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This Week at NSUC

* These events are open to all! Join us!

^ To learn more about participating in these groups/activities, contact Jonathan Schlesinger at 847-235-1955.

Saturday, February 25

10:30 AM - Touchstones Small Group Monthly Discussion (Bletzer/Zoom) Please note that this is a special link for February only.^

Sunday, February 26

10 AM - Religious Education: children will start in the service.^

10 AM - In-person and virtual Worship Service: Traveling in the Dark. Anne Clough, preaching

10 AM - Worship Live Stream*

     Meeting ID: 885 9903 5913

Click here for the Order of Service

11 AM - Fellowship Hour*

11:30 AM - Green Team (Room 4/Zoom)*

7 PM - Sunday Night Men's Group (Zoom)^

Monday, February 27

10:30 AM - Loving Kindness Meditation (Zoom)*

Tuesday, February 28

7 PM - Leadership Team Meeting

Wednesday, March 1

6 PM - Racial Justice Team Meeting (Zoom)*



Thursday, March 2

7 PM - Parents & Guardians Support Group (Zoom)^

7:30 PM - Choir Rehearsal^

Friday, March 3

7 PM - Friday Night Men's Group (Zoom)^

Saturday, March 4

2 PM - Bob Kollman Memorial*

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First Words - Anne Clough

Upcoming Worship Services

February 26: Traveling in the Dark. Accompanying one another through tough times is one of the greatest challenges of friendship and one of its greatest blessings. Anne Clough, preaching.

March 5: The Divine at the Margins. Why does liberation theology say that we can only see God in the socially excluded? What does that message mean for Unitarian Universalists? We will recognize new members during this service. Rev. Lucas, preaching.

March 12: Biology is Not Destiny. As we celebrate women's history month, we will look to voices that challenges gender norms. Rev. Lucas, preaching.

March 19: Mistakes and Miracles. Today we will reflect on mistakes and miracles on the road to being an inclusive community. Rev. Lucas, preaching.

To submit an item for consideration in future publications, click here.

We kindly ask that all submissions for next week's newsletter be made by next Tuesday. Thank you for your help.

Pledge Drive Update for February 24!

We need your pledge by March 1!

So far only half of us have made a pledge for the 2023-24 fiscal year. As the Board prepares the budget for our next fiscal year, they need to know what revenues can be expected. In order to

maintain our building and programs at the same level as this year, we need $420,000 in total pledges. We are hoping to surpass that goal in order to do some building maintenance as well

as have an intern minister. There are extra pledge forms on the table across from the sanctuary or you can pledge through Realm. We hope you will also consider making a Cornerstone Pledge

which will automatically renew each year. Please give from you heart!

So far 50% of our pledging units have pledged a total of $291,948.43, which accounts for 70% of the dollars needed to reach our goal of $420,000 / $430,000.

If you are unsure of how to make your pledge on Realm, check out the video below.

Tending the Flame: Book Discussion Group Meeting on March 8 at 8:15 PM

Update: This book discussion group will meet on March 8 and April 5, from 8:15-9 PM, to discuss the first and second chapters, respectively. All are welcome! Click here to join us.

This book group invitation is open to anyone in the congregation with a focus on imparting shared Unitarian Universalist values to young people and adapting one’s household to Unitarian Universalist practice. We will reflect on an important passage and respond to questions from a discussion guide. 

Renee Weinberger will host the discussion but would also love a co-host to collaborate with. Please contact (reneejane@gmail.com or text 224- 361-5511) her if you are interested and what dates work best for you so we can schedule the best evening discussion. 

The LGBTQ Agenda

For Society and Religion

Rev. Dr. Lucas Hergert & Oslo Brewster, Ph.D.

