UNITED CHURCH OF CHRIST BISMARCK, ND December 2017 Bismarck-Mandan Area United Church of Christ 1200 E Highland Acres Rd ~ 701-223-2915 ~ bisucc@midconetwork.com ~ www.uccbismarck.org ~ Like us on Facebook December 2017 A GLOBAL MINISTRY CHURCH This Advent Season by Rev. Gretchen Deeg, Senior Pastor Dear Seekers of Christ, I can t believe that another year has already gone by. When I look back over this past year, many fond memories of serving meals together, stories told over coffee and tea, holy spaces honored in worship, baptisms, weddings, funerals, walking alongside one another in spiritual growth and crisis, and reaching out into the wider community all flood my mind. As I prepare to enter into the sacred season of Advent, I am filled with gratitude for this faith community. Although our Gregorian calendar year starts on January 1 with a flurry of celebrations, fireworks, and New Year s Resolutions, the liturgical church year starts on the first Sunday of Advent (Dec. 3) in a period of preparation and reflection. This beginning is consistent with the Jewish understanding that each day starts not in the morning, but at night as we rest. So as we enter into the sixty-third year of Bismarck UCC and the two-thousandth some year since Christ s birth, we are invited to begin our new year the way the Holy Family would have begun theirs in preparation and reflection. I know times of reflection can be difficult to work into many of your busy holiday schedules, so here are two easy ideas to bring the spirit of Advent into your home and prepare your heart and soul for Christmas. 1) Set up an Advent Wreath at home. All you need are four candles set up in a ring around a larger fifth candle. Light one candle every week of Advent and read from scriptures or a favorite Christmas storybook. 2) Make a Prayer Garland. Take strips of construction paper. Every day of Advent write a hope or dream for the new year and staple together in loops to make a garland for your Christmas tree. OUR LIFE TOGETHER Children s Christmas Program Just a Little Christmas is coming to town on Sunday, Dec. 17 at 10 AM. See page 6 for details. Christmas Eve Worship Worship with us on Sunday, Dec. 24 at 10 AM and 5 PM. For the complete Advent & Christmas worship schedule see page 3. New Year s Eve Our own Bill Patrie will lead us in wrapping up the old and ringing in the new on Sunday, Dec. 31 at 10 AM. Worship with us every Sunday at 10:00 A.M.
UNITED CHURCH OF CHRIST BISMARCK, ND DECEMBER 2017 2 Vision Statement Adopted January 2016 The Bismarck-Mandan UCC is a thriving church transforming our lives and community: Where all are unconditionally welcomed, affirmed, accepted and loved; Where the good in every person is recognized and their talents are encouraged to be shared; Where children, youth, and adults learn that God is love and all are welcome to freely explore spirituality in a safe and nurturing environment; Where we can bring our personal needs and struggles and count on support from our church family which is the loving family we all deserve; Where powerful messages inspire and challenge us to be caring and compassionate to all in our church, community, and world, seeking opportunities to put our faith into action with courage to go beyond what we think we can do; Where we embrace the still-speaking God and live in today s world. LIVING OUR VISION HIGHLIGHT Where children, youth, and adults learn that God is love and all are welcome to freely explore spirituality in a safe and nurturing environment. We re Aging Courageously at Bismarck UCC! Last month this fun bunch gathered on Monday evenings at 6:30pm to share, study, and grow in faith-filled courage together. If you haven t gotten involved in a learning community at church yet, check out page 4 for upcoming classes. Greetings and Blessings from your Church Council. Council Corner by Harold Karch, Moderator The Church Council met on Oct.31 2017 to review committee reports and general church activities. All committees reported many positive and meaningful events that have taken place during the past year. The Sunday School program has grown. The Wednesday night Kid s Bible Class, which met once a month hopes to begin meeting twice a month in 2018 due to popular demand. The Youth are getting involved with community events. Mayflower Circle continues to serve for funerals, have fundraisers for event and kitchen upkeep costs, which in December will be popcorn balls, and assist with and host other activities. The Choir always sounds wonderful. Ask any usher or fellowship participants and they will tell you how great it is to greet and meet the members of our church. Monday evening Adult Education classes are growing in popularity. The Food Pantry is still needed and appreciated by the community and if you want to get further involved in the happenings of the church try the Deacons or Trustees Committees. These are only a few of the ongoing opportunities here at United Church of Christ. December is here and the NEW YEAR is around the corner; now is the time to take a few minutes to reflect on the past year. So many activities have come and gone and there may be some that you missed or chose not to take advantage of; if so, let part of your New Year s Resolution be to get involved in your church family. The church has been commissioned by Jesus to make disciples. One way you can accomplish this task beyond the walls of our church is by being engaged, involved and active disciples within the walls. God Bless you all and Merry Christmas.
