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B I S M A R C K - M A N D A N U N I T A R I A N U N I V E R S A L I S T F E L L O W S H I P & C H U R C H
818 E. Divide Ave.
Bismarck, ND 58501
701-223-6788
WEBSITE: www.bismanuu.org EMAIL: [email protected]
January 2017
1st Sunday Service & Youth Programs: 10:30 AM
Fellowship & Refreshments: 11:30-12:15
2nd Sunday Service: 12:30 PM
Church Calendar An asterisk (*) indicates related article
SUNDAY, JANUARY 1—Happy New Year! Sunday Service, 10:30 AM
WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 4
UU Board of Trustees Meeting & UUTRM, 5:30 PM
SATURDAY, JANUARY 7
*UU Trauma Response Ministry, 10AM-3:30 PM (p. 5)
SUNDAY, JANUARY 8
Sunday Service & Youth RE, 10:30 AM
Sunday Service, 12:30 PM
WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 11 Program Meeting, 5:00-6:00 PM
FRIDAY, JANUARY 13 *Nonviolent Peaceforce Workshop, 6:00-9:00 PM (p. 3)
SATURDAY, JANUARY 14 *Nonviolent Peaceforce Workshop, 9:00 AM-5:00 PM (p. 3)
SUNDAY, JANUARY 15
Sunday Service & Youth RE, 10:30 AM
People, Place Meetings, 11:45 AM
Sunday Service, 12:30 PM
WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 18 Adult Religious Education, 7:00 PM
THURSDAY, JANUARY 19 *UU Men’s Get-Together, Blarney Stone, 5:30 PM (p. 2)
FRIDAY, JANUARY 20 *UU Women’s Lunch, BisMan Food Co-op, 12:00 PM (p. 2)
SUNDAY, JANUARY 22
Sunday Service & Youth RE, 10:30 AM
Sunday Service, 12:30 PM
SATURDAY, JANUARY 28 *Unitarian Universalist Seekers Lunch, 12:00-2:00 PM (p. 2)
SUNDAY, JANUARY 29
Sunday Service & Youth RE, 10:30 AM
Sunday Service, 12:30 PM
The BisMan UU Monthly Newsletter—Sharing Unitarian Universalist Values in the Capital City Area
Sunday, January 1 NEW YEAR’S DAY SERVICE: MOVIE AND MASSAGE
Start the year with a refreshing movie and an invigorating
massage. We will gather with popcorn, juice, a warm fire, a
movie suited for ALL ages, and brief massage for those who
wish. Special thanks to Elicia Faul, licensed massage therapist.
(Free will donations to Elicia would be gratefully accepted.
Movie TBA.) We will have only one service at 10:30 AM on January 1. All ages are welcome!
Sunday, January 15 THIS I BELIEVE; THIS I DO
Liz Loos and Dennis Lyon
As UUs, we hold a belief in 7 Principles and the sentiment that
what we do while here on Earth matters. In this popular service
format, Liz and Dennis will share their spiritual journeys and how
they live our UU principles.
Liz Loos moved from Louisiana to Bismarck in July of 2013 with her
husband Frank and son Gus. She spent 7 years in social work, and
with her PhD in Environmental and Evolutionary Biology, later
worked as Research Director for Delta Waterfowl Foundation and
taught at Louisiana State University. She now works for Dakota
Resource Council. Dennis Lyon has worked as a fry cook at the
A&W Drive-In, a sailor, the doorman at Minot’s American Legion
Club, a jailor, a prison guard, and then 38 years in human ser-
vices with the last 15 years as a client advocate for clients of Voca-
tional Rehabilitation. Dennis is married to Susan and they have 2
adult children and one grandson.
