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This Week
A painting by Erika Marquardt to be sold at the FRS Auction
Saturday, May 3, 2008 - Annunciation Greek Church
(Click painting for larger view)
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
Christina Sillari, FRS Ministerial Intern
"Awakening from the Dream of Separateness"
Many prophetic teachers and spiritual disciplines convey that the world is an illusion and that our feelings and thoughts of disconnection are created by our minds, more specifically our egos. This sermon explores the experiences and ways of being that enable us to feel connected to ourselves, one another, and the greater world as well as the obstacles that prevent us from feeling and being part of the interconnected web of life.
Steeple: The steeple lighting for this week has been donated by Jennifer Badger and famiily in memory of Dotty, Lee, Anna, Will, Betty, and Bill.
Flowers: The flowers this Sunday are given by Jerry and Marge Peterson in memory of their parents.
Ushers: Anne Comeau and Ned McClung.
Coffee Hour Hosts: Lorene Daniels, Carolyn Dawson, Marion DeParolesa, and Jean DeZarn.
Collection for Cause: One half of the loose plate in April will go directly to Community Action of Amesbury, which empowers individuals, families and communities to overcome poverty through education, training, advocacy and prevention, and services to meet basic human needs.
Rev. Harold E. Babcock
"The Passover of Praise"
Today is the first day of the Jewish holiday of Passover. In Judaism, Passover marks the remembrance of the Exodus from Egypt and the liberation of the "Hebrews," the formative event in Jewish history. You may remember that following the first Passover the Israelite people wandered in the wilderness for forty years. In a poem entitled "Passover," Unitarian Universalist minister Lynn Ungar speaks of the "terrible blessing of the journey."
Unitarian Universalism has often been called "a way, not a stopping place." It can be quite liberating to be always on a spiritual journey, but it can also be very demanding. The sermon will investigate. (The sermon title is taken from Unitarian Frederick Lucian Hosmer's great Easter/Passover hymn, "O Day of Light and Gladness.")
Steeple: The steeple lighting for this week has been donated by Betty Creed in memory of her husband, William.
Flowers: The flowers this Sunday are given by Katie and Rebecca Nye in loving memory of Esther and Blair, David, and Cynthia Macomber.
Ushers: Laura and Paul Daubitz.
Coffee Hour Hosts: Walter and Ann Power, Chuck Kennedy and Anne Dodge, Tim and Gina Downs, and Mary Doyle.
FRS Current Events Forum: 9:30 in Lower Meetinghouse Conference Room. The topic is "Is Our Economy in Serious Trouble?"
Spring Rummage Sale
Friday, April 11, and Saturday, April 12
The sales will be Friday night from 6:00 to 7:30 p.m. and Saturday morning from 9:00 to 11:30 a.m. We need shoppers!
During the worship service on Sunday, May 4, 2008, 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, FRS 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 the FRS" - Sunday, April 20
"Getting to know UUism" - Sunday, April 27.
All meetings will be at 12:00 noon in the Lower Meetinghouse Conference Room. Get a cup of coffee after church and come on down.
The comfort shawls made by members and friends have been finding good homes, and we find our shawls need to be replenished. Anyone who knows how to knit or crochet will find instructions and yarn in the Conference Room cabinet. A donation of $12.00 is appreciated for the yarn (three balls are necessary for each shawl). You may also create your own shawl with yarn you purchase. If you have any questions, please send me e-mail at lbuddenhagen@aol.com.
from 6:00 p.m. to 10:00 p.m.
Saturday, May 3, 2008
at the Annunciation Greek Church, 4 Harris Street, Newburyport
The Annual FRSUU Auction is just around the corner. One of our biggest fundraisers, this is an evening not to be missed. What special items or services do you have to donate? Join with friends, or make an individual donation. You may drop off donations at the church office April 1 through 30 from 9:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. or call the church office 465-0602 for special arrangements. Donor forms are available at the office, on the information table at church, and on the church website. A donor form is also attached to this issue of the biweekly.
Space is limited so call the church office to reserve your tickets at $25.00 apiece; the price includes entrance to the auction and your bidding number, dinner catered by the Carryout Cafe, and beverages for the evening. If you can get to the FRS website (http://www.frsuu.org)and click on "The Hat Parade," you'll get some idea of how peculiar and delightful the FRS auction is.
