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.

December 8: “The Rich Man and the Needle: Jesus’ (Uncomfortable) Gospel of Distributive Justice,” Rev. Scott W. Alexander

Scott writes: Every year in December, as the Christmas holiday approaches, I preach a sermon on the true meaning of Jesus’s life and teachings. There are many questions about the meaning of many of Jesus’ pronouncements and parables, but there can be little doubt about his repeated message on social and economic justice. For example, there are simply no ways to misinterpret his statement, "It is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle, than for a rich man to enter into the kingdom of God” (Matthew 19:26). Do be with us as we together look a little deeper into the stark implications of what Jesus was saying to his followers.

Dec. 15: "Sacred Darkness,” Rev. Jacqueline Ziegler

The Rev. Jacqueline Ziegler is speaking. A beautiful song will be performed by our pianist Cathy Reich and vocalist Callie Thurow.

With the increasing darkness that comes with winter, many people become gloomy and some even become depressed. Few people find anything positive about darkness, let alone find healing comfort in it. Just about everyone looks forward to the time when daylight increases. But there is intrinsic worth inherent in darkness that most of us don’t recognize. In my reflection I’ll lift up some of those hauntingly beautiful qualities and benefits. Come and discover darkness’s sacredness.

The Rev. Jacqueline Ziegler recently retired and lives in Wauwatosa, Wisconsin. Before retiring she served as the Settled Minister for the UU Church of Boulder, Colorado and Acting Minister for the Stockton Universalist Congregation in Stockton, Illinois. She also served as an interim minister for nine Unitarian Universalist congregations specializing in helping congregations who were experiencing conflict.

She graduated in 1994 with a joint Masters of Divinity degree from Meadville Lombard School of Theology and the University of Chicago’s Divinity School with emphasizes on ecological and process theology and democracy. She is very engaged in the climate change movement and has participated in many climate change rallies and non-violent acts of civil disobedience. Rev. Jackie considers climate change to be THE MORAL ISSUE of 21st century and most likely the greatest challenge humanity has ever faced.

A Contemplative, Contemporary Winter Solstice Celebration

Saturday, December 21 at 7 pm at Unitarian Church North

This service offers a blend of the ancient as well as contemporary understandings for observing and celebrating the Winter Solstice. It includes readings, poems, moments of silence, songs, community drumming and singing and a candle-lighting ritual.

Come early as seats fill up quickly.

IMPORTANT NOTICE: Parents, this is a longer service. Older children who are able to sit quietly and for a longer period of time are invited to attend and participate. For other children, free childcare is available if a reservation is made.

Bring a drum OR anything that makes a sound (an oatmeal box, coffee can, shakers, etc.). After the service there will be a social time with treats and beverages.

To make a childcare reservation or for more information contact Julie Konik at 920-750-4385, Julie.Konik@gmail.com.

Here's the link to Rev. Scott's sermon, "Five Smooth Stones #4: Work" from Dec. 1: https://docs.google.com/document/d/1TTB9GoqO9uSPRkZquuChFRbYlwDT0gvh/edit?usp=sharing&ouid=109072791973067277249&rtpof=true&sd=true

RE update

This Sunday 12/8 we continue our 5-week stretch of holiday RE fun together. Last Sunday we crafted incredible sparkly snowflakes for our very own RE EVERGREEN Holiday Tree, compliments of UCN member Adelia Serron (aka Dee) which we get to keep for this season... and beyond! These sparkly snowflakes turned out quite magical, please come see them on our tree in the Clara Barton Classroom (3rd-6th) grade.

This Sunday 12/8 we have our Holiday Store for our RE children. We will be offering them an opportunity to purchase gifts for the family with a food or pet pantry donation, if you are able. Please bring “gifts” you are no longer using that the children may want to give their family members: coffee table books, puzzles, jewelry, candles, stuffed animals, games, and knick-knacks. “Gift Boxes" are located in both entrance lobbies to put your donations in. Elves are needed on December 8th to help the children find that perfect gift and to wrap. Please contact Rosa Gomez at rosam1977@att.net or call/text 414-628-1051.

On Sunday 12/15 we will be all together again making holiday music magic with Leigh, Jan and our Holiday Bells (instruments). We will prepare for our Intergenerational Holiday Service on December 22, when the RE students will have the opportunity to perform for the congregation with Leigh, Jan and our holiday bells. We will also be holiday crafting like crazy. Katie found some really fun holiday themed crafts for us to enjoy together. This is another day where help will be needed to make it the best it can be.

