First Religious Society of Newburyport

Mystic Circle Gathering
2025-12-16 18:30 - 20:00 (America/New_York) | LMH Main Room, 26 Pleasant St, Newburyport, MA, 01950, United States
Five Tuesday sessions: September 30, October 14, November 4, November 25, December 16, LMH Main Room, 6:30-8pm

Poetry & Music Service
2025-12-16 19:00 - 20:00 | FRS Sanctuary, 26 Pleasant St, Newburyport, MA, 01950, United States
Third Tuesdays beginning September 16, Sanctuary, 7-8pm. Led by Rev. Rebecca and Nick Place.

Wednesday Guided Meditation (Zoom)
2025-12-17 10:00 - 10:30, 2025-12-24 10:00 - 10:30 | Zoom
Join FRS member and LICSW Woman Cooper on Wednesdays at 10am for a brief period of mid-week relaxation and renewal. Each 30-minute session will include a guided visualization and reflection on questions around where we hold stress and how we can release it. You’ll also learn some relaxation techniques to use on your own. This is a drop-in program; come one time or many.
If you’d like to reach out to Woman, email susanc0805@gmail.com.
Join Zoom Meeting:

https://us02web.zoom.us/j/87349458812?pwd=[REDACTED]

Centering Prayer Meditation
2025-12-17 10:00 - 11:00 | Robing Room (behind pulpit)
Weekly on Wednesdays, Robing Room, 10-11am.
Centering Prayer is a form of Christian Contemplative Meditation. The purpose of this meditation is not to clear the mind as much as it is to open oneself to the presence of the Divine and invite the action of the Divine within. No previous experience or training is required. This form of Contemplative prayer is a practice in resting in the presence of God through non-thinking surrender and to form a deeper relationship with the Divine.
Centering Prayer will be led by Cynthia Tolbert. All are welcome. Please contact Rev. Jane Tuohy at jane.tuohy@frsuu.org or 617-359-0079 if you have questions.

Staff Meeting
2025-12-17 10:30 - 12:00 | LMH Main Room, 26 Pleasant St, Newburyport, MA, 01950, United States
1st and 3rd Wednesdays, LMH Main Room, 10:30am-noon

Grief Support Group (offsite)
2025-12-17 12:30 - 14:00 | Anna Jaques Hospital, 25 Highland Ave, Newburyport, MA, United States
Third Wednesday of the month, Morse Conference Room (across from Gift Shop) at Anna Jaques Hospital, 12:30-2pm.
This support group provides members who are experiencing grief have the opportunity in a safe (confidential) space to share their feelings, thoughts, and coping skills during this challenging time in their life. The group is facilitated by Nancy Kidd, LICSW; Rev. Jane Tuohy; and Linda Harding. For information more information, contact Nancy Kidd at nankdd@gmail.com or 978-376-8687.

Organ Practice - Candlelight
2025-12-17 13:00 - 17:00 | FRS Sanctuary, 26 Pleasant St, Newburyport, MA, 01950, United States
Wed, Dec 17 – 1-5pm – Sanctuary

Pastoral Care Associates
2025-12-17 16:00 - 17:30 | LMH Room A, 26 Pleasant St, Newburyport, MA, 01950, United States
Third Wednesdays, LMH Room A, 4-5:30pm.

Parish Board Meeting
2025-12-17 18:00 - 20:00 | LMH Main Room, 26 Pleasant St, Newburyport, MA, 01950, United States
Third Wednesdays, LMH Main Room, 6-8pm, hybrid

Parish Friends Third Thursdays
2025-12-18 09:30 - 10:30 | LMH Nursery/Conf Room
Third Thursdays, LMH Nursery/Conf Room, 9:30-10:30am.
A monthly, somewhat casual Parish Friends morning meeting – bring your own tea or coffee. An opportunity to meet other Parish Friends, ask questions, and brainstorm. If interested in simply learning more about Parish Friends, this would be a great forum. We realize mornings don’t work for everyone. If you are wanting to attend, but not able to, let Susan Ricker know at parishfriends@frsuu.org or use her personal contact information in the FRSUU Realm directory.

FRSUU Poetry Group (Zoom)
2025-12-18 11:00 - 11:45 | Zoom
Meets Thursdays (previously on Tuesdays) on Zoom at 11am.
The FRSUU Poetry Group is open to all who enjoy reading or listening to poetry. Prompts or questions are provided as we listen multiple times to one poem a week. If you have been wishing you had more time in your busy schedule for poetry, give yourself the gift of one hour of poetry on Thursday mornings. Individuals with questions should contact Rev. Jane Tuohy at 617-359-0079.
Join Zoom Meeting:
https://zoom.us/j/94623863916?pwd=[REDACTED]
Meeting ID: 946 2386 3916; Passcode: [REDACTED]

CANCELED: Exploring Elderhood Together: Aging Well Spiritually
2025-12-18 13:00 - 14:30 | LMH Main Room, 26 Pleasant St, Newburyport, MA, 01950, United States
THIS PRESENTATION IS CANCELED DUE TO ILLNESS.
Thursday, December 18, LMH Main Room, 1-2:30pm.
Aging Well Spiritually
Focusing on lessons learned through their hospice and chaplaincy work, Rev. Jane Tuohy and Nancy Kidd invite you to consider ways to strengthen your spiritual capacities. These capacities are what support us as we face our own mortality and that of our beloveds. They will explore the concepts of intention, attitude, and resilience, and specific qualities we can develop through “spiritual training.” There will be time for reflection as well as dialogue with one another. Nancy Kidd is an FRSUU member and licensed independent clinical social worker. Rev. Jane Tuohy is an FRSUU member who offers interfaith programming here at church and has focused on interfaith exploration of mysticism and contemplative practices.

