UCN offers adult religious education classes of one to thirteen weeks in duration on various topics. If you are interested in finding out about these, email or call the church and we will provide you with information. We hope you take this opportunity to explore new horizons within a warm and caring community.

"The goal of adult religious education is to develop our minds as well as our hearts; our intellect as well as our souls. This personal and theological growth leads to the individual becoming more fully human."” Rev. Bill Murray

Adult Religious Education Chair, Elizabeth Roat

The purpose of the Adult Religious Education Committee is to nurture and stimulate the religious and personal growth of the adult church community and the community at large by offering a varied and cohesive program within the context of the larger Unitarian Universalist tradition and principles.

Guidelines and Policies

The Adult Religious Education Committee derives programming from a variety of sources: minister, UUA curricula, and committee . We strive to recruit experienced and knowledgeable adult facilitators for all classes and offerings. It is our goal to present meaningful Adult Religious Education programming for people at all levels of commitment to Unitarian Universalism as well as at different stages and milestones in their lives. Note: included are opportunities for growth and learning sponsored by the wider church community.

Fees and Registration

The Adult Religious Education Committee is largely self-supporting. We request a donation to help cover the costs of presenting the class: materials, refreshments, curricula, and /or supplies. The donation also contributes to purchase of new curricula, funding for guest speakers, or underwriting special events. Unless otherwise noted, the general fee will be $4 per class, or $10 for three or more sessions for members; $5 per class or $15 for three or more sessions for non-members. If you cannot afford the full suggested donation, please contribute what you can. Pre-registration is required for all classes, generally through a sign-up sheet in the church lobby and registration form submitted to UCN office with fee. Programs may be cancelled if minimum number is not met. Please call facilitator if you will miss class.

"New UU" Series, sponsored by the Membership Committee
Session 3: April 6, 13, 20 & 26

Calling all New and Prospective Members, Visitors, and Seekers! If you have been attending Unitarian Church North for a few weeks, months (or years!) and would like to find out more about who we are, what we believe, or whether you might find a "fit" here, this is the class for you. The series is directed toward prospective members, but if you are a new member, or have never taken part in New UU, you are welcome to attend. We suggest that folks who are interested in joining the church attend at least 3 of the 4 New UU classes, or schedule a meeting with the minister.

This class series gives you the chance to ask all the questions you may have about Unitarian Universalism in general and UCN in particular. You'll learn something of the history and theological understandings of Unitarian Universalism, and of UCN, from Rev. Rigg in the second session. You will get to know others who are searching for a church home, uncover the mystery of how the church operates, and meet various church leaders who will talk about how they became involved themselves and what UCN means to them. At the last session we will have dinner together. Classes are scheduled in January and April; watch for specific dates on this website or in the Northliner. This class series will be offered at UCN; there is no fee. Questions about the course may be directed to Carol Browning at cabrowning@voyager.net.

Welcoming Congregation Curriculum
Tentatively scheduled for March, 2008

Interested in exploring your thoughts and current knowledge of sexual orientation? Do you want to understand where your current thoughts about sexual orientation and gender identity come from? Would you like to test your attitudes and understand the experiences of bisexual, gay, lesbian, and/or transgender people?
UCN is currently designated as a "Welcoming Congregation" by the UUA. As part of this recognition, the church must engage in continued discussion of issues facing the LGBT people in our church and our community. Join us for six weeks of discussion, based on UUA's The Welcoming Congregation Handbook: Resources for Affirming Bisexual, Gay, Lesbian, and/or Transgender People. Any questions may be directed to Jenny Elsner at spirit_canyon@yahoo.com.

Location: UCN, Emerson Room Time: 7:00-9:00 PM

Meditation Retreat with Rev. Elena Rigg

Rev. Rigg will again lead UCN in a retreat at Cedar Valley Retreat Center. For those of you who want to allow more time in your often-busy schedules for quiet, reflection, or re-centering, I hope this weekend will provide such a time--and also offer you some ideas for giving yourself the time on a regular basis.
We will gather together on Friday evening, to get acquainted and to have our first sitting. Except for our group sittings and discussions, we will maintain silence from the close of the Friday evening gathering until breakfast on Sunday morning. You do not have to be an experienced meditator, capable of sitting for hours. This weekend is an introduction to several forms of meditation, including walking meditation outside in the lovely Wisconsin outdoors, weather permitting. A yoga session will be offered to those who want to combine some physical movement with meditative practice. The Retreat will end before lunch on Sunday.

Dates: May 23-25, 2008 Time: May 23, 7:00 PM - May 25, 12:00 PM
Location: Cedar Valley Retreat Center, 5349 Highway D, West Bend
Fees: Members: TBD , Non-members: TBD
(Fees include Saturday breakfast, lunch, dinner, & snacks and Sunday breakfast.)
Make reservations early by contacting Carol Browning at (414) 247-1728. Space is limited.

