Brunch, Bible Study, and Summer Camp!

It's almost time for another Sunday M.A.S.S. Brunch. As usual, we'll be in the meeting room at the Stone of Accord at 4951 N. Reserve at 10am, Sunday June 5th. Just tell the hostess you're with the group in the meeting room and she'll show you they way.

Also, Milo, our seminary graduate, is putting together a monthly "Secular Bible Study" class. No dogma allowed. This class will be intended to arm the non-believer with the knowledge they need to understand how the bible came into being and the influence it's had on society. If you're interested in participating, please email and watch this space for further details.

Families may be interested in attending a secular summer camp July 30 -August 6. Camp Quest Montana describes itself as "a family camp. That means families attend together. Our schedule is structured with activities for children, tweens, and teens. Sometimes, families will participate together. Sometimes, counselors will conduct the activities with the children, leaving the parents free for an adult discussion group or activity. There is also a counselor in training program for camper’s ages 13-17 who want to attend without their parents (you know how it is). Typical camp activities include games, swimming, arts and crafts, hiking, singing, and campfires. Unique Camp Quest activities include geomythology, creation stories, the scientific method, famous freethinkers, freedom of inquiry, dealing with religious bullying, evolution, and critical thinking."

No kids? No Problem! Camp Quest Montana needs volunteer staff as well. (The Missoula Area Secular Society is not responsible for organizing Camp Quest. For more information about Camp Quest, please contact them directly.)

Dr. Eugenie Scott & Sunday M.A.S.S.

The UM Chapter of Sigma Xi is hosting another Science Café, this time with the Director of the National Center for Science Education, Dr. Eugenie C. Scott.

Dr. Scott is recognized nationally as an expert on the controversy of teaching creationism in public classrooms. and served as a science and education consultant in the federal "Kitzmiller v. Dover Area School District" case in 2005.

For those who defend the teaching of the science of Biological Evolution in science classrooms and oppose the teaching of Intelligent Design Creationism as if it were science, Dr. Scott is nothing short of a national celebrity.

If you have any interest in this topic, you will most certainly want to cancel whatever plans you had for Monday night, get a baby sitter if necessary, and get yourself to the Press Box upstairs seating area (not just the back room) well before the 6:30 start time to get a good seat.

Please spread the word and invite all of your friends to this important event.

Note: The UM Chapter of Sigma Xi is entirely responsible for organizing and hosting this event.


Also, don't forget that Sunday M.A.S.S. is this weekend, May 1st, at 10am at the Stone of Accord on North Reserve in the Meeting Room. If you're not sure where to go, just tell the hostess you're with the group in the meeting room and she'll show you the way.

B.S. on Saturday, Brunch on Sunday

Brother Sam Singleton, Atheist Evangelist is coming back through Missoula.

Brother Sam (B.S.) has been busy traveling all over the country spreading the good word (so to speak), and at long last he's making another pass through Missoula.

He'll be performing his new show "If the Ocean was Whiskey and God was a Duck" at the Jeannette Rankin Peace Center ( 519 South Higgins Avenue ) on Saturday, April 2nd at 7pm. Tickets are $10 at www.samsingleton.com, or $15 at the door. Students get a $5 discount. Seating is very limited, so get your ticket's early.

Bring some extra cash to the show for B.S. paraphernalia, such as Exbaptism Soap and "Rational Household" door signs, and of course, M.A.S.S. T-Shirts, and to make a donation to the M.A.S.S. Billboard Fund.

After the show, there will likely be a trip with B.S. to a nearby tavern for the purpose of consuming beverages and friendly conversation. But don't stay out too late, because...

Sunday M.A.S.S. Brunch comes again on April 3rd at 10AM at The Stone of Accord, in the meeting room. If you're not sure where to go, just tell the hostess you're with the group in the meeting room and she'll get you there lickity-split.

Sunday M.A.S.S. Brunch, March 2011 Edition

Q: Which Sunday of the month is this coming Sunday?
A: It'll be the first Sunday, of course.