Sunday, January 8 WATER IS LIFE: CARE FOR THE CAREGIVERS
Rev. Bret Lortie and Rev. Leslie Trew
The UU Trauma Response Ministry (UUTRM) is composed of UU
ministers and lay leaders who are trained in trauma response
and are scheduled to be here Wednesday, January 4 through
Sunday, January 8, with information and tools on navigating criti-
cal incidents. Opportunities offered for folks to meet with the
team in formal groups and more informal times. This is a time to
reflect on the water protector movement, local responses, and
impacts on our community. Our work together will culminate
during services on Sunday, in which UUTRM will guide us in re-
flection on the past and anticipation of the future.
Bret Lortie (on-site lead), Rosemary Bray McNatt, and Leslie
Trew are UU ministers who have extensive experience in navi-
gating critical incidents with congregations and other groups.
Sunday, January 29 WHO WE WERE GOING TO BE: ON SELF-FORGIVENESS
Karen Van Fossan, Minister
Everyone makes mistakes, but it can be tough to forgive our-
selves for ours. Sometimes it's not just our mistakes we have
trouble forgiving, but our basic, human limitations. How do we
let go of who were going to be? How do we extend compassion
to ourselves? How do we come home to who we are?
Karen Van Fossan has been serving as the minister for the Bis-
marck Mandan UU congregation since August 2015. She is a fos-
ter mom, pastoral counselor, writer, and social justice advocate.
Sunday, January 22 NONVIOLENT PEACEFORCE AND UNARMED CIVILIAN PROTECTION
Thiago Wolfer and Martha Hernández
Nonviolent Peaceforce is a global non-profit organization that
promotes unarmed civilian protection. Thiago Wolfer and Martha
Hernández have been working in implementation and coordina-
tion of programs of protection of civilians in armed conflict within
the context of conflict prevention and violence reduction. They
have worked with Nonviolent Peaceforce in Guatemala, Sri Lanka,
South Sudan and the Philippines.
The Beacon
Our Monthly Newsletter Sharing Unitarian Universalist Values in the Capital City Area
Page 2
Our UU Community
Candles for the Journey
*Many heartfelt thanks to the UU Trauma Response Ministry team
and all who participated in authentic, engaged discussions about
the impacts of the Standing Rock events on our lives. After spend-
ing the better part of a week with us, the team reports, "You are a healthy con-
gregation. Let that sink in. You are a healthy church."
*We hold Janis Cheney, Steve Crane, and their family in our hearts as Janis
faces health challenges related to cancer. We will update the congregation as
more information unfolds.
*Andrea Grigsby has recently acquired a new space in order to expand her
healing arts work in our community.
*Michaela Alexander asks for prayers of peace and goodwill for the anxious
cat she has just begun fostering.
*Derek Lowstuter is pursuing a longtime dream of opening a local, organic
fertilizer plant.
*Thanks to the mentorship of JP Holmes, 9th-grader Jeremiah Veach will be
able to participate in herpetology (AKA snake) research at Sitting Bull College.
*A big thank you to David Markel and Sebastian Caldwell for rearranging the
library shelves! Stay tuned for more library improvements.
If you have news of joy or concern or sorrow, please contact Pat Conrad at [email protected] or our minister at 701.223.6788 or [email protected].
Dedicated Donations: Donor Messages
*Donation to Vision Fund for the month of
December by Pat & Dean Conrad in honor
of Terri Wilkerson for her good work at the
Oceti Sakowin camp.
*Cards and letters from UU friends nation-
ally supporting the work at Standing Rock
are posted on the bulletin boards. Thank
you!
Thank you for your generous donations!
Attention, Seekers! "Everything You Ever Wanted to Know about Uni-
tarian-Universalism but Were Afraid to Ask"
Light lunch with Betty Mills
Saturday, January 28, 2017 from 12:00--2:00 PM
Are you curious to learn more about Unitarian Universal-ism? Have you ever wondered how this small but mighty congregation came to be? Do you think the Bismarck-Mandan UU might be the home for you? Join with other seekers in a conversation with Betty Mills, Janis Cheney, and Karen Van Fossan about UU history, values, and tradi-tions. This is FREE. Childcare available. RSVP to [email protected] or 701.223.6788.
