This year’s Ingathering has come and gone. Wow!! Does this church know how to do Ingathering or what? Did you know we had over one hundred more members and friends in attendance this year as compared to last year’s Ingathering? Well, for me, I was told it was a sacred, even magical service, and that it was.
I can hardly express just how amazing these last seven, almost eight weeks, with you have been since beginning as your Acting Assistant Minister on August 1, 2025. The one-on-one times for tea or a meal, the individual and group meetings with most of the areas of the church that are Under My Care have been profound. Additionally, I have been fortunate to have attended an Immigration Solidarity and Action Group (IS&A) meeting and attended much of the Social Justice Team retreat. I have even had the pure pleasure of attending a meet-and-greet, and a UW Madison versus Marquette women’s college volleyball game with our amazing and growing Young Adult group. Now known as Unitarian Universalist Young Adults (UUYAs). This church is on the move.
Of note from my time here so far has been the level and depth of sharing you have gifted me related to your personal journey into Unitarian Universalism both within this church and from across the country. As important has been the depth of spiritual and pastoral concerns you are holding, your expressed needs and desires for the ministry this church provides, especially regarding the times we find ourselves in. Friends, this is the purpose and mission of this church. I have been humbled by the generosity of spirit you share with the ministers, staff and each other both within the church and as we navigate this city, state and world.
As October is here, it is also true that many of the programs of the church, Affinity Groups, Forum, Faith Formation for all, Theme Circles, Wellspring, and our weekly worship life are underway or will soon start. As you well know, all of these programs need your continued support.
On Sunday October 12, 2025, for both worship services, and another chance after the second service to engage, we have the honor of having Wade Fernandez/ Wicīwen Apīs-Mahwaew (Walks With The Black Wolf) of the Menominee Indian Reservation joining us for our Indigenous Peoples Day Services. He is a multi-award-winning artist and educator from the Menominee Nation. He provides deeply authentic storytelling, and songs shared in his native language. The title for those services is, “Indigenous Peoples Day 2025: Balancing Action and Presence.”
Please keep your eyes, ears, and souls open for spiritual support groups tentatively titled, First Church Black Joy Collective, and a DRUUMM (Diverse, Revolutionary, Unitarian Universalist Multicultural Ministries) Groups to support our Black, Indigenous, and People of Color (BIPOC) members and friends of the church.
Lastly, in addition to our long-running Men’s Group (over a decade), we will continue to grow another Men’s Group that started last year. DO look forward to more announcements related to all of these spiritual efforts in the coming days, weeks ahead.
If you would like to have tea, coffee or a meal together, please feel free to email me at revchris.long@uumilwaukee.org
Sincerely and in Joy, Hope and Possibilities, Reverend Chris Long
Acting Associate Minister