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TABLE OF CONTENTS
- Sunday Worship
- A Visualization of Peace from Susan Ricker
- New Member Sunday - Contemplating Membership at FRS?
- FRS Kicks off Justice Sunday Series
- Save the Date: Next Justice Sunday is November 13
- Sign up to bring a soup!
- FRS parishioners walk in 31st Annual Walk Against Domestic Violence
- Faith Formation and Spiritual Development
- Who, Why, Where… an interspiritual exploration of meaning and purpose
- Friday Night Fellowship
- Volunteer Opportunities
- Help Plan the FRS Fall Festival
- Welcoming Committee Seeks New Members
- Help Plan the November 27 Welcoming Worship Service
- Seeking Submissions for Next Year’s “Daily Muse”
- Upcoming Events
- Indigenous Peoples Day
- FRS Fall Festival
- Tuesday Short Story Group
- Friday Book Group
- Exploring Elderhood Together
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The Peabody Sisters: Three Women Who Ignited American Romanticism-An Afternoon with Pulitzer Prize-winning Author Megan Marshall
- Community-wide News & Events
- City of Newburyport Launches Newburyport Pride!
- Weekly Wellness Programming
- Monday Night Meditation
- Tuesday Spiritual Practice
- Wednesday Guided Relaxation
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Annual Ministry Theme: Peace
October Ministry Theme: Inner Peace
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Sunday Worship Service
October 9, 2022
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Sunday, October 9, 2022
How to Be Kept in Perfect Peace
10:30am in person and livestream on YouTube
“Those of steadfast mind you keep in peace, in peace because they trust in you.”
– Isaiah 26:3
Please join us this Sunday as we welcome guest preacher Reverend Martine Bernard to our pulpit. Rev. Martine is a Science of Mind Licensed Practitioner, Unity Prayer Chaplain, as well as a Reiki Healer. She has used New Thought principles in her daily life to be reborn by the renewing of her mind. She has shared her lovely voice, meditations, and moving prayers for years at Unity Brookline and Unity in The City. And since June of 2019, many have been blessed to hear Rev. Martine share her wisdom on a monthly basis! She is now in her third year studying to be a Science of Mind Minister at the Holmes Institute. Her passion is sharing New Thought-Ancient Wisdom Spiritual Principles with others!
Attend on YouTube: http://bit.ly/FRSyoutube
This Month's Shared Sunday Collection
This month’s Shared Collection will support the Greater Newbury Elder Pet Fund, serving Newburyport, West Newbury, Amesbury, Salisbury, and Rowley.
To attend worship in person, you must be vaccinated. Those who are unvaccinated are welcome to attend services online. Masks are not required for in-person worship. Socially distant seating is available in designated areas of the sanctuary.
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"Roots, life, hope, peace, refuge, connections, godliness - they are all here."
-by Susan Ricker
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An Invitation from Program Council
This year's annual ministry theme is peace and we invite you to submit a photo that best represents your visualization of peace - a personal representation or a broader representation of peace in the community or the world.
You can email your photo to cynthia.walsh@frsuu.org or text your photo to 978-701-5352. Please provide a photo caption and your name.
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New Member Sunday
When: Sunday, November 6 Worship Service
Contemplating membership at FRS?
Please join Rev. Rebecca and Julie Parker Amery, Director of Faith Formation and Spiritual Exploration, on Monday, October 24 from 6-7:30pm via Zoom to learn more about the Unitarian Universalism and our congregation's Values, Mission, & Ends. You will also learn about the many ways to join in fellowship at FRS.
RSVP below:
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FRS Kicks off Justice Sunday Series! | |
Patricia D. Rocker speaks to Young Church. Photo by Cynthia Walsh | |
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Last Sunday FRS hosted the first of our 2022-23 Justice Sundays with guest speaker Patricia D. Rocker who shared the story of her great-great-grandmother, Eunice (Matthews) Rocker, a Chappaquiddick-Wampanoag Woman of Indigenous and African descent. It's a story that began over 140 years ago on the Island of Noepe (Martha’s Vineyard).
Patricia also joined Young Church and shared stories about the Wampanoag Nation and lead Young Church through the traditional craft activity of corn husk doll making (see photos).
Patricia D. Rocker is the Council Chairwoman of the Chappaquiddick Tribe of the Wampanoag Nation, Whale Clan and an Advisory Council Member of the Massachusetts Center for Native American Awareness. She lives in Salisbury.
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Patricia D. Rocker with Young Church participants | |  |
Mara Flynn, Director of Children's Ministry, with Young Church participants | | |
Photo of Eunice (Matthews) Rocker's plaque that was dedicated on the Martha's Vineyard African American Heritage Trail in July 2022 | |
Save the Date!
