Weekly News
First United Methodist Church of Madison
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Children's Sabbath
November 15
9:30am
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Welcoming New Members
"I wonder, I wander"
Sydney Williams, preaching
Genesis 28:10-16
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By Mark Heiskanen
Songs of God's Presence, Light and Love in the everyday this Sunday morning.
Worship opens with the cheerful and lively "Fugue No. 5 in F Major" by Robert Schumann. Composed in 1845, the work is one of six fugues based on the literal surname of Johann Sebastian Bach. Utilizing the pitches B flat, A, C and B natural (the latter translated as 'H' from the German nomenclature), a playful motif is formed in a compositional technique Bach himself also utilized as a way to musically sign his name within a work. Read More
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Preparing for a Capital Campaign
First Church is beginning preparations for a possible capital campaign to support the long-term ministry needs of our church. Those needs require significant investments in our building, equipment, and systems that make transformational ministry possible in downtown Madison and beyond.
First Church will be working with Rev. Jason Mahnke, Director of Programming and Campaigns for the Wisconsin United Methodist Foundation, throughout this process. Rev. Mahnke will be preaching here at First on Sunday, November 22, and we hope you can be with us!
Details on potential projects, estimated costs, and how they connect to First Church's mission will be forthcoming, so watch this space! We will have many opportunities to ask questions and provide feedback as plans take shape. For now, here's a brief letter from Lay Leader Kevin Williams to help begin the conversation.
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Sharing Our Journeys: Let's Talk
Sunday, 11am, Chapel & Zoom
Our theme for this week is “Let’s Talk”. With so much going on in our lives and the world around us, this may be a good time for us to talk about it. We will share in small groups and hopefully gain insight for our own lives and also give support to others in our group. I will have some starter questions for us. I look forward to seeing you on Sunday. Everyone is welcome!
Milton Ford, Facilitator
▶ Recording from Sunday, November 8
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Green Team T-Shirts
$12 | $16 long-sleeve | +$2 XXL | +$3 XXXL
The Green Team will be selling t-shirts to promote our church, and care for creation on November 22 and 29. Questions? Please contact Josie Gobel or Carol Oliver.
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Second Harvest Food Bank Work Day
This Saturday, November 14, 8:15 – 11:45am
An easy opportunity to impact food insecurity for families in our area is available on Saturday, November 14 at Second Harvest Food Bank. We will meet at Second Harvest, 2802 Dairy Drive, at 8:15am. This opportunity is for people over 12 years of age.
The facility requires closed toe shoes and no tank tops. No heavy lifting is required. Be ready to wear a beautiful blue hair net if our work requires it. The work will be described to us that morning and you will work with other First UMC members. There are 21 spots to fill—please spread the word!
If you would like to participate, you need to register through the Second Harvest volunteer website. Contact Krista Tweed and she can help. Second Harvest prefers volunteers be signed up at least one week in advance of the workday.
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Annual Church Meeting
Sunday, November 22, Chapel & Zoom
All are invited to participate in our annual Church Conference on Sunday, November 22, at 11am in the Chapel on the second floor. In the United Methodist Church, the Church Conference is an opportunity for the congregation to come together for a time of reflection and celebration in the life and ministry of our congregation. We’ll hear updates, attend to required annual business, and look ahead to the work God is calling us to do together. Rev. Jason Mahnke will preside. The meeting will also be available on Zoom: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/89962777986
2026 Bishop's Church Conference Message
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Help Us Deck the Halls!