Betty Mills is an author, journalist, and founding member of our congregation. Janis Cheney is a board member of the MidAmerica Region of the Unitarian Universalist Association. Karen Van Fos-san, M.Div., is our minister.
Informal Social Opportunities!
Men’s Get-Together: Thursday, January
19, 5:30 PM at Blarney Stone, downtown
Bismarck. Partake in good times and inter-
esting conversation! All men are welcome!
Contact Ken Grigsby at 400.0381 if you
have questions.
Women’s Lunch: Friday, January 20, 12:00
PM noon at Bisman Food Co-op (711 Sweet
Ave.), 2nd floor meeting room. There is no
agenda - come as you are and enjoy good
food, and great women of like minds. All
women are welcome! Contact CJ Larsen at
516.7848 if you have questions.
Thanks to Ursula Conrad and Dan Christ for fulfilling
our congregation's offer of service to the Ruth Meier's
Hospitality House by serving the noon meal on De-
cember 29th. We will have 4 opportunities to be of
service in 2017, on the 5th Thursdays in March, June,
August, and November.
—Pat Conrad
UU youth perform the holiday play, “Where Did All This Stuff Come From
Anyway?” Huge thanks to Pat Conrad and Angela Pittman (and our youth!)
for making this play a reality! Photo: Christine Kujawa taken from FB, 12.18.16
Page 3 The Beacon
Our Monthly Newsletter Sharing Unitarian Universalist Values in the Capital City Area
Our UU Community
Our UU Folk Choir
Welcomes YOU!
The UU Folk Choir welcomes any and all musicians
and singers! Practice begins Friday evenings from 5
to 6 pm at the church, and again before the service
at 9:45 am. Director Jean King can be reached
at [email protected] if you have any questions.
Social Action Working Group Meeting
SAWG will meet at the UU Church on Tuesday,
Jan. 17th at 5:30.
WHAT: SAWG Meeting
WHEN: Tuesday, January 17, 5:30 pm
WHERE: UU Church
The main agenda item will be the future of our
interfaith living yurt, as spring flooding is antici-
pated at Oceti Sakowin camp. Terri Wilkerson,
yurt coordinator, plans to join us with the most up
-to-date information. Hope you can make it.
Contact Wayde Schafer at 701-388-3942 if you
have any questions.
Nonviolent Peaceforce and Unarmed Civilian Protection
Presenters: Thiago Wolfer and Martha Hernández
Workshops: Friday, January 13, 6:00-9:00 pm; Satur-
day, January 14, 9:00 am—5:00 pm
Sunday’s Program, January 22 at 10:30 am & 12:30 pm
Nonviolent Peaceforce is a global non-profit organization that pro-
motes unarmed civilian protection.
Thiago Wolfer (Brazilian) and Martha Hernández (Colombian) have
been working in implementation and coordination of programmes
of protection of civilians in armed conflict within the context of con-
flict prevention and violence reduction. They have worked with
Nonviolent Peaceforce in Guatemala, Sri Lanka, South Sudan and
the Philippines.
They will illustrate the different unarmed strategies to protect civil-
ians in the context of armed conflict. Likewise, they will share con-
crete examples and experiences on how these strategies were im-
plemented in the different countries where they have worked.
Meet your 2017 UU Board of Trustees!
President: Rita Kelly
Vice President: Liz Loos
Treasurer: Lisa Omlid
Secretary: Paul Markel
Trustee: Christine Kujawa
Biographies of newly elected 2017 members:
Rita Kelly
Rita joined the Bismarck-Mandan UU 20 years ago but
attended only sporadically until January 2015. Before
retirement, Rita had been a long-time teacher, an edu-
cational equity consultant with the state and finally, the
principal of Century High School. Last summer she was
approached to fill an open seat on the Board, which she
accepted hesitantly beginning in September, well
aware of her short UU involvement. In the spirit of ser-
vice to our UU, she has accepted an invitation to be con-
sidered for the 2017 Board.
