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The First Religious Society Newsletter
The Steeple Biweekly
Scroll down to find these news sections.
- Sunday Services
- Rev-eries
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Calendar of Events
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Within Our
Community
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Sunday Services
November 19 - Service of Thanksgiving - "Unlikely Gratitude" - Rev. Susan Milnor.
"Blessed are those who see beautiful things in humble places," said the Neo-Impressionist painter Camille Pissarro. We are well aware of what people commonly express gratitude for at this time of year, ranging from family to home and health. But what unlikely events, people, and delights grace our lives? During our Moment for All Ages, we will celebrate a sunflower seed ritual. Kim Dowling shares her Journey of Faith.
November 26 - "Pilgrimage."
November, you might say, is the Month of the Pilgrim; at least to those in this country. While Thanksgiving is fresh in our minds, I will reflect on a different kind of pilgrim: everyday folks who take journeys of the soul. Please join us!--Julie Parker Amery
Collection for a Cause
Half of November's unpledged cash collection plate donations will go to the Amesbury Holiday Program, which provides families with children up to 18 years of age with toys, clothes, and gift cards.
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Rev-eries
Robin Sharma, a Canadian writer and speaker, said, "Change is hard at the first, messy in the middle, and gorgeous at the end." This congregation has been in the midst of change since Jay Lane and Harold Babcock announced their retirement, and I know there are many times when it has been hard.
Now we're smack in the middle of it. Transition in ministry inevitably means other transition, which is how it must be in order to arrive at that gorgeous place at the end. Although we have had some transition in staff, a few changes in worship, and a period of figuring out the new normal, this congregation continues to move forward. We have lots of good news. Read more...
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Calendar of Events
Wednesday, November 15: Retired Ladies Lunch.
Loretta, Newburyport, noon. Call Peg Mays to reserve. First-timers are welcome.
Wednesday, November 15: JAM follow-up meeting on Affordable Housing.
Lower Meeting House, 7pm. Continuation of actions that can support affordable housing in our community.
Tuesday, November 21: Short Story Group.
Lower Meeting House, 12:00-1:00pm. The story for discussion will be "Bartleby, the Scrivener" by Herman Melville. Attendees are welcome to bring a lunch. (This group meets regularly the first and third Tuesdays of every month.)
Thursday, November 30: Racial Justice Task Force forms.
Lower Meeting House, 6:30pm. The issues of white supremacy and racism remain central points in our national debate and have, indeed, become issues within Unitarian Universalism itself. Where do we stand as individuals? As a community? Read more...
Sunday, December 3: Fair trade sale.
During Coffee Hour. The ever-popular sale of Mayan Hands products featuring hand-crafted items from Guatemala will be back. Sales support families of this non-profit organization and benefit our church as well. For more information, please visit mayanhands.org or contact Eileen Fitzgerald.
Wednesday, December 6: First Wednesday.
Lower Meeting House, 7-8pm. Come hear Clarence Blevins, a reformed ex-felon who helps inmates make successful transitions between prison and home. Please support this much-needed joint initiative of the UU Church of Haverhill, Pennies for Poverty, and JAM.
Wednesday, December 6: Jazz Vespers.
Sanctuary, 8-8:45pm. December Jazz Vespers features Donna Seim who will read selections from her award-winning historical fiction Charley. Come see how this story relates to a member of the church and enjoy the house band of Lark Madden, Tomas Havrda, Susan Creamer and Michael Gruen. Jazz Vespers celebrates the inspiration of Jazz, Blues and Pop music, and includes readings and time for reflection.
Saturday, December 9: FRS is highlighted on Holiday House Tour.
10am-4pm. Tour benefits the Custom House Maritime Museum. Want to help FRS shine? Contact Diane Young, Director of Community Engagement
, X409.
Wednesday, December 13: Alliance holiday luncheon.
Bradford Tavern, Rowley, noon. Private room, handicapped accessible, separate checks. Yankee Swap is optional-bring a thrifty and nifty wrapped gift. RSVP to Patty King.
Sunday, December 17: Candlelight Service.
Sanctuary, 7:15pm. Our annual tradition of a service rich in music, congregational carols and readings.
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Within Our Community
Up and Coming UUs
The Up and Coming UUs program kicked off earlier this month, with twelve 9th and 10th graders participating. Up and Coming is a program through which participants explore typical coming-of-age questions: Who am I? What is my place in the world? What do I believe? Parents were invited to present their son/daughter with a gift symbolic of something they wish for them as they continue on their life journey. The youth will work with mentors Mike Dorsey, Deb Blagg, Ben Staples, and Julie Parker Amery in gatherings throughout the year and will present a worship service for the congregation in June.
From the "Rummage Mavens"
The Fall Rummage sale netted $1,400 and provided two overly-full truckloads of clothing to local charities. Thanks so much to all who contributed time, talent, and clothing!
Send encouragement to Sutherland Springs
Stop in the vestibule before church to add your name and message to a card for the First Baptist Church of Sutherland Springs, Texas. Cards are available through December 3, when they will be mailed out with a cover letter from Rev. Susan.
Food drive continues through November
Our annual Community Service of Newburyport Food Drive is taking place now, sponsored by the Human Services Committee. You can support this project by bringing food to the table in the vestibule and/or make a cash donation and we will do your shopping. A member of the Committee will be collecting cash donations after church each Sunday. Read more...
Ministerial Search update
We've done the survey, attended the Beyond Categorical Thinking workshop, met with the congregation during forums and coffee hour. FRS is just about ready to step out the door and into the UU world in its search for a new minister. The Congregational Record, which is the introduction to the inner workings of our community, is being fine-tuned and sent off to the UUA. The record will be posted on the UUA website and available only to ministers and staff. This is our first chance to make ourselves known to ministers who are looking for a congregation. Read more...
Scarves by Caroline in the Tiny Gallery
Scarves by Caroline (at right) are back, just in time for Christmas. They are all handknit with Alpaca yarn from Peru. They are lined with silk from men's ties. The price is $90 each. Forty percent of that goes to the FRS Steeple fund. I also will knit a scarf and line it with your husband's ties or ties of your choice. Happy shopping!--Carol Kilty
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The deadline for the November 28 Steeple Biweekly is Friday, November 24 at noon.
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First Religious Society |
info@frsuu.org | 978.465.0602 |
frsuu.org
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