Welcome

Welcome to First Religious Society, a place where you will be welcomed regardless of your age, religion, race, gender, sexual orientation, or socio-economic status. A place where you can grow spiritually, morally and intellectually. Join us as we celebrate our 300th anniversary.

Welcome

Welcome to First Religious Society, a place where you will be welcomed regardless of your age, religion, race, gender, sexual orientation, or socio-economic status. A place where you can grow spiritually, morally and intellectually. Join us as we celebrate our 300th anniversary.

Welcome

Welcome to First Religious Society, a place where you will be welcomed regardless of your age, religion, race, gender, sexual orientation, or socio-economic status. A place where you can grow spiritually, morally and intellectually. Join us as we celebrate our 300th anniversary.

Annual Ministry Theme: Truth

SUNDAY, July 13, 2025

One More Step

Attend on YouTube

Service Starts

AT 10AM

Sunday, July 13, 2025
One More Step
10am in the Sanctuary with livestream on YouTube

The inspiration for this Sunday’s sermon comes from the writings of the late Maxine Steeves, wife of the late Rev. Bertrand Steeves, FRSUU minister from 1956-1994. Having been a personal witness to the times during which Maxine and Bert lived and ministered, FRSUU member Sue Ellen Creed hopes to draw a through line of real activism here at the FRSUU for all. Via Maxine’s stories, may we hear a call to action and do all that we are able to meet today’s challenges.

“The past has its own terrible inevitability. But it is never too late to change the future.” -Heather Cox Richardson

Attend on YouTube

The FRSUU Business Office will be closed on Mondays and Fridays during the summer.

Sunday Worship – Summer 2025
Services start at 10am
Sanctuary with livestream on YouTube

Join us for summer worship! Services will be held on June 29, July 13, July 20, and July 27. On July 6, FRS will participate in the annual community reading of Frederick Douglass’s speech, “What to the Slave is the Fourth of July?” Rev. Rebecca will preach on August 24 at First Congregational Society UU in Hampton Falls, NH.

View the full Summer Worship Schedule HERE.

View the Summer Programming Schedule HERE.

Rev. Rebecca’s Faithful Response After the Election

The Latest News & Events

Centering Prayer Group

Wednesdays, May 28 - July 9 Centering Prayer Group LMH Room A, 10-11am Join Rev. Jane Tuohy and Cynthia Tolbert for a Centering Prayer Group on Wednesdays at 10am in Lower Meetinghouse Room A through July 9. Centering Prayer will be on hiatus after July 9 for the...

In the Spirit: “When the world is on fire” by Reverend Rebecca M. Bryan

Published in The Daily News on April 11, 2025 The recent months have ushered in tremendous and devastating changes in our country. Our democracy, government agencies and international relations, which we assumed were staples of our nation, are being torn...

Exploring Elderhood Together: Better Vision, Movement, and Balance

Thursday, April 17, LMH Main Room, 1-2:30pm. Exploring Elderhood presents: An Experiential Program to Support Better Vision, Movement, and Balance with Ree Coleman We are all keenly aware of our sense of sight and how our sight and eyes support us each day. Also...

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Tour the FRS Campus and Buildings

Follow our drone footage as we fly to the top of FRS’s steeple featuring a glass-eyed gilded weathercock which overlooks downtown Newburyport and Merrimack River. From there, you’ll get a first-hand look at our campus grounds and the interior of our meetinghouse and Sanctuary which dates back to 1801. Rev. Rebecca, our Senior Minister, welcomes you and ALL who seek a place of spiritual community and faith here. Organ music provided by former Director of Church Music Justin Murphy-Mancini on our 1834 Joseph Alley organ. Piano music provided by Director of Church Music Nick Place. We close with a view of the bell from the foundry of Paul Revere and Sons bell.