The Northliner

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.

Sept. 3: “The Feast of Crispian” Jim Tasse and William Watson,
facilitated by Rev. Alexander

Facing Trauma: Using Shakespeare and Theatrical Arts to Heal. The Sermon section will be comprised of an 8-minute video, ten minutes of remarks by the speakers and a ten-minute demonstration of the process using volunteers and a scene from a Shakespeare play, followed by five minutes of Congregational Response (time permitting.)

Jim Tasse and Bill Watson, along with Nancy Smith-Watson, co-founded Feast of Crispian, a non-profit organization that brings professional actors and veterans together to strengthen the emotional resources they need to overcome trauma. FofC recently expanded their mission to include other populations, including the incarcerated. Bill and Jim will demonstrate how using Shakespeare and theater arts can heal trauma.

Jim Tasse is an actor, director, Lecturer at the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee and a Viet Nam Era veteran. He has performed with many local theatre companies including Milwaukee Rep, Chamber Theatre, Milwaukee Shakespeare, Next Act and In Tandem. He spent two years as Associate Artistic Director for Milwaukee Chamber and received his training with the Professional Theatre Training Program at UW-M. He has appeared in the locally produced films Wisconsin Death Trip, Tracks and most recently Small Town Wisconsin.

Bill Watson is a professional actor (AEA), director, and a teacher of acting and theatre for four university faculties over 35 years. Currently a Full Professor and co-chair of the Theatre department at the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee, he was hired in 2005 to create an undergraduate Bachelor of Fine Arts in acting degree program that he has headed ever since. He has acted professionally across the country and has directed over 60 productions, professionally and for 6 different universities as well as three original and two Shakespeare productions for Feast of Crispian.

September 10: UCN Autumn Ingathering Service, “The Saving Message of Unitarian Universalism,” Rev. Scott W. Alexander and Rev. Tony Larsen

On this “first Sunday” of the new church year -- the Sunday after Labor Day when we Unitarian Universalists across the continent return to their Autumn schedules – Revs Alexander and Larsen will together reflect on the saving message of our UU tradition. Do be with us to celebrate the start of the 2023-2024 congregational year.

Please note: Scammers are sending our members and friends emails, supposedly from Tony Larsen. Please do not respond to them. If you have questions, please call the office at 262-375-3890.

Ministry "Start Up" Notes

Dear Members and friends of UCN, I am now in my second full week of being “in the saddle” as your new minister. I just wanted to share a few quick “start up notes” that may be helpful information:

1. Because this is a “half-time” position, for the foreseeable future, this will generally be my schedule (which the UCN board and I worked out). For most of the upcoming months, I will be around the office and readily available for (approximately) the first 20 days – for the first 3 Sundays (when I will fill the pulpit) and the weekdays (Monday to Friday) in between. I will generally be keeping regular office hours each weekday during that time. At the end of each month (approximately the last 10-12 days), Collins and I may be traveling, or otherwise occupied, but I will generally be available for urgent business and pastoral emergencies, and some zoom meetings – so if you have something that needs my attention please don’t hesitate to reach out by email uurevscott@gmail.com or my cell phone 772-359-0602. It will take us a number of months to see how well this schedule works for all of us, but this is at least the basic schedule/format with which we will begin.
2. The best time to reach me is always during regular weekday hours – especially 10 AM to 5 PM…so don’t hesitate to be in touch with me if you have any needs, or simply to introduce yourself. Please limit evening calls for emergencies or other urgencies.
   
3. Please be patient with me as I learn all your names, and your roles in the congregation’s life. Because I am “the new kid on the bock” I welcome any help you can give me getting acclimatized!
   
4. Perhaps one thing you should know about me is that (over the many years of my ministry) I have been proud (and protective) of all the buildings that house the congregations I have served. So don’t be surprised if you see me (some Sunday morning) vacuuming the lobby, windexing the front door windows or touching up paint in the sanctuary. One member of a previous church I served even dubbed me “The Persnickety Parson” because they were amused by my desire to keep the church facility looking bright and clean and orderly. Keeping this wonderful (and architecturally interesting) building on Port Washington Road clean, neat and attractive (as you clearly have been doing for decades now) is one way of telling newcomers and visitors that we care about our faith and one another. So I hope you will all work with me in keeping our facility in good and proud order.
   

