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. 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.

March 3: "Abner Kneeland and the Evolution of our UU Faith," Rev. Scott W. Alexander

Scott writes: Although most Unitarian Universalist have never ever heard of him, the Rev. Abner Kneeland (1774-1844) played a very important role in the evolution of our liberal faith. He was a thinker and leader who was at least 100 years ahead of his time, and I think his remarkable story will not only inspire but challenge you…especially now as our UU faith is undergoing a major shift in its self-understanding.

March 10: “The Spirituality of our (Barn) Building,” Rev. Scott W. Alexander

Rev. Alexander writes: Many in our congregation were first attracted to UCN by its remarkable (and beautiful) barn building here on North Port Washington Road – which is a replica of a 8-sided barn style built in the late 19th Century in this part of Southeastern Wisconsin. Since coming here last summer as your minister, I have become aware of several powerful ways in which this physical structure positively informs, enlivens and instructs our spiritual and religious quest as a community of faith. Do be with us as we explore the seen (and unseen) dimensions of our beloved church home.

Thank you very much to the 75% of our pledging members and friends who have gotten their completed pledge forms in. We were very grateful as we began the work on the 2024-25 budget this past week. However, the most challenging part of budgeting still lay ahead in March - balancing the needs of the church versus the expected revenue. If you are intending to pledge, please send your pledge form in as soon as possible. It is necessary to inform the Finance team as to how to finalize the new budget. If you have any questions or are in need of a new pledge form, please contact the church office (262-375-3890) or email Julie Zumach at treasurer@ucnorth.org.

Sincerely,

Your Finance Team (Peter Blain, chair, Katie Egan-Bruhy, Financial Secretary, Julie Zumach, Treasurer, Sherryl Andrus, Kas Blain, Dean Johnson, Pat Kotecki, Dan Lusk, Linda Sandersen)

The UUA -- Our Parent Denomination -- is significantly revising our UU Purposes and Principles Statement. Here's what you need to know.

Dear Members and Friends of UCN,

As some (but I am sure not all) of you are already aware, since 2021, the UUA (our parent denomination) has been actively engaged in a faith-wide process of reviewing (and suggesting revisions to) Article II of the UUA by-laws (the statement which spells out the "principles and purposes" which guide and inform everything we do as Unitarian Universalists.

Here is the link to the helpful and clear "Article II Study Report" which the Article II Study Commission has issued. I believe once you read it you will understand exactly where the denomination is headed on this important matter. Please note especially the proposed revision of Article II found on pages 19-22 which will replace the older/familiar article II with its 7 principles and sources (found on pages 17-18)

https://www.uua.org/files/2023-02/article-II-study-report-2021-23.pdf

I believe once you read the report -- yes, I know it is a rather hefty 24 pages, but I believe it is a clear and concise and helpful document well worth your time and effort -- you will understand exactly where the denomination is headed on this important matter.

As the report indicates, the final version of Article II (which has been amended and "perfected" many times over the 2+ year process) will be presented for a final adoption vote at this June's virtual UUA General Assembly (to which UCN will hopefully end a full voting delegation...and more on how you might participate in that process will follow from the UCN Board of trustees.

To get our UCN congregation "up to speed" with this important change that is happening within our UUA movement, we have scheduled a congregational information-and-discussion session to be held on zoom on Saturday, March 9 at 10 AM. I urge you to join us for this important congregational conversation if your schedule permits. Join Zoom Meeting: https://zoom.us/j/95749970200. Meeting ID: 957 4997 0200

You should know that this whole process within the UUA has caused no small amount of controversy, especially among those who do not want "to move on" from our long-standing 7 principles and sources." Honestly, I personally have complicated feelings and thoughts about all this, but clearly the new proposal is on track to be adopted, and does reflect some broad-based "evolutions" that are happening within our denomination. What I think is important now is for the members and friends of our congregation (who are interested) to have the opportunity to 1) fully understand the new proposal, and 2) weigh in on how they feel and think about it. Again, I hope to see you on the Zoom call Saturday, March 9 at 10 AM -- when we will discuss all this in depth with one another.

Until then, all blessings.

