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.

Sep. 1: “Stumbling on Happiness,” Rev. Scott Alexander

Rev. Alexander writes: From the very founding of our nation, Americans have been

fixated on seeking happiness. The Declaration of Independence begins by affirming that human beings are “endowed with certain inalienable rights, among these are life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness.” But recently social scientists (from Harvard and other places) have been looking into why personal happiness proves so elusive for so many of us. Their answers may surprise you, and help you to your way to a happier, more satisfying life.

Sept. 8: Autumn Intergenerational In-Gathering Service, "The New What and How of Unitarian Universalism," Rev. Scott W. Alexander

On this traditional first Sunday of the new UCN church year, we will gather as an intergenerational community, and (with our children and youth) celebrate the ending of summer and the beginning of Fall. We will share in the ritual of stones and water which will help us look both back (to the summer that has just ended) and forward to the Autumn (which now begins). After our children adjourn to activities downstairs, Rev. Alexander will preach a short sermon entitled “The What and How of Unitarian Universalism: Then and Now” which will reflect on the new articulation of our UU faith adopted by the UUA as its annual General Assembly.

Dear Members and Friends of UCN,

I hope you are having a blessed, relaxed, safe and fun summer!

I am presently at my home in Chestertown, in the Adirondack section of New York, with Collins, enjoying a wonderful August of friends, family, outdoor cooking and cycling.

But as the days steadily get shorter, and first leaves of the maple trees around here begin turning red, I am keenly aware that Autumn (and a return to the full activities of UCN) is just around the corner. I look forward to my first Sunday back with you, on September 1, when my sermon title will be "Stumbling on Happiness," followed by our "homecoming/ingathering service" on September 8th when I will address "The New What and How of Unitarian Universalism" -- based on the newly adopted 2nd Article statement of our denomination's bylaws.

I hope that you have been enjoying the high quality services we have been providing every Summer Sunday this year...and I urge you to be at UCN over the next few remaining Sundays in August.

I also remind you that while I am your "half-time" minister (20 hours or so a week) , I remain available to you 365 days a year. Until I return to Southeastern Wisconsin later this month, I will be available to you by phone, emails or zoom meeting, should you have any pastoral or church business needs.

Unitarian Universalism is about many things, amongst them are a deep appreciation and gratitude for the gift of life. I hope you open your self and soul to fully enjoy these last weeks of summer warmth and relaxation with family and friends; see you soon!

Please join us in celebrating the new friends and members who have joined UCN in the past two years! Let’s step away from all of the busyness of church business and extend a warm, if belated, welcome to those who have chosen UCN. We acknowledge their presence, their gifts, energy and the many talents that they’re sharing with our community.

The September 15 Sunday service will include a special recognition followed by an extra special social hour following in the fellowship hall. Please plan to attend on this day and allow time for goodies and good conversation – it’s one of the things we do best!

Summer Fun RE Programming for the rest of Summer

On September 1st, we end the Summer Fun Programming with a BIG SPLASH! There will be water and bubble activities to celebrate a “cool” summer at UCN. Swimsuits, quick dry clothes or change of clothes recommended.

Looking Forward to Fall RE

September 8th is an intergenerational In Gathering Service.

September 15th is the start of our RE School Year.

Classes will begin on September 15th but we will kick off the RE year with an Ingathering Service on September 8th. This is a time of reunion; regathering; re-covenanting as a community of faith; hospitality; returning home to the church community that holds us; hope; looking forward with excitement to church year. The service will be intergenerational in part with time for the children to bond among themselves and share summer adventures and hopes for the future!

Our Whole Lives (OWL)

UCN is offering the Our Whole Lives (OWL) curriculum (https://www.uua.org/re/owl) to our middle and high school students this coming year. We currently have nine (9) students enrolled from UCN and UU West Church and hope that more students may be interested in participating in the program.

The OWL curriculum has been developed by the UUA and UCC with the goal of helping participants make informed and responsible decisions about their relationships, health and behavior. It equips participants with accurate, age-appropriate information in six subject areas: human development, relationships, personal skills, sexual behavior, sexual health, and society and culture. It provides not only facts about anatomy and human development, but helps participants to clarify their values, build interpersonal skills and understand the social, emotional and spiritual aspects of sexuality.

The classes will be offered from 10:00 - 11:30 AM, three Sundays a month, with breaks in December, Easter, Spring Break, etc. A mandatory, in-person, parent orientation will be Sunday, August 25th from 11:15 AM - 1:15 PM in the James Reeb Room.

