First Sunday M.A.S.S. Brunch for 2010

Is it 2010 already? Come join the Missoula Area Secular Society for Sunday M.A.S.S. Brunch to celebrate the end of yet another silly "War on Solstice" and the start of what we hope is a wonderful new year for everyone.

When: Sunday, January 3rd, 10am
Where: 4951 N. Reserve St, The Stone of Accord Meeting Room (tell the host(ess) you're with the group in the "meeting room" if you don't know where to go).

Feel free to RSVP on Facebook (not required).

("Happy New Year" photo by Carl Jones)

Snowshoeing on Friday

For anyone looking for something secular to do on Friday, M.A.S.S. will be doing an informal snowshoe hike on Lolo Pass.

If you're interested, meet at the north west corner of the Super Wallmart parking lot at Reserve & Mullan at Noon on Friday, December 25th. We'll carpool to Lolo Pass from there.

If you don't have your own, snowshoes can be rented from many of the local outdoor sports retailers. Be sure to dress warm and pack water and snacks.

RSVP on Facebook.

(Photo by selihpxe8)

2009 Winter Solstice Celebration

The days have been getting shorter and shorter, and the nights longer and longer, but that's almost over.

Come brave the cold and help us coax the sun back to this hemisphere and celebrate the longer days to come.


When: Sunday, December 20th, Noon-1pm, or later
Where: Council Grove State Park (take Mullan Road from Reserve St West for approx 6 miles. Turn left at sign for the park.)

A BBQ will be available (assuming we can get it fired up), so bring something to put on the grill.

Our annual snow sculpting event is being moved to January when we'll hopefully have more of the stuff available to sculpt. But if there's some snow on the ground on Sunday, we'll may do a little practicing, or maybe just divide up into teams and throw it at each other.

"Sunset ice sculptures" photo by Mark K.

Bozeman Freethinkers

Last Saturday evening we got a message on our M.A.S.S. voice mail line (406-646-MASS). It was Dylan from the Bozeman Freethinkers calling. He and some other members of that group were going to be in Missoula on Sunday and wanted to know if we'd like to meet up to chat.

I quickly called him back, we setup a time and place, and then I sent out a message to all of our regular event attendees. Then, about 20 hours after Dylan's message there were 12 of us all crowded around a couple tables at Break Espresso talking and laughing and sharing ideas.

The Bozeman Freethinkers are a rebirth of the Southwest Montana Freethinkers (a group that fell by the wayside when their leader moved away). The new leaders seem well organized and off to a great start. We all had a lot of fun meeting with them and are looking forward to our next meeting. In fact, there is already talk of a possible joint camping trip with the two groups sometime next summer.

Next time you're in the Bozeman area, check if they have any events scheduled and go join them, or if not, let them know you're coming and maybe they'll organize something informal. That goes as well for anyone traveling to Missoula from elsewhere in Montana, or Earth for that matter. If you're a non-theist heading our way, send an email or call our voicemail line to let us know you're coming. An impromptu meeting at a local bar or coffee shop is never out of the question. Just try to give us more than 20 hours notice if possible.