Unitarian Universalist
Church of the
North Hills
Nourish your spirit. Celebrate life. Cherish the connectedness of all things.
Newsletter - Thursday - December 1, 2022

INTERCOM

Sunday - December 4, 2022
10:30am (EDT)
Improv'n Your Life
Robyn Travers, Bruce E. Travers

Improv may be the art of making it up as you go along., kind of like life. But even improv has rules. We will share how these rules can be applied to both improv and life. And have some fun while doing it. 
Faith Development for Children (PreK- 6th)10:45am – 11:30am
Nursery Staffed
UNDER THE PRESIDENT'S TREE
With Thanksgiving already behind us, we are now in the full chaos of the holiday season. More activity. More traffic. Longer lines. Shorter days. Beautiful decorations seemingly everywhere. 

I love this time of year, but it’s not without its shades of gray. Before Covid, I would take my children each November to visit Santa at the Mall at Robinson. I have pictures of them with him every year through 2019. I told my children he was the real Santa, and, honestly, I believed it myself. He spoke several languages, and he just had this way about him. Kindness. Authenticity. Each time we’d leave a visit with him, I found myself simultaneously wanting to cry and grinning from ear to ear. He was magical.

Last year, I learned our Santa had passed away. I haven’t taken the kids to see the new Santa and haven’t planned to, unless they ask. I did tell them that the mall has one of Santa’s helpers now, but weren’t we lucky to be able to visit with the real Santa all these years? 

This time of year can be difficult, as well as joyous, for our friends, family, and other loved ones. The news reported record-setting Black Friday sales, and I couldn’t help but sigh, wondering if this is what’s truly important right now. Some of us are facing our first holiday season without a loved one, or introducing a new baby to our family traditions. 

As I get older, I find myself relishing in the simple, quiet moments. The joy of simply being. For me, it’s less and less about the “stuff,” and more about the experiences. The community. The music. The lights. Coming together to support one another. That’s where the magic truly lies. 

Jen Suehr 
SHARE THE PLATE FOR DECEMBER
The Share the Plate recipient for December will be North Hills Community Outreach (NHCO). NHCO addresses the needs of people in crisis, hardship and poverty in northern Allegheny County. They provide a variety of services including food pantries, utilities and other emergency assistance, employment programs, senior services, Ask the Attorney, and tax preparation for qualifying individuals. UUCNH regularly participates in NHCO special collections such as the recent Back to School and Thanksgiving on Every Table collections. 
You may donate by December 31st in the following ways: 1) Place cash or check in the BLUE envelope in the offering plate during Sunday services; 2) Mail a check to the church office; or 3) Go to the church website's Donation Page and select Special Offerings. Checks should be made payable to UUCNH, with "Share the Plate" or "NHCO" in the memo line. If using the website Donation Page, please be sure to include the words "Share the Plate" and/or "NHCO" when making your donation. 

Share the plate totals are not fully tabulated by the end of the month but will be shared when available. Thank you for your patience and your generosity!
POINSETTIA SALE - ORDER BY DECEMBER 9TH
Would you like to bring some color into the Sanctuary this holiday season? Order poinsettias! They’re $15 each or 2 for $25, and the proceeds go to the Minister’s Discretionary Fund. If you are interested, you can reply to this email or order through the Breeze Form. You can include a Dedication or Memorial for the plant. Then you can mail a check to UUCNH (with a comment for Poinsettia Sale) or drop it in the office in the Equal Exchange/Fair Trade mail slot. 
We have these colors: Red, Antique White (it’s not a pure white this year-more of an off-white), Pink, Glitter (Red leaves with White specks) and PICASSO (Pink leaves with white middles).

Please send in your orders by Friday, December 9th. Then we can have them on display for the December 18th service. You can take them home after the Christmas Eve service if you want.

Any Questions? Contact Chris Hill by email or phone 412.977.8118 and leave a message.

Thanks for brightening up the church and for your support of UUCNH.
RAISE THE ROOF
It’s not too late to win Al Cypher’s original painting of our beloved red barn home. Get a pledge turned in before the service on Dec. 4!

If you have not pledged yet, you may do so by filling out a pledge card; located on top of the food pantry cabinet next to the collection box. You may also pledge online. You can find it listed on the website under the donate button or you can follow this link.

