Annual Ministry Theme: Unity
December Ministry Theme: Spaciousness
Space permeates everything, every moment of our lives.
-Pema Chödron
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CHRISTMAS EVE SERVICES
December 24, 2021
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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.
Caroling at FRS will be live streamed on our Members and Friends Facebook page at 6:30pm. Tune in here: https://www.facebook.com/groups/frsuu
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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SUNDAY WORSHIP SERVICE
December 26, 2021
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Gong Meditation and Relaxation Service
10:30am, in-person* and on YouTube
Zach Field returns to FRS for the annual Gong Meditation and Relaxation service to help us bring in the new year with peace and calm. The soothing sounds of pitched gongs distract the mind as Zach leads us in meditation. Zach's percussion studio and music school, ZFDM (formerly the Musical Suite and Zach Field Drum Studios), are located at the Tannery in Newburyport.
*Masks and vaccination are required to attend in-person services.
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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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Photos from FRS' Hot Cocoa & Holiday Cookie Social that took place last Sunday! |
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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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Your copy should address 3 key questions: Who am I writing for? (Audience) Why should they care? (Benefit) What do I want them to do here? (Call-to-Action)
Create a great offer by adding words like "free" "personalized" "complimentary" or "customized." A sense of urgency often helps readers take an action, so think about inserting phrases like "for a limited time only" or "only 7 remaining!"
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