Q: How can you be so sure?
A: The Missoula Area Secular Society (M.A.S.S.) is having Sunday M.A.S.S. Brunch again. It's so predictable, you can set your calendar by it.

Q: What is this Sunday M.A.S.S. Brunch that you speak of?
A: It's a time for members of the M.A.S.S. and other like minded people to get together for good food and and engaging informal discussion on religion in society and government and it's effect on you and your fellow non-theists and whatever other related topics come up.

Q: How can I participate in this incredible resource?
A: Just show up. It's at 10:00 am on Sunday, March 6th in the meeting room at The Stone of Accord (4951 North Reserve Street) in Missoula, Montana (and again on the first Sunday of every month!) If you're not sure where to go, just tell the hostess you're with the group in the Meeting Room and she'll show you the way.

Q: Does it cost anything?
A: If you'd like to eat, then you'll be able to order food from the restaurant. However, M.A.S.S. does not charge anything to attend or participate in the discussion.

Q: What else does M.A.S.S. do?
A: They organize occasional public lectures on science, history, and critical thinking by respected authorities and scholars. They frequently volunteer as a group to help the less fortunate, such as at the Food Bank and the Povorello Center. The occasionally go on group outings to the Blue Mountain Observatory in the summer to learn more about the universe. And they also do a formal structured evening discussion group on the first and third Wednesday of every month.

Q: How can I find out more about all these other activities?
A: Sign up for their email newsletter.

Q: This is a wonderful group. I would still like to give them something as a token of my appreciation for organizing these great opportunities. What can I do?
A: The Missoula Area Secular Society is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization. Tax deductible donations may be made by check in person or by mail, or by credit card using that donation button on the right had column on this website. Membership dues are $20/year, but are not required to attend most events (including brunch). T-shirts in a variety of colors are also available for sale at brunches (with discounts for up-to-date dues paying members).

Q: Who took that delicious looking photo at the top of this post?
A: That photo was taken by Mark, which he licensed under the Creative Commons Attribution license, allowing M.A.S.S. to use it for free as long as they give him due credit, which they appreciate immensely.

Q: Is it difficult to give all of your answers in the third person?
A: What do you mean? This is how they always talk.

Happy New Year

2010 was an amazing year for M.A.S.S. We received our 501(c)3 approval. We finished our new logo (with big thanks to Dan and Russ). Our T-shirts are made. Our bi-weekly Discussion Group (organized by Bill) is going strong and (thanks in part to James) has found a permanent home downtown. Several of our members were able to successfully challenge the church service at the County Fair and got it moved to an appropriate private venue.

And last but not least, we now have a sharp looking newsletter. You can sign up here. The primary newsletter, "Critical M.A.S.S." will go out about once a month, and if you sign up for any of the other available lists (such as for Volunteer/Outreach Opportunities), we'll send you notifications only as appropriate.

With all of that, one might wonder how we can top ourselves. What on Earth could we possibly have in mind for our 2011 News Year's Resolution? Well, how about a billboard?


Don't forget, Sunday M.A.S.S. Brunch is this weekend, January 2nd, 10am at The Stone of Accord on North Reserve in the meeting room. If you're not sure where to go, just tell the hostess you're with the group in the meeting room and she'll show you the way.

Final Brunch of 2010

Many of us are taking a trip to Big Sky this weekend for an event hosted by the Bozeman Freethinker's, but unfortunately, not everyone is able to go. Therefore, the tradition of Sunday M.A.S.S. Brunch will go on as scheduled. So come on out of that cold closet and join those of us still in town for some warm and friendly unsupernatural conversation.

When: Sunday, Dec 5th, 10am
Where: The Meeting Room at Stone of Accord, 4951 N. Reserve.

If you're not sure where to go, just tell the hostess you're with the group in the meeting room and she'll get you to the right spot in a flash.

"Frozen Food" photo (c) Lamoix Designs

The Biology of Stem Cells

The Missoula Area Secular Society is hosting another free public lecture.

