The Madison Unitarian | March 2024

Transformation

Late Spring

Finally the world is beginning to change, its fevers mounting, its leaves unfolding.

And the mockingbirds find ample reason and breath to fashion new songs. They do. You can count on it.

As for lovers, they are discovering new ways to love. Listen, their windows are open. You can hear them laughing.

Without spring who knows what would happen. A lot of nothing, I suppose. The leaves are all in motion now the way a young boy rows and rows

in his wooden boat, just to get anywhere. Late, late, but now lovely and lovelier. And the two of us, together—a part of it.

Mary Oliver, 2015

The reason a novel needs to be so long, I used to tell my writing students, is that change happens slowly, over time. In poems and short stories, we often find a small moment of understanding, a brief epiphany, a quick jolt of clarity. We stop in the woods on a snowy evening, stand in front of ancient ruins and contemplate the fleeting nature of time, confess that we have eaten the rest of the plums in the fridge. But for deep, soul-level transformation, we require a novel.

For one thing, instant change—despite what every huckster and snake oil salesmen tells you—isn't realistic. Everyone who has started a new goal or project January 1 only to peter out before the end of the month knows that it takes time, intention, and pure stubbornness to implement a new habit.

More significantly, perhaps, is that we tell ourselves a story about who we are, and the stability of our sense of self relies, in part, on the stability of that story. In order to transform ourselves, we must also change the story we tell about who and what we are, and that ain't easy.

And finally, real transformation is big and messy and uncomfortable. It happens in fits and starts. Sometimes we have to learn the same lesson again and again before we really get it. We grow and we regress, we move forward and lapse back, we start and quit and start again. The arcs of our own stories aren't straight diagonals or smooth waves; they're as jagged as heart monitors.

The story of FUS is no smoother than any of our own. In our 145 years, we have had high and lows, struggles and successes, conflicts and communion. The miraculous part is that we've done it together. We built this community, and we sustain this community.

FROM THE EDITOR

Molly Backes, Communications Coordinator

Our month of transformation seemed like a fitting one for the final issue—at least for now— of The Madison Unitarian. In these pages, you will find examples of what has made this newsletter special: reflections from our ministers, insights and information from our staff members, stories and testimonials from our congregation. I am particularly pleased to include an essay by Roberta Harriet Carnes about the history of The Madison Unitarian, which has gone through many changes itself over the years.

Moving forward, I hope we continue to make space for our members to share their stories, on whatever platform or media we're using at the time. For now, we have our internal Facebook group, FUS Virtual Community Gathering Space (www.facebook.com/groups/fusmadison), which has doubled in size in the last two years. If you're not already a member there, come find us!

We're also introducing a new space on our website for the service descriptions that have previously lived in these pages. You'll find that at www.fusmadison.org/upcoming and under the "Worship" tab in our site menu.

This is my 17th issue as editor and designer. Pulling the newsletter together every month is a ton of work, and I definitely have a few more gray hairs than I did when I started. But I have also enjoyed it immensely, and I will miss both the creative challenge and the opportunities to connect with members of our community that this publication has offered me. Highs and lows, struggles and successes, epiphanies and transformations—I am grateful for them all. ◊

FROM THE MINISTERS

Rev. Kelly Asprooth-Jackson, Co-Senior Minister

Believing Hard Enough to Feel It

There is an old story about a man who held to a certain idea which was unpopular among his neighbors—in fact, no one else in his entire city believed as he did. Rather than keeping his thoughts to himself, however, this man kept them always on display. He carried a sign with him everywhere he went, so that no one could forget what he stood for. As you might imagine, very publicly disagreeing with the general consensus everywhere he went did not make this man’s life particularly easy. His arms grew tired from carrying the sign each day, and strangers often stopped him in the street to argue with him. Still, he kept it up.

One day, one of his neighbors saw the man returning home after a long day of work, and living life, and carrying his sign. The curious neighbor approached the man and asked, “Friend, everywhere you go you carry that sign with you. And in all the years we have both lived in this city, I have never known you to change even one person’s mind with it. Why do you persist?”

The man explained to his neighbor, “Other people have their own thoughts and opinions, just as I have mine. And over the years it seems far more likely that you would convince me than the other way round, outnumbering me as you do. I do not carry this sign to change what others believe; I carry it to remind myself of what I know to be true.”

