Annual Ministry Theme: Unity
December Ministry Theme: Spaciousness
Space permeates everything, every moment of our lives.
-Pema Chödron
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SUNDAY WORSHIP
December 19, 2021
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Winter Solstice Service and Ritual in Honor of the 2021 Annual Vigil for All Victims of Gun Violence
People and cultures have recognized the importance of the Winter Solstice, or Longest Night, for millennia. We wait, when the sun is tilted furthest from the sun, for the light to return. Reverend Rebecca will reflect upon the sweet darkness as we also join with faith communities throughout the month of December in remembering victims of gun violence.
“Don't let the solstice fool you: our lives will always be a stew of contradictions.”
-Adrienne Rich
December's Shared Collection will go to Fuel Assistance.
The service will be in-person and on YouTube at 10:30am.
To watch the livestream online click here.
In-person attendance is limited to 200 people, with distanced seating in open pews.
Masks are required in worship, and inside church buildings at all times.
Holiday Hot Chocolate and Cookie Social Following Worship
Please join us outside (weather permitting) after worship for a cup of hot chocolate or coffee and a treat.
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Candlelight Service: A Tradition at FRS |
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Candlelight Choir in rehearsal with FRS Director of Church Music Justin Murphy-Mancini. Photos by Cynthia Walsh. |
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By Tom Stites
What a gift for this season! The full choir will sing for us in person in our beautiful sanctuary for the first time since the pandemic descended on us in March 2020. And there will be candles!
The Annual Candlelight Service, a community tradition since 1925, will resume this weekend in person after a virtual service last year due to public health concerns about COVID-19. There will be two identical services this year, so that people can be distanced in the pews, at 7pm both Saturday and Sunday nights. Because of the limited seating, and for those more comfortable watching from home, both concerts will be streamed live on YouTube.
So there can be no overcrowding, people will need to buy tickets on the web in advance – it’s simple, and instructions are at the end of this article. To be admitted, you must show your ticket and your vaccination card or a photo. Act fast – a sellout is likely.
Our minister, the Reverend Rebecca Bryan, will lead the service, but there will be more music this year and fewer readings than the custom. The service format, not just the distanced seating, has been adjusted this year in an abundance of caution.
Choir at Front of the Sanctuary
"What I'm going for is still a spiritual concert," Director of Church Music Justin Murphy-Mancini said, "but something special to fit these circumstances."
The choir will sing from the front of the sanctuary rather from the balcony near the organ. They will wear masks and the congregation will be spaced from them for safety reasons. All the choir's music will be accompanied from the piano, but Justin and guest organist Raymond Hawkins will perform solo organ pieces as well.
Justin has selected music that reflects the contemplative and spiritually deep aspects of the season. Some pieces are Candlelight Chorale favorites; others have been performed only rarely.
The tradition of the choir singing "O Come All Ye Faithful" during their processional has been put on hold because the choir would need to come too close to the audience as they pass through the aisles. The brass quintet is on hold as well. And there will be no carol singing this year, for the same reason that we do not sing hymns in the sanctuary in Sunday worship.
"If I had to sit there and only listen to my favorite Christmas carols, I'd be sad," Justin said.
Carol Singing Opportunity
But in this year's Christmas Eve services, which will begin at 5:30 and 8pm, the choir will sing carols for the congregation's listening pleasure -- and after each service, the congregation is invited to adjourn to the brick area at the front of the church for caroling with all who want to join in.
Given the admirable caution of the FRS Reopening Team, what has changed to finally allow choral singing in the Candlelight setting?
Justin said that a new, peer-reviewed report based on MIT computer modeling that incorporates several variables, did the trick. Based on the MIT data, he said, "we determined that there was no increased risk."
The Reopening Team, Justin said, is actively exploring whether to reintroduce the choir into Sunday worship.
Meantime, he's eager for the Candlelight services.
"The best thing about this room," he said in an interview at his piano in the sanctuary, "is that it loves music."
Remember, to be admitted to the services you'll need to show your ticket as well as your vaccine card or a photo of it.
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Traditional Christmas Eve Services, 5:30 and 8pm, In-Person and Online
Return to our traditional Christmas Eve services either in person or on YouTube. Both services will be the same and will include the Christmas story, carols, and "Silent Night" hummed by candlelight. Rev. Rebecca will lead worship. We will gather outside following both services to sing festive Christmas carols.
For everyone's safety, vaccination is required to attend in person. Families with children under 5 are encouraged to attend Christmas Eve worship online. Masks are required at all times in church buildings.
Congregational Candles for Christmas Eve Services
If you are planning to attend Christmas Eve service on YouTube, please stop by the church office between 9am-1pm, beginning Monday, December 13 through Christmas Eve, to pick up your congregational candle and drip protector.
Email Diane Carroll at diane.carroll@frsuu.org or call 978-465-0602, ext. 401 if you have any questions or to make other arrangements to pick up your candle.
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Holiday Worship Services and Opportunities to Connect
Click on the button below to learn more about our December services and events.
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Church Office Holiday Schedule
Closed Friday, December 24 at 1pm through Tuesday, December 28
Reopening Wednesday, December 29 at 9am
Closed Friday, December 31 at 1pm through Monday, January 3
Reopening Tuesday, January 4 at 9am
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New Member Sunday
January 9, 2022
We will be recognizing new members and renewing our commitment to one another on New Member Sunday, January 9, 2022. It would be a joy to count you among our newest groups of members.
For more information contact Cynthia Walsh at:
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The Daily Muse: Now Available! |
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The Daily Muse is a collection of 365 inspirational quotes—one for each day of the year—packaged as a standing flip-book for easy display.
