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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]
August 2016
Sunday Services & Children’s Programs: 10:30 AM
Fellowship & Refreshments: Following Service
Church Calendar An asterisk (*) indicates related article
THURSDAY, AUGUST 4 Board of Trustees Meeting, 5:30 PM
SUNDAY, AUGUST 7 Sunday Service, 10:30 AM
FRIDAY, AUGUST 12
*Helen Hammond’s 96th Birthday Party, 3:30 PM (p. 2)
SATURDAY, AUGUST 13
*(SAWG) ND Clean Energy State Table Meeting, 10:00
AM –4:00 PM at DRC Office (p. 3)
*Interfaith Potluck, 6:00 PM (p. 5)
SUNDAY, AUGUST 14
Board of Trustees Meeting, 9:00 AM
*Sunday Service, 10:30 AM
*UU Summer Potluck Picnic, 12:00 PM (p. 2)
SATURDAY, AUGUST 20 *Cross Ranch State Park Camp Out (p.3)
SUNDAY, AUGUST 21 Sunday Service, 10:30 AM at Cross Ranch State Park (p. 3)
SUNDAY, AUGUST 28
Sunday Service, 10:30 AM
SUNDAY, SEPTEMBER 11 Religious Education & New Program Year
FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 16 *Out of the Darkness Community Walk (p. 3)
SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 17 Ursula Conrad’s 90th Birthday Party, 2:00-4:00 PM
EVERY FRIDAY *UU Folk Choir, 5:00 pm (p. 3)
The BisMan UU Monthly Newsletter—Sharing Unitarian Universalist Values in the Capital City Area
Sunday, August 7 THIS I BELIEVE; THIS I DO
Karen Van Fossan, Minister As UUs, we hold a belief in 7 Principles and the sentiment that
what we do while here on Earth matters. In this popular ser-
vice format, Karen will share her spiritual journey and how she
lives our UU principles.
A long-time member of our congregation, Karen Van Fossan
began serving as our minister last fall. She also serves the
larger community as a pastoral counselor and advocate for the
prevention of child abuse.
Sunday, August 21 *CROSS RANCH SERVICE*
Karen Van Fossan, Minister
Join us for an intergenerational, camp-out service honoring
our companions on life’s journey.
*This service will take place at Cross Ranch State Park (p. 3).
Sunday, August 14 DIFFERENT CULTURES UP CLOSE AND PERSONAL
Janelle Masters, Dean Conrad, Mike Knudson, Steve Crane, Ursula Conrad
Members of our congregation who are Returned Peace Corps
Volunteers will discuss life lessons they learned from living
and working in another culture. Janelle Masters served in
Thailand, Dean Conrad in Brazil, Mike Knudson in Morocco,
Steve Crane in Nepal, and Ursula Conrad in Nepal.
*UU Summer Potluck Picnic at the Liz Loos and Frank Rohwer
residence following service (p. 2)
Sunday, August 28 SUICIDE NON-ATTEMPTER: THIRD KIND OF SURVIVOR
Ronya Hoblit
It is a common belief that there are two kinds of suicide survi-
vors: the person who attempts and does not complete and the
people who are affected by a friend/acquaintance/loved one
who commits suicide. I agree. But I also know there is another
type of survivor. That would be the person who has lived with
suicidal ideation and who has even gotten so far as to have a
plan but who has never attempted. What is our understanding
of this person? How do we reach out to those who fall under
this category? How are we able to support that person?
Ronya Hoblit is the newly minted, as of August 1, Training
Coordinator/Office Manager for the Native American Train-
ing Institute. Ronya is a member of the Bismarck-Mandan UU
congregation for longer than she thinks. She will say since
2010 but it was before then.
SUMMER PROGRAMS 2016
Please note that UU services will resume on Sundays all
summer at 10:30 AM (same time). We will continue with
the same format, including story for all ages. There will be
no formal children's religious education until after Labor
Day; however, child care (nursery) and children's activity
bags will be available each Sunday during the summer.
*Please note that the August 21 Sunday service will be at
Cross Ranch State Park. Directions to the park are hyper-
linked. State Park fee is $5 per vehicle. All are welcome!
