When I first arrived at FUS in August 1988 there were certain traditions of which I was only vaguely aware. One of these was the All Souls service, held in conjunction with a nominally Catholic/Anglican observance that falls on November 2. I'm not sure when the practice began, but for my predecessor, Max Gaebler, it represented a rare UU "high holy day."
 
As with the Mexican celebration"Dia de los Muertos," the ostensible purpose of All Souls is to invoke the memory of those who recently have passed on. It's a rich service at which the stirring hymn "For All the Saints" is always included and this year our Society Choir pulls out all of the stops. Sunday also marks the 281st birthday of our second (and first Unitarian) president, John Adams, the dignified subject of my "Message for All Ages." 
 
Later in the day, our 21 Days of Equity Practice continues with a showing of a documentary about Tony Robinson, the young African American man whose death generated a host of Black Live Matter demonstrations.
 
Expectantly...Michael  



Worship Services...
 
This Weekend... 

October 29 & 30 
 
"A Discourse on Dignity"
by Michael A. Schuler, Senior Minister
All Souls has traditionally been a time in which we commemorate not just the lives of the great saints, but the general run of human beings. We do this, in part, out of a conviction that all past lives deserve to be dignified. But by what right, we might ask? What is it about us that demands such dignity?

On Saturday, Joe Harris will play music for solo guitar.
On Sunday, the Society Choir will sing "Lullaby" by Henryk Górecki and "Blessed Are They" from "Requiem" by Johannes Brahms.

Next Weekend... 

November 5 & 6
 
"A Discourse on Dignity"
by Kelly Crocker, Minister of Congregational Life
Forgiveness is challenging. Forgiveness as a practice is difficult. Yet wise teachers, whether ancient or modern, extol the power of forgiveness and challenge us to try. What is this power? Who are we doing this for- others or ourselves? In our divisive and damaging times, can this powerful force bring us together in spite of the forces pulling us apart?

On Saturday, a clarinet quartet with Terri Felton, Jim O'Brien, Robyn Perrin and Gail Wirch will play. On Sunday, The Meeting House Chorus will be joined by the James Reeb UU Choir, with director Heather Yonker, in singing Make Them Hear You by Stephen Flaherty and Give Us Hope by Jim Papoulis.

 


Wear the Fair!
Do you have a favorite wearable art object from Art in the Wright Place? Help us promote the art fair in our community in a unique way. On October 29 or 30 wearing something to services that you bought at a previous Art in the Wright Place fair. Stop at the greeter station to pick up your "Ask me what I'm wearing from Art in the Wright Place" sticker and help us spread the word about the great things available at this annual event. (Of course, there's much more than wearable art, but dragging along your pottery, woodwork, or stained glass might be awkward!)

This Weekend! Kids Wear Your Costumes!
We're not having our usual Halloween Parade this year, but kids ARE invited to wear their costumes to class this weekend. Parent helpers and teachers can too! Please, no weapon-like props included. 

This Sunday! Tony Robinson Documentary
Continue (or begin) your 21-Day Equity Practice with a viewing of 19: The Tony Robinson Shooting, a Case of Deadly Bias, followed by a discussion and processing of our Equity Practice to date. Screening is in the Landmark Auditorium this Sunday from 5-7 p.m. Request childcare by October 27. For more info, email us.

This Sunday! New UU Class
Wishing to know more about Unitarian Universalism and the First Unitarian Society? We have one more New UU session available before the end of the year. Participants will meet others, learn about Unitarian Universalism and the Society, and consider next steps to deeper involvement at First Unitarian Society. Join us Sunday afternoons from 1-3 p.m. on October 30, November 6, and November 13. Register in the Commons or with our Coordinator of Member Programs, Jeanne Sears.

This Sunday! Mix it Up with Christ the Solid Rock Families: Play in the FUS Prairie!
Share the season with new friends from 2-3:30 p.m. this Sunday - starting in the Gaebler Living Room - as we host families from Christ the Solid Rock Baptist. It'll be an afternoon of fun, frolic, and fellowship in the FUS prairie and adjacent playground. Guided by Brent Haglund, we will learn about prairies and gather from this year's bounty of seeds. Children are most welcome and snacks will be provided. For more information and to RSVP, contact Robin.

Bakers Needed!
Once again we will have a bake sale run concurrent with our annual art fair. This year, however, it will be on a smaller scale. The bake sale will be held in the Commons following Sunday worship services on November 6. We still need bakers to help make this a success! If you'd like to contribute, please let Alyce know what you plan to bring. Thank you!

Next Friday's Musicale
Next Friday's concert features prize winning acoustic guitarists Helen Avakian and Dave Irwin playing the music of Ralph Towner, Giberto Gil, and Helen Avakian. Please note that this Musicale will be in the Atrium Auditorium on Friday, November 4, at 12:15 p.m.

