


The Northliner
December 8, 2023
Sunday Services
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.
December 10: “The Real War on Christmas,” Rev. Scott W. Alexander preaching
Scott writes: Over the past decade or so, every December, conservative social and religious commentators in America issue angry and hysterical warnings that there is a sinister “war” being waged against Christmas by “the liberal left.” It seems to me, however, that the “real” war against Christmas – the real threat to the true meaning of the holiday -- is coming not from liberals and progressives, but from the conservatives themselves. This Sunday, let us remind our hearts about the true meaning of Jesus’ life and teachings.
December 17: “Ring in the Season of Joy!” Our festive Intergenerational service of story and song the Sunday before Christmas, Rev. Scott W. Alexander
This Sunday, as an intergenerational community, we will celebrate the many songs and stories – moods and meanings – of this special time of year. We will sing some of the favorite carols of the season, and share some wonderful holiday stories. This serviced is designed to delight folks of all ages and backgrounds…do be with us.
From Rev. Scott
You are invited to join in a Zoom conversation
"Navigating the Holidays with Enjoyment, Purpose and Calm"
Saturday, December 9 at 10 AM
Scott writes: Every December many of us are challenged -- in many different ways and for many different reasons -- by the holiday season and its many expectations, routines, memories and traditions. In addition, this year in particular events our nation and world seem hell-bent on adding stress and worry in this special time of the year.
On Saturday morning, Dec. 9, I want to provide a calm and thoughtful opportunity for us -- as members and friends of UCN -- to come together over zoom to reflect together on how we can (both individually and collectively) make this season one of enjoyment, purpose and calm. I want us to share with one another practical ways to make this season more meaningful and satisfying...and I want to share several "spiritual practices" which I believe might help. Do join us (with a hot cup of coffee or tea) if your schedule permits.
Topic: UCN navigating Christmas discussion
Time: Dec 9, 2023 10:00 AM Central Time (US and Canada)
Join Zoom Meeting
https://zoom.us/j/96299730800
Meeting ID: 962 9973 0800
Religious Education
Kid’s Night Out – December 15th
UCN is hosting a Kid’s Night Out with dinner, movies, games and crafts, while parents enjoy dinner out, shopping, a movie, quiet time or whatever. We’re hoping the kids will want to join us! Drop off is Friday, December 15th in the lower-level Fellowship Hall at 5:30; pick up is at 8:00. Jammies, stuffed animals, and favorite games are welcome. Please call Katie Egan-Bruhy (262-339-2104) with questions and RSVP (egan.bruhy@gmail.com) by the evening of Sunday December 10th.
Classes
This Sunday, Dec. 10, children's classes do not meet. Nursery is provided throughout the service for infants and toddlers. After the story for all ages, elementary school children may join our staffed nursery.
Please contact Betsy Muellenbach at betsy.muellenbach@gmail.com with any questions.
UCN Quilting Bee: December 13
Please join us for the next phase in the creation of our Name Quilt on Wednesday, December 13 in the Fellowship Hall. This round will be “Slow Stitching”. A description is below, but the important thing is Dana tells me anyone can do this work – even people like me who can barely sew on a button. Come one, come all!
Pizza, wine and other beverages will be provided starting at 5pm, but feel free to join in anytime during the evening. All sewing materials will be provided, along with rides for those not comfortable driving at night. If you would like to join please let Ed Ahrenhoerster know at ed.ahrenhoerster@nwsdigital.com (gotta make sure we have enough pizza! (and wine!!)). Email me with any questions as well.
What is ‘Slow Stitching’? (by Dana Lusk)
Do you find yourself losing sight of the joys of slowing down and enjoying small, simple, ways of being? I did…. then I discovered the concept of Slow Stitching, which has gained popularity among the fabric art world. Slow stitching is a mindful practice of slowing down with needle, thread, and fabric to create with our hands, just as our ancestors did.
As one blogger wrote: “When we sit with our slow stitching, we are able to connect head, hands, and heart to mend ourselves in this world. To create a thread connection between others doing similar things.” I cannot think of a better use of this mindful, healing practice of slow stitching, than to gather with those in our church family and slow stitch together the blocks of our UCN quilt!
Holiday Service Schedule
Dec. 17: “Ring in the Season of Joy!” Our festive Intergenerational service of story and song the Sunday before Christmas, Rev. Scott W. Alexander
This Sunday, as an intergenerational community, we will celebrate the many songs and stories – moods and meanings – of this special time of year. We will sing some of the favorite carols of the season, and share some wonderful holiday stories. This serviced is designed to delight folks of all ages and backgrounds…do be with us.
Dec. 24: Christmas Eve Intergenerational Candlelight Service, Rev. Scott Alexander
5 PM
This December 24th, we will gather, just after dark (at 5 PM) in our sanctuary for our Intergenerational Christmas Eve Candlelight service. Together we will listen to and sing some of the favorite music and carols of the season, and share in some of the beautiful stories and meanings of this most precious of seasons. Do be with us this Christmas Eve for this very special service, and feel free to bring family or friends with you!
