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The First Religious Society Newsletter
The Steeple Biweekly
April 19, 2016
Scroll down to find these news sections.
- Sunday Worship
- Lend a Hand for Harold's Party
- Calendar of Events
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- Within Our Community
- Beyond Our Doors
- Journey of Faith
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Sunday Worship
Sunday, April 24 at 10:30am
"Leaving the Campsite"
"I am speaking of the life of a man who knows that the world is not given by his fathers, but borrowed from his children..." --Wendell Berry. How do nature, spirituality and personal responsibility intersect? Following the spirit of Wendell Berry, we honor Earth Day with guest speaker David Radue and Harold Babcock by exploring those intersections. Where do they lead us, faced with unprecedented environmental consequences for the earth, to consider our own legacy?
Sunday, May 1 at 10:30am
New Member Recognition Sunday-"Come As You Are"
In our experiment with religious community we are saying: begin with acceptance, begin with the openness which is a form of love, begin with the love that lets others be who they are-then personal growth is more likely to follow and truth-living, relevant, personal truth-is likely to follow, too." Thus my late colleague, the Rev. Roy D. Phillips. This morning we will once again (and for me, for the last time!) welcome new members-those who have decided to become legal voting members of the congregation and who have submitted an application for membership--into the fellowship of the First Religious Society. In doing so, we ask only that you "come as you are." The sermon will investigate.--Harold Babcock
Collection for Cause
Half of April's unpledged cash collection plate donations will go to Pennies for Poverty, whose mission is to reduce poverty and alleviate its devastating impact on individuals and families in the Greater Newburyport Area. May's collection will go to Turning Point's Children's Campership.
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Lend a Hand for Harold's Party
Invitations have gone out in the mail for Harold's retirement party on Saturday, May 14. We'll have a few special moments for Harold, draw the winner of the Dinner for Two Around the World, and enjoy appetizers, desserts, beer and wine, and dancing. Space is limited, so RSVP quickly. Be assured that there will be a second opportunity to bid farewell to Harold on our final Sunday, at the cookout after the service on June 19.
With only a few of us on the Harold Celebration Committee, we'd love to have your help in any of these ways. Read more...
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Calendar of Events
Wednesday, April 20: Retired Ladies Eating Out.
Ithaki, Ipswich, noon. Reserve with Peg Mays. First-timers are welcome.
Tuesday, April 26: Lunch with the Minister.
Lower Meeting House, noon.
The short stories for discussion will be "Regret" and "The Story of an Hour," by Kate Chopin, and "The Hollow Nut," by Colette (these are all very short). All are welcome.
Sunday, May 1: Interim ministry forum.
Lower Meeting House, 9:30am.
Parishioners are invited to discuss questions about the application and the rest of the interim selection process. Learn the timeline for selecting our interim minister.
Sunday, May 1: Climate Café.
Parish Hall (2nd floor), 11:45am. FRS is successfully completing a "100 year solution" for the meetinghouse and steeple. Why not imagine a "100 year solution" for slowing climate change? What might it look like? Can we be part of the solution? If not us, who? Come for coffee and conversation.
Tuesday, May 3: Lunch with the Minister.
Lower Meeting House, noon.
The short story for discussion will be "Heart of Darkness," by Joseph Conrad. Please note that this story is long. All are welcome.
Wednesday, May 4: Local Poverty Matters.
Lower Meeting House, 7-8pm. Ever wonder how kids grow up to be productive members of society in today's crazy world? Or what you can do to help? Read more...
Wednesday, May 4: Jazz Vespers.
Sanctuary, 8pm.The Pentucket High School Jazz ensemble will be playing, directed by David Schumacher. Jazz Vespers celebrates the inspiration of Jazz, Blues and Swing music, and includes readings and time for reflection. All are welcome.
Saturday, May 7: Annual May Breakfast.
Parish Hall, 8-11am. $6 for adults and $4 for children. Enjoy local eggs fried or scrambled, ham, veggie sausages, baked beans, hash browns, apple cinnamon pancakes, fresh fruit salad and baked goods, as well as Fair Trade coffee, tea and juice. Open to the whole community. Bring your family and friends.
Friday, May 13: Talk on steeple project for Newburyport Preservation Week.
Custom House Maritime Museum, 7pm reception, followed by program. Free admission. Bill Heenehan, our Business Administrator and Project Manager, will give the keynote talk for the weeklong events celebrating "Preserving the Architecture of Faith." Read more...
Sunday, May 15: Annual meeting of members.
Sanctuary, 11:30am. The warrant is posted on the website and in the vestibule.
Sunday, May 15: Preservation Open House.
1-3pm. The FRS History Committee is holding an Open House with tours of the church and steeple, a history display, and an organ demonstration. Admission is by donation.
Thursday, May 19: Friendship Table.
Salvation Army, Water St. 4:30pm. Provide and/or serve supper. Sign up with Monique Greilich.
Wednesday, May 25: Alliance outing.
Essex River Cruise ($22) and lunch at Periwinkles in Essex (separate checks). Reservations required; call Carol Kilty. Rain date June 1. All are welcome.
