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, 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.

Nov. 23: "From Compact to Constitution," Rev. Sarah Oelberg

This will be a look at the role the pilgrims played in the separation of church and state.

Sarah Oelberg has been a special education teacher, has written special ed. curriculum for our U.S. Office of Education, was a faculty member at Yeshiva University in New York and at NYU, and trained special ed. teachers in Iowa. She followed her heart as the first in her six-generation Unitarian family to become a UU minister. After serving churches in Nebraska and Minnesota, she retired in 2001 and now she frequently speaks at UCN. She and husband Gerald raised four children and have six grand- and four great-grandchildren.

Nov. 30: "What Do You REALLY Mean?" Rev. Janis Kinens

Having been raised, nurtured, and educated in two languages and cultures (English and Latvian), Janis will reflect on what he has learned from his experience in the worlds of religion, theology, and the visual arts. Janis' education includes studies in Primitive Religion, Philosophy, Psychology and a thesis titled "Vincent van Gogh; A Journey from Darkness to Light." Although born into a Lutheran home, Janis' varied and diverse background has led full circle from his initial childhood wonder at the inherent miracle of life, to what UU members call the 7 Principles.

Pastor Kinens is a retired E.L.C.A. minister and has served 38 years as a parish pastor in the Lutheran Church. He is also a former Art Teacher, Watercolor artist and father of 5 adult daughters. His wife Aina is also an artist and sculptor, currently designing and making jewelry. Their oldest daughter Sasha is currently the Artist in Residence at the Pfister Hotel. The Kinens family is Latvian by birth and still have family living in Latvia. Shortly after retirement in 2018 Pastor Kinens started writing a blog titled “justjanis.blog” in which he reflects on life, theology and this wondrous creation of ours! As a side note, Janis began his ministry in Racine, Wisconsin a year after Tony Larsen became the minister at Olympia Brown UU in Racine, Wisconsin, and they both retired at the same time! Janis considers Tony one of his pastors.

This Sunday's Order of Service:

Use this convenient QR code to donate!

The link to the giving page, for the less tech savvy, is: https://ucnorth.breezechms.com/give/online

Sign Up for a Chalice Chat

We hope you’ll join us for one of UCN's upcoming Chalice Chats, small-group conversations about our church and its future. Each session will include 10 to 15 participants, and we ask that each member or friend of the congregation attend one.

Chats will be held at dates and times below to accommodate different schedules. They will consist of a facilitated one hour meeting where 4 or more prompts will be answered by the group. Discussion will center around sharing your experience at UCN and wishes for the future. Additional meetings will be scheduled as needed.

Our meeting dates on Sundays at UCN are as follows:

November 23, 11:15 AM - 12:15 PM

November 30, 11:15 AM - 12:15 PM

December 7, 11:15 AM - 12:15 PM

Zoom Meeting: December 7. Zoom at 7 - 8 PM

On Wednesday January 7, in the evening, there will be an additional opportunity to chat at the home of Katie and Mark Egan-Bruhy in Cedarburg.

If you prefer to share your thoughts one-on-one or in writing, you may request a meeting or get the questions via email.

Ready to sign up?

Email your top two choices for your preferred sessions or request the prompts to share your thoughts via email jabojon16@gmail.com.

Please let us know if you need child care.

If you need help or have questions, feel free to contact Betsy Muellenbach, Dan Lusk, or Judy DeLillo, your Chalice Chat team.

This Sunday’s RE theme is Sharing Thanksgiving. Our younger (K4–2nd) and older (3rd–6th) classes will join together for a special session. We’ll learn about the traditions of Thanksgiving, share what we’re grateful for, and decorate collection boxes that we’ll fill with food-pantry donations throughout the coming week.

A Reminder

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 forward it to info@ucnorth.org.

One of the many great traditions we enjoy at UCN is the welcoming of the new year with an all-church talent show. Everyone is invited to participate in this community event on January 4, 2026, taking the place of the regular service at 10 am. We need singers, dancers, poets, mimes, or whatever you're inspired to do within a 5-minute or less performance. All ages are welcome, but you have to sign up by Sunday, December 23rd to be included in the show! 5 acts have already signed up.

Help will also be needed to set up the sanctuary the day before the event, and it would be great to have a couple of people responsible for the drinks/snacks tables in the West lobby. Donations of finger foods, cookies, coffee cake, bars, apple cider & milk would be much appreciated.

