Rev. Jill Braithwaite

Rooted in our commitment to the inherent worth and dignity of every person, radical welcome asks us to notice who is at the edges and widen the circle. As we explore welcome as a spiritual practice, we'll consider how we might ground in the power of love, stretch ourselves, and draw the circle of welcome ever wider.

The UUCW Adult Choir performs songs of welcome and inclusion.

Children and youth are invited to go stay in the Sanctuary for this multigenerational service. The Nursery will open at 9:45 am.

Beloved UUCW community, 

As we begin a new year together, I find myself thinking about rivers. A river is always moving -- its waters are never quite the same from one moment to the next.

Along the way, tributaries join it. Rocks and bends alter its course. The landscape changes around it.  

Water Communion: September 13

Please bring a small amount of water symbolizing what you carry into this community. Whether gathered from a rain barrel, local stream, or distant travels, your water represents the unique talents and perspectives that blend together to sustain our beloved community.

Kelly Bognar's

Retirement Celebration

After nearly 21 years as UUCW’s Communications and Marketing Specialist, Kelly Bognar is retiring. We invite members and friends to celebrate her with cake in the Community Room following the September 13 service.

In memory

Saskia "Mt. Zion" Nassalang

September 29, 1972 - August 28, 2026

A Memorial Service is planned for the daughter of UUCW members Caryl and Robert Sewell on September 27 at 2 pm at UUCW. Volunteers are needed to greet, usher, and assist with the reception. Contributions of finger foods, light bites, or appetizer platters for the reception are also greatly appreciated.

Contact Dave Cicero if you need childcare.

Join the "Gift of Years" Affinity Group

The "Gift of Years" group invites you to its first meeting of the year on Monday, September 14, at 9:30 a.m. in UL-4.

During this initial meeting, participants will discuss and decide on the group's topic focus for the upcoming year. As an affinity group, all are welcome to attend anytime.

The group meets on the second and fourth Monday of each month, September through May, from 9:30 to 11:00 am in UL-4. For more information, please contact Carla Roden.

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.

Frequency: The Language

of Your Brain and Body

Presented by JeraiLyn Jones

of Quantum Health

Tuesday, September 15

at 5:30 pm in UL3

We are more energy than anything else. Join Session 1 of this popular 6-part series exploring how vibration, thought, and emotion shape our daily reality.

Through story, science, and felt experience, discover how your brain translates frequency into the world you perceive, and how conscious awareness shifts that translation. Come ready to experience the change firsthand. Contact JeraiLyn to RSVP.

Leadership Mini-Retreat and Potluck

September 26 from 10 am to 1:30 pm

Join our Leadership Mini-Retreat and Potluck to explore making congregational leadership more spiritually fulfilling.

We will reconnect with our mission, identify unsustainable patterns, practice healthy boundaries, and foster shared ministry.

Current UUCW leaders and anyone interested in congregational life are welcome. Please contact Rev. Jill to help with setup or cleanup.

Gathering Stories That Shape

Our Tomorrow

The Endowment Committee is creating an educational video about why legacy giving matters and supports the stability and long-range needs of the church.

We are seeking stories of those who donated, could share on behalf of a family member who donated, or have made plans to donate in the future.

If you are interested in sharing your story, please talk with us at the table in the community room after service on September 13th and 20th or contact Ann Heidkamp

Skills and Interest Survey

The Realm Skills and Interests profile is a tool used to help church leaders recruit members to join various committees, teams and affinity groups or volunteers to assist with church events and tasks.

On September 13, Membership Team members will be handing out copies of the Skills and Interests Survey. Please complete the updated form if you have not done so in some time. 

The Newcomer Table in the foyer will have a basket and the Community Room Table will have a blue box where you can return completed surveys. Contact Larry Hawley with any questions.

If you have a Realm login, please take three minutes to update your Skills and Interests Profile below.

If you don't have a Realm login, contact Vicki Banville to get started.

Dinners in the Home Returns!

35 people have already signed up.

Don't miss the fun and community!

UUCW’s Dinners in the Home is a wonderful way to connect with fellow members outside of church.

This year’s Saturday dinner dates: October 17, November 21, January 23 and March 6.

