We Are Home

This week our staff had a visit from the Church Council of New Hope. New Hope was our home for almost 2 years, between when we sold our old building and when we moved into our new Synod House. The Church Council wanted to see us in our new location, and wish us well. When we moved into New Hope, we were greeted with flowers and zucchini bread. As part of their visit, the Council again brought us flowers and zucchini bread. 
 
We are grateful to New Hope for the months we spent sharing their space. We got to learn more about their ministry—Family Promise, Wednesday night intergenerational learning, hosting the Quakers on Sunday morning. And the got to learn more about the ministry of the wider church, just by being near us, watching what we do, where we travel.
 
We are grateful to the many people who have made the Synod House possible—to the Mission Builders, especially Sue and Allan Ost; to the volunteers; to the people who worked at raising money; to the individuals and congregations who donated and continue to donate money. It is a group effort, and the Synod House belongs to all.
 
At the Synod Assembly we travelled to the Synod House and had a dedication and open house. If you were not able to join us then, come visit when you are in Great Falls. We are a block from the hospital, very easy to find.  We were also able to dedicate a tree during the ceremony, as a companion to a tree planted on behalf of the Montana Synod at the Luthergarten in Wittenberg, Germany. 
Of course there are blips and adjustments. But they are part of anything new. And we are doing our best to meet the future boldly.
Come and see us. The Synod House is a welcoming place. We’ve already had one meeting of 4 congregations in our conference room. In another couple of weeks the Candidacy Committee will meet there, and we’ll be able to connect electronically with others.

Thanks be to God!
​
Jessica Crist, Bishop