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FEBRUARY 2024
M A D I S O N U N I TA R I A N
Liberating Love
IN THIS ISSUE February’s theme is: Liberating Love
From the Ministers 3 From the Board 4-5 Poem: skint valentine 5 Valentine Jazz Soirée 6-7 A Month of Services
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Community Information 10 Contact Us
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NOVEMBER 2022
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NOVEMBER 2022
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Cover photo by Molly Backes 2
THE MADISON UNITARIAN
FROM THE MINISTERS Rev. Jim Foti, Assistant Sabbatical Minister
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t’s fitting that the theme for my first month with you is “Liberating Love,” because love is why I’m here. And I mean “here” in many senses of the word.
To reconnect patients with their own humanity, to listen as they talked about their deepest values and most important relationships, to help them remember their sources of strength. I couldn’t heal their physical symptoms, but through presI’m here on Earth because my parents fell in love ence and prayer, I could help them feel both more and wanted children, and were able to make that grounded and freer of spirit despite the limitachoice. I’m here serving as your Assistant Sabbat- tions of the body. ical Minister because I love people, ideas, words, worship, and much more about the life of UU con- And in these times we are living in, this dauntgregations, and because many in my life loved me ing year for which perhaps none of us can be fully into becoming a minister. And I’ve been spend- prepared, this is something that people of faith ing more time here in Wisconsin to be nearer to and conscience are called to do: to bring love into my family of origin, who have taught me so much rooms where it is in short supply. Our state and national capitols, fraught local government meetabout love. ings, Wisconsin’s misery-filled prisons—all could Love, like hope, is worthwhile to explore as a feel- use more ambassadors of love to lift up our huing, but both concepts can be more interesting as man commitments to each other’s thriving. Our verbs. The idea of Liberating Love implies action— collective liberation depends on our willingness love as an emotion that is not only felt, but also to, as a popular UU T-shirt says, “love the hell out motivates. Liberating Love can free the person of this world.” Love of course is not all pink candy who is experiencing the feeling, and it can free hearts; sometimes love needs to be fierce to get those who are the beneficiaries of an active love. things done. Back during my ministerial formation, I served for a summer as a hospital chaplain intern. At first, I found the role daunting, especially after only one year of seminary training. But before long, amid all the blinking machines and IV tubes and medical staff rushing around, I realized what my primary job was, and that was to bring love into the room.
This points to one of the many reasons I’m grateful to be serving at FUS. Playing even a small role at a congregation working toward liberation feeds and lifts my spirit. Speaking up for and cultivating beloved community are part of who you are, and you create a loving, liberating, often laughter-filled space for each other and those who are yet to come.
Love is the answer. And I don’t mean the feeling of love. I mean the force of love. I mean love as power, I mean love which insists that we all belong to one another.
It is a privilege to be with you for this season in your congregation’s life. I look forward to our time together. ◊
Rev. Elea J. Kemler
Rev. Jim Foti (he/him) is serving as our quarter-time Assistant Sabbatical Minister from late January until early July 2024. For his complete bio, please visit the Sabbatical page on our website (www.fusmadison. org/sabbatical). SEPTEMBER 2023 FEBRUARY 2024
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FROM THE BOARD
Jennifer Seeker Conroy, Board President
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fter a challenging few years, First Unitarian Society is in a difficult, but surmountable financial position. If you attended one of the recent town hall meetings, members of the Board of Trustees and Finance Committee laid out the recent global and local developments that have impacted our current position and the senior ministers introduced a staff restructuring that enables us to propose a balanced budget for next fiscal year. The Board has provided feedback and came to a consensus with the ministers on the plan. If you were unable to attend one of the town halls, you can watch the recording of the presentation.
