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The First Religious Society Newsletter
The Steeple Biweekly
Scroll down to find these news sections.
- Sunday Services
- Rev-eries
- Calendar of Events
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- Within Our
Community
- Beyond Our Doors
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Sunday Services
October Worship Theme: Acceptance and Diversity
October 22 - Animal Blessing - Family Service - Rev. Susan Milnor.
The opportunity to accept our fellow creatures on this earth is indeed a grace-filled one. Bring your well-behaved pets - leashed, caged, or through a photo or a memento - and let's bless them and our life on this earth. We might have a howling good time while we are it.
October 29 - Jazz Service
- Tom Stites & FRS Jazz Vespers Band. As members of a faith whose First Principle affirms and promotes the inherent worth and dignity of every person, and as citizens of a country that doesn't, what are we called to do as religious people? As our country's political culture disintegrates before our horrified eyes, this becomes an urgent question. Perhaps the blues can offer guidance... Read more...
Collection for a Cause
Half of October's unpledged cash collection plate donations will go to
Community Action: Headstart.
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It is a splendid October day on the coast of New England: sunny, cool, clear, the hint of colors in the landscape. It is the kind of day that has, my whole life, evoked a deep-down, nearly unutterable joy, a day that hints at the wonder of being alive in this world.
Yet the airwaves are filled with very bad news; we work too much and play too little; we wonder how to do the most important things, and what they are.
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Calendar of Events
Wednesday, October 18: Retired Ladies Lunch.
The Deck, Salisbury, noon. Call Peg Mays to reserve, 978-462-5025. First-timers are welcome.
Sunday, October 29: FRS Connect Sign-Up Event.
During Coffee Hour. Set up your account for our online community, get one-to-one help using FRS Connect (formerly Realm), and get your directory picture taken.
Monday, October 30: Rummage sale drop-off begins.
Wednesday, November 1: Jazz Vespers.
Sanctuary, 8-8:45pm. Enjoy the house band of Lark Madden, Tomas Havrda, Susan Creamer and Michael Gruen, and readings by Robin Lawson. Jazz Vespers celebrates the inspiration of Jazz, Blues and Pop music, and includes readings and time for reflection. All are welcome.
Wednesday, November 1: First Wednesdays: Prison Policy.
7pm. The Justice Action Ministry welcomes Essex County Sheriff Kevin Coppinger. Learn about the role and contribution of prison policy and programs in the Criminal Justice Reform initiatives now being discussed on Beacon Hill. Read more...
Sunday, November 5: Interested in doing your Journey of Faith?
Parish Hall 2nd floor, at noon. If you'd like to give your Journey of Faith, or are thinking about it or just curious, please come. There's no obligation to sign up, just a chance for us to share the JOF guidelines and answer any questions you may have. If you cannot make the meeting, contact Alex Mezey
or Merryl Maleska Wilbur.
Sunday, November 5: Newcomers wine and cheese party.
4-6pm at a home near the church. If you feel new to FRS, you're invited. Space is limited, so RSVP soon to Diane Young, X409. Bring your favorite cheese if you can.
Tuesday, November 7: Short Story Group.
Lower Meeting House, 12-1pm. The stories for discussion will be "The Necklace" and "The String" by Guy de Maupassant. Attendees are welcome to bring a lunch. (This group meets regularly the first and third Tuesdays of every month.)
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Within Our Community
Where are we now? Search Committee update
The discernment process is complete, and now the Ministerial Search Committee is working to put together the Congregational Record. This is a snapshot of our community using the survey results and demographic and other information to acquaint the UUA and prospective ministers with who we are. Read more...
Gun sense letter available for signing
Rev. Susan Milnor shares this announcement from the Greater Newburyport Clergy Association and asks, if you are supportive, that you sign the letter petitioning our state representatives to work towards sensible gun law legislation. The letter will be available for signing on Sunday, October 22. Read more...
Christmas Candlelight is coming up!
Mark your calendars for Sunday, December 17 at 7pm. Rehearsals will begin in November, and will be mostly on Sunday afternoons this year, plus a final adult chorale rehearsal Friday evening, December 15, and a Dress Rehearsal for everyone on Saturday morning December 16. If you would like to sing in the Christmas Candlelight Choir this year, or if you have questions, please contact Acting Director of Church Music Dana Maiben.
Read the faith stories of FRS members
The booklet of Journey of Faith statements will be available as of Sunday, October 22. It includes Journeys of Faith, personal stories by members and friends of FRS, given between the Fall of 2016 and Spring of 2017. You'll know it by its lavender cover; copies of previous booklets dating to 2010 are also available in the vestibule.
