the trees. Less water is required for the trees, so it’s a win-win! Farmers on the drier and windier plains of eastern Colorado worked with a solar company to set the panels vertically, thus providing wind breaks for the wheat and other crops. There are at least two farms in Connecticut which are utilizing this technology. One is in Orange, but the other one, Mulnite Farms Inc., is nearby in East Windsor. We’ll have more about this in the future. Elders Climate Action documented some of the Agrivoltaic work done in Colorado in this movie “Save the Farm, Save the Future.” You can watch this fascinating movie here: Click here to watch . Dangerous chemicals in your yard and garden? An article in a recent Organic Consumers Association newsletter warns about the dangers of Paraquat, a commonly used herbicide. Vermont is the first state in the US to ban its use, while at least 74 countries have already banned it. Studies have shown that among other things, it can cause Parkinson’s disease. Some of the Big Ag farms use it in fields where much of our food is grown. Coming up next month: On October 18th at 2 pm, the Sustainable Living Committee will be showing “The Climate Future Film Festival” at UUSE. Some of you may remember the ones we showed last fall. Come see what’s new this year! Admission is free. Don’t forget, the Sustainable Living Committee sells Equal Exchange products on the 2nd Sunday of the month. Help support small farmers who grow sustainable products! #SeptemberNewsletter Go Solar! The Sustainable Living Committee is thrilled to report that UUSE has contracted with Connecticut solar provider, Savkat, to resume our popular solar program! Savkat has agreed to donate $25 to UUSE for every appointment and $1,000 for every signed solar contract. The program begins immediately, and is available to all UUSE members, family, and friends. Just tell them you were referred by UUSE! We will be hosting several informational sessions with our Savkat representative on Sunday mornings during coffee hour to answer any questions congregants may have. If you're interested in learning more about getting solar installed, you can make an appointment at this time. Already know you want to reduce your carbon footprint by installing solar? You can contact our Savkat representative, Jordan Bernstein, right away! His contact info is below. Thank you for caring about our planet! Jordan Bernstein Lead Manager 203.441.7961 Jordan@savkat.com www.savkat.com Schedule a Meeting Green Actions You Can Take Join our ecological landscaping team Help with recycling and composting Help sell "Fair Trade" coffee, tea, and chocolate after Sunday services Help with the annual organic veggie garden About the Green Sanctuary program UUSE has been a certified Green Sanctuary congregation since the spring of 2006. The Green Sanctuary program was developed and begun by the UU Ministry for Earth for UU congregations. The program at UUSE was led by the Sustainable Living Committee with approval and involvement of the policy board, staff, various committees and the full congregation. Goals and projects were developed in four different areas: worship, religious education, sustainable living and social/environmental justice. Our Action Plan for 2005 included 15 different projects, heavily focused on our response to global warming. It included implementing recommendations from an energy audit, starting our children’s organic vegetable garden program, starting recycling and composting programs, working with other state and local organizations on common goals, and much more. The congregation-wide support and success of the program led us to seek out the greenest way we could afford to implement our planned building and expansion project. Between 2007 and the spring of 2010 we were deep into the planning, fundraising for and implementation of our building project. The Growth of the Green Sanctuary Program allowed it to become a project of the UUA. And by 2011 we were encouraged to apply for Re- accreditation. Our application for Re-accreditation included various projects in the areas of worship and celebration, religious education, sustainable living, and active environmental justice efforts, such as helping to pass CT’s first environmental justice law, working with local groups to start school and other community gardens and to help low-income residents benefit from CT’s Home Energy Solutions program. We documented all the work done in the UUSE building project including energy conservation work, the geo-thermal system and eventual solar panel system, and Energy Star certification with a 98% score in 2013, as well as various ecological landscaping projects. On February 17, 2013 we received the notice we were awarded Green Sanctuary Recertification. We were encouraged to continue our efforts to become a net zero facility and continue with our outreach and advocacy work.

