Mary Ylvisaker Nilsen
Born October 1, 1938, Fargo, ND
Mother of five adult children
Educational Background
M.T.S. Harvard Divinity School, May 1994.
M.A. The University of Iowa, Literary Non-Fiction Writing, May 1985.
Creative Writing and History of the English Language. University of Minnesota 1975-77.
B. A. Concordia College, Moorhead, Minnesota, 1960.
Art Project
Nude Truths: An Odyssey in Poetry, Painting, and Prose. In this innovative art exhibit, lines from the poetry of Denise Levertov have been used to inspire 24 large paintings by Kristi Ylvisaker with prose responses by Mary Ylvisaker Nilsen. The exhibit is being displayed at churches, colleges and seminaries. (click here to see the exhibit)
Publications
A. Books:
Nude Truths: An Odyssey in Poetry, Painting, and Prose, poetry by Denise Levertov, painting by Kristi Ylvisaker, and prose by Mary Ylvisaker Nilsen, Zion Publishing, 2007 The Blessing of Feelings, text by Erika Nilsen, photography by Mary Nilsen, Zion Publishing, 2007. In the Hollow of God's Hand, by Roy C. Nilsen, ed. by Mary Nilsen. 2004. The Power of One: A Portrait of Marie Sletvold Ylvisaker. Zion Publishing, Des Moines, IA, 2001. For Everything A Season: 75 Blessings for Daily Life, by the Nilsen Family. Zion Publishing, Des Moines, IA, 1999, reprinted by the Youth and Family Institute, Bloomington, MN A Time for Peace: Daily Meditations for Twelve-Step Living. Iowa City, IA: Zion Publishing, 1990. When A Bough Breaks: Mending the Family Tree. A documentary/novel. Hazelden, 1985; Audio tape reproduction, Hazelden, 1986; reprint, Harper and Row, 1987. Our Family Shares Advent. Winston Press, 1980.
B. Articles
"Breath Prayers: Claiming God's Spirit in the Moment", Faith@Work,
Winter 2003.
"Imagination for Transformation," Word and World, Summer 1995.
"Love Wisdom," Lutheran Woman Today, March 1991.
"Reflections of a Former Editor," Iowa Woman, Winter, 1990.
"Johan Olof Wallin," Leaflet Ministry Series, Augsburg Fortress, 1990.
"One More for the Road: A Background Paper on Drunk Driving," The
Advocate, Fall 1989.
"Called to Discipleship," Lutheran Woman Today, March 1988.
"Changing Those Things We Can: A Christian Approach to Alcohol,"
The Other Side, March 1987. Reprinted in International Christian Digest, October 1987.
"Face to Face With God," The Lutheran Standard, April 4, 1986.
"But He's Not a Junkie," The Other Side, October 1982.
"Woman, Language, and Spirituality," Iowa Woman, Fall 1984.
"The Canteen," Iowa Woman, Fall 1984.
"The Suturing of a Bleeding Heart," Iowa Woman, Spring 1984.
C. Book Reviews
Beyond Power, by Marilyn French. Iowa Woman, Winter 1986.
Heart Failure, by Ivy Goodman. Iowa Woman, Winter 1984.
More Work For Mother, by Ruth Schwartz. Iowa Woman, Winter 1984.
Love Story of the Century, by Marta Tikkanen. Iowa Woman, Spring 1984.
D. Religious Educational Materials
Wisdom Literature, Adult Home Bible Study Series. Minneapolis, MN: Augsburg Publishing House, 1989.
Proverbs, Friendship Bible Study Series, student book and leader guide. Augsburg Publishing House, 1987.
The Story of the Church. Thirty-nine lessons: reader, workbook, and leader guide. Augsburg Publishing House, 1983.
The New Testament for Us. Thirty-nine lessons: workbook and leader guide. Augsburg Publishing House, 1983.
The Old Testament for Us. Thirty-nine lessons: workbook and leader guide. Augsburg Publishing House, 1983.
Image Enrichment Kit. Usage guide. Augsburg Publishing House, 1982.
Your Life/Your Self. Leader Guide. Augsburg Publishing House, 1982.
Where Word and World Meet. Thirteen lessons, student book and leader guide. Augsburg Publishing House, 1981.