Each year, in this season, we are each asked by our congregation to make a financial commitment to our spiritual community for the coming year. In my household, it’s an individual decision; others might make it as a couple or as a family. The dis-

cipline that I have come to over the years and the several congregations of which I have been a part, is this. The amount that I contribute should be a piece of my budget that I feel; it should be enough money to me, that I live my life differently for not having it. You see, I believe in the transformative power of love and in the revolutionary value of the search for truth. I believe that every person is innately holy, and that it is by coming together that we best realize and cultivate this power. I believe these things and so I want to feel their practical consequences strongly enough that I cannot forget or lose track of them.

Over the next several weeks, you will have the opportunity to consider how you will support our congregation for the year to come, or for multiple years when you choose to become a Sustaining Steward. You’ll be receiving, either in person at FUS, or by mail, materials to help you in your own discernment about the place of this community in your life, and what this place translates to in your budget. Some of us relish the project of thinking about money, and many of us do not. But I hope that you will take the time to think—and to feel— and to act from the result. ◊

STEWARDSHIP CAMPAIGN

Cheryll Mellenthin, Project Coordinator

Together, we build and support the beloved community we call the First Unitarian Society of Madison. As stewards of all we’ve built, we give of our time, our talents, and our financial support.

FUS Members & Affiliates are stewards of:

• a thriving spiritual home across generations

• a year-round welcoming place for families

• a community of social justice advocates

• a historic building

• a legacy of inclusivity and celebrating individualism

Our Stewardship Campaign takes a holistic approach to contributions of time and financial support to FUS. As part of this approach, we want to celebrate the multitude of Volunteer Stewards who step up every week, giving of themselves in building this joyful place and doing the hard work, often behind the physical structure we call our spiritual home. You too can find opportunities to share your talents in so many important ways. Check out some offerings here: www.fusmadison. org/volunteer/.

We also want to celebrate the 161 FUS households who have chosen to be Sustaining Stewards. Their multi-year commitment of $313,180 to our 2024-2025 Stewardship Campaign provides nearly one-third of our pledge goal as we

start our campaign. To become a Sustaining Steward, simply go online to our Give page (www.fusmadison.org/giving-home/). If using our paper pledge form to make your pledge, check the “I want to be a Sustaining Steward” box. There is no minimum amount requirement to be a Sustaining Steward, and you can change your pledge amount and duration at any time. If you’re not sure if you are already a Sustaining Steward, you’re in good company! Please contact Cheryll (cheryllm@fusmadison.org) for your Sustainer status.

We recognize the diversity of financial situations among us, and your gift, regardless of the amount, is vital to our continued success. If you want some guidance on what to give, please refer to the UUA Guide link found on our website: www.fusmadison.org/UUA-Suggested-Fair-Share-2023-2024. pdf.

The financial stewardship of this community provides the building blocks for the work we do together. We’re striving for 100% participation at any level. If you need more information, please visit our website at www.fusmadison.org/stewardship/ or contact Cheryll if you need assistance in making your pledge or would like more volunteer information.

Thank you for giving generously to our community and being a vital steward Building Our Future Together. ◊

STEWARDSHIP CAMPAIGN

Emily Cusic Putnam

“Over the past 18 years, I have come to this community to listen and to learn, to serve and be supported, to act and to witness, to celebrate and to mourn, to be myself and be something greater than myself. FUS offers me a safe space to reflect on who and how I want to be with others in the world, to live with intention.

There's so much to feel overwhelmed and helpless about in the world right now but when I step in these doors, I feel a sense of hope. As I sit with you in silent contemplation, as I witness our young people learning about different faiths and considering what spirituality means to them; as I join my energy with yours in service and action, I become aware of this journey I am on with all of you. I am grateful for the many ways that FUS nurtures my soul.”

Reenie Euhardy

“Yeah for Stewardship!! This place is ever so special to me for a plethora of reasons. Here are some of them: for everything I have learned by teaching children’s Religious Exploration classes; music—which first brought me to FUS; the ministers and staff who have always been supportive during highs and lows in my life; the building designed and inspired by Frank Lloyd Wright—a favorite architect of mine; and especially, the Unitarian Universalist faith practiced at FUS. Not a surprise that FUS is included in the dispersion of any assets that maybe left after my husband and my death. FUS means that much to me.”

Trudy Karlson & Dave Weber

“Over the 39 years of our membership at FUS, this community has brought us to a deeper understanding of the love that exists among us and the trust that underlies it. We’ve come to appreciate people, music, architectural beauty, spiritual growth that we would have never otherwise known; we continue these all, the joyful aspirations.

We’ve witnessed change and the process of change in our community. We believe that such change is the result of a loving and trusting community engaged in common acts of faith. We are always pleased and surprised.”

Alice Delaquess

“Being part of FUS is central to my well-being, and has been for years. Through my involvement in this beloved community, my faith in the essential goodness of people is nourished. Here I am called to consider and act on what I believe, and I am surrounded by others from whom I can learn and grow.”

