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This Week
performing at the FRS on January 21
as part of the Jean C. Wilson Music Series
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
Professor Kimberley Patton
"Wrap Your Arms around the World!"
Kimberley Christine Patton is Professor of the Comparative and Historical Study of Religion at Harvard Divinity School. Her training is in ancient Greek religion and archaeology. She also teaches in the history of world religions, offering courses on comparative themes such as sacrifice, religious dream interpretation, iconography and iconoclasm, animals in myth and ritual, and weeping. She is the author of The Sea Can Wash Away All Evils: Modern Marine Pollution and the Ancient Cathartic Ocean (Columbia, 2006) and the forthcoming the forthcoming Religion of the Gods: Ritual, Reflexivity, and Paradox (Oxford, 2007). She is also a co-editor of and contributing author to A Magic Still Dwells: Comparative Religion in a Postmodern Age (Berkeley, 2000); Holy Tears: Weeping in the Religious Imagination (Princeton, 2005); and, most germanely to her sermon this morning, a new book from Columbia University Press called A Communion of Subjects: Animals in Religion, Science, and Ethics.
Flowers: The flowers this Sunday are given by Elaina and David Sayles in loving memory of Elaina's grandfather, Dominic Franco, and David's grandmother, Agnes O'Keefe.
Steeple Lighting: The steeple lighting for this week has been donated by Tempa and Tom Pagel in remembrance of Harold Bondurant Jones.
Ushers: Amy Weickert and Peter Cullinan.
Coffee Hour Hosts: Frank Drauszewski, Stephen and Gwen Dudley, Erik and Beth Eames, and John Eoll.
Current Events Forum: 9:30 in the Conference Room -- "What Shall We Do Next in Iraq?"
Annual Martin Luther King, Jr., Combined Worship Service
At First Parish Newbury, 20 High Road
Professor Preston Williams, guest preacher
Our annual combined celebration of the work of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., sponsored by the First Religious Society, UU, the First Parish in Newbury UCC, the Belleville Congregational Church UCC, and the Central Congregational Church UCC. There will be a special program for children, "Nature and Art," presented by the Green Artist League. All children age 5 and up are invited to attend. Rev. Ross Varney will play the piano, and the Gospel Choir from Central Congregational Church will perform.
Preston Williams, Ph.D., has been the Houghton Professor at Harvard since 1971. He came to Harvard Divinity School after having been a professor of social ethics at Boston University for five years. Before that, as a Presbyterian minister, he was the Protestant chaplain at Brandeis University. In his years at Harvard, he has served in various capacities beyond his professorial role. He was Acting Dean of the Divinity School in 1974-75, and acting director of Harvard's W.E.B. DuBois Institute from 1975 to 1977. Since 1998 he has been director of the Summer Leadership Institute, a program of the Center for the Study of Values in Public Life that brings religious leaders from urban settings to Harvard for two weeks of intensive classes on community development. His teaching has centered on Christian ethics and the black American experience, especially as reflected in the life of Martin Luther King, Jr. He is the author of many articles and books and is an editor-at-large for The Christian Century. He has been a guest professor and speaker at institutions around the world, including Nagoya University in Japan in 1996.
Steeple Lighting: The steeple lighting for the week of January 15 has been donated by Bonnie and Andy MacDonald in loving memory of their grandparents Ann and Joseph Mitchell and Genevieve and Raymond Faulkner
Sabrina, Ben, Josh, and I thank you all for your cards, gifts, and good wishes during the holiday season! It is a joy to serve as your minister.
First Family Night
January 5, 2007 - 6:30-8:30 - Lower Meeting House - Decades Dance!
Come dance away your winter fidgets! Alicia Raddatz will spin tunes from the 50s, 60s, 70s and 80s… fun for all ages! There will also be a room for board games for those who wish for a lower-key evening. See you there!
Empty Bowls Earn Big Bucks
Thank you to all who purchased one of the beautiful Empty Bowls, created by some of our Young Church kids during the holiday term. Sales totaled $412, all of which has been donated to Oxfam America.
Parent-Child Bookgroup
Next meeting is Thursday, January 18 at 3:45 p.m. in the lower meetinghouse. The book we'll discuss is Mark Twain's Huckleberry Finn. It's a great way for parents and children to spend some quality time together, as well as getting to know other people in the church. Questions? Contact Julie Parker Amery.
from the FRS Social Action Committee
"Respect for the interdependent web of all existence of which we are a part." - Unitarian Universalist Seventh Principle
"As stewards of the earth and all living things, we commit to greater environmental engagement." - From proposed mission statement, FRSUU
The Social Action Committee is pleased to present the Green Sanctuary Project. The goals of this program are:
- To build awareness of societal environmental issues among UU's.
