AUGUST MINISTRY THEME: CHANGE
Annual Ministry Theme: Life
SUNDAY, AUGUST 30
BEHOLD AND BELONG
SERVICE AT FIRST CONGREGATIONAL SOCIETY UNITARIAN
HAMPTON FALLS, NH
AT 10:15AM
Sunday, August 30, 2026
Behold and Belong
First Congregational Society Unitarian Church
143 Exeter Rd., Hampton Falls, NH
10:15am, with livestream YouTube
From Emerson to Mary Oliver, naturalists, philosophers, theologians, and poets have written about experiencing moments of exhilaration when knowing in a felt way that we are one with all Being. Rev. Jane Tuohy will explore how, through focusing our intentions and attention, the world of nature makes available to us a door to access our unity and belonging with all of creation and Spirit. Service will be held at 10:15am at First Congregational Society Unitarian Church, 143 Exeter Rd., Hampton Falls, NH.
Click here for the August schedule of summer services and events.
FRSUU Welcomes New Interim Minister!
The FRSUU Board of Trustees and the Interim Minister Search Team are excited and proud to announce the selection of Rev. Connie Simon as our new interim minister. Rev. Connie, who is completing her interim ministry at the River Road Unitarian Universalist Congregation in Bethesda, MD, will start her two-year ministry at FRSUU on August 1. Her first official Sunday in the pulpit will be September 13, Opening Sunday for the 2026-27 church year.
Rev. Connie explains her approach to interim ministry on her website: “I’ve chosen to focus my ministry on transitional work because I genuinely love it. There’s something deeply meaningful about accompanying congregations through periods of change—helping them reflect on their history, clarify their identity, strengthen their leadership, and step intentionally into their future. Transitions are challenging, but they’re also extraordinary opportunities for growth, healing, and renewal.”
Read the full announcement HERE.
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