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This Week
Mme. Mezey & M. Stites
Omeletiers Extraordinaires
Redeeming an FRS auction win
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 Good News"
Religious author and Episcopal priest Barbara Brown Taylor writes, "The good news is always beginning somewhere in the world, for those with ears to hear and hearts to go wherever the way may lead." I want to believe this. As we enter the holiday season, the sermon will investigate whatever good news there might be coming to light.
Flowers: The flowers this Sunday are given by Laura and Jon Roberts in memory of Salvatore Rizzari and Evelyn MacKenney.
Steeple Lighting: The steeple lighting for this week has been donated by Anne and Alec White in memory of John Neimeyer and Katharine Wormelle Meissner.
Ushers: Linda and Will Buddenhagen.
Coffee Hour Hosts: Jenny Coyle, Andy & Sue Creed, Bill Zarakas & Susan Ricker, and Ron Pullins & Leslie Powell.
Current Events Forum: 9:30 in the Conference Room -- "How does Islam fit into a Judeo-Christian culture?"
Rev. Harold Babcock
"Taking Back Freedom"
Theodor H. Gastor writes, "As a festival of liberty, [Hanukkah] celebrates more than the independence of one people-it glorifies the right to freedom of all peoples." In recent years we've heard a lot about "freedom," so much so that I have begun to feel uncomfortable talking and even (in hymns) singing about it. I've felt the same way about "religion" for some time. The sermon will look at how we might reclaim some words and concepts that have become troublesome.
We will dedicate Nathaniel James Stephen Olson during the service this morning.
Flowers: The flowers this Sunday are given by Bob, Linda, and Will Fuller in loving memory of Bob's grandmother, Frances Bryant, and Linda's grandmother, Gladys Gammon Lindquist.
Steeple Lighting: The steeple lighting for this week has been donated by Darlene and Ray Wilson in loving memory of Darlene's parents, Ola and George Kreighbaum.
Usher: Jim Dyer.
Coffee Hour: Cookie Sunday - Please bring a plate of cookies. (See below.)
Jazz Vespers - Madden, Worden & Co.
When Sunny Gets Blue, Corcovado, Full House, Dolphin Dance
Reader: Stan Barrett
if it ain't got that groove
from the FRS Hospitality Committee
Thank you so much to everyone who has assisted with coffee hour this year. Our new method of staffing has gone beautifully, thanks to all the folks who have shown up and put on some really outstanding coffee hours. Thank you, one and all-please know how much we appreciate your efforts.
And for all you bakers out there, please remember that COOKIE SHARE SUNDAY is coming up on December 10. Hospitality Committee will make the coffee that day, and we look to as many people as possible to whip up their favorite bars or cookies and bring a batch or two in to share with their fellow church-goers. It's always a wonderful and delicious start to the holiday season.
The next Tuesday lunch with the minister will be held on December 5 at noon in the lower meeting house. We will be discussing the short story "The Comedian" by John L'Heureux. All are welcome. (This will be the last lunch with the minister until after Harold returns from his sabbatical.)
This is for YOU - if you play an instrument now or if you ever played an instrument in middle school or high school or elsewhere.
Edson Worden is leading the FRSUU Band again this season. Rehearsals will be after church on December 3 and 10. This intergenerational group will be playing carols in the service on December 17 at the Annual Christmas Pageant. Just show up on the December 3, and Edson will bring out your talent and make it shine.
from the FRS Community Human Services Committee
The Toy Drive for the children living with their mothers at Turning Point will begin on Sunday, December 3rd. The children's wish lists will be at Coffee Hour, and we are hoping we can fill them. We have been able to grant their wishes these last few years thanks to your support, and we hope to do it again this season.
