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with a walnut top and marble insert.
For sale at FRS Auction on Saturday, May 3.
(Click Picture for more info.)
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
Welcoming Congregation Sunday
Mr. Barb Greve
"Courage From Necessity"
Guest preacher Mr. Barb Greve of The Unitarian Society, New Haven, CT., will speak on gender, a multilayered and complex piece of our identities. Barb, a lifelong Unitarian Universalist transgender guy, shares some of his insights and personal story. The Welcoming Congregation Committee will host the service.
Harold Babcock will be attending services at our Partner Church in Ujszekely, Transylvania (in Romania), this morning.
Steeple: The steeple lighting for this week has been donated by Amy and Myles Badger in loving memory of Mark Badger on the eleventh anniversary of his passing; he is still missed daily.
Flowers: The flowers this Sunday are given by Laurie Christiansen and Richard George in honor of their sixth wedding anniversary.
Ushers: Sherry Evans and Andrew Rosen.
Coffee Hour Hosts: Frank Drauszewski, John Eoll, Erik and Beth Eames, and Kelly and Peter McNamee.
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.
New Member Recognition Sunday
Rev. Harold E. Babcock
"Living for What You Believe"
This morning we will once again welcome new members (those who have decided to become legal voting members of the congregation and who have submitted an Application for Membership into the fellowship of the First Religious Society) in a Ceremony of New Member Recognition.
The sermon title is taken from a little quotation by June Jordan that crossed my desk a while back: "In addition to the traditional concept of true commitment that means you are willing to die for what you think is right, make equal space for the womanly concept of commitment that means you are willing to live for what you believe."
Steeple: The steeple lighting for this week has been donated by Barbara Burnim in memory of her husband, Bernard H. Burnim.
Flowers: The flowers this Sunday are given by the Dyer family in loving memory of grandpas Ed Elvin and John H. Dyer.
Ushers: Anne Dodge and Chuck Kennedy.
Coffee Hour Hosts: Howard and Dorothy Fairweather, Julia Farwell Clay, and David and Gillian Chatfield.
Collection for Cause: One half of the loose plate contributions for May will go the Turning Point Summer Camp Program. Here is an excerpt from Turning Point in response to a previous FRS contribution:
"It is a well known fact that we [at Turning Point] would not be able to provide the services that we do for our families without the support of our community. I am afraid that the truth of this statement has never been so glaringly evident as it is regarding this year's Children's Campership Fund campaign. I am grateful that your membership has us in your hearts and minds . . . on behalf of the children served by Turning Point, Inc.'s Division of Family Services, please extend our deepest gratitude to all who contributed to this year's campaign. We are grateful for the contribution, and again, we would not be able to provide summer camp experience for our deserving children were it not for the thoughtful and generous support of such caring people."FRS Current Events Forum: 9:30 in Lower Meetinghouse Conference Room. The topic is "Should the nominating process for the Democrats go to the convention?"
During the worship service on Sunday, May 4, 2008, we will welcome new members at a New Member Recognition Ceremony. To be listed as a new member in the order of service for May, please call (978) 465-0602, ext. 401, by April 30. 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.
Jazz Vespers
Madden & Co.
You can't make 'em move
if it ain't got that groove
Over the past seven months while working at the First Religious Society, I have become acutely aware of the difficult and delicate dance between my ministry and my family, between my work life and my personal life. Since I am inclined toward being a perfectionist and an overachiever, performing more than one role can become challenging. My time and experiences at the FRS continuously strengthen my call to ministry and my passion to serve a congregation. Concurrently my heart opens deeper and deeper to my family, perhaps in part because of my formation as a minister. I am falling in love with ministry as my love for my family grows. In his Prayer for Any Who Minister, UU minister Gordon McKeeman says, "In our souls is the unquenchable impulse toward the holy."
It is my desire for the holy that moves me inward and outward searching for meaning through ministry, with loved ones, and in community. The holy for me exists in all of my encounters. I am realizing that my ministry is cyclical. Snuggling with my daughter, chatting with my husband over a glass of wine, walking with my dog in the woods all feed and nourish my soul so I can be open and present with you. Being with you empowers and challenges me to be the best person I can be for you and for my family. I am slowly finding the interconnectedness of the holy in all of my roles.
It is the beginning of school vacation for my seven-year-old daughter, Selena, and my intention is to spend time with her this week playing. Also, this coming Sunday is Orthodox Easter, an important holiday for my Greek family. My daughter and I will be spending part of the week with my parents cooking traditional Greek foods and desserts to prepare for the large family gathering. The holiday is more a cultural tradition than a religious ritual. It is an opportunity for my extended family to be together. The older I get the more I realize how important my family is to me and how grateful I am for our Unitarian Universalist faith, which is actually helping to guide and shape the religious and spiritual life of my husband, daughter, and me. The FRS is a wonderful place for all seekers, and it is a place where people can grow as individuals and as families. Some of us come to the FRS alone, some with our families. My hope is that we all are nourished from our time at the FRS so that we can nourish those we love whether they are part of the FRS community or not. I am grateful that my life is flowing as a spiral of ministry between you, the holy, my family, and me.
Although I will be away from FRS much of the week, please know that I am always available to you through phone at (203) 435-6110 and by e-mail at omkrimkali@aol.com.
