Groups & Committees

Church Groups & Committees

(for summary & contact information: use links in the following lists)

Personal & Spiritual Nurture

• Adult Education
• Book Discussion
• Buddhist Study & Meditation Group
• Chalice Circles
• Silent Retreat
• Theist Group
• WomanSpirit

Friends, Fun & Support

• Choir
• Circle Suppers
• Play Time
• Stage Left
• S.W.A.N.S. (Seasoned Women Alone or Newly Single)
• Y.A.N.K.S. Young Adult Group

Volunteer/Committees

• Associate Minister's Committee on Ministry
• Audio
• Book Table
• Building & Grounds
• Stewardship
• Child Care
• Children’s Religious Education
• Coffee
• Computer
• Denominational Concerns
• Design
• Economic Justice
• Electronic Communications
• Earth Justice Ministry
• Families Committee
• Finance
• Flowers
• Forum
• Gallery
• Garden
• History/Archives
• Investments
• Library
• Marketing
• Membership
• Senior Minister's Committee on Ministry
• Nominating
• Pastoral Care
• Personnel
• Religious Education
• Social Justice
• Sunday Services
• Ushers
• Youth Steering

Personal & Spiritual Nurture

Adult Education. Provides a wide range of classes and workshops for personal and spiritual enrichment. Contact ndavis6sbcglobal [dot] net (subject: First%20Church%20Adult%20Religious%20Education%20inquiry) (Nina Davis) or keithandsprynet [dot] com (subject: First%20Church%20Adult%20Religious%20Education%20inquiry) (Paula Anderson)

Book Discussion. Enjoy a lively, intellectual discussion of books selected by the group. Meets monthly on Sundays. 2011-12 Reading List.  Contact katy9131hotmail [dot] com (subject: First%20Church%20Book%20Discussion%20Group%20inquiry) (Kate Marrs)

Buddhist Study & Meditation Group. Read Buddhist literature. Spend time in silent and walking meditation. Meets monthly. Contact jslowry21gmail [dot] com (subject: First%20Church%20Buddhist%20Study%20%26%20Meditation%20Group%20inquiry) (Steve Lowry) or jeanne_lowrymac [dot] com (subject: First%20Church%20Buddhist%20Study%20%26%20Meditation%20Group%20inquiry) (Jeanne Lowry)

Chalice Circles. Small groups meet regularly with a trained facilitator to explore interesting, timely topics and deepen spirituality. Click for more information. Contact: kathy [dot] porteruumilwaukee [dot] org (subject: Chalice%20Circles%20Website%20Inquiry) (Kathy Porter)

Silent Retreat. For members and friends of First Church, quality silent retreats in a reflective atmosphere. Contact tkstraubgmail [dot] com (subject: First%20Church%20Silent%20Retreat%20inquiry) (Tracy Straub) or rachelle [dot] aliotogmail [dot] com (subject: First%20Church%20Silent%20Retreat%20inquiry) (Rachelle Alioto)

Theist Group. Supports the theistically-centered spiritual and intellectual exploration and practices of theists at First Church. Meets monthly. Contact bcbloemersbcglobal [dot] net (subject: First%20Church%20Theist%20Group%20inquiry) (Byron Bloemer)

WomanSpirit. Seeks the empowerment of women to work together to achieve equality in society. Provides educational experiences and rituals. Meets monthly. Contact NortromJsbcglobal [dot] net (subject: First%20Church%20WomanSpirit%20inquiry) (Janet Nortrom)

Friends, Fun & Support

Choir. A chance to express yourself musically. Practice on Thursday evenings. Contact alissarhodeearthlink [dot] net (subject: First%20Church%20Choir%20inquiry) (Alissa Rhode)

Circle Suppers. Groups gather in each other’s homes for sumptuous dinners and lively conversation. Meets four times a year. Contact mueller [dot] sarahannyahoo [dot] com (subject: First%20Church%20Circle%20Suppers%20inquiry) (Sarah Mueller)

Play Time. Provides an avenue for interested church members and friends to attend plays, events and other social activities. Contact loisw99hotmail [dot] com (subject: First%20Church%20Play%20Time%20Group%20inquiry) (Lois Wesener)

Stage Left. Provides an outlet for members’ creativity and artistic passions and works to enrich the worship experience with performing arts. Contact caumendgmail [dot] com (subject: First%20Church%20Stage%20Left%20inquiry) (Clarence Aumend)

S.W.A.N.S. (Seasoned Women Alone or Newly Single) Meets the social needs of single women middle-aged and above. Contact kcollissongmail [dot] com (subject: First%20Church%20SWANS%20inquiry) (Kathleen Collisson)