When: Thursday, Nov 18th, 6:00pm
Where: Missoula Public Library, Large Meeting Room

Embryonic stem cells hold great promise for replacing cells in damaged tissue, even brain cells, but significant challenges remain before this can be realized. Not least of challenges is that stem cells may form tumors. It is difficult to cause stem cells to differentiate into exactly and only the type of cells needed for therapy.

The ethical and political considerations about research using stem cells require a clear understanding of stem cell biology. Research on stem cells is not human cloning, which should not be attempted, yet fear of human cloning is raised to prevent research on stem cells.

The Missoula Area Secular Society is proud to host Professor Mark Grimes for a free public lecture on the biology and politics of stem cell research. The lecture will be held in the Missoula Public Library in the large meeting room downstairs at 6:00pm.

After the lecture, some members of the Missoula Area Secular Society will likely migrate to a downtown restaurant to continue the discussion over food and drink, and cordially invite you to join them. Stick around after the lecture for details.

November Sunday M.A.S.S. Brunch Meeting

Another month has flown by, Fall is officially here, and that means it's time for yet another Sunday M.A.S.S. Brunch.

When: Sunday, November 7th, 10am
Where: Stone of Accord Meeting Room ( 4951 N. Reserve )

Need we say more?

"Snowy Leaves" photo (c) Janie Jones

Brunch Meeting and Annual Elections

It's time once again for our Monthly "Sunday M.A.S.S." Brunch Meeting and boy do we have an important one this time.

Our 501(c)3 application has finally been approved by the IRS. We're the real deal, now! We'll have some info on that at the brunch as well as where we go from here.

Also, two of our Board of Director's terms are expiring (Gina and Milo), and we'll be either re-electing them or voting in replacements for one or both. Whomever gets elected will be starting a 3 year term.

If you would like to vote, you must be present at brunch and up to date on your $20 annual membership dues. Those not up on their dues, or simply not interested in becoming a paid member at this time, are still welcome to attend brunch, observe the process, and participate in the rest of the discussions. You just can't vote for any directors. Anyone not yet a member who would like to become one may do so immediately before the elections. Just give Gina your dues and she'll give you a receipt and add you to the list. If you are a member but aren't sure when your membership expires, Gina will have your info and will be able to renew you if necessary. Also, remember that your dues are tax deductible.

Everything kicks off Sunday, October 3rd, at 10am at the Stone of Accord Meeting Room, 4951 N. Reserve. This might be a good one to arrive early for. Also, remember that we can seat up to 32 people in the meeting room (yes, really), so don't leave if it looks crowded. If for some reason we really do fill up the room and you would like to vote, just make sure Jon knows you're in the restaurant and he'll make sure you get included in the process, somehow. If you're not sure where the meeting room is, just ask the hostess when you come in the door and she'll get you to the right place.

Lastly, I'll also be accepting during brunch any contributions anyone would like to make towards a Missoula Downtown Association gift card I'll be purchasing for our attorney, without whom the 501(c)3 approval would never have happened, and who did it all for free. Unlike donations to M.A.S.S., contributions toward the gift card are not tax deductible and should be made separately.

Feel free to RSVP to the event on Facebook (not required).

"I Voted" photo (c) Kate Sumbler.

Snow Fun At Big Sky

Bozeman Freethinkers Aleksi and Kate are organizing the first of two "play in the snow" weekends in Big Sky, MT and are inviting members of the Missoula Area Secular Society (plus friends, family, and fellow-travelers) to join in the fun, December 4th and 5th.

