Sunday Service
December 21, 2025
10:30am
"Choosing Hope" with CeaseFire PA
Sunday Services Team
This Sunday, we welcome Beth Foringer, Senior Southwest PA Coordinator with CeaseFirePA, as our guest speaker.
Her sermon, “Choosing Hope”, is offered on the Sunday after Christmas, a time to reflect on how we carry hope forward when the holidays end and the work of justice remains. We hope you will join us as we reflect together on choosing hope and turning it into action. (Content warning: Gun violence)
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UUCNH Inclement Weather Plan
Winter is upon us. If leadership at UUCNH decides that the church should be closed due to inclement weather or an emergency event, we will notify you in multiple ways:
-there will be a banner on the church website stating that the church is closed.
-there will be a message posted on the UUCNH Community and main Facebook pages.
-there will be a mass email sent out of Breeze -- the email we have for you in Breeze will be the one used, so please make sure we have the correct one.
-if you have opted in for text messages in Breeze you will also receive a text.
-the church voicemail will have a message when you call explaining the closure.
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Soul Matters Monthly Theme
Choosing Hope
For the soul matters small group materials click on the image.
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PSI (Philosophical, Spiritual Insights)
First Sunday of January 4th, from noon to 1:15 PM on Zoom and at church (upstairs, left, then end of the hall).
The search for an Afterlife. In the end, where does it all lead? What do the world’s religious philosophies say…and why do they have to say it? See Tony Palermo for details.
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Children's RE Schedule
December 28th - Youth Group Holiday Party, No other religious exploration classes - Nursery closed
January 4th - No Religious Exploration Classes, Nursery should be open.
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Joys and Sorrows
A Joy and a Sorrow from Mike Giazzoni:
This week his daughter underwent major surgery to address pain she has had since birth. She is slowly recovering and hopeful but expecting months of recovery.
A Joy and a Sorrow from Kate Madeano
Her Joy is 10 years ago on December 20th her son AJ, was born into this world. AJ teaches her something new everyday and he has the capacity for greatness. Watching him grow has brought much joy into her heart.
Her Sorrow is that on December 12th, she was laid off from my job due to corporate restructuring. She worked in the immigration field and for many years worked in higher education serving the international community with her knowledge of US Visas. She welcome any leads for work.
Note: When you want to share a joy or sorrow submit it electronically by clicking here by Saturday. Alternatively, you can fill out a card as you enter the sanctuary on Sunday.
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Poinsettia Dedications
You may have noticed that the sanctuary is filled with bouquets of poinsettia's. These are in honor of or in memory of congregants' loved ones.
We are so grateful for the beauty they bring to this holiday season and our sanctuary. To see a list click on image.
| | | | Kid's Night Out - Next Friday | | Cherishing the Connectedness of All Things | |
From the Compassionate Service Team
A heartfelt thank you for all those who donated baby items that were recently collected in our latest collaboration with Jewish Family and Community Services.
You, the members and friends of UUCNH, donated 2 convertible cribs with mattresses and sheets, 1200 diapers, 2000 wipes, and around 100 children’s books.
Thank you to Inga Burton-Smith, Susan Minton, and Ellen Kuntz for delivering the items to the families last week. What a difference your generosity has made for these families!
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Mitten Tree donations
Thank you to all who donated to our mitten tree. Our generous church donated 44 hats, 44 pairs of gloves and mittens, 97 pairs of socks, multiple scarfs, and 50 pairs of underwear to North Hill Community Outreach.
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UUCNH Weekly Connection
Zoom with UUCNH Friends
This drop-in connection will be held every Tuesday from 3:30-4:30pm and will be led by Michael Horwitz. Contact michaelhorwitz@uucnh.org for zoom details.
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Library News - Check it Out!
Always Open - 2nd floor, Loft Area
We have noticed that our once-crammed bookshelves in the adult collection are getting more spacious, even though the number of books still officially checked out are only a few.
Please check your own library shelves to see if the church library’s books may have taken up residence there and either return them or make sure that each book you have is logged in our Checkout binder.
This is a timely request as we are planning to take another inventory of the Adult Collection in January.
Because we are on an honor system, we rely on you (everyone) to check out books you want to use for a while, and return them so others will have access to them.
If you are finished reading/using a book while staying in the library, simply put the book in the returned book basket instead of having to re-shelve it yourself. We will be happy to do so for you.
