December 13, 2023

TABLE OF CONTENTS

• Sunday Worship Service
• Rev. Rebecca Invites You to Consider Membership at the FRS
• Candlelight and Christmas Eve Services
• Serenity in the Sanctuary
• Help build a memorial at FRS honoring December’s National Vigil for All Victims of Gun Violence
• Looking Toward the 4th Century
• Rooster Pins for Sale
• Daily Muse for Sale
• FUUN Team (Stewardship) Fall Report
• Snapshot Moments from Last Week
• FRS's Volunteer Board
• UU Foundations in January
• UU Wellspring Program Beginning in January
• Thank a UU
• Fellowship Programming
• Pop-Up Concert
• Download the FRS December Worship and Events Calendars
• Call on Parish Friends
• Beyond Our Doors

Annual Ministry Theme: Interconnectedness

December Ministry Theme: Body, Mind, and Spirit

Sunday, December 17, 2023

10:30am, in-person and streamed on YouTube

The Solstice Service: The Seasons Turn

Come celebrate the Winter Solstice through ritual, words, and music. Reverend Rebecca will be preaching on “Wintering” and The Cailleach, the Celtic goddess of winter. Greg Garnache will be playing guitar. This is the perfect pause in the holiday rush.

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

December Shared Collection Partner – Community Action Inc. Energy Program 

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

When: Sunday, December 17 from 11:30am-12:30pm in the Lower Meetinghouse and on Zoom.

Please join us in person and or on Zoom for a 60-minute session called Contemplating Membership at the FRSUU.

This session will provide an opportunity to learn more about ministry teams at the FRS and ways that our congregation works to advance UU principles. We also talk about joining the congregation and all that our church has to offer in terms of faith formation, spiritual exploration, and community.

Come and have your questions answered and meet other parishioners. Light refreshments will be served.

To RSVP for the Contemplating Membership session this Sunday, click on the blue button below!

Annual Candlelight Service

Sunday, December 17, 2023 at 7:15pm, brass prelude at 7pm, in-person and on YouTube

Join us for the annual Candlelight Service, a nearly 100-year-old Newburyport tradition. Anthems, motets, and carols for the season will be sung by the Candlelight Chorale, augmented by readings that celebrate the magic of Christmas. Join in on familiar congregational songs for Christmas, accompanied by brass and organ.

Christmas Eve Service

Sunday, December 24, 2023 at 5:30pm, in-person and on YouTube

All are welcome at our annual Christmas Eve Service for all ages to enjoy this beautiful time, together in community, remembering the true meaning of Christmas. Experience the peace of the season while hearing the Christmas story.

The service will include "Silent Night" sung by candlelight. Everyone is invited to stay for caroling and hot cocoa, immediately following the service, on the steps in front of the church.

Rev. Rebecca preaching and featuring guest musician Danny Harrington on saxophone.

Serenity in the Sanctuary: Peace Within, Peace Without

Peace can be found within

From December 19 through December 23, FRS will open its sanctuary at noon for one-hour programs of poetry, guided meditation, silent meditation, and blessings.

Tuesday, December 19, 2023 - Stories and Silence

Effie Stavrulaki, North Shore Insight Meditation Instructor

Simple, everyday stories of kindness and connection can often inspire us to see our daily lives from a different light. Join us in deep listening of these stories and in a restoring meditation practice.

Wednesday, December 20, 2023 - Join Hands

Rev. Rebecca Bryan

Share some reflective time with Rev. Rebecca as she encourages us to connect with what brings us joy. “Be still and hear the winter winds sing.” -Anonymous

Thursday, December 21, 2023 - Solstice Blessings: The Light Returns

Rev. Alan Seale

The shortest day of the year, the longest night. Join Alan Seale as we touch the light deep within the heart of our being and the life-giving light at the center of our solar system. 

Friday, December 22, 2023 - Beauty in the Darkness

Julie Parker Amery

The long nights of winter offer opportunities for rest, healing, and hope. Join us for poetry, readings, and music that celebrate the darkness.