Aleksi welcomes everybody to stay at her spacious house in Big Sky for this fun-filled weekend! You DO NOT have to be a good skier, in fact you don't have to ski at all; just come and spend some time relaxing in the mountains with some great people. Good skiers are welcome as well, of course :-)

If you'd like to ski, you should buy a $50 Frequent Sky Card from Big Sky Ski Resort ***before 9/30/2010*** (it goes up to $90 if purchased 9/30-10/31, after which it's not available). This card will get you a free ski pass for the weekend. Info on this card:
http://www.bigskyresort.com/Activities/Winter/Season_Pass-Sky_Card/Frequent_Sky_Card.asp,

This info page has a link to purchase the pass online. Think about it: $50 for even one day skiing at a world class ski hill is a Big Savings, since a daily lift ticket at Big Sky is $77 online/$81 at the window. Another Freethinker weekend is planned for April during another "free ski" weekend that you can use the card, so if you plan to attend both events and ski, then the card is an even better deal.

If you're inclined toward cross-country skiing, Aleksi's house is located on the XC trails for http://www.lonemountainranch.com/. There is a $15 fee to use the Lone Mountain Ranch trails.

On Saturday night we'll find an inexpensive local restaurant that can handle all of us.

The joint Bozeman/Missoula camp-out this past summer was a big success, and a splendid time was had by all who attended. These ski weekends should likewise be terrific opportunities to have fun hanging out and hobnobbing with like-minded heathens and heretics. So come join in the merriment this winter at Big Sky. Be there or you will be forced to listen to a loop of Rush Limbaugh all day on Xmas day. This means You.

As the date gets closer, the Missoula group will organize a carpool/caravan and directions to Aleksi's house will be given out then. RSVP on the Facebook group is recommended.

September Sunday M.A.S.S.

It's time once again for our monthly brunch meeting that we affectionately call Sunday M.A.S.S.

Please join us at the Stone of Accord at 10:00AM on Sunday, September 5th in the meeting room. If you're not sure where the meeting room is, just ask the host(ess) and they'll get you there pronto.

Mr. Breakfast Photo (c) M@X

Perseids Viewing

The Earth is rapidly approaching the densest part of the debris trail of the comet Swift-Tuttle, the new moon will be providing plenty of darkness, and now the Western Montana weather appears to be cooperating as well, so...

Put in your vacation notice for Friday and come out with the Missoula Area Secular Society to spend Thursday night staying up into the wee hours far away from city lights learning about astronomy, or sharing what you know, while watching (potentially up to 100/hour) fiery meteors streak across the sky as they get clobbered by Earth's atmosphere.

Directions: Take Hwy 200 North up the Blackfoot approximately 38 miles. Half a mile *before* the junction with Hwy 83 (Giant Cow) there is a bridge over the Clearwater River and a fishing access site just past the bridge. You're going to want to turn left immediately *before* the bridge onto a dirt road.

However, you're probably going to miss your turn and go over the bridge (I do it all the time). In this case, turn around in the fishing access site, or go half a mile further up to the Giant Cow and turn around there. Then, on your way back, turn right immediately *after* the bridge.

Follow this dirt road north approx 1.5 miles to a point where the river gets wide enough for some people to call a small lake. Look for a giant TeePee style tent (about 12 feet tall) somewhere along the shore (should be there no later than 7pm).

The road in is not well maintained and can get heavily rutted, so use caution, but don't think that you're lost. Cars with low clearance should be able to navigate the road with little difficulty as long as they take it slow and watch where they're going.

Bring a tent to retire to once fireballs streaking across the sky are no longer enough to keep yourself awake. There will be LOTS of room to setup tents and even though you'll want to watch the stars the forecast low for the nearest town (Ovando) is 44 degrees and there may be an isolated thunderstorm or two. If you've got a good warm sleeping bag, you may try to sleep out under the stars anyway. DRESS WARM. I repeat, the forecast low is 44 Degrees!

Sunday M.A.S.S. Brunch for Non-Campers

Those members of M.A.S.S. that are attending the Bozeman Freethinkers Camping/Lewis & Clark Caverns/Museum of the Rockies trip this weekend won't make it to brunch, but not everyone is going to Bozeman and we have a standing reservation at the Stone of Accord. So, brunch is still on.

In the absence of the entire board or directors who will be either camping or otherwise out of town, Martha has agreed to be our official M.A.S.S. representative for brunch (just in case there's a need for such a person).

