Sherman Avenue United Methodist Church, a multicultural community of faith on Madison’s North Side, will celebrate its 75th anniversary with a weekend of worship, community service and a fashion show highlighting domestic violence awareness.
“For 75 years, Sherman Church has been a beacon of love and transformative growth on Madison’s North Side, but our faith has never been content staying inside the walls of the church building,” Rev. David Hart of Sherman Avenue Church tells Madison365. “As we gather for that milestone and lift our voices through the fashion show and the work ahead, we remind ourselves that true style is rooted in being authentic — showing up exactly as God created us, unapologetic and real.”
(Photo by Omar Waheed)
The anniversary weekend begins Saturday, Oct. 24, with the church’s second Domestic Violence Awareness Fashion Show and Dinner. Organizers also plan to invite community agencies to share information about available resources. The event will include a meal, raffle prizes and access to the church’s Chic Boutique, which offers new and gently used clothing in a range of sizes.
“Our runway doesn’t stop at that place,” Hart says. “We clothe ourselves in action-oriented liberation, standing fiercely alongside survivors of domestic violence and everyone who finds themselves on the community’s margins, stepping boldly into the streets to break empires of harm.
“We celebrate how far we’ve come, how the Creator allows us to grow in grace, and the continued journey that calls on us to keep walking a path where love always looks like action,” he adds.
(Photo by A. David Dahmer)
Sherman Avenue United Methodist Church will mark its 75th anniversary milestone Oct. 24-25, capping a monthlong effort encouraging congregation members to give back to the community through 75 hours of collective volunteer service.
“We’re definitely a church that loves to be of service and in service,” Caitlin McGahan, executive minister of Sherman Avenue United Methodist Church, tells Madison365. “We understand that helping folks extends beyond the church walls.”
Throughout October, church members have been tracking volunteer hours spent helping neighbors, volunteering in the community and supporting local schools and organizations.
“The theme for this year is “We See YOU.” Last year the theme was ‘Silence Will Not Be Tolerated.’ So we are just building on this sixth year of having this fashion show; the seventh year of having the Chic Boutique,” McGahan says. “It’s all about celebrating and supporting the survivors and honoring the challenging times that folks have been through and coming on the other side.”
The fashion show, which will run from 5:30-7:30 p.m., will feature community members and survivors walking the runway in an effort to challenge victim-blaming narratives and celebrate the strength of people affected by abuse. Michelle McKoy will return as emcee.
Domestic violence awareness and survivor support are central to the event, McGahan says, as the church seeks creative ways to bring people together and connect those who need help with available resources.
The fashion show is sponsored in part by the local alumni chapter of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc., which is returning for a second year to support the event, and DAIS (Domestic Abuse Intervention Services).
Earlier Saturday, church members also plan to participate in the 18th annual Haunted Hustle in Middleton.
The weekend concludes Sunday, Oct. 25, with a 75th anniversary worship service featuring the church choir and the Precious Memories Choir. The congregation will reflect on its history, recognize the work of members and community partners, and look ahead to the church’s future.
McGahan says the anniversary is an opportunity to recognize the many people who have contributed to the church’s work over the years.
“It takes many hands,” she says.
Sherman Avenue United Methodist Church has developed a strong focus on community partnerships and service over its many years. Since the COVID-19 pandemic, the church has operated a food pantry and its Chic Boutique, which provides clothing to community members.
McGahan, who has been part of the church for 10 years and served as executive minister for eight, said the congregation has worked to build a welcoming, multicultural community grounded in service and social justice.
The church describes itself as open and affirming, welcoming people without requiring them to change who they are to belong.
“We really want to continue to be that beacon, a safe place for folks to be able to come to,” McGahan said. “Continuing to do the justice and community work — it’s really, really near and dear to our hearts.”
Both anniversary weekend events are free and open to the public.
“The greater community is so welcome to all of these anniversary events. We really are a multicultural, multidiverse church, and everyone is welcome. ‘Come as you are’ is one of our taglines. We are open and affirming,” McGahan says. “We really do take pride in doing what we say we do.
“We are really just mindful that people don’t have to change who they are to be a part of Sherman. Happy to have them exactly as they are.”
