

The Northliner
January 26, 2024
Sunday Services
Sunday services are held at 10:00 am. Currently our services are held live at UCN and also streamed on Zoom. Coffee hour follows the service. If UCN closes due to weather or building issues, the closing will be reflected on our website, on our office voice mail, and a special email will be sent out, if possible.
Join Zoom Meeting:
https://zoom.us/j/93364454692?pwd=U29yanFGZTUvOXAvcWM0UWQ1UFU0QT09
Meeting ID: 933 6445 4692
Password: 13800
Services begin promptly at 10 am. If you'd like to join in conversation before the service, you may join the Zoom meeting at 9:50 and wrap up your conversations shortly before 10.
Jan. 28: "Finding Peace,” Rev. Sarah Oelberg
Peace is more than just the absence of war. As real wars rage around us, let us look at the other kinds of peace, and explore how they matter in our lives, and how to find them.
Sarah Oelberg has been a special education teacher, has written special ed. curriculum for our U.S. Office of Education, was a faculty member at Yeshiva University in New York and at NYU, and trained special ed. teachers in Iowa. She followed her heart as the first in her six-generation Unitarian family to become a UU minister. After serving churches in Nebraska and Minnesota, she retired in 2001. She and husband Gerald raised four children and have six grand- and four great-grandchildren.
February 4: “Generosity”
Sermon IV in the Year-Long Series “12 Gates to the Holy City of Your Own Life,”
Rev. Scott W. Alexander
Scott writes, If you look up the word “liberal” in the dictionary it means “Generous, bountiful, munificent, or given freely and unstintingly.” So as religious liberals we Unitarian Universalist should strive to lead generous lives. I would like to explore what this actually means in our day-to-day lives.
From Rev. Scott
Here's Rev. Scott's sermon, "Can We Really Reinvent Ourselves," from Jan. 21: https://docs.google.com/document/d/1ujd5-NukLN5eJIVexesFbyA43OkP8a6O/edit?usp=sharing&ouid=109072791973067277249&rtpof=true&sd=true
Conversation with the Minister
Join us for a Zoom call with Scott on Saturday, February 10
at 10 am
"Developing Spiritual Practices for staying calm in a crazy world."
This world of ours right now seems to be getting crazier and more troublesome by the day. Perhaps there are some "spiritual practices" which we can incorporate into our lives that will help us meet the challenges and stresses of our time with greater equanimity, purpose and calm. Let's spend an hour that Saturday morning to explore this together.
You are Cordially Invited
The pleasure of your company is joyfully requested at UCN’s first annual Members and Friends Appreciation Reception!
Please Join Us at UCN
on Saturday, February 3 from 4:00 to 6:00 pm.
We would like to extend our deep appreciation for all of your contributions, past, present and future. We have an amazing congregation and nothing we do would be possible without your efforts. Please take this opportunity to gather together and share complimentary wine, sparkling soda, and hors d’oeuvres. Children are warmly welcomed and will be served snacks and enjoy fun activities in the Fellowship Hall.
So that we can plan appropriately, it would be helpful if you could sign the signup sheet available at Church on Sunday, or email us at ucnorth.org. If children are coming, please let us know by Wednesday, January 31, so we can plan activities. We greatly look forward to seeing you!!
Religious Education
Kids Night Out: Friday February 16th
We’ll be hosting another Kid’s Night Out with dinner, games, science experiments, crafts and a movie, while parents enjoy dinner out, shopping, a movie, quiet time or whatever. We’re hoping the kids will want to join us! Drop off is at 5:30 Friday, February 16th. in the lower-level Fellowship Hall. Pick up is at 8:00. Please call Katie Egan-Bruhy (262-339-2104) with questions and please RSVP (egan.bruhy@gmail.com) by the evening of Sunday February 11th so we can ensure we are well staffed and have all the supplies we need to make it a FEBulous event.
This Sunday
This week we will have an activity time for our elementary age children during the second half of the service after the story for all ages. Nursery for infants and toddlers is available throughout the service.
