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The Leadership Council at a retreat in January
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
Rev. Harold Babcock
"The Spirit's Healing Temple"
This Sunday marks the Christian holiday of Pentecost, or "Whitsunday." For our Transylvanian Unitarian brothers and sisters, Pentecost is one of the most important religious holidays of the church year. It is one of the four times during the year when they take communion. One of the central themes of Pentecost is conversion: turning toward a better life and toward being the better people we long to be. One of the ways that we can begin to do this is by opening our hearts to others in love and understanding. My sermon title is taken from a little quotation by Howard Thurman: "Our spirit's healing temple is someone else's available and understanding heart." The sermon will investigate what it would mean for each of us to become "the spirit's healing temple"-an appropriate theme for Mother's Day.
Steeple: The steeple lighting for this week has been donated by Polly Tesar in memory of Bob Tesar from his family.
Flowers: The flowers this Sunday are given by the Blagg and Staples family in loving memory of Deb's monther, Norma McGrath Blagg.
Ushers: Judith and Steve Grohe.
Coffee Hour Hosts: Kirby and Kim Gallagher, Greg and Catherine Garnache, and Bruce Esposito.
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.
Young Church Sunday
"I Am Only One, But Still I Am One"
This morning, some of our children and youth will lead us in worship through music, readings, and meditation. We will also honor our graduating high school seniors and 8th graders. Please join us.
Steeple: The steeple lighting for this week has been donated by Anne Dodge in memory of her grandfather, L. P. Dodge, and her mother, Anne Green.
Flowers: The flowers this Sunday are given by Barbara Eldridge, in loving memory of Arthur and Ruth Roche by their daughters, Linda, Buffy, and Barbara.
Ushers: Pat and Phil Hurzeler.
Coffee Hour Hosts: Pam Girardi, Eric and Gen Gootkind, Richard Gorski and Deborah Lewis, and Nick and Traci Gere.
FRS Current Events Forum: 9:30 in Lower Meetinghouse Conference Room.
Minister away: Harold will be in Sudbury attending the spring meeting of his ministers study group May 12 through 14.
Still a heck of a deal!
Please join us on Saturday, May 10, from 8:00 to 11:00 a.m. in the Parish Hall. On the menu are eggs, fried or scrambled, home fries, baked beans, fruit salad, lots of yummy pastries, and a variety of beverages. Adults are $6.00, children $5.00, with a family maximum of $20.00.
During the worship service on Sunday, May 4, 2008, we welcomed 26 new members at a New Member Recognition Ceremony, a number that may be an FRS record number. So a warm welcome to
Rebecca Brodish and Jay Iannini Thomas Hey and Barbara Catalano-Hey Jodi Delibertis Becky Dill and Ken Okaya Sarah Milliken and Jim Dooling Rachel and Robert Fitzgibbon Sarah Spaulding and Tim Fountain |
Trent and Stratton Lloyd Sandy Manley Ann McCrea Bruce and Julie Menin Marlyn Miller Niki Rosen Robert and Merrie Warner |
 Click picture for details. |
Congratulations to Nancy Sullivan, honored this spring as one of the Unsung Heroines selected by the Massachusetts Commission on the Status of Women. Nancy will be among 287 women honored at the statehouse on May 14. All of this seems fitting to us here at the FRS, but we're having a little trouble figuring out how Nancy, the wife of ace pianist Bob Allison, could be unsung. Whatever the case, we send long-term FRS member Nancy our warm congratulations and continuing affection.
The rough figures for the auction show a modern-day record: receipts of nearly $21,000, compared to a budget of $19,000. But much more important were the good feelings and the opportunity to be together in support of the FRS.
Party Time
Though you may not have been able to attend the auction, you can still get in on some of the action. Among the items auctioned off were spaces at a party from 7:00 to 9:00 p.m. on Sunday, June 22, at the home of FRS Music Director Frances Burmeister in Haverhill. The party features gourmet desserts, both alcoholic and nonalcoholic punches, and live music. This year the incomparable, multi-talented Bob Allison will entertain us by playing the mighty Bösendorfer piano. His shows feature classic tunes, some light rock, and witty repartee. A fun filled evening! The cost is $20 per space, and all proceeds go to the auction fund. To purchase your space at the party, call the church office at (978) 465-0602, x401.
