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InTouch
The weekly newsletter from North Universalist Chapel Society in Woodstock, Vermont
Our Mission
Guided by Unitarian Universalist principles, the North Chapel aspires to be a congregation that nurtures the growth and supports the needs of its members, sustains a strong spiritual life within a loving church community, and seeks to have a positive impact on the world around us.
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Worship Theme for the Month
July 2026 - Go to the Woods
Step beyond the noise of daily life and into a deeper relationship with the living world. In the woods, we encounter transformation through changing seasons, new growth, and the rhythms of nature. The forest teaches resilience, connection, humility, and wonder - reminding us that we are part of something larger than ourselves.
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Last July 12, 2026
Reflection by Rev. Leon Dunkley
“Deepest Love of Country Wins the Day”
“From every mountainside, let freedom ring!“ Samuel Francis Smith wrote “America - My Country, ‘Tis of Thee” when he was in seminary. He attended Andover Newton theological school and he wrote that anthem in 1831. A country is a nation and a country is music and country is a prayer. How do we make ours more beautiful? Who are we called to be and to become to make our world more beautiful?
Service Coordinator - Carolyn Barnwell
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This Sunday, July 19, 2026
Reflection by Rev. Leon Dunkley
“The Fire of Thought”
Henry David Thoreau went into the woods to discover the fire of thought. “The fire of thought” is what Ralph Waldo Emerson believed was required for a good sermon. Plato believed that this was required for a good life. What does it mean to discover the fire thought? How does it help us today in Woodstock? …today in Houston? …today in Biddeford, Maine?
Service Coordinator - Anne Marinello
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Please check the calendar on the link above before scheduling a meeting or event at North Chapel. For more information and to reserve space, email Administrative Assistant Joanne Boyle at the office or call or text 802-369-9838. | | |
U.U. Garden Stroll
This Saturday, July 18th - any time between 2 and 7pm
232 Brownsville Road, Hartland Four Corners
From Richard Waddell and Pierre Fournier:
We will be hosting a "U.U. Garden Stroll" through our gardens on Saturday, 7/18 any time between 2:00 and 7:00 P.M.
Very informal - lemonade and ginger snaps, plenty of seating.
Our place is exactly 2.2 miles past the Skunk Hollow Tavern as the road begins to twist and climb; parking anywhere near the little, red barn across the road.
RSVP either via email to Pierre, Richard or 802-436-3070.
More explicit directions available upon request.
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Book Club for July
Thursday, July 23rd at 6pm on Zoom
Ian McEwan's latest novel takes readers to the Britain of 2119, transformed to an archipelago through climate change and nuclear disaster. The plot follows an academic's search for a lost poem that was read at a dinner party more than a century earlier. A blend of literary mystery and speculative fiction, What We Can Know uses history, memory, and love to explore the limits of what we can ever truly know about the past and future. Join us at 6:00 on Thursday, July 23 for an interesting discussion.
Contact Sherry Belisle (sherry.belisle@gmail.com or 802-457-1919) for the Zoom link and more information.
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SAVE THE DATE!!
Village Harmony Concert
Saturday, July 25th in the sanctuary at 7pm
“Since 1990 the singers and instrumentalists of Village Harmony summer camps have been traveling and performing throughout an ever-widening swath of the globe, participating in cultural exchanges and delighting audiences with their heart-felt renditions of world folk music. Thirty-five years on, Village Harmony’s recipe has withstood the test of time.”
https://www.villageharmony.org/
Admission by donation at the door.
P.S. Because of a family commitment I cannot attend this concert. We would like someone familiar with events at North Chapel to welcome and assist the group.
If you can help, contact me at 802-369-9838. Thanks! Joanne
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Save the Date!
Central Vermont Chamber
Music Festival
Sunday, August 9th, 2026
4pm in the Sanctuary
An Encore Performance - Brahms, Gliere, Źeleński
Johannes Brahms - Sonata #1 in f minor, Op. 120 for Viola and Piano
Reinhold Gliere - 8 Pieces, Op. 39 for Violin and Cello
Władysław Źeleński - Piano Quartet in c minor, Op. 61
Artists:
Violin: Michael Roth, Viola: Arturo Delmoni, Cello: Peter Sanders, Piano: Diana Fanning
Suggested donation at the door, $20.
Learn more here: https://www.cvcmf.org/
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Join the Upper Valley Singing Resistance -
Woodstock Area Pod
Singing Tonight at North Chapel
Rehearse Tonight at 6:30 in the Social Hall
Upper Valley Singing Resistance, with its smaller group pods, is organizing for singers to rehearse and sing at protests in the area.
