Annual Ministry Theme: Unity
December Ministry Theme: Spaciousness
Space permeates everything, every moment of our lives.
-Pema Chödron
|
|
December's Message from Reverend Rebecca |
|
SUNDAY WORSHIP
December 5, 2021
|
|
"Space Of a River"
As we enter the month of December and its cacophony of darkness, demands, and desires, let us connect with the space within us that will guide us on our way. This service will provide a holding space and an invitation to make room for what we truly want in our lives. Reverend Rebecca will be preaching.
"I would love to live like a river flows, carried by the surprise of its own unfolding."
-John O'Donohue
December's Shared Collection will go to Fuel Assistance.
The service will be in-person and on YouTube at 10:30am.
To watch the livestream online click here.
In-person attendance is limited to 200 people, with assigned, distanced seating.
Masks are required in worship, and inside church buildings at all times.
|
|
30-Minute Fellowship Following Sunday Worship Service
Join us on the brick area in front of the church following the service (weather permitting) for a beverage and in-person fellowship to say hello. Dress warmly and enjoy good company and great conversation!
|
|
TONIGHT - Holding Space: Making Room for Light and Silence
Zoom contemplative worship service on December 1st from 6:30–7:15pm
Join Reverend Rebecca for a contemplative gathering where we can come together to center ourselves and set our intentions for this month of holidays.
Join Zoom Meeting
Meeting ID: 941 3028 3346
One tap mobile
+19292056099,,94130283346# US (New York)
+13017158592,,94130283346# US (Washington DC)
|
|
TONIGHT: Jazz Vespers
When: Wednesday, December 1 at 8pm
Please join us at the next Jazz Vespers service on December 1 at 8pm in the Sanctuary. Saxophonist Danny Harrington will be sitting in with members of the FRS House Band and will also be the reader for the evening. Members of the FRS House Band: Mike Gruen, bass; Tomas Havrda, drums; and Lark Madden, piano.
|
|
Click on the button below for a list of Holiday Events at FRS |
|
What Does It Mean to be a Level 2 Sanctuary Congregation?
Being a Level 2 Sanctuary congregation means we are committed to partnering with other churches who are providing physical sanctuary. We have previously fulfilled this commitment in our work with a neighboring church providing sanctuary to a family at risk of deportation.
We recently learned that St. Paul's in Newburyport will be hosting several Afghan refugee families who will be arriving next week. If you are able to donate any of the requested materials, please let us know and/or bring donated items to church on Sunday!
To learn more, please click here to read the email that was sent to our congregation this morning.
|
|
Please Take the Accessibility and Inclusion Ministry (AIM) Survey
AIM is a certification program created by EqUUal Access in partnership with the Unitarian Universalist Association (UUA). AIM's purpose is to guide congregations to better welcome, embrace, integrate, and support people with disabilities and their families in our communities. The purpose of this brief survey is to gather information regarding the accessibility and inclusion needs of our FRS community and identify those willing to participate in working toward achievement of AIM Certification. Please complete the survey by clicking on the purple button below, and you will be notified of a Zoom informational meeting during the first week in December.
|
|
Program Council Meeting
When: Tuesday, December 7 from 6:30-8pm on Zoom
The role of the Program Council is to provide a venue for all church groups to share activities, projects, and opportunities within our church community, as well as provide detailed updates on initiatives impacting the entire church community, such as the Pledge Drive.
Everyone is welcome to attend and learn firsthand about church activities!
Join Zoom Meeting
Meeting ID: 999 9824 4547
Passcode: 464727
One tap mobile
+19292056099,,99998244547# US (New York)
+13017158592,,99998244547# US (Washington DC)
|
|
The Daily Muse: A New FRS Fundraiser |
|
The Daily Muse is a collection of 365 inspirational quotes—one for each day of the year—packaged as a standing flip-book for easy display.
Inspired by a similar product at her brother’s (non-local) congregation, FRS member Mary Sortal approached Reverend Rebecca last spring with the idea. Reverend Rebecca loved it, and asked Julie Parker Amery to work with Mary and Stewardship Chair Vern Ellis to look into the idea further. Discerning that it was a do-able project, and something that would have wide appeal, the three set to work in the early fall, with Mary and Julie collecting the quotes, and Vern overseeing production. Linda Harding assisted with much of the vetting that needed to be done once the quotes were collected.
