Sunday, June 7, 2020

“Sometimes I've believed as many as six impossible things before breakfast.”

— Lewis Carroll

Order of ServiceFirst Religious Society

Unitarian Universalist26 Pleasant Street, Newburyport, MA

June Ministry Theme: Celebration

Order of Service

gathering music Justin Murphy-ManciniBreaking BoundariesPauline Oliveros

mindfulness bell

welcome to the service Justin Murphy-Mancini

call to worship Reverend Rebecca M. Bryan

chalice lighting We gather this hour as people of faithWith joys and sorrows, gifts and needs.We light this beacon of hope,Sign of our questFor truth and meaning,In celebration of the life we share together.

candle of hope and remembrance

candles of peace all Peace, Salam, Shalom

*hymn #1064 Blue Boat Home

*affirmation of faithLove is the doctrine of this church,The quest of truth is its sacrament,And service is its prayer.To dwell together in peace,To seek knowledge in freedom,To serve humankind in fellowship,To the end that all souls shall grow into harmony with the Divine–Thus do we covenant with each other and with God.

*doxologyFrom all that dwell below the skies Let faith and hope with love arise;Let beauty, truth and good be sungThrough every land, by every tongue.

Order of Service

offertory Justin Murphy-ManciniVariations on a Theme by EllieTrevor Weston

reading Rev. Bryan, Kristen Miller, Justin Murphy-ManciniBeatitudes for Justice Builders (Lindi Ramsden)

community prayer of sorrow and joy Rev. Bryan

pastoral prayer (Viola Abbitt) Rev. Bryan

interlude Justin Murphy-ManciniDiapason MovementWilliam Walond

reflection “Holding the Impossible” Rev. Bryan

new member and recovenanting ritual

minister: Do you, the newest of our members, promise to bring your whole self to this congregation? This includes sharing your beauty, your gifts and talents, your pains, and the parts of you in need of healing, so that we may grow stronger as a congregation and more whole in our shared humanity?

new members: We do.minister: Do you bring a commitment to the principles of Unitarian Universalism?

new members: We do.minister: To love?

new members: We do.minister: To community?

new members: We do.to other membersminister: Members of the First Religious Society, do you welcome these

NewMembers

Liam Parker AveryLily Elizabeth Amery

Shawn Flaherty*Holly Flanagan

Jon FlanaganLance Hidy*

Leslie MacDonaldZara Raab

Lucy RiddellKathy Welch

Betsy Woodman

*Returning members

new members into our church community, covenanting to walk together with them in your shared spiritual and life journeys?

members: We do.minister: Do you promise to be open to what they bring to this beloved community and will you seek to be in right relationship with them, and all who may follow them through these doors?

members: We will.to childrenminister: Children and youth, do you welcome these new members to our community?

children and youth: We do.minister: Will you share your gifts, love and light with them and will you get to know their gifts, love and light?

children and youth: We will.to everyone: members, friends and visitorsminister: To all who are gathered here today, are you open to the possibilities that Love brings?

congregation: We are.

celebrating each otherLet It Be a Dance (video)

*unison benedictionMay the Love which overcomes all differences,Which heals all wounds,Which puts to flight all fears,Which reconciles all who are separated,Be in us and among us now and always.

blessing Rev. Bryan

postlude Justin Murphy-ManciniDancing LeavesAmy Marcy Cheney Beach

Order of Service

Beatitudes for Justice Builders (Lindi Ramsden)Blessed are you who can question your own assumptions and listen

with an open mind; you will receive new insights beyond your imagining.

Blessed are you who suffer the attacks of others to stand up for what is right; you will not be alone, for your courage will inspire others to rise.

Blessed are you who build friendships as well as justice; even when you lose an issue, you will have strengthened the foundation of your community.

Blessed are you who take delight in people; you will not be bored in meetings.

Blessed are you who agitate the placid waters of complacency; you will create waves in the inertia of privilege, and will know the thrill of riding the surf of change.

Blessed are you who lead with enthusiasm and confidence, resisting the temptation to shame the apathetic or self-absorbed; you will inspire curiosity and hope in others.

Blessed are you who play as well as work; you will have more fun, build more energy, and will draw the powers of the impish to your cause.

Blessed are you who ask for help in your role as leaders; you will find teachers at every turn, and your work will remain interesting and alive.

Blessed are you who, when wrongfully attacked, find safe outlets for your righteous rage; your mind will be clear, your decisions strategic, and your progress will not be derailed by the backlash of the fearful.

Blessed are you who do not demonize your opponents; your eyes and your hearts will be open.