Ministerial Transition • Retirement of long-term minister Michael Schuler • Three years of interim ministry • Loss of long-term pledging members who have passed away or left the congregation Additionally, in the last several years we have nearly depleted our reserve funds. We were able to retain staff throughout the pandemic and recession by relying on one-time stopgap funds over the last several years. These included about $500,000 in pandemic-related government assistance and other relief funds. The leadership team was very resourceful in seeking out this funding so that we did not have to lay off staff during the pandemic and recession years. Additionally, we have nearly depleted our reserve funds to plug budget gaps in the last several years. At the May 2023 parish meeting, the congregation voted to approve a budget that used $175,000 in reserves to maintain staff levels without cost-of-living raises. These sources of funding are now exhausted.
FUS reached a peak of membership 15-20 years ago. At that time, our membership was about 1,500 people who made total pledge payments of about $1.1 million. As a congregation, we voted to build the $6 million atrium addition that opened in 2008. Shortly after it opened, the Great Recession forced some staff layoffs and salary freezes. There have been economic and social ups and downs since then, but a unique confluence of factors started to emerge about five years ago. These included: Going into the 2024-2025 church year, we are exGlobal Pandemic pecting approximately a $200,000 budget short• Virtual services led to disengagement of some fall. The senior ministers have proposed a staff restructuring as part of the solution in balancing the members and reduced collections budget, along with other cuts where feasible. This • Cancelled events reduced revenue structure allows us to pay staff in line with UUA Staff Compensation Guidelines and FUS policies • Recession caused reduced pledges and best align staff responsibilities with our mission-driven priorities. Increased Operating Expenses • Ongoing loan payments for Atrium building • Maintenance of historic Landmark building • Record inflation increased costs
These cuts are painful, and we wish they were not necessary. As a board, we feel that right-sizing our staff is necessary at this time to position FUS for the future. (con’t on page 7)
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FROM THE BOARD Jennifer Seeker Conroy, Board President
(con’t from page 6)
We all have a role in ensuring a thriving future for FUS. Of course, continue your pledge payments and increase your pledge if you are able. To discuss planned giving (such as in your will or to a particular fund), contact the FUS Foundation. New ministry teams are being formed to grow and engage our membership and increase our revenue. Contact Cheryll Mellenthin for information on the Stewardship Team and Janet Swanson for the Membership Team.
The last several years have been extremely challenging and have included historic events we never could have imagined. We have weathered the storm together. Our congregation is vibrant and growing. In the last six months, 347 people have signed the visitor’s book, 14 new members have signed the membership book and four more are scheduled to, and our most recent New UU class had 20 participants. We are still one of the largest UU congregations in the country with more than 1,000 members, and our current average pledge Thank you for your support and trust as we naviis more than $2,000, our highest ever. Rebound- gate this journey together. ◊ ing from recent challenges will take some time and require the contributions of all of us, but we are going in the right direction.
skint valentine what we have is what there is and who we are and who we is is love Tom Pickard, 2017
FEBRUARY 2024
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VALENTINE JAZZ SOIRÉE
Drew Collins, Music Director & Cheryll Mellanthin, Project Coordinator
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alentine Jazz Soirée returns in person! We are celebrating this season of love, offering a feast for the senses with a captivating Casablanca vibe: the sounds of live jazz, the tastes and textures of delicious food and drink, the sights of the stunning Atrium venue dressed for the evening, flickering candlelight, and dancing cheek to cheek. Love shines a light on the life we share with others. Love can bring us together as a community. Attend as a couple, a group of friends, or fly solo! The greater Madison community is invited!
Huwe (drums) and featuring special guest vocalist Michelle DuVall. Jazz’s swinging rhythms, close harmonies, smooth melodies, and improvisatory style makes it one of the most romantic musical styles and the perfect complement to a Valentine’s celebration. Sparkle for the night in danceable evening attire and visit our photo booth to capture the moment. And, yes, did we say there will be dancing!
