News & Events
Free Thanksgiving Meal
Thursday, November 28 | noon ‒ 3:00 p.m. | First Congregational UCC
First Congregational United Church of Christ (UCC), in Madison, is offering a free traditional Thanksgiving Day meal of turkey, vegetables, potatoes and gravy, stuffing, rolls, and pie on Thursday, November 28, 2024. Open to the public. All are welcome.
Meals are available for delivery or can be picked up at the church, from noon–3:00 p.m. There is no charge, but RSVP is required by 3:00 p.m. on Thursday, November 21.
Volunteers are needed Wednesday, November 27 and Thanksgiving Day. If interested in helping prepare or deliver meals, please view our volunteer signup.
Women's Fall Book Study
Saturdays: October 12 & 26, November 9 & 23 | 8:00 ‒ 9:30 a.m.
Our fall read is Lovely One, A Memoir by Ketanji Brown Jackson. Justice Ketanji Brown Jackson invites readers into her life and world, tracing her family’s ascent from segregation to her confirmation on America’s highest court within the span of one generation.
The first gathering will be hybrid, so join us in person or online. We hope to have the rest of our gatherings in person based on parking availability. Stay tuned! A few copies of the book will be available through the church office for $15.00; scholarships are available. Email Associate Minister Ann Beaty to reserve a book or to be added to the group!
Youth Jack-O-Lantern Sale
First Cong youth are carving-for-a-cause! Here’s your chance to have a festive decoration without the mess while supporting youth service projects!
Each jack-o-lantern is $15. A limited number of pumpkins will be carved, so pre-order today. The deadline is noon on Wednesday, October 23. Payment can be made through firstcongmadison.org. Jack-o-lanterns will be available for pickup before and after worship on Sunday, October 27. Any Jack-o-lanterns not presold will be available for sale at that time.
Trunk-or-Treat
Friday, October 25 | 6:00 p.m. | First Congregational UCC Parking Lot
Families of all ages are invited to the First Cong TRUNK-OR-TREAT on Friday, October 27! Trunk hosts will fill the church parking lot with cool exhibits and fun treats.
All are welcome! Bring a friend!
Election Soul-Tending
Sunday, October 27 & November 10 | 8:30 a.m. | Chapel
Tuesday, October 29 & November 12 | 5:30 p.m. | Chapel
You are invited to join others in sharing concerns related to the upcoming elections. Sharing these concerns aloud and hearing others express similar or additional apprehensions can reduce isolation and reinforce community. This is not an opportunity to advocate for political affiliations or specific candidates. Come to one or all of the one-hour sessions in the Chapel, which will include discussion and close with a contemplative prayer time. All are welcome. No RSVP is necessary. In person only.
UNICEF Costume Party
Sunday, October 27 | 10:15 a.m. | Dining Room
Children are invited to wear their festive costumes to Worship on Sunday, October 27, for the Sunday School UNICEF Costume Party! Kids will head to the Dining Room following Time with Children for snacks and entertainment by JAMES the MAGICIAN, who has performed his award-winning, interactive, comedy magic show worldwide. Children will also learn about the work of UNICEF and what they can do to help children around the world!
Fall Harvest Festival
Sunday, November 3 | 11:15 a.m. | Dining Room
Celebrate the fall season with First Cong friends and family. We’ll start about 11:15 a.m. with a warming chili and cornbread lunch (meat, vegetarian/vegan, and gluten-free options), apples galore, and a pie contest, after which we’ll all get to eat pie! There will also be music with David Landau, along with fun and games for kids.
If you’d like to enter a pie in the pie contest, sign up online.
55 Alive! Lunch and Learn
Wednesday, November 6 | 11:30 a.m. | Chapel
Madison Area Community Land Trust (MACLT) is dedicated to creating affordable homeownership opportunities for low-income families in Dane County. Through a land trust model, MACLT provides permanent affordable housing, enabling families to purchase homes below market rates. Over 30 years, MACLT has developed 62 permanently affordable homes and helped 123 low-income families achieve homeownership.
Learn more from MACLT Housing Director Deaken Boggs and Stewardship & Communications Manager Amber Kolner, and discover how the community can support their mission. All are welcome! Register by Monday, November 4.
Be Still and Know
Wednesday, November 13 | 6:00 p.m. | Chapel
You are invited to a series of three contemplative services with First Congregational Organist/Accompanist Zach Busch, and Heather Yonker, Director of Music Ministries. The services will be held in the Chapel featuring brief readings, meditative songs, candle lighting and quiet time for reflection and letting go.
Come take refuge in the stillness.
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.
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.
Handbell Choir
Weekly on Wednesdays | 6:00 p.m. | Room 303
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
Weekly on Wednesdays | 7:00 p.m. | Chapel
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.
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.
Recorder Group
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 you are interested in joining, please contact Heather Yonker, Director of Music Ministry.
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.