October 4, 2023

TABLE OF CONTENTS

• Sunday Worship Service
• FRS Fall Festival This Sunday!
• Young Church News
• Take Action for Banned Books Week
• Passion Action Fair is this Sunday
• FRS Fall Auction
• 1619 Discussion Series
• Fall Arts at the FRS\
• Snapshots from the Passion Action Fair
• We Need to Hear From You: 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

Annual Ministry Theme: Interconnectedness

October Ministry Theme: Mindfulness

Sunday, October 8, 2023

10:30am, in person and streamed on YouTube

Within, Between, and Among"

What is the role of the church today in society and in our community? Reverend Rebecca will offer two shorter homilies. The first will be about the history and role of censorship, especially through banned books. How is the church called to respond? The second is a look at the future of the First Religious Society and your role in helping discern the vision of who we are becoming as we near the church’s 4th Century. Rev. Rebecca will share her priorities and how you can have your voice heard as we consider things including a renovation of Parish Hall.

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.

Everyone is welcome to join in the festivities and enjoy apple cider and fresh apple cider donuts donated by the Russell family. There will even be a pinata!

Festivities will take place outside in front of Parish Hall in the lovely courtyard gardens.

We will also celebrate with a toast to the Mirzayee family!

We are so grateful to Russell Orchards of Ipswich for this yummy donation.

Young Church News

Click on the yellow button to read more

Take Action for Banned Books Week – 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. Banned Books Week (Oct 1 - 7) brings awareness to these issues of censorship and celebrates the freedom to read. How can you take action this Banned Books Week?

By donating to the Little Free Diverse Library! Click here to access the LFDL Wishlist on Amazon. 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! 

CALL FOR DONATIONS 

GRATEFUL GATHERING, THE FRS AUCTION 

November 17 at 6:00pm

Newburyport Community Center, 331 High Street, Newburyport

We are looking to offer fellowship experiences for this year's auction. 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.

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

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. Dates of discussions and viewings are below. 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.

Click here to register for the discussion, and we’ll send you the Zoom link:

Please note that you do not need to attend all sessions. Registering will simply allow you to receive the link for any discussions you wish to attend.

You do not need to register to come to the church to watch the episodes.

Episode showings at the church (lower meeting house):

Episode 1: Thursday, Oct 19, 5-6:15 OR Friday, Oct 20, noon-1:15

Episode 2: Thursday, Oct 26, 5-6:15 OR Friday, Oct. 27, noon-1:15

Episode 3: Thursday, Nov 2, 5-6:15 OR Friday, Nov. 3, noon-1:15

Episode 4: Thursday, Nov 9, 5-6:15 OR Friday, Nov 10, noon-1:15

Episode 5: Thursday, Nov 16, 5-6:15 OR Friday, Nov 17, noon-1:15

Episode 6: Thursday, Nov 30, 5-6:15 OR Friday, Dec 1, noon-1:15

Discussions on Zoom (register to get Zoom link):

Episode 1: Monday, Oct 23, 7-8pm

Episode 2: Monday, Oct 30, 7-8pm

Episode 3: Monday, Nov 6, 7-8pm

Episode 4: Monday, Nov 13, 7-8pm

Episode 5: Monday, Nov 20, 7-8pm

Episode 6: Monday, Dec 4, 7-8pm

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.

Interior Landscapes Group has openings for two participants to join

Are you interested in forming a new relationship with grief? Reverend Rebecca has been offering a group focusing on the work of Francis Weller and The Wild Edge of Sorrow. The group meets monthly on Tuesdays from 5:30–7pm in person and online. We will meet October–May to give ample space and time to this life-changing work. We will be using sharing, spiritual practices, and ritual together. Please email Reverend Rebecca at revrebecca.bryan@frsuu.org to let her know of your interest in the group. We do ask that you commit to the entire program.

Volunteer to Serve as a Greeter at Church on Sundays!

Please consider volunteering to serve as a greeter on Sundays. This is a wonderful way to meet and welcome people who come to experience worship service each week. As a greeter you will help shepherd people who may be unfamiliar with the FRS and are looking to connect and possibly join our parish, help people find their name tags or request a name tag, and guide people who might be interested in learning more on how to get involved in our congregation.

Please contact Cynthia Walsh for more information at cynthia.walsh@frsuu.org.

Serve as an online host for Sunday Worship Fellowship (following 10:30am worship)

We have a growing community of parishioners who attend service online each week via our YouTube channel. Following worship we would love to provide a 20-minute meet & greet via Zoom. If you attend service online and would be willing to serve as a host for one of our post service fellowship opportunities, please email Cynthia Walsh, cynthia.walsh@frsuu.org.

We will set up the Zoom link - all you have to do is show up and be ready to meet new friends!

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:

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.

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