Church Notices, Events and Activities
Book Club for August
Thursday, September 3rd at 6 pm on Zoom
On Thursday, September 3, we will discuss Guncle by Steven Rowley. A single man suddenly has to take care of his niece and nephew - comedy ensues. Winner of the Thurber Prize for American humor and an NPR Book of the Year.
Contact Sherry Belisle at sherry.belisle@gmail.com or 802-457-1919 for the Zoom link and more information.
Creating strong communities requires communication!
Vital Communities is Discussing Discontinuing Town Listservs
North Chapel has been sending weekly announcements about the Sunday Service as well as activities and concerts to the following towns listservs: Barnard, Bridgewater, Hartford, Pomfret, South Royalton, Woodstock as well as to the Upper Valley listservs.
Alternatives:
For Woodstock area residents, there is a locally-developed service called the
As David Brown, the creator wrote, it is a moderated resource “bursting with over 800 local subscribers and a dozen or more daily posts. You can learn all about it and review the guidelines here:https://aroundwoodstockvermont.com/
Please read the opening page carefully as there are some important differences. One that stood out to me was: Avoid using ALL CAPS or bolded text, either of which will cause your post to be declined by the moderators.
Subscribing to the Exchange is simply a matter of sending an email with the word SUBSCRIBE in the subject line to this email address: wce+subscribe@groups.io
As soon as your subscription request is approved, you will receive a confirmation email including instructions for posting on the Exchange.
For the surrounding towns, Vital Communities also suggests using the
You can learn more about it and sign up for a free account atfrontporchforum.com
Another Note
Now I will be sending weekly our announcements to the Woodstock Community Exchange, Upper Valley Events listserv, Woodstock's Front Page Forum and to you all via the North Chapel Listserv.
(Let me know if you have not signed up for the North Chapel Listserv and I will add you.)
Final Note:
I cannot join the surrounding towns'Front Page Forumsbecause they require that those that post notices live in the town.
Residents of Barnard, Bridgewater, Hartford, Pomfret, South Royalton: If you decide to use the Front Page Forum for your town, please consider sharing the notices about Sunday Services and events at North Chapel.
If you would like to be a volunteer, for a month or for a year, sharing North Chapel news in your town, usually just once a week, I can send you the announcements but please let me know so that efforts are not duplicated.
Thanks for all you do!
From Richard Waddell who is a member of the group:
"Banish Misfortune" Cello Ensemble Concert
Sunday, September 6th, 2pm at Damon Hall in Hartland
1 Quechee Rd, Hartland, VT 05048
Hartland Community Arts (HCA) is presenting the "Banish Misfortune" Cello Ensemble in concert at Damon Hall on Sunday, September 6th at 2pm.
Some of the pieces they’ll be playing: Ashokan Farewell (this is first performed in the Ken Burns' series titled "The Civil War"), Yesterday by Paul McCartney, with Pierre Fournier on the piano, three pieces by Rudolph Matz, one piece by Rabinowitz, two Irish melodies and Prayer of Being by Mark Hayes.
The concert is free but donations to HCA are most welcome.
From Polly Forcier:
250th History Program: History of Stenciled and Hand-Decorated Walls
Friday, September 11, 2026
5:30-6:30 at the Woodstock History Center
Polly Forcier will provide an overview of historic stenciled walls from northern New England. The presentation will be followed by an opportunity to see one of the Woodstock History Center’s new artifacts - a piece of a stenciled wall from the Noah Wood house in Woodstock and enjoy historic treats.
North Chapel’s Chamber Music Concert Series
September 13, 2026, at 2pm in the Sanctuary
On Sunday, September 13, 2026, at 2pm, Woodstock’s North Universalist Chapel Society will present the next concert in its Chamber Music Concert Series.
The Adaskin String Trio (violin, viola and cello) will be joined by oboist Tom Gallant to perform works by J.C. Bach, Jean Cras, Josef Haydn, Hans Eisler and Josef Fiala.
Admission is free, but donations are appreciated.