- To generate commitment for personal lifestyle changes.
- To motivate UU's to community action on environmental issues.
- To build a connection between spiritual practice and environmental consciousness.
- To build awareness of and rectify environmental injustices.
- Worship and Celebration
- Environmental Justice
- Religious Education
- Sustainable Living
The Green Sanctuary Project is a permanent ongoing activity and all are invited to learn, explore and work to help meet the program goals.
The Green Sanctuary Project will meet the 4th Sunday of the month, 9:30 am-10:15 am. Meetings have been scheduled for January 28, February 25 and March 25. For additional information go to www.uuministryforearth.org or call Rob Burnham.
If you were in church on Sunday, December 10, you heard FRS Young Church graduate and now Bard College undergraduate Elysia Petras describe the Nicaragua Project.
Elysia Petras's message to the FRS just before Christmas: "We are so grateful for all the generous donations to this project! Fundraising at the church alone raised over $1,000- that is a little under a third of the total we raised this year! This is amazing- thank you so much."
Administrator's message to Elysia one week later: "The checks sent from the FRS have brought our total up to $1450.00, the amount needed to fund one entire house. Be assured that our very generous church members have enjoyed giving this money, are proud that you are involved in this project, and happy that you told them about it."
The Community Human Services Committee wishes to thank all those who participated in the Turning Point Toy Drive. We were able to fulfill the children's wishes again this year and put a smile on their face Christmas morning. The staff at Turning Point truly appreciate all your efforts in helping them give the children a Merry Christmas.
The FRS has reserved nine tickets for the 14th Annual Martin Luther King, Jr. Breakfast to be held at the Georgetown Country Club, 258 Andover Street (Route 133) Georgetown, MA. The cost of $20.00 per ticket includes a donation toward the attendance of a local teen. Please call the church office to reserve a spot (first come, first served). If we have sold all of our tickets, you may also be able to purchase tickets from the YWCA.
Program: It will be an interactive and inspirational morning program that will include activities, conversation, breakfast and music. High school students and adult community members will be seated together to encourage dialogue and sharing of experiences and ideas. High school students attend for no charge thanks to the generous donation of our sponsors and those community members who donate a ticket for a student.
The keynote speaker this year will be Mr. Joe Young, a Hartford area animator, who uses his art to connect and educate youth about a variety of social issues. He is a recipient of the Daily Point of Light Award presented by the White House, and his work has been featured in Ebony and Jet Magazines, People, USA Weekend, The New York Times and the Associated Press. In addition, he will be running a workshop after the MLK event with area teens on ways to use media to reach out to young people.
Welcome to the First Religious Society! It is a great pleasure to see so many young families come through our doors on Sunday mornings. We hope that you and your family find this a welcoming community. And we hope that your time with us will be meaningful and that you might even call this your spiritual home for years to come. Our resources prevent us from caring for children under the age of one at this time. We welcome these "babes in arms" into the worship service. Indeed, the peaceful coo of a baby is for many a welcome enhancement to their Sunday morning experience.
However, we also provide a rocking chair in the vestibule for those times that it is necessary to calm your child or to just let him or her move around. A speaker in the vestibule allows you to hear the worship service.
While families with young children are welcome to sit in the balcony facing the choir, they need to be aware that sound carries well from this area. Concerns also frequently are expressed about children leaning over the edge of the balcony. We do ask all friends and members of the First Religious Society to bear in mind that for many, this is the only hour in the week for quiet reflection, and we request your assistance in helping us to maintain a calm and peaceful atmosphere.
Your child's early experiences in church may form his or her attitude towards church and Sunday school in later years. We recognize the importance, therefore, of providing children ages one to three with warm, welcoming, consistent nursery care. Our nursery care provider has become a beloved figure in the life of our children in the nursery. Though it sometimes takes a couple of weeks for children to get used to being in the nursery, virtually all come to love it. We hope that you will take advantage of this wonderful service.
Your child is invited to begin in a religious education class when he or she turns three. Please speak with Julie to learn more about our program.
Thank you for being here! We look forward to getting to know you and your family.
-Julie Parker Amery, Director of Religious Education
-FRS Worship Committee
Thanks to all who contributed, the free will offering at the Christmas Eve service raised over $1300.00 for our Partner Church in Ujszekely, Romania. This year Harold will be able to deliver the money in person when he visits Ujszekely in February.
