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.

February 9: “The Spirituality of Solitude,” Rev. Scott W. Alexander

Scott writes: “What better time -- than these slower days of mid-winter? – to reflect on the importance of solitude in our lives. Solitude, unlike loneliness, can be put to positive purpose in our spiritual lives…do be with us as we explore this important topic together….by way of 19th Century Unitarian seer Henry David Thoreau.

February 16 – “The Spirituality of Luck,” Rev. Scott W. Alexander

Scott writes: “The lives we live on this earth are filled with copious amounts of both good and bad luck…but seldom do we think about luck as having a spiritual dimension. I am persuaded that how we respond to the various shades of luck that enter our lives has everything to say about how successfully we will navigate our days on the earth.”

Here is the link to Rev. Scott's sermon from February 2, on Stewardship: https://docs.google.com/document/d/1ivA92M_ulRWFAzMOWADJgzaaJF7HxpGy/edit?usp=sharing&ouid=109072791973067277249&rtpof=true&sd=true

UCN Parents' Night

Come join us February 13th from 6-8 pm downstairs for Parent’s Night at Unitarian Church North! No need to be there at 6, join us whenever you can! We’ll have pizza for everyone and childcare from 6-7, so the parents can socialize with a lightly guided discussion. Bring your own drinks! Please RSVP to Carissa @ Live4him56@gmail.com for childcare.

RE Update

Sunday Feb 9th Constance and Liam are in the Nursery, which means Liam could likely be assisting in one of the two classrooms, depending on attendance. We are prepared for more because we want to continue to grow our attendance in all RE age groups.

The K-2nd class will be focusing on "Beauty in Nature" with the beautiful Leigh, Rosa and Ruth. This session explores the universal need for beauty and cultivates children's appreciation of nature's beauty. Activities draw from the UU Source, "Direct experience of that transcending mystery and wonder, affirmed in all cultures, which moves us to a renewal of the spirit and an openness to the forces that create and uphold life." We experience great awe and wonder when contemplating the elegance of the systems and the beauty of the materials that sustain all of Earth's abundant and diverse life forms. Perhaps along with our survival needs, it is the love and appreciation for the planet's beauty that moves us to protect it.

The 3rd-6th class theme is "Do No Harm" with Chuck, Pete & Kas, and myself (Jessy). This session introduces non-violence as an aspect of goodness which is integrally connected with justice. While children are more ready to understand the expressions of violence and non-violence than the inner conditions that create these expressions, this session will address both inner spiritual peacefulness as well as peaceful relationships within the world. As suggested by the 1948 quotation from Mohandas Gandhi which opens this session, you cannot have one peace without the other. "Non-violence is not a garment to be put on and off at will. Its seat is in the heart, and it must be an inseparable part of our very being." — Mohandas K. Gandhi

The OWL class is diving deeper into Unit 4 Contemporary Issues with Workshop 15: Bullying and Bystander Responsibilities with Larken Jorgensen and Peggy Creer.

4th Sunday Outdoor Hikes

February 23rd * * March 23rd * * April 20th * * May 25th

June, July & August: All of our Summer RE classes are outdoors, with rainy day inside activities if needed.

Sept 28th * * Oct 26th * * Nov 23rd * * Dec 28th

This past Sunday marked the kick-off of the 2025-26 UCN stewardship campaign. Thanks to those who have already gotten their pledge forms sent in! We are asking that pledge forms be completed and turned in by February 26th. The pledge amounts inform the budget for next year, so knowing what we can count on really helps!

If you have misplaced the stewardship campaign documents, there are copies of each of the papers attached. If you need new paperwork but are unable to print the attachments, please email me at treasurer@ucnorth.org. I will happily send you copies.

Remember, this is your opportunity to “Keeping Our Beacon Bright” as a Unitarian Church North member or friend by continuing your financial support of our physical structure, our ministerial care, and our community and social justice outreach. Thank you for your continued support!

Julie Zumach, UCN Treasurer

Oneida Nation Culture and History Speaker

A unique opportunity has come our way through contact with a current honoree on the Social Justice wall. Elected councilman Marlon Skenandore of the Oneida Nation will speak about Oneida history and culture, with emphasis on the strength and vibrancy of the Oneida Nation. The cultural heritage that continues to be honored to this day will be discussed as well. Join UCN’s Social Justice Committee as we welcome Mr. Marlon Skenandore, Councilman on the Oneida Business Committee on Friday, February 21, 2025. A buffet dinner will be provided in the Fellowship Hall free of charge at 5:30 to those who let Leigh Hoftiezer know they are coming by February 16. Sign up on the list in the North Lobby or email eventRSVP@UCNorth.org. The lecture will begin in the sanctuary at 6:30 p.m., also at no cost. Children and adults are welcome! The talk he will give that evening at UCN is the same one he give to 3rd graders that morning, so it is definitely designed with both kids and adults in mind!

This presentation will also be accessible on zoom:

https://zoom.us/j/95834331887?pwd=BjsGAMPRtdkYn5ASaoSSZ1uJdmO6Uz.1

In Celebration of Black History Month

Every Sunday in February at UCN you will discover a new Order-of-Service insert depicting a Black person whose personal history evolved in the State of Wisconsin. We hope you will enjoy learning about these people and will be inspired to look up more information at your leisure. Wikipedia is an excellent resource for such things!