From Jeannie Lindheim:
Upcoming Classes
The Art & Joy of Hospital Clowning, Saturday, September 12, 10- noon , $25.00
Trusting the Moment: Unlocking Your Creativity and Imagination, Saturday, September 19, 10-noon, $25.00
The Ecstasy of Creativity, Saturday, September 26, 10-1 pm, $25.00
At Artistree: 2095 Pomfret Rd, Pomfret, VT 05067
Jeannie Lindheim has taught acting, movement, improvisation and auditioning, for over 30 years at Boston College, The Boston Conservatory at Berklee, Wheelock College, Lesley College Expressive Therapies Graduate Program, Antioch College, Boston University, Harvard University Law School, American University, and George Washington University. In 1996, she went to Russia with Patch Adams and other clowns. She founded the Hearts and Noses Hospital Clown Troupe that has entertained over 80,000 children. After Hurricane Katrina, she clowned and did ‘by the cot’ visits to over 1,000 people in Houston at the George R. Brown Convention Center. She wrote a Hospital Clown Training Program that has sold in 23 countries.
Jeannie has acted professionally and studied at Boston University; the Royal Academy of Dramatic Arts in London, England; New York’s Herbert Berghoff Studio; and the American Conservatory Theater in San Francisco. She holds a Master of Arts from the University of California and a Master of Fine Arts from Brandeis University. www.center4creativity.org
1) The Art & Joy of Hospital Clowning
“Each of us has at least two people within us. The person that the world sees and the person we secretly believe we are. This secret person, the person of our dreams, is where the clown resides.” Avner the Eccentric
Hospital clowns are very different than regular clowns. We empower the child and people we clown for. We give choices on everything we do. We always ask permission to enter a room. Our clowning is soft and gentle.
Clowning is not about being funny. It’s about being present!
2) Trusting the Moment: Unlocking Your Creativity and Imagination
Come Play! Why learn improvisation?
Improvisation teaches us to risk, feel free, become even more spontaneous, act on our creative impulses, become more flexible, make new discoveries, and so much more!
Class Requirements
No experience necessary. All you need is the desire to have fun and learn!
What you'll learn
Learn techniques that great improvisers use.
How do you stay centered
How do you say yes… and
How do you create different characters
How do you stay connected to your partner(s)
How to float the judges away
3) The Ecstasy of Creativity
In the business (busy-ness) of our lives our creative selves often get lost! In this experiential workshop, you will reconnect with your creative energy!
Through exciting and stimulating exercises, you will:
• Begin to live your cherished dreams
• Stay centered and creative even in times of stress and change
• Clarify your Creative Goals
• Decide on 10 exciting risks you can take
• Learn centering techniques you can use every day
And you will leave with a Creative Plan of Action for the next 3 months.
Contact Jeannie at jeannielindheim@gmail.com for more information.
Join the Upper Valley Singing Resistance - Woodstock Area Pod
Each Third Thursday at 6:30 In the Social Hall
Upper Valley Singing Resistance, with its smaller group pods, is organizing for singers to rehearse and sing at protests in the area.
The group meets the first Thursday of the month at 6:30 at Bethany Mennonite Church,
(169 VT-100A, Bridgewater Corners, VT 05035)
and the 3rd Thursday of the month at 6:30 at North Chapel.
All are welcome to join!
From Charlotte Hollingsworth:
Come raise your voice in joyful resistance. This is not a choir - but a community action. All voices needed and welcomed. Come sing your part!
From Shari Borzekowski:
Singing Resistance is building a mass movement of singers to protect and care for our communities in the face of rising authoritarianism. We are grounded in love, nonviolence, and solidarity. In the context of escalating violence towards our communities and federal invasions of our cities and towns, we sing because song is an antidote to fear, song helps us connect to each other, and through song we can name and protect what we hold sacred. We sing publicly in the streets for the sake of solace, strength, solidarity, to voice our dissent, and to refuse cooperation with oppressive and autocratic forces.
Meditation Sessions
Friday Mornings 9:45-11:00
in the Meditation Chapel
Led by Judy McClain, the sessions are open to all. Long-time and beginning meditators alike will feel comfortable here.