Get in touch with Linda Sandersen at Lindasandersen60@gmail.com with any questions or to sign up.

With the ongoing government shutdown and discontinuation of SNAP benefits, we’re more aware than ever of the potential for food scarcity. UCN can respond by actively supporting two of our local resources listed below. Please consider donating to these well-organized organizations who are best situated to respond to our community needs. Any inquiries that we receive related to this need will be referred to these programs with their flexible methods of resource delivery.

Family Sharing
https://www.familysharingozaukee.org
1002 Overland Ct, Grafton WI 53024
Phone: 262-377-0634

You can donate food at the Family Sharing site by placing items in the hamper under the overhang in the parking lot. Their website has a listing of most needed items. Additionally, there is opportunity to donate financially on directly on their website. They offer a breakdown of how much an amount of dollars provides to individuals/families in need.

The Food Pantry is open for shopping during the following hours (appointment required):

• Tuesdays 10AM-1PM
• Wednesdays 2-4PM
• 2nd Saturday of each month 9-11AM

Additionally, they have Mobile delivery, Senior’s delivery and a Children’s Backpack program for those who qualify. Registration and an appointment are required. Call 262-377-0634, option 2.

Ozaukee Food Alliance
https://ozaukeefoodalliance.org
100 E. Green Bay Avenue, Saukville, WI 53080

Phone: 262-689-8591

If you would like to donate food to help stock the shelves, you can drop off your donation at our food barrels located around Ozaukee County. Look for the yellow collection bucket.

Saukville - Oscar Grady Public Library and Fox Bros Piggly Wiggly
Port Washington - Lincoln Village

Mequon - Wild Birds Unlimited

Thiensville - Restore Spine

The “regular pantry” is open on Thursdays and Saturdays. The “mini pantry” is open on Tuesdays and Fridays. While the regular days offer a full shop once per month, mini days focus is more on fresh bakery, fruits and veggies and frozen proteins over the remaining three weeks of the month. Community meal is offered on Saturdays after the shopping is done. Appointment is required.

LGBT Community Center
https://www.mkelgbt.org
315 West Court St, Milwaukee WI 53212
Phone: 414-271-2656

You can donate food by taking directly to the front desk where they’ll be happily accepted.

The Food Pantry is open to all LGBTQ+ individuals and allies in need, working in partnership with Feeding America. No proof of income is required. Limit use to once per week.

General Hours are Monday and Friday 12:00pm – 5:00 pm
Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday 10:00am – 6:00 pm

Free Film Screening at UCN

Saturday, Nov. 22, 1:00-2:30 pm.

Are you aware that there is a historical and continuing lead crisis effecting Milwaukee families, particularly in low-income neighborhoods? Lead water pipes are found in homes as well as schools. The impact of lead poisoning is well documented, permanently impacting children even decades after exposure and can be toxic to people at any age.

Something in the Water follows five water justice advocates who discuss how Milwaukee’s Black communities are disproportionately being lead poisoned, the debilitating effects it has on residents’ health, and their hopes to see equitable change that will heal the water and Black residents’ relationship to it.

Join us November 22 in the sanctuary for this free screening, produced and directed by Milwaukeean Nateya Taylor. The filmmaker will be joined by community members to discuss the film, the ongoing crisis, and what we justice advocates can do to help. If you can’t attend in person, please log in by Zoom: https://zoom.us/j/91214658121 Meeting ID: 912 1465 8121

Hospitality Donations are Needed for the Nov. 22 event

Please add your name and what you will bring on the sign-up sheet posted at the Welcome Table in the north lobby. Small items not requiring utensils (cookies, veggies and dip for example) as well as juices, soda and coffee are requested. Drop them off at UCN by 12:45 p.m. on Nov. 22 and stay for the event. Contact Leigh Hoftiezer should you have any questions.

Amnesty International Petitions

The Social Justice Committee invites you to support International Human Rights Day, which occurs on December 10th this year. Amnesty International is requesting help to raise voices for those whose voices cannot be heard. Every year the Write For Rights (W4R) campaign chooses to highlight specific cases, and this year’s campaign features people on the front lines of climate change and environmental destruction, fighting to protect their communities from droughts, gas flares, development projects and pollution.

The details of these cases and supporting petitions can be found in the West Lobby (and can also be viewed here). Please stop by to review them and sign your name on each of the 9 petitions found on the counter. Or, if you prefer, there is a duplicate set of petitions located in the Fellowship Hall. A few minutes of your time will make a difference in supporting these worthy efforts.