Saturday, May 28: Tour famous UU sites with Harold.
Save the date for an all-day tour of sites relating to famous Unitarian Universalists. Carpool to Mount Auburn Cemetery, Concord's Sleepy Hollow Cemetery, the Old Manse and Concord Bridge. Sign-up info to come.
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Within Our Community
Considering becoming a member of FRS?
You can become a member of FRS at any time during the year, but we formally welcome new members twice a year. If you'd like to be part of the ceremony on Sunday, May 1, see Harold Babcock or Diane Young by Sunday, April 24 to fill out a membership application.
Nominate organizations for "loose plate" funds
The Community Human Service Committee has the responsibility of scheduling the organizations that will receive our monthly Collection for Cause--half of the unpledged cash donated in Sunday morning's collection plate. Prior to establishing the schedule for next year, we would like to solicit recommendations from the congregation. Submit your recommendation by May 12. Questions? Contact Jeff Bard
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Update from the Music Director Search Committee
The application period is coming to a close. We currently have eight candidates, and will be scheduling phone interviews and requesting videos and other support materials in the next two weeks. Auditions will occur in early May. Read more...
We are getting great responses from the music survey. Won't you share your thoughts and help us find the person who will best serve our community? The survey closes at noon on April 22.
Pick up raffle tickets to sell
This major fundraiser will be successful only if we have lots of ticket sellers. Have you picked up a packet of 10 tickets yet? They are available at Coffee Hour or in the office (9-1, Mon-Fri). The tickets are easy to sell. Who doesn't want to win
Dinner for Two Anywhere in the World
? Thanks for your help!
Alliance calls for speakers
The Alliance welcomes applications for presenters for its 2016-17 season. Our church community overflows with talented, educated and interesting men and women. If you are one of these people, please consider sharing your specialty by giving a one-hour lecture/presentation at our of the Alliance's five Wednesday afternoon meetings. Read more...
Climate Action Project news and events
Sunday, May 1 at 11:45am: "Climate Café" in Parish Hall (2nd floor).
Details in Calendar, above.
Monday, April 25 at 7:30pm,
Newburyport City Hall Auditorium
Become an off-site participant in General Assembly
Join with a group of FRS folks to view workshops and worship services streaming live online from GA, our national UU conference. W
atch the "Service of the Living Tradition" where Harold and other retiring ministers are honored. Read more...
Program Council develops recommendations for its work
At an inaugural meeting on March 29, representatives of 20 FRS groups came up with recommendations for the work of the new Program Council. The next meeting is Tuesday, May 24 at 7pm. All members (and potential members) of FRS groups and activities are welcome. Read more...
Alliance seeks new officers
The FRS Alliance needs new officers to fill several positions. The positions that will be available in June are president, vice president and recording secretary. If you are interested in any of these positions or would like to nominate someone else, please contact Patty King, current Alliance president
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Keep up with Young Church
Director of Religious Education Julie Parker Amery's blog tells you what kids in each grade will be learning and doing each Sunday. Not just for parents!
Friendship Table goes green in March
Our church hosted the Friendship Table at the Salvation Army on March 17, which was St. Patrick's Day. We served our signature lasagna and salad, along with a special St. Patrick's Day dessert. Ilise and Lucy O'Brien made and served cupcakes with green icing in honor of the holiday. The guests were thrilled to see such festive desserts! Read more...
Incarceration and Poverty
Incarceration and poverty are intimately linked.
For those of us who have had the opportunity to volunteer or work in programs in our prisons, a door is opened to the intimate lives of many of our fellow Essex County citizens. These are people we pass on the streets, see in grocery stores, or schools. I understood little about the challenges of their lives. Now I am beginning to see the person behind the external masks. Read more...
Join the fight against gun violence
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Beyond Our Doors
Connect Kids.
Learn to create, animate stories and games in Scratch. Tuesdays in April, 3-5pm. Vacation Week Special: classes Tuesday and Thursday, 3-5pm. Drop-in students are welcomed. $20 per class. Half of the fees are contributed to FRS. Read more about Connect Kids.
Visit Iceland with Church of the Larger Fellowship
UUs are headed to Iceland this summer with the Rev. Stefan Jonasson and the Rev. Meg Riley, August 15-25. The group will spend time in Reykjavík, then hit the road towards Akureyri, the city along the north coast.
Learn more
and
register
by May 15 on the CLF website.
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Helen Sampson Murgida gave this Journey of Faith on April 10.
My childhood was steeped in Roman Catholicism. Ritual and worship such as chants, communion, and processions were a cloak of comfort and predictability. I was supported in my faith by my neighborhood and parochial schools, and by my loving parents, who were deeply involved in caring for others through Catholic services like St. Vincent DePaul.
While attending high school I dated a DeMolay Baptist, which opened me to different views on Catholic dogma. I did undergraduate and graduate work in the 1960s immersed in civil rights and anti-war protests at Northeastern University, meeting wonderful people who practiced many religions and no religions.
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The deadline for the May 3 Steeple Biweekly is
Friday, April 29 at noon.
Send your submissions to Diane Young.
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