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The Beacon
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]
February 2016
Sunday Services & Children’s Programs: 10:30 AM
Fellowship & Refreshments: Following Service
Church Calendar An asterisk (*) indicates related article
SATURDAY, FEBRUARY 6 *Interfaith Potluck, 11 am-1 pm, Sertoma Community Center
SUNDAY, FEBRUARY 7
Sunday Service & Children’s RE, 10:30 am
UUYSJP Meeting, 11:45 am
SUNDAY, FEBRUARY 14-Valentine’s Day
Sunday Service & Children’s RE, 10:30 am
Social Action Working Group, 11:45 am
WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 17
Board of Trustees Meeting, 5:30 pm
THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 18
Men’s Get-Together at Blarney Stone, 5:30 pm
FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 19
UU Women’s Lunch at Minervas, 12:00 noon
SUNDAY, FEBRUARY 21
Sunday Service & Children’s RE, 10:30 am
People, Place, Program Gathering, 11:45 am
SUNDAY, FEBRUARY 28
Sunday Service & Children’s RE, 10:30 am
*In-Gathering Sunday (p. 2)
The BisMan UU Monthly Newsletter—Sharing Unitarian Universalist Values in the Capital City Area
Sunday, February 7 THE ART OF BEING SECOND BEST
Dean Conrad
Based on a sermon by Rev. Russell Bletzer at the Unitarian
Church in Lake Forest, IL which Dean Conrad attended for 3
years while in high school. According to Dean, “it was one of
the best sermons I ever heard...and a good one for Super Bowl
Sunday!”
Dean’s family were founding members of the this UU Congre-
gation. He graduated from high school at Lake Forest Academy,
and graduated from the University of Pennsylvania and Whar-
ton Graduate School. Dean and his wife, Pat, have worked help-
ing refugees resettle in Bismarck. They both worked in state
government for some time.
Sunday, February 21 THIS I BELIEVE; THIS I DO Ursula Conrad and Dan Christ
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, Ursula and Dan will share their spiritual journeys and
how they live our UU principles.
Ursula Conrad is a native of Switzerland who moved to North
Dakota with her husband John Conrad, who was a charter mem-
ber of this UU church. Ursula is a retired Public Health Nurse
and served as a Peace Corps volunteer.
Dan Christ is a native of Kansas, lived a third of his life in Cali-
fornia, and then moved to North Dakota. Dan is retired, after an
extensive career with the Federal Bureau of Prisons, where he
served in many capacities, including a Correction Officer and
Community Programs Manager.
Sunday, February 14 REFUGEE NEW BEGINNINGS ON THE DAKOTA PRAIRIE
Turdukan Tostokova, Kaswara Isingoma, Christiano Mwesigwa, Patrick Ngabu, and Yasini Ngabu
Four young Congolese men—Kaswara Isingoma, Christiano
Mwesigwa, Patrick Ngabu, Yasini Ngabu—will describe their
journeys as refugees from the Democratic Republic of Congo
through a refugee camp in Uganda, and finally to Bismarck,
North Dakota. Turdukan Tostokova, Director for the Lutheran
Social Services New Americans Program of Bismarck, will dis-
cuss the support these young men received upon their arrival.
In-Gathering Sunday, February 28 BUMPER STICKER THEOLOGY &
THE FUTURE OF OUR FAITH (REPRISE) Karen Van Fossan, Minister
If you could put all your beliefs and principles into just
one bumper sticker, what would it say? Would it be ex-
actly like your neighbor’s, your co-worker’s, your best
friend’s? What does our UU faith mean, when we each
have a right to our own bumper sticker? Or to no bumper
sticker at all? Together, we will consider a shared vision
of Unitarian Universalism, even while—and because—we
do not always agree.
A long-time member of our congregation, Karen Van Fos-
san began serving as our minister last fall. She also
serves the larger community as a pastoral counselor and
advocate for the prevention of childhood abuse.
