Weekly News
First United Methodist Church of Madison
| | | Reformation Sunday
October 25
9:30am | | |
By Mark Heiskanen
‘Til age and race and gender
no longer separate;
‘til pulpit, press, and politics
are free of greed and hate:
God has work for us to do,
‘til God’s will is done
and all things are made new,
God has work for us to do!
– Carl Daw, Jr. (1996)
Songs of stewardship, service and faith this Commitment Sunday and Reformation Sunday morning. Read More
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Ministry Fair & Commitment Sunday
This Sunday, October 25
Join us this Sunday as we celebrate both our Ministry Fair and Commitment Sunday! Aligning these events offers a meaningful space to reflect on stewardship in every sense—not only through our financial giving, but through the many ways we can share our time, energy, and gifts across our church community.
Fellowship time will feature treats from the First Church Bakers and an ice cream bar. To make things even sweeter, pick up a ministry passport: visit each table, collect every sticker, and earn your way to the deluxe topping bar! Come explore new ways to serve, connect, and grow together.
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All Saints Sunday: Remembering Our Loved Ones
Sunday, November 1
As we prepare for All Saints Sunday, we invite those who have lost a loved one since last November to bring a meaningful item that reminds them of that special person. These items will be placed on the altar in the sanctuary during worship as we remember the people we hold dear and give thanks for the love, lives, and precious memories they have left with us. Together, we will honor their memory and celebrate the lasting ways their lives continue to touch ours.
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No Sharing Our Journeys This Week
Resumes on Sunday, November 1
Please attend the Ministry Fair instead. The Nov. 1 speaker will be Professor Karu Sankaralingam and he will talk about the "Opportunities and Challenges in Artificial Intelligence".
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Room to Grow: Hospitality at First Church
The recent congregational survey showed hospitality as an area where First Church has room to grow. Among those who completed the survey, hospitality ranked at the 20th percentile compared with other congregations. That may feel surprising to us, because welcome and inclusion are important parts of who we are.
What might it look like to grow in hospitality? It might mean noticing someone who seems unsure, inviting someone into a conversation, or helping someone find a meaningful connection beyond Sunday mornings.
It also means asking whether our practices and spaces make it easy for people to participate in the life of our faith community.
As we think and pray about hospitality at First Church, perhaps the question isn’t, "Are we a welcoming church?" but "How do people experience welcome and inclusion in their time at First Church?"
| | Wednesday, Pastor Ran and Sydney went over to Epic to have lunch with our young adults who work there! Thanks to all who came! Despite initially getting lost on campus, our young adults saved us with their superior Epic campus location knowledge. Sydney cannot fathom how big the facilities are! If you missed them, fear not! Pastor Ran and Syd will get another lunch in the books in the near future! We love our young adults! | | Our congregation filled three tables this past Sunday to write and prep every single card in just one morning. A special thank you to Sydney for securing the grant that funded the project, and to Carol and Rich Oliver and everyone who lent a hand to help make it happen. Now, on to the elections and keeping our community in prayer. | | |
Consider joining Opera for the Young for a performance of "Rusalka: A Mermaid's Tale" this weekend featuring our own soprano staff singer Sachie Ueshima in the lead role as Rusalka! The organization has rehearsed in our spaces for many years. More information here.
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Grounds Cleanup
Thursday, October 29, 10am
Bring hedge clippers, rakes & pruners
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Arts @ First Presents
Awake for Birds Concert
Sunday, November 8, 2pm, Sanctuary
The Arts @ First Series presents a regional neo‑retro‑folk‑fusion duo Awake for Birds for a performance on Sunday, November 8 at 2:00 pm. Henry Alanna and Lizzy Lynch create songs blending heartfelt and funny, soothing and strange. With a decade’s worth of friendship, and a decade’s worth of original songs and covers, Awake for Birds aims to leave you humming, laughing, and thinking a bit more about this world we all share. Admission by donation ($10-$20 suggested.)
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If you are interested in reading the scripture during our Sunday worship service, please sign up here.
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Share Your Ideas for Worship With Us
We want to hear from you: what themes, music, prayers, or scripture are you longing to experience? Please email your thoughts and ideas to info@fumc.org with "Worship Ideas" in the subject line.
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One of the things we heard clearly in our recent congregational survey was a desire for more opportunities to form meaningful relationships—to build friendships, share life, and know one another more deeply. We heard that, and we want to begin responding in concrete ways. Read More
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Senior Fall Gathering: Scam Awareness
Thurs., Nov. 5, 11am - 1:30pm, Fellowship Hall
We will kick things off with lunch at 11:00 am, followed at 12:00 pm by a vital presentation from Madison Police Department Financial Crimes Detectives Casey Amoroso and Ashley Knapp. They will discuss common scams targeting seniors, practical tips to recognize and prevent fraud, and the essential steps to take if you or a loved one is targeted. A live Q&A session will wrap up the afternoon—bring your appetite and your questions! RSVP to Rev. Ran Yoo.
