Becoming. The. continued on page 4. First Congregational United Church of Christ, Fargo November 2016

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Volume 6, Issue 9 Becoming The First Congregational United Church of Christ, Fargo November 2016 IN THIS ISSUE Pastor s Ponderings, Page 2 Church News, Page 3 Prayer Concerns, Page 4 Board Minutes,

1 Volume 6, Issue 9 Becoming The First Congregational United Church of Christ, Fargo November 2016 IN THIS ISSUE Pastor s Ponderings, Page 2 Church News, Page 3 Prayer Concerns, Page 4 Board Minutes, Page 5 Youth News, Page 6 Important Dates, Page 7 SPECIAL DATES November 1 All Saints Day November 6 Daylight Savings Time Ends November 8 Election Day November 11 Veterans Day November 20 Christ the King Sunday November 24 Thanksgiving November 27 First Sunday of Advent We rejoice in having welcomed four new people as members on Sunday, September 11, and here are their bios so you can get to know them a little better. JOYCE & JOHN STENDE Joyce was born in Beach, ND and moved as an infant to Milnor, ND when her father took over the family farm upon the death of her grandfather. She attended Milnor schools and lived in Forman, ND where she began her 34 year career with the U.S. Post Office, transferring to Fargo in After retirement, she worked part-time at the West Fargo SunMart store. John was born in Fargo and grew up near Lindenwood Park. He attend Fargo Schools and watched Central High burn down in his senior year. He served a tour in Vietnam with the Army and worked at various auto parts stores before getting into transportation, retiring from Medi-Van in 2010 and later working part-time at Menards. Between them, they have three children, six grandchildren, and three greatgrandchildren. They celebrated their 25th Anniversary last fall and they ve resided in West Fargo throughout their marriage. First Congregational United Church of Christ th Avenue South, Fargo (701) JESSICA SILVERI & BILL SIMPSON Jessie was born in West Chester, Pennsylvania. She suffered through 16 years of Catholic school, attending a Immaculata College, a catholic university in the suburbs of Philadelphia. In 2001, she started a diploma nursing program and graduated with her RN in It was during this time that diploma programs were being phased out, and seeing the need to continue her education, she completed a series of nursing degrees; Finishing with a Masters of science in nursing degree from the University of Pennsylvania in While working on her degrees, Jessie continued to work as an RN for 2 years on a cardiac step down and 11 years in the cardiac cath lab. She currently works at Sanford Heart & Vascular Center as an Acute Care Nurse Practitioner. continued on page 4

2 Page 2 The Becoming November 2016 Pastor s Ponderings Rev. Dr. Kevin Cassiday-Maloney Moving forward from the ghosts and ghouls of Halloween, the month of November begins with All Saints Day, as we recognize and celebrate those who have gone before us, particularly in the Christian stream of tradition, those on whose faith our own faith is built, those who heard the Still Speaking God calling them to life in their time and receiving them into divine love when their day had come. In our church, we will celebrate Remembrance Day on Sunday, November 6, as we give thanks for the lives of church members and others who have died in the past year. May God s healing touch be with all whose grief is still acute, and may God strengthen all of us as we continue cycling through the waves of grief that are never completely exhausted. We do grieve, but we also dare to proclaim that death is not the ultimate end of life. We are Easter people who rejoice in Jesus resurrection and lean into our own eternal life as well, a gift that is already unfolding even here and now. This is also a time to observe Veterans Day, as we remember all our veterans, past and present, giving thanks for their willingness to serve in harm s way if necessary, and praying for the end of all wars throughout the earth. The original holiday goes back to November 11, 1919, when an armistice was signed to end World War I, the war to end all wars. Even as we offer our support and tribute to veterans, may we also keep alive the vision and the dream of a world where war has become obsolete, replaced by justice and loving relationships among all people and all peoples. That vision comes to mind, close to home, as we remember everyone involved in the Standing Rock Protest native peoples and tribes from around the world, local people whose ancestry is not Native American, and law enforcement officers. This is a protest about a proposed pipeline, and there are significant issues of property and law involved. But it is also a protest about treaties that were broken, a long history of oppression of Native Americans (including the abusive Christian boarding schools), and the claiming of Native American cultural identity and spirituality. We are fortunate to have Native Americans in our congregation who can help us understand these issues, and we are fortunate that we can still live in love and respect even if we are not all in agreement. And what better place to look as we cultivate that love and respect but to Jesus the Christ, whose birth we prepare to celebrate yet again, with the beginning of the season of Advent on Sunday, November 27? These weeks leading into Christmas are a time to ponder the miracle and mystery of God taking shape in human flesh, to remember the life and core teachings of Jesus, to journey with him to the cross as we reflect on our commitment to God s vision, and to give thanks for the new heaven and new earth inaugurated with his birth, death, and resurrection. Blessings, Pastor Kevin Help is only a phone call or text away! If you would like a visit from Pastor Kevin, or just want to bend an ear, please call (701) or send a Facebook message to Kevin Cassiday-Maloney.

