Church guide

Dear Friends of Habitat, The build is gaining momentum! Last week, we hosted the Branch Managers from Wells Fargo Bank from the region in our warehouse for a volunteer and team build event. They pre-constructed the door frames and headers for the house we are building. In a couple of weeks when we begin framing, these sections will just drop into place and presto, we'll have a wall built. Thanks so much to their help and the $15,000 grant from Wells Fargo to help build this home. On Thursday we poured our foundation. Daryl Jensen asked his crew if they would be interested in volunteering to help with the pour and ALL ten guys volunteered! The pour was led by Chris Derosier, Daryl's sub-contractor for his concrete work. The whole job was wrapped up in under two hours. It was amazing to watch the precision and skill of the whole group as they moved through laying the foundation. Since I have a lot of military experience, it reminded me of the highly trained teams I've seen work together - it is always a thing of beauty to see excellence in action. Thank you to Chris and his crew and Daryl and his whole team of builders! Tomorrow, Tuesday, July 16th, we will tear down the forms and transport them back to the warehouse. We will then have a break in the build cycle for two weeks. This week, I will be participating in my 4th Habitat 500 Bike ride to raise money for our build and to promote affordable housing throughout Minnesota and in Fergus Falls in particular. The purpose of these e-mails are not to solicit $, but to build support for our mission and builds. That being said, if anyone wants to help sponsor my ride, your donation will go toward our current build. You can click on the link below to help out financially. Donate to Fergus Falls Habitat & Stan's Ride: https://p2p.onecause.com/habitat500/stanley-a-carignan Next week, Daryl, our Construction Manager, will be on a motorcycle ride with friends to Michigan. Be safe and have fun Daryl. We will begin framing the house on Tuesday, July 30th. I will send an update prior to that event. Framing is the really fun part and I hope many of you will plan to help out on Tuesdays & Thursdays from 9 - 3. Thanks for your support. Stan Carignan Executive Director Fergus Falls Area Habitat for Humanity Affiliate, Inc. 421 W. Fir Ave. Fergus Falls, MN 56537 (o) 218-736-2905 (c) 218-841-2657 www.fergushabitat.org [email protected]

Dear Friends and Family, Thanks to everyone who has donated so far! Meet Jaynell, and her twin sons Blake and Carson. They are our 2019 Partner Family for the Fergus Falls Build. We are just getting ready to pour the foundation this week for their new home. Our economical homes cost only about $100 a square foot compared to $180 - $250 or more for a market built home. My $1,000 goal for the Habitat 500 will build one 10 x 10 bedroom. Jaynell is a hard working mother and full-time LPN at a local retirement home. Her goal is to get her RN license in the future. The Habitat 500 is a week away and I have only reached 50% of my goal of $1,000.00. Can you help me and Jaynell? Thanks for being a part of our ministry! Donate to Fergus Falls Habitat & Stan's Ride: https://p2p.onecause.com/habitat500/stanley-a-carignan - Stan

From Amy Beckman: The Sustainable Farming Association is offering a tour of local (OTC) farms on Saturday, July 13th from 1-4pm. For more information, contact Amy: [email protected]

Finding Common Ground From Sandy Barnhouse: In late summer, a Party/Raffle is planned at Sandy’s home (historic Barnhard School) for participants who report back to her that you have sat down together over coffee or lunch, to find common ground, although you have opposing political ideas. No need to talk politics, but it’s OK if you do. Please send both names (or all, if you're a group), including email addresses, to [email protected], saying you have found at least one thing in common (or, preferably more). Doing this more than once and sending in your name(s) each time will qualify you for another raffle ticket. Date and time to be surveyed in August.

This is Danny Givens, statewide organizer for MUUSJA (Minnesota Unitarian Universalist Social Justice Alliance).

A UU church stepped in.

Member Joan Vorderbruggen has just published a book we thought would be worthwhile to share with you: "Wild Calm, Finding Mindfulness in Forest Bathing" From Joan's brochure on Forest Bathing: "Human beings evolved in natural settings, and only within the last several generations have we become more disconnected from the natural world. Concurrently, we have also seen a rise in physical, mental and emotional diseases related to stress and depression, as well as issues within our relationships and communities. "By taking time away from many of the stress-inducing elements in your life, and allowing yourself to be gently guided for a few hours to (re)connect with the natural world, you will be honoring yourself, and in turn, those who depend on you. Nature helps us remember who we are, connecting us to the wisdom deep within ourselves."