We are thrilled to bring back Bunky’s serving their amazing Moroccan-Mediterranean cuisine. Teresa and Rachid are previewing three new hummus At the heart of our Valentine Jazz Soirée is the offerings exclusively for our Valentine Jazz Soirée exquisite performance of The Michael BB Trio: guests! We are also offering our first Valentine Michael BB (piano), Forest Evans (bass), and Jim Jazz Soirée Champagne Cocktail, along with fine
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VALENTINE JAZZ SOIRÉE wines, local beer, and nonalcoholic beverages. Dessert is centered on Chocolate! At your table and at our chocolate fountain paired with berries and homemade Semolina Cake.
Bunky’s needs your intentions known by February 2. Of course, we have also learned that putting on these special community events is a huge team effort. Please contact Cheryll at cheryllm@ fusmadison.org to join the volunteer team. Share We hope to attract folks from the broader commu- the FUS love! ◊ nity, so be sure your friends and family who don’t frequent FUS know that they will be welcome at this event! Showing and sharing love also includes sharing your intentions with those you care about. What this means in practice for our Valentine Jazz Soirée is that we need to know you’ll be joining us on February 10 for this community event. We want to be certain we have plenty of great food—
Valentine Jazz Soirée Ticket Options Dinner & Jazz
$70
Jazz Concert Only
$20
Walk-In Concert
$25
includes dinner, champagne, chocolate, & roses purchased in advance available at the door
Cash Bar
wine, beer, champagne, non-alcoholic drinks
FEBRUARY 2024
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A MONTH OF SERVICES In-person worship services: Saturdays @ 4:30 pm & Sundays @ 9 & 11 am Online worship service: Sundays @ 9 am
FEBRUARY 3 & 4
YOUR HEART IS A PART OF YOUR BODY
Rev. Kelly Asprooth-Jackson As we begin our monthly theme of liberating love, we will start by exploring the seat of love in the metaphorical space of the body: the heart. Join us for a service about the link between the physical and the emotional, and how the practice of love can help to expand our own sense of self. On Saturday, we recognize Black History Month with piano solos by African American composers L. Viola Kinney, Margaret Bonds, Valerie Capers. On Sunday, FUS Society Choir will sing.
FEBRUARY 10 & 11
WHAT DOES LOVE REQUIRE OF US?
Rev. Kelly Asprooth-Jackson The scholar and activist Cornel West said, “Justice is what love looks like in public. Tenderness is what love feels like in private.” Love is a much rhapsodized word, but it is also so disputed as to feel bled of clear meaning. In this service, we will consider and endeavor to answer together: what does it mean, practically, to love others? To love our world? To love ourselves? Three original compositions by jazz great Oscar Peterson, and Meeting House Chorus sings a Georgia Sea Island Singers spiritual.
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THE MADISON UNITARIAN
FEBRUARY 17 & 18
THE SPACE TO DREAM
Rev. Kelly Asprooth-Jackson The world is imperfect, often unfair, and certainly incomplete. Yet, time and time again, people of vision attempt to create something finer and more hopeful: communities which, even in the midst of struggle and strife, offer new space to dream. Join us for a service celebrating the human impulse to work for freedom—together. Philip Delaquess and Linda Warren play four movements from Six Studies in English Folksong by Ralph Vaughan Williams for cello and piano.
FEBRUARY 24 & 25
LET’S GO TO THE TAPE
Rev. Jim Foti The past—yours, mine, ours, our country’s—can be a complicated animal, one that’s exalted, reviled, clung to, avoided, treasured. Join us as our assistant sabbatical minister, the Rev. Jim Foti, explores how we might bring a loving, liberatory lens whenever we look back, and whenever we dream of what might be ahead. Cherub Choir & Choristers sing on Saturday and Teen Choir sings on Sunday. Heather Thorpe sings songs of African American composer Mark Fax.
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COMMUNITY INFORMATION MARK YOUR CALENDARS New UU Class
Saturday, February 24 • 9 am - 11:30 am Join us! New UU is an orientation class for newcomers and friends of FUS with introductions to Unitarian Universalism and the life of our faith community. We will meet on Saturday, February 24, from 9 am to 11:30 am. Registration is required. Childcare is available upon request. Please register and RSVP for childcare by February 21st. Contact Janet at janets@fusmadison.org to participate. $10 fee for supplies.
