The Northliner
Nov. 13, 2026
Ask the Minister
Ask the Minister - Responses XIV
Because of time constraints, many of the excellent questions submitted during service on August 2nd were left unanswered. Over the next several months, I will be responding to those we didn’t get to and others that have been submitted since in our newsletters and regular mailings. If you have other questions you’d like me to consider, please write me at reverik@ucnorth.org.
Question: How do we [the church] help those who are helping others in the congregation?
Response: Like many received during and following the August service, this question speaks to a lack of information about what services the church is currently providing as well as a potential frustration that we are not doing enough to help our members. While there are certainly areas we might improve in terms of communications and service, the church is already engaged in supporting the people who make it up.
Unitarian Church North is a caring community, dedicated to the well-being and support of all our members. To this end, we run a lay pastoral care team which, in conjunction with the minister, attempts to keep track of and address needs of individuals as they arise, whether that be with meals or rides, coordination of services or simply offering a listening ear. We also maintain a ministerial discretionary fund and other resources that can help in areas of acute need on a case-by-case basis. Additionally, we regularly offer space within worship for healing and processing of difficult experiences and join in collective support during joys and concerns.
But there are limitations to what we can (and should) provide. While several of us are indeed qualified therapists, the church is not a therapeutic resource, and our pastoral associates are trained to refer folks to professionals when issues surface that are beyond the scope of the team. I liken this to other helping professions present in the church: even if we have members who are licensed to practice medicine or law, it would be inappropriate for them to engage in these activities within the context of the congregation.
Furthermore, there are limitations to what members might ask of others and to what length we might go in support of folks. While it is appropriate for people to seek rides or carpools to church when transportation is difficult, it is not okay for anyone to ask for material support such as housing or money. These requests need to be fielded through the lay pastoral care team and addressed in conjunction with the minister and other relevant leadership. While we might offer temporary assistance for someone who has fallen behind on utility payments, we cannot provide ongoing compensation from the ministerial discretionary fund or from individual members.
However, while we may or may not be able to directly meet needs that are complex or ongoing, the church does have access to numerous community resources that might be of help in any situation, with direct, first-hand knowledge of city, county and state social service programs and all the relevant contact information for each. So regardless of the scope of the help someone might need, being in contact with the minister and lay pastoral care team is the first step to engaging support.
If you or someone you know in the congregation needs help or would simply appreciate a check-in, please do not hesitate to contact me at reverik@ucnorth.org. All referrals and consultations are kept confidential.
Yours in Faith,
Rev. Erik
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Unitarian Church North
Email: info@ucnorth.org
Website: www.ucnorth.org
Location: 13800 N. Port Washington Road, Mequon, WI, 53097
Phone: 262-375-3890
Facebook:https://www.facebook.com/UnitarianChurchNorthMequonWI/