August 1 - 8, 2008
Greetings from the Red Floors!
It has been a busy week here as teams of FUS'ers fan out and continue to prepare for the fall opening of our expanded Meeting House. It has brought out a lot of questions one wouldn't necessarily expect... like considering the names of things, and how those names do or don't make sense in our expanded world here. Why (and this is a heads-up) even the direction that cars in the parking lot point has changed. The universe has put us on notice to stay awake!
I believe it will be a fine weekend to visit the Meeting House as we revisit a perennial favorite "This I Believe." See you here!
-- Harry Carnes, Publications Czar Etc.
Sixty-seven children currently enrolled in the Children’s Religious Education program are in danger of having their classes cancelled due to a teacher shortage. While we have 79 teachers committed to teach, we still need 22 teachers to successfully staff our classrooms. Please consider making a commitment to teach this year.
CRE teachers work in teams of four and are generally in the classroom only twice per month. Catch the infectious joy and wonder of our young learners! Work alongside co-teachers with a passion for enriching the lives of children! Meet other wonderful UUs!
Please come to the Religious Education table in the Loggia and talk to Alex, or let Leslie (leslier@fusmadison.org) know as soon as possible if you would like to make this important contribution of time and talent to our FUS youth. Time is of the essence: our Teacher Orientation is on Saturday, August 16, 9 a.m. – 2 p.m. We would like to have these spots filled by then. Thank you!
This Weekend…
Sunday, August 3 • 9 & 11 a.m.
“This I Believe”
Join us for a look into the hearts and minds of fellow travelers as we explore our fourth Unitarian Universalist Principle, the free and responsible search for truth and meaning. Members of our community will flesh out the statement “This I Believe…” Their thoughtful statements, along with other illustrations, will help us think about how we each arrive at our own personal convictions, the extent to which we share them with others, and the effect beliefs have on the well-being of our selves and the community.
Our musical offerings will be performed by soprano Tamara Brognano with Linda Warren collaborating.
Be a “Chalice Lighter;” Make Change Happen!
On Sunday there will be a Chalice Lighter table in the Loggia after both services. Please stop by and learn how to put your UU values into action across the Central Midwest District.
Thursday, August 7…
Hey Young Adults (18-39ish)!
We have two events coming up:
• Please join us on Thursday, August 7, at 6 p.m. at the UW Union Terrace. Buy your own food and drink and look for us at the table with the red balloon.
• We’re changing the time of our Second Sunday gatherings! Grab a cup of coffee in the loggia and meet us in the West Living Room between services on Sunday, August 10.
• Questions? E-mail Karen at karenb@fusmadison.org.
Next Weekend…
Sunday, August 10 • 9 & 11 a.m.
“Vengeance May Be Mine,
But Can I Have Forgiveness Instead?”
by Kelly J. Crocker, Minister of Religious Education
Many of us believe that in the face of violence and tragedy, forgiveness is the answer. But in order to understand our ability to forgive we need to explore why we crave revenge. From Greek tragedies, to Shakespeare, to the Bible to modern day violent events, our history is wrought with stories of vengeance. Social psychologists identify the desire for revenge as the most powerful cause of violence in our world. So how do we tap into our deep ability to forgive? We’ll examine stories of profound, and sometimes unimaginable, stories of forgiveness, and see what they can teach us.
Tuesday, August 12…
Exploring Unitarian Universalist Christianity August 12
Everyone is invited to attend the next Exploring UU Christianity Group gathering at Dayle Haglund’s house (2805 Sylvan Ave.), Tuesday, August 12, from 7 to 8:30 p.m. We will discuss the essay “A Pathway Home” from the book Christian Voices in Unitarian Universalism. The book is available for purchase by going to: http://www.uuabookstore.org/productdetails.cfm?PC=556 Questions or directions? Contact Elizabeth Barrett ebarrett@tds.net or Lisa Binkley lbinkley@tds.net
Saturday, August 30…
Red Cross Blood Drive
Mark your calendars for the next UU - Red Cross blood drive. It will be held at James Reeb UU Congregation on Saturday, August 30, from 8 a.m. until noon. Your help is greatly needed to keep our blood supply strong for all our needs. Get more information or volunteer to help after services this week, or contact Anne Mosser (608-845-7458, agmosser@tds.net).