The Fall Rummage Sale on November 3 and 4 took in $1,252.00, a record amount the sale. Well done, rummageers! The rummage mavens, Florence Mercer and Anne Verret-Speck, thank their twenty-nine tireless workers: Lorraine Adelman, Ruth Allen, Barbara Bell, Jessica Brown, Linda Buddenhagen, Vicki Dyer, Pam Fenner, Judith and Steven Grohe, Pamela Herman, Janet and Roxie Kalashian, Leslie Lipkind, John Mercer, Susan Moses, Judith Niles, Pat Ouellette, Barbara Owen, Laura Perry-Platine, Marge and Jerry Peterson, Rebecca Robertson, Leanna Sorcar, Elizabeth Speck, Forrest Speck, Teddy Speck, Anne Spraker, Maxine Steeves, and Anne White. Thanks also go out to all of you generous donors and eager buyers. Start planning for the spring!
from the FRS Adult Education Committee
We are seeking a volunteer from the congregation to help us design some fliers for a few programs; specifically, we're looking for someone who would think such a design task would be fun, not torture. If you are that person, please call John Mercer at (978) 465-0602, x404.
Here at are the FRS, we amass remarkable collections of things - stuff to some, treasures to others. We have once again so amassed.
The Parish Hall kitchen and Church kitchenette are chock full of your platters, your bowls, your dear serving dishes; and our lost and found in the Lower Meetinghouse has your fashion statements, your sunglasses, your keys, your whatever. If you would regret the loss of any of these, please come in search before January 1, when these items may become, well, yard sale items.
from the FRS Vision Task Force
During the holidays, it is good to reflect on the efforts and many contributions made through the visioning process: We have much to be grateful for-including a congregation of folks who come together in many different ways to engage and explore their hopes and dreams for the First Religious Society.
Specifically, we ask that you reflect on the proposed Mission Statement.
Our open doors represent the open minds, open hearts and hopeful community that welcome you no matter who you are, where you come from, or what you believe. We provide opportunities for spiritual growth, inspiration through the arts, liberal discourse, and mutual understanding. Our meetinghouse, a sanctuary to generations, is a symbol of our aspirations. We come together in friendship and sharing, as people of all ages manifesting conscience, character and compassion in our engagement with each other through life's joys and sorrows. We are a community that empowers our youth and integrates them within all aspects of congregational life. The open spirit we share, guided by our Unitarian Universalist Principles, is reflected in our worship, our educational programs, and all our other activities and endeavors. As stewards of our buildings and grounds we guide their development to accommodate the evolving needs of the congregation and community. Our steeple serves as a beacon to those seeking free expression and spiritual growth through self-determination. As citizens of the world, we raise a strong voice in the quest for reason, compassion and justice, and courageously participate in and foster social service and political action. As stewards of the earth and all living things, we commit to greater environmental engagement. It is only through commitment of our time, talents, and resources that our community is sustained. |
Many of you have played an active role and raised your voice in the vision and mission retreat process. Many others may have read and considered the communications, and still others may be poised to take action when the vision and mission statement crafting is done. What's next?
- A series of upcoming coffee-hour conversations focused on specific aspects of the mission statement, designed to develop a common understanding of the mission statement, how it was developed and what its implications are, taking place in December and January
- A congregation vote on the mission statement components in mid-January
- Simultaneous work on mission objectives, which will build on the work started at the retreat
Would you like to help decorate the church for Christmas?
To contribute to the church's Christmas arrangement, you may order poinsettias in memory or in celebration of friends or loved ones. A list of donors will be included in the Steeple Biweekly and the Order of Service. The cost is $10.00 for a small plant and $25.00 for a large one. You may pick up your plants after the December 24th service to enjoy in your home. You can also just donate them to help decorate the church. To order, please use this form and return it with payment to the church office before Tuesday, December 12. If you have any questions, please call the church office (978) 465-0602, x401.
Name:
Amount enclosed:
Small Poinsettia __
Large Poinsettia __
Wording
December 12, 2006
Christmas Luncheon Party
Noon - Starboard Galley Restaurant
55 Water Street, Newburyport
Call Carolyn Dawson for Reservations
No meetings of the Women's Alliance are held in deep winter, that is, January and February. Our program schedule resumes in March. New faces are welcome.
March 13, 2007
Noon - Parish Hall
Speaker: Linda Tulley "Reikki: Origins and Healing"
Hostesses: Carolyn Dawson and Cary Plumer. Bring your brown bag lunch. Coffee and dessert will be served.
April 10, 2007
Noon - Parish Hall
Speaker: The Reverend Harold Babcock, Minister, First Religious Society
Hostesses: Lorraine Adelman. Bring your brown bag lunch. Coffee and dessert will be served.
