Church Notices, Events and Activities
Drag Story Hour
This Sunday, May 3rd from 3pm - 5pm in the Social Hall
Last year’s Drag Story Hour was such a huge hit that we’re doing another one this weekend!
🏳️🌈We would like to provide a safe and welcoming entrance to the church with a line of folks holding pride flags again this year. If this is something you are interested in and you are able to participate, please let me know. (jm.boyle57@gmail.com) Flags will be available.
Join us with Emoji Nightmare and Katniss Everqueer from Drag Story Hour - Vermont Chapter for an afternoon of reading, singing, crafts and snacks! It’s free, all are welcome and you can find more details on our website, prideofwoodstockvt.org.
Drag Story Hour is just what it sounds like...drag performers reading stories to children in libraries, schools, and bookstores. After story time, kids and their adults are welcome to stay for snacks and a craft project!
Bookstock
Authors, Poets, Book Art!
May 15, 16, and 17th
On Bookstock weekend, there’s plenty to do in Woodstock!
Join us at Bookstock on May 15, 16, and 17 - and then check out the other great stuff happening in town - and close by.
Bookstock events [https://bookstockvt.org/2026-schedule/] – talks and Master
Classes, book sale, children’s activities, Bookstock Market – are held (mostly) around The Green. The Market, open Saturday (10 am-5 pm) and Sunday (10 am-1 pm) will feature food, arts and crafts, and book-related vendors.
Don’t miss UNBOUND vol. XIV at Artistree
[https://artistreevt.org/unbound-vol.-xiv-exhibit] and Pentangle’s showing of
Spike Lee’s BlackKkKlansman and the discussion with Kevin Willmott, its award-winning screenwriter on Saturday evening.
[https://bookstockvt.org/session/pentangle-film-and-discussion/]
Woodstock’s merchants are holding their legendary Sidewalk Sale on Friday and
Saturday. There are bargains galore to be had on Friday and Saturday (10 am-6 pm).
If you’re interested in books, you’ll definitely want to check out the Norman
Williams Public Library’s Rare and Vintage Book Sale
https://normanwilliams.org/event/rare-vintage-book-sale-2/2026-05-16 held on
Friday, Saturday, and Sunday.
Remember, Bookatock is free, though we ask you to sign up for free tickets to
our events [https://www.zeffy.com/en-US/ticketing/bookstock-festival--2026].
Opening Night
Experience books in many forms. Engage with some of Vermont’s most distinguished writers and poets. All at Bookstock's Opening Night at Artistree in Pomfret, VT, on May 15.
https://bookstockvt.org/session/bookstock-2026-opening-night/
From 4:30-6:00, you can experience UNBOUND XIV at the Community Gallery.
The exhibit features Artist's Books — and artwork of books, about books, and made from books.https://artistreevt.org/unbound-vol.-xiv-exhibit
Then, we’ll present a panel of poets and authors selected as finalists for a 2026 Vermont Book Award. And at least some will be winners! Miciah Bay Gault, Vermont Book Awards director, will facilitate the panel discussion
starting at 6:00 pm with a reception to follow.
Here are our panelists:
Tyler Alexander wrote If I Can Get Home This Fall, about Dan Mason, a Vermonter who served in the Civil War.
https://bookstockvt.org/speaker/tyler-alexander/
Angélica Del Campo wrote The Ghost of Wreckers Cove and edited more than thirty comic book titles.
https://bookstockvt.org/speaker/angelica-del-campo/
Chard deNiord served as poet laureate of Vermont from 2015 to 2019.
Westminster West is his ninth book of poetry.
https://bookstockvt.org/speaker/chard-deniord/
Kristin Dykstra is the author of Dissonance, published by the University of Chicago Press in 2025.
https://bookstockvt.org/speaker/kristin-dykstra/
Makenna Goodman's Helen of Nowhere was named a Favorite Book of 2026 by The Times.
https://bookstockvt.org/speaker/makenna-goodman/
Sidework is Sasha Hom's first novella.
https://bookstockvt.org/speaker/sasha-hom/
Carlene Kucharczyk's debut poetry collection, Strange Hymn, won the 2024 Juniper Prize for Poetry.
https://bookstockvt.org/speaker/carlene-kucharczyk/
Born in Argentina, Ricardo Liniers Siri (a.k.a. Liniers) is the creator of the daily comicstrip Macanudo.
https://bookstockvt.org/speaker/liniers/
The Kingdom Where No One Dies is Jeff McRae's debut poetry collection.
https://bookstockvt.org/speaker/jeff-macrae/
Aaron Starmer's novel, Night Swimming, is a combination of speculative and historic fiction.
https://bookstockvt.org/speaker/aaron-starmer/
From Michael Stoner via the Woodstock listserv.
Save the Date
Sunday, May 17th, After the Service in the Social Hall
It’s time for a potluck!
Bring your favorite food and enjoy the company of old and new friends after church.
Woodstock Afterschool is Hiring!!
If you are looking for a workplace where your growth is supported, your work is valued, and your relationships with children truly matter, we invite you to join us.
At Woodstock Afterschool, you’ll be part of a community that believes educators thrive when they are supported—and that children thrive when educators do.
Please visit our website at https://www.woodstockvtafterschool.com/join-us for full job descriptions and application instructions.
Nathan B. Hull - Early Educator & Program Director
Woodstock Afterschool Program at North Chapel
802-565-2096 woodstockasp@gmail.com
Film Discussion Series
May 24th After the Service in the Parlor
On Sunday, May 24th, Leon will be holding the third film discussion in the parlor after the service. The movie to be discussed will be Pleasantville from 1998. There is more information about the film here: https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0120789/
Join the Upper Valley Singing Resistance - Woodstock Area Pod
At 6:30 In the Social Hall Each Third Thursday
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!
Where to sing with us this week:
We are meeting this Saturday, April 18th, in Tribou Park from 11:30am-12:15pm. Dress to be outside in whatever the weather.
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.
Next New Member Class
May 31st after the Service in the Parlor
Join us for the final annual meeting for new members and those interested in learning about and joining North Chapel.
All are welcome.
Please let Sherry Belisle (802) 457-1919 or Ann Wynia (802) 457-2217 know if you plan to attend.
~ From the Welcoming, Engagement and Membership Committee
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!
Meditation Sessions
Friday mornings
9:45-11 in the Meditation Chapel
Led by Judy McClain, the sessions are open to all.
Long-time and beginning meditators alike will feel comfortable here.
Join the Choir!
Rehearsals are held on Sundays in the Sanctuary at 9am and Wednesdays from 4:30 to 6 in the parlor.
Please come if you are interested in being in the choir.
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 1-3 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.
