http://www.fusmadison.org/ en-us Some rights reserved; 2012 Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-ShareAlike 2.5 License http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-sa/2.5/; First Unitarian Society of Madison. Unitarian Universalist perspectives from Wisconsin's capital city. First Unitarian Society of Madison Wisconsin Thought-provoking presentions from one of the nation's largest UU Churches, in one of its most progressive small cities Housed in the Frank Lloyd Wright-designed National Historic Landmark Unitarian Meeting House, sermons and reflections from FUS-Madison are challenging and thoughtful, whether presented by our three resident ministers, or a guest speaker. First Unitarian Society of Madison Wisconsin webmaster@fusmadison.org http://www.fusmadison.org/media/sermon.xml Michael A. Schuler, Parish Minister What are we challenged to do and to be in 2012? We mark the dawn of a New Year with some sober reflection on developments the past twelve months and an assessment of what the future might hold in store. What are we challenged to do and to be in 2012? Tue, 03 Jan 2012 11:00:00 CDT 00:12:40 future http://www.fusmadison.org/media/2012-01-01-spare-the-regrets-full-speed-ahead-mas.mp3 Kelly Crocker, Minister of Religious Education Or are expectations only bearers of more stress? Some say expectations are the root of all heartache and others say having positive expectations is one way to bring good things into our lives. Do you really get what you expect? Or are expectations only bearers of more stress? As we enter a new year we’ll take a look at our expectations – those we are aware of and maybe even some of those we are not – and check out whether they bring us possibility and opportunity or disappointment and regret. Tue, 10 Jan 2012 11:00:00 CDT 00:11:54 expectations http://www.fusmadison.org/media/2012-01-08-are-expectations-the-enemy-of-happiness-kjc.mp3 Michael A. Schuler, Parish Minister What constitutes heresy today? The overarching pulpit theme for January is "freedom" and in these reflections we'll explore the venerable religious tradition which I would label "free thought" but that others have called "heretical." Our word "heresy" comes from a Greek term that literally means "to choose on one's own, apart from the community." Historically, Western religion has disparaged that freedom and, in some quarters, continues to do so. What constitutes heresy today? Are you a heretic but don't know it? Wed, 18 Jan 2012 11:00:00 CDT 00:09:41 heresy http://www.fusmadison.org/media/2012-01-15-beyond-belief-a-sympathetic-look-at-heresy-mas.mp3 Karen Gustafson, Associate Minister Offering ways for people to connect, to share their stories, to grow lasting connections, and find ways to serve the world. This January, most of us received The (nearly) Everything Guide for Curious Adults, which contains descriptions of most of the opportunities that have been planned by staff and volunteers to engage our affiliates and members in ways beyond our Sunday morning worship that "stimulate our minds, touch our hearts and stir our spirits." The most important way that we do that is by offering these ways for people to connect, to share their stories, to grow lasting connections, and find ways to serve the world. This is a voluntary endeavor. How does it relate to you? Mon, 23 Jan 2012 11:00:00 CDT 00:23:38 connect http://www.fusmadison.org/media/2012-01-22-the-more-we-get-together-kg.mp3 Michael A. Schuler, Parish Minister What does the inordinate influence of Rand's "Objectivist" philosophy say about the condition of our culture? The author of Atlas Shrugged and The Fountainhead has won a considerable following, but is Ms. Rand's secular alternative to the Gospel socially or intellectually credible? What does the inordinate influence of Rand's "Objectivist" philosophy say about the condition of our culture? In light of the current state of American economics and politics, this topic seems especially apt. Mon, 30 Jan 2012 11:00:00 CDT 00:13:03 Rand http://www.fusmadison.org/media/2012-01-29-selfishness-in-a-new-key-or-can-ayn-rand-make-us-happy-mas.mp3 Michael A. Schuler, Parish Minister It could also be argued that perfection isn't a proper aim and that imperfection is preferable. In the middle of a lengthy moral discourse in the Gospel of Matthew, Jesus