*Join us for In-Gathering Sunday, when we formally
welcome our new members into our congregation and
affirm our commitment to co-create beloved commu-
nity.
The Beacon
Our Monthly Newsletter Sharing Unitarian Universalist Values in the Capital City Area
Page 2
Our UU Happenings
*RSVP BY FEBRUARY 7*
A Social Opportunity… …for UU Members, Friends and Seekers
February & March Circle Suppers
Let’s get to know one another better by sharing a Pot-
luck Meal together in a host's home with 6-8 people.
Five hosts have volunteered their homes. The host pro-
vides the main dish and then suggests a food item for
each guest to bring.
These 2-hour events are for adult members, friends and
seekers, with the exception of a kid-friendly home on
February 20.
Please indicate every date that you are available.
February 20, Sat. supper at 6 PM (adults)
February 20, Sat. supper at 6 PM (adults+kids)
February 27, Sat. supper at 6 PM (adults)
March 5, Sat. supper at 6 PM (adults)
Other considerations, please indicate all that apply:
Vegetarian Vegan Gluten Free Allergies to Pets
Questions? Call or text Carol Jean Larsen
701.516.7848. RSVP deadline Feb. 7. E-mail
or call your response to UU office: of-
[email protected] or 223.6788.
*If you would like to host a Circle Supper in the future,
let Carol Jean know. Thanks!
Candles for the Journey
*We extend our sympathy to the Evenson family on the death of Jeff, who was a member of our congregation for many years, along with his wife
Teri. Jeff and Teri's adult children, Kathy and Christopher, were active members of our religious education program. We were pleased to be asked to
facilitate Jeff's memorial service on Saturday, January 23rd.
*We also extend our sympathy to Ronya Hoblit who lost her brother in January.
Thanks again to everyone
who turned in their 2016
pledge cards!
Also, HUGE thanks to eve-
ryone who fulfilled their
2015 pledges and to those
who donated!
Your gifts are essential
and appreciated.
Welcoming New UU Members!
In-Gathering Sunday, February 28
On February 28, new members will be
recognized during the Sunday service.
*Are you interested in joining our UU
congregation as a member?
*Are you prepared to share your time,
talent, and treasure?
Contact Membership Services volun-
teer, Carol Jean Larsen, for a conver-
sation. Call/text 701.516.7848 or e-
mail [email protected].
Thanks to Angela and Dale Pittman for
hosting Youth Pizza Night at the church
on January 15th! Twenty people came to
enjoy the home-made pizzas and play
board games.
Page 3 The Beacon
Our Monthly Newsletter Sharing Unitarian Universalist Values in the Capital City Area
Our UU Happenings
Dedicated Donations: Donor Messages
*January donation to Vision Fund by Pat & Dean Conrad in honor of Jeff
Evenson for the gifts and talents he brought to the lives of many people.
*Donation by Char McLaughlin and Jim Conley in memory of Jeff Evenson.
*Donation by Mike & Ann Knudson in memory of Jeff Evenson.
Jeff Evenson’s Celebration of Life service was
held at the UU on Saturday, January 23, 2016.
Interfaith Potluck Luncheon
Saturday, February 6 from 11:00 am to 1:00 pm,
Sertoma Community Center, Sertoma Park
The Bismarck Interfaith Group invites people of all faith tradi-
tions to a potluck luncheon and cultural exchange on Saturday,
Feb. 6, 2016 from 11am - 1pm at Sertoma Community Center.
Bring a potluck dish from your cultural heritage to share as well
as a donation of paper towels, toilet paper, sponges, 60-watt
light bulbs, toilet bowl brushes, cleaning supplies, and packages
of pens for Lutheran Social Services for refugee families.