Art in the Wright Place
We're only one week away from our annual art fair fundraiser. Don't miss this opportunity to purchase unique holiday gifts and treat yourself while supporting area artists AND our FUS Children's Religious Education program. Art in the Wright Place is...
* EARLIER this year-- next weekend!
* LONGER this year-- two days instead of one! November 5 & 6
* BIGGER this year-- with 47 area artists featured!
We look forward to seeing you there!

21 Day Equity Practice Potluck and Wrap-up
Join us on November 5, from 6-7:30 p.m., in the Commons for a meal and some discussion about what was challenging, enlightening, or both during your 21 days of equity practice. This will be a low-key time to reflect and plan your next steps in good company. There will also be a presenter sharing information about the Racial Justice Tipping Point project - a potential next step in your racial equity practice. Bring a dish to pass if you are able.

Hosts Needed for Thanksgiving Dinner at FUS
Are you interested in hosting our annual Thanksgiving Day Dinner at FUS? We are in need of a few Thanksgiving loving folks to step forward to make this happen! We need to hear from you by Wednesday, November 9, if you are interested. If we don't hear from anyone, the event will be cancelled for this year. Contact Jeanne Sears for more information or to let her know you'd love to help!

Women's Alliance Meeting
Join us at 12:30 p.m. on November 9 for a report on the recent opening of One City Early Learning Center. With large investments from the private sector, the Center is the latest effort to increase readiness of children for school by age 5. We'll gather in the Nakoma/Westmoreland Room at Oakwood Village-University Woods. Bring a sack lunch and enjoy conversation, coffee, tea, and dessert. All are welcome.

2nd Saturday Potluck
All are invited to our first fall 2nd Saturday Potluck on November 12. Please bring a generously sized offering to share. Food can be dropped off in the Atrium Kitchen before the service. Plates, tableware, beverages, and napkins are provided. You provide the food and fun! This months' potluck will be hosted by the Saturday Compass Points Class. Our next potluck will be January 14. Questions? Contact Jeanne.

An Old-Fashioned Cookie Exchange
Join us Saturday, November 12, from 1:30 to 2:30 p.m. in the Atrium  for coffee, tea, and homemade cookies. Simply bring three dozen cookies to sample and swap with other bakers. Once all cookies are displayed, you can sample and fill your empty containers with an assortment to take home! Nut and gluten free cookies will be separated out and labeled. Bring your recipes- copies can be made to share! Questions email Lois Evenson.

Organist Dan Broner in Recital
On Sunday, November 13, at 4 p.m., Dan will play the music of J. S. Bach, Cesar Franck, and Jehan Alain on the mighty Atrium digital organ. Donations for the music program will be accepted.    

Abuse of Revocation in Wisconsin
The FUS Moses Ministry Team invites you to a revocation presentation in the Landmark Auditorium on Sunday, November 13, between the services from 10:15-11 a.m. Revocations are central to the issue of Mass incarceration in Wisconsin. 40% of our state prison population consists of re-incarceration of a person who has not been convicted of a new crime. Coffee and refreshments will be served.

Guest At Your Table is Back!
Guest at Your Table is the UUSC's annual, intergenerational program to raise support for and awareness about our work to advance human rights. Involve your whole family in this UU tradition, and support the UUSC, by picking up a little box and welcoming these human rights heroes to your table. Begins November 19. See Becky Schigiel for more information.

Help Homeless Families in Madison
Did you know that there is a dedicated group of FUS members who volunteer throughout the year helping homeless families in Madison?  Volunteer with your family (children included!) and join us at an hour-long orientation for The Road Home at FUS on November 20, at 10:30 a.m. Email us or visit our website.  


Drink Up!
Remember the small milk cartons you drank from in elementary school? The CRE program needs those...empty and rinsed! It doesn't matter to us what was in them: milk, juice, egg beaters, whatever. We'll use them as bases for our gingerbread houses on December 11. Please do rinse them well before dropping them off at the R.E. table in the Commons. Thank you!

Our Pulpit Palms are Thirsty...but not that Thirsty!
Those lovely green plants are on a specific watering schedule to maintain their healthy dry roots. If you've ever felt the urge to water them, stop! Then call 608-233-8410 and let us know that you are interested in becoming a part of the watering team.

Spiritual Topics Book Club
The next meeting of the Spiritual Topics Book Group will be held in Courtyard E on Tuesday, December 6, at 7:00 p.m. The group will discuss the recent book by Andrew Schulman, Waking the Spirit: A Musician's Journey Healing Body, Mind, and Soul.

Flower Donation
The flowers this weekend are donated by the Women's Alliance in memory of past members for All Soul's Day.  

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