Page 3 The Becoming November 2016 NEWS FROM AROUND THE CHURCH SERMON SERIES ON THE BEATITUDES This month we will conclude our series: November 6 Blessed are Those Who are Persecuted November 13

com, Thursday, November 3 at 7pm at First Congregational UCC, Moorhead; led by Rev. Michelle Webber.

3 Page 3 The Becoming November 2016 NEWS FROM AROUND THE CHURCH SERMON SERIES ON THE BEATITUDES This month we will conclude our series: November 6 Blessed are Those Who are Persecuted November 13 Blessed are You When People Revile You SHARED UCC BOOK STUDY Book study on When God Talks Back by T.M. Luhrman, also available at Amazon.com, Thursday, November 3 at 7pm at First Congregational UCC, Moorhead; led by Rev. Michelle Webber. FALL NPCUCC WOMEN S RETREAT The dates and place and cost and leadership have been set for this year s women s retreat: November at Camp of the Cross, Garrison ND. Jo will be leading an introduction to meditation spread throughout the retreat and there will be a time for remembering Marilyn Rich who died suddenly in an accident last spring, and who was very active in our statewide women s retreats. The cost is $100. Please register through the Conference office and remember to include any special requests, such as dietary requirements. Looking forward to a wonderful three days of relaxation, friendship, and worship! NOVEMBER HOSPITALITY LIST We are known for our hospitality and one way to reach out to each other and to our visitors is to provide refreshments following the service on Sunday. Your willingness to volunteer on a Sunday that works best for you is appreciated more than you know. If you have any questions regarding this list, please call Joan Mogck at (701) Below are the names on our October Hospitality list: Glen & Elaine Ackerman Kimi & BJ Booth Milt & Ardis Carvell Glen & Lois Kirk Bill & Betty Unverzagt Patti Pratt Brenna Naseer Dana & Krisanne Mogck Merrill Reinhiller God is still speaking,

Page 4 The Becoming November 2016 PRAYER CONCERNS & THANKSGIVINGS We pray for Beda Nankevill, who has been receiving maintenance chemotherapy but just discovered there has been a recurrence of cancer