On Sunday 12/22 we have our Intergenerational Holiday Service and Holiday Bells performance. The Sunday Worship Committee & RE want to make our Intergenerational Services as enjoyable for our students and families as possible. The songs, stories and service message have been chosen and constructed with all audiences in mind. We know it can get long but we encourage you to stay in the service and participate. These are for you, too!! With that said, if students are unable to stay in the service they must be accompanied by an adult, preferably a parent, particularly in the "Quiet Room" so it stays truly quiet, because it is right up against our sanctuary. The Nursery needs to remain a safe and peaceful place for our youngest, so it's not a place for our K and older students to be playing. If you feel you could use additional help participating productively in our Intergenerational Services, let's talk together and make a plan. We understand that one thing doesn't work for everyone and want to help each of our RE students enjoy church.

On Sunday 12/29 we have our RE NEW YEAR'S EVE Party. Wear comfy, cozy PJ's (if you want to). We'll have festive holiday hats and horns, music and a Ball Drop of course! We will also have a few more treats than usual during snack time.

On Sunday 1/5/2025 (!) we have our annual All Souls Cafe for UCN members, friends, and students of all ages to share their talents with the congregation. This could be another opportunity to perform our Holiday Bells together :) Do you have a song you've learned to perform? Do you play the piano? Or another instrument? Would you be willing to share your skills with us? We'd love it! This is a great opportunity to practice public speaking and performing in a safe and supportive space.

Hand Bell Choir

There is an opportunity for your young ones to participate in the hand bell choir that Janet Jensen and Leigh Hoftiezer are forming. Children who are interested in performing AND can be at church for the Dec. 15 practice (during RE time), AS WELL AS the performance during the Dec. 22 service, are welcome!

It will help the organizers to know how many kids to expect. We have two songs for the kids to choose from and if it goes well, we may do both! Children who aren’t playing bells can sing along at the service.

Would those of you who plan to attend church on the 15th and 22nd, please ask your children if they want to be in the bell choir? Replies can be sent to Jessy Knox (jessylynnknox@gmail.com), Janet Jensen (jan.jen33@gmail.com), and Leigh Hoftiezer (Leigh.hoftiezer@gmail.com).

Just a Note

It’s wonderful to see the camaraderie that has developed among our RE children. They so enjoy the time after class to play. But the RE Committee wants to remind families that following service adults should be attending to their children. Our nursery staff is only paid until 11:15 and Jessy needs the time after service to connect with families and teachers. In addition to the playground there are board games available, but we ask that families supervise after 11:15

Share the Plate Update

The Social Justice Committee has chosen Just Listen, Inc. to receive Share the Plate donations for November and December. Just Listen’s mission is to provide support and resources for those affected by addiction. Founded in Ozaukee County, in 2011, their most prominent services are for those in recovery from substance abuse, on the road to recovery, and those affected by addiction. The Ozaukee County Court system recognizes Just Listen as an important and effective resource for those who have legal encounters precipitated by their drug use. Judges make referrals to programs the organization offers.

Our own Brian Bunzel, who nominated Just Listen, has facilitated a partnership between Just Listen and UCN: They do landscape projects in exchange for use of our building for some of their meetings/events.

Half of the donations, cash or check, will go to Just Listen, Inc. Checks can be written to UCN with “Share the Plate” (STP) on the memo line. On our website, www.ucnorth.org, you can donate by using PayPal. Thank you for your generosity.

Interfaith Luncheon

The Interfaith Conference of Greater Milwaukee will hold its 54th Annual Luncheon on Thursday, December 5, 2024, at 12:00 Noon, at Marquette University's Alumni Memorial Union. Our keynote speaker will be award-winning photographer John Noltner, who uses portraits and personal stories to bridge divides and encourage dialogue around important issues. He is a founder of A Peace of My Mind. He will be debuting a presentation that he is creating for the Interfaith Conference.

Online registration is anticipated to begin next week, so please go to our website to purchase tickets or table sponsorships. www.interfaithconference.org

The UCN Fund for Social Justice Deadline Approaches!

Are you a UCN member who is familiar with an organization in the Greater Milwaukee Area that is involved in social justice work that benefits the community? Would you like to see them receive hundreds of dollars from our church to support their mission? Now is the time to fill out a nomination form for the UCN Fund for Social Justice. The firm deadline is January 15. A link to the nomination form is included with this article. You can also find it on the UCN website under Serve/Social Justice/Our Social Justice Efforts/UCN Fund for Social Justice. You can also pick up a nomination form in the west lobby.

Disbursements will be made in areas of human services and will be consistent with UCN's vision and mission, and the mission of the UUSC, as outlined in the “Structure and Responsibilities of the Social Justice Committee.”

Disbursements, generally, will be made to 501c3 charitable organizations in the Greater Milwaukee Area, although the Social Justice Committee may wish to support efforts that may not be organized as a 501c3.The Social Justice Committee may seek guidance from the Greater Milwaukee Foundation on the integrity of potential recipients.

Contact Leigh Hoftiezer should you have any questions.

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.

Important!

For security reasons, the entry doors will now lock at 10:15 on Sunday mornings.

