Table of Contents
- Sunday Worship
- Sources of Our Faith
- Update from Reopening Team
- Meet Tina & Greg Benik, Chairs of FRS' Annual Giving Campaign
- ABC's of Pledging
- Building a Welcoming Congregation
- Photos from FRS' Peace Vigil for Ukraine
- Upcoming Events
- Church Programming Updates
- Ways to Connect, Engage, and Grow
- FRS in the Community: Take Action to Support Afghan Evacuees
- Thank a UU
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Annual Ministry Theme: Unity
March Ministry Theme: Giving
"Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful, committed citizens can change the world;
indeed, it's the only thing that ever has."
-Margaret Mead
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SUNDAY WORSHIP
March 6, 2022
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Sunday, March 6, 2022
“Act with Courage. Transform Our World.”
10:30am, in-person and livestream on YouTube
Join us as we kick off this year’s Annual Campaign and celebrate the many ways our church helps to transform the world, including inside of ourselves, between us as members and friends, and in the larger community. We always benefit from being together, and especially at this time of world anguish and pain. We will enjoy the beautiful music of our choir and return to congregational singing! Rev. Rebecca will be preaching, joined by FRS members and friends.
*Masks are required for in-person worship, and inside church buildings at all times.
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30-Minute Fellowship in-person and on Zoom Following Sunday Worship Service
Meeting ID: 936 5374 9041
Passcode: 729630
One tap mobile:
+13017158592,,93653749041# US (Washington DC)
+13126266799,,93653749041# US (Chicago)
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Sources of Our Faith: Monthly Discussion Groups with Reverend Rebecca
When: Wednesday, March 9, 6:30-7:30pm on Zoom
Each month, Rev. Rebecca is offering times to come together and explore the different sources of our faith as a follow up to her January 2nd sermon on this topic, which you can find by clicking on this link: https://www.frsuu.org/sermons/sources-of-our-faith/
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Update from FRS' Reopening Team
At its meeting on February 23, the Reopening Committee put the church on a set of steps leading toward full reopening. The first four steps are these:
February 27 - The FRS Choir returned to sing live music, both choir pieces and hymns, at the front of the church on the chancel facing the congregation. Choir members will be masked.
March 6 - Those in the congregation who wish to sign hymns or the doxology may do so masked.
March 13 - Masks will no longer be required, though those who feel it safer to wear masks should feel free to do so.
March 20 - Social distancing will no longer be required so members of the congregation may sit where they wish. Further, the large numbers of ushers will no longer be needed. There will be designated areas where distancing will be required: both left and right gallery seating and the front right aisle seating of the main floor as well. There will be ushers in these places to aid in the distanced seating.
At its meeting scheduled for March 9, the Reopening Team will consider further steps. The recent several weeks formed a very positive trend, both in number of cases and of people hospitalized.
We are fully aware that we may need to take some backward steps if the situation changes. In fact, we should probably assume that there will be occasional reversals over the long term.
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Written by John Mercer, parishioner, and member of our Annual Giving Campaign Team (you can also find John on Sundays in our Sanctuary coordinating our wonderful team of ushers).
The Bylaws by which the First Religious Society manages itself proclaims "The fiscal year shall end June 30th." Though not stated in the Bylaws, the obvious corollary is that the fiscal year shall begin on July 1.
One main activity that needs to be carried out each church year is to write a budget for the upcoming year and find a way to fund that budget. The FRS's spring pledging program has been our traditional way of assuring ourselves that we can fund the budget for the following year. Eighty percent of the funding required to run the church for the following fiscal year comes through pledging; this year the amount to be raised is $530,000.
So what is a pledge? When asked by a person new to pledging, I always start by saying that pledging is naming the amount you believe you'll give the church in the next fiscal year. You do this by taking into account your connection to the church, your present financial situation, and your sense of what your next year will bring your way. I advise first-time pledgers who are trying to find their first pledges to take into account what they would give to the church in forty or so church services.
I add to that a little more about how pledging develops over several years, that after the first year's pledge you look back at that previous year's pledge to make your next pledge and so forth. There are in most pledge histories slight rises generally, sometimes great leaps in amount, and, yes, occasional declines.
