Sunday School and Nursery Care

Old North Church welcomes children of all ages on Sunday mornings! Children are welcome in the sanctuary for the the entirety of the service. Our nursery for children 3 months to 4ish opens at 9:50 but you may bring your little ones there at any point in the service. Sunday school (for kids aged four through 12) begins partway through the church service, following the "Moments with Children" during worship.

This week in Sunday School the Children will be focusing on Jesus's broad inclusion through the story of the woman who had sinned anointing Jesus's feet. Jess Easter, our Youth Ministry Leader, and James Horgan will lead church school and the children will return to the front pews of the sanctuary at the end of church (to have an opportunity to play the church bells!) before being released to their guardians. (Enjoy the prayer flags in the sanctuary made by children last week!) 

Rev. Lindsay Away for Continuing Education 

Twice a year, Lindsay goes away to participate in the Next Generation Leadership Initiative, a continuing education program for young UCC pastors. She will be in Phoenix from Friday, Nov 15--Thursday, Nov 21, learning, connecting with other pastors, praying, and relaxing; this session's focus is on "Organizing Congregations and Communities for Justice." She will be unavailable for meetings and not responding to calls/texts/emails. Feel free to reach out to Pastor Christine with any pastoral needs, or to Lisa Nahatis in the church office with other questions.  

Make a Joyful Noise this Sunday

 Children of all ages (including adults!) are invited to Make a Joyful Noise! with Liz Smith, Bell Choir Director, this Sunday, November 17, directly following the 10am Service. Children will have an opportunity to learn about our remarkable collection of Hand Bells and explore making their own sounds with hand bells and other percussive instruments.  Make a Joyful Noise! will take place in the Old North Sanctuary. All are welcome to participate in this very special event.

Death and Dying/Life and Living Course Continues Sunday

During our November 17 session this coming Sunday, we will have our third and final discussion of topics related to my story of the Crombie Street Church Salem Mission, 1976 – 2005. The church housed the first shelter in Salem and was the forerunner of ‘Lifebridge North Shore’. I have asked my friend Ann Arata and participant in our course, to introduce the topic: “Crisis of Finding Affordable Housing in exceptional times of inequity nationally and globally”. Ann worked for almost 15 years for the Cambridge Housing Authority, and prior to that with a private firm which developed affordable elderly housing. She is quite informed about Federal, State, and Municipal subsidized housing programs. And, the growing number of homeless people is directly related to the longstanding stark disparities in wealth and access to housing in the Unites States. 

Our future topics, starting in January 2025, will return to essential questions dealing with ‘Being’ – life’s meaning as beings with consciousness of self. For example: what do we mean by Spirituality, the Role of Religion in Society, and other related subjects. 

As always we start at 11:30 AM in the Great Room of the Stacey Street office building, or on-line via the zoom link: https://tinyurl.com/dnamdewp

If you would like to join the discussion and not on the mailing list, email: elsewiersma@comcast.netor contact the church office (781-531-1124), or mail office@onchurch.org

Upcoming NSYM Sunday Meetings

The North Shore Youth Ministry (NSYM) meets Sundays and rotates Church host locations. Middle school age youth (6th-8th grades) will be meeting from 3:30-5:30pm and High School (9th-12th grades) from 6-8 pm.

The November schedule location is as follows:

· 11/17- NO GROUP

· 11/24- Special Group: Friendsgiving (combined middle and high school) 4-7 pm, at Clifton. A sign-up sheet will be sent closer to the date for folks to bring food and drinks. 

We will also be having special events for both Middle and High Schoolers this month:

Saturday the 23rd is Fair Saturday! Both First Church and Old North Church will be holding Winter Fairs. These are family events and everyone is welcome! Jess will be around at Old North between 9:30-11:30 and at First Church between 12-2 pm to socialize with youth and families (and enjoy the festivities with you all!).

Jess Easter (She/Her) has started as the new youth pastor serving the “North Shore Youth Ministry” or NSYM for short. If finding a ride to any youth events is ever an issue, please reach out to Jess (marbleheadyouthcoopministry@gmail.com) as she can make connections between families to make sure our youth have the opportunity

to join!

Looking for Volunteer Adults for Youth Group

The North Shore Youth Ministry (the joint youth ministry we have with Clifton Lutheran, St Andrews Episcopal, and First Church Swampscott) is going strong! We have an excellent youth minister (Jess Easter) who plans and leads the weekly events, but each event needs a second adult (to comply with Safe Church policies). Could you be that adult?

