Upcoming Sunday Services

10:30am

in-person in the Sanctuary

and on Zoom (link below)

May 5th

The Beauty in Difference

Rev. Caro Barschow, Minister

A monthly theme of pluralism will invite us to celebrate that we are all sacred beings, diverse in culture, experience, and theology. What does it take to embrace our differences and commonalities with love, curiosity, and respect? This service will include an update on new language regarding pluralism proposed for the Unitarian Universalist Association’s Bylaws Article II, the statement of purpose and beliefs for our church’s denomination. 

May 12, 2024

Opening the Door to Ancestral Healing

Guest Speaker Gina Tzizik



In May 2023, after 150 years, the Comanche, Kiowa, and Apache tribes of Oklahoma were allowed to view their tribal sacred items. Gina Tzizik was a guest and witness to families and tribal members reuniting with their sacred ritual artifacts. She will share pictures and stories from this two-day event.

Gina Tzizik is an Artist, educator, and early childhood teacher trainer. Gina’s art centers on spirituality, drawing inspiration from ancient texts, symbols, and rituals to convey timeless wisdom and sacredness. She holds a Master's Degree in Jewish education from Hebrew College, Newton, MA, and a Master's Degree in Montessori education from Endicott College, Beverly, MA, She holds an American Montessori Society Pre-Primary Certification and Torah Godly Play certification. She has extensive training in Reggio Emilia's educational philosophy and has lived and worked in Italy, Germany, and the United States.

To attend services via Zoom,

please go to the Northshore Church website nsuu.org

& click on "Join Service."

 Religious Services Notes

Guest Musician Update and Survey

Dear Members and Friends of NSUU,

As we near the end of the Church year and begin planning for 2024/2025, we want to get your feedback on our guest artist series that will conclude on June 2nd. Rev. Caro is creating a Online Survey that will be posted as a link on our NSUU website, and we urge all of you to provide input by May 1, 2024, so that we can continue to host wonderful guest musicians and dancers, which we will share with the community. If you are not comfortable filling out online surveys, please contact Andrea Kaiser directly with your comments. As a reminder, the following artists appears this church year: Dillon Bustin, folklorist; Ryan Li, young pianist; Akili Haynes, singer/guitarist; Sol y Canto, Pan-Latin Duo; Jo-Me Dance; Priscilla Odinmah; Samba singer with Ethan; and upcoming Triveni Dance, Indian Classical dance on June 2.

The Massachusetts Cultural Council has released a request for proposals from non-profits that produce festivals and artist series. The grant application is due in May for the next fiscal year, and Andrea Kaiser has agreed to submit the proposal in early May. We will also submit another application to the Danvers Cultural Council next September to support our series next year.

We propose the title of the series be named "RISING STARS" and the focus be on young, talented artists who represent a broad range of musical and dance styles. We are considering including a wind ensemble, a string quartet, pianists, an acapella singing group, and a recent winner of the regional Metropolitan Opera competition. We would also like to know if you would like the Jo Me Dance II company to return with new choreography. 



NSUU's application will be very strong, as two of the Mass Cultural Council priorities are being fulfilled because we are a new applicant to this category of funding and because we do not charge for the events. We do, however, need to come up with a new format , as the Mass Cultural Council CANNOT fund "worship services".

We would like your input on our idea to invite these artists to participate in our 10:30 services, break for a "brown bag" lunch, and host a 1 pm concert, open to the public. We would serve drinks and dessert. The Mass Cultural Grant is a set amount of $2500, so once approved in June, we would be able to sign contracts with the artists. 

So far, we are thinking about presenting the acapella singers in December, when holiday music would be most popular and Jo-Me Dance II in March. We believe that the grant will be able to cover the cost of five 1:00 pm concerts, and then, if we receive another grant from the Danvers Cultural Council, it will help us fund the music presented during the Sunday services.

Guest Artist Series Feedback Form

Thank you,

Ethan and Andrea

June 2 - Treveni Dance Company

Triveni School of Dance is a non-profit organization dedicated to the education and performance of Indian Classical dance, social awareness, and the celebration of cultural diversity. It was founded in 1971 by Neena Gulati, an accomplished dancer from New Delhi, India. The curriculum includes three forms of dance: Bharatanatyam, Kuchipudi, and Odissi. Attendees will also get to see the elaborate costuming and makeup that is integrated into the performance. Ms. Gulati will present dancers from the various companies that perform in the community.

