The Northliner
September 29, 2023
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.
October 1: “God and the Smell of Pancakes,” Rev. Scott W. Alexander
Scott writes: Unitarian Universalists are “all over the spiritual map” when it comes to thoughts about God. This morning I want to share some of my own thinking of this topic which is so central to religion, by way of what is called “Process Theology.”
October 8: “Compassion/Empathy,” Sermon II in the Year-Long Series
“12 Gates to the City: How to Enter the Holy City of Your Own Life,”
Rev. Scott W. Alexander
Scott writes: On this Sunday I will offer the second sermon in my year-long series with a reflection on the all-important human qualities of empathy and compassion. Even though empathy and compassion are “outward-directed” qualities that may appear “selfless”, they nonetheless are vital pathways for us to enter the “Holy City” of our own lives.
A UCN Members' Photo Directory
We are in the process of creating a photo directory. Jim DeLillo will be taking photos of members and pledging friends before and after church services on Oct. 1 and Oct. 8. More info coming soon.
* RE News
Come to the Soil to Sanctuary Harvest Festival!
The Soil to Sanctuary Harvest Festival will be held on Sunday, October 1st from 11am until 2pm. The festival will be held rain or shine. UCN members, friends and our surrounding community are invited to attend and can be vendors at the event.
Currently, we have vendors selling art, clothing, fruits and vegetables, hair and spa products, maple syrup, music and ready to eat foods. Julie Zumach will host a UCN booth serving pulled pork sandwiches with homemade barbeque sauce and hotdogs. Proceeds from this booth will be donated to UCN.
Purpose
Soil to Sanctuary is an effort to bring a variety of fresh and health foods to congregations. The effort supports farmers and growers while helping churches raise funds and increase access to whole foods. Last year, the RE Committee started conversations to plan a harvest fair. Our Soil to Sanctuary Harvest Festival is a combination of these two great things and is a fundraising opportunity, also aimed at building community. We hope to see old friends and new faces at the event. Please contact DRE@UCNorth.org with any questions.
Blessings,
LaToya
October 29: TRUNK or TREAT for ALL AGES!!!
UCN’s 3rd annual TRUNK or TREAT is a spooktacular way to celebrate the turning of October to November! Decorate your car trunk or hatchback and bring some treats, or wear your costumes, or both – this event is for grown-ups and children, teens and tweens, UCN members and friends, and also [reasonably] well-behaved pets.
In addition to costume and vehicle decorating prizes, there will be games, and luscious lunch goodies like hot dogs and mac n’ cheese.
Set up will begin at 11:00 am, following the UCN service. Trick or Treating will begin at 11:30 am.
- “Trunk” participants, please confirm by Oct 22nd and also let us know if you will need electricity for your trunk display.
- “Trunk or Treat” participants, please give us an approximate count by Oct 22nd so that we can plan food accordingly.
If inclement weather is an issue, festivities will be moved into the Fellowship Hall.
Katie Egan-Bruhy
Green Team Family Hiking and Events
Enjoy the Fall Colors. Join Us for Some Family Hiking!
* Please text or call Julie Cabaniss 414.617.5157 by the Friday before each hike to verify that you are coming. If Julie doesn't hear from people, she will assume no one is coming and cancel the hike.
Saturday, Sept. 30, from 9-11 am, Nashotah Park hike: Meet at the Reserved Picnic Area 1 at 9 a.m. Please see this map for address and directions: https://www.waukeshacounty.gov/globalassets/parks--land-use/park-system/find-a-park/nashotah/nashotah-park-map.pdf
Saturday, Oct. 14, from 9-11 am, Horicon Marsh hike and Archaeology Festival! Meet at 9 am at the Horicon Marsh Visitor Center at 9 am for a hike and then if interested, stay to explore the state's best Archaeological Festival at the visitor center that runs from 10 am-4 pm. For more information and address, please check this link: https://horiconmarsh.org/event/14391/2023-10-14/
Saturday, Nov. 18th - TBDecided!
First Sunday Lunch is Starting Up Again!
