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 Northern Lights to Appear at Finch Coffee House on Friday, November 21 Click here for more information |
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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 |
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Julie Parker Amery "On Angelina's Passing" Recently, our family experienced the loss of our daughter's imaginary friend, Angelina. Though it was a more significant event than I would have imagined, I have begun to view the loss as an expression of our third UU principle, which calls for an acceptance for one another and encouragement to spiritual growth. The Young Church Choir will sing at this service. I hope to see you in church! - Julie Parker Amery Director of Religious Education (Harold Babcock is in Transylvania this weekend bringing greetings from the UU Partner Church Council at the 440th anniversary celebration of Transylvanian Unitarianism.) Steeple Lighting: The steeple lighting for this week has been donated by Pat Skibbee and Michael Fosburg in fond and thankful memory of Ralph Lang and Bob and Euvenza Fosburg. Flowers: The flowers this Sunday are given by Susan Nickerson in memory of her parents, Robert M. and Josephine P. Driver, and sister, Henrietta Larson. Ushers: Linda and Will Buddenhagen. Coffee Hour Hosts: Erik and Beth Eames, John Eoll, and Howard and Dorothy Fairweather. Collection for Cause: Community Service of Newburyport, a privately funded agency that provides food, clothing and emergency relief to those in need in the Newburyport area. FRS Current Events Forum: 9:30 in Lower Meetinghouse Conference Room. Topic - "Considering the Presidential Election" Thanksgiving Sunday Rev. Harold Babcock "Giving Thanks for What Is, and Was" An anonymous poet has written, "In a year when much was given, / much was taken, too, / so we who pause and give thanks / for what now is, / think, too, of what once was, / and we are grateful for / the threads of lives gone by, / threads that enrich the fabric / of this, the life we know." I truly believe that giving thanks is a necessity. The sermon will investigate. - Harold Babcock Steeple Lighting: The steeple lighting for this week has been donated by Marj, Sabrina, and Harold Babcock in loving memory of Marj's mother, Gertrude, on her birthday November 30, and of Philip Babcock. Flowers: The flowers this Sunday are given by Carolyn Dawson in loving memory of her parents, Arthur and Nan Kemp. Ushers: Richard Daly and Laurie Evans Daly. Coffee Hour Hosts: Julia Farwell-Clay, David and Gillian Chatfield, Rae Mathieu and Peter Busher, and Michael Fosburg and Pat Skibbee. Annual Interfaith Thanksgiving Service The Rev. John Burciaga "We Are All Pilgrims" The First Religious Society is the host for this year's annual interfaith Thanksgiving service, provided by the Clergy Association of Greater Newburyport. (Singers are invited to participate in the pick-up choir, directed this year by Barbara Owen.) Post-election thought for the day: "We must love them both. Those whose opinions we share and those whose opinions we reject, for both have labored in the search for truth and both have helped us in the finding of it." - Thomas Aquinas In Praise of (in Search of) Volunteers Deeds Jon Steeves, head of the Building Committee, who has labored mightily and effectively in the new Teen Room, has replaced some fixtures in the choir area, and has performed other needed repairs. Rochelle Perry-Platine, who lent her very spooky decorations to the $pooky Sock Hop and who designed and brought to fruition the new Partner Church bulletin board, in the Parish Hall.
