April Theme: Kindness
Annual Ministry Theme: Interconnectedness
SUNDAY, April 21, 2024
Hope on Earth Day
SERVICE STARTS at 10:30am
Sunday, April 21, 2024
Hope on Earth Day
10:30am in person and on YouTube
The Green Team will lead our annual Earth Day Service along with Reverend Rebecca and our guest speaker Erika Spanger. Erika is the Director of Strategic Climate Analytics with the Union of Concerned Scientists (UCS) and will be speaking about hope–specifically finding, holding, and harnessing hope amidst the loss and injustice, the anger and grief of climate change.
“A single act of kindness throws out roots in all directions, and the roots spring up and make new trees.”
Amelia Earhart
Justice Sunday with Soup & Salad Lunch!
Following worship service, everyone is welcome to join us for soup and salad. Rev. Rebecca and Erika Spanger will hold an open conversation about facing the climate crisis from the intersecting views of science and spiritual practice.
In Memoriam
Reverend Helen M. Murgida (1943-2024)
It is with great sadness that we grieve the sudden and tragic death of our beloved Affiliate Minister, Reverend Helen Murgida. This is a journey of healing that will take a long time, and we have the time and love we need to do this together. This situation is something we can all relate to regardless of whether we knew Rev. Helen. It is also apt to touch into other losses you have experienced recently or long ago. All of this is normal.
We will be together in the ebbs and flows of all that lies ahead, and we will be stronger as a religious community for it. We bereaved are not alone. We belong to the largest company in all the world – the company of those who have known suffering.
– Helen Keller
Introducing Our New Assistant Minister of Congregational Life!
Reverend Laurel Gray
We are excited to introduce Reverend Laurel Gray, our new Assistant Minister of Congregational Life! Reverend Laurel’s ministry will focus on three primary areas of church life: membership, adult faith formation and programming, and supporting Mara Flynn, Director of Youth and Children’s Ministry, in creating vibrant children’s, youth, and young adult religious education and programming. She will also preach over the course of the year and serve in Rev. Rebecca’s absence for vacation and study leave.
Rev. Laurel will start her ministry at the FRSUU on August 13. We will share her email and other contact information at that time so you can help welcome her to our beloved community. There will also be welcome activities at the start of the church year after Labor Day.
Welcome to FRSUU, Reverend Laurel!
Read more about Rev. Laurel in Rev. Rebecca’s letter to the congregation HERE.
FRS Annual Giving Campaign theme is “Building Sacred Connections In Our Interconnected World”.
“The strength of our church community is dependent on the gifts and commitments – financial, time, and talents – of our members, friends, and supporters. I am inspired and humbled by how we come together to make this happen each year. Thank you for helping us Strengthen Sacred Connections.”
-Reverend Rebecca
The Latest News & Events
Exploring Elderhood Together
MAKING DECISIONS WHEN IT MATTERS MOST: Conversation about Health Care Proxy, Five Wishes, and More When: Friday April 26 at 1:00pm-3:00pm in the Lower Meetinghouse Making end-of-life plans is important though often avoided because it can be be overwhelming to think...
FRSUU Dinner for Two Anywhere in the World Raffle is Back!
Imagine flying to San Sebastian, Spain to experience some of the finest tapas, or sitting at a seaside restaurant off Italy's Adriatic coast enjoying some fresh foods from the sea! This could all be yours with the Dinner for 2 Anywhere in the World Raffle. This...
FRS Trashion Show Workshop
FRS Trash Fashion Workshop When: Sunday, April 28 following service from 11:30-1PM in the Lower Meetinghouse Want to connect more deeply with people of all ages? Want to channel your eco-anxiety into artistic expression in shared community? Join us for an All-Ages...
In the Spirit: Silent Struggles by Reverend Rebecca M. Bryan
Silent Struggles Published in the Newburyport Daily News on March 22, 2024 Eight of us sat in the small conference room in the lower level of my church discussing how we could get out the message about addiction recovery. Two weeks earlier, 22 people had crammed into...
Building Sacred Connections In Our Interconnected World
The First Religious Society Unitarian Universalist holds its Annual Giving Campaign. During this time each year when we ask all of our friends, supporters, and members to pledge for the next fiscal year (July 1, 2024-June 30, 2025). These pledges are essential and are...
The Science and Practice of Lovingkindness: A Four-Week Series with Effie Stavrulaki
Please join NSIMC meditation teacher Effie Stavrulaki for a four-week Tuesday night series this April, held in partnership with the First Religious Society, Unitarian Universalist, in Newburyport When: Tuesday evenings, 7-8:30 pm, April 2, 9, 23, and 30 (no class...
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...
Discussion of “The 1619 Project” Returns!
Four hundred years ago, a ship carrying enslaved Africans arrived in the English colony of Virginia. This series examines the long shadow of that fateful moment. Join members of the FRS Anti-Racism Initiative for discussion of the six-episode documentary series 1619,...
Weekly Mindfulness: Monday Night Meditation, Tuesday Online Spiritual Practice, Wednesday Online Guided Meditation
Monday Night Meditation at 6:30pm in Lower Meeting House (enter via Unicorn Street entrance) These weekly sessions are led by Joyce Haydock, Senior Dharma Teacher with the International Kwan Um School of Zen. She has been with the school since 1989. This FRS UU Monday...