We are proud to present another wonderful evening of live music, featuring the musical stylings of longtime joint force & multifaceted husband & wife combo, B-Free & Quinten Farr. This incredible team received rave reviews after last year's concert and we are thrilled to have them back again.

Doors Open at 6:30, concert begins at 7:00 and ends at 9:00. Beer, wine and non-alcoholic beverages will be available for purchase.

Tickets available for sale before and after service for $25 and through Eventbrite UCN Presents: B~Free & Quinten Farr Duo Tickets, Fri, Apr 19, 2024 at 7:00 PM | Eventbrite. Tickets are also available at the door, $30. Please join us!

Soliciting Testimonials

On March 17, our Sunday service will be lay led, focusing on a few testimonials from members who will report on a woman who has been/is influential for them. This could be a mentor, teacher, your mother, sister, a social justice activist. We all have personal histories, and sharing about inspiring women may contradict some experience of oppression. Persons of any gender may volunteer to speak. The service will end with singing a soaring tribute to women we are grateful to know and have known. Contact Joy Schroeder: peacenow@charter.net or Julie Konik: julie.konik@gmail.com to volunteer your 5 minute testimonial.

This week we will have classes for our school 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.

The elementary class will learn about protection and covenant. Our middle school class will explore silence and listening.

If you have extra buttons at home that you would like to donate, we are looking for ones with various sizes, shapes and colors for a button tree craft project for March 10. The buttons can be dropped off in the north lobby or by the Religious Education bulletin board in the fellowship hall.

During the winter months if we do not have extreme weather, we may have the kids play outside in the snow at the end of our structured activities or classes. Please bring winter clothing for your kids including a warm coat, hat, and mittens. If there is snow on the ground, also bring snow pants and boots.

Share the Plate Update

Food & Water Watch has been chosen by the Social Justice Committee to be the recipient of our Share the Plate offerings in March and April. Food and Water Watch is working to create a healthy future for all people and generations to come – a world where everyone has food, clean drinking water and a livable climate. This program is a grass roots organization mobilizing people to reclaim their political power, hold elected officials accountable and resist corporate control – ensuring we have all the essential resources we need to thrive. Making this happen involves people at the local, state and federal level, building on one win after another, into a movement that has the political power to make our democratic process work.

Half of the donations, cash or check, will go to Food and Water Watch. 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.

Christian Nationalism Documentary Available on YouTube

In recent weeks, both at the We All Belong training at UCN on February 17 and in the sermon given by Rev. Sarah Oelberg on February 25, the topic of christian nationalism was discussed at length. Notably, a film documentary produced by Rob Reiner was released in Wisconsin in the intervening week and is now available on YouTube with subscription.

“God & Country” documents the rise of what Reiner, and Emmy-nominated director Dan Partland, argue is a political movement that has "hijacked" Christianity in pursuit of a hardline political agenda and employing tactics antithetical to both U.S. democratic principles and the teachings of Jesus Christ. (from aol.com)

We hope you will become informed about this movement and consider ways to resist it. Our nation’s political future is in the balance.

Sincerely, Leigh Hoftiezer (Social Justice Comm.) and Julie Konik (Sunday Services Comm.)

Tuesdays in March

A Luncheon / Lecture Series - Sponsored by the Peace and International Issues Committee of the INTERFAITH CONFERENCE of GREATER MILWAUKEE

Speaking Truth to the Myths We Live By: March 5, 12, 19, and 26. 11:45 am to 1:30 pm.

March 5 - "Tall Tells: Mythical Wonders of White Supremacy"

Rhonda Hill has spent over a decade focusing on issues of racism and poverty. Her commitment to raising awareness about racism is seen through her previous work with the Milwaukee Social Development Commission, the YWCA and Greater Milwaukee Synod of the ELCA and most recently with the Interfaith Conference of Greater Milwaukee. Rhonda has dual master’s degree in marriage and family therapy and theology.

