Annual Ministry Theme: Journey
November Ministry Theme: Perspective
“The more you can create situations and experiences
that give you new perspective, the better.”
-
Michelle Pfeiffer
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Left to right: Linda Lu Burciaga, Maxine Steeves and Rev. Rebecca
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Welcome to the
Clara Barton Sisterhood
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As presented by Linda Lu Burciaga,
former national president of the UU Women’s Federation,
to Maxine Steeves
Maxine Steeves—wife, mother of three, grandmother of five, teacher/mentor to so many, brilliant writer of short stories, community and church volunteer over many decades—we honor you today. But, most especially, we value your commitment to racial justice, particularly during a very hateful time in this city’s history. You and Bert (The Reverend Bert Steeves, minister emeritus) went out at night to spray paint over racial epithets left during the day. You both marched with MLK in Boston. You welcomed a young man from Kenya as a foster child and have always been supportive of LGBTQ rights. You are a woman of strength, wisdom and grace. So, as former national president of the UU Women’s Federation, it is a privilege to present this award to you today and welcome you into the Clara Barton Sisterhood.
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Last chance to attend a
Mission
&
Vision session
Walk in or sign up
Thursday, November 14, 6:30pm
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Veterans Honored in Worship
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Get to Know Our Newest Members
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Greg Benik
Stephen Pelletier
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Terry DiMento
Tyler Rafeldt
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Tina Benik.
Hello! My name is Tina Benik. My husband Greg and I just moved to Newburyport about a year ago. We spent most of our adult lives in Providence, RI. Providence was great; a small city (not as small as Newburyport!) where you felt connected to a lot of people who were interesting and smart. Guess what I like about Newburyport and, in particular, FRS? The same things! I have loved my first year here. I did not come up in the UU discipline but was looking for a place to worship/connect when we got to town, and was attracted to what I read on the website. Also, a work colleague is a member and recommended it to us - so off we went to explore FRS. From the first moment, I felt like I had come home. I feel like FRS both challenges me, and supports me, to be my better self. I feel so fortunate to have found FRS and am grateful for the warm welcome we have received from everyone!
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Dawn Pelletier.
I was born and raised in Brooklyn, NY, and presently live in Amesbury with my husband Stephen (married 19 years), our 15 year-old daughter Kayla and our fur babies (a labradoodle, 2 cats and a bird).
I work as an Assistant Teacher in Amesbury working with students who have special needs. I genuinely love the children that I support! I am rewarded everyday with their smiles and hugs. I truly look forward to seeing them each morning.
I love being a mom and wife but I also cherish my free time. I value the quiet times when I can curl up on my couch with my big mug of very strong coffee and get lost in a great book. I especially enjoy it when my dog Moonlight curls up right next to me!
In addition to carving out alone time. I cherish time with my friends. Sometimes it is weekends away with my girlfriends where we laugh, discuss important topics regarding our kids, husbands, and what we are binge watching (my secret passion) or it can be a quick walk through Woodsom or grabbing a coffee at The Bakehouse. Meeting up for my “gal time” makes me a better mom and wife.
But most of all, my favorite time is spending time with my family which is very important to me. We love being together whether we are traveling (recently to Italy for three weeks) or playing games in the evening (Rummy and Guesstures are our fave).
I discovered FRS a year ago; my friend encouraged me to attend a service. The timing was perfect because I was looking for something spiritual and I was looking to make connections. I immediately found both of those criteria and more. I love the ritual of attending the celebration on Sunday. I love the music. I love the message. I am enjoying the people that I meet, and I love the welcoming atmosphere. And I especially love how I feel when I exit the doors.
I’m excited about my UU journey and I am looking forward to another great year!
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November 17—Lost in Non-Translation
Rev. Rebecca will be preaching on building relationships across differences. She will use the Book of Ruth, Isaac Asimov’s essay “Lost in Non-Translation,” and contemporary tensions as springboards for her reflections. Can we be in relationship with those who think differently from us? If so, how?
November 24—Our Eternal Companion
Please join us this morning for a service of remembrance and thanksgiving. You are invited to bring a photograph or other representation of someone who has died to place on our altar. We’ll honor loved ones, mentors, and ancestors with candle lighting and by speaking their names. This is a family service; all are welcome. Julie Parker Amery will be preaching and leading worship.
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Wednesday, November 20, Wednesday Night Fellowship (night for all ages!)
Lower Meeting House, 6-8pm. Please join us for our monthly evening of fellowship and spiritual exploration. We begin with a potluck dinner, followed by a brief worship and a choice of programs. This month’s programs are:
- Ancestor Walk. This is an embodied experience that helps us connect with and reflect on our rich ancestral lineages.
- Creating ornaments for Christmas Tree Santas, an organization that provides Christmas trees to families in need.