Next Justice Sunday is November 13
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On Justice Sundays we will gather in fellowship for soup, salad, and discussion! Throughout the 2022-23 church year, we are seeking volunteers to bring a soup. To sign up, click on the blue button below the photo: | |
FRS parishioners gather for a team photo at the 31st Annual Walk Against Domestic Violence sponsored by the Jeanne Geiger Crisis Center | | |
Faith Formation and Spiritual Development | |
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Who, Why, Where… an interspiritual exploration of meaning and purpose
Facilitated by Rev. Jane Tuohy and Julie Parker Amery
Who are we? Who do we understand ourselves to be as humans? Are we merely flesh and bone? What is this thing some religions call “soul”? Or are we embodied spirits?
Why are we here? Is there a purpose to each human life? To my life? If so, is my purpose the same thing as my destiny?
Where are we going? Is there life after death? In the words of Peggy Lee’s song, "Is there all there is?" What do I believe and how does this belief affect how I live my life on a day to day basis?
These three questions have been pondered by philosophers and spiritual and religious leaders for millennia. As Unitarian Universalists, many of us believe that how we live our lives is as important as what we believe. But what we believe influences every aspect of how we live our lives.
This fall and winter, Rev. Jane Tuohy and Julie Parker Amery are facilitating a four-part pilot program which will explore four of the world’s religions from an interspiritual perspective. Interspirituality is a movement in which practitioners of different faith traditions open their treasures of beliefs, worship practices, and rituals and share with others in a spirit of respect and reverence.
Each of the presenters for this program will offer instruction based on how their religion responds to the “Who, Why, Where?” questions and lead participants in a worship practice or ritual. Worship practices and rituals are pathways for deepening our connection to the sacred, to the deepest part of ourselves, and to the deepest part of each other.
The four sessions planned will focus on Islam, Buddhism, Christianity, and Judaism. Each religion will be introduced in a first session which will be half instructional and half participating in a worship practice or ritual. Participants will leave with reflection questions and come back two weeks later for a follow up session of dialogue. Affiliate Minister Rev. Stan Barrett will launch the program on Wednesday, October 19 with a session on Islam.
Sessions will be held in person at FRS and will also be offered on Zoom on Wednesday evenings, with the presentation session offered the second Wednesday evening of the month from 7-8:30pm, and the follow-up dialogue session offered at the same time two weeks later.
To register for the program, click here: https://bit.ly/WhoWhyWhere.
Please register by Wednesday, October 12.
Questions? Contact Director of Faith Formation and Spiritual Exploration Julie Parker Amery at julie.amery@frsuu.org.
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Friday Night Fellowship (formerly Wednesday Night Fellowship)
When: Friday, October 21, from 6-8pm in the Lower Meetinghouse
Friday Night Fellowship (formerly Wednesday Night Fellowship) makes its return with a potluck dinner (all who attend are invited to bring a dish of some sort to share… anything: salad, bread, a main dish, dessert… whatever inspires. Part of the fun of a potluck is seeing what turns up! Dinner is followed by a brief, interactive worship service led by Rev. Rebecca (often involving a ritual), then a program.
The program for October will be community storytelling. Please watch for announcements in the Steeple for the evening’s theme. All are invited to come prepared to share a story, or to just listen if that’s your preference. We’ll also have some fun icebreaker activities. The November Friday Night Fellowship will be on November 18 and will include a hymn sing with Justin Murphy-Mancini.
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Sign up to Join the Planning Committee for FRS Fall Festival!
Do you enjoy all things fall? Would you like to help plan the FRS Fall Festival? The festival will be held on Sunday, October 16th from 11:30am-12:30pm (immediately following service). Please consider signing up to volunteer today - your enthusiasm for fall fun would be greatly appreciated! We will meet once for a fun brainstorming (in person and/or on Zoom) session to plan! Total time commitment is up to you. Any support you can provide is greatly appreciated. Email Cynthia Walsh at cynthia.walsh@frsuu.org or call/text 978-701-5352.
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Welcoming Committee Seeks New Members
The Welcoming Committee is seeking new members to join the committee this year. The committee coordinates efforts that help FRS foster a climate of “welcome” and support for the LGBTQ community. As a member of the Welcoming Committee you’d help plan Welcoming Worship Services, educational programming, FRS Pride events participation and other efforts to uplift LGBTQ+ issues in the congregation and the community. If interested, please contact Christine Doherty (she/her) at christine.doherty@comcast.net.
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Help Plan the November 27th Welcoming Worship Service
The November 27th Sunday worship service will be dedicated as a Welcoming Worship Service which uplifts LGBTQ+ experiences and issues. If you are interested in being involved in planning the service, please email Christine Doherty at christine.doherty@comcast.net. Rev. Rebecca will convene a planning meeting in early October. All are welcome to be involved.
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Seeking Submissions for Next Year’s “Daily Muse”
We’re starting to collect submissions of quotes to include in next year’s “Daily Muse” calendar. The calendar is a flip-book of inspirational quotes, the sales of which help cover the operating costs of the church. We urge you to think about some of your favorites and submit them for inclusion. Funny, wise, deep, witty… we seek a full range.
Submit as many as you’d like; we need 365!
