Lake Country Unitarian Universalist Church
  • Home
  • Visitors
    • FAQ
    • Path to Membership
    • LCUUC Orientation Registration
    • Welcoming Congregation
    • Contact Us
  • Worship
    • Sunday Services
    • Upcoming Services
    • Soul Matters Themes
  • Giving
    • Volunteer Your Time
    • Donate or Pay
    • Stewardship Program
    • Scrip
    • Endowment Fund
    • Capital Campaign
  • Community Life
    • FM for Children
    • Adult Enrichment
    • Kintsugi Sangha
    • Music Ministry
    • Social Action >
      • Social Justice
      • Ministry for Earth
    • Resources / Links
  • About LCUUC
    • History of LCUUC
    • Unitarian Universalism
    • Staff
    • Board of Trustees
    • Reserve / Schedule Rooms
    • Newsletters
    • Calendar
    • Org Chart
    • Greeters Schedule
  • Member Access
  • Building Rental
  • Home
  • Visitors
    • FAQ
    • Path to Membership
    • LCUUC Orientation Registration
    • Welcoming Congregation
    • Contact Us
  • Worship
    • Sunday Services
    • Upcoming Services
    • Soul Matters Themes
  • Giving
    • Volunteer Your Time
    • Donate or Pay
    • Stewardship Program
    • Scrip
    • Endowment Fund
    • Capital Campaign
  • Community Life
    • FM for Children
    • Adult Enrichment
    • Kintsugi Sangha
    • Music Ministry
    • Social Action >
      • Social Justice
      • Ministry for Earth
    • Resources / Links
  • About LCUUC
    • History of LCUUC
    • Unitarian Universalism
    • Staff
    • Board of Trustees
    • Reserve / Schedule Rooms
    • Newsletters
    • Calendar
    • Org Chart
    • Greeters Schedule
  • Member Access
  • Building Rental

History of LCUUC

A relatively recent addition to the family of Unitarian Universalist (UU) congregations in southeastern Wisconsin, ours was founded by a group of UUs residing in the Lake Country area. Our vision was that this region, with its rapid population growth, could only be fully reached with a local UU congregation of its 
​We began holding weekly services in September 1997, and were accepted for affiliation with the worldwide Unitarian Universalist Association (UUA). For several years, we rented and held services on Sunday evenings at Delafield Presbyterian Church. In November 2000, we outgrew that building and moved to Jerusalem Presbyterian Church in Wales, where we continued to rent and hold services on Sunday evenings. In March 2006 we outgrew that building as well. We were finally able to purchase our own building in Hartland, WI, and change to a morning meeting time.

Charter Sunday - September 1997

When we opened our doors in Hartland in March 2006, we had 60 members. We now have around 130 members and 30 children!

In May of 2013, our congregation voted to call our first full-time minister, Reverend Amy Shaw. We continued to build a strong community for six years, but Rev. Amy decided to take another ministerial position with a larger UU church in Iowa. She finished her tenure with LCUUC on July 31, 2019.

Starting in December 2017, we organized a successful three-year capital campaign leading to major changes in the internal and external facilities. Larger improvements included a new heating and ventilation system, new exterior siding, and new windows. And in August 2021, we updated our carpeting, finishing the last of the major improvements. Thanks to the amazing group of people that helped make that happen - including those active in the planning and those that gave financial support!

In August of 2020, LCUUC hired a three-quarter time minister, Reverend Carin Bringelson. Rev. Carin stepped into the position during the COVID-19 pandemic and also after a year of LCUUC being without a minister. Under such a daunting scenario, she joyfully and courageously continues to build up this place of loving community - especially while we transition into a congregation with multi-platform services and activities.

