UNITED CHURCH OF CHRIST BISMARCK, ND June 2018 United Church of Christ 1200 E Highland Acres Rd ~ 701-223-2915 ~ bisucc@midconetwork.com ~ www.uccbismarck.org ~ Like us on Facebook A GLOBAL MINISTRY CHURCH CHURCH IN THE SUMMER by Rev. Gretchen Deeg, Senior Pastor Bismarck-Mandan Area The feel of warm sunshine, smells of cut grass, and sight of blooming flowers often bring vacation to mind. Summer is here, school is out, and for some vacation time is beginning. Even though your travels might take you across the state or even across the world, you definitely won t want a complete summer vacation from church this year! Starting on Sunday, June 3 at 10am, we are kicking off our Summer Worship Series on the Minor Prophets. These prophets are often rarely read in the Revised Common Lectionary (which typically determines our Sunday scripture readings), so we do not often get the chance to dive deeply into their unique stories..and the stories are definitely unique from illustrations using baskets of summer fruit and raisin cakes to visions of tape measures; this series will definitely give you the opportunity to hear God s voice in a fresh way. I m also excited to have guest speakers join me in worship at various points in the summer, so we ll get a multitude of voices on both the Minor Prophets and how they connect with life in 2018! Plus, even if you are traveling on a particular Sunday morning, the weekday opportunities to gather abound! As you ll see throughout this newsletter, we have a range of fun, educational, and worshipful events planned for the entire summer both on weekends and weekdays. So take out your calendar as you go through this newsletter and add in the events that will keep your spiritual life fed all summer long. A quick tip: schedule your church and faith growth time before summer gets busy! Lastly, when you do travel this summer or whenever you encounter something holy that you really want to share with your church family snap a picture and share it on the church Facebook page, tage @uccbismarck on Instagram, or mail your photo to the church and we ll post it on the bulletin board! It s fun and faith-enriching to stay connected over the energizing summer months. JUNE 2018 OUR LIFE TOGETHER Family Fun Events Our church family Summer Fun events begin on Wednesday, June 20 th with a BBQ Potluck and Outdoor Games at Sertoma Park Shelter #4. See Insert A. Vacation Bible School VBS will be held from June 4 th 7 th for kids ages 4 years to 5 th grade. Supper at 6pm & VBS from 6:30 8 pm. See Insert A for details. Bring a dish to share and swimsuit if you d like to go for a swim. Sunday Worship at 10 AM Bible Study: Sunday at 11 AM & Friday at 6:30 AM
UNITED CHURCH OF CHRIST BISMARCK, ND JUNE 2018 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 powerful messages inspire and challenge us to be caring and compassionate to all. On Pentecost Sunday, May 20, as Aimee DeVos and Anika Weekes confirmed their baptism they reminded us all that following God s voice is a daily choice. Through the joys and challenges, we are blessed by a life grounded in God s love. Aimee and Anika, we look forward to growing in faith alongside you! Hello everyone, Council Corner by Mike Stein, Moderator April was a busy month for the church. The month was filled with activities and projects. One of the activities was the Lay Leadership Training which was held Saturday morning April 21 st. We had 16 congregation and 5 wider-community members attend this event. One of the projects completed by The Trustees was getting the basement floor painted. A big thank you goes out to Kyle Eisenbraun on taking the lead to finish this project. One main item the council worked on is the Church Revitalization Group. As of the print of this newsletter we have 7 people that made a commitment to join this group. Each person will make a year commitment and the group will meet monthly. They will work in building more of an awareness of the United Church of Christ to Bismarck/Mandan and the surrounding communities. This will be a fun and exciting group. The Council would like to encourage everyone to get involved with the church. You can get involved with the church by either attending any of the activities that are held at the church or joining one of the organization groups, such as the committees (Deacons, Stewardship, Trustees, Music, Christian Education, and Liturgical Arts) or fellowship groups like Choir, Mayflower Circle, Bible Study, or Threads of Love. You will enjoy the fellowship and the deepening of faith that will come from being a member of these groups. Your effort will also make a huge impact on United Church of Christ. Take care!