The group meets the first Thursday of the month at 6:30 at Bethany Mennonite Church,
(169 VT-100A, Bridgewater Corners, VT 05035)
and the 3rd Thursday of the month at 6:30 at North Chapel.
All are welcome to join!
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NEWS - Medical Aid in Dying in New York
Medical aid in dying (MAID) is now legal in New York State, with an implementation date of August 6, 2026. New York's law has broad similarities to Vermont's law, and also some very important differences. Many New York and Vermont residents cross the state line for their medical care, so it's crucial to understand the law and the process in each.
"Exit Matters" Event
Tuesday, July 21st at 7 PM on Zoom
Advance registration is required to receive the Zoom link.
To learn more and register for this "Exit Matters" Event, click here.
Mandi Zucker, LSW, CT, is the Executive Director of End of Life Choices New York, and she'll be joining us to talk about the New York law and process for medical aid in dying, and highlight what we all need to know about what's different in New York and Vermont. Mandi will also share some insights about what it's like to steer a state end of life organization and implement a complex program in a state as large, populated, and varied as New York. Mandi brings to her work a great deal of experience in end of life and grief support and patient advocacy.
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Vermont's Patient Choice at End of Life Law (Act 39) was enacted in May 2013. It enables people who are terminally ill and who are capable of making their own medical decisions the option to request and receive medication that they can use to bring about a peaceful death if and when they so choose.
PCV serves a vital role as the key resource to MAID in Vermont.
Print Brochure Read more here: https://www.patientchoices.org/
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Coffee Hour After the Services
Please join us after the Sunday Services for coffee hour in the social hall downstairs or, when the weather is nice, on the front porch.
For June, the Welcoming, Engagement and Membership Committee will host.
In July the Nominating Committee will host.
Since this is a very small committee, feel free to bring something to share.
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A Circle of Men
1st and 3rd Thursday Evenings in the Parlor
We are a group of committed men stepping into our vulnerability, our joy, our sadness, our wonder. If you want to explore more deeply into the man you are and to find the man you want to be, reach out to us, you are welcome! The only thing you have to risk is that you might be changed.
We meet on the 1st and 3rd Thursday evenings in the parlor and we ask that you contact myself Ben Kelley-Outten, bkelleyovt@gmail.com 802-356-9506 or Aaron Darcy, mkpdarcy@gmail.com 478-338-4878 before you come.
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Meditation Sessions
Friday Mornings 9:45-11:00
in the Meditation Chapel
Led by Judy McClain, the sessions are open to all. Long-time and beginning meditators alike will feel comfortable here.
Enjoy an hour of quiet, spacious Mindfulness practice in community.
Sessions are free; all donations go to the North Chapel. All are welcome.
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The Choir is on Summer Break
If you would like to sing with the choir, please contact Michael Zsoldos and join us for rehearsals starting again in the Fall on Sunday mornings at 9 am in the sanctuary and Wednesdays 4:30-6 pm in the parlor. All are welcome!
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Letter from the Board
June 2026
by Amy McElroy
The board met on June 16, 2026 at North Chapel.
Present: Barbara Abraham, Kathy Astemborski, Dana Hale, Amy McElroy, Megan Lancaster, Michael Zsoldos
Not Present: David Cook, Leon Dunkley
Highlights of the meeting are below.
- The church elevator is now under contract for annual maintenance and inspection.
- The church sprinkler system underwent its five-year inspection.
- Summer! Pizza Wednesdays - we hope to get this going again this summer.
- Kate Johnson organized an end of school party for kids and families. About 60 people attended, and it was lots of fun.
- The annual Board Retreat is on 6/28 from 11:30 to 3:30 at North Chapel. The primary focus will be a
- discussion on committees – revising, updating, consolidating where we can. An additional topic for the retreat could be implementation of the strategic plan.
- Jayne Hufferdine has resigned from the board. The board appreciates the time that she served on the board. She will be missed.
- Jayne Hufferdine and Kris Branch recently facilitated the new sign on the front of the church. It looks great. The board thanks them for doing that.
- An incident occurred at the river behind the church. There was a couple next to the river, and the woman was very sick. 911 was called. Two police cruisers and an ambulance came. This was a drug related incident.
- Review of strategic plan - priorities - how do we keep our plan alive and moving forward – keeping our priorities aligned with the plan? This is an ongoing discussion topic at the board meetings.
- Including more voices in Sunday services.
- Increased engagement with youth.
- Expanding opportunities for social engagement.
- Developing robust leadership and governance.
