July 10, 2024

Reverend Rebecca will be away from Friday, June 21 through Sunday, August 4. Reverend Jane Tuohy will provide pastoral care in Rev. Rebecca’s absence. Rev. Jane can be reached at 617-359-0079 or jane.tuohy@frsuu.org. Contact the church office for regular business.

During the summer the church business office will be closed Monday and Friday and open Tuesday-Thursday from 9am-1pm. The office will also be closed some weeks when Diane Carroll, Church Administrator, is on vacation.

The next Steeple newsletter will be published on Wednesday, July 24th. If you would like to publish an announcement or event in the next Steeple, please send information to cynthia.walsh@frsuu.org.

TABLE OF CONTENTS

• Sunday Worship Service
• Summer Worship & Programming Schedule
• "Never Alone" by Reverend Rebecca M. Bryan
• Yankee Homecoming Activities at the FRSUU
• Book & Game Sale (Donations Wanted)
• Volunteers Needed to Help with Yankee Homecoming Festivities at the FRSUU
• Mindful Yoga for Men
• Become a Historic Church Tour Docent
• North Shore Insight and Meditation Center Offers Fall Program at the FRSUU
• Summer Snapshots
• Thank A UU
• Fellowship Programming
• Call on Parish Friends

Annual Ministry Theme: Interconnectedness

Sunday, July 14, 2024

Worship Service

10am in person and on YouTube

Spaciousness in the Breath of Life

Join Rev. Alan Seale along with Gong Master Zach Field and Worship Associate Jessica Brown for “Spaciousness in the Breath of Life.” Even in our restless world, we can find stillness in the heart of our being and rest in our souls.

Large print Orders of Service, hymnals, and earphones for sound amplification are available. Please ask ushers to provide them.

Please join us in person or online for our summer lay-led worship services, which start at 10am. Check out our worship and programming schedule by clicking on the green button below

During Newburyport's Yankee Homecoming, we will be hosting a variety of activities at the FRSUU.

Book and Game Sale During Yankee Homecoming's Sidewalk Sales

When: Thursday, August 1 through Saturday, August 3 in Parish Hall

We are looking for donations of hardcover and paperback books, board games, and puzzles. Please drop items off from 9am-1pm on Tues, July 16, Wed, July 17, Thurs, July 18, Tuesday, July 23, Wed, July 24, and Thurs, July 25. The drop-off location is in Parish Hall in the lower main hall (sidewalk entrance adjacent to the Meetinghouse).

No other media, textbooks, or magazines will be accepted. 

We will also be setting up a tent in front of the Meetinghouse. We will be selling t-shirts and baseball caps adorned with a gorgeous new logo, along with refreshments!

Historic Church Tours

When: Friday, August 2 and Saturday, August 3 from 10am-2pm (last tour at 1:30pm) at the Meetinghouse

The Meetinghouse is one of Newburyport's oldest and most architecturally significant religious buildings. Established in 1801, our Meetinghouse is renowned for its impressive federal-style architecture, designed by the notable architect Timothy Palmer.

Church tours are 20 minutes and full of fun facts and tales of the past that connect the history of our church to the founding of Newburyport and more!

Sign up to Volunteer!

Please consider signing up to volunteer. Your help will contribute to making these events a success!

P.S. Volunteers have a lot of fun and it is a great way to connect with people!

Please sign up to volunteer by clicking here! (lots of time options and different things to do).

Mindful Yoga for Men Over 50

For a variety of reasons, older men are often reluctant to attend general yoga programs. They unfortunately miss the benefits available. This specially designed program integrates gentle yoga practices with mindfulness techniques, catering to the unique needs and abilities of older adults. Whether you are new to yoga or have some experience, this course offers a supportive environment to enhance physical, mental, and emotional well-being.

Course Highlights:

• Gentle Yoga: Focused on improving flexibility, strength, and balance while being mindful of joint health and mobility.
• Mindfulness Practices: Techniques to cultivate present-moment awareness, reduce stress, and enhance mental clarity. Free access to a daily mindful application.
• Breathing Exercises: Breath control methods to support relaxation, vitality, and overall respiratory health.
• Adaptability: Modifications to ensure each participant can practice safely and comfortably.

Instructor: David Turner

• Kripalu Certified Yoga Instructor: Comprehensive training and certification ensure a deep understanding of yoga principles, techniques, and safety.
• Unified Mindfulness Certified Coach: Expertise in mindfulness practices to enhance mental and emotional well-being.
• Former Athlete: Brings a strong foundation in physical fitness and a keen awareness of the body’s capabilities and limitations.
• International Business Background: Experience in high-stress environments provides valuable insights into stress management and resilience.

