Northshore Unitarian Universalist Church wishes you and your family a Very Merry Christmas!

Upcoming Sunday Services

10:30am

in-person in the Sanctuary

and on Zoom (link below)

December 24

No 10:30a Service

See below for Christmas Eve service details.

December 31

Thank Outside the Box

Edith Fenton

We will discuss how the science of thankfulness can rewire our brains for resilience, optimism and the greater good. " Gratitude is not only the greatest of virtues, but the parent of all others" as stated by Cicero.

Could 2024 be the year of gratitude?

Special Services

Solstice Service

December 21 6:30pm

In-Person and on Zoom

Rev. Caro Barschow and Ethan Hackett, Music Director

On the longest night of the year, join together to witness in song and poetry the beauty and mystery of darkness. A service that draws from ancient European earth-honoring traditions, we will call in the directions, sing and chant, and dedicate a Yule Log, sparking hope for the year to come and the return of the daylight. This service will be indoors, with the option to move outdoors for the final 5-10 minutes of the service to light the Yule Log.

 Candlelight Christmas Eve

December 24 6:30pm

In-Person and on Zoom

Rev. Caro Barschow

Lessons from ancient and contemporary sources, beautiful carols and a sanctuary aglow in candlelight. Join us from home or in-person to honor the birth of Jesus and affirm that each night a child is born is a holy night.

To attend services via Zoom,

please go to the Northshore Church website nsuu.org

& click on "Join Service."

Church Announcements

SAVE-THE-DATE

 January 7th Service

Guest Artists: Jo-Mé Dance Theatre

and Special Youth Master Class



Founded in 2013, by two of Boston’s leading professional black dancers, Jo-Mé Dance Theatre cultivates young dancers in the art of contemporary ballet, leading to both avocational and professional careers in contemporary dance. 

Both Jo-Mé Dance Theatre and Jo-Me Dance 2 companies will perform pieces from their repertoire, including co-director Joe González’s choreography, during the Sunday service on the theme of “love in motion,” led by Rev. Caro BARSCHOW. A reception will take place following the service.

Following the service and reception, Jo-Mé dancers will conduct master classes from 1 to 2:30 pm. Both the service and master classes are open to the public. Young dancers ages 8-18 interested in participating in the classes need only submit their names, age and dance level in order to be assigned a group. Adults are welcome to watch the master classes.

Jo-Mé Dance Theatre was founded by May-Lisa Chandler and Joe González. May-Lisa Chandler, trained at the famed Alvin Ailey Company in New York City, toured professionally before dedicating herself to bring the gift of movement to hundreds of young, urban dancers in Boston. Joe González, a graduate of Boston Arts Academy High School, earned a dance degree at Boston Conservatory. He danced professionally for many years with Philadanco in Philadelphia. He is now lead dancer with Complexions Contemporary Ballet in NYC. His choreography is sought after by dance companies around the globe. 

NSUU thanks the Danvers Arts Council who awarded a grant to support these special guest artists to be part of the Sunday service and host the youth master classes.

Can you help get the word out about this fantastic event? Please invite your friends and neighbors to the service! If you'd like to help out ahead with publicity, or volunteer on the day of the event to support the young dancers, workshop, please contact rev.barschow@gmail.com.

To register a dancer, please email the office at nsuu@verizon.net.

Annual Appeal Challenge!

Are you up for the Challenge?

An anonymous donor has offered to match dollar for dollar the total amount raised during the appeal. No gift is too small,or too large.

Ready, Set, GO!

The appeal ends December 31, 2023

Send your check in the red envelope provided. Red envelopes were mailed to your home or are available at the church. 

Please write "holiday appeal" in the memo. 

Donations can also be made online at https://nsuu.org/donations/ 

Many thanks. 

Happy Holidays from your Board of Directors

New to UU Workshop - Two Dates

In-person

January 21, 2023

11:45a-1p Library

Zoom

Monday February 5, 2023

7-8:15p Via Zoom

If you are new or newer to Unitarian Universalism and/or NSUU this workshop will provide you with an orientation to help you find your own path within the larger community. You’ll learn more about who we are and what we believe by sharing your story through the lens of Unitarian Universalist tradition and heritage. You’ll also have an opportunity to hear from members of the congregation about what brought them to Unitarian Universalism and what keeps them here. Great for visitors and members who have joined the last few years. Led by Rev. Caro, please RSVP to rev.barschow@gmail.com.

Your copy should address 3 key questions: Who am I writing for? (Audience) Why should they care? (Benefit) What do I want them to do here? (Call-to-Action)

Create a great offer by adding words like "free" "personalized" "complimentary" or "customized." A sense of urgency often helps readers take an action, so think about inserting phrases like "for a limited time only" or "only 7 remaining"!

NSUU Social Action Announcements

HOLIDAY GIFT GIVING TO REFUGEE FAMILIES

Recently, many hands made light work of wrapping the $25 gifts to each member of the two refugee families we support. We thank you all for donating and participating in this annual event. It is appreciated by all. Gunilla Erikson-Lopez and Barbara Reeder will be delivering these gifts to the families. Many thanks to Jean Koulack-Young for orchestrating this event again.

COMMON READ: ON REPENTANCE AND REPAIR

Rev. Caro Barschow will be leading a book discussion on Sunday, February 4 and Sunday, February 11 from 11:45am to 1:30 pm both in the church and on zoom. The book, On Repentance and Repair by Danya Ruttenberg is a highly readable collection of anecdotes and wisdom. It offers a glimpse into one of our faith’s foundational sources, Judaism, by examining a framework for making amends by the 12th century Jewish physician and scholar, Maimonides. 

Books are now available in the church library for loan. You must sign them out and return them. Also available through the UUA Bookstore and online sellers.

  If you wish to participate, please RSVP to Rev Caro at rev.barschow@gmail.com 

Green Sanctuary

NSUU Community Garden

Remember our church community garden at Endicott Park in Danvers?  Since 2019 we have been growing produce for the Danvers food pantry.  This ongoing project is one of the original Sustainability projects the congregation picked for our Green Sanctuary certification.  When we open the garden up in the spring for the new season there will be all sorts of things to do.

Even if you can’t lift things or crawl around, YOU can help!

Click Here to Find Out More

For more information, email Iain Goddard.

From the Board of Directors

COVID MESSAGE FROM THE BOARD

As we enter the winter months and face increasing incidence of Covid and other respiratory infections, the NSUU Board has reviewed church related safety policies and will continue to do so periodically. The Board is currently exploring options for air purifying equipment in the Sanctuary and Fellowship Hall as a mitigation measure to improve air flow and quality. We also urge anyone who is not feeling well in general to avoid in-person meetings or services and join in via Zoom if possible.



If you have tested positive for Covid or been exposed to someone who has, please consider following the current public health guidelines (click here to see more) which recommend a minimum of 5 days of isolation followed by 5 days of mask wearing if you test positive and 10 days of mask wearing if you've been exposed. Masks will continue to be available at the welcome desk. Please be respectful of varying levels of comfort regarding masking, touching, hugging and social distancing. Let us all do our part to keep each other safe. We wish good health to our members, staff and friends.

The NSUU Board of Directors

Minutes from November 8, 2023

Board of Directors Meeting -

click link below

Local Announcements

A valued member of our congregation, Dr. Brian Orr, is presenting his play "Can My Baby Fly?" at Gloucester Stage on January 6th and 7th.

To purchase tickets please visit

Can My Baby Fly | The Gloucester Stage Company