News & Events
Annual Campaign
When the Stewardship Board considered a theme for the 2025-2026 Annual Pledge Campaign, we thought about the emotions surrounding our particular time as a nation, as a church, and as individual Christians bound together as friends and members of First Congregational United Church of Christ (FCUCC). SHELTER IN THE STORM speaks to our moment and to the missions of our congregation. It feels right. It feels urgent.
Bobby Jo Valentine
Friday, May 9 | 7:00 p.m. | Chapel
Bobby Jo Valentine’s music exists outside the lines of any genre, but the music’s thoughtful, spirit focused lyrics and catchy melodies reach listeners across all walks of life. The poetic nature and spiritual focus of his stories and songs has resulted in notable awards and a growing, loyal following around the country. He’s found a voice with original, hopeful songs about the gentle everyday spiritual awakenings of an openhearted life.
Join us for a night of award-winning songs, poetry, and stories. Cost is $10/per person. Purchase tickets online or at the door.
Ice Cream Social
Sunday, May 18 | 11:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m. | Lathrop Entrance Parking Lot
Join your First Cong friends after Worship on Sunday to honor our long-term members and our 2025 Confirmation class with cake and ice cream! Travel back through the decades as we celebrate all generations present in our church community! Fun and fellowship ‒ rain or shine!
Dreams & Visions
Madison Area Concert Handbells
Sunday, May 18 | 3:00 – 5:00 p.m. | Sanctuary
Join Madison Area Concert Handbells with guest organist Jaret Schroeder for a concert unlike any you’ve ever experienced. The Spring 2025 program “Dreams and Visions” features a varied program of handbell music evoking humanity’s loftiest dreams and celebrating the common threads that unite us all. From the Broadway stage to the NASA space shuttle program and more, you won’t want to miss this concert!
Visit madisonhandbells.org for more information and to purchase tickets.
con vivo! ... music with life
Saturday, May 31 | 7:30 p.m. | Chapel
The professional chamber music ensemble, comprised of seven core musicians, presents affordable, informative, and entertaining concerts. Their spring performance will feature the music of Dimitri Shostakovich. Visit convivomusicwithlife.org for details.
The Wesley Bell Ringers
Wednesday, June 11 | 7:30 p.m. | Sanctuary
First Congregational UCC welcomes The Wesley Bell Ringers, a music ministry of Christ United Methodist Church in Salt Lake City, UT. This will be the fifth concert on the choir’s 59th annual Summer tour and will feature 19 teenage ringers playing more than 150 handbells and handchimes.
Concert highlights include George Bizet’s Farandole, Alex Guebert’s Tongues of Flame, Chopin’s Nocturne in Eb Major, and Cathy Moklebust’s arrangement of Let All Mortal Flesh Keep Silence.
Admission is free, and a free will offering will be collected. To learn more, visit thewesleybellringers.com.
Make Music Madison
Saturday, June 21
Make Music Madison is a free, citywide day of music every June 21. First Congregational is once again participating as a host site for Make Music Day, a celebration that occurs in 1,000+ cities across the globe. Madison now boasts one of the largest events in the country. Parks, porches, restaurants, shops, worship spaces and more fill with music for all to enjoy!
9:00 a.m. | Sanctuary
Madison Area Concert Handbells (MACH)
The Madison Area Concert Handbells is a non-profit musical organization of 15+ volunteer ringers who perform handbell music at the highest level. MACH performs two concert series each year, and at various community events and in local churches as soloists and in small ensembles.
11:00 a.m. | Sanctuary
Brass Quintet
The Todd Forsythe Brass Quintet returns for Make Music Madison. The quintet has played for Easter Worship the last few years.
3:00 p.m. | Chapel
Upward Spirals
The Upward Spirals are a group of musical friends seeking to build up ourselves and our listeners. They started playing rock and folk hits and hidden gems from the 1960s. The group has since added more recent covers and original material.
Walk the Chapel Prayer Labyrinth
First Sunday of each month | 9:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m. | Chapel
The prayer labyrinth is an archetypal pattern, a “divine imprint,” found in religious traditions in various forms around the world. In recent years, walking a prayer labyrinth has been rediscovered as a meditative way of praying. Unlike a maze, a labyrinth has only one path. It is designed to quiet the mind and lead the walker by a winding route to the center, and then, by the same route, to return to the exit.
The labyrinth is free and open to the public.
After-Worship Refreshment!
Weekly on Sunday (except first Sunday of the month) | 11:00 a.m. | Narthex
Come for Worship, stay for fellowship! Enjoy refreshments after Worship in the Narthex on Sundays with the exception of the first Sunday of the month. It is a great opportunity to connect with church members and friends.
Just Bakery
Just Bakery, an educational and vocational training program, works with individuals who are experiencing significant barriers to employment such as homelessness, justice involved, lack of education, and/or a lack of work history or skills.
Bread and other baked goods from Just Bakery will be available for purchase in the back of the Sanctuary after Worship on the following days, January 26, March 23, May 25, July 27, September 28, and November 23. We hope you support this organization that does great work in the community.
