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
Join Us for Fellowship Following Sunday Worship Services
Following Sunday worship services, we host in-person (weather permitting) 30-minute socials. This a great way to engage in fellowship and meet people! In-person socials will have coffee, tea, and juice served.
BLM Banner at FRS Vandalized
We are saddened, but not moved to retaliation, with the recent vandalism of our Black Lives Matter sign on our church building. We will not react with hate or vitriol; however, we will not accept this either. I ask that whoever did this think of its impact,...
Seeing White: An Online Discussion – Look for More Sessions Coming
Upcoming “Seeing White” Sessions in 2021 When and why did the concept of race begin? What does it mean to be white in the United States? Where do we, as “good white people” fit into the national reckoning on race? Join us for a discussion of the podcast series "Seeing...
December 16, 2020 – The Steeple
Today's Steeple newsletter is out. Find information on fall worship schedule and weekday programming and other important announcements in today's edition. December 16 Edition: https://conta.cc/3akragH Questions or submissions or requests to add your email to the list,...
A Call to Action
The "Hate Has No Port Here" anti-racism video produced by FRS has completed filming and now it is time to share this incredible work with the greater Newburyport community. This video is a call to action. It is a statement to all that racism will not be tolerated in...
Virtual Exhibit in the Tiny Gallery
Please be sure to check out our exhibit of creations by FRS members and friends, inspired by Bettina Turner's spring worship service on creating. Click here: https://www.frsuu.org/music-concerts/ and scroll to the bottom of the page. Click "Next" at the bottom of each...
Rev. Rebecca to be a guest on “The Morning Show”
Rev. Rebecca will be a guest on "The Morning Show" with Mary Jacobsen. When: Thursday, September 24, 9am Access Information: Watch the live broadcast on Local TV Channel 9 at 9am. Watch the live stream at 9am: https://ncmhub.org/ - click on the YouTube icon in the...
You are invited to help create our flower arch, in person!
Saturday, September 12, 2020 When: 9am–Noon Where: Brick area in front of the meetinghouse Reverend Rebecca and Julie Parker Amery will be welcoming folks, while Justin Murphy-Mancini plays live music. There is no registration for this; however we will be maintaining...
Summer Worship Schedule
Summer worship services held online through FRS start at 10am You can join the Zoom meeting by clicking on the service links below or on the Zoom meeting link is in the right sidebar of this page. This link will be used for the worship services (except on August 2,...