Organizing Revival Training – Sunday, November 23, 12:30 at the First Unitarian Society

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.

Office Hours/ Early Publications

The office will be closed Nov. 27 and 28 for Thanksgiving. The Northliner will be published and sent on Wednesday, Nov. 26. Please have articles to Lyn by Tuesday at noon that week. Thanks!

Events at UCN

• The next Wisconsin Singer Songwriter Series concert will be held on December 13.
  UCN members are offered a discount on tickets. Go to wsss.org for details.

• Diane Redman will be holding Qi Gong/Tai Chi classes most Saturdays in Barton at 11 am. Call 307-763-0903 for information.

• 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 through December 7

Meetings are held via Zoom, unless stated.

• Saturday, Nov. 22, 1:00 pm: Film Screening, "Something in the Water" - Sanctuary (Julie Konik)

• Sunday, Nov. 23, 11:15 am: Chalice Chats - Emerson and Sanctuary (Betsy Muellenbach)

• Thursday & Friday, Nov. 27 & 28: Office Closed for the Holiday

• Sunday, Nov. 30, 11:15 am: Chalice Chat - Emerson (Betsy Muellenbach)

• Sunday, Nov. 30, 11:30 am: Animal Ministry - Barton (Julie Konik)

• Tuesday, Dec. 2, 7:00 pm: Membership (Cecile Duhnke, Tannie Bemis)

• Wednesday, Dec. 3: UUs Out to Lunch (Ann Buchel)

• Saturday, Dec. 6: FSL Setup - Fellowship Hall

• Saturday, Dec. 6, 9am-3pm: Building Work Day (Brian Bunzel, Jim DeLillo)

• Sunday, Dec. 7, 11:15 am: Chalice Chat - Emerson (Betsy Muellenbach)

• Sunday, Dec. 7, 11:30 am: First Sunday Lunch - Fellowship Hall

• Sunday, Dec. 7, 7:00 pm: Chalice Chat Zoom (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.

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 (cjwinter01@outlook.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 (cjwinter01@outlook.com).

• UU Women's Connection offers retreats, newsletters and resources for women: https://www.uuwomensconnection.org/. Click this link for info about retreats:

  https://www.uuwomensconnection.org/retreats. The October retreat will be at Cedar Valley Retreat Center near West Bend, Wisconsin.

• 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 Cecile Duhnke at cecileduhnke@gmail.com or Tannie Bemis at bemis.tannie@gmail.com.

• 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 at (262) 573-0045 or brianbuzel@yahoo.com or Jim DeLillo at jimdelillo2@gmail.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

• UU’s Out to Lunch: Did you know that there is a UU’s Out to Lunch group? We go out to lunch on the first Wednesday of each month. Everyone takes a turn choosing the time and place for lunch. Great food – Great conversation! If you are interested in joining us, contact Ann Buchel at awbuchel@gmail.com or 262-470-6355.

• 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.
  

• 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 bin as you leave for church. Donations go to the Ozaukee Food Alliance. We are also accepting donations of pet food and small containers of cat litter, for people needing help caring for their pets. The pet food donations should be placed in the separate bin marked “pet food.” Beginning in November, the pet food donations will be going to the Ozaukee Food Alliance.

• RaiseRight Fundraiser (formerly known 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.

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 submit articles for our website to webdesigner@ucnorth.org.

Rev. Scott Alexander, Minister

Cell phone: 772-359-0602. Email: UURevScott@gmail.com .

Rev. Alexander will generally preach two times per month and will maintain regular but sporadic office hours. Please call his cell phone to arrange in-person or zoom meetings with him.

Jessy Knox, Religious Exploration and Family Programming Coordinator

Jessy can be contacted at refpc@ucnorth.org or 414-840-5377.

Office Hours: Wednesdays 10 am-3 pm.

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 Administrator

Contact Lyn at 262-375-3890 or info@ucnorth.org.

Office Hours: Tuesday through Friday, 9 am to 2 pm. The office is closed for holidays and bad weather.

Please do not reply to the Northliner, as we do not receive messages sent to lyngust@mailgun.smore.com, only to info@ucnorth.org.

If you are having trouble receiving the Northliner, please add this address to your contact list: lyngust@mailgun.smore.com .

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/