Church Announcements

From the Pledge Drive Committee

The Pledge Campaign Team wishes to thank everyone who promised their support of our church. We are all stewards of NSUU, growing together.

General Assembly is June 20-23

Each June, Unitarian Universalists from around the US and around the world gather for a national conference called General Assembly. This year, the conference will take place exclusively online. The theme of the conference is “Love Unites Stories Ignite.” Registration and program schedule available now. Financial aid is offered by the Unitarian Universalist Association to attend the full conference. 

Each year, the General Sessions at the General Assembly are where matters that impact the whole denomination are discussed, and then voted on by delegates. Congregations can send delegates each year. Northshore UU Church is eligible to send 2 delegates. If you are interested in serving as a delegate to represent NSUU, please contact Rev. Caro. (No-cost registration options available for delegates only)

This year’s General Sessions, will be the first of two years of voting on amending the UUA Bylaws to revise the statement of belief that includes the “7 principles and 6 sources” statement. This process is known as the Article II Bylaws Revision. 

Article II Workshops

Rev. Caro will present two informational workshops at NSUU prior to General Assembly. These workshops will review the proposed changes to the UUA Bylaws Article II and provide time to dialogue about the changes as a congregational community. Learn more from the Article II Study Commission. 

Wednesday, May 22 

7-8:30pm

Zoom only 

Sunday, June 9 

Noon-1:30p

in the Sanctuary and on Zoom

Office Notes

We are currently in a transitional phase for our pledges, as we continue to collect payments for the current year while also initiating the process for the new pledge year. To ensure clarity and smooth processing, I kindly request that individuals sending in their pledge payments via check specify in the memo:

1. That it's intended for a pledge payment, and
2. Which pledge year the payment corresponds to.

Example: Pledge 2024-25, or Pledge 2023-24



Providing this information in the memo facilitates accurate depositing of payments into the correct account. Your cooperation in this matter is greatly appreciated.

Thank you,

Ariana, Church Administrator

From the Board of Directors

SAVE THE DATE

NSUU Annual Meeting

Sunday, May 19th noon

Budget Meeting

The budget meeting scheduled for May 2, 2024 at 7 pm will be cancelled.

The Budget discussion scheduled for May 5, 2024 after church will be moved to May 12, 2024 after the service. We will be sending out the proposed budget on May 9, 2024. We welcome your comments. 

Nominating Committee

Congratulations to our Nominating Committee! Audrey Merkle, Cindy Salloway and Elaine Van de Bogert did a splendid job of filling all the positions for next year's Board. And to those who said "Yes", to one of these committee members, we thank YOU!

Church Sexton Retirement

For the past seven years, Jeff Liacos has been a dedicated NSUU staff member. As the Church Sexton, his responsibilities included regular building maintenance. Jeff gave notice recently that he is ready to retire from this role. His last day as Sexton will be on May 1. We are happy for Jeff and will miss him very much! We are grateful for his many years of faithful service.

Minutes from April 17, 2024

Board of Directors Meeting -

click link below

From the Social Action Committee

SAVE THE DATE

North Shore Pride Parade and Festival is Saturday, June 22, 2024. NSUU has participated in this event for many years carrying our banner. The assembly of the parade starts at noon. Join us if you can.

Danvers Pride Flag Raising and Festival is on Saturday, June 1^st from 12 to 3:30 pm. The Social Action Committee will have a table at this event on the library lawn. Please come and help us show our support to the LGBTQ+ community and show that we are a welcoming church.

Support for Refugees

Short Term Housing: UU Mass Action Immigration Team is looking for people who may be able to host immigrant individuals and families in their homes short term. Their situations are dire with some being forced to sleep at the airport and be transported to centers during the day only to return to the airport for the evening. For more info and to attend the next UU MA Action Immigrant Justice Team Meeting on Tuesday, May 21 from 12-1 pm. Go to uumassaction.org.

Accompaniment of Undocumented Community Members to hearings at the JFK Federal Building in Boston. Contact: Boston Immigration Justice Accompaniment Network at BIJANaccompaniment@gmail.com

Danvers Food Pantry and Operation Troop Support

We continue to collect items for these important causes. Place your donations in the baskets located in fellowship hall. Thanks for your on-going support.