The Beacon
Our Monthly Newsletter Sharing Unitarian Universalist Values in the Capital City Area
Page 2
Our UU Happenings Candles for the Journey
*Two of the early members of this congregation have summer birthdays. Betty Mills celebrated her 90th birthday on Saturday, July 23rd with a party at BAGA, thrown by her 4 adult children. Many members and friends of this congregation were able to attend. Helen Hammond will celebrate her 96th birthday on Friday, August 12th at Missouri Slope Lutheran Care Center, beginning at 3:30 PM. Helen's daughter, Margaret, will be flying in from New York to celebrate with her mother. If you are unable to come to this smaller gathering, feel free to send Helen a card: c/o Missouri Slope, 2425 Hillview Ave., Bismarck, ND 58501.
*Our sympathy is extended to Don, Liz and Jean Anderson on the death of Don's mother.
If you have news of joy or concern or sorrow, please contact Pat Conrad at [email protected].
SUNDAY, AUGUST 14
*AUGUST UU POTLUCK PICNIC*
At 12:00 PM
Hosted by Liz Loos & Frank Rohwer
and Gus
Directions: Go South on University Ave, turn
RIGHT onto 48th St, just past the storage units.
Take first LEFT onto Sibley Drive. Take second
RIGHT onto Estate Ave, at the horse pasture
with white fence. Take the first LEFT onto
Woodvale Drive. Woodvale turns to the right,
then our house is the second on the right. 1510
Woodvale, brick & white siding with black shut-
ters.
Activities: Kuub—a fun lawn game for players of
all ages and abilities—and a trampoline for the
kids
Bring a dish to share. All are welcome!
You Are Invited to Celebrate Helen
Hammond’s 96th Birthday!
When: Friday, August 12 at 3:30 PM
Where: Missouri Slope Lutheran Care Center
Helen Hammond pictured with her granddaughter,
Clara Hammond-Oakley.
Helen's daughter, Margaret, will be flying in from
New York to celebrate with her mother. If you are
unable to come to this smaller gathering, feel free
to send Helen a card: c/o Missouri Slope, 2425
Hillview Ave., Bismarck, ND 58501.
Art Wall
In the upcoming weeks, local artist Andrea Ficek
will display her art on our UU Art Wall. Andrea is
owner of Rhythmic Stitch and plays in local bands,
Golden Ratio and Chameleon Moonflower. She also
was a presenter for one of our programs last April
called, “Art in the Community.”
Page 3 The Beacon
Our Monthly Newsletter Sharing Unitarian Universalist Values in the Capital City Area
UU Happenings
UU Camping at Cross Ranch State Park
and Sunday Service
We are on track for our UU CAMPING TRIP for Saturday, August 20 at Cross Ranch State Park - (about an
hour drive), group site 36. This promises to be fun for all ages! Some activities available include nature
walk, kayaks and canoes for rental, potluck meal, campfire (S'MORES), astronomy viewing, games and
spending quality time with other UU's. There will be a short service with our
minister, Karen Van Fossan, on Sunday morning at 10:30 AM as well. Join us
for this intergenerational, camp-out service honoring our companions on life’s
journey. State Park fee is $5 per vehicle. All are welcome!
Photo: http://www.parkrec.nd.gov/parks/crsp/images/album/photo7.jpg
Thanks to everyone who
donated to our Chalice
Lighter Matching Grant!
Your gifts are essential and
appreciated.
Thanks for your support.
Dedicated Donations: Donor Messages
*Donation to Vision Fund for the month of July by Pat & Dean Conrad in honor of Janis
Cheney’s retirement from AARP.
*Donations towards Chalice Lighter Matching Grant for our UU ministry: Molly & Dan
Goebel, Claire & Derek Lowstuter, Anonymous, Thelma Saxby, Anonymous, Carol Jean
Larsen, Lisa Omlid, Mylo Candee, Wayde Schafer, Dennis & Susan Lyon, Jerry Wutzke,
Ursula Conrad, Janis Cheney & Stephen Crane, Anonymous
Thank you for your generous donations!
Save the Date!
Friday, September 16, 2016
Out of the Darkness Walk
The UU will have a team again
this year; come join us!
Our UU Folk Choir Welcomes YOU!
The UU Folk Choir welcomes any and all musi-
cians 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.
Bismarck-Mandan UU Social Action Working Group (SAWG)
The North Dakota Energy State Table meeting will be in Bismarck at Dako-ta Resource Council office, 1200 Missouri Avenue from 10:00 AM to 4:00 PM. Lunch will be provided. Sarah Shanahan, State Table Coordinator an Interim Community Manager for the RE-AMP Network, will be facilitating the meeting.
If you have questions, please contact SAWG Chair—Wayde Schafer at 701.388.3942.
Have you heard about the “Pokémon Go” mobile video game craze?
