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.
The Latest News & Events
Justice Sunday: Banned Books
Justice Sunday With Soup & Salad in Lower Meetinghouse. Join us Sunday, September 29th following service. Please sign up to bring a soup and/or volunteer to help serve here! Each year the American Library Association host an Annual Week of Action focus on Banned...
Introduction to the Science and Practice of Mindfulness: A Four-Week Series with Effie Stavrulaki
Introduction to the Science and Practice of Mindfulness: A Four-Week Series with Effie Stavrulaki Offered by North Shore Insight and Meditation Center When: Monday evenings, 7-8:30 pm, Sept. 30, Oct. 7, 21, & 28 (no class Oct. 14) at the FRSUU Mindfulness is the...
Registration for Sunday School at the FRSUU is now open!
Young Church is for children up through 8th grade. Children sit with their families for the beginning of worship service (about 15 minutes), and then head downstairs to the Lower Meetinghouse with volunteers and the Director of Youth and Children’s Ministry, Mara...
In the Spirit: “Never Alone” by Reverend Rebecca M. Bryan
Published in the Newburyport Daily News on June 28, 2024 “Why do you want to be a minister?” Carroll asked, leaning across the table. We were in a stately, old study room in the town library. I had worked with this retired professor for years, raising...
Friday Book Group
When: Fridays from 10-11:30am, Lower Meeting House, Room A and on Zoom We meet weekly and read both fiction and non-fiction books chosen by the participants. Each book is read and discussed over a period of several meetings, with the reading for each determined by the...
“Once Known” Dedication Ceremony
When: Tuesday, May 21 at 3pm, at the Old Hill Burying Ground, opposite #20 Auburn Street behind Bartlet Mall. Join Reverend Rebecca, Ghlee E. Woodworth, City officials, donors (including FRS), and friends for this Dedication...
The 2023 FRS Annual Report
The annual report contains reports from the Parish Board, Committees, Staff, and Groups; the warrant for the Annual Meeting; other materials to support the meeting; and the proposed FY23 Budget. Click HERE to access the 2023 FRS Annual Report.
The Short Story Group
The Short Story Group meets the 1st and 3rd Tuesday of the month from noon-1pm in the Lower Meetinghouse
Unitarian Universalist Association Letter to Congress
The Unitarian Universalist Association has joined 27 other denominations and organizations in signing a letter calling on Congress to take proactive steps to de-escalate the ongoing violence in Israel/Palestine. Specifically, the letter asks Congress to: Publicly call...
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.