Every Sunday, middle school age youth (6th-8th grades) meets from 3:30-5:30pm and High School (9th-12th grades) from 6-8 pm; there are occasional Friday evening events as well. If you'd be open to helping for one youth group once a month, that would be great! Email Betsey at halbertbam@gmail.com to get connected (we will need to run a CORI check on you!) 

SEE YOU AT THE FAIR!!!! 

Please put this information on your calendar.

Our Old North Holiday Fair is just one week away on Saturday, November 23 from 9:30 - 1:30pm preceded by the Preview Party on Friday, November 22 from 7:00 - 9:00pm. Many of you have already made Fair donations and we really appreciate them. Any further donations will be accepted until Monday, November 18th so that we have time to organize all of the items before the weekend. Please place them on the stage in the Parish Hall or contact Linda Duvel, linda.bill.duvel@gmail.com or 781-631-1703 or Marcia Hostetter, hostetter.marcia@gmail.com or 781-639-1942 to make delivery arrangements. 

Also, the organizers of the Preview Party are still looking for donations of appetizers. Please contact Flory Denhard, fpdenhard@gmailcom or 781-724-6239 or Marcia Hostetter if you are interested. 



We are still looking for folding 6' Tables, a Clothes Rack and a few Coat Trees for display purposes. Please contact either Linda or Marcia for delivery arrangements.

Fair Preview Party Friday Nov 22^nd at 7-9 pm

The Preview Party before the Fair is a chance to gather and enjoy a first look at all the offerings while enjoying food, drinks, and community. We of course need many volunteers to bring finger food hors d'oeuvres for that evening. And we will be looking for some help in the kitchen. 



Tickets will be sold during coffee hour on Nov 3rd, 10th, and 17th.  $25 per person includes 2 drink tickets. $20 tickets without beer or wine. You may also reserve online here.



If you can make hors d'oeuvres, please let us know asap.

Call or email Flory Denhard 781-724-6239, fpdenhard@gmail.com or Marcia Hostetter 781-639-1942, hostetter.marcia@gmail.com

See You at the Fair

The Old North Church Holiday Fair will be held on November 23rd from 9:30 - 1:30 in the Parish Hall. This is an ALL CHURCH event and we're hoping that everyone will participate in some way to make this Fair a success!!!!

Food is always an enticement, so to start things off - breakfast will be served starting at 9:30 followed a bit later by our ever popular lobster roll or chicken salad roll lunch. If you desire something to satisfy your sweet tooth, meander over to the Bake Table and select the solution and/or take something home for your Thanksgiving spread. 

The Fair Flyer lists areas where your donations would be appreciated and the person/people to contact with questions and offerings. 

Ginny von Rueden will be offering crafts and jewelry at the Africa Table the proceeds of which will be going to the Outreach Ministry Board.

Holiday Hostess Gifts were created during this week's Fair Workshop. Taper candles were wrapped with holiday dish towels and embellished with decorations - including Thanksgiving themed assortments. They make wonderful hostess and teacher gifts.

Bring your children and grandchildren and their friends as we'll have lots for them to do. In addition to the Children's Book Exchange, there will be opportunities to create Thanksgiving cards for the fire, police and EMTs, and big crafting area with many unique projects to keep them busy.

Thanks so much to everyone for their help, contributions and support. The ONC Holiday Fair will not succeed without your help!!!!!!

Christmas at the Fair

The stage in the Parish Hall is available to leave your donated items for the Fair. We would like to offer a great selection of Christmas items such as ornaments, figurines, decorative items, stockings, linens, etc. so please bring your selections for our Christmas tables and leave them on the stage. Contact: Ginny von Rueden at rvonrueden@comcast.net.

Thank you from the Merry Elves

Calling All Bakers!

We need homemade treats for the Bakery Table at the Church Fair on Saturday, November 23. Pies are our top sellers, and we greatly appreciate all types of breads, cookies, and other family favorites. (Please note that we are not able to accept items which require refrigeration, such as pumpkin pies, pecan pies, cream pies, or cream-filled pastries). Drop off between 3 and 5 on Friday, November 22. Please email Bonnie MacDonald at bonnietim@comcast.net to let us know what you would like to make!

Gift Baskets

We will be offering a variety of small gift baskets at the fair selling for $20 - $40. Unlike previous fairs, these will not be auctioned, rather they may be purchased. The themes of these baskets may include hostess gifts, housewarming, pet themed, children’s items, pampering spa, boats, foods, travel, gardens, etc. We are asking that people donate items that would fit into these categories, and we will put them together in attractive containers/baskets.

