Services
Recent Services
Our Next Multi-Platform Service – Remembering Well
May 28 Service at 10:30 AM in the Church and on Zoom
Carol Strecker, Interim Minister
This service will provide space for stories of love and loss, strength and resiliency in the face of adversity. There are lessons in these stories about the value of remembering well in a world where change, loss and love are the nature of life.
Our Next Multi-Platform Service – Feeling Your Right Size in the Universe
May 21 Service at 10:30 AM in the Church and on Zoom
Carol Strecker, Interim Minister
As the days lengthen, the light and warmth of the sun beckon, calling us out into the natural world. As we take to the waterways and trails, many of us feel a sense of both of the power of nature and of our place in it – feeling just our right size.
And after the service……..
NORTHSHORE UNITARIAN UNIVERSALIST CHURCH
ANNUAL MEETING OF THE CONGREGATION
SUNDAY, MAY 21, 2023 AT 11:45 AM
Our Next Multi-Platform Service – The Art of Mothering
May 14 Service at 10:30 AM in the Church and on Zoom
Carol Strecker, Interim Minister
Mothering is an art that transcends gender and genetics. This morning we’ll celebrate mothers and mothering; all the ways we nurture and are nurtured by others throughout our lives.
Our Next Multi-Platform Service – Creativity Workshop
May 7 Service at 10:30 AM in the Church and on Zoom
George Bernard Shaw said, “You use a glass mirror to see your face. You use works of art to see your soul.” Come and celebrate the creative arts at this hands-on workshop. Write haiku, arrange flowers, collage, or paint “message rocks”. Answer that creative impulse! Those of us joining the service remotely can use the time to write or work on a creative project at home.
Our Next Multi-Platform Service – Superhero Sunday
April 30 Service at 10:30 AM in the Church and on Zoom
Carol Strecker, Interim Minister
Who’s your favorite superhero? April 28 is “National Superhero Day”; created by employees at Marvel to honor those who serve and protect and resist evil in the pages of comic books and on the big screen. We all have heroes in our lives – some of them are more famous then others. The idea behind superhero day is to honor those who serve, protect and resist evil. No matter who your favorite hero is, honoring the real and fictional people that inspire us is something to celebrate. Capes are optional!
Our Next Multi-Platform Service – Springtime and Renewal
April 23 Service at 10:30 AM in the Church and on Zoom
Carol Strecker, Interim Minister
Special Musical Guest; Morgan Beckford, vocalist
Join us for a celebration of spring through poetry and song. We don’t always know where our strength comes from but this time of year the light and warmth of the sun certainly provide an energy for renewal. Breath deep and take in the sights and sounds of life abundant.
Morgan Beckford, originally hailing from Memphis, Tennessee, has been singing as long as she can remember. Beginning with children’s choir at Mississippi Boulevard Christian Church at age 6, her passion for singing has taken her through a variety of genres, including a capella, musical theater, jazz and American songbook repertoire, and mostly, classical voice and opera.
Now that she has relocated to the New England area, she’s been thrilled to perform with both the Theater Offensive and Petrichor in cabaret performances; she is also a staff singer at Trinity Church Boston in Copley Square.
When not onstage, Morgan has worked in arts administration as an Education and Outreach Coordinator and Summer Conservatory Director for Opera Memphis, a Fellowship Coach and Partnerships Coordinator for the Memphis Music Initiative, and the Chief Programming Officer at the Community Music Center of Boston. Currently, she serves as the Silkroad Connect Director of the Silkroad Ensemble.
Our Next Multi-Platform Service – Acts of Restorative Kindness
April 16 Service at 10:30 AM in the Church and on Zoom
10th Annual Earth Day Service
Join the Green Sanctuary Team for Northshore Church’s 10th annual Earth Day service, “Acts of Restorative Kindness.” The service will feature grateful and inspiring music and presentations celebrating Mother Earth.
What can you do personally about the climate crisis? Listen to ideas from Susan Haas, our Master Gardener, and Claire Karl Muller of UU Mass Action.
Our Next Multi-Platform Service – The Power of New Life
April 9 Service at 10:30 AM in the Church and on Zoom
Carol Strecker, Interim Minister
Our Next Multi-Platform Service – Ordinary Suffering
April 2 Service at 10:30 AM in the Church and on Zoom
Carol Strecker, Interim Minister
Our Next Multi-Platform Service – At the Crossroads; an Exploration of Intersectionality
March 26 Service at 10:30 AM in the Church and on Zoom
Carol Strecker, Interim Minister
Our Next Multi-Platform Service – Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion
March 19 Service at 10:30 AM in the Church and on Zoom
Lecolion Washington, Bassoon and Guest Speaker
World-renowned bassoonist Lecolion Washington, current Executive Director of the Community Music Center of Boston, will be sharing both his musical talent and his expertise in diversity, equity and inclusion with the congregation and the community. In addition to his talk, he will be performing Mozart’s Bassoon Concerto, second movement, and Bayou Home by William Grant Still. His third selection will be an unaccompanied solo.
