Sunday services Zoom link

https://zoom.us/j/95156904873

March 6, 2022 Sunday Service

10:30 a.m. via Zoom

"Life Calls Us On"

Reverend Olav Nieuwejaar speaking

Aging! For some of us, it’s the worst thing possible, full of aches and pains, loss of mobility, fear of dying – or death, the ending of our beautiful self. For others of us, aging is the best time of life, full of new discoveries, having the kinds of experiences that our work, whether in an office or caring for children at home, prevent. It’s all “golden” years of opportunity. But the reality is, growing old isn’t always the easiest time, so what shall we do about that?

Ordained in 1968, Reverend Olav Nieuwejaar served the Unitarian Universalist Congregation in Milford (NH) for twenty-four years, the last twelve with his wife, Jeanne, as co-minister, leaving that position in February 2000. Returning from Cambridge, England, where he was Interim Minister of the Unitarian Church of Cambridge during the spring of 2000, he served (again with his wife) as the Interim Co-Senior Minister of the Unitarian Universalist Congregation at Shelter Rock, Manhasset, Long Island, NY for two years. He has served the Northern New England District in many capacities over the years, and, from 2002 to 2006, was Co-District Executive with Jeanne. After retirement in 2996, he served as the District’s Ministerial Settlement Representative. He is a lifelong Universalist. He grew up next door to a small New England village Universalist church, where he met his future wife, the minister’s daughter.

March 13, 2022 Sunday Service

10:30 a.m. via Zoom

"Remembering Thich Nhat Hanh"

Rev. Strecker speaking

Zen Master Thich Nhat Hanh was a global spiritual leader, poet and peace activist, revered around the world for his pioneering teachings on mindfulness, global ethics and peace.

He passed from his physical body on January 22nd, 2022 at the age of 95. He reminded us that his body would reintegrate but that he would live on in his teachings and our actions for peace. We will be his continuation. This seems like an especially good time to remember his teachings, renewing our commitment to be peace as we hope for peace in the world.  

Letter from Music Director Helen Brandt to the NSUU Church Board of Directors

Dear Andrea and Members of the Board,

It is with mixed feelings that I formally submit my resignation as music director at Northshore UU Church effective June 20, 2022. As we all have re-evaluated our lives during this time of pandemic it has become clear to me that this is the time for me to move back to Michigan to be close to my only child and his wife. I never again want to feel that I can’t get to him when I need or want to. My move will likely happen sometime in the next 12 months, and in preparation for that I need to submit my resignation at this time.

It has been a great joy to be a part of NSUU both as member and as staff. This community of musicians and music lovers is a music director’s dream. Special highlights for me have been working with Judy Putnam and having the opportunity to nurture, and be nurtured by, the Singing Group community which has persisted strongly throughout the pandemic. I am so very appreciative of the opportunities afforded me and the support given me during my tenure as choir director, co-music director, and music director. You will all always live in my heart no matter where in the world I may be.

I know that the music will live on here as strongly as ever. How can it not? And I know that you will welcome and support a new music director as you have me. I have no doubt that you will enjoy the talents of whoever is lucky enough to fill this position. May you always sing with the spirit.

In love and gratitude,

Helen Brandt

Update on Multi-Platform Services

SPRING FORWARD…into the Northshore Church sanctuary!

 Northshore Church is pleased to announce the opportunity to attend

Sunday services IN-PERSON beginning on March 20.

The Hybrid Service Task Force and the Communications Committee have been working continuously since the beginning of the church year preparing to deliver Northshore Church Sunday services in a simultaneous in-person and remote attendance format. We are pleased to note that we are moving in a good direction! Beginning on March 20, you will be able to choose how you attend Sunday services.

Here are the basics:

• At this time, social distancing guidelines limit the number of people who can safely assemble in the sanctuary to 32. This number will be re-evaluated as Covid-19 safety guidance for Essex County evolves. Overflow visitors will be accommodated in the Fellowship Hall.
• Proof of vaccination will need to be provided prior to, or on the date of, your first in-person attendance. Beginning on March 4, all are invited and encouraged to provide your proof of vaccination to the church in advance. If you wish to do so, please send a scan or a photo of your Covid-19 vaccination card to our administrator, Nancy Paskowski, at nsuu@verizon.net, with the word "Vaccination" in the subject line. This will greatly ease the work of the church greeters on Sunday mornings. Thank you.
• All attendees are required to be masked at all times.
• There will be no congregational singing.
• There will be no shared food or beverages.
• We are limiting the shared use of microphones. For the time being, your Cares and Celebrations may be recorded in a notebook at the sanctuary entrance at any time prior to that portion of the service, when they will be read aloud.
• The services will continue to be simultaneously broadcast on the Zoom platform for those who wish to continue remote participation.