Needs Auction request - WANTED: Egg Coordinator - Someone to coordinate the procurement of gift certificates for the 2009 FRS Auction. You know, the eggs with the prizes inside? And the one with the Bling? It's a simple job. You need to be good at delegating (getting other people to go out and get the certificates). And you'll need to coordinate the list of donors and procurers. No previous experience necessary. Please call the church office at (978) 465-0602, x401. Nursery Additions - There are available some foam cushions, four pieces 40" long 4 x 4 ½ and four 25" long 4 x 4 ½. These could be used in the nursery if we can find people to sew and material to cover. If you are interested in taking part, get in touch with Cecilia Healy at caphealy@comcast.net. For its holiday term, young church is looking for items to use in its curriculum. If you have any of the following to donate, please leave them in the office of Julie Parker Amery, Director of Religious Education, downstairs in the lower meetinghouse: metal coffee cans, empty milk or juice cartons (all sizes), empty frozen juice containers, small glass jars (baby-food jars, etc.), canning jars with lids and rings, old oven mitts, old wooden spoons, old set of measuring cups and spoons. We would also like to borrow any of the following: binoculars, magnifying glasses, field guide to North American birds, cutting boards, kitchen knives. We will TRY very hard to return these in good condition, but can't guarantee doing so, so older, less valuable items are preferable. from the FRS Adult Education Committee Gay Parenting Sunday, November 16, 12:00 - 1:30 in the Lower Meeting House Facilitated by people who've been there, this workshop will be a discussion of the joys and challenges of gay and lesbian parenting. Light refreshments served. from the FRS Community Human Services Committee For several years the FRS has supported the Thursday evening Friendship Table at the Salvation Army by providing home-cooked meals. We will continue this tradition beginning in January. The good news is there are several new community groups sponsoring the Friendship Table. When contacted in July, the Salvation Army already had commitments from various local groups through December. The 2009 dates we will be providing meals are January 15th, March 26th, and May 21st. Please mark these dates on your calendar and plan to cook for a good cause. For more information, call Ginger Bard. Serving the Congregation Liberally Both Hospitality veterans and rookies should make your calendars for 9:30 on Sunday, November 23, when there will be a short meeting of the Hospitality Committee. The meeting will be in the Lower Parish Hall, and all are welcome to attend. - Leanna Sorcar Chair, FRS Hospitality Committee The 2008 Fall Rummage Sale (October 24 & 25) took in over $1300.00. Well done, rummageers! The rummage mavens, Florence Mercer and Anne Verret-Speck, thank their thirty-six tireless workers: Lorraine Adelman, Cindy Armstrong, Barbara Bell, Linda & Will Buddenhagen, Beth Cawley, Jennifer Day, Vicki Dyer, Pamela Erickson, Judith Grohe, Rinda Iascone, Janet & Roxie Kalashian, Steve Krusemark, Leslie Lipkind, Barbara & Duncan MacBurnie, Annie Madden, John Mercer, Alex Mezey, Susan Moses, Ann Petersen, Marjorie Peterson, Ann Power, Leanna Sorcar, Forrest & Teddy Speck, Anne Spraker, Maxine, Debbie & Samantha Steeves, P.J. Tetreault, Anne White, and Cynthia Williams. Thanks also go out to all of you generous donors and eager buyers. Start planning for the next sale on April 2 & 3, 2009! Saturday, November 15 9:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. This event is sponsored by the Religious Education Committee, in an effort to bring together people of all ages to do good work in our community. Families and individuals are heartily invited to help with service projects such as yard cleanups for homebound folks and odd jobs for local social service agencies. This is a great, simple way to put your faith into action, while getting to know other FRSers. Please let me know if you plan to participate. Also, let me know if you know of anyone who could benefit from our help or if you have an idea for a project. Thanks! - Julie Parker Amery from the FRS Committee on the Ministry The Committee on Ministry would like to hear your thoughts about the experience of having a ministerial intern, Christina