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 a special email will be sent out, if possible.

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.

October 6 – Volunteer Appreciation Sunday, Rev. Alexander and Julie Zumach

On this Sunday, Rev. Alexander and Julie Zumach will lead a service in appreciation for all the many volunteers who make UCN possible. We will hear from four active volunteers who greatly contribute to our success here at Unitarian Church North, and I will offer a brief reflection entitled “The Priesthood of all Believers,” which will explain and celebrate an affirmation that has been at the center of Unitarian Universalism since our very beginnings as an “organized” religion. Do be with us for this lively and important service.

October 13: “Respect: Being in ‘Right Relation’ with one Another,” Sermon II in the 2024 UCN
Year-Long Sermon Series “The Five Smooth Stones of Religious Liberalism,” Rev. Scott W. Alexander

Scott Writes: On this Sunday, I continue my 5-part sermon series with a sermon on what Unitarian Universalist theologian Dr. James Luther Adams regards as the second essential “pillar” of our liberal faith tradition…Respect for one another. This is sometimes more complicated than even we religious liberals sometimes like to think.

As you all know, Asheville North Carolina was among the communities most severely impacted by the destruction of Hurricane Helene. Rev. Alexander has reached out to his friend and colleague, the Rev. Claudia Jimenez, Association Minister of our Asheville UU congregation (with whom Rev. Alexander worked for 11 years in Vero Beach) and she has agreed to receive whatever funds we are able to raise (on behalf of the Asheville Congregation) and distribute them to both members of the church who need support and to effective relief agencies in Asheville. This Sunday, October 6, a special collection will be taken that will go directly to the Asheville congregation for distribution where and how it is most needed. Checks can also be sent to UCN this week, so we can send one check as soon as possible. Thanks for your support of this important relief effort.

to the Launch Party for our Capital Campaign to eliminate our church mortgage and strengthen our reserve funds.

Come to the Gala Launch Event

Saturday, Oct. 12

5:00 pm in the north lobby.

Enjoy hors d'oeuvres and beverages and

the evening's special entertainment, provided by

Comedy Sportz

Childcare will be provided.

Please join us for this wonderful evening of fellowship and fun.

Below is a PDF of Rev. Sarah Oelberg's sermon from Sept. 29, 2024.

This week, the K-2nd class Balance in Nature will learn the importance of balance in the web of life. We will consider what happens to an ecosystem if one species overpopulates or dies out and learn ways one one’s actions can affect those sharing their ecosystem.

The 3rd to 6th graders will continue their exploration of moral issues in the Faith, Hope and Prayer lesson. Children will think about actions they can take that help make their gratitude be felt by others, their apologies be heard by others, their wishes and hopes become real, and their loving (healing) wishes to be felt by others.

The Our Whole Lives (OWL) has the week off.

Please join us for Trunk or Treat on October 27th. The festivities begin at 11:15 and will run until around 1. The RE Committee is looking for those interested in festooning a Trunk, helping with games, and serving lunch. Please see Katie Egan-Bruhy (egan.bruhy@gmail.com; 262-339-2104) to sign up for the fun!

Election Ballot Update

Wisconsin voters will be asked one question to amend (change) the constitution on their November ballot. While at a glance it seems reasonable, the League of Women Voters has determined it is not. This constitutional amendment change from "every" to "only" is a downgrade to all of our voting rights.

❌Question: “Eligibility to vote. Shall section 1 of article III of the constitution, which deals with suffrage, be amended to provide that ❗only❗ a United States citizen age 18 or older who resides in an election district may vote in an election for national, state, or local office or at a statewide or local referendum?"

• “Every U.S. citizen” is protective. The rights of at least those individuals – U.S. citizens over 18 who reside in the district for 28 days – cannot be denied.
• “Only U.S. citizens” is limiting. Instead of guaranteeing anyone’s rights, it denies the right to vote to anyone outside that group.

This is how we can lose rights such as our freedom to vote.

If there was no meaningful difference between “only” & “every,” legislators would not bother trying to pass this as a constitutional amendment.

