The Northliner
July 11, 2025
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. If UCN closes due to weather or building issues, the closing will be reflected on our website, on our office voice mail, and, if possible, through a special email.
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.
July 13: “Connecting Through Drumming,” Mark Soriano
Making music with others allows you to connect and communicate with the people around you. By the end of this session, hopefully everyone will walk away empowered and emboldened that they tried something new. If you have a drum, please bring it with you. There will also be drums available for you to use or share.
Mark Soriano is a Milwaukee Native and graduate of Marquette University (Studied English and Secondary Education). He is a Program Manager at "Arts @ Large," and community is the foundation of his work.
July 20: "The Eyes Have It," Rev. Tony Larsen
About his sermon, Tony says: "It may be our eyes that most distinguish us as human beings. (Not that other animals don't have eyes, of course, but that the eyes of most animals don't have significant "white space" around their pupils--a crucial difference, it turns out.) The critical importance of eyes in religion and mythology (e.g., the "third eye," the "evil eye," etc.) may also tell us something about human life and meaning, from ancient times to the present.
"Don't believe me? Then come this Sunday and see for yourself."
Tony Larsen was our minister here at Unitarian Church North for 4 years (2019-2023), having served before that at Olympia Brown UU in Racine for 40+ years. He was raised Catholic, and studied to be a Catholic priest for 10 years before being ordained to the Unitarian Universalist ministry. He received his B.A. in philosophy from Maryknoll College in 1971, his M.A. in theology from Maryknoll School of Theology in 1973, and his D.Min from Meadville/Lombard Theological School in 1975.
Donating to UCN
Feel free to use the QR code to donate to UCN.
Link to giving page for the less tech savvy: https://ucnorth.breezechms.com/give/online
Below is Rev. Oelberg's sermon, "On Being a Mensch," from July 6.
Connections
Sherryl Andrus had knee replacement surgery on Tuesday 7/1. All went well except that she went into AFib during surgery. That has been resolved now. Sherryl has been recovering at home though has experienced a bit of a setback. She had a fall that, fortunately, did not damage her knee but sprained her ankle. Applying ice to 2 locations now! Sherryl reports that she and George both hanging in there. They thank everybody for the support.
UCN Pianist Search
The Sunday Services Committee has established a subcommittee dedicated to UCN’s vision for music ministry. In the short term that means scheduling substitutes for Cathy Reich, and simultaneously searching for qualified replacement candidates. The Music Sub-committee is chaired by Janet Jensen (608-217-6566, jan.jen33@gmail.com). Your help in locating candidates would be GREATLY APPRECIATED! Please contact Janet if you have ideas so that the music sub-committee can provide details and coordinate communications. Thank you!
Janet L. Jensen
Religious Education
Saturday July 12th-Sunday July 13th:
UCN Family Fun (& Camp Out for some)
🌠⛺🥾 Join us on Saturday, July 12th at 5 PM for a BBQ/Potluck, games, and campfire. There will also be a campout for those who want to stay the night. Hot dogs and beverages will be provided but please bring a dish to share along with chairs, stories, music, marshmallow sticks, joy, etc.
Campers, you know what to bring.
Please RSVP Jessy Knox refpc@ucnorth.org and Katie Egan-Bruhy egan.bruhy@gmail.com with confirmation of participation in Saturday evening and/or campout.
Sunday morning we’ll have breakfast and prepare for our intergenerational drum circle Sunday service.
SAVE THE DATES:
🦝🦨🐌 Pine View Animal Sanctuary Visit & Tour: Sunday July 27th; meet there at 10:20am.
Sunday Outdoor Hikes
All of our Summer RE classes are outdoors, with rainy day activities inside if needed.
4th Sunday of the month in fall: Sept 28, Oct 26, Nov 23, Dec 28.
A Note
Jessy will not ask you for a directory, or bank information, or people's contact info. Spammers are trying to get our information. If you get a request, please send it to info@ucnorth.org.
Social and Racial Justice
Oneida Indian Reservation Trip
The Social Justice Committee invites you to a field trip to the Oneida Indian Reservation on Sept. 6.
Marlon Skenendore will be our guide at the reservation, and there will be vans and a bus to get us from place to place. He has assured me there will be minimal walking. Children are welcome. As many of you know, the rez is an interesting place -- with a museum, agriculture, and a school house in the shape of a turtle. We will meet at UCN at 9:00 am to carpool, and bring bag lunches to be eaten when we get there.
