Connections

Weekend Service Opportunities

Even if your weekday schedule is too complex to add another activity, you can still take an active role in the Society while you are attending weekend worship services.

Greeters
Help us welcome newcomers! Arrive half an hour before the service of your choice. Greet those who come into the Meeting House, especially newcomers and introduce them to others. Stay for a few moments following the service to chat with those who may have questions.
Contact:
• Patti Reardon, Sunday Greeter Coordinator, at pareardon@tds.net, or
• Rebecca Bernstein, Saturday Greeter Coordinator, at rabernst@wisc.edu.

Ushers
Join the ushering team and assist with weekend services distributing or collecting hymnals, handing out orders of service, passing collection plates, and performing other duties as needed. It’s a great way to get acquainted with people in the congregation.
Contacts:
• Lynn Kirsch Buechner Sunday, 9 a.m. Usher Coordinator, 206-5333; lysuki@hotmail.com
• Gail Bliss Sunday, 11 a.m. Usher Coordinator, 231-3511; gail3511@gmail.com
• Mike Slavney Saturday, 4:30 p.m. Usher Coordinator, 298-0156; Sherwood@slavneys.net.

Sound System Operators
Our sound operators provide great sound for the Society through our PA and recording system, “Mic” the services, monitor levels, make digital recordings and run our webcasts. This is a fun and challenging way to contribute to the Society. Training provided. Commit to a regular schedule or serve as a back-up. Contact: Roz Woodward, 251-1074, rozw@tds.net.

Monthly Book Signing
Once a month, after each worship service, representatives of the membership committee and lay ministry welcome new members as they sign the book. The joy of becoming a member is heightened by the warm welcome of current members. A simple task; a significant contribution. Interested? Contact membership committee co-chairs: Lisa Tiedemann, latieds@hotmail.com, or Sandi Wysock sandrawysock@msn.com.

Flowers
Members, affiliates and friends are invited to provide a floral offering for our weekend services. A sign-up book is located at the Information Kiosk in the Lower Crossing. Your message of dedication, memory, or celebration will be included in that week’s order of service. Contact: Vera or Gordon Cunningham, 230-3367, gcunning@wisc.edu.

The Food Haulers

The Food Haulers prepare and serve food for many Society events, including parish meetings, member recognition events, and special congregational celebrations. We bake ahead, plan, shop, prepare food, serve and clean-up. You can volunteer for any or all. Menus and grocery lists are provided. No cooking experience is necessary. Both men and woman already participate in this relaxed and welcoming group. For further information, e-mail Trudy Karlson, trudy.karlson@gmail.com.

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Opportunities to Serve
any Day of the Week

Many members and friends contribute each week to support our worship, maintain this historic structure, and strengthen a sense of community. Many find that service to First Unitarian Society provides an avenue for getting acquainted, building networks, learning new skills, and reaching goals of spiritual growth and insight. There are options for everyone: short-term, long-term, once a month, or a one time only; time-consuming or quick; geared to extroverts or introverts, group and individual. However you’d like to make your contribution, we’ve a place for you to feel welcome and useful! Unsure of how to make such a connection? Contact the Jeanne Sears, jeannes@fusmadison.org Coordinator of Member Programs at 233-9774. extension 116.

Newsletter Assembly

Every three weeks we create and print over 1,300 copies of The Madison Unitarian. Join our hard-working crew as they collate, sort, and package the final product. The Monday crew works every third Monday morning. Contact: Harry Carnes, 233-9774, ext 122, or harryc@fusmadison.org.

The Photo Team

The FUS Photo Team is a group of photographers who document the life of the society. Attend and document events as assigned, or freelance. Contact: Harry Carnes, 233-9774, extension 122 harryc@fusmadison.org.

Receptionist

Greet visitors, answer phones, and assist church staff with light clerical tasks. Build a schedule that fits your lifestyle. A typical shift might be 9 a.m. to 12:30 or 12:30 to 4 p.m. weekdays. Contact: Bobbi Zehner at 233-6027 or bobbiz@sbcglobal.net.