Notices…
Couch Movers
The CRE program has had a couple of couches donated that need to find their way to the Annex. If you’d be willing to haul and deliver a couch for us, please contact Leslie at ext. 119 or at leslier@fusmadison.org.
New UU Class Begins in Early September
First Unitarian Society is a place where spiritual curiosity and conscience connect. Learn how by attending our five session orientation program for new members and friends of the First Unitarian Society. Thursday evening sessions begin September 11, Sunday afternoons sessions begin September 14. Child care is provided during the Sunday sessions. Register on-line at http://www.fusmadison.org/adult/newuu.shtml. Or look for the blue registration forms in the Lobby.
Greeters Needed
We need to expand our hospitality to meet the needs of the new building and are looking for folks to greet at the Sunday services. You can create your own schedule each month. For more information, please contact Patti Reardon at pareardon@tds.net or call 442-9613.
Artistic Help Needed
The Children’s RE Program is planning multi-age activities during church school classes for the weekend of September 13/14. The main project will be creating mosaic pavers for our new outdoor green spaces. We are looking for volunteers with some art skills/expertise to help lead the activities. We have many adult hands to assist. If you are interested, please contact Leslie Ross (leslier@fusmadison.org) at 233-9774. Many thanks!
Cook Book Deadline Extended
The FUS Food Haulers are collecting recipes for a fabulous new cookbook and have extended the deadline to August 13. Don’t delay – get your favorites recipes in soon! Recipe contribution forms are available in the mailbox labeled “Food Haulers” in the Lobby or on-line at http://www.fusmadison.org/adult/cookbook-recipe-donation-form.shtml. Need more information? Contact Joan Heitman at 829-2462 or jaheitman@tds.net.
Beads Needed
The RE Office is looking for donations of beads to use for several projects during the upcoming year. Donations can be dropped off at Room B-3.
YRUU Switching to Wednesday Nights
YRUU, our high school youth group, will return to meeting on Wednesday nights this Fall. Our first evening will be Wednesday, September 3. We will meet from 6:30 to 8 p.m. in the Annex. All high schoolers are welcome! Look for a flier with more details later in August.
Last Call for Artists! Helpers Needed Too!
We still have just a few artists’ spots open for the art fair. We’re extending the deadline until August 10 to allow for more artists to participate in this wonderful event (we are, however, full with photographers). The annual art fair, Art in the Wright Place, is a fundraiser for our Children’s Religious Education program. It will be held on Sunday, November 9, 9:30 a.m. – 4 p.m.
We are also looking for volunteers to help make the art fair a success. In particular, we need someone willing to coordinate donations of art objects, the café and bake sale, and various volunteer efforts throughout the event.
If you’d like to register as an artist and haven’t received a form, or if you’d like to volunteer to help with this event, please contact Leslie at 233-9774 ext. 119, or at leslier@fusmadison.org.
A Fun Volunteer Opportunity
Dane County’s high incarceration rate for people of color impacts the lives of many children in our community. How can you help? Volunteer to mentor a child of incarcerated parents. The commitment is for at least an hour of fun time once per week for a year. Play games, go to a movie, have lunch; take a hike or go on a bike ride; go to a sports event or community gathering – anything that you and a child can enjoy together. Madison Urban Ministries organizes this and provides excellent training and back up support. Contact them at 256-0906.
Peace Fair Committee Forming
A committee is forming to plan an Interfaith Peace Fair, tentatively scheduled for March 2009. If you would like to be “in on the ground floor” of this event, please contact Cynthia Wheeler, ctwheeler2001@yahoo.com, or call 223-0067.
The Rev. Robert Fulghum in Madison!
Mark your calendar for these special events in conjunction
with the dedication of our new green addition:
Friday, November 14 • 7 p.m. Orpheum Theatre • Robert Fulghum Lecture
Sunday, November 16 • 9 & 11 a.m. The Rev. Robert Fulghum, speaker.
Sunday, November 16 • 1 to 4 p.m. Public Open House and Tours.
