

The Northliner
August 4, 2023
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.
Join Zoom Meeting:
https://zoom.us/j/93364454692?pwd=U29yanFGZTUvOXAvcWM0UWQ1UFU0QT09
Meeting ID: 933 6445 4692
Password: 13800
The service begins 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.
Aug. 6: Drum Circle, Mark Soriano
Participants have the opportunity to play traditional African Drums, learn rhythms and how to communicate with each other: even without words. All ages are welcome and drums will be provided! Led by Mark Soriano (He/Him). Guest speaker will bring drums and percussion for Sunday service. If you want to bring your own drum or percussion instrument, feel free. Just keep it separate from the instruments from Arts @ Large.
With over a decade of experience, Mark Soriano has played for many of Milwaukee’s favorite bands and stages including Summerfest and Turner Hall. After studying English and Secondary Education at Marquette University, Mark balanced his music career with teaching people of all ages through drumming. Through in-person lessons and whole group drum circles, community is the focus of his work.
Aug 13: "Is Guilt Ever Good?" Rev. Tony Larsen
About his sermon, Tony says: "We UUs often pride ourselves on being a church that doesn't foster guilt feelings. But is that a sustainable position in the long run--or does being 'guilt-free' end up creating sociopaths?"
Messages from our Leaders
Dear Members and Friends of UCN,
As I begin my ministry amongst you, I wanted to give you my August work schedule. Even though my official ministerial "start date" is August 15, I anticipate being in the office (basically 10 to 4 PM) for the first two work weeks of August (July 31 to August 11). I then will be traveling to New England to attend a wedding (and seeing old friends) from August 13 until I return to work on August 23, when I will settle into a more regular "autumn schedule." My regular email address is uurevscott@gmail.com, and my cell phone (which i routinely carry and answer) is 772 359 0602. I hope you are enjoying these summer months, even with recent challenging high temperatures!...and I hope to see you on my first official "pulpit Sunday" August 27th, when my sermon will be titled 'Golfing With Monkeys." Until then, enjoy your summer and be well.
Rev. Scott
Water Issues
Our water is still testing positive for coliform bacteria, so please continue to drink bottled water. Using the water for hand washing, and heated for making coffee and running the dishwasher is acceptable, but please use at your own discretion. Thanks.
Quilt Update
Here is where the UCN Name Quilt project is at as of August 1:
- Over 80 squares were created at our Block Party on May 7. Many thanks to everyone who spent their afternoon making these. It was a lot of fun! (Even I enjoyed it, and I don’t like sewing.)
- Virtually all donations have been made by members. Thank you to everyone for being prompt!
- The next phase is where the names get embroidered on. Due to some health issues this work was delayed for a while, but it is back in motion and should be completed in the first half of August.
- Upon completion of name embroidery, we will schedule a Quilting Bee to add the batting and backing for quilting. All who have experience in machine quilting, their help would be much appreciated!! Those who wish to learn machine quilting are welcome to help as well. Look for an update in the coming weeks on when this will occur.
Again, thanks to everyone for their involvement in this, whether by contribution, sewing talents, or both. Special thanks to Dana Lusk for organizing the sewing.
Ed Ahrenhoerster
* RE News
Soil to Sanctuary Harvest Festival
Join us on Sunday, October 1st at 11 am for our Soil to Sanctuary Harvest Festival. Shop local venders and artists as we fall into autumn and prepare for the holiday season. Choose from crafts, trinkets, homemade treats and farm fresh produce and foods. This will be a fun event for all featuring live entertainment and activities for the kids.
Are you a farmer or a crafter? Do you grow fruits and veggies at home? Have a favorite recipe that everyone loves? Become a vender. Click here for our vender application. The deadline to apply is September 20th.
A New Date for Survival Camp
Camp will be on Saturday, September 23rd. Our own Todd Zumach and Brian Bunzel will be our leaders, sharing their skills and training. Crafts, games, and other activities will be led by our RE teachers and volunteers.
Have you ever watched the tv show Survivor and wondered if you could make it? Here’s your chance to find out. Explore the trails, find out what plants are safe to eat and how to build a shelter. Develop situational awareness, build a fire, and learn to navigate the outdoors. Participants will make a survival kit that includes a compass, water filtration device and other items to explore the outdoors and stay safe. The camp is for kids and families. Click here to register.
RE Reminders
- RE classes will resume this fall. Please join us on Sunday, August 27th at 11am for the RE Open House. Learn about changes and new programs offered.
- Our Whole Lives, OWL, is launching this fall. Before a child can be registered to attend OWL, at least one parent must attend a mandatory OWL Parent Session. This session will be held at noon on Sunday, August 27th as part of the RE Open House. Please click here to register. Contact Emily Bunzel, OWL Subcommittee Chair, or DRE@UCNorth.org with any questions.
* Social and Racial Justice
A Letter from David Liners, Exec. Dir. of WISDOM:
We are organizing a five-week training series that will begin August 29 as a way of preparation for the work that lies ahead of us this fall and in 2024. In our sessions, you will learn the basics of relational organizing and the principles to build relationships within your community. Our session is based on the popular workshop we held in 2021 and 2022, which attracted over hundreds of participants.
Registration is now open for this FREE workshop! The link below will register you for all the sessions and we recommend you attend all because each session will build off one another!