Y.A.N.K.S. (Young Adults in Need of Kindred Spirits) meets the needs of First Church members, visitors and friends in their later 20s and earlier 30s for social interaction, service opportunities, and community. For more information, please contact Jeremy Koenen or Stacy Schroeter at FirstChurchYANKSgmail [dot] com (subject: First%20Church%20YANKS%20inquiry)

Volunteer/Committees

Associate Minister's Committee on Ministry. Meets regularly with the Associate Minister, functioning as a sounding board and communications channel between the congregation and the minister. Contact linda [dot] katzhotmail [dot] com (subject: First%20Church%20Committee%20on%20Ministry%20inquiry) (Linda Katz)

Audio. Records Sunday sermons for our podcasts (also available for purchase at the Book Table) and maintains audio system. Contact alwilamwilliams [dot] net (subject: First%20Church%20Audio%20inquiry) (Allan Williams)

Book Sales Tower. Selects and purchases books. Sells books during Sunday coffee hours. Contact lynntolcotthotmail [dot] com (subject: First%20Church%20Book%20Sales%20Tower%20inquiry) (Lynn Tolcott) or kathykrusewi [dot] rr [dot] com (subject: First%20Church%20Book%20Sales%20Tower%20inquiry) (Kathy Kruse)

Building & Grounds. Preserves, maintains and improves the Church’s physical facilities. Contact joe [dot] schullergasai [dot] com (subject: First%20Church%20Building%20%26%20Grounds%20inquiry) (Joe Schuller)

Stewardship. Organizes and administers the annual fund drive. Contact lsalsburywi [dot] rr [dot] com (subject: First%20Church%20Stewardship%20inquiry) (Larry Salsbury) or nspransygmail [dot] com (subject: First%20Church%20Stewardship%20inquiry) (Nancy Spransy)

Child Care. Secures quality child care providers for events and meetings.

Children’s Religious Education. Works with the Director of Religious Education to provide a quality program for our children. Contact ekmahersbcglobal [dot] net (subject: First%20Church%20Children%27s%20RE%20inquiry) (Karen Maher)

Coffee. Provides coffee and refreshments for Sunday Coffee Hours. first service: peteandcindygmail [dot] com (subject: First%20Church%20Sunday%20Coffee%20inquiry) (Peter Larson); second service: gilbertsaltair [dot] com (subject: First%20Church%20Sunday%20Coffee%20inquiry) (Noreen Gilbertsen); third service: FastCanoehotmail [dot] com (subject: First%20Church%20Sunday%20Coffee%20inquiry) (John Yanasak). Arranges coffee and refreshments for special events: hernonkyahoo [dot] com (subject: First%20Church%20Special%20Coffee%20inquiry) (Kaye Hernon)

Computer. Helps the staff maintain and improve our computer system. Contact riesaarchmil [dot] org (subject: First%20Church%20Computer%20inquiry) (Allan Ries)

Denominational Concerns. Educates the congregation about the activities of the UUA and other denominational groups. Contact loisw99hotmail [dot] com (subject: First%20Church%20Denominational%20Concerns%20inquiry) (Lois Wesener)

Design. Reviews and authorizes interior decorating needs and opportunities. Contact czumsteinsbcglobal [dot] net (subject: First%20Church%20Design%20inquiry) (Cassie Zumstein)

Economic Justice. Promotes actions, information and advocacy on economic justice issues, locally and globally. Contact nicholas_daviayahoo [dot] com (subject: First%20Church%20Economic%20Justice%20inquiry) (Nick DaVia)

Electronic Communications. Coordinates podcasts, audio recordings and other forms of electronic communication and oversees the church’s list serve groups. Contact cyboxlivegmail [dot] com (subject: First%20Church%20Electronic%20Communications%20inquiry) (Jeremy Koenen)

Earth Justice Ministry. Promotes the responsible use of resources to take care of air, earth, water and ourselves. Contact terrywkcnet [dot] com (subject: First%20Church%20Environmental%20inquiry) (Terry Wiggins)

Families. Provides family-friendly activities and works with other committees to ensure events are accessible to families with children. Contact alisha [dot] koneaznyatosmedical [dot] com (subject: First%20Church%20Families%20inquiry) (Alisha Koneazny)

Finance. Oversees and monitors the church budget, insurance and other fiscal matters. Contact jeanlufwi [dot] rr [dot] com (subject: First%20Church%20Finance%20inquiry) (Jean Lufburrow)

Flowers. Arranges for the lovely flowers displayed during Sunday Services. Contact keithandsprynet [dot] com (subject: First%20Church%20Flowers%20inquiry) (Paula Anderson)