“If the constitution says 'only' citizens can vote, that means that sub-sets of citizens could be excluded – like citizens that don't have documents to prove their citizenship. If the constitution says "every" citizen it means that it's a guarantee.” – Eileen Newcomer, LWVWI Voter Education Manager

Please vote NO on this question.

How Do You Research What a Candidate Supports?

• https://www.naacpldf.org/research-candidates-state-local-elections/
• https://www.vote411.org/ballot
• https://www.fec.gov/introduction-campaign-finance/how-to-research-public-records/candidates/
• https://www.usa.gov/voter-research
• https://justfacts.votesmart.org/

Share the Plate Update

The Social Justice Committee has chosen the Ozaukee County Adult Literacy Project to receive the Share the Plate donations for September and October. The ALC ‘s mission is to provide individualized educational services for adult learners to improve academic and life skills in order to pursue their personal, professional, and life goals. One to one tutoring sessions allow students to set the goals for their particular needs that may include preparing for citizenship, GED candidates, college support and adult basic education.

The program began as a mission of Grace Lutheran Church in Grafton. It has become an independent nonprofit that still maintains an office and tutoring rooms in the church. The church provides utilities, phone and internet services, as well, helping to keep program costs low.

Half of the donations, cash or check, will go to the Ozaukee County Literacy project. 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. Thank you for your generosity.

EXPOnential 2024

An Invitation To Hope And All Its Possibilities

October 5, 2024

Monona Terrace Community and Convention Center, Madison, WI

We are excited to announce the Keynote Speaker for the EXPOnential Celebration of Life Gala: the inspiring Ms. Susan Burton! As the founder of A New Way of Life and the SAFE House Network, Ms. Burton has been recognized as a Forbes 50 Over 50 honoree, a CNN Hero, and NBC's Most Inspirational Individual. She is also the author of the powerful memoir "Becoming Ms. Burton." Susan is a true advocate for change and an inspiration to the lives she has touched.

EXPO's dynamic duo of MCs, Shannon Ross and Adam Procell, founders of Paradigm Shift, will ensure the evening remains lively and engaging. Their unique energy and passion will guide us through a night of powerful storytelling, heartfelt moments, and meaningful connections.

Don't miss out—secure your spot today and join us in celebrating 10 years of EXPO!

Tickets and Registration: EXPOnential 2024

Taking a Faithful Stand for Equity

The next meeting of Taking a Faithful Stand for Equity will be on Tuesday, October 8, 6:30 pm on Zoom.

Rev. Breanna Illéné, Director of Ecumenical Innovation & Justice Initiatives at the Wisconsin Council of Churches, will guide us through a review of the ideological parallels between White Christian Nationalism and Project 2025. It looks like a really engaging evening, especially in terms of enabling us to explain why White Christian Nationalism is more than just a theoretical theological concern.

Please register here.

We are looking forward to seeing you then!

For the Taking a Faithful Stand for Equity cosponsors:

· Interfaith Conference of Greater Milwaukee

· MICAH

· Wisconsin Council of Churches

· Wisconsin Council of Rabbis

· Wisconsin Faith Voices for Justice

· WISDOM

Save the Date!

LGBTQ+ Film Screening Oct. 15 by the Germantown Community Coalition

Did you know there are over 35,000 mothers—many from Christian backgrounds—who are willing to risk the loss of friends, family, and their faith communities to keep their LGBTQ+ kids safe? Connected by private Facebook groups, they help each other overcome the teachings of their churches and call themselves “mama bears” because they fight ferociously for the civil rights of the entire LGBTQ+ community. The Mama Bears documentary, a film by Daresha Kyi, celebrates a few of their stories.

In partnership with a number of other community nonprofits, we are thrilled to announce our upcoming FREE screening of Mama Bears on October 15th at 6:30pm at the Germantown High School Performing Arts Center (W180N11501 River Lane Germantown). Following the film presentation, there will be a discussion panel featuring local faith leaders, advocates, and families to examine the importance of the film. As the LGBTQ+ community continues to come under attack, we want to bring people together in the spirit of learning and growing in order to be a more welcoming place for all. In addition, there will be two LGBT history exhibits on display (https://vince.lgbt/)

For more details and to register, please visit the events page on our website: germantowncommunitycoalition.org/events.