Items may include, but are not limited to small soaps, candles, tea towels, tea, sweets or candy, small household utensils, games, art supplies, wine, crackers, cheese spreader, snacks, nuts, biscuits, note cards, recipe and dry ingredients, olive oil, herbs, potholders, fancy salts, salt and pepper shakers, napkins, small garden items and coasters. If you have any questions, please contact Marcia Hostetter at 781 639-1942 or by email at Hostetter.marcia@gmail.com.

The Old North Church Holiday Fair will be offering good-quality, fine and fashion jewelry for sale within its boutique.

Holly Jannell and Chris Arren will be organizing and pricing these items. Please search your jewelry boxes for any pieces (necklaces, bracelets, rings, earrings, etc.) that you no longer wear, but will be new to others. Your hints regarding pricing are appreciated. Jewelry makes a great holiday gift and a refresher to someone else’s personal style. Please contact Chris Arren (c_arren@yahoo.com) or Holly Jannell (hjannel@verizon.net) for drop off or pick up information. Jewelry can be dropped off at the ONC Welcome Table at the 10:00 a.m. service now through November 17.

ONC Fair Service Offering

Last call for services to be offered for sale at our coming church fair. An updated list of service offerings is shown below We still need a volunteer or two to provide simple handyman services. And, we need a few more providers of rides to either Logan airport or N. Shore locations/appointments. We currently have the following volunteers to provide rides: Linda Duvel, Judy Connor, Maryellen Solomon-Auger, Richard Thibedeau, Frank Aaren, Dave Hostetter (dispatcher). If you have a service in mind that you’d like to offer at the fair, please contact Dave Hostetter at 781-631-3216 or daveh.racer@gmail.com. Thanks.

News from the Festival Chorus Committee! 

Greetings from the Festival Chorus Committee! Our fast-approaching and popular Festival Chorus Holiday Concerts will feature a truly magnificent selection of choral works with full orchestra – guaranteed to delight you and the entire family! Please help support this extraordinary holiday tradition at Old North, now in its 44^th season – by purchasing tickets, by becoming a Friend of the Festival Chorus with a contribution, or by advertising in our Festival Chorus program book! You may submit your ticket order or contribution any number of ways:

• online by using the QR code on the appended Festival Chorus FLYER
• by filling out the attached CONTRIBUTION & TICKET ORDER FORM
• by visiting the Old North Church website at https://www.onchurch.org/festivalchorus
• by visiting the Old North Festival Chorus website at https://www.oldnorthfestivalchorus.org/

Tickets will also be on sale after church on Sunday mornings – in the narthex – or you may purchase them in advance at Crosby’s Marketplace, Arnould Gallery, or Maria’s Gourmet.

Our program books are read by 1,000 enthusiastic fans, and advertisers are consistently amazed by the business generated from an ad in the Festival Chorus Program Book. For advertising rates and details, please download our Advertising Rate Sheet at https://www.oldnorthfestivalchorus.org/

The deadline for submitting ads has been extended to Friday, November 22, so don’t delay! Thank you for your support! 

Interfaith Thanksgiving 

Join members of religious communities across Marblehead for an Interfaith Thanksgiving Service on Tuesday, November 26 at the UU Church (28 Mugford Street) at 7pm. A pick-up choir will provide music; any interested singers are invited to gather before the service at 5:45 sharp to rehearse.  

Scrabble Group



The Scrabble Group meets weekly on Wednesdays from 2-4pm in the Great Room at the Stacey St. office building. Newcomers are always welcome to join in the fun!

Capital Campaign Projects Update

Old North Church put your Capital Campaign dollars to work in 2024! For the first time in over 10 years, and in some cases several decades more, we took on some major property improvements. They have given new life and a fresh look to our nearly 198 year-old church and our other buildings.

Please click HERE or on the image above to view a slideshow of the projects that were completed this year. You will be impressed!

Crosby’s Abundance Helps Lifebridge Feed the Homeless and Needy 

Beginning when Carl Pearson asked a Crosby Market stocking person “what happens to the food that you are taking off the shelf and putting in a cart” and then first organized by Peggy Munro, the Crosby Lifebridge Food run is entering into its 11th year. Monday through Friday each week, ONC members transfer one-day old produce and baked goods from Crosby’s Market Place in Marblehead to Lifebridge in Salem.