 Share the Plate

The Social Action Committee is re-instituting the Share the Plate program. If you have ideas about non-profits (prefer local ones) that can benefit by the program, please fill out a Share the Plate form found on the Social Action table in the fellowship hall and give to a committee member. Thank you.

From the Green Sanctuary

(L to R) Rachel Williams, Iain Goddard, Rep. Kassner, Cheryl Ferris

Action is the Antidote to Despair

Or speaker last Sunday, Rep. Kristin Kassner, is part of a new generation of elected officials. They work for us and want to know what we need and care about. Democracy is not a spectator sport! Don't let the news get you down! There is always something you can do.

Click here to find out what.

From the Art Committee

We are asking for your help in finding artists who may be interested in showing their work in our sanctuary. You can find a “Call for Artists” invitation on the social action table. Also, we are assembling an art show comprised of our own members’ art work for Oct/Nov 2024. If you have some of your own work that you would like to share with us, please sign up at the Social Action table in fellowship hall or contact us: Cheryl Ferris, Marcia Lassar or Maureen Duram. 

Current Art Exhibit is brought to us by Susan Oleksiw, a writer and photographer. One wall of the exhibit includes a series of photographs related to the harvest festival, Pongal, celebrated by the Tamil community of southern India (a center of traditional Hinduism) to thank Mother Nature.

Local Announcements

Andrea Kaiser has been able to secure 30 tickets to Sol Y Canto's 30th anniversary concert at Shalin Liu Theater in Rockport on Sunday, September 24, 2024 at 5 pm. These are prime center orchestra seats in Rows E, F, G and H and discounted from $26 to $20. We need to confirm early. Please feel free to invite friends. Later we will decide if we want add a lunch somewhere. We will help arrange rides for those unable to drive. Contact Andrea directly to reserve seats. Ccstpg@verizon.net or 781 789 4841. 

Community Partner Events

ECCO Organizing Hub

Announcing Essex County Community Organization's new Organizing Hub program. The Organizing Hub will gather people from all around the North Shore on the first Tuesday of each month to learn together from seasoned coaches how to organize for change from start to finish. 

All are welcome, whether you’ve been involved with ECCO for many years or have never attended an event. For more information, email Colette Lima (colette@eccoaction.org). 

When: Tuesday, May 7th, 6-8:30pm, and the first Tuesday of each month through May

Where: First Church in Swampscott. 40 Monument Ave. Swampscott, MA 01907

What: Join us to connect, eat delicious food, and learn how to make your team bigger and more powerful. Dinner and childcare provided. Stipends available for low-income attendees!

Minister’s Schedule

Rev. Caro Barschow weekly schedule:

Sunday-Thursday and occasional Saturdays

Monday is a writing/study day

Friday is a Sabbath day 

Minister’s Office Hours:

Tuesdays and Thursdays, by appointment (in-person or Zoom) 

Please call or email Rev. Caro directly to make an appointment.

Rev. Caro’s April Week off Sunday 5/25- Saturday 6/01

Rev. Caro works full-time 3 weeks a month and takes 1 week off, to fulfill NSUU’s 3/4 time contract. During this time, Rev. Caro is available for pastoral emergencies - please call them directly by cell phone.

How to be in touch:

Email: rev.barschow@gmail.com

Cell phone: 978-473-7980

Church Administrator’s Schedule

Ariana LaMey-Colon works in the office Tuesday through Thursday from 8am to 2pm. Please call or email to schedule a meeting beforehand as office hours can vary from time to time.

How to be in touch

Email: nsuu@verizon.net

Office phone: 978-774-7582

Online Calendar

The NSUU website features an up-to-date calendar of church activities. Follow the link to view the calendar. On the calendar page, hover your mouse over the title of the event to find out the time and location.

Good Things Are Happening

Please contribute announcements by Wednesday at noon for NSUU's weekly e-newsletter "Good Things Are Happening." You can do so by sending an email with the announcement to nsuu@verizon.net. Please put in the subject line "For Good Things Are Happening." Please indicate how long you would like the announcement to appear and a contact email or phone number for readers to get more information.

Deadline: Wednesday at noon