Hi, Folks,
First Sunday Lunches will begin on Sunday, Nov. 5th, rather than in October due to the Harvest festival on Sunday, Oct. 1st, here at UCN.
You’ll have many great lunches where you can enjoy some great food with your UCN friends. We’ll be serving soups & salad, chili, mac & cheese, potato bar, taco bar, hot & delicious, as well as finger foods at the All Soul’s Café in January.
You’ll be invited twice to bring food to contribute to these great lunches, so be looking for an email from someone in our great committee. We have so many great cooks!
Linda Sandersen
* Social and Racial Justice
Share the Plate Update
The Coming of Age youth have nominated Hunger Task Force to receive Share the Plate donations for September and October. Hunger Task Force is Wisconsin’s leading anti-hunger organization. The organization’s main location in Western Milwaukee supplies food pantries in churches and community centers throughout the wider Milwaukee area. Their 208-acre farm grows 500,000 pounds of fresh produce for Milwaukee’s hungry. In addition to giving support to food pantries, five days a week the Task Force operates a Mobil Market grocery store on wheels that serves Milwaukee’s hungriest food desert communities, providing fresh produce, meat, and dairy. They also operate a nutrition education program for students, parents, and the public providing information about eating healthy on a budget.
The nomination form, from the Coming of Age youth states, “We wanted to help kids who don’t have the resources we have . . . If you help kids and their families, it helps their future. Southeast Wisconsin has the majority of youth in our state, and 26.4% of children live below the poverty line”.
Half of the donations, cash or check, will go to Hunger Task force. 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.
Off the Shelf: Book Challenges, Bans and Promoting Inclusive Literature
You are invited to attend a free webinar on Oct. 3, 2023, at 6:00 p.m.
Book challenges and bans have been increasing across the country, both in schools and districts where laws have been passed, but also where no formal rules, restrictions or laws exist. When large scale book bans take place, it affects young people's ability to see themselves reflected in books. It also impacts their ability to gain an understanding of and empathy for people who are different from themselves, which contributes to antisemitism, racism and all forms of bias.
Join ADL (Anti-Defamation League) and AASL (American Association of School Librarians) to learn more about book challenges and bans and explore actions that can be taken. Panelists include children's book author Kelly Yang, librarian Dr. Jennifer Sturge, student Annika Singh, educator Andy Spoonamore-Gullion and Director of Development, Florida Freedom To Read and parent, Raegen Miller. The event will be moderated by Sherasa Thomas, ADL's Education Director in Dallas. Q & A will follow the presentation. https://adl.zoom.us/webinar/register/4916921126684/WN_Rp4olEgfRvOPVyVIcZOXSg#/registration
Protect Democracy / Resist "christian" Nationalism / Build the Beloved Community
Join us Thursday, Oct. 5 or Thursday, Oct. 12 for a "We All Belong" Campaign Training: Strategies and Resources for Congregational Leaders.
- 5:45 pm Snacks and Refreshments
- 6:15 - 8 pm Program
- Oct. 5 at United Methodist Church, 819 E. Silver Spring Drive. Whitefish Bay;
Oct. 12 at Wauwatosa Avenue United Methodist Church, 1600 Underwood Avenue - There is no cost for this training
The evening will include education and inspiration, along with concrete steps that congregations can take to further the aims of the "We All Belong" Campaign - to Protect Democracy, to Reject "christian" Nationalism, and to Build the Beloved Community.
The training will include an educational experience that can easily be used in small groups and adult studies in our congregations. We'll use a three-segment webinar, “Faith and Democracy Under Siege", featuring Dr. Andrew Whitehead (Taking America Back for God), presiding Bishop Elizabeth Eaton (Evangelical Lutheran Church in America), and presiding Bishop Michael Curry (The Episcopal Church).
This webinar discusses: what is meant by, and the prevalence of, “christian” nationalism; a theological response to this dangerous phenomenon; and the connection of “christian” nationalism to white supremacy.
We need to plan for space and food; please sign up by Monday, Oct. 2. Sign up HERE!
