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< To Upcoming Services Apr 15, 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

What do you want to know about UUSE? This page is a good place to start. What is Unitarian Universalism? Unitarian Universalism affirms and promotes seven principles and six values, each emerging from a central value of love. We gather our congregations in covenant, grounded in our values and principles, rather than in a specific theology of statement of belief. The Six Values Love is the power that holds us together and is at the center of our shared values. We are accountable to one another for doing the work of living our shared values through the spiritual discipline of Love. Inseparable from one another, these shared values are: Interdependence: We honor the interdependent web of all existence and acknowledge our place in it. Pluralism: We are all sacred beings, diverse in culture, experience, and theology. Justice: We work to be diverse multicultural Beloved Communities where all feel welcome and can thrive. Transformation: We adapt to the changing world. Generosity: We cultivate a spirit of gratitude and hope. Equity: We declare that every person is inherently worthy and has the right to flourish with dignity, love, and compassion. The Seven Principles The inherent worth and dignity of every person. Justice, equity and compassion in human relations. Acceptance of one another and encouragement to spiritual growth relations. A free and responsible search for truth and meaning. The right of conscience and the use of the democratic process congregations and in society at large. The goal of world community with peace, liberty, and justice for all. Respect for the interdependent web of all existence of which we are a part. . The seven Principles and the six Values of the Unitarian Universalist Association emerge from a variety of sources. We refer to these sources in our statement of “Inspirations:” Direct experiences of transcending mystery and wonder are primary sources of Unitarian Universalist inspiration. These experiences open our hearts, renew our spirits, and transform our lives. We draw upon, and are inspired by, sacred, secular, and scientific understandings that help us make meaning and live into our values. These sources ground us and sustain us in ordinary, difficult, and joyous times. We respect the histories, contexts, and cultures in which these sources were created and are currently practiced. Grateful for the experiences that move us, aware of the religious ancestries we inherit, and enlivened by the diversity which enriches our faith, we are called to ever deepen and expand our wisdom. We also refer to the six sources of our living tradition: Direct experience of that transcending mystery and wonder, affirmed in all cultures, which moves us to a renewal of the spirit and an openness to the forces which create and uphold life; Words and deeds of prophetic people which challenge us to confront powers and structures of evil with justice, compassion, and the transforming power of love; Wisdom from the world’s religions which inspires us in our ethical and spiritual life; Jewish and Christian teachings which call us to respond to God’s love by loving our neighbors as ourselves; Humanist teachings which counsel us to heed the guidance of reason and the results of science, and warn us against idolatries of the mind and spirit; Spiritual teachings of Earth-centered traditions which celebrate the sacred circle of life and instruct us to live in harmony with the rhythms of nature. What We Believe We are people of all ages, people of many backgrounds and beliefs. We are gay and straight together. We believe in social justice and role of liberal religion as a force for good. We are brave, curious and compassionate thinkers and doers. We create spirituality and community beyond boundaries, working for more justice and more love in our own lives and in the world. Our Vision Statement Unitarian Universalist Society East will be home to a spiritually alive, richly diverse and growing congregation. We will send forth energy, spirit and strength into our beloved communities. We will love, be present to suffering, comfort, heal, bear witness to oppression, and boldly work toward social and environmental justice. Adopted by the congregation May 20, 2018 A Unique Shared Ministry Unitarian Universalist SocietyEast (UUSE) has a more or less 50/50 split between Reverend Josh and lay led services. Members of the congregation volunteer their time and effort to provide a different point of view, in line with the monthly theme.

< To Upcoming Services Apr 14, 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. • March 10, 2026: The Emperor of Gladness by Ocean Vuong: Pub. May 2025, 416 Pages. Discussion leader: Jeannine Gluck • April 14, 2026: Stone Yard Devotional by Charlotte Wood: Pub. Feb. 2025, 304 pages. Discussion leader: Lesley Schurmann #MarchNewsletter 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. March 10, 2026: The Emperor of Gladness by Ocean Vuong: Pub. May 2025, 416 Pages. Discussion leader: Jeannine Gluck April 14, 2026 : Stone Yard Devotional by Charlotte Wood: Pub. Feb. 2025, 304 pages. Discussion leader: Lesley Schurmann #MarchNewsletter OOS Sermon YouTube

< To Upcoming Services Apr 14, 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