UNITED CHURCH OF CHRIST BISMARCK, ND DECEMBER 2017 3 CHYS Giving Tree by 4-6 th Grade Sunday School Class & Tove Mandigo Help us give every child at Charles Hall Youth Services (CHYS) a new hoody for Christmas this year. CHYS supports North Dakota s troubled adolescents in a residential care facility. All of their kids have gone through difficult life experiences and would benefit greatly from the love and support we can share with them. So this December, take a gift tag from the tree in the narthex, purchase a hoody for the child named on the tag, and return your unwrapped gift to the church by Sunday, Dec. 17. Thanks for bringing a little extra joy into this year s Christmas at CHYS! Dec. 3 @ 10AM Dec. 10 @ 10 AM Dec. 17 @ 10 AM Dec. 24 @ 10 AM @ 5 PM Dec. 31 @ 10 AM Jan. 7 @ 10 AM Advent & Christmas Worship Schedule First of Advent Lighting the Candle of Peace Second of Advent Lighting the Candle of Hope Third of Advent Lighting the Candle of Joy Children s Christmas Pageant Fourth of Advent Lighting the Candle of Love Christmas Eve Carols, Lessons, & Candle Light 7 th Day of Christmas & New Year s Eve Celebration of Epiphany (Three King s Day) FINANCIAL STATUS January 1 to October 31, 2017 Revenue General Offerings Actual = $ 113,831 Other Income (Dedicated, Earned) Actual = $ 21,859 Expenses Actual = $ 172,360 Total Revenue = $ 135,690 Total Expenses = $ 172,360 NET ACTIVITY = $ (36,670) SUPPORT OF OUR MISSION PARTNERS IN 2017 East Timor Education Fund $ 1,468.85 Charles Hall Youth Services $ 50.00 Our Church s Wider Mission $ 2,210.00 One Great Hour of Sharing $ 1,524.00 Strengthen the Church $ 1,795.00 Neighbors in Need $ The Christmas Fund $ Total Shared Ministry $ 7,047.85 by Marcia Patrie, Stewardship Chair I work a few hours a year visiting clergy retirees for the UCC Pension Board. I know two pensioners in the Northern Plains Conference who have benefited from the Christmas Fund during times of great need. They are grateful for abundant grace. Dale Carmen Our next special offering that makes our church a 5 for 5 church is the Christmas Fund. The 4 offerings that are spread throughout the year is the funding the national church uses to be a church involved in mission to others. The 5 th part is the OCWM (Our Church s Wider Mission) offering which supports the Northern Plains Conference with a portion of the money going to the National UCC. The Christmas Fund (formerly known as Veterans of the Cross) gives back to those who dedicated their lives to the church by helping retired clergy whose income falls into the poverty category. We hope that on December 24 th you will be a part of this important support by making a donation in the envelopes marked Christmas Fund or designating this offering on your check memo.
