I've always wanted to attend a United Church of Christ service, after hearing from friends about what a progressive, open-minded denomination it is. But I didn't expect to find such a dynamic gathering place of the religious left at First Congregational Church, housed in a towering red brick monument on the edge of the UW campus at Breese Terrace and University Avenue.
First Congregational is a dream for Christians who are socially liberal -- the opposite of the religious right that makes more headlines in the United States.
Chances are you've seen the church's imposing, traditional steeple just up the street from Madison's largest religious institution: Camp Randall. And you may have seen spots from a UCC advertising campaign a few years back -- such as here and here -- emphasizing that the church not only tolerates diversity, but embraces it.
First Congregational seems particularly dedicated to supporting LGBT equality in its congregation and around the community. "Unity" and "diversity" are part of its mission, while banners bear the UCC slogan: "God is still speaking." The idea seems to be that faith and religion need not be relegated to the past. Inside the sanctuary, yet more banners proclaim "Embracing Diversity among God's People," the words striking against a symbolic rainbow background.
The weekly Sunday service at 10 a.m. is pretty traditional in structure, with a choir and organ music, a children's sermon early on, and a standard sermon. But the content is more progressive than one might expect for a Sunday morning church experience.
During announcements, the portly, bearded minister, Reverend Curt Anderson, announced that a female couple in the congregation had recently adopted twins, prompting applause from the assembled worshipers. Watching elderly people applaud gay adoption in church is certainly a change of pace.
First Congregational emphasizes "Social Justice" outreach, as well as its status as "An Open and Affirming Church" in supporting LGBT members and allies. It was one of the first churches in Madison to formally welcome all people, no matter their sexual orientation, in 1992, primetime for the culture wars. Since 1996, a small group of LGBT congregants and allies -- a group named "Rainbow People" -- has been meeting monthly. Additionally, the church proudly marches with other faith groups in support of gay rights in an annual parade. Such commitment is simple proof that Christians need not be bigoted over sexual orientation.
The church is home to more "traditional" than "nontraditional" families, though. Parishioners of all ages filled the pews at a recent Sunday morning service. During the children's sermon, the front of the sanctuary was crammed with kids no older than ten. All this despite being so close to campus; sitting there, I wondered where all of the middle-class parishioners parked their Priuses.
I didn't notice many other college-aged attendees. I've frequently found that when I'm one of few students in a given church, longtime congregants make extra effort to introduce themselves, learn my major, and scope out how likely I am to become a full member. Or maybe I just look like a novelty as I saunter into church alone, obviously a college student yet sober on a weekend morning.
The sermon, delivered by a visiting pastor, focused on giving, primarily of the financial sort, and what that means to a modern Christian. It ended up being one of the best donation asks I have heard since the Father Fitzgibbon pitch in Bing Crosby's Going My Way (raise your hand if you get it). If you leave thinking tithing is not completely crazy, you know the preacher did his job.
Throughout the service, a large choir adorned in red robes chimed in with the pipe organ, a beast that dominates the back wall of the sanctuary. Additionally, the "Dessert First" before the service added to the casual atmosphere while preventing my lack of breakfast from interfering with worship. Walking into the sanctuary to find a three-table spread of frosted long johns, fruit and cookies, I knew I was in the right place. Eating doughnuts in the pews before the service seemed odd, but is easy to become accustomed to, I'm sure.
First Congregational offers an impression of average Madisonians actively building one of the most welcoming churches in the city, with a clear commitment to LGBT equality. Its faithful and liberal members can rest assured their home only a football's throw away from Camp Randall is both traditional and open-minded.
Jamie Stark is a student at UW-Madison majoring in journalism and political science. He is a member of Luther Memorial Church and writes about the diverse religious community in Madison.