Quotes were solicited from the congregation, resulting in a strong mix of quotes representing a diversity of people: Elie Wiesel, Sonia Sotomayor, Anaïs Nin, Greta Thunberg, James Baldwin, Frank Lloyd Wright, Ella Fitzgerald, Zora Neale Hurston, Fred Rogers, and many more.
There is nothing like returning to a place
that remains unchanged to find the ways
in which you yourself have altered.
Nelson Mandela (May 25)
Mary Sortal explains her inspiration for the project: "Each Christmas, everyone in our family gets a calendar from my brother," she says. "It's a fund raiser for his church, and it's filled with all kinds of quotes: humorous, spiritual, inspirational, quirky, celebratory. And it fits anywhere: kitchen window sill, bedside table, car, coat pocket, backpack, and of course the bathroom! Even though we can be miles apart, we love to share our favorites with family and friends. It connects us." And, she notes, "They're great stocking stuffers!"
The Daily Muse booklets, at $20 each, will be available in the coming weeks after worship services on Sunday mornings. If you can't pick one up after church, please order one here: https://bit.ly/TheDailyMuse.
|
|
FRS' MUSIC PROGRAM
by Justin Murphy-Mancini, Director of Church Music
2021 Candlelight Service
A Newburyport tradition since 1925, the annual Candlelight Service returns to the FRS sanctuary this December! The Candlelight Chorale is excited to share music for the Christmas season live and in-person. The ensemble has been working hard since the beginning of November to prepare a special program that will offer a meaningful and deep musical experience while acknowledging the challenges of the ongoing coronavirus pandemic.
The selections focus on the contemplative and spiritually deep aspects of the season, drawing on the extensive collection of music for Christmas housed in the FRS music library. Some of these pieces are Candlelight Chorale favorites, while others have been performed only rarely. Sadly, current restrictions on congregational singing prohibit our joining in on favorite carols, but we look forward to the time when we can all sing joyfully the words to "O Come, All Ye Faithful" with choir, brass, and organ together.
The Candlelight Chorale hopes that you will join them in person on Saturday, December 18 or Sunday, December 19 at 7pm in the sanctuary.
In-person attendance will be limited based on safety guidelines, so tickets will be required to attend. Both masks and proof of vaccination will be required to insure the safety of participants and audience. If you would rather attend virtually, both performances will be livestreamed.
As we near 100 years of Candlelight, we are grateful to be able to continue this tradition in new ways as we respond to the changing world.
Reserve your seats today! Please note that in-person attendance is subject to change based on safety recommendations from the FRS Reopening Team.
Click here to register to attend Candlelight Service in person on December 18th.
Click here to register to attend Candlelight Service in person on December 19th.
|
|
ADULT FAITH FORMATION AND SPIRITUAL EXPLORATION
by Julie Parker Amery, Director of Faith Formation and Spiritual Exploration
Holiday Lift Program: Co-Creating Joy
Many of us could use a lift this holiday season, so we invite you to participate in a program designed to spread a little joy.
You will be randomly assigned another participant for whom you will leave a small token of joy. Be creative! It could be a baked good, a photograph or piece of art you’ve created, a copy of a favorite poem, a book that you find especially meaningful, even found objects from nature. Please do not purchase anything extravagant. Let the gift be an expression of you!
You, in return, will be the recipient of someone else's joyful giving.
All exchanges will ideally be in December—but after the holidays is a fine time, too! We can help transport if necessary.
Questions? Contact Julie Parker Amery, Director of Faith Formation and Spiritual Exploration at julie.amery@frsuu.org.
|
|
YOUNG CHURCH UPDATE
by Mara Flynn, Director of Children's Ministry
This autumn has blessed us with more beautiful Sundays and we've welcomed three new families into the Young Church fold! On All Souls Day, our Ritual of Remembrance was really something special with over 20 kids and adults sharing pictures, memories, and feelings about loved ones who've died. The love, care, and support for one another was palpable and truly moving.
We've shared rituals, joys and sorrows, stories, fun, and fellowship. Looking ahead to December, we will likely need to begin meeting online again as the weather gets colder. With vaccinations now available for younger children, I am hoping to move Young Church back indoors, masked and distanced, starting in January.
Meanwhile, preparations are underway for our Christmas Pageant on December 12th. We'll be doing this online as a Zoom Webinar again this year so that all ages can safely participate.