Save the Date!

Join us for the MICAH Public meeting to be held Tuesday, October 29, 2024 at Mt. Zion Missionary Baptist Church, 2207 N. 2nd St., Milwaukee.

The theme will be “Building Beloved Community: For Such a Time as This.”

Doors open at 6:00 pm, and the meeting begins at 6:30.

Carpooling may be arranged through Leigh Hoftiezer, Social Justice Chairperson (leigh.hoftiezer@gmail.com)

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.

First Sunday Lunch is back after taking a brief summer break!!

Sunday, October 6 is going to be “Hot and Delicious!”

Please join your fellow UCN members/friends in Fellowship Hall after the morning service on October 6 for a scrumptious meal of a variety of hot and delicious entrees, salads, desserts, and beverages. Suggested donation $4/adult; $10/family limit.

If your last name as listed in the membership directory falls within the last names Ahrenhoerster to Gomez, you are cordially invited to provide a dish that serves 10-12 people for the October 6 Lunch. Dishes can be dropped off in the kitchen before the service. There will be someone there as early as 9 am to receive them. If it better suits you, salads, desserts, beverages, and set-up volunteers are also on our "must-haves" list so you need not feel confined to an entree offering. Thank you in advance for your contributions! October FSL coordinator, Judy DeLillo has sent out email requests and will be communicating with volunteers throughout the coming month for planning and coordinating. Contact Judy at judelillo2@gmail.com to convey your contribution choice ASAP.

Visitors

The following people visited our church recently:

• Katie Stewart, South Milwaukee

Thanks for visiting us. We hope that you come back soon!

Need Stuff?

The RE team is busy getting our classrooms cleaned out, cleaned up and refreshed for our growing RE program and miscellaneous meetings/events held here at the church. As various Adopt a Room volunteers have worked on different spaces throughout the church, some things have been temporarily stored in the Senior Youth Room. Our intent has been to Reuse and Recycle as best we could. Now it’s time for things to leave the building. If interested, please take a look in the Youth Room to see if there’s anything you’d like to take with you. What’s left by Sunday, October 13 will be hauled out to make way for the new.

Please Note

If you are discarding furniture to the dumpster area, please do not put it in the dumpster. Please place the furniture either inside the fenced area or on the east side of the fence on the concrete pad. When the dumpster becomes full of furniture, there is no place for regular trash to be stored and must be left outside the dumpster itself. This gives those four-legged critters an invitation to rip open the plastic bag and spread trash everywhere. Thank you for your support.

Zoom SCRIP User Training - Wednesday, October 9th, 7 pm

SCRIP is an important fundraiser for UCN. As well as offering gift cards for so many of the retailers we shop at (local groceries, restaurants, Amazon, gas stations, Zappos, etc.), UCN gets a percent of the card value from each card's sale to help support the church.

Please join Rob Powell for a presentation on on-line ordering and reloading of SCRIP cards.

Join Zoom Meeting:
https://zoom.us/j/94166413504?pwd=RaisapdETaqfthyEcZBpQHflxy8bbG.1

Community Conversations

Join us October 15 at 6:30 pm in the UCN Sanctuary for education, awareness and prevention on substance use and mental health. You will hear from Tina Perry, the founder of the non-profit organization Just Listen based in Mequon, as well as Marybeth (a Parent Peer Support Specialist), our Ozaukee County Sheriff and Bev, who will be sharing about Wisconsin Quilts. Narcan training will also be available. Just Listen has served people in our community since 2011, helping individuals and families. More information at just-listen.org.

Game Night

Well, Game Afternoon, really. Save the date: Nov 16!
Fun and free for all ages. More details to come.