4 Page 4 The Becoming November 2016 PRAYER CONCERNS & THANKSGIVINGS We pray for Beda Nankevill, who has been receiving maintenance chemotherapy but just discovered there has been a recurrence of cancer in her liver. She will begin more aggressive chemo next week. May God strengthen her and Tom as they face these new challenges together! We pray for Anne Young who fell and broke her hip recently. She had surgery at Sanford and is now recovering and rehabbing at Bethany on 42nd. May God s grace abound for her and for Pete! We pray for Dan Wermerskirchen, Pastor Kevin s longtime friend and best man whose condition is worsening as he battles advanced cancer. Prayers for Dan and his spouse, Laura, and their whole family! Thanksgiving for raising a total of $1,267 for Central Cities Ministries following Cathy Schwinden s presentation last month. Thanks for your generosity in helping those in our community who have such pressing needs! Thanksgiving that Nation Redstone is home following a recent stay at Prairie St. John s. May God bring him peace and strength! Thanksgiving that Freeland Pletcher has returned home following recent successful heart valve replacement surgery. May God speed his healing and be with both him and Lorraine as they move forward in God s grace! Thanksgiving that Em Laskey had successful knee replacement surgery. She is doing rehab at Bethany on 42nd, and she and Bill appreciate all our prayers! Thanksgiving for this past month s Young Adult Chili Supper and Board Game Night. Numbers were on the small side, but a good time was had by all! We are grateful for all our busy young adults! Thanksgiving for a wonderful Harvest Dinner and for all who worked so hard to make it possible. The steady crowd of people gave a new meaning to live streaming, and this was a wonderful way to offer extravagant hospitality to our community! WELCOMING NEW MEMBERS! continued from page 1 Home Life: Jessie adopted her sister, Shannon, in 2006 the day before Shannon s 11th birthday. Shannon is now 21. Shannon did not want to move to Fargo and lives in the Philly area. In 2013, she met Bill Simpson her now husband. After meeting they decided to leave the East coast for the open spaces in Upper Midwest. They chose the Fargo region because Fargo was the closest big city to Bill s family. Jessie currently enjoys her 15 minute traffic free commute to work, spending time with her husband, son and 2 Vizsla s (Luna & Ruby), hiking, traveling to PA to visit family, live music and indulging in her Audible addiction: Specifically listening to Paranormal Romance novels. Bill was born and raised in Northern Minnesota, feeling right at home in Fargo. He enjoys his vocation as a professional healthcare chaplain. Bill feels especially grateful for each day with his wife Jessie. Recently their family has been growing rapidly with the main event being 10 months old son Liam. Their puppy Luna is 15 months and their puppy Ruby is 6 weeks. Bill enjoys sending both lazy time with family as well as active time with family such as taking walks or camping in the back yard with the kidoes. Bill enjoys fishing, hunting and following the Vikings. Bill feels at home in the United Church of Christ because there is room for question, mystery, curiosity and varying viewpoints on matters of faith.

5 Page 5 The Becoming November 2016 First UCC Board of Directors SEPTEMBER 13, Call to Order: Jimi Fogle called the meeting to order. 2. Opening Devotions: Pastor Kevin - Little Christ from UCC Still Speaking devotional. 3. Bob Stone made motion to approve minutes from last meeting. John Laskey seconded. Minutes approved. 4. Pastor s Report: John Laskey moved to accept the Pastor s Report. Bob Stone seconded, it passed. 5. Worship (Bob Stone): Banners cleaned out in the basement. Threw out all but one in the back of the sanctuary. Old Sunday School room as 6-7 in good shape. All are hanging and together. 6. Pastor-Parish (Jimi Fogle): Nothing to report. 7. Stewardship (Larry Campbell): Stewardship campaign will be from October Potluck possibly on October 31 - talking with Chris Maxfield. 8. Treasurer (John Laskey): Church season is back to help the income. Still doing ok, but summer took its toll. 9. Clerk (Bonnie Bernardy): Baptism of Isaac Kane on August 28. Four new members on September 11, Bill Simpson and Jesse Silveri and John and Joyce Stende. 10. Communcations (Brenna Naseer): The Becoming deadline is September 21. An ad was in the Forum for Rally Sunday. 11. Buildings & Grounds (Darin Mogck): February reminder for tuckpointing and will be brought up at annual meeting for fundraiser. Parking lot too. Ardys asked to have windows cleaned and took care of them. Reflections Window Cleaning did the job. Some caulking needs to be done around some windows. Back door may need to be ordered before winter. Lights are going to be going to LED as money and burnouts permit. 12. Christian Education (Jae Utke): Their meeting is on the 14th. Nothing new so far. Rally Sunday was 5 kids and 4-5 teachers. Youth Rally on October in Medina, ND. Memorial with computer may be decided upon at meeting. 13. Family Fellowship (Chris Maxfield): Sunday s potluck was great! 14. Evangelism and Nurture (Paula McIntyre): Pastor Kevin met with Paula and coordinated some of the shut-in visits. 15. Memorial (Carolyn Stenseth): Nothing to report. 16. Community Service (Carol Roth): Churches United on July 29 is done. Have yet to do September 30, some people have volunteered for that already. We have December 31 left to serve and need volunteers. Salvation Army Bell ringers needed December 15, 16, and 17 in JC Penney wing of West Acres. Plan for 2-3 hour time frame from 3-5:30PM. Dawn - sheltering churches week - continue to do it, but not necessarily hosting. Split days with another church so things can continue. 17. Women s Fellowship: Harvest Dinner is a go. Details will be out later. Some more people came to the meeting after the appeal made in church on September 11. Considering an evening meeting rather than in the morning. Valentines dinner put on by the men of the church or game night are a couple of suggestions. 18. Other: CROP Walk is October 2 and Neighbors in Need Offering, October Approval of Reports: Bob Stone made motion, Darin Mogck seconded. 20. Next meeting is Tuesday, October 18 at 6:30PM. 21. Meeting adjourned: Darin Mogck made motion, Bob Stone seconded. Respectfully submitted, Jimi Fogle, Acting Clerk

