December Theme: Body, Mind, and Spirit
Annual Ministry Theme: Interconnectedness
SUNDAY, December 10, 2023
Pageant for All Ages
SERVICE STARTS at 10:30am
Sunday, December 10, 2023
Pageant for All Ages
Join us for this special multigenerational service, as we playfully retell the nativity story and enjoy our
choir singing cherished carols and hymns, including the FRS version of the “Twelve Days of Christmas”
led by Tim Fountain! “Coffee and Cocoa Hour” in the Lower Meetinghouse after the service.
10:30am in-person and on YouTube
Annual Candlelight Service
Sunday, December 17, 2023
7:15pm, brass prelude at 7pm, in-person and on YouTube
Join us for the annual Candlelight Service, a nearly 100-year-old Newburyport tradition. Anthems, motets, and carols for the season will be sung by the Candlelight Chorale, augmented by readings that celebrate the magic of Christmas. Join in on familiar congregational songs for Christmas, accompanied by brass and organ.
Christmas Eve Service
Sunday, December 24, 2023
5:30pm, in-person and on YouTube
All are welcome at our annual Christmas Eve Service for all ages to enjoy this beautiful time, together in community, remembering the true meaning of Christmas. Experience the peace of the season while hearing the Christmas story. The service will include Silent Night sung by candlelight. Everyone is invited to stay for caroling and hot cocoa, immediately following the service, on the steps in front of the church. Rev. Rebecca preaching and featuring guest musician Danny Harrington on saxophone.
2023 Holiday Welcome from Rev. Rebecca
Rev. Rebecca invites you to consider membership at the FRSUU.
New Member Sunday is January 7, 2023
Join Contemplating Membership session on Sunday, December 17th following worship service. In person and on Zoom. For more information, please email Cynthia.Walsh@frsuu.org.
The Latest News & Events
Holiday Cookie Walk & Historic Church Tours
When: Friday, December 8, 4-8pm in the Lower Meetinghouse, during the 2nd Downtown Newburyport Invitation Night. Shop our huge assortment of homemade holiday cookies, all baked with love. They are ideal gifts or perfect for your own holiday celebrations. $3 per bag of...
Monthly UU Discussion Group
When: Tuesday, December 5 from 6-7:30pm in the Lower Meetinghouse (meets the 1st Tuesday of every month) Decembers Discussion: Rituals and Other Ways to Remember Everyone is invited to drop in for our monthly discussion group about Unitarian Universalism. This month...
Jazz Vespers – Wednesday, December 6, 2023
Jazz Vespers Service Wednesday, December 6, 2023, 8pm, Sanctuary and livestream on YouTube Danny Harrington and Rusty Scott (baritone sax and piano respectively) will be joining us for Jazz Vespers on December 6, at 8pm in the Sanctuary. There will also be a brief...
Special Pop-Up Concert “Sounds of the Season” by the Bluebird Performance Venue
Saturday Dec. 16th 6:30pm – 7:30pm in the FRS Sanctuary Featuring award winning artists: Wyndham Hill Pianist, Rebecca Harrold and classical guitarist Scott Ouellette. $10 cash donation for admission if possible. All are welcome regardless of ability to pay for...
Looking Toward the 4th Century
The Congregational Insight Team will host a series of workshops that will provide an opportunity for your voice to be heard to create together our dreams and wishes for our beloved community as we enter our 4th Century. Workshops will be held on the following dates...
The Steeple Newsletter
Wednesday, November 29, 2023, edition here.
UU Wellspring Program Beginning in January 2024
When: First and Third Tuesdays, 9-11am; begins January 16 in the Lower Meetinghouse UU Wellspring is a spiritual deepening course for Unitarian Universalists. It is a program that explores how the foundations of our faith support us throughout our life. It offers an...
In the Spirit: Beyond words, beyond beliefs, we are interconnected
By Reverend Rebecca M. Bryan Republished with permission from The Daily News of Newburyport in which the column originally ran on September 22, 2023. Every year, my congregation focuses on one theme that we explore and learn about together. We intend that the...
Friday Book Group
When: Fridays from 10-11:30am, Lower Meeting House, Room A and on Zoom We meet weekly and read both fiction and non-fiction books chosen by the participants. Each book is read and discussed over a period of several meetings, with the reading for each determined by the...