Participants host one dinner and attend three as guests. A substitute list is also available for those unable to host. Visit Rita and Scott Piper in the Community Room on September 20 to ask questions or sign up below!

🎵🎵Join the UUCW Choir!🎵🎵

You are warmly invited to sing with the choir this year. Whether you are looking for a close-knit community, want an active role in worship, or just love to sing, we welcome you!

No previous experience or music-reading ability is necessary; practice recordings are provided to help you learn between rehearsals.

For more information, speak with Music Director Ruben Piirainen or any choir member. Rehearsals are a weekly commitment on Tuesday nights from 7 to 8:30 pm, beginning September 15.

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 the Auction Team your ideas today!

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

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

Grief and Loss Support Group

Facilitated by the

Lay Pastoral Care Team

September 19 at 10 am

So many of us experience seasons of grief and loss in our lives. These include loss due to death, the end of a relationship or a job, or the loss of physical ability. It can be helpful to come together for support.

The Lay Pastoral Care Team warmly invites you to a monthly gathering for congregants living with grief or loss, facilitated by Susan Foley and/or Rev. Jill. We'll share a chalice lighting and opening words, and all will have the opportunity to share in a safe and confidential space. Sharing is optional. Congregants do not need to attend each meeting.

LAST CHANCE!

Lost and Found Clean-Out

On September 11th, any unclaimed items will be donated to a local charity. Please take a look to see if any of these items belong to you.

Contact Vicki Banville if you have any questions.

Immigrant Justice Team Meeting Saturday, September 12 from 10-11:15 

Working together to advance

justice and solidarity with our

immigrant neighbors

Our monthly meetings are for education, action and support. This meeting will be more action-oriented. Come help us design a display for UUCW to show our support and care for immigrants! 

Guest House

Saturday, September 19

Please help us by providing main dishes, side dishes, and desserts. We will also need a few servers. Questions? Contact Eileen Gleeson

Graphic Apparel & Fall Decor Donation Rotation

Sunday, September 20 at 11:30 am

Start the new church year by clearing space and finding new treasures! Give a new home or grab printed apparel to repurpose into quilts and crafts. Pass along seasonal cheer and help neighbors deck their halls for the upcoming autumn months.

Before the service, bring your items to the Community Room. After service, browse and find treasures. Everything is free. You don’t need to bring an item to take one.

Environment and Spirituality Summit Watch Party

and Potluck

Let’s gather in the UUCW Community Room to watch the keynote address by world-renowned environmentalist and author Bill McKibben for the Annual Environment and Spirituality Summit.

Come connect, share a meal, and dive into an inspiring evening of reflection and action for our planet.

Tuesday, September 29th:

5:00 pm - Community Potluck

6:00 - 7:30 pm - Bill McKibben Keynote

Don’t forget to bring a friend!

Still have plastic planting pots?

Drop them off at any Home Depot Garden Center for recycling, in conjunction with East Jordan Plastics.

Lowe's also accepts plastic pots, plant tags and nursery flats. No cost, no obligation to purchase anything. 

UU Get Out the Vote

Join us September 20th after service for our annual Get Out the Vote initiative. A cherished UUCW tradition started by Karen Zimmerman, this event empowers our congregation to mobilize voters and strengthen civic participation.

League of Women Voters:

Poll Observers Needed

The League of Women Voters is recruiting poll observers to help ensure fair elections. Bilingual volunteers, especially Spanish speakers, are needed. Complete training is provided, offering a direct way to safeguard local voting rights. Visit the Milwaukee LWV website for details.

CommUUnity Connections

provides a helping hand to support members of the church community

in times of need.

Kathy Lake is ready

to assist you in September.

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.

Patty Stevenson proudly stands with the 122 books and magazines collected by the Wednesday Book Group for the Milwaukee County Jail.

Thanks to the group's efforts, these items were delivered to the facility. The group hopes to do it again another time.

Please note: Due to intake limits at the jail, this collection was limited to book group members, and they are unable to accept outside book donations. Thank you for your understanding!

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

Our friendships enrich our lives, and most of us cherish the witness and companioning that comes with a good friend. We'll explore the art of friendship, which Kahlil Gibran called a "field which you sow with love and reap with thanksgiving."

Kaleidoscope Band will perform uplifting arrangements.

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 uucw@uucw.org