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February 9, 2005
a member of the Unitarian Universalist Association,
26 Pleasant Street, Newburyport, MA 01950
Office Hours: 9:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m., Monday through Friday
Church Phone: (978) 465-0602 - Minister's Line: (978) 465-6504 - Fax: (978) 462-0384
Web Page: www.frsuu.org - e-mail: frsuu@netway.com
The Rev. Harold E. Babcock, Minister The Rev. Bertrand H. Steeves, Minister Emeritus
Rev. Harold Babcock
"The Fear of Strangers"
My colleague Edmund Robinson in Belmont recently preached a wonderful little sermon about hospitality at a Unitarian Universalist Partner Church Regional Meeting that several of us attended. In his sermon, Edmund pointed out the relation between the Greek word for "hospitality" in the New Testament, philoxenion, and its opposite, xenophobia: the fear of strangers. Unfortunately, and ironically given our history, xenophobia seems to be growing here in the United States, especially in what author William Gass once called "the heart of the heart of the country." The sermon will explore "the fear of strangers."
Flowers - The flowers for today's service are donated by the Dyer family in memory of Edward Elvin and John H. Dyer.
Steeple Lighting - The steeple lighting this week is donated by Coddie Fraser in memory of Robert W. Fraser.
Chalice Lighters - Jessica Brown, Brent, Ryan and Elise Mitchell.
Coffee Hour - Jane and Richard Nocera.
Rev. Harold Babcock
"Letting Your Life Speak"
Recently I was asked to address the students and faculty of Governor Dummer Academy as part of their series on spirituality. I chose to speak on the question of "vocation" as posed in the question, "What shall I do with my life?" The sermon will investigate my learnings from that experience. (Rescheduled from January 23.)
Flowers - The flowers for today's service are donated by Steve and Julie Amery, in loving memory of Steve's grandfather, Alfie Smith.
Steeple Lighting - The steeple lighting this week is donated by Jim and Nancy Kidd.
Chalice Lighter - Nancy Crochiere.
Coffee Hour - Human Services Committee.
Upcoming Schedule
Sunday, 9:30 a.m
Conference Room Lower Meetinghouse
February 20 - Social Security led by Richard Nocera
March 6 - Health Care Systems led by Stan Kilty
March 20 - Politics and Religion led by Harold Babcock
February 27, Association Sunday
Guest Speaker: John Hurley
UUA Director of Information and Public Witness
This year the four UU churches of the Merrimac Valley have decided to forgo the tradition of holding a joint worship service. Concerns have been raised for several years about poor attendance by the visiting congregations, loss of momentum within the smaller churches when Sunday services are not held at home, and space (especially a problem for North Andover, which would have been this year's host church). Instead of a joint worship service, then, we at the FRS will keep the tradition alive by having our own Association Sunday. Our guest speaker this year, John Hurley, is a friend of both Harold Babcock and Julie Parker Amery and a long time employee of the UUA. (As has been the practice in the past, the FRS portion of the loose plate offering will be presented to the UUA.) I hope that we will have a strong showing as we celebrate our connection to the larger Unitarian Universalist movement!
Reconnect, Challenge Your Thinking, Nuture Your Soul
The Shared Ministry Groups invite you to join us! March will mark the end of our first 24-week commitment and we'll be forming new groups and continuing with others for another 24 weeks. We're enthusiastic about our shared experience and would love to have you join us. It's a perfect opportunity to really get to know folks in our community!
Sign-up sheets are in the Church office or you can contact Allyson Lawless by phone or by email alawless@comcast.net.
from the FRS Human Services Committee
Our committee will be collecting food and toiletries for The Pettengill House during February and March. Pettengill House's suggestions are these:
| Canned Spaghetti Products (Spaghetti 0's) Peanut Butter Macaroni and Cheese Juice Boxes Juice |
Jelly Soups Canned Vegetables Shampoo Soap Toothpaste |
Toothbrushes Deodorant Toilet Tissue Paper Towels Anything for a child's lunch box. |
Please leave donations on the table in the vestibule of the church. For questions, please call Carol Kilty.
Dates we'll be singing in church
March 27 (Easter) - Teen Choir
April 10 - Young Church Choir
May 15 (Young Church Sunday) - Young Church Choir and Teen Choir
Hosts for coffee hours for the remainder of the church year
The Hospitality Committee is desperately seeking coffee hour hosts. Any weekend you request is likely to be available, a testament to how many hosts we need. (On the bright side, you get first dibs on the fine coffee and treats.) If you enjoy your java, please sign up for a Sunday of your choice by calling Patrice O'Brien sending her e-mail at obrien_p@jud.state.ma.us.
from the FRS Social Action Committee
With warmest thanks for your thoughtfulness from the women of the Women in Transition prerelease and staff
To members and friends of the Unitarian Church. Thank you all so very much for your donation to the Women in Transition prerelease facility. The money will be put towards purchasing a new curriculum that will assist both present and future inmates learn new skills and lead healthy and fulfilling lives. The women are so thankful for your kindness, as are the staff here. Happy New Year to you all!!
from the FRS Adult Education Committee
Understanding the Bible., led by Harold Babcock, Thursdays, February 17 through March 24, 7:30 - 9:00 p.m., Lower Church Conference Room
Sign-ups will be posted around the church, or you may call the church office. The books (Reading the Bible Again for the First Time) have arrived and can be picked up in the church office (cost is $14.95). We will be reading chapter 1 in preparation for the first session. Participants should also bring a Bible: New Revised Standard Version is recommended (an annotated edition is available from Oxford University Press), but any Bible will do.