Saturday, December 23, 2023 - A Mid-Night Clear

Rev. Jane Tuohy

What or whom are we waiting for? What is the mystery of incarnation? In this sacred space and silence, we turn to the light within ourselves, the light among ourselves, and the light that transcends us.

For more information, contact Rev. Jane Tuohy at jt@cambridgehill.com.

Help us build a memorial at FRS honoring December’s National Vigil of Mourning and Remembrance for All Victims of Gun Violence

December 15, 2023, 12 noon-3pm

26 Pleasant St, Newburyport, MA 01950

Together with the PEG Center and Huddle, help us create a memorial of 120 black ribbons to mourn and remember the 120 Americans killed by guns each day. The display of ribbons will be installed on the fencing in front of the church. This one-week display is part of December’s National Vigil for All Victims of Gun Violence.

No need to RSVP, just come by if you’d like to help out and/or take a moment to reflect.

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:

Friday, January 12 from 6-8pm

Sunday, January 21 from 12-2pm

Wednesday, January 24 from 6-8pm

Sunday, January 28 from 12-2pm

Click on the black button below to register.

Due to the generosity of everyone at FRS, after expenses, the auction and the cookie walk/church tours brought in $24,963. The auction total was $23,748 and the cookie walk/church tours was $1,215. Both events created so many wonderful fellowship opportunities! Thank you to all the donors, volunteers, bidders, bakers, tour guides, and cookie connoisseurs. 

Last Sunday was the Annual Christmas Pageant at the FRS. Worship began with lighting of the Menorah in recognition of Hanukkah, and lighting of the Advent candles, which symbolize hope, peace, love, and joy.

There was a huge round of applause for all our actors who brought laughter and joy with a stellar reenactment of the Nativity Story.

Lots of fun was had Friday night during the FRS's 2nd Annual Cookie Walk and Historic Church Tours that took place during Newburyport's Invitation Night.

Susan Ricker invites you to join the Parish Friends network.

Volunteer as a driver, provider of meals, errand person, or chores helper. Your support will make a difference in keeping our church community connected through local rides to medical appointments and church functions, improved independence at home, and overall well-being. A gift.

If you can drive for Candlelight or Christmas Eve Service, let Susan know as we would like to be able to offer a ride to those who might need one.

Also if you or someone you know in our church community might benefit from Parish Friends connections, let Susan know.

To volunteer, request, or simply ask a few questions, contact Susan Ricker at parishfriends@frsuu.org or leave a message with the church office.

Foundations of UU

When: Tuesdays, January 9, 16, 23, and 30 from 7-8pm, on Zoom

A program for newcomers as well as old-timers who have questions about our Unitarian Universalist history, polity, and beliefs. Without a creed, what makes UUism a religion? Where did Unitarianism and Universalism come from and how did they come together? Do we have Sources of truth to turn to? What are the Seven UU Principles, beyond value statements? These will be covered in the first three sessions; the final session is for Q & A.

Register here by January 7.

UU Wellspring Program Beginning in January

When: First and Third Tuesdays, 9-11am; begins January 16

Lower Meetinghouse

UU Wellspring is a spiritual deepening course for Unitarian Universalists. It is a program that explores how the foundations of our faith support us throughout our life. It offers an opportunity to connect deeply to your UU values and suggests techniques to ground your social action in spiritual practice. It provides a group of supportive seekers to share in your journey.

The UU Wellspring program has five components:

1. Daily spiritual practice
2. Small group connections
3. Connection with a spiritual companion
4. Deeper knowledge of UU history and theology through reading and responding to pre-session assignments
5. Reflection and commitment to living our values in the world

The first program in the series is Our UU Sources. This is the prerequisite for all other years of UU Wellspring. Sources offers participants an opportunity for reflection around two key areas: Unitarian Universalist history and theology, and the “big questions” that are central to our Unitarian Universalist faith, including human nature, death, joy, and forgiveness.

The Sources program will be running for the 2024 calendar year, with a break in July and August. We begin on January 16. Register by January 2 by clicking on the blue button below.

Questions? Contact Julie Parker Amery, Director of Faith Formation and Spiritual Exploration, at julie.amery@frsuu.org.

Download the FRS December 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