Adult Drum Choir
Weekly on Tuesday | 6:30 p.m. | Room 303
No experience necessary, just a passion for rhythm and community! Choir members will learn drumming techniques, build community, play ensembles together, and share their combined talents in worship.
Join the circle and make a joyful noise!
If interested, contact Jeff Rabe, Director of Children and Youth Ministries.
Bible Conversations
Weekly on Tuesday | Noon | Zoom
A weekly discussion group and conversation around Sunday’s scripture reading. The group is currently meeting via Zoom. Drop-in anytime!
If you are interested in attending, please contact Associate Minister Ann Beaty.
Fiber Arts Group
Weekly on Wednesdays | 12:00 p.m. | Hearth Room
Gather with other fiber artists and crafters in the Hearth Room. Bring your knitting, crochet, sewing, or other handmade works-in-process to work on while socializing. Light refreshments will be available, but you are welcome to bring your own lunch or snack.
New to fiber arts? No problem! Contact Melissa Baumann or Jessica Taft to ensure someone is available to teach or guide you.
Handbell Choir
Weekly on Wednesdays | 6:00 p.m. | Room 303
First Congregational UCC has five octaves of impressive White Chapel Handbells! This group has a great sense of camaraderie and devotion. We are, however, in need of more ringers. Let’s get the bells ringing!
Typically, the Handbell Choir rehearses on Wednesday evenings at 6:00 p.m. in Room 303 (elevator access). We aim to ring for the 2nd service of each month, meeting at 9:00 a.m. to rehearse before Worship at 10:00 a.m.
If you are interested in joining, please contact Heather Yonker, Director of Music Ministry.
Chancel Choir
Weekly on Wednesdays | 7:00 p.m. | Chapel
The Chancel Choir is a friendly, open group of a variety of levels, including two hired section leaders in the tenor and soprano sections. The size fluctuates between 14-18 participants. One does not have to be able to read music to join. The ability to match pitch and keep time is helpful and can always be improved with regular practice.
The primary schedule is to provide special music and hymn leading on the 1st and 3rd Sundays of each month, with some variation.
If you are interested in joining, please contact Heather Yonker, Director of Music Ministry.
Senior Drum Choir
Weekly on Thursday | 10:30 a.m. | Room 303
Open to all interested adults. No drumming experience needed. Beginning level ability. Basic drumming techniques taught.
Join the circle and make a joyful noise!
If interested, contact Jeff Rabe, Director of Children and Youth Ministries.
Recorder Group
1st and 3rd Sunday of the month | 8:45 a.m. | Room 302
Yes, First Congregational UCC has a Recorder Group! We have one group member for each of the four common pitches – soprano, alto, tenor, and bass – and we would love to expand to two or more for each pitch. The focus of our group is the enjoyment of the interplay of the music between the four parts. We are more about listening than virtuosity. We pursue enjoyment rather than perfection. We may, at some point, decide to play in public. Loaner instruments are available, so you can try out the various sizes without making an investment in an instrument. Previous experience is not necessary.
If interested, contact Associate Minister Ann Beaty.
Environmental Justice Group
2nd Sunday of the month | 11:15 a.m. | Hearth Room and Zoom
Are you interested in knowing more about creation care and advocacy opportunities related to the environment? First Cong’s Environmental Justice group is for you!
Join the join in making a healthier, brighter, tomorrow!
If interested, contact Associate Minister Ann Beaty.
Men's Fellowship
2nd and 4th Sunday of the month | 8:45 a.m. | Hearth Room and Zoom
If you are interested in small group discussion, this group is for you! A group of men gather monthly to share coffee and fellowship. Typically the discussion is formed around an article on recent event that was distributed in advance. It’s a great forum to get to know one other and engage in contemporary topics from a Christian perspective.
If you are interested in attending, please contact Associate Minister Ann Beaty.
Caregiver Support Group
Last Sunday of each month | 12:15 p.m. | Zoom
Are you caring for a friend or loved one? Do you anticipate assisting someone in the future with decisions about care? This group offers supportive conversation and opportunities to learn from one another. It is also a great way to get connected to resources available to help.
If you are interested in attending, please contact Associate Minister Ann Beaty.
In The News: Prison Reform
The exact replica of the solitary confinement cell the Prison Ministry Project built continues to play an important role in reducing the torture which is solitary confinement. Please watch this video from WPT’s Here and Now. The program highlights the work of our colleague Talib Ackbar and the collaboration with the Crossing, our sister congregation on campus.
First Cong History 1990-2022
What do you remember our Church during the years 1990 to 2022? What was important to you during these years? Janet Pugh, Faye Whitaker, and Sue Jones compiled “Snapshot Reflections on the Years From 1990 to 2022.”
Binders of the featured slides from the presentation are available in the office for checkout.
Solar Panel Dedication
On Sunday, February 20, First Cong dedicated the solar panel installation during worship. The project grew from environmental justice discussions. The 61 kW solar array provides about 65% of the church’s electricity – significantly reducing our carbon footprint. The energy savings from switching to solar will go toward local social justice initiatives.