First Unitarian Society

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The First Unitarian Society of Madison (Unitarian Universalist), founded in 1878, has long stood as one of Madison’s most progressive faith communities. In a place “where spiritual curiosity and conscience connect,” over two thousand adults and children strive to develop deeper, richer, more generous and joyful lives. Visit us at our Frank Lloyd Wright-designed Meeting House.

by Michael A. Schuler, Parish Minister
Most of us have probably heard the expression, "When the going gets tough, the tough get going." As a motivational message it may work for some people. But often as not, toughness alone won't be enough to overcome adversity. We may have to tap into hidden strengths and unused assets in order to maintain a positive disposition and a sense of possibility.
Musically, on Saturday, The Teen Choir, directed by Heather Thorpe, will perform the musical offerings. Sunday, The Cherub and Chorister choirs will sing and Rachel Avery and Linda Warren will play celtic harp duets.

We're thrilled to again host Art in the Wright Place, our annual art and bake sale fundraiser for our Children's Religious Education program. Once again, we'll have an excellent selection of artists and diverse media represented. We'll have 16 returning artists and 14 new artists joining us this year.

Among our usual selection of fibre and paper arts, jewelry, photography, batik, and stained glass, we will also have some excellent new woodworkers, mosaic artists, potters, beadworkers, and more.

This is an excellent opportunity to get a start on your holiday shopping. Not only will you find wonderfully crafted unique items, but you'll be supporting area artists AND our children's programs all at the same time!

Artists will fill our Landmark Auditorium and Loggia on Sunday, November 21, and will be "open for business" from 9:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. While you're here, don't miss the tantalizing bake sale and caf down in the Gaebler Living Room. Every year our congregants show off their excellent baking skills with foods that will fill your tummy and warm your soul. Fresh breads, cheesecakes, pies, brownies, cookies, and more!

Thanksgiving Eve A Multi-Congregation Service
The annual Thanksgiving Eve Service which is shared and rotates between Madison's three UU congregations will be held this year at FUS in the Landmark Auditorium at 7 p.m. on Wednesday, November 24. We hope there will be a big turnout of FUS members.

This year we will be doing a ritual involving several kinds of bread. If you are a bread baker and wish to offer a special loaf to be used in the service or as part of the hospitality afterwards,, please contact Karen Gustafson at 233-9774 x 124 or by e-mail at kareng@fusmadison.org as soon as possible. Following the service we will share bread, hot cider, coffee, tea and fellowship.
Special Music will be sung by the Meeting House Chorus with choir members from James Reeb and Prairie UU congregations.

with Karen Gustafson, Associate Minister
This will be an opportunity for all ages to participate together in the sharing of stories and reflections on kinds of gratitude and thanks giving. There will be childcare but no Religious Education classes.
Musically, on Saturday, Barbara Walden and Linda Warren will play traditional Scottish music arranged for flute and celtic harp. On Sunday, Jeremy Goodman will play special music for fiddle and classical violin.

by Lauri Schwartz
What did you learn in childhood that defines you today? Lauri Schwartz, a community caretaker for the past 24 years, will examine lessons she learned while growing up. These experiences can sometimes appear so simple, almost two-dimensional. Yet with age and reading glasses, those life lessons become more 3D. Join in a journey through some perceived life lessons to find the precious "you" inside your life stories.
For the music... and maybe even a little dancing, Joe Harris will sing and play guitar, and Abigail Swetz will be accompanied by Linda Warren on piano.

All Music Sunday Choral Festival
Our All Music Sunday Choral Festival is on December 5 at our regular worship hours of 9 and 11 a.m. and will feature an eclectic mix of carols and anthems, performed by an array of choirs and instruments, that promise to lift our Holiday Spirits.

Seasonal poetry selected and recited by Rev. Michael Schuler and congregational carols will round out the program. The services will begin with a Prelude for Peace reminding us of the true meaning of the holidays and sung by all the choirs accompanied by chimes, flutes, cello and harp.

The Society Choir will sing the lovely Three Nativity Carols composed in 1998 by the distinguished Minnesotan, Stephen Paulus. Joining the choir will be oboist Jennifer Morgan and harpist Linda Warren. The Teen and Chorister Choirs, directed by Heather Thorpe, will sing the beautiful Apple Wassail, from the cider country of England's Devon and Somerset and Jingle Bell Swing, a jazzy arrangement by David Elliot of the popular secular carol penned by the Unitarian James Pierpont.
A rousing Gloria! by composer Craig Courtney and the warm and reflective Make a Wish for Me on Christmas by the Canadian composer Stephen Chatman will be offered by the Meeting House Chorus.

Two selections from Benjamin Britten's A Ceremony of Carols, the 20th century choral and harp classic, are included in the program; the gentle lullaby, Balulalow, sung by Heather Thorpe and the Three Sopranos, and the powerful This Little Babe by an octet of voices.

Marilyn Chohaney will join with Linda Warren in the evocative offering, Fantasia on Greensleeves, by Ralph Vaughan Williams for flute and harp.

Our All Music Sunday services will close with the combined choirs singing John Rutter's lilting arrangement of the English carol, Tomorrow Shall Be My Dancing Day.
Arrangements of traditional Christmas carols are dominant in our culture, and have inspired some of the west's most beautiful music, but the spirit of generosity that pervades our holiday carols is truly universal. Please plan to attend and invite your family and friends to these special services on December 5.