Sillari, here during the last church year. We will hold a short discussion after church on November 30 in the lower sanctuary. Please come and share your opinions and experiences. If you can't attend the meeting, please feel free to share your comments with one of the Ministry Committee members: Mike Dorsey, Peg Nicol, Bill Zarakas, and Nancy Crochiere. You can email your thoughts to Nancy at ncrochiere@comcast.net. We would like to hear from many people, even if it's just a brief comment or note. The $pooky $ock Hop on November 1 was an excellent first dance event: it raised $685.00 to reduce the deficit, brought out thirty or so great dancers, and introduced us to the sometimes alarming tastes of four of our parishioners who bought super tickets and thus were allowed to take over the DJ slot for five songs. Given this apparent success and the lessons learned, we are hard at work planning the next dance: A Heart-$haped Dance on Saturday, February 14. Put it on the calendar now. - Ann Power and John Mercer, who *believe* in the power of dance Would you like to help decorate the church for Christmas? To contribute to the FRS's Christmas arrangement, you may order poinsettias in memory or in celebration of friends or loved ones. A list of donors will be included in the Steeple Biweekly and the Order of Service. The cost is $10.00 for a small plant and $25.00 for a large one. You may pick up your plants after the December 21st Candlelight Service to enjoy in your home. You can also just donate them to help decorate the church. To order, please supply the information called for on this form to the church office before Friday, December 5. If you have any questions, please call the church office (978) 465-0602, x401. Your Name: _________________________________________________ Amount enclosed: _______________ Small Poinsettia __ Large Poinsettia __ Wording: _________________________________________________
from the FRS Community Human Services Committee 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 soups, and canned meats (spam, chicken, deviled ham, tuna). Please be sure that expiration dates are current. The need has grown substantially this year, and whatever you can drop off will be greatly appreciated. If you would prefer to make a donation, we will do the shopping. If you have any questions, please contact me. We thank you for your support. - Linda Buddenhagen Northern Lights Friday, November 21 at 8:00 p.m. The Finch Coffeehouse's November offering will be Northern Lights: Northern Lights, the Northeast's superlative veteran string band, doesn't qualify as typical traditionalist. But over a three-decade career, the band has created its own tradition - a constant exploration of new musical territory without ever losing its acoustic and vocal bearings. From 1990's "Take You to the Sky," to 2005's "New Moon" (Fifty-Fifty Music), the band has fused an eclectic mix of traditional roots music, rock, country, soul and gospel with the high, lonesome vocal sound and instruments of bluegrass. - from http://www.northernlightsband.comTake it from those who know - if you have an ounce of affection for bluegrass, this is the right show for you at the right place for you, your Parish Hall. Doors open at 7:00 p.m. Atkinson Inn and Golf Club in Atkinson, NH Wednesday, November 19, at 12:00 noon To car pool, meet at Hymans Shoes 11:30 a.m. To confirm, call Peggy Mays. 6 Mt. Vernon Place Boston, MA, 02108 (617) 948 4679 - Fax (617) 742-1364 The Eliot & Pickett Houses offer the charm and style of bed & breakfast lodging in the heart of Boston. Located at the top of historic Beacon Hill, just steps from the Boston Commons, both houses are typical of the 1830's style brick town houses, cozy yet stately. The pleasant, high-ceilinged rooms are decorated in a style appropriate to the period. Each room is distinctively appointed, and features one queen size bed or two double size beds. Eliot and Pickett Houses are centrally air conditioned, and most rooms have a modern private baths and clock radios. The two houses include 20 guest rooms. The kitchens are fully stocked for your complimentary, self-serve breakfast and are available for preparing other meals (if you want to feel truly at home).We also provide a roof deck, piano, and a living room for reading or watching cable television. Both Eliot and Pickett houses are non-smoking facilities.
