PAST SERVICES AND EVENTS

RECORDINGS AVAILABLE IN THE SERVICE RECORDINGS LIBRARY

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NOVEMBER 2023

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November 26, 2023 - Healing for These Times with Rev. Mira Kepler

Psychedelic medicines are experiencing a dramatic boom in interest, research, and use, showing promise for treating addiction and mental health issues, and supporting with personal growth and spirituality. As people of faith, what do these medicines stand to offer, and what does appropriate caution look like? Join Rev. Mira Kepler, a UU minister, chaplain, and soon-to-be licensed Psilocybin Facilitator under the State of Oregon's new program, as we explore this rich and complex topic.

Rev. Mira Kepler is the minister of the Pacific Unitarian Universalist Fellowship in Astoria, OR. She recently completed a yearlong training through UC Berkeley to become a licensed facilitator for the State of Oregon Psilocybin Services program. Her background includes hospital chaplaincy, nonprofit administration, and many years of work at both UU and secular summer camps and outdoor schools. She keeps her ministry to young people alive through her current side gig as a school bus driver. Rev. Mira and her husband live in the woods in northwestern Oregon and are expecting their first child in January.

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November 19, 2023 - Inherent Mirth and Dignity with Liz James

What do you do when the life you’d imagined for yourself is stuck in committee? Join us for the story of the UU Hysterical Society—a 200,000-person group on Facebook. It’s a story of feeling lost, finding yourself, and a practical joke gone right with UUHS founder Liz James.

Liz James is the founder of a 200,000-person online UU community called the Unitarian Universalist Hysterical Society (UUHS); half of The Cracked Cup podcast; and working on a book with Skinner House Press. Liz is based out of Saskatchewan, where she is building a tiny house with her own two hands. She believes in a Unitarian Universalism that is filled with meaning and joy, and that sees change as an adventure.

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November 12, 2023 - Building a New Way with JD Stillwater

JD describes lessons learned from his do-it-yourselfer father and grandfathers, and how those lessons might be applied to building a new way for our increasingly precarious global society. What kind of world do we want for our grandchildren, and for their grandchildren? Are we behaving accordingly? Building is not easy or comfortable—are we willing to do what it takes? 

A graduate of Cornell University, JD Stillwater is a science ambassador and author who writes and speaks about profound insights from natural reality, insights that drive paradigm shifts and cultural awakening. This work springs from JD’s love of science and his gift for making difficult concepts graspable for non-scientists.

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November 5, 2023 - Living Through Interesting Times with Barry Nelson

As the Chinese proverb goes: may you live in interesting times. We are no doubt living through interesting times at this moment. Unquestionably we are witnessing a relentless assault on the part of governing bodies on the rights of the public: whether that is LGBTQ, women, persons of color, religious minorities. We have elected officials proposing gutting the U.S. Constitution in favor of a theocracy. 
I will be bringing a context of experiencing two significant events in our area: the ND LBTQIA2S+ Summit held in Bismarck on October 20-22 and the ND Human Rights Summit on November 4. There is no doubt in my mind that we are also seeing a positive upsurge in interest and activism in part a reaction to these assaults but also a reflection of our moment in time when these rights matter more. 

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OCTOBER 2023

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October 29, 2023 - MUSIC SUNDAY with the FMUU Congregation

Join us on Sunday, October 29th for a variety of live music performances from some of our musically-inclined members and friends! 

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October 22, 2023 - BREAD COMMUNION with Carolyn Monzingo and the FMUU Congregation

We will have a Bread Communion Ceremony on Sunday, October 22nd. Carolyn Monzingo will lead.

From Carolyn,

Downstairs, after the service, as you partake of the breads from around the world made by several of our bakers, think of the blending of our hearts and minds.  Our loving hands learn to knead the dough and in the warmth of fellowship we raise praise for the Staff of Life.  I invite you to eat your bread. As you chew and swallow, call to mind the interconnected elements of life that have come together in this loaf, in this moment.