Enjoy an hour of quiet, spacious Mindfulness practice in community.
Sessions are free; all donations go to the North Chapel. All are welcome.
A Circle of Men
1st and 3rd Thursday Evenings in the Parlor
We are a group of committed men stepping into our vulnerability, our joy, our sadness, our wonder. If you want to explore more deeply into the man you are and to find the man you want to be, reach out to us, you are welcome! The only thing you have to risk is that you might be changed.
We meet on the 1st and 3rd Thursday evenings in the parlor and we ask that you contact myself Ben Kelley-Outten,bkelleyovt@gmail.com 802-356-9506 or Aaron Darcy, mkpdarcy@gmail.com478-338-4878 before you come.
North Chapel Annual Report 2025
Here are the links to the North Universalist Chapel Society Annual Report for 2025.
Pledging Continues
Pledges can be any amount, and paid weekly, monthly or yearly.
We are filled with gratitude for those of you who have already pledged.
We hope that those of you who have not pledged, will join them. Many thanks!
The Choir is on Summer Break
If you would like to sing with the choir, please contact Michael Zsoldos and join us for rehearsals starting again in the Fall on Sunday mornings at 9 am in the sanctuary and Wednesdays 4:30-6 pm in the parlor. All are welcome!
What does it mean to "Sign the Book"?
Become a Member of the North Universalist Chapel Society
Are you curious about all things Unitarian Universalist? Thinking of joining our membership? Contact Sherry Belisle or Ann Wynia to answer your questions and possibly moving forward on the path.
Coffee Hour After the Services
Please join us after the Sunday Services for coffee hour in the social hall downstairs.
Each month a different committee or group provides the refreshments.
For more information about the committees that keep North Chapel functioning, look here on our website's Leadership page and consider joining us.
Here is the schedule for 2026
January - The Board
February - Music & Worship Committee
March - Committee on Ministry
April - All Hands on Deck
May - Choir
June - Welcoming, Engagement and Membership Committee
July - Nomination Committee
August - Finance Committee
September - The Board
October - Music & Worship Committee
November - Choir
December - Welcoming, Engagement and Membership Committee
Leon's Open Office Hours
Tuesdays from 3 to 5 pm and Wednesdays from 12 to 2 pm.
Please text him at 802-369-5104 to be sure his schedule has not changed.
Joanne's Church Office Hours
Administrative Assistant Joanne Boyle is usually in the church office on Monday and Friday from 11-1 and on Wednesday and Thursday from 11am - 4.
She also works from home.
Please call or text her at 802-369-9838 to be sure her schedule has not changed
Donate to the Food Shelf!
Please remember to make a donation to the Woodstock Community Food Shelf. There is a bin in the church entrance where you can drop off your contributions.
Contact Amy McElroy or Judy Williamson for more information.
Kitchen Updates
~From Deb Rice~
IMPORTANT
If you are planning to use the kitchen in the social hall, to prevent plumbing problems and other damages, please contact Deb Rice beforehand.
Be aware that there are specific directions for the use of the oven and stove as well as the dishwasher and sinks.
Plan to leave the kitchen as you found it, and take home your leftovers unless arrangements have been made.
Thank you.
Composting at North Chapel
Good news! North Chapel has a new simpler composting system. No need to separate meat, bones or dairy; ALL food scraps can go in ONE 5 gallon bucket.
Compost will be picked up as needed by Zach Cavacas of Music Mountain Composting from the shed out back, and a clean bucket left for us to use next. This is possible because of the large scale of his operation, which produces Vermont Black Gold garden compost from the scraps.
This keeps money in the local economy, waste out of the landfill, and returns nutrients to the soil. We will get the household rate of $25 per pickup.
Spirit of Life In Sign Language
Polly Forcier would like others to know that they are welcome to come to the altar on Sundays and offer Spirit of Life in sign language. She thought those that have learned it could take turns. Contact Polly if you're interested.
Do You Want a Name Tag?
At the Sunday services, you may have noticed many of us have hand made name tags that we wear on a string around our necks.