Please return you Guest At Your Table Boxes and donations to the church by January 21, and thank you for your generosity. Proceeds support the work of the Unitarian Universalist Service Committee (UUSC). Donations of $40.00 or more make you a member of the UUSC.
Neal Kuniansky and Gayle Yarnall express joy at the birth of their newest grandson, Deacon, born today in England. [This joyful report was communicated in the memo section of a check received at church on December 24.]
from the FRS Finance Committee Chair
I am very pleased to announce that Nancy Crochiere has agreed to chair the 2007-2008 Canvass. I am very grateful to Nancy for taking on this extremely important role. I know you all join me in thanking her and committing to helping Nancy and the Canvass Committee make this coming canvass a success.
Meadville Lombard Theological School announces the Spencer and Susan Lavan Scholarship for Excellence--a full, merit-based scholarship for an incoming residential student in our Master of Divinity Program in the Fall of 2007. Application deadline for the scholarship is March 15, 2007. Please see the Meadville Lombard Website (www.meadville.edu) for more information on the scholarship and the Master of Divinity Program. More information on the scholarship can be found on the UUWorld website at www.uuworld.org/news/articles/8285.shtml.
First Family Night - Friday, January 5 - 6:30-8:30 - Lower Meeting House - Decades Dance!
Mission Task Force - The Last of the Congregational Conversations on the Mission Statement - January 7, 2006 after church
Adult Education - Creative Writing Workshop (Tuesdays Jan. 9 - Feb. 14 - 7:30-9:00 p.m.) - Led by Veronique Hyde - Lower Meeting House - Call 978 465 0602 x401 to register - Deadline January 8.
Welcoming Congregation - Winter Film Series - Friday, January 12, 2007, at 7:00 p.m. - Brokeback Mountain
Adult Education - America's Morality Tales - Stagecoach (1939) - Western Films - Friday, January 19 at 7:00 p.m.
Parish Meeting - January 21, 2007 - after church - to Vote on the Proposed Mission Statement.
from the FRS Adult Education Committee
Creative Writing Workshop
Tuesdays Jan. 9 - Feb. 14 - 7:30-9:00pm
Led by Veronique Hyde - Lower Meeting House
Call 978 465 0602 x401 to register - Deadline Jan. 8
If you have always wanted to write but never did, or if you just need some inspiration, encouragement and a place to practice, join us in this fun workshop. Stretch your imagination and explore your potential using timed free-writes and exercises. Everyone is invited to this non-competitive, stress-free, friendly, and safe group. No experience necessary.
America's Morality Tales - Classic Westerns
Fridays Jan. 19, Feb. 16, Mar. 16, Apr. 20 - 7:00-9:00pm
Led by Lynn Kettleson & Catherine Garnache - Lower Meeting House
Call 978 465 0602 x401 to register - Deadlines Jan. 12, Feb. 9, Mar. 9, Apr. 13
Children growing up are informed about the moral life through a number of sources, and they often get their ideas from movies. For those growing up in the years of the classic western - from 1948 to 1962 - the movies affected how they looked at the world. The main characters of many of those movies set out expected standards of behavior, but they also reflected a particular world view of the time.
The emerging America that was victorious in World War II was changing as the country began to enjoy peace and prosperity. The Western is a clear reflection of the American identity, and as our nation's identity changed with each decade and each generation, these shifts were often reflected in the stories told on the silver screen.
We will take a look at four of these films - in the order in which they appeared on the screen, from Stagecoach (1939), the picture which created not only the genre but also the main characters in these horse operas, to Shane (1953), the film that is the classic look at good and evil. We'll also view Red River (1948) and the classic High Noon (1952).
Please join us for some fun and discussion of what the genre in general, and these films in particular, mean as we look at America's morality plays.
Understanding Islam
Saturday Feb. 3 - 10:30am-noon
Led by Ali Asani, Professor of the Practice of Indo-Muslim Languages and Cultures, Harvard University - Lower Meeting House
Call 978 465 0602 x401 to register - Deadline Jan. 26
These days Islam and Muslims are commonly perceived as being anti-Christian and anti-Western, but are they? Ali Asani will provide an overview of Islam and its role in the contemporary Muslim societies, highlighting values and ideas that Unitarian-Universalists might incorporate into their own religious quest. All are invited.
A Short History of Jazz: Eat & Listen
Wednesday Feb. 7 - 6:30-8:00pm
Led by Tom Stites
Lower Meeting House
Call 978 465 0602 x401 to register
Deadline Jan. 31
Join Tom Stites, who in the 1970s was the founding editor and publisher of Jazz Magazine, for an evening of listening to and discussing jazz, both its history and its spiritual meaning. Bring a brown bag dinner to munch while listening, and then join Tom upstairs for the FRS Jazz Vespers. All are invited.
