Ruben Piirainen,

Jess Hamel, Steve Frey,

and the UUCW Adult Choir

Singing is fun, free, and anyone can do it. It builds community, gives voice to political action, and creates a space of deep spiritual reflection. Through song we tell stories, we remember history, we express our longings, and we learn things. It's a way to articulate our faith. The next time someone asks you, "What is Unitarian Universalism all about?" you can use a few lyrics from our hymns to get you started.

We'll explore our UU faith with a deep dive into three of our current hymn resources: Singing the Living Tradition, Singing the Journey, and Sing Out Love.

Children and youth are invited to start in the Sanctuary and then go to their classes after Time for All Ages. The Nursery will open at 9:45 am.

Come Grow Your Spirit

with Fellow UUs!



Sign up now for fall opportunities in Adult Faith Formation. Designed for explorers and seekers, both experienced and novice.

Each program has a different focus; all help participants connect while building capacity to understand and embody the shared values of Unitarian Universalism. Find details and sign-up directions for each in the link below.

Braver Angels Workshop

at UUCW

Depolarizing Ourselves

Saturday, October 3 10:00–11:30 a.m.

Learn to recognize internal biases and tame your "inner polarizer." This workshop focuses on reframing how we view political opponents to replace harmful generalizations with mutual respect, distinguishing healthy ideological debate from viewing others as enemies.

Wednesday Night Book Group Discussion 

The Lion Women of Tehran by Marjan Kamali

Wednesday, October 14 at 7:00 p.m.

The Wednesday Night Book group will discuss the historical fiction story that follows the lives of two Iranian girls from different socioeconomic backgrounds growing up in the years leading up to the Iranian Revolution. It's an evocative read and a powerful portrait of friendship, feminism and political activism. All are welcome to join the meeting, even if you haven't finished the book. Contact Patti Ulwelling for the Zoom link.

You’re Invited to an Open Conversation with the

Stewardship Committee! 

Sunday, October 11 - 11:30AM to 12:15PM in the Library 

Are you interested in helping UUCW stay vibrant and sustainable into the future? The purpose of UUCW’s Stewardship Committee team is to sustain and deepen a broad-based commitment to the mission and programs of the congregation by inspiring a culture of abundance and generosity, and a joyful sharing of gifts, talents, and resources.  

Come learn about the key responsibilities of the Stewardship Committee and how it works. We’re looking for 3-5 new members to join and contribute their skills and passion. Bring your questions and your love for UUCW and for building our future together. There will be donuts, and Chair Leslie Peterson and Rev. Jill will facilitate. 

Join the Young Families Affinity Group for the Fall Family Event! 

Saturday, October 24

3:00 p.m. - 6:00 p.m.

Come dressed in a costume or fun outfit and ready to dance, eat treats, play games, and create a fun craft to take home! 

Support Immigrants in Milwaukee

Sunday, October 4 at 11:30 am

Join the Immigration Justice Team in the Community Room after the service on October 4 to help us make our Immigrants are Welcome Here display, which will be installed in front of the church on October 10. We will also need help that morning. Doughnuts and cider will be provided.

Or write a note of support and love for those facing ICE hearings in Milwaukee and Waukesha.

Take the SJ-ACT

Congregational Survey

Please complete the Social Justice Survey if you have not already. We

also want you to know that we will have a table in the community room

in the next two weeks to assist anyone who would like help and/or

would like to complete a paper copy. Thanks for your support and

direction.

Paper copies will be available in the Community Room and in UL4.

Get Out the Vote

On Sunday, stop by the Community Room to help write out postcards to encourage people to vote in the mid-term elections.

Makers Market

Find out more about a new part of the Auction this year. The Maker's Market will feature items from homemade crafts to homemade desserts. Stop by the Community Room table to find out more.

The UUCW Auction is Coming!

"Don't Stop 'Til You Bid Enough!"

Put Saturday, November 14th on your calendar! This year, we are throwing it back with a groovy Disco Theme, so get ready for a fantastic night of fun, music, and bidding on wonderful items.

.

Donate an Item or Service

To make the night a success, we need things to auction off. Our best items come directly from the UUCW community!

Want to help with the silent auction for our "Don't Stop Till You've Bid Enough" fundraiser, but hate asking for donations?

You don't have to ask for a thing!

Just spot the businesses you already visit where you live, work, dine, or shop, from local restaurants to retail stores. Send us the business name and location (street and city), and our Auction Team will handle the research, outreach, and donation request.

It takes less than two minutes, costs nothing, and makes a huge impact. Send your ideas to auction@uucw.org

Join us for the next set

of UUCW Orientation Sessions.

Newcomers and long-time visitors are invited to join Rev. Jill Braithwaite, Dave Cicero, and Membership Team members for a —

Two-part UU Orientation Class

Saturday mornings, 9:30 – 11:30 am, October 10 and 17, 2026

For more information,

contact Larry Hawley

Start your unique UU journey!

Joys and Concerns

If you or someone you know needs Pastoral Care, contact the

Lay Pastoral Care Team

No Joys and Concerns this week.

Enter your Joy or Concern using the link below and choose whether you'd like them shared in the e-news or shared privately with Rev. Jill Braithwaite.

Join the Welcome Team!

Bring joy to folks just by making and serving coffee! COFFEE SIGN-UP

You can help make our church a welcoming place. GREETER SIGN-UP

Ushers are a core element of our in-person worship. USHER SIGN-UP

Greet and answer questions for our visitors. NEWCOMER TABLE SIGN-UP

Office Volunteer

Help prepare for Sunday service with Friday afternoon office tasks. OFFICE SIGN-UP

Protect Head Start Programs

Headstart is a high quality early childhood education program that research finds significant benefits to the children who attend including lower teen pregnancies and higher wages.