Blessed are you who sing and dance; you will find energy and joy to lift you on your journey.

Notes on today’s service

Notes on today’s service

Blessed are you who offer thanks and praise five-fold for every critique; your children will want to visit after they are grown, people will want to serve on your committees, and friends will be interested in your opinions.

Blessed are you who study the rhythms of history; you will have knowledge with which to shape the future.

Blessed are you who work in coalition rather than in principled isolation; you will meet great people, learn things you didn't realize you needed to know, and have partners for the journey when you are in the lead, or in need.

Blessed are you who volunteer to be secretary and take good minutes; your words will become history, and your efforts will move steadily forward rather than running absent-mindedly over thoroughly discussed ground.

Blessed are you who discover, train and encourage young leaders; you will see your work expand and grow beyond your own time and talent.

Blessed are you who can change your mind; you are still alive.

Blessed are you who will not let the perfect be the enemy of the good; you will see progress in your lifetime.

Blessed are you with an active spiritual life; you will find perspective and comfort in times of loss and betrayal, and will rise without cynicism to meet the challenges of a new day.

Blessed are you who live from a place of gratitude; for you will know the meaning of Life.

This Week’s Questions to Ponder, Discuss, and Hold...1. Is the pandemic changing how you feel called to support or be a

part of FRS? If so, how?

2. Name two realities that are challenging for you to hold at the same time. How can you practice doing this? (For example: I am angry at the world. I love the world.)

3. Did you want to sign up for “Imagine,” Reverend Rebecca’s weekly summer messages and writing prompts?

Sign up here: https://bit.ly/FRS-Imagine

Pauline Oliveros (1932-2016) was a pioneering American composer in the use of electronics and new methods of listening. In Breaking Boundaries, Oliveros instructs the pianist to find new relationships between chords simply by listening to their relationships until new patterns emerge. Every performance of this piece will be different according to the performer's imagination. Trevor Weston (b. 1967) is an acclaimed Black American composer, known especially for his vocal and choral works. His Variations on a Theme by Ellie was writtento a tune from his sister, the titular Ellie, for her wedding in 2002. The variations creatively reimagine the tune until it is unrecognizable. Boston-based composer and piano virtuoso Amy Marcy Cheney Beach (1867-1944) enjoyed a long career after the death of her husband, who attempted to limit her creative activity. One of her many pieces for the piano is the extremely charming “Dancing Leaves,” written in 1924. William Walond (1719-68) was a respected English organist who left collections of organ voluntaries for use at church. They are well-suited to the tonal palette of the FRS organ.

Notes on today’s music

Notes on today’s service

We use the mindfulness bell at the start of each service as an invitation to center ourselves and open our minds and hearts to worship. The bell is rung three times.

Shared Collection for June: Half of this month’s unpledged cash collection will go to LGBT Asylum Task Force in Worcester, which supports the basic human needs of LGBTQI people seeking asylum in the US. They depend on donations and volunteers to help asylum seekers. It takes approximately $1,100 per month to provide the basic necessities of shelter, food, and support for each asylum seeker. This past year they supported 45 people fleeing persecution and maintained their 100% success rate of folks granted asylum.

Candles of PeaceEach week we light these candles to represent two places on earth

that especially need peace this week.

Candle Lighting for Joys and ConcernsPlease feel free to light a candle of joy and concern

before the service.

Today’s Dedications

Today’s flower arrangement, given Hugh Martinez and Linda Harding, is dedicated to all who are courageously pushing

for positive change on the front lines of public health and social justice in America.

This week’s steeple lighting is sponsored by Art Henshawin memory of Judy Henshaw.

Connect & Engage:Here's What's Going OnImagine: A Weekly Contemplation from Rev. RebeccaJoin Rev. Rebecca for a ten-week series this summer exploring the concepts of imagination and paradox. Each Tuesday you will receive an email that includes a short reflection written by Rev. Rebecca, writing prompts, and other practices to consider. Over the series of ten weeks we will consider:

• Imagination as part of resilience, hope, and happiness. • The theology and philosophy of paradox, and how we can learn to

embrace it. • What it means to imagine life during and after the pandemic, and • Other exciting and thought-provoking ways paradox is part of life.

Emails begin Tuesday, June 30 and run through Tuesday, September 8.Sign up here! https://bit.ly/FRS-Imagine

Thursday, June 11, 7-8pm, Circle of Caring: A Quiet Worship Service and Opportunity to Share. We all sometimes need a place to lay our burdens down. Grieving is an essential part of life, and healing. It is especially powerful when done together. Join Reverend Rebecca, Julie Parker Amery, and Jane Tuohy in this special service. Bring your cares, worries, and loss for our world and enter a safe, healing space of love and community.