 

October 15, 2023 - THIS IS NOT MY BEAUTIFUL HOUSE - with JD Stillwater

One of our culture’s foundational myths is about ownership, security, and permanence. JD offers a bit of science, some personal experiences, and a Talking Heads song as puzzle pieces toward a new, more vulnerable humility.​

JD Stillwater is a science ambassador, presenter, and writer, on a mission to promote science as an interfaith source of profound inspiration and paradigm shift.

 

October 8, 2023 - RADICAL REFORM OF THE MASCULINE with Colby Montigue

We are all familiar with the Gender Inequality Movement and the Binary Pay Gap. However, in today's world, where the gender binary is becoming a spectrum, modern men are struggling to find their place. In my retelling of my journey from man to mixx, I will explore how we can lead the men of the next generation in the right direction for a more equal and loving world; and how we must leave behind toxic and traumatic behaviors to create a better future for everyone.

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October 1, 2023 - A METAPHYSICAL APPROACH TO THE UNIVERSE with David Hartson

Join us on Sunday, October 1st at 11 AM for A Metaphysical Approach to the Universe with David Hartson. This talk is the introduction and the conclusion of a 5-session seminar that answers the greatest metaphysical question ever asked.

David Hartson, PhD has toiled as a psychologist, educator, seminar leader, and consultant. He was also designated an Authorized Minister in the UCC even though he never attended a Seminary nor was ordained. He is now an Antitheist. He is married to Kandy and has two adult daughters and a granddaughter in junior high school. He is 100% retired.

 

SEPTEMBER 2023

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September 24, 2023 - THE CHURCH OF WHAT WE KNOW with Peter Mayer

Singer-Songwriter Peter Mayer will be providing the service for us on Sunday, September 24th! Join us at 11 AM for live music and a sermon about cosmology from Peter!

Minnesota's Peter Mayer has been singing and songwriting full-time for over 20 years, performing in venues across the United States and beyond. He writes songs for a small planet--songs about interconnectedness and the human journey--songs about life on earth and the mysterious and wondrous fact of our existence. He also writes songs about dress hats, pumpkins and pajamas, and other important stuff. His music has been performed by artists like Kathy Mattea, David Wilcox, Claudia Schmidt, Anne Hills, Priscilla Herdman, Darryl Purpose, Billy Jonas, and Ronny Cox, to name a few. His work has been included in song books, church hymnals, and folk radio playlists across the country. He is the recipient of fellowships from both the McKnight and the Bush foundations. Peter has eleven albums to his credit and has sold over 100,000 of them. He lives in Stillwater, Minnesota with his wife and two daughters.

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September 17, 2023 - WATER COMMUNION with Claudette Peterson and the FMUU Congregation

Join us on Sunday, September 17th for a Water Communion ceremony. Bring a container of water from a place that is special to you for this ceremony!

Here is a description of a Water Communion ceremony:
Members bring to the service a small amount of water from a place that is special to them. During the appointed time in the service, people one by one pour their water together into a large bowl. As the water is added, the person who brought it tells why this water is special to them. The combined water is symbolic of our shared faith coming from many different sources. It is often then blessed by the congregation, and sometimes is later boiled and used as the congregation's "holy water" in child dedication ceremonies and similar events.

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September 10, 2023 - BEING INTENTIONAL ABOUT NEURODIVERSITY - WELCOMING EVERYONE AS THEY ARE with John David Berdahl

On Sunday, September 10th, we will be visited by artist and art educator John David Berdahl. John David will be talking to us about how we can learn to better support neurodivergent individuals.

From John David:
Hey there! Are you interested in learning how to better understand and better support neurodivergent individuals in your home and at church? Well this lecture focuses on the examples of Judas and of Peter from the Bible, and how we can learn from their failures and reconciliations to better accommodate those who do think and do process differently! It's a great opportunity to gain some valuable insights and practical tips! So why not take the first step towards creating a more inclusive and accepting community?

John David received a BA in fine arts and studio arts and drawing from MSUM in 2012! He is a practicing artist and teaches, and he instructs individuals privately and presents to provide art education, promote creative inclusion, and to foster acceptance of people with autism spectrum disorder!

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September 3, 2023 - FRIENDSHIP with Carolyn Monzingo

Join us on Sunday, September 3rd for a service about friendship provided by longtime FMUU member, Carolyn Monzingo.

