Timeline
Planning Committee December 1992 – March 1993
December 21, 1992
Creation of a Unitarian Universalist congregation on Madison’s east side began as an extension effort by First Unitarian Society (FUS) in Madison. FUS members formed the core of a planning committee, which met through the winter of 1992-93.
Read moreChurch in the Park June – September 1993
June 1, 1993
The new church met in a park shelter at Lake Edge Park that summer.
“Johnstone moved to Madison in August and led services in the park. Those were challenging, nomadic times. There was no meeting space, no office. A rumored briefcase of office supplies had been … read more.
Read moreFirst Service
June 6, 1993
The James Reeb Unitarian Universalist Church (JRUUC), named for a UU minister murdered during civil rights activity at Selma in 1965, held its first service in June 1993. FUS and the Unitarian Universalist Association (UUA) provided a subsidy, phased out over five years, to help … read more.
Read moreA Temporary Home September 1993 – May 1994
September 1, 1993
From September through Spring of 1994 JRUUC met in the Tenney Nursery & Parent Center.
Read moreCharter Sunday
December 5, 1993
“The highlight of the year was Charter Sunday on December 5, 1993. UUA district administrator Helen Bishop visited from Illinois. Fifty-six adults lined up during the service to sign the membership book. One former Catholic was reminded of lining up for communion. Arthur Thexton and … read more.
Read moreA New Home June – August 1994
August 1, 1994
After considerable debate, JRUUC bought its own building in the summer of 1994: a former T-shirt screen printing structure at East Johnson and Fourth Street, behind East High School. Extensive volunteer activity got the building ready for services by autumn.
Read moreA Congregation of Seekers September 1994 – December 1995
August 18, 1994
Construction continued, new members joined, and in 1994-95 the church began offering a second Sunday service to accommodate the growing numbers. After an emotional debate, JRUUC changed the “C” in its name from “Church” to “Congregation.”
Read moreRev. Jonalu Johnstone
April 26, 1998
Rev. Johnstone’s five-year subsidized extension ministry ended in 1998. The congregation voted enthusiastically to call her as JRUUC’s settled minister, and formalized her acceptance with an installation service on April 26, 1998.
Read moreRev. Paul Daniel June 1999 – August 2000
June 1, 1999
Unusually high turnover in lay leadership compounded the challenges of 1999-2000. Lay ministers took responsibility for worship and pastoral care from the beginning of 2000 until August, when the Rev. Paul Daniel began a one-year term as interim minister.
Read moreSearching Anew
June 1, 1999
A little over a year later, Rev. Johnstone announced that she would resign at the end of December 1999 for personal reasons.
Read moreRev. Shana Goodwin August 2001 – May 2003
August 1, 2001
After a year of hard work, a search committee presented the congregation with its candidate for settled minister: the Rev. Shana Goodwin, who began her ministry at JRUUC in August of 2001. Her resignation for personal reasons, in the spring of 2003, like Johnstone’s before … read more.
Read moreRev. Roberta Haskin August 2003 – September 2004
August 23, 2003
By August 2003, when the Rev. Roberta Haskin arrived as interim minister (half-time because of financial constraints), JRUUC was looking forward with energy and optimism to the next chapter in its story.
Read moreRev. Darrel Richey September 2004 – June 2012
September 18, 2004
After another year of searching, in September of 2004, the Rev. Darrel Richey was heartily welcomed by the members of the congregation. Since that time, JRUUC has continued to grow and develop as the vibrant home of our beloved community. In the fall of 2008, … read more.
Read moreReeb Renovation Spring & Summer 2009
March 18, 2009
In the spring and summer of 2009, Reeb underwent a major renovation.
Read moreA Fond Farewell
June 18, 2012
In June 2012, JRUUC gave a fond farewell to their minister of 8 years, Rev. Darrel Richey who departed for a congregation in California.
Read moreRev. Marlene Walker September 2012 – September 2014
September 18, 2012
In September 2012, JRUUC welcomed Rev. Dr. Marlene Walker as she began a two year interim ministry. Under Rev. Dr. Marlene Walker’s leadership, the congregation has prepared for calling our next settled minister. Increased enthusiasm from the congregation is palpable as we celebrate our 20th … read more.
Read more“It was 20 years ago today…”
September 18, 2013
Twenty years after our early services in a day care center, in 2013 our space became the temporary home for Big Oak Child Care Center while its space was under construction. We launched the search for our next settled minister and exuberantly celebrated “20 years … read more.
Read moreRev. Karen Armina
September 18, 2014
JRUUC unanimously called Karen Armina to be our settled minister in May of 2014, and she joined us in September, 2014. She and her husband, Paul, and their daughter, Catherine, immediately became part of our Beloved Community. She is leading our congregation with inspiring and … read more.
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