For any questions, please contact WISDOM's Digital Organizer Amanda Ali at aali@wisdomwisconsin.org. We hope you join us!
Best regards,
David Liners and the WISDOM Training Team
* Announcements
Next Green Team Hike 💚
Saturday, August 5th, 9-11:30am
Meet at Doctors Park parking lot . We’ll hike down the lake bluff to the lakeshore and do a beach walk north to Schlitz Audubon beach and back to Doctors Park. Swimming is allowed at Doctors park (but at your own risk.) This is an extra family friendly activity because it’s not a difficult hike. There are bathrooms at Doctors Park, a short walk from the parking lot. If you have any questions please call or text Jessy Knox 414-840-5377.
Doctors Park: 1870 E Fox Ln., Fox Point, WI 53217
Blood Drive at UCN- Critical Need!!
Currently there is CRITICAL need for blood products! So, we need donors at the Blood Drive we are hosting on Tuesday, August 22nd from 1:00 to 6:00 pm in the Fellowship Hall in conjunction with the American Red Cross. You may sign up to donate using the American Red Cross APP, or online at the link below, or by calling 1-800-RED CROSS (1-800-733-2767). If you prefer, contact Sheri Yelton-Mounts, a UCN Social Justice Committee Member, who is leading the Blood Drive and is happy to schedule an appointment for you. Please call or text Sheri at 262-707-1461 to help with scheduling and with any questions or concerns you may have.
Blood donations really do save lives every day--babies through the elderly--so please join this effort to make someone feel better. Please spread the word to friends and family and invite them to help fill the schedule and make this a success!! Thank you!!
Schedule a Blood, Platelet or Plasma Donation | American Red Cross
Visitors
The following people visited our church recently:
- Karen Becker, Mequon
Thanks for visiting us. We hope that you come back soon!
Morning Meditations
Tuesday Morning Group Meditations continue at 9:30 am in the Sanctuary. No experience necessary. Tap into the wisdom of the ancients as well as current-day teachers. Learn about the mind and breath’s connections as we sit quietly and share our inner worlds.
Anna Rychner, facilitator.
Events at UCN
- Need a break? Power Qi Gong will be held on Fridays at noon in August. 45-minute classes are held in the Fellowship Hall. Call Diane at 307-763-0903 for details. First class free.
- Qi Gong is held most Saturdays at 11 am in the Fellowship Hall. Call Diane at
307-763-0903 for details. First class free.
Thank you for supporting the groups that use our facilities.
* Calendar
Calendar through August 20
Meetings are held via Zoom, unless stated.
- Saturday, Aug. 5, 9:00 am: UCN Hike - Doctors' Park
- Monday, Aug. 7, 7:00 pm: Building Committee (Brian Bunzel)
- Tuesday, Aug. 8, 9:30 am: Meditation (Anna Rychner)
- Saturday, Aug. 12, 9:00 am: Building Site Review (Sarah Cesar)
- Monday, Aug. 14, 7:00 pm: RE Committee (Betsy Muellenbach)
- Tuesday, Aug. 15, 9:30 am: Meditation (Anna Rychner)
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
Worship 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 or Dan 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/
- The Common Read for 2023-24 is On Repentance and Repair, by Rabbi Danya Ruttenberg. Go to UUA.org/read for more information.
- You are encouraged to subscribe to MidAmerica Region's newsletter: News page.
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.
Masks are Optional at UCN. Masks are available in the church lobby. Questions regarding mask policy can be directed to Ed Ahrenhoerster, President, or Leigh Hoftiezer and Jean Woodmansee, re-opening Subcommittee co-chairs. Building questions should be directed to Brian Bunzel, Building Committee chair.
UCN is now able to accept donations via PayPal. Please use the QR code above, or see our website (Donate) for more details, or or click here: give.ucnorth.org/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, 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
- Ladies’ Lunch and Levity group: Join us the third Monday of the month at the back room of Mequon Fiddleheads at noon. Come when you are able; everyone is welcome. Contact brendaberg@spectrum.net for info.
UUsOutToLunch meets at noon, and sometimes at suppertime during daylight savings time, on the first Wednesday of every month. 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, October through June.
* 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 repeat 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 Adam Schodron (webmaster1@ucnorth.org) to submit articles for our website.
* Contact Information and Links
Director of Religious Education, LaToya Bates:
262-385-3408; dre@ucnorth.com
UCN Office Hours: Tuesday through Friday, 9 am to 2:30 pm. Contact Lyn at 262-375-3890 or info@ucnorth.org. Office is closed for holidays and bad weather. Please do not reply to the Northliner; the newsletter is sent from lyngust@mailgun.smore.com, but we do not receive messages sent to that email address.
Links
Information on our Share the Plate Recipient
Minutes from current Leadership Board meetings
- Our pulpit schedule contains a wide range of topics that cover spiritual exploration, various theologies, holidays, social justice, and more. Read descriptions of the upcoming sermons and bios of the speakers.
Mid-America Region offers webinars and other important information: uua.org/midamerica .
For more information about UCN, see our website www.ucnorth.org or call the office at
262-375-3890.
Please check channel 4, 6, 12 or 58, or our website, www.ucnorth.org, for weather closings.
Unitarian Church North
Email: info@ucnorth.org
Website: www.ucnorth.org
Location: 13800 North Port Washington Road, Mequon, WI, USA
Phone: 262-375-3890
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/UnitarianChurchNorth/