People Like Us: Thinking About Social Class
Tuesdays Feb. 13, 20, 27, Mar. 6 - 7:30-9:00pm
Led by Julie Parker-Amery - Lower Meeting House
Call 978 465 0602 x401 to register - Deadline Feb. 6
Are all Americans created equal? Or are some more equal than others? Through readings, exercises, discussion, and video, we will explore our own attitudes toward the sticky issue of social class. A primary source will be the PBS video People Like Us: Social Class in America. All are invited.
Building Your Own Theology: Ethics
Thursdays Mar. 8, 15, 22, 29, Apr. 5, 12 - 5:45-7:15pm
Led by Harold Babcock - Lower Meeting House
Program fee $16 for the BYOT Ethics book
Call 978 465 0602 x401 to register - Deadline Mar. 1, class limited to 12
This multi-session class invites participants to apply their beliefs, values and convictions to particular ethical situations. Using a "Moral Compass," participants address various ethical dilemmas. Sessions deal with dimensions of moral decision making, such as authority, motivation, responsibility, values, and character.
Progoff Intensive Journal Program of Self-Development, Introductory Workshop
Friday Mar. 9, 6:00-9:30pm
Saturday Mar. 10, 9:00am-noon; 1:15-4:15pm, 5-7:30pm
Led by Linda Bennett - Lower Meeting House
Call 978 465 0602 x401 to register, $50 non-refundable deposit due Mar. 1
Program fee $100 for FRS parishioners, $185 for others
Deadline Mar. 1, class limited to 20
This program, developed by Dr. Ira Progoff in 1966, helps you gain a foundation and perspective to realize the continuity and direction of your life, and to connect more deeply with your body, your work, your interests, and your personal relationships. You will use dreams and imagery as a guide in the process. Only you will read what you write. Linda Bennett, a Portland, Maine, public school guidance counselor, has been a leader of the Intensive Journal method for 15 years. Continuing education credits are available for social workers (11.5), counselors (11.5), and chaplains (11).
Singles Program
Sunday Mar. 11 - 11:45am-1:00pm
Led by Harold Babcock, Florence Mercer & Abigail Bottome - Lower Meeting House
Call 978 465 0602 x401 to register - Deadline Mar. 5
Have you ever wondered where the other single people are in the congregation? This forum will provide single people an opportunity to meet to discuss possible groups or events depending on your needs and interests. Are you a single parent looking for other single moms or dads? Are you a recently divorced or widowed man or woman who would like to create connections to others with a similar experience? Come share your ideas for programs and we will share ours.
Getting There from Here: Two Centuries of Change in Newburyport Transportation 1800-2000
Thursdays Mar. 22 - April 19 - 10:00am - noon
Led by Ben Labaree - Lower Meeting House
Call 978 465 0602 x401 to register - Deadline Feb. 16, class limited to 20
Here is an adult education course with a difference. Instead of studying a topic chosen by a leader who knows something about the subject, doing readings suggested by him or her, and then discussing it under that person's guidance, YOU, with other participants, decide on the topic (within limits), research the topic, and present your findings to the whole group. General topics are
1. Mar. 22: Turnpike and Toll Bridge 1800-1840
2. Mar. 29: The Railroad 1840-1880
3. Apr. 5: The Trolley Car 1880-1910
4. Apr 12: The Automobile 1910-1950
5. Apr. 19: The Interstate Highway 1950-2000
You, along with three or four participants, will choose among topics 2 through 5. Your team will research your subject and on the appointed day will present your findings and conclusions to the group. The leader will be responsible for the first topic and will assist each team in finding relevant materials among local histories, newspapers, maps, memoirs, and photo collections for their topics. This seminar offers an opportunity to become familiar with Newburyport's vast historical resources and to hone one's organizational and oral presentation skills.
Haiti
Saturday, Mar. 24, 10:30am - noon
Led by Meredith Russell - Lower Meeting House
Call 978 465 0602 x401 to register - Deadline Mar. 16
The typical family in rural Haiti has no electricity, no safe water, no medical care, no reliable transportation, no clean source of fuel, no emergency or police service, no television or radio or appliances of any sort. Haitians work raising food that they will not eat, on land that does not belong to them. They earn far less than $100 a year. They face the lowest life expectancy and the highest infant and maternal mortality rates in the Western Hemisphere. Please join Meredith as she shares some of her experiences working in a rural medical clinic in Haiti.