West Lobby Photo Board

The West Lobby Adopt-a-Room group has plans to refresh the photo collage with pictures that depict more recent members, children and activities of UCN. We are requesting that members submit photo files for consideration to be printed on photo paper and included in our display. Please, send photo files with good exposure and focus to photos@ucnorth.org with identification of the event and people/children depicted. Wait a week or so for email address to be set up. It is safest to ask for permission of all those in a photo to have their likeness displayed. Examples of pictures might include these: RE class, playground use, extracurricular events like Trunk or Treat, Social Justice Committee events, Holiday program, Choir performance, Guest in the Pulpit, Message for All Ages …

Thank you

Grief Group

The Good Grief support group meets every other week in the Emerson Room. If you’ve experienced a loss and are in need of informal support, this may be a good resource for you. All are welcome. Next meeting is Tuesday, Oct. 8 at noon. Future dates will be Wednesdays at 10:00 am on October 23; November 6 and 20; December 4. Contact Judy DeLillo at 720-935-0851 or judelillo2@gmail.com with any questions.

Events at UCN

• "Qi Gong and Tai Chi" will resume in October on most Saturdays at 11 am in the Fellowship Hall. Call Diane at 307-763-0903 for dates and details. First class is free for UCN members.
• The next Wis. Singer Songwriter Concert will be held October 5. Go to wsss.org for details.
• There will be a Kirtan on Oct. 17 in the UCN Sanctuary. Go to kaitakirtan.com for details.
• 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.
  

Thank you for supporting the groups that use our facilities.

Calendar through October 20

Meetings are held via Zoom, unless stated.

• Saturday, Oct. 5: FSL Setup - Fellowship Hall
• Sunday, Oct. 6, 11:30 am: First Sunday Lunch - Fellowship Hall (Judy DeLillo)
• Monday, Oct. 7, 7:00 pm: Building Committee (Brian Bunzel)
• Tuesday, Oct. 8, noon: Good Grief Group - Emerson (Judy DeLillo)
• Tuesday, Oct. 8, 7:00 pm: Membership (Dan Lusk)
• Wednesday, Oct. 9, 7:00 pm: Scrip Presentation (Katie Egan-Bruhy/Rob Powell)
• Thursday, Oct. 10, 6:30 pm: Sunday Services Committee (Julie Konik)
• Saturday, Oct. 12, 5:00 pm: Gala Launch of the Capital Campaign - north lobby
• Sunday, Oct. 13, 10:00 am: OWL Class - Reeb
• Sunday, Oct. 13, 11:30 am: Social Justice - Library (Leigh Hoftiezer)
• Monday, Oct. 14, 7:00 pm: RE Committee (Katie Egan-Bruhy)
• Tuesday, Oct. 15, 6:30 pm: Community Conversations - Sanctuary
• Tuesday, Oct. 15, 7:00 pm: Finance (Sherryl Andrus)
• Thursday, Oct. 17, 11:30 am: UU Ladies' Lunch - Crave (Brenda Berg)
• Sunday, Oct. 20, 10:00 am: OWL Class - Reeb

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 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: 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 Chair, Julie Konik, at Julie.Konik@gmail.com or 920-750-4385.

• 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/. Fall retreat: October 18-20 at a new location near West Bend.
• 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.

• Our photo directory of members and pledging friends is sent out a few times each year. If you would prefer a printed color copy, we can print them for $5. Just tell Lyn if you want one.

• Adopt A Room is still looking for people to get involved. See the display board in the north lobby to sign up, or contact Judy DeLillo at judelillo2@gmail.com for more information. We are requesting that members submit photo files for consideration to be printed on photo paper and included in our display in the west lobby. Please, send photo files with good exposure and focus to photos@ucnorth.org with identification of the event and people/children depicted.

• 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.

• 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 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.
  

• Update: UU Ladies' Lunch meets on the third Thursday of every month at 11:30 at Crave Restaurant, on Port Washington Road in Mequon.
  

Fundraising and Donations

• UCN is now able to accept donations via PayPal.

• Food Barrels: 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.
  

• 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. To sign up, use the code for UCN: 1F3EE5A9248LL. And use the QR code above for easy enrollment.

• 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 contact Todd Zumach (zumacht@gmail.com) or Carissa Mooren (live4him56@gmail.com) to submit articles for our website.

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.

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

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.

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/