Annual Ministry Theme: Unity
January Ministry Theme: Unitarian Universalism
"Great persons are rarely isolated mountain peaks; they are the summits of ranges."
-Thomas Wentworth Higginson
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Table of Contents
- Sunday Worship
- Jean C. Wilson 2022 Music Series: Danny Harrington Quartet with Special Guest
- Adult Faith Formation and Spiritual Exploration Opportunities, Winter 2022
- Upcoming Events & Ways to Engage
-
Five Wishes: A Comprehensive Approach to End-of-Life Planning
- Create a Welcome Shawl
- FRS Food Drive
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Sunday Worship
January 23, 2022
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"Hidden History"
YouTube only at 10:30am
Much of the history we learn both as a nation and as a religious movement is incomplete. Courageous people and events are forgotten, neglected, and misinterpreted. We often create myths about our past that contain partial truths. We may discover that our former heroes are not so heroic. Everything is complicated. This sermon addresses the important truth that everybody is important. How can all the saints go marching in? This Sunday we welcome guest ministers Mark W. Harris and Andrea Greenwood.
"History is not truth versus falsehoods, but a mixture of both; a mélange of tendencies, reactions, dreams, errors, power plays. What’s important is what we make of it; its moral use…. History should show us not how to control the world, but how to enlarge, deepen, and discipline ourselves."
- From Galen Guengerich
All Worship Services will be online only until February 20, 2022.
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30-Minute Fellowship 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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Jean C. Wilson Concert Series 2022
Sunday, January 23, 2022
Danny Harrington Quartet with Jeff Stout
Concert will be livestreamed on YouTube at 4pm
Yes! Jazz has entered the big room in the best possible way, as will be attested to by those who have heard Danny in his many concerts in and around Newburyport. This concert may find him in a teaching mood, taking a longer look at Jazz from Swing to Bebop to Modal to Fusion. As ever with Danny, the saxophone will be smoking and the other instruments will be on time.
For these will be virtual concerts, we are using Eventbrite to manage donations at a suggested level of $15.00 plus a $3.00 Eventbrite charge.
Because of the rapidly changing circumstances, all of the programs are subject to change.
For more information and to purchase tickets:
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Adult Faith Formation and Spiritual Exploration Opportunities
Winter 2022
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Soul Matters
With Ministerial Intern David Livingstone
When: One session per month, dates and times TBD
Join David Livingstone for small group discussion. Each monthly session will focus on a specific theme and will be accompanied by a packet that includes readings, practices, questions, and exercises from across a spectrum of faith and secular wisdom traditions. Topics might include trust, opening to joy, and mystery.
Sessions begin the last week of January.
Click here to register and to indicate your preferred times to meet:
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Monthly Discussion Group with Reverend Rebecca
The Sources of Our Faith
When: Second Wednesday evenings 6:30–7:30pm on Zoom (with the exception of January, which is the last Wednesday and June, which is the first Wednesday)
Come together to explore the different Sources of our faith, as a follow-up to Rev. Rebecca's January 2nd sermon on this topic. Each month will focus on a different tradition.
Sign-up is not required; however, those who register for the series will receive a package of daily readings for the month. Click on the link to register:
January 26: Direct experience of that transcending mystery and wonder, affirmed in all cultures, which moves us to a renewal of the spirit and an openness to the forces which create and uphold life
February 9: Words and deeds of prophetic people which challenge us to confront powers and structures of evil with justice, compassion, and the transforming power of love
March 9: Wisdom from the world's religions which inspires us in our ethical and spiritual life
April 13: Jewish and Christian teachings which call us to respond to God's love by loving our neighbors as ourselves
May 11: Humanist teachings which counsel us to heed the guidance of reason and the results of science, and warn us against idolatries of the mind and spirit
June 1: Spiritual teachings of Earth-centered traditions which celebrate the sacred circle of life and instruct us to live in harmony with the rhythms of nature
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Spirit Groups
When: Once a week, beginning the week of January 31 and running for 9 weeks (on Zoom)
Spirit Groups are small groups of four to six people who meet for one hour once a week to discuss a prompt given in advance. The theme for the winter is "'If' Questions for the Soul." Examples might include: "If you were to cite an example that defined 'trust' for you, what would it be?" or "If you could, for the good of humankind, reverse one scientific development or discovery, what would it be?". The groups are randomly assigned and each group will find a mutually-agreed-upon day and time to meet each week. The series begins with a session devoted to introductions and agreeing upon a covenant. This is a fun way to get to know other parishioners, while reflecting on your own values.
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Living the Pledge
When: Six Sessions (on Zoom) - choose one series from three different days/times below:
- Wednesday Afternoons 3–5pm, beginning February 2
- Thursday Evenings 6:30–8:30pm, beginning February 3
- Friday Afternoons noon–2pm, beginning February 4
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 eight trained facilitators to guide you through a national curriculum, specifically developed by and for UUs. The six-session workshops start the first week of February on Zoom.