Tuesdays, March 14, 21, 28, April 11, 18, 25 (7-8:30 PM)

Suggested Donation: $50-$100 (payable to NSUC)

Our country is experiencing a moral panic. Some school boards are banning literature and even mention of LGBTQ people. Opponents argue that "the LGBTQ agenda" undermines traditional structures of family, society & religion. As it turns out, there is indeed a rich and challenging area of reflection arising from the queer and trans experience. Why is it seen as so dangerous? In this six-week course, Rev. Dr. Lucas Hergert and Oslo Brewster, Ph.D., will introduce the field known as queer theory and theology. We are excited to offer this course which is unlike any other offered by a religious community. All curious people are welcome. Wherever you are on your journey of understanding these issues, we promise you will learn a new way of viewing theology, ethics & politics. Click here to register.

Heart and Hand dinner and auction is Saturday, April 1

…and that’s no April Fool’s day joke! No Foolin’! The Heart and Hand dinner and auction is only 1 month away and we need you to register. Stop by the Heart and Hand table in Fellowship Hall to find out more and to register or click here to register and click here for the donation form.

Knock! Knock! 

Who’s there? 

Ketchup 

Ketchup who? 

Ketchup with all your friends at the Heart and Hand dinner and auction!

You Did It! Rummage Sale is June 17

Because of you, we will be able to host our annual Rummage Sale this June. To all the volunteers who signed up for the sale, a hearty thank you.

It’s not too late to indicate your interest by signing up here. Even if you are unsure about your schedule in June, you can sign up now and we will follow up as we get closer to the date. Also, this is a good time to start setting aside donations for this year’s sale. We will begin accepting donations in late May.

General Assembly Delegate Applications Open



Applications are now open for delegates to represent our congregation at the Unitarian Universalist General Assembly, June 21-25, 2023 in Pittsburgh, PA. This is a unique opportunity to connect with other Unitarian Universalists from around the country, learn about current issues facing our faith, and have a voice in shaping the future of our denomination. It is an especially important year, with votes taking place on the UU Principles and the election of a new president. This is an online experience or you may choose to attend in person. If you are interested in learning more, visit the General Assembly website for more information. Send Christie Hagy (christieshannon02@comcast.net) an email with your wish to be considered as a UUA delegate by May 1, 2023. The board seeks a slate that represents the diversity of our congregation and will decide on the delegates at their May meeting. 

RE Helpers Wanted!

There are many different ways for NSUC members to make a difference in the life of a young person at NSUC. We're not only looking for teachers who can commit long-term, but also guest teachers who can moonlight at one of our monthly RE-wide programs* OR serve as an occasional assistant on Sunday mornings OR serve as a substitute teacher. Stay tuned for other opportunities to connect with our youth!

*Can you teach Yoga? Meditation? Gardening? A religious or cultural tradition? Art? Something else that would enrich the life of a young member of NSUC? If so, please reach out to Jonathan.

The Next Touchstones Discussion Group Gathering is this Saturday, February 25 at 10:30 AM

The Touchstones theme for February is resilience. Join us in person or on Zoom (note: this is a special link for February only). Click here to access the Touchstones readings for this month.

Interested in Volunteering to Work with a Refugee Family?

Several church members have shown an interest in working more directly with a refugee family. There are several options, one of which is having us work with another congregation to provide mentors and tutors for a refugee family. With this option each individual volunteer would meet with the family only once or twice a month. It is a 6- month commitment.

If you are interested in learning more about the possibility of having NSUC more involved in helping a refugee family, please stop by our table in Fellowship Hall this coming Sunday, February 26, after church to talk with members of the Social Justice Team.

Beyond Land Acknowledgement!

The Racial Justice Team will meet online at 6 PM on March 1: https://zoom.us/j/8577798632

 We will be narrowing and deciding next steps in our work to add supportive action to our weekly land acknowledgments. Please consider joining us for this important discussion. 

An article that we found helpful in our discussions is Land Acknowledgments: Helpful, harmful or hopeful.

Rev. Lucas returns to the rock next Sunday, March 5

Rev. Lucas is taking part of his sabbatical this February. He will return to the office this coming week.

Bob Kollman Memorial

Bob Kollman, longtime member of NSUC, will be memorialized on March 4 at 2 PM at NSUC. All are welcome to attend. 

