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
Haudenosaunee Thanksgiving Address Service
We will have a community read of the Thanksgiving Prayer followed by a reflection from Rev. Rebecca on Tuesday, November 26 at 4pm in the Sanctuary. The Thanksgiving Prayer is traditionally used to welcome a new day. We hold this reading at a time near sunset to...
Truths About Being Trans Remarks and Presentation
We are excited to share with you HERE the refelction that August Mead shared during worship on Sunday, November 17th in honor of Transgender Day of Remembrance. You can access also access his presentation HERE.
Call for Newbury Food Pantry Donations
The Community Outreach Team of FRS is sponsoring a Food Drive to benefit the Newbury Food Pantry during the month of November. Donations can be left on the right shelf at the back of the church as you exit. The Newbury Food Pantry serves approximately 300 guests...
How to Have Family Conversations About End-of-Life Issues
Talking about end-of-life care can be anxiety-provoking for both elders and their families. You are invited to a conversation with FRSUU members Nancy Kidd, LICSW and Marijane Helbick, LISW, who both have 30 years of experience guiding these conversations. They will...
Fall Rummage Sale
The Rummage Sale will be held on November 22nd and November 23rd. Folks can drop off their all- seasons clothing, shoes and accessories in Parish Hall on Sundays starting the 3rd, 10th and 17th of November, from 9am until noon. Plus, drop off can continue on Thursday...
Master Your Mind: Unlocking the Path to Spiritual Awakening and Personal Evolution
Join us on November 12th from 6:30-8:00pm for an inspiring evening with Manny Muros, as he shares his 30-year spiritual journey and introduces The Mind Overlay Transformational Program, a powerful system he created to unlock personal and spiritual evolution. Please...
Spirit Strong: Election Week Services
Join us for Spirit Strong: Election Week Services Monday, November 4th through Wednesday, November 6th from 7:00-8:00pm. The Monday service will be intergenerational, and Tuesday and Wednesday services will be led by Rev. Rebecca. There will also be a Sanctuary in the...
The Spirituals in Concert at FRS
Boston Arts Academy's "The Spirituals" In Concert in the FRSUU Sanctuary November 9, 2024 at 3pm Under the direction of Music Department Chair Michael W. Bradley, this award-winning group of 30 students at Boston Arts Academy returns to FRS in a concert that explores...
David Rogers Guitar Concert
Join David Rogers on Saturday, October 26th for a Classical Guitar Concert from 3-4:30pm in Sanctuary. You can purchase tickets on Eventbrite here. Termed, ‘a prominent guitarist,’ by the New York Times and praised by The Washington Post for his ‘astonishingly florid’...
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.
