JULY MINISTRY THEME: POSSIBILITY
Annual Ministry Theme: Life
SUNDAY, JULY 12
GROWING INTO HARMONY WITH THE DIVINE
SERVICE STARTS
AT 10AM
Sunday, July 5, 2026
Reading Frederick Douglass Together
10am, Brown Square, rain location: FRSUU, no livestream
Please join us for the annual community reading of Frederick Douglass’s speech, “What to the Slave is the Fourth of July?” Meet in Brown Square across from City Hall (rain location, FRSUU) at 10am. No sign-up required. Light refreshments will follow. Lawn chairs are encouraged. Co-hosted by the Friends of William Lloyd Garrison, the YWCA of the Greater Northshore, Museum of Old Newbury, and Congregation Ahavas Achim, with support from Mass Humanities and Mass Cultural Council. No livestream. More information at www.WLGarrison.com.
Sunday, July 12, 2026
Growing into Harmony with the Divine
10am, Sanctuary and YouTube
Drawing from Steve McIntosh’s Evolution’s Purpose, the story of cosmic, biological, and cultural evolution, the service will explore how familiar phrases from our FRS Affirmation of Faith and Doxology can speak to our lives today. The service will be led by David Turner and will include harmonies from choir members and video reflections and songs from Alban and Erinda in Albania.
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.
Summer Sunday Worship
July 19 and 26
10am in the sanctuary with livestream on YouTube
Click here for the full schedule of summer services and events.
The Latest News & Events
Breath Work with Sally Cote
Join Kundalini Yoga teacher Sally Cote on Wednesday, January 22 from 7-8:15pm from Roots to Wings Yoga Studio in Newbury, MA for a beginner-friendly breath work class design to soothe your nervous system and reduce stress.
Third Annual Holiday Cookie Walk
Please join us to make this year's Cookie Walk even more fun and successful than the last one! If you like to bake or can volunteer to help out at the event, please click here to sign up or visit the Cookie Walk table after services beginning on November 17. And...
Pageant for All Ages
We hope you'll join us for this special multigenerational service, as we playfully retell the nativity story and enjoy our choir singing cherished carols and hymns! After the service, you are invited to join us for “Coffee and Cocoa Hour” next door in Parish Hall!
Jazz Vespers
On Wednesday, December 11 from 7:30-8:30pm FRS welcome poet Alfred Nicol of West Newbury for readings and Mark Earley (Room full of Blues) on sax, Chris Plante on piano and Josh Schultz on bass. You can find the full details about the event HERE.
Celebrate the Holidays at High Tea
Members of the Community Outreach Committee invite you to join them in celebrating the Holidays by attending “High Tea” on Thursday, December 12 from 3-5pm. Enjoy tea sandwiches, scones, and desserts while sharing with others your holiday memories past and present....
December Journeys: An Evening of Jazz, Chamber Music, & Poetry for the Holidays
Join us in the Sanctuary on Friday, December 6 at 7:30pm, Row Twelve Presents a complimentary holiday concert featuring Andy Brewster on bass, Katherine Kleitz on flute, Marc Lauritsen on piano, Jeffrey Wu on saxophone and poet Karen Henry.
Serenity in the Sanctuary
Starting December 19 at noon, join Rev. Tuohy and special guests for short programs of poetry, guided meditation, silent meditation, and blessings. Take refuge in reflection, centering practices and silence. Let’s remember what is important, true, and lasting and be...
Celebrate the Winter Solstice on Plum Island
Join Reverend Rebecca and FRS friends on Sunday, December 22 as we celebrate Winter Solstice on the beaches of Plum Island. A not-to-be-missed time by the ocean that will help connect us to the rhythms of nature and to a place of peace. This gathering is in place of...
NAAM Artisan’s Holiday Pop Up Market
FRSUU is excited to host the 2nd Annual Holiday Pop Up Market with NAAM Artisans on Friday, November 29 from 11am-5pm and Saturday, November 30 from 10am-4pm. You can learn more about NAAM here.
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.