Well, the Bismarck Mandan UU Church is not a church at all in this virtual
game—it is known as a pokémon outpost where players
can get free pokémon balls and other virtual items. People
frequently walk by our sidewalk with their phones and pick
up virtual freebies. What a great game to get some exer-
cise and explore the neighborhood!
Page 4 The Beacon
Our Monthly Newsletter Sharing Unitarian Universalist Values in the Capital City Area
Chalice Lighter Match Grant Update—Thanks!
Dear Members and Friends of the Unitarian Universalist Fellowship and Church of Bismarck-Mandan, On behalf of the Fellowship’s Board of Directors, I would like to thank you for your donations toward the fundraiser to match the Chalice Lighter grant we received from MidAmerica Region UUA. The requirement in receiving their grant of $7,000 was that we would match the grant with an equal $7,000. When we started the fundraiser in May, our goal was to raise $7,000 by the end of the summer. Our fundraiser ended on July 31, and I am delighted to share the good news with you: we received a total of $9,170.00 in donations! The Chalice Lighter grant, with matched funds, will allow us to continue our UU ministry by growing the presence of our wonderful minister, Karen Van Fossan. Since Karen has been with us, we have seen an increase in community engagement, interfaith relationship building, and increased attendance at services and events. With her leadership, we have started to continue services during the summer and are growing to a point that we are starting a second Sunday service this fall. This successful fundraiser illustrates the confidence we have in our minister and continued commitment to provide a place for progressive individuals where we learn from each other and make connections. The Fellowship fills a need that is not available anywhere else in our area, and is unique in that it allows us to find similarities between each other and a sense of unity, while also respecting and celebrating our freedom of choice and differences. The Fellowship reminds me of a quote by Unitarian author James Freeman Clarke, “Amid all change, we desire some-thing permanent; amid all variety, something stable; amid all progress, some central unity of life; something which deepens as we ascend; which roots itself as we advance; which grows more and more tenacious of the old, while be-coming more and more open to the new.” (The Hour Which Cometh, 1868) If James Freeman Clarke could visit us and see the great work being done at our Fellowship, I know he’d be proud. THANK YOU to you all for your donations and for sharing information about our fundraiser with your family and friends. With gratitude, Christine Kujawa Board Member
Left: Jeff Evenson’s
beans, accompa-
nied by Mandan
bride corn, squash,
and pumpkins form
a “Three Sisters”
garden
Right: Ronya Hoblit
reads the story for
all ages to the chil-
dren 7.24.16 (photo:
Christine Kujawa).
Photo of garden: 8.1.16
Inspiration: “Knowledge is basic. It is knowledge which enables us to understand the world and ourselves, and to exercise
some control or guidance. It sets us in a fruitful and significant relation with the enduring processes of the universe. And, by
revealing the possibilities of fulfilment that are still open, it provides an overriding incentive.
We, mankind, contain the possibilities of the earth’s immense future, and can realise more and more of them on condition that
we increase our knowledge and our love.” —Taken from Pierre Teilhard de Chardin’s The Phenomenon of Man
Page 5 The Beacon
Our Monthly Newsletter Sharing Unitarian Universalist Values in the Capital City Area
Community
Interfaith Potluck
A little over a year ago, several women from the Bismarck Muslim
Community Center reached out to women in the community's
Christian community, in an attempt to help promote community
understanding of one another's religion. Out of these first efforts
have come several potluck picnics where we just have the ability
to get to know one another, and maybe conduct a little service
project to benefit the wider community.
Our minister, Karen VanFossan, and Pat Conrad have been repre-
senting our congregation on the Interfaith steering committee. Others involved include 2 nuns
from Annunciation Monastery, the minister of the United Church of Christ, and several women
from Trinity Lutheran.
The next potluck will be held on Saturday, August 13th beginning at 6:00 PM in shelter #6 at
Sertoma Park. During this event we are collecting school supplies to help the Bismarck Public
Schools with its Fill the Bus School Supply drive.
Come join us for some great food and interesting conversation with our new community neigh-
bors.
Interfaith Potluck Saturday, August 13, 2016 6pm at Shelter 6 Sertoma Park
Share your favorite dish. Taste dishes from around the world. Donate school supplies for local
students.