From Carolyn: 

Friendship may seem a bland subject. It doesn’t have the grit of the great themes like love, death, truth, salvation, or sacrifice. Friendship doesn’t inspire a lot of music nor is it controversial. I mean, who’s against friendship? Friendship may be considered a spiritual discipline. It’s a method of spiritual development and growth just as is meditation, journaling, painting, or participating in religious ritual. Friendship requires similar disciplines and offers similar rewards.

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AUGUST 2023

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August 27, 2023 - WHEN YOU ARE IN COVENANT: YOU HAVE TO WALK THE TALK with Tim Peterson

We tell newcomers that we are a church without a creed. Rather, we are a covenantal church. But what does that really mean? Join us on Sunday, August 27th as we explore what covenant is and what it means to our church.

This service will be led by our Board Chair, Dr. Tim Peterson. Tim is a Professor of Management in the College of Business at North Dakota State University. He currently serves as the Department Chair of Transportation, Logistics, and Finance.

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August 20, 2023 - BLACK HISTORY AND BIPOC RESOURCES IN THE COMMUNITY with Gabby Clavo

On Sunday, August 20th, we will be joined by public historian and community engager, Gabby Clavo. Gabby has worked with many nonprofits within the FM area which have reached outstanding goals within the communities, and she has seen firsthand how necessary they are. Her passion is to tell the whole of FM about these organizations in hopes of people finding the resources that they need. Gabby is also a part of the Felix Battles project and will give us a brief explanation about the history of Juneteenth as well as the process of making the first Black civil war statue in Moorhead, Minnesota.

Gabby Clavo is the communications manager at the Historical and Cultural Society of Clay County. She wears many hats but enjoys long walks, travelling, and Chai lattes.

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August 13, 2023 - FLOWER COMMUNION - with Claudette and Tim Peterson and the FMUU Congregation

Bring a flower or a few flowers to share during the service on August 13th! We will be having a Flower Communion ceremony. Claudette Peterson will lead. Here is a description of a Flower Communion:

"In this ceremony, everyone in the congregation brings a flower. Each person places a flower on the altar or in a shared vase. Then the flowers are redistributed. Each person brings home a different flower than the one they brought."

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August 6, 2023 - A FIRE AT THE CENTER - SOLIDARITY, WHITNESS, AND BECOMING A WATER PROTECTOR - with Rev. Karen Van Fossan

What might genuine solidarity look like? How might we arrive at mutual liberation? How might the Standing Rock movement of 2016 shape a way forward today? Please join Rev. Karen Van Fossan for a sneak peek of her new book, A Fire at the Center: Solidarity, Whiteness, and Becoming a Water Protector, due for release this fall. Karen is an abolitionist, ordained UU minister, licensed professional counselor, and former defendant in the Line 3 pipeline resistance. As director of Authentic Ministry here in the FM area, she serves as a street chaplain committed to relational spirituality and restorative justice.

 

 

JULY 2023

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​July 30, 2023 - LIVE MUSIC AT FMUU! - with FMUU Congregation

Join us on Sunday, July 30th for a special live music service with some of our musically inclined members and friends!

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​July 23, 2023 - SPIRITUAL HEALING, SPIRITUAL COMMUNITY - with Laurie Baker

A calling, a quest, a new direction in life: This kind of life change can come upon us unexpectedly (though generally preceded by discontent with the status quo, restlessness or illness) and can be quite unsettling. Laurie Baker will talk about her dive into Damanhur’s School for Spiritual Healing and her experience of 20 days living in this eco-conscious spiritual community in Italy.​

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​July 16, 2023 - KIRTAN BLISS - MANTRA AND HEART SONG EXPERIENCE - with Gershone and Gina

Gershone & Gina bring energy and flow to the mantra music experience, with deep grooves, soaring melodies, and transcendent spaces that move and release, clear and open, transform and elevate. Lose yourself into the heartspace of the collective experience singing ancient mantras and modern heart songs. Dance it out or sit still and receive – all are welcome! Gershone & Gina will be joining us live for this service and have traveled all the way from Atlanta, Georgia!

