The Northliner
January 12, 2024
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
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.
January 14: Martin Luther King Sunday, “Race Matters…” Rev. Scott W. Alexander
Scott writes: Decades ago, Martin Luther King famously said: "I have a dream that my four little children will one day live in a nation where they will not be judged by the color of their skin but by the content of their character." Today many American conservatives--including a majority on our Supreme Court -- seem to feel that day has fully arrived, and that our society no longer needs affirmative action or “Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion “ programs and protections. With all my heart and soul, I beg to disagree. Let’s explore this together as we work keep the legacy and challenge of Dr. King alive.
January 21: “Can We Really Reinvent Ourselves?” Rev. Scott W. Alexander
Scott writes: Every year in January, millions of Americans (some 40% of the population it seems…including surely many Unitarian Universalists) go through the motions of making personal resolutions for the new year. This begs the question of my sermon this Sunday, “Can We Really Reinvent Ourselves,” or at least the question of to what extent can we make substantial changes to our lives and personalities? I want us to explore this topic before January (and all its lofty resolutions) slips past us as just a memory.
From Rev. Scott
Join Rev. Alexander for a "brown bag" lunch on Tuesday, January 16th at UCN at noon. Please bring your lunch and something to drink, and we will gather around a table or two and let the conversation amongst us go where it might.
Religious Education
This week we will have an activity time for our elementary age children during the second half of the service after the story for all ages. Nursery for infants and toddlers is available throughout the service.
Thank you for all the craft donations!! We have plenty of supplies for the requested items.
Childcare on Non-RE Sundays
Childcare is now offered every Sunday during the second half of the service. Elementary-aged students will have structured activities that include yoga, sharing time, games and crafts on the second and fourth Sundays. We will continue to have Religious Education classes on the first and third Sundays for children and youth of all ages, and an intergenerational service on the fifth Sunday.
The nursery will continue to be staffed weekly for the entire length of the service.
* Social and Racial Justice
Celebrate Martin Luther King Day in Cedarburg!
You are invited to a special observance of Martin Luther King Day coordinated by the Cedarburg Diversity Committee in partnership with the Cedarburg Public Library presented at the Cedarburg Cultural Center at 6:00 pm on Monday, January 15. An open mic Poetry/Prose Slam and Intergenerational Panel will feature community voices. More information is available at MLK Cedarburg 2024.
Something to Say
OCER (Ozaukee County Equity Roundtable) is also promoting a unique resource for intergenerational family conversations about racism over the King weekend called Something To Say.
Created by the organization Race & Faith, this program provides online resources for families to have meaningful conversations about racism together. This year's topic will focus specifically on "woke culture." Participants are encouraged to also attend the January 15 MLK event at the Cedarburg Cultural Center. Learn more at this SOMETHING TO SAY Video Introduction and then register to receive materials at SOMETHING TO SAY 2024 Registration.
Interfaith Meal
The Committee for Interfaith Understanding invites you to join us on Wednesday, January 17 at 5:30 pm to eat a communal vegetarian meal at the Sikh Gurduara in Brookfield. This meal is referred to as a langar and it is an important service offered by Sikhs to demonstrate people are equal. Everyone is welcome no matter their status or beliefs.
At this gathering you will learn about the Sikh Faith and this important tradition of the langar as a service to humanity.
Dinner Dialogue
Interfaith Earth Network invites you to the next Amazing Faiths Dinner Dialogue 6 pm on January 31 at the Urban Ecology Center Riverside Park, 1500 E. Park Place, Milwaukee
Join us for our monthly discussion and a simple meal. Please register to be included in this environmentally themed moderated discussion with people of different faiths. Delve deeper into faith and our shared environment.
Last Chance to Nominate a Local Organization for this Award!
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 deadline is January 15. Contact Leigh Hoftiezer with questions.
Nominations must be received in the UCN office no later than January 15th.
Also, please consider donating to the Fund by making your check out to Unitarian Church North. Write "Fund for Social Justice" on the memo line and place it in the safe in the church office.
* Announcements
All Souls' Cafe Recap
Many thanks go to our great MC, Dan Lusk & to Dana Lusk for their delightful comedy routine parroting George Burns & Gracie Allen.
We had a fun performer list of Inga Bunzel, Anna Rychner, Rusty Gibbs, Zuzu Thurow, Rev. Scott Alexander, Dean Johnson, Dana Lusk with Anne Connolly, Linda Sandersen & Poul Sandersen, the Sunday school children, Pete Blain, Britney Freeman-Farr, and Poul & Linda Sandersen.