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Prayer Requests
- Please pray for Tom G., who has been facing several health challenges recently.
- Please keep Scott, our church chef, and his family in your prayers following the loss of his mother last week.
- Dave J. will be having surgery tomorrow. Please pray for a successful surgery and a smooth recovery.
- Please also remember all our church members who are recovering from surgery or undergoing medical treatment. May God provide them with healing, strength, and peace, and may God also sustain and care for all those who are caring for them.
| | Children, Youth & Young Adults | |
J.O.Y Kids
Weekly on Sunday's in the J.O.Y Kids rooms
Y-week!! Miss Kim and Mrs. Kirschgasler are teaching! Learn about God's peace! Ever heard of breath prayer? You're about to!
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Youth Group
This Sunday, 5:00-7:30pm, FUMC Youth Room
I vant you to come to youth group! Our next meeting is 10/25! It vill be our Halloween party muehehe
Come in costume! We'll have dinner, and candy, and the monster mash on repeat. Contact Sydney
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Elementary Insider
This Sunday, 4-5:30pm, FUMC Youth Room
Our newest children's program, 'Elementary Insider'! This will be a once-a-month fellowship gathering for grades K-5! Think of it as youth group, but for the kiddos! A special club just for kids! Perfect opportunity for parents who'd like a date night in downtown Madison! October's gathering will be a Halloween party! Come in costumes! We'll have pumpkins and candy and dinner and music!
Contact Sydney.
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United Women in Faith Book Clubs
2nd Mondays In-Person
Room 208, 1pm
They will be reading "The First Ladies" by Marie Benedict. Contact Emily Ford
Last Tuesdays Online
7pm, Zoom
Contact Josie Gobel
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Young Adult Gathering
Tuesdays, 6pm, Location Varies
Casual gathering with snacks/appetizers provided. Dinner and/or drinks are on each individual. Contact Sydney.
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Racial Equity & Justice Discussion Group
Wednesdays, 6:30pm, via Zoom
Join us, along with friends from other Wisconsin UMCs, for this 10-week study as we explore important issues facing our communities today. Please contact Kevin Williams for more information.
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Adult Bible Study
Thursdays, 2pm, Chapel Café
Join us as we explore a mosaic of the writings those early Christians left behind that did not make it into what we call the New Testament. Led by Scott Walters & Dr. Glenna Jackson. Readings provided in class.
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First Church Ringers
Thursdays, 5:30 - 6:30pm, Fellowship Hall
Participate as you are able. ALL are Welcome. Questions? See Mark Heiskanen after a service, during the week or send him a note, here.
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Chancel Choir
Thursdays, 6:30 - 8pm, Music Room
Participate as you are able. ALL are Welcome. Questions? See Mark Heiskanen after a service, during the week or send him a note, here.
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Sharing Our Journeys
Sundays, 11am, Chapel & Zoom
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Emergent Theology
Sundays, 11:15am, Zoom
This Sunday, they will discuss chapter 4 from "Genesis — A Beginner’s Guide to the Beginning" by AJ. Levine. Contact George Gay for more information.
Zoom Meeting ID: 850 0324 3391 Passcode: 489851
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Coffee Fellowship is available thanks to the generosity of our sponsors.
Please consider sponsoring an upcoming week.
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In Case You Missed It
Watch Sunday's Service Recording
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Hope's Home Ministries Community Breakfast
Wednesdays, 9am - 9:45am
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Hot breakfasts are served every Wednesday morning at 9am.
Sign up here to help with Wednesday breakfasts. We are always accepting more help.
This week, we had 143 guests and served 210 meals for breakfast and 155 sandwiches. We had 23 volunteers and 8 community partners.
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Our ministry could not flourish without our many dedicated volunteers. We are so thankful for their work!
We are always accepting volunteers! Sign up for a recurring position, or get started as a new Volunteer with First Church by filling out the Volunteer Interest Form. Visit Our Volunteer Page here to get involved.
| | Please send your newsletter submissions to communications@fumc.org by 12 noon on Wednesday. Please strive for brevity (150 words max) and relevancy (space is especially limited for external events). All submissions are subject to editing. | | |
First United Methodist Church
203 Wisconsin Ave., Madison WI 53703
info@fumc.org, 608-256-9061
Open M-Th, 9am-2pm
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