Minot Daily News SATURDAY, APRIL 25, 2020
Faith
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Getting out in the community Traditional Minot churches reach out
By CIARA PARIZEK
Staff Writer cparizek@minotdailynews.com Churches in Minot are taking steps to get out into the community and share its faith in some nontraditional ways. Father Justin Waltz of St. Leo the Great Roman Catholic Church, who was appointed to his current position in 2012, has been sharing his faith by inviting the congregation and others in Minot to block parties. He also shares the experience of brewing and tasting homemade beer, for people of legal age. Fr. Waltz started brewing his own beer when he was in seminary school. “I really enjoy the craft of making beer,” he said. When he started brewing beer, only two or three members of the parish joined him. As of March 12, he said the brew team consists of 50 to 75 members. In all, he has made anywhere from 3,500 to 5,000 gallons in the last seven or eight years. On one end of the min- TOP RIGHT: People stand in line at the 2016 block party at St. Leo the Great Roman Catholic Church. istry, they get together and See CHURCH — Page 2
Submitted Photos
MAIN: The Bethany Lutheran Church youth group posed for a photo with the supplies they used to donate to Backpack Buddies.
Help during difficult times Chaplains respond to personal, family crisis
By KIM FUNDINGSLAND
Staff Writer kfundingsland@minotdailynews.com Unknown to many, they play a vital role in the community. They are chaplains who provide emotional and spiritual care to anyone, no matter what their religious beliefs. Mark Henson is a board certified chaplain and director of pastoral services for Trinity Health. He is one of four full-time chaplains at the hospital. They are available to help in a wide variety of situations for patients, family and staff, in the most caring manner possible. The religion of a person is not a deterrent for receiving spiritual care. Chaplains minister to everyone, regardless of beliefs. They are trained to deal with a wide variety of possibilities, including working alongside terminally ill patients and their families. Chaplains are called up to provide strength to others when they may be consumed with grief or overwhelmed with caring for a loved one. Chaplains also play important roles in the law enforcement community, such as Minot Police, Ward County Sheriff’s Office and Highway Patrol. DeVawn Beckman is one of three volunteer chaplains often called upon by law enforcement. She became familiar with the difficulties that are often faced by families, victims and uniformed officers while serving as the Minot PD public information manager for more than 30 years. “I saw a lot of the ugly in the world. It was something in my heart that I wanted to be available for,” said Beckman. Beckman obtained her ministry credentials which made her eligible to serve as a chaplain. She is currently the associate pastor at the West Minot Church of God but, as a chaplain, is often called upon by law enforcement for assistance. See CHAPLAINS — Page 2
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Photos by Kim Fundingsland/MDN
LEFT: DeVawn Beckman, associate pastor at West Minot Church of God, is also a chaplain for the Minot Police Department. Beckman is a former dispatch operator for the department. RIGHT: Mark Henson, director of pastoral services for Trinity Health, is a board certified chaplain who is called upon to assist patients and family members in times of need.