Childcare on Non-RE Sundays
Childcare is now offered every Sunday during the second half of the service. Elementary-aged students will have structured activities that include yoga, sharing time, games and crafts on cthe second and fourth Sundays. We will continue to have Religious Education classes on the first and third Sundays for children and youth of all ages, and an intergenerational service on the fifth Sunday.
During the winter months if we do not have extreme weather (using WI standards), we may have the kids play outside in the snow at the end of our structured activities or class. Please bring winter clothing for your kids including a warm coat, hat, mittens, snow pants and boots.
* Social and Racial Justice
Two exciting events coming up in February!!
*** On Saturday, February 17th, 10:30 a.m. - noon (doors open at 10:00; refreshments available), UCN will host We All Belong campaign training, featuring information on the three facets of that program: Protecting Democracy, Rejecting/resisting Christian nationalism, and Building the Beloved Community. Rev. Joe Jackson, Jr, from Friendship Baptist Church in Milwaukee, and Rev. Marilyn Miller from MICAH, will be the presenters. Some members from Friendship Baptist also plan to attend. UCN's minister, Rev. Scott Alexander, will welcome the attendees at the beginning of the program. Please look for Lucy Friedrichs and Leigh Hoftiezer after the service on Sunday to sign up for this free event and/or to help set up the sanctuary on Feb. 15. During the week the sign up sheets will be in the North Lobby and Fellowship Hall.
*** The NAACP of Ozaukee County is hosting its annual Freedom Fund event on Friday, February 23, at the River Club of Mequon. Doors open at 5 p.m. From the NAACP website: "The dinner will include inspirational words from our keynote speaker Derek Mosley, live entertainment, and annual college scholarship awards for deserving high school seniors. Funds raised will also support the continued operation and growth of the NAACP Ozaukee County Branch." We hope to fill an 8-seat table with members and friends of UCN. Seats cost $150 each but the Social Justice Committee is willing to reimburse UCN attendees $30 each. Register directly at naacpozaukee.org. Contact Leigh Hoftiezer if you are interested in the reimbursement. We hope to see you there!
Dinner Dialogue
Interfaith Earth Network invites you to the next Amazing Faiths Dinner Dialogue 6 pm on January 31 at the Urban Ecology Center Riverside Park, 1500 E. Park Place, Milwaukee
Join us for our monthly discussion and a simple meal. Please register to be included in this environmentally themed moderated discussion with people of different faiths. Delve deeper into faith and our shared environment.
Another great event that OCER hopes you can attend and help spread the word about!
Dr. Ruha Benjamin, and Beth Albright: "Nurturing Empathy"
February 3, 1:00-3:00 pm
Cedarburg Community Methodist Church, W68 N563 Evergreen Blvd, Cedarburg, WI 53012
Link to event details (please feel free to RSVP and share):
*Tickets are free, donations to go towards future events may be collected.
Dr. Ruha Benjamin will be returning to Cedarburg as keynote speaker in an event that, it is hoped, will lead to a broader community conversation about helping young people develop kindness and empathy. In addition to Ruha's talk, the program will include a presentation by Beth Albright, Director of the Cedarburg Childrens' Theatre, and a short performance by members of her group.
"From TikTok to Chat GPT, technologies often reflect and reinforce existing forms of bias, discrimination and division. In this presentation, Ruha Benjamin will take us into the world of biased bots, altruistic algorithms and their entanglements. She will provide participants with a new way of looking at their relationship to technology. In doing so, she will invite us to reclaim values that help foster empathy and mutual well being as a first step to creating communities in which no one is left behind."
The event is hosted by members of the Ozaukee County Equity Roundtable, the Cedarburg Childrens' Theatre, participants of several faith communities (Bahá'ís of Cedarburg, Advent Lutheran Church, Faith Lutheran Church and Cedarburg Community United Methodist Church), and other wonderful individuals in the community.
Please attend and bring a friend!
Thank you and see you on February 3rd for a GREAT event!