Page 6 The Becoming November 2016 outh NewsYouth News Yout Jae Utke, Christian Education Director Five Youth Attend 2016 Youth Rally Nation, Michael, Bekki, Faith, and Vanessa, along with a friend of

The theme was about gaming and mythic tales, and how many stories in the Bible fit into the framework of a epic myth--a birth or introduction of a character, the introduction of a journey or

6 Page 6 The Becoming November 2016 outh NewsYouth News Yout Jae Utke, Christian Education Director Five Youth Attend 2016 Youth Rally Nation, Michael, Bekki, Faith, and Vanessa, along with a friend of Bekki s attended to 2016 Youth Rally in Medina, ND. The theme was about gaming and mythic tales, and how many stories in the Bible fit into the framework of a epic myth--a birth or introduction of a character, the introduction of a journey or adventure that tests the character s ability to handle duress, then the journey or the adventure itself, and the character overcoming a HUGE dilemma, drawback, or even death itself, and then the story continuing on to or with future generations. There was a costume contest, story telling contest, and a coloring contest. We did a Live Action Role Playing Game (LARP) in the city park. Jae got to be a meowing 3-headed-dragon. Later on, during the Story-telling Contest, Jae wowed her audience with tales of an upcoming Garden Gnome Apocalypse- -and the Revenge of the Dripping Gremlins. The NPC-UCC Youth dedicated their annual singing of the Shark Song to Jae, who has declared that song banned from all NP Youth events. Ah, well. We had fun, anyway. There were table top games, board games, and just time to hang out with friends. Zion UCC fed us with lots of delicious food and snacks--enough to keep teen-agers going for a couple of days!! So, food, fun, and friends were all found at the Youth Rally. Next opportunity to join in the hilarity is CAMP 2017!! Nation, Colby, Michael, Faith, Bekki & Vanessa at the Youth Rally Vanessa puts the final touches on her unicorn costume for the costume contest at the Youth Rally Families Blown Away by Day at Pumpkin Patch Two church families made the trip out to Dakota Carriage s Pumpkin Patch. Dom DeJournette and Ryland jined David, Chris, and Bekki Maxfield for a few hours of cavorting with animals in the petting zoo, getting lost in the corn maze, and playing with, in, and on acres and acres of games, activities, and other fun stuff. It was a really windy day that day, so they really were blown away. We have been making this an annual event, so please plan to join us next year!!

