Annual Ministry Theme: Unity
November Ministry Theme: Learning
"I am still learning."
-Michelangelo
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Please note that the church office will be closed on Friday, November 26th. |
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SUNDAY WORSHIP
November 28, 2021
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“Whom Do We Ask?”
Asking for help is not something many of us do easily, yet, learning to ask for help is essential if we are to live interconnected and in community. Reverend Rebecca will be preaching about why asking for help is so hard, and how we might learn to make it easier. Pastoral Care Associates are supporting the service.
"Help thy brother’s boat across and lo! Thine own has reached the shore."
-Hindu Proverb
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 assigned, distanced seating.
Masks are required in worship, and inside church buildings at all times.
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Sermon Discussion on Asking for Help
Sunday, November 28, 4:30-5:30pm via Zoom
This discussion will be facilitated by Rev. Rebecca and members of the Pastoral Care Associates.
Join Zoom meeting:
Meeting ID: 934 4041 6089
Passcode: 220591
One tap mobile
+13017158592,,93440416089# US (Washington DC)
+13126266799,,93440416089# US (Chicago)
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30-Minute Fellowship Following 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 to say hello. Good company and great conversation!
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The UUA's Ivy Wreath Tradition |
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Photo of the ivy wreath at Reverend Bertrand Steeves' memorial service |
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The custom of forwarding an ivy wreath for the memorial service of a deceased minister in our Association began nearly fifty years ago. It is a means of honoring a minister’s contributions to the movement and accordingly a symbolic recognition of her or his professional status. The aim was for a simple but dignified piece that would be appropriate for a memorial service and for occasions when no flowers were requested.
The shape of a circle symbolized collegiality and friendship and of course is related to the circles used by the denomination, symbolic of the universality of our cause. The ivy, being evergreen, is an expression of the immortality of personality as well as the living tradition of the ministry itself.
In some sections of the continent where ivy is not available, laurel is used to fashion the wreath, but even then there is effort to have some ivy woven into it. Of course, the classic tradition of the wreath was used by the ancient Greeks to crown not only the victors in the Pythian Games but also as a mark of distinguished leadership and responsible offices, and in some traditions the laurel wreath was used to indicate academic honors.
Like all symbols and traditions, the meanings of the wreath have evolved over the years, but mainly our hope is to express our lasting respect and affection for the leadership and service, the life and witness, of one who has been a faithful Unitarian Universalist minister.
Ministries and Faith Development
Unitarian Universalist Association
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Holding Space: Making Room for Light and Silence
An online holiday series
Zoom contemplative worship service on December 1st from 6:30–7:15pm
Join Reverend Rebecca for a contemplative gathering where we can come together to center ourselves and set our intentions for this month of holidays.
Participants will then receive a weekly email offering poetry, reflections, and a contemplative prompt for the month of December.
Sign up here to participate!
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Program Council Meeting Rescheduled!
New date and time: Tuesday, December 7 at 6:30pm
What is Program Council?
The role of Program Council is to provide a venue for all church groups to share activities, projects, and opportunities within our church community, as well as provide detailed updates on initiatives impacting the entire church community, such as the Annual Pledge Campaign. Program Council creates a space that fosters communications and coordination with all church groups to better support all church activities and special initiatives.
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FRS launches survey to help us become an Accessibility and Inclusion Ministry (AIM)
What is AIM?
AIM is a certification program created by EqUUal Access in partnership with the Unitarian Universalist Association (UUA). AIM’s purpose is to guide congregations to better welcome, embrace, integrate, and support people with disabilities and their families in our communities. The purpose of this brief survey is to gather information regarding the accessibility and inclusion needs of our FRS community and identify those willing to participate in working toward achievement of AIM Certification. Please complete the survey and you will be notified of a Zoom informational meeting during the first week in December.
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Christmas Poinsettias
It's time to order your Christmas poinsettias in memory or in celebration of friends or loved ones. The cost is $25 for a large plant. A list of donors and their dedication messages will be included in the Candlelight Service program. You may pick up your plant after the December 19 Candlelight Service to enjoy in your home.
The deadline for orders is noon on Wednesday, December 8.
Then, you can make your donation online at https://onrealm.org/frsuu/-/give/now by choosing "Poinsettias for Holiday Services" from the fund. Or you can mail or drop off a check to the front office. Checks should be payable to First Religious Society, with "poinsettia" written on the memo line.
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Volunteers Needed to Help with Holiday Letter Envelope Stuffing!
When: Friday, December 3, Lower Meetinghouse, 10am
Can you give an hour or two of your time to help stuff the envelopes for Reverend Rebecca's holiday letter? After being unable to do this in-person last year, we are happy to be able to welcome congregants back to the Lower Meetinghouse this year for this important project! It's an opportunity to help, have fun, and socialize with fellow congregants. Envelope stuffers will be socially distanced, and masks will be required.
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"Love Our Earth" Signs Available for Purchase
These sturdy, 2' x 2', outdoor, full color yard art posters were designed and signed by FRSUU member and artist Lance Hidy. They are weatherproof and come with a gale-proof step stake.
The cost is $45.00 each, with $30.00 going to help support our church. This fundraiser was organized by CAP/Climate Action Project. We can help motivate ourselves and our wider community to take the best care of our mother Earth!
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Thank Our UUs
If you would like to thank another parishioner, please email cynthia.walsh@frsuu.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!
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Pennacook-Abenakis Honor City With Gift of Tribal Flag
The flag background is a dark green to represent the white pines of the forest. The images are in white and in the Abenaki language. The word Wabanaki means 'People of the Dawnland.'
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Pennacook-Abenakis Tribal Flag raised outside Newburyport City Hall |
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Individuals from left to right: Kristine Malpica, executive director of Imagine Studios, Reverend Rebecca, Grandmother Chickee Red Dawn, representing the Wabanaki |
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Holiday Gift Programs: Fulfilling Family Wishes
Each year the Community Human Services Committee supports two programs during the holiday season: Family to Family led by Newburyport Youth Services and YMCA of Greater Newburyport, and Emmaus House in Haverhill. We hope you will consider supporting these programs again this year.
The Family to Family program has 100 more families in need this year than last year. We are asking you to consider being an elf to help support this effort. To learn more about how you can participate, go to https://newburyportyouthservices.com.
The Emmaus House program is asking for help in providing holiday gifts for the families residing in their shelters. This year, due to the ongoing COVID-19 crisis, Emmaus has created a registry at Target. All the family wish items are listed on the registry. Items can be purchased and then sent directly to Emmaus.
To view the registry and participate, click here!
Parishioners Barbara Garnis and Ann Power will be available after Worship Service on Sunday, November 28 to answer any questions. Or email your questions:
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Joy of Giving
We're once again collecting new or unused gifts so the children of Kelleher Gardens can holiday shop for their parents or caregivers. Donations of gifts for women and men (gloves, hats, candles, lotions, tools, ect.) as well as gift bags welcome.
Please leave items on the table in the church vestibule before Sunday Worship or Tuesdays-Thursdays, 9am-1pm, until December 4.
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Jazz Vespers
Wednesday, December 1, 2021, 8pm
Please join us at the next Jazz Vespers service on December 1 at 8pm in the Sanctuary. Saxophonist Danny Harrington will be sitting in with members of the FRS House Band and will also be the reader for the evening. FRS House Band: Mike Gruen, bass; Tomas Havrda, drums; and Lark Madden, piano.
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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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