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Without a Vision, the People Perish
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
Family Service
Rev. Harold Babcock
"Beginning Again in Love"
Unitarian Universalists have always been certain about one thing: it is never too late to make amends and to improve on what we are. This past week our Jewish neighbors and friends celebrated Yom Kippur, the most important holiday of the Jewish year. It is a holiday about forgiveness, and starting over. It's a message we can never hear too often. There will be no Young Church classes this morning, but there will be childcare. I hope to see you in church!
Flowers: The flowers this Sunday are given by David Stickney.
Steeple Lighting: The steeple lighting for this week has been donated by Carolyn Dawson in honor of her father, Arthur Kemp, who will celebrate his 101st birthday on October 12.
Ushers: Monica and Darryl Brile.
Coffee Hour Hosts: Jack and Andrea Petras, Bill Heenehan and Marna Badavas, Ted Bailey, Jeff and Ginger Bard.
Transylvania Travel Information: There will be a meeting right after church in the lower meeting house on October 8 for any adults and parents of youth who attended the Transylvania travel informational meeting on September 17.
Rev. Harold Babcock
"Something Else About Mary"
With the popularity of Dan Brown's The Da Vinci Code, Mary Magdalene has elicited renewed interest from religious and non-religious folks alike. Among other interesting facts, Mary Magdalene was almost certainly not a repentant prostitute. But she may well have been an important disciple of Jesus. The sermon will look at some recent scholarship that suggests there is "something else about Mary."
The Young Church and Teen Choirs will sing, and we will celebrate Claudia Keyian's tenth anniversary as our Young Church Choir Director.
Flowers: The flowers this Sunday are given by Marj Babcock, in memory of her sister, Jan, and brother, Lee. Steeple Lighting: The steeple lighting for this week has been donated by Carol Young in memory of Kenneth H. Young. Ushers: Paul and Laura Daubitz. Coffee Hour Hosts: Leslie Lawrence and Stan Barrett, Pat Bashford, Anne Verret-Speck and Forrest Speck and Mark and Carole Bisgrove. FRS Current Events Forum: 9:30 in Lower Meetinghouse Conference Room; the topic is Is 'Liberalism' dead?
On Sunday, October 15th, the FRS will honor Claudia for her ten years of tremendously positive work with the church's youth choir. Young Choir parents have already had an opportunity to contribute toward a gift for Claudia, and now the rest of us can pitch in. If you'd like to be part of the gift-giving, please call Vicki Dyer at (978) 465-0602, X401.
Now is the time to deliver yard sale items to the church office, from Wednesday to Sunday, October 4 through 8. Don't run your own yard sale for all those things in your basement or attic; give them to the church, and let the music program soar.
During the worship service on Sunday, November 12, 2006, we will once again welcome new members at a New Member Recognition Ceremony. If you have any questions about becoming a member of the First Religious Society, please speak to Harold Babcock or call John Mercer, Administrator at (978) 465-0602, ext. 404, or send him an e-mail at frsuu@netway.com.
The New UU: Those interested in preparing for membership or simply learning more about Unitarian Universalism or the FRS should sign up for "Exploring Unitarian Universalism and FRS Membership." It is broken into three parts:
- "Getting to know you" - Sunday, October 22 - led by FRS Administrator John Mercer
- "Getting to know the FRS" - Sunday, October 29 - led by FRS Administrator John Mercer
- "Getting to know UUism" - Sunday, November 5 - led by Rev. Harold Babcock
Dear Friends -- On October 19 I have been volunteered to participate in the Muscular Dystrophy Association's annual lock-up fundraiser. The suggested amount of bail to get me out of jail is $1200, but obviously, any amount I raise will be welcome. Bail money of $600 will send a child to MDA summer camp. If you can help me out, I'd be mighty obliged. Checks can be made out to MDA and given to me, or you can visit the MDA website. Click on this lengthy URL: https://www.mdaevent.org/ParticipantInfo.aspx?j=b0c20d3d-5300-46d3-aceb-324b967f4b9c
Thanks in advance, Harold
First Friday Family Night - October 6 - 6:30 - 8:30 p.m. - Lower Meeting House
Make Your Own Sundaes! Stay for some fun, active group games
Family Service Day - Saturday, October 14 - 9:00 a.m. - 12:00 p.m., followed by a picnic
Want to volunteer with your kids but don't know what to do? Here's your opportunity. We'll provide the projects (such as yard cleanups for local elderly or homebound folks)-you bring the people power. Please sign up by Sunday, October 8 if you wish to participate.
Parent-Child Book Group - Thursday, October 19 - 3:45 - 4:45 - Lower Meeting House
The book we'll discuss is Carry On, Mr. Bowditch, a biography called "a lively sea yarn". Please join us!
Thank You
Thank you to recent substitute teachers Peg Nicol, Julia Farwell-Clay, Ann Chase, and Maura Moore. And thank you, too, to Heather Flaherty, for organizing the RE supply closet in the parish hall.