Liz Loos
Liz moved from Louisiana to Bismarck in July of 2013
with her husband Frank and son Gus. She has a varied
background. She spent 7 years in social work, then re-
turned to school for Environmental Studies. She earned
a PhD in Environmental and Evolutionary Biology from
University of Louisiana, and later worked as Research
Director for Delta Waterfowl Foundation and was ad-
junct professor at Louisiana State University. She
stopped working after Gus was born so that she could
focus her energy and time on family. After moving to
Bismarck, she realized she had found her spiritual home
and her people the first time she walked into Bismarck-
Mandan Unitarian Universalist Church. She has helped
teach Religious Education, is on the People Team, and is
active in the Social Action Working Group. She recently
began her dream job working for Dakota Resource
Council as Standing Rock Organizer.
Rita Kelly and Liz Loos will be joining board members
Christine Kujawa, Paul Markel, and Lisa Omlid, who
each have one year remaining in their current term.
Christmas Eve at the UU Photo: Carol Jean Larsen, 12.24.16
Page 4 The Beacon
Our Monthly Newsletter Sharing Unitarian Universalist Values in the Capital City Area
UU Happenings in Pictures
Team UU: Hey, bring ‘um on! Bowling on New Year’s Eve Photo: CJ Larsen, 12.31.16
Above: UU youth holiday play (photo: Chris-
tine Kujawa, 12.18.16)
Right: UU New Year’s Day celebration:
Movie, Munchies, Massage (by licensed
massage therapist, Elicia Faul), & Mellow-
ship (photo: CJ Larsen, 1.1.17)
Above: UU Rev. Meg Whitaker-Greene, CA, visit-
ing with Alaskan journalist at Oceti Sakowin camp
in front of Interfaith Yurt Photo: CJ Larsen 12.9.16
Another holiday—another UU bathroom
remodel. Thanks, Jim Lennington!
Ph
oto: Larsen
, 12.30
.16
Above & right: Graham Kreicker, Lawrence, KS, Prairie Star
District’s last Trustee to the UUA with Bismarck’s Betty Mills,
a UUA Trustee 1971-79 Photo: CJ Larsen, 12.27.16
Left: Ah, Snow.
Mountains of thanks
to Steve Crane, Kim
Hocking, & Jim Len-
nington for clearing
our paths!
Terri Wilkerson (volunteer coordi-
nator of the interfaith living yUUrt)
poses by the energy efficient pel-
let stove
that
many
people
in our
congre-
gation
have
made
possi-
ble.
(Photo:
Van Fos-
san)
Page 5 The Beacon
Our Monthly Newsletter Sharing Unitarian Universalist Values in the Capital City Area
We have been impacted by the recent events at Standing Rock, sometimes in very different ways. This week we have the oppor-
tunity to reflect on the water protector movement, Dakota Access Pipeline, local responses, and impacts on our community.
Through support from the Unitarian Universalist Association, we will be visited by the UU Trauma Response Ministry (UUTRM)
from Wednesday, January 4 through Sunday, January 8.
Composed of UU ministers and lay leaders who are trained in trauma response, UUTRM will share information and tools on navi-
gating critical incidents. There will be opportunities for folks to meet with the team in formal groups via group discussions -- and
through more informal one-on-one times during open hours.
Schedule:
Open hours: You don't need to make an appointment during open hours; you can just stop in to visit with someone from UUTRM
about your experiences.
Group sessions: The sessions are not cumulative. You are welcome to attend any one (or even all) of the sessions to share your
experiences and hear about others' experiences. Childcare will be available during every group discussion.
Please visit www.traumaministry.org to learn more about this ministry.
If you have any further questions, please contact Karen Van Fossan, minister, at 701.223.6788 or [email protected].