This is a night for all ages! Childcare for young children is available by prior arrangement; older children will enjoy either of the programs. If you would like childcare, please contact
Sharon Broll
by November 18. Looking forward to seeing you!
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Sunday Services are now Live Streamed
and be notified when new livestreams begin.
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Collection for a Cause - November
Half of November's unpledged cash collection will go to the Amesbury Holiday Program, Christmas Tree Santa and Our Neighbors’ Table. These programs are collaborating to help Amesbury families that need a little holiday support.
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Rev. Rebecca in Community
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Tuesday, November 19, “Coming Together Through Disagreement” presented by Indivisible-RISE Newburyport.
Central Congregational Church, 14 Titcomb St., Newburyport, 6:30-8pm. There is an increasing tendency for political disagreements to result in polarization and strained relationships. This kind of estrangement is more than nonproductive; it is destructive, to individuals, groups, and communities. Rev. Rebecca will share approaches that create opportunities to come together over differences, leading to greater health, creativity, and hope.
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Journey of a Lifetime
Take
the pledge
to join the journey in putting faith into action.
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Conversations with Rev. Karlene Griffiths Sekou
The congregation is currently undertaking the important and necessary work of raising and evolving its consciousness around race and racial justice. Rev. Karlene Griffiths Sekou will next visit FRS on December 1, 12:30-2pm, Lower Meeting House. Please email
Julie Parker-Amery
or
Rev. Rebecca
if you are interested in helping to organize the Dec. 1st session. The sessions are all open to the public as well as our congregation.
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CONNECT & ENGAGE: Here's What's Going On
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Opportunities to engage are currently available in the following ministries:
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The Stewardship Team needs You!
Working together on Stewardship projects is a meaningful way to engage in our community and get to know people. There is much to do together and lots of fun to have in canvassing, organizing events and other projects. It’s not all about raising money – it’s about deepening connections, building community and making a difference. If you want to find out more, please contact
Lark Madden
or Kristen Fehlhaber,
business@frsuu.org.
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Rev. Rebecca and Bart
Would Love to Welcome You to Their Party!
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Rev. Rebecca and Bart are hosting a party, open to anyone in the congregation, each month for the rest of this church year. Each party will accommodate up to 18 guests and will have a theme. The purpose of these gatherings is to get to know one another better and to support our welcoming community.
Please sign up for only one party to give everyone a chance to participate. Are you enticed to offer your own party? Please do! The more, the merrier.
- November 22nd (Friday) Charades! Calling all who love to act out and have fun.
- December 14th (Saturdays here on out) Pie Tasting! Bring your favorite pie to share and a willingness to rate pies.
- January 11th Paint by Number! We are all artists and kids at heart, join the fun.
- February 8th Blast from the Past Smorgasbord! Bring Your favorite recipe and food to share that you enjoyed as a child. Pull out that family secret recipe, or Betty Crocker!
- March 21st Gardening Tips! Come share your love or interest in gardening. No experience necessary.
- April 18th Poetry Reading! Bring your favorite poetry to read and share.
- May 9th Calling all introverts. This gathering is for you! No theme. No expectations.
- June 6th Stargazing and Campfire!
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Dream of Being a Docent?
Sign Up to Lead Church Historic Tours in December
Do you love the historic church building? Come help show it to others! On Friday Dec. 6 and Friday Dec. 13, we’ll open the doors to the church and give people a chance to learn about the building, the history, and who we are today. This will be happening 5-9pm when Newburyport businesses are open for “Invitation Nights.” It’s also great opportunity to learn more about the church history yourself. Training will be provided, and no expertise is needed. Come join in and help open the doors! To volunteer, sign up at
http://bit.ly/FRSdectours
. For more information, email Kristen Fehlhaber,
events@frsuu.org
.
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COMMUNITY ACTION IN NOVEMBER
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Personal Care Drive & Joy of Giving
The Community Human Services Committee is sponsoring two drives assisting those in need during the month of November.
- Community Service of Newburyport Personal Care Drive - gathers either cash donations after church each Sunday in November or direct donations of personal care items which can be left on the table in the vestibule. Any questions, please contact Linda Buddenhagen, 978-463-0882. Continue reading and reference the shopping list. Continue reading.
- The Joy of Giving - Invites children from Kelleher Gardens, Newburyport’s family public housing, to “shop” for free for a holiday gift for their parents or caregivers. We welcome new/unused donations of lotions, scarves, gloves, tools, home décor, etc. (or gift bags!) to our table in the vestibule through Dec. 1st. We welcome volunteers to help with the Dec. 6th event. Questions, contact Nancy Crochiere. Continue reading.
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A Request for the Teen Room
Brrrr! Two space heaters needed for the teen room. If you have one to donate, please contact
Karen Young
.