< Back < Latest eBlast eBlast Article < Previous Article Next Article > Our Mission Our Mission  Unitarian Universalist Society East is a welcoming, open-minded spiritual community seeking truth and meaning in its many forms. We share responsibility for building a more equitable, peaceful, and sustainable world. #eBlast -09-16

< Back < Latest eBlast eBlast Article < Previous Article Next Article > Welcome to Unitarian Universalist Society East Welcome to Unitarian Universalist Society East Email our office t o receive a visitor packet or to find out more. We schedule several newcomer events throughout the year after Sunday services. #eBlast -09-16

< Back < Latest eBlast eBlast Article < Previous Article Next Article > Weekly News Weekly News September 16, 2026 #eBlast -09-16

< Back < Latest eBlast eBlast Article < Previous Article Next Article > Ongoing Happenings at UUSE! Ongoing Happenings at UUSE! There’s Always Something Good Going On Stop & Shop Gift Card sales after services on 1st Sundays Fair Trade Coffee/Tea/Chocolate sales after services on 2nd Sundays Yoga , every Wednesday at 10 A.M. All welcome! Manchester Women's Sacred Singing Circle , every Thursday at 7 P.M. Book Lovers , 2nd Tuesdays at 3:30 P.M. in person and on Zoom. Women's Circle , 3rd Tuesdays at 7:00 P.M. (Zoom only December through March) Email Nora Alpers-Leon at uuseoffice@uuse.org for the Zoom link. Romeos , a monthly lunch for retired men on second Tuesdays - contact the UUSE office to be put on the email list. Ladies at Lunch , a monthly women's lunch typically on second Thursdays - advertised in the weekly eblasts. Buddhist Group , 1st Tuesdays at 7 P.M. Meditation Group , 3rd Mondays, 3:30 P.M. in the Youth Group room on the Garden Level. God Talk , 4th Tuesdays at 4:30 P.M. Humanist Group , 3rd Tuesdays at 4:30 P.M. Science and Religion Discussion Group , 4th Thursdays at 4:30 P.M. September's topic: Science, Spirituality and Cymatics led by Jackie Muschiano. #eBlast -09-16

< Back < Latest eBlast eBlast Article < Previous Article Next Article > Armond and Angelina's Native American Flute Playshop Armond and Angelina's Native American Flute Playshop Monday, October 5th at 7:00 P.M. at UUSE For centuries people have been mesmerized by the hypnotic sounds from these gentle, easy to play flutes. Whether you have a musical background or have always wanted to play a musical instrument, THIS PLAYSHOP IS FOR YOU. Practice flutes are available, or you may purchase one. Armand and Angelina are a full-time Interfaith Musical Ministry. They have taught Native American Flute Playshops at over 500 Interfaith churches across the country. Recommended $20 freewill donation. Help Children Learn to Read Can you spare an hour a week to help young students become stronger readers? UUSE volunteers work with kindergarten and first grade students at Verplanck Elementary School in Manchester. Last year (2025-26) we helped to pioneer a new model: The same students got 15 minutes of one-on-one help four days a week. Educators found the "intervention group" made progress more quickly than other classmates. Equally important, the children seem to look forward to their time with our volunteers. We hope to recruit 16 volunteers to commit to an hour per week in late morning. Training will be in early October and then tutors meet their students. It is truly rewarding to visit this public school each week, see talented teachers in action and support what the faculty calls "our scholars." Please email Nancy Thompson, uuseoffice@uuse.org , by September 20 with your questions and (we hope) commitment. Thank you! #eBlast -09-16

Every year we have ten to twelve ministry themes, usually one a month. These ministry themes guide us and provide a framework for services held that month. 2026/2027 Ministry Themes July/August: None September: Beginnings October: Courage November: Healing December: Awe January: Thresholds February: Commitment March: Balance April: Emergence May: Play June: Horizons #SeptemberNewsletter

< Back < Latest eBlast eBlast Article < Previous Article Next Article > Pastoral Friends Pastoral Friends The Pastoral Friends Committee has a rotating chair throughout the year. Should you need pastoral care during the months of September or October contact Sue McMillen . #eBlast -09-16

