This weekend we take a moment to pause and give those for those special creatures (the ones with fur or wings or scales or fins) who bring us comfort, peace, connection, love and joy. It's our Blessings of the Animals service and our time to celebrate all the animals who share our world and give thanks for the gifts they bring to us. We will be creating a space together that celebrates these amazing creatures so please bring photos of your beloved animal friends to brighten our space and bring their images into our hearts. Stuffed animals or animal statues are also welcome!
 
Keep reading below for two exciting events coming right up: the Pride Parade and Service Saturday. Pride Parade is THIS SUNDAY and I hope you will consider joining your fellow UUs from the Madison area along with great music from our own WMUU 102.9 FM. Then next weekend is Service Saturday. It's an opportunity for you to spend the day doing much needed service in our larger community while getting to know other fine folks from FUS. It's a win win! Make sure you take note of the picnic at the end of the day. Please come even if you can't participate in the day of service and bring a dish to share. Two days and two ways to bring our UU values of inherent worth of all, the need for community, and the power to make a difference into a world that needs it very much.
 
with love and gratitude,
Kelly


Worship Services...
   
This Weekend...  

August 21

"Blessings of the Furry, the Feathered, and the Scaled"
by Kelly J. Crocker, Minister of Congregational Life
Animals bless us with their playfulness, their affection, and simply through their trusting presence. Dogs, cats, lizards, birds, all these and more bring much joy into our lives. On this weekend, close to the birthday of Henry Bergh, Unitarian and founder of the ASPCA, we will stop and give thanks for these creatures that make us more human.  Please bring a photo or two of an animal in your life to create our shared service of blessing and hope.

Pianist Linda Warren will be joined by flutist Marilyn Chohaney and saxophonist Greg Smith for movements from Claude Debussy's Epigraphes Antiques. 

Next Weekend... 

August 28

"Remaining Human in the Days of Miracle and Wonder"
by Rev. Scott Gerard Prinster
Our lives are ever more filled -- overfilled, some might say -- with technologies promising to make our days easier, safer, more comfortable and pleasurable. As we embrace smartphones, Google Maps, security cameras, and social media, we also accept their often unacknowledged drawbacks in the erosion of privacy, freedom, attention, and intimacy. Are we, as critics claim, raising new generations of people lacking in the qualities most basic to our humanity and our civilization? And if this threat is real, how can we defend the values endangered by this electronic progress?

Violist Marika Fisher Hoyt, with pianist Dan Broner, will play the musical offerings.
 
 


Summer Fun This Week!

This week in Summer Fun, we will be talking about green energy. Children will hear about the Danish island of Samso,where residents learned to convert their energy to wind power. We'll also be making some crafts using both wind and sun power. Jamie will be waiting at the Atrium Auditorium entrance before each service to sign kids up!

Caregivers Support Group
The Caregivers Support Group will meet on Saturday, August 20, from 10 a.m. to noon in Courtyard Room A. This group provides support and compassion for people who are caring for loved ones with serious illnesses. We are a welcoming group and encourage newcomers to join us.

Volunteer for Homeless Shelter Meals
Feed those in need! FUS will provide meals for homeless men at Porchlight's Grace Episcopal Church shelter. Join us for dinner tomorrow, Saturday, August 20, or breakfast on Sunday, August 21. First time volunteering? Contact fussheltermeals@gmail.com. Volunteered before? Sign up online with Sign Up Genius.

Madison
Outreach LGBTQ Pride Parade This Sunday!
The LGBTQ Pride Parade begins this Sunday at 1 p.m. in the 600 block of State Street. Madison UUs will gather behind our Standing on the Side of Love banner and head up State and around the Capital Square, accompanied by upbeat music on our radio station, WMUU 102.9 FM. Bring a portable radio or iPod for the best sound, wear your yellow or other UU shirt, and bring water.

Peace and Justice Book Club

The Peace and Justice Book Club will meet at 7:00 p.m. on Monday, August 22, in Courtyard Room C. We'll be discussing The Golden Age by Tahmima Anam. This is a story set against the backdrop of the Bangladesh War of Independence. If you have questions, please contact Mary Madigan at 630-267-4578.

Men's Group Meeting
All men are invited to join the men's group meeting on Monday, August 22, at 7 p.m. in Courtyard Room D. Topic: if you had to leave Madison or Wisconsin, where would you like to go?