Submit here!
Submit 20 or more quotes and receive a free copy of the completed book!
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Save the Date: FRS Fall Festival!
When: Sunday, October 16 following Sunday worship service in the side courtyard
Please join us for cider donuts, cider, popcorn, and cheese and crackers (gluten free options will be available). We'll have pumpkin painting and more! Please bring your carved pumpkin to help us decorate.
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Short Story Group
When:1st and 3rd Tuesdays of the month
The short story group focuses on reading and discussing anthologies. Contact Tom Himmel at thimmel43@mac.com for more information. All welcome to join!
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The FRS Friday Book Group
When: Fridays from 10-11:30am in the Lower Meetinghouse and on Zoom
We meet weekly and read both fiction and non-fiction books chosen by the participants. Each book is read and discussed over a period of several meetings, with the reading for each determined by the group.
Currently we are doing hybrid meetings for those who need/want to join by Zoom (subject to technical wherewithal). We are currently reading The Swerve by Stephen Greenblatt and expect to finish it on September 30.
Our next book will be The Peabody Sisters by Megan Marshall (who will be speaking at FRS on November 5).
For more information, contact Tom Himmel, thimmel43@mac.com.
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Exploring Elderhood Together
When: Thursday, October 20 from 1-3pm in the Lower Meetinghouse
Ageism Unmasked:
Dr. Tracey Gendron, PhD (recorded interview)
Join us for our first gathering of the church year, and our first-ever gathering in person!
Dr. Gendron, a nationally recognized gerontologist and speaker on ageism, offers a fascinating exploration of the understudied and overlooked issues of age bias and discrimination — the often subtle and unconscious practices that reduce an elder’s whole personhood. She explores ageism’s roots and impact today, offers a broader and deeper understanding of aging, and suggests what we can do to create a new reality of elderhood.
Small group discussions that follow will allow us to consider and share how ageism shows up in our lives, and what we can do to change the narrative of aging.
This session will last 30 minutes longer than usual, as we want to spend time at the end in conversation about the year ahead for EET, and the need for ideas and leadership to develop the program going forward.
Cider and cookies will be served. All are welcome. Please join us!
Questions? Contact Julie Parker Amery, Director of Faith Formation and Spiritual Exploration, at julie.amery@frsuu.org.
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The Peabody Sisters: Three Women Who Ignited American Romanticism
An Afternoon with Pulitzer Prize-winning Author Megan Marshall
When: Saturday, November 5 at 2pm in the Sanctuary
Join us for a very special afternoon with Pulitzer Prize winner Megan Marshall, who will speak about her writing and her first biography The Peabody Sisters: Three Women Who Ignited American Romanticism. Earning praise from William Grimes of The New York Times as “the intellectual equivalent of a triple axel,” Marshall’s group biography explores the lives of Elizabeth, Mary, and Sophia Peabody--our American Brontës--and their central role in shaping the thinking of their day. These remarkable women were Unitarians, Transcendentalists, and friends of Reverend Thomas Wentworth Higginson and other influential 19th century Unitarians. It’s a deep dive into our Unitarian history and an important read. There will be ample time for questions and conversation; you’re encouraged to read the book beforehand if you can, but there will be copies available for sale if you have not yet read it.
Please note that the FRS Friday Book Group has voted to make this their next book for discussion. The group meets every Friday morning at 10am and is always open to new members. Please contact Tom Himmel at thimmel43@mac.com for more information about the Book Group.
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Community-wide News and Events | | |
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City of Newburyport Launches Newburyport Pride!
The Newburyport Pride Board, working in collaboration with the Office of Mayor Sean Reardon and the DEI Alliance, is offering multiple opportunities for LGBTQIAP+ people and allies to be involved in Newburyport Pride, a series of adult/family-friendly activities to kick off Pride month beginning in June 2023.
If you’d like to participate in this inaugural event, please use the QR code (aim your phone camera at this, in order to activate) to share your interest.
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Weekly Wellness Programming | |
Minister–The Reverend Rebecca Bryan; Affiliate Minister–Rev. Stan Barrett; Affiliate Minister–Rev. Helen Murgida; Affiliate Minister-Rev. Jane Tuohy; Minister Emeritus–The Reverend Harold Babcock. Staff: Director of Church Operations–Rob Authier; Office Administrator–Diane Carroll; Audio-Visual Engineer–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–Tina Benik; Vice Chair-Jim Supple; Finance Chair–Renée Wolf Foster; Governance Chair–Tom Himmel; Endowment Treasurer–Kim Kenly; Finance Treasurer–Laurie Evans-Daly; Stewardship Chair–Vern Ellis; Parish Clerk–Kathy Desilets; Holly Cashman, Marissa Dewey, Minnie Flanagan, Michelle Kimball, Annie Maurer, Tom Stites. | |
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First Religious Society, Unitarian Universalist | 26 Pleasant St., Newburyport MA 01950
978-465-0602 | frsuu.org
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