Ministers & Staff

Senior Minister
The Reverend Andrew C. Kennedy, D. Min.

Drew (as we all call him) has ministered to Unitarian Universalist congregations since 1974, serving in Indiana and New York before coming to Wisconsin. Drew has served the First Unitarian Society of Milwaukee since 1986.

During Drew’s tenure here, the church has grown from 269 to 750 members and continues to grow. Accordingly, we have expanded our services, programs, facility, and staff, even though we still don’t have a single parking space!

Born and raised in Grosse Pointe, Michigan, Drew earned his Bachelor of Arts in philosophy from the University of Michigan, and his Masters and Doctor of Ministry degrees from Meadville Lombard Theological School, a Unitarian Universalist seminary affiliated with the University of Chicago.

Drew is active in a variety of denominational and community affairs, serving on boards and committees advocating for such things as gay rights, women’s reproductive freedom, nuclear disarmament, mental health, assisted suicide, separation of church and state, and economic justice. Drew has been interviewed on National Public Radio, Wisconsin Public Radio, ABC World News Report, and WTMJ television and radio. He has had letters and opinion pieces printed in the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, the Shepherd Express and elsewhere. Twice arrested for civil disobedience, Drew was most recently arrested in January 2003 in a planned protest against the anticipated war in Iraq.

In 2004, Drew went on a five-month sabbatical, learning about larger churches and traveling to Nepal. While in Nepal, he trekked for fifteen days amidst breath-taking scenery in the Himalayas, reaching 13,500 feet and safely avoiding the Maoists and avalanches. He also studied Tibetan Buddhism for ten days at Kopan Monastery, a large Tibetan Buddhist monastery high on a hilltop outside Kathmandu.

Drew married church member Lois Wesener in March, 2007. For fun, Drew is an avid, year-round soccer player.

Assistant Minister
The Reverend Craig D. Schwalenberg

Craig joined us as Assistant Minister in August, 2006. In June, 2006, Craig received his M.Div. from Meadville Lombard Theological School in Chicago, graduating June, 2006. His B.A. degree in Psychology is from the University of Wisconsin-Madison. Craig served as a ministerial intern at the Unitarian Universalist Society of Geneva (IL) and was ordained there May, 2006. He also served as a student-consulting minister with the Lake Country Unitarian Universalist Church in Hartland, WI.

As the Assistant Minister, Craig shares responsibility with Drew for Sunday services. The Assistant Minister has four areas of focus: Social Justice, Small Groups and Community, Pastoral Care, and Summer Services.

Craig freely (and somewhat proudly) admits to being a tad geeky. He is a game enthusiast, a fan of science fiction and fantasy, a collector of silly hats, and an absolute nut about super heroes. He has also been known to juggle. While none of these things seem to have a detrimental affect on Craig’s ministry, they have been known to make appearances in his worship services.

Craig and his wife, Cheryl DeDecker, are Wisconsin natives. Craig was born in Madison, WI and grew up a short ways north in DeForest, WI. Cheryl hails from Neenah, WI.

Director of Religious Education (DRE)
Beryl Aschenberg

Prior to her arrival at our church in 2001, Beryl served as DRE at the Unitarian Church of Lincoln, Nebraska for over 11 years. She was also Lifespan Religious Education Specialist for the Prairie Star District of the Unitarian Universalist Association.

Church Administrator
Jean Johnson

Jean received her Bachelor of Arts degree, with an emphasis in political philosophy, from the University of Chicago. She’s been working with the church since 1998.

Director of Membership & Development
Kathy Porter

Kathy received her Bachelor of Science from the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee. She has a wealth of experience at First Church, especially in Religious Education and as a past president of our Board of Trustees.

Lead Music Director
Alissa Rhode

Alissa received her Bachelor’s degree in Music Composition from the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign and her Master’s in Liberal Studies from the University of Wisconsin - Milwaukee. A gifted pianist, composer and singer-songwriter, Alissa teaches piano and voice, and frequently collaborates with local theaters and schools.

Music Director
C. Christian Rich

Christian received his Master of Music degree from the University of Notre Dame in 1978. In addition to being our Music Director, Christian is Director of Liturgy and Music at Sacred Heart School of Theology.

Music Director
Jack Forbes Wilson

Jack received his Master of Music degree from the University of Wisconsin-Madison. In addition to being our Associate Music Director, Jack teaches piano, coaches voice and works in a variety of ways in many local community and professional theaters.

Church Secretary
Sharon Murphy

Sharon has been working at the church since 1987.

Religious Education Administrative Assistant
Elizabeth Miller

Elizabeth earned a Bachelor of Arts from Illinois Wesleyan University and a Master of Library Science from the University of Illinois. She’s also a certified massage therapist.

Religious Education Program Coordinator
Jeannette Bree  

Jeannette coordinates the "Why Be Unitarian Universalists" program (YBUU). She graduated from the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee with a degree in Early Childhood Education. Before joining the staff, Jeannette served as both teacher and classroom assistant in our RE classes, as well as on the Families Committee.

Office Assistant
Winnie Butler

Winnie holds a Bachelor of Science in political science and Russian studies from Connecticut College. She’s currently pursuing a Master degree in community counseling.

Senior Facilities Assistant
Ean Behr

Facilities Assistant
Bob Barsch

Facilities Assistant
Jim Klingbeil

Early Childhood Staff

Eliza Melzer                                                         Sarah Mueller