First Religious Society of Newburyport

Congregational-Wide Read and Discussion - In Person
2025-03-31 19:00 - 20:00 (America/New_York) | FRS Sanctuary, 26 Pleasant St, Newburyport, MA, 01950, United States
Sanctuary, 7-8pm (in person on 2/3 and 3/31 only)
We will be reading Caste: The Origins of Our Discontents by Isabel Wilkerson
Isabel Wilkerson explores how America has been shaped by a caste system that influences people’s lives and behavior and our nation’s fate. Linking the caste systems of America, India, and Nazi Germany, Wilkerson explores eight pillars that underlie caste systems across civilizations, including divine will, bloodlines, stigma, and more. Using riveting stories about people—including Martin Luther King, Jr., baseball’s Satchel Paige, a single father and his toddler son, Wilkerson herself, and many others—she shows the ways that the insidious undertow of caste is experienced every day. She documents how the Nazis studied the racial systems in America to plan their persecution of the Jews. Finally, she points forward to ways America can move beyond the artificial and destructive separations of human divisions, toward hope in our common humanity.
In February and March, the FRS Anti-Racism Team will be hosting a congregational-wide read and facilitated discussion of Caste.
A Facilitated Group Discussion in Six Sessions:
Monday, February 3 – In Person, 7:00 PM in the Sanctuary
Sunday, February 9 – Zoom, 7:00 PM
Monday, February 24 – Zoom, 7:00 PM
Monday, March 3 – Zoom, 7:00 PM
Monday, March 10 – Zoom, 7:00 PM
Monday, March 24 – Zoom, 7:00 PM
Monday, March 31 – In Person, 7:00 PM in the Sanctuary
In each session we will have discussion questions that address specific sections of the book and help us better understand how we as a community can live into the 8th Principle we adopted in 2024.
Books are available for purchase at the Jabberwocky Bookstore in Newburyport, to borrow at the Newburyport Library, and a small amount are available at church. If you would like to participate, but need support with the cost of the book, please speak with Rev. Laurel Gray (revlaurel.gray@frsuu.org). We will have a small number of books available at no cost.
Join us in this important journey by signing up, either in the Parish Hall or online @: https://forms.office.com/r/qiKFq8Azab

Justice Sunday-Potluck
2025-04-27 11:45 - 12:45 | Parish Hall 1st Floor
Sunday, April 27, Parish Hall 1st Floor, 11:45am-12:45pm. Following worship, join the Green Team for a sandwich and cold sides luncheon.

Right to Be Bystander Training (Zoom)
2025-04-28 19:00 - 20:00 | Zoom
7pm-8pm on Zoom. FRS is proud to sponsor this training and join forces with programming sponsor L’Oréal Paris. This 60-minute zoom workshop will leverage Stand Up Against Street Harassment’s 5D’s methodology to help people safely intervene when they experience or witness harassment in public spaces. Throughout this 1 hour training they will use a clear, adaptable, and expert-approved set of tools that have been proven to reduce the prevalence of street harassment. The goal of the Stand Up program is to ultimately build a culture where street harassment is seen as unacceptable behavior. Pre-registration is required for this event and in order to run the program. Please sign up here.

29th Annual Mother's Day Walk for Peace
2025-05-11 08:00 - 11:00 | Town Field Park, 1565 Dorchester Ave, Dorchester, MA, 02122, United States
The Mother’s Day Walk for Peace (MDW4P) is a beloved Boston tradition honoring the lives of our loved ones who have been murdered. It is the Louis D. Brown Peace Institute’s (LDBPI) largest fundraising event to grow and sustain services, advocacy and training. Both Rev. Rebecca and Rev. Laurel will be walking this year, and you are welcome to join our team or contribute here. The walk will be begin at 8am at Town Field Park, 1565 Dorchester Ave in Dorchester.
Free parking is available on Sunday, May 11, at the 500-520 Geneva Ave lot in Dorchester as well as at the Community Academy of Science and Health School at 11 Charles St, Dorchester, MA 02122. There is also ample free street parking in the area. There are also 22 spaces available at Municipal Lot #20 at 191 Adams St. Bost

Justice Sunday: Accessible Communication
2025-06-01 12:00 - 13:00 | Parish Hall 1st Floor
Sunday, June 1, Parish Hall, 12-1pm.
If you ever want to write a newsletter item, email, or report, or simply read church documents, this is for you!
How do we make communication welcoming for people of all ages, abilities, identities, and backgrounds?
In this session we will explore our written and graphic communication styles according to the principles of Universal Design. Developed in the 1990s, Universal Design aims to create products and environments that are simple and useable for everyone. By looking at examples of emails, newsletters, posters, and virtual presentations, we will boost our own communication skills. Bring a laptop if you have one.
Pizza will be provided. Hosted by the Accessibility & Inclusion Ministry (AIM) and led by Lance Hidy and Lea Pearson.