Request for RE Teachers and Assistants

This coming school year for RE we are going from one class to three classes! Our classes will be K-2nd, 3rd-6th, and 7th-9th (OWL - Our Whole Lives). With the addition of these classes, we are in need of a few more RE teachers and assistants for each grade level. RE teachers and assistants typically teach about once a month with a curriculum that is already established by the UUA. Please consider joining our growing RE program at UCN. You'll learn as much from them as they do from you. If you are interested, please contact Jessy Knox (REFPC) refpc@ucnorth.org or Katie Egan-Bruhy (RE Committee Chair) egan.bruhy@gmail.com.

RE Office Hours

Jessy is in the office 10am-3pm on Wednesdays; call/text cell phone: 414-840-5377.

Save the Date

September 8, 11:00 am in the sanctuary

ADVOCATING FOR PEACE AND JUSTICE: A Non-partisan relationship building approach

The Friends Committee on National Legislation (FCNL) is the oldest faith-based (Quaker) non-partisan lobby organization on Capitol Hill with 135 advocacy teams in 47 states. Founded in 1943, it is highly respected by members of Congress and their staff for its consistent reliability working together over many years. Learn how the local Milwaukee FCNL Advocacy Team reaches out to offices of WI Senators and Representatives and how the relationships we build influence our members of Congress regarding legislation on important issues of peace, justice and environmental stewardship. The specific topic for 2024 is targeting a budget requirement that bloats the military budget by about $23 billion dollars.

Share the Plate Update

The Social Justice Committee has chosen the Ozaukee County Adult Literacy Project to receive the Share the Plate donations for September and October. The ALC ‘s mission is to provide individualized educational services for adult learners to improve academic and life skills in order to pursue their personal, professional, and life goals. One to one tutoring sessions allow students to set the goals for their particular needs that may include preparing for citizenship, GED candidates, college support and adult basic education.

The program began as a mission of Grace Lutheran Church in Grafton. It has become an independent nonprofit that still maintains an office and tutoring rooms in the church. The church provides utilities, phone and internet services, as well, helping to keep program costs low.

Half of the donations, cash or check, will go to the Ozaukee County Literacy project. 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. Thank you for your generosity.

Social Justice Reminders

• 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.

West Lobby Photo Board

The West Lobby Adopt-a-Room group has plans to refresh the photo collage with pictures that depict more recent members, children and activities of UCN. We are requesting that members submit photo files for consideration to be printed on photo paper and included in our display. Please, send photo files with good exposure and focus to photos@ucnorth.org with identification of the event and people/children depicted. Wait a week or so for email address to be set up. It is safest to ask for permission of all those in a photo to have their likeness displayed. Examples of pictures might include these: RE class, playground use, extracurricular events like Trunk or Treat, Social Justice Committee events, Holiday program, Choir performance, Guest in the Pulpit, Message for All Ages …

Thank you

Blood Drive Monday, Sept. 9, 1-6 pm

I want to personally ask you to please come and join us to help save some lives. Summer is winding down, kids are going back to school, we are all busy with our lives. While we are out running around, enjoying the sun and buying school supplies, there are many others who are hospitalized or being treated in an emergency room and in desperate need of a blood transfusion to save their life. You can make a big impact for someone in need.

The need for blood is constant and only volunteer donors can fulfill that need for patients in our community. Nationwide, someone needs a unit of blood every 2 to 3 seconds and most of us will need blood in our lifetime.

Thank you for supporting the American Red Cross blood program!

Hope to see you there! Sheri

Revised SCRIP Sale Schedule

In an effort to be more efficient, starting in September we are going to experiment with selling Scrip only on the first and third Sundays of the next several months. Watch for an announcement about a presentation by Rob Powell on how to maximize the benefit of Scrip sales to UCN. Coming soon!

Endowment Fund
Our Endowment Fund provides for long-term support of UCN programs and facilities. You are encouraged to think of the Endowment Fund when you consider making a gift in honor or memory of an individual, celebration of a graduation, wedding, anniversary, or special birthday. This is a great way to support the church while recognizing a significant event in someone’s life. Endowment gifts are acknowledged with a note sent to the person/group in whose name the gift was made. Brochures with more information on the endowment fund, along with envelopes, can be found in the lobby pamphlet rack.

• Recently a donation was made by Linda Brandenburg in memory of Bob Broman and David Schleif.

Thank you!

Riding to Fight Cancer

I will be participating in the Great Cycle Challenge in September to raise money to fight childhood cancer. If you'd like to donate or sponsor me, go to greatcyclechallenge.com/riders/lyngust . Thank you! Lyn Gust

Grief Group

The Good Grief support group will resume meeting for the fall. If you’ve experienced a loss and are in need of informal support, this may be a good resource for you. All are welcome. Our first gathering will be Wednesday, September 11 at 10:00 in the Emerson Room off of the North Lobby. Future dates include Sept 25; October 9 and 23; November 6 and 20; December 4.

