Please note that the Steeple is going to a monthly summer schedule. The next issue will be on Wednesday, July 13. |
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The church office will be closed on Monday, June 20 in observance of Juneteenth. |
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TABLE OF CONTENTS
- Sunday, June 19 Worship Service
- "Change the MA State Seal Campaign": Advocacy Meeting This Sunday Following Service
- Help FRSUU Uncover Our Church's Own Civil Rights Past
- Come Sing with the FRS Choir this Sunday!
- Pandemic-Era Support with the Pastoral Care Associates
- A Farewell Message from David Livingstone
- Sunday, June 26: Prerecorded service from the UUA
- Summer 2022 at FRS
- Summer Hours for Church Office
- July and August Worship Services
- Sunday, July 3: Reading Frederick Douglass Together
- Seeking Submissions for Next Year’s “Daily Muse”
- Summer Volunteer Opportunities
- Gardening Help for Zarifa
- FRS Continues Partnership with Habitat
- Upcoming Events
- FRS's Sexual Reproductive Rights Working Group First Gathering
- FRS Goes to Portsmouth Pride on June 25th
- Beyond Our Doors
- Juneteenth Event in Newburyport this Friday at noon
- Hats Off to a Fun and Successful Fundraiser at the FRS Spring Gala & Auction
- Donate a book to our Little Free Diverse Library
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Annual Ministry Theme: Unity
June Ministry Theme: Awakening
“The spiritual is inclusive. It is the deepest sense of belonging and participation.”
– Rachel Naomi Remen
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Sunday Worship Service
June 19, 2022
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Sunday, June 19, 2022
“Whose Liberty?”
10:30am in person and livestream on YouTube
Join FRS in our worship service on Juneteenth during which time we will hear from Cyd Raschke about the Black Heritage Project in Newburyport. We also welcome David Detmold who will discuss the history and imagery of the Massachusetts Flag and Seal and a movement long underfoot to change it. Reverend Rebecca will be leading worship and offering her reflection on these important issues.
“Historically, the most terrible things - war, genocide, and slavery - have resulted not from disobedience, but from obedience."
― Howard Zinn
"Change the MA State Seal Campaign": Advocacy Meeting This Sunday Following Worship
Following service there will be a meeting to discuss next steps for building grassroots advocacy to support the "Change the MA Seal Campaign." This meeting will take place in the courtyard off Unicorn St from noon-12:45pm.
Click here to read "Bringing Black History to Life," published in Newburyport Magazine, Summer 2022 edition. The article is about the Newburyport Black History Initiative spearheaded by FRS member Cyd Raschke who was inspired by FRS's racial justice initiative.
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Help FRSUU Uncover Our Church's Own Civil Rights Past
Inspired by FRS's Anti-Racism Initiative, Cyd Raschke is working toward the goal of ensuring that Greater Newburyport's cherished history is fully representative.
If anyone is interested, Cyd could use some help in uncovering our church's own civil rights past for a timeline of milestones. The FRSUU community can best serve racial justice when we first hold ourselves accountable to our own history.
For example, we seek to document church events or members of the FRSUU community who:
- were involved in the slave trade or who owned slaves.
- worked for the abolitionist movement.
- assisted Black persons in purchasing their freedom (or resisted such).
- facilitated the Underground Railroad and other support in the Civil War era.
- worked via legal channels to represent civil rights for Freedmen/women.
- helped local black children enroll in public education.
- in any other ways not listed above, fostered equal rights up through the 20th century.
Whether your skill is online searches, sleuthing in Public Library archives, or interviewing church members, your help would be greatly appreciated.
To volunteer to help with this project contact Cyd Raschke at cydraschke@comcast.net or leave a message with the church office at 978-465-0602.
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Come Sing with the FRS Choir This Sunday! No Rehearsal Necessary!