* Announcements
Quilting Bee – The Next Round
Please join us for the next round of our UCN Name Quilt creation on Wednesday, January 31. Like last time, this will be hand stitching. I can vouch that anyone is capable of this – even me, much to my surprise! It is an enjoyable evening while also creating a part of UCN history.
Pizza, wine and other beverages will be provided starting at 5 pm, but feel free to join in anytime during the evening. All sewing materials will be provided, along with rides for those not comfortable driving at night. If you would like to join please let Ed Ahrenhoerster know at ed.ahrenhoerster@nwsdigital.com (gotta make sure we have enough pizza! (and wine!!)). Email me with any questions as well.
Mac & Cheese!!!
Come to the February 4th First Sunday Lunch!
Join your fellow UCN members/friends in Fellowship Hall after the morning service on February 4th for a scrumptious meal of Macaroni & Cheese casseroles, salads, desserts, and beverages. Suggested donation $4/adult; $10/family limit.
If your last name as listed in the membership directory falls within the last names Mumm-Zumach, you are cordially invited to provide a dish that serves 10-12 people for the February 4th Lunch.
Dishes can be dropped off in the kitchen before the service. There will be someone there as early as 9 am to receive them. If it better suits you, salads, desserts, beverages, and set-up volunteers are also on our "must-haves" list so you need not feel confined to an entree offering. Thank you in advance for your contributions! February FSL coordinators Callie Thurow and Judy DeLillo have sent out email requests and will be communicating with volunteers throughout the coming month. Contact Callie at (262) 717-5102 or cthurow@icloud.com or Judy judelillo2@gmail.com to lock in your contribution of choice ASAP.
Leadership Board Meeting: Date Change
The next leadership board meeting will be held on Monday, Jan. 29 at 6:30 pm via zoom. The meetings are open to all members, and members are encouraged to share their thoughts or issues at the Open Forum portion of each meeting. Contact the president for the zoom link.
Help Wanted!
The Finance Committee is asking for your help. We considered ideas for a Spring Fundraiser in addition to Britney’s much anticipated April concert and thought that hosting a speaker on a topic of general interest would be a great way to host our members and folks in the wider community in our beautiful space. Rev Scott did this at his Vero Beach, Florida, church with great success. By way of example, Scott suggested a topic like ship wrecks in the Great Lakes might have broad appeal. Please let Julie Zumach or Pete Blain know if you have suggestions for a dynamic speaker (or speakers on a panel) on an interesting topic which would appeal to wide audience. We greatly appreciate your thoughts. Thank you.
Lost and Found
If you bank at Cornerstone/Horicon Bank, you might have left an envelope at the visitor's table. Please see Lyn if you think it's yours.
Good Grief Group
Grief Group resumed January 17 and will continue every other Wednesday. Note new time: 10:00 - 11:30. Please contact Judy DeLillo at 720-935-0851 with any questions.
Events at UCN
- "Qi Gong and Tai Chi" is held most Saturdays at 11 am in the Fellowship Hall. Call Diane at
307-763-0903 for details. First class is free for UCN members. - There will be two Wisconsin Singer Songwriter concerts at UCN in Feburary. Go to WSSS.org for details.
- Al-Anon meetings, offering recovery for families and friends of alcoholics and drug addicts, are held every Tuesday morning at 8:30 am in the Clara Barton room and online.
Thank you for supporting the groups that use our facilities.
Special UUA Information
The MidAmerica Region is coming together - both online and at the First Unitarian Society of Madison, WI on Friday, April 19 and Saturday, April 20 of 2024 for a multiplatform Regional Assembly!
Our Keynote address will be given by the Rev. Dr. Sofía Betancourt, President of the Unitarian Universalist Association of Congregations, and Rev. Dr. Karen Georgia A. Thompson, General Minister and President of the United Church of Christ.
There will be workshops, the Annual Business Meeting of the MidAmerica Region, and opportunities to meet many UU Leaders from across our faith tradition.
For those who are in person, there will even be opportunities to tour this historic church designed by Frank Lloyd Wright.