April 11, 12, 17 & 18
FRS teens Liam Wilbur, Kit Dyer, Kathryn Tolley, Dustin Kelly, and Austin Lanham will be performing in the Newburyport High School's presentation of The Pajama Game at 7:00 p.m. in the high school auditorium. Adults $10, Students $8; tickets available at the door.
Tuesday, April 15 at 12:00 noon at Agave 50 State Street, Newburyport For those retired in fact, in spirit, or in dreams |
Saturday, May 10
Sign up to volunteer time or food |
Wednesday, April 16 at 12:15 at The Wok Carpool from Hyman's at 11:45 Questions? Call Peggy Mays |
The 5th and 6th graders would like to thank the congregation for its generous support of our fundraiser. We raised a total of $237.00 for the Merrimack Feline Rescue Society, and we learned a lot along the way-from how to thread needles to who everyone in our group is supporting in the presidential race. We even learned that the founder of the Feline Rescue Society, Dorothy Fairweather, is a member of FRS. She assures us the money is much needed and greatly appreciated! So thanks again, this project was a great way for us to experience beliefs in action!
from the FRS Adult Education Committee
Vegetable Gardening for Health and Happiness
Thursday April 10, 7:30 - 9:00 p.m.
Led by Greg Garnache
Lower Meeting House
The main topics of discussion will be crop rotation, plant groupings, using flowers for plant protection and garden appearance, integration of garden into everyday lifestyle, and an overview of a typical gardening season.
The First Three Habits of Highly Effective People (Stephen Covey)
Thursdays, 6:00 - 8:00 p.m., April 24, May 1, and May 8
Led by Anne Dodge
Lower Meeting House
The first habit, being proactive, gives you concrete, practical tools for proactive decision making by helping you identify and separate those things you do have control over from those over which you have no control. Please come with a partner to this session.
The second habit, keeping the end in mind, has exercises that help you clarify your values and write a personal mission statement.
The third habit, putting first things first, shows you how do you prioritize your time now that you have a mission statement and know where you want to go. This session has an easy tool to help you put first things first.
a play
by FRS member Ron Pullins
presented by
The North Shore Readers' Theater Collaborative
on Saturday, April 12, 2008, at 10:00 a.m.
Death revisits the Porter family. Not long after his father has died, Charley and his brother return to Ice's Crossing-their small town Kansas home-to make arrangements for their aging mother, reliving the struggles of a splintered family in the presence of the inevitable. Details at http://www.ronpullins.com/TheaterCollaborative.htm.
At The Actors Studio of Newburyport located in Mill #1, Suite 5 in The Tannery, in downtown Newburyport on the corner of Federal and Water Streets.
In the Field of Experience: Natural Body, Natural Breath, Natural Mind
with Lama Choying Palmo
Saturday - April 19th - 12:30 - 4:30 p.m.
Old Center Hall, North Andover, MA 01845
| In the Tibetan Buddhist tradition, the most profound meditation is not about "not thinking" but rather it emerges and develops right in the midst of our moment-by-moment experience. Drawing especially from the Mahamudra and Dzogchen teachings, Lama Palmo will discuss and lead us in an exploration of "organic awareness" in order to deepen and enhance our spiritual practice. Appropriate for beginners as well as experienced practitioners. Suggested donation $35. Reduced rate for students and those in need. Lama Choying Palmo has spent the last twenty years studying and practicing with eminent teachers from all schools of Tibetan Buddhism. She has completed two of the traditional three-year retreats and has spent extensive time in Nepal, India and Tibet in study and service work. She is an associate teacher with Lama Surya Das in Dzogchen Center and is working towards a PhD in Tibetan Studies at Harvard University. |
 Lama Choying Palmo |
| For more information or to pre-register, contact Susan or Phil Malloy at malloyps@yahoo.com or at (978) 474-0823. | |
A Weekend of Spiritual Practice for Unitarian Universalists
If you are seeking more spirit, more balance in your life, or would just like some time away to deepen your inner connections, join us in a variety of spiritual practices designed to help you get in touch with the spirit within. These include prayer, meditation, art, music, movement, yoga, reiki, labyrinth walking, spiritual direction, and silent time, which at your choice may be a limited or more extended silence program.
Murray Grove, Lanoka Harbor, New Jersey
$290 double occupancy, including meals
Leaders Rev. Karen Foley and Rev. Craig Hirshberg are ordained UU ministers who have completed the Spiritual Direction program at Shalem Institute, Washington, DC.
609-693-5558 | murraygrove@murraygrove.org
http://www.murraygrove.org.
