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This Week
1/10/2007
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 David Lamberth
Associate Professor of Theology
"Practicing Religion"
Newburyport resident David Lamberth will focus on the relationship of religious practice to belief. David joined the Harvard Divinity School faculty in 1997 after teaching at Florida State University. He served a three-year appointment as associate dean for academic affairs from 2000 to 2003. His courses in theology and the philosophy of religion emphasize modern liberal thought and probe the interconnections between theological and philosophical reflection. They also span both continental and American materials, paying particular attention to the distinctiveness of American contributions in these fields, as well as to the interactions of thought and culture. His first book, William James and the Metaphysics of Experience, exhibits his interest in the revival of pragmatism and pursues in particular the inherent engagement with religion in James's philosophical system, as well as James's pluralism. He is currently preparing a book entitled Religion: A Pragmatic Approach, which analyzes both historical and contemporary treatments of religion in the pragmatic tradition. Other research interests include religious experience, and the construction of the field of the philosophy of religion.
Flowers: The flowers this Sunday are given by Trent and Stratton Lloyd - Peace on Earth.
Steeple Lighting: The steeple lighting for this week has been donated by Linda and Ben Labaree in gratitude for those leaders who have stood for racial equality and justice around the world.
Ushers: Lark and Anne Madden.
Coffee Hour Hosts: Howard and Dorothy Fairweather, Julia Farwell-Clay, and Eileen Fitzgerald.
Parish Meeting: Immediately after church - to consider adopting the proposed mission statement.
Rev. John Burciaga
"Of Lions and Lambs: On Life's Contradictions"
Life does not always make sense, seemingly given as much to "fits and starts" as to order and understanding. When we cannot resolve its contradictions, how may we live with them?
John Burciaga, a resident of Newburyport, has completed nearly 50 years of ministry in Lehigh Valley, PA; Atlanta, GA; Tampa Bay, FL; Washington, DC; and Phoenix, AZ. John also is a professional journalist, having served as editor and columnist for the Alternative Press in Atlanta and Tampa, FL.
Flowers: The flowers this Sunday are given by Jennifer Badger: from Jenny, Vin, Carol, and Will in loving memory of Dorothy Plumer Beard.
Steeple Lighting: The steeple lighting for this week has been donated by David Stickney in memory of his 'big brother,' Jack.
Ushers: Jon March and Jeanne Anderson.
Coffee Hour Hosts: Michael Fosburg and Pat Skibbee, Marise Fraser, and Kirby and Kim Gallagher.
For the First Religious Society
Sunday, January 21, 2007
from the FRS Vision Task Force
Please join other members of the First Religious Society to vote on the Proposed Mission Statement (see reverse side) on Sunday, January 21, after church services.
As you know, over the course of the last year, many have invested considerable effort, thought, and spirited discussion to develop our Vision Statement and proposed Mission Statement. Input has been gathered through brainstorming sessions, visioning workshops and even a church retreat held this fall. In fact, to tally it all up, here are a few statistics about the participation:
- 194 took part, including 123 members, and more than 100 spent five or more hours working on the process.
- Those who participated included a balance of both new members and long-time members.
The result is a living, breathing statement that reflects the hopes and dreams for most members of the First Religious Society. Chances are that not all will find the statement perfectly worded, but the Vision Task Force believes that this represents a broad consensus and that in it you'll hear the voices and thoughts of those who participated.
Now is the time to take the statement to the next step, to vote on it as representing the best of our shared hopes and dreams and to provide it to the committees and community as a guide for planning FRS's future.
At the meeting on January 21, the following procedures will take place using commonly accepted Robert's Rules:
- A member of the Vision Task Force will make the motion to adopt the statement.
- Assuming that the motion is seconded, a member of the Task Force may present the case for consideration and adoption without amendment.
- Consideration will then follow, with membership providing comments for and against the motion.
- If amendments are offered and seconded, a member of the Vision Task Force may opt to restate the case for adoption without amendment and request that the membership defeat the amendment. (Or, the amendments, if offered, may be voted on with a simple majority (required for adoption or rejection).
- After some discussion, a member of the Task Force may offer a motion to close the debate. If seconded, a 2/3 majority will need to approve that the debate be closed.
- After the debate is closed, the initial motion will be voted upon, with a simple majority necessary for adoption.
The First Religious Society Our open doors represent the open minds, open hearts and hopeful religious 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. Our community is sustained by commitment of our time, talent and resources. |
All teens (of Youth Group age) and teen parents are invited to a Teen Travel Meeting on January 28, 2007, at 11:30 a.m. in the downstairs meeting house rooms A and B. Please note the change of date due to the congregational vote scheduled on January 21. We hope to highlight some travel, service and experiential possibilities for our teens. These include travel to Transylvania, UU summer camps, UUSC work camps and more! If you have other ideas you would like to share at the meeting, please get in touch with Peg Nicol.