Wanted: Items That Can Be Used as Drums and Sound Makers

UCN is offering a Contemporary Contemplative Winter Solstice service on Saturday, December 21 at the church. The service includes drumming and other kinds of sounds. This service will be open to the public, and they don’t know to bring a drum or some kind of sound making item. In order to increase the possibility that everyone will be able to participate, we are asking members and friends to save their 1 and 2 pound coffee cans and lids, oatmeal boxes and lids, shakers, etc., and drop them off in UCN’s library any time before the Winter Solstice service.

Visitors

The following people visited our church recently:

• Nicholas Peeples, Thiensville
• Cynthia McGovern, Saukville

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

Office Hours

The office will be closed for the holidays on Dec. 24 and 25, and Jan. 1.

Ministerial Search Committee

The Leadership Board has moved swiftly to address Rev Scott's upcoming retirement. It has approved a search committee which has already met and begun the search process. Its members are Callie Thurow, Joy Schroeder, Judy DeLillo, Laura Smith, Leigh Hoftiezer, Sherryl Andrus, and Gerry Schmitz. Please feel free to forward any comments or concerns to any of the members.

Share your Talents in the All Soul's Cafe

One of the many great traditions we enjoy at UCN is the welcoming of the new year with an
all-church talent show. Everyone is invited to participate in this community event on January 5, 2025, taking the place of the regular service at 10:00 am. We need singers, dancers, poets, mimes, or whatever you're inspired to do within a 5-minute or less performance. All ages are welcome, but you have to sign up by Sunday, December 22 to be included in the show!

Get in touch with Linda Sandersen at Lsandersen@wi.rr.com with any questions or to sign up.

Office Help

We are looking for one more person to help out in the office when Lyn is unavailable. If you are comfortable on the computer, we'd love you to join our current volunteers, Dan Lusk and Leigh Hoftiezer. Thank you!

SCRIP Presentation

If you missed the zoom presentation about SCRIP, you can watch it here: https://drive.google.com/file/d/1Q3rZ3dXo96XBGI9we5yhWzCZGS3na22O/view?usp=sharing

And here is the printed presentation: https://drive.google.com/file/d/1cqepjwzsulkcGfp0cR6flyDO1eX1XWBX/view?usp=sharing

Grief Group

The Good Grief support group meets every other week on Wednesday at 10:00 am in the James Reeb Room, right inside the lower level entrance. If you’ve experienced a loss and are in need of informal support, this may be a good resource for you. All are welcome. The next dates are December 18 and January 8. Contact Judy DeLillo at 720-935-0851 or judelillo2@gmail.com with any questions.

Events at UCN

• "Qi Gong and Tai Chi" will resume be held 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.
• The next Wis. Singer Songwriter Concert will be held December 7. 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 Fellowship Hall and online. During voting, meetings are held in the Sanctuary, upper level.
  

Thank you for supporting the groups that use our facilities.

Calendar through December 22

Meetings are held via Zoom, unless stated.

• Saturday, December 7, 9am--3pm: Building Work Day (Brian Bunzel)
• Sunday, December 8: RE Holiday Store (Katie Egan-Bruhy)
• Sunday, December 8, 10:00 am: OWL Class - James Reeb (Jessy Knox)
• Sunday, December 8, 11:30 am: Social Justice - Library (Leigh Hoftiezer)
• Monday, December 9, 7:00 pm: RE Committee (Katie Egan-Bruhy)
• Thursday, December 12, 6:30 pm: Sunday Services (Julie Konik)
• Sunday, December 15, 10:00 am: OWL Class - James Reeb (Jessy Knox)
• Monday, December 16, 7:30 pm: Comm/Tech (Carissa Mooren)
• Tuesday, December 17, 7:00 pm: Finance (Sherryl Andrus)
• Wednesday, December 18, 10:00 am: Good Grief Group - James Reeb Room (Judy DeLillo)
• Thursday, December 19, 11:30 am: UU Ladies' Lunch - Crave Restaurant (Brenda Berg)
• Thursday, December 19, 6:30 pm: Solstice Celebration Rehearsal - Sanctuary (Julie Konik)
• Saturday, December 21, 7:00 pm: Winter Solstice Celebration - Sanctuary, Fellowship Hall

Note: the Christmas Eve Candlelight Service will be held at 5:00 pm on Tues, Dec. 24.

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 .
• GA is June 18-22 in Baltimore. See the schedule at https://www.uua.org/ga/program/schedule
• 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.

• You can find copies of the Leadership List, Member Directory, Annual Report and Annual Financial Report in the library.

• 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. We are requesting that members submit photo files for consideration to be printed on photo paper and included in our display in the west lobby. Please, send photo files with good exposure and focus to photos@ucnorth.org with identification of the event and people/children depicted.

• 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. Narcan (Naloxone) nasal spray, to reverse an opioid overdose, is also available there. 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/