Thanks from the Librarians!
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Mid-Year Congregational Meeting
Mark your calendars for the mid-year congregational meeting scheduled for January 11th, 2026 immediately after the worship service.
See you there!
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Leadership Council Meeting
Join us for the next Leadership Council meeting on Saturday, Jan. 17th from 9:30 – 11:30 a.m. in the Sanctuary/West Room. All are welcome to come and hear what our many committees and teams have been working on!
This meeting will also feature a “Fireside Chat” with Rev. Lee Anne and Board President Jody Clark. They’ll discuss the upcoming budget cycle, the UUCNH org chart, and key responsibilities of the minister. Come be part of our team! For questions or to RSVP, please contact LDT@uucnh.org.
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Save Your Books, DVDs and CDs
Save your books, DVDs and CDs for Fundraising committee's Book Sale coming in January.
When the holidays are over and your mind turns to cleaning out and New Year's Resolutions, hold on a while longer to those hard covers, paper backs, DVDs and CDs that you have finished (or not) so that you can donate them to our book sale and find replacements.
More details will follow. Thanks for your support.
Your Fundraising Team
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New! Focus, Breath, and Movement Group
Starting in January join us for 15 minutes of socializing and 75 minutes of the exploration of focus, breath, and movement, on the first and third Wednesdays in the Sanctuary.
The group meets at 7pm. Yoga begins at 7:15pm.
Bring mats, bolsters, straps, blocks, and whatever props you feel are necessary. Bring some to share if you have them.
This is going to be a group of people practicing yoga. New people are welcome. You don’t have to have yoga experience to join us. With an emphasis on safety and stability, we will be giving suggestions on how anyone can breathe, focus, and move in a way that will bring peace, calm, and relaxation.
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Current Share the Plate Recipient
North Hills Community Outreach
The Share the Plate recipient for December will be North Hills Community Outreach (NHCO). NHCO addresses the needs of people in crisis, hardship and poverty in northern Allegheny County. They provide a variety of services including food pantries, utilities and other emergency assistance, employment programs, senior services, Ask the Attorney, and tax preparation for qualifying individuals.
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Donate to UUJusticePA
Good Government is UU work.
UUJusticePA’s Good Government Team, grounded in UU Principle #5, works to protect democracy in Pennsylvania through fair maps, ethical governance, and expanded access to the ballot — including support for vote-by-mail.
If you believe voting is a human right and democracy requires care and accountability, we invite you to Meet the Moment with a year-end gift.
Click on the image for more details and to donate to UUJusticePA,
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Support Fair Trade
Fair Trade Equal Exchange Coffee, Tea, and Chocolates are always available to purchase from their usual display in Friendship Hall.
Mother Earth and small-scale farmers benefit when you buy Fair Trade Equal Exchange products.
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Buy a Grocery Card
UUCNH benefits when you buy Giant Eagle and/or Kuhn’s Gift Cards at no extra expense to you! Both stores donate $5 to UUCNH for every $100 of gift card value sold. Grocery cards are sold by the ushers in Friendship Hall after the Sunday service.
| | From Our Community Partners | |
North Hills Community Outreach
Food Pantry Donations
UUCNH has a food pantry for donations to North Hills Community Outreach located in Friendship Hall. Please consider donating non-perishable food items, hygiene and cleaning supplies.
Did you forget your items? No problem... you can buy a grocery card and donate it.
Click here for NHCO volunteer Opportunities
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Music in the air
Rhythm flow all through the day
Fueling one with joy.
-Anonymous
| | | | Laughter Is the Best Medicine | | |
What was the caterpillar's New Year's resolution?
To Turn over a new leaf.
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Minister's Schedule
Rev, Lee Anne's Work Week: Tuesday – Sunday
Tuesday-Friday: 10 - 6 and Evenings
Saturday: (variable)/Sunday: 8:30 - 2:30
email minister@uucnh.org
Congregational Life Administrator's Schedule
Robyn's Work Week:
Tuesday - Friday 9-5 and some evenings
Sunday 8:30am- 2:30pm
Saturday and Monday off unless needed
Admin times- Wednesday morning, Thursday, and Friday
Religious Exploration times - Sunday, Tuesday and Wednesday afternoon
email cla@uucnh.org
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