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FRS Film Forum: Sources of Our Living Tradition
When: Tuesday evenings (January 25-March 1), 7-8:15pm on Zoom
The second FRS Film Forum series is on the theme of the Sources of Our Living Tradition. Each week we'll discuss a movie relating to one of the Six Sources which we have watched (independently) ahead of time. Films to watch will include Wings of Desire, Selma, and Baraka. Please join us!
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How To Save a Planet
A Climate-Change Podcast Discussion Series
When: Thursdays (February 24-April 14 - no session on March 24), 7-8pm on Zoom
Climate change. We know. It can feel too overwhelming. But what if there was a show about climate change that left you feeling... energized? One so filled with possibility that you actually wanted to listen?
Join Julie Parker Amery and members of CAP (Climate Action Project) for a discussion of smart, inspiring stories that explore climate change from various perspectives, and specific steps we can take to start to make a difference. Each week we'll listen (independently) to an episode of the series, then come together to discuss, and check in with whatever actions we've taken from the week before. We'll also covenant to spend time engaging with the natural world on our own each week—through walking, photography, watching the sunrise, reading poetry, whatever it is that will connect us with the beauty and wonder of our Earth.
Topics might include: What are the causes of wildfires and what can we do to address them? Are electric vehicles really better for the environment? Is recycling all that it's cracked up to be? How will we reach President Biden's goal of 100% clean electricity by 2035? How does climate action relate to Indigenous rights, Black Lives Matter, and gender justice?
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This Land Is Their Land Book Discussion
When: Wednesday, March 2 at 7pm (in person, or on Zoom—TBD based on COVID protocols)
Didn't get to the Community Read book in the fall? It's not too late! We'll be having a discussion of this book about the Wampanoag Indians, Plymouth Colony, and the "first Thanksgiving" in early March.
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Soul Stories
When: Sundays (February 27-April 10) from 3:30-5pm (in person, pending COVID protocols)
"The universe is made of stories, not of atoms." ― Muriel Rukeyser
We are made of stories, and it's by sharing our stories that we come to know each other at a deep level. In this program, we'll have prompts each week to work with to help us mine the stories of our lives, then come together on Sunday afternoons to share them.
If you have questions about any of the above programs, please contact Julie Parker Amery, Director of Faith Formation and Spiritual Exploration, at julie.amery@frsuu.org.
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Afghan Resettlement Working Group
If you are interested in learning more about how you can support the efforts of the FRS Afghan Resettlement Working Group, please email frsafghanresettlement@gmail.com.
We are also accepting contributions for our work in supporting Afghan Evacuee Resettlement. To contribute to this fund, click on the gray button below. Thank you!
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Exploring Elderhood Together
When: Thursday, January 20 from 1-2:30pm on Zoom
Five Wishes: A Comprehensive Approach to End-of-Life Planning
In response to your feedback, our January program will explore Five Wishes, a well-established and unique guide for end-of-life planning that addresses not only medical but personal, emotional, and spiritual needs. It will guide you in clarifying your wishes for your care and comfort, as well as communicating with your family and healthcare providers.
We are fortunate to have FRS member and retired Hospice Social Worker Nancy Kidd, LICSW, to introduce us to the Five Wishes, an easy-to-use legal advance directive document. Nancy will also talk about DNRs (Do Not Resuscitate) and MOLST (Medical Orders for Life Sustaining Treatment).
End-of-life planning can seem quite weighty, so don't miss this opportunity to learn about Five Wishes with kindred spirits. Nancy's presentation will be followed by Q & A and small breakout discussion groups.
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Welcoming Shawls for Afghan Family
When: January 22 from 10-11am on Zoom
Parishioner Linda Buddenhagen who has lead the Comfort Shawl Project at FRS will provide a lesson on how to make a comfort wrap using fleece fabric. No knitting skills necessary, just your creativity and love for bringing joy to people. Participants will be provided materials to create a welcoming wrap that we will gift to members of the Mirzayee family. This family has six girls and three boys ages 3-19, as well as the mother and father.
If you are unable to make the Zoom workshop on Saturday and would like to participate in this project, please email Cynthia Walsh at cynthia.walsh@frsuu.org.
Join Zoom Meeting
Meeting ID: 990 4708 9893
Passcode: 431036
One tap mobile
+13017158592,,99047089893# US (Washington DC)
+13126266799,,99047089893# US (Chicago
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FRS Food Drive
When: Saturdays, January 22 from 9am-1pm and January 29 from 9am-1pm
Collection will take place in front of FRS.
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Get Your FRS Daily Muse Today!
The Daily Muse is a collection of 365 inspirational quotes—one for each day of the year—packaged as a standing flip-book for easy display.
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Need an FRS Name Tag?
Please take a moment to fill out the name tag request form:
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Thank Our UUs
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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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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