Timelines and Detailed History:

Ministers
 
1997-98         Variety of local UU ministers (16 ministers and 3 interns)
1998-99         Rev. Doug Watkins (1 x month) and Rev. Mary Ann Macklin
(2 x  month)
1999-00         John Biedler, student minister quarter-time
2000-01         Rev. Linda Lawrence, called half-time
2001-02                     “
2002-03                     “
2003-04         Rev. Jacquie Meli, half-time consulting minister
2004-05         Rev. Ralph Tyksinski, half-time consulting minister
2005-06         Craig Schwalenberg, MOD student minister
2006-07         Kathleen Green, MOD student minister
2007-08         Rev. Linda Berez, half-time, consulting minister
2008-09                     “
2009-10         Rev. Jane Esbensen, half-time consulting minister
2010-11                     “
2011-12         Rev. James Hobart, half-time interim
2012-13                     “
2013-19         Rev. Amy Shaw, full-time called minister
​2020-23         Rev. Carin Bringelson, 3/4-time minister

Presidents
 
1997-98         Tim Fuller
1998-99         Brenda Patterson
1999-00         Tom Hlaban
2000-01         Mary Pope
2001-02         Tim Fuller
2002-03         Yvonne Fort
2003-04         Eric Larsen
2004-05         Co-Presidents Lynne Smith and Kirsten Johnson
2005-06         Co-Presidents Kirsten Johnson and Sonia Wichman
2006-07         Tim Fuller
2007-08         Rob Suhr
2008-09         Tim Putra
2009-10         Chris Peske
2010-11         Lynne Smith
2011-12         Kathie Gorski
2012-13         Barbara Hoel

2013              Gus Santo
2013-15         Susan Blackwell
2015-16         Leann Rigoli
2016-17         John Kuhn
2017-18         Karen Haskell
2018-19         Paul Fackler
2019-20         Megan Fedders
2020-21         Paula Hillmann
2021-22         Lisa Alvarado
2022-23         Co Presidents Brynn Vukelich & Harry Nichols

Annual Budgets                     # of Members                 Kids Registered in RE
 
1997-98         $  18,000                    43                                            41
1998-99         $  32,868                    49                                            40
1999-00         $  36,200                    50                                            50
2000-01         $  47,500                    57                                            54
2001-02         $  54,680                    59                                            55                   
2002-03         $  52,535                    64                                            55
2003-04         $  56,535                    64                                            66
2004-05         $  70,500                    62                                            64
2005-06         $  79,540                    63                                            64
2006-07         $124,033                    99                                            88
2007-08         $143,000                    118                                         72
2008-09         $147,085                    108                                         69
2009-10         $141,250                    131                                         83
2010-11         $167,546                    138                                         80
2011-12         $172,340                    140                                         80
2012-13         $191,790
Adult RE Offerings
 
 - Book Study/Discussion Groups
Fabric of the Cosmos
A History of God
Gospel of Judas
“A New Earth” by Eckhart Tolle
“A Chosen Faith”
“The New Mandala”
Sunday Summer book groups: “World Religions” by Huston Smith, “The Bible” and “The Sparrow “by Mary Russell

​-- Workshops and Classes
​

Spirituality Group (Rev. Doug Wadkins)
Our Four Faiths
The Bible as Literature
Evensong Services
Covenant Groups (Yoga and Meditation and Adult Bible Stories) 2001-02
Parenting Groups
UU History
Socrates’ Café begins (2006)
OWL for adults
Healing Power of Art Workshop
Movies that Matter
Philosophy Classes by Gus Santo
Meditation Intra-vaganza
Dances of Universal Peace
Terrific Tuesdays Meditations
Spirit of Life Class
Writing as a Spiritual Practice
Voluntary Simplicity Course
Building Your Own Theology
Chip Duncan’s “Enough to Go Around” presentation
Articulating Your Faith curriculum
Reiki Classes
Menu for the Future course
Life Interrupted Support Group
Adult discussion group and visits in conjunction with “Neighboring Faiths”
      curriculum in kids RE class
T’ai Chi class
“Exploring Chakras Through Movement, Sound and Meditation” by Elizabeth Lewis
How of Happiness and Soulful Aging with Elizabeth Lewis
People Making Music
Art and Spirituality Class

Children’s RE
 
-- Administration
Children’s RE program all volunteer-led and volunteer-run until 2004
2003 - RE Committee formed
2004 – Chalice Lighter grant received for a ¼ time DRE
2004-2005 – Kerry Duma served as ¼ time DRE
2005-2007 – Christi Ehler served as ¼ time DRE
2007 - Funding increased to support ½ time DRE
2007-present – Kerry Duma serving as ½ time DRE
 
-- RE Program
Staffed nursery for birth to 3 years
Four to five age-level classrooms, including a high school class, a middle school class, a 3rd-5th grade class, and either one K-2nd grade class or a K4/K5 and 1st-2nd Grade Class
Coming of Age/Transitions programs offered:
  • 5th Grade – “Transitions 1: Identity”
  • High School Seniors –“ Transitions 2 – Integration”
 
