Brian Mason
Minister (on Sabbatical January-April 2023)
The Reverend Brian Mason has served as minister at the First Universalist Unitarian Church of Wausau since 2017. Previously Brian served as the David & Norma Lewis Ministerial Intern at the First Unitarian Church of St. Louis and also as a chaplain at Saint Louis University Hospital and Cardinal Glennon Children’s Hospital.
When not at church Brian enjoys running, cooking, and exploring new places. He lives in Wausau with his wife and daughter.
Email: brian@uuwausau.org
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Jessica Zimmer
Director of Religious Education
Jessica joined the staff in 2021. Previously, she served as a Religious Educator at our UU congregations in Coralville, Iowa, Duluth, Minnesota, and Fargo, North Dakota, and is passionate about creating programming that nurtures community and spiritual lives of our children, youth, adults, and families. Jessica has a B.A. in Social Science from the University of North Dakota, and is currently, studying Family and Child Science at the University of Wisconsin – Stevens Point.
When she is not at UU Wausau, you’ll find her reading, creating fiber arts, and spending time outdoors, especially in the snow and by the water.
E-mail: jessica@uuwausau.org
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Danika Gibson
Congregational Administrator
Danika has attended First UU Wausau since January 2015, has been active in our choir almost that long, and was thrilled to join the staff in Fall 2019.
For inquiries about building use, rentals, memorials, or weddings, please e-mail her at danika@uuwausau.org.
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Carolyne Powers
Membership & Involvement Coordinator
I’m very excited about joining the staff at UU of Wausau and bringing my professional skills and experience to this new position. I spent the majority of my career at D. C. Everest Schools and later at Northcentral Technical College working as an administrative professional. I believe that a person should work on developing their professional skills and learning new things all the time. My husband and I recently moved from Weston to downtown Wausau. I have two grown up children, one little angel my granddaughter Josie who is soon to be 2, and one very smart little bichon frise named Jacques-o. I love nature, walking the mighty Wisconsin riverfront, and swimming at the Y. I look forward to meeting you soon!
E-mail: carolyne@uuwausau.org
Suzanne Wasilczuk
Preacher in Residence (January-April 2023)
The Reverend Suzanne Wasilczuk is a 2007 graduate of Meadville Lombard Theological School in Chicago. Her previous career was as a registered nurse, primarily in Sitka, Alaska. In her journeys south and east she has lived in Vancouver, British Columbia where she was a docent at a maritime museum; and in Missoula, Montana where she volunteered at the local food shelf and as a Court-Appointed Special Advocate for children who were in the judicial system because of abuse or neglect. She lives in Duluth, Minnesota, and has recently [semi-] retired, but continues to preach in the area. She now serves as a Senior Companion and as a Foster Grandmum with AmeriCorps-Seniors.
Along with her MDiv from Meadville she has earned a MA in Philosophy/Emphasis on Teaching Ethics from the University of Montana, and a BA in English Literature from the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee. In her volunteer career she has been copy editor for a feminist newsletter, on the advisory board of a gay newsletter, a docent at a museum featuring Alaska native artifacts, a deejay at a public radio station, an actress and stage manager at a community theater, and a dancer in a “hula art action” highlighting local water pollution.
Suzanne is married to Tim Stratton, a professor at the University of Minnesota-Duluth and a registered pharmacist. She has one son, three grandchildren, and one great-grandchild who live in the Milwaukee area. Her oldest [but not older] brother Mike and wife Deb are members of Wausau UU Church.
E-mail: suzwas@hotmail.com
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Margaret Jerz
Music Director
Margaret is a life-time music educator with a Bachelor of Music Education from the University of Northern Iowa and a Master of Music Education from the University of Wisconsin (Stevens Point). Her teaching career included assignments in Florida, New Hampshire and in the D. C. Everest school district. She is a member of the teaching staff for World Music Drumming, a curriculum designed to bring West African and Caribbean music into music classrooms. Retired from full time teaching, she is the Music Director for UU Wausau and leads our choirs along with our new Drum Club (Beat for Peace). She is the proud mother of three adult children, five grandchildren and one great grandchild.
In her spare time, she enjoys walking, spending time with friends and family and is an avid reader. You can find her happily making music here and at the Wausau Conservatory of Music.
Email: margaret@uuwausau.org
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