- Parsonage Property - Laird Bradley, Kathy, and Michael (the parsonage working group) met with Agata and Radek Marzec, the sextons of North Chapel, on 6/4/26 to discuss creating a lease and identifying necessary maintenance projects at the parsonage. The Marzecs have served as sextons and lived at the parsonage since 2011. The relationship has worked very well. However, there has never been a lease or formal job description of the sexton duties. The board would like to draw up a lease and a job description as well as a plan to address needed updates to the parsonage. This will be an ongoing project this year.
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Monthly Articles
Previous special monthly articles are accessible from the link above and the links below.
Schedule
1st Thursday: Worship Theme for the Month (see the top of this page)
2nd Thursday: Letter from the Board
3rd Thursday: Spirit Pages
4th Thursday: Arts Corner & Photos Page
Articles and contributions will be due by noon on WEDNESDAYS on the week of publication. Some weeks they are left out. Some months they are out of order.
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Our Church Calendar
Please check the calendar on the link above before scheduling a meeting or event at North Chapel. For more information and to reserve space, email Administrative Assistant Joanne Boyle at the office or call or text 802-369-9838.
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Leon's Open Office Hours
Tuesdays from 3 to 5 pm and Wednesdays from 12 to 2 pm.
Please text or call or text him at 802-369-5104 to be sure his schedule has not changed.
Joanne's Church Office Hours
Administrative Assistant Joanne Boyle is usually in the church office on
Monday and Friday from 1-3 and on Wednesday and Thursday from 11-4.
She also works from home.
Please call or text her at 802-369-9838 before stopping by.
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New to North Chapel?
What does it mean to "Sign the Book"?
Become a Member of the North Universalist Chapel Society
Are you curious about all things Unitarian Universalist? Thinking of joining our membership? Contact Sherry Belisle or Ann Wynia to answer your questions about moving forward on that path.
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Please Join Our NC Listserv and Our Church directory!!
The North Chapel Listserv
Our listserv is a place for all of us to post any notices like want ads or classifieds.
The listserv will be in inboxes the morning after a notice is posted.
To receive the North Chapel Listserv or to place an ad, send an email to the office.
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The North Chapel Directory is Updated Monthly
If you would like a PDF of the newest directory sent to you
or would like a copy printed for you contact the office.
To add your information to the directory, please send your name, spouse or partner's name, mailing address, email address(es). land line and cell phone numbers and your kids names. Thank you.
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Do You Want a Name Tag?
At the Sunday services, you may have noticed many of us have hand made name tags that we wear on a string around our necks. They are stored on a board in the entry to the sanctuary. Want one? If you’re new, we would love to learn your name.
If you have been a member or friend of North Chapel for a while, you may have lost yours. Here's an opportunity to replace it.
Just email Ann Wynia or look for her on Sundays. She usually sits in the back row near the guest book table. She will be happy to take your name and create a name tag for you.
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North Chapel Emergency Procedures 2026
There is always a chance an emergency will arise at the North Chapel that requires such a rapid response that normal board or committee or individual personnel procedures are hard or impossible to follow.
Emergency situations like this require more clarity in how to respond.
The following procedure will be implemented for extended power outages or other emergency situations.
First: The board chair or co-chairs, in consultation with the minister and others directly connected to the nature of the emergency, will make the needed decisions.
Second: If these individuals are not reachable, Board Members Dana Hall, Michael Zsoldos and Amy McElroy, Woodstock village residents, would be consulted.
Third: A sheet with email addresses, cell and landline phone numbers of the North Chapel Leadership, employees, committee chairs and members has been posted on the bulletin board in and in the old office. It has been distributed to the minister, board members and employees.
Fourth: The congregation will be made aware of the situation by email and on the church website and listserv. We encourage everyone to sign up for our Constant Contact emails here: https://bit.ly/4625KkM
Please be sure we have your cell phone numbers for texting if power is out or the internet is down.
Click here to download the North Chapel Leadership Contact Information.
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Rental Spaces Available At North Chapel
Please share this information with friends and business associates who may be interested in holding meetings and events at North Chapel.
Sanctuary - Social Hall - Kitchen - Parlor - Library - Meditation Chapel
The Back Lawn "Riverside Garden" and the Pizza Oven
We welcome you to inquire about holding conferences, meetings, classes or events in any of the spaces at North Chapel.
Look on our website here or contact the office for a rate sheet and more information.
In a town known for historic and beautiful buildings, the North Chapel Unitarian Universalist Church stands out. We are proud to have preserved and enhanced our facility to offer a spiritual gathering place, community resource, and historic treasure for Woodstock area residents and visitors. Our beautiful indoor and outdoor spaces were renovated in 2009-2010 and are ADA compliant/accessible.