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Operations

The Operations Council involves members, affiliates and friends in a variety of activities related to the operations of our facility, including preservation, grounds, organized storage, and information technology support. Contact: Lloyd Eagan, Chair of the Operation Council. 273-8937 (evenings best) or leagan@charter.net.

• Grounds Crew
Grounds crew activities include weeding, pruning, planting, raking, prairie maintenance (depending upon the level of interest of volunteers). Special clean-up projects may be announced through the newsletter. The gardening crew meets Thursday mornings 9-11 a.m. To confirm dates and locations contact Nancy Ragland, at 249-9573, or nragland@charter.net.
• Preservation Committee
The preservation committee is working on several projects to spruce up and preserve the original Meeting House. Contact: Michael May at 236-0444 or themonsignor@uwalumni.com.


• Information Technology Committee (The Geeks)
The IT Committee provides technical guidance to the FUS staff around technology and assists in answering technical questions and resolving problems. Plus we do some hands-on work such as wiring, computer rebuilds, moves, etc. We also have some larger projects that are in need of owners such as building a SharePoint extranet. Contact JJ Streicher-Bremer at jj@fusmadison.org or 268-6609.

The Alliance

A 100-year FUS tradition, "the Alliance" is a service organization, social network, and educational link within our Society. Originally the Alliance was a women’s group, but now it is open to all. The Alliance meets monthly for fellowship, inspiration, and education through speakers, programs, and excursions.

On the district and national levels, the Alliance is historically associated with the Alliance of Unitarian Women, which merged with the Association of Universalist Women in 1963 to form the UU Women's Federation. Learn More about the FUS Alliance here...

Men's Group

There are a variety of opportunities for men to explore issues important in their lives. On the first and third Mondays of the month, the “closed” men’s group meets. Men make these meetings a high priority. New members are welcomed in mid-September and again in mid-January. They are invited to make a commitment after they have attended three meetings. Contact: Neil Richardson, 260-8171, neilrich@polisci.wisc.edu. The Open Men’s Group provides an opportunity for men to come together to talk about their lives and to get to know one another on a deeper level than just casual acquaintance. New members are always welcome. This group meets on the second and fourth Mondays of the month from 7:30 to 9 p.m. Contact: Gordon Olson, olson99@tds.net, 836-1779.

Young Adults (ages 18-35)

The First Unitarian Society Young Adults are a loosely-knit group who keep connected with each other through our list-serv, occasional social events, and other interest groups. We serve coffee once a month between services, and we plan and carry out a worship service once during the summer. The Young Adult Discussion Group meets for conversation about different topics, including our religious paths, meditating, storytelling, and walking the labyrinth, on the second Thursday of every month at 8pm. If you’d like to join us, keep connected with what’s going on and or join our list serv, e-mail Program Coordinator Karen Barrett-Wilt at karenb@fusmadison.org.  You can also check out our web page: http://www.fusmadison.org/adult/YoungAdults.shtml.) You can join our list serv by going to: http://www.fusmadison.org/adult/young-adult-sub-page.shtml and check out our Facebook group. Join us anytime!

Parent-Child Playgroup

This is a new group of parents of young children (ages 4 and under) who meet twice a week for mutual support and fun! We’re currently meeting on Tuesdays at 9:30am and Fridays at noon in the Childcare Room at First Unitarian Society. We’re in the process of adding Saturday morning meetings – stay up-to-date by joining our list serv at: http://www.fusmadison.org/adult/young-adult-sub-page.shtml or contact Program Coordinator Karen Barrett-Wilt at karenb@fusmadison.org. This is a drop-in group – come when you can!

 

Ministry: min·is·try

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Lay Ministry: Catalysts For Community

The Lay Ministry Program augments the pastoral work of the Society’s ministers, and promotes the spirit of community in through direct service.
Lay ministers help by:

• Making calls and visits to ill and hospitalized members.
• Establishing one-on-one partnerships with elderly or disabled members.
• Coordinating care for people with temporary disabilities.
• Coordinating the FUS Meal Network
• Collaborating with congregational groups to provide assistance to members.
• Contacting new members and members after major life transitions.
• Coordinating support for families and individuals during transition and dislocation.
• Facilitating support groups, as deemed appropriate by clergy.
• Performing informal peer counseling, when appropriate.
• Providing assistance at funerals and memorial services of members.
• Bringing a discreet but clear pastoral presence to worship services and other congregational events.

