NOVEMBER MINISTRY THEME: TIME
Annual Ministry Theme: Life
SUNDAY, NOVEMBER 30, 2025
A THANKSGIVING SERMON BY THOMAS WENTWORTH HIGGINSON
SERVICE STARTS
AT 10:30AM
Sunday, November 30, 2025
A Thanksgiving Sermon by Thomas Wentworth Higginson
10:30am with livestream on YouTube
Listen to Reverend Rebecca read the text of Rev. Thomas Wentworth Higginson’s Thanksgiving Sermon. Higginson’s critique of slavery led to a quick ending of his ministry in Newburyport. The message in this sermon applies to our country today and needs to be taken seriously. The service will conclude with a special ritual of peace as we enter the holiday season.
“All… religions show the same disparity between belief and practice, and each is safe till it tries to exclude the rest. But falsehood begins when you measure the ebb of any other religion against the flood-tide of your own. There is a noble and a base side to every history.”
–Rev. Thomas Wentworth Higginson, Minister of FRSUU (1847-1849)
The Latest News & Events
Stand Up for Our Immigrant Neighbors
On September 30 at 7pm in the FRSUU Sanctuary we will have a special program supporting our immigrant and refugee neighbors, workmates, and friends. We will meet with Senator Tarr and Representative Shand to advocate for two bills currently before the legislature that...
The 2025 FRSUU Annual Report
The Annual Report of the First Religious Society Unitarian Universalist contains reports from the Parish Board, committees, staff, and groups; the warrant for the 2025 Annual Meeting; other materials to support the Annual Meeting; and the proposed FY26 budget. To view...
Janet Applefield Event
Sunday, September 28 at 2pm in the FRSUU Sanctuary, Holocaust survivor Janet Singer Applefield speaks openly about her experiences as a child survivor of the Holocaust in the hope of raising awareness and understanding of the dangers of prejudice, discrimination,and...
Friday Peace Vigil
Rev. Rebecca leads this 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. Every Friday, 11 am, at the Market Square Bullnose.
Weekly Mindfulness: Monday Night Meditation & 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...
Join the Candlelight Chorale!
We welcome singers to join the Candlelight Chorale which will rehearse on Sundays, beginning October 26, from 1-3pm, at FRSUU. Our annual Candlelight Service will be held on Sunday, December 21.
Yankee Homecoming Book Sale
Clean out your bookshelves and donate your books for the annual FRSUU Book Sale! Adult and children’s books, games, and puzzles are welcome. Drop off your items on June 29, before and after worship, or in the Parish Hall on Thursdays from 9:30-11:30am. The Book Sale...
On Tyranny Read & Discussion
Sundays, October 26, November 2, November 11, LMH Main Room, 4-6:30pm. How do modern democracies fight tyranny? On Tyranny, by historian Timothy Snyder, presents "Twenty Lessons" of provocative modern history essential for American citizens to understand this process...
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...
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.
