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This Week
  Paul Dykstra (piano) and Beth Pearson (cello) appearing in the Wilson Concert Series on Sunday, March 8, at 4:00 p.m.. [Click on picture for more info] |
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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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Rev. Robin Zucker "Keep Your Fork: A Sermon Towards Optimism" We've been hearing a lot this past year about "hope." How is "hope" different from "optimism," especially in our current climate of dread? In this sermon, on the morning we spring forward with our clocks, the Rev. Robin L. Zucker will encourage us to spring forward in our lives, as we explore the personal and universal benefits of grounded optimism. (Harold Babcock is in Transylvania attending the installation of the new Bishop of the Transylvanian Unitarian Church, Ferenz Balint Benczedi, on behalf of the Unitarian Universalist Partner Church Council.) Steeple Lighting: The steeple lighting for this week has been donated by Elaina and David Sayles in celebration of their families. Their generosity, support and love are always appreciated. Flowers: The flowers are donated by Anne and Alec White in loving memory of Grace Van Winkle Weld, Penelope Weld White, and Harold T. White. Ushers: Jessica Brown and Brent Mitchell. Coffee Hour Hosts: Kary and Matt Moscardini, Tom and Susan Moses, Walt Mott, and Barbara Moynahan. Collection for Cause: During March, one half of the loose plate will be donated to Pennies for Poverty: 2 Cents 4 Change, whose purpose is fundraising, promoting volunteerism, and raising awareness about poverty in Newburyport. Stewardship Sunday Rev. Harold Babcock "Growing Into Stewardship: Opportunity and Challenge" This morning we will kick-off our annual stewardship drive. This year, a small group of newcomers and old-timers has been hard at work to form a new vision of what stewardship ought to look like in the context of our church, the First Religious Society in Newburyport. They have tried to think about all the reasons we come to our church in the first place, and about what is really needed to build and support a beloved community here at the FRS. My sermon title is borrowed from this year's stewardship campaign and brochure. I look forward to sharing a new vision of stewardship with you! The music for this service will be performed by four sisters who grew up in this church: Gay, Beth, Loren, and Lea Pearson. They dedicate their performance today to the memory of their father, a longtime FRS member, Dr. Robert Pearson, about whom Gay writes: "My father devoted his latter years to learning about jazz harmony and improvisation by himself, through a Boston area teacher and through me, and I inherited a wealth of material from him. He would have loved to hear this program in this church which he loved attending and in which he loved to perform." - Harold Babcock Steeple Lighting: The steeple lighting for this week has been donated by Patrice O'Brien and Peter Litwin in memory of their parents and brother, Jackie, Bob and John O'Brien, and Ira Litwin. Flowers: The flowers are donated by Nathan Wilbur and Merryl Maleska Wilbur. Ushers: Michael Fosburg and Pat Skibbee. Coffee Hour Hosts: Steve and KC Swallow, Susan Swanson-Spellman, Stan Barrett and Leslie Lawrence, and Amy Wallace. Current Events Forum: 9:30 in Lower Meetinghouse Conference Room. The topic is "We have a Bill of Rights, Should We Have a Bill of Responsibilities?" Lunch with the Minister We will resume at noon on Tuesday, March 17, with the short story, "Zeal," by J. F. Powers. All are welcome!
Looking ahead to March 22 Sunday, March 8, at 4:00 p.m. Newburyport cellist Beth Pearson will join Canadian pianist Paul Dykstra to present a program featuring works by Chopin, Schubert, Bach, and Rachmaninoff. Born in Newburyport, Beth received a bachelor of music degree from Oberlin Conservatory, was a Tanglewood Fellow, and studied primarily with George Neikrug. She began her professional life as a founder and cellist of the Apple Hill Chamber Players, and has performed thousands of chamber music concerts throughout the United States. Solo recital appearances include Lincoln Center and the Gardner Museum. In the cello concerto medium, Beth has been soloist with the New England String Ensemble, the Cambridge Symphony, the Brookline Symphony and many other ensembles. As a freelance cellist, she has performed with the Boston Symphony, the Chamber Symphony of San Francisco, Emmanuel Music, and the Cantata Singers. Born in Canada, Paul Dykstra's passions are romanticism in all its forms, progressive rock, melodic jazz, and the masterpieces of the great composers. He studied advanced piano with Lillian Upright and Helmut Brauss and has performed solo, duo, chamber music, and concertos with orchestra. Mr. Dykstra has an extensive teaching career. Suggested donations are $15, $10 for seniors, free for children and students. Parish Hall Saturday, March 14, 2008 at 7:00 p.m. Volunteer to Perform - It's not about the talent; it's about the variety. Call to 978-465-0602, x401, to volunteer. Be There - And appreciate the amazing variety, even the talent. The Camera's Voice: traditional and digital images Come join Pat Bashford at a show of her work at the Newburyport Art Association's Wings Gallery, located at Chase and Lunt, 47 State Street, Newburyport. The show runs from March 2 to March 31, and there is an artist's reception, with wine and cheese, on Friday, March 13, from 5:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. Sunday, March 15, from 12:00 noon to 1:00 p.m. Lower Meetinghouse Local artist and teacher Ann McCrea will help bring out our inner artists! Ann begins with a story, then we all get to make a sculpture out of terra cotta clay, which can be painted when dried. This is a first for us-we have not in recent memory offered an experiential art experience for people of all ages (actually, ages five and up, please). Ann is a real pro, and we're so lucky to have her join us. You can check out her website at http://amcreatingart.com/. Please contact Julie Parker Amery by March 11 if you plan to attend. Childcare for