Unitarian Universalist
...a welcoming spiritual community
190 Academy Rd, North Andover, Massachusetts,
01845-4022 978-687-7948 office@northparish.org
Adult Spirituality
Our mission is to be a catalyst for spiritual growth, renewal and progressive change within our congregation and the wider community."from the Center for Spiritual Renewal Mission Statement
The Center for Spiritual Renewal at North Parish
For adults at North Parish, religious education and spiritual seeking extend far beyond Sunday services. This takes many forms, including Buddhist mediation, feminist theological discussion and practice, small group ministry, support groups, book discussions, theological classes, and workshops.
The Center for Spiritual Renewal at the North parish is the home for our adult religious education and spirituality programs. We believe in lifelong learning and its potential for personal and societal transformation. Our mission is "to be a catalyst for spiritual growth, renewal and progressive change within our congregation and the wider community."
We live in a culture that often pulls us away from what really matters. The Center for Spiritual Renewal seeks to be a place that will help you to reconnect
- with your Self,
- with others,
- with your spiritual path,
- with religious wisdom from the ages,
- with the interdependent web of life,
- and with that greater Mystery to which we belong, called by many names—God, Spirit of Love, Creativity, Universal Energy,, Mindfulness, Ruah, Shekinah, Life.
Please join us!
Contacts: Diane Heerema, Steering Committee Chair
Classes
The New UU
Contact: Membership Comittee
A 3-session class facilitated by the Membership Committee and ministers. Typically 3 consecutive Wednesday eves.
Are you a visitor, friend, new member, or long-time UU who has just joined athe North Parish? This is the class for you! It can be confusing and overwhelming to figure out how and where to fit in at a new church home. We wil look at our own religious or spiritual journeys, the history and theology of Unitarian Universalism, how one joins the church, and what the church as to offer.
Affinity Groups
Great Pond Sangha Buddhist Meditation
Contact: Laura Howell
Great Pond Sangha meets the First and third Wednesdays (guided) and second and fourth Wednesdays (peer-led) Old Center Hall at 3 Great Pond Road, North Andover, MA. Times: 7:30pm and Pot Luck with meditation on the last Sat each month 4-7pm.
Small Group Ministries
Contact: Rev. Frank Clarkson, 978-687-7446
Small groups that meet once or twice a month for connection and discussion on various spiritual topics. Small Group Ministry and Spiritual Companioning
Books/Movies discussion group
Contact: djcooper@comcast.net, 978-470-2717
Meets 2nd Thursday of the month at 7:30PM in Parish Hall.
Cakes for the Queen of Heaven
Contact: Mary Lou Monteiro, 978-685-5160
An 8 to 9 session course in women’s spirituality. Many “Cakes” groups continue to meet in some fashion—for either social or further spiritual growth.
Men’s Group
Contact: men@northparish.org
A reflective and social group for all men of the parish. Meetings are occasional throughout the year.
GLBT Parenting Group
Contact: Claire O'brien
Support group for gay, lesbian, bisexsual and transgender parents that meets on the first Friday night of the month. Child care available. Sponsored by Interweave North Parish.
Shawl Ministry
Contact: Cathy French, 978-475-4910
Interfaith group that knits with prayerful intention, passing the shawls to those in need. Shawl Ministry website
Special Events
The Gay Marriage Thing
a documentary by Stephanie Higgins
Friday, April 6, 7:00pm, OCH 2
Executive Produced by North Parish member Lorre Fritchy, "The Gay Marriage Thing" presents the politics, the piety, and the people embroiled in and affected by the heated debate over same-sex marriage in Massachusetts. Amidst the chaos of legislators, church leaders, and protesters, one couple’s quiet story puts a human face on the social struggle of our time.
Islam in the 21st Century
withM. Riaz Khan, PhD
Monday, April 2, 7:00pm, OCH
Dr. Khan will talk briefly about current issues relating to the perceptions of Islam in the 21st century. He will then open the floor to questions from the audience. He believes that the audience will get the greatest benefit from topics which are of interest to them.
He will briefly mention
- Islamic response to the Pope’s comments of December 2006
- Differences between the Sunni and Shite traditions
- Reflections on the Hajj [he most recently returned from Mecca in January 2007]
Sample questions which have been asked in the past include
- The role of women in Islam
- The history of Islam, including relationship to Christianity
- Islamic response to terrorism
- How 9/11 has changed the lives of Muslims
- The role of Islam in the Boston Council of Churches
- The true meaning of Jihad
Group contacts
Center for SpirituaL Renewal (CSR)
978-687-7446
New UU
Great Pond Sangha
Small Group Ministries
978-687-7446
Books/Movies discussion group
Cakes for the Queen of Heaven
Men's Group
GLBT Parents Support Group
Shawl Ministry
Quilting
contact Ann Takvorian. (This group is on sabbatical spring 2006.)
Tuesday Lunch Series with Rev. Lee Bluemel, Gail Forsyth-Vail, and Rev. Frank Clarkson
12:00 noon to 1:30PM. Join the ministers, Director of Religious Education and others for a casual brown bag lunch and a chance to talk about issues affecting our lives. All are welcome, including those currently facing a struggle and those who have come out the other side.
1st Tuesday: Monthly liturgical theme
2nd Tuesday:Religion and the News
3rd Tuesdays: The Original Lunch Bunch: (mostly retired folks; all welcome!)
4th Tuesday: Ministers' Book Group
Welcoming Congregation
North Parish is a Welcoming Congregation, consistent with the guidelines of the Unitarian Universalist Association. We actively welcome lesbian, gay. bisexual, transgender, and intersex people as full participants in the life of the church. For more information, see our Welcoming Congregation page, or contact our Interweave chapter.