Sunday Service
December 7, 2025
Make A Joyful Noise -
A Unitarian Perspective on Christmas
Rev. Lee Anne Washington
Join us this Sunday for a Christmas Carol service from the perspective of historic Unitarianism. Through beloved carols and brief reflections, we’ll journey from the angels’ song we seldom understand, to an honest look at the world’s pain, and finally to the joyful work of helping manifest a more just and hopeful world. Together we’ll rediscover the Christmas story not as a supernatural spectacle, but as a call to courageous clarity, acts of compassion, and enduring hope. Let the music lift your heart—and your resolve.
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We will also hear The Mitten Tree and decorate our tree with mittens, scarves, and hats. Please remember to bring your contribution to the tree, whose decorations will be donated to North Hills Community Outreach.
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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 December, the 7th, from noon – 1:15 PM on Zoom and at church (upstairs, left, then end of the hall). Did Jesus believe in an Afterlife? What about Humanism, Eastern modes of thought? And where does it all lead? See Tony Palermo for details.
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Quest for Belief
“That’s fine for you, dear!”
How do we manage relationships with those of different faiths – particularly within a marriage? What is our obligation to those who haven’t “seen the light?” Are UUs churches truly tolerant of firm adherents to other faiths worshipping in their midst? Let’s discuss!
All are welcome to join Quest for Belief Sunday, December 14th, from 9:15-10:15am upstairs in the Youth Room.
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Jesus Discussion group
3rd Sunday of December, the 21st, from noon to 1:15 PM on Zoom and at church (upstairs, left, then end of the hall). Are the gospels fact, fiction or something else entirely? [And how many are there?] See Tony Palermo for details.
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Children's RE Schedule
December 7th - Pageant Prep
December 14th - Pageant
December 21st - Children's Chapel - Solstice fun
December 24th - Christmas Eve Candle Light Service
December 28th and January 4th - No Religious Exploration Classes
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Joys and Sorrows
A Sorrow from Bruce Travers:
Last week, Bruce’s beloved Aunt Fran passed away. She was the kooky aunt everyone wants to have. Keep her three children and four grandchildren in your thoughts as well.
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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Bocce and Giant Jenga - Tomorrow
Join us for Bocce and Giant Jenga in Friendship Hall this Saturday December 6th 10:30am - Noon. Please bring a friend, all are welcome. No experience necessary
| | Kids Night Out - Cancelled | | Open Mic Night-Next Friday! | |
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Annual Holiday Craft Group Sale This Sunday December 7th!
We make crafts and baked goods.
You buy them.
We help the church obtain off budget items.
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New For This Season!
Auction Items
Bidding sheets will be available for these silent auctions on each of the two Sundays of the sale.
Auction Closes at 12:30 p.m. on Sunday, Dec. 7, 2025.
Opening bids are $25 on each item.
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Ukulele Group - This Monday
The Ukulele group meets on the second and fourth Monday at 7 pm in the East Room. Beginners are always welcome. Contact ukegroup@uucnh.org with any questions.
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Bellwood November Recap
In November, we explored the themes of family, harvest (including shucking and grinding corn, as well as churning butter by hand), thankfulness, and kindness, and ended the month with our Friendship Feast and Grateful Yoga.
Representatives from the Pittsburgh Zoo visited and talked about how different animals use each of the senses in different ways. They brought a blue-tongued skink, a chinchilla, and a ball python, each of which the children were invited to pet (see photos!).
We also welcomed the Laughlin Center to conduct speech, language, and hearing assessments, as this is an important age to detect and correct any deficits.
| | | | Cherishing the Connectedness of All Things | |
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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Meditation Group This Monday
Please join us for Meditation group. We meet on the 2nd and 4th Mondays from 7 to 8 pm. No experience required just a willingness to learn and breathe. Contact meditation@uucnh.org for any questions.
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Deep Dive Materials
Last Sunday, we explored ways to use ten tools to help us when we are engaged in a conversation with someone whose perspective we do not understand and might even oppose. During the service, Michelle Broge-Connor, Chuck Berry, and Rev. Lee Anne offered a dramatic reading of a case study. Then, everyone broke into small discussion groups to share ways the protagonist could have used the ten tools.
The Youth Room was designated as a quiet space where those who prefer quiet contemplation were able to engage with the same material.
To access the Deep Dive materials, click here.
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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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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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Another Opportunity to Help Refugee Families
The Compassionate Service Team is collaborating with Jewish Family Community Services (JFCS) this holiday season to support several refugee families in our area.
We will be spending funds that have been graciously donated by UUCNH friends and members in order to provide larger items such as cribs and mattresses, which are much appreciated. The items we will be collecting include baby essentials such as diapers, wipes, and gently used toys/books that UUCNH volunteers will then deliver directly to the families. This is where we need your help!
Please visit the SignUp Genius link here to see if there's something you might sign up to donate. Items can be dropped of at church wherever you see the Refugee Home Set-Up sign. The last day for dropping off items will be Sunday, December 14. Thank you!
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PA Voters Want Fair Districts
When legislative leaders manipulate district boundaries to keep themselves in office or to silence their opposition, we ALL LOSE.
The following are opportunities to take ACTION
Sign the petition
Asking your legislators to support an independent redistricting commission. Then share the petition link with your family, friends and networks.
Collect petition signatures
Download our petition sign-up form and gather signatures from your friends and neighbors. Every signature counts!
Contact your legislators
Find your representatives, gain insight into their positions, and get talking points.
For any questions, please contact Cheryl Rampelt - crampelt@uucnh.org
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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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Sunrise brings me joy
Even when I haven't slept
Bird song makes sleep hard
-Anonymous
| | | | Laughter Is the Best Medicine | | |
What do you call a photo taken at the North Pole?
A polar-oid
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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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