Service Saturday: One Week Away!
Service Saturday is next week and we want to see you there! New sites this year include Muir Garden, the Crane Foundation, and Mary House. We'll meet back together at 4:30 p.m. to enjoy community, live music, and food at our Congregational Potluck Picnic! Deadlines have been extended, so be sure to sign up online today!

Congregational Potluck

Planning to work up an appetite on Service Saturday? Can't make it for a project, but looking for a way to plug in? Either way, we hope you'll join us back at FUS on Saturday, August 27, at 4:30 p.m. for a congregation wide potluck picnic. We'll have meat and veggie friendly goodies to grill, you bring a side to share. Enjoy fellowship, live music, games, and food!

FUS Choirs begin rehearsals in September!
Our fine choirs will begin the fall season Wednesday, September 7:
Cherub Choir at 6:30 p.m., the Choristers at 7:00 p.m., and the Teen Choir at 7:45 p.m. Rehearsals are in the Music Rehearsal Room near the Atrium Auditorium and new singers are welcome! For Adults, the Meeting House Chorus also begins on Wednesday, September 7 and the Society Choir on Thursday, September 8. Both choirs rehearse from 6:30-8:30 p.m. in the Atrium Auditorium. Childcare is provided. Singing is excellent for the body and soul so join us - no auditions required! For more info contact Music Director Dan Broner at 233-9774, ext. 121.

One City Volunteers
Make a real difference in Dane County and your life! Volunteer gathering on September 8. Groundbreaking early education is happening at One City Early Learning Center. FUS volunteers helped One City get started, and now you can find out how you can put your expertise and interests to work for the children, the families, and the neighborhood. Email Sue for more information or sign up online.

Healing Journeys: Working with Grief and Loss
The pain of losing a partner, parent, child, or other loved one can be profound. It often helps to talk and share with others in a warm, supportive, and confidential environment. Learning and hearing others' experiences and sharing your own can be restorative. This group, facilitated by Shirley Chosy, Roz Woodward, and Rev. Kelly Crocker, will meet on the first Saturday of the month. Each session will include an experiential element and group discussion. Our first meeting will be September 10, from 10-11:30 a.m. Please register with Kelly at 233-9774, ext. 112.

Justice Building Innovators
How should we stand on the side of love? FUS has a longstanding tradition of partnering with social justice organizations around Madison, but are we really doing all we can to fight injustice and oppression? The Justice Building Innovators project needs volunteers to interview our community partners, asking how we can best work together and live into our common ideals of advancing human rights and social justice. Our first training will be held September 11, at 1:00 p.m. To be a part of this important work, contact Ian Shay.

Join Us for Circle Suppers!

Time to sign up for Fall Circle Suppers! These are informal group meals which meet monthly from October to May in members' homes. These dinners provide wonderful opportunities to meet new and interesting people and it's easy to join. Just fill out the form, or contact Dawn at 608-849-8078 by Wednesday, September 14. Then, it's time to eat!

Get Involved in Leadership at FUS
We need a few folks to join one of the standing committees to help lead our church into the future. Are you ready to get involved in the leadership of FUS? The Finance Committee works with the Board and Monica to help keep us financially healthy. The Personnel Committee helps assure our Human Resources policies strongly support our staff as they carry out the mission of FUS. The Governance Committee helps us as we mature in our implementation of our policy based governance model. If you have an interest or questions, contact Board President Rob Savage.

New UU Classes are Here!
Our New UU classes for the fall are listed here. Choose one option:
-Three Sunday afternoons - October 30, November 8, 13; 1 p.m. to 3 p.m. Childcare is available with registration. 
-Three Thursday evenings, September 22, 29 and October 6; 6:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. Childcare is not available for this evening session.
-One All-Day Class, October 15; 9am-3pm; Childcare will be offered if requested
All classes will take place here at FUS in the Atrium Courtyard Rooms A and B.
Registration materials are available in the Commons, or contact Jeanne Sears, Coordinator of Member Programs at 608-233-9774 ext. 116 for registration.

Orchids Need YOU!
Have you enjoyed the graceful orchids blooming on the pulpit stage? Thanks to Tom Garver and Nancy Webster, who maintain and coordinate the orchid donors. We need donors for October-November, then again in February-November. Contact Ann Smiley at 608-354-2075 for details. 

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