7 Page 7 The Becoming November 2016 FIRST CHURCH UPCOMING DATES Holy Communion first Sunday each month - ALL are welcome to partake! Bulletins and Bibles every Wednesday from 1:30-3:30. Bible Study begins at 2 p.m. Worship every Sunday at 10:30 a.m. Choir Rehearsal every Sunday at 9 a.m. Sunday School for Pre-School through Elementary after the Children s Sermon every Sunday Wired Word Adult Class every Sunday after church Women s Fellowship second Tuesday of the month, 9:30 a.m. Mat Ministry second Wednesday each month at 10 a.m. Sunday, November 6 Daylight Savings Time Ends, Remembrance Sunday Tuesday, November 8 Election Day 100% voter turnout from our church??? Wednesday, November 9 Christian Education Board, 5:30 p.m. Tuesday, November 15 Board of Directors, 6:30 p.m. Friday, November 18 Women s Retreat in Garrison through Sunday, Nov. 20 Monday, November 21 Deadline for combined December-January Becoming (please send your information to our Editor, Brenna Naseer at brenna.pratt.1@gmail.com) Tuesday, November 22 10:00 a.m. Northern Plains Conference UCC Clergy Cluster Sunday, November 27 First Sunday of Advent MONTHLY NON-CHURCH EVENTS 4H - Second Monday of the month from 6-8 p.m. Heather & Thistle Bagpipers - Every Tuesday at 7 p.m. Codependents Anonymous - Every Tuesday at 4:30-6:00 p.m. MOMS Group - Third Friday of the month at 10 a.m. FM Gay Men s Chorus Practice - Every Sunday, 4-7 p.m. Alcoholics Anonymous Meeting - Every Saturday, 9:30-10:30 a.m. November Birthdays 11/01 Jimi Fogle 11/02 Matthew Maxfield 11/02 Anthea Varriano 11/05 David Maxfield 11/11 Philip Adam 11/13 John Laskey 11/20 Jaime Froysland 11/22 Shannon Anderson 11/26 Laurie Alley 11/27 Lorraine Hanna November Anniversaries 11/14/1992 Tom & Beda Nankivell 11/18/2002 Ruth & Jaime Rice 11/20/1952 Lois & Joe Fleck For a current calendar, visit our church website at & click the Events link in the upper right.

8 Page 8 The Becoming November 2016 The Becoming is a publication of First Congregational Church, Fargo. FIRST CONGREGATIONAL UNITED CHURCH OF CHRIST TH AVENUE SOUTH FARGO, ND This publication is published monthly and mailed to membters and friends of the Church. Articles are taken with permission from The Aware, UCC News, The Newsletter Newsletter and The Fargo Forum. Becoming Staff: Editor Brenna Naseer Advisor Kevin Cassiday-Maloney Production The Bible Study Babes & Dudes Welcome to First Church! OUR COVENANT We covenant here, one with another, in the love of truth and in the spirit of Jesus Christ, for the worship of God and the service of Gods creation; and, as the Lords free people, we agree to walk together in all of God s ways, known or to be made known to us. Kevin Cassiday-Maloney, Pastor Office Phone: Cell Phone: mrmetta57@gmail.com Facebook: Kevin Cassiday-Maloney Jae Utke, Christian Ed. Director Cell Phone: jae.utke@yahoo.com Facebook: Jae Utke Lora Wehrung, Office Manager 1stcongregationalucc@gmail.com First Church is on the web!

Becoming. The. First Congregational United Church of Christ, Fargo April 2018

Becoming. The. First Congregational United Church of Christ, Fargo April 2018 Volume 8, Issue 3 Becoming The First Congregational United Church of Christ, Fargo April 2018 IN THIS ISSUE Pastor s Ponderings, Page 2 Youth News, Page 3 Prayer Concerns, Page 4 Important Dates, Page