Dear Habitat Supporters, The preparation for the foundation is moving along well. We have installed all the insulation as you can see. Thanks to the regulars who have showed up and the groups from Bank of the West and Wells Fargo. Plumbers Inc is scheduled to install the pex for the in-floor heating system next Monday/Tuesday. Next Tuesday, we will need volunteers to install the rebar over the pex. This is the last step prior to pouring the concrete! We have penciled in Wednesday to pour, but this is just a guess at this point - subject to weather and availability of our lead concrete guy and the other orders R & R has to deliver. We will not be working on the site next Thursday or Friday - have a great Fourth of July and thanks for keeping us as a part of your life. Stan Carignan Executive Director Fergus Falls Area Habitat for Humanity Affiliate, Inc. 421 W. Fir Ave. Fergus Falls, MN 56537 (o) 218-736-2905 (c) 218-841-2657 www.fergushabitat.org [email protected]

Of possible interest to our members and community: (from Melody Shores) I am a citizen lake monitor, and it is great! It gives me a good reason to get out on the lake at least once a week and it helps ensure our waters remain clean, or get cleaned up! If anyone else in MN wants to do this here's a link: https://youtu.be/58HcXqIdlRU

I'll be bringing some rhubarb to church this Sunday to share...(here's my harvest)

Calling ALL Volunteers! We have started our build, but volunteers have been meager. Last week we had one volunteer show up on Tuesday and one on Thursday. Both of them were from out of town. This week we had 5 show up to move forms and the tool trailer, and the porta potty. On Thursday, we were down to two Grant and Gary pictured below. We started installing the forms. Grant helped me this morning also. We need your help. The forms have to be set and the sand screeded to the proper height by next Tuesday noon. At that time, Plumbers Inc. will be coming on site to lay in the ground plumbing. If you have been considering working on a Habitat Build, now is a great time. The weather is nice in the morning (not too hot) and the work is not difficult. Don't keep saying that you will help some day - that day never comes. Please help us now. We start at 9 and go until lunch at noon. The afternoons are trickier because many of us are worn out or too beat up by the sun to work the afternoon also. If we get a cloudy or cool day, we will continue until 3 in the afternoon. Megan's House - next Wednesday we will help Megan put down some black dirt and seed her lawn. We should have a Bobcat to do the heavy moving. Bring a rake and shovel and let's finish the job from last year! We'll start at 9. She is at 907 Aurdal Ave North. For those who helped build her house, this could be a mini-reunion and we can catch up on how Megan and Frank are doing. Thanks for your continued support. Stan Carignan Executive Director Fergus Falls Area Habitat for Humanity Affiliate, Inc. 421 W. Fir Ave. Fergus Falls, MN 56537 (o) 218-736-2905 (c) 218-841-2657 www.fergushabitat.org [email protected]

Members of our communities may want to take action on this: (link to sign at the bottom) Stop the Detention of Children As people of faith we are called to care for, welcome and cherish all humanity. The children who come to our border are often fleeing violence and poverty and have endured a long and dangerous journey. They should be met with care and kindness. Once here, every measure should be made that they be placed with family and community sponsors. Instead, as of now, more than 2,500 children are being held in a “child detention facility” in Homestead, Florida. Contact your members of Congress to let them know this is no way to treat anyone, especially the most vulnerable among us, children. We need to invest in ways to unite families and ensure the best continuum of care for children. Please urge your member of Congress to support the “Shut Down Prison Camps Act” and the “Families Not Facilities Act.” These legislative measures make sure that the government can’t house children in substandard “emergency influx shelters” like Homestead. They also make sure that it’s easier to place children with sponsors by prohibiting the sharing of information with the Department of Homeland Security that could be used to detain and deport family members who come forward to sponsor children Sign here: https://p2a.co/xm5R2l3

Rev. Naomi King is a UU minister. She creates one or two sentence posts like this one, daily.