Juneteenth Flag Raising
2025-06-19 10:00 - 11:00 | Newburyport City Hall, 60 Pleasant St, Newburyport, MA, United States
Thursday, June 19, Newburyport City Hall, 10am. Celebration and flag raising in front of City Hall.

Justice Action Council Retreat
2025-09-03 16:00 - 18:00 | LMH Main Room, 26 Pleasant St, Newburyport, MA, 01950, United States
Wednesday, September 3, LMH Main Room, 4-6pm

Program & Activities Fair
2025-09-21 12:00 - 13:00 | Lawn in Front of Parish Hall
Sunday, September 21, Lawn in Front of Parish Hall, 12pm.
Join us after worship to learn more about the many ways that members and friends can engage, connect, and take action here at FRSUU!

Justice Sunday: Justice & Relational Repair
2025-10-05 12:00 - 13:00 | Parish Hall 1st Floor
Sunday, October 5, Parish Hall, noon.
Rev. Laurel and Rev. Rebecca will lead this Justice Sunday program on strategies for understanding and addressing relational repair. We’ll talk through the stages of repair that Rabbi Danya Ruttenberg covers in her book On Repentance and Repair. Join us for soup and conversation!

On Tyranny Read
2025-10-19 17:00 - 18:30, 2025-10-26 17:00 - 18:30, 2025-11-02 17:00 - 18:30 | LMH Main Room, 26 Pleasant St, Newburyport, MA, 01950, United States
Sundays, October 19, October 26, November 2, LMH Main Room, 5-6:30pm.
How do modern democracies fight tyranny? Join fellow members as we read, reflect, and discuss On Tyranny, by historian Timothy Snyder. Sign up at https://bit.ly/FRSUUOnTyrannyRead. This initiative is sponsored by the FRSUU Justice Action Council.

Justice Sunday
2025-11-02 12:00 - 13:00 | Parish Hall 1st Floor
Sunday, November 2, Parish Hall, noon

Rev. Liz Walker Book Talk & Signing
2025-12-07 12:00 - 13:00 | FRS Sanctuary, 26 Pleasant St, Newburyport, MA, 01950, United States
Sunday, December 7, Sanctuary, 12-1pm.
Rev. Walker is a former WBZ news anchor and Pastor Emerita of the Roxbury Presbyterian Church, where the “Can We Talk…” program was developed in response to gun violence that directly and deeply affected families in the church. “Can We Talk …” is the focus of Rev. Walker’s book, No One Left Alone.
Copies of the book will be available for sale at the event, courtesy of Jabberwocky Bookshop.
Rev. Liz will also be our guest preacher for FRSUU Sunday worship on December 7 at 10:30am.

Justice Sunday: Anti-Racism Team
2026-01-18 12:00 - 13:00 | Parish Hall 1st Floor
Sunday, January 18, Parish Hall, noon
Join the Anti-Racism Initiative Team for Justice Sunday for a fun, interactive activity titled American Legacy – Know Your History focused on Black history in the U.S. Enjoy this opportunity to learn together while enjoying delicious soups and salads!
We also encourage you to attend the YWCA Greater Newburyport Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Commemoration & Day of Service on Monday, January 19. Tickets are selling fast at $20 each, and must be purchased in advance! The link to purchase tickets can be found here. If cost is a barrier to attending this event, complimentary tickets are available from Rev. Rebecca, RevRebecca.Bryan@frsuu.org.

Anti-Racism Initiative Meeting
2026-02-17 14:00 - 15:00, 2026-03-17 14:00 - 15:00 | LMH Room A, 26 Pleasant St, Newburyport, MA, 01950, United States
Third Tuesdays, LMH Main Room, 2-3pm.
The Anti-Racism Initiative team decided to change our meeting day from the third Monday of each month to the third Tuesday from 2-3 pm. The purpose of the meetings is to establish goals for the church year, discuss and implement initiatives related to the UUA’s 8th Principle, and to assist with MLK service and Justice Sunday events (in conjunction with other FRS groups).