tells his disciples, "You must be perfect, as your Father in heaven is perfect." That comment has been the source of considerable controversy over the centuries, for perfection is generally thought to be out of the reach of mere mortals. It could also be argued that perfection isn't a proper aim and that imperfection is preferable. Sun, 5 Feb 2012 11:00:00 CDT 00:13:46 imperfection http://www.fusmadison.org/media/2012-02-05-the-blessings-of-imperfection-mas.mp3 Karen Gustafson, Associate Minister How does the truth or metaphor of Gods love inform our love for humanity? The fourth source of the living tradition is that we affirm and promote Jewish and Christian teachings that call us to respond to Gods love by loving our neighbors as ourselves. How does the truth or metaphor of “God’s love” inform our love for humanity? How is it different from human love? Sun, 12 Feb 2012 11:00:00 CDT 00:19:13 love http://www.fusmadison.org/media/2012-02-12-what-has_god-to-do-with-it-kg.mp3 Michael A. Schuler, Parish Minister What does servant leadership look like and why would we want to adopt it? In keeping with this month's worship theme, this service will feature an exploration of a paradoxical style of leadership. We think of the servant as one who follows, who takes orders from others, who has no mind of his or her own. What does servant leadership look like and why would we want to adopt it? Mon, 20 Feb 2012 11:00:00 CDT 00:11:03 leadership http://www.fusmadison.org/media/2012-02-19-servant-leadership-mas.mp3 Rev. Natalie Fenimore How do we embrace the risk of love? Our Universalist heritage calls us to love the world – even as we experience hate, pain and suffering. How do we embrace the risk of love? How might Universalism be a faith for our time? Rev. Natalie Fenimore is currently the Minister for Religious Exploration at the Unitarian Universalist Congregation of Fairfax in Oakton, Virginia. She serves as the President of the Liberal Religious Educator’s Association. She’s been a UU for 30 years and a religious professional for over a decade. Mon, 27 Feb 2012 11:00:00 CDT 00:12:01 love,risk http://www.fusmadison.org/media/2012-02-26-universalism-love-and-risk-guest-n-fenimore.mp3 Karen Gustafson, Associate Minister What is the relationship between generosity and expectation of return? What is the relationship between generosity and expectation of return? Is “giving from the heart” a recipe for “heart break”? How is generosity a spiritual practice? How is generosity related to resources? These are some of the questions that we will consider in this introduction to our theme. Wed, 07 Mar 2012 11:00:00 CDT 00:10:43 generosity http://www.fusmadison.org/media/2012-03-04-shall-giving-be-conditional-kg.mp3 Michael A. Schuler, Parish Minister What are its roots and what does humanism stand for? When I was writing my doctoral dissertation on “Humanism in 20th Century American Thought” thirty years ago, the term was the source of significant controversy. Conservative evangelicals like Jerry Falwell and Jimmy Swaggart spoke ominously of a secular humanist conspiracy, and even in our own movement self-identified humanists were beginning to feel marginalized. Still, humanism remains one of the “Six Sources” from which UUs draw inspiration. What are its roots and what does humanism stand for? Mon, 12 Mar 2012 11:00:00 CDT 00:15:08 humanism http://www.fusmadison.org/media/2012-03-11-humanism-unpacked-part-1-part-2-mas.mp3 Michael A. Schuler, Parish Minister The challenge of living in a society where material values and aspirations reign supreme What constitutes true wealth? From the standpoint of one’s soul, how much value does money really have? How do we know what is affordable and what is not? These are other questions will be on table as we address the challenge of living in a society where material values and aspirations reign supreme. Mon, 19 Mar 2012 11:00:00 CDT 00:21:35 wealth http://www.fusmadison.org/media/2012-03-18-the-mutiny-of-the-bounteous-mas.mp3 Kelly J. Crocker, Minister of Religious Education The tale of two fanciful African tribes The story of two African tribes in conflict until the laughing river bubbles melodiously into their lives and they learn how to live in peace. Tue, 27 Mar 2012 11:00:00 CDT 00:12:12 peace http://www.fusmadison.org/media/2012-03-25-the-laughing-river-kjc.mp3