TABLE OF CONTENTS
- Sunday Worship Service
- Annual Meeting: RSVP and Annual Report
- Pandemic-Era Support with the Pastoral Care Associates
- FRS Spring Gala & Auction
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"Sailing Into Ministry": an interview with David Livingstone, FRS's Ministerial Intern
- Summer Volunteer Opportunities
- Gardening Help for Zarifa
- FRS's Habitat for Humanity
- Upcoming Events
- Retired Old Men Eating Out (ROMEO) Luncheon
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FRS Goes to Portsmouth Pride: Order Your FRS T-shirt Today!
- FRS's Welcome Space Dedication
- Beyond Our Doors
- Juneteenth Event in Newburyport
- 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 12, 2022
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Sunday, June 12, 2022
“How Can I Keep From Singing”
10:30am in person and livestream on YouTube
Music connects people across time and space, and allows for the expression of the fulness of human experience. Rev. Rebecca Bryan will speak about a recent and meaningful spiritual journey involving a new musical practice, and the Adult Choir and harpist Aster Shepherd will offer uplifting musical selections.
“The best, most beautiful, and most perfect way that we have of expressing a sweet concord of mind to each other is by music.”
-Jonathan Edwards
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FRS Annual Meeting this Sunday starting at 12:15pm
Register today!
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Check-in and lunch will be immediately following Sunday Worship Service |
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So, how can you prepare for the Annual Meeting? The same way you would prepare for elections. You will find some links below to help you:
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Register to attend and choose your lunch option by clicking here!
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Read the warrant. This is the list of all items we will be voting on.
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Check out the Annual Report.
- If you haven't read an annual report before you'll be amazed at the diversity and reach of the programs and initiatives of our church.
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For a large-print version of the warrant, please contact Diane Carroll at diane.carroll@frsuu.org.
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See the FAQs on issues around gender inclusive programs; these have been thoughtfully written to help clarify the issues around this important topic.
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Watch the two videos featuring Julie Parker Amery and Tom Stites.
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Pandemic-Era Support with the Pastoral Care Associates
Ongoing Support Group Meetings
When: Thursday, June 9, noon-1pm in the Lower Meetinghouse
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 Tuesday 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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Join Us for Fellowship and Fundraising at the 2022 FRS Spring Gala & Auction!
Friday, June 10, 6-9pm
Newburyport Senior/Community Center, 331 High Street
Appetizers from 6-6:45pm
Buffet dinner available at 6:45pm
Auction starts at 7pm
Each ticket holder receives 2 drink coupons for beer, wine, or non-alcoholic beverages.
TICKETS ARE NOW ON SALE
$35/person in advance, $45/person at the door
Bring a friend
Click the button below to purchase tickets online.
If you would like to attend but cannot afford the ticket price, please contact Rev. Rebecca about financial assistance.
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To View the Live Auction Items Click Blue Button Below
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To View the Silent Auction Items Click Blue Button Below |
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If you can not be there in person, and see an item that piques your interest,
ask a friend to bid for you!
Babysitting: If needed to attend the event, please contact Erin Hutchinson at ehutchinson@nsedu.org to work out the details.
This year’s theme is Tipping our Hats to Love. We invite you to wear your favorite, finest, or most festive hat to the Gala/Auction. Prizes will be given for :
- The Hat that Tips the Most to Love
- The Most Elegant Hat
- The Most Imaginative Hat
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An interview with David Livingstone, FRS's Ministerial Intern
By Cynthia Walsh
This past church year FRS fulfilled a vision of becoming a teaching congregation when a wonderful and adventurous soul responded to our invitation.
It was last academic year when David Livingstone, a first-year student at Harvard Divinity School, was advised by his professor to seek out a field education experience. David was eager to get out of the classroom and on the ground where he wanted to make authentic connections with people. He knew this type of learning opportunity would be a blessing as David is not shy about taking on experiential learning activities. It was in one of his environmental education undergraduate classes where a flyer on a bulletin board advertising an opportunity to study at sea on a tall ship captured his eye. Shortly thereafter he found himself on a 134-foot steel sailing brigantine called the SSV Robert C. Seamans. This ship would be one of eight tall ships that he would sail, spanning across two oceans over a period of seven years.
It was during this time that David met his future partner Rennie. In fact, the two of them met while working on competing tall ships that were participating in a “battle sail” which is an activity that David describes as “wacky fun.” During a battle sail, tall ships would sail around each other and try to fire blanks from the ship’s cannons, although there is no cannon ball, just gun powder, which makes a loud noise and lots of smoke. David cites this activity as making him quick on his feet as well as introducing him to Rennie.