Please call Alice Kieren, 414-507-8386, if you have questions. The sign-up sheet will be in the lobby each Sunday , or you may email Alice at alicejkieren@gmail.com. Signup deadline is July 25!
Interfaith Potluck
Join us for an Interfaith Conference Potluck at our office, 1905 W. Wisconsin Ave. MKE
Wednesday, July 30, 6 to 8 pm.
Celebrate the diversity of people of faith by bringing a dish from your religion, culture, and/or family to share.
The Committee on Interfaith Understanding and the Amazing Faiths Project wanted to host this celebration to bring people together and let the stories we bring be shared with the food.
Please register at this site so we can be prepared https://www.interfaithconference.org/amazing-faiths-project
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’s Share the Plate (STP) program supports organizations that help those in need in our community and across the world. You are welcome to nominate a recipient for a 2-month collection. The complete list of past STP recipients and their websites can be found at UCNorth.org, under Serve/Share the Plate/View Past Donations Spreadsheet.
* Announcements
Membership Directories
A new membership directory will be run and sent to all members at the end of July. Please remember not to share it with unknown email addresses/spammers.
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 Pat and Cindy Kotecki to honor Amber and Jenny Elsner-Miller.
Thank you!
Events at UCN
- "Qi Gong and Tai Chi" class will be taking a break and hopes to resume in fall. Call Diane at 307-763-0903 for information about her classes at all locations.
- 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. On voting days, meetings are held in the Sanctuary, upper level.
Thank you for supporting the groups that use our facilities.
* Calendar
Calendar through July 27
Meetings are held via Zoom, unless stated.
- Saturday, July 12, 5 pm: Start of RE Campout (Jessy Knox)
- Monday, July 14, 7 pm: RE Committee (Katie Egan-Bruhy)
- Wednesday, July 16: Office closed due to vacation
- Thursday, July 17, 11:30 am UU Ladies Lunch - Crave Restaurant (Brenda Berg)
- Sunday, July 20, 11:30 pm: Social Justice - Emerson (Julie Konik)
- Tuesday, July 22, 7:00 pm: Finance (Pete Blain)
- Saturday, July 26, 9am--noon: Board Retreat (lunch follows) - Fellowship Hall (Betsy Muellenbach)
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 Sunday Service Committee Chairs, Dana Lusk (danalusk04@gmail.com) or CJ Winter (siltyclay@msn.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 Chairs, Dana Lusk (danalusk04@gmail.com) or CJ Winter (siltyclay@msn.com).
- UU Women's Connection offers retreats, newsletters and resources for women: https://www.uuwomensconnection.org/. Click this link for info about retreats:
- You are encouraged to subscribe to MidAmerica Region's newsletter, News page. More information at uua.org/midamerica .
- 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 claim to be.
Our photo directory of members and pledging friends is sent out a few times each year.
If you would like a printed black and white copy of the directory or the Leadership List, Lyn has them available in the office. 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 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. Contact brendaberg@spectrum.net with questions.
Fundraising and Donations
UCN is able to accept donations via PayPal.
Food Barrels for pets and people: 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.- RaiseRight Fundraiser (formerly know as Scrip): Gift Cards are a great way to support UCN. For tutorials on using RaiseRight click the link: https://www.raiseright.com/resources/participant/. There are 3 ways to purchase and reload gift cards: (eGift, Reload and Physical). eGift and Reload options are available for use in seconds. For physical cards, select the “ship to home" option; shipping fees will be incurred by the purchaser. If you have questions about RaiseRight please view https://drive.google.com/file/d/1Q3rZ3dXo96XBGI9we5yhWzCZGS3na22O/view? or contact Mark Muellenbach. To help set up the RaiseRight app on your phone, watch this video How to Earn Faster with Online Payment Setup (Mobile App) | RaiseRight
If you order from Quill.com and tell them UCN recommended them, UCN will earn a $50 gift card.
* Submitting Content for our Publications
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.
* Contact Information and Links
Rev. Scott Alexander, Minister: 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
Lyn Gust, Office Admin:
Contact Lyn at 262-375-3890 or info@ucnorth.org.
Office Hours: Tuesday through Friday, 9 am to 2:30 pm. 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.
Unitarian Church North
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/