October 25, 2023

TABLE OF CONTENTS

• Sunday Worship Service
• Special Congregational Service of Remembrance
• Sunday, October 29 - Join the Board for Bagels and Muffins
• Contemplating Membership
• Young Church News
• Looking Toward the 4th Century
• Spooky Halloween Organ Concert
• FRS Fall Auction
• Newbury Food Pantry Donations
• 1619 Project: A Discussion Series
• Snapshots from Sunday's Animal Blessing
• Fellowship Programming
• Download the FRS October Worship and Events Calendars
• Thank a UU
• Call on Parish Friends
• Beyond Our Doors

Annual Ministry Theme: Interconnectedness

October Ministry Theme: Mindfulness

Sunday, October 29, 2023

10:30am, in person and streamed on YouTube

Mindfulness and the Habits Necessary for Living in a Free Democracy

In our ongoing exploration of mindfulness, Reverend Rebecca will be preaching on the habits necessary for living in a free democracy based on the work of Pamela Paresky and others. How is our thinking influencing our actions and is it supporting the values we espouse?

Voting is the expression of our commitment to ourselves, one another, this country and this world.

-Sharon Salzberg

Join us before church from 9-10am for an exploring membership class in Room A in the Lower Meetinghouse. To RSVP, please contact cynthia.walsh@frsuu.org.

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.

All are invited to join us in this special Service of Remembrance. We will name our members and friends who have died since April 2022, recognizing the impact of these losses to the FRS community.

This reflective service will include poetry, music, and silence, inviting contemplation and comfort. Everyone is welcome to attend. Rev. Rebecca will be leading the service along with Alan Seale, Doug Latham, and others.

To submit a name to be included in the service, please go to the active Service of Remembrance list at click here and enter the information requested (name, date of death, contact person) or, alternatively, email that info to Pastoral Care Associate Hugh Martinez at lindyhoo@comcast.net. All names are encouraged, and people do not need to have been a member of FRS to be included.

"Why I Pray"

A poem by Reverend Rebecca

Click here to read.

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.

To join by Zoom:

https://zoom.us/j/94664931096?pwd=WHZ0OUtLVWNxb2pHa2U4L1pleU5XQT09

Meeting ID: 946 6493 1096

Passcode: 014712

One tap mobile

+13017158592,,94664931096# US (Washington DC)

+13052241968,,94664931096# US

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

Sunday, January 28 from 12-2pm

Click on the black button below to register.

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 5:15pm and will last approximately 45 minutes.

GRATEFUL GATHERING, THE FRS AUCTION 

November 17 at 6:00pm

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 you can sign up here.

The donation deadline is October 27.

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

Some items available to bid on are:

Five Nights in Avon, Colorado 

Home of Beaver Creek Ski Resort in the Vail Valley

donated by Kim Kenly

Cozy French Winter Dinner 

donated by Anne Dodge & Chuck Kennedy

Daytrip to Star Island

donated by Julie Menin & Susan Cooper

TO PURCHASE TICKETS 

By credit card: scan the QR code below or click on the blue button.

By check: stop by the auction table after worship service or mail the check to the office and provide your email address and we will send you the ticket(s) via email.

If you would like to attend and cannot afford the ticket price, please contact either Vern Ellis at vellis@ellisdesign.net or Rev. Rebecca at revrebecca.bryan@frsuu.org about financial assistance.

SIGN UP TO VOLUNTEER 

for a fun and festive time.

https://bit.ly/VolunteerSignup-Auction

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

Newbury Food Pantry Donations

The Community Outreach Group of FRS is sponsoring a food drive to benefit the Newbury Food Pantry during the month of November. Donations can be left on the right shelf at the back of the church as you exit. While the number of guests has increased significantly at the food pantry, the Greater Boston Food Bank has reduced their delivery by 20%. Your donations are gratefully appreciated especially at this time of need. Their wish list includes: hearty soups, rice and pasta sides, instant coffee, quick bread and baking mixes, hot and cold cereals, peanut butter, jelly, gluten free products, and toilet paper. Any questions, please contact Linda Buddenhagen at 978-463-0882.

1619 Project: A Discussion Series

Members of the FRS Anti-Racism Initiative invite you to join us for the second episode of the 1619 Project documentary series, titled “Race.” This episode explores the origins and legacies of racial categorization within the United States, with attention to factors that have contributed to the current Black maternal health crisis. Some questions you might consider before viewing:

1. What is race? When did you first become aware of different racial classifications? How important is racial identity to you?
2. What do you know about the history of race and racism in the United States? How do you think race may be related to the history of enslavement?
3. Some of the history and personal stories told in this episode are hard to listen to because they describe painful events. What can we do to take care of ourselves when something is both important to hear and difficult to listen to?

If you’d like to watch the episode at FRS, you can come to the Lower Meetinghouse for a viewing either Thursday, October 26 from 5-6:15 pm or Friday, October 27 from noon-1:15 pm. You can also opt to watch the episodes at home (they are available on Hulu). Please let us know if you cannot make either of the church viewings and do not have access to Hulu and we’ll see what we can do to help.

A Zoom discussion will be held for this “Race” episode on Monday, October 30 from 7-8 pm. Please click here to register for the discussion or contact Julie Parker Amery at julie.amery@frsuu.org to receive the Zoom link.

Please note that you can join any or all sessions. Registering will simply allow you to receive the Zoom link for any discussions you wish to attend. We hope that you’ll join us to learn about the 1619 Project and how it may inform our own spiritual growth and understanding of systemic racism and social policies in the United States.

We are collecting donations of pillows for our pews. The pillows should be new or clean - "gently used" - with no exposure to cat/dog hair due to allergy sensitivities.

There will be a drop-off table and sign, "Pew Pillow Donations," in the Lower Meetinghouse, in the enclosed entryway of the entrance/exit located next to Rev. Rebecca's office.

Thank you for your generosity and ongoing loving support of all endeavors at the FRS!

Download the FRS October Worship and Events Calendars

Click on the gray buttons below:

Mara writes "thank you to Tina for LFDL plug!

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.

Changing the Conversation on Mental Health with Justice John T. Broderick, Jr.

When: Thursday, November 9, 6–7:30 pm, Newburyport Senior Center, 331 High Street

John T. Broderick, Jr. is a former Chief Justice of the New Hampshire Supreme Court who has dedicated himself to shining a spotlight on the mental health crisis with deep compassion and empathy by sharing his family’s story. Please join us for this important community gathering.

For questions, contact Susannah Abbott, Director of Development, at sabbott@linkhouseinc.org.

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