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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 Power of Darkness"
This week we celebrate the winter solstice: the shortest day of the year and the official beginning to the season of winter. The sermon will investigate "the power of darkness." The Christian mystics speak of a "dark night of the soul" as part of the mystical experience. This has led some to speak of a "dark night spirituality." At this darkest time of year, the sermon will investigate some of the compelling aspects of darkness.
| The flowers for the services on December 18, 24 and 25 are donated by Marj Babcock, “Merry Christmas”; Carol and Stan Kilty in memory of their parents; John and Florence Mercer in memory of James Barriskill and Aileen Stowe, both of whom, in their separate ways and in their separate places, made many a Christmas magical; Carol Young in memory of Kenneth H. Young; the Madden family in honor of all the world’s children; Marie Huppuch remembering Helen Ushinski; and Jennifer Badger in loving of Dorothy Plumer Beard and Anna, Will, Bill, Betty and Leon Plumer. |
Ushers: Laurie Christiansen and Richard George.
Steeple Lighting: The steeple lighting for this week has been donated by Ed Metcalf in loving memory of his wife, Beverly Ross Metcalf.
Coffee Hour: Linda Tulley and Pat Ouellette.
FRS Current Events Forum: 9:30 - 10:15 a.m. in Lower Meetinghouse Conference Room – The topic is the commercialization of Christmas.
Annual Christmas Candlelight Service
This popular service, now in its 81st year, includes choirs, readings, and familiar carols. Don't miss this special holiday tradition of the First Religious Society. The music is directed by Frances Burmeister. Come early to get a seat!
Annual Christmas Eve and Candle-lighting Service
This is a family-oriented service appropriate for all ages. It includes a story, traditional carols and readings, and individual candle-lighting. A free-will offering will be taken at the conclusion of the service to support our Partner Church in Ujszekely in the Transylvanian region of Romania. A Child Dedication Ceremony is offered as part of the Christmas Eve Service: please speak to Harold Babcock or Julie Parker Amery if you wish to have your child dedicated on Christmas Eve.
Ushers: Nancy and Rebecca Crochiere.
Rev. Harold Babcock
Christmas Day Service
"Holiday Light"
Join us for a meditative respite in the midst of the busy holiday season. The First Religious Society choir will sing. (Please note that there will be no childcare provided for this service or for the service on January 1. There are no Young Church classes today.)
Ushers: Ann Kemp and son Christopher Moore.
Steeple Lighting: The steeple lighting for this week has been donated by John B. Fox in memory of Rev. Thomas B. Fox, a former minister of the parish.
Ben Tousley
New Year's Day Service
"Songs of Peace"
On Sunday, January 1, Boston area folksinger and storyteller Ben Tousley will once again return to First Religious Society to offer a special service of songs, stories and reflections.. The service will be a lively, participational and moving meditation on the many dimensions of peace in our lives and in our world.
A graduate of Harvard Divinity School, Ben has brought concerts and services to over 100 UU churches during the past 25 years. His Community Music Programs, which brings programs of songs and stories to schools and libraries, was awarded the 1989 Boston Beyond War award “for communicating a clear sense of our richly diverse human family through music.” Among his five albums are his 1997 children’s cassette, Lookin’ for a Rainbow, and his CD, Open the Gates.
In addition to his musical work, Ben has served as a chaplain to college students and the elderly, as volunteer coordinator for a homeless shelter, and as adjunct instructor at Springfield College School of Human Services in Boston. He currently serves as chaplain for Hospice of the North Shore in Danvers.
Flowers: The flowers for this morning's service are donated in memory of Dal MacGregor from his family.
Steeple Lighting: The steeple lighting for this week has been donated by Susan Ricker and Bill Zarakas.
A reminder to all Young Church Choir and Teen Choir members that there is a mandatory Candlelight rehearsal on Saturday, December 17, from 8:30 to 9:30 a.m. in the church. I am so proud of everyone for working so hard and for having such excellent attendance at rehearsals. This extra Saturday rehearsal is our only chance to practice in the church, so we need everyone to be there in order for things to go smoothly at Candlelight. Please remember, too, that we will have our regular rehearsal schedule on Sunday morning, December 18:
- 9:00 to 9:40 - Teen Choir rehearsal
- 9:40 to 10:00 - combined Teen Choir and Young Church Choir rehearsal
- 10:00 to 10:20 - Young Church Choir rehearsal
Claudia@ClaudiaMusic.com
Thanks to Bob Thurlow for decorating the church.
from the FRS Hospitality Committee
Is there anyone who wishes to volunteer for coffee hour duty on the Christmas or New Year's Day Sundays? If you are planning to go to church on either of those days, perhaps you would like to take a turn at the urn, so to speak. If you are, please contact Patrice O'Brien.
from the FRS Hospitality Committee
This coffee hour is an occasion for everyone to bring cookies, bars, or what-have-you to church to share with others during coffee hour that day. If everyone brings a couple of dozen of his or her personal favorite creations, what a wonderful assortment we will have! So, we hope that you will put us on your baking list, pull out your apron, and surprise us with something yummy on December 18.
for your personal calendar
from the FRS Adult Education Committee
American Roots, five Tuesday nights from February 28 through March 28, Lower Meetinghouse from 7:30 p.m. to 9:00 p.m.