It is all in our hands; the more we raise the more we can do!
CAPITAL CAMPAIGN - TWO BIG NEWS ITEMS!
First – We have reached and then exceeded our goal of $950,000!! Our current total is $966,720 (as of 11/28/2022). Golly – can we get to 1 million? THANK YOU to all who have been able to contribute - your generosity is amazing. Please remember that the Capital Campaign lasts for the next three years, and all of our projected costs are estimates. The more we raise, the more we can accomplish.
 
Second – The work has begun! On Monday November 21, 2022 Mariani and Richards, Inc. started the renovation work on the silos. New terra cotta clay tile blocks that closely match the blocks used to build the silos are being installed to replace the damaged blocks. The photo below shows the east silo with scaffolding in place. The east silo is the most damaged, but both silos will have renovation work done. www.mariani-richards.com
It is important to finish the silo work prior to reroofing the barn since the scaffolding may need to be erected on the roof; plus removal and replacement of damaged blocks may affect the roof flashing. When the masonry work is completed, the silos will be cleaned and receive a new layer of waterproof coating. The work is expected to last 4 to 6 weeks.
This is a closer view showing the shored opening where blocks have been removed. The new terra cotta blocks, usually called units, can be seen at left.  

Send questions or comments to Capital Campaign.
TREE TRIMMING PARTY & COOKIE EXCHANGE
The All Ages Tree Trimming will take place Saturday, December 3rd from 2:00 - 4:00 pm. If you would like to participate in the Cookie Exchange, please bring 3 dozen cookies on trays or platters so that people can select a variety. Remember to bring containers to take your cookies home in. It should be a fun time for all ages, kids not required! Please RSVP on our Facebook page and let us know what cookie you plan to bring so we don't have too many duplicates. Contact Dawn Lindsay for more information. 
FINAL 2022 HOLIDAY CRAFT SALE
This Sunday, December 4th, the Final 2022 Holiday Craft Sale will be held at the Church in both the East Room and Friendship Hall. Remember to bring a check or cash so that you can purchase some wonderful Christmas crafts and delicious baked goods! 100% of the proceeds are used to purchase unbudgeted, needed items for our beloved Church. See you there!
PHILOSOPHICAL, SPIRITUAL INSIGHTS (PSI)
PSI meets the first Sunday of December, the 4thnoon – 1:15 PM on Zoom and at church (upstairs, follow the yellow sign):  December topic: How many ways can you laugh? Puns, satire, farce, slapstick, witticisms? Why doesn’t the same humor work for everyone? And why doesn’t the creator of humor laugh along with his audience? Bring your jokes to “What’s so funny about Humor, Pt. 2”. See Tony Palermo for details.


Meeting ID: 830 4405 2949
Passcode: 932743
FRIDAY FUN NIGHT AT THE IMPROV!
Join Team Fun on Friday, December 9th at 7:00pm in the West Room as Robyn Travers leads us through a hilarious Night at the Improv! Audience members will lend their own ideas and talents to create a night of fun and laughter you will not soon forget. Does what happens at the Improv stay at the Improv? Hmmmm… better come and see for yourself!
 
Questions? Contact Team Fun.
WEEKLY OPPORTUNITIES FOR CONNECTIONS
Zoom with UUCNH Friends - CLICK HERE
This drop-in connection will be held every Tuesday at 3:30pm-4:30 pm and will be led by Michael Horwitz. Click the link above to join the Zoom meeting. Login is the same each week:

Vespers - with Reverend John Ballance - CLICK HERE
Join us for a Vespers service every Wednesday starting at 7:00pm. The formal part of vespers will end at 7:30, but the Zoom link will remain open until 8:00 so that participants who wish to remain longer can converse informally about what’s going on in their lives. Please join us (and invite others to join us as well!) as we continue to nurture our bonds with one another.
NHCO HOLIDAY TOY COLLECTION
The NHCO Holiday Toy Shop Collection is happening now! We are collecting NEW toys for local children in need. Feel free to drop off donations next to the food pantry in Friendship Hall, or contact the Compassionate Service Team to arrange an alternate time to drop off. Deadline for drop off is Wednesday, December 7th

Below is a list of the most-appreciated items:
  • Legos
  • Super Hero related toys
  • Board games
  • Craft kits and art supplies
  • Puzzles and books
  • Earbuds, phone chargers, other phone accessories
  • Makeup kits
  • Teen cologne
  • Gift cards (teens love these!)