UUA Association Sunday
On Association Sunday, February 24, the FRS raised $532.00 to send to the Unitarian Universalist Association. We received the following response from the UUA: "Dear Colleagues, We have received your congregation's Association Sunday collection. Thank you! Stay tuned for more information. Soon we will report out how much was raised during Association Sunday, including statistics and totals from your congregation and district. Best regards, Tom Klein, Gift Processor, UUA, Stewardship & Development
May 13, 2008 at 12:00 noon at the Parker River Refuge Center (6 Plum Island Turnpike, across from the Audubon building)
Bring your own brown bag lunch. |
Annual Reports due on May 15 |
Wednesday, May 28 at 7:15 p.m. Where we exercise the democratic principles we claim Potluck Dinner at 6:00 p.m. |
The FRS will again be running a book sale during Yankee Homecoming, on July 31, and August 1 and 2 It's not too early to start to save up your books and to check your calendar to see if you could volunteer to help.
from the FRS Adult Education Committee
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
A 16-year-old Iraqi boy is looking for a host family for the 2008-2009 academic year. Ihab is a superb student, interested in art and sports, but mostly in getting to know American culture and life. He would attend a local high school in the area and would be a junior. He is participating in a long-standing exchange program called YES. Ihab comes with many, many recommendations as to his character and academic strength. Please call FRS parishioner Jennifer Day or Mary Armstrong, Regional Manager of Pacific Intercultural Exchange (PIE).
New FRS member Audrey Healy likes to play duplicate bridge and is looking for a partner. She is willing to drive. If you're interested, call the church office at (978) 465-0602 x401.
UU Statewide Forum on Immigrant Rights
Saturday, May 10th, 11 a.m.-3 p.m.
Arlington Street Church, Boston
from the UUA Office for Congregational Advocacy & Witness
This Mother's Day Let's Honor ALL Our Families & Welcome Immigrants. Mother's Day is a time to honor mothers and families . . . but inhumane immigration laws and raids are tearing families apart, separating mothers from their children, creating fear and suffering in our immigrant communities.
We will hear from immigrants and immigrant rights organization Centro Presente (Elena Letona, Exec Director) and MA Interfaith Committee for Worker Justice (Board Chair & UU Jeb Mays). The award-winning 20 min. documentary Detained about the New Bedford ICE raid (Immigration & Custom Enforcement) will be shown.
Come learn about why President William Sinkford for the UUA & Dr. Charlie Clements for the UUSC have joined the Welcoming Massachusetts www.welcomingma.org campaign (Please join us & sign the pledge now!) and the UUA has endorsed the New Sanctuary Movement www.newsancturarymovement.org and what you and your congregation can do. See this flyer for more information and directions- http://www.uua.org/documents/aw/080510_welcoming_flyer.pdf
Our current immigration system keeps families apart, both through a huge backlog in family-based immigration, and through the unjust detention and deportation of immigrant mothers, fathers, brothers and sisters. As people of faith and conscience, our concern for family values means valuing and embracing ALL families. We hope that you and your congregation can participate.
Please RSVP to Audra Friend at afriend@uua.org. Be sure to include the name of your congregation and your town or city and put Immigrant Rights Forum in the subject line.
Wanted: Mature adult to staff Custom House Maritime Museum admissions and gift shop weekends, Saturday 11:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. or Sunday 12:00 noon to 4:00 p.m. Call FRS members Laurie Evans-Daly for more information.
Saturday, May 17, from 10:00 a.m. - 3:00 p.m.
At First Parish UU in Canton, MA
Celebrate . . . This event is jointly sponsored by the Mass Bay and Ballou Channing Districts.
- Uplifting worship and inspiring preachers with a differenct preacher each hour.
- Traditional and contemporary singing and musical offerings led by Jeannine Gagne and Matt Meyer.
- Facilitated small group discussions explore the theme of spirituality and faith in everyday life and give participants an opportunity for conversation and community with other UUs.
- Experiential and interactive religious education programs for children and youth. A different program is offered each hour.
Preaching: 10:00 Rev. Erik Wikstrom; 11:00 Rev. Victoria Weinstein; 1:00 Rev. Tim Kutzmark; 2:00 Rev. Parisa Parsa
Small Discussion Groups: Small discussion groups to explore in conversation with other UUs the theme of spirituality and faith in everyday life. Facilitators include the Rev. Ken Read-Brown (spiritual foundations from other religions), Rev. Deb Cayer (experiencing the spirit through poetry), Rev. Ed Hardy (spirituality and mindfulness), Peter Bowden (UU evangelism as a faith issue), and others.
Religious Education Programming: Experiential, interactive programming focusing on learning about Unitarian Universalist faith and values for children and youth ages 5 and over conducted by religious educators from the Mass Bay and Ballou Channing Districts. Programming starts at 10:00, 11:00, 1:00 and 2:00.
Lunch 12:00 - 1:00: Box lunches are available for purchase from our caterer with reservation, or bring your own picnic lunch. For more information, contact the MBD District Administrator at (617) 393-4216 or mbd@mbduua.org