It will be wonderful to have the option to be together in person for services again. Thank you all for your understanding and flexibility during these evolving times.

Book Discussion Group

Rev. Carol Strecker and Samantha McCune will be co-facilitating a discussion of Braiding Sweetgrass; Indigenous Wisdom, Scientific Knowledge, and the Teachings of Plants. The author, Robin Wall Kimmerer, is a member of the Citizen Potawatomi Nation and a botanist. She weaves indigenous wisdom with science in a way that passionately and poetically grounds her writing, her work and her life in the interconnected web of life. 

From the cover: In Braiding Sweetgrass, Kimmerer brings these lenses of knowledge together to show that the awakening of a wider ecological consciousness requires the acknowledgement and celebration of our reciprocal relationship with the rest of the living world. For only when we can hear the languages of other beings are we capable of understanding the generosity of the earth and learning to give our own gifts in return. 

We’ll meet on Fridays from Noon to 1:30pm on the following dates:

• March 25 Planting Sweetgrass and Tending Sweetgrass (pages 3-117)
• April 8 Picking Sweetgrass (pages 121 - 201)
• April 22 Braiding Sweetgrass (pages 205 - 300)
• April 29 Burning Sweetgrass (303 - 390)

 Cheryl Ferris ordered a few copies that are available for loan. You can contact her at cbferris@gmail.com if you’d like to borrow one. Please contact Rev. Carol at danversuuminister@gmail.com to let us know you’d like to participate. 

We’re looking forward to discussing this

powerful and beautifully written book with Rev. Carol and Samantha.

Indigenous Peoples Study Group

Sunday, March 6^th from 12 pm to 1:30 pm (This is a Change)

“Home From School: Children of Carlisle” video screening and discussion. This is a film about the removal of Native American children to residential schools in an attempt to force assimilation (“Kill the Indian, Save the Man”). Film is 55 min and will be followed by a discussion. 

Legislative Action: As we expand our knowledge, let’s also support actions being taken to support Massachusetts Native Americans and insure their true history is kept alive in our culture and schools. Go to UU Mass Action website ( https://uumassaction.org) to learn more about their Indigenous Peoples campaign.

Help Afghanistan Women and Families

Donations are urgently needed to help Afghanistan women and families get through the winter. If you want to donate by check, please make your check payable to “Help Women Heal” and mail it to NSUU Church, 323 Locust Street, Danvers, MA 01923. Rachel Williams has sent out an email related this cause and will send donated funds directly to these people. To contribute online, click on the link below that is posted on the NSUU Facebook group page. 

https://fnd.us/81weRf?ref=fb_bAMmp0_sh_1aj3jDcZl8Y1aj3jDcZl8Y 

In Memoriam - Jackie Duff

Jacqueline Murphy Duff died peacefully on February 16th at the Kaplan House in Danvers. She was 93 years old.

Jackie grew up in Lexington, MA and graduated from Skidmore College in 1949 as a Graphic Arts major. Although her academic training was in the arts, she loved the written word, whether reading to her young sons, taking creative writing classes or participating in the Manchester Library's book club.

Jackie loved to experience other cultures and travelled widely, first with her friends and then with her husband, Tom Duff.

Before television became commonplace, Manchester enjoyed adult community theater performed by the townspeople. Jackie wrote two plays, which were performed in town.

Many Manchester High graduates know her as the person who worked with them to set up their SCORE, senior projects from the early 1970's through the 1990's.

Jackie is survived by her son John and his partner Joan Miley of Seattle, son David of Gloucester and his partner Martha Pacetti, son Paul of Manchester, son Timothy and his wife Colleen of Newport, RI and three grandsons: Aaron Ocean and his wife Alli, Colin Jermain and his wife Pamela and Nathaniel Jermain.

A celebration service will be planned for later this spring or summer.