UNITY Lutheran Church

Sara Matchulat Zejnic grew up at the Cross of Life campus of Unity. She was confirmed here, a part of our youth group, and a frequent Worship Assistant and singer in worship. Sara was a repeat traveller on our earliest El Salvador trips. She and others helped us establish the young adult-to-young adult connections that have been one of the hallmarks of our 20-year relationship there. Sara’s presence in El Salvador helped make her aware of the way in which poverty, gangs, natural disasters, war, and human aspirations trigger emigration from one country to another. Today she works with immigrants who enter the US through many channels. On this episode of Belief Beat, Sara shares how her life experiences led into the work she now does. She talks about the current immigration system and the ways in which faith-based and secular immigration agencies work with immigrants. What works? What doesn’t? Where does she find hope? It’s so good to hear from someone raised here who now does such significant work on a daily basis. Sara is the Deputy Director of Programs for the International Rescue Committee, working in Waterloo-Cedar Falls, Iowa.

Pastor Muriel Otto, UNITY Lutheran Church, Brookfield, WI, October 21-22, 2023

(10-15-2023) Apparel To Die For by UNITY Lutheran Church

Pastor John Horner-Ibler, UNITY Lutheran Church, Brookfield, WI, October 7-8, 2023

Pastor Muriel Otto, UNITY Lutheran Church, Brookfield, WI, Sept 30 - Oct 1, 2023

Pastor Sherrie Lorbeck, UNITY Lutheran Church, Brookfield, WI, Sept 23-24, 2023

Pastor John Horner-Ibler, UNITY Lutheran Church, Brookfield, WI, Sept 16-17, 2023

Pastor Muriel Otto, UNITY Lutheran Church, Brookfield, WI September 9-10, 2023

Pastor John Horner-Ibler, UNITY Lutheran Church, Brookfield, WI, Sept 2-3, 2023

Pastor Sherrie Lorbeck, UNITY Lutheran Church, Brookfield, WI, August 26-27, 2023

Pastor John Horner-Ibler UNITY Lutheran Church, Brookfield, WI, August 12-13, 2023

Pastor John Horner-Ibler, UNITY Lutheran Church, Brookfield, WI, July 29-30, 2023

Pastor Muriel Otto, UNITY Lutheran Church, Brookfield, WI, July 22-23, 2023

Pastor John Horner-Ibler, UNITY Lutheran Church, Brookfield, WI, July 15-16, 2023

Pastor Muriel Otto, UNITY Lutheran Church, Brookfield, WI, July 8-9, 2023

Pastor Sherrie Lorbeck, UNITY Lutheran Church, Brookfield, WI, July 1-2, 2023

Pastor Muriel Otto, UNITY Lutheran Church, Brookfield, WI, June 24-25, 2023

Pastor Sherrie Lorbeck, UNITY Lutheran Church, Brookfield, WI, June 17-18, 2023

Pastor John Horner-Ibler, UNITY Lutheran Church, Brookfield, WI, June 10-11, 2023

Pastor Sherrie Lorbeck, UNITY Lutheran Church, Brookfield, WI, June 3-4, 2023

Pastor Muriel Otto, UNITY Lutheran Church, Brookfield, WI, May 27-28, 2023

This is Episode 3 of a 3-part look at the history of MOH, the intricacy of planning for it, and the daily rush of being part of something so challenging and worthwhile. The February 2023 Mission of Healing trip continued a tradition of medical, health and wellness delegations to El Salvador that date back to 2005 for Unity and to 2000 for some of our Wisconsin and Minnesota partners. For this episode, we talk to Mary Ehresman, a member at Edina (MN) Community Lutheran Church, with whom we’ve partnered on this trip for over a decade. Mary brings with her medical skills, experience in Central America, and an easy-going sense of humor. That makes her a great fit with Greg Buck, one of our ongoing medical providers and Erika Taipala, a future provider who went on our summer relationship trip and then the Mission of Healing trip within a 6 month period. All three combine to give you a great window into how each day on the trip draws to a close and thoughts on how this important relationship with the Salvadoran Lutheran Church can continue to evolve.

Pastor John Horner-Ibler, UNITY Lutheran Church, Christ the King Campus, Brookfield, WI, May 20-21, 2023

The February 2023 Mission of Healing trip continued a tradition of medical, health and wellness delegations to El Salvador that date back to 2005 for Unity and to 2000 for some of our Wisconsin and Minnesota partners. This is Episode 2 of a 3-part look at the history of MOH, the intricacy of planning for it, and the daily rush of being part of something so challenging and worthwhile. On this episode we’re joined by two travelers who’ve been in it for the long-haul, 20 total trips between them, Mike Gutzeit and Julie Hoesly. They in turn are joined by one of the 7 first-time travelers on the trip, Trisha Smith. The continued in-flow of new energy, mixed with experience has allowed us to remain committed as the lead congregation. This episode looks at afternoons…the challenges of the hottest part of the day, daily tear-down, and getting back to home-base in San Salvador.