God's Gift of Law. Thirteen lessons, student book and leader guide. Augsburg Publishing House, 1981.
Tending the Family Tree. Minneapolis, MN: Winston Press, 1980.
Real Living: A Small Group Bible Study Based on the Gospel of Luke. 120 lessons (four-year study); student books and leader guides. Winston Press, 1977, '78, '79. Reprinted and abridged by the British and Foreign Bible Society.
Honors and Awards
Listed in Cambridge Who's Who of Professionals and Executives, 2007
Listed in the International Authors and Writers Who's Who, Cambridge, England: 10th, 11th, and 12th Editions.
Listed in Outstanding Young Women of America, 1972.
Teaching Experience
Putting it on Paper:Ý Effective Writing for Congregational Life. Collegeville Institute, St. John's University, Collegeville, MN.
Fiction Writing, Personal Essay, Metaphor, Personal Portrait Writing, Memoir Writing, Prose Style, and Honing your prose. The Iowa Summer Writing Festival, 1989-
Prose Rhythms, Memorable Images: Writing craft for Sermons, Prayers, Liturgies, and Blessing Rituals. Continuing education: Columbia Theological Seminary, 2001, Lilly Foundation Residency Program, 2004-2005
The Enneagram: For Personal Spiritual Growth and Improved Interpersonal Relationships. Luther Seminary, 2003, 2004. Columbia Theological Seminary, 2005.
Writing for the Web: From Information to Ministry. St John's Lutheran Church, 2001-2004
Using Metaphor. Continuing Education: Luther Seminary 1999, SE Iowa workshops, 2001.
Prose Style for Religious Professionals. Continuing Education: Princeton Theological Seminary, GTU, Trinity Seminary, Luther Seminary, Columbia Theological Seminary, Wartburg Seminary 1996-
Personal Writing (8W:104). The University of Iowa, (Classroom [1992] and correspondence) 1991-2000.
Expository Writing (8W:10). The University of Iowa, (classroom and correspondence) 1987-92.
Freshman Rhetoric. The University of Iowa, 1982-85, 1988.
Speech (1:01). The University of Minnesota, 1974, 1977.
Senior English. Concordia High School, 1963-64.
Debate and Declamation coach. Oak Grove High School, 1959-60
Professional Experience
Spiritual Director, 1999, St. Joseph's Center, Des Moines, IA
Certified Enneagram Instructor, 1997, Loyola University, Chicago, IL
Web Meditation and Bible Study writer for the St. John's web site, 1999-
Enneagram Workshop Leader for Church Staff Development, 1997-
Developer and Leader of Shalom Groups: Using the Twelve-Steps and Enneagram for Spiritual Renewal. Zion Lutheran Church, Iowa City, 1986-1998, St. John's Lutheran Church, Des Moines, IA 1999-.
Developer, writer, and publisher: Literary Prose Style: A Course for Religious Professionals, 1996
Researcher for the Harvard Pluralism Project on "Religious Pluralism in Iowa," 1993.
Developer and Writer: Correspondence Course 8W:104--Personal Writing, University of Iowa, 1990.
Established Zion Publishing, 1990.
Editorial assistant: Philological Quarterly, 1986-92.
Editor: Iowa Woman, a Quarterly Journal of Information and the Arts, 1983-85.
Community Service
Lecturer on Spiritual Direction, 2004-
Lecturer on the Enneagram, 1996-
Lecturer on religious pluralism, 1994-
Guest lecturer at Holden Village: Enneagram, 1999, The Twelve Steps, 1991.
Speaker for local and regional civic groups, 1965-.
Member, Mercy Hospital Advisory Board, 1978-.
Fifth-Step Volunteer: MECCA Treatment Center, 1987-1989.
Teacher of Church Study Groups, 1961-.
Member, Area Health Care Advisory Board, 1975-79.
Featured speaker, Weekend Retreats: 1978, 1981, 1983, 1988, 1998, 2002.
Hosted a weekly radio interview program on civic affairs, 1971-1975.
Member, Community Development Advisory Board, 1974-76.
Newspaper columnist, 1971-1973.
Officer, League of Women Voters, 1970-1975.
Political radio and television speechwriter, 1968-1980.
Political precinct chair, 1968-1970.
Church Library board chair, 1965-79.