Spirit in Nature Walks
Saturdays Apr. 14 and May 12 - 9:30am - noon
Led by Florence Mercer - Meet at Lower Meeting House
Call 978 465 0602 x401 to register - Deadlines Apr. 6 and May 4
If you've been meaning to explore the great walks around Newburyport, or return to old favorites, join Florence in celebrating the mystical in nature. On April 14 she will walk one or two of the Old Town Hill trails in Newbury and on May 12 she will walk the Stackyard Road paths into the marshes of Newbury and out to Nelson Island as the tide goes down. We will meet at the Lower Meeting House and carpool to the trailheads. We will walk rain or shine, unless there is a nor'easter. All are invited.
UU Tour of Emerson Country
Saturday, May 26 (rain date June 2) - 8:00am (sharp) - all day
Led by Harold Babcock
Meet at Newburyport Park & Ride, carpool, bring a lunch
Call 978 465 0602 x401 to register - Deadline May 18
Walk in the footsteps of famous Unitarians & Universalists:
Walking the Labyrinth
Friday, June 1 - 2:00-4:00pm (rain date June 2, 10:00am - noon)
Led by John and LindaLu Burciaga
Meet at 18 Hoyt's Lane, off 113 in Newburyport
Call 978 465 0602 x401 to register - Deadline May 25, limited to 5 people
There are several labyrinths in the greater Newburyport area, but John and LindaLu Burciaga have offered the opportunity for us to walk the labyrinth in their backyard. John will give us background on labyrinths in general, the nature of their labyrinth, and general directions for the walk. Your walk can encompass a variety of attitudes. It may be joyous or somber. It might be thoughtful or prayerful. You may use it as a walking meditation. All are invited.
The FRS Current Events Forum
First and third Sundays before church 9:30-10:15am
Facilitated by Richard Nocera - Conference Room
Call 978 465 0602 x 401 for current discussion topic.
This forum provides our community a platform for free discussion of events occurring in the larger world which are of burning concern to us. It creates an environment in which ideas are respected and may be expressed in an atmosphere of openness and honesty and are met with support and safety - if not always agreement! Each meeting will have a Focus Topic, announced in advance. An occasional outside expert on a chosen topic may be invited to lead the discussion. All welcome.
Friday Morning Book Discussion Group
10-11:30 a.m. in the Conference Room.
Facilitated by Nancy Herbison-Evans
Call 978 465 0602 x401 for current book title.
This group discusses books with ethical or religious themes. Meetings are ongoing and all are welcome.
Brown Bag Lunch with the Minister
12-1pm in Lower Church - Led by Harold Babcock
The second Tuesday of the month starting Sept. 14 at noon in the lower meetinghouse meet and discuss a short story chosen by Harold Babcock. Bring a lunch. All are welcome.
Small Ministry Groups
Meet every other week, various dates and times
Lower Meeting House
Led by a trained facilitator, small groups meet every other week to reflect on a relevant life theme such as "friendship" and "acceptance." These groups are ongoing once formed and offer our members a chance to forge relationships with each other and to explore the implications of various religious themes on their lives. As our church grows, the challenge of creating closeness with our fellow members also grows. These small groups become more important as a means to maintain connections with each other and the values we strive to live by. Call 978 465 0602 x401 for more information or to sign up for one of the groups.
Exploring Unitarian Universalism and FRS Membership
Sundays, April 15, 22, and 29 - 11:45am
Conference Room, Lower Meeting House
Have you been considering becoming a member of the First Religious Society, but wanted to know more about Unitarian Universalism and what it means to be a member? Here's your chance. Meet FRS members, John Mercer, Administrator, and Harold Babcock to talk in a small supportive group. New Member Sunday is May 6. Bring your coffee and join in.
Men Can Read Too Book Group
First Sundays, 6:30pm - Participants' homes
This ongoing group is open to all. Please call 978 465 0602 x401 for the title of the current book to be discussed and the place of the meeting.
Retired Guys Out to Lunch
Once a month these guys go out to lunch. All (guys) are welcome. Call 978 465 0602 x401 for current lunch date and location.
Retired Ladies Lunch
Once a month these women go out to lunch. All women are welcome. Call 978 465 0602 x401 for current lunch date and location.
Women's Alliance
This group meets once a month on Tuesday afternoons for a program and refreshments. All are welcome. Call 978 465 0602 x401 for the date of the next meeting.
Spiritual Literacy
Fourth Tuesdays - 7:30-9:00pm
Lower Meeting House
Contact Alex Mezey at alex@lifeclaritycoach.com
Under the leadership of Alex Mezey, this group discusses stories from sacred texts of the world's religions.