UNITED CHURCH OF CHRIST BISMARCK, ND DECEMBER 2017 4 Nov. 27 th Dec. 18 th All classes will be held on Mondays at 6:30 pm at Bismarck United Church of Christ unless otherwise noted Sun. Jan. 7 th Feb. 4 th Folk Dance Alive Wed. Feb. 14 th - Mar. 21 st Mar. 21 st Apr. 1 st Apr. 9 th May 21 st Tears We Cannot Stop Book Study Lenten Worship & Soup Suppers Holy Week Animate: Bible Additional Information can be found in future newsletters. Sign-Up Sheets and class descriptions will be available in the narthex. Folk Dance Alive! Led by Dale Carmen Starting Sunday, January 7 th at 1pm, there will be four weeks of Folk Dancing in the Fellowship Hall. Come back to the church later or bring your sack lunch along and stay after worship and fellowship. We will have fun learning Greensleeves (old English), the Hora (Israel), the Butterfly (eastern European), and more. All ages are welcome. Worried about creaky knees and aching feet? What to do with your children? Bring them along! We need people who sit out, tap their toes, hold small children, shout ya-ho and clap too! Sign-up or walk-in. We are bent on enjoying God s gift of winter with dancing feet. Tears We Cannot Stop Book Study Led by Tove Mandigo Justice is what love sounds like when it speaks in public. Michael Eric Dyson. As the country grapples with race division at a level not seen since the 1960s, Dyson argues that if we are to make real racial progress we must face difficult truths. This book structured like a worship service promises deep faith-filled conversations. Meets on Monday evenings at 6:30pm from Nov. 27 Dec. 18. Please bring your own copy of the book. Books can be purchased at any major retailer or online. Ongoing Classes Friday Morning Bible Study A group for the early risers! This dedicated group meets every Friday at 6:30 am in the church library for Bible study and fellowship. All are welcome. Monday Evening Topical Classes These 4-6 week classes are typically held on Mondays at 6:30pm. Faith Forward For those interested in living their faith through social justice. Contact the church office for current projects. Confirmation This program is for youth in grades 7-12 interested in being confirmed. Led by Pastor Gretchen and Katie Mitchell. United Church Youth (UCY) A group of middle & high school youth. Gathers every other Sunday from 11 11:45am and throughout the year for service and fun. See page 6 for upcoming events. Wednesday Kid s Bible Class A class for Pre-K to 4 th graders. This Vacation Bible School style kid s class meets the first Wednesday of every month. Sunday School Classes for the youngest kids to high school aged are held on Sundays. See the youth page for details. Have an idea for a class? Contact Pastor Gretchen (223-2915) or Christian Ed with your ideas.
UNITED CHURCH OF CHRIST BISMARCK, ND DECEMBER 2017 5 Ministry & Fellowship Groups UCC Choir UCC choir meets for practice on Wednesday evenings at 7:00 pm. New members are always welcome so if you like to sing, just come to one of our rehearsals and we will be glad to have you join us. Choir is always way more fun than work. Craig DeVos, Choir Director Mayflower Circle This women s fellowship group meets every second Thursday of the month at noon. Mayflower Circle leads various ministries throughout the year including funeral luncheons, annual rummage sale, numerous fundraisers, and others. Join us this month on December 14 th at noon at Ruby Tuesdays or contact Jane Thomson to learn more. Knitting Group Knit, purl, tell stories, and have a great time with this group of knitters. Bring your own project or knit a prayer shawl to be blessed and gifted to another. This group will meet on Dec. 12 at 1pm. Threads of Love Threads of Love quilting guild is open to all church family members as well as community members. This group meets every Tuesday from 2pm to 8pm. Participants may come and go as they please. Completed quilting projects are intended to be donated to charitable organizations. All levels of quilting experience from beginner to expert are welcome! Welcome to Our New Members Derick, Katie (Schmiess), & Harper McClintock Soon to be married, June 30, 2018 at the UCC! We are enjoying watching our daughter, Harper, grow up. Derick is an HVAC tech and Katie works at HIT. Most of our spare time is spent outdoors camping, fishing, hunting or enjoying the mountains in Montana. We are newer to Bismarck and are looking to settle into a house, build our faith and family, and make new friends. Mike, Claire, & Elle Waldoch Born and raised in the Bismarck/Mandan area. We have a 6 year old daughter, Elle, who keeps us very busy. We enjoy spending time as family. Mike is an avid auto enthusiast and Claire enjoys spending her time on various arts, crafts, and Pinterest projects. Together as a family we enjoy cooking and vacationing at the "Happiest Place on Earth" Disney World. This month we also welcomed the Knoll Family and Murrae Kramer. Watch for their bios in next month s newsletter. Roof Repairs Completed by Mike Stein, Trustee Chair In last month s newsletter I updated everyone about our new roof on the North side. The damage was from this past December s and past years snow melts. The snow melt caused ice dams which backed up water and caused some of the deck boards to soften. The cost was about $27,000. The insurance company will not reimburse us for the cost of the roof. However, they will cover the water damage that occurred on the inside of the church. This means the church will absorb the entire cost of the new roof. The church does have the proceeds to absorb this cost, but it does pull from our rainy-day fund. If there are congregation members that would like to make an end-of-year donation to the church building fund to help with the cost of the roof it would be very appreciated. Jack s Food Pantry by Dawn Archer, Deacons In the month of November we have assisted 13 families with food. We are in need of canned soups (we have tomato soup), canned fruit, rice or healthy snack items.
