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.

Dec. 7: "Other Messiahs," Rev. Tony Larsen

Tony's sermon will explore some of the other people who were called messiahs in Jesus' time--and why their messages didn't make it to our time.

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.

Dec. 14: “What Jesus Means (and Does Not Mean!) to Me,” Rev. Scott W. Alexander

Scott writes, “At this festive holiday season -- when the birth of Jesus is widely celebrated across our culture -- it seems only right to seriously reflect (from a Unitarian Universalist perspective) on what his life and teachings did (and did not!) mean. Warning: I will directly refute some widely promulgated ideas about the legacy which this prophetic teacher lived and died for.”

Dec. 21: "Returning of the Light: Celebrating the Winter Solstice,” Dana Lusk and Rev. Scott W. Alexander

On this, the shortest day of the calendar year, Rev. Scott Alexander and Dana Lusk will lead a service in celebration both of the winter season, and of the turning of the seasons back toward the light. There will be special music, and two reflections on the meaning of this special time of the year.

Dec. 24, 5:00 pm: Christmas Eve Intergenerational Candlelight Service, Rev. Scott W. Alexander

We will gather just after dark 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 the timeless old Christmas story 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!

This Sunday's Order of Service:

It is with great joy that we announce the appointment of two music professionals to our UCN staff.

We are happy to welcome Drew Donica as our permanent piano accompanist. Drew's remarkable musical gifts have already enriched our Sunday services, and we look forward to the beautiful music to come.

We are equally pleased to announce that Callie Thurow, a dedicated UCN member, has accepted our new part-time Director of Music position. Callie will expand the variety and scope of our Sunday morning worship, and we look forward to experiencing the creativity and inspiration she will bring. If you would like to contact Callie, her email is music@ucnorth.org.

Music is a vital and integral part of our worship experience at UCN. With Drew and Callie joining our staff, we look forward to the many new opportunities to deepen our shared experience of music and community.

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.

Chalice Chats is a part of the Leadership Board’s “Stewardship Program” which runs in conjunction with the Pledge Drive coming in February of every year. These conversations are to help the board decide our programs and priorities for the next year. The chats are a check-in before the pledge drive in February.

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 next meeting date is this Sunday December 7

• At UCN: 11:15 AM - 12:15 PM, in Emerson

• Zoom Meeting: December 7. Zoom at 7 - 8 PM Join Zoom Meeting
https://zoom.us/j/93930462723?pwd=UFTLR136oYedUnOZV3QRWx2adh9H39.1
Meeting ID: 939 3046 2723
Passcode: 13800

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. Contact Katie (262-339-2104, egan.bruhy@gmail.com) for more information.

If you prefer to share your thoughts one-on-one or in writing, you may request these options. We also plan to open an online survey coordinating with the ministerial search committee. This survey will have 6 open-ended questions similar to the Chalice Chat prompts, for an additional way to have your voice heard. The survey will be sent out in the next week.

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 childcare.

If you need help or have questions, feel free to contact Betsy Muellenbach (betsy.muellenbach@gmail.com), Dan Lusk (262-234-9406, or Judy DeLillo (201-566-5348), your Chalice Chat team.

December 7th RE Programing

With the arrival of winter’s low dark sky, communities around the world look to the miracle of light as a sign of rebirth and a source of hope. This Sunday, our RE youth will begin a three-week celebration of light with Chanukah, also known as the Jewish Festival of Lights. It celebrates two miracles: a great Jewish military victory and a miraculous supply of oil for the Temple. Our youth will learn about the holiday, light menorahs, play the dreidel game, and much, much more.

The COA class will meet this Sunday with guests joining during First Sunday Lunch.

MARK YOUR CALENDAR / SAVE THE DATES:

• Parent's Night OUT = Kid's Night IN: A night out for the parents means a night in for the kids! Friday December 12th, 5:30-8:30 pm 🎄🎁⛄: Minecraft Party theme with activities for all ages (even those not into Minecraft will stay engaged)
• Friday February 13th 6-9pm 💘💕💘: Valentines Party theme with activities for all ages

RE Holiday Store

‘Tis the season of giving, and we are hosting our annual RE holiday store again this year. The store will be open on Sunday December 14th and again following service on December 21st. We need donations of “gifts” (household and outdoor adventure items, jewelry, games, candles, etc.) that our youth may want to give to family and friends. Gift bags and tissue paper also would be greatly appreciated. Please leave donations in the cart outside Jessy’s office. Thank you in advance for your generosity.

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.

Community Food Resources
See below for a list of local resources.

Share the Plate Update

Guest House of Milwaukee has been selected as the next Share the Plate recipient, for the months of November and December.

Can you imagine finding yourself on the streets, with no home and no resources? Guest House programs and services are designed to address the full spectrum of homelessness, including prevention, shelter, clinical services, housing, and long-term case management. The shelter provides up to 86 men per night with warm meals, fresh beds, showers, clothing and laundry. Housing Services work with men, women and families to secure and maintain permanent housing. Clinical Services and Case Management are provided to address mental health and substance abuse issues while designing a pathway to attain and maintain independent living.

Half of the donations for November and December, cash or check, will go to Guest House of Milwaukee. On our website. www.ucnorth.org you can donate using PayPal or Breeze. Checks should include “STP” on the memo line. Your generosity is greatly appreciated!

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.

Join Us for First Sunday Lunch - Festa Italiana!

Please join us this Sunday, December 7th, for our monthly First Sunday Lunch (FSL). This month’s theme is Festa Italiana! Wonderful pasta dishes, salads, and desserts will be shared by this month’s FSL volunteers. Enjoy delicious food and friendly conversation with your fellow UCN members and friends. Suggested donation $4/adult; $10/family.

Hope to see you there!

Julie Zumach, December FSL Coordinator

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 21

Meetings are held via Zoom, unless stated.

• 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)

• Monday, Dec. 8, 7:00 pm: RE Committee (Katie Egan-Bruhy)

• Tuesday, Dec. 9, 7:00 pm: Sunday Services (Dana Lusk, CJ Winter)

• Thursday, Dec. 11, 6:00 pm: Parent's Night - Emerson and Fellowship Hall (Carissa Mooren)

• Friday, Dec. 12, 5:30 pm: Kids' Night at UCN - Lower Level (Jessy Knox)

• Sunday, Dec. 14: RE Holiday Store - Barton (Jessy Knox)

• Sunday, Dec. 14, 11:30 am: Social Justice - Emerson (Julie Konik)

• Monday, Dec. 15, 7:30 pm: Comm Tech (Carissa and Todd)

• Tuesday, Dec. 16, 7:00 pm: Finance (Pete Blain)

• Thursday, Dec. 18, 11:30 am: UU Ladies' Lunch - Crave Restaurant (Brenda Berg)

• Friday, Dec. 19, 12-5 pm: Blood Drive - Fellowship Hall (Sheri Mounts)

• Sunday, Dec. 21: RE Holiday Store - Barton (Jessy Knox)
  
  

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.

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 some 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

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

Callie Thurow, Director of Music

Callie's email is music@ucnorth.org.

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 . But, 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/