News & Events
55 Alive!: The Dulcimer
Wednesday, September 3 | 11:30 a.m. | Chapel
Transformation of Music through the Dulcimer. What the heck is a dulcimer? Where did it come from, and where is it headed? More importantly, how does any product evolve, and who are the people driving innovation? Witness the evolution of the dulcimer from its primitive roots in the mountains of Appalachia to a contemporary and versatile instrument. Observe the musical transformation as the instrument develops. Bob Stephens, a First Cong member, spent most of his working life as an engineering manager. In his young adult years, he began building woodwind instruments, eventually transitioning to stringed instruments. Upon retirement, Bob built a rather unconventional mountain dulcimer that served as an entry to building high-end dulcimers for top professional musicians, and a line of 3D-printed dulcimers that raise money for charities. RSVP by Monday, September 1.
Blessing of the Animals
Saturday, September 13 | 10:30 ‒ a.m. | First Cong Parking Lot
Pets, bring your people and join us for a blessing on Saturday, September 13! We will meet at 10:30 a.m. ‒ rain or shine ‒ in the small Lathrop Street parking lot. Treats will be provided for people and pets. We’ll bless them all ‒ dogs, cats, fish, hamsters, snakes, chickens, and more! Pets who prefer to stay home are welcome to send their people with a picture to bless. All are welcome!
As a way of serving animals in our community, we will collect gift cards to Mounds or Chewy for Sheltering Animals of Abuse Victims (SAAV).
Madison Area Crop Walk
Sunday, October 19 | 12:30 p.m. | First Congregational UCC
This year’s Madison Area CROP Hunger Walk will honor John and Jean Sheild who have walked with CROP for over 50 years, raising over $190,000 in the last 15. John passed away in April and Jean in early July. We honor them by making a commitment to walk for those in need!
If we work together, we can end world hunger. That’s why we’re participating in the CROP Hunger Walk. Please participate by walking or donating. Together we can provide meals for the growing number of people in our community who need experience food security. Join or Donate Today!
An Afternoon with John Pavlovitz
Saturday, October 25 | 2:00 p.m. | Sanctuary
The greatest border crisis we face is the one separating Church and State. There’s nothing more dangerous than professed Christians who have no real interest in Jesus. They’re rather easy to spot if you’re paying attention. They’re usually the ones most loudly preaching religious liberty while methodically swallowing up the personal freedoms and elemental rights of other people. Most telling, however, is that their theology is built on an idea that Jesus fully rejected: compulsion. Christian Nationalism isn’t coming to America; it’s here. Now, the question is, “What can we do to stop it?” Join us for an honest conversation about avoiding theocracy.
John Pavlovitz is a writer, pastor, activist, and storyteller from Wake Forest, North Carolina. Over the past decade, his thought-provoking blog, Stuff That Needs to Be Said, has reached a diverse worldwide audience of millions. A twenty-five-year veteran in the trenches of local church ministry, Pavlovitz is committed to equality, diversity, and justice—both inside and outside faith communities.
Tickets are $11/per person and can be purchased online or at the door. Limit 4 per person.
Summer Study Course
Sunday: June 29, July 13, August 10, August 24
8:30 a.m. | Chapel
Hope is Here! Spiritual Practices for Pursuing Justice and Beloved Community, by Dr. Luther E. Smith Jr, offers insights for nurturing a deeper relationship with hope and the fundamental role of spiritual practices to help us deepen our sense of self and the sacred meaning of our work for justice.
Smith writes, “Genuine hope is often confused as merely wish fulfillment, optimism, or perceiving better tomorrows.” He goes on to describe how we can join “the work of hope” enlivening us to a life oriented toward immediate and future experiences of personal fulfillment, justice, and community.
Rev. Ann Beaty and Rev. Jerry Hancock will lead this short four-session course on select Sundays before Worship beginning June 29. Author Dr. Luther E. Smith, Jr. will join via Zoom on August 24. It is not necessary to attend all sessions.
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.
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.
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.
Adult Drum Choir
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
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
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
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.
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.
Summer Preaching Series
July 13: Defining Resistance
July 20: Traditional Resistance
July 27: Covert Resistance
August 3:
Love is Louder
In June, a month designated to celebrate the LGBTQIA+ community, our Pride banner displayed on the University Avenue fence was vandalized twice. The two accounts of vandalism reflect the hate being incited in this country. Hate will not keep us from sharing a message of love. Members of the LGBTQIA+ community are beloved children of God and we stand together. We will repair, replace, and renew our commitment to our siblings as many times as needed. We will LOVE even LOUDER!
First Congregational UCC Senior Minister Eldonna Hazen was interviewed by WMTV Reporter Ashley Weil about this incidents.
“Our message is of love. Our message is not to judge people, to put them in boxes, to push them away,” said Hazen. “We should be drawing people in and we should be valuing them for who they are, who they know they are not, who other people name them as.”
This bold proclamation of love is not new for First Congregational UCC. The Congregation voted to become an Open and Affirming (ONA) Congregation in 1992 and lives this welcoming stance in the world by not only being ONA, but by celebrating the LGBTQIA+ community.
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.