Participate in a group to connect with others over shared interests! Check the weekly announcements currently posted, or email [email protected] to stay up to date with group meeting times and special events.
Groups and Activities
The Northlake BIPOC affinity group is open to members identifying as people of color and centers their voice and experience. This is a space where BIPOC members can build connections and begin conversations; create empowerment and affirmation; and share our stories, experiences, and resources. This group’s work evolves with its members’ needs and passions. The BIPOC affinity group typically meets every other month on a mutually agreeable date, after Sunday service.
Please email Ellie P at [email protected] for more information.
The Book Group’s purpose is to enrich each participant’s experience through monthly open-ended book discussions. These discussions reinforce participants’ commitment to their values. The group is open to Northlake members and friends, who want to read more
about a wide range of issues.
All book choices are made democratically. Members recommend books at the
annual meeting, and may be asked to lead the discussion for the book they recommended.
For more information, please email Susan T at [email protected]
The Camping and Hiking Group hosts an annual campout, usually over Labor Day Weekend, at one of the wonderful state parks in Washington.
The campouts include campfires with singing and marshmallows, a group potluck meal, and outings that could be up a mountain or to a local cidery or local nursery. Or, you can sit by (or in) the river and read a book. Kids get to be kids and sometimes get into the wackiest adventures!
We really enjoy Dosewallips State Park and South Whidbey State Park, and we’ve tried various others as well. If you are in need of equipment to join in the fun, let us know.
Many Northlakers also attend family camps at Eliot Institute at the Seabeck Conference Center, or travel to Kootenay Lake in Canada for Wilderness Camping.
Facilitator: Cyndy J.
Worship services feature a wide range of musical experiences including singing together, listening to live performances from talented musicians, and enjoying diverse multimedia recordings.
Music is central to the worship experience at Northlake, and the choir is a key part of the music program. Our all-volunteer Creating Loving Community-Connections choir has a long history of great performances, from classical to contemporary, spirituals, folk, world music, and occasional jazz or Broadway, as well as traditional and UU hymns. We are mostly adults, with occasional middle- or high schoolers. We learn and practice together during rehearsal and by ourselves at home. We welcome new and returning singers; if you can hum, you can probably sing. If you can read music, it helps, but is not required if you can learn by listening. And it’s not all work, we love to socialize as well. The choir rehearses most Sundays after the service, taking summer months off, and performs at Sunday services about twice a month, and at “Music Sunday” services twice a year.
For more information about the choir or to join, please contact Music Team Chair Diane S. at [email protected]
A safe space for community healing, heartfelt sharing, thoughtful discussion, and support for coping. Each group session will meet virtually in the format of a healing circle, which is a safe haven and non-judgmental environment to build community and share what is on your mind and heart. As a group, we will work together to support each other towards alleviating suffering and collective healing. Meets weekly on Tuesdays at 11 am.
For more information and for zoom link, please contact [email protected]
Coffee and Collaboration is a weekly gathering for folks to come to the Northlake campus and chat while working on a small project to help support Northlake’s activities. Most weeks there is a choice of seated work and active projects. Fridays from 12:30-2 pm in Northlake’s Main Bldg.
Contact Margaret at [email protected] for more information.
The Creative Circle is a diverse creative group, founded in 2001 as the Seamsters. While members include sewers, many are weavers, potters, painters, paper artists, jewelry makers, knitters, crocheters, and much more. At their monthly meetings, they have spirited interactions and share their current projects. In addition, the group takes two annual retreats, field trips. At the monthly Play Days, members work on their own projects and other charitable endeavors.
The Creative Circle has sponsored quilt raffles, quilt shows, and the semi-annual Holiday Craft Fair. They have also sold note cards featuring photos of their quilts, the proceeds of which have funded the purchase of a variety of items for Northlake including our Pulpit, choir stoles, sanctuary lighting, hearing impaired listening devices, new front doors, playground equipment, and chancel furniture.
Please join us regardless of your proficiency or craft. We are an inclusive, welcoming group of makers. Contact Mary D F at [email protected].
Eastside Insight Meditation is a well-established meditation group that has
been practicing together for 24 years. Eastside Insight is affiliated with Seattle
Insight Meditation Society.
We gather at 7 p.m. on 1st and 3rd Thursdays, hybrid via Zoom and physically in
the Northlake Chapel, to meditate together and to build spiritual community. Like many
Buddhist groups in UU churches around the U.S., we discuss meditation, Buddhist
teachings, and how to bring those principles into daily life and into civic engagement.
The people who gather are a combination of Northlake members and people from the
larger Eastside community. While some participants are long-time meditators, new people
often join and are always welcome. The group practices mindfulness, also called
insight meditation. This is a style of meditation that helps us see clearly the nature of
things, and the nature of ourselves.
Contact Steve Wilhelm at [email protected] for more information.
The Meaningful Movies Project is a non-profit organization that helps neighborhoods, groups and individuals organize, educate and advocate using the power of social justice documentary film and conversation to build positive and meaningful community.
Each month, Northlake hosts a film screening followed by a facilitated discussion. Events are always free and open to everyone – donations gratefully accepted. Please join us!
Contact [email protected] to receive reminder emails.
The NUUC Men’s Group promotes friendship, encourages community, and provides support among the men and friends of the NUUC community in support of UU principles and values.
- Meetings occur on the 1st and 3rd Saturday of each month from 9:00 am to 11:00 am, unless otherwise specified.
- Held either at Northlake, via Zoom, or a member’s home.
- Start with breakfast (either provided or ‘bring your own’), followed by check-in, and then a discussion topic.
All personal stories and matters shared at the meeting are private and confidential, unless otherwise noted. All participants pledge to uphold and respect that confidentiality.
In addition to the regular meetings, we hold an annual Men’s Group Retreat. Led by group members, the Retreat covers a wide range of topics and provides an opportunity to deepen connections and friendships.
Facilitator: Steve R. For more information about the Men’s Group, attending the meetings, and joining the mailing list, please contact Steve at [email protected].
The NUUC Multigenerational Orchestra will focus on engaging youth, as well as interested adults, to participate together in using our musical talents to perform a variety of types of music at Sunday services and other events. Our primary goal is to create musical experiences that are fun, joyful, and meaningful to participants and to our congregation. We hope these experiences will foster both short-term and long-term connection with each other, and with our greater church community.
Contact Melissa A at [email protected] if you have any questions or to receive registration information.
The Northlake Women’s Group welcomes all who are interested in women’s issues. Currently, we are focusing on the following issues: race discrimination including institutional racism, gender discrimination, other social justice issues, interpersonal connection and well-being, healthy families and healthy societies, and healthy environment.
We meet monthly to spend time together in presentations, discussions, and other events such as museum visits and observation of nature (such as birding and nature walks).
Meeting times and agendas are sent out at least three weeks before meetings. Often, our meetings are at church, with these usually being held the fourth Monday of each month at 6:30 pm. However, in the wintertime, we often set up events on Saturday (museum visits, etc.), so people don’t have to drive to and from church in the dark and cold.
Currently, the following people are on the steering committee: Melissa Ahern, Coordinator; Connie Spearing, Mary Ellen Rundell, and Diane DeWitt, Co-Coordinators. For more information, please contact [email protected]. We welcome all members and friends of Northlake, as well as guests.
The Northlake Walk and Talk group meets in front of Thruline Coffee (on Park Lane in downtown Kirkland) at 9:55 am, and set off promptly at 10:00. (FYI, there is free parking at the Kirkland Library). All are welcome! Mondays and Thursdays at 10 am.
Please contact Melissa A at [email protected]