The Daily Muse booklets, which make excellent holiday gifts and stocking stuffers, are currently available for $20 each. Plan to pick one up after church on December 19, or order one here: https://bit.ly/TheDailyMuse.
Check out the video below to learn more about the Daily Muse!
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We're seeking a few volunteers to help sell copies of the beautiful Daily Muse
booklets. Opportunities include Newburyport's Invitation Night this Friday, before and after Candlelight services this Saturday and Sunday, and on Christmas Eve. Shifts can be for whatever duration works for you. We need people to help staff a table that will be set up outside. If you can help, please email julie.amery@frsuu.org. Thank you in advance!
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Update from FRS Afghan Refugee Working Group
St. Paul's Episcopal Church in Newburyport has posted the following Afghan Evacuee Family UPDATE on Facebook, which includes a couple of nice suggestions to further support the families who will be arriving soon:
"We have just received word from IINE that there will be a family of 9 arriving early next week! Another major thank you to the whole community who helped to prepare for their arrival. The family of 13 is still set to come as well, but we do not have a new arrival time for them just yet.
WHAT YOU CAN DO to welcome them!
It is important that the family has their privacy and can settle in as they see fit. So we ask that people respect this. However, we know that people are eager to welcome and embrace the family as a part of our community. As a way to reach out to them, you can write a very short note of welcome on a card. Please do not write overwhelming long notes, or offer assistance with anything, or give your personal information. Just something like: 'Welcome to Newburyport. We are so glad you are here.' in your own words and sign. You can deliver a card to St. Paul's (166 High Street, Newburyport) or email a note to stpauls@stpauls-nbpt.org.
While we are no longer accepting household items, if you would like to continue to support our new neighbors with a financial gift you can do so at stpaulsnewburyport.org/give or by check to St. Paul's, writing 'Afghan Evacuee Housing' in the memo line."
Here is a link to the St. Paul's Facebook post, with pictures of the church space which will serve as temporary home to the Afghan families:
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Ways to Connect With Others |
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Holiday Lift Program: Co-creating Joy (LAST DAY TO SIGN UP)
Many of us could use a lift this holiday season, so we invite you to participate in a program designed to spread a little joy.
You will be randomly assigned another participant for whom you will leave a small token of joy. Be creative! It could be a baked good, a photograph or piece of art you've created, a copy of a favorite poem, a book that you find especially meaningful, even found objects from nature. Please do not purchase anything extravagant. Let the gift be an expression of you!
You, in return, will be the recipient of someone else's joyful giving. All exchanges will ideally be in December—but after the holidays is a fine time, too! We can help transport if necessary.
Questions? Contact Julie Parker Amery, Director of Faith Formation and Spiritual Exploration at julie.amery@frsuu.org.
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Exploring Elderhood Together
When: Thursday, December 16 at 1pm on Zoom
Geriatricians: Medical Specialists for Healthy Aging
The typical older adult of the 21st century is vastly different from their ancestors. One remarkable difference is that we are living longer -- decades longer than our grandparents. As today's elders, we have the potential to enjoy many engaging and productive years in later life. We also have the potential to develop health issues which can limit quality of life and shorten our lifespan.
Our presenter, Dr. Michael Sandberg, was board-certified in geriatrics in 1990. He practiced as a geriatrician for 25 years and served as an Assistant Professor of Medicine at Tufts Medical School, where he taught geriatric medicine in the Tufts Family Practice Residency until his retirement. Michael is a member of FRS.
Michael's approach to care of elders has always been wholistic and focused on the medical, cognitive, mental health, functional, and social changes related to aging.
Join us for this informative program and bring your questions: What's normal aging? What can I do to maintain or improve my overall health and quality of life? How can I reduce the risk of injuries? How can I be a more active participant in my healthcare? How do I plan for my medical future?
This is a live presentation via Zoom (link below) with time for questions and discussion.
No registration is required.
Join Zoom Meeting:
Meeting ID: 966 8876 5086
Passcode: 517079
Exploring Elderhood Together brings people over 60 together to reflect on topics related to what it means to grow older in the 2020s and, through sharing from our own lived experiences, build a greater sense of belonging within our community.
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Celebratory Sendoff For Mayor Holaday
When: Tuesday, December 21 at 3:25pm
FRS has been asked to toll our church bells 12 times in recognition of the 12 years that Mayor Donna Holaday has served the city of Newburyport. Mayor Holaday has shown support for several justice initiatives initiated by FRS. Join us outside the meetinghouse at 3:25pm to hear our church bells toll at 3:30pm. We will then walk over to the outside reception taking place in Brown Square.
Shout out to FRS member Hugh Martinez who will serve as the bell toller!
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Holiday Messages for the Incarcerated
There are more than 1400 Unitarian Universalists who are currently incarcerated.
Before COVID we sent actual Christmas cards. Now the Church of the Larger Fellowship (CLF) is asking us to send holiday messages on paper templates that they provide for us.
Would you be willing to spread cheer and let them know that someone on the outside is wishing them well?
For more information, including a sign-up sheet for messages, click on this link:
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Thank Our UUs
Once a month we will publish a list of thanks to all who help to make our day a little brighter and our community stronger!
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Minister–The Reverend Rebecca Bryan; Ministerial Intern–David Livingstone; Affiliate Minister–Stan Barrett; Affiliate Minister–Helen Murgida; Minister Emeritus–The Reverend Harold Babcock. Staff: Director of Church Operations–Rob Authier; Office Administrator–Diane Carroll; Audio-Visual Coordinator–Rob Close; Director of Children's Ministry–Mara Flynn; Director of Church Music–Justin Murphy-Mancini; Director of Faith Formation and Spiritual Exploration–Julie Parker Amery; Sexton–Donny Rogers; Director of Congregational and Community Engagement–Cynthia Walsh. 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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