Among arts leaders in Boston, Lecolion has become prominent for his commitment to diversity, equity and inclusion among non-profit boards, administration, faculty and students. A coffee hour, following the service, will allow members and guests to meet Mr. Washington.
ALL ARE WELCOME to attend this special service

Lecolion Washington has worked all over the country as a racial equity thought leader. In high demand as a speaker, he has presented at conferences such as the Chamber Music America Conference, Sphinx Connect: Diversity in the Arts Conference, National Guild for Community Arts Education Conference, and as a featured guest on the Art Accordingly Podcast, sponsored by the Arts Administrators of Color Network, in an episode entitled “Deconstruction. Reconstruction.” Washington has had residencies at institutions such as the University of Oregon, Carnegie Hall, and the Juilliard School. He also recently co-taught a course at the Longy School of Music entitled “Disrupting White Supremacy in Arts Organizations Through Transformative Leadership.
Our Next Multi-Platform Service – Returning Home: the Art of Taking Refuge
March 12 Service at 10:30 AM in the Church and on Zoom
Carol Strecker, Interim Minister
Our Next Multi-Platform Service – For Such a Time as This
March 5 Service at 10:30 AM in the Church and on Zoom
Carol Strecker, Interim Minister
Why are you here at NSUU now? Each of us has gifts to share that can have a huge impact, gifts that only we can give. Hebrew scripture tells the story of Esther, an unlikely queen who uses her gifts to free her people. What will you do with your gifts? Perhaps, as Esther’s uncle famously says to Esther, “Who knows but that you have come to this place for such a time as this.” As we “Spring into Action” let’s contemplate the gifts each of us brings to a time such as this, a time bright with promise for a new chapter in the life of this congregation.
Our Next Multi-Platform Service – What’s Love Got to do With It
Feburary 26 Service at 10:30 AM in the Church and on Zoom
Carol Strecker, Interim Minister
As Black History month draws to a close, we’ll look at love as a motivating force for seeking justice. Dr. King defined love as, “The greatest force in the universe. It is the heartbeat of the moral cosmos. He who loves is a participant in the being of God.” How do we harness that force for justice?
Our Next Multi-Platform Service – The Power of Chesed – Loving-kindness
Feburary 19 Service at 10:30 AM in the Church and on Zoom
Guest Speaker Gina Tzizik
Gina Tzizik is an artist and educator whose work is informed by her study of Kabbalah and Jewish mysticism. Gina’s talk will focus on her experience and research of the power of the work Chesed – Loving-kindness (pronounced Hess-ed) from the Tree of Life or sefroit (the sefirot are described as channels of divine creative life force or consciousness through which the unknowable divine essence is revealed to humankind).
Guest musicians Judith Ahrens, Cello and Douglas Kramer, Clarinet will be providing the music for the service.
Chesed offers us the opportunity to contribute a part of ourselves to the world. We offer our unique spark of individuality in action when we give selflessly. Each act of kindness (no matter how small) has the potential to impact humanity with the energy of goodness, positively and in light.
Pieces of Light, Gina Tzizik, 2022
An artist reception will follow the service with refreshments and sale of her prints, giclee limited edition, and original prints. 10% of the proceeds will be donated to the church.
Our Next Multi-Platform Service – Seeing with the Heart
Feburary 12 Service at 10:30 AM in the Church and on Zoom
Carol Strecker, Interim Minister
“It is only with the heart that one can see rightly.
What is essential is invisible to the eye.”
from The Little Prince
by Antoine de Saint Exupèry
As Valentine’s Day approaches, a day devoted to love, it seems fitting to explore what it means to love. There are many kinds of love; self-love, parental love, friendship, romantic love – the love that extends to all beings. What’s the common denominator? Perhaps it has something to do with seeing with the heart.
Our Next Multi-Platform Service – Come with Heart and Mind Prepared
Feburary 5 Service at 10:30 AM in the Church and on Zoom
Jennifer Revill, Service Leader
The Religious Society of Friends (known commonly as Quakers) stress simplicity in living and believe there must be a vital and sustained connection between worship and daily life. Quakers and Unitarian Universalists share many religious principles. This service will explore some of the Quaker philosophy and will offer an opportunity to participate in one of the essential practices, silent worship.