When Florence and I talk to other long-time parishioners about their pledge histories, I often hear our own story coming back at us: how surprised we are at tax time to see the total amount we've given to charitable causes and how much larger is the amount going to the FRS compared to the amounts going elsewhere. This does not make us unhappy because we are also sure of how much the FRS has given us over the years.
So what is a pledge? At the FRS, it's the amount of money you mean to give to the church in the next fiscal year. And the Administrator of the church needs to know the full amount of all the pledges to make sure they add up to an amount that is equal to or greater than the amount of the budget that the Parish Board has produced.
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BUILDING A WELCOMING CONGREGATION |
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"Covenant is the core of our community. Our covenant, to me, is spoken and unspoken—written and unwritten. Our covenant is found in the words we speak together on Sundays, but it is also found in how we laugh and find joy together. Our covenant lives in our chalice lighting words, but also in the good works we do. I see our covenant as not static, but alive. This means that it actively cares for me, makes me feel at home, and continually inspires me to be a part of this community. This also means that I must care for it.
Our covenant only persists because we breathe life into it week after week, just as our chalice only burns if we continually return to light the flame. What we have here at FRS is special, and preserving what makes us special is how we preserve our community. And there is no doubt in my mind that we are worth preserving. If you agree, I encourage you to join an upcoming community conversation and explore what living our covenant means to you."
-David Livingstone, Ministerial Intern
Congregational Conversations
FRS is launching an important initiative having to do with how we talk with one another. This work is an outgrowth of our annual meeting last year, the proposed bylaw changes, and our discussion about pronouns.
Everyone is invited to a series of congregational conversations designed to help us live into our Affirmation of Faith. We won’t be attempting to resolve issues around pronouns or bylaws. We’ll be learning to listen to and talk with each other respectfully, with open hearts, in order to reach vital agreements that will benefit our church and community.
The congregational conversations will be both in person and via Zoom.
Sunday, March 6 - 12-2pm in person
Monday, March 7 - 6:30-8:30pm on Zoom
Wednesday, March 9 - 6:30-8:30pm on Zoom
Friday, March 11 - 10am-12pm in person
Wednesday, March 16 - 6:30-8:30pm on Zoom
Friday, March 18 - 10am-12pm on Zoom
If you'd like to join one of these conversations, please click on the following link to register: https://bit.ly/3HbFxAP
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Welcoming Congregation Workshops
Preemptive Radical Inclusion
Thursday, March 24, 6-8pm
Inclusion is frequently misunderstood as an outcome, a destination, a goal. CB Beal frames Inclusion as a process that calls upon us to preemptively and radically create the conditions for inclusion. The successful outcome of this process is increased equity and then justice. This interactive workshop will offer opportunities to listen, share, and reflect.
Constellations of Gender
Sunday, April 24, 12:30-2:30pm
This interactive workshop will explore varieties of how people experience gender. We will use the framework of Preemptive Radical Inclusion as a way for individuals and congregations to be present, bear witness, and identify actions that will embody love.
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FRS Holds A Peace Vigil in Solidarity With Ukraine |
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This past Sunday, people gathered outside the Meeting House to join in prayer and solidarity for peace in Ukraine. Parishioner Jessica Brown shared opening remarks and grounded us in our collective action, Rev. Rebecca led us in prayer, and Phi Himmel, a member of Young Church lit the Peace Candle, followed by a moment of silence. Newburyport's Human Rights Commission provided remarks, encouraging us all to continue to stay engaged and to never doubt the power of collective action. Participants tied yellow and gold (colors of the Ukrainian flag) ties to our iron gate as symbol of solidarity. |
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FRS Will Join Interfaith Action on Thursday, March 3rd!
On Thursday, March 3 at 10:58 am FRS bells will toll 140 times, which represents one week to the minute since the Russian invasion in Ukraine started.
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FRS Habitat for Humanity Speaker Event
When, Tuesday, March 8 from 5-6pm on Zoom
Our FRS Habitat team invites you to an informational meeting with Willie Gerard, a new Habitat homeowner at the Habitat site in Salisbury, and Heather Johnson, a staff member at Habitat.
