July 17, 2010

This weekend...

Saturday, July 17, 7:30 p.m.

Kirtan with Rigani

Join the UU musicians network for a performance by Kirtan with Rigani on Saturday, July 17, 7:30 p.m. at First United Methodist Church, 203 Wisconsin Ave. What is Kirtan? Though it involves music, the practice of kirtan is not about musical ability or training, it is about the heart. These ancient chants contain powerful healing and transformational energies that serve to reconnect us to the Ever-Present and Eternal Being that lies within us all. The ancient mantras, melodies, and instruments are designed to lead us toward this meditative state. Although the language of kirtan is often in Sanskrit, the true language of kirtan is universal, because it is a language of the heart. As part of bhakti yoga (the devotional path), kirtan also utilizes nada yoga, the yogic science of sound. Through absorption in the sound, the eternal love that lies within each of our hearts can awaken. By chanting the different names and aspects of the divine, by calling out to the divine, we naturally reflect upon and call forth that divinity that exists within us all. Indeed, this call-response style chanting (kirtan) is a means of finding our way back to the core of our being, to our heart, and to our connection to each other. Truly, kirtan is for everyone-- there are no prerequisites, no religious beliefs nor cultural backgrounds that are needed to experience and participate in kirtan.
Admission is $10 at the door.

Sunday, July 18 at 9 & 11 a.m.

"Competitive Excess"
by Michael A. Schuler, Parish Minister
Clearly, a little competition is a good thing and restricted to the proper arenas serves a valid purpose. But in recent years competition has crept into practically every aspect of human activity. In a world of diminishing resources, clashing cultures and weakened bonds of community, this doesn't seem like a healthy trend. To lead peaceful lives we must adopt a different style of relating.
Musically, at 9 a.m. the 150-voice+ UU Musicians Network Summer Conference Choir will sing. At 11 a.m. the Ancora String Quartet will provide our musical offerings.

Summer Fun
This week during Summer Fun we will be practicing Tae Kwon Do with Alex Rodinsky. Wear comfortable clothing and get ready to test your skills! As always, any child 4 -13 is welcome to join us, the cost is $3/week or $25/summer.

Hospitality after Service
Please join us for Fair Trade refreshments plus interesting conversation after the service. Refreshments are served in the Commons, where you will also find the Information Kiosk/Tables, a cornucopia of mostly useful information. New to FUS? If you are new to FUS we'd like to invite you to be welcomed and greeted by members of our staff, Lay Ministry and congregation in the Library which is directly across from the center door to the Auditorium. Bring your coffee or tea and questions. This can seem like a large and lively place and we want to help you feel at home.

Monday, July 19...

Shawl Ministry
For those folks who are working on shawls, lap robes, and child dedication blankets despite the heat, the next Shawl Ministry drop-in will be Monday, July 19, 7-8:30 PM, in the nice and cool Atrium Library. Want to know more? Contact Lorna Aaronson, lorna464@charter.net, or call 255-0296.

Wednesday, July 21...

Women's Alliance
The Alliance cordially invites all those interested to join a guided tour of Olbrich Botanical Gardens on July 21. You will have your choice of a one-hour guided walking tour or a ride on one of the free trams. Individual scooters are also available but are issued on a first come first serve basis.

We will meet at the entrance of Obrich at 10 AM and share our brown bag (bring your own) lunches at noon. A cold beverage will be provided. Each person is asked to contribute $4.00 to help cover the cost of renting Olbrich's meeting room. Those participating in the guided walking tour will be charged an additional $3.00. Contact Marge Miller for further information at marge-miller@tds.net or phone 608-203-5154.

Thursday, July 22...

Summer Tai Chi Class with Dora Kilburn
Dora Kilburn has been practicing Tai Chi, an exercise with gentle, flowing movements, for 14 years. Once a martial art form, the movements are easy to learn and improve your health and quality of life. Dora is offering a summer Tai Chi class on Thursdays from July 22-August 26 from 6:30-8 p.m. in Courtyard ABC. Wear comfortable clothing for movement. Shoes are optional, but please wear lightweight, flat-soled shoes.

The six-week class is $25 for pledged members and $35 for nonpledged. To register, contact Deb Mies or call 233-9774, ext. 114. For class questions, email Dora .

Sunday, July 25 at 9 & 11 a.m.