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What's happening at UUSE? Lots of things. So many events here to keep your mind occupied and your hands busy. September Newsletter Website Edition Sign up here to receive the full newsletter by email Contact the office for details - email: info@uuse.org phone: 860.646.5151 Sunday Services Schedule September Ministry Theme: Beginnings Join us at 10 AM. The 10 AM Zoom service login and call-in information is shared through the congregational eblasts on Wednesdays and Saturdays. Starting September 13th, join us at 9 or 11 AM. The 11 AM Zoom service login and call-in information is shared through the congregational eblasts on Wednesdays and Saturdays. Subscribe to the eblast by sending a message to uuseoffice@uuse.org or call the UUSE office at 860-646-5151. ------------------------------ Sunday, August 30th: Coffee House . Join us for our annual coffee house service, at which many of our UUSE musicians and poets share their talents. This service has become a beloved end-of-summer tradition for us. Always fun, always meaningful, always a wonderful reflection of the diversity and passion within the UUSE community. Coordinator: Rev. Josh Pawelek. Sunday, September 6th: Labor in the Pulpit . This Labor Day weekend we’re participating in “Labor in the Pulpit,” a program of the AFL-CIO. We’ll be joined by the president of the Connecticut AFL-CIO, Ed Hawthorne. Mr. Hawthorne is a skilled organizer and speaker. We’ll have an opportunity to engage in dialogue with him about the state of the labor movement in Connecticut and nationally. Coordinators: Rev. Josh Pawelek and Rob Napier. Return to two services, 9 or 11 AM. Return to two services, 9 or 11 AM. Sunday, September 13th: Homecoming . All-Congregational service. This morning we kick off our congregational year. We’ll review our covenant, principles and values. We’ll bless backpacks (briefcases, purses, bags, etc.), and we’ll celebrate with our homecoming picnic following the 11:00 service. Coordinators: Emmy Galbraith, Mary Bopp, Rev. Josh Pawelek. Sunday, September 20th: Beginnings. Our ministry theme for September is, appropriately, beginnings. Rev. Josh delivers his first sermon of the congregational year—on beginnings. Let’s look forward to a year full of spiritual growth, learning, exploration, justice-seeking, service, and beloved community. Coordinator: Rev. Josh Pawelek. Sunday, September 27th: Building a UU Justice Movement in Connecticut! This morning we welcome the Rev. Sierra-Marie Gerfao into our pulpit. Rev. Gerfao is the executive director of the newly-founded CT UU Social Justice Ministry. She’ll preach on her vision for this ministry and how all of us can participate in it. Coordinator: Rev. Josh Pawelek. ------------------------------ Community Outreach Ministry Charitable Giving for September As always, thank you for your generosity. We do not gather our gifts only for ourselves, but to share with the larger community. Continuing our practice of sharing our gifts with the community beyond our walls, fifty percent of our Sunday plate collections for the month will be shared with: Manchester Latino Affairs Council SheLeadsJustice Please contact Louisa Graver at uuseoffice@uuse.org , David Lacoss, or Nancy Madar at uuseoffice@uuse.org. Make checks out to UUSE. If the memo line: ✓ is blank or “pledge” - all will go toward your pledge. ✓ has “COM” or the name of the charity - all will go to the charity. ✓ has “1/2 pledge, 1/2 COM” - it will be divided equally. ------------------------------ 2026/2027 Ministry Themes July/August: None September: Beginnings October: Courage November: Healing December: Awe January: Thresholds February: Commitment March: Balance April: Emergence May: Play June: Horizons ------------------------------ Quick Look: ------------------------------ UUSE Fall Music Lineup Saturday, Sept 19th - Contra Dance Sunday, Sept 27th - Pangea Worldbeat Saturday, Oct 3rd - Return of Coffeehouse Monday, Oct 5th - Native Flute Workshop Sunday, Oct 11th - Crystal Bowls Concert Sunday, Nov 8th - Kirtan Watch this newsletter for more details! ------------------------------ Minister's Column Dear Ones: Welcome to the 2026-2027 congregational year of the Unitarian Universalist Society East Manchester, CT – our 58th year as a congregation! (Wait?!? Didn’t we just celebrate our 50th anniversary? I guess this means we have to start thinking about an extravaganza for our 60th!) I am really looking forward to the year. As many of you have heard me say, I feel blessed to serve as minister to a congregation as healthy as UUSE. And just as importantly, I feel blessed to have work that I genuinely love: preaching, worship