There is also an Amazon Wish List option - click here.

As always, thank you for your generosity!
SANDY HOOK 10 YEARS LATER
CeaseFire PA reminds us it has been 10 years since the school shooting at Sandy Hook Elementary School and since then 15,000 Pennsylvanians have died by gun violence. Come to a vigil, Thursday, December 1st at 7:00pm at St. Paul's United Methodist Church, Allison Park.. See flyer for details.
SYSTEMIC CHANGE TEAM ACTIVITY
November 2022

Thank you to all who voted, encouraged others to vote, and who helped keep our polling places vibrant and safe! Our values of justice and fairness have a stronger chance of promotion in the next session, but while we may be off the back bench, we need to keep the Good Trouble coming! Consider joining one of the six teams at JusticePA. . They meet virtually once a month and inform us on how to impact our state legislators*.

Fair Districts PA continues to work to Fix Harrisburg by reforming the unfair legislative rules that control our Harrisburg General Assembly. Contact Connie Hester to learn how a few minutes of your time can help us get better rules on Jan. 3rd. 

All are welcome to visit/join the Systemic Change Team meeting virtually on Monday, December 5, 2022 at 7:00 pm.* 

*For more info, questions, or Zoom link contact Liz Perkins.
JOYS AND SORROWS
From Connie Hester for the Green Sanctuary Team, a Joy
It's official. We are an accredited Green Sanctuary Congregation!
Special thanks to Susie Wood and Matt Mehalik for leading us to success! 
And, thanks to everyone who turned ideas into action to make it happen.
Note: There are times when you may not be able to share during a service, but want the Congregation to know what is on your heart. In that instance, just contact a member of the Lay Pastoral Care Team (LPCT) in person or submit your Joys & Sorrows electronically by clicking here. Once submitted, the form is sent to all LPCT members. (Chris Hill, Ruth Horwitz, Susan Powers, Lynn Richards, Lynne Herchenroether). Please be sure to submit your item by NOON on Saturday at the latest, so we get it in time for Service. Also, LPCT emails forward to all members of the team. We welcome your sharing and would be honored to carry forth your message.
UPCOMING MEETINGS AND EVENTS
THURSDAY – December 1
  • Worth & Dignity Room - Bellwood Enrichment Program - 9:00am - 2:00pm
  • East Room/Zoom-GEN - Craft Group - 10:00am - 12:00pm
  • \West Room - Choir Rehearsal - 7:30 - 8:30pm

FRIDAY – December 2
  • No Meetings or Events Scheduled

SATURDAY – December 3
  • Side yard or Friendship Hall - Bocce - 10:30am - 12:00pm
  • FH/ER - Craft Group Holiday Sale Set-up - 12:00 pm thru Sunday
  • WR/Kitchen - Tree Trim Party & Cookie Exchange - 2:00 - 4:00pm

SUNDAY – December 4
  • FH/East Room - Craft Group Holiday Sale - After the service
  • Justice/Growth Rooms -FD for Children (K - 6th) Pageant Rehearsal - 10:45 - 11:30am
  • West Room - UUCNH Service - 10:30 - 11:30am
  • Friendship Hall - Coffee Hour - 11:30am - 12:00pm
  • Justice Rm/Zoom-FD -Philosophical, Spiritual Insights (PSI)- 12:00 - 1:15pm

MONDAY – December 5
  • Zoom-GEN - Systemic Change Meeting - 7:00 - 8:30pm

TUESDAY December 6
  • Zoom-FD - Staff Meeting - 1:00 - 2:00pm
  • Zoom-CONG - Zoom with Friends - 3:30 - 4:30pm

WEDNESDAY December 7
  • Zoom-GEN - Communications Meeting - 11:30-12:30pm
  • Zoom-GEN - Vespers - 7:00 - 8:00pm

THURSDAY – December 8
  • Worth & Dignity Room - Bellwood Enrichment Program - 9:00am - 2:00pm
  • East Room/Zoom-GEN - Craft Group - 10:00am - 12:00pm
  • \West Room - Choir Rehearsal - 7:30 - 8:30pm
UU Church of the North Hills
2359 West Ingomar Road
Pittsburgh, PA 15237
Phone: 412-366-0244