Annual Ministry Theme: Unity
April Ministry Theme: Wholeness
"It is not more surprising to be born twice than once; everything in nature is resurrection.”
– Voltaire
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Table of Contents
- Sunday Worship
- 30-minute in-person fellowship following worship
- Invitation to New Member Sunday
- May 1 Listening Session on Proposed FRS Bylaw Amendments
- Register for FRS Annual Meeting on June 12
- Distribution of Sunday Shared Collection Allocation for 2022-2023 Church Year
- Plumbers Union Video Featuring FRS!
- FRS Spring Gala and Auction: Tipping Our Hats to Love
- Snapshots of Earth Day's Climate Justice Rally
- Opportunities to Connect and Engage
- Forest Walks and Meditation
- A Community Art Project at FRS
- Short Story Group
- Let’s Make Pysanky (Ukrainian Decorated Eggs)!
- Retired Old Men Eating Out
- Climate Action Project
- Upcoming Events
- The 26th Mother's Day Walk for Peace
- Ways to Support the Greater Community
- "Terezin, Children of the Holocaust" production on Monday, May 2 at the Firehouse Center, Newburyport (free admission)
- "Drive-By Collection" of Adult Incontinence Products (Depends)
- Weekly Wellness Programming
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Sunday, May 1, 2022
How good and sweet it is for brothers and sisters to sit together.
Hineh Mah tov umah na'im shevet achim gam yachad.
יָחַ†דגַם†אַחִים†שֶבֶת†נָעִים†וּמַה†טּוֹב†מַה†הִנֵּה
10:30am, in-person and livestreamed on YouTube
Please join us for Sunday worship service as we start our month-long worship services focused on world religion.
This Sunday, Alex Matthews and Reverend Rebecca will be co-leading the service.
There will be a handwashing station set up in the vestibule to honor the Jewish tradition. Watch this short video to learn more about this tradition: Netilat Yadayim.
“Water is life. Everything that exists on this fragile planet depends on its nurturing power. Jewish thought understands both the earthly usage of water and its renewing effects on the soul. Each morning, we are commanded to wash our hands and recite the blessing Netilat Yadayim. The simple reason for this is that sleep is akin to death and being awake is akin to life. Washing our hands is the precise moment where we express our gratitude for our earthly physical existence, for the return of our soul to our body, and prepare ourselves to take responsibility for the gifts bestowed upon us.” - Rabbi Shmuly Yanklowitz
Alex Matthews has been a member of Congregation Ahavas Achim since 2015 and has been serving as the Congregational Leader since 2019. In addition to his responsibilities at CAA, Alex is a Rabbinical Student at Hebrew College in Newton, working toward his expected ordination in 2023. Alex brings a deep love of Torah, teaching, and Jewish tradition to community building in greater Newburyport. In his spare time, you can find Alex running, biking, or helping out at his wife Mac's Newbury farm.
To attend services, you must be vaccinated. Those who are unvaccinated are welcome to attend the service online. Children may attend the service as well and will, after the service gets be invited to go down to the Lower Meetinghouse for Young Church.
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30-Minute Fellowship Following Sunday Worship Service
Join us in person downstairs in the Lower Meetinghouse or outside in the Courtyard!
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May 1 Listening Session on Proposed FRS Bylaw Amendments |
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As we approach the Annual Meeting of the First Religious Society on June 12, the Governance Committee is hosting listening sessions regarding several proposed bylaw changes.
On Sunday, May 1, please join either the in-person session from 12-1pm in the sanctuary or the virtual session from 5-6pm on Zoom (see link below, no registration required).
These structured listening sessions are in response to feedback that congregants would value more opportunities to ask questions, provide input, and deepen their understanding about proposed changes prior to voting on them. We are a beloved community which honors the Values, Mission, and Ends adopted by FRS, specifically to “welcome people in all their diversity and create belonging for one another.” The most important part of the process is that everyone gets a chance to speak. As such, the moderators will introduce a set of proposed changes, then open it up for questions and comments by calling on attendees in the order that they raise their hands.
Please see a complete list of proposed amendments to the FRS bylaws here.
The full current bylaws and Parish Board Manual with adopted policies are available on the FRS website - click here.
To Join the online session from 5-6pm on Sunday, May 1st, please click on the Zoom link below (no registration is required):
Regards,
The FRS Governance Committee
Juliana Beauvais (Chair), Maureen Adams, Lori Clark, and Renée Wolf Foster
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Click on the RSVP button to register for FRS's Annual Meeting. Every participant must register! |
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Distribution of Sunday Shared Collection Allocation for 2022-2023 Church Year
The Community Human Service Committee has the responsibility of scheduling the organizations that will receive one half of the unpledged donations collected at Sunday services each month.
Prior to establishing the schedule for next year, we would like to solicit recommendations from the congregation. If you would like to submit a recommendation for an organization serving the Merrimack Valley, please click on the link below to complete the form by Friday May 20, 2022.
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Plumbers Union Video Featuring FRS!
The Greater Boston Plumbing Contractors Association and Local 12 Plumbers Union joined forces to help renovate Parish Hall as we transitioned this space to a comfortable home for the Mirzayee family, thanks to a $45,000 grant! Check out the promo video that was shot at FRS last week by the Greater Boston Plumbing Contractors Association.
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FRS Spring Gala and Auction on June 10th! |
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DONATIONS NEEDED!
For the FRS Spring Gala and Auction
Do you love to cook dinner and entertain?
Do you have a specialty dinner that everyone loves?
Do you enjoy putting on a wine tastings? Maybe know your cheeses as well?