"Transformation and Caregiving"
by Wendy Cooper, Seminary Student
To borrow an image from Buddhist writer Joan Halifax, entering the caregiving relationship is like "casting off our moorings and sailing out into unknown waters." Whether you are being cared for or are the one giving care, the experience of caregiving is complex and challenging - particularly in our culture that both celebrates and demands independence and self-reliance. We will consider the tranformative nature of the caregiving journey, and the many possibilities for personal and social transformation contained in these relationships of giving and receiving.
Musically, the FUS Recorder Quartet, Teri Balser, Joe Harris, Marjie Marion and Julie Verban, will play special music including arrangements of Hungarian folksongs.

Next Membership Book Signing on July 25
Those who feel prepared for membership are invited to formalize their commitment to the Society by signing the membership book. The next opportunity to sign the book will be Sunday, July 25, after both services. Any concerns or questions, please contact the Coordinator of Member Programs, Jeanne Sears at 233-9774 ext. 116 or jeannes@ fusmadison.org.

Ethical Eats Field Trip, Sunday, July 25:
"Eat Ice Cream, See the Cows"
Curious about how Sassy Cow Creamery makes such wonderful ice cream? Have you wondered about how well-treated beef are processed and prepared? The Ethical Eats group is offering a field trip to the organic and traditional dairy, and Fountain Prairie Inn and Farm, where grassfed Highland beef are raised.

The trip includes a light supper prepared by Madison Club chef Dan Fox using food taken right from the soil. Register today at the RE Information Table.

When: Sunday, July 25
How Much: $20 per person ($15 for ages under 13)
We will carpool and caravan from the FUS parking lot. at 1:00 p.m. and return to FUS at 7:30 p.m.

Saturday, July 31...

LBGT Welcoming Summer Picnic!
Join us from 4 to 7 p.m. on Saturday, July 31, at Lake Wingra Park for an old fashioned picnic. Bring a dish to pass, something to drink, utensils, and, if you have them, lawn chairs, your partner or special friend, a boat, lawn games and the kids. A grill will be provided. Wingra Park has boats to rent, and more. See www.dmna.org/parks.shtml and www.wingraboats.com for more park information.

Join the ACT 8 Hydration Crew
Volunteers are needed at the end of July (tentative date, July 31) to serve drinks and snacks to the scores of bicyclists passing the FUS pit stop along the route of the AIDS Network's annual fundraiser: ACT 8. Contact Betsey Day (827-5934, daybuss@charter.net) or Le Osburn (239-8521, losburn65@gmail.com) to sign on or get more information.

Sunday, Aug 1...

"A Celebration of Poetry and the Arts"
by members and friends of the Society
Come enjoy (and participate in) this special service which occurs every other year. Resident poets and aspiring poets will share original work, the FUS Dance Fellowship will perform a special piece, there will be lots of music and a little commentary.Visual artists will also have their creations on display in the Commons.There is still time to signup, so please contact Nick Schweitzer (jnschweitzer@gmail.com) if you are interested.
Musically, soprano (and FUS Children's and Youth Choir Director) Heather Thorpe will sing songs with texts by Emily Dickenson. Linda Warren will accompany on piano.

Sunday, August 22...

FUS Marches with Pride!
Please plan to join FUS as we march behind the "Standing on the Side of Love" banner for the annual Gay Pride Parade on Sunday, August 22. Stay tuned for details and info on sign-making fun! Do you have a vehicle or trailer that you'd be willing to lend or drive for the Gay Pride Parade? Please contact Betsey Day at daybuss@charter.net or Le Osburn at losburn65@gmail.com with vehicle offers or any questions about the parade.

Other Items of Interest...

Sex Ed for Kids with Special Needs
We are exploring the possibility of offering a relationship and sex education class for middle school kids with special needs this coming Fall. There are far more questions than answers at this point. For starters, we'd like to assess the interest in participating in something like this. If you have a middle school youth with developmental challenges who you'd like to have (possibly) participate, please let Leslie Ross.

Art in "The Wright Place"
We are currently taking registrations for next Fall's Art in the Wright Place, which will be held on Sunday, November 21. The deadline for applications is August 15. If you are interested in receiving a brochure and registration form, please contact Leslie .

"Keeping Hope Alive"
The Peace and Justice committee is sponsoring a retreat on "Keeping Hope Alive." It will be held Saturday morning, September 11, from 8:30 a.m. to noon in the Landmark Auditorium and will feature three excellent speakers, Chip Duncan, Joy First and Jeff Klenk. Please reserve this date on your calendar and plan to join us!