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The Friendly Loom
used in an FRS Young Church Project
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
"What Matters?"
Perhaps it is an obvious question, but how often do we really give it our full consideration? What really matters to you? If you had your "druthers," how would you choose to spend your time? What are the things in your life that are really important to you, and are they getting your attention? And what are the things that matter most "out there"? The sermon will investigate this most essential religious question. The children will join us for their Circle in the Big Church, and the Young Church Choir will sing.
Flowers: The flowers for this morning's service are donated by the Fairweather family in loving memory of Dorothy's aunt, Othelia Bansley.
Steeple Lighting: The steeple lighting for this week has been donated In memory of Mr. and Mrs. H. B. Little and Mr. and Mrs. H. Greenleaf Noyes by Edmund G. Noyes and Leon L. Noyes.
Ushers: Tom and Tempa Pagel.
Chalice Lighters: The Menin Family.
FRS Current Events Forum: 9:30 in Lower Meetinghouse Conference Room. The topic is separation of church and state. Harold Babcock will lead this discussion.
Rev. Harold Babcock
"Humanism Revisited"
We have all heard a lot in recent years about the supposed evils of "secular humanism" whatever that is. But humanism actually started out as a religious movement. Indeed, many people describe themselves as "religious humanists." And humanism has played a very important role in Unitarian Universalism, not to mention in western civilization. So, what's wrong with humanism? The sermon will revisit this most important, religious way of being.
Flowers: The flowers for this morning's service are donated by Anne and Alec White in loving memory of Grace Van Winkle Weld, Penelope Weld White, and Harold T. White.
Steeple: The steeple lighting for this week has been donated by Arthur and Elizabeth Roy in loving memory of their mother, Olive L. Pearson, and brother, Norman Roy.
Ushers: Barbara Boulay and Kathryn Tolley.
Chalice Lighters: Megan Williams and Edson Worden
from the Community Human Services Committee
We would like to create awareness within the church community of the Swasey Orphan Fund. Financial awards may be made to children or young adults (under 21) who have a deceased parent. Candidates must reside in Newburyport. Further information or applications for consideration may be obtained through the church office.
Parent Breakfast, Sunday, March 12, 9:30 a.m. in the Lower Meetinghouse - "Volunteering as a Family"
Are you seeking ways to instill a sense of compassion and justice in your children? Volunteering as a family can be an excellent way to do so, but where to start? Come exchange ideas, enjoy good food, and meet other Young Church parents. Childcare is available with advanced notice-contact Julie Parker Amery by Thursday, March 9.
Parent-Child Book Group
Hey book lovers! We're starting a book group for children and their parents. This will be a great opportunity to read some excellent books, get to know others in the church, and have some quality time with your family. Each month, we'll read a book (geared toward ages 8 - 12), discuss it, enjoy good snacks and sometimes a related activity. Meetings will be on Thursdays once a month, from 3:45 - 4:45 p.m.. The first meeting is on March 16. Please contact Julie Parker Amery if you are interested in attending.
Even More Young Church News
http://www.frsuu.org/200602_yc news.pdf. You will need Adobe Acrobat or other PDF reader to open this the Young Church News bulletin. If you do not have one, you can download a free reader
on http://www.adobe.com.
The annual canvass to support the church will kick off officially on Sunday, March 19th. Our challenge this year is to implement fully our commitment to being a UUA Fair Compensation church.
We all owe a debt of gratitude to the 50 people who've agreed to be canvassers this year. We still need more, so let these folks be an inspiration to those of you who feel too busy. They are too!
A warrant has been posted for a Parish Meeting on March 12; all are welcome to attend; members of the FRS may vote. There are two warrant items: (1) to move $3500.00 put aside for, but not needed for, Parish Hall furnace replacement to fund a Field Education Student in fiscal 2006 - 2007 (further described below); (2) to approve three appointments of officers made by the Parish Committee.
Planning for an Expanded Ministerial Staff
The Ministry Committee, the Parish Committee, and many in the Society have recognized the developing need to expand the ministerial staff as we have grown to a mid-sized church of 350 members with a church school enrollment approaching 190. There is simply not enough time available for a single-member ministerial staff to attend to all the duties demanded by a church of our size.