May 15, 2007 Noon - Massachusetts Audubon at Joppa Flats Speaker: Bill Gette, Education Director Bring your brown bag lunch. Chips and drinks will be provided.
June 12, 2007
Noon - Annual Picnic
Details to follow.
Call Carolyn Dawson for Reservations
All programs of the Women's Alliance are open to all members of the First Religious Society. Please feel welcome to attend one or all of our meetings.
Saturday, December 2nd, 9:30 a.m. - 12:30 p.m.
The Hunnewell Chapel at the Arlington Street Church, Boston
from the FRS Social Action Committee
The event will feature speakers from the Arlington Street Church Green Sanctuary Committee as well as representatives from the UU Ministry for the Earth. There will also be time for discussion, reflection and questions. Oh, and we'll have coffee! This congregation-based certification program addresses the hunger for eco-spirituality in liberal religious communities. The Green Sanctuary Program invites congregations to
- Build awareness of environmental issues
- Encourage personal lifestyle changes
- Motivate community action on environmental issues
- Build a connection between spiritual practice and environmental consciousness
- Work to heal environmental injustices
To learn more about UU Ministry for the Earth and the Green Sanctuary Program, go to: http://uuministryforearth.org
Participation in the Green Sanctuary Program is consistent with our seventh UU principle, "Respect for the interdependent web of all existence of which we are a part," and it is a mission objective supported by the FRS's proposed mission statement: "As stewards of the earth and all living things, we commit to greater environmental engagement."
I'll be attending the Green Sanctuary event and invite anyone who would like to attend. I have room for three passengers and will probably take the T from Wellington station in Medford to the Arlington Street Church. This is perhaps an excellent opportunity for youth involvement to be part of the process from this initial meeting through participation in the Green Sanctuary Program.
Please let me know if you'd like to go and need a ride or would like to drive or meet us there.
You are invited to go downstairs after the event to the Alternative Gift Fair being held at the Arlington Street Church. Get some holiday shopping done while you're out!
from the FRS History Committee
Last Issue's Question: In September 1942 the FRS donated 600 pounds of iron to the drive for scrap metal for the WWII effort. From what primary source did this metal come?
Answer: FRS History Volume II - P. 121
Also: Newburyport Daily News - Sept. 19, 1942
At the Unitarian church this morning Henry C. Learned was presented with more than 600 pounds of iron on behalf of the drive for scrap metal, and the principal articles in the scrap pile were two Revolutionary War mortars, each weighing about 25 pounds, which had been used in the church as weights for a clock that has for many years been out of order.The pendulum for the clock was also given to the salvage drive. It was of iron and weighed about 100 pounds. These and a few other miscellaneous clock works made up an unusual contribution to the scrap pile.
The mortars were taken to the church on Pleasant St. soon after its construction was begun in 1801 from the Market Sq. church which was torn down at about that time. The Market Sq. church was built in about 1725 and when it was razed several things were taken from it to the church of the First Religious Society, including the clocks, the weather cock which is still above the church, and the lightning rods which in the original setting had once been examined by Benjamin Franklin during his experiments with electricity.
The clock which had the mortars for weights never had a face, but struck the hours to tell time. As it has been in total disrepair for so many years it was felt that the ancient works and weights could serve a better purpose as scrap for victory.
New Question: What prompted Minnie Atkinson to write her History of the First Religious Society of Newburyport in 1933? 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 from the FRS office, open from 9:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. on weekdays.
Congratulations to Tyler and Rebecca Cook on the dedication of their son Benjamin Adam Cook.
Congratulations to Barbara Moynahan on the birth of her grandson Alex.
Thank you from Penelope Johnson to Julie Parker Amery and her young church who provided the wonderful Sunday dinner they cooked for me; it was delicious and I appreciate their efforts!
Also, belated thank you from Penelope Johnson to Florence Mercer and her group of women who were so very helpful to me during my recovery; and in particular, to Bettina Turner and Ann Kemp, although I certainly appreciated everyone's contributions and concerns.
Our sympathy to Julie Parker Amery on the death of her grandmother, Helen Currier.
How about getting together on Christmas Day for a potluck dinner at my house in Haverhill? So that I can plan appropriately, please give me a call or write me e-mail by December 20 if you're interested in taking part. -Frances Burmeister, e-mail: fburmeister@hotmail.com