UNITED CHURCH OF CHRIST BISMARCK, ND DECEMBER 2017 6 Youth News United Church Sunday School Calendar Sunday School begins at 10:20 am December 3 rd Sunday School (X-mas Program Practice) 6 th Wednesday Kid s Bible School 6:00 pm 10 th Sunday School (X-mas Program Practice) 16 th Sunday School (X-mas Program Practice) 17 th Children s Christmas Program 10 AM 24 th Christmas Eve 10 AM & 5 PM Hand out Christmas Ornaments 31 st Group Sunday School 11:15 AM Dec. 17 th In the youth room Grab a bite & come join us for some faith, formation & fellowship. in the basement Get ready for the Holiday Season Come Enjoy Attendance is Growing - Wednesday Evenings - Sunday Mornings ASSISTING WITH THE CHRISTMAS PROGRAM I will reach out to you directly with dates, times and activities. You will hear from me soon Katie! We are looking for Substitute Teachers For details contact: Carrie at 391-0507 or waggie32000@yahoo.com April Sunday School Project: At your home designate an aluminum can box NOW and collect the cans until April 22 nd. We will take the crushed cans to Gerdau Metals Recycling and donate whatever is raised to the Humane Society!
UNITED CHURCH OF CHRIST BISMARCK, ND DECEMBER 2017 7 First Aid Kits for Ecuador by NPC Mission & Outreach ND Flight Nurse and UCC Pastor, Marcy Dawson, will be joining the UCC Mission Team traveling to Ecuador in February 2018. One way you can support the team is by putting together First Aid Kits to be distributed in Ecuador along with first aid instruction led by Marcy. Please bring completed kits to the church by Sunday, January 21. FIRST AID KIT (Put in a 1 gallon ziplock bag) o 10 individually wrapped sterile 4x4 gauze o 5 2x2 gauze o 1 3x9 petroleum gauze dressing o 2 5x9 sterile dressings (ABD pads) o 2 sterile eye pads o 2 rolls 2 inch gauze bandage o 2 rolls 4 inch gauze Bandages o 1 roll tape 3m transpore or nexcare (clear is best) o 1 roll 2 inch medical adhesive tape o 10 regular size bandaids MEDICATION KIT o assorted small bandaids (put medications in a quart ziplock bag) o 4 larger bandaids o 5 pkg of 2 Tylenol or o 10 butterfly adhesive wound closure acetaminophen o 2 pairs non sterile gloves o 5 pkg of 2 Ibuprofen o 1 2 inch roll coban or adhesive wrap o 10 packets triple antibiotic ointment o 1 small bandage scissors o 10 packets of burn gel/aloe o 1 small splinter tweezer o 10 cleansing towelettes o 10 cotton swabs o 10 sting relief packets or gauze o 2 triangular bandages with 2 safety pins o 1 medication kit DIY TRIANGULAR BANDAGES 1) Cut dish towels diagonally in half so looks like a triangle fold 2) Or cut old sheets into same triangular size or larger than half a dish towel. May God s gift of life be a blessing to you and may your life be a blessing to others on this special day of your birth and all year long! 3 Louise Zuern 4 Camille Grothier 5 Erica Nitschke 11 Wade Schemmel 13 Howard Etson 14 Audrey Heinle 15 Landen Dobitz 16 Amy Devos 17 Hadden Robinson 21 JD Tollefson 21 Ben Patrie 21 Marcia Patrie 25 Penny Wilson 27 Justin Weil 27 Stella Augustadt 30 Forest Durow *Please contact the church office or sign up in the narthex if you would like your birthday listed in the newsletter. UCC Mission Trip Feb. 7-16, 2018 In addition to providing First Aid kids for use in Ecuador, you re invited to experience Ecuador in person with the Northern Plains Conference UCC mission group! Mission and Outreach and First Congregational Church of Dickinson are finalizing plans for a People-to-People Mission Trip to Ecuador February 7-16, 2018. The trip will include a small construction project and Christian Education for the children. Cost for the trip will be $2,000-$2,500, depending on the cost of materials for the construction project. We can take a maximum of 15 people, so it will be first-come, first-served. Those interested in joining the crew or supporting the project can talk with Pastor Gretchen about scholarship assistance and to get connected with the team.