This meeting will be informative for experienced FRS Habitat volunteers as well as people exploring Habitat for the first time. We will share information on the Salisbury build, brief you on new projects throughout Essex County, and describe what it’s like on a typical volunteer day at the build site. And we will identify other volunteer roles available through FRS Habitat.
Join Zoom Meeting:
Meeting ID: 924 9971 2281
Passcode: 971582
One tap mobile
+13017158592,,92499712281# US (Washington DC)
+13126266799,,92499712281# US (Chicago)
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CHURCH
PROGRAMMING UPDATES
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FRS' MUSIC PROGRAM
by Justin Murphy-Mancini, Director of Church Music
The winter brought unexpected challenges to the music program, but everyone adapted to changing needs exceptionally well. The 2022 Wilson Music Series was again all-virtual, with three diverse and successful performances occurring in January and February. One ensemble that was unable to join us this winter will form the core of a new Summer Wilson Series that will be happening in July – stay tuned for more information! Please enjoy highlights from this year’s Wilson Music Series on YouTube, featuring performances from all of our guest artists. Click on this link: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PL1i-v_lANeyvzt1T-KzAVrBViFEoUDiDS
In mid-February, as the church planned to welcome the congregation back into the church again, the Adult Choir got to work preparing for their return to the Sanctuary. The choir rejoined the service live on February 27, almost exactly two years after their last service. We are thrilled that the choir has persevered through many pandemic incarnations, from all-virtual rehearsals to live recordings, and now back to in-person singing. We are also excited that the congregation will finally be welcomed into singing the hymns beginning on March 6 – we are unfailingly thankful to the choir and the songleaders who sang the hymns on the congregation’s behalf throughout the fall and winter.
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ADULT FAITH FORMATION AND SPIRITUAL EXPLORATION
by Julie Parker Amery, Director of Faith Formation and Spiritual Exploration
Tuesday Morning Spiritual Practice
It began the first full week of the pandemic shut-down, in mid-March 2020. As we scrambled to create opportunities for parishioners to connect on a video platform that was new to many, I quickly decided upon a spiritual practice that I could share with others, something that would assist us in listening to the deep voice within (which some call Spirit, God/dess, the Divine, etc.) while also connecting with others. It was the practice of lectio divina (which means “sacred reading”).
Some of you have experienced this practice through summer worship services that I’ve led. It’s a way of listening to poetry or a reading to discern how it is speaking to us at this very moment. Far from being interpretation—which, frankly, has always intimidated me—it’s simply listening and noticing. We do not listen to the poem to figure out what the poet is saying. We listen to what’s moving within us as we listen. The poem is typically read four times, with instruction before each reading. “Listen to notice what one word seems to be speaking to you, and sit with that word in the silence that follows the reading. See what emerges.” This is usually the instruction for the first reading. The instruction for the final reading is always, “Notice if you sense an invitation.”
What I figured was going to be an offering that would last for a couple of weeks—remember those early days of the pandemic when we had no idea how long it was actually going to be?—turned into a regular, weekly gathering that has been meeting now for two years. We’ve got a core group of six to eight. We always begin our time with a personal check-in. We’ve supported each other through major life events, and have shared our daily frustrations and joys. Then we have our practice. It isn’t always a poem. Sometimes, I bring a photograph or painting, and we engage in visio divina—noticing what the visual is saying to us in this moment—or audio divina, listening to a piece of music. Most of the delight in the practice for me is in the sharing. It’s truly moving to hear how a poem, or a painting, or a piece of music is speaking to each person.
The spiritual practice group continues to meet on Zoom on Tuesday mornings at 11, and goes for 40 minutes. It is open to all. Please consider joining us! The Zoom link is on the landing page of the FRS website, and is printed regularly in the Steeple.
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YOUNG CHURCH UPDATE
by Mara Flynn, Director of Children's Ministry
Climate Justice Rally: Earth Day 2022
In collaboration with CAP (Climate Action Project), we are now planning for a community-wide event to be held on the Newburyport Waterfront on Earth Day, April 22, 2022! Our goal for this all-ages event is to build awareness and foster deeper engagement with the climate challenges we're facing and to offer resources and opportunities for action.