Those interested in preparing for membership or simply learning more about Unitarian Universalism or the FRS should sign up for "Getting to know UUism" on Sunday, April 27, at 12:00 noon in the Lower Meetinghouse Conference Room. Get a cup of coffee after church and come on down.
from 6:00 p.m. to 10:00 p.m. on Saturday, May 3, 2008
at the Annunciation Greek Church, 4 Harris Street, Newburyport
Wednesday, April 30: deadline for purchasing tickets, none sold thereafter because the caterer needs a specific number to begin preparations. Your $25.00 ticket includes entrance to the auction and your bidding number, dinner catered by the Carryout Cafe, and beverages for the evening.
Tuesday, April 29 at noon Lower Meeting House Story: "Exodus" by James Baldwin in God Stories edited by C. Michael Curtis |
Saturday, May 10 8:00 to 11:00 a.m.
Sign up to volunteer time or food |
Tuesday, May 6 at noon Lower Meeting House Story: "Design" by Richard Bausch in God Stories edited by C. Michael Curtis |
from The Pettengill House
March 26, 2008
Dear Friends: On behalf of the staff, volunteers and Board of Directors of The Pettengill House, Inc. please accept our heartfelft thanks for your recent donation of food.
As you are aware The Pettengill House, Inc. is a non profit, community social service agency providing assistance to men, women and children in the Greater Salisbury Community including Salisbury, Amesbury, Merrimac, Newburyport, West Newbury, Newbury, Rowley, Byfield and Groveland Massachusetts.
The mission of The Pettengill House, Inc. is to support and coordinate community services, empowering people of all ages through advocacy, prevention education and direct services.
Over the past year with community support, The Pettengill House, Inc. provided support services and interventions to 2,269 men, women and children 154 of whom were homeless. In addition our food pantry and Saturday Night Meals Program provided 98,032 meals.
Your generosity and support are truly appreciated and make a difference in the lives of many.
Sincerely, Deborah M. Smith, M.Ed., LSW.LADC Executive Director
from the FRS Adult Education Committee
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.
UU Tour of Emerson Country
Saturday, May 24, rain date May 31, 8:00am (sharp) - all day
Led by Harold Babcock
Meet at Newburyport Park & Ride, carpool, bring a lunch. Walk in the footsteps of famous Unitarians & Universalists:
- Harvard Divinity Hall Chapel, Emerson's famous address
- Mt. Auburn Cemetery, John Murray, William Ellery Channing, Dorothea Dix, and more
- Walden Pond, Thoreau's splendid isolation
- Concord's Sleepy Hollow Cemetery, Emerson, Thoreau, Alcott Family
- Old Manse in Concord & Concord Bridge
The Spring Rummage Sale (April 11 & 12) took in a record $1523.00, bringing the year's proceeds from rummage to $2,797.00, or 60% higher than the $1,750.00 budget projected. Well done, rummageers!
The rummage mavens, Florence Mercer and Anne Verret-Speck, thank their thirty-nine tireless workers: Lorraine Adelman, Ruth Allen, Barbara Bell, Linda & Will Buddenhagen, Karen Dardinksi, Jennifer Day, Vicki Dyer, Pam Erikson, Pam Fenner, Judith Grohe, Rinda Iascone, Penny Johnson, Janet & Roxie Kalashian, Steve & Justin Krusemark, Leslie Lipkind, Barbara MacBurnie, Annie Madden, Karen McCarty, John Mercer, Susan Moses, Judith Niles, Marjorie & Jerry Peterson, Carrie Plumer, Jane Purinton, Karen Soond, Leanna & Nemisia Sorcar, Forrest Speck, Anne Spraker, Maxine, Debbie & Samantha Steeves, P.J. Tetreault, Anne White, and Sheila W. Wotring. Thanks also go out to all of you generous donors and eager buyers. Start planning for next fall!
Does God really condemn loving homosexual relationships? Is the chasm separating Christianity from gays and lesbians too wide to cross? Is the Bible an excuse to hate? These questions and more are answered in this award-winning documentary movie, which brilliantly reconciles homosexuality and Biblical scripture - and reveals that religious anti-gay bias is based almost solely upon a misinterpretation of the Bible. Through the experiences of five very normal, Christian, American families - including those of former House Majority Leader Richard Gephardt and Episcopal Bishop Gene Robinson - we discover how people of faith handle the realization of having a gay child or family member.
Where: First Parish Church, 225 Cabot Street, Beverly
Admission: free
Unitarian Universalism and Class: A Faith for a Few?
by Mark W. Harris, Minister, First Parish of Watertown, Unitarian Universalist
Rev. Harris is the author of the Historical Dictionary of Untarian Universalism and of the UUA pamphlet "UU Origins: Our Historic Faith." He is also an adjunct professor at Andover Newton Theological School and Starr King School. Lectures are free and open to the public.
- A Class-bound Faith? Wednesday, April 30, 2008, 7:00 pm, at First Church in Boston, 66 Marlborough St., Boston
- Brahmin Culture for the Masses, Thursday, May 1, 2008, 7:00 p.m., at Harvard Divinity School, 45 Francis Ave., Cambridge
- Universalist Piety and a Classless Heaven, Tuesday, May 6, 2008, 7:00 pm, at King's Chapel Parish House, 64 Beacon St., Boston
- The Science of Salvation, Wednesday, May 7, 2008, 7:00 pm, at First Parish of Watertown, 35 Church St., Watertown
- A Faith for a Few?, Sunday June 29, 2008 at 1:30 p.m., at UUA General Assembly, Fort Lauderdale, Florida. Look for location in handbook