Japanese Tea Ceremony, led by Nathan Wilbur, March 10, 7:30 p.m., Parish Hall
This class will introduce the fundamental aspects of the tea ceremony in the dual context of Japanese art and Zen Buddhism. This shared experience celebrates the immediacy and fragility of life.
Eden's Edge - 4:00 p.m., February 20
Admission $15.00 ($10.00 Seniors and Students
The Virtuoso Oboe and Strings of Music at Eden's Edge includes Maria Bennoti, violin, Sarah Freiberg, cello, Barbara LaFitte, oboe and English horn, and Joan Ellersick, viola. Their program includes the Adagio (KV580) and Quartet in F Major (KV370) by Mozart, the Phantasy Quartet by Britten, and compositions by Jan Wanhal and Pal Jardanyi. Music at Eden's Edge, the North Shore's own resident chamber ensemble, is Artist(s)-in-Residence at the Hammond Castle Museum in Gloucester.
from the FRS Welcoming Congregation Committee
When: February 18 at 7:00 p.m.
Where: 26 Pleasant St. Newburyport
Cost: Free
Mambo Italiano - Angelo Barberini is the oddball son of Italian immigrants Gino and Maria, who inadvertently ended up in Canada rather than the States. Angelo shocks his parents by moving out on his own without getting married, and shocks them further still when he reveals he's gay. But his boyfriend, policeman Nino Paventi, isn't as ready to come out of the closet, especially not to his busybody mother, Lina.
Canvassers Needed
Canvassing is an unusual opportunity, as canvassers reach out to connect personally with nearly three hundred households. Many enjoy canvassing for this very reason - it connects them with others in our community, it lets them meet someone new or gives them a reason to have a cup of coffee with an old friend in the church, and it reminds thyem of why they value our community. If you are new to our church community, this is a rewarding way to get involved while making a manageable time commitment; if you are a longer-term member, this is a chance to connect with some of our newer members; if you are someone who pledges faithfully each year, this is a chance to invite other individuals to join you in your commitment; if you are a seasoned canvasser, this is a chance once again to contribute your time and expertise to this annual event.
What is expected of each canvasser? First, training is provided, with many convenient times to chose from. Then, during two weeks in March, each canvasser will call on four households, giving them the opportunity to make a pledge. That's it. Each household will have already received communication on their pledge, and the canvasser's role will be simply to complete that process. Some have asked why such a one-to-one approach is necessary - can't individuals simply mail in a pledge? Well, our organization is just like others - a personal approach is necessary to complete most pledges. In addition, a significant and important part of the canvass call has nothing to do with the pledge - it's about connecting with others in the community, sharing thoughts on what you each value in the church, and hearing their view of what is and is not working.
A successful canvass is critical for us to continue to support the goals of the First Religious Society--our commitment to our employees, to our wonderful space, and to our valuable local, national, and even international programs. The single most significant factor in achieving a successful canvass is the number of canvassers involved. Please join us by contacting me by telephone at (388) 388-9142, by e-mail at verretspeck@gmail.com, or in person at church on Sunday.
Gay Pearson, daughter of FRS member Florence Pearson, has a new CD of interesting piano-based jazz. Anyone who wants to hear some sound bites can hear her on www.CDbaby.com. You can order a CD by writing to Gay at gaypearson@aol.com or calling (207) 781-3059. Each CD is $12.
presented By The Unitarian Universalist Historical Society
Friday, 25 February, 2005, 7:30 p.m.
Dr. Dean Grodzins, author of American Heretic: Theodore Parker and Transcendentalism, will speak about his research for the second volume of his Parker biography.
First Parish in Cambridge,
Unitarian Universalist
3 Church Street
Cambridge, Massachsuetts
All are welcome
Saturday, April 9, 2005 -- Unitarian Universalist Urban Ministry
10 Putnam Street (the home of First Church in Roxbury), Roxbury, Massachusetts
This day long event will begin with registration at 8:30 a.m. The program will start at 9:00 a.m. and the Annual Meeting will run from approximately 1:00-3:15 p.m. REGISTRATION IS $35 (includes lunch). Group registering at the same time is 5/$150.
Barbara & Jaco ten Hove: Guest Presenters
Any of us at any time can be significant ambassadors for Unitarian Universalism. In fact we often represent our faith whether we want to or not. In this era it seems increasingly important that we champion our liberal religious values in the ongoing evolution of American culture. To do so we are called to strengthen our own personal convictions and capacities so that we may "walk the talk" ever more effectively. Jaco & Barbara ten Hove will lead us through a stimulating morning of worship, commentary, and interactions designed to improve our individual skills of expression while deepening our grounding as UUs. Barbara Wells ten Hove and Jaco B. ten Hove are a "clergy couple" co-ministering at Paint Branch UU Church near College Park, Maryland.