On Sunday, June 19, you are invited to come to the Sanctuary a little early and learn a song to sing during the Sunday Worship Service. This invitation is open to anyone who would like an opportunity to sing without a big commitment or if you're interested in learning more about the Adult Choir. We will join together in the Sanctuary at 9am to prepare the song. No experience necessary - all you need is enthusiasm! If you have questions or would like to know more, please contact Justin Murphy-Mancini at justin.murphy-mancini@frsuu.org.
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Pandemic-Era Support with the Pastoral Care Associates
Ongoing Support Group Meetings
PLEASE NOTE: Meetings are on the second Thursday of the month
The COVID pandemic and concurrent world events have left many of us with continuing feelings of fear, anxiety, and loss—to name just a few of the many emotions that swirl through us on a daily basis. The Pastoral Care Associates invite you to gather with others to talk about the challenges we live with at this time. What has helped you through the pandemic? How are you doing now? Being in community with others to share experiences can forge healing connections.
The sessions are offered on a drop-in basis on the second Thursday of the month. Please join when you feel that a supportive community is what you need. Come to one or many. There is no strict agenda; simply listening and sharing.
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A Farewell Message from David Livingstone, FRS's Ministerial Intern |
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If I could express just one thought to the whole congregation it would simply be gratitude. Deep, deep gratitude. I have learned so much year—I have learned how much joy there is to be found in a community like this. I have grown in how I listen, how I speak, and how I simply be with others. I have learned from all of you; whether we’ve met at coffee hour, been in small group ministries together, or just by virtue of being in the same church as you, my ministry has been shaped and improved by your wisdom and warmth. I am exceedingly lucky that I got to join FRS as your ministerial intern for the first year after you voted to resume FRS’s work as a teaching congregation, and I am excited and hopeful that you will continue to teach and shepherd students like myself for years to come. I have been talking up FRS with my professors and fellow students. It is my wish that other seminarians and ministers-to-be get the opportunity to learn and grow in a congregation as healthy, inviting, and amazing as FRS. |
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Sunday, June 26, 2022
"Woven in a Single Garment of Destiny"
Prerecorded service from the UUA streamed live on Zoom (only) at 10:30am
Please note that there will not be a worship service in the sanctuary on this date.
We can accommodate about 40 people who would like to watch the Zoom livestream in the Lower Meetinghouse.
Join Zoom Meeting
Meeting ID: 997 2938 3384
Passcode: 674297
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FRS Church Office Summer Hours
Summer hours for the church office will be in effect from July 4 – September 2:
Mondays – Closed
Tuesdays – 9am-1pm
Wednesdays – 9am-1pm
Thursdays – 9am-1pm
Fridays – Closed
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July and August Worship Services will start at 10am
Join us this summer for Sunday worship! Services will begin at 10am in the sanctuary (unless otherwise noted) and will be livestreamed on YouTube.
Watch for full details of summer services and programming, pastoral care coverage, and other information next week!
Sunday, July 3: Reading Frederick Douglass Together
Gather around Garrison Statue*, 11 Brown Square, Newburyport, 10-11am
FRS and the Museum of Old Newbury will host an in-person community reading of Frederick Douglass’s impassioned 1852 speech, “What to the Slave is the Fourth of July?” Lend your voice to this powerful participatory event.
The reading will be followed by a discussion led by humanities scholar Katrina “Kat” Hobbs Everett, M.Ed., Co-Founder of Power of Self-Education (POSE) Inc., a community engagement and advocacy nonprofit. She is the founder and curator of COCO Brown, a cultural community healing center and co-working space, and an Adjunct Instructor for the Social Justice program at Merrimack College. *Rain location is FRS sanctuary.
Please note that this event will not be livestreamed by FRS on YouTube.
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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!
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Summer Volunteer Opportunities |
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Gardening Help for Zarifa
Zarifa loves to garden. In Afghanistan she had a large garden and planted fruits and vegetables for her family. She now has a plot up at the First Parish in Newbury and is looking forward to doing the same here. However, getting to her garden on a regular basis is something of a challenge.
We are looking for people in our community who have plots at First Parish and would be willing to take Zarifa along when they garden. We are also looking for people who don't have gardens but would be willing to commit to getting Zarifa there.
