The Steeple Biweekly

Participatory democracy has its roots in "the congregational way." The Puritans brought this form of church government to the colonies in the 1600's and codified it in a document called "The Cambridge Platform" of 1648. Having been persecuted for their beliefs and practices in Europe, they were determined to maintain their independence and autonomy here in New England. Congregationalism places the power of the church in the hands of the people, rather than in a centralized authority. Unitarian Universalists are the inheritors of this way of "doing" church. It's up to us; no one else is going to do it for us (or, gratefully, to us).

The sermon will investigate "The Congregational Way."

Steeple Lighting - The steeple lighting this week is donated by Barbara Owen, in memory of her sisters, Beverly and Mona.

Chalice Lighters - The O'Brien-Litwin family

In the Christian tradition, Pentacost marks the day the Holy Ghost was supposed to have descended upon the Apostles, giving them the power to preach and convert. Among the Transylvanian Unitarians, Pentacost is a time for conversion--literally, for "turning"--a time to reassess and purify our lives.

I have been shocked, saddened, and depressed by the images coming out of Iraq in recent weeks. Would that the power of turning would descend upon our world as well as upon ourselves. Memorial Day seems like a good time to consider all of this. I look forward to seeing you in church.

Steeple Lighting - The steeple lighting this week is donated by the families of Priscilla Coffin and Dick and Lucia Luce in memory of son, Robert Luce, John J.C. Coffin and Mr. and Mrs. Herbert C. Corduan.

Chalice Lighters - Human Resources Committee

Coffee Hour Hosts - Paul and Cecilia Healy

If you'd like to write to Marise, and need her address, call the FRS office at 978.465.0602.

Back in March, we shared a canvass goal of obtaining 205 pledges. Our church community has responded well - we have 220 pledges for next year - which is well above our canvass goal and a remarkable increase from last year. Everyone's pledge made a significant contribution to our reaching this goal. Thank you to all of you who participated. The pledge bulletin board in the lower Parish Hall provides an impressive display of the names of all who were able to make a pledge.

In terms of monetary results, we set two records - pledge dollars totaling $231,000 and an average pledge amount of $1,050. Although this does exceed our canvass goal of $215,000 and does represent a record canvass, we do need to recognize that this amount does in fact fall short of the challenge goal of $260,000. This places us in the unfortunate position of celebrating our success with a record-breaking canvass while facing insufficient funds to support all of our programs, new building operations, and human resources goals. Hopefully, when next year's canvass arrives, we will meet the challenge to fund all of our goals. This year's canvass certainly has us on the right track.

A huge thank you is owed to the following canvassers and other canvass volunteers who were so dedicated to our goal of reaching out and meeting friends and members of our church community: Harold Babcock, Jessica Brown, Barbara Burnim, Liss Campbell, Scott Cawley, Stan Cecil, Ann Chase, David Chatfield, Gill Chatfield, Julia Farwell Clay, Walter Clay, Sue Creed, Nancy Crochiere, Peter Cullinan, Carolyn Dawson, Dotty Dichiara, Jim Dyer, Vicki Dyer, Les Ferlazzo, Eileen Fitzgerald, Mike Fosburg, Catherine Garnache, John Harwood, Cecilia Healy, Bill Heenehan, Todd Herrmann, Chris Hyde, Pat Hurzeler, Lisa Johnson, Scott Jordan, Lynn Kettleson, Neal Kuniansky, Anne Madden, Lark Madden, Jay McCarthy, Nancy McCarthy, Russ Meade, Florence Mercer, John Mercer, Alex Mezey, Brent Mitchell, Frank Morrill, Jane Nocera, Tom Pagel, Julie Parker Amery, Maura Perkins, Marge Peterson, Walter Power, Alicia Raddatz, Cyd Raschke, Susan Ricker, Laura Roberts, Mindy Sheehy, Judy Shivik, Pat Skibbee, Anne Verret-Speck, Forrest Speck, Anne Spraker, Tom Stites, Nancy Sullivan, KC Swallow, Barb Tolley, Bettina Turner, David Turner, Amy Weickert, Anita Wright, Gayle Yarnall, and Bill Zarakas. A special thank you, too, to Julia Chatfield, Hannah Raddatz, Claire Zarakas, and Peter Zarakas for their help on the bulletin board and other administrative details.

Of course, we also offer our thanks to everyone in our community who contributes so generously throughout the year and chooses not to pledge. It should be noted that even though the canvass has come to a close, pledges can be made at any time of the year. Simply contact the church office for more information.

The FRS Current Events Forum -- First and third Sundays of each month before church in the Lower Meetinghouse Conference Room

• June 6 - 9:00 - 10:15 a.m. - Special Current Events Focus

  The Social Action Committee of the First Religious Society UU invites you to attend the Adult Education/Current Events Discussion on Sunday, June 6th at 9:00 a.m. in the Conference Room to watch the movie Uncovered: The Whole Truth about the Iraq War

  Professor Harry Bowen from North Shore Community College will be in attendance to help facilitate the discussion. Ongoing Friday Morning Study/Discussion Group -- Every Friday from 10:00 to 11:30 a.m. in the Meetinghouse Conference Room

• May 29 - next meeting

• June 16 - Three Junes by Julia Glass

  Books are available at the Bookrack for a discount - just mention the FRS book group. The OpenBook Group is open to EVERYONE! Drop in once or come every month! We are looking forward to watching this group grow! If you have questions, please call Liss Campbell.

Nancy Crochiere is organizing another flea market similar to our successful Columbus Day sale, but needs the help of many volunteers, including coordinators for each of the three days; people willing to do a three-hour shift selling the merchandise; and big strong men/women with biceps and/or pickups to carry tables and transport leftover goods. The proceeds from the sale will benefit our Renovation Project.

Please sign up at coffee hour on May 23 or e-mail Nancy at ncrochiere@adelphia.net.

A comedy written by Ron, directed by Greg Moss, and presented by Leaky Roof Productions

When Friday, June 4 -- 8:00 p.m. Saturday, June 5 -- 8:00 p.m. Sunday, June 6 -- 7:00 p.m. Where Actor's Studio, Tannery Building, Newburyport Tickets $10.00 -- can be reserved by calling 978.462.7288

This fall, the FRS, like many UU churches, will start forming Shared Ministry Groups that will provide an opportunity for people in our congregation to address these issues. The groups are not personal support groups, therapy groups or adult education offerings. Instead, they are opportunities to explore life's big questions, questions of ultimate meaning in a small group format where trust and respect has been established.

An SMG steering committee has been meeting this spring to lay out the groundwork for starting our Shared Ministry Groups program. Each group will have eight participants who meet regularly and follow a pre-defined format. Meetings will begin with opening words, and then there is a time for personal sharing and check-in. Next is a discussion of a topic defined by the curriculum committee. The topics will address issues of spiritual importance such as issues covered in Harold's sermons, Stages of Faith, Forgiveness, Friendship, Heaven and Hell, and Living and Dying. Toward the end of the meeting, there will be an opportunity to express likes and wishes about the topic or any other part of the gathering, followed by a closing reading.

The SMG committee is enthusiastic about this new concept and encourages your participation! If you have questions, any member of the steering committee will be pleased to answer them. The committee members are Alexandra Mezey, Rick Anderson, Linda Tulley, Allyson Lawless, Harold Babcock, Nancy Colby, and Peter Litwin. If you are interested in joining a group in the fall, please contact by email at pmlitwin@juno.com.