Thanks go to Pat, June, Leigh, Dean, Todd, Rusty, Anne, Dan, Dana, & Poul & Linda, our great setup crew!
And thanks to everyone who stayed after the show to tear down & return the sanctuary to its normal plan. That took only 15 minutes! Is that a record?
And thank you to those who brought delicious munchies.
What a great morning!
Linda Sandersen
Leadership Board Meeting
The next leadership board meeting will be held on Thursday, Jan. 25 at 6:30 pm via zoom. The meetings are open to all members, and members are encouraged to share their thoughts or issues at the Open Forum portion of each meeting. Contact the president for the zoom link.
From the Reopening Subcommittee
Given the rise in respiratory infections in Wisconsin, it is recommended that those at risk of serious illness resume wearing face masks while in public. The level of hospitalizations for Covid in Ozaukee County has risen, and the CDC now ranks our county as "Medium" in this regard.
From the CDC website:
In Ozaukee County, Wisconsin, the COVID-19 hospital admission level is Medium.
- If you are at high risk of getting very sick, wear a high-quality mask or respirator (e.g., N95) when indoors in public.
- If you have household or social contact with someone at high risk for getting very sick, consider self-testing to detect infection before contact, and consider wearing a high-quality mask when indoors with them.
- Stay up to date with COVID-19 vaccines.
- Maintain ventilation improvements.
- Avoid contact with people who have suspected or confirmed COVID-19.
- Follow recommendations for isolation if you have suspected or confirmed COVID-19.
- Follow the recommendations for what to do if you are exposed to someone with COVID-19.
You are welcome to wear a mask at UCN. If needed, disposable masks are available in the north lobby.
Help Wanted!
The Finance Committee is asking for your help. We considered ideas for a Spring Fundraiser in addition to Britney’s much anticipated April concert and thought that hosting a speaker on a topic of general interest would be a great way to host our members and folks in the wider community in our beautiful space. Rev Scott did this at his Vero Beach, Florida, church with great success. By way of example, Scott suggested a topic like ship wrecks in the Great Lakes might have broad appeal. Please let Julie Zumach or Pete Blain know if you have suggestions for a dynamic speaker (or speakers on a panel) on an interesting topic which would appeal to wide audience. We greatly appreciate your thoughts. Thank you.
Lost and Found
If you bank at Cornerstone/Horicon Bank, you might have left an envelope at the visitor's table. Please see Lyn if you think it's yours.
Good Grief Group
Grief Group will resume January 17 and continue every other Wednesday. Note new time: 10:00 - 11:30. Please contact Judy DeLillo at 720-935-0851 with any questions.
Morning Meditations
UCN’s weekly meditation will be held every Thursday at 9:30 am in the sanctuary. No experience necessary. All are welcome. Facilitated by Anna Rychner.
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. - 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 Clara Barton room and online.
Thank you for supporting the groups that use our facilities.
* Calendar
Calendar through January 28
Meetings are held via Zoom, unless stated.
- Sunday, Jan. 14, 11:30 am: Social Justice (Leigh Hoftiezer)
- Monday, Jan. 15, noon-1:30 pm: UUs Coffee & Conversation (Lunch and Levity) - Mequon Fiddleheads (Brenda Berg)
- Monday, Jan. 15, 7:30 pm: Comm/Tech (Sarah Cesar)
- Tuesday, Jan. 16, noon: Brown Bag Lunch with the Minister
- Tuesday, Jan. 16, 7:00 pm: Finance (Pete Blain)
- Wednesday, Jan. 17, 10:00 am: Good Grief Group - Emerson (Judy DeLillo)
- Thursday, Jan. 18, 9:30 am: Meditation (Anna Rychner)
- Sunday, Jan. 21: RE Classes (Betsy Muellenbach)
- Thursday, Jan. 25, 9:30 am: Meditation (Anna Rychner)
- Thursday, Jan. 25, 6:30 pm: Leadership Board (Ed Ahrenhoerster)
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/
- You are encouraged to subscribe to MidAmerica Region's newsletter, News page. More information at uua.org/midamerica .
- Join us June 20 - 23 for an all-virtual General Assembly 2024. For information, go to https://www.uua.org/ga/registration.
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.
UUs Coffee & Conversation (Ladies' Lunch & Levity) meets on the third Monday of every month at Mequon Fiddleheads, 10530 Port Washington Rd. Stop in anytime between 12:00 and 1:30 for something to eat, a good cuppa, and chewy conversation. We meet in the back room.
* 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 Todd Zumach (zumacht@gmail.com) to submit articles for our website.
* Contact Information and Links
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.
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/