Online: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/81202961086Meeting ID: 812 0296 1086Dial by phone: +1 646 558 8656 (New York)

Rescheduled: Friday, June 12, 7pm, Virtual FRS Variety ShowRead more here: www.frsuu.org/variety-show

Online: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/82753744651Meeting ID: 827 5374 4651 Dial by phone: +1 646 558 8656

Wednesday, June 17, 7:30pm, United in Peace Interfaith Worship Service. Join Rev. Rebecca, fellow members of the Greater Newburyport Clergy Association, and Mayors Donna Holaday and Kassandra Gove for an online community worship service. This is a time for faith, unity, and hope both in the face of COVID-19 and the injustice and tragedy our country is facing in response to the death of George Floyd and the undercurrents of systemic racism that run through our country. Join via Zoom webinar:https://umcom.zoom.us/j/99376090144

Summer Worship and Programming: We have great news! This summer we are offering a variation of online worship services each Sunday as well as weekday programming. We hope that you continue to find needed connection within our community in this time when connection and community are paramount. We look forward to seeing you over the summer! For more information:www.frsuu.org/summer-happenings/

“Seeing White” Summer Discussion Series: Scene on Radio’s podcast “Seeing White” is a 14-episode series that explores race from the perspective of whiteness. What does it mean to be white in the United States? It’s a different way of dissecting race than what many of us are used to, by examining the oppressors rather than the oppressed. We’ll meet over the summer to discuss one episode at time. Days and times will be announced in future communications.

ACCESS FOR WEEKDAY PROGRAMMINGNote: Dial by phone where marked with * is: +1 646 558 8656

Monday, June 8, 9-10am, Seeing White: Online DiscussionRegister to get the access code: https://bit.ly/seeingwhitediscussion

*Tuesday, June 9, 11am, Spiritual Practice: Julie Parker AmeryOnline: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/94440982749Meeting ID: 944 4098 2749

Wednesday, June 10, 7pm, Virtual Young Church Summer Session - see the Young Church Newsletter for details, or email Mara Flynn at mara.flynn@frsuu.org.

Thursday, June 11, 9-10am, Seeing White: Online DiscussionRegister to get the access code: https://bit.ly/seeingwhitediscussion

Thursday, June 11, 7pm, Circle of Caring Worship ServiceSee above for access information.

Friday, June 12, 10-11:30am, Virtual Friday Book GroupSee Journeying Together for access information.

*Friday, June 12, Noon, “Let’s Do Lunch” - A Virtual Potluck with Julie Parker Amery

Online: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/99201530426Meeting ID: 992 0153 0426

Friday, June 12, 7pm, Virtual FRS Variety ShowSee above for access information.

Parish Friends continue to offer connections and supportContact Susan Ricker at ParishFriendsFRS@gmail.com.

We, the member congregations of the Unitarian Universalist Association, covenant to affirm and promote:• The inherent worth and dignity of every person;• Justice, equity, and compassion in human relations;• Acceptance of one another and encouragement to spiritual growth in our congregations;• A free and responsible search for truth and meaning;• The right of conscience and the use of the democratic process within our congregations and in society at large;• The goal of world community with peace, liberty, and justice for all;• Respect for the interdependent web of all existence of which we are a part.

Connect with Us!Our website: www.frsuu.orgOur Facebook page: facebook.com/frsuu/Join our email list: www.frsuu.org/contact or info@frsuu.orgFor information about Young Church: mara.flynn@frsuu.org

Welcome to First Religious Society, Unitarian Universalist! We’ve been in the center of Newburyport since 1725. Our denomination has its roots in the Reformation of the 1500s; today we welcome all religious seekers. We invite you and your family to our virtual services at 10:30am on Sundays; children are welcome in our lively Young Church program.

donate to frsuu

Our StaffMinister

Reverend Rebecca M. BryanReligious Education Assistant

Sharon BrollOffice Administrator

Diane CarrollYouth Group Coordinator

Becky DillDirector of Finance and Administration

Kristen FehlhaberDirector of Children’s Ministry

Mara FlynnYouth Music Director

Kristen MillerDirector of Church Music

Justin Murphy-ManciniDirector of Faith Formation and Spiritual Exploration

Julie Parker AmerySexton

Donny RogersDirector of Community Engagement

Nicole Salemi

Affiliated MinistersReverend Stanton BarrettReverend Helen Murgida

Ministers EmeritusReverend Harold Babcock

Reverend Bert Steeves

Other StaffSound System: Rob CloseHead Usher: John Mercer