The bright sun shining outside my window is bringing thoughts of spring and growing things, gardening and new life. By now you have received your Adult Education winter/spring catalog in the mail and I hope that booklet brought thoughts of new ideas and new learnings to you. There are many wonderful offerings this semester - spiritual practice, writing, compassionate parenting and more. I hope that you will take a look and sign up for a course or two. Not only will you be learning something new, you'll also have a chance to find community and new friendships with the wonderful folks that surround you in this great place.
 
I hope to see you around the Meeting House this weekend as we welcome wonderful guests to our pulpit. Roz and James, representing our Lay Worship Team, will be creating the service on Saturday and we welcome Scott Rudolph, a guest minister, on Sunday. I believe it will be another weekend where wonder and inspiration abound.
 
in love and gratitude,
Kelly
 


Worship Services...       
 
This Weekend... 
 
Saturday, February 11
 
 
"Be Not Afraid"
Roz Woodward and James Morgan, Lay Ministers 

Offensive and divisive attitudes have created an atmosphere of fear and distrust in today's world. People and nations are suspicious and wary of anyone who looks or behaves differently from an imagined ideal. James Morgan and Roz Woodward will consider how political correctness has contributed to this and how direct, respectful dialog and interaction might heal misunderstanding and division.

The Teen Choir will sing the musical offerings.  

Sunday, February 12 

"Life. What's the Big Deal?"
Scott Rudolph, Senior Minister, UU Church of the North Hills 

Smart phones. Optometry. Cars. The night sky. These are all just part of our normal everyday life. But gadzooks! Those things are incredible! We get used to things, novelty wears off, and the stuff of life shifts from amazing to normal. The religious life invites us see the profound within the mundane. This keeps life shimmering. Let's take a look together.   

The Cherub and Chorister Choirs will sing.

Next Weekend...

February 18 & 19  

"On Hearing and Being Heard"
Eric Severson, Ministerial Intern  
 
Deborah Tannen writes, "We all want, above all, to be heard--but not merely to be heard. We want to be understood--heard for what we think we are saying, for what we know we meant." Join us as we honor our connections, communication, and our first three principles: inherent worth, compassion, and acceptance of one another.

On Saturday, Philip Delaquess and Joyce Carey will play European folk tunes for cello and accordion. On Sunday, the Meeting House Chorus will sing I Dream a World, a setting of the Langston Hughes poem by Rosephanye Powell. 
       



THIS SATURDAY! Saturday Potlucks Are Back!
All are invited to our February 11 potluck! Please bring a generously sized dish to share. Food can be brought to the Atrium Kitchen before the 4:30 p.m. service or before we serve at 6 p.m. We will invite you to label your dish with ingredients so all can choose what is right for them! We provide the plates, tableware, basic beverages, and napkins. You provide the food and fun! This months' potluck will be hosted by the Saturday Mind, Body, and Soul class. You can also save the date for these upcoming potlucks: March 11,  April 8, and May 13!

THIS SATURDAY! Emma's Revolution at James Reeb UU
Emma's Revolution will be doing a concert celebrating the release of their new album, "Revolution Now," at the James Reeb Unitarian Universalist Congregation in Madison on Saturday, February 11, at 7:30 p.m. Buy your advance tickets here and enjoy the show!

THIS SUNDAY! FUS Campus Ministry
We will gather this Sunday evening, February 12, for food and to talk about why resistance is NEVER futile! Join us at FUS, 5:45-8:45 p.m. Bring your passion and your ideas! All college students welcome. Questions? Contact Eric Severson, FUS Ministerial Intern.

Flowers This Weekend
Flowers this weekend are from Bob and Paula Alt in honor of their wedding anniversary. We hope they brighten your day!

2016 FUS Photo Directories Have Arrived!
Those that had their Lifetouch photo taken are welcome to pick up your labeled copy at services this weekend! See Jeanne at a table in the Atrium Commons!

Guest at Your Table Success!  