To meet this challenge, our ultimate goal is to have an assistant or associate minister on at least a half time basis. Recognizing that this goal can not be reached or afforded immediately, we are recommending a path of intermediate steps - the hiring of a field education divinity student for the year beginning fall of 2006, followed by the hiring of an Intern Minister in the fall of 2007.
Field Education Student: As many of you recall, several years ago we had a very positive experience with our most recent field ed student, Frank Clarkson. Frank brought a valued and fresh ministerial voice to our church, was popular among members, provided important assistance for Harold, gained valuable experience for his theological education, and involved us more directly in the broader UU movement.
We hope that you will support this important first step in expanding our ministerial staff.
If you have concerns or thoughts on this topic or if you would like to know more about our recommendations for expanding the ministerial staff, please feel free to contact anyone on the Committee on Ministry - Forrest Speck, Michael Dorsey, Anne Madden, Laura Roberts, and Harold Babcock, ex officio.
from the FRS Adult Education Committee
Being a UU Parent, co-leaders Harold Babcock & Julie Parker-Amery, will meet in the lower church for four Thursdays from March 23 to April 13, 7:30 to 9:00 p.m. The program is designed to support parents whose children may be asking questions about God and other theological concepts. Through various exercises, parents will be able to clarify their own religious beliefs, increase their understanding of Unitarian Universalism, and put their UU values into practice at home. We will explore topics such as holidays, family life, and religious terms such as "prayer" and "sin." Call 978 465 0602 x401 to register. The deadline to sign up is March 16.
Eliot Fisk - March 12
The Jean C. Wilson Music Series presents the internationally acclaimed guitarist Eliot Fisk in recital at 4:00 on Sunday, March 12. He will play works of Albeniz, J.S. Bach, Domenico Scarlatti, and Paganini.
Hailed by a New York Times headline as "A Fiery Missionary to the Unconverted," Eliot Fisk has performed as soloist with many major orchestras and in a wide variety of chamber music combinations in most of the great concert halls of the world. In 1996 he played a command performance in the Palacio de los Cordova in Granada, Spain, for then President Bill Clinton and King Juan Carlos of Spain and their families.
His numerous recordings for the Musical Heritage Society, DGG, Arabesque, and EMI have elicited unqualified praise and entered the Billboard charts as bestsellers. Most of these recordings include repertoire never before performed on the guitar such as the transcription of the Twenty-four Solo Violin Capricci, Op.1 of Paganini. He received a Grammy nomination with flutist Paula Robison for their interpretation of Mountain Songs by Robert Beaser.
Eliot Fisk was the last direct pupil of Andrés Segovia and also studied interpretation under the legendary harpsichordist, Ralph Kirkpatrick, at Yale University from which he graduated summa cum laude. He is a Professor at the Universität Mozarteum in Salzburg, Austria, where he teaches in five different languages, and in Boston at the New England Conservatory. Tickets for each concert are $15 and $10 for seniors and students.
March 8 at 12:15 at Scandia in Amesbury
Please call the FRS office for information.
Tuesday, March 14, in the Parish Hall at noon
Dessert and coffee provided. Program: Homeopathy
from the FRS Social Action Committee
For March - Let Justice Roll Living Wage Campaign
This organization economically and ethically advocates for raising the minimum wage and moving the United States from a low-road economy to the high road. It offers vital insight into why the minimum wage is an economic imperative for the enduring strength of our workforce, businesses and economy, and a moral imperative for the very soul of our nation.
For April - Ministry for Earth
Although the Ministry for Earth is affiliated with the UUA, it is an independent organization that orchestrates efforts by UUs and their congregations to fight global warming and addresses climate change solutions and other important environmental issues.
For the past two years the First Religious Society has been hosting a Shared Ministry Program. These groups are designed to encourage spiritual growth while developing relationships of substance and depth. The groups are open to anyone who wishes to participate. A typical meeting includes an opening reading, check-in, discussion on a subject related to personal and spiritual development, and a closing reading. In the past topics for discussion have included Failure, Spiritual Practices, Love, and Living Simply. Informational meetings for anyone interested in joining a group will be held after services on 3/12, 3/19 and 3/26 in the lower meeting hall. Come to one of these sessions and learn more about this enriching program.
