See You At Assembly!

In just a few days the Montana Synod will gather in Assembly in Great Falls. Our staff and volunteers are working hard to get everything ready. Now all we need is you!

There are a couple of last minute requests that I have for you:

First, please bring non-perishable food for the Friday night offering. We will be donating it to FISH, the local church-run food program that is the recipient of the Spirit of Hope Award.

Second, please remember the Sunday monetary offering for the Bolivia water project. Several years ago the Bolivian church asked us to send a cattle expert to advise them on a farm they own. We did and he did and we are now raising $10,000 to get water to the cattle so that they can be more productive. The farm supports a ministry to children in Cobija, a border town where drugs and violence take an enormous toll and the church is a safe haven. So please contribute generously.

We are offering a couple of opportunities before the Assembly actually starts. One is a workshop on Global music, from 10-2, with our global musicians who will be with us for the Assembly.

A second is an opportunity to discuss the proposed 2016 budget in greater depth from 2:30-3:30.

The Assembly will feature global music, global keynote, and a variety of global workshops. We'll also discuss and vote on the budget, elect voting members to the 2016 Churchwide Assembly, and take action on the issues I have been writing about for the last month.

We will honor retirees and others, celebrate our life together, and renew our connection with the wider church.

There is more information in this newsletter and on the website if you have questions.

You don't have to be a voting member to join us. We'd love to have you.

Serve the world, especially the poor and those in need.

Jessica Crist, Bishop