Questions can be addressed to Sister Barbara Pfarr at 414-841-2762 or WeAllBelong@WISDOMwisconsin.org
In faith and solidarity,
Bishop Paul Erickson, Greater Milwaukee Synod-ELCA
Dr. Richard Shaw, President, MICAH
Submitted by Lucy Friedrichs and Leigh Hoftiezer, UCN reps to MICAH (Milwaukee Inner-city Congregations Allied for Hope)
* Announcements
Building Notes
If you physically unlock an outside door, please make sure you lock it before you leave church. A door was left open again last weekend. Thanks!
Visitors
The following people visited our church recently:
- Tannie Bemis-Weigert and Paul Lindquist, Thiensville
- Helena and Tony Curtain, Mequon
Thanks for visiting us. We hope that you come back soon!
We Welcome Our New Members
- Torre Wendlandt and Nick Spalsbury
Please help them feel welcome.
Fighting Childhood Cancer
Thank you to everyone who sponsored my ride in the Great Cycle Challenge to fight Childhood Cancer. I've ridden all 50 miles. Together we've raised $250, and my team has raised over $2100.
Lyn
Good Grief Group
Losing someone you love is life changing and grief can be difficult. Sometimes it’s helpful to share with others who have also experienced a deep loss – the sadness, the challenges, the next steps and the joys that may follow. You’re not alone.
The next group meeting is scheduled for October 11 and will gather every other Wednesday from 9:30-11:00 am in Emerson (the large room off the north lobby, upper level). Please contact Judy at 720-935-0851 with any questions. Judy DeLillo, a new member of the Lay Pastoral Care Team, will help facilitate conversation and support in this new group at UCN.
Morning Meditations
Tuesday Morning Group Meditations continue at 9:30 am in the Sanctuary. No experience necessary. Tap into the wisdom of the ancients as well as current-day teachers. Learn about the mind and breath’s connections as we sit quietly and share our inner worlds. Donations welcome for UCN.
Anna Rychner, facilitator and meditation teacher of the Himalayan tradition.
Events at UCN
- The next WSSS concert will be held on Oct. 7. Go to wsss.org for details.
- Qi Gong 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. - 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 October 15
Meetings are held via Zoom, unless stated.
- Sunday, Oct. 1, before and after the service: Directory Photos in west lobby (Jim DeLillo)
- Sunday, Oct. 1, 11 am: Soil to Sanctuary Harvest Fest (LaToya Bates)
- Monday, Oct. 2, 7:00 pm: Building Committee (Brian Bunzel)
- Tuesday, Oct. 3, 9:30 am: Meditation (Anna Rychner)
- Wednesday, Oct. 4: UUs Out to Lunch (Brenda Berg)
- Thursday, Oct. 5, 11:00 am: Membership (Dan Lusk)
- Thursday, Oct. 5, 1:00 pm: Security Meeting
- Sunday, Oct. 8, before and after the service: Directory Photos in west lobby (Jim DeLillo)
- Sunday, Oct. 8, 11:30 am: Social Justice (Leigh Hoftiezer)
- Monday, Oct. 9, 7:00 pm: RE Committee (Betsy Muellenbach)
- Tuesday, Oct. 10, 9:30 am: Meditation (Anna Rychner)
- Wednesday, Oct. 11, 9:30 am: Good Grief Group (Judy DeLillo)
- Thursday, Oct. 12, 6:30 pm: Sunday Services Committee (Julie Konik)
- Saturday, Oct. 14, 9:00 am: Hike at Horicon (Julie Cabaniss)
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 or Dan 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 .
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. Please use the QR code above, or see our website (Donate) for more details, or or click here: give.ucnorth.org/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 at noon, and sometimes at suppertime during daylight savings time, on the first Wednesday of every month. 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, October 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: 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 every month.
Director of Religious Education, LaToya Bates: 262-385-3408; dre@ucnorth.com
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
Minutes from current Leadership Board meetings
- Our pulpit schedule contains a wide range of topics that cover spiritual exploration, various theologies, holidays, social justice, and more. Read descriptions of the upcoming sermons and bios of the speakers.
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/