Worship
The best way to get to know First Unitarian Society is to attend one of the regular worship services. Here you will find opportunities to:
- Explore spiritual alternatives and encounter wisdom from the world's great sacred and secular teachers, past and present
- Deepen your spiritual understanding
- Hear inspiring music
- Make connections with kindred spirits
Although worship at FUS is not bound by a specific set of liturgical conventions, each service tends to treat a particular theme which is expanded in the sermon and echoed by hymns, readings, meditations and music.
The worship service schedule varies during the year.
- September through May: Saturdays at 4:30 p.m., Sundays at 9:00 and 11:00 a.m.
- June, July and August: Sundays at 9:00 a.m. and 11:00 a.m.
There are also special celebration worship services to mark important events in the life of our community. These include:
- All Souls' Sunday
- Thanksgiving Eve
- Solstice
- Christmas Eve and New Year's Eve
- Good Friday vespers and Easter celebrations
- Passover Seder
- Flower Communion
- Coming of Age Recognition
- Spirituality and the Arts .
Religious education classes for children (and childcare for infants and toddlers up to age two) are available during the worship services. Children attend the first 20 minutes of all Saturday afternoon services, and once a month on "Meeting House Sundays" children are included in the first portion of the Sunday services.
Ministry
Ministers at First Unitarian Society are selected by formal vote of the congregation. At First Unitarian Society, we encourage participation from both the pulpit and the pew.
Even as the local institution calls its ministers, so does it alone possess authority to terminate their service. For his or her part, the UU minister is a "free agent" whose tenure is indefinite and contingent upon personal and congregational satisfaction.
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The Rev. Michael A. Schuler was called as Parish Minister to First Society in the spring of 1988. He holds master and Ph.D. degrees in religion and the humanities, and previously served congregations in Iowa and New York. With his wife, Trina, Michael enjoys skiing, hiking, travel, museums and concerts. He practices Ta'i Chi, yoga, and is an avid runner. Michael and Trina have an adult son, Kyle, who is studying art, and a Papillion "therapy" dog, Sasha. Michael is active in a variety of civic and environmental organizations and serves on the steering Committee of Dane County United. |
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The Rev. Kelly Crocker joined First Society in 2001 and was called to be our Minister of Religious Education on May 18, 2003. Kelly has a Masters of Divinity degree from Louisville Theological Seminary in Kentucky and previously served a congregation in Philadelphia, PA. |
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The Rev. Karen Gustafson joined the Society as Minister in August, 2007. Prior to coming to Madison, Karen was the Minister of Unitarian Universalist Congregation of Duluth, Minnesota. She is a graduate of the Starr King School for the ministry in Berkeley California. Before becoming a minister, Karen taught public school in Northern Wisconsin and Minnesota. Karen is married and has four adult children. Her involvement in the Unitarian Universalist Association includes two terms on the Prairie Star District Board of Directors; UUA Department of Faith and Action Social Justice Empowerment; Midwest Leadership School. She is currently serving on the Midwest Regional Subcommittee on Candidacy for the Ministerial Fellowship Committee of the UUA. |
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Dan Broner joined the Society staff as Music Director in August, 2002. He holds Masters and Bachelors degrees in piano and conducting. Dan has served as organist and choir director for seven denominations, including several in the Detroit area. |
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Linda Warren serves as Organist and Assistant Music Director to First Society. |
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Max Gaebler, who served the Society as Parish Minister from 1952 to 1987, was voted minister emeritus upon his retirement. Max played a historic role both in the UUA and the First Society. He was the minister of the society when it constructed the famous Meeting House, though not when it was commissioned, and is one of its biggest fans. |
Other Madison area UU Churches and fellowships
Madison UU Young Adult and
Campus Ministry (MUUYACM)
Prairie Unitarian Universalist
Society
James Reeb Unitarian
Universalist Congregation
The Free Congregation of Sauk
County
