October 18, 2023

TABLE OF CONTENTS

• FRS Service of Peace
• Sunday Worship Service
• Young Church News
• Looking Toward the 4th Century
• Sunday, October 29 - Join the Board for Bagels and Muffins
• Contemplating Membership
• Spooky Halloween Organ Concert
• FRS Fall Auction
• 1619 Discussion Series
• Fall Arts at the FRS
• Take the FRS Communication Survey
• Ways to Engage & Volunteer Your Time to Support Our Parish
• Fellowship Programming
• Download the FRS October Worship and Events Calendars
• Thank a UU
• Call on Parish Friends
• Beyond Our Doors: History talk given by Ghlee Woodworth; Opportunity to volunteer on Saturday and help preserve history in Highland Cemetery, Newburyport; Folk Concert

Join Reverend Rebecca and fellow FRS members and friends to gather for peace.

This contemplative service will include a reflection from Rev. Rebecca, instrumental music, and time for being together in prayers for peace.

Everyone is invited to bring an object that represents peace to place on our communal altar.

Annual Ministry Theme: Interconnectedness

October Ministry Theme: Mindfulness

Sunday, October 22, 2023

10:30am, in person and streamed on YouTube

Annual Animal Blessing Service and Ritual

at Atkinson Common

388 High Street, Newburyport

All are invited to participate in our beloved Animal Blessing Service and Ritual, held outdoors at Atkinson Common. Join with others in honoring your beloved animals, living and deceased, in a ritual blessing offered by Rev. Rebecca. There will be great music and songs to sing for all ages. Rev. Rebecca will reflect upon “Unusual Friendships Between Animals.” Please bring animals who are comfortable being around other animals. We’ve blessed cats, dogs, reptiles, guinea pigs, and more. You are also welcome to bring a photo of your animal, if that is better, and for the Blessing of Remembrance.

"Until one has loved an animal a part of one's soul remains unawakened."

--Anatole France

***The church building will be closed on Sunday***

Attend on YouTube: http://bit.ly/FRSyoutube

October Shared Collection Partner – Greater Newbury Elder Pet Fund

Large print Orders of Service, hymnals, and earphones for sound amplification are available. Please ask ushers to provide them.

View Last Sunday's Sermon by Reverend Rebecca:

https://youtu.be/Vg1NMBxLbq0

Young Church News

Click on the yellow button to read more

Support the FRSUU Little Free Diverse Library!

We’ve all heard about book bans across the U.S., and increasingly these bans focus on books that feature protagonists of color or characters who reflect the LGBTQ+ experience. How can you take action?

By donating to the Little Free Diverse Library! 

To access the LFDL Wishlist on Amazon click on the yellow button below. You can purchase books here OR get title ideas and purchase books at a local bookstore! Book donations can be put directly into our library, or in the collection basket located in the vestibule. Thank you!

If you are interested in getting involved with the FRSUU Little Free Diverse Library, please reach out to August Doherty Mead (he/they) at augustdoherty@gmail.com.

The Congregational Insight Team will host a series of workshops to hear your ideas and together develop strategies to realize your dreams and wishes for our beloved community.

Please plan to attend one of the following workshops:

Wednesday, November 1 from 6-8pm

Sunday, November 5 from 12-2pm

Sunday, November 19 from 2-4pm (Zoom only)

Wednesday, December 6 from 6-8pm

Sunday, January 21 from 2-4pm

Click on the black button below to register.

Sunday, October 29 - Join the Board for Bagels and Muffins

Come to the Lower Meetinghouse after church for bagels and muffins followed by a chance to hear what the Board is working on this year. Jim Supple will update us on the Board’s priorities for the year. This year, as we anticipate our 300th anniversary, we will begin the process of turning our vision into a plan for the future and how that will be reflected through our programs, our interactions with the larger community, and our decisions about the Parish Hall. Barbara Garnis and members of the Congregational Insight Team will be there to describe the upcoming workshops and how we hope the congregation will guide us into the future. There will also be time for you to bring your questions for the Board or the Insight Team. This is an exciting year as we anticipate celebrating our 300th year and look toward the future for our church. Please join us on October 29th in the Lower Meetinghouse.

After Newburyport's Downtown Trick or Treat on October 27, come back to FRS for a concert of spooky Halloween organ music, including the famous Toccata and Fugue in D minor. This program will be fun for all ages. The concert begins at 5:15 and will last approximately 45 minutes.

GRATEFUL GATHERING, THE FRS AUCTION 

November 17 at 6pm

Newburyport Community Center, 331 High Street, Newburyport

We are accepting items for this year's auction as well as offerings for fellowship experiences.

Can you host a dinner party or event in your home? Do you have a unique experience or service you can offer? Tickets to events? Do you have a vacation home? We are looking for experiences that create fellowship among us. There will be a sign-up table after services, or to sign up online click here. The donation deadline is October 27.

TO PURCHASE TICKETS 

Tickets are $45 per person ($55 at the door)

By credit card:

https://events.eventgroove.com/event/2023-Frs-Grateful-Gathering-85414

or at the auction table after church

By check:

Mail the check to the office and provide your email address and we will send you the ticket via email. 