In summary, I am delighted to be here on the north side of the Milwaukee metropolitan area as your new minister. Please help me to get to know you! All blessings.

Scott

Last Week's Sermon

To read Rev. Scott's sermon from last Sunday, click this link: https://docs.google.com/document/d/1GrEQ0Q9WFM8BrpvO32R8B--u8jInMxn-/edit?usp=sharing&ouid=109072791973067277249&rtpof=true&sd=true

Sunday, September 10

The squares for our Name Quilt have been made, the names have been added, and now it’s time to put things together with a quilting bee!

• Do you enjoy sewing?
• Do you have a sewing machine we can use?
• Do you want to participate in this part of UCN history?
• Do you like combining squares into grids?

If the answer to any of these is yes, please join us after the service for this fun event. Also please let Ed Ahrenhoerster know by emailing ed.ahrenhoerster@nwsdigital.com. Ed promises to tell jokes that will keep you in stitches! (He will also provide food and beverages.)

“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 a deep 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.

The first group meeting is scheduled for September 13 and will gather every other Wednesday from 9:30-11:00 am in Emerson (the large room off the north lobby, upper level). Please contact Judy at 720-935-0851 with any questions.

Soil to Sanctuary Harvest Festival

The Soil to Sanctuary Harvest Festival will be held on Sunday, October 1st from 11am until 2pm. The festival will be held rain or shine. UCN members, friends and our surrounding community are invited to attend and can be vendors at the event.

Vendors

Vendors can choose to have a space inside or outdoors. The deadline to register is September 20th and the vendor fee is just $15. Vendors keep all the money they make and do not need to pay any additional fees or percentages to the church. Click here to register: https://forms.gle/AFVqWqQGet79jctu7.

Currently, we have vendors selling art, clothing, fruits and vegetables, hair and spa products, maple syrup, music and ready to eat foods. Julie Zumach will host a UCN booth serving pulled pork sandwiches with homemade barbeque sauce and hotdogs. Proceeds from this booth will be donated to the RE program.

Entertainment

If you would like to sing or perform at the festival, please contact LaToya at DRE@UCNorth.org. UCN has many talented artists. We look forward to a good show!

Purpose

Soil to Sanctuary is an effort to bring a variety of fresh and health foods to congregations. The effort supports farmers and growers while helping churches raise funds and increase access to whole foods. Last year, the RE Committee started conversations to plan a harvest fair. Our Soil to Sanctuary Harvest Festival is a combination of these two great things and is a fundraising opportunity, also aimed at building community. We hope to see old friends and new faces at the event. Please contact DRE@UCNorth.org with any questions.

Blessings,

LaToya

Survival Camp

Saturday, September 23, 9am until 3pm

Adults and kids ages seven and up are invited to our free Survival Camp on Saturday, September 23rd from 9-3pm. Under the instruction of camp leaders, campers will build a shelter, start a fire, and find fresh water. With camp set-up, they will have a scavenger hunt to find the materials they need to survive overnight in the woods. Campers will then build an emergency kit and learn how to stay safe if they are lost or are in a dangerous situation. Each will take home a family planning and emergency preparedness kit that will include a first aid kit, water purification tool, fire starting equipment and a carrying bag.

Younger campers will have additional crafts and games. They will talk about stranger danger, fire and bike safety and dangerous household materials to avoid. While the younger campers won’t set up a shelter or build a fire, they will learn the basic elements of survival and situational awareness in both a rural and urban setting. Something our kiddos really need.

Campers will be provided with a bag lunch with a sandwich, fruit, a drink, and dessert. Campers can make their own campfire grilled cheese to enjoy outside. Of course, there will be smores!

Camp Leaders

Survival camp leaders are Todd Zumach, Brian Bunzel, and Jim Delillo. They each have specialized training and are sharing their knowledge with UCN. Next year, with their leadership, we hope to offer an overnight camp offsite. This will give campers the opportunity to put what they learn to work.