We all know that gardening is a valuable activity for people who have had a tough time, and we hope people will come forward to help Zarifa do something that she loves and that brings her joy.
Thank you,
The Afghan Resettlement Team
Ann Haaser, Annie Maurer, Lee McLaughlin, Mary Sortal
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FRS Continues Partnership with Habitat
How many times have you joined with the congregation in reciting our belief that “love is our doctrine, the quest for truth is our sacrament, and service is our prayer.”? Within our inspired congregation so many members have found effective ways to exercise this promise. One resonant form of service is to join with other FRS friends and members to help build Habitat for Humanity homes for families who qualify.
After more than a year in COVID limbo, we have returned to the Habitat building site in Salisbury to complete the construction of seven homes, all financed to be affordable to ordinary families with moderate to low incomes. What could be better than to swing a hammer, complete finishing work, and assemble safety, security, and affordability, all in the name of service?
Habitat fosters affordable home ownership and finances its homes to be affordable and sustainable over the long haul. This financing model works, in part, due to your donated labor. The homes are built to be owned by families. These families anchor their neighborhood and serve the community as good citizens.
The FRS Habitat team joins other volunteers to build Habitat homes. Volunteers sign up for one Saturday each month. Our next service day is Saturday, June 18, starting at 8:15am. It will be followed by July 16 as the next day of service. Join the FRS Habitat team and you will experience fellowship, forge connection, find joy, and contribute service. Try it one time and see. No special skills are required. Habitat will provide any needed info and training.
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FRS Sexual Reproductive Rights Working Group First Gathering
When: Tuesday, June 21 at 5:30pm in the courtyard outside the Lower Meetinghouse (off Unicorn Street)
Since well before Roe v. Wade, Unitarian Universalists have declared unequivocally that we support every person’s right to make decisions about their own bodies and reproductive health, including the choice to seek abortion care. To read the full statement click here!
If you are interested in getting involved in this issue, we invite you to join a newly formed working group to discuss next steps. For more information please contact Cynthia Walsh at cynthia.walsh@frsuu.org
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Hats Off to a Fun and Successful Fundraiser at the FRS Spring Gala & Auction |
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The auction was a smashing success! The numbers are not all in but we expect to bring in approximately $18,0000 for our beloved congregation. We have a huge shout out to all the donors and volunteers who helped make this happen:
Rob Authier, Tina and Greg Benik, Joe Brouillet, Will Buddenhagen, Linda Buddenhagen, Holly Cashman, Janet DelMare, Kathy Desilets, Bruce Deveau, Vicki Dyer, Sherry Evans, Minnie Flanagan, Mara Flynn, Michael Fosburg, Barbara Garnis, Bob Higgins, Mark Hodgson, Betsy Latham, Leslie Lawrence, Julie Menin, Florence Mercer, John Mercer, Heather Nestor, Ann Power, Paula Renda, Donny Rogers, Mary Sortal, Sarah Spalding, Susan Stone, Susan Thorne, Cynthia Walsh, and Stephen-Wolf Foster. Our apologies if we missed including you in this list.
In service and gratitude,
Michelle, Renée, and Vern
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Members of the "Hat Team" |
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Juneteenth Event
When: Friday, June 17 at noon, City Hall, Newburyport
Juneteenth is a federal holiday recognizing the end of slavery in the United States. Please join us as we celebrate with music and food, raising the Juneteenth flag, and sharing the history of this important day.
This event is hosted by the City of Newburyport, DEI Alliance, and Human Rights Commission.
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Give the Gift of a Book to FRS's Little Free Diverse Library (LFDL)
Help us amplify and empower diverse voices and stories in our community by donating a book to our Little Free Diverse Library on Pleasant Street.
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Minister–The Reverend Rebecca Bryan; Ministerial Intern–David Livingstone; Affiliate Minister–Rev. Stan Barrett; Affiliate Minister–Rev. Helen Murgida; 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–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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