Spiritual Practice: An Introduction/Refresher
Saturday, March 9 • 8:45 am - 12 PM free, open and welcoming to all, no experience necessary Would you like an introduction to the meditative practice groups that meet at FUS? Are you familiar with meditation but could use a refresher? Join us for a half day retreat where together we will practice centering prayer, chi gong (Japanese Crane) and insight meditation. All three practices can help to calm the mind, relax the body and open the mind and heart. One of the leaders from each group will offer an introduction to the practice, a guided practice session and time for questions and answers. To help us create a container of contemplative reflection, please plan to stay for the entire morning. No experience required. To register, contact Jeanne Sears at jasears2003@yahoo.com or sign up in the Commons.
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CONTACT US STAFF LEADERSHIP TEAM
BOARD OF TRUSTEES
Rev. Kelly J. Crocker, Co-Senior Minister on Sabbatical Feb 1 - Aug 1, 2024 Rev. Kelly Asprooth-Jackson, Co-Senior Minister kellyaj@fusmadison.org x.113 Monica Nolan, Executive Director monican@fusmadison.org x.115
Jenny Seeker Conroy, President
PROGRAM STAFF
Ed Zapala
Rev. Jim Foti, Assistant Sabbatical Minister jimf@fusmadison.org Janet Swanson, Director Membership & Adult Programs janets@fusmadison.org x.124 Leslie Ross, Director Children’s Religious Exploration leslier@fusmadison.org x.119 Kristi Sprague, Social Justice Coordinator kristis@fusmadison.org x.125 Xan Hendrick, Program Assistant alexandrah@fusmadison.org x.116
MUSIC STAFF
Dr. Drew Collins, Music Director drewc@fusmadison.org x.121 Heather Thorpe, Children & Youth Choir Director thorpeh2@gmail.com Linda Warren, Assistant Music Director linda.warren@tds.net
OPERATIONAL STAFF
Molly Backes, Communications Coordinator mollyb@fusmadison.org x. 117 Cheryll Mellenthin, Project Coordinator cheryllm@fusmadison.org x. 130 Tom Miskelly, Facilities Manager tomm@fusmadison.org x. 120 Dan Carnes, A/V & Event Specialist danc@fusmadison.org Steven Gregorius, Event Specialist
Chuck Evenson Joy Stieglitz Gottschalk Emily Cusic Putnam, Secretary Emily Smith Ann Schaffer Zizi Brandt, Youth Liaison Mira Roffers, Youth Advisor Mason Shadle, Youth Advisor
LAY MINISTERS
Our lay ministers provide a confidential, caring presence to congregants undergoing stressful life challenges or joyous occasions. Under the guidance of our called ministers, they promote the spirit of community through direct service in visiting the ill and healing, facilitating support groups, and more. Contact a lay minister at 608.233.9774 x. 126
SOCIAL MEDIA
Get information about upcoming services and events, see photos and videos, and connect with other FUS folks on our social media platforms!
FUS Facebook Page https://www.facebook.com/fusmadison FUS Community Virtual Gathering Space (FB Group) https://www.facebook.com/ groups/fusmadison Instagram https://www.instagram.com/fusmadison/ YouTube https://www.youtube.com/fusmadison
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The vision of First Unitarian Society is to be a spiritual community of belonging. We will transform ourselves and society through the practices of radical welcome, deep listening, and compassionate, authentic connection. We envision a world fueled by love and justice. At First Unitarian Society, we question boldly, listen humbly, grow spiritually, act courageously, and love unapologetically.
FIRST UNITARIAN SO CIET Y OF MADISON 900 University Bay Drive • Madison, WI 53705 608.233.9774 www.fusmadison.org
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