Non-Committee and youth group rates:
Friday, November 14 - 3:45 - 6:00 p.m. Saturday, November 15 - 10:00 AM - 3:00 p.m. Rupert A. Nock Middle School 70 Low Street, Newburyport Attendees of the Green Expo can look forward to a broad range of businesses presenting products, services and useful information that promote healthier, more sustainable practices to both the business and residential community alike. The Expo will educate attendees in a family-friendly, non-partisan atmosphere on environmental matters and movements. For more information, see http://newburyportchamber.org/green.shtml. Saturday, November 15th from 9:00 a.m. to 12 noon First Parish Church in Weston In a time where many of us have grown weary of news from the conflicts in the Middle East and beyond, our military service members are continuing to serve overseas for months at a time. As they work from abroad, many must leave behind loved ones who themselves now face their own struggles and hardships. Learn to better support military families in your community by understanding the deployment cycle and its impact on children and families, and by being aware of the resources available to our service-members and their loved ones. National Guard and Reserve families, in particular, do not have the resources and the neighborhood camaraderie offered to many active duty families. As community leaders, youth workers, educators, clergy, coaches, and neighbors, we are invited to serve as able and ready members in their network of support. Join representatives from Operation: Military Kids and the MA Army National Guard Chaplain Corps on Saturday, November 15, 2008 from 9:00 a.m. - 12:00 p.m. at First Parish Church in Weston (349 Boston Post Rd), to gain the skills and knowledge necessary to best support the military families in your own backyard. Please RSVP or direct any questions to Kelly Cummins at intern@firstparishweston. A $10 donation is suggested. Seminarians and students are invited as well ($5 donation suggested.) Light refreshments will be served. A Talk by Bill McKibben Thursday, November 20th, 2008, at 7:00 p.m. Wilson Chapel, Andover Newton Theological Seminary, Newton, MA The most recent science tells us that unless we can reduce the amount of carbon dioxide in the atmosphere to 350 parts per million, we will cause huge and irreversible damage to the earth. Solutions exist. All around the world, a movement is building to take on the climate crisis, to get humanity out of the danger zone and below 350. This movement is massive, it is diverse, and it is visionary. We are activists, scholars, and scientists. We are leaders in our businesses, our churches, our governments, and our schools. We are clean energy advocates, forward-thinking politicians, and fearless revolutionaries. And we are united around the world, driven to make our planet livable for all who come after us. - Bill McKibben Bill McKibben is an American environmentalist and writer who frequently writes about global warming, alternative energy, and the risks associated with human genetic engineering. Beginning in the summer of 2006, he led the organization of the largest demonstrations against global warming in American history. McKibben is active in the Methodist Church. He has been awarded Guggenheim and Lyndhurst Fellowships, and won the Lannan Prize for nonfiction writing in 2000. He has honorary degrees from Green Mountain College, Unity College, Lebanon Valley College and Sterling College. For more information please go to http://www.uumassaction.org Full Moon Drum Circle with Jane Gossard Thursday, November 13 - 7:00 p.m. North Parish Church, North Andover Drumming is one of the oldest activities that human beings have used to experience and express their connection to the Divine. Come and enjoy the uplifting, joyful, healing power of the drumming circle. No experience with drumming is necessary. Everyone has a drummer inside. All you need is a drum to find him/her. Drums and rhythm instruments will be provided, but if you have a drum or rhythm instrument of your own bring it along. (A small plastic bottle with beans inside makes a great shaker!) If you've ever longed to get your hands on a drum, if you like to move when you hear a beat, whether it be as simple as clapping your hands or tapping your feet, or if you're just plain curious, then come. Most of the people in Jane's circles have never drummed before. All have discovered the joy of speaking with a new voice - the voice of the drum! Jane Gossard has led drumming circles for people of all ages. She also leads drumming circles for special events including Faith and the Arts Family Festival at West Parish Church in Andover, MA. Currently she leads monthly drumming circles at the Rolling Ridge Retreat Center in North Andover and the Andover Senior Center. Donation: $15 adults, $5 Children 10 and under Thursday, November 20 from 11:00 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. Please join religious leaders, clergy, staff and lay members in reflection, information and resource on the urgent and inter-related problems of energy costs, climate instability and economic decline. Sponsored by the Mass Council of Churches and UU Mass Action, the Summit will be held: Where: Plymouth Congregational Church, Framingham, 87 Edgell Road, near intersection of I-95 and I-90 just west of Boston Donation: $40 (included lunch and resource materials) RSVP to Rev. Jack Johnson, council@masscouncilofchurches.org. For more information please go to http://www.uumassaction.org  |