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July 9, 2023 - WHAT'S THE BUZZ - with Claudette and Tim Peterson

​Claudette and Tim Peterson were FMUU’s two voting delegates at the Unitarian Universalist General Assembly two weeks ago. They consider this sacred work for the congregation. The results of the voting rocked Claudette’s world in a way she hasn’t experienced since the U. S. Presidential election in 2016. Join us to plan how we will affirm and promote our 5th Principle.

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July 2, 2023 - MUSIC FOR THE UU IN YOU! - with The DeMasi Brothers

On Sunday, July 2, 2023, we will be joined by Joseph and John DeMasi for a special live music concert during the service! From The DeMasi Brothers website:
"Award-winning twin brothers Joseph and John DeMasi are contemporary folk singers, songwriters and recording artists whose songs are imbued with their Unitarian Universalist beliefs of love, inclusion, tolerance, understanding, and worth and dignity for all. With Joseph on guitar and John on guitar and fiddle, the DeMasi Brothers bring a unique musical experience full of wit, humor, intellect, and poignancy to every concert and show they perform."

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JUNE 2023

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June 25, 2023 - HUMAN RIGHTS WHERE WE LIVE - with Barry Nelson

On Sunday, June 25th, we will be visited by Barry Nelson, Organizer and Executive Director for the ND Human Rights Coalition. Nelson will be talking about some ways that we can promote human rights in our community.

Barry Nelson was born and raised in North Dakota, and was a graduate of North Dakota State University, with a degree in sociology/psychology and a minor in music. Nelson worked in social work positions at Walsh County Social Service, NE Human Services Center, SE Human Services, was program director and vice president at Lutheran Social Services of ND, Executive Director, Metro Youth Partnership, Fargo-Moorhead, Director, HeadStart Program, and the Southeastern ND Community Action Agency. He serves on the Fargo Human Rights Commission, is the Board Chair, New American Consortium for Wellness and Empowerment, and serves on the board of High Plains Fair Housing. Nelson is grateful for the many mentors in the BIPOC, Indigenous, LGBTQIA2S+ communities who continually teaches him about human rights and social justice. 

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June 18, 2023 - FATHER'S DAY STORIES - with FMUU Congregation

Do you have a story to tell about your father, grandfather, or another father-figure in your life? Are you a parent with a story to share? Perhaps you have another type of story that involves the theme of fatherhood. This is your time to share!
Rev. Edith love will be leading this service and will be joining us in person!

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June 11, 2023 - WHO MOVED MY CHURCH - with Tim Peterson

Join us on Sunday, June 11 for "Who Moved My Church?", a special presentation from Tim Peterson. Tim is a longtime member of FMUU and member of the Board of Directors. He is also a Professor of Management at NDSU and the chair of the NDSU Transportation, Logistics, & Finance Department.

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June 4, 2023 - SPIRIT OF MUSIC - with Rev. Edith Love

What does music mean to us as Unitarian Universalists? Join us on Sunday, June 4th for a special music-themed service from Rev. Edith Love and our song leader, Colby Montigue. 

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MAY 2023

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May 28, 2023 - SOUL OF AN ARTIST - with Rev. Edith Love

On May 28th, our topic is 'The Soul Of An Artist,' and we will explore what it means to be an artist, can everyone be an artist? Join us to find out! This will be a hybrid in-person and online service with Rev. Love presenting remotely over Zoom.

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May 21, 2023 - OUR HUMAN TRASH - OUR PRECIOUS WORLD - with Shannon Thompson

Join us on Sunday, May 21st for a special presentation about recycling from Shannon Thompson, Resource Recovery Technician from Clay County, MN.

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May 14, 2023 - MOTHER'S DAY SERVICE - with Rev. Edith Love

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On Mother's Day, May 14th, we will offer a child dedication, as well as talk about the meaning of Mother's Day. Rev. Love will be in person for this service!

