February 1, 2023

TABLE OF CONTENTS

• Sunday Worship
• Justice Sunday with Soup and Salad and Programming
• Parish Board January Update
• Donate a Hymnal to FRS!
• Photos from Justice Sunday
• Sign up for Living the Pledge
• A Visualization of Peace Photo from Doug Latham
• Newbury Food Donations Now Being Accepted
• Save the date: Our Parish's 300th Anniversary Planning Meeting
• Daily Muse Discounted to $10
• Upcoming Fellowship Programming
• Weekly Wellness Programming
• Monday Night Meditation
• Tuesday Spiritual Practice
• Wednesday Guided Relaxation
• February Worship and Events Calendars
• Beyond Our Doors: Events in the Greater Newburyport Area

Annual Ministry Theme: Peace

February Ministry Theme: Grief

There is some strange intimacy between grief and aliveness, some sacred exchange between what seems unbearable and what is most exquisitely alive. 

-Francis Weller 

Sunday, February 5, 2023

In the Companionship of Grief 

10:30am in the Sanctuary and on YouTube

Reverend Rebecca will be preaching on the role of grief in our lives, individually and collectively. Drawing on the work of Francis Weller, she will invite us to understand the gifts and skills needed to live with grief, as the other side of love. This begins our monthlong ministry theme of grief. Each week we will explore other elements of grief, including its sources, how we live with it, and toward what we turn for our strength.

Attend on YouTube: http://bit.ly/FRSyoutube

February Shared Collection Partner - MA Coalition to Prevent Gun Violence

The Massachusetts Coalition to Prevent Gun Violence brings together over 90 organizations across the state, including First Religious Society, to end the epidemic of gun violence in the United States. The coalition advocates for improved policies around gun safety and partners with community organizations working to end violence in their neighborhoods. Half of each Sunday’s collection not designated as a pledge supports a local partner working to transform our region.

Join us for Justice Sunday with Soup and Salad

Following service, everyone is invited to the Lower Meetinghouse for soup and salad. At 12pm we will gather in the Sanctuary for February's Justice Sunday program focusing on non-apparent disabilities.

We are in the process of acquiring more hymnals for the Sanctuary to make it easier for all of us to sing together. We hope to purchase 25 additional copies of Singing the Living Tradition (the “grey” hymnal) and 50 additional copies of Singing the Journey (the “teal” hymnal). We are also hoping to purchase 5-10 additional large-print hymnals as well to increase our congregation’s accessibility.

Donating a hymnal is a wonderful opportunity to support FRS and to honor a loved one. If you would like to donate a hymnal (or two, or three!), you are invited to include a dedication with this gift. A bookplate with the dedication will be placed inside the front cover of the hymnal. You can take a look around at the hymnals in the Sanctuary to see that many people have taken this opportunity in the past.

To donate a hymnal, click here to learn more.

Dr. Sandy Petrulionis shares her research on Rev. Thomas Wentworth Higginson

Photo by parishioner Jay McCarthy

Upcoming “Living the Pledge” Workshop Series

Gain confidence in your ability to talk about and confront racism wherever it lives. Join our Pledge to End Racism by attending a “Living the Pledge” workshop series. FRS has trained facilitators to guide you through a national curriculum, specifically developed by and for UUs. The 6-session workshops, interactive and covering themes such as internal bias, responding to microaggressions, and systemic racism, will start in late February either in person and/or on Zoom. The sessions are not yet scheduled; when you fill out the interest form, you’ll be asked to indicate what days and times are good for you, and if you prefer in-person or Zoom.

Click HERE to indicate your interest in the Living the Pledge Spring 2023 workshop series. Contact Director of Faith Formation and Spiritual Exploration, Julie Parker Amery, with questions: julie.amery@frsuu.org.

Photo submitted by Doug Latham - "Redbud Alcove Camp"

Newbury Food Pantry Food and Personal Care Drive

The Community Outreach Group of FRS is sponsoring a food drive to benefit the Newbury Food Pantry during the month of February. Donations can be left on the right shelf at the back of the Sanctuary as you exit. The Newbury Food Pantry is currently serving an average of 480 guests each week. Your donations are gratefully appreciated especially at this time of need. The wish list for food and personal care items includes hearty soups, rice and pasta sides, instant coffee, muffin and quick bread mixes, gluten free products, toothpaste, shampoo, liquid soap, toilet paper, and paper towels. Questions? Contact Linda Buddenhagen at 978-463-0882.

Save the date: Our Parish's 300th Anniversary Planning Kick-off Meeting

When: Sunday, February 12 from 11:30-12:30pm in the Lower Meetinghouse

Come learn, share ideas, bring your questions, and consider getting involved in the planning for our 300th anniversary, which will be celebrated in 2025!

Several spots are left to join "Service & Safari" in Kenya this July 22nd for 14 days: two days in Nairobi, five days in the rural village working with school children, and four days in the Maasai Mara wildlife region.

For more information, contact Susan Cooper at susanc0805@gmail.com or Sandra Thaxter at sandra@smallsolutionsbigideas.org.

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!

If you would like to thank another parishioner, please email cynthia.walsh@frsuu.org.

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 Church Music Emerita–Barbara Owen; 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.

First Religious Society, Unitarian Universalist | 26 Pleasant St., Newburyport MA 01950

978-465-0602 | frsuu.org