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Wednesday, November 13, Alliance Guest Presentation “Northwest India and the Western Himalayas”.
Parish Hall, 1st Floor, noon-2pm. Please join us for the next FRS Alliance presentation, “Northwest India and the Western Himalayas,” photographs and presentation by Ellen Golden. This is Ellen’s third presentation to the Alliance in the last five years. She is a fabulous photographer who travels to interesting places and comes back with remarkable insights, both in photographs and in words. Her presentation last year on lesser known parts of China was breathtaking. If you are interested in learning more about the Alliance, join us for: noon - Socializing and lunch (bring your own lunch); 12:30pm - business meeting; and 1pm – presentation. All are welcome.
Wednesday, November 13, Parish Board meeting.
Lower Meeting House, 7-9pm.
Wednesday November 13, Climate Action (CAP).
Lower Meeting House Conference Room, 7-8:30pm. New members are welcome and the room is accessible to all. Discussion topics will include: Church Environmental Policy – Discussion of draft; Debrief results of 10/26 Movie “Paris to Pittsburgh” and Storm Surge discussion; Next Potluck planning - sustainable food sourcing and preparation; Have all members had a
MA SAVE Energy Audit
?; Climate Café help – 11/17. RSVP and questions to
Bill Clary
, 918-645-7525 (yes, 918).
Sunday, November 17, Come to Youth-Sponsored Climate Café and Explore How to Consume Responsibly.
Lower Meeting House Public, noon–1:30pm. How do we consume in a way that does justice to others – both human and non-human? This was a question of profound concern to our Native American ancestors. Whether we are foraging for berries or going to the mall, how might we think about the impact our choices have on others – here and around the world. Join area high school students in a conversation that matters.
Sunday, November 17, Transgender Day of Remembrance Silent March.
Meet in the courtyard in front of the church, 12:30pm. Please join us in honor of Transgender Day of Remembrance. We are hosting a silent march from the church to market square as a vigil to memorialize those who have been murdered as a result of anti-transgender violence. Please take a moment to remember those who were taken from us too soon.
Sunday, November 17, Candlelight Chorale Rehearsals Ongoing.
Parish Hall, 2nd Floor, 1:30-3:30pm. Please join us for this special FRS tradition, nearing its 100th anniversary! Singers from FRS and the wider Newburyport community alike are encouraged to join us for this time-limited singing engagement. Rehearsals run Sundays until the Candlelight Service on December 22 at 7:15 pm. Contact Director of Church Music
Justin Murphy-Mancini
.
Continue reading
.
Tuesday, November 19, The Short Story Group.
Lower Meeting House, noon-1pm. The story for reading and discussion will be “Christmas Gift”, by Robert Penn Warren. Attendees are free to bring a lunch or snack!
Wednesday, November 20, Ladies Luncheon.
Lorretta’s, 15 Pleasant St., Newburyport, noon. Join other ladies within the FRS community for a luncheon of delicious food and good conversation-all ladies welcome. RSVP to Peg Mays, 978-462-5025.
Wednesday, November 20, Wednesday Night Fellowship.
See announcement above.
Saturday, November 23, Habitat for Humanity Build Day.
Sign up at
FRSHabitat@gmail.com
. See announcement above.
Sunday, November 24, Meet Ann McCrea - Tiny Art Gallery November Artist.
Lower Meeting House, noon-3pm. People and Places from Image to Word is a series of accordion books. Artist Ann McCrea has used her photos and poetry to revisit Oaxaca, Mexico, the Merrimack River, and old photos of her parents. All are welcome to meet the artist on November 24. The artist can be reached at
mccreaann27@gmail.com
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Wednesday, November 27, Wizards and Sages.
Sanctuary and Lower Meeting House, noon-1:30pm. The Wizards and Sages will meet every 4th Wednesday of the month. We start in the sanctuary with a brief worship service led this month by Director of Church Music Justin Murphy-Mancini, after which we hold a discussion about the sermon. Then we go downstairs to the Lower Meeting House to enjoy brown bag lunches. Please note that Wizards and Sages is open to all ages! A great way for some midday inspiration and fellowship.
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December 1-January 12, Unified Mindfulness: A Seven Week Course
Plan to sign up now for this seven-week course that meets Sundays, 5-6:30pm (one exception: no session on Dec. 21; that session will meet on Saturday, Dec. 20). Join long-time FRS member David Turner to learn Unified Mindfulness, a secular form of meditation with clear terminology and rigorous precision around concepts and procedures. UM is a support structure that any individual at any stage of a meditation practice can rely on to go deeper in their insight. Just ten minutes a day is all you need to start enjoying the benefits that a mindfulness practice will bring into your life. Session themes include “How to Relax and Recharge with Mindfulness”, “Getting in the Zone and Going with the Flow”, and “Applying Mindfulness to Inner Opportunities and Obstacles”. This course is limited to six participants. Participants must be able to commit to attending at least six of the seven sessions. For more information, or to register, contact Director of Faith Formation and Spiritual Exploration
Julie Parker Amery
.
