News & Events
Annual Campaign
At First Congregational UCC-Madison, we know that when we come together, miracles happen. Together, we rise by lifting others.
During this year’s annual campaign, the Board of Stewardship calls you to help lift one another by lifting the mission of the Church. All the good we accomplish together; we do through a commitment to annual giving.
All Church Picnic/Potluck
Saturday, July 20 | 3:00 ‒ 9:00 p.m.
William G. Lunney Lake Farm County Park, Shelter 2
What’s happening? Outdoor fun and fellowship, followed by a cookout/potluck dinner, with grilled delights (brats, hot dogs, portabella mushroom caps) provided by the Board of Community Life and a sides and salads, provided by all who attend, topped off with campfire s’mores.
Bring chairs to sit in, a side or a salad, and lawn games if you have them.
Sign up to bring food, lawn games, or to help with grilling and clean up.
Disability Pride Festival
Saturday, July 27 | 12:00 ‒ 5:00 p.m. | Warner Park
Disability Pride Madison, which works as a cross-disability organization to support and celebrate disabled communities and promote disability justice, is hosting their Disability Pride Festival on Saturday, July 27. This Festival celebrates and brings awareness to the disabled community in Madison and Dane County. First Cong will have a table at the festival as a sign of welcome, and to share the work done to create a more accessible faith community. Plan to be a part of the fun!! Questions? Contact Jeff.
Fill the Backpacks! Supply Drive
Now through Sunday, August 18
School bells will ring again sooner than we think, so now is the time to hit the school supply sales. The Board of Outreach will purchase the backpacks, but we need YOU to help fill them! Check our school supply list and drop off your donations in the designated bins at the back of the Sanctuary or inside the Lathrop Entrance.
Community Bike Ride
Saturday, August 3 | 10:00 a.m. | Lake Farm Park
Come enjoy a bike outing with First Cong friends of all ages and stages! We will meet at Lake Farm Park at 10:00 a.m. for a bike ride and end with a picnic lunch around 11:30 a.m. You are welcome to show up, but letting us know you are coming helps with lunch planning.
55 Alive! Food as Sustenance, Sustainability, and Joy
Wednesday, August 7 | 11:30 a.m. | Chapel
First Cong member Christy McKenzie, owner of Pasture and Plenty (P&P), will share her passion for food and community economic development, her businesses in Madison, and a bit about food sustainability and her hopes for our food system as a whole. In her work, Christy weaves in a mission to create and connect the community around issues of food equity, access, and agency. In 2021, she launched The P&P Makeshop, a food business incubator kitchen for BIPOC and women-run food manufacturing businesses. P&P is recognized as a 2024 James Beard Foundation semifinalist for Outstanding Hospitality. Christy is also the owner/publisher and Culinary Director for Edible Madison and a sometimes writer. Lunch will consist of foods prepared by P&P.
Reservations are required by Monday, August 5. $10.00 per person will help offset the cost of lunch for the church. Please indicate any food restrictions when you register. Email Associate Minister Ann Beaty with any questions or if I can help you register. Note: When you register through Realm, please be sure to go all the way through to the last step where you choose “pay now” or “pay later” and then hit REGISTER. Register Now.
Forest Bathing Walk
Saturday, August 10 | 9:00 a.m. | Holy Wisdom Monastery
Rev. Zayna Thomley, Middleton UCC, is a certified forest therapy guide with The Forest Therapy School. Rev. Thomley will lead a forest bathing walk on Saturday, June 22, beginning at 9:00 a.m. at Holy Wisdom Monastery. This 1.5-2-hour guided forest walk offers encouragement to slow down in the atmosphere of the outdoors. This Japanese practice of shinrin yoku, or “forest bathing” is shown to promote physical, mental, and emotional well-being. This walk requires nothing of you but to show up. Join us as we combine a love of nature, spiritual practice, and community connection in this time with nature.
Magic Pride Festival
Sunday, August 11 | 1:00 – 6:00 p.m. | Warner Park
OutReach LGBTQ+ Community Center will host the 6th Annual Magic Pride Festival LIVE in person! The 2024 Magic Pride Festival will include a stage show with local LGBTQ+ identified performers, a large vendor area, games and activities for youth and families, food and beverages, and more! First Cong is a sponsor of the event and will have a booth as part of the exhibits. This is our opportunity as a church to show the local LGBTQIA+ community our support and commitment to offering an inclusive welcome. It’s also a lot of fun!! Come celebrate YOUR pride!
Women's Summer Book Study
Saturdays, June 15 & 29, July 13 & 27 | 8:00 – 9:00 a.m. | In-person and Zoom
Growing up in a deeply evangelical family in the Midwest, in the ‘80s and ‘90s, Sarah McCammon was taught to fear God, obey him, and not question her faith. After spending her early adult life striving to make sense of an unraveling worldview, by her 30s, she found herself face-to-face with it once again as she covered the Trump campaign for NPR. She witnessed first-hand the power and influence evangelical Christian beliefs have on the political right. The Exvangelicals: Loving, Living, and Leaving the White Evangelical Church is part memoir, part investigative journalism. It describes the post-evangelical movement: identifying its origins, telling the stories of its members, and examining its vast cultural, social, and political impact. Contact Associate Minister Ann Beaty if interested.
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.
Just Bakery
Following Worship you can purchase bread and other baked goods from Just Bakery at the back of the Sanctuary! Just Bakery is a 12 week educational and vocational training program. The program works with individuals who are experiencing significant barriers to employment (homelessness, justice involved, lack of education, and/or a lack of work history or skill).
Just Bakery will be with us after Worship May 26, July 28, and September 22.
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.
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.
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.
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.