Course Format:

• Duration: Six 90-minute sessions
• Schedule: Summer dates to be determined based on interest. Meeting twice a week on Monday and Friday from 8:30-10am
• Location: Lower Meeting House, FRSUU

Investment: $50 which will be donated to the FRSUU.

If you are interested in this program, please contact David Turner, davidyturner@comcast.net, 617-669-1950

Are you interested in serving as a church docent?

Throughout the year we offer Historic Church Tours of our beautiful New England style meetinghouse, and we fill this tour with tales of individuals who have preached from the pulpit or people who have participated in worship services sitting in the pews.

If you would like to join a fun and tale-filled training to serve as a church docent, please email Cynthia Walsh at cynthia.walsh@frsuu.org.

Introduction to the Science and Practice of Mindfulness: A Four-Week Series with Effie Stavrulaki

When: Monday evenings, 7-8:30 pm, Sept. 30, Oct. 7, 21, & 28 (no class Oct. 14) at the FRSUU

Mindfulness is the ability to be fully attentive to the present moment with the attitudes of nonjudgment, kind acceptance, and curiosity. A large body of scientific research suggests that formal mindfulness training reduces stress, increases wellbeing, and even increases the chance of acting in pro-social ways to help others. By reducing how much time we spend worrying about the future or fretting about the past, our capacity to appreciate what is actually happening and to choose how to act with more clarity and compassion increases. The more we develop this capacity, the less we feel overwhelmed by changes and challenges in our lives. 

During this four-week class series, you will be introduced to the practice of embodied mindfulness and learn several skills for managing stress and enriching your life. We will discuss the latest science about the benefits of mindfulness, but mostly we will practice together. And we will encourage each other to establish a meditation routine that you can integrate with your daily living. Like learning any new skill, mindfulness meditation requires repetition and patience. Working in a group setting increases the chance of developing and sticking with this important skill. Beginners as well as anyone who would like to get back to regular meditation practice are very welcome.

Effie Stavrulaki is a meditation teacher with NSIMC as well as a management professor at Bentley University. Read more about Effie at her teacher page.

The fee for this program is $85 ($80 cash or check). To register and pay online, just click below; for alternate payment methods, email northshoreimc@gmail.com.

Thank you to everyone who joined us for our third Parish Hall Fix-It Day on Saturday, June 28th and to the folks who are jumping in during the week to help with the ongoing work taking place in Parish Hall.

Much appreciation to August Mead, Lisa Mead, Christine Doherty, Annie and Lark Madden, Scott Clark, Julie Menin, Alan Jette, John Gibson, Paula Renda, and Ghlee Woodworth!

-Cynthia Walsh

Call on Parish Friends!

Do you know of anyone in our church community who could use a helping hand or an encouraging word? If so, please reach out to the FRSUU Parish Friends. For example, a member may need a ride to an appointment or appreciate a card to let them know we hold them in our thoughts. Or any other temporary support such as a family with a new baby who may welcome a meal! If so, please contact Susan Ricker at parishfriends@frsuu.org. You may also reach out to the church office at info@frsuu.org or call 978-465-0602.

Minister–The Reverend Rebecca Bryan; Affiliate Minister–Rev. Stan Barrett; Affiliate Minister-Rev. Jane Tuohy; Minister Emeritus–The Reverend Harold Babcock. Staff: Church Administrator–Diane Carroll; Director of Youth and Children's Ministry–Mara Flynn; Director of Finance–Dan O'Shea; Director of Church Music Emerita–Barbara Owen; Sexton–Donny Rogers; Special Events and Facilities Manager–Cynthia Walsh. Parish Board: Chair–Tina Benik; Vice Chair–TBD; Finance Chair–Jim Supple; Governance Chair–Tom Himmel; Finance Treasurer–Andy Lobb; Stewardship Chair–Renee Wolf Foster; Parish Clerk–Kathy Desilets; Lori Clark, Vern Ellis, Laurie Evans-Daly, Minnie Flanagan, Liss Larsen, Bob Higgins, Sarina Khan Reddy. Endowment Treasurer–Kim Kenly

First Religious Society, Unitarian Universalist | 26 Pleasant St., Newburyport MA 01950

978-465-0602 | frsuu.org