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See More Photos, Floor Plans, and a Drone Video Here:
Thanks to Laird Bradly and his
connections for providing these images that assist in the rental of our spaces.
Click on the link below to take a tour of the interior of our beautiful church.
North Chapel now has a new Matterport 3D Virtual Tour of the North Chapel!
Our Church in 3D
Walk through the light-filled Sanctuary then continue through the door on the back left. Turn left and down a few steps to see the first floor Parlor and Library. Head down the large staircase on the right to view the ground floor Social Hall and Kitchen. Step outside and to the left through the side entrance to see our Meditation Chapel.
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Guitar, Piano or Bass Lessons with Ben Kogan
If you've been teaching yourself from the internet and want to be held accountable, if you're a parent of a child that has expressed some interest in playing an instrument, or if you feel stuck and want to learn how to improve contact Ben Kogan 305-495-9962.
I teach many students from the Woodstock and Upper Valley area in the parlor at North Chapel.
Piano, Bass (Upright and Electric) and Guitar
I teach all levels and most styles.
- Ages 8 to 88
- Bluegrass, Jazz, Rock, Classical, Blues, Pop and Boogie Woogie(piano only)
- By ear or written music
- Convenient Woodstock Vermont Village Location (at North Chapel)
- Custom lessons. I like to teach songs you want to learn and sneak in the theory and technique. I call this tricking people into learning. Depending on the level, I'll suggest some songs then once a certain amount is achieved we can move on to songs you pick.
- I run a weekly bluegrass etc... Jam Session every other Monday night at the Ottauquechee Yacht Club in Woodstock from 6:30-9 if you want to come by and join the jam or just say hi.
Feel free to call or email if you'd like to sign up! I only have a few spots left.
Ben Kogan
bkogan2@gmail.com
305-495-9962
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Free Window Inserts!
Drafty windows? High heating bills? This fall, Sustainable Woodstock will be collaborating with WindowDressers, a nonprofit organization, to make custom-built, interior storm window inserts for residents of: Woodstock, Pomfret, Barnard, Bridgewater, Plymouth, Hartland, and Reading. The inserts are easy to install, removable, and reusable. They let light in, keep drafts out, and reduce heating costs.
We are now taking applications for inserts! Inserts are free, and there is a limit of 10 inserts per household. The inserts are high quality and low cost because they are built at barn-raising-style Community Builds. Everyone who orders inserts also participates in the Community Build. Sign up soon to reserve yours.
To qualify for our community build, participant's income must be below the moderate-income threshold. Check to see what income-level your household falls under at https://www.efficiencyvermont.com/income-limit
If you would like free inserts, now is the time to sign up! Sign up by contacting:
Heather Knoll, Program Coordinator at Sustainable Woodstock: 802-296-1595 or programs@sustainablewoodstock.org
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Woodstock Community Food Shelf
The Woodstock Community Food Shelf witnesses firsthand the ongoing rise in the need of Vermonters for help, and reaches out to those in need.
According to Hunger Free Vermont, the state is the ninth hungriest in the United States. Approximately 14% of the population receives some assistance to supply their food needs.
Please consider supporting our neighbors by donating:
North Chapel collects non-perishable foods and other items in the collection bin in the narthex - the main entrance to the sanctuary.
Financial donations can be made here: http://woodstockfoodshelf.org/donate/
Check the Food List on the right side of that webpage for the items that they need.
For those struggling:
WCFS welcomes folks from our community, our state, the Upper Valley - in fact from anywhere. No barriers: no questions other than registration by name so that guests may shop once a week. Regardless of income, age, whereabouts, employment, race, age, other assistance, gender identity, belief systems, WCFS is open three times a week, to provide nutritious food to individuals and families who need our help. We protect everyone’s privacy, all records are confidential.
Open 4-6 on Mondays, 1-3 on Wednesdays, and Saturdays 10-noon.
217 Maxham Meadow Way, Woodstock, VT 05091
Call 802-457-1185 for more information.
http://woodstockfoodshelf.org/
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Transportation Service
Rideshare service available for the Woodstock/Quechee area and surrounding towns.
You can call or text to arrange a ride, and at that time Jane will quote the fare.
Available 7 days a week. She travels often to: Dartmouth Coach, Lebanon Airport, Manchester Airport, Rutland Amtrak, Burlington Airport, Bradley International and Boston Logan. Please note her vehicle is nothing fancy, just a practical multi-use vehicle.(Tacoma Double-Cab). Cash or Venmo preferred. Looking forward to sharing a ride with you!
Jane Warren - Rideshare Service - 603-486-8778
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