Settling in Delaware just before COVID, David had no idea that his life would soon take on a new adventure, although he felt something was pulling him to rethink a calling that he had early in high school, when he was invited by UU minister Kim Crawford-Harvie to attend a UU service at Boston’s Arlington Street Church. Rev. Crawford-Harvie also happened to be the first minister in the country to marry a same-sex couple.
It was through the experiences of attending Unitarian Universalist services that he first imagined being a UU minister. Growing up, David was not raised with any formal organized religion, but he enjoyed going to religious services. He recalls that he was the only kid in his class that loved going to the temple portion of Bar Mitzvahs. He attended boarding school at Concord Academy where Rev. Crawford-Harvie was his house parent, and on Sundays she would drive him to the Arlington Street UU Church. After high school David was off to Chicago for undergrad where he stopped attending church although he kept the idea of being a UU minister in his “back pocket.”
He proclaims that he was young and felt as though he needed more experiences in life to be able to pursue this path. And so, the adventurous David headed out to sea during which time he landed in Castine, Maine where he studied for his maritime license at Maine Maritime Academy. He recalls that his time in Maine was spent exploring the natural landscapes of the coasts, walking in the woods, learning about local history, and reading books. David describes himself as an “indoor cat” as he does not need a lot to keep him entertained.
He was back at sea when the COVID-19 pandemic began and he soon found himself on land in Delaware where he and Rennie were beginning their lives together as a couple. It was during this time that David decided to reach into his "back pocket" and lean into his interest to attend divinity school - and here we are today!
David’s internship with FRS is coming to an end. What David takes with him are the authentic connections that he experienced, in both large and small groups, although he especially loved the whimsical experiences shared in the smaller group setting. David shared that he believes both coffee hour and worship service have an implicit element of being in community with one another, although in coffee hour you can learn more about people and listen to individual reflections of the service. He highlighted how much he enjoyed the many idea-generating conversations regarding names for his first child, who he and Rennie are expecting in late July. For David, like so many others, coffee hour provided a genuine place of love and acceptance where people generally wanted to be together. This space of forming “authentic connection” is one experience that David states he will take away as a key learning point from his time with us.
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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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Retired Old Men Eating Out (ROMEO)
When: Tuesday, June 14, 12pm, Brown Sugar by the Sea, 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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FRS Goes to Portsmouth Pride: Order Your FRS T-shirt Today!
(deadline to order is June 10)
Join fellow FRS members, the Welcoming Committee, and the FRS All-Ages GSA at Portsmouth Pride in Portsmouth, NH on June 25th. We’ll walk together in the parade, stepping off from Market Square at 12pm, and proceed along the 1/2-mile route to Strawbery Banke where we can enjoy performances, activities, food, and time together at the Pride Marketplace. Stay as little or as long as you like. We’ll be coordinating carpools if you need a ride, or you can meet us there. More info to follow. Come show your support!
Walkers are encouraged to buy a newly designed FRS t-shirt in a rainbow color of their choice to raise our visibility in the parade. Shirts are $18.00 and can be ordered here: https://www.customink.com/g/xbr0-00ck-wkuq.
The deadline for ordering is June 10th. You will order online, and payment will be due later. (Instructions for payment and pick up to follow.) If you are attending Pride but a t-shirt is not in your budget, place your order and contact Christine at christine.doherty@comcast.net.
Resources are available to ensure all walkers who wish to have a shirt can join in the rainbow scheme. To RSVP or ask questions, please also contact Christine at christine.doherty@comcast.net.
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FRS's Welcome Space Dedication |
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Last Sunday FRS held a dedication and ribbon cutting ceremony in honor of the "Welcome Space" that we created with our new rainbow-colored Adirondack chairs. This space was created in honor of the LGBTQ+ community.
Our intent is that whoever enjoys this space will feel welcome and come to know and better understand that Unitarian Universalism affirms seven Principles, the first of which is: "The inherent worth and dignity of every person."
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Photo: The Welcome Banner designed by parishioner Vern Ellis |
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Rev. Rebecca with parishioners from the Meet & Greet Team and Welcoming Committee cut the ribbon |
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Parishioners gather to support the dedication |
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Parishioners from FRS's All-Ages Gender, Sexuality Alliance (GSA) and Welcoming Committee |
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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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