If you're not going camping, please come out for brunch and keep Martha company.

Where: The Stone of Accord (4951 North Reserve Street), in the Meeting Room
When: Sunday, August 1st, 10AM

If you're not sure where to go, just tell the hostess you're with the group in the meeting room. She'll make sure you get to the right place.

M.A.S.S. Movie Date: COSMOS (Ep 4 & 5)

COSMOS: A Personal Voyage is a thirteen-part television series written by Carl Sagan, Ann Druyan, and Steven Soter and first broadcast by PBS in 1980. As of 2009, it is the most widely watched PBS series in the world. It won an Emmy and a Peabody Award and has since been broadcast in more than 60 countries and seen by over 500 million people.

With special permission from Druyan-Sagan Associates, Inc., the Missoula Area Secular Society is proud to present two more episodes of COSMOS at the Missoula Public Library on Saturday, July 17th, at 3:30pm.

Episode 4: "Heaven and Hell"

A descent through the hellish atmosphere of Venus to explore it's broiling surface serves as a warning for our world about the possible consequences of the increasing greenhouse effect. Then, Dr. Sagan leads viewers on a tour of the solar system to see how other heavenly bodies have suffered from various cosmic catastrophes.

Episode 5: "Blues for a Red Planet"

Is there life on Mars? Dr. Sagan takes viewers on a never-before-seen look at the red planet through the eyes of science fiction authors and then through the unblinking eyes of two Viking spacecrafts that have sent thousands of pictures of the stunning Martian landscape back to Earth since 1976.

This event is free of charge and open to the public. Families are welcome.

When: Saturday, July 17th, 3:30pm-5:30pm
Where: Missoula Public Library - Large Meeting Room (downstairs)

After the show, you're invited to join us at a downtown bar for further discussion. Stick around after the lights go up and introduce yourself if you're interested.

Independence (From Superstition) Day Brunch

If you're not headed out of town for the holiday weekend (or if you're headed to our area from points beyond), join the Missoula Area Secular Society for Sunday M.A.S.S. Brunch to celebrate our independence from superstition and dogma.

We'll be meeting at the usual time and place for our usual lively and educational discussions on science, secularism, and superstition.

Where: The Stone of Accord, 4951 N. Reserve St. (in the meeting room).
When: Sunday, July 4th, 10am - Noon

If you're not sure where the meeting room is at the Stone of Accord, just ask the host(ess) at the door and they'll direct you to the right place.

Fireworks Photo (c) Michael Seljos

June Sunday M.A.S.S. Brunch

It's time once again to enjoy the bewildered looks on the faces of your friends and family when you tell them that you're going to Sunday M.A.S.S.

We've been seeing more and more people coming to our monthly brunch event, and if this keeps up we're going to outgrow the meeting room at the Stone of Accord soon. We look forward to the day that we move into the regular dining room and claim part of it as our own, but we're not there quite yet, and won't get there without *you*.

We had some people who thought the meeting room was full last month and declined to join us. So, allow me to say that, depending on how we arrange the tables and chairs, we can fit up to 32 people in that room. We re-arranged once last month as more people showed up and we would have happily done it again. Don't be shy, even if we look crowded. Too many people is our favorite problem to solve.

So, please join us this Sunday at 10:00 AM at The Stone of Accord (aka the *new* Sean Kelly's) at 4951 N. Reserve St. near Interstate 90. If this is your first brunch with us, just tell the hostess you're with the group in the "meeting room" and she'll show you the way.

Keep up to date on all of our other events by joining our Facebook group, following us on Twitter, and/or subscribing to this site's RSS feed. All of our events also get posted to our new calendar page long before they get announced anywhere else, so if you like to plan ahead, bookmark that page and check back often.

UPDATE: This month's Sunday M.A.S.S. will include a special all-ages sneak preview of Brother Sam Singleton's latest sermon. You don't want to miss this!

