Carol Ratchenski is an essayist, poet, and novelist. Her work has appeared in NDSU Magazine, ND Quarterly, Dust and Fire, and Resurrecting Grace: Remembering Catholic Childhoods and the Cancer Poetry Project. As a therapist with the Counseling Center in Fargo, she regularly teaches journaling workshops that help people access their "missing pieces." Carol is a long-time student of NonViolent Communication (NVC) and recently registered to become a nationally certified trainer of NVC. As well as reading from and reflecting on her own and other work, Carol will take us on an experiential exploration of creativity as spirituality.
Not all persons feel at home in their home religion. People raised in one religious tradition may find it spiritually dissatisfying but be unaware that there is another tradition that will completely satisfy their spiritual needs. The speaker, for example, was born into a Christian home and after decades of spiritual wandering, finally discovered that liberal Judaism was where he belonged. This has motivated him to raise the question: How can we help those who are spiritually dissatisfied to find a religious home? To facilitate what David Myers calls "spiritual matchmaking" he has an immodest proposal and invites your reactions to it.
David Myers is involved in interfaith work in the community. He is a co-founder of the Fargo-Moorhead Abrahamic Interfaith Group: an organization of Jews, Christians, and Muslims working to promote mutual understanding of their faiths. He recently taught a Communiversity Course called Accounting for Religious Diversity and is writing a book with the same title.
Spring Ahead Potluck following the 3/11 service.
Language is both necessary and dangerous. It is necessary for communicating with others. The danger is more subtle. What danger does language pose for our relationships? And what, if anything, can be done to alleviate such danger?
Phil Mouch is a regular monthly speaker at FMUU and the current board president.
North Dakota ranks first or second in the nation on several measures of alcohol misuse; including driving while intoxicated, 30 day alcohol use, binge drinking, and alcohol dependence. These rankings include not only our youth, but our adult population as well. Laura will explore the impact of a culture that accepts alcohol misuse and will offer environmental solutions that promote healthier communities.
Laura Oster-Aaland holds a Master's degree from NDSU in Communication and is working toward a PhD in Education. She has worked in student affairs at NDSU for over 10 years, the last 6 of which have been focused on alcohol and drug abuse prevention.