Monthly Archive: November 2016

Nov 30

Beyond the “Giving Tree” – an object lesson for the 2nd week of Advent

Object needed: A copy of the book, “The Giving Tree.” Theme/Main Idea: Even when things seem hopeless, God gives us hope. When nothing is left of the tree but the stump, there is still life there… just waiting for the right season to spring up again. Shel Silverstein’s book, The Giving Tree, ends with an …

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Nov 18

Operation Christmas Child 2016: Learning Empathy, Giving to Others

Recently we participated in Operation Christmas Child with the help of staff members who helped donate items for the annual event. The children had the opportunity to put together gift boxes for children in various places around the world. We spoke about how this gift might be the first gift some of these children would …

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Nov 16

A thank you to our supporters: FREE ADVENT MATERIALS!!

By Otets at lb.wikipedia, CC BY-SA 3.0, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=16297772 Once again, I would like to make available to you and your church free Advent children’s object lessons! While written primarily for a Children’s Sermon format, these object lessons could be used in a Sunday school setting, youth group, or even as sermon illustrations! Though written as …

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Nov 13

Was Jesus’ ministry “trauma-informed?” [part 4]: Responding to trauma within the compassionate Kingdom of God

There is a movement taking shape across the country when it comes to ministry settings: becoming trauma-informed. I am personally invested in this movement and I am intrigued by the ways I see connections between Jesus’ teachings and trauma-informed ministry principles. In the first post in the series, I focused only the first identifier of …

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Nov 10

A message for Veteran’s Day from one of our children

“Thank you for helping Intermountain. It’s helping kids. God bless you.” -an Intermountain child. As we remember those who have served in our armed forces this Veteran’s Day, Intermountain and the Chaplain’s Department wants all our supporters–but especially veterans–to know that we recognize ALL the sacrifices you have made to make a better future for the …

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Nov 08

National Active and Retired Federal Employees Association supports the chapel effort!

At the invitation of Doris Davis, an Intermountain volunteer, Chaplain Chris spoke November 8th to Helena’s local NARFE (National Active and Retired Federal Employees) Association at their monthly luncheon, hosted by Plymouth Congregational Church. Many of the retirees had known of Intermountain’s work, but appreciated getting a better picture of the scope of services and …

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Nov 01

“Days of Awe: Looking