News & Events

Advent: What Can't Wait?

During Advent we dedicate the four Sundays before Christmas as a time to focus on the birth of Jesus. It is a season of waiting. It is a time we reflect on what can be birthed with new life. However, we also know that while we anticipate a new birth, there are things that cannot wait. 

Therefore, we ask the question, What Can’t Wait? What demands our immediate attention? What requires our work and preparation? What is it that God can’t wait for? Is it our praise, reconciliation, and proclamation? Is it the end of suffering, isolation, and fear? This Advent, we invite you to join us in imagining, prioritizing, and preparing. 

View Advent offerings at First Cong

Christmas at First Cong

Family-Friendly Service | 5:00 p.m. | Sanctuary

Traditional Service | 9:00 p.m. | Sanctuary and Livestreamed

Come celebrate the birth of Jesus and Jesus’ action in the world. There will be two evening services, an early family-friendly service, and the traditional Lessons and Carols service. The traditional service will be in person and livestreamed.

Gloria M Green Memorial Service

Saturday, November 23 | 2:00 p.m. | First Congregational UCC-Madison

Gloria M. Green, age 79, of Madison, passed away on Tuesday, October 22, 2024. A memorial service for Gloria will be held at 2:00 p.m. in the Sanctuary. The service will be livestreamed and can be accessed on the church website and YouTube channel.

View Memorial Service bulletin.

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.

people enjoying refreshments after worship
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.

Adult Drum Choir

Weekly on Tuesday | 6:30 p.m. | Room 303

No experience necessary, just a passion for rhythm and community! Choir members will learn drumming techniques, build community, play ensembles together, and share their combined talents in worship.

Join the circle and make a joyful noise!

If interested, contact Jeff Rabe, Director of Children and Youth Ministries.

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.

A collection of different colored balls of yarn.
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.

Handbells
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.