We are sending $3,824.28 to the Unitarian Universalist Service Committee! Thank you to everyone who took home a box, wrote a check, returned a box, and made a donation. We know that more of you mailed yours straight from home or donated online. We are proud to support the rights of refugees and immigrants, clean water for everyone, and grass roots stands against oppression worldwide. If you would like to help connect FUS to the UUSC year-round, please email Nancy.

Men's Group Meeting
All men are invited to join the men's group meeting on Monday February 13, at 7 p.m. in Courtyard Room C. In honor of Valentine's Day, the topic is love. From the small scale to the grandiose, what love have you experienced?

Shawl Ministry Drop-Ins
The next Shawl Ministry drop-in will be on Thursday, February 16, from 10-11:30 a.m. in the Atrium Library. Our meetings are relaxed and informal, and all are welcome. Read more about us or get in touch with a coordinator.

Next Friday's Musicale
Our next Friday Musicale features music for oboe and piano. Join us in the Landmark Auditorium on Friday, February 17, at 12:15 p.m. and hear music of Hindemith, Dutilleux, and Malcolm Arnold expertly played by oboist Laura Medisky and pianist Vincent Fuh.

Save the Date! Compassionate Parenting Info Session
Join Caitlin Iverson to learn about our Compassionate Parenting classes that begin in March. Info sessions will be held on Saturday, February 18, at 5:45 p.m. following worship OR on Sunday, February 19, at 10:15 a.m. between worship services. Both will be held in the Landmark Auditorium.

Writing to Wake the Soul
Join Eric Severson on three Sundays this winter in writing as a spiritual practice. Based on the work of Rev Karen Hering, author of Writing to Wake the Soul. Sundays: Feb 19, March 19, and April 2 from 1-3 p.m. in the Gaebler Living Room. Fee and registration information available online or at a table in the Commons.

Fourth Friday Films at FUS
Join us for our very first Fourth Friday Film on Friday, February 24, from 6:45-9 p.m. We'll be screening MILWAUKEE 53206 which tells the story of three people who live in Milwaukee's mostly African-American 53206 ZIP code, where 62% of adult men have spent time in prison, making it the most incarcerated ZIP code in the nation. Through the powerful journeys of Beverly Walker, Dennis Walton, and Chad Wilson, we witness how incarceration has shaped their lives, their families, and their community. These intimate stories reveal how a community fights to move forward even as a majority of its young men end up in prison.The film will be followed by a group discussion. Movie will start promptly at 7 p.m.

Spiritual Topics Book Group
The February meeting of the Spiritual Topics Book Group will be held at FUS in Courtyard E at 7 p.m. on Tuesday, February 28. The group will discuss Natalie Goldberg's book, The Long Quiet Highway: Waking up in America. For further information contact Ken Gage at 608-230-5068.

Thanks to FUS Donors!
The Salvation Army's Single Women and Families Shelters received a large delivery of new towels, hand towels, and washcloths last week thanks to the generosity of some Society members. FUS has a ministry team that supplies a volunteer every morning following a cold weather night. We could use a few more people in our rotation. Please contact Gail Bliss if you can help out.

UU Borderland Trip
If you ever wanted to see the U.S.-Mexico borderlands and learn more about immigration, the UU Pacific Southwest District is hosting its 2017 Justice District Assembly (DA) in Tucson, AZ. They are offering one-day "immersion excursions" between March 31 and April2. Space is limited so the sooner you register the better. For more information, contact Leila Pine or visit the website.

New UU Orientation Class
Wishing to know more about Unitarian Universalism and the First Unitarian Society? We have two upcoming New UU  classes available before summer! New UU is an orientation class for newcomers and friends of the First Unitarian Society. Join us on for our All Day session, Saturday, April 8 from 9-3 p.m. Childcare available. Registrations are available in the Commons, online, or by contacting our Coordinator of Member Programs, Jeanne Sears, for a form.

Mindful Circle: Caring for the Caregiver
Join in a supportive and nurturing group setting as we learn and practice activities to reduce stress, anxiety and fatigue. This 8-session workshop is designed for people who provide loving care and support to a family member, partner, or friend. Full information, including dates and fees, is available online or at a table in the Commons.


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