Our Whole Lives:
  • 10th-12th Grade OWL program offered in 2005, 2007, 2009, and offering it in 2013
  •  7th-9th Grade program offered in 2010
 
Middle School Youth Cons – hosted here in 2003, 2006, 2009 and 2012
 
2011   High School Youth Group started meeting weekly during social hour,
2011   Hosted a “Bringing UU Values into the Home” workshop
2011   Parent Covenant Group formed
 
Service/Social Action
 
Children regularly involved in the following:
  • Interfaith’s Make A Difference Day
  • Serving outreach meals
  • Adopt-a-Highway Road Cleanup
  • Trick or Treat for UNICEF
  • Summer weeding in the Garden for Good
  • Helping with UUSC’s Guest at your Table
Other service involvement of children and youth:
2007 – K-2nd graders made and sold  notecards to raise money for the Heifer Project
2008  - High schoolers organized Coffee house to raise money for Darfur
2008 – Middle schoolers helped with Cooperating Congregations of Waukesha County’s Sock it to
            Poverty program
2009 – Classrooms sponsored a family through the Christmas Clearing Council of
              Waukesha County
2009 – Youth helped coordinate a church-wide Cardboad City overnight event to raise money for
            Habitat for Humanity and Hebron House homeless shelter in Waukesha
2010 – All children helped collect school supplies for the Volunteers of Lake Country
2010 – High Schoolers helped plant Commemorative Garden
2010 - High Schoolers organized a Coffee House to benefit the Hebron House homeless shelter
2010 – High Schoolers did cleanups of both Fowler Lake and the Oconomowoc River
2010 – All children-led book drive brought in 900 books for the Hope Center
2010 – All children collected and sorted Personal Care Kits for the Repairers of the Breach Outreach Center in Milwaukee
2010 – All children decorated and delivered Christmas cookies to the Women’s Center in Waukesha
2011 - High schoolers helped with Game Day at St. Ben’s homeless center in Milwaukee
2011  - Middle school fundraiser for Humane Animal Welfare Society and for Japanese Tsumani relief
 
RE-related Trips
2001   Teen trip to Boston
2005   Middle and high school youth trip to Global Village at Heifer Ranch
2007   High School summer service trip to New Orleans to help with Hurricane Katrina Relief
2008   High School summer service trip to Colorado to do trail maintenance
2009   High School summer trip to Sylvania Wilderness Area
2010   High School summer service trip to Appalachia
2012   High School summer service trip to New Orleans Center for Ethical Living
            and Social Justice Renewal housed in First U of New Orleans
Facilities
 
1997               Initial meeting at Cushing Elementary School library
1997               First summer service at St. Anskar’s (6:30 p.m.)
1998-2000     Delafield Presbyterian Church (services at 6:30, then 5:45 – 7 with 15    minutes of children’s choir afterward.
2000               Rented office space in Hartland
2000-2006     Jerusalem Presbyterian Church
2004               Closed church office
2006               Bought building on Grace Drive (10 a.m. services) – Found out about the building in November, came up with $260,000, closed on Mar. 16; UUA grant for $25,000
2007               Green Sanctuary formed in January; energy audit, planted bur oak trees, upgraded lights to LED or CFL bulbs, Energy for Tomorrow program; installed bike rack, designed landscape plan, replaced old refrigerator
2007-08         Replaced the roof and added insulation ($73,017)
2009-10         Sound system upgraded: purchased Epson digital video projector and mounted it in the sanctuary, acquired sound mixing board, two professional speakers and new amplifier, several microphones, upgraded the computer, remodeled the sound area and installed a locking cabinet.  Recorded services were made available online for members.
2010               Solar panels installed
2010               Memorial Garden Dedication
2010               Sanctuary painted and Purposes and Principals added to ceiling beams
2010               High efficiency fluorescent lighting installed in classrooms, foyer, office and rest rooms.
2011               Repainted the classroom
Fundraising
 
