Join us for the holidays!

It is officially “the festival season.” Between Sunday, November 23 and the first Sunday in January, we will celebrate the presence of the sacred, we will gather in fun and festivity, and we will contemplate quiet moments and deep meaning together. I want to invite you all to join in the joy this season; it’s a great time to come home (to Northwoods) for the holidays! With something a little different each Sunday, you won’t want to miss a single one.

-Rev. Sarah

Join us Thursday, November 28 at 11am for

Thanksgiving Potluck at Northwoods

Not sure where you are headed for your Thanksgiving feast this year? Join us at Northwoods Thursday, Nov. 28, for a Thanksgiving potluck! And this is not just for Northwoods folks-feel free to bring friends and family as well.

Doors open at 11am, we’ll eat at noon. Coffee, pie, and maybe the game afterwards.

Saturday, December 14: Join us for the evening!

Local artists will be selling unique gifts at our Holiday Arts and Crafts Market, and Millbend Coffeehouse will be presenting Shake Russell in concert.

More about the Holiday Arts and Crafts Market
Get tickets to the concert.

Wednesday, Dec. 24 at 5pm

Christmas Eve at Northwoods

Bring the whole family for our traditional Christmas Eve service. We’ll retell an ancient story, affirm timeless wisdom, and celebrate our living tradition in a season of hope. An All Ages Worship.

Sunday Services at Northwoods

Join us on Sundays at 10:30am – in person or online.

Looking for a space to share joy, reflect deeply, and connect with others this holiday season? Northwoods is a congregation where everyone is warmly welcomed and valued. Whether you seek spiritual renewal, community, or simply a place to belong, you’ll find a home here. Love is the spirit of this church.

  • Sunday, December 1

    Hanging of the Greens: To Be a Blessing

    Kick off the holiday season at Northwoods this Sunday as we decorate our sanctuary and share our blessings with each other—figuratively and literally! Rev. Sarah will lead a shortened worship service and blessings ritual, leaving plenty of time for hanging the greens, along with sharing stories, crafts, food, and fellowship. An All Ages Worship. (Bring snacks or finger foods if you can!)

  • Sunday, December 8

    Between Candle and Match (Contemplative service on darkness and light)

    This is a season of celebrating light in all of its shades, both the return of the sun and the darkest night of the year, which live in orbit together, needing each other, for it is in darkness that light is most welcome. Perhaps that is where joy comes from, that we can reside between the two.

    Sunday, December 8

  • Sunday, December 15

    Best Christmas Pageant Ever

    Join Northwoods’ children and youth for The Best Christmas Pageant Ever! This heartwarming and hilarious story follows a group of kids as they bring unexpected chaos—and meaning—to the annual Christmas play. Don’t miss this delightful celebration of humor, redemption, and the true spirit of the season! An All Ages Worship.

  • Sunday, December 22

    (Semi)Annual Northwoods PJ Potluck Service

    In the midst of a bustling season of short work schedules, last-minute holiday planning, watching too much C-SPAN, and in general juggling high expectations with little time to meet them all, everyone deserves a break. Join us Sunday for a cozy and relaxed hour together at Northwoods’ second annual pajama potluck worship service.

    Wear your comfiest PJs and bring a breakfast item to share as we host a different kind of worship, focusing on fun and fellowship. We’ll tell stories, sing songs, and get to know each other, and Rev. Sarah will share some inspirational words. An All Ages Worship.

    Sunday, December 22

  • Sunday, December 29

    Guest Speaker

    Join guest speaker Rusty Rhoad for a post-holiday, pre-new year service.

  • Sunday, January 5

    Into the Flames: A Burning Bowl Ritual

    On the first Sunday in January, like many Unitarian Universalist congregations, Northwoods holds a ritual to bid farewell to the old year, and to release it. What will you clear out, and what are you making space for? What do you imagine for the coming year, and what needs to get out of your way to make that vision real? Kick off your new year with our annual burning bowl ritual and take home some inspiration for 2024. An All Ages Worship.

    Sunday, January 5