Annual Business Meeting Nubs
Sunday, December 13, 2015
Election of board members: Lisa
Omlid, Christine Kujawa, Paul
Markel; 2 continuing board mem-
bers: Steve Crane, Molly Goebel
Election of nominating committee:
Liz Anderson, Diane Chielens; 1
continuing nominating member:
Don Morrison
SAWG: testified during legislative
session re: energy development;
involved in Faith Forward organiza-
tions; very active
*People, Place, Program commit-
tees gave reports of past year
*Religious Education program up-
date
Refugee crisis—resolution passed
to send an alert to congregation
regarding refugee resettlement
support
2016 budget passed; $5,000 deficit
—treasurer predicted yet forthcom-
ing pledges to cover gap
Chalice Lighter Grant award—
congregation needs to fundraise to
match grant; task force needed
Karen Van Fossan ministerial posi-
tion-2015 Board raised from quar-
ter-time to 1/3 time=$19,200 for
2016
Tamera Markel office administra-
tor-2015 Board approved 8% raise
hourly=$19,094 (projected) for
2016
*refer to minutes for details
Creative collective (from left: Karen Van Fossan, Sandra Bercier,
Mylinda Ogundipe, Victor Ogundipe, Ronya Hoblit, Bonnie Pale-
cek) from the program Coming to Be: On Racial Justice 1.17.16
The Beacon
Our Monthly Newsletter Sharing Unitarian Universalist Values in the Capital City Area
Page 4
A PAIR OF SOCKS CAN SAVE A LIFE!
Using the Southwest Border Sock Drive as a model, The Unitarian Universalist Youth Social Justice Project is committed to
a campaign to collect socks for people without papers who are unable to bring anything as they make the journey into Amer-
ica. Many migrants who suffer unfair lives of poverty and oppression in their home countries have no choice but to risk cross-
ing perilous deserts for a chance at a new life of hope in the United States. Untreated blisters can be fatal when traveling dis-
tances of hundreds of miles, so when migrants are asked what one item would be most essential to have, it’s no surprise that
the answer is commonly a pair of socks. Although the southwest border is not a familiar part of the country to people of the
Midwest, compassion for those less fortunate than ourselves knows no boundaries. The UU Youth Social Justice Project of-
fers you an opportunity to help make a tangible difference. Please help us get as many socks as possible to the people who
need them. Thanks.
HOW YOU CAN HELP
Together as a community, we can:
Collect donations of new socks through any partnering organization.
Collect monetary donations that go toward the purchase of new socks.
Use our time to tell another friend, family member, or interested person about the cause.
Help incorporate more organizations to broaden the campaign.
"There are two ways to help a child can offer a bandage. Both solutions are invaluable." Nathan Watts
Socks can be dropped off in the bin located outside the front door of the church. Questions? Contact us at 701.223.6788
or [email protected]. Monetary donations will be used to purchase socks and can be mailed to Bismarck Mandan
UU Church, P.O. Box 297, 818 E. Divide Ave. , Bismarck, ND 58502.
The Unitarian Universalist Youth Social Justice Project Team has
collected over 1,000 pairs of socks and raised $285.00 in monetary
donations to purchase socks for the cause so far!! Over Christmas
time, the Mitten Tree became the Sock Tree to support the Sock Drive.
Admission for the Youth Pizza Night in January was a pair of socks for
the Sock Drive. Jeremiah Veach headed the Sock Drive effort at Simle
Middle School where over 500 pairs of socks were collected from stu-
dents and teachers in December. An article with Evan Markel and
Wayde Schafer on the Sock Drive was published in the Faith section
on Saturday, January 16 in the Bismarck Tribune. That day, socks
were piled up outside the door of the church from the community. On
January 18, Julia Veach, Jeremiah Veach, and Wayde Schafer were
interviewed by KFYR TV. Ty Kraft has a donation site at Prairie Zen
Botanicals. Other youth members have reached out using social me-
dia. And the socks keep coming in —from our own congregation and
community!
The UUYSJP Sock Drive will run until the end of February. The socks
will be sent to the humanitarian aide organization, No Más Muertes in
Tucson, Arizona. Click on the hyperlinks to check it all out! Stay tuned
—there’s more news to come soon!