You can find the podcasts of our Sunday morning services at: https://soundcloud.com/user-927528278

United Way of Otter Tail and Wadena Counties is hosting a Fergus Falls Day of Caring event on Tuesday, June 18th. Please contact Alison Francis at 218-770-9406 for information on how to volunteer. Help is free, and provided to seniors, veterans, people living with disabilities, non-profit organization, and those in need of a little help and located within Fergus Falls proper. Hope to see you there! https://www.facebook.com/events/2328837910488265/?ti=ia

Dear Friends of Habitat, I'm excited to tell you that we are starting our build season. Meet two of our primary Team members: Daryl Jensen and Ben Wolden. Daryl owns Jensen Builders based out of Wendell, and will be our Construction Manager this year. He has a pretty big crew that works multiple jobs in the area, but he is going to take time personally to oversee our build. We are grateful for his expertise and experience. Pictured with him is Ben Wolden of Wolden Landscaping - who is our excavation guy. Our volunteer work days will be on Tuesdays and Thursdays. We will host groups and special build events on some weekend days as needed or requested by larger organizations. Our days will start at 9:00 and run until 3:30. The first half hour will always be set-up, safety brief, team taskings, and a prayer. The last half hour from 3:30 - 4:00 is pick-up, clean-up, and tool storage. All volunteers need to Sign-in and out of the site. All volunteers are asked to sign a Liability Waiver each year. This is required by Habitat for Humanity International. We do carry insurance for volunteers and our operations. It is an acknowledgement that this is a construction site and that there are inherent dangers. All volunteers will be asked to wear hard hats and eye protection. We will have some gloves available, as well as hearing protection. Water and a latrine will be available at the site. Open toed shoes are not permitted. Although running shoes/tennis shoes are not prohibited, it is advised to wear work boots if possible. Volunteers can come and go as they see fit and need to attend to other matters. Some people come just for the mornings and some for the afternoons. This works well with frequent volunteers who know the drill. Please be aware though, that if you arrive after we start, and you haven't been to the build before, it may take some time to get you integrated. Regular volunteers also tend to bring their own tool belt & kit with them. Although we have tools, many people prefer their own. The Plan next week: 4 & 6 June. Tuesday, June 4: We will meet at the site (109 Lydia Lane (behind Home Depot)) at 9:00. After a short orientation, we will head to the Habitat warehouse to pick-up the foundation forms, and the latrine and transport them to the site. I will also need a group to help load the tool trailer and move it to the site. We may also make stakes for the forms. This will probably be a short day - mostly like just until Noon. Thursday, June 6: Screw the foundation forms together and stake them down. Continue to prep the site. I've been told that there are 3 rules to construction: 1. It takes longer than you planned; 2. It costs more than you planned; 3. You are not an exception! That being said, we'll see how next week goes before I put out any more schedule. Thanks so much for helping to build affordable housing in Fergus Falls and in particular, a home for Jaynell, Carson & Blake. Stan Carignan Executive Director Fergus Falls Area Habitat for Humanity Affiliate, Inc. 421 W. Fir Ave. Fergus Falls, MN 56537 (o) 218-736-2905 (c) 218-841-2657 www.fergushabitat.org [email protected]