Celebrate Katherine’s New Baby on March 5

As she announced during Joys and Sorrows, Katherine Petersen, our pianist, is having a baby! Come celebrate this happy occasion with her in Fellowship Hall after the service on Sunday, March 5. You’ll have an opportunity to congratulate her in person or, if you wish, with a card that you can drop in the card basket that will be provided. There will also be cake!

Do You Have a Project For Our April 15, 2023, Mitzvah Day?

Projects are needed for the April 15, 2023, Mitzvah Day (Good deed day). What excites your passion? A passion for recycling? Singing or performing? Working in the garden? If the answer is yes, turn your passion into a project that helps others by hosting a project on Mitzvah Day and letting others join you in your passion. 

So far, we have projects for Plarn (mats for homeless using garbage bags), fleece tie blankets, knitted squares, Northern Illinois Food Bank (helping feed the hungry) and at Reading Power (fighting illiteracy).

If you have a project for Mitzvah Day, contact David Cohen via e-mail at socialaction@lawcohen.com or by phone at 312-318-4664.

Please submit your project by March 7.

NSUC Choir welcomes YOU!

Since we're well into 2023, this might be a great time for you to join the NSUC Choir! As Anne mentioned on Sunday, we have regular rehearsals on Thursday evenings at 7:30 PM. If you like to sing and some part of you has always wanted to be part of a dedicated choir, now just may be the time to try something new!

Maybe your kids are away at college and you’d like a new challenge. Maybe you remember the emotional bonds forged in your high school or college choir --- or maybe you’re embarking on a totally new life direction and crave an adventure. We've just started working on our pieces for Music Sunday, so we'd love to have you join us.

There are no auditions and all who like to sing are welcome! Just introduce yourself to any choir member or Stephen --- or send an email to musicdirector@nsuc.org to get the ball rolling.

March 26 is Art Sunday!

Save the date! March 26 will be a celebration of art at NSUC. Amateur and professional artists are invited to display their work in Fellowship Hall after the service. Please look for more information in the near future or contact Jonathan if you can't wait!

From the UUA President: Why Change Our UU Principles?

2023 is an important year for Unitarian Universalism. The UUA is currently in a multi-year process to consider changes to our Principles and Purpose. This process formally began in 2020 when the UUA Board appointed an Article II Study Commission. This is a dry name for such important work. The reason is our Principles, Purposes, Covenant and Sources are contained in Article II of the UUA Bylaws. Click here to read a letter from the President of the UUA about the progress of the Article II Study Commission.

Learn more about the changes to the 7 Principles. This video offers some context for the proposed changes.

This month our Share-the-Plate recipient is the Highwood Library 

The Highwood Public Library not only provides typical library services, but is also a Community Center, having created a Health Equity Program to address the health care issues facing the community. The library played an integral role in providing food and resources during COVID and immediately responded after the July 4 parade tragedy to offer English and Spanish-speaking counselors and social workers for emotional support to all ages. It does all of these things on a shoestring budget.

Thank you for your generous support of our Share the Plate recipients.

Just Announced:

Please look for more information in the near future!

Dear NSUC RE Family, 

We need the support of all -- members and friends of NSUC -- to create meaningful programs this year. Thank you for your financial support of our church community.

A few updates:

• The ping pong table has been moved upstairs to facilitate post-RE social time!
• Our collection of board games is growing. Kids are welcome to grab a game with a friend or family member after RE. Thank you to the Kim family for their donations! Do you have games or puzzles to donate? Let's talk.
• The cardboard barn in the Hearth Room has been replaced with a tent!

There is a lot of great stuff happening this weekend in our RE classes:

• Grades 1 - 6: We will learn about Martha and Waitstill Sharp, Unitarians who made a difference during World War II. Afterward we will create Kindness Rocks -- our way of responding to the "Day of Hate" that is planned for this weekend. Everyone will start in the service at 10 AM. Parent volunteer needed! If your family has not claimed two dates, this would be a great weekend to step-up. Click here to sign-up.
• High School Youth group: Please see the text group for info about this weekend's gathering.
• Affirmation students are off.

Parents: Please click here to read notes from our meeting on February 5.

All parents and interested congregants are welcome at our next meeting on Sunday, March 5 at 11:30 AM in room 6 and on Zoom. Click here to join us.