Day Open Hours Group Session Board Meeting Sunday Services
Wednesday 5:30 PM
Thursday 10 AM – 4 PM 6:30 – 8 PM
Friday 10 AM – 4 PM 6:30 – 8 PM
Saturday 10 AM – 2 PM 2 – 3:30 PM
Sunday As needed As needed 10:30 AM
UU Trauma Response Ministry
Calendar - Upcoming MidAmerica Events January 19: WEBINAR SERIES: Build Your Adaptive Leadership Toolkit 1 - Community Work 25: WEBINAR: Stewardship for Beginners 26: WEBINAR SERIES: Build Your Adaptive Leadership Toolkit 2 - Self Care and Honoring your Inner Voice 28: Reaching Beyond: RE & Social Justice Workshop in Palatine IL February 2: WEBINAR SERIES: Build Your Adaptive Leadership Toolkit 3 - Turn to Wonder 3: WomenSpirit 2017 9: WEBINAR SERIES: Build Your Adaptive Leadership Toolkit 4 - Learn from Silence and Listening 15: Chalice Lighter Grant Applications due 15: OWL Facilitator Training - St.Paul MN 16: WEBINAR SERIES: Build Your Adaptive Leadership Toolkit 5 - Leadership as Suffering and Shadow
MidAmerica Regional Assembly will be at
the Oak Brook Marriott in Oak Brook Illinois
(Chicago area) on April 28-30, 2017.
In spite of our small numbers in the national religious
scene, Unitarian Universalists have been at the fore-
front of every significant social change in our nation's
history. Now, more than ever, we need to work with
partners to have an impact in our cities, states and country.
Our Keynote Speaker will be Rev. Dr. Lee Barker, President and Professor
of Ministry at Meadville-Lombard Theological School! Rev. Dr. Barker's
topic will be:
To Multi-faith: A Verb Unitarian Universalism is perfectly situated to pro-
mote constructive multi-faith engagement for increased understanding
and enhanced harmony. Success will depend on a new understanding of
what it means to “be engaged.”
Above: Revs. Bret Lortie, Rosemary Bray McNatt, &
Leslie Trew (not pictured) of UU Trauma Response
Ministry join Terri Wilkerson (interfaith living yurt
coordinator) and minister Karen Van Fossan in a visit
to camp. Photo: Karen Van Fossan, 1.6.17
The Beacon
Our Monthly Newsletter Sharing Unitarian Universalist Values in the Capital City Area
Page 6
For Your Information
2016 End of Year Church Finances
The following figures are from financial statements
from our monthly UU board meetings.
As of January 4, 2017
2016 pledged income $60,290.00
2016 pledges paid: $57,010.00
Offering basket: $ 3,325.84
Building use donation: $ 4,104.68
Income figures reflect accumulative totals from the
beginning of the 2016 year
On the Cusp of Winter
We've come to the season of waiting. The colors of autumn are gone, leaves faded and fallen, and branches rise bare to the sky. The deep quiet and frozen beauty of winter are coming but not quite yet: we are in the season in be-tween.
The world closes in on itself as breathing things hunker down, burrow in, drop to the bottom and store up nurture for the long cold.
Animals that we are, we feel in our bones the shuttering of the windows. Though freed from the need to burrow in, may we still find guidance in the rhythm that beats through our hearts.
In the season of waiting, may we let ourselves slow down our pace, ease out beneath the burden of our speed and bustle, our fretful worry so that gratitude can saturate our days and col-or our nights.
In this season of closing down, closing in, may our hearts stay open, urging open our doors to the stranger, our hands to the helpless, and our spirits to all that calls us endlessly back to life.
Kathleen McTigue Shine and Shadow
Available at inSpirit: The UU Book and Gift Shop at http://bit.ly/2bfjRag
(submitted by Janis Cheney)
Looking for a Mandan Location?