< To Upcoming Services Watch the eBlast for the next scheduled GHIAA's Winter 2026 Organizing Leadership Training GHIAA (The Greater Hartford Interfaith Action Alliance) is holding its Winter Organizing Leadership Training in person on Tuesday evenings from 6:30-8:30 pm in Newington, from Feb 10 to March 10. Join us to explore the fundamentals of faith-based organizing, practice the tools of relational culture (individual meetings and house meetings), consider how we build and wield power, share our process of identifying issues and developing campaigns, and build our skills for action. For more detailed info and to register click here. Version shared directly with members and friends. #FebruaryNewsletter GHIAA (The Greater Hartford Interfaith Action Alliance) is holding its Winter Organizing Leadership Training in person on Tuesday evenings from 6:30-8:30 pm in Newington, from Feb 10 to March 10. Join us to explore the fundamentals of faith-based organizing, practice the tools of relational culture (individual meetings and house meetings), consider how we build and wield power, share our process of identifying issues and developing campaigns, and build our skills for action. For more detailed info and to register click here . Version shared directly with members and friends. #FebruaryNewsletter OOS Sermon YouTube

< To Upcoming Services Apr 13, 2026 AA - Mondays at Noon! Every Monday at Noon Every Monday at Noon OOS Sermon YouTube

< To Upcoming Services Mar 8, 2026 Caring for Parents, Children and Their Families in These Times  and Their Families in These Times" The Surgeon General states that parents are more stressed than perhaps ever before; our young people experience unprecedented mental health challenges; and the rights of our beloveds are at grave risk. Yet many families with children show up at our doors seeking community and care. What can we do as a congregation to best respond to the needs of our families? Coordinators : Emmy Galbraith and Vivian Carlson. Services at 9:00 and 11:00 A.M. #eBlast-03-04  and Their Families in These Times" The Surgeon General states that parents are more stressed than perhaps ever before; our young people experience unprecedented mental health challenges; and the rights of our beloveds are at grave risk. Yet many families with children show up at our doors seeking community and care. What can we do as a congregation to best respond to the needs of our families? Coordinators : Emmy Galbraith and Vivian Carlson. Services at 9:00 and 11:00 A.M. Sunday, March 8, 2026 In Case You Missed It: #eBlast -03-04 OOS Sermon YouTube

< To Upcoming Services Apr 12, 2026 Fair Trade Coffee Your favorite Equal Exchange coffees, chocolate, tea and more will be available on 2nd Sundays of the month following both services. Satisfy your taste buds while supporting small sustainable growers. We accept cash, checks and credit cards. OOS Sermon YouTube

< To Upcoming Services Watch the eBlast for the next scheduled Children and Youth Ministry News 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 at 2PM to sort clothes & prepare soup, coffee and sandwiches; at 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. Thank you, Emmy #MarchNewsletter 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 at 2PM to sort clothes & prepare soup, coffee and sandwiches; at 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. Thank you, Emmy #MarchNewsletter OOS Sermon YouTube

< To Upcoming Services Watch the eBlast for the next scheduled Looking for Hosts for 2026 Annual Appeal Pledging Potlucks! HOORAY! HOORAY! This spring, the Stewardship Committee will offer Pledging Potlucks for two weekends: March 6 – 8 and March 13 – 15. We are looking for people who will host a potluck during those weekends. This year we hope that potential potluck hosts will team up to create an astounding offering. We would especially welcome a potluck offering from our ‘younger’ members and friends. The potlucks are often dinners but could be a brunch, lunch or perhaps dessert & coffee/tea. You can steward your own potluck, or a steward will attend to facilitate the conversation about pledging if you choose. We need to gather a list of hosts (and co-hosts) with dates and times of their potlucks by February 8, 2026. These potlucks are a way to come together in community, enjoy good food and have a deeper conversation about our connection to UUSE and our hopes and dreams for our future. We hope you will consider being a host or a team! Signups for potlucks will begin after services February 15, 22 and March 1, 2026, when the Annual Appeal officially kicks off. Please contact Stan McMillen at 860-646-5151 or uuseoffice@uuse.org to host a pledging potluck in March. THANK YOU! #JanuaryNewsletter HOORAY! HOORAY! This spring, the Stewardship Committee will offer Pledging Potlucks for two weekends: March 6 – 8 and March 13 – 15. We are looking for people who will host a potluck during those weekends. This year we hope that potential potluck hosts will team up to create an astounding offering. We would especially welcome a potluck offering from our ‘younger’ members and friends. The potlucks are often dinners but could be a brunch, lunch or perhaps dessert & coffee/tea. You can steward your own potluck, or a steward will attend to facilitate the conversation about pledging if you choose. We need to gather a list of hosts (and co-hosts) with dates and times of their potlucks by February 8, 2026. These potlucks are a way to come together in community, enjoy good food and have a deeper conversation about our connection to UUSE and our hopes and dreams for our future. We hope you will consider being a host or a team! Signups for potlucks will begin after services February 15, 22 and March 1, 2026 , when the Annual Appeal officially kicks off. Please contact Stan McMillen at 860-646-5151 or uuseoffice@uuse.org to host a pledging potluck in March. THANK YOU! #JanuaryNewsletter OOS Sermon YouTube