They are stored on a board in the entry to the sanctuary.
Want one?
If you’re new, we would love to learn your name.
If you have been a member or friend of North Chapel for a while, you may have lost yours.
Here's an opportunity to replace it.
Just look for Ann Wynia on Sundays. She usually sits in the back row near the guest book table.
She will be happy to take your name and create one for you.
Rental Spaces Available At North Chapel
Sanctuary - Social Hall - Parlor - Library - Meditation Chapel - Private Office Downstairs
The Back Lawn "Riverside Garden" and Pizza Oven
We welcome you to inquire about holding conferences, meetings, classes or events in
any of the spaces at North Chapel.
To see a 3D video of the whole building look here.
Contact the office for a rate sheet and more information.
The North Chapel Directory is Updated Monthly
If you would like a PDF of the newest directory sent to you
or would like a copy printed for you contact the office.
Enlarged Type
Enlarged copies of the weekly bulletin, with the Order of Service and the sheet music of the hymns for the week will be available at the back of the church each Sunday.
Just ask the greeter for a packet.
Woodstock Area Food Shelf
There is a bin to drop off non perishable foods at the entrance to the church. The Woodstock Community Food Shelf maintains an open, well-stocked food shelf providing basic nutrition to our neighbors in times of need.
Learn more and donate here: http://woodstockfoodshelf.org/
North Chapel Listserv News
Since its inception, nearly two thirds of all North Chapel members have subscribed to the North Chapel Listserv and it is fast becoming a popular communication tool among those subscribers.
As a subscriber, you will find in your inbox each morning a “digest” of all messages submitted by members the previous day. If no messages were submitted the previous day then, you will not receive a digest in your inbox for that day.
Subscribing is easy: send an email to the office . In the subject line, please type, “Subscribe Me”.
Is InTouch, our weekly newsletter “lost in the mail”?
Our weekly newsletter. "InTouch" is emailed out each Thursday evening. The Sunday Service reflection is sent out when it is available. I hear that some people don't get this newsletter, or the Sunday Service in their inbox.
We use Constant Contact as our email server and often these emails are sent to spam or promotions folders.
The best way to deal with missing these emails is to add northchapelcommunications@gmail.com to your contacts list. (This is an email address that we use for certain things, but not the regular office email address.)
(For those of you using Gmail, here are instructions for adding InTouch to your contacts: https://www.wikihow.com/Add-Contacts-in-Gmail?mc_cid=d9795d1b04&mc_eid=cad0f3b77e )
There is also a link to each week's InTouch newsletter on our website here: https://www.northchapelvt.org/news-events. Bookmarking that page for future use might be helpful.
Finally, if you're having technical difficulties, feel free to contact me. I look forward to helping everyone stay up to date with the news, events, and opportunities offered at North Chapel. Email office@northchapelvt.org or call 802-457-2557.
Please share this info?
Thanks, Joanne
THE HUB IS HERE TO HELP YOU DURING A CRISIS
The HUB:
Is a new program that makes it easier for you to get help during a time of need.
Is a central point of contact for you.
Is a connection with an experienced community volunteer who responds quickly and will help you get assistance.
Is confidential and respectful of your situation, whether due to divorce,job loss, family illness, financial stress, and food or heat insecurity.
Can help you if you live in Barnard, Bridgewater, Killington, Plymouth, Pomfret, Reading, or Woodstock.
Works with many local organizations such as Barnard Helping Hands and Ottauquechee Health Foundation.
Four Ways to Contact The HUB
Online: Complete an Application at: https://apply.thehubneighbors.org/form
Phone: 802-457-7214
Email: apply@thehubneighbors.org
Pick up an Application: Outside the Ottauquechee Health Foundation office at Simmons House at 30 Pleasant Street, Woodstock. The HUB is a Project of Woodstock Community Trust, a non profit 501c3 organization.
Ongoing Activities
For more detailed information about our regularly scheduled activities, read more on our Interest Groups page.
Keep an Eye on Our Church Calendar
This page is updated weekly.