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May 7, 2023 - LIVING WITH SUICIDAL DEPRESSION - AN EXISTENTIALIST-BUDDHIST-JEWISH PERSPECTIVE - with David Myers

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Join us on Sunday, May 7th for a special visit from David Myers, acting president of the FM Interfaith Center. David will be speaking to us about learning to live with suicidal depression. Here is more information from David about the service:

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"Suicidal depression may be something like an epidemic, with numbers increasing. My emphasis will be on living, rather than dying, with it. 
There is a lot of shame associated with both depression and suicidal thoughts--which leads those who suffer from either or both to refrain from talking about these things and seeking professional help. So, I will be outing myself as someone who does not feel shame about this struggle, who has benefited from professional help, and who has learned to live with suicidal depression. Drawing on ideas from three worldviews—existentialism, Buddhism, and Judaism—I will discuss the ways I cope with this recurring very dark emotion."

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In addition to his work with the FM Interfaith Center, David Myers also serves as a Board Member at Temple Beth El, is a member of the Prairie Sky Sangha, and is a Professor of Philosophy, Emeritus, at MSUM. He has authored a book titled, Did God Die on the Way to Houston? A Queer Tale that was published in 2020.

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Content Warning: This service will involve sensitive topics such as depression and suicide that may not be appropriate for all listeners.

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APRIL 2023

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April 30, 2023 - 5TH SUNDAY SING-A-LONG - with FMUU Congregation

 

The 5th Sunday Sing-a-Long is an informal type of service in which all are invited to suggest songs to sing or to perform their own songs for the congregation. All types of music are welcome!
Whether you consider yourself musically inclined or not, the Sing-a-Long service is for everyone, and it's always a lot of fun!

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April 23, 2023 - RESPOND LIKE AN EAGLE - with Rev. Edith Love

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What can eagles teach us? Join us to find out. This will be a hybrid in-person and online service with Rev. Love presenting remotely over Zoom.

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April 16, 2023 - UNITARIAN BOARDING SCHOOLS - with Bill Thomas

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Our very own Bill Thomas will be providing us with a presentation about the history of Unitarian Boarding Schools. Bill is a longtime member of FMUU and is also the Director of Radio at Prairie Public.

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April 9, 2023 - HOPE SPRINGS ETERNAL - with Rev. Edith Love

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For Easter this year, you are warmly invited to join us for Hope Springs Eternal,
an intergenerational service about hope amidst struggle, and how we can co-create a more equitable world. 
Rev. Love will be in person for this service!

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April 2, 2023 - MONTHLY THEME OF RESISTANCE - with Bill Thomas

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For our April theme of resistance, listen to a sermon originally written by Rev. Andrew L. Weber, read to us by Bill Thomas.

 

MARCH 2023

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March 26th, 2023 - SPENDING OUR INHERITANCE - with Lisa Falk and Carolyn Monzingo

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The inheritances which matter most are rarely financial at all, but rather legacies of the spirit which move us to lead more satisfying and fulfilling lives. And a legacy of the spirit can never be fully realized by saving it up, or somehow keeping it to ourselves. A legacy of the spirit is valuable only when we spend it.

We will not keep this church alive by conserving its resources. The only real way to save for the future – indeed, to save the future – is to spend our resources. We need to expend our material resources while they can still produce desirable results. We need to spend our religious inheritance for the good of the larger community. And we need to spend ourselves in service and in hospitality to newcomers, so that our faith might be re-seeded for the generations to come.

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March 19th, 2023 - GROWING YOURSELF UP - with Rev. Edith Love

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The topic for this service will be, "How to Grow Yourself Up". We will discuss what it takes to behave like an adult and how to help yourself become more mature. 
This will be a hybrid in-person, virtual service with Rev. Love presenting remotely over Zoom.

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March 12th, 2023 - THE MAGIC OF CHILDHOOD - with Rev. Edith Love

What can we learn from the children in our life, as well as from memories of our own childhoods? What would we gain if we welcomed the carefree, inquisitive nature of children into our hearts?
Join us on Sunday, March 12 to explore the idea of an inner child, 
and how we might benefit from embracing and healing that part of ourselves. 
This will be a hybrid in-person, virtual service with Rev. Love presenting remotely over Zoom.