planning, pastoral care, teaching, collaborating with talented leaders, performing weddings, memorials and child dedications, community organizing, social and environmental justice work. I love all of it! I know why I love it. At the heart of any successful ministry lies relationship. I love the relationships I have built at UUSE and in the wider community over the years. As I contemplate the coming congregational year, I am thinking a lot about relationship-building. In the coming year, I’d like to meet one-on-one or in small groups with as many of you as possible. Whether you feel you have a strong relationship with me, or barely any relationship at all, I want to extend the invitation to meet with me. Reach out and ask for a meeting. I imagine no agenda other than getting to know each other more than we already do. I try to meet with people in this way every year, but I want to prioritize it this year. I suppose this is my response to the chaos in the world—authoritarianism, climate change, war, etc. We respond in more healthy ways to the chaos when we’re in relationship with others. Of course, when I speak of relationship-building, I’m not only referring to your relationships with me. I am also referring to your relationships with each other as members and friends of UUSE. How can you build relationships in new ways at UUSE? How can you get to know more of your congregational peers? What common ground do you share? What common work do you want to engage in? There is so much potential. I urge you to consider how you can best deepen your relationships at the meetinghouse. It will make a difference. As our friends in organized labor say, we are stronger together! I want to make one last point regarding beginning the year with a focus on relationships. I’ve been dedicating some of my summer study leave to learning as much as I can about Artificial Intelligence (AI). I have a lot to say about AI (you can expect it to show up in my preaching this year). I am, to say the least, angry and disappointed with Big Tech. I am a budding Luddite in the best sense of the word. The big AI companies promise so much, and yet very little of what is promised turns out to be real, while real human beings are losing jobs and the quality of products and services is declining rapidly. Yes, there are remarkable things AI can do, but it’s also a lot of hype, and a lot of harm. This is why relationships matter. And this is why healthy congregations aren’t going away. Healthy congregations offer real-life, flesh-and-blood, meaningful human relationships. AI will never be able to do that. Never. Welcome to our 2026-2027 congregational year. Welcome to a year of building relationships. With love, Rev. Josh ------------------------------ Green Sanctuary News September 2026 Agrivoltaics. Have you heard of this term? It’s a relatively new process integrating solar power and agriculture. Rather than having a huge acreage of valuable farmland being used just for solar panels, the agrivoltaic workers adjust the height and type of panel to work with many different crops and animals. For example, sheep love grazing under them, and appreciate the shade they provide on hot days. A higher version can be built over orchards, providing both solar power and shade for the trees. Less water is required for the trees, so it’s a win-win! Farmers on the drier and windier plains of eastern Colorado worked with a solar company to set the panels vertically, thus providing wind breaks for the wheat and other crops. There are at least two farms in Connecticut which are utilizing this technology. One is in Orange, but the other one, Mulnite Farms Inc., is nearby in East Windsor. We’ll have more about this in the future. Elders Climate Action documented some of the Agrivoltaic work done in Colorado in this movie “Save the Farm, Save the Future.” You can watch this fascinating movie here: Click here to watch . Dangerous chemicals in your yard and garden? An article in a recent Organic Consumers Association newsletter warns about the dangers of Paraquat, a commonly used herbicide. Vermont is the first state in the US to ban its use, while at least 74 countries have already banned it. Studies have shown that among other things, it can cause Parkinson’s disease. Some of the Big Ag farms use it in fields where much of our food is grown. Coming up next month: On October 18th at 2 pm, the Sustainable Living Committee will be showing “The Climate Future Film Festival” at UUSE. Some of you may