Our Next Multi-Platform Service – Finding the Center of Our Living Tradition
January 29 Service at 10:30 AM in the Church and on Zoom
Carol Strecker, Interim Minister
Unitarian Universalism is a living tradition. As such we’re called to review our principles to ensure they and we remain relevant. Our principles were last revised in 1987 when the 7th principle affirming and promoting the interconnected web of all existence was added. More recently there has been discussion about adding an 8th principle addressing racism. Other changes have been proposed in different forums. The UUA has appointed a commission to do a wholesale review of our 7 Principles. This service will include a review of their progress to date, the process by which changes will be made and how we can be more involved.
Our Next Multi-Platform Service – The Heart of Small Group Ministry
January 22 Service at 10:30 AM in the Church and on Zoom
Marty Langlois and Jennifer Revill, Service Leaders
Small Group Ministry is a vital part of many Unitarian Universalist congregations, including ours. When intentional committed groups of people meet regularly to reflect on and discuss significant life topics, they create their own container for caring, honesty, and creativity. Participants build deep connections with one another and with the things they hold sacred.
Come learn some of the history of Small Group Ministries at Northshore Church, hear from several of us who have participated, and see if Small Group Ministry might be for you.
Our Next Multi-Platform Service – Racial Karma
January 15 Service at 10:30 AM in the Church and on Zoom
Carol Strecker, Interim Minister
This year marks fifty-five years since the assassination of the Rev. Dr. Marin Luther King, Jr. As we honor his life and legacy it’s important to understand the context, what Larry Ward, PhD calls the “Racial Karma” of the United States and how it continues to manifest today as a path towards transformation and healing.
Bonnie Anderson will be the guest pianist this Sunday.
Our Next Multi-Platform Service – The Power of Peace
January 8 Service at 10:30 AM in the Church and on Zoom
Carol Strecker, Interim Minister
Vietnamese Buddhist Master, Thich Nhat Hanh says that we can create true peace that can be a powerful force in our lives and in our world. On the leading edge of a new year – with the strains of Christmas’ refrain of “Peace on Earth – Good Will to All People” still ringing in our ears, how can we cultivate peace – in our lives, in our world?
Our Next Multi-Platform Service – What’s Your Story
January 1 Service at 10:30 AM in the Church and on Zoom
Edith Fenton, Service Leader
Join Edith Fenton on New Year’s Day as she asks, “What’s Your Story?” The service will include the annual practice of writing resolutions to yourself for next New Year’s Day.
Our Christmas Service –
December 25 Recorded Service
Click on the link below to view a recorded Christmas Service presented by the Unitarian Universalist Church.
Our Next Multi-Platform Service – Christmas Eve Candlelight Service
December 24 Service at 6:30 PM in the Church and on Zoom
Carol Strecker, Interim Minister
We will welcome Christmas with lots of music and a funny story celebrating the light of love born in every child. We’ll tell the ancient story of Jesus’ humble birth and light candles reflecting the light in everyone on this silent, holy night. This is a service for all ages.
*Please have a candle handy
and participate in the
candle-lighting.
Every night a child is born is a holy night
Sophia Lyon Fahs
Unitarian Religious Educator
Our Next Multi-Platform Service – Winter Solstice Celebration
December 21 Service at 6:30 PM in the Church and on Zoom
Carol Strecker, Interim Minister
As the earth pauses on its journey before turning again towards the light and warmth of the sun, we’ll follow in the footsteps of generations who stopped in wonder to honor and celebrate the cycles of life, death and renewal.
Our Next Multi-Platform Service – Take Joy
December 18 Service at 10:30 AM in the Church and on Zoom
Carol Strecker, Interim Minister
Joy is a theme associated with Advent; a time of preparation and waiting for love to be born into the world at Christmas. We need joy. It’s essential to a full life of the spirit. It rises in us from the essence of life itself. Unlike happiness, which is tied to external conditions – joy is a choice. It’s always there, walking hand in hand with sorrow. So let’s gather for a joy-filled celebration and have some fun.
Our Next Multi-Platform Service – “Hope is …..”
December 11 Service at 10:30 AM in the Church and on Zoom
Carol Strecker, Interim Minister
Emily Dickinson wrote,
“Hope” is the thing with feathers –
That perches in the soul –
And sings the tune without the words –
And never stops – at all –
What is hope and why is it so important? How can it help us to turn towards healing and wholeness when so much has been broken? I hope so…
Our special guest musician, Tim Deik on trumpet, will brighten our souls and fill the room with the exciting sound of brass.
