2nd Monday Series – Embracing the Mystery

This series of 10 sessions, held each 2nd Monday through November of 2010, is focused on the core of every major religion and perspective – the “mystery.” The presentations, by well-qualified individuals, are designed to engage the audience in understanding and experiencing the spirit as understood by different faith perspectives and to encourage exchange between presenters and participants about how we approach the mystery of our faith.

Next event:

• Monday, August 9, 7:00-8:30 p.m., Northaven Sanctuary – Daniel Chesney Kanter Senior Minister, First Unitarian Church of Dallas - “The Transient and the Permanent in Religion”

  Daniel Chesney Kanter is Senior Minister at the First Unitarian Church of Dallas. Dr. Kanter received a B. A. in psychology and anthropology from the University of Vermont in 1989, a Master of Divinity from Starr King School for the Ministry in 1998, and a Doctor of Ministry from Perkins School of Theology/SMU. He served on the Board of Trustees at Starr King for nine years, from 2001, the same year he came to serve The First Unitarian Church of Dallas. He was called to serve as Minister in 2003 and as Senior Minister in 2009. Dr. Kanter is a frequent contributor to the Dallas Morning News feature, Texas Faith, that elicits comments from Dallas area religious readers on topics of moment.

Read more about this series.

Vacation Bible School August 2-6 to Feature Evening Sessions

Northaven’s Vacation Bible School is not just for children anymore!

This year’s church Vacation Bible School, to be held August 2-6, will, again, be held at night and be intergenerational. Families are invited to participate with their children. This year’s theme is Creating Peacemakers. We will start each evening with a meal, a bible story, an activity, and a song. We will then work together on learning projects based on bible stories that teach acceptance, listening, communication, sharing, and awareness.

More information is available on our Children's Ministry page, this brochure and our 2010 Vacation Bible School page.

Summer Sunday School Class for adults – June 13:
The Heart of Chrisitanity: The Emerging Paradigm

A new way of seeing Christianity and what it means to be Christian is emerging in the church in North America.

If you want a fresh, emotionally and intellectually stimulating experience, join us beginning June 13. Ben Marshall will facilitate.

For more information, please see our Adult Education page.

Summer Theology class – June 1:
Saving Jesus: Jesus for the Third Millennium

Jesus (or at least His name) has been hijacked by the religious right.

In this DVD based exploration of Jesus for the third millennium we will hear and discuss the insights of several contemporary progressive theologians. Bob Radford will facilitate.

For more information, see our Weekday Adult Education page.

Congregational Dialog

Northaven is expanding our mission statement to articulate our mission to the world, specifically to the poor and the oppressed. For four weeks we invite input and feedback from the congregation on what that mission statement should include.

To "prime the pump" we have drafted four statements to get you to thinking and to praying about what it should be. They are:

• Northaven seeks to extend God's love to the world through ministries of compassion, peace, justice and reconciliation.
• Northaven understand our mission to embody God's love and justice in the world with special preference for those who are most vulnerable and marginalized.
• Jesus described his mission in Luke 4 as being anointed, "to preach good news to the poor, te proclaim release to the captives, recovering of sight to the blind, to set at liberty those who are oppressed, and to proclaim the acceptable year of the Lord". Jesus' mission is Northaven's mission in the world.
• As one body of Christ, we pray that God's Holly Spirit will empower us for the awesome and challenging task off spreading God's love and justice throughout our community and world.

New Support Group Starting May 4

Do you have a family member or loved one who suffers from mental illness? Mental illness manifests itself in many different ways. If someone you love is experiencing symptoms associated with any type of mental illness, you might be interested in joining a support group for people who share this journey with you. The group will begin Tuesday, May 4 in room 244 from 7:00-8:30 pm and will meet on the first Tuesday of each month.

For further information please contact Nancy Watson at or Mary Clair Lowrance at

Adult Growth Opportunities Offered

Northaven is happy to make the following educational programs available during the week, as well as adding one series to our Sunday School program

Living the Questions - Sunday mornings and Thursday evenings
First Light: Jesus and the Kingdom of God - Tuesday evenings
The Journey into Love--Nurturing Our Relationship with God - Tuesday evenings

For more details about these programs, please click here

Journey: A Coming Out Workshop

No matter where one is in one’s coming out journey, one will benefit from this seven week workshop. This workshop will be facilitated by Jim McBride, LPC, and Jane Graner, MTS, and is open to all GLBT persons and their family and friends.

Workshop sessions will be held on Tuesdays from 7:00 to 9:00 p.m., starting Mar. 16 and running through May 4. There will be no meeting March 30, due to Easter.

To register, or for more information, please click here, or contact Jim McBride at 214-284-9194.

New Pursuits for the New Year

Not of the world, but in the world
You can make a difference in someone's life. Northaven has a strong commitment to community outreach, with several opportunities to make a difference in the lives of the people around us.

Are you inspired to make a joyful noise?
Express your artistic side! Join one the music and arts programs we have here at Northaven.