Peacemaking Book Discussions
UCN's Planning For Peacemaking book discussion continues with:
The End of Faith, by Sam Harris
March 9, 11:45 AM, in the James Reeb Room
Discussion Leader: Merle Reinehr
Harris' motivation in writing this book is to show the disastrous consequences of religious beliefs. To achieve his goal, Harris shows that actions follow from belief. Since religious beliefs lack evidential support they are irrational, he says. Given the peculiar absolutism associated with these beliefs, together with the obligation to destroy those infidels who disagree, violence and destruction are inevitable. Harris supports his case with quotations (including inconsistencies) from the holy books of Jews, Christians, and Muslims.
You need not have read the book to come and listen or get involved in the discussion.

Ophelia Project
The Ophelia Project is dedicated to helping girls form healthy peer relationships and creating safe social climates for all youth. Founded as a catalyst for positive change within schools and communities, The Ophelia Project strives to raise awareness of relational aggression (RA), a form of nonphysical violence that is particularly prevalent among adolescent girls. RA is defined as behavior that is used to hurt someone by harming his or her relationships with others. On September 23, Jane Finkenbine, presented a workshop for parents entitled "Harsh Words & Hurt Feelings, Helping Your Daughter Maintain Healthy Friendships." This workshop focuses on empowering parents who in turn empower their children. If there is a demand, we will seek to hold another session for parents this Spring. To express interest, contact Elizabeth Roat.
Dates: TBD if there is a request for this program
Location: UCN, Emerson Room
Fees: $10 fee
Led by: Jane Finkenbine, Director of The Ophelia Project of SE Wisconsin

Voluntary simplicity and Sustainable Living
Voluntary simplicity is a purposeful way of life, a growing movement resulting in lifestyles which are outwardly simple, inwardly rich, and environmentally just. Voluntary Simplicity is an 8-week discussion course that introduces various aspects of simple living. The course format is informal small group discussion of weekly readings on topics such as Living more with Less, Your Money or Your Life, Do You Have the Time, and The Practice of Simplicity. The course explores the impact our lifestyle choices have on the condition of our world.

In recent years, the term "sustainable" has been popularized particularly in discussions about personal lifestyle, business practices, and government policies. Underlying this intense interest in sustainability is a widely held belief that modern industrial society, with its focus on consumerism, cannot continue. Choices for Sustainable Living is a 9-week discussion course that introduces various aspects of sustainability. The course format is informal small group discussion of weekly readings on topics such as Ecological Principles, Sustainable Business and Economy, Sustainable Food, and Visions of Sustainability.
A no-obligation introduction to both courses will be held:
Date: Wednesday, January 23 Time: 7:00 p.m.
Location: UCN, Clara Barton Room Fees: $20 (Cost of the book)

May Sarton Book Club
In November, UCN members Colleen Fitzgerald and Judy Milbrath hosted a discussion of May Sarton's A Reckoning: A Novel. They will continue by offering Parts Two and Three of this three part series on Sarton's novels, memoirs, and poetry. Part Two will be a discussion of Recovering: A Journal 1978-1979. Your local bookstore may be able to order Recovering: A Journal, or you may buy it new or used at a reasonable price at Amazon.com.
Dates: Part Two: Saturday, January 26, 2008
Location: Café Forte, 10530 N. Port Washington Road
Time: 1:00 pm-2:30 pm Fees: None
Led by: UCN member Colleen Fitzgerald & Judy Milbrath

OWL: Our Whole Life for Adults
Our Whole Lives is a positive, comprehensive, and age appropriate educational program that promotes sexual health. OWL for Adults provides a forum for adults to discuss and learn about the many aspects of sexuality. If interested in joining us, please call Trudy Mandel, DRE, at (262) 375-4471.
Dates: every other Sunday, starting Fall of 2007
Time: 9:00-10:15 AM
Location: UCN, Clara Barton Room-lower level
Fees: $10 members, $15 non-members
Led by: Lori Holz and Doug Friedrich

OWL Classes for Jr. Youth
We are offering the Owl (Our Whole Lives) sexuality course again this year for youth ages 11 years and up . If you have a youth who is interested in joining our program, contact Trudy Mandel, DRE.

Community Resources for the Aging
There are many resources available to help an older or disabled person maintain an independent lifestyle. This presentation will examine various types of in-home services, community-based services, and residential alternatives. This presentation is good for those who may be near to needing services or for those who are just planning for the future.
Date: Monday, April 7 Time: 6:30pm
Location: Emerson Room
Led by: Ozaukee County Aging and Disability Resource Center

Building your Own Theology
Thursday evening Dates: Feb. 21, 28;
March 6, 13, 20, 27; April 3, 10
Time: 7:00-9:00 pm
Location: James Reeb Room
Fees: Members $10 Nonmembers $15
Led by: Rev. Elena Rigg


The liberal church recognizes that everyone is a theologian. This 8-session program is designed to provide a systematic, communal approach for participants to "build" a new theology based on their current understandings. A small-group setting provides you the chance to create your own credo--your own personal articulation of belief and conviction. The format of the credo need not be a formal declaration; it can be prose or poetry, a schematic drawing or chart, an essay or narrative. The important thing is to make explicit in some way your implicit theological or philosophical assumptions.
The class includes about an hour of homework each week for writing, re-writing, or refining your credo statement in light of what you have heard during the session and reflect upon.