UUYSJP Sock Drive Update
Sock Tree 2015
Jeremiah Veach
interviewed by
KFYRTV
Jeremiah Veach, Julia Veach, & Wayde
Schafer filmed sorting through socks
Photos: Markel 1.18.16
Page 5 The Beacon
Our Monthly Newsletter Sharing Unitarian Universalist Values in the Capital City Area
UUA Opportunities & BisMan UU Church Nubs
Glimpse at our Church Finances
The following figures are from financial state-
ments from our monthly UU board meetings.
As of January 13, 2016
*2016 pledged income $55,310.00
2016 pledges paid: $17,855.00
Offering basket: $ 118.00
Building use donation: $ 124.00
**Extraordinary expense: $ 816.21
*2016 pledged income reflects the amount
pledged from members and friends for fiscal
year 2016; this may fluctuate as pledge cards
continue to come in.
**Developmentally appropriate chairs pur-
chased for RE classrooms.
INTERESTED IN FUNDRAISING?
If you are interested in joining a fundraising task force to
help with our Chalice Lighter matching grant award,
please contact Tamera at [email protected] or call
701.223.6788.
Also, please indicate if you are interested in viewing
these crowdfunding webinars (below)! Thanks.
What can crowdfunding teach our congregations? Lots actu-ally! Crowdfunding has revolutionized not only fundraising but how we connect in the 21st century. People crowdfund new movies, products, social justice trips and even potato salad. What can the church learn from this new trend? Join FAITHIFY.org for an exciting new webinar exploring four practical lessons learned from crowdfunding that can enhance your impact in your congregation. Everyone who signs up will get exclusive access to our upcoming eBook, "4 Things Crowdfunding Can Teach the Church." RSVP today for webi-nars on Feb. 15, Feb. 18, and Mar. 1 on the Faithify website.
GLOBAL JUSTICE SUMMER INTERNSHIPS (for ages 18-25)
Applications for summer 2016 are now open! Additional opportunities for high school youth will be forthcom-
ing! The priority deadline for application is Sunday, February 7, 2016. Applications will be accepted on a
rolling basis after that point. Apply Now
In collaboration with partner organizations, the UU College of Social Justice has developed a number of sum-
mer internships for emerging young adults (ages 18–25) who wish to deepen their engagement with social
justice and discover new ways to put their faith into action.
All internships are with partner organizations of UUCSJ, the Unitarian Universalist Service Committee
(UUSC), or the Unitarian Universalist Association (UUA). Our goal is to offer interns a powerful firsthand
experience of grassroots justice work, along with a reflection framework that helps them engage in both voca-
tional discernment and faith development. Find out more by clicking here.
Your 2016 UU Board of Trustees
President: Stephen Crane
Vice President: Molly Goebel
Secretary: Christine Kujawa
Treasurer: Lisa Omlid
Trustee: Paul Markel
SAVE THE DATE!
Quarterly Congregational Meeting with Board tentatively
scheduled for Sunday, March 13, 11:45am. Your input and
participation are valued and appreciated!
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.
2016 Board of Trustees and Staff
President, Stephen Crane [email protected]
Vice President, Molly Goebel [email protected]
Secretary, Christine Kujawa [email protected]
Treasurer, Lisa Omlid [email protected]
Trustee, Paul Markel [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!
CHURCH OFFICE HOURS
Monday, Wednesday, Friday
11:00am—3:00 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; regular hours pending
Children’s Religious Education
Read about our Children’s RE programs on our website.
We have a dynamite group of RE teachers and volunteers.
Pre-K & Kindergarten: Chalice Children
Elementary: Faithful Journeys
Middle School: Riddle and Mystery
High School: *UU Youth Social Justice Project: Sock Drive
for Migrants
Our Children’s RE curricula is from Tapestry of Faith. It is
designed to nurture Unitarian Universalist identity, spiri-
tual growth, a transforming faith, and vital communities of
justice and love.