Sunday, November 22, After Worship
It’s time to bring the joy and beauty of Advent and Christmas to our church. Join us as we put up Christmas trees, hang garland, arrange the Nativity, and add those special finishing touches. If interested, we will meet in the sanctuary after the worship service on Nov. 22. Come enjoy some fellowship as we prepare our church for this beautiful season of hope and joy! ✨ Questions? Contact Jim & Paul
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Needle Arts
November 20, 6pm, Fellowship Hall
We are starting a community night series here at FUMC! In an age of high screen time being corelated to poor mental health, it is important to connect face to face with others. This community night series will focus on fellowship and skill learning. It will require your curiosity and willingness to try something new! We are kicking off this series with needle arts! Never tried before? Come join us and learn from one of our needle arts aficionados! Already a pro? Bring your current project and come hang out with us! Open to all ages. Light snacks and refreshments will be provided. Contact Sydney to confirm your spot!
| | A group went to the opera Tuesday night! Not pictured: Hannah (with the cast of course), Dan Cavanagh, and Sachie! | |
Choral Evensong Service
Sunday, November 15, 5pm, St. Stephen's Lutheran
The Association of Church Musicians (ACM), of which our church is a member, is hosting a special service of Choral Evensong with a choir comprised of ACM members on Sunday, November 15, 2026, 5:00 pm, at St. Stephen's Lutheran Church, 5700 Pheasant Hill Road, Monona, Wisconsin. All are invited and welcome to attend.
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That it works.
That line stuck with me.
This time of year naturally turns our attention toward gratitude. Thanksgiving invites us to pause, reflect, and give thanks. But if we are honest, gratitude can feel harder to practice when finances aretight, uncertainty is high, or the future feels unclear. Churches feel that pressure. Families feel thatpressure. Individuals do too. Read More
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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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Prayer Requests
- Tom Gobel – Please pray that his surgery on November 16 goes smoothly and that he has a good and speedy recovery.
- Diane Glodoski – Please pray for her as she faces a long journey of recovery following surgery. She is also experiencing challenges with food access, so please pray that additional helping hands and resources will become available to support her needs.
- Our Neighbors This Thanksgiving – As Thanksgiving approaches, let us pray that our neighbors will not be left feeling lonely, hungry, or cold. May more resources and opportunities for support become available to meet the diverse needs of our community.
- Preparation for Our New Worship Service – As we prepare for the launch of our new worship service on January 6, 2027, let us pray that the Holy Spirit will guide every step of the process with wisdom, clarity, and careful direction.
| | Children, Youth & Young Adults | |
Elementary Insider
This Sunday, Nov. 15, 4-5:30pm, Youth Room
Date change! Nov. 15th! We're going to craft and be cozy! Come in your coziest outfit! We will also be painting the J.O.Y letters in the classrooms! Yippie!! Please RSVP to Sydney.
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Children's Sabbath
This Sunday, Nov. 15, 9:30am, Sanctuary
In the Methodist lectionary calendar, November 15th is the children's sabbath. We are looking for youth who want to participate in service that day! We need ushers, greeters, acolytes, we need someone to design the cover of the bulletin, and some folks to read liturgy! Please contact Sydney about the roles you can take on for this special service! Contact Sydney.
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Youth Group Going to Chazen
Sunday, Nov. 22, 1:00ish-4:00ish
We are going to the Chazen Museum of Art! After worship, youth will be helping Jim and Paul decorate the Sanctuary for advent. Once that is done we will grab a quick lunch and head to the Chazen Museum of art! Admission is free. Please look for texts from Sydney about pick up times. Contact Sydney.
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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
Breaking from Nov. 19 - Jan. 7
Thursdays, 2pm, Chapel Café
On January 8th of 2027 we will be taking a 4-week "dip" into the person and writings of the important first century Jewish historian, Josephus. Keep tuned for future details. Led by Scott Walters & Dr. Glenna Jackson. Readings provided in class. Contact Scott Walters.
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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 the Epilogue from "Genesis — A Beginner’s Guide to the Beginning" by AJ. Levine. Next, they will read "Miracles and Wonder: The Historical Mystery of Jesus" by Elaine Pagels. Contact George Gay for more information.
Zoom Meeting ID: 850 0324 3391 Passcode: 489851
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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 116 guests and served 178 meals for breakfast and 152 sandwiches. We had 25 volunteers and 7 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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