Waffle Photo (c) avlxyz

M.A.S.S. Movie Date: COSMOS

COSMOS: A Personal Voyage is a thirteen-part television series written by Carl Sagan, Ann Druyan, and Steven Soter and first broadcast by PBS in 1980. As of 2009, it is the most widely watched PBS series in the world. It won an Emmy and a Peabody Award and has since been broadcast in more than 60 countries and seen by over 500 million people.

With special permission from Druyan-Sagan Associates, Inc., the Missoula Area Secular Society is proud to present two more episodes of COSMOS at the Missoula Public Library on Saturday, May 22nd, at 3:30pm.

Episode 2: "One Voice in the Cosmic Fuge"

Dr. Sagan's Cosmic Calendar makes the 15 billion year history of the universe understandable and frames the origin of the Earth and the evolution of life. We see the steps from microbes to humans. Our understanding of how life developed on Earth enables us to venture to other worlds for imaginative speculations on what forms life might take elsewhere in the Cosmos.

Episode 3: "The Harmony Of The Worlds"

Historical re-creation of the life and time of Johannes Kepler – the last scientific astrologer, the first modern astronomer, and the author of the first science fiction novel. Kepler provided the insight into how the moon and the planets move in their orbits and ultimately how to journey to them.

This event is free of charge and open to the public. Families are welcome.

When: Saturday, May 22nd, 3:30pm-5:30pm
Where: Missoula Public Library - Large Meeting Room (downstairs)

M.A.S.S. socializing at a downtown bar likely to occur after the show. Stick around after the lights go up and introduce yourself if you're interested.

Sunday M.A.S.S. Brunch for May

Due to someone managing to reserve our usual room for the first Sunday in May before we did, our Sunday M.A.S.S. Brunch this month will be on the Second Sunday (that's the one coming up now).

Hopefully nobody went to the usual place last Sunday. I meant to post something ahead of time warning people, but time slipped away from me.

Anyway, it's on again, like butter on toast.

When: Sunday, May 9th, 10 AM
Where: Stone of Accord (in the Meeting Room) 4951 N. Reserve St

If you're not sure where to go, ask the host(ess) for directions. It's literally right around the corner after you come in the front door.

Next month we'll be back on the First Sunday, and measures have already been taken to try to ensure this doesn't happen again.

Photo (c) Alasam

Camping with The Bozeman Freethinkers

Put in your vacation notice at work now. M.A.S.S. is taking a road trip at the end of July for our (1st annual?) joint camp out with the Bozeman Freethinkers.

When: Friday, July 30th - Sunday, August 1st

We'll head over the divide to the camping spot that the Bozeman Freethinkers will have picked out for us and stay Friday and Saturday night. On Saturday there will be a group trip to the Lewis & Clark Caverns, and (if there's enough time and interest), maybe a trip in to the Museum of the Rockies.

We have a CDL licensed driver on our Board of Directors, so we're planning on renting a bus to get everyone over there. This way everyone (except our driver) will be able to start having fun as soon as we roll out of Missoula, and we don't need to worry about anybody getting lost. Cost for bus rental and gas will be split among the participants.

I anticipate we'll have campers representing every generation, so feel free to bring your whole family.

Updates and additional details will be sent out regularly to those that have RSVP'd to the Facebook Event, and occasionally posted here as the time gets closer. If you're planning to attend but for whatever reason are unable to RSVP to the Facebook event, please email jon@secularmissoula.org with the number of people in your family that will be attending so he can add you to the list and contact you with any important updates.

Above photo (c) Isabelle Boucher

Movie Date: Creation

Change of plans!

Instead of Oceans on Saturday, we'll be attending Creation at The Wilma on Sunday at 3PM. Then we'll wander up to the Old Post for dinner and drinks.

Where: The Wilma Theater (downtown)
When: Meet under the tent in Caras Park at 2:30. We'll head up to the theater at 2:40.

If you can't join us for the movie, please feel free to meet us at the Old Post a little after 5:00.