Rites of Passage

Weddings

Imagine being married in a beautiful English Gothic-style church built in 1892 for our religiously progressive congregation. Steeped in history, filled with spiritual energy and glowing colors, it’s the perfect setting for your wedding ceremony. For decades, we’ve been honored to welcome same-sex couples to our church for commitment ceremonies.

Couples come to the First Unitarian Society to be married for many reasons:

  • We joyfully marry couples of the same sex.
  • We perform ceremonies for couples of different faith traditions.
  • Membership in our church is not required in order to be married here.
  • We are more open and flexible about the design of the ceremony.
  • Unitarian Universalist ministers are often willing to officiate in parks, private homes, and other venues.
  • We do not stigmatize those who were previously married.

Learn more about Weddings at First Church

Dedications

Dedication of Children and Parents

This simple ceremony is the Unitarian Universalist version of Christian baptism, but with different meaning. We recognize your child’s original blessing, and we dedicate ourselves to nurturing your child and you. In the ceremony, you and your family also dedicate yourselves to nurturing and supporting your child. Because we dedicate ourselves to life-long support of you and your child, these ceremonies are only available to church members. We have child dedications twice a year, usually around Thanksgiving and on Mother’s Day.

If you would like your child dedicated, please complete a Dedication form here. If you have questions, please contact the church office at first.church.office@uumilwaukee.org.

Memorials

In Unitarian Universalist Memorial Services, we celebrate the life of your loved ones and mourn their death. Our clergy will work with you and your family to design a service that honors your lost loved one and fits your family.

church members

If you are a member of our church and would like to speak to a minister about planning a Memorial Service, please contact:
The Reverend Jennifer Nordstrom at 414-273-5257, ext. 201 or jennifer.nordstrom@uumilwaukee.org, or The Reverend Dena McPhetres at 414-273-5257, ext. 202 or dena.mcphetres@uumilwaukee.org.

non-members

Memorial services officiated by our clergy are only available to church members. If you are not a member of our church, please contact the Director of Administration, Jean Johnson, who can provide you with a list of qualified Unitarian Universalist ministers in the Milwaukee area who may perform your service at our church: 414-273-5257, ext. 203 or jean.johnson@uumilwaukee.org.