But most importantly, it is a time for us to come together as Unitarian Universalists from across the MidAmerica Region.
Please join us, online and in-person for our first-ever multi-platform MidAmerica Regional Assembly!
Sienna Retreat Center
Upcoming retreats: https://api.neonemails.com/emails/content/W-hlidEkNfjS_-QjKBXo3QOEJK46BrGu89oBjbSSXzY=
* Calendar
Calendar through February 11
Meetings are held via Zoom, unless stated.
- Monday, Jan. 29, 6:30 pm: Leadership Board (Ed Ahrenhoerster)
- Wednesday, Jan. 31, 10:00 am: Good Grief Group - Emerson (Judy DeLillo)
- Wednesday, Jan. 31, 5:00 pm: Quilting Bee - Fellowship Hall (Ed Ahrenhoerster)
- Thursday, Feb. 1, 6:30 pm: Membership (Dan Lusk)
- Saturday, Feb. 3, 10:00 am: FSL Setup - Fellowship Hall (Callie Thurow)
- Saturday, Feb. 3, 4-6 pm: Appreciation Reception - Emerson and the North Lobby
- Sunday, Feb. 4: RE Classes (Betsy Muellenbach)
- Sunday, Feb. 4, 11:30 am: First Sunday Lunch - Fellowship Hall
- Monday, Feb. 5, 7:00 pm: Building Committee (Brian Bunzel)
- Wednesday, Feb. 7: UUs Out to Lunch (Brenda Berg)
- Thursday, Feb. 8, 6:30 pm: Sunday Services (Julie Konik)
- Saturday, Feb. 10, 10:00 am: Conversation with the Minister
- Sunday, Feb. 11, 11:30 pm: Social Justice - Emerson (Leigh Hoftiezer)
The monthly calendar for UCN events, not including rentals, can be seen on our website at: https://ucnorth.org/calendar/
Please remember to contact Lyn, info@ucnorth.org, to reserve rooms for your meetings, rehearsals, ceremonies, etc. To hold an event or ceremony at UCN, contact Lyn for date availability, facilities use forms, and answers to your questions.
All church committee meetings are open; visitors are welcome. Contact the committee chair (listed on the calendar above) for details or to receive the zoom info for a meeting. For information on classes and groups that meet at UCN, as well as future meeting and event dates, please see the website, www.ucnorth.org, or call the office, 262-375-3890.
* Reminders
Service and UUA Information
Service Assistants are needed for Sunday Services. Please contact Julie Konik (julie.konik@gmail.com) if you can help.
The Sunday Services Zoom Team is looking "for a few good zoom hosts." Please contact Gerry Schmitz or Dan Lusk if interested.
Sunday Announcements: If you would like to have an announcement read at the service, please prepare it using the Spoken Announcement Guidelines, and send it to Joy Schroeder (peacenow@charter.net) or Julie Konik (julie.konik@gmail.com) or that Sunday's Service Assistant by the FRIDAY BEFORE the service, and they will relay it to the worship assistant.
- Reserving the Projector: If you will need the projector for a given date, please remember to sign the “Projector Reservation Signup List” on the clipboard on the table outside the office in the north lobby.
- UU Women's Connection offers retreats, newsletters and resources for women: https://www.uuwomensconnection.org/
- You are encouraged to subscribe to MidAmerica Region's newsletter, News page. More information at uua.org/midamerica .
-
The MidAmerica Region is coming together - both online and at the First Unitarian Society of Madison, WI on Friday, April 19 and Saturday, April 20 of 2024 for a multiplatform Regional Assembly! Please join us, online and in-person: MidAmerica Regional Assembly!
- Join us June 20 - 23 for an all-virtual General Assembly 2024. For information, go to https://www.uua.org/ga/registration.
General Information
Becoming a Member of UCN is very easy. Simply make a pledge of record, sign our Membership Book, and provide contact information for our records. We also provide New to UU and UCN Classes in the Spring and Fall. It is not necessary to attend the classes, however they are very informative, providing information about Unitarian Universalism and our church (its history and how it operates). For more information, you can contact Dan Lusk (262-234-9406).