See you soon!

Jonathan Schlesinger

Congregational Life & Education Coordinator

Here's what else you need to know today:

Next Sunday, March 5: Packing bags of nonperishables for PADS & Spirit Play Lesson.

Other upcoming programs:

• March 12: RE wide program TBD.
• March 19: Baking desserts for the PADS shelter dinner.
• March 26: Jonathan is leading the Art Sunday service. A parent volunteer is sought to lead an art activity for children.
• April 2: Tentative Game Day
• April 9: Easter activities, Spirit Play, and egg hunt!
• April 16: Baking desserts for the PADS shelter dinner.
• April 23: TBD
• April 30: RE kids (6th grade and younger) will help prepare and serve coffee hour treats. One adult from each family will assist.

More to come!

In case you missed it: Please click here for the 2022-2023 RE registration form. Thank you for helping us learn more about your family's needs and goals for this year.

RE Classes Serving Coffee 

Each RE class will take a turn setting up and supporting Coffee Hour once this year. Click here to learn about the expectations. Class dates are as follows:

Younger children (+1 parent from each family): April 30

Parents and Guardians Check-in

This weekly gathering gives parents a chance to connect, encourage and support one another in raising kids with our UU values. Please contact Jonathan for details.

As a Board, we have been discussing our place and role in the wider Unitarian Universalist community. We have affirmed the importance of the commitment we make both with our finances and our work to the UU Association. We feel it is especially important this year for the Board to be discussing issues central to our larger faith as votes for a new UUA President and on the re-writing of Article II will occur this June at General Assembly (GA) in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania.

I first attended a GA in 2006 in St. Louis, Missouri. At that time, I was serving as the church's administrator and I was 24 years old. I had left behind my college UU community and was finding my way as a young adult. At GA, I met new friends, joined the Young Adult (YA) community, and found a greater meaning in being a UU. In the years after, I would become an active member of the YA council for our region and beyond. Attending GA played a central role in forming the person and the Unitarian Universalist I am today. I have since attended several GAs and they each have had an impact. 

After attending the last few years on-line, I am so excited to be registered to go to GA in person in Pittsburgh from June 21 to June 25. Both in-person and virtual registration are open at https://www.uua.org/ga/registration. If you are planning to go, please let me know if you are interested in being a delegate. If you have any questions about GA or about being a delegate, please email me at christieshannon02@comcast.net.

Best Regards,

Christie Hagy

NSUC Board President

Upcoming Board Meetings

All meetings are held on Zoom and begin at 6:30 PM. Please note the new start time. Meetings are open to members.

March 15

April 19

Rev. Lucas Office Hours

Do you want to chat with Rev. Lucas? We've created a form to help you schedule your meeting. 

Dropping by NSUC?

Give us a call.

We ask that all members and friends make an appointment with the church office before coming to the church. Please email Oslo or call 847-235-1957.

Copy Machine Update

This is a friendly reminder that you should contact Oslo if you need to make copies for an NSUC group or program. We ask that you provide one week's notice to coordinate your copy job.

NSUC Demystified!



Do you sometimes get confused by all the acronyms and jargon you hear at NSUC? If so, let us “demystify NSUC” for you. Click here to find the answers to these questions and more.

Visitor Chat & Opportunity to Sign the Book: Third Sundays

NSUC invites visitors who are interested in learning more about our church community or Unitarian Universalism to an informal visitor chat in the Hearth Room after the service on the third Sunday of most months. The membership book will also be available for those who are interested in joining the church. Please contact Jonathan, our Congregational Life & Education Coordinator, with any questions.

Loving Kindness Meditation

Mondays, 10:30 AM - 12 PM

NSUC hosts a Loving Kindness Meditation Group. The group is led by a Zen priest. All are welcome. Please see the calendar for the link.

BLUU Resources

North Shore Unitarian Church supports Black Lives Matter. For information and resources about Black Lives of Unitarian Universalism, please click here: blacklivesuu.org.

Staff Office Hours & Contacts

Click here for hours and contacts for our staff.