Another special weekend at FUS!
 
On Saturday at 4:30 p.m., Ministerial Intern Eric Severson will preach on the power of transformation during these holiday times.  Collaborating with Eric will be soprano Patricia Reardon and pianist Linda Warren.
 
On Sunday, at our regular worship times at 9:00 and 11:00 a.m., join us for our annual Winter Choral Festival. This year's festival will include anthems sung by our Choristers and Teen Choir, the Meeting House Chorus and Society Choir, and special selections of poetry and prose read by Rev. Michael Schuler.  Special this year will be the premier performance of Beware the Winter Settlin' commissioned from UU composer Elizabeth Alexander. This driving work will be sung by the combined choirs accompanied by the FUS String Band.
 
Hope to see you there!

-Dan



Worship Services...
    
This Weekend... 

Saturday, December 3   

"One Among Us"

Eric Severson, Ministerial Intern

We often can feel isolated, overwhelmed, or unable to influence our world at all, let alone change it for the better. But our ability to transform -- or bring greater meaning to -- other people's lives, in our little corner of the world, often outshines our imagination. Each of us holds more power to improve the common good than we might think. Even small acts can help us fulfill the angels' call for peace and goodwill to all.

Soprano Patricia Reardon will sing with collaborative pianist Linda Warren.  

Sunday, December 4 
 
Winter Chorale Festival

Join us for a special program of seasonal music featuring our youth and adult choirs on Sunday, December 4, at our regular worship times of 9:00 and 11:00 a.m. Launching the program will be the premier performance of a work commissioned by FUS and penned by
well-known UU composer Elizabeth Alexander. Entitled Beware the Winter Settlin' In, it will feature the combined choirs and the FUS String Band.

In addition, the Society Choir, Meeting House Chorus, Choristers, Teen Choir, and String Band will perform individual anthems and solos and Rev. Michael Schuler will recite specially selected poetry and prose. The congregation will join in singing carols and the program will conclude with the combined choirs singing a rousing arrangement of the carol Ding Dong! Merrily on High.

Next Weekend...

December 10 & 11

"The Lion Shall Lie Down with the Lamb"
Michael Schuler, Senior Minister

What would the perfect society look like? Throughout history people have pondered this question. Sometimes a return to some long-lost Golden Age was seen as the answer. Others looked to the future, envisioning a time when human social evolution would culminate in a utopia of one sort or another. As an exercise in imagination this can be kind of fun, but its real-world implications aren't always that pleasant.

On Saturday, Rachael Drapcho, Ann Puser, Nick Schweitzer, and Alan Heitman will sing the musical offerings. On Sunday, guest percussionist Sean Kleve, will play.





Winter Holiday Worship Volunteer Signups available!
Looking for ways to give back this holiday season? Consider volunteering with your family or small group to greet, usher or provide after service hospitality for our upcoming December holiday services. We are often short volunteers during this time and would love your help! Sign up early on our website. Find out more information at the Welcome and Information table in the Atrium Commons.

No CRE Classes this Weekend!
Winter is almost here, holidays are around the corner, and with all that comes several "no CRE class" days. Please note that there are no CRE classes this weekend (December 4), December 17-18 (MBS and COA DO have class), December 24-25, and December 31-January 1. Join us instead for wonderful family friendly services! For holiday service information, please see our website.

Guest At Your Table This Weekend!
Guest at your Table is the UUSC's annual, intergenerational program to raise support and awareness for its work to advance human rights. Pick up a box for your table this weekend. Share Stories of Hope and feed it coins as you feed yourselves. Proceeds benefit the UUSC's work to protect refugees fleeing crisis, and to safeguard the rights of oppressed groups here and abroad. Boxes and donations will be collected in January.

UU Campus Ministry
Campus Ministry meets this Sunday, December 4, at 5:45 p.m. in the Gaebler Living Room at FUS. Join Rev. Michael Schuler to learn about movement meditation. Supper provided. All college students welcome!

UUA Common Read
Join Eric Severson, ministerial intern, for a discussion on The Third Reconstruction: Moral Mondays, Fusion Politics, and the Rise of a New Justice Movement by The Rev. Dr. William Barber II & Jonathan Wilson-Hartgrove. The discussion will be on Sunday, December 4, from 2-4 p.m. in the Gaebler Living Room.