ACHILDREN’S RELIGIOUS EXPLORATION

Leslie Ross, Director of Children’s Religious Exploration

pril will be the launch for next Fall’s Children’s Religious Exploration Program and we’re looking forward to a robust year! Enrollments have increased this year from our previous post-Covid numbers, up about 35 kids from last year; we’re optimistic that we’ll continue on that path. In January and February alone we’ve welcomed eight new children to our program!

As we all know, the next fiscal year will leave us with significantly less staff to do the same amount of work. You can help us keep things running smoothly by 1) registering for CRE sooner rather than later. Registrations begin April 1st and will be online at www.fusmadison.org/cre/classes and 2) by volunteering to teach! Teacher recruitment can be quite time-consuming. The more teachers who sign up early to teach in the fall, the less time we will have to devote to recruitment and the more time we’ll have to address the many other things that need to happen before the start of the 2024-25 program year. You can contact me at leslier@fusmadison.org to sign up to teach or to learn more about what a teaching commitment involves.

In other important matters, please note that:

• There are no CRE classes the weekends of March 23/24 and March 30/31.

• We will host our annual Easter Egg Hunt on Easter Sunday, March 31, beginning right after the family Easter service, so around 10 am. The Easter Egg Hunt is for children in 5th grade and younger. Feel free to bring your own Easter basket, or to borrow one of ours. Following service, kids and their parents will

head to Courtyard Classrooms A/B. From there, they will search designated areas of our playground and surrounding grounds for eggs. After collecting five eggs, kids will trade them in for an Easter goodie bag. We are looking for volunteers to help with the Easter Egg Hunt from 9 am – 11ish (or whenever all is cleaned up). This would be a great opportunity for teens in need of service hours or adults in need of contagious joy!

• May 18/19 is the last weekend of CRE classes for this year! Whew… these months fly by!

If you have any questions about Children’s Religious Exploration or how you might help maintain its awesomeness, please reach out to me. I’d love to chat! ◊

A Cathedral is Burning in Paris

Forgive us our trespasses numerous as broken umbrellas on April asphalt. Forgive the sakura blossoms their infinite silk confetti clogging the gutters. Forgive our trust in permanence. The thing about a burning cathedral in Paris is I never thought stone could burn. When the spire collapses in slow motion, the ziggurats of Babylon feel again their old wounds, muscle memory of torn mortar and broken bones. We begin in dust and after the smolder return to dust blanketed by dandelions. Even the sun will consume itself in fire-some pray for it and think it cannot come soon enough. Forgive us our weariness: the problem is not feeling nothing; it’s feeling everything. Over a doorframe you wipe away a spider’s weeks of fine-wrought lace. Elsewhere in the world another exquisite stone building collapses. In the ruins, against reason, the spider sets her legs, starts to weave.

Steve Bellin-Oka, 2023

GUEST COLUMN: NEWSLETTER GOODBYE

Roberta Harriet Carnes, Former Director of Publications

This is a sad moment as we say goodbye to The Madison Unitarian, FUS’s newsletter of well over 70 years. I’m glad we have this time to look back and tell stories.

My own relationship to the Unitarian goes back quite awhile, as everything does when you get to be a member of the senior citizen cohort. It began in 1998 when I moved to Madison. My spouse Ann had landed a plum job working for Madison Metro, so we sold our cozy house in Eau Claire and moved our household, including two boys, then three and eight, to the Capital City. Shortly after that, I began volunteering at FUS, where we had been attending the Saturday service.

My first volunteer experience was with the RISO machine under the tutelage of Judeth Lary, who at the time was the Society’s secretary. Judeth’s office, off the lobby in the Landmark Meeting House, was crowded with a photocopier, a large duplication machine (the “RISOGraph”), an incredibly noisy folding machine, and everything Judy needed to be the nerve center of the Society. The phone rang constantly, and Judy answered every call, directing each one to the correct staffer. The little office, with its odd Frank Lloyd Wright corners, was always in a state of controlled bedlam, and yet Judy was a picture of calm in the storm. She was such a kind and lovely person. We all miss her. I’ll never forget her Buddha and candles, which she lighted to improve the feng shui of the oddly shaped room, and of course Ahimsa the goldfish.

My duty as a volunteer was to print the newsletter on the duplicator and fold the pages. I couldn’t possibly have anticipated that my relationship to that machine would last 16 years.