In addition, lay ministers meet to share their experiences, discuss the challenges of care-giving, and to learn new helping skills. Persons wishing to serve as a Lay Minister, or who feel they could benefit from this program, should contact Karen Gustafson, 233-9774 ext 124, kareng@fusmadison.org.

Shawl Ministry

Shawl Ministry is a task force linked to Lay Ministry Members of the Shawl Ministry make items of comfort to be distributed to others in the FUS community during times of need and transition, and blankets for children who are dedicated in our community. Items may be knit, crocheted, sewn, or woven. What distinguishes Shawl Ministry from the craft used to create the object is the spirit of intentionality that goes into the creation of each piece. The person who is making the comfort item “weaves” thoughts of comfort and connection throughout the making of the item, making it a nurturing process for both the giver and the receiver. All skill levels are welcome. Contacts: Lorna Aaronson, 255-0296, lorna464@ charter.net; Joyce Carey, 256-1537, joycecarey@charter.net; Chris Lee, 826-0877 chris@metacontext.net; Maggie Dugan, maggiedugan@tds.net.

Chalice Group Ministry

The Chalice Group Small Group Ministry program brings together groups of about ten people to meet regularly to build community, learn to practice shared ministry and nurture their spiritual lives. Through rituals, covenant (a set of promises of how they will be with each other) and service to the congregation and/or the community at large, Chalice Groups provide a structured opportunity for group members to build strong relationships. Group members reflect on issues and values important to them as Unitarian Universalists. Contacts: Richard Scoby, rscoby2@mac.com, 413-0076.

Madison Unitarian Universalist Young Adult and Campus Ministry (MUUYACM)

MUUYACM (“moo-YAK-um”) is the First Unitarian Society campus ministry. All area college students are invited to come together once a week during the academic year on the UW campus for authentic community, spiritual growth, and justice-building activism. We meet for informal services led by First Unitarian Society and area UU ministers, members of the Madison community, and members of MUUYACM. During these services, we engage with each other in discussion on a wide variety of topics in an affirming and inclusive environment. In the last year, our discussions have included tae kwon do as spiritual practice, nature, music, mandalas, the U.S. presidential election and current events, and our own spiritual/religious journeys. We welcome anyone who’s interested! If you’d like to join our list serv (and receive our weekly e-newsletter), or for more information, contact Program Coordinator Karen Barrett-Wilt at karenb@fusmadison.org and check out our website: www.muuyacm.org. Please join us!

Caretakers’ Support Group

The Caretakers’ Support Group is a small support group for those who have responsibilities for taking care of loved ones. We meet twice a month on Thursday mornings from 10-12 on the 2nd and 4th Thursdays of the month. It is a quiet time to share the challenges and stresses as well as the joys of providing this care. Please contact Claire Box at clairebox1@mac.com or 441-9905 if interested.

Blood Donors’ Club

Members and friends of the three Madison UU congregations collectively pledge two apheresis or whole blood donations to the Red Cross each week. You can read donors’ names on the “One-A-Week” chart, periodically displayed. The club also sponsors two or three blood drives at UU churches each year, for which blood donors and other helpers are needed. For information, contact Mary Murphy, 233-8602, quiltedmary@yahoo.com, Anne Mosser, 845-7458, agmosser@tds.net, or Gordon Cunningham, 230-3367.

Spiritual Practice: Together on the Path

Insight Buddhist Meditation

“Insight” or Vipassana meditation originates in the Theravadan tradition of Buddhism and uses techniques accessible to Western practitioners. Sunday evening mediation sessions are scheduled from 6- 8 pm, throughout the year. An introductory session is held on the second Sunday of each month. Periods of sitting meditation last 45 minutes; walking meditation, and discussion are included. More extended periods are scheduled for occasional Saturday mornings. The group also has a lending library for books and tapes. Questions? Contact Lori Creswell at 238-1234.