Shawl Ministry Drop-In
There will be two shawl ministry drop-in gatherings in December: Monday, December 5; and Thursday, December 15. Both will meet from 10-11:30 a.m. in the Atrium Library. All are welcome to join us for knitting and conversation. Questions? Read all about us or contact a coordinator through our website.

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.

Friday Musicale
Our next Friday Musicale features music of women composers. Hear French hornist Sarah Gillespie and pianist Susan Gaeddert perform music of Fanny Hansel, Clara Schumann, Kay Gardner, and Andrea Clearfield on Friday, December 9, at 12:15 p.m. in the Landmark Auditorium.

Gingerbread House Festival
Winter holidays are just around the corner and one of our favorite winter traditions is the annual Gingerbread House Festival, held this year on Sunday, December 11, 1-3 p.m. in the Commons. We'll provide the icing, Graham crackers, and as many cartons as we can collect (feel free to bring your own); you provide the decorations-- jelly beans,  peppermint candies, pretzels, etc. Please bring two or three packages of decorating materials to share with others. No cost, no need to RSVP. Just come join us!

Blue Christmas Gathering
The holidays bring us memories that are full of joy and sometimes, full of pain or grief. Join us Tuesday, December 13, from 6:30-8 p.m. for our Blue Christmas Gathering. Blue Christmas recognizes that not all of us are looking forward to the season. Whether it is a loss of a loved one or a concern about seeing family members after this election season, join FUS Lay Ministers for support, conversation, and refreshments as we move into this holiday season together.

Women's Alliance Luncheon
Our Christmas luncheon on December 14 will welcome the FUS staff as our guests and Rev. Kelly Crocker will bring us Holiday Memories. We meet in the Nakoma/Westmoreland Room of Oakwood Village-University Woods, 6205 Mineral Point Rd. at 12:30 p.m. A chilli main dish will be provided. Attendees MUST make a reservation (Kathy Nix: 836-5616) and BRING a salad, dessert, corn bread, or a $5 donation. Join us and get to know our remarkable staff.

20s/30s Holiday Potluck
Join us Wednesday, December 14, at 6:30 p.m. for a festive evening of dining, conversation, and - everyone's favorite thing - a white elephant gift exchange! Bring a gift of under $20 to swap in a time honored way and a dish to share. Email Sarah with the dish you plan to bring. We'll meet in Courtyard Classrooms A and B.

Child Dedications
On the weekend of January 7 and 8 parents have the opportunity to have their child or children dedicated here at First Unitarian Society. Contact Rev. Kelly 608-233-9774, x. 112 if you would like to take part in the January dedication or receive more information about future dates.

Save the Date for the Partner Church Dinner
Mark your calendars for Saturday, January 14, 6:30-8:30 p.m. and come hungry! This year's menu celebrates our Hungarian and Filipino connections and will include veggie spring rolls, porkolt (Hungarian pork stew) or lecso (Hungarian vegetable stew) with homemade noodles, breads with Hungarian vegetable spreads, and dessert! To make a reservation contact Rev. Kelly. $15 for adults, $10 for kids, with a maximum of $50 per family.

Ministerial Review Available
You can now find the Ministerial Review Report on our website. The FUS Board of Trustees has a policy that calls for a review of called ministers every three years. This year's committee included Brian Hellmer, Jake Blasczyk, Pamela Johnson, and Julie Swanson. The Board thanks them for their thoughtful, informative, and thorough evaluation and looks forward to the many ways this document will serve us through the next few years.

Save the Date:  Trees for Tomorrow Winter Retreat!
Mark your calendars to join other FUS'ers at our annual retreat in Eagle River, WI. The winter fun will go from Friday, February 3 - Sunday, February 5th, 2017. Registration will begin soon. Contact Mary Savage or stay tuned for more information!

December Unitarian Is Out!
Check out our latest edition of the Madison Unitarian. Inside you'll find a list of local and national organizations to help make a difference in the world today, film and book recommendations from our Senior Minister, Michael Schuler; ideas from Rev. Kelly for celebrating the season with your family; and more!

Saturday Compass Points Class Congregational Poll Results from 10/29/16
Recently, about 40 of our Saturday congregants were polled on their beliefs about God. Each voter was asked to choose up to 3 of the statements listed below that they most believed in. Here are the responses we received. Which three statements would you most agree with?





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