Donations
Our annual auction, "Spring for Us," is Saturday, April 29, at Nicholson Hall at 6:00 pm. What you are donating? It may be a unique service or talent, or a long lost treasure. Cook up a dinner party or tea in your garden. Do you have a special dish that someone would enjoy? Join with musical friends to offer a private recital. Start thinking now! This is a wonderful way to share your talents and abilities - and make new friends. You may drop off donations at the church office from April 1 through 20 or call the office to make special arrangements. Donor forms are available from the web site, in the church office, on the information table at church, and at Coffee Hour. If you have questions, please call the church office. Remember, this is one of our largest fundraisers!
Changes this year: We will use both function rooms at Nicholson Hall AND you can use your Credit Card to purchase your Auction Items that night!
News from the FRS Library
In his February 5th sermon, Harold Babcock referred to contemporary religious writer Karen Armstrong's as one of the most powerful and reasonable religious voices today. One of her several books, A History of God, The 4,000-Year Quest of Judaism, Christianity and Islam, is in the FRS libary. In this New York Times bestseller - complete with maps - Ms. Armstrong explores the ways in which the three dominant monotheistic religions have shaped the concept of God and in which Judaism, Christianity and Islam have influenced each other. "From classical philosophy and medieval mysticism to the Reformation, the Enlightenment, and the modern age of skepticism, Karen Armstrong performs the near miracle of distilling the intellectual history of monotheism into one superbly readable volume." This book was donated to the FRS Library by M. Babcock
Saturday, March 18
For your to-do list ==> Call the FRS Office with a description of your act.
from FRS Community Human Services Committee
Our next Friendship Table will be March 16. There will be sign-up sheets at Coffee Hour on Sunday the 5th and 12th. Please consider signing up to make a dish or help us serve. We have been serving dinner to up to 80 people so we can use all of your help.
Winter Film Series
from the FRS Welcoming Congregation Committee
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March 10: Priscilla Queen of the Desert Click on the movie title for a description of it. |
Join us in the Lower Meetinghouse on three Friday evenings at 7:00 p.m. for movies and refreshments, all free.
The humanitarian disaster in Darfur has been going on for three years. Some 400,000 people have died, violence has forced more than two million from their homes, more than three million are starving. Despite evidence linking the Sudanese government to the Janjaweed militias responsible for much of the violence against Darfur's civilian population, that government continues to deny involvement and to allow the Janjaweed free rein.
On the UUA homepage, Rev. Bill Sinkford, President of the UUA, says: "Can we do something to help end this humanitarian disaster? We can. The Save Darfur Coalition, of which the UUA and UUSC are members, has mounted the Million Voices for Darfur campaign." The overall goal of the Million Voices Campaign is to raise the level of public awareness and outcry so that President Bush and Congress take significant action. To that end, the UUA, UU Service Committee, and other partners in the campaign will collect one million postcards from concerned people across the country. We're hoping to collect 25,000 postcards from Unitarian Universalists before the Rally for Darfur in Washington, DC, on April 30 and May 1. More info at: http://www.millionvoicesfor darfur.org.
At the FRS. we will have a Darfur table at fellowship hour during the next few weeks and invite you to come by, get some information, and add your signature to a "postcard."
by Peter Erickson
NEWBURYPORT - Father, [FRS member] C. Peter Erickson, and daughter, Hollis P. Erickson, will be displaying their oil paintings in a show entitled “A March of Days.” The event, part of the Featured Artist Series, will be held at the Newburyport Art Association, 65 Water St., Newburyport, from March 2 through 9. The Gallery is open from Monday through Saturday from 11:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. and on Sunday from 1:00 to 5:00 p.m. The opening reception will be held on Friday, March 3, from 7:00 to 9:00 p.m.
The pair will show paintings dissecting the idea of passing time. Peter, an award-winning landscape painter, has developed a series that shows appreciation for the changing palette of each month in the year. His daughter, Hollis, an award-winning portrait painter, has taken a very different approach to this concept. She will be displaying the series of human expressions, which show how passing time leaves an impression on us all.
“The presence of time is always upon us, but we rarely take the time to appreciate how it changes our surroundings and ourselves,” says Hollis, a Studio Art major and Skidmore College graduate. “Join us for the reception or stop by during the week.”
Selected paintings will be on sale as will commissioned portraiture.
by Hollis Erickson