A few decades back, when collegiate women’s sports were still in most people’s periphery, Susie Sprecher was playing for NCAA soccer championships at UW-Madison. Fast-forward a generation and one of her daughters, Kylie Sprecher, is competing at the highest of levels nationally, a Golden Eagle from Marquette. By the time Kylie arrives at MU, sports nutritionists, trainers and psychologists are on the scene. Same sport. Different worlds. So many unique and life-filled experiences. So much exposure to the challenges and pitfalls of such a singular focus on one part of your life. Listen in on a great conversation between mother and daughter, one generation of player to the next, and mostly just the wisdom of two people who’ve learned a lot from their journey through the world of Division 1 (D! in the title) sports.

Pastor Muriel Otto, UNITY Lutheran Church, Brookfield, WI, May 6-7, 2023

Our 18th Mission of Healing Trip in El Salvador took place February 11-18, 2023. Health educators and medical teams were able to work with 472 clinic visitors in 4 different communities over the course of the week. We’ll use 3 podcasts to talk with different participants on the trip. This first episode focuses on mornings. Each day, the clinic gets set up in a new site with new people helping and attending. How does it come together in minutes after months of planning? We’ll talk with Cindy Dostal (nutrition and women’s health), Eric Gravenkamp (counseling) and Megan Meiklejohn and Sally Thomas (one of four medical teams) about the situations and stories shared with them by our partners in El Salvador.

Pastor John Horner-Ibler, UNITY Lutheran Church, Brookfield, WI, April 29-30, 2023

Pastor Sherrie Lorbeck, UNITY Lutheran Church, Brookfield, WI, April 22-23, 2023

In this episode we meet Diane Hill, Sheila McKinney, and Kathy Nevermann, three of the people who make the Bread of Healing Clinic go. They share their thoughts about making health care happen when material resources are limited but human resources abundant.

Pastor Muriel Otto, UNITY Lutheran Church, Brookfield, WI, April 15-16, 2023

Pastor Muriel Otto, UNITY Lutheran Church, Brookfield, WI, April 8-9, 2023

Pastor John Horner-Ibler, UNITY Lutheran Church, Brookfield, WI, April 1-2, 2023

Pastor Muriel Otto, UNITY Lutheran Church, Brookfield, WI, March 25-26, 2023

Pastor Sherrie Lorbeck, UNITY Lutheran Church, Brookfield, WI, March 18-19, 2023

Pastor Muriel Otto, UNITY Lutheran Church, Brookfield, WI, March 11-12, 2023

Pastor John Horner-Ibler, UNITY Lutheran Church, Brookfield, WI, March 4-5, 2023

Pastor Sherrie Lorbeck, UNITY Lutheran Church, Brookfield, WI, February 25-26, 2023

Pastor Muriel Otto, UNITY Lutheran Church, Brookfield, WI, February 18-19, 2023

This week, Pastor John is in El Salvador on our mission of healing trip, so we’re doing something a little different. We’re bringing you a conversation between Pastor John and Jill Barney that took place during our stewardship week livestreams. Jill is a longtime UNITY member who is active in a group called GRASP - it stands for grief recovery after a substance passing. She has a powerful story that we think you will find both meaningful and important.

Pastor David Patterson, UNITY Lutheran Church, Brookfield, WI, February 11-12, 2022

Barb Horner-Ibler, Medical Director at the Bread of Healing Free Clinic joins Pastor John to discuss the need for a free clinic. How is that possible in a society that spends $3t trillion on healthcare? What circumstances caused Bread of Healing to get started, what types of care do they provide, and what impact does the clinic have on its community and the community on it?

Pastor John Horner-Ibler, UNITY Lutheran Church, Brookfield, WI, February 4-5, 2023

Pastor John Horner-Ibler, UNITY Lutheran Church, Brookfield, WI, January 28-29, 2023

Pastor David Patterson, UNITY Lutheran Church, Brookfield, WI, January 21-22, 2023

Pastor John Horner-Ibler, UNITY Lutheran Church, Brookfield, WI, January 14-15, 2023

Pastor Sherrie Lorbeck, UNITY Lutheran Church, Brookfield, WI, January 7-8, 2023

Guest Preacher Margaret Hamm, UNITY Lutheran Church, Brookfield, WI, December 31, 2022 - January 1, 2023

Pastor John Horner-Ibler, UNITY Lutheran Church, Brookfield, WI, December 24-25, 2022

Pastor John Horner-Ibler, UNITY Lutheran Church, Brookfield, WI, December 17-18, 2022