UNITED CHURCH OF CHRIST BISMARCK, ND JUNE 2018 3 Threads of Love BY Camille Grothier Thank You! Thank You!! Thank You!!! Our May Fundraiser was a resounding success. We have purchased two additional sewing machines, additional thread, thread stands, rotary cutter blade and have other purchases planned. We are deeply grateful for the support of the congregation which helps us to fulfill our outreach mission. Your donations will touch the lives of many in our community. Bless you for your generosity! Thank you for your generous support of the East Timor School! The Soup & Bread during Lent was always one of my favorite activities. Thank you again for your donations and prayers! - Sharon & Jim Moos FINANCIAL STATUS January 1 to April 30, 2018 Revenue General Offerings Actual = $ 48,888 Other Income (Dedicated, Earned) Actual = $ 6,452 Expenses Actual = $ 52,277 Total Revenue = $ 55,340 Total Expenses = $ 52,277 NET ACTIVITY = $ 3,063 SUPPORT OF OUR MISSION PARTNERS IN 2018 East Timor Education Fund $ 895 Charles Hall Youth Services $ 365 Our Church s Wider Mission $ 2,295 One Great Hour of Sharing $ 862 Strengthen the Church $ Neighbors in Need $ The Christmas Fund $ Total Shared Ministry $ 4,417 We were approached by the wonderful Knitter s Group who asked to be included in preparations for future fund raisers for this most worthy cause even though they do not need funds for their activities. As you know, we are privileged to have the knitters join us twice a month for fellowship as we all work together to make articles which bless others with the work of our hands. As a result, we quilters decided that Threads of Love pertained not only to the quilts we make, but the gorgeous Prayer Shawls the knitters make. Because of this realization, we quilters have changed our name slightly from Threads of Love Quilting Guild to Threads of Love CRAFTING Guild to include not only our wonderful knitters, but anyone who chooses to join us in our mission. Again, the invitation remains open to join us to work on your projects, and if not so inclined, to join us for fellowship-the spirit of our gathering place grows with each person present! Come and join the fun!! Jack s Food Pantry by Darcy Avery, Deacons Thank You for taking notice of our current food pantry needs and checking out our What s in a Bag? display in the narthex! Your support of Jack s Place Food Pantry helps insure families have the food they need for daily survival. Our Food Pantry will turn 20 this fall! Watch your newsletter or church bulletin for upcoming milestone birthday celebration events! Our thanks ~ Thanks to those who have volunteered to pack bags! May: Joyce Rosene, June: Carol Erhardt, July: Dawn Archer. *If you have time to help, please check out the sign-up sheet in the narthex at church. Remember Jack s Place accepts donations of nonperishable food items, cash, or check. Make payable to UCC. Write Jack s Place or pantry in the memo line or on the envelope. Thank You! In the last month we shared 14 bags of food with families in our communities. *Current food pantry needs: Canned Vegetables, Canned Fruit, Soup, Raisins, and Crackers. The day hunger disappears the world will see the greatest spiritual explosion humanity has ever seen. ~ Federico Garcia Lorca
UNITED CHURCH OF CHRIST BISMARCK, ND JUNE 2018 4 Minor Prophets, Major Stories June 3 September 2 You know Jonah and the big fish, but do you know the other minor prophets of the Bible? How about the women prophets? This summer, we are diving into the minor prophets of the Bible, hearing their big stories in both sermon series during worship and a historical and literary discussion immediately after worship. Our historical and literary discussions will begin with a 6-7 minute visual lesson using videos from The Bible Project (thebibleproject.com) and continues with discussion around coffee and treats. Worship: Sundays at 10 AM Discussion Circles: Sundays at 11 AM Bismarck UCC is partnering with Dakota Outright to offer an educational series on the Bible and Sexuality. The wider church has been a source of pain and confusion for LGBTQIA individuals and their families and friends. This three-part