1997   Started SEWUUC Fruit and Nut Sale to present
1998   Rummage Sale (proceeds went to buy hymnals)
1998   Time*Treasure*Talent Auction (funds used for sound system)
2001   Rummage Sale (proceeds help teens go to Boston)
Donna Lexis Art Fair booth
Scrip program
Bradley Center concession work
Sold Duck Doo
Recycle ink cartridges
Kohl’s Christmas volunteering
December Bake Sale
Sold PEACE Cards
Lifeways rental
Art Fair  - Sept 8, 2007
BRUUFEST (2007-11)
Equal Exchange Coffee sold
World’s Greatest Cookie Sale (started Nov. 2010)
Mary Pope’s Art Sale (2012)
Fashion Show (2012)
Music
 
1997   Karen Haskell, Sheila Larkin and Brenda Patterson musicians
1999   Participated in first Choralfest
2000   Hosted Choralfest at Good Shepherds United Methodist Church in Oconomowoc
1999   Chrisi Ehler joined as musician
2003-4  Nancy Bratt  and Tracy Moraine join musicians
Recorded music played  before the service
Eric Larson is children’s choir director
2006   Bought used grand piano
2008   Hosted Choralfest at UUCW
2007   Treble choir started and led by Morgen Moraine
2010   New Supplemental Hymnals donated by Susan Andrews and Linda Campbell
2011   Musicians are paid for Sunday services
Personnel
 
1998-2001     Matt Masko hired as Choir Director
2003               Received Chalice Lighter grant for part-time DRE
2004-05         Kerry Duma ¼ DRE
2005-07         Christi Ehler ¼ DRE
2007               Mary Movsessian  ½ DRE;  replaced by Kerry Duma in Nov.
2010               Stephanie Flessert hired as ½ time administrator
Publicity
 
1998   5 week newspaper ad campaign (March & April)
1998   Ads in the Journal Sentinel Church Services section
1998   Begin yellow pages ads
Enterprise in Oconomowoc ran articles written by ministers (2 times a year)
2001   We started Christmas in Wales (Village still celebrates it)
2003   Mailings sent to new homeowners in the area
Ran 4 week ad campaign in local newspapers
2003   UU books donated to several local libraries
2006   Mailing (7,500 postcards to Hartland residents) and newspaper advertising    for an Open House in October
2007   Booth at Lake Country Community Fest
2007   Participated in Hartland Independence Day parade (20 marchers, carried church banner and posters with & UU Principles, Gus in Statue of Liberty costume with compact fluorescent bulb for our energy theme, gave out peace magnets, WE Energies Tips and LCUUC brochures)
Retreats
 
1999   First retreat
2001   “Reinventing the Sabbath” at Lake Lucerne with Rev. Linda Lawrence
2006   Retreat at Lutherdale in Elkhorn
2008   “Fun and Friends Day” at LCUUC
2009   Retreat at Lutherdale
2010   “Unmasking the Magic Within” with Elizabeth Lewis
2011   Philip Chard Retreat
2012   Stone Soup
Social
 
1998   Camping trip, picnic, beach party
Summer services followed by ice cream sundaes and watermelon spitting
    contest
            Adult night out dinners
2000   Halloween Party
2001   Curling
2001   Lunch Bunch started meeting (members and friends met for lunch
                  1x/month)
2002   First Golf Outing
2003   Basket making workshop
2004   Fall camping at Pinewoods
Folkdancing  
Bunco night
2006   3rd Sunday Outings  started– Liz Kreml
Food, Fun and Friends – monthly evenings
Over-Unders soccer games
2009   Curling party
Social Action