The Lowstuter family is excited to share that they are in the pro-
cess of moving a farmhouse to their recently purchased land in
northeast Bismarck. They are looking for someone to rent or buy
their home in Mandan with an estimated move-in date of Febru-
ary 1. Please contact Derek or Claire if you are interested!
[email protected] or [email protected]
Standing with Standing Rock infor-
mation can be accessed by clicking on
our Social Action Tab on our website at
www.bismanuu.org.
More information on Standing Rock can be
found at
http://www.ocetisakowincamp.org/
Camp UniStar Is Hiring for Summer 2017
Spend the summer working where natural beauty is rich, life is simple, and
community is cherished. Nestled in the Chippewa National Forest on Star
Island, near Bemidji, Minnesota, Camp UniStar is a uniquely Unitarian Uni-
versalist family camp for UUs and like-minded individuals. Work with chil-
dren, youth, and families at this rustic camp with extensive waterfront ac-
tivities and a variety of weekly programs. Openings for experienced and
apprentice staff of all ages.
Positions include: Camp Director, Food Service Director, Waterfront Direc-
tor, Assistant Director, Children's Program Director, Youth Program Direc-
tor, and Program Area Staff.
For more information, visit http://www.campunistar.org/jobs.
Left: JP Holmes with daughter Sophia, also
granddaughter to Ronya Hoblit. We were
happy to meet Sophia Christmas Eve!
(photo submitted by JP Holmes 12.29.16)
Vision Statement
We will be a vibrant, caring, spiritual community
for all who seek an inspirational and
religious home.
Mission Statement
We are a fellowship of free minds, welcoming
all, a beacon of enlightenment and sanctuary,
and offering a call to build a better self,
community and world.
Religious Education Mission Statement
The Bismarck-Mandan Unitarian Universalist
Fellowship seeks to provide a path for spiritual
inquiry for people of all ages.
Welcoming Congregation
We are a Unitarian Universalist Welcoming
Congregation that seeks to be a spiritual home
for people of free faith regardless of race, color,
gender, affectional or sexual orientation, age,
national origin, socioeconomic status,
physical or mental ability.
2017 Board of Trustees and Staff
President, Rita Kelly [email protected]
Vice President, Liz Loos [email protected]
Secretary, Paul Markel [email protected]
Treasurer, Lisa Omlid [email protected]
Trustee, Christine Kujawa [email protected]
Minister Karen Van Fossan
E-mail: [email protected]
Office Hours: By appointment ; regular hours pending
Office Administrator/Communications Coordinator Tamera Markel
Church phone: 701-223-6788 Cell phone/text: 701-527-8899
E-mail: [email protected]
Bismarck Mandan UU Fellowship & Church
Check out our Website!
www.bismanuu.org
Mailing address:
P.O. Box 297
818 East Divide Avenue
Bismarck, ND 58502-0297
We are on Facebook!
NEW CHURCH OFFICE HOURS
Monday, Wednesday, Friday
7:00 am—9:00 am
Tuesday, Wednesday
3:30 pm-6:00 pm
It is ALWAYS a good idea to call first before stopping by:
701.223.6788 or cell/text 701.527.8899.
Very Useful Links Unitarian Universalist Association
www.uua.org
Mid America Region
http://midamericauua.org/
Quest for Meaning
(Church of the Larger Fellowship Young Adult Forum—VERY
cool!)
www.questformeaning.org
Openly Secular
http://openlysecular.org
E-mail: [email protected]
Office Hours: By appointment; Wednesdays—please
call; regular hours pending
Newsletter: Tamera Markel
If you have newsletter items or ideas, please
e-mail them to [email protected].
Remember—OUR UU PROGRAMS ARE RECORDED!
Televised Sunday Programs 5:30 pm cable channel 12 or
612 HD or via internet www.freetv.org. Programs will be
announced in our bulletin and electronic announcements.
You can also access video recorded programs on our You
Tube channel or search You Tube for “Bismarck Mandan
Unitarian Universalist Fellowship.” Audio recordings are
available at www.bismanuu.org.