MICAH Black History Celebration

The Milwaukee Inner-City Congregations Allied for Hope, or MICAH, is hosting a celebration of Black History Month on Thursday, February 27, 2025, with a dinner beginning at 5:30 pm. Featured speakers from the Young Adult Leaders Panel will address the issue of “Black excellence is not a trend; it is a legacy.” The event will take place at Canaan Baptist Church, Beecham Outreach Center, 2964 N. 11th St., Milwaukee. The cost is $50 per person, ages 12 and up, and $25 per person ages 5 to 11. Dinner options include vegetarian or chicken. Please register at this link: https://bit.ly/MICAHBHM25

Join WISDOM For FREE State Budget Training Sessions!

Are you ready to make a difference in your community by understanding and influencing the state budget process? Join us for one of our free State Budget Training sessions!

These interactive sessions will empower you with the tools and knowledge to navigate the state budget process effectively and make your voice heard.

Upcoming Training Sessions are scheduled for Eau Claire and Green Bay. Scheduling info can be found on Facebook @ WISDOMWisconsin.

Milwaukee: Saturday, March 1 | 12:00-2:00 PM
Location: Welford Sanders Enterprise Center (Conference Room)
2821 N. Vel R. Philips Ave., Milwaukee, WI 53212
Register Here

This event aims to educate participants on the intricacies of the state budget, including its development process, key components, and implications for local communities. Attendees will gain valuable insights into how the budget affects various sectors and learn strategies to effectively advocate for community needs. Don’t miss this opportunity to learn how to advocate for change effectively. Together, we can shape a better future.

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.

UCN Game Day

Saturday, February 22nd 2-6 pm

Our next GAME DAY is only a few weeks away! Hooray!! Time to gather our favorite games and get together at church for some fierce and friendly competition. Did you get a new game over the holidays that you'd like to share? I did! This is a free event. We'll have games for all ages. We will work to have a variety of game options but none will be electronic. Games and snacks will be provided and you are welcome to bring your favorite game and/or snack to add to the fun.

We Welcome Our New Members

• Rev. Scott Alexander and H. Collins Mikesell

Please help them feel welcome.

Visitors

The following people visited our church recently:

• Dave and Kelly Northridge, Cedarburg
• Mary Volmer, Menomonee Falls
• Margaret, Dan and Zawadi Callahan
• Lennox Shuppe, Jackson

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

Mequon Voters

For the spring primary election on Feb. 18, all Mequon residents will vote at City Hall on election day.

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 Brian Monroe and Nancy Neumann in memory of Carol Broman.

Thank you!

Grief Group

The Good Grief support group will resume meeting in March. We meet the 2nd and 4th 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. Contact Judy DeLillo at 720-935-0851 or judelillo2@gmail.com with any questions.

Events at UCN

• "Qi Gong and Tai Chi" will 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 February 8. 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.

Community Events

Registration is ongoing for North Shore School for Seniors (NSSS) for the Spring 2025 session. Topics include history, languages, arts & crafts, local interest, Nature, exercise and more. Classes meet Monday or Tuesday at United Methodist Church of Whitefish Bay, 819 E. Silver Spring Dr., Whitefish Bay. Class info and online registration is at nss4s.org and catalogs are available for pickup at the church. The first term runs from March 10 & 11 to March 31 & April 1. The second term is April 14 & 15 to May 5 & 6. (There are no classes on April 7 & 8.) Email questions to nssbxt@gmail.com or phone (414) 292-0960. All are welcome!

Calendar through February 16

Meetings are held via Zoom, unless stated.

• Sunday, Feb. 9, 10:00 am: OWL Class - Reeb (Jessy Knox)
• Sunday, Feb. 9, 11:30 am: Social Justice - Library (Leigh Hoftiezer)
• Monday, Feb. 10, 7:00 pm: RE Committee (Katie Egan-Bruhy)
• Thursday, Feb. 13, 6:00 pm: Parents' Night - Fellowship Hall (Carissa Mooren)
• Thursday, Feb. 13, 6:30 pm: Sunday Services (Julie Konik)
• Monday, Feb. 17, 7:30 pm: Comm/Tech/Social Media (Carissa Mooren)
• Tuesday, Feb. 18, 7:00 pm: Finance (Sherryl Andrus)
• Thursday, Feb. 20, 11:30 am: UU Ladies' Lunch - Crave (Brenda Berg)
• Thursday, Feb. 20, 7:00 pm: Setup for Friday's Presentation - Sanctuary and Fellowship Hall
• Friday, Feb. 21, 5-8 pm: Oneida Nation History and Culture - Sanctuary and Fellowship Hall (Leigh Hoftiezer)
• Saturday, Feb. 22, 2-6 pm: Game Day - Fellowship Hall (Bernie Booth)
• Sunday, Feb. 23, 10:00 am OWL Class - Reeb (Jessy Knox)

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. Register at https://www.uua.org/ga/registration .
• 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. And if someone asks you for a copy of the member directory, please refer them to info@ucnorth.org, as they might not be who they say they are.

• 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.
  If you would like a printed black and white copy of the directory or the Leadership List, just ask Lyn in the office.

• You can find copies of the Annual Report and Annual Financial Report in the library.

• 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 alicejkieren@gmail.com .

• 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. Presentation: https://drive.google.com/file/d/1Q3rZ3dXo96XBGI9we5yhWzCZGS3na22O/view?usp=sharing

• 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/