

The Northliner
August 18, 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. 20: “Blessing of the Animals: Perspectives from Different World Religions,” Julie Konik
This service will include the annual blessing of the animals, sponsored by the UCN Animal Ministry. We will also look at how different world religions view non-human animal spirituality. We will meet in the Fellowship Hall; well-behaved pets are welcome.
Dr. Julie Konik is currently working towards her Masters in Divinity with Starr King School for the Ministry. She has a special interest in feminist, LGBTQ, and non-human animal theologies. She founded the UU Animal Ministry chapter at UCN this past year. She also is the incoming Chair of UCN’s Sunday Service Committee and a member of the UCN Social Justice Committee. She earned a PhD in Psychology and Women’s Studies at the University of Michigan in 2005. Julie has taught psychology and related disciplines at a variety of schools, and she currently is at Lakeshore Technical College in Cleveland, WI.
Aug. 27: “Golfing with Monkeys,” Rev. Scott Alexander
By way of a curious (but true!) story from Colonial India, I want to explore the all-important human/spiritual skill of adaptation…which life on this chaotic planet regularly requires of us.
Rev. Scott W. Alexander is the brand new minister of our congregation, having arrived here from the Washington DC area this month. Rev. Alexander has served 7 Unitarian Universalist congregations (and the UUA denominational headquarters in Boston) over his 50-year career. He is the author/editor of 5 books, is an avid cross-country cyclist, and lives with his husband of the last 40 years – H. Collins Mikesell – at condominiums they have in both Milwaukee and Sheboygan.
Connections
Sending healing thoughts to Sherryl Andrus, who was hurt falling from bed early morning, Friday, August 11. She broke a collarbone and had a brain bleed. After a few days in the hospital, she is now home and feeling better every day.
Good Grief Group: for Widows and Widowers
“Death ends a life, not a relationship. All the love you created is still there. All the memories are still there. You live on — in the hearts of everyone you have touched and nurtured while you were here.” - Morrie Schwartz (Tuesdays with Morrie)
Losing someone you love is life-changing, and grief can be difficult. Sometimes it’s helpful to share with others who have also experienced this loss – the sadness, the challenges, the next steps and the joys that may follow. You’re not alone.
* Note: Though this was initially announced as a widow/widowers group, the feedback that I’ve received has led the LPCT to reconsider the focus and want to make this group available to all who have experienced a loss and would like the support of a group around them.
Judy DeLillo, a new member of the Lay Pastoral Care Team, will help facilitate conversation and support in a new group offering at UCN. I am a Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW) who specialized in hospice care and bereavement services prior to my retirement and move to Wisconsin. I’ve walked this grief road myself after the death of my husband of 25 years. I was blessed to find new love but continue to honor the memories.
The first group meeting is scheduled for September 13 and will gather every other Wednesday from 9:30-11:00 am. (Room to be announced) Please contact Judy at 720-935-0851 with any questions.
* 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 Reminder
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 at the end of August 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.
We are excited to roll out our program starting on August 29th. The five-session program will reflect the lessons learnt while also highlighting the fact that this effort is intended to create and guide an ongoing system of local leadership development. Each session is 90 minutes long held over five weeks every Tuesday. The topics include:
- Week 1: Attitudes and Disciplines
- Week 2: One-on-One's
- Week 3: Issues and Actions
- Week 4: Effective Meetings
- Week 5: Team Building
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!
Don't forget to register here!
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
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 22 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
Water Update
Our well has been chlorinated today, so watch for signs on Sunday regarding water usage. Bottled water is available.
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. Donations welcome for UCN.
Anna Rychner, facilitator and meditation teacher of the Himalayan tradition.
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. Members: first class is free.
- Qi Gong 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.
Thank you for supporting the groups that use our facilities.
* Calendar
Calendar through September 3
Meetings are held via Zoom, unless stated.
- Monday, Aug. 21, noon: Ladies' Lunch - Mequon Fiddleheads (Brenda Berg)
- Monday, Aug. 21, 7:45 pm: Comm Tech Committee (Sarah Cesar)
- Tuesday, Aug. 22, 9:30 am: Meditation (Anna Rychner)
- Tuesday, Aug. 22, 1-6 pm: Blood Drive - Fellowship Hall (Sheri Yelton-Mounts)
- Thursday, Aug. 24, 7:00 pm: Sunday Services Committee (Julie Konik)
- Tuesday, Aug. 29, 9:30 am: Meditation (Anna Rychner)
- Tuesday, Aug. 29, 7:00 pm: Finance (Pete Blain)
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.
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, 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
- 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 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 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/