Are you ready to become a member of FRS?
Members commit to pursue personal spiritual development and support the development of others, offer their time and talents to build and sustain the beloved community, and participate in the annual canvass by learning of the congregation's financial needs and contributing according to their means. You can become a member anytime by signing a form, but we will formally welcome new members on Sunday, November 5. Speak to Diane Young,
X409.
The joy of giving
We need your help! Do you have candles, mugs, unopened lotion gift packages, jewelry, etc. lying around your home that you don't need, or even know what to do with? The Community Human Services Committee is sponsoring a new initiative for the kids in Kelleher Gardens, Newburyport's Public Housing for Families. We want the children to experience the joy of "shopping" for and giving a holiday gift to their mom and/or dad. Read more...
Youth collecting hoodies for people in need
As a continuation of last year's service project on homelessness, the Senior Youth Group is collecting new XXL (or XL) hoodie sweatshirts to deliver to an organization in Boston before winter starts. Bring your donation on a Sunday morning, and look for the senior youth at a table.
Rummage Sale coming soon
As cool days return, remember to put aside all your clothing and accessories donations for the Fall Rummage Sale. Bring donations starting October 30 to the church vestibule. Volunteer to sort, hang, and price the donations on Thursday, November 2, 12-5pm, and Friday, November 3, 12-5pm. Contact Anne Verret Speck
. Rummage Sale dates are Friday November 3, 6-7:30pm and Saturday November 4, 9-11:30am. All proceeds go to the Steeple Fund.
Thanks for supporting the Geiger Center
Many thanks to our nine members of the First Religious Society Team who walked to raise money for the Jeanne Geiger Crisis Center on October 1. It was a beautiful morning, a chance to connect with each other, and get some good exercise while raising a total of $1,180.00!--Ann Haaser, Community Human Services
Welcoming LGBTQ people
It's time for FRS to renew its 1996 certification as a "Welcoming Congregation," an official designation of the UUA for churches who commit to LGBTQ outreach and education. A task force begins work this week. Members are Maureen Adams, James Funston, Alex Gramling, Jo An Kincaid, and Lee McLaughlin. Find out more about the UUA's Welcoming Congregation program.
Read about the recent affordable housing program
Newburyport artist Susan Kapuscinski Gaylord is exhibiting posters from her latest series in the Tiny Gallery Under the Stairs for the month of October. Words For Our Time was created in response to the 2016 election. Susan describes her motivation: "Words have always been my ballast and my anchor. I believe in their power. While I understand the saying 'actions speak louder than words,' I believe that words can be where actions start." Read more...
Sign up for Group Spiritual Direction
Spiritual direction is the practice of going deep beneath the surface of one's daily, doing existence to discern the soul's calling and yearning. It is a practice of deepening one's relationship with what one considers the sacred. Practiced in the context of a group, spiritual direction also involves companioning with others as they, too, seek a deeper meaning to life's questions. Read more...
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Beyond Our Doors
Donate winter coats, gloves and mittens
The Annual Pettengill House Winter Coat Drive is coming up. They are looking for warm parkas in good condition, but waterproof gloves and mittens for children especially and adults disappear quickly and are needed as the colder harsher weather approaches. Pettengill House thanks the FRS community for its continued generosity. Read more...
Submit your program proposals for 2018 GA
The 2018 UUA General Assembly will be held June 20-24 in Kansas City, Missouri, and
program proposals
are now being accepted. They are especially looking for proposals that address the 2018 theme "All Are Called." The proposal deadline is Wednesday, November 1 at 3 pm.
Learn more
about the theme and how to
submit proposals
on the GA website,
Music for Change to benefit Pennies for Poverty
Pennies for Poverty announces its fall fundraiser: Music for Change. Saturday, November 4, 6:30 at the Elks Lodge in Newburyport. Enjoy a silent and live auction, a small plate buffet, and music by the EJ Ouellette Band, Liz Frame and the Kickers. Tickets are $30 and JAM invites the UU congregation to buy a table for 8 for the event. Purchase tickets at
musicforchange.yapsody.com.
Hear from two women making a difference
Let's show Attorney General Healey that we appreciate her advocacy and action for gun violence prevention. Join the MA Coalition to Prevent Gun Violence on Thursday, November 2 in Wellesley at an evening to recognize two women who are making a difference to #EndGunViolence. Read more...
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The deadline for the October 31 Steeple Biweekly is Friday, October 27 at noon.
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First Religious Society |
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