from the FRS Parish Committee Meeting of January 10
Your governing board, the Parish Committee, started the new year with 100% attendance on January 10. Here are some highlights from our meeting:
- welcomed Marie Murphy, chairperson of the Vision Task Force, who discussed plans for implementing the mission objectives
- approved a request from the Music Committee to form a group to study options for refurbishing the organ in the sanctuary
- approved a request from the Finance Committee to define the goals for the upcoming budget process
- received reports from the Finance Committee and Treasurers that our financial standing is strong
- discussed the necessity of painting the church in the near future and alternatives for budgeting this expense
- approved the formation of an ad hoc committee to help choose a permanent site for the Kopjafak monument
Closing words (selected and read by Bill Heenehan): Finish each day and be done with it. You have done what you could. Some blunders and absurdities no doubt crept in; forget them as soon as you can. Tomorrow is a new day; begin it well and serenely and with too high a spirit to be cumbered with your old nonsense. (Ralph Waldo Emerson)
from the FRS Social Action Committee
from The Pettengill House January 5, 2007 - Dear Friends: On behalf of the Executive Director Deborah M. Smith, the staff, volunteers and Board of the Directors of the Pettengill House, please accept our heartfelt thanks for your recent donation of $912.50. Your generosity and support are truly appreciated. |
The FRS donates one half of the cash received on Sundays to a variety of charitable causes, one chosen for each month by the Social Action Committee. Please be generous. |
The FRS was able to send Our Neighbor's Table in Amesbury a check for $1,066.00 as part of December's Collection for Cause. In January, the recipient of the Collection for Cause will be the Fuel Assistance Program of the Salvation Army. |
from the FRS Community Human Services Committee
Coordinator needed: We are looking for a coordinator for the Friendship Table, which provides a meal at the Salvation Army every other month during the church year for those in need. Responsibilities include signing up volunteers to provide the meal and serve the food to the guests and to be there the day of the dinner. The coordinator also places the announcement in the Steeple Biweekly and forwards information for the Sunday announcement. Please call Ann Power if you are interested.
February collection: During February, we will be collecting food stuffs and personal items for the Pettengill House. The following are needed:
- Canned foods - soup, vegetables, and juice
- Dried foods - cereal, pasta, and rice
- Personal items - toothpaste, shampoo, and soap
Save the date: Saturday, May 5, 2007
Annunciation Greek Church
The Annual FRSUU Auction is just around the corner. One of the FRS's biggest fundraisers, this is an evening not to be missed. What special items or services do you have to donate? Start thinking now. Join with friends, or make an individual donation. Your interests are your talents: share them. You may drop off donations at the church office April 1 through 30 (9:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m.) or call the church office (978) 465-0602 to make special arrangements. Donor forms will be available at the office, at the information table in the church vestibule, and in an upcoming Steeple Biweekly.
Friday, February 9, 7:00 p.m.
from the FRS Welcoming Congregation Committee
Admission Free - Refreshments Served
KINKY BOOTS - Charles Price may have grown up with his father in the family shoe business, but he never thought that he would take his father's place. Yet, the untimely death of his father places him in that position, only to learn that Price & Sons Shoes is failing. While in despair at his failed attempts to save the business, Charles has a chance encounter with the flamboyant drag queen cabaret singer, Lola. Her complaints about the inadequate footwear for her work combined with one of Charles' ex-employees, Lauren, leads to a suggestion to change the product to create a desperate chance to save the business: make men's fetish footwear. Lola is convinced to be their footwear designer and the transition begins. Now this disparate lot must struggle at this unorthodox idea while dealing with the prejudice of the staff, Lola's discomfort in the small town, and the selfish manipulation of Charles' greedy fiancée who cannot see the greater good in Charles's dream.
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
from the FRS Social Action Committee
During December, members gave generously in the loose plate collection to help underwrite the cost of one and possibly two meals at the Amesbury-based Our Neighbor's Table Food Pantry. Meals provided at the pantry provide the basics.
Help brighten a needy person's weekend by sharing a favorite dessert. On Friday, February 2, please drop by one of your favorite desserts in the FRS office in the lower church between 9:00 a.m. and 1:00 p.m. or from 6:30 p.m. through 8:30 p.m. during First Friday Family Night. If you have any questions, please call Chris Hyde.
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.
An Opportunity for FRS Parishioners
The FRS has made space available for a Meditation-Contemplation Program on Monday mornings. The leader of that program, Padraic O'Hare, has made a few places available for FRS parishioners. He began guiding this small group in contemplative (meditative) practice on January 15, 2007. He is a practitioner and has been for twenty years. He guides contemplative (meditative) practice of students at Merrimack College, where he is a professor religious and theological studies and is invited to guide practice and give workshops on contemplative practice around the country with a variety of populations of people. He is the author of two books on practice: the national award winning The Way of Faithfulness: Contemplation and Formation in the Church (l993) and Busy Life Peaceful Center: A Book of Meditating (l995).
Space in this program is limited, and the program has already begun. So, if you would like to attend, please sign up through the church office at (978) 465-0602, X401, before noon on Friday, January 26.
Found - one box of miscellaneous files and papers, left in the Archives Room in Parish Hall. Whoever left these archival papers should contact Coddie Fraser. As Chair of the Historical Committee, she needs to confer with you about what to archive and what to place in the circular file. Please remember that any materials left for archival review should include the identity of the giver and a description of the contents.
a play of interest to members of the FRS
This one-act play, will be performed on Wednesday, January 31, at 7:00 p.m. at the Reading Public Library. It is an entertaining and educational program, and admission is free. This play deals with the relationship between Thomas Wentworth Higginson and Emily Dickinson. Higginson-fifth minister of the FRS, writer, abolitionist, commander of the first black regiment in the Civil war, fighter for women's rights-would have been flabbergasted to learn that his greatest accomplishment was the encouragement that he gave to a reclusive young woman who in 1862 timorously sent four poems to him with a letter that asked him whether the poems were "alive." With that letter, Emily Dickinson began a 24-year correspondence with Higginson, whom she came to think of as her mentor. In 1870 and in 1873, he visited her at her family home in Amherst. After she died in 1886, he gathered and edited her poems and arranged for their publication, an event that certainly would have astonished her.
