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This Week
Remember to fall back
for Sunday, November 4
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
Christina Sillari, Ministerial Intern
Julie Parker Amery
“Faith Out of Nothing”
Unitarian Universalism is sometimes thought to be a "faith about nothing." I strongly disagree. This morning, I will share some of my personal struggles with our faith, and why I stay with it anyway.
Flowers: The flowers this Sunday are given by Anne Laurence Dodge in loving memory of her mother, Anne Laurence Green, and her grandfather, L. P. Dodge.
Steeple: The steeple lighting for this week has been donated by Marise Fraser in loving memory of her grandparents, Karl and Elise Castelhun; her parents, Frederic and Bertha Castelhun; and her husband, Robert W. Fraser.
Coffee Hour Hosts: Patricia Reeser, Susan Ricker and Bill Zarakas, Mary Miles and Roy Rigor da Eva, and Beth Riley.
Ushers: Darlene and Ray Wilson.
FRS Current Events Forum: 9:30 in Lower Meetinghouse Conference Room. The topic is "What is the Jewish identity in the 21st century?"
Jazz Vespers
Madden, Worden & Co.
if it ain't got that groove
New Member Recognition Sunday
Rev. Harold Babcock
“A Faith Without Borders?”
Having just returned from a weeklong meeting of the International Council of Unitarians and Universalists, I will take a look at some of the ways that our liberal religious faith is manifested around the world.
This morning we will once again welcome new members—those who have become legal voting members of our congregation and who have signed an Application for Membership—into the fellowship of the First Religious Society in a Ceremony of New Member Recognition. I look forward to seeing you in church!
Flowers: The flowers this Sunday are given by by Florence and John Mercer in loving memory of Aileen Stowe, Florence’s mother.
Steeple: The steeple lighting for this week has been donated by Julie and Steve Amery in memory of Colin Amery, greatly loved husband, father, grandfather, and friend – simply the best.
Ushers: Nancy and Paul Crochiere.
Coffee Hour Hosts: H. Elizabeth Ring, Mary Rizzo, Jonathan and Laura Roberts, and Jeff and Rebecca Robertson.
During the worship service on Sunday, November 11, 2007, we will welcome new members at a New Member Recognition Ceremony. To be listed as a new member in the order of service for November, please call (978) 465-0602, ext. 401, by November 7. 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.
Our concerns and prayers go out for Frank Murgida, devoted parishioner and stalwart choir member, who is recovering in Massachusetts General Hospital from spinal surgery to remove an arachnoid cyst. He will leave Mass General this coming week and begin a stay of undetermined length at Spaulding Rehabilitation Hospital. Frank's wife, Helen, and his sons, Lucas and Matthew, thank you for your concerns and for your prayers.
Sunday, October 21, 11:30 a.m.
At the meeting, the membership approved the slight alteration of two pews at the front left of the sanctuary to make room for the FRS's Steinway grand piano.
I feel more connected to this community now that I have preached. I am also feeling quite relieved that it has passed. Thank you all for showing up and taking the journey with me.
As the weather becomes colder and the days become shorter I am find myself drawn to both inward reflection and deeper connection with others. Although I look forward to the approaching holidays, I am also anxious about the potential stress the season can bring. Finding ways to stay connected to our selves and one another is crucial at this time. Spiritual practice does not necessarily translate as prayer or meditation. It may be taking a walk, reading a good book, listening to music, cooking, or anything that brings us peace, connection, and joy. I am very interested in facilitating a spiritual practice group at FRS where a community of seekers supports individual spiritual practices. Please let me know if you are interested in participating in such a group.
I also want to more fully understand what it means today to be a Unitarian Universalist for myself and for all of you. I have trouble at times articulating myself as a UU and believe conversation with others will deepen and strengthen my ability to speak as a member of our liberal religious faith. So please let me know if you would like to be a part of this important conversation.
I look forward to continuing our journey together.
Ministerial Intern at First Religious Society Newburyport
(W) 978-465-0602 X 410 (C) 203-435-6110 omkrimkali@aol.com
Office Hours: M W F 9:00-12:00 p.m. W 12:00-5:00 p.m.
Rabbi Abraham Heschel
Volunteer in Young Church
We're currently rounding up our volunteers for the Young Church holiday term. We're seeking people who will work with our kids for three Sundays in late November through mid-December. The commitment is three Sunday mornings only. This is a great way to get involved and it's fun because it all leads up to our congregation's holiday service on December 16--the theme of which is Winter Holidays from Our World's Religions. Please contact Julie Parker Amery if you'd like to help out.
Saturday, November 3, at 7:00 p.m.