remember the ones we showed last fall. Come see what’s new this year! Admission is free. Don’t forget, the Sustainable Living Committee sells Equal Exchange products on the 2nd Sunday of the month. Help support small farmers who grow sustainable products! ------------------------------ Upcoming Events ------------------------------ The Art Child The Turning of the Seasons September 18th 2026, 6:30 to 8:30 PM The Art Child, LLC presents the Turning of the Seasons, an exhibition by August exploring nature's cycles through original artwork inspired by growth, transformation, and renewal. Hosted by UUSE. For questions, please call 860-646-5151 153 West Vernon Street, Manchester, CT ------------------------------ Gender-free CONTRA DANCE Saturday,September 19, 4 - 7 PM ONLY 3 WEEKS AWAY! Reconnect after summer break at the contra dance! Here's your next chance to kick up your heels with all your friends in a joyous, life-affirming, beginner-friendly folk dance. Contra is danced with a partner in long lines, but you don't need to bring a partner or dance with only one. All are welcome! All ages, all experience levels. Liz Nelson, caller, with Rebecca Weiss and Friends will be an exciting combination you won't want to miss! Admission $15, students $5, under 12 free. Free-will donation; no one turned away. Sponsored by the Music Committee. Unitarian Universalist Society East Meetinghouse, 153 Vernon St West, Manchester, CT. For more info email contra@uuse.org , or talk to Jane Osborn and Meghan MacRae. ------------------------------ CT UU Justice Ministry Saturday, October 17, 2026 Mark your calendars! All UUs and our justice-seeking friends are invited to a first-of-its-kind annual Justice Conference hosted by the Connecticut UU Justice Ministry on Saturday, October 17th in New Haven. This conference is for everyone, whether you are a longtime organizer or brand new to taking action. There will be something for kids too, so whole families can come to this event together. Expect a chance to meet and learn from others, find inspiration and build skills. There will be engaging keynote speakers and workshops for everyone, whatever your background. ------------------------------ Pangea Worldbeat in Concert September 27, 2026 at 3PM Pangea brings their genre-bending sound to the Quiet Corner for the very first time after launching in the Nest Factory in Bridgeport, CT and quickly growing in popularity, touring from NYC to VT. This 7-member ensemble, weaves an eclectic tapestry of Caribbean, Latin, and African-infused jazz, featuring keyboard, saxophone/flute, guitars, vocals, Drum set, Conga drums, and yet more percussion. Pangea Worldbeat is a high-energy blend of Afrobeat, Space-Funk, Soul, Psyche-Rock, and Global Rhythms that will lift you out of your seat! The collective includes: Kris Studebaker, Seny Tatchol Camara, Will Diaz, Mike Rachinsky, Jeff Wickun, Georgios Giannios, and Nicholas Yost. Pangea has shared the stage with renowned ensembles such as ARMO, The Polyrhythmics, and Grammy-nominated musician Cimafunk. Admission is by free-will donation ($20 suggested) at the door. For more information, contact uuseoffice@uuse.org , call 860-646-5151, or visit uuse.org . Unitarian Universalist Society East, located at 153 Vernon St West, Manchester, CT. ------------------------------ Climate Future Film Festival - Chapter 2 October 18th at 2 PM The Sustainable Living Committee invites you to a free showing of The Climate Future Film Festival - Chapter 2! This new collection of 12 short films from around the world, explores the interior response to climate change - visceral, personal, artistic and emotional. Whether or not you have seen the original, chapter 1 set of films, shown at UUSE in Sept. 2025, you will be moved by these powerful short films to renewed action to fight the causes of and mitigate the harms done by climate change. Honorary judges are four-time academy award nominee and sustainability voice, Edward Norton, and ground-breaking author and climate leader, Bill McKibben. Come early to share info and ideas. Sponsored by the Sustainable Living Committee at UUSE. For more information, contact uuseoffice@uuse.org , call 860-646-5151, or visit uuse.org ------------------------------ Keep up to date on all UUSE happenings here . ------------------------------ Call for Volunteers The Building & Grounds committee needs help weeding perennial beds and managing invasive plants through the summer. Contact Jane Osborn or Cory Clark about joining