Please email Mara Flynn at mara.flynn@frsuu.org if you're interested in being a part of this year's pageant - ALL AGES WELCOME!
|
|
Give the Gift of a Book to FRS' 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.
Throughout the month of December, Jabberwocky Bookshop in Newburyport is offering a 20% discount on LFDL Book Donations.
|
|
FROM THE OFFICE
by Diane Carroll, Office Administrator
|
|
Christmas Poinsettias
It's time to order your Christmas poinsettias in memory or in celebration of friends or loved ones. The cost is $25 for a large plant. A list of donors and their dedication messages will be included in the Candlelight Service program. You may pick up your plant after the 8pm Christmas Eve service or after the December 26 Sunday service.
The deadline for orders is noon on Wednesday, December 8.
Then, you can make your donation online at https://onrealm.org/frsuu/-/give/now by choosing "Poinsettias for Holiday Services" from the fund. Or you can mail or drop off a check to the front office. Checks should be payable to First Religious Society, with "poinsettia" written on the memo line.
|
|
Volunteers Needed to Help with Holiday Letter Envelope Stuffing!
When: Friday, December 3, Lower Meetinghouse, 10am
Can you give an hour or two of your time to help stuff the envelopes for Reverend Rebecca's holiday letter? After being unable to do this in-person last year, we are happy to be able to welcome congregants back to the Lower Meetinghouse this year for this important project! It's an opportunity to help, have fun, and socialize with fellow congregants. Envelope stuffers will be socially distanced, and masks will be required.
|
|
"Love Our Earth" Signs Available for Purchase
These sturdy, 2' x 2', outdoor, full color yard art posters were designed and signed by FRSUU member and artist Lance Hidy. They are weatherproof and come with a gale-proof step stake.
The cost is $45.00 each, with $30.00 going to help support our church. This fundraiser was organized by CAP/Climate Action Project. We can help motivate ourselves and our wider community to take the best care of our mother Earth!
|
|
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!
|
|
"I am so grateful to have Nancy Peace in my life. When my beloved and honored Jonathan was ill, she was one of the first to come with a great meal and a smile full of sunshine. Now it is my pleasure to be giving her back and sharing Sunday lunches whenever possible. She's one of the special people in my life that helps me to navigate and to celebrate and to share our UU experience." -Betsy |
|
Thank you to Aster Shepherd for providing beautiful music during the fall fellowship outside socials that follow Sunday Worship. When the warmer weather returns, we look forward to having your music grace our souls!
-Cynthia
|
|
Holiday Gift Programs: Fulfilling Family Wishes
Each year the Community Human Services Committee supports two programs during the holiday season: Family to Family led by Newburyport Youth Services and YMCA of Greater Newburyport, and Emmaus House in Haverhill. We hope you will consider supporting these programs again this year.
The Family to Family program has 100 more families in need this year than last year. We are asking you to consider being an elf to help support this effort. To learn more about how you can participate, go to https://newburyportyouthservices.com.
The Emmaus House program is asking for help in providing holiday gifts for the families residing in their shelters. This year, due to the ongoing COVID-19 crisis, Emmaus has created a registry at Target. All the family wish items are listed on the registry. Items can be purchased and then sent directly to Emmaus.
To view the registry and participate, click here!
Please email your questions:
|
|
All-Volunteer First Parish Newbury Food Pantry Launches Plan to Build A New Facility
When COVID hit, the First Parish Food Pantry implemented online ordering and doubled the hours of operation, stepping up to the huge demand for grocery delivery. This Thanksgiving, the food pantry filled 192 orders, delivered 65% of them, and provided food for 377 guests.
Due to this high demand, they have outgrown the space that currently supports the Food Pantry and plans are underway to build a new building on Church property. If you are interested in learning more about the work of the First Parish Newbury Food Pantry, please visit https://www.newburyfoodpantry.org/.
|
|
Minister–The Reverend Rebecca Bryan; Ministerial Intern–David Livingstone; Affiliate Minister–Stan Barrett; Affiliate Minister–Helen Murgida; Minister Emeritus–The Reverend Harold Babcock. Staff: Director of Church Operations–Rob Authier; Office Administrator–Diane Carroll; Audio-Visual Coordinator–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.
|
|
First Religious Society, Unitarian Universalist | 26 Pleasant St., Newburyport MA 01950
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