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Ever get curious about the role? The duties? The rewards? The pains? Ever think about a career as a minister? Rev. Babcock and the Committee on Ministry would like to offer you an opportunity to learn more about what it's like to serve as a minister and to allow you to ask questions you may have about anything that might interest you on the subject. We will be holding a meeting before church services on Sunday, 11 November, at 9:00 a.m. in the Conference Room, Lower Meeting House. We'll even give you a light breakfast. Please give us some idea of your interest by notifying the church office at (978) 465-0602.
First Parish in Newbury
Sunday, November 18, 5:00 p.m.
Presented by the Clergy Association of Greater Newburyport.
All singers are invited to join us as we prepare for the 82nd Candlelight Service on December 23, 2007. Rehearsals are Sundays from 2:00 - 3:30 p.m., starting November 4.
All the music is French this year: many Noels such as Ding, Dong Merrily on High, Pat-a-Pan, Noel nouvelet, The Shepherd’s Farewell by Berlioz, Mass for Midnight by Charpentier, and O Magnum Mysterium by Poulenc.
A Writing Opportunity
Alicia Raddatz will be coordinating weekly write-ins for National Novel Writing Month (NaNoWriMo) throughout November, where each person will attempt to complete a 50,000 word novel by the end of month. We will meet Monday evenings in the lower meeting house from 7:30pm to 9:30pm, follow the sound of madly clicking laptop keys to find the exact location. All are welcome; just bring a laptop or pen and paper, your story ideas, and a desire to write like crazy. You can sign up to become an official NaNo participant and learn more about this annual international event at www.NaNoWriMo.org. Contact Alicia at raddatza.sec@comcast.net for additional information.
Allegiance Hospice of the Newburyport/North Shore Area is looking for volunteers, an hour or two each week to provide compassionate care to individuals with advanced illnesses. Allegiance has a team of trained volunteers and guarantee that the personal benefits will be life changing. Please contact Amy Cirigliano, Volunteer Coordinator at (877) 255-4623.
Friendship Table: Our next commitment to the Friendship Table will be on Thursday, November 15. The Friendship Table provides a hot meal for local residents at the Salvation Army on Water Street. Please consider bringing a main dish, salad or dessert. We also need volunteers to help serve the meal. There will be sign-up sheets at Coffee Hour. You can also call Ginger Bard if you would like to participate.
Food Drive Collection for November: Our annual Newburyport Community Services Food Drive takes place during November. There is a table in the vestibule to receive your donations in the coming weeks. We also have shopping lists for you to pick up on the table. The items most needed this fall are peanut butter, jelly, rice, spaghetti sauce, boxed potatoes, coffee, crackers, cereal, canned meats (spam, chicken, deviled ham, tuna) and cookies. Please be sure that expiration dates are current. The need has increased this year (they ran out of peanut butter and jelly last month) so whatever you can drop off will be greatly appreciated. We thank you for your support.
Attention Shoppers! The Community Human Services Committee will be selling hand-woven textiles to benefit Mayan Hands, a fair-trade organization working with weavers in Guatemala. Plan to shop until you drop on Sunday, November 11, during coffee hour. Proceeds further the mission of Mayan Hands as they help women raise themselves out of poverty. Please visit their website www.mayanhands.org or call Eileen Fitzgerald at (978) 352-7325.
Sign up by calling Vicki Dyer at (978) 465-0602, x401
Restoring a Historic House in Newburyport
Saturday Nov. 10, 10:00 a.m. to noon
Led by Kem Widmer
Lower Meetinghouse
You don't have to be an expert to renovate your old house. FRS parishioner Kem Widmer has been renovating his High Street house (with some expert help from sub-contractors) for several years. He will discuss the process--from stripping old paint to installation of "old glass" windows. He will take us through the entire restoration process-what is important, the sequence, and how much time each phase may take. These three items that should be examined and/or corrected as a priority on any old house restoration: the roof, the foundation, and water. Kem will also talk about windows (replace or keep the old? If the latter how do we keep old man winter out?), painting (exterior versus interior), minimizing exterior wood rot, saving old plaster and wood, Widmer's golden rule for contractor. Please come with questions you have about your own renovation plans.
Katrina Voices
Saturday Nov. 17, 10:00 a.m. to noon
Led by Catherine Garnache
Lower Meetinghouse
Catherine, who has worked on damaged houses in New Orleans, will moderate a panel of local church people who have worked in various capacities in New Orleans. We hope to inspire more people to volunteer to help Katrina victims.
Traces of the Trade, a documentary of New England's hidden enterprise
Sunday, November 18, 3:30 - 5:30 p.m.
Lower Meeting House
Katrina Browne and Perry Dain
In Traces of the Trade, Producer-Director Katrina Browne tells the story of her forefathers, the DeWolf family, the largest slave-trading family in U.S. history. Given the myth that the South is solely responsible for slavery, viewers will be surprised to learn that Browne's ancestors were Northerners. The film follows Browne and nine family members on a remarkable journey which brings them face-to-face with the history and legacy of New England's hidden enterprise.