Justice Sunday: FRSUU Shelter Team
2026-02-22 12:00 - 13:00 | Parish Hall 1st Floor
Sunday, February 22, Parish Hall, 12pm.
Join the FRSUU Shelter Team for an informative session on homelessness in Massachusetts and local initiatives supporting unhoused individuals.
Featured speakers include Al Hansom, CEO, and Leslie Lawrence, Executive VP, of Emmaus, Inc., a leading housing resource for the North Shore. Major Jessica Berkhouldt and volunteers from the newly established Emergency Overnight Shelter at the Salvation Army in Newburyport will also share insights on collaborative efforts with area congregations and agencies.
To bring bring soup or salad to support this event, sign up HERE!

Building the Beloved Community: Unpacking Whiteness Together
2026-03-15 12:00 - 14:00 | LMH Main Room, 26 Pleasant St, Newburyport, MA, 01950, United States
Sunday, March 15, LMH Main Room, 12-2pm.
Join the Anti-Racism Initiative and Immigration Justice Team for a screening of Hello, Privilege. It’s Me, Chelsea, a documentary where comedian Chelsea Handler explores how white privilege has shaped her life and career. Grounded in our commitment to dismantle white supremacy, we will use this film as a catalyst to examine the “unearned advantages” that are often invisible to those who hold them. Join us for pizza and a conversation on how we can move from awareness to accountability in our pursuit of racial justice. Please note that the documentary is for “mature audiences.” Child care will be available.

Justice Sunday: Women's History Month: Celebrating Women
2026-03-22 11:30 - 13:15 | LMH Main Room, 26 Pleasant St, Newburyport, MA, 01950, United States
Sunday, March 22, LMH Main Room, 11:30am.
Justice Sunday: Women’s History Month: Celebrating Women Past and Present and Exploring What the Future Might Hold
“The problem that has no name…” –Betty Friedan
Please join members of the Community Outreach Team as we join together to share the long journey of women confronting the cultural, legal, and social-psychological forces that resulted in inequality that affected the lives of women and their families.
(Internal: projector and microphone needed)

Anti-Racism Initiative Meeting
2026-04-15 14:30 - 16:00 | LMH Room A, 26 Pleasant St, Newburyport, MA, 01950, United States
Wednesday, April 15, LMH Room A, 2:30-4pm

Sunday Worship Service
2026-04-19 10:30 - 11:30 | FRS Sanctuary, 26 Pleasant St, Newburyport, MA, 01950, United States
Sunday, April 19, Sanctuary, 10:30am. Annual Earth Day service by the FRS Green Team.

Justice Sunday: Green Team
2026-04-19 11:30 - 13:00 | Parish Hall 1st Floor
Sunday, April 19, Parish Hall 1st Floor, 11:30am-1pm.
The Justice Sunday potluck, immediately following the service, will be for church attendees.
After a free public event at 1pm in the Sanctuary, we will have a reception in the Parish Hall, open to the public, with beverages and light snacks and tables for local farmers to promote their farms and produce.

Justice Sunday with Afghan Food
2026-05-03 12:00 - 14:00 | Parish Hall 1st Floor
Sunday, May 3, Parish Hall, 12-2pm.
Celebration with our Afghan family and looking to the future
Join us to celebrate with our Afghan family, Reverend Rebecca, and all the volunteers. Hear about what we have accomplished in four years and where we are going. Learn about the Resettlement Partnership creating creative long-term housing solutions for forcibly displaced persons in the Newburyport area. Any questions please contact Sarina Khan Reddy, 978-853-4784, sarinakhanreddy@gmail.com.

30th Annual Mother's Day Walk for Peace
2026-05-10 08:00 - 11:00 | Town Field Park, 1565 Dorchester Ave, Dorchester, MA, 02122, United States
Sunday, May 10, Town Field Park, Dorchester, 8-11am.
The FRSUU Walk Team has participated in the Mother’s Day Walk for many years. Join Rev. Rebecca and the Team for a morning of great exercise and wonderful fellowship with thousands of others supporting the healing work of the Louis D. Brown Peace Institute. Show your support for the Peace Institute’s mission of serving as a center of healing, teaching, and learning for families and communities impacted by murder, trauma, grief, and loss. Carpooling will be available! Donate or join the team here.

Anti-Racism Initiative Meeting
2026-05-20 14:00 - 15:00, 2026-06-17 14:00 - 15:00 | LMH Room A, 26 Pleasant St, Newburyport, MA, 01950, United States
May 20 and June 17, LMH Room A, 2-3pm