children under age five can be arranged. March 10 at noon in the Parish Hall "Contemporary Parents Bearing Witness to the Developing Spirituality of Their Young Adult Children" Panel discussion with the parents of students who traveled to Transylvania in the summer of 2008 Retired Guys Out to Lunch morph to Romeos At a regular meeting of the group on February 17 at The American Barbeque, Rowley, with 14 members present, Les Ferlazzo made a motion to change the name of our group from Retired Guys Out to Lunch to Retired Old Men Eating Out, or Romeos. The motion carried, on a voice vote. There will be a "Let's Have a Seder" meeting on Sunday, March 8 at 11:45 in the Lower Meetinghouse. This is a preliminary meeting of some FRS members who would like to hold a traditional Seder here in April. Please come, no obligations, and help brainstorm this event. The seder will be for families and adults and eventually will need volunteers for research and cooking. March 8 is a think-tank meeting. - Judith Grohe
PENNIES FOR POVERTY: 2 CENTS 4 CHANGE is looking for volunteers to help with its upcoming food drive at Shaws Supermarket, Port Plaza, Newburyport. We will be holding a food drive at Shaw's in Newburyport to collect non-perishable foods and needed items to be distributed to local food pantries. The dates of the food drive are Friday, Saturday and Sunday, March 27, 28 and 29, 2009 with distribution of the food to take place on Monday morning, March 30, from the Belleville Church, 300 High Street, Newburyport. Please email or call me with your availability, and I'll sign you up. Many, many thanks, Eleanor Turke
Volunteer Coordinator - 2 Hours 4 Change (978) 337-0364 The Mass Bay District Board invites you to participate in our Annual Meeting from 8:30 to 10:00 a.m. immediately before our Spring Conference on April 25, 2009, at the Bentley Conference Center. We ask each member congregation of the Mass Bay District to identify three delegates - lay members and/or settled ministers - who can join us in conversation about the purpose of the District, receive the reports about District activities, learn about the use of your District dues, and elect District leadership. Ideally your delegates would include people who are active leaders in your congregation interested in the broader impact of Unitarian Universalism in our area. (Members of the FRS may call Vicki Dyer at 978-465-0602, x401, to state their interest in being delegates.) We are pleased to offer delegates breakfast at this event and encourage them to stay for the remainder of the day for our Spring Conference on the theme "Seeking Wholeness in a Fragmented World." Individuals who are not delegates may attend the Annual Meeting, though they will not be permitted to vote on district business. The conference runs from 10:30 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. The fee of $50 includes lunch (scholarships available). This is an opportunity for you to join in a day of worship, reflection, community and renewal with other UUs in our district. Rev. Dr. Terasa Cooley, District Executive, will lead us in interactive processes that help us experience and claim our wholeness despite confusion and chaos, step more courageously into our spiritual leadership as people of faith, live the values these times are challenging us to embrace, and identify the practices that can help us connect more intentionally to the sacred, each other and the wider world. To see more information and to register, go to www.mbduua.org. Please call our office at (617) 393-4216 or email us at mbd@mbduua.org with any questions you may have. from the FRS Denominational Affairs Committee The UUA General Assembly (GA) is the yearly gathering of congregational delegates who make the big decisions about the work of the Association. But GA is much more than that. It's an opportunity for all UUs
GA has now incorporated "UU University" into its programming time. Until now UU University was held just before GA for those interested in developing their leadership skills. This program became so popular the GA Planning Committee decided to make it accessible to all who come to GA. Nine hours of GA programming will be dedicated to UU University, which allows you to participate in one of six tracks: Stewardship, Multigenerational, Multicultural, Governance, Justice, and Theology. Other programming at GA this year includes a range of dynamic offerings
The Unitarian Universalist United Nations Office's Annual Spring Seminar April 16 - 18, 2009, in New York City This spring, we invite you to join us to explore the roles of religion and faith in advancing and hindering human rights. Learn what we can do to overcome these obstacles. Experience the United Nations and engage in a unique interfaith dialogue on human rights and taking action. For more information, look at our website www.uu-uno.org. Email any questions to springseminar@gmail.com. St. Patrick's Weekend, Saturday, March 14th First Parish of Newbury, 20 High Road, Newbury, MA Featuring comedian Jimmy Smith, Julie Dougherty & Band, Justin Quinn & Band, and The Goodhues Band. Social Hour from 5:00 to 6:45; the music begins at 7:00. Tickets are $15.00 in advance and $20.00 at the door. For more information, see http://www.firstparishofnewbury.org/news/concert.htm or contact Debbie at (978) 465-5597 or fpnsecretary@aol.com. Tess Archibald of Girl Scout troop 195, West Newbury, is hoping for donations of gently used stuffed animals and Beanie Babies, to be placed in the cardboard box(es) in the Parish Hall. All donations will benefit homeless children. Donations will be accepted through Sunday, March 15. Thanks so much. - Marilyn and Tess Archibald
Based on statements approved by the General Assembly, an analysis of how we can be most effective, and a commitment to be accountable to traditionally marginalized communities, the Unitarian Universalist Association of Congregations has established the following legislative priorities for the two year session of the 111th Congress.
Economic and Racial Justice
Environmental Justice
Gender and Sexual Justice
International Justice This list is subject to change. For the latest social justice resources, see www.uua.org/socialjustice  |