Ministers and Staff

Senior Minister
drew [dot] kennedyuumilwaukee [dot] org (subject: Website%20Inquiry) (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 over 800 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, abolishing the death penalty, 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. In 1998, Drew was honored as one of the “Civil Libertarians of the Year” by the Wisconsin chapter of the American Civil Liberties Union. Twice arrested for civil disobedience, Drew was most recently arrested in January 2003 in a planned protest against the anticipated war in Iraq.  Drew is currently the President of the CMwD UU Ministers Association and convenor of the Southeast Wisconsin UU Council Ministers cluster.

In 2009, Drew was awarded the UUA’s Central Midwest District’s (CMwD’s) Jean Kapuscik Ministry award in recognition of dedicated service to the ministry and to the societies of the district. 

Drew has two adult children, three grandchildren, and is married to church member Lois Wesener.  For fun, Drew is an avid, year-round soccer player.

Senior Minister's Walk with Cancer

Associate Minister
dena [dot] mcphetresuumilwaukee [dot] org (subject: Website%20Inquiry) (The Reverend Dena McPhetres)

Dena became our first Associate Minister in August, 2009, after serving Unitarian Universalist congregations in Oregon, Minnesota and New Hampshire. Born and raised near the mythical town of Lake Wobegone, Minnesota, she is thrilled to be back in the Midwest. Dena received her Bachelor of Arts degree in women’s studies from the University of Minnesota, and her Master of Divinity degree from United Theological Seminary of the Twin Cities. The White Bear Unitarian Universalist Church in Mahtomedi, Minnesota ordained Dena in 1997.

As Associate Minister, Dena has four areas of focus: Pastoral Care, Small Groups, Social Justice and Summer Services. She shares responsibility with Drew for worship, preaching and rites of passage.

Dena’s passions include gardening, contra dance, knitting, and enjoying life with her adorable dog Maggie.

Director of Religious Education (DRE)
beryluumilwaukee [dot] org (subject: Website%20Inquiry) (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 [dot] johnsonuumilwaukee [dot] org (subject: Website%20Inquiry) (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 [dot] porteruumilwaukee [dot] org (subject: Website%20Inquiry) (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. She's been working with the church since 2004.

Youth Coordinator

youth [dot] coordinatoruumilwaukee [dot] org (subject: Web%20Inquiry) (Kris Hubatch)

Kris began her work at First Church in August 2011. She comes to us with a passion for youth work stemming from her heavy involvement in her own church youth group as a teen, followed by years of volunteerism with Habitat for Humanity. Kris earned a Bachelor of Science in psychology from the University of Wisconsin-Stevens Point in 1995.

Lead Music Director
alissarhodeearthlink [dot] net (subject: Church%20Website%20Inquiry) (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

JackForbesWilsonaol [dot] com (subject: Church%20Website%20Inquiry) (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 [dot] murphyuumilwaukee [dot] org (subject: Website%20Inquiry) (Sharon Murphy)

Sharon has been working at the church since 1987.

Religious Education Administrative Assistant

elizabethuumilwaukee [dot] org (subject: Website%20Inquiry) (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.

Office Assistant
bonnie [dot] poquetteuumilwaukee [dot] org (subject: Website%20Inquiry) (Bonnie Poquette)

Bonnie earned a Bachelor of Arts from UW-Eau Claire and a Master of Library Science & Information from UW-Milwaukee.  She’s also a book reviewer for Library Journal.

FACILITIES STAFF

Senior Facilities Assistant, Matt Bell

Facilities Assistant, Eric Beaumont

Facilities Assistant, Tony Brandl

EARLY CHILDHOOD STAFF

Nursery Coordinator, Myrla Hand