Dec. 31: "Y R U A UU?" ("Why Are You a UU?")
Dan Lusk will lead a totally participatory service for those who wish to take part. We will share our religious journeys to become a UU today. Were you a former Catholic, Lutheran, or some other faith? Are you a lifelong UU? Join us for some interesting revelations from our members and curious visitors. Participation may be limited depending on attendees in order to keep the service to an hour or so.
Jan. 7: All Souls’ Cafe
Welcome the new year with our all-church talent show, at our regular 10 am service. See details below.
All Soul's Cafe' - Sunday, Jan. 7, 2024
We will welcome in the New Year - 2024 - with our annual All Soul's Cafe', at 10 am on Sunday, January 7, 2024. There's still room for more acts, so if you would like to sing, play an instrument, dance, read a poem, or whatever you do, please let me know by Dec. 24 by email to: lsandersen@wi.rr.com. Brittney has kindly offered to accompany anyone who would like that. Please email me at: lsandersen@wi.rr.com.
Since a cafe' needs some food, please bring some cookies, coffeecake, donuts, or something else for a good brunch. We'll be serving in the West lobby.
* Social and Racial Justice
Amnesty International Write for Rights Campaign
This year’s AI campaign features 10 people and communities worldwide whose human rights are violated by governments, police, or big corporations. Visit their website https://www.amnestyusa.org to learn more about this year's Write for Rights cases. Here’s how you can take part for this year.
This year we can Sign All Petitions on-line with one click:
Or Write a Letter for each case and Change a Life by clicking here:
These are people and communities that have been attacked and harassed for protecting their land and water; threatened, harassed, and intimidated for defending their communities; prosecuted for defending safe abortion; and imprisoned for peacefully protesting or speaking out.
Thank you!
* Announcements
Thank You!
First Sunday lunch was well-attended! Thanks to all the participants who provided delicious chili (Leigh Hoftiezer, Alice Kieren, Cindy Kotecki, Linda Sandersen) and great deserts ( Barb Dittl, Dana Lusk, Lucy Friedrichs, Liz Hieb), along with other items from Rosa Gomez, Dean Johnson, Dan Lusk, Mary Guerin.
Thanks, too, to those who stayed to tear down & clean up! That would be: Julie Cabaniss, Poul Sandersen, Brian Bunzel, Alice Kieren, Ruth Duenk, & Bernie Booth.
What would we do without you!???
Good Grief Group
Our group meetings have been paused until the new year. New dates and times will be announced soon. Please contact Judy DeLillo at 720-935-0851 with any questions.
Morning Meditations
Group Meditations will be postponed for the month of December, to be resumed in 2024. Please join us in January.
Anna Rychner, facilitator and meditation teacher of the Himalayan tradition.
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. - A Kirtan will be held Dec. 9. Go to kaitakirtan.com for details.
- Al-Anon meetings, offering recovery for families and friends of alcoholics and drug addicts, are held every Tuesday morning at 8:30 a.m. in the Clara Barton room and online.
Thank you for supporting the groups that use our facilities.
* Calendar
Calendar through December 24
Meetings are held via Zoom, unless stated.
- Saturday, Dec. 9, 10:00 am: Conversation with the Minister
- Sunday, Dec. 10, 11:30 am: Social Justice - Emerson (Leigh Hoftiezer)
- Monday, Dec. 11, 6:30 pm: RE Committee (Betsy Muellenbach)
- Wednesday, Dec. 13, 5:00 pm: Quilting Bee - Fellowship Hall (Ed Ahrenhoerster)
- Thursday, Dec. 14, 9:00 am: Membership (Dan Lusk)
- Thursday, Dec. 14, 6:30 pm: Sunday Services (Julie Konik)
- Friday, Dec. 15, 5:30 pm: Kids' Night Out - Fellowship Hall
- Monday, Dec. 18, noon: Ladies' Lunch - Mequon Fiddleheads (Brenda Berg)
- Monday, Dec. 18, 7:30 pm: Comm/Tech Committee (Sarah Cesar)
- Tuesday, Dec. 19, 7:00 pm: Finance (Pete Blain)
- Sunday, Dec. 24, 5:00 pm: Christmas Eve Service. No service at 10 am.
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.
* Reminders
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/
- 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 .
- Watch videos from General Assembly at uua.org/GA
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.
* Submitting Content for our Publications
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.
* Contact Information and Links
Minister, Rev. Scott Alexander: office phone: 262-375-4748; cell phone (preferred): 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 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.
Please check channel 4, 6, 12 or 58, or our website, www.ucnorth.org, for weather closings.
Unitarian Church North
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/