Theater in the Open
2025-12-18 16:00 - 17:30 | Parish Hall 1st Floor
Thursdays, November 6, 13, 20; December 4, 11, 18; Parish Hall 1st Floor, 4-5:30pm

Adult Choir
2025-12-18 19:00 - 20:30 | LMH Main Room, 26 Pleasant St, Newburyport, MA, 01950, United States
Thursdays, LMH Main Room, 7-8:30pm.

Capital Campaign Meeting (hybrid)
2025-12-19 08:00 - 09:30 | LMH Room A, 26 Pleasant St, Newburyport, MA, 01950, United States
Fridays starting October 31, LMH Room A, 8-9:30am

Friday Peace Vigil (offsite)
2025-12-19 11:00 - 12:00 | Market Square Bullnose, Newburyport, 01950, United States
Every Friday, Market Square Bullnose, 11am.
Rev. Rebecca leads this weekly gathering to reflect on and remember our commitment to peace, love, and compassion as we navigate the turbulence and daily horrors of our troubled world.

Serenity in the Sanctuary
2025-12-19 12:00 - 13:00, 2025-12-22 12:00 - 13:00, 2025-12-23 12:00 - 13:00 | FRS Sanctuary, 26 Pleasant St, Newburyport, MA, 01950, United States
Friday, December 19, Monday, December 22, Tuesday, December 23, Sanctuary, noon.
Peace can be found within. Join us for one-hour programs of poetry, guided meditation, silent meditation, and blessing.
December 19: “Listen Inside” with Rev. Rebecca and Nick Place
December 22: “Anticipating with Hope” with Rev. Laurel
December 23: “Many Meanings of the Season” with Rev. Jane and Joanna Fernandes

Reserved for Nancy Kidd
2025-12-19 12:00 - 13:00 | LMH Nursery/Conf Room
Friday, December 19, LMH Nursery/Conf Room, 12-1pm

Reserved for Margen Kelsey & Zarifa
2025-12-19 15:00 - 15:30 | LMH Room A, 26 Pleasant St, Newburyport, MA, 01950, United States
Friday, December 19, LMH Room A, 3-3:30pm

Gina McKeown - Student Recital
2025-12-19 17:00 - 20:00 | FRS Sanctuary, 26 Pleasant St, Newburyport, MA, 01950, United States
Friday, December 19, Sanctuary and LMH Main Room, reserved 5-8pm.

SMART Recovery (Contact: 678-378-0786)
2025-12-19 18:00 - 19:30 | Hayward Room, 26 Pleasant St, Newburyport, MA, 01950, United States
Meets weekly on Friday

Organ Practice - Candlelight
2025-12-20 09:00 - 12:00 | FRS Sanctuary, 26 Pleasant St, Newburyport, MA, 01950, United States
Sat, Dec 20 – 9am-12pm – Sanctuary

Candlelight Dress Rehearsal
2025-12-20 13:00 - 15:00 | FRS Sanctuary, 26 Pleasant St, Newburyport, MA, 01950, United States
Saturday, December 20, Sanctuary, 1-3pm

Winter Solstice on the Beach (offsite)
2025-12-21 10:30 - 11:30 | Parker River National Wildlife Refuge, Refuge Rd Lot 1, Newbury
Sunday, December 21, Salisbury Beach State Reservation, 1 Beach Rd, Salisbury, MA, 10:30am.
A time by the ocean to connect us with the rhythms of nature. This gathering is in place of our regular Sunday worship. Take State Reservation Rd to the end and park in Lot 1 (last parking lot on the left). Beach Access R1. Look for the FRSUU greeter at the beach path head.
Please note: the church building will be closed in the morning on December 21.

Annual Candlelight Service
2025-12-21 19:00 - 20:00 | FRS Sanctuary, 26 Pleasant St, Newburyport, MA, 01950, United States
Sunday, December 21, Sanctuary, 7pm.
Join us for our 100th Anniversary Candlelight service, a Newburyport tradition since 1925. Anthems and carols will be augmented by readings which celebrate the season. Music performed by the Portsmouth Brass Quintet, vocalist Abi Levis, and the Candlelight Chorale.

CANCELED: Mild Cognitive Impairment Support Group
2025-12-22 11:00 - 12:30 | LMH Room A, 26 Pleasant St, Newburyport, MA, 01950, United States
The meeting on December 22 has been cancelled due to illness. Our next meeting will be Monday, January 12 in LMH Room A from 11am-12:30pm.
This group meets on the 2nd and 4th Mondays.

Office Closes 1pm
2025-12-24 | MA
