Annual Ministry Theme: Unity
September Ministry Theme: Invitation
We have all known the long loneliness and we have learned that the only solution is love and that love comes with community.
-Dorothy Day
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Opening Sunday Worship
Reverend Rebecca Preaching
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September 12, 2021 - "This, Vulnerability and An Elephant”
We will be continuing honored traditions including creating our flower arch, as we lean into and learn together what it means to be a church at this point in the pandemic. It will be a blessed coming together of the old and the new: tradition integrated with new technology, longtime members greeting first-time visitors, and all that we have been merging with all that we are becoming, together and individually.
You are invited ~ whoever you are, however you are; whether your heart is heavy or light, whether you come with trepidation or rejoicing, whether you come online or in person ~ You are welcome.
Add your flower to our arch! Come by outside church on Saturday, September 11th, from 9–11am to place your flower on the arch, or bring a flower with you if you are coming to worship in person on Sunday, September 12th.
Flowers will be added outside before the start of the service, and the arch will be moved inside for the flower dedication.
Advance registration is required for attending worship in person. In-person attendance is limited to 200 people, with assigned, distanced seating.
If you plan to attend with another person or as part of a pod (three to six people), please assign one person to make the reservation for your group. You will be seated with the people with whom you signed up.
Masks are required in worship, and inside church buildings at all times.
For more information and to register for the Sunday, September 12th Worship Service, click the button below.
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30-Minute Fellowship Following Opening Sunday Worship Service
Join us on the brick area in front of the church following the service (weather permitting) for a beverage and in-person fellowship, or click on the Zoom link below to say hello during virtual fellowship. Good company and great conversation!
Meeting ID: 937 4167 7716
Passcode: 303533
One tap mobile
+19292056099,,93741677716# US (New York)
+13017158592,,93741677716# US (Washington DC)
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Workshop for FRS Members – Live Your Best Self and Change the World
This fall, FRS members trained as Alternatives to Violence Project (AVP) facilitators will offer an AVP basic workshop for FRS members and friends. In an AVP workshop, participants work through experiential activities to build community, affirm one another, and practice communication skills that help in conflict resolution. The workshop design was initially built by men in prison in New York state with help from Quakers and Civil Rights activists. The goal was to confront the violence in the prison, to bring the men together for their mutual benefit, and to help younger men avoid the bad effects of being incarcerated.
Over the past 40 years, AVP workshops have been used in diverse settings to help individuals reduce conflict, trauma, and isolation in their lives and strengthen their community connections. A focus on resilience and connection in the face of challenges is central to the AVP design. Many people have found participation transformational in their lives.
Our workshop series will be held on five consecutive Wednesday evenings from October 20 through November 17 from 5:30-9pm.
For more information contact call Kathy Desilets at kathydesi@gmail.com or call 978-255-4277 (please leave a message).
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Take the Adult Faith Formation and Spiritual Exploration Survey
It will only take a couple of minutes, but the information you provide will be helpful as all of us involved in the faith formation ministry—staff and members alike—work to put together the most relevant and robust program. The survey offers you the opportunity to share what themes you wish to explore, and whether you wish to engage online and/or in person.
Please also consider what interests/skills you have that you'd like to share with the congregation in the context of faith formation. The survey can be accessed here: https://bit.ly/faithformationfall2021.
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Volunteer with FRS' Habitat for Humanity
The FRS Habitat team joins other volunteers to complete the construction of Habitat's seven homes. The next service day is Saturday, September 18, starting at 8:15am.
Join us and you will experience fellowship, forge connection, find joy, and contribute service.
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We are seeking congregants to join the Finance, Stewardship, and Governance Committees. It doesn't require any particular knowledge or skills to contribute meaningfully to the work of the church. Each committee functions as a team to divide the tasks, provide expertise, and support decisions. We are looking for more and different members of the congregation to step in and help with the operations of our beloved community.
Service is our prayer!
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Writers Wanted!
The FRS Communications Team is looking for people who would like to join our writing team to help cover parish and community related stories for our Steeple newsletter. You would be supported by a team of experienced journalists, print designers, and people who love to learn and share stories about our parish.
We meet on the 4th Thursday of the month from 5-6pm via Zoom. In the future we hope to be able to meet in person and share a meal as we brainstorm ideas for stories. This role will bring laughter and enjoyment as you build connections with fellow parishioners.
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FRS Supports Annual Field of Honor as a Sponsor
The Exchange Club of Greater Newburyport is hosting the 12th annual Field of Honor, a moving display of hundreds of American flags, from September 8-13, on the Bartlet Mall in Newburyport.
On Saturday, September 11 at 9am is the Dedication Ceremony (rain date is noon on Sunday, September 12th). The Field of Honor traditionally honors veterans, military, first responders, and personal heroes. FRS has dedicated flags to Ending Systemic Racism; Black Lives Matter; and Love, Service, and Truth.
This installation is a powerful community display especially as we commemorate the 20th anniversary of the 9/11 attacks on our country. Special tribute will be paid to the victims and survivors of those attacks. Healthcare workers, essential workers, and those affected by COVID-19 will also be honored.
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Support Affordable Housing in Newburyport!
On September 13, the Newburyport City Council will meet to discuss the YWCA of Newburyport's affordable housing project, which is a plan for 10 units of affordable housing called the YWCA at Hillside. The YWCA asked for and received $150,000 from Community Preservation Act in 2015 for this project. Given the pandemic, there have been delays and there is a cost increase of $330,000, which the YWCA must bear. The cost increase includes additional construction costs and increased costs for appliances. The YWCA returned to Community Preservation Act and requested $50,000, which was approved. However, Councilor Eigerman opposes the request on several grounds and believes that the developer – David Hall – should bear 100% of the cost increases. David Hall has contributed a donation of land valued at $280,000, $300,000 toward purchase of building, and design costs.
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Minister–The Reverend Rebecca Bryan; Affiliate Minister–Stan Barrett; Affiliate Minister–Helen Murgida; Minister Emeritus–The Reverend Harold Babcock. Staff: Office Administrator–Diane Carroll; Director of Children's Ministry–Mara Flynn; Director of Church Music–Justin Murphy-Mancini; Director of Faith Formation and Spiritual Exploration–Julie Parker Amery; Director of Church Operations–vacant; Director of Congregational and Community Engagement–Cynthia Walsh; Sexton–Donny Rogers. Parish Board: Chair–Holly Cashman; Vice Chair–Tina Benik; Finance Chair–Tim Fountain; Governance Chair–Juliana Beauvais; Endowment Treasurer–Kim Kenly; Finance Treasurer–Micah Donahue; Parish Clerk–Kathy Desilets; Vern Ellis, Minnie Flanagan, Michelle Kimball, Lucy Litwin, Annie Maurer, Jim Supple, Renée Wolf Foster.
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First Religious Society, Unitarian Universalist | 26 Pleasant St., Newburyport MA 01950
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