Contact: Rev. Gretchen Deeg – 701-223-2915 or [email protected]
—Pat Conrad
The Bismarck International Christian Fellowship has grown from a small bible study group meeting
Wednesday nights in the fall of 2014 to a full-fledged congregation that now has Sunday services in the
afternoon at our church building. Perhaps you’ve seen them set up after our UU services. They have
purchased the former Open Door Baptist church building and hope to be moving in sometime in Sep-
tember. Congratulations to Pastor Wesseh Davis and his congregation! We wish them the very best.
Photos taken from
https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=13128756654082
10&set=pcb.1312876402074803&type=3&theater
Page 6 The Beacon
Our Monthly Newsletter Sharing Unitarian Universalist Values in the Capital City Area
Follow Up from Janis Cheney’s The Good Death Program
The Other Talk —Pat Conrad
In follow-up to Janis Cheney’s talk on The Good Death on July 31st, she and I recommend another book for your
consideration. The Other Talk, by Tim Prosch, details ideas for preparing your adult children or siblings for the
time when they need to care for you, or need to make decisions on your behalf when you have died or are no
longer able to make such decisions on your own. Prosch recommends that each individual or couple compile a
notebook, loose leaf preferred, that contains information on all of the important aspects of your lives. You should
also talk each of your adult children or siblings through all of this information so they know what your wishes are
and why they are being asked to act on your behalf.
Prosch suggests that the following topics should be included in your notebook:
Your will.
Medical information – including copies of advanced directives and names and contact information for current
doctors.
Summary of medications – including name of prescribing doctor and pharmacy from which they are received.
Financial information – contact information on your attorney, financial planner, accountant, and stockbroker.
Location of key documents – including birth certificate, Social Security card, marriage certificate and/or di-
vorce decree, passport, trust documents, and military discharge papers.
Insurance information – including contact information for life, health, home, and vehicle insurance.
Location of most recent 7 years of tax returns.
Financial account information for all checking and savings accounts, and safety deposit boxes, including loca-
tion of keys to safety deposit box.
Proofs of ownership for such things as house and vehicles.
Location of investment, pension and loan information – including current investments, IRAs, and 401(k) and
401(b) plans, and summary of debts you owe including mortgages or home equity loans.
Credit card information – copies of front and back of all active credit cards, location of most recent credit card
statements, and passwords for accessing accounts.
Burial and funeral information – including cremation or burial, organ donation wishes, pre-planned or pre-
paid funeral arrangements, and location of burial plot.
The above information should help your family members manage your life and estate while you are still alive, and
also know who to notify upon your death to terminate pensions or other financial accounts. Having all of this infor-
mation in one place will also give you peace of mind.
The Other Talk is issued by AARP, and is available in paperback from Barnes and Noble, or from Amazon. A copy
has been placed in the church library.
Resources from The Good Death program—-submitted by Janis Cheney:
Being Mortal by Atul Gawande
Life Lines: Holding on (and Letting Go) and Bringing God Home by Rev. Forrest Church (longtime UU minister of
All Souls in NYC and author with John Buehrens of A Chosen Faith.)
The Good Death: An Exploration of Dying in America by Ann Neumann
The Other Talk: A Guide to Talking with Your Adult Children about the Rest of Your Life by Tim Prosch (see above)
No Mud, No Lotus by Thich Nhat Hanh
Books I hope to or might read:
Welcome to the Wisdom of the World…and It’s Meaning for You and The Gift of Years by Sister Joan Chittister
The Art of Aging by Sherwin B. Nuland
Dying Well by Ira Byock, MD
Start the Conversation by Ganga White
On My Own by Diane Rehm
www.compassionandchoices.org - Compassion & Choices is the nation’s oldest, largest and most active nonprofit working to improve care and expand options for the end of life.