Registration

We have a good group of kids and adults registered. Due to the holiday weekend, the deadline to register for Survival Camp has been extended until Tuesday, September 5th. Click here to register https://forms.gle/8QeVaYJbShJ3EweF9 . Contact LaToya at DRE@UCNorth.org with any questions. You don’t want to miss this!

Blessings,

LaToya

Share the Plate Update

The Coming of Age youth have nominated Hunger Task Force to receive Share the Plate donations for September and October. Hunger Task Force is Wisconsin’s leading anti-hunger organization. The organization’s main location in Western Milwaukee supplies food pantries in churches and community centers throughout the wider Milwaukee area. Their 208-acre farm grows 500,000 pounds of fresh produce for Milwaukee’s hungry. In addition to giving support to food pantries, five days a week the Task Force operates a Mobil Market grocery store on wheels that serves Milwaukee’s hungriest food desert communities, providing fresh produce, meat, and dairy. They also operate a nutrition education program for students, parents, and the public providing information about eating healthy on a budget.

The nomination form, from the Coming of Age youth, states “We wanted to help kids who don’t have the resources we have . . . If you help kids and their families, it helps their future. Southeast Wisconsin has the majority of youth in our state, and 26.4% of children live below the poverty line.”

Half of the donations, cash or check, will go to Hunger Task force. Checks can be written to UCN with “Share the Plate” on the memo line. On our website, www.ucnorth.org, you can donate by using PayPal or Breeze. The Northliner also contains a QR code to scan for making a donation. Thank you for your generosity.

Food and Faith

The Committee for Interfaith Understanding is excited to announce a new quarterly series, Food and Faith. We will be exploring different foods which have religious and cultural significance in faith traditions. This series will take place in a variety of venues and will include:

• Some history & background on how a particular food plays a role in that faith.
• A demonstration of how it is made, including a recipe.
• Either a “hands-on” cooking/baking experience or a “tasting.”
  

First Session: Thursday, September 7, 8-9 am

Friendship Circle Bakery, 8649 N Port Washington Rd, Fox Point, WI 53217

Tour the bakery at Friendship Circle and learn about the making and significance of Challah from the Rabbi Levi Stein, Executive Director of Friendship Circle. You will get some hands-on practice of shaping the loaf and be able to bring it home to bake under the direction of their head baker, Tara Forosisky-Benito. There are limited available openings, so register today. Cost is $18.

Click on this link to register: Click on the Flyer Below to Register:

Office Staff

Lyn will be on vacation Sept. 7-15. Please be patient with Leigh and Dan while they cover the office.

We Welcome Our New Member

• Wyatt Donovan

Please help him feel welcome.

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

• The first WSSS concert of the season will be held on Sept. 22. Go to wsss.org for details.
• 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 through September 17

Meetings are held via Zoom, unless stated.

• Tuesday, Sept. 5, 9:30 am: Meditation (Anna Rychner)
• Wednesday, Sept. 6: UUs Out to Lunch (Brenda Berg)
• Thurs. Sept. 7-Friday, Sept. 15: Lyn's vacation
• Thursday, Sept. 7, 1:00 pm: Membership (Dan Lusk)
• Saturday, Sept. 9, 9am-3pm: Building Work Day (Brian Bunzel)
• Sunday, Sept. 10, 11:30 am: Quilting Bee - Fellowship Hall (Ed Ahrenhoerster)
• Monday, Sept. 11, 7:00 pm: RE Committee (Betsy Muellenbach)
• Tuesday, Sept. 12, 9:30 am: Meditation (Anna Rychner)
• Wednesday, Sept. 13, 10:00 am: Good Grief Group (Judy DeLillo)
• Thursday, Sept. 14, 6:30 pm: Sunday Services Committee (Julie Konik)

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.

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 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. More information at uua.org/midamerica .
  

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.
  

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.

Minister, Rev. Scott Alexander: office phone: 262-375-4748; cell phone: 772-359-0602. 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 every month.

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. 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
  

• 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.
  
  

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.

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/