North Parish of North Andover
Unitarian Universalist

...a welcoming spiritual community
North Parish Unitarian Universalist Church
190 Academy Rd, North Andover, Massachusetts,
01845-4022
978-687-7948
office@northparish.org

Visitor Information

Welcome!

We are delighted you have visited our faith community, as each new face makes our congregation more vibrant, diverse, active and alive. 

Here are just a few ways that we describe ourselves: 
We are a joyful, diverse, free-thinking, welcoming, multigenerational, mission-focused, safe and theologically deep congregation.

We hope to see you soon at a worship service or other community activity!

 

What time are Sunday services?

Worship services are held every Sunday at 9 am and 11 am from September through June. During the summer, we host a single service at 10 am. Everyone is welcome to attend any service.

 

Where do I park?

For parking suggestions, please see this map.
Since there are limited parking spaces close to the church building, please leave spaces in the cul-de-sac and right by the walkways for those with special needs, including parents with young toddlers, the elderly, and those with disabilities.
Other places to park:
• The municipal parking lot through the rotary and just beyond the Brick Store building
• On Academy Road and in front of the North Andover Historical Society
• On Great Pond Road and on Johnson Street
• On Sundays only in the driveway of the Museum of Printing on Massachusetts Ave. or behind the museum building itself
• The far side of the Old Center Common for those who enjoy a short walk to church 

 

What should I expect when I visit?

When you enter the church, you’ll be greeted and given an “order of service,” which tells you what the service will include.  You may sit anywhere in the sanctuary, and, if you have children and youth, they may sit with you.
Our services are about an hour in length and include: music, the lighting of the chalice, a time for all ages, hymns, readings, lighting of candles of joys, sorrows and remembrance, silence for meditation/reflection/
Prayer, an offertory, and a sermon. 
Before you leave, please fill out a guest registry form (found on a podium next to the doors to the sanctuary, or ask an usher) and join us after services for coffee hour downstairs in the Parish Hall (below the sanctuary). A letter from the minister and information regarding expressed interests will be mailed to you.  Representatives of the Membership Committee are always available during coffee hour to answer any questions you might have about North Parish or Unitarian Universalism. Look for the red name badges of the Welcome Team!

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What do I do with my children when I’m visiting?

Nursery care is available for infants and children under age 4 in the Nursery area - adjacent to the Parish Hall, just before the stairs up to the sanctuary. There are age-appropriate toys and games.  Children are cared for by our adult Nursery Supervisor and her youth assistant.
Children who are four years of age and older begin each Sunday morning in the sanctuary with you for the first part of worship service, and typically stay for about 15 minutes.  When the children are sung on their way to the Sunday morning children’s program (at 9 am and 11 am), they may visit their age-appropriate class or remain with you in the sanctuary if they prefer.  You also may choose to leave with the children to visit the children’s program with your child.  We observe "Safe Church" policies in all activities concerning children.

 

Are there programs for children and youth?

We offer a Sunday morning children’s program at 9 am and 11 am from September through June for children in pre-kindergarten through ninth grade.  Older teens generally attend worship in the sanctuary.  For detailed information about our religious education and youth programs, see Religious Education for Life.

 

What kinds of religious education do you offer adults?

North Parish offers a number of programs that support the ongoing spiritual development of our adult members. We offer an “Exploring Unitarian Universalism” class two or three times a year. This 3-session class is for people interested in the history and theology of Unitarian Universalism, of North Parish specifically, who are new members or who are interested in becoming members. 
We also have several lay-led, covenanted Small Groups that meet twice a month to explore the themes of belonging and meaning together.  Participants support each other and discuss topics such as yearning, loss, wonder, commitment, forgiveness, worship, and own our spiritual journeys.  Groups are invited to “give back” through a service project to North Parish or wider community. Please contact the Membership Coordinator to find out when the next class begins or if you are interested in joining a Small Group.

 

How big is North Parish?

North Parish is a vibrant community of over 500 congregants.  As of January 2011, there were approximately 350 members, and over 120 children and youth were enrolled in our religious education and youth programs.

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What do Unitarian Universalists believe?

For a basic overview of what we believe, see What We Believe. See About Us for our mission statement.

 

Who is welcome?

Visitors are welcome to all our services and programs.  We aspire to be an inclusive community, involving all people without regard to age, race, gender, present or previous marital status, financial resources, religious background or sexual orientation.

 

What does it mean to be a Welcoming Congregation?

North Parish is a Welcoming Congregation in accordance with the guidelines established by the Unitarian Universalist Association.  As a Welcoming Congregation, North Parish openly welcomes gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender people into full participation in the life of the church. For more information, visit our Welcoming Congregation section.

 

Is North Parish accessible?

North Parish strives to be an accessible congregation.  We have a Braille hymnal and assisted listening devices in the sanctuary.  The main Meeting House (sanctuary, parish hall, kitchen and bathrooms) are accessible via sidewalks and a lift inside the building.  There is wheelchair seating in the front and back rows at the end of the short pews in the sanctuary.  The first floor of the religious education wing (chapel, classroom and People’s Pantry) also is accessible.  We have a goal and a mandate to make the second floor of the religious education wing accessible by 2016.

 

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Do I have to be a member to participate at North Parish?

There are many ways to get involved at North Parish, and we welcome your participation.  You do not have to be a member to attend worship services, to enter your children in religious education programs, to serve on church committees or to participate in small groups. You have to be a member to chair a church committee and to have a vote in church governance issues.

 

What does membership involve?

Members of North Parish consider it their “spiritual home.”  Members enjoy both the benefits of this home and carry the responsibility for maintaining it.  Members are expected to participate in Sunday worship and church activities, to support North Parish financially, and are encouraged to participate in the democratic governance of the church.  This includes attending and voting at the annual meeting (where the budget is set) and participating in the various church committees.  See Becoming a Member of North Parish brochure for more information.

 

How do I become a member?

To become a member, we ask that you first spend a little time getting to know us: attend worship services, read through the membership information packet, attend an Exploring Unitarian Universalism course if you can, meet with the minister or a representative of the membership committee to discuss the benefits and responsibilities of membership.
Once you have decided to join, fill out and submit a Membership Application and a Commitment of Support Form and return them to the church office. The Board of Trustees reviews and approves applications for membership. Twice a year, once in the fall and once in the spring, new members are recognized and welcomed during worship services, but once you are approved for membership you have all the rights and privileges thereof.  

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