The Beacon
Our Monthly Newsletter Sharing Unitarian Universalist Values in the Capital City Area
Page 7
Betty Mills’ 90th Birthday Toast
Statistical Data
Days since birth—32,876
Number of books read—32,876
Family
Siblings—2
Husbands—1
Kids—4
Grandkids (version 1.0)—7
Grandkids (version 2.0)—8
Great Grandkids—1
Great Grandkids (version 2)—2
First cousins—36
Inlaws—endless
Handyman-in-law—1
Family Matters
Number of diapers changed—23,364
Number of driving tests taken—0
Times stranded in a sail boat—1
Number of times she let her grand-
kids beat her at Monopoly—0
Number of times she had to deal with
skinned knees, temper tantrums, hurt
feelings, and broken hearts….—
endless
Diapers changed by Bill—1
Written Word
Visits to the library—32,920
Books read—32,920
Books reviewed—147
Book club meetings attended—372
Newspaper columns written—1,404
Hours spent reading to kids and
grandkids—endless
Books written, published and still
available on Amazon—1
Church
Number of sermons given—176
Number of fellowship founded—1
Hours devoted to the Unitarian Uni-
versalists at the national, local, and
district levels—endless
Number of US senators taught in Sun-
day school—1
Politics
Days spent as Election day poll watch-
er—87
Number of fundraising events attend-
ed—all of them
Number of family discussions on poli-
tics—endless
Number of approved political par-
ties—1
Number of lives touched in the last
90 years—endless
Number of Betty Mills in the
world—1
A toast to Betty Mills on her 90th
birthday bash at BAGA from her
son-in-law, Tim Moore, Betty
Mills—By the Numbers:
Places
Number of rooms in her school—1
Colleges attended—3, and counting
Trips to the lake—962
Continents visited—5
Number of fish caught—endless
Number of fish caught by Bill—1
Pets
Dogs—10
Cats—16
Horses—12
Goats—1
Number of goldfish from St. Mary’s
carnival—endless
Number of pets who own mother—1,
one big cat
Community Service
PTA meetings—117
Brownie meetings—108
Years spend behind bars at the State
Pen—5 (voluntary work)
Meetings with the Library Board,
Planning Commission, Civil Rights
Commission, AAUW, League of Wom-
en Voters, Prairie Public Television,
city groups, county meetings, schools
organization—endless
Cub schout meetings—1
Left: Betty Mills
& Janis Cheney
(Photo submit-
ted by Katie
Aitchison)
7.23.16
Ph
oto: Ca
rol Jean
Larsen
7.23.16
The Beacon
Our Monthly Newsletter Sharing Unitarian Universalist Values in the Capital City Area
Page 8
For Your Information
We are on Facebook!
Preview: A Look at Things to Come
We anticipate two Sunday services beginning October 2; one at
10:30 AM and the second service at 12:30 PM with fellowship hour
in between (11:30 AM to 12:30 PM); children’s religious education
will be offered at first service
Religious Education program will resume again after Labor Day
weekend
Place has started reconfiguring playground
Place to replace flooring and make physical improvements in
both bathrooms
UUA Bookstore purchases now in: Ancient Stories for Modern
Times and UU World Seeker Issue (25 pack) available in foyer
Glimpse at our Church Finances
The following figures are from financial statements
from our monthly UU board meetings.
As of July 13, 2016
2016 pledged income $60,290.00
2016 pledges paid: $41,010.00
Offering basket: $ 1,378.70
Building use donation: $ 3,051.60
Income figures reflect accumulative totals from the
beginning of the year; extraordinary expense reflects
one-time expenses during the past month.
Safe Church Policies Announcement
The Board of Trustees has adopted policies regarding safe
church, which is best practice for all churches. The policies
relate to participation of members or friends in our com-
munity who have been charged or convicted of a signifi-
cant offense; the goal is to allow appropriate participation
for people who need the support of our beloved communi-
ty – and to keep everybody safe. The policies are posted
on the bulletin outside the church office. A follow-up letter
will be sent to the membership of the church. Please feel
free to discuss with us or to ask questions. Thank you.
Sincerely,
Your UU Board of Trustees
Steve Crane, President
Christine Kujawa, Secretary
Lisa Omlid, Treasurer
Paul Markel, Trustee
Spirit Play Training Workshop Opportunity
Saturday, August 27, 9:00 AM to 5:00 PM
Where: UU Fellowship of Topeka, Topeka, Kansas
Rooted in Montessori pedagogy, Spirit Play is a UU
children’s exploration curriculum that has been
used successfully in multiage classrooms in over
200 UU churches since its founding in 2000.
Spirit Play strengths include:
Independent thinking through wondering
questions
Values learning differences and multiple
learning styles
Addresses challenges of multiage learners in
same class
Children have real choices within a structure
Creates supportive community in a mixed age
classroom
Develops a sense of the spiritual and the mys-
tery of life
The BisMan UU has this curriculum in the office.
Contact Tamera at [email protected] if interest-
ed! To learn more, click on the link
http://uufl.net/spirit-play/
Webinar: New Directors of Religious Education, Part 1
What: Opportunity to connect on trainings, resources, and connections
in our region
When: September 1, 7:45-9:00 PM
Register online: https://midamericauua.org/events/eventdetail/620/-
/webinar-new-directors-of-religious-education-part-1
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]
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
8:00am—12:00 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
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.