Donated to SEWUUC churches capital fund drives ($10 per LCUUC member)
1997   First Sunday of the month food pantry collections
Heifer Project
Cooperating Congregations of Greater Waukesha
Wisconsin Impact
Winter Outerwear Drive with Mukwonago UU Congregation
Collection for Hmong Community
Mitten tree
Guest at Your Table
1999-2000     Began serving Outreach meals
1999-2000     First highway clean-up section assigned (Slugger’s Bar)
1999   Received Chalice Lighter Award for highest percentage participation
Team up with JPC to aid Haiti students
Repairers of the Breach
Mothers’ Day for Peace project at Milwaukee Lakefront (donated $400 and carried 100 large peace dove signs made by our kids
Food pantry
CCWC outreach meals
Interfaith make a difference day
Funds to UUSC Gulf Coast Relief Fund and South Asia Earthquake Relief Fund
Sponsored family at Christmas
Fair Trade Coffee
Collected books for New Orleans
Clothes to CCWC Career Closet
Donations to Women’s Center in Waukesha
CROP Walk
Seed gathering at Lapham Peak
Sold peace magnets
Same Sex Marriage Statement of Conscience adopted
Green Sanctuary Committee formed (2007)
Energy for Tomorrow program
Social Justice Empowerment Workshop
2007   Step It Up Rally (Nov. 3, 07)
Movies that Matter
Social Justice Empowerment Workshop
Habitat for Humanity with UUCW
Coffee House for Darfur (2008)
Cardboard City 5/8/09
Sock it to Poverty with CCWC
Lake Country Garden for Good (started 2009)
The Natural Step program offered
Volunteer Opportunities booklet printed
Half the Sky book discussion
UNICEF (Trick or Treat)
Install solar panels
Green Fair – first 4/21/12
Supported Safe Passage in Guatemala – sponsored Vilma
Special Celebrations
 
Sept. 7, 1997  Charter Sunday – membership book is available to sign (Rev. Jonalu Johnstone) – “Enter, Rejoice and Come In”
 
Nov. 16, 1997 Charter Celebration Sunday with Rev. Doug Wadkins; UU Troubadors from Olympia Brown Church in Racine joined us; Custom designed chalice was dedicated; Charter members signed a book created for the occasion; (see Dec. 2997 newsletter)
 
May 17, 1998 Affiliation Sunday (details in June 1998 newsletter); Rev. Max Gaebler conducted service; Rev. David MacPheron gave the charge; ribbons symbolic of our connection to UU congregations.
​
March 25, 2001         Installation of Rev. Linda Lawrence
Sept. 24, 2006            Building Dedication – Rev. Drew Kennedy (new chalice)
Oct, 2006                    Open House
2007-8                        Reception for Rev. Linda Berez (ordained in her home church)
2009                           LCUUC officially becomes “Welcoming Congregation”
May 1, 2010               Lori Hlaban’s Ordination
Sept. 24, 2011            Solar Panel Dedication Ceremony
 
Special Projects
 
1998   Pro-active Conflict Resolution Workshop and statement (Jan)
1998   CMwD Award for largest Chalice Lighter participation in district/# of members
1999   Newspaper advertising campaign
1999-2000     Adopted Identity Statement:  “Rejoice in Life, Find the Sacred, Seek Justice, With Open Minds and Hearts”
2000    1st email newsletters
2001    We started Christmas in Wales, with music, horse drawn carriage, cookies, visit with Santa, arts & crafts, book sale, candles lining the streets of Wales (still a village event)
2001-02     LCUUC large vinyl banner created
2004   Vision Statement created
2004   Adopted Roots and Wings Strategic Plan
  • (7 overall goals)  Primary Goals:  A facility of our own, Hire a part-time DRE, set goal  for full-time ministry
 
2006   Dr. Norton donates mediation mats and cushions
 
Pathways Long Range Plan Committee recommend call a full-time minister by 2012, improve the intentionality and diversity of programming; have sustainable leadership and increase revenue to support an administrative assistant within 2 years and a full-time minister in 3
 
2011    Church Banner to GA in Minneapolis for the first time
Reference
 
2002   Newsletter – (summarizes past and hope for future) (Phil?)
2002   Mission Statement created and adopted by the congregation
2010   Firearms policy adopted
Mission Statement:  LCUUC is a diverse religious community supporting one another in our spiritual search for truth, meaning and compassionate connection. Based on the Unitarian Universalist Principles and the transforming power of love, we strive for positive change in the world.  
Picture
Find us at:
Lake Country Unitarian Universalist Church
​W299N5595 Grace Drive
​Hartland, WI 53029


​​​(262) 369-1703
​church@lcuuc.org
​webmaster@lcuuc.org
Calendar

Hours:
Administrative Hours:
​
Tues, Weds, Fri. 8am - 4pm
(Call for an appointment)

Rev. Carin Bringelson, LCUUC Minister
Tues, Weds, Thurs - Call or email for an
 appointment at (262) 369-1703 or revcarin@lcuuc.org
Associated with:
UU Association
UU World
Siding with Love

​
Website Privacy Policy
​copyright
2022 LCUUC



Picture