Call (978) 465 0602 x401 to register
Freemasonry: What is it all about? - Saturday, Oct. 14, 10:00-12:00 - Led by James Funston - Lower Meeting House
Through lecture and discussion, we'll discover what Freemasonry is today, its medieval origins, and its historical development. What are Masonic myths, legends, and historical facts? How did it contribute to founding the United States? What does Masonry contribute to religious liberty and tolerance? What has been the Masonic presence and experience in Newburyport and Amesbury, from 1766 to today? How do popular books and films The DaVinci Code and National Treasure present Masonry? Bring your questions and let's talk. Deadline October 9.New England Transcendentalism - Thursdays Oct. 26, Nov. 2, 9, & 16 from 6:00 to 7:15 p.m. - Led by Harold Babcock - Lower Meeting House
We will begin by reading from Ralph Waldo Emerson's little book entitled Nature (available in many Emerson collections and at the library). Other readings will include "The Sunny Side of the Transcendentalist Period," a delightful reminiscence by our former minister, Thomas Wentworth Higginson. If you have always wondered what Transcendentalism was all about, here's your opportunity to increase your confusion! Bring along your dinner.Focus on Singles - has been postponed until the springThose taking this program should come to the first session having read the Introduction and Chapter 1 of Ralph Walo Emerson's book Nature (available in many Emerson collections). Deadline Oct. 19, class limit 15.
Vision Alert: Please put aside after-church time of an hour and a quarter on October 22 to review the draft vision statements for content, emphasis, and expression. Like all aspects of this vision work, the session should be engaging and enlightening.
Circle Dinners: The Fall Circle Dinner will be held on Saturday, October 28, 2006. Please sign-up in the Parish Hall during Coffee Hour. Circle Dinners are small dinner parties that are held in members' homes and usually range in size from 6 to 10 guests. Everyone brings a contribution to the meal, which is coordinated by the host. You may be asked to bring the appetizer, salad, or dessert depending on the host's needs and desires. You bring the beverage of your choice, and you spend a fun, easy, comfortable evening getting to know your fellow members. These dinners are a warm and intimate way to expand our connection to one another and our relationship as a community. Please sign-up as a host or guest today.
FRS Picture Directory: The new 2006 Member Directory is available for FRS members who need it. To pick one up, just stop by the church office during the week or on a Sunday.
Tuesday, October 17 at noon
Story: "A Clean, Well Lighted Place" by Ernest Hemingway
Bring a lunch, all are welcome!
from the Committee on the Ministry
This year, the committee is working towards expanding our ministerial staff. Though we had hoped to have a divinity field-education student with us part time, we have not found a suitable candidate for this year. We are moving forward with plans for having a ministerial intern with us beginning next fall, either full time for one year, or part time for two years. The listing is posted, and we hope to have applications in by November 1st.
To support the ministerial intern, the church will need to create a new committee - the Intern Committee. The Intern Committee will help Harold select the intern from the various applicants this fall, and then will play a critical role next year orienting, supporting, advising and reflecting with the intern on his or her experiences here at the FRS. Meetings with the intern will generally be monthly. We are looking for interested volunteers. If you have an interest in mentoring an aspiring young minister during their time here with us next year, please contact Harold Babcock or any member of the committee.
The Committee on the Ministry provides a communications channel between the Minister and the membership, seeking to hear concerns without judgment and passing them on to the minister or the membership If you have concerns related to the ministry of the FRS, please speak to Harold Babcock or to any member of the committee: Anne Madden, Chair; Forrest Speck, Mike Dorsey, or Gillian Chatfield.
Many new book donations, across a variety of subjects, came to us over the summer. Visit the FRS Lending Library (Lower Meetinghouse Classroom A) to check out such new titles as The five people you meet in heaven (Albom), Founding Mothers (Roberts); The Artist's Way (Cameron), Too Much of a Good Thing (Kindler), Practicing Resurrection (Gallagher), and Winter -- A Spiritual Biography of the Season (Schmidt, Ed.), to name just a few.
Kelly McNamee writes, "I wanted to express my gratitude to my husband Peter for arranging a fantastic 15th anniversary trip. We rode to Kennebunkport ME on a tandem bike for a four-day weekend. It was a great way to get away and celebrate!"
Sarah Spalding and Tim Fountain welcomed son Sam to the world on September 30. Hello, Sam!
hosted by Interweave North Parish Andover (www.interweave-np.org)
This is a seminar for Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender couples, families, and individuals, with Rick Kraft of Kraft Law Offices.
This free one hour seminar will focus on using wills, trusts, healthcare proxies, living wills, powers of attorney and other documents to ensure that your rights and intentions are protected. It also will address the importance of financial planning and the use of life insurance as a substitute for the social security survivor benefits denied same-sex couples. The second hour will be open for questions and discussion.
Retired Ladies Lunch - always the second Wednesday of the month - October 11, at 12:15, at Michael's Harborside
from the FRS History Committee
Last Month's Question: How much money did Newburyport pay the First Religions Society for the purchase of the land where the original church building was constructed? The property is now Market Square.
Answer: $8000 Volume I - p 42 (FRS History, Volume 1- pgs 41 - 47)
New Question: What artifact at the Historical Society of Old Newbury represents the "generous spirit of the original group of women" who became The Women's Alliance?
The answer to this, and many other questions, can be found in the two-volume history of the First Religious Society. Boxed sets of the history are available at $40.00 from the FRS office, open from 9:00 a.m. to noon weekdays during the summer.
. . . and a Thank you
The Historical Committee is grateful to Liam Wilbur, Dustin Kelly and Austin Lanham for willingly and cheerfully wrestling a big filing cabinet up to the top floor of Parish Hall. This was a big project, and they tackled it with skill and brawn. Thank you all for being so willing to help!
from The Major
"A very saucy and mysterious comedy"
"Where Fawlty Towers meets Agatha Christie"
Playing at The Actor's Studio - The Tannery October 13 - 22.
Fri - Sat at 8:00 p.m. Sundays at 3:00 p.m.
Seating is limited, so reserve your seats early. Call 978-465-1229.
Tickets - $10.00 - also available at the door.
Come see Chuck Kennedy make an absolute fool of himself.
Thanks,
Chuck a.k.a. The Major