Please save the date and keep an eye out for ways to get involved!
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WAYS TO CONNECT, ENGAGE, AND GROW |
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Volunteer to help with the FRS Spring Auction
Join in for some fun, fellowship, and fundraising. This event will take place on Friday, May 20th and all proceeds will go to support the operating costs of our parish.
With enough volunteers, we can hold a successful event that benefits everyone. So, check out the ways you can pitch in, and be sure to sign up by March 6 using this link: https://forms.office.com/r/JEtkD2qEAF
It takes teamwork to make the dream work!
We know everyone's busy and will help if they can. There are lots ways to support the event and all help is truly appreciated.
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Retired Old Men Eating Out (ROMEO)
When: Tuesday, March 8 at 12pm, Loretta, Newburyport
No reservations required. The Officer of the Day is Bob Hooker, phone: 781-417-0446.
Please bring money along with yourself.
"Speak not injurious words, neither in jest or earnest; scoff at none although they give you occasion" George Washington, Rules of Civility #65.
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Climate Action Project (CAP)
When: Wednesday, March 9 at 7pm on Zoom
Mission & Goals:
An informed citizenry insistent on urgent government action to slow climate change! In response to this need the FRS Climate Action Project plans to:
- Think globally, work locally, act personally.
- Raise awareness within FRS and the local community on the urgent need for climate action by organizing a series of events, discussions, and communications on key climate change topics.
- Grow the reach and effectiveness of our small group by attracting more FRS members and friends to join with us in this cause, and by collaborating with other like-minded local organizations and agencies of government.
- Publicize concrete actions by which concerned citizens can combat climate change in their personal lives, through government channels, and/or by participating with advocacy groups.
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Conversations from the Heart
When: 2nd and 4th Tuesday from 10-11am on Zoom
You are invited! An FRS discussion group called Conversations from the Heart is seeking new members.
Our long-time members are: James Funston, Kathy Welch, Russ Seidel, and Paula Francese. We gather to discuss topics which we take turns selecting. We follow Chalice Circle protocols (confidentiality, deep listening, etc.) while exploring topics relating to spirituality, art, poetry, creativity, life stages, and so forth—whatever we think the group will be interested in. It’s a relaxed, enjoyable couple of hours each month which keeps us in touch with each other, expands our friendship and, most important, our commitment to FRS.
We are interested in welcoming new members to the group. If you think this is something you’d like to know more about, please contact any of us or message Paula directly via email at paulafrancese@comcast.net or send her a text (603-380-5678). We look forward to hearing from you.
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Take Action To Support Afghan Evacuees
The Afghan Adjustment Act allows certain Afghan evacuees to apply for permanent status after one year of being paroled into the country. It relieves the immediate burden on the Special Immigrant Visa (SIV) process, which currently has over 18,000 cases in the backlog, and the asylum process, which currently has over 1 million cases in the backlog. This Act also prevents Afghans paroled in the U.S. from losing their jobs or being deported while their applications for these statuses are pending.
Urge your senators and representatives to support an Afghan Adjustment Act as part of the FY 2022 omnibus appropriations package. An Afghan Adjustment Act is critical to provide Afghan evacuees with the chance to apply for adjustment of status one year after arrival. Without an Afghan Adjustment Act, Afghans that the U.S. government evacuated don’t have a clear path to stay in the U.S. long term.
Congress has repeatedly passed similar bills for vulnerable populations the United States has evacuated, and this legislation will strengthen our communities and help the tens of thousands of recently arrived Afghans to integrate and thrive.
Click on the yellow button below to take action!
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THANK A UU!
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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Special shout out to Jessica Brown, Phi Himmel, and everyone who helped to make Sunday's Peace Vigil for Ukraine a success! I shared images of the peace flags along our iron gate with a Ukrainian friend and she noted how much these messages of solidarity this means to her Ukranian community!
-Cynthia Walsh
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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 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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