Each year, thousands and thousands pounds of fresh fruit, vegetables and baked goods that would have been thrown into the garbage bin are used to feed the homeless and the hungry. This donated product is magically turned into wholesome meals through the skilled hands of Lifebridge’s Kitchen Manager Karen Andrew and volunteers.

A big thank you to Crosby Market Place and especially to Katarina the Marblehead store manager to allow this transfer to occur and to organize internal store logistics to make it happen.

The intrepid band of drivers includes, Jill Dearborn, Janet Doyle,Bill Duvel, George Gearhart, Paul and Lynda Hare, Mimi Hollister, Holly Jannell, Donna and Tom Scott, Richard Thibedeau and Ginny Von Rueden. 

If you have any questions please call Holly Jannell at 781.631.2550.

Marblehead Food Pantry 

November is the month when traditionally Old North help stock the shelves at the Marblehead Food Pantry. The number of food insecure households visiting the Pantry continue to rise at a pace, making Old North’s donations all the more urgent. If you are able to help, please, once again, consider writing a check to Old North Church, 8 Stacey Street, Marblehead MA 01945 and putting Marblehead Food Pantry in the memo line. Alternatively you may make an on line donation, with the same specification.   Our Old North shopping team will use your kind donation to purchase the very specific needs of the Food Pantry each week. These include non-perishable goods, toiletries and personal items. Your generosity will make such a difference to the dozens of people using the food pantry.

Thank you for your consideration,

Lynda Hare on behalf of the Outreach Ministry Board.

Sunday School Artwork

Dee Burgett brought her teaching and art skills to church school in making prayer flags last Sunday using a Japanese dyeing technique. We're so grateful! 

Green Tip of the Week

This week’s “Green Tip of the Week”: Take the bus, the train, the T as often as possible. We are fortunate to have bus routes in town.

The Old North Church Green Team has started a new initiative – “Green Tip of the Week”. It is especially apt as we enter the “Season of Creation Care” that some places of worship are signing on to. It’s all about sharing our piece of “creation care” in the time we are each given to walk this walk of life on earth.  

Donations for Hurricane Relief in North Carolina

We all have been shocked and saddened by the destruction and loss of lives, homes, and infrastructure wreaked by Hurricanes Helene and Milton this past month. Reverend Lindsay Popperson and Lisa Nahatis have been in touch with people in the hardest hit region of western North Carolina, including our former Associate Pastor Karla Miller in Hendersonville. Thankfully, Karla and her spouse are safe, but over 160 others are already known to have died.



The Outreach Ministry Board has voted to donate $500 of your tithes to World Central Kitchen (WCK), which has been distributing emergency food and water including by helicopter to those in need in North Carolina as well as Florida, Georgia, and Tennessee. If you would like to personally donate money to the relief efforts there, the OMB can recommend World Central Kitchen at wck.org or a local Asheville nonprofit, BeLoved Asheville, at https://belovedasheville.com/get-involved.



Rev. Karla Miller's church is accepting donations and will get it to local relief efforts in Henderson County: First Congregational UCC Hendersonville, 1735 5th Ave West, Hendersonville NC 28739. Click here to make an online donation.

Her church will get any donations to Interfaith Assistance Ministries (IAM) which is one of their "boots on the ground" identified by her church and its members as they attempt to recover and rebuild.

Gifts of Cheer



If you know of anyone, either here at Old North or in the wider Marblehead community who is going through a difficult time, the Community Life Board would like to reach out with a little plant and a friendly note. Please contact Lynda Hare at hares8carrots@hotmail.com or 781-639-0107 if you know someone who would appreciate a little extra cheer.

Lectio Divina

A monastic practice of scripture, reflection and prayer dating back to the 4^th century, at Old North lectio divina has been adapted and practiced for more than ten years on every Tuesday morning from 9 to about 10:30 am. When Dennis was here, he led the practice. Since his leaving, we all take turns being the leader to select the readings. We have welcomed newcomers, some not from Old North, who seem to find soul food in the practice and the shared reflections that are part of it. We meet at 9 am both in person in the “Great Room” on Stacey St. and on Zoom.

We begin each meeting with a context-setting call to worship. Then we pair a scripture reading with a poem, chosen by the leader for the day and read aloud. We then move into 21 minutes of silent meditation, marked by chimes, and finally we share in “safe space” our responses – personal and intellectual. We end each session with prayers for healing and the Lord’s Prayer.



It is a rich time of being together in community and quite like no other. We invite you to give it a try.