< To Upcoming Services Watch the eBlast for the next scheduled Sign Up for a Pledging Potluck! Sign Up for a Pledging Potluck! March 6, 7, 8, 13, 14 and 15. Again, this year, the Stewardship committee will provide an opportunity for members and friends to participate in a stewarding potluck during the first two weekends of the 2026 Annual Appeal. Following the meal and conversation, a steward will lead the group in a time for sharing the meaning of UUSE in our lives and discuss the goals of the Annual Appeal and the proposed budget. Participants who have not done so may privately complete their pledge forms. Sign-up sheets will be in the lobby on Sunday February 22 and March 1. If you can't make it on a Sunday to sign up, please contact Stan McMillen and let him know which potluck you would like to attend: Email: uuseoffice@uuse.org or phone 860-646-5151. If you prefer an individual visit, a steward will meet with you. PLEASE respond to their phone calls or emails!! Click here for a list of where and when the potlucks will be held. Detailed info on pets, accessibility, food allergies will be available on the signup sheets, or you can contact the potluck host directly. Attention CYM Families and Friends: Desiree Holian-Borgnis will have "office hours" from 12:00 - 12:30 p.m. in the children's chapel Sundays (TBD) during the Annual Appeal for families to come and ask questions, sign their pledge forms and hand them in. #eBlast-02-18 Sign Up for a Pledging Potluck! March 6, 7, 8, 13, 14 and 15. Again, this year, the Stewardship committee will provide an opportunity for members and friends to participate in a stewarding potluck during the first two weekends of the 2026 Annual Appeal. Following the meal and conversation, a steward will lead the group in a time for sharing the meaning of UUSE in our lives and discuss the goals of the Annual Appeal and the proposed budget. Participants who have not done so may privately complete their pledge forms. Sign-up sheets will be in the lobby on Sunday February 22 and March 1. If you can't make it on a Sunday to sign up, please contact Stan McMillen and let him know which potluck you would like to attend: Email: uuseoffice@uuse.org or phone 860-646-5151. If you prefer an individual visit, a steward will meet with you. PLEASE respond to their phone calls or emails!! Click here for a list of where and when the potlucks will be held. Detailed info on pets, accessibility, food allergies will be available on the signup sheets, or you can contact the potluck host directly. Attention CYM Families and Friends : Desiree Holian-Borgnis will have "office hours" from 12:00 - 12:30 p.m. in the children's chapel Sundays (TBD) during the Annual Appeal for families to come and ask questions, sign their pledge forms and hand them in. #eBlast -02-18 OOS Sermon YouTube