them Thursday mornings or if another time is convenient for you. Due to heat, we start at 8:00 AM and work an hour or two. Weather permitting, we could consider Sundays after services. Any help is much appreciated! ------------------------------ Postcarding for the Environmental Voter Project Sunday, September 27, 2026, 1 to 3 PM, in Room 3, and Sunday, October 4, 2026, 1 to 3 PM, in Children’s Chapel We’re having more postcarding parties! Our August gatherings were a great success—in addition to some socializing, we got 500 cards written and stamped in less than 4 hours—so UUSE's Sustainable Living Committee, in conjunction with Third Act—Connecticut's Defending Democracy team, will be gathering again to write get-out-the-vote postcards for the Environmental Voter Project (EVP), in order to turn infrequently-voting people in swing states whose highest priority is the environment, into reliable voters. Postcards, stamps, addresses, message text, and pens will be provided. All are welcome! Contact Carole Tenny, uuseoffice@uuse.org , for further information. ------------------------------ Intro to Unitarian Universalism September 27, 2026, 1 to 4 PM Would you like to know more about Unitarian Universalism and Unitarian Universalist Society East? Please attend our next Intro to UU Rev. Josh Pawelek and the Membership Committee invite you to an informative seminar which will include: A brief history and background of our theology UUSE’s mission, programs, and facilities Opportunity to meet others interested in Unitarian Universalism Sharing of stories about what brings us together To register, please contact Annie Gentile at (860) 646-5151 or uuseoffice@uuse.org . Please RSVP by Thursday, April 16th, 2026. And let us know if you need childcare. Questions? Please contact Sylvia Ounpuu or Janet Dauphin at membership@uuse.org or Rev. Josh Pawelek at 860-646-5151 or minister@uuse.org Unitarian Universalist Society East ------------------------------ The Fair is coming! The Fair is coming! The UUSE Artisan Holiday Market (because it’s so much more than a run-of-the-mill fair) will be held on Friday, Nov. 20, 2026, 6 - 8:30 PM Friday Night Sneak Peek: $5 Admission includes mulled apple cider and dessert Sat. Nov. 21, 2025, 9:30 AM - 2:30 PM Free Admission! The fair is our biggest fundraiser and is especially important because a large portion of the funds raised come from the public and not from our pockets. So be sure to advertise far and wide! Tell everyone you know! How to Help It’s time to create and start gathering things to donate! We sell all sorts of things at the fair, from beautiful, handcrafted pieces to fabulous finds from your attic, vintage jewelry to cookies. If you have questions about what to donate AND to let them know about what is on its way contact our wonderful people who have stepped up to chair a booth! Used/Vintage Items Jewelry : Peggy Webbe, uuseoffice@uuse.org , for fine jewelry and Jacquie Heintz, uuseoffice@uuse.org , for costume jewelry Books: Sande Hartdagen, uuseoffice@uuse.org , and Marcie Brown, uuseoffice@uuse.org Tag Sale: Sandy Karosi, uuseoffice@uuse.org , and Deb Gould, uuseoffice@uuse.org Fabulous Finds: Lesley Schurmann, uuseoffice@uuse.org Children’s Books, Games, Small Toys, Puzzles Handcrafts & Arts Original Works of Art: Chair Needed! Handmade Holiday Crafts or Traditional Items: Louisa Graver, uuseoffice@uuse.org . Co-Chair Wanted! ------------------------------ Sewn & Knitted Items: Knitting: Phil Sawyer, uuseoffice@uuse.org , Sewn items: Carol Marion, uuseoffice@uuse.org Justice Table: Chair Needed! Woodworking: Bill Graver, uuseoffice@uuse.org Silent Auction: Mary Ellen Vigeant, uuseoffice@uuse.org Baked Goods and Anything Food-Related: Jennifer Klee, uuseoffice@uuse.org Watch the eblast for upcoming workshops to help make items to sell. It’s fun creating together. All skill levels welcome, all supplied will be provided! Specific items that you have that our craftspeople could use, like canning jars or craft supplies or freezer space Benefits of Volunteering Spending time with other awesome UUSE members and friends LOTS of time to shop! Free lunch Snacks! An afterparty to decompress after a fun, energetic weekend. A sneak peak at the fair totals! Help Needed! Email the fair if you are interested in volunteering and to get on the volunteer list. The Gallery, our fine arts offerings, needs a chair. Don’t worry, you don’t have to make everything, we need a leader to set up and coordinate it. Coordinate