Our Next Multi-Platform Service – The Gift of Wonder
December 4 Service at 10:30 AM in the Church and on Zoom
Carol Strecker, Interim Minister
We’ll kick off the holiday season by celebrating the eye-opening, heart-quickening, “WOW” moments of wonder that wake us up to the daily gift of life. After an abbreviated service celebrating those gifts, we’ll spill out into the Fellowship Hall for more festivities including swag-making, more music and plenty of opportunity for good fellowship.
Special musical guests: The Northshore Ukulele Players
A Joint North Shore Unitarian Universalist Service of Thanksgiving – The Peace of Wild Things
November 27 Service at 10:30 AM in the Church and on Zoom
Joint Northshore Unitarian Universalist Service of Thanksgiving
This recorded service is an offering from clergy from Unitarian Universalist congregations on the North Shore. The theme for this year’s service is peace; inner peace and the need to be grounded in that inner peace to create peace in the world. You are welcome to gather at at 10:30am at NSUU to watch the service or you can access this service from home through our website.
Our Next Multi-Platform Service – Voice Still and Small
November 20 Service at 10:30 AM in the Church and on Zoom
Carol Strecker, Interim Minister
Our Next Multi-Platform Service – Tools for the Journey
November 13 Service at 10:30 AM in the Church and on Zoom
Carol Strecker, Interim Minister
Unitarian Universalism draws many sources for inspiration including our direct experience, the wisdom of world religions, the teachings of science and Earth-centered traditions. Many of these sources can offer us wisdom and strength for the journey as we navigate change in our lives and in our world. This service of readings, musings and special music will explore some of these sources as tools for the journey that can help us navigate change.
David Coffin will lead us in some traditional songs in our service. Known in the Boston area as the Christmas Revels Master of Ceremonies. He spends the good weather months singing chanteys on a Music Boston Harbor Tours. Coffin has a bass-baritone voice and plays various types of recorders and whistles, in addition to archaic instruments like the shawm, rackett, or gemshorn. He comes from a musical background. His father, Reverend William Sloane Coffin, studied to be a concert pianist with Nadia Boulanger in Paris; his grandfather was pianist Arthur Rubinstein, and his great-grandfather was Polish conductor Emil Młynarski.
Our Next Multi-Platform Service – Navigating Transitions
November 6 Service at 10:30 AM in the Church and on Zoom
Carol Strecker, Interim Minister
The only thing that we can really count on is change. It’s just the way life is. We have no idea what’s coming, nor can we bend the future to our will. In truth, we live our lives in the interim, betwixt and between life and death.
Creating A Congregational Covenant – together!
Congregational Conversation
Nov. 6th at Noon
In person and on Zoom
- To listen and respect each other
- To be honest
- To encourage each other
- To engage with each other in the work of the church
- To be curious about each other
- To try to understand others more fully, without presumptions or rigid expectations
- To disagree with compassion and respect
- To be supportive and appreciative
- To seek creative solutions to difficulties*
- To have open eyes, minds and hearts
- To be open to new ideas and ways of doing things
- To welcome and embrace change as a way to learn and grow
- To forgive each other and ourselves
- To welcome newcomers
See you in church, Rev. Carol
Our Next Multi-Platform Service – Celebration of All-Souls Day
October 30 Service at 10:30 AM in the Church and on Zoom
Carol Strecker, Interim Minister
Each year we pause on the Sunday closest to All Souls Day (November 2) to remember our loved ones who have died. We remember them in order to be continually encouraged, uplifted and inspired by the lives they led and their many gifts that live on in us.
You are invited to submit a photo of your loved ones who have died for a slideshow that will be part of our service.
- Send pictures (in jpeg format) to Gary Nelson at ammodytes2000@yahoo.com by Friday, October 28.
- Be sure to include: your loved ones name and their relationship to you (include your name too. Thanks!
Our Next Multi-Platform Service – History of the Massachusetts Tribe
October 23 Service at 10:30 AM in the Church and on Zoom
Thomas Green
Our Next Multi-Platform Service – The Courage to Covenant
October 16 Service at 10:30 AM in the Church and on Zoom
Carol Strecker – Interim Minister
Our Next Multi-Platform Service – The Courage to Embrace Change
October 9 Service at 10:30 AM in the Church and on Zoom
Carol Strecker – Interim Minister