Do you have a vacation home you could share?
Can you offer a pizza palooza party?
Can you offer a day trip in your boat?
Do you have sports tickets to share?
Can you provide a whiskey and chocolate tasting party?
Tell us what you can do
Help us make the FRS Spring Gala and Auction an evening to remember!
Join us in Fellowship
On the evening of June 10, 2022
At the Newburyport Community Center
More details coming soon...
P.S. You can also look for Michelle and Renée at the Auction table at Sunday's social after worship service!
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Snapshots from Earth Day's Climate Justice Rally that was hosted by FRS in partnership with community-wide support! |
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Opportunities to Connect and Engage |
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Forest Walks and Meditation
When: Fridays, April 29, May 13 and 27, from 9-10:30am
Maudslay State Park, Newburyport
Much research in recent years has brought to light the benefits of being in nature mindfully, using all the senses, giving rise to practices such as Forest Bathing (Shinrin-Yoku) in Japan and Scandinavia. Join us for four such walks, experiencing the emergence of spring. Walks will be silent and will include a number of mindfulness practices, and will be followed by tea and conversation.
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"Where do we come from? Where are we going?"
A Community Art Project at FRS
You are invited to participate in a new community art project this spring! The project title "Where do we come from? Where are we going?" is borrowed from a famous painting by Paul Gauguin. It may speak to you on a personal level about your roots and your vision, or you may prefer to amplify the theme to reflect on history, the state of our community, and the future of the world. All interpretations are welcome.
How does the community art project work?
You will have several weeks to respond to the theme by using writing, photography, visual art including painting, collage, fiber art, found objects, or more. You may choose quotes and images by others (attributed) or your own originals. If you wish to respond to the theme musically or with a short performance, we will try to accommodate you.
Please pick up an unfinished wooden frame/shadow box after church beginning on April 10th and take it home to finish with your interpretation of the theme. One per person, please. We will collect all contributions at the church by May 8 for a group exhibition, exact location and time TBD. On April 10th during the 30-Minute Social, you can also visit with some of our creative members who will help get you inspired by sharing ideas and materials!
Everybody is an artist! All ages are invited.
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Short Story Group
When: 1st and 3rd Tuesdays at noon
The short story group focuses on reading and discussing anthologies.
All welcome to join!
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Let’s Make Pysanky (Ukrainian Decorated Eggs)!
When: Saturday, May 7 from 9am-noon in the Lower Meetinghouse
Eliza Goodell has over twenty years’ experience creating beautiful Ukrainian Easter Eggs. In this 3-hour workshop, participants will learn how to make these lovely eggs using a stylus, beeswax, and dyes. The class includes a demo and discussion of the symbols used in this ancient Ukrainian folk art. You will then have time to complete one to two eggs. Beginners are welcome and no artistic talent is required.
Suggested donation is $20 to cover costs (but nobody will be turned away. Please pay what feels right for you). We will also take up a collection for Ukrainian relief efforts.
Class limited to twelve.
Questions? Contact Julie Parker Amery, Director of Faith Formation and Spiritual Exploration at julie.amery@frsuu.org.
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Retired Old Men Eating Out (ROMEO)
When: Tuesday, May 10 at 12pm, The Grog, Newburyport
No reservations required. The Officer of the Day is Les Ferlazzo, phone: 617-429-2087 or email, sealore@live.com.
Please bring money along with yourself.
"It takes a good lunch to keep the church moving forward" - Maxine S. Steeves (paraphrased)
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Climate Action Project
When: Wednesday, May 11 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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Ten Days Till the Mother's Day Walk for Peace
When: Sunday, May 8, 9-11:30 am, at Madison Park High School, Roxbury Crossing, Boston
Our FRS team is now at least 17 members strong, with many more who have donated to support the Louis D. Brown Peace Institute in Dorchester. Thank you all for your support. We will walk together to be in community with mothers, families, and neighborhoods who have lost loved ones to homicide, and to support the Peace Institute - a center of healing, teaching and learning for families and communities impacted by murder, trauma, grief, and loss.
The walk is four miles through neighborhoods of Boston where violence is all too common. Walkers come from throughout Greater Boston and beyond. Here is a moving short video titled “Why I Walk”: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MbL61uoB-xs&t=4s
You can register here on the FRS Team page:
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Ways to Support the Greater Community |
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"Terezin, Children of the Holocaust"
When: Monday, May 2, 12pm, performance at the Firehouse Center, Newburyport
RSVP for your free admission to this production. For 42 years, FRS has provided rehearsal space to support theater and social justice education. Local theater icon Anna Smulowitz would like to offer FRS parishioners and friends the opportunity to view this live production, which will be followed by a brief audience discussion about the power of theater to influence change in this time of war.
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"Drive-By Collection" of Adult Incontinence Products (Depends)
When: Saturday, April 30 from 11am-1pm at the back door of Central Congregational Church, 14 Titcomb Street, Newburyport
All donations will be given to Community Services of Newburyport, Inc. for free distribution to our local neighbors. We are requesting donations of incontinence products for men and women in any size and/or gift cards from CVS to purchase products. These products can be quite costly and many people have difficulty paying for them, as they are not covered by insurance. If people do not have the funds to purchase these necessary items, it may impact their ability to leave their homes and increase their isolation.
Please start clipping coupons to purchase these items! Central Church is happy to accept your donations!
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Weekly Wellness Programming |
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Click on the boxes below to learn more about these wellness programs! |
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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–The Reverend Stan Barrett; Affiliate Minister–The Reverend 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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