Of interest to our communities - an invitation from member Carole Mitchell: DEAR, DEAR WOODSY MUSIC-LOVING FRIENDS! You have a 1-month-plus warning!! Promise yourself to mark the date now: SAT, JUNE 22, 2019, 5-7 pm. YOU WILL NOT REGRET SHOWING UP! All Of Me Live at Andy's Jazz Club (click here to get a sample of Bowmanville or Google them!) (Andy's is one of the top three jazz clubs in Chicago!) From Chicago, IL, “Bowmanville” promises a wonderful afternoon of Gypsy-Hot Club-Swing Jazz in their 4th year here! Ethan Adelsman, violinist, and friends remind us of 1934 Paris, when “Le Quintette de Hot Club de France” (the music of Stéfan Grappelli and Django Reinhardt with their all-string band) gained world-wide fame...you will not regret hearing this concert as a truly unique event in West-Central Minnesota! We are honored to offer this concert. Concert guidelines This summer of 2019, here are our usual offerings and suggestions: 5-7 pm on designated day, rain or shine. Weather is often spotty so it may rain 5 miles away but not here! Be brave, what’s the worst thing that could happen? 😎 As a neighborly gesture, potluck snacks, finger foods are most welcome. BYOB if desired. We provide filtered water & tableware. For personal comfort, bring folding chairs; we have seating for about 30. There’s a very clean biffy on the concert site. Cash contribution$ (ALL to our professional musicians) are greatly appreciated; please be generous as we have no cover charge. And, without your kindness, we could not sponsor these summer delights! We absolutely love and appreciate that you understand the arts and care! Thanks! Roomy parking everywhere, especially in the sign-directed back field, less walking for you! ALL family and friends, all ages, are welcome. NO RSVP, just show up! 💕 Future Concerts, 2019: Sat June 29, Elizabeth Hatling & “Fancy & Functional” 5-7 pm Sat July 13, ”Mikko Cowdery & Friends” 5-7 pm Sat July 27, “The Tickwood String Band” 5-7pm SUNDAY, August 11, Wally Warhol & “MOTU/Blue Note Combo” 5-7 pm Sat Aug 24, Jon Nordman & Dave Johnson’s “Oscar-Helen” 5-7pm For your GPS: 33928 County Highway 27 Erhard, MN 56534

Of interest to our communities: Award-winning writer Glenda Reed is teaching a free workshop series, Write Memory: Intro to Memoir Writing, at the Fergus Falls Public Library on June 8th and June 12th. Register for FREE at: https://springboardforthearts.org/write-memory-workshop-intro-to-memoir-writing/ Can’t make it on these dates? Glenda is also teaching a version of this workshop, Write Memory: Intro to Memoir Writing ONLINE as a six-week online class through The Loft Literary Center beginning June 19th. Register at: loft.org/classes/write-memory-intro-memoir All details below! Of teaching writing, Glenda says: "For me, teaching writing is life-affirming. In my classes I endeavor to create experiences that tap into participants’ creativity and aliveness and also help participants get to know themselves for full self-actualization. Writing helps me do this, and it is this gift I endeavor to share with my classes." Please pass on this information to new writers or writers new to memoir who you think might be interested. Thanks for your help in spreading the word! Write Memory: Intro to Memoir Writing FREE Fergus Falls Public Library 2 Sessions Session 1: Saturday, June 8th, 2019 - 10:00 am - 12:00 pm Focus: Structuring Your Story Session 2: Wednesday, June 12 - 6:00 pm - 8:00 pm Focus: People & Characters in Your Story Perhaps you have a memory you’d like to write down, but you’re not sure how to begin, or you’ve always wanted to write a book. This writing workshop is for anyone interested in exploring foundational storytelling techniques that can help bring true-life stories alive on the page. In-class discussions and writing exercises will help beginning to advanced writers delve into your own stories. Workshop sessions can be taken together or as a single-session, drop-in class. Register for FREE at: https://springboardforthearts.org/write-memory-workshop-intro-to-memoir-writing/ This program is a partnership with Springboard for the Arts, the Fergus Falls Public Library and Viking Library System. This project was funded in part or in whole with monies from Minnesota’s Arts and Cultural Heritage fund.

Dear Friends of Habitat, Please join us tomorrow, May 21st @ 12:00 (Noon) at 109 Lydia Lane in Fergus Falls for our Groundbreaking ceremony to kick-off our 2019 summer build in Fergus Falls. Our Partner Family this year is Jaynell Bond who is a single Mom of twin boys - Carson and Blake. Come wish her well and see our new build site. We should have a build schedule coming out soon. Please plan to come out and help us build Jaynell's home this summer. Stan Carignan Executive Director Fergus Falls Area Habitat for Humanity Affiliate, Inc. 421 W. Fir Ave. Fergus Falls, MN 56537 (o) 218-736-2905 (c) 218-841-2657 www.fergushabitat.org [email protected]

MidAmerica Regional Assembly chalice.