Contact Judy DeLillo at 720-935-0851 or judelillo2@gmail.com with any questions.

Events at UCN

• "Qi Gong and Tai Chi" will resume in September on most Saturdays at 11 am in the Fellowship Hall. Call Diane at 307-763-0903 for dates and details. First class is free for UCN members.
• 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 Fellowship Hall and online.
  

Thank you for supporting the groups that use our facilities.

Calendar through September 15

Meetings are held via Zoom, unless stated.

• Wednesday, Sept. 4: UUs Out to Lunch (Brenda Berg)
• Saturday, Sept. 7, 9am-3pm: Building Work Day (Brian Bunzel)
• Sunday, Sept. 8, 11:00 am: Social Justice Speaker - Sanctuary (Leigh Hoftiezer)
• Sunday, Sept. 8, 11:30 am: Social Justice Meeting - James Reeb (Leigh Hoftiezer)
• Monday, Sept. 9, 1-6 pm: Blood Drive - Fellowship Hall (Sherri Yelton-Mounts)
• Monday, Sept. 9, 7:00 pm: RE Committee (Katie Egan-Bruhy)
• Wednesday, Sept. 11, 10:00 am: Good Grief Group - Emerson (Judy DeLillo)
• Thursday, Sept. 12, 6:30 pm: Sunday Services (Julie Konik)
• Sunday, Sept. 15: New Member & Pledging Friend Recognition during and after the service

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: The Sunday Services Committee encourages individuals and committees to make announcements via the attached form (below). Giving this form to the Sunday Service Assistant before the service can streamline our announcements and make the service more engaging. If you have any questions, please contact Sunday Service Committee Chair, Julie Konik, at Julie.Konik@gmail.com or 920-750-4385.

• 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/. Fall retreat: October 18-20 at a new location near West Bend.
• You are encouraged to subscribe to MidAmerica Region's newsletter, News page. More information at uua.org/midamerica .
• The UU 2024-25 Common Read is Authentic Selves: Celebrating Trans and Nonbinary People and Their Families (Skinner House, 2023). The Common Read builds community in our congregations and our movement by giving diverse people a shared platform for reflection and a shared focus for action. Authentic Selves invites us to explore the nature of living authentically and the ways connections among us help us thrive. Visit uua.org/read for more information.

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).

• Rev. Scott will never ask you to buy a gift card for him. Please don't fall for these scams.

• Our photo directory of members and pledging friends is sent out a few times each year. If you would prefer a printed color copy, we can print them for $5. Just tell Lyn if you want one.

• Adopt A Room is still looking for people to get involved. See the display board in the north lobby to sign up, or contact Judy DeLillo at judelillo2@gmail.com for more information.
  

• 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.

• Are you or someone you know in need of help with basic food supplies? The Family Sharing food pantry is here when you need us. Our Mobile Pantry travels to locations in northern and southern Ozaukee. We also offer in-person shopping and deliver groceries to senior living complexes. Call us for more information. 262-377-0634 x125.

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.
  

• Update: UU Ladies' Lunch meets on the third Thursday of every month at 11:30 at Crave Restaurant, on Port Washington Road in Mequon.
  

Fundraising and Donations

• UCN is now able to accept donations via PayPal.

• Food Barrels: Don’t forget to grab a food item out of your pantry for the food barrel as you leave for church. Donations go to the Ozaukee Food Alliance. We are also accepting donations for pet food and small containers of litter. These donations go to the Humane Society of Ozaukee County's Pet Pantry, serving individuals who need help feeding their pets.
  

• 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. To sign up, use the code for UCN: 1F3EE5A9248LL. And use the QR code above for easy enrollment.

• If you order from Quill.com and tell them UCN recommended them, UCN will earn a $50 gift card.

Please submit articles for the Northliner to info@ucnorth.org. To keep the Northliner from becoming cumbersome, 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) or Carissa Mooren (live4him56@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.

Jessy Knox, RE Coordinator

Jessy can be contacted at refpc@ucnorth.org or at 414-840-5377.

Wednesdays 10 am-3 pm: Office hours

Saturdays 10 am-1 pm: RE Prep (some of this time will be remote)

Sundays 8:30 am-12:30 pm: RE Sunday Time

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
Phone: 262-375-3890
Facebook:https://www.facebook.com/UnitarianChurchNorthMequonWI/