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March 5th, 2023 - NORTH DAKOTA LEGISLATIVE INFORMATION - with Whitney Oxendahl

 

The 2023 North Dakota legislative session has been a wild ride, with over 30 election bills introduced. Whitney Oxendahl, volunteer legislative coordinator for the League of Women Voters of North Dakota, will give an overview of which election bills passed and which failed and share how you can get involved in this year's session.
Whitney Oxendahl is a core volunteer with the League of Women Voters of North Dakota, where she is passionate about connecting people to nonpartisan voting and election information. 

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FEBRUARY 2023

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February 19th, 2023 - WHAT'S LOVE GOT TO DO WITH IT? - with Rev. Edith Love

 

On Sunday, February 19th, Reverend Love will once again be in person with us, asking, "What's Love Got to Do With It?"
February is often seen as the month for hearts and candy, but is there a deeper meaning we might find?

 

February 12th, 2023 - GREEN DOT PROJECT with Aaron Hochstetler

 

We are delighted to welcome Aaron Hochstetler, Program Coordinator of the Green Dot Violence Prevention Program, to speak to our congregation on February 12! He will be sharing some ways that Green Dot works to promote a safe environment in Downtown Fargo. Green Dot is an evidence-based, primary violence prevention program housed in the Rape and Abuse Crisis Center of Fargo-Moorhead. It is designed to teach communities safe ways to intervene in situations of dating/domestic violence, sexual harassment and assault though both reactive and proactive prevention strategies. Aaron Hochstetler grew up in Valley City, North Dakota. He has a bachelor's degree in Public Administration from UND and a master's degree in Healthcare Administration from Texas State University.  

 

February 5th, 2023 - OUR SHARED COVENANT with Rev. Love and the RE Kids

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Join us on Sunday, February 5th for Our Shared Covenant. For this service, Reverend Love and the Religious Education kids, under the leadership of our own Emma Hetland, will discuss covenant, and share what that means for us as a church. This will be a hybrid in-person and online service with Reverend Love presenting remotely over Zoom.

 

JANUARY 2023

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January 29th, 2023 - 5TH SUNDAY SING-A-LONG with FMUU Congregation

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Join us on Sunday, January 29th for a 5th Sunday Sing-a-Long service! Is there a song that you would like to perform; solo, duo. group, acapella, instrumental, accompanied? Whatever you prefer, we would be delighted to join in or just listen! Bring your voice, your drum, your theremin--whatever you want to make your performance comfortable for you. Consider this your invitation to perform! 

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Whether you consider yourself musically inclined or not, the Sing-a-Long service is for everyone, and it's always a lot of fun!

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January 22nd, 2023 - POLICE CULTURE CHANGE - FINDING OUR CENTER with Aaron Folkerds

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When you are feeling overwhelmed, what do you do to reconnect with your center? Join us on Sunday to find out what practices Aaron Folkerds, counselor for the Moorhead Police Department, recommends.

Aaron Folkerds is the embedded counselor and wellness coordinator for the Moorhead Police Department and is an Assistant Professor of Counseling at Minnesota State University Moorhead. He is also a Lutheran pastor. 

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January 15th, 2023, 11 a.m. - WHAT IS OUR DUTY TO OUR NEIGHBORS? with Rev. Edith Love

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For January 15th, in honor of MLK day, our title will be, "What Is Our Duty to Our Neighbors?" Martin Luther King, Jr left a legacy in his untimely passing over fifty years ago. How ought we to honor that legacy now? Reverend Love will be presenting to us remotely over Zoom.

 

January 8, 2023, 11 a.m. - INTERGENERATIONAL QUESTION BOX with Emma Hetland and the RE Kids

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FMUU will once again host an intergenerational Question Box Service! We will be welcoming all ages to ask each other questions. Whether it be "big" questions about life, or wonderfully joyful questions about everyone's favorite dinosaur, everyone is welcome to join us as we cultivate a space for all curiosity.

 

January 1, 2023, 11 a.m. - FIRE COMMUNION with Rev. Edith Love

 

For January 1st, we will formalize what we want to let go of from 2022 with a Fire Communion and celebrate our hopes and intentions for 2023. This will be hybrid format, in person and online. Reverend Love will be presenting to us remotely over Zoom.