If you're interested in knowing more about the history of Unitarianism and Universalism, you'll want to take part in this video-based discussion group. Each meeting will feature a video clip on the significant issues and people in our faith history including commentary by contemporary UU ministers. The videos and companion book of readings will be our springboard for discussion. This is the second part of the ten-part series, the first five meetings having been held in the fall. This course will give you a unique perspective on the significant role our religious forebears had on the development of our nation.
Newburyport History, three Thursday mornings from March 2 through 16, Lower Meetinghouse from 10:00 a.m. to 11:30 a.m.
Ben Labaree will repeat his much-acclaimed course taught this past fall, this time for the early bird. More info to follow.
Being a UU Parent, four Thursday nights, March 23 through April 13, Lower Meetinghouse from 7:30 p.m. to 9:00 p.m.
Conducted by Harold Babcock and Julie Parker Amery. More info to follow.
Ceclia Thaxter, one woman impersonation by Donna Titus
Heart and Soul, film on American heroes
May Birding, with Bill Gette, Sanctuary Director of Mass Audubon's Joppa Flats Education Center and Wildlife Sanctuary in Newburyport
Emerson Country, tour with Harold Babcock. Walk in the footsteps of famous Unitarians & Universalists: Harvard Divinity Hall Chapel, Emerson's famous address; Mt. Auburn Cemetery, John Murray, William Ellery Channing, Dorothea Dix; Walden Pond, Thoreau's splendid isolation; Concord's Sleepy Hollow Cemetery, Emerson, Thoreau, Alcott family; Concord Old Manse, Emerson grew up here.
2006 Jean C. Wilson Concert Series
Blue Heron Renaissance Choir – Sunday, February 26, at 4:00 p.m. See www.blueheronchoir.org for more information.
Guitarist Eliot Fisk – Sunday, March 19, at 4:00 p.m. See www.eliotfisk.com for more information.
The third concert of the series is still under negotiation.
The FRS office will be closed for the Christmas holiday on December 26 and for the New Year's holiday on January 2. Happy Holidays to All!
On Tuesday, January 3, at 12:00 noon, in the lower meeting house, we will resume our weekly gatherings with a discussion of Isaac Beshevis Singer's short story "Gimpel the Fool." Bring a lunch and join us: all are welcome.
December 7, 2005
Dear Rev. Babcock and Church Members, Community Service of Newburyport would like to offer our heartfelt thanks for your very generous donation of food and personal care items to our agency during the month of November. We are especially grateful to Bruce Esposito for sorting the food and checking expiration dates, and delivering the food to our office. We wish you all a very happy holiday season. Sincerely, Betty Leary, General Secretary
Guest at Your Table 2006
FRS members' contributions to the UUSC have been impressive over the past four years going from $2665.00 in 2002 to $6267.46 in 2005 (the year of the tsunami and the substantial giving related to it). During the same period, the FRS's percentage of members in the UUSC has risen from 26.8% in 2002 to 27.8% in 2003 to 30.1% in 2004 to 33.1% in 2005, a remarkably steady improvement. However, over those same four years, the FRS members' contributions to the Guest at Your Table (GAYT) program have dropped from $2065.26 to $991.03.
So here's an idea: keep our membership in the UUSC rising and help curb the decline in the GAYT program at the same time. Simply collect enough in your GAYT box to become at UUSC member -- $40.00 for an individual, $20.00 for a senior, $10.00 for a student, or $75.00 for a family. Please return your GAYT boxes to the church between December 25 and January 15.
Staying in the homes of friendly people who share your ideals
The UU bed and breakfast directory UU’re Home (formerly Homecomings) can fulfill your dream. For 27 years, we’ve provided a network of hosts in the United States (and a few abroad) who enjoy meeting new friends and who are happy to open their home to like-minded people.
Check out our website at www.UUreHome.com, where entries are updated whenever changes are made or new hosts are added and you can charge a membership to your credit card. The 2006 edition of the annual paper directory will be available in April and can be ordered by sending a check for $18 (or $23, along with your e-mail address, for both the directory and a year’s access to the website) to UU’re Home, 43 Vermont Court, Asheville, NC 28806.
You can also become a host and be listed in the directory. Contact us at 828-281-3253 or at info@uurehome.com, and we will gladly send you information about listing your accommodations.