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December 4, FRS Vigil of Remembrance for Gun Violence Victims
Service of Remembrance and Hope on December 4, in the Sanctuary, at 6:30pm. The service will be followed by refreshments in Lower Meeting House. Please mark your calendar and plan to join us to remember, to listen and to learn.
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December 17, Holiday Tea
Join us in our second annual holiday tea. Everyone welcome! We will meet in the Lower Meeting House from 10–11:30am. Drop by for a few minutes or stay to visit the whole time. This is a great time to be with friends, new and old. Rev. Rebecca and staff look forward to seeing you!
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UU Common Read
An Indigenous Peoples’ History of the United States, by indigenous scholar and activist Roxanne Dunbar-Ortiz, is the Unitarian Universalist Association’s Common Read for this church year. The book challenges readers to learn US history through a narrative that centers the story, experiences and perspectives of indigenous peoples. A companion volume for young people is also available and is recommended not just for younger people but for those not familiar at all with indigenous history or perspective. We will hold a discussion on the book if there is sufficient interest. Please contact
Julie Parker Amery
, if you’re interested in reading the book and participating in a discussion.
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WEEKLY MEETINGS
The following meetings meet each week September through June. New members are always welcome!
Mondays, Zen Buddhist Meditation.
Lower Meeting House, 6:30-7:30pm. Newcomers are asked to arrive at 6pm for orientation. All are welcome.
Thursdays, Choir Rehearsals.
Lower Meeting House, 7:30pm. All are welcome.
Fridays, Book Discussion Group.
Lower Meeting House Room A&B, 10-11:30am. All are welcome.
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Wednesday, November 6, Films and Conversations on Race and White Privilege.
Presented by the Anti-Racism Affinity Group of Greater Newburyport.
Films:
How to Be An Antiracist
Dates:
Wednesday, November 13, 6:30-8:30pm
Location:
Newburyport Senior Center, 331 High Street, Newburyport
Par
tnerships: Human Rights Commission, Paula Estey Center for Art and Activism, Pettingill House & YWCA Greater Newburyport.
Saturday, November 16, Introduction to SoulCollage® for Unitarian Universalists.
Creative Community Space, Epping, NH, 10am-noon. SoulCollage® is a fun path to self- discovery through collage making. No artistic background is necessary just the curiosity to try something new and begin to make a beautiful deck of personal discovery cards. For more information visit
www.Area-Arts.com
or email Vandy Leigh,
AreaArts@yahoo.com
. Cost for this 2-hour workshop is $40.00 pre-registration is required. Learn more about SoulCollage®:
www.SoulCollage.com
or the Creative Community Space:
www.CreativeCommunitySpace.com
.
Through November 29, An International Labor Poster Exhibit from the Collection of Stephen Lewis
Dates:
Open Tues.–Thurs., noon-7pm; Wed.–Fri., 10am–5pm; Sat. 10am–2pm.
Location:
Newbury Town Library, 0 Lunt St., Byfield, MA
For more info:
978-465-0539
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The deadline for the next Steeple newsletter is Sunday, November 17, at 4pm.
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Minister
–The Reverend Rebecca Bryan;
Affiliate Minister
-Stan Barrett;
Affiliate Minister
-Helen Murgida;
Minister Emeritus
-The Reverend Harold Babcock;
Minister Emeritus
-The Reverend Bert Steeves.
Staff:
Religious Education Assistant
–Sharon Broll;
Office Administrator
-Diane Carroll;
Youth Group Coordinator
-Becky Dill;
Director of Finance and Administration
–Kristen Fehlhaber;
Director of Children's Ministry
-Mara Flynn;
Director of Church Music
-Justin Murphy-Mancini;
Youth Music Director
–Kristen Miller;
Director of Faith Formation and Spiritual Exploration
–Julie Parker Amery;
Sexton
-Don Rogers;
Director of Community Engagement
–Nicole Salemi.
Parish Board:
Chair
–Karen Young;
Vice Chair
- ;
Clerk
–Ann Haaser;
Treasurer
–Rich Johnson;
Finance Chair
–Kim Kenly; Maureen Adams, Juliana Beauvais, Rebecca Brodish, Micah Donahue, Vern Ellis, Judy Fayre, Art Henshaw, Jason McLin, Forrest Speck.
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First Religious Society, Unitarian Universalist | 26 Pleasant St., Newburyport MA 01950
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