Proposed changes to Head Start would reduce the administrative spending cap from 15% to 5% and loosen or eliminate program standards for areas such as class size, instructional hours, and staff training and background checks. All instruction would have to be in English which would weaken service quality for children with special needs and multilingual children and families.

Head Start is a highly effective program operating under evidence-based standards that protect child safety and foster healthy development. The proposed changes would greatly reduce the effectiveness of the program. Contact your legislators and urge Congress to protect funding levels and standards before October 6. Thank you for your action.

Highway Clean-up

UUCW’s Earth Ministry is participating in Waukesha County’s highway clean-up program. UUCW’s section is from Springdale Rd. To Brookfield Rd. along North Ave. 

Our third clean-up is scheduled for October 10 from 9 a.m. to 11 a.m. (Raindate: October 17). Garbage bags and safety vests are provided. We will meet at UUCW and carpool to the starting point. Note: All participants must be 11 years old or older to participate. Contact Karen Zimmerman for more information.

No Kings: Vote Early Rallies

SAVE THE DATE

October 17 in the following locations:

10-30-12:00   Brookfield

10:30-12:00   Menomonee Falls

 2:00-5:00     Milwaukee, Cathedral

Square

1:00-2:30     Waukesha, Washington Park

This is a non-partisan, peaceful event to encourage early voting. Additional information is available on the internet and registration options and directions are also there. Registration is encouraged

but not required.

UUCW will have a poster making opportunity after services on October 11, 2026. Come join Mary Ross in making posters for the No Kings rallies. More to come soon. Hope to see you there! 

Candidate Forum Sponsored by SOPHIA

Tuesday, Oct. 19, at 6:30 pm



UUCW will host a candidates forum sponsored by SOPHIA for the US House of Representative candidate. Andy Beck has confirmed attendance and an invitation has been extended and SOPHIA will continue to ask for attendance from Congressman Scott Fitzgerald.

If you can help support this event, these are the needs for the evening:

• Greeters (2)
• set up and clean up
• Sound/AV support
• Timekeeper during the forum.

And of course all are encouraged to attend and learn more about these

candidates. More to come. 

MICAH Annual Public Meeting

Thursday, Oct. 22 5:30-7:30 pm

All are Welcome to learn what MICAH is up to and learn about what is

happening in our communities. No cost, just show up to support social

justice for all!

Sunday Religious Education for children and youth continues Sunday



If your kids are not yet registered for RE, please do so now to be sure you receive relevant news & updates. UUCW is still committed to its mission of creating a joyful “community of communities” for meaningful connection and spiritual growth. When you visit the online Registration Event, you’ll find Nursery, RE, and Youth Group options for all ages. Contact Dave Cicero, DLRE, with further questions.

Peer Caregivers Support Group

As we listen and support, this is the essence of peer caregiving. Caregivers are welcome to attend our meetings for mutual sharing and support. They are regularly held on the 2nd and 4th Tuesdays at 1 pm in UL5, the next meeting will be October 6th. Mary Ross and Susan Swearingen may be contacted via caregivers@uucw.org for further information if interested.

Regulation: The Ability to Shift

Once we become aware of the state we’re in, what can we do with it?

In this second session of Quantum Health Education, we’ll explore regulation—the nervous system’s ability to adjust and respond as life changes. Through simple science, everyday examples, and personal experience, we’ll look at how breath, movement, attention, and connection can help us shift our internal state.

Regulation isn’t about always being calm. It’s about becoming more flexible in how we respond to life.

Join us as we move from awareness toward choice.

Quantum Health Education — Mind • Body • Energy • Conscious Awareness

DUUversity Theater Returns:

Trayf at Next Act

Mark your calendar for DUUversity’s first event of the season! Enjoy Next Act Theatre's production of Trayf (running Sept 18–Oct 4), exploring faith, culture, and friendship.

Buy tickets for any showtime on your own, then gather with UUCW friends for group dinner and conversation at Saz’s State House on Sunday, Oct 4 at 4 pm. Carpooling and childcare options are available.

Following the Mabon Celebration, leaves around the church are gradually changing colors to match the chillier weather.

Deborah A Giglio is a local indie author and member at UUCW. She has a deep interest survival and homesteading, in particular with an emphasis on how our ancestors lived. This also brings in her interest in genealogy. When she is not writing she is spending time with family, crocheting and baking.

By Hand and Season is a slow burn romance literary novel. Claire Simmons and Jack Peterson meet again after many years with their past hanging between them. This quiet novel brings them through self discovery, healing, second chances and love of the land they share.

Half of proceeds will be donated to UUCW.

Beyond UU Church West

Click below for community events and resources from outside our church that align with our UU values and may be of interest to members and friends.

Rev. Jill Braithwaite and the Dominican Republic Brigade

This past July, 23 people from UUCW, Lake Country UU Church, and United UU Congregation partnered with Bridges to Community and traveled to the Dominican Republic. While there, they worked with local leaders to build homes for two families, providing them with greater safety, dignity, and stability. Come learn about how their service work connected them to the larger world.

Children and youth are invited to start in the Sanctuary and then go to their classes after Time for All Ages. The Nursery will open at 9:45 am.

Have you missed a past e-news and need to get caught up on UUCW announcements? Visit the UUCW website and click on the "news" tab for past news and featured stories.

E-news submission deadline is the end of day on Tuesday before publication.

Questions or comments about our e-news? Send your message to news@uucw.org