lunch for the fair workers (easy! order take out and set it up) After Fair Party Coordinator (find and reserve a fun venue) The Justice Table, where we show all the ways we live our values, needs a chair to work with Desirée. Garden Level Coordinator: Organize the team that empties out and resets the Children & Youth Ministry Rooms. Help put up signs. Tell your friends all about it! Share Facebook posts, email the flyer. When in doubt, email Fair Chair Desiree at fair@uuse.org to offer your time or your stuff. ------------------------------ Wait? What? The 2027 Goods & Services Auction Live Event Saturday, January 30, 2027 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. Online Silent Auction Monday, January 18, 8 AM through Friday, January 29, 2027. Details to follow. The Auction is one of our biggest fundraisers and fun family events. It’s important to our congregation. We know, it’s far away, but things get busy in the Fall . ------------------------------ How You Can Help This Summer and Fall 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. As you are out and about this summer, contact your favorite merchants to ask for donations. If you love a place, others will, too. Pick up a merchant donation letter by emailing us at auction@uuse.org . Think About Entering the Chili Cook-Off! It’s never too early to dream of your favorite chili! 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. Questions??? When in doubt, email uuseoffice@uuse.org or talk to any of the Auction Committee members—Robin Byrne, Susan Gabriele, Jennifer Klee, Colin Guerette, Stan McMillen & Nancy Pappas ------------------------------ Ongoing Groups, Activities, and Fun ------------------------------ UUSE Coffeehouse and Open Mic Will Return on October 3rd! Sign-up starts at 6 PM-- performances start at 6:30 PM 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! Unitarian Universalist Society East, 153 Vernon Street West, Manchester, CT ------------------------------ Ladies at Lunch Join us for lunch at Pizza Mia, 55 E. Center Street, Manchester, Thursday, September 10th. We meet at noon. All are welcome! If you will attend please let Sharon Huber know by Wednesday the 9th, afternoon. uuseoffice@uuse.org or 860-646-5151. ------------------------------ Romeos for Lunch Romeos (Retired Old Men Eating Out) meet at noon on the 2nd Tuesday of each month for lunch and conversation at various local restaurants. If you are retired or simply have free time, feel welcome to participate. Contact Annie at the church office to be included on the email call list. ------------------------------ Yoga at the Meetinghouse Wednesdays at 10:00 AM 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. ------------------------------ 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! ------------------------------ Books, Classes, and Discussions Adult Religious Education ------------------------------ Meditation Group The Meditation Group will meet third Mondays from 3:30 PM in the Youth Group room (room 2) on the garden level to meditate in community. Everyone is welcome; no experience required. Contact Nancy Thompson with questions, uuseoffice@uuse.org . ------------------------------ 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. September 8, 2026: Becoming Madam Secretary by Stephanie Dray: Published April 2024, 544 pages. Discussion leader: Sande Hartdagen October 13, 2026: The Correspondent - A Novel by Virginia Evans: Pub. April 2025, 304 pages. Discussion leader: Carolyn Gimbrone ------------------------------ Buddhist Group The UUSE Buddhist Group will meet on the 1st Tuesday, at 7 PM on Zoom 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. ------------------------------ 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. ------------------------------ Science and Religion Discussion Group Where do science and religion meet? Where are they in opposition? Meet 4th Thursdays at 4:30 in the Chapel, and on Zoom. Contact Chris Larson for the Zoom link. ------------------------------ God Talk 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. ------------------------------  Pastoral Friends Rotating Chair September: Sue McMillen PastoralFriends@uuse.org. ------------------------------ Newsletter Submissions Submit articles using newsletter@uuse.org or use this publicity form . Deadline for the Newsletter is the 20th of each month. ------------------------------ 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 ------------------------------