- Caring Circle: a group of people who may be willing to bring meals, help with transportation, make visits, pick up groceries, etc. for members and friends of UCN in temporary need. Sign up at church or virtually: https://www.signupgenius.com/go/10C0A44ACA82BA75-caring
First Aid Kits are located near the elevators on each level. Each kit is in a white box and mounted on the wall. AED Machines are near the first aid kits. If you have any questions, please contact Brian Bunzel, Building Committee Chair, at (262) 573-0045 or brianbuzel@yahoo.com.
UCN is now able to accept donations via PayPal.
Food Barrel: Don’t forget to grab a food item out of your pantry for the food barrel as you leave for church.
Scrip Fundraiser: Scrip Cards are still a great way to support UCN. Use cards for carryout or online purchase with ScripNow!. There are 3 ways to buy or reload your cards: ScripNow! (Pay online, use online or in person), PrestoPay (buy or reload cards) or at UCN. If you have a special request or questions about Scrip, contact Mark Muellenbach.
If you order from Quill.com and tell them UCN recommended them, UCN will earn a $50 gift card.
Support Black-Owned businesses: "MKE Black" offers a list of Black-owned businesses you can reference: https://mkeblack.org/
If you would like to donate directly to Family Promise, the only shelter for homeless people in Ozaukee County, please send your donation to them, with “UCN Member” written in the memo line. This will give UCN credit for the donation. Their address is: Family Promise of Ozaukee County, 136 W. Grand Ave., Port Washington, WI 53074.
The Social Justice Committee has an OPT-IN email list for anyone who would like to be notified on short notice to provide a physical presence at social justice activities. Please contact Sherryl Andrus, sherryla70@gmail.com, to be added to the list.
Monthly Fellowship Gatherings
UUsOutToLunch meets on the first Wednesday of every month at noon, and sometimes at suppertime during daylight savings time. Couples, singles, men & women are all welcome, long-term commitment or not. Each month, a different member of the group takes the responsibility of choosing a restaurant at which to meet and eat, and emails the rest of the group with the particulars as to what and where, requesting yay or nay from the emailed recipient, so that reservations can be made if required. Join us! Email brendaberg@spectrum.net
First Sunday Lunch: Join us after the service in the Fellowship Hall for lunch and fellowship on the first Sunday of the month, November through June.
UUs Coffee & Conversation (Ladies' Lunch & Levity) meets on the third Monday of every month at Mequon Fiddleheads, 10530 Port Washington Rd. Stop in anytime between 12:00 and 1:30 for something to eat, a good cuppa, and chewy conversation. We meet in the back room.
* Submitting Content for our Publications
Please submit articles for the Northliner to info@ucnorth.org. To keep the Northliner from becoming cumbersome to read, you are encouraged to keep these articles short, and to run them only twice. The deadline for submitting articles is every Thursday at noon. Items submitted later might not be proofed for errors or published.
Please contact Todd Zumach (zumacht@gmail.com) to submit articles for our website.
* Contact Information and Links
Minister, Rev. Scott Alexander: cell phone (preferred): 772-359-0602. Office phone: 262-375-4748. Email: UURevScott@gmail.com . Rev. Scott will generally be in the pulpit the first three Sundays of the month and in his office the first two weeks of the month.
UCN Office Hours: Tuesday through Friday, 9 am to 2:30 pm. Contact Lyn at 262-375-3890 or info@ucnorth.org. The office is closed for holidays and bad weather. Please do not reply to the Northliner; we do not receive messages sent to lyngust@mailgun.smore.com, but if you are having trouble receiving the Northliner, please add that address to your contact list.
Links
Information on our Share the Plate Recipient
For more information about UCN, see our website www.ucnorth.org or call the office at
262-375-3890.
Unitarian Church North
Email: info@ucnorth.org
Website: www.ucnorth.org
Location: 13800 N. Port Washington Road, Mequon, WI, 53097 USA
Phone: 262-375-3890
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/UnitarianChurchNorth/