Adult Spirituality

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: Rev. Lee Bluemel and Membership Coordinator Carolyn Zimmer.

Classes

The Basics: New UU

Three Wednesday evenings

March 3, 10 and 17, 2010.

 Led by Rev. Bluemel and John Van Drie

 Are you a newcomer to North Parish, whether new to Unitarian Universalism or just new to this particular congregation? Are you someone who is considering joining the congregation as a member? Are you a long-term member who would like to meet some newer members, reflect on why you’re a UU, and get a quick re-grounding in UU history and theology? Join this class! We’ll cover how we got here (our spiritual/religious journeys or lack thereof), get a whirlwind tour of UU theology/history/philosophy, and learn the “nuts and bolts” of how to become a member and/or get connected at North Parish.

 

Sign up by emailing Membership Coordinator Carolyn Zimmer or calling the office at 978-687-7948

 

Affinity Groups

 

Great Pond Sangha Buddhist Meditation

Contact: Laura Howell at chinacat108@comcast.net

 

 Great Pond Sangha meets the First and third Wednesdays (guided) and second and fourth Wednesdays (peer-led) at Old Center Hall at 3 Great Pond Road, North Andover, MA. Times: 7:30pm. Pot Luck with meditation hosted on the last Saturday of each month 4:00 - 7:00 pm.

 

Small Group Ministries

Contacts: Rev. Lee(978-685-2845) or Membership Coordinator Carolyn Zimmer

 

 Would you like to know more about Small Group Ministry as a way to connect with members of the congregation?

Small Group Ministry sessions are held twice a month for about two hours at a time, in a caring and confidential environment. Groups generally include 8-10 people. This provides enough diversity of perspectives to generate good conversation and learning, while maintaining intimacy and enough time for everyone to be heard.

 If you're interested in learning more about Small Group Ministry, click here for more information.

 

Books/Movies discussion group 

Contact: Martha Bancroft at donandmartha@hotmail.com or 978-475-6930.

 

The book and movie group meets the second Thursday of the month at 7:30PM in parlor for coffee, cookies and conversation.  No RSVP required, new faces always welcome.

 

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Cakes for the Queen of Heaven

Contact: Mary Lou Monteiro at mlmonteiro@comcast.net

 

 An eight to nine session course in women’s spirituality.

 Cakes is for you if you are interested in exploring women’s religious history and the ancient roots of civilization where the divine was seen as female investigating the influence of mainstream religions on our position in society, and examining the emergence of the women’s spirituality movement. All women are invited to join us, you do not need to be a member to enroll.

 

North Parish Wellness Network

Contact: Ann Knowles at awknowles@comcast.net
or Susan VanDrie at susanvandrie@mindspring.com.

 

We are a group of wellness practitioners associated with North Parish. Our work includes yoga, various forms of massage therapy, nutrition, life coaching, reiki, and other healing arts. We work together to provide support for the Center for Spiritual Renewal and the North Parish Community.

 For more information about our practitioners, please download the list of NP Wellness Practitioners on the right under Publications.

 

GLBT Families Group

Contact: Coordinator - Open

 

The North Parish hosts a playgroup on the second Saturday of each month for children of GLBT parents. We meet from 10:00 to 12:00 in the Parish Hall.

 

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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

 

Retirees and Friends Lunch Bunch

Contact: Rev. Lee at 978-687-7948

 

Join Rev. Lee 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.  The group meets the third Tuesday of the month from 12:00 to 1:30 p.m. in the parlor.

 

Men's Group

Contact: Dave Amiralian

 

The Men's Group welcomes all men to join us for the possibility of friendship, food and fun. Please join us for monthly dinners and occasional events such as the Day After Father's Day golf outing, skiing at Mt. Sunapee and summertime cookouts.

 

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Publications

Center For Spiritual Renewal Winter 2010 Brochure