Centering Prayer Group

The First Unitarian Society Centering Prayer Group started meeting weekly in 2005. This meditation group began as an outgrowth of the two-year Quest Spiritual Enrichment program. One description of this twenty-minute meditation practice is that you “rest in love/God.” After we meditate together there is time to talk about our own meditation practice and how it is going. Come join us if you are looking for a way to begin a Centering Prayer meditation practice or for companionship in your own practice. We meet on Tuesdays from 4:45-6 p.m. at First Unitarian Society. Contact: Kim Stege, 244-5875, kstege@sbcglobal.net or Pamela Johnson, pjj14@rconnect.com, 455-1685.

Pagan Paths

Men and women interested in pursuing pagan paths are invited to contact Nancy Vedder-Shults, 231-3362.

Exploring UU Christianity

We are a small group exploring how to follow the teachings of Jesus. We meet for discussion, worship and fellowship. We hope to offer several UU Christian worship services during the 2009-2010 year. Contact Elizabeth Barrett: ebarrett@tds.net 257-2182 or Elena Tabachnick: r.elena@yahoo.com or 829-0575. For more information on UU Christianity see www.uuchristian.org.

The Quest Program

The Quest Program is an intensive and comprehensive two year experience that draws on our UU faith tradition and provides participants the opportunity to deepen and enhance the sacred in their lives. Program underway summer 2009. Questions about future offerings contact Janet Swanson, janets@fusmadison.org.

Friends, Fun & Support

There are numerous fellowship opportunities at First Unitarian Society, some of which are directly linked to our programming, some of which have grown organically from interests and needs of the congregation.

Circle Suppers

Circle Suppers offer participants a chance to come together in a host’s home and enrich their network of friends and acquaintances. The recipe for Circle Suppers is simple: Take one evening each month, combine eight to twelve assorted individuals, add potluck, fellowship, and fun. To register contact Dawn Stucki,849-8078, destucki@tds.net. The registration deadline for the October to May program is mid-September. The deadline for the summer program is mid-May.

Circle Suppers are now registering. More information is available here.

The Fall Festival

The Fall Festival will take place onSunday, October 4, following the 11 a.m. worship service. There will be fun and food for people of all ages. Plans include working with the Ethical Eats Task Force to have a canning demonstration and a garden celebration. Help is needed for planning and organizing activities. Contact: Mary Kay Aide, 238-5711, marykay@lifecoachmkay.com.

Thanksgiving Dinner

The Thanksgiving Dinner party features food, football, friends and fun. Join with others in making and enjoying a memorable feast. Contact Bob & Kelly Radford, radfam@tds.net or 845-3523.

Trees for Tomorrow

For over 3 decades members of FUS have enjoyed a weekend in the Eagle River area cross-country skiing, sledding, skating, hanging out. The accommodations are rustic, the fellowship is fabulous. Usually held Martin Luther King Jr. weekend. Contact Mary Kay Aide, 238-5711, marykay@lifecoachmkay.com.

Cabaret: Fun and Fund-raising

Cabaret is a fun-filled community building event in a social setting with refreshments, and a fund-raising auction. Among the items offered are services and activities that members plan and donate. Various hidden talents of members come to light People can be involved on a long-term basis to plan the event and solicit donations, or volunteer more short-term on or near the event itself. Mark your calendars for Cabaret Fun this year on April 17. Contact: Jay Roberts, 245-0116, cabaret@fusmadison.org.

Learn more about cabaret here.

Saturday Pot-Luck Dinners

Once a month, after Saturday afternoon worship service, congregants gather for a potluck in the Commons area. It is a genuine potluck, with fine food, and fellowship around the table, and in the kitchen. Children and adults lend a hand with preparations and clean-up. Contact Rebecca Bernstein, at rabernst@wisc.edu.