Forum. Organizes and promotes our Forum series. Contact bikehead5yahoo [dot] com (subject: First%20Church%20Forum%20inquiry) (Jerry Fredrickson)

Gallery. Selects, hangs and administers art exhibits in the Leenhouts Common Room. Contact gauchos4att [dot] net (subject: First%20Church%20Gallery%20inquiry) (Susan Brunk)

Garden. Tends to the courtyard flower garden. Contact cfcraig63yahoo [dot] com (subject: First%20Church%20Garden%20inquiry) (Connie Craig)

History/Archives. Collects, organizes and maintains church historical records. Contact linda [dot] prestoatt [dot] net (subject: First%20Church%20History%2FArchives%20inquiry) (Linda Presto)

Investments. Oversees management of the church’s Memorial Trust Fund. Contact carole [dot] montgomeryraymondjames [dot] com (subject: First%20Church%20Investments%20inquiry) (Carole Montgomery)

Library. Collects and maintains the church’s lending library. Contact jpearcywi [dot] rr [dot] com (subject: First%20Church%20Library%20inquiry) (Jeri Pearcy)

Marketing. Promotes the church and Unitarian Universalism to the larger Milwaukee community. Click for more information.

Membership. Promotes and maintains membership, staffs the Visitors’ Table and organizes orientations, potlucks and receptions for new members. Contact lmkonezameritech [dot] net (subject: First%20Church%20Membership%20inquiry) (Lisa Koneazny)

Nominating. Recruits members to fill leadership positions within the church. Members are elected at the annual meeting in May. Contact jacobslmsbcglobal [dot] net (subject: First%20Church%20Nominating%20inquiry) (Lorraine Jacobs)

Pastoral Care. Creates and fosters a caring culture. For Pastoral Care Associates information: michelle [dot] boehmsbcglobal [dot] net (subject: First%20Church%20Pastora%20Care%20Associate%20inquiry) (Michelle Boehm) For Pastoral Care Providers information: pegfleuryatt [dot] net (subject: First%20Church%20Pastoral%20Care%20Providers%20inquiry) (Peg Fleury)

Personnel. On behalf of the Board of Trustees and in consultation with the appropriate committees and staff, facilitates the policies, job satisfaction, compensation and benefits of the church staff. This is a Board-appointed committee. Contact TBA

Religious Education. (Religious Education Web Page) For information about the Religious Education Council: mmuelle1att [dot] net (subject: First%20Church%20RE%20Council%20inquiry) (Mary Jo Mueller)

Social Justice. For information about the Social Justice Council: Contact indiamccansegmail [dot] com (subject: First%20Church%20Social%20Justice%20inquiry) (India McCanse)

Senior Minister's Committee on Ministry. Functions as a communications channel between the congregation and the Senior Minister. Contact MSRRHMaol [dot] com (subject: First%20Church%20Committee%20on%20Ministry%20inquiry) (Miriam Reading) or frankevanswi [dot] rr [dot] com (subject: First%20Church%20Committee%20on%20Ministry%20inquiry) (Frank Evans)

Sunday Services. Arranges for pulpit guests in the ministers’ absences. Contact Jo joannsalomonebishopgmail [dot] com (subject: Pulpit%20Guest%20Committee%20inquiry) (Ann Bishop) or rszymanski2wi [dot] rr [dot] com (subject: Pulpit%20Guest%20Committee%20inquiry) (Robert Szymanski)

Ushers. Greet members and visitors, hand out Orders of Service and assist in collecting the offering. 8:30 a.m. service: marybcwi [dot] rr [dot] com (subject: First%20Church%20Usher%20inquiry) (Mary Brenzel-Chavez), ellen [dot] janeatt [dot] net (subject: First%20Church%20Usher%20inquiry) (Jane Peterson), and tjjensenwi [dot] rr [dot] com (subject: First%20Church%20Usher%20inquiry) (T.J. Jensen). 9:45 a.m. service: marcus [dot] dimickgmail [dot] com (subject: First%20Church%20Usher%20inquiry) (Marcus Dimick) and judyandsonmsn [dot] com (subject: First%20Church%20Usher%20inquiry) (Judy Anderson). 11:15 a.m. service: TerryLP7msn [dot] com (subject: First%20Church%20Usher%20inquiry) (Terry Hansen), and ndavis6sbcglobal [dot] net (subject: First%20Church%20Usher%20inquiry) (Nina Davis)

Youth Steering. (Youth Steering Committee Web Page) Contact: giesy34sbcglobal [dot] net (subject: First%20Church%20Youth%20Steering%20inquiry) (Lisa Gies) and kirstin [dot] angleayahoo [dot] com (subject: First%20Church%20Youth%20Steering%20inquiry) (Anya Race)