Unitarian Universalist
...a welcoming spiritual community
190 Academy Rd, North Andover, Massachusetts,
01845-4022 978-687-7948 office@northparish.org
Getting Involved
How does a person find a deeper sense of connection and community at North Parish?
Small groups are one way. Some groups are focused on social activities, others are ongoing spiritual growth groups. Participation in worship services, fundraising activities, and committee work are others ways. For committee contact information, see the Committees and Groups page.
If you’d like to get involved in one but don’t know where to start, check The Messenger for meeting times or call or email the minister. Please call the church office at 978-687-7948 for more information.
Children and Youth
Spiritual Development
Social Action and Justice
Worship and Music
Social Gatherings
Fundraising
Children and Youth
Contact Gail Forsythe-Vail, DRE
Children’s Religious Education
Facilitation of Children’s Groups Our children’s and youth programs both involve about 60 volunteers per year. More info...
Coming of Age
Preparation for the youth rite of passage called “Coming of Age” for ninth graders. More info...
Junior Youth Group
A youth group for all those in junior high or middle school. Come have fun, lead worship, and participate in service projects! More info...
Senior Youth Group
A group for anyone in high school—we have fun, do social action projects, create Sunday worship, work on spiritual growth.
OWL: Our Whole Lives
This course in faith and sexuality education is offered to youth in grade 8. Parent orientation is required for youth participation.
Spiritual Development
Small Group Ministry Circles
Ongoing groups of up to 10 people who meet, usually twice a month, for companionship and spiritual reflection on specified topics. Additional groups are always forming; if interested, speak with the Rev. Bluemel.
Adult Spirituality and Religious Education
Our new Center for Spiritual Renewal at North Parish sponsors short term classes covering the broad subjects of UU identity and spirituality, UU values in living, theology/philosophy, festivals and celebrations and other events. What and When: See Adult Spirituality page.
Cakes for the Queen of Heaven
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.
Social Action and Justice
Merrimack Valley Project
Join others who are working on issues affecting poor and working people in the valley.
Partakers Prison Ministry
Provide encouragement and support to help a prisoner get a college education. More info...
Contact: Edwina Goodhue
People's Pantry
Join North Parish and other volunteers in giving emergency food to those in need, in the Parish Hall on Tuesday mornings. More info...
Contact: Cari Marchese, Coordinator
Stand and Deliver MCAS Mentoring
Join approximately 35 other North Parish members in making a difference in the life of an 8th or 9th grade Lawrence student. More info...
Contact: Ed Warnshuis, Coordinator.
Caring outreach
The Caring Team helps out North Parish members in times of transition, crisis or celebration (illness, death in the family, job transition, elder outreach, milestones, etc.)
Contact: The Caring Team
Worship and Music
Worship Assistants and Ushers
Each service requires two worship assistants and two ushers. You may volunteer as many or as few times as you would like for these roles.
Contact the Worship Committee for more information.
Coffee hosting
Take care of beverages at social hour after each service.
Musical Groups
Our services are infused with music. We welcome newcomers to our choir, which sings about once a month,. In addition to the choir, we have several other musical groups that play throughout the years for services.
- Adult Choir
- Handbell Choir
- World Music Ensemble
- Brass Ensemble
- Guitar Ensemble
For more info, see the Music page.
Social Gatherings
Circle suppers
Potlucks held throughout the year at the church or members’ homes. Host prepares main dish; guests bring the rest.
When: Throughout the year; see announcements in Messenger
Contact: Program Committee
Men in action
A reflective and social group for all men of the church.
When: Meeting throughout the year
Contact:
Interweave North Parish
As a chapter of Interweave Continental, we have a lively group of LGBT folks and friends that meets for fun, community outreach and social action, and fundraising. For more info, see Interweave website.
Fundraising
Working on a fundraising event is a great way to get to know people. We have several large events each year, and other, smaller ones. We welcome fundraising ideas from all!
Red Bow Fair
The Red Bow Fair is the North Parish’s larger fundraiser, involving the largest number of volunteers in a variety of capacities. Commitments fall under every category and time constraint. This is a great way to meet other people and contribute to a big event!
When: intensifies in the fall; Fair held first weekend of December.
Contact office@northparish.org
Yard Sale
Each year in late April we hold a grand yard sale. It's a great opportunity to clean out your attic and find interesting UUish things. Work volunteers can give any amount of time to helping with organizing, selling, or cleanup.
Contact the fundraising committee
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.