series will take a deeper look at the seven verses often used to condemn homosexuality as well as offer a space for healing. Held in the fellowship hall on Sunday evenings (June 10, July 22, and Aug. 12) from 3-5:30pm at the United Church of Christ. Every session includes dinner. This project is supported by a grant from the NPC Mission & Outreach and is open to LGBTQIA individuals, family members, friends, allies, and those interested in learning more in a safe and loving environment. Monday Movie Nights Q-Series: God, Homosexuality, and the Bible June 10, July 22, and August 12 from 3:00 5:30 PM (dinner included) Monday evenings at 6:30pm June 11, June 25, July 16, July 30, August 13, August 27 Ease yourself back into the week with Monday Movie Nights at church! Gathers two Mondays every month to watch a mix of fun and faith-based movies followed by discussion. Refreshments will be provided at no charge it s way cheaper than the movie theatre and the company is guaranteed to be wonderful! Contact Camille Grothier for further information. 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 Wanda Benson 4 Jenessa Whitmore 6 Misty Akovenko 7 Emily Archer 7 Myron Rosene 10 Bill Patrie 11 Sarah Ripley 11 Krista Tolstedt 14 Barb Gress 22 Sofia Augustadt 24 Addison Weil 27 Kira Schimmel 29 Danielle Neuberger 30 Evan Mandigo *Please contact the church office or sign up in the narthex if you would like your birthday listed in the newsletter NPC Annual Meeting The 2018 Northern Plains Conference (NPC) Annual Meeting is on Friday, June 8 Saturday, June 9 in Medina. Many thanks to our delegates from Bismarck UCC: Gail Erickson, Harold Karch, and Dana Jahner! Also attending from our congregation are Camille Grothier and Pastor Gretchen Deeg. If you have any items you would like addressed at the NPC Annual Meeting, please talk with these individuals before the meeting. Otherwise, ask them how it went after the meeting!
UNITED CHURCH OF CHRIST BISMARCK, ND JUNE 2018 5 Inset A Youth News Potluck BBQ Time & Games Join us Wednesday, June 20 th at 5:30 pm at Sertoma Park, Shelter #4. We ll provide the hotdogs and chips. You bring the sides! BYO plate and utensils (consider reusable). We ll be eating from 6 7 pm. If it rains or is below 50F it will be moved to the UCC Fellowship Hall. Pool Party & Zipline Wednesday, July 18 th at 5:30 pm at Tove & Evan Mandigo s house (2489 Timberlane Pl, Bismarck). Burgers and fixings will be provided. You re welcome to bring a side or dessert to share, but not expected to bring anything other than yourself! Larks Ballgame UCC night at the Lark s Baseball team plays the Waterloo Bucks on Wednesday, August 1 st ~game starts at 7:05 pm. If you purchased a ticket we ll see you at the box seats behind home plate. For Who? When? Where? BREAK JUNE - AUGUST Ages 4 years old up to 5 th grade June 4 th 7 th Supper at 6 pm (free will offering) VBS from 6:30 8 pm United Church of Christ 1200 E Highland Acres Rd Multifaith Outdoor Worship On Sunday, June 17 th at 11:30 am at Sertoma Park Shelter #9, we re joining with other Christian communities, Bahá í, Unitarian Universalist, Traditional Native, and other local religious communities to reach out to and worship alongside those of the LGBTQ community who have been hurt by the church. The worship service will consist of a variety of music, readings, and sacred rituals. A potluck luncheon will follow. Pride in the Park UCC will have a booth at Pride in the Park on Sat, June 16 10am 5pm at Custer Park Broadway & Washington St. Stop by and say hi! Banquet at Trinity Mark your calendars. We re taking our turn serving over 400 hungry people at the Banquet at Trinity on July 12 th. Sign up soon to help prep, serve, or bring dessert! 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. Threads of Love A crafting guild for everyone! Whether you have been quilting, knitting, or crafting for years or want to learn, this group is for you. Come as your schedule allows on Tuesdays from 2-8pm. Knitting Group For knitters of all experience levels, including no experience! It s a great time for fellowship. The next session will be on Mondays June 12 & 26 at 1 pm.