If you would like to participate in the planning the auction, our meetings are on Zoom, Tuesday evenings at 6:30pm, https://bit.ly/FUUNTeamZoomMeeting

1619: A Discussion Series Starts This Week!

Four hundred years ago, a ship carrying enslaved Africans arrived in the English colony of Virginia. This series examines the long shadow of that fateful moment. Join members of the FRS Anti-Racism Initiative for discussion of the six-episode documentary series 1619, which seeks to reframe our country’s history by placing the consequences of slavery and the contributions of Black Americans at the very center of our national narrative. Episode themes include Democracy, Music, Fear, and Justice.

Conversations will be on Zoom on Monday evenings. There will be two opportunities each week prior to watch the episode being discussed. If you’d like to watch the episode at the church, you can come to the church for a viewing either Thursdays, 5:15-6:30pm or Fridays, noon-1:15pm.

For more information click here.

Thank you to the 106 people who responded to this survey to date!

If you happen to be one of the 555 people who have not yet responded to this email, no worries! There is still time. Please take five minutes to let us know which email communications you would like to receive from the FRS each week.

To learn more about these communications and select which ones you prefer to receive each week, click on the white button below.

Photo: The FRS's AIM (Accessibility and Inclusion Ministry) team hosted a group discussion about our mindfulness practices that help us through the inevitable stages of change, transition, and transformation throughout our life span. This event was part of the FRS's Justice Sunday with Soup & Salad series. Join us for our next Justice Sunday on November 15 with a presentation from people who participated in this past summer's service trip to Pine Ridge Reservation.

The Choir Needs You!

If you love to sing, or you think you might learn to love to sing, we want you! Join the FRS Adult Choir in leading music making at the church. The choir rehearses on Thursdays from 7-8:40pm and warms up for worship on Sundays at 9am. All you need to join is enthusiasm!

There is no audition; being able to read music is helpful but not totally necessary. The choir sings about 3 times per month.

Join us!

For more information, please email Director of Church Music Justin Murphy-Mancini at justin.murphy-mancini@frsuu.org. 

Download the FRS October Worship and Events Calendars

Click on the gray buttons below:

Thank you, Eliza Goodell for the beautiful flowers! Cynthia

Call on Parish Friends!

Do you know of anyone in our church community who could use a helping hand or an encouraging word? If so, please reach out to the FRS Parish Friends. For example, a member may need a ride to an appointment or appreciate a card to let them know we hold them in our thoughts. Or any other temporary support such as a family with a new baby who may welcome a meal! If so, please contact Susan Ricker at parishfriends@frsuu.org. You may also reach out to the church office at info@frsuu.org or call 978-465-0602.

The Back Bay Neighborhood Association, made up of 70-80 households surrounding Highland Cemetery in Newburyport, is working with local historian Ghlee Woodworth to donate their time and elbow grease to straighten headstones at the Highland Cemetery. Ghlee is incredibly active in preservation and restoration of local cemeteries, and is generously donating her time and expertise. Please come join this community effort and have a hand in beautifying the cemetery that sits at the center of the city.

On Saturday, October 21 at 9am, FRSUU members Christian Hansen, Joanna Fernandes, and Sue Creed, along with members of the Back Bay Neighborhood Association, will donate their time to Ghlee's mission of preserving and maintaining this final resting ground in Newburyport. Please join them as they straighten and move the headstones upright, create community, and preserve the local history. No superhuman strength is needed - just teamwork. Plus, there will be FREE COFFEE and DONUTS!

For more information, please reach out to Christian Hansen via email at: christianchansen@gmail.com.

Folk Concert: the last optimist [?] and the Lied To's

When" Friday, November 3 from 6-9pm in the Sanctuary at the FRS

All ages - Suggested donation

Minister–The Reverend Rebecca Bryan; Affiliate Minister–Rev. Stan Barrett; Affiliate Minister–Rev. Helen Murgida; Affiliate Minister-Rev. Jane Tuohy; Minister Emeritus–The Reverend Harold Babcock. Staff: Director of Church Operations–Rob Authier; Office Administrator–Diane Carroll; Director of Children's Ministry–Mara Flynn; Director of Church Music–Justin Murphy-Mancini; Director of Church Music Emerita–Barbara Owen; Director of Faith Formation and Spiritual Exploration–Julie Parker Amery; Sexton–Donny Rogers; Director of Congregational and Community Engagement–Cynthia Walsh. Parish Board: Chair–Jim Supple; Vice Chair–Tina Benik; Finance Chair–Renée Wolf Foster; Governance Chair–Tom Himmel; Endowment Treasurer–Kim Kenly; Finance Treasurer–Bob Higgins; Stewardship Chair–Vern Ellis; Parish Clerk–Kathy Desilets; Lori Clark, Caitlin Creps, Laurie Evans-Daly, Minnie Flanagan, Liss Larsen, Annie Maurer.

First Religious Society, Unitarian Universalist | 26 Pleasant St., Newburyport MA 01950

978-465-0602 | frsuu.org