March 12 - "The Mythic Foundations of Christian Nationalism"

Rev. Dr. Demetrius K. Williams is a native Milwaukeean and comes from a tradition of Baptist ministers. Currently in his 42nd year of ministry, he has served as pastor of Churches in Dorchester, MA and New Orleans, LA. He is currently the pastor of the Community Baptist Church of Greater Milwaukee since 2009. As a bi-vocational pastor/academic, he is also an Associate Professor in the Global Studies Department at the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee, offering instruction in the Comparative Literature and Religious Studies programs. His fourth book, The Cross of Christ in African American Christian Religious Experience: Piety, Politics, and Protest (Rowman & Littlefield, 2023) was recently released and he has begun writing his sixth book which is on African American preaching titled, Black Preaching: White Backlash, Black Indifference—Hope for the Future (Orbis Books, 2025).

March 19 - "How AI Is Shaping the Way We Tell Stories & Share News"

Lindsay Muscato is a journalist and 2023-24 O'Brien Fellow at Marquette University. She was previously an editor at Time magazine as well as MIT Technology Review, and she writes about how technology influences the lives of everyday people.

March 26 - Meg Kissinger "Finally Talking About It: Mental Health's Myths & Realities"

Meg Kissinger is a Pulitzer Prize finalist and Milwaukee Journal Sentinel alum. Meg spent more than two decades traveling across the country to report on our nation's failed mental health system, winning dozens of national awards. Her new book memoir is "While You Were Out: An Intimate Family Portrait of Mental Illness in an Era of Silence."

REGISTER AT THIS LINK

$70.00 - Series of four

$20.00 - Individual sessions

$20.00 Remote Access for all sessions

Includes a simple buffet-style primarily vegetarian meal

In person lunch and speakers will be hosted at First Unitarian Society of Milwaukee – a Unitarian Universalist Congregation; 1342 N. Astor St., Milwaukee

Calling all Singers!

Mark your calendars:

March 3, 9:15 am rehearsal

March 10, 9:15 am rehearsal

March 17, 10:00 am sing at service

Details and other possible spring dates will follow. For more information, contact Janet Jensen at jan.jen33@gmail.com.

Looking forward to seeing and making music with you!

Scam Alerts!

• Remember that Rev. Scott will never send an email or text asking for money, gift card, or items. Just delete and block any you receive.
• And if anyone emails you asking for a UCN Directory, please do not send it. Just forward the email to info@ucnorth.org.

Photos Needed

If you haven't sent in a photo or had your picture taken by Jim DeLillo for our photo member directory, please send one to info@ucnorth.org. We want to see all your smiling faces!

Visitors

The following people visited our church recently:

• Laura and Matt Smith, Saukville

Thanks for visiting us. We hope that you come back soon!

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 will be held Wednesday, March 13 and Monday, March 25 from 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 March. 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.

Calendar through March 17

Meetings are held via Zoom, unless stated.

• Saturday, March 2, 9:00 am: Building Work Day (Brian Bunzel)
• Saturday, March 2, 10:00 am: FSL setup - Fellowship Hall (Linda Sandersen)
• Sunday, March 3, 9:15 am: Choir Rehearsal (Janet Jensen)
• Sunday, March 3: RE Classes (Betsy Muellenbach)
• Sunday, March 3, 11:30 am: First Sunday Lunch - Fellowship Hall
• Wednesday, March 6: UUs Out to Lunch (Brenda Berg)
• Thursday, March 7, 6:00 pm: Membership (Dan Lusk)
• Saturday, March 9, 10:00 am: Zoom Conversation "UUA Principles Revision"
• Sunday, March 10, 1:00 am: Set your clocks ahead one hour
• Sunday, March 10, 9:15 am: Choir Rehearsal (Janet Jensen)
• Sunday, March 10, 11:30 am: Barn Banter "Chalice Chats and Bridge to the Future"
• Monday, March 11, 6:30 pm: RE Committee (Betsy Muellenbach)
• Wednesday, March 13, 10:00 am: Good Grief Group (Judy DeLillo)
• Thursday, March 14, 6:30 pm: Sunday Services (Julie Konik)
• Sunday, March 17: RE Classes (Betsy Muellenbach)
• Sunday, March 17, 11:30 pm: Social Justice (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.

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.

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.

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.

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/