< To Upcoming Services Mar 22, 2026 Music + Mantra: Heart Centered Kirtan MUSIC + MANTRA KIRTAN AT UUSE A welcoming community of music, meditation, and connection. Sunday, March 22, 2026, at 3:00 PM Join us for an uplifting, meditative experience blending contemporary music with the call-and-response singing of mantras. Mantra set to music opens the heart and lifts the spirits. The MUSIC + MANTRA series is a welcoming community gathering where contemporary live music meets the ancient practice of kirtan — call-and-response mantra singing rooted in India’s devotional tradition. No musical experience, spiritual background, or prior knowledge is required. You are welcome to sing along, dance, listen quietly, or simply be present. WHAT YOU'LL EXPERIENCE: • Relaxation through sound – Quiet the mental chatter and de-stress. • A sense of belonging – Singing together fosters connection in a way that feels natural and inclusive—there's no pressure and no performance. • Accessible participation – Sit in a chair, relax on a cushion, or move and dance—engage in whatever way feels right for you. • Tradition shared with care – Rooted in the Indian devotional practice of kirtan and offered in a warm, contemporary community setting that honors its origins. ABOUT THE MUSICIANS: HEART CENTERED KIRTAN • Libby Volckening — vocals and keys • Ezra Landis — guitar • Nico D'Amico — bass • Chris Ball — drums Together, they offer contemporary arrangements that honor tradition while remaining approachable for newcomers. ABOUT THE SPACE Hosted at the Unitarian Universalist Society East — a welcoming, community-centered venue committed to diversity, equity, and inclusion. • Wheelchair accessible • Scent-free space • Chair seating provided (feel free to bring a cushion if you prefer the floor) • Free parking on site Whether you are spiritually curious, musically inclined, or simply seeking a peaceful and welcoming evening out, Music + Mantra offers a low-pressure way to connect—with yourself and with community. EVENT DETAILS Sunday, March 22 - 3pm Free-will donation ($20 suggested) at the door. No one is ever turned away. Kirtan is a form of participatory music that blends melody, rhythm, and meditation. Originating in the devotional singing traditions of India, kirtan invites people of all backgrounds to join in simple, call-and-response chanting. No experience is needed—just a willingness to listen, repeat, and let the music open the heart. The result is a joyful, community-centered practice that brings people together through sound and shared intention. The Music + Mantra series at UUSE features inclusive, interfaith, and community-oriented musical gatherings designed to nurture connection and reflection. All events in the series begin at 3:00 PM and are open to the public. Admission is by free-will donation ($20 suggested) at the door. Upcoming Music + Mantra events will take place on: • Sunday, March 22, 2026 For more information, visit uuse.org/kirtan or connect with the community at Central CT Community Kirtan on Facebook. Or download the flyer here. All are welcome to join this growing community celebration of music, mindfulness, and connection. MUSIC + MANTRA KIRTAN AT UUSE A welcoming community of music, meditation, and connection. Sunday, March 22, 2026, at 3:00 PM Join us for an uplifting, meditative experience blending contemporary music with the call-and-response singing of mantras. Mantra set to music opens the heart and lifts the spirits. The MUSIC + MANTRA series is a welcoming community gathering where contemporary live music meets the ancient practice of kirtan — call-and-response mantra singing rooted in India’s devotional tradition. No musical experience, spiritual background, or prior knowledge is required. You are welcome to sing along, dance, listen quietly, or simply be present. WHAT YOU'LL EXPERIENCE: • Relaxation through sound – Quiet the mental chatter and de-stress. • A sense of belonging – Singing together fosters connection in a way that feels natural and inclusive—there's no pressure and no performance. • Accessible participation – Sit in a chair, relax on a cushion, or move and dance—engage in whatever way feels right for you. • Tradition shared with care – Rooted in the Indian devotional practice of kirtan and offered in a warm, contemporary community setting that honors its origins. ABOUT THE MUSICIANS: HEART CENTERED KIRTAN • Libby Volckening — vocals and keys • Ezra Landis — guitar • Nico D'Amico — bass • Chris Ball — drums Together, they offer contemporary arrangements that honor tradition while remaining approachable for newcomers. ABOUT THE SPACE Hosted at the Unitarian Universalist Society East — a welcoming, community-centered venue committed to diversity, equity, and inclusion. • Wheelchair accessible • Scent-free space • Chair seating provided (feel free to bring a cushion if you prefer the floor) • Free parking on site Whether you are spiritually curious, musically inclined, or simply seeking a peaceful and welcoming evening out, Music + Mantra offers a low-pressure way to connect—with yourself and with community. EVENT DETAILS Sunday, March 22 - 3pm Free-will donation ($20 suggested) at the door. No one is ever turned away. Kirtan is a form of participatory music that blends melody, rhythm, and meditation. Originating in the devotional singing traditions of India, kirtan invites people of all backgrounds to join in simple, call-and-response chanting. No experience is needed—just a willingness to listen, repeat, and let the music open the heart. The result is a joyful, community-centered practice that brings people together through sound and shared intention. The Music + Mantra series at UUSE features inclusive, interfaith, and community-oriented musical gatherings designed to nurture connection and reflection. All events in the series begin at 3:00 PM and are open to the public. Admission is by free-will donation ($20 suggested) at the door. Upcoming Music + Mantra events will take place on: • Sunday, March 22, 2026 For more information, visit uuse.org/kirtan or connect with the community at Central CT Community Kirtan on Facebook . Or download the flyer here . All are welcome to join this growing community celebration of music, mindfulness, and connection. OOS Sermon YouTube