The RISOGraph, or RISO for short, was a singular tool widely used in schools, hospitals, and churches. A descendent of the old Mimeograph machine,

the RISO miraculously scanned a complete 8.5 x11 page, simultaneously mounted a stencil of it on an ink-filled drum, and then, with the drama of an airplane taking off, began to spin out copies at a terrifying 30 pages per minute. It worked incredibly well and was cheap to run, but created a low-resolution product. It required an attentive person to feed it reams of paper and then stack the printed pages.

At this time, the newsletter was laid out by Judy and her assistant Ida Wilson. It was usually six to eight 8.5x11 pages, first typed into Wordperfect and then RISOed on both sides. Each page was then folded in half, later collated by a crew of volunteers. When you got your newsletter in the mail, you could remove the staple and have a sheaf of separate un-numbered pages.

I enjoyed working on the newsletter, but was eventually approached by Kent Mayfield, then church administrator, and offered a job as RE program assistant, working with Susan Winter. Two years later, Kent again approached me and asked if I was interested in becoming the half-time editor and layout person for the Madison Unitarian. And thus in 2001 or so, I was back at the RISO machine.

With new freedom and a new job, things began to change for the publications at FUS. I brought with me my copies of Aldus Pagemaker and Photoshop, two software programs which were then called “Desktop Publishing.” I was not a great graphic designer, despite my art degree, but I knew I could improve things. Suddenly, FUS had typography, white space, and a new logo, a stylized drawing of the Meeting House I found on a noon musicale poster. I was having a great time. I enjoyed the staff and quickly became the go-to person for computer problems, AV problems, and any publications needed. For several years I cranked out a newsletter every two weeks, plus three orders of service and the announcements each week, all printed by the RISO. (con’t on page 13)

GUEST COLUMN: NEWSLETTER GOODBYE

(con’t from page 12) Another innovation came along shortly: the idea of binding the newsletter so it didn’t fall apart. My crew of intrepid volunteers began stapling along the side of the sheaf of newsletter pages, three or four clunks of an electric stapler. About that time, I realized we could mail the newsletter as a “flat”—more like a magazine than a letter. I think we were mailing 900 to a thousand newsletters biweekly.

When the original RISO became unrepairable, the church somehow came up with $10K to buy a new one, and a new folding machine to boot. The old RISO had well over a million prints on it, which according to my repair guy was about twice as many as was likely.

The new RISO brought new features. It could print on 11x17 paper! This meant far fewer trips through the machine, since I could print two pages at once, eliminating the need for staple binding. Collating became a matter of slipping folded sheets together. The whole thing began to look more professional. The merry-go-round slowed a bit when we moved the newsletter to monthly instead of every two weeks. Suddenly there was time to breathe.

Then in about 2010, I was asked to take over our new website. I got a new title, director of publications, and became officially full-time. The website was not elaborate, and few people visited it. But as we all know now, that was going to change. I learned to write elementary HTML and studied Dreamweaver. Things got really exciting when we wore out the second RISO, and bought a new one that could— hold on to your hats—print two colors at once! It had somewhat better graphics too. If done carefully, and processed in Photoshop for extreme contrast, we could print photos. Occasionally you could even tell what they were. Since 11x17 pages meant spreads could cross the fold, I experimented with letting images start on the front page and reappear on the

back, and using the centerfold for special content. By this time, my typographical skills had grown and blossomed. I learned to appreciate a well-kerned headline, the beauty of white space, the poetry of a ragged-edged column of well-set type, and the correct use of a hyphen. As my skills grew, the newsletter and other publications became more polished.

I also grew bolder. When asked to put a notice in the newsletter admonishing members to park more politely, I created an alter ego, Miss Parking Manners, who had a shrill manner, scolded incessantly, traveled extensively to the Rivera, had a beehive hairdo, and was hilariously eccentric. Later Miss PM was joined by her sister Miss Question Box, who answered questions about the Society with a similarly silly voice. You know, a girl has to have little fun!

Then one day our church database company, Shelby, suggested that they would be happy to help us publish via e-mail (so cutting edge!) a weekly newsletter—for a fee, of course. But why pay for something we could do ourselves? So I added that to my duties. Each week after assembling the Announcements handout, I reformatted it into an email. After a few months, I began to write a short note introducing the week’s news and anticipating the weekend’s events. And so The News from the Red Floors began. My notes were always personal in voice, just a paragraph or two each week. It was a view of the church few people see, as we all scurried through the end of the week, putting finishing touches on sermons, gathering RE supplies, collating the programs, and getting ready for the congregation to join us at the Meeting House.

I’ll stop there, though there are more stories to tell. I loved working at FUS. I had warm and supportive co-workers whom I could confide in and came to love. I felt it embodied right livelihood, where my work coincided with my values. Farewell Madison Unitarian! ◊

A MONTH OF SERVICES

In-person worship services: Saturdays @ 4:30 pm & Sundays @ 9 & 11 am

Online worship service: Sundays @ 9 am

MARCH 2 & 3

THE SHIP OF THESEUS

Rev. Kelly Asprooth-Jackson

As we begin our month-long spiritual theme of Transformation, we also inaugurate our annual pledge campaign. In this service we will consider the intersection of these two things: how change can be a part of growth and even maintenance, for living things and objects and institutions we hold dear, and how the gifts we share with one another in community actually create that community, in practice. In honor of Women’s History Month, Saturday will feature four music selections by women composers. Music by Jeanne Cotter, Lori McKenna, Brandy Clark, and Anne Krentz Organ performed by soprano Tamara Brognano and pianist Linda Warren. On Sunday, Society Choir sings Mendelssohn and Hovhaness.

MARCH 9 & 10

THE LANGUAGE OF THE UNIVERSE

Rev. Kelly Asprooth-Jackson

Galileo Galilei said that the universe “is written in mathematical language, and the letters are triangles, circles and other geometrical figures, without which means it is humanly impossible to comprehend a single word.” In anticipation of Pi Day (March 14) join us for a service all about that discipline so vital to our modern world, and yet so frequently maligned: mathematics. On Sunday, Meeting House Chorus will sing Jason Shelton’s “Love Has Already Won” and Drew Collins’ “Rockin’ Jerusalem.”

MARCH 16 & 17

TRANSFORM AND ROLL OUT

Rev. Kelly Asprooth-Jackson

Science, religion, and popular culture, each abound with stories of transformation. A caterpillar forms a chrysalis, in order to become a butterfly. Saul of Tarsus had his conversion experience on the Damascus road, and became the apostle Paul. And in the 80s Transformers cartoon, Optimus Prime and his band of alien heroes freely metamorphose from vehicles to robots and back again. In this service, we will reflect on the spiritual lessons of these and other forms of transformation. Solstice Harp Ensemble will play Scottish folk music arranged by Kim Robertson and Laura Zaerr.

MARCH 23 & 24

THE ULTIMATE TRANSFORMATION

Rev. Jim Foti

Each of us will one day transition from living human to someone who exists as memory, legacy, and ongoing love. How we handle this universal experience matters, and approaches to grief have become more varied and expansive. Our losses don’t go away when we don’t talk about them, and tend to go better when we do, so please join us for an exploration of the ultimate transformation. Piano duets performed by Bryan Rainey and Linda Warren. Music of Jackson Berkey, Ryan Marvel, Edvard Grieg, and Larry Shackley.

FRIDAY, MARCH 29 @ 5 PM

GOOD FRIDAY SERVICE

Rev. Kelly Asprooth-Jackson

This special, simple service of commemoration and lament will be held in the Landmark Auditorium. Music will include Jeanne Cotter’s “Coming Home,” Richard Cotter’s “Deep Within,” the Spritiual “Were You There?,” and the Gaelic hymn “The King of Love My Shepherd Is.” *There will not be a service offered on Saturday, March 30, due to the special Easter weekend services.

SUNDAY, MARCH 31 @ 9 AM

EASTER: FAMILY SERVICE

Rev. Kelly Asprooth-Jackson

This Easter service for all ages will be full of stories and music. Join us as we celebrate the power of spring to remind us of new life and the power of transformation. Cherub Choir and Choristers will sing. Join us after this service for our annual Easter Egg Hunt on the playground.

SUNDAY, MARCH 31 @ 11 AM

EASTER: TRADITIONAL SERVICE

Rev. Kelly Asprooth-Jackson

This Easter service will offer a Unitarian Universalist perspective on the most important day in the Christian calendar. Join us as we share beloved music and explore stories of resurrection. This service will feature a brass quintet.

For information about upcoming services at FUS, go to: www.fusmadison.org/upcoming

INFORMATION

WHEEL OF LIFE

It is with heavy hearts that we share the passing of Darlene Hansen. Dar passed on February 2, peacefully in her home. We send our love and care to her daughter Laura, as well as her son Steve and all those who knew and loved her. A celebration of life for Darlene will be held at FUS on Sunday, March 3, at 2 pm.

CONTACT US

STAFF LEADERSHIP TEAM

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

PROGRAM STAFF

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

BOARD OF TRUSTEES

Jenny Seeker Conroy, President

Chuck Evenson

Joy Stieglitz Gottschalk

Emily Cusic Putnam, Secretary

Emily Smith

Ann Schaffer

Ed Zapala

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