Making Connections
Nurturing minds, hearts, and relationships.
Northwoods Connections
The Northwoods’ Membership Committee has designed a program to foster member connection and strengthen our church community. With COVID-19 keeping us physically distanced for now, many of these groups meet virtually. Here are your options as part of Northwoods Connections.
Discussion Groups:
Members will exchange ideas through their preferred communication method. Topics may be a monthly theme or based on group interests. Expect to have “conversations” at least once a month, or throughout the month.
Pick your group based on the means of communication:
C) Reply-All Email
D) Group Text
Northwoods Drum Circles
Northwoods Drum Circles are held on the Fridays closest to the full moon (watch this space for the next date). Bring a chair or stool, blanket, tailgate, etc., your drum (or pot, box, or shaky thing). Participants are asked to stay in their designated area. Playground closed.
As usual, park where directed, separating parties by required distances, and wear masks. And MAKE SOME AWESOME NOISE! We welcome all, including those who are new to drumming and those who know that a good instrument can be pretty much anything you can bang on or shake. Reservations are required. To let us know you are coming, email Susan Blackmore at sgblackmore@aol.com with the number of people in your vehicle. This is an open event and guests are very welcome.
Book Clubs
Courageously Coed Book Club: Meets the second Monday of the month on Zoom.
The Coed Book Club invites anyone who likes to read and discuss novels to join us. We have in common a love of reading and talking about books—appreciating good writing that offers a glimpse into the lives, worlds and ideas of others. We also appreciate the communal experience of the group and getting to know each other in a different setting at Northwoods.
Contact Susan Powers for information: susanpowers2008@gmail.com for the reading list and Zoom login information.
The Men’s Book Club: Meets meets regularly on the first Saturday of each month via Zoom.
The Men’s Book Club reads a wide variety of both fiction and nonfiction books. We have about 15 members who are mostly retired professionals. We select the books once a year by voting on nominations from the members. Each month a different person leads the discussion of that month’s book.
For more information contact Wally Gardner: wgardner49723@gmail.com.
The Women’s Book Club: Meets on the third Saturday of the month at 10:00 a.m. on Zoom
The Women’s Book Club has been meeting monthly since 2001. We select books every 3-4 months based on a democratic voting process. Meetings run approximately 90 minutes followed by an optional lunch gathering at a local restaurant.
For reading lists and Zoom login information, please contact Shirley Locke: swlocke@gmail.com.
Dismantling White Supremacy Book Group: Our newest book group, DWS meets to discuss nonfiction works covering topics such as race inequity, mass incarceration, white supremacy, and racial bias in society and within ourselves. As we work as a community to be more actively anti-racist, we also commit to doing the individual work of rejecting the unconscious white supremacy culture in which we live. This group provides a space for processing and learning as we move toward the goal of Beloved Community that is welcoming to all. The group began by reading “How To Be An Anti-Racist” by Ibram X. Kendi, and future selections will be selected with input from the group as a whole.
For more information, Contact Rev. Sarah at sarah@northwoodsuu.org.
Black Lives Matter
BLM Protest at North Shore Park: Saturday, April 17 at *4pm* at North Shore Park
Many thanks to all who came out last week in spitting rain that got our signs a bit wet. We had 20 people, very close to a new high. Come on out and join us for an hour! Feel the love and support. Yes, we get some detractors but the positive energy dominates. Thank you for your support.
Antiracism Book+ Group: Thursday, April 22 at 7:00 p.m.
This month we will return to the book format with So You Want to Talk About Race by Ijeoma Oluo. If you’ve been thinking about joining us for conversations on antiracism, this is a great time to get started. Oluo’s work clearly explains what so many sources talk about—white privilege, intersectionality, micro-aggressions, and other ideas vital to understanding the current conversation on racism in America. Please contact David Shontz at david.e.shontz@gmail.com to get in on the action.
Men’s Group
It is vital for men to share fellowship. Men who gather regularly with friends or men’s groups are happier and lead longer, more meaningful lives. The NUUC Men’s Group is an opportunity for men to come together for mutual support and learning. We practice fellowship with a purpose—we pursue and encourage social justice action, and study the impact that men have on the lives of others. The group meets monthly and is open to all who identify as male. For more information contact David Shontz at peterkin_2000@yahoo.com.
This Sunday at Northwoods
For information about Sunday services and meetings,click here.
Need Help?
Do you find yourself needing support? Do you need to share your thoughts or feelings? Our Lay Ministry, Pastoral Care, and Healthy Congregations teams are here to help.Click here to learn more.
Need to schedule an online appointment with Rev. Sarah? The following appointments are available:
Program/Planning Session – 60 or 30 Minutes
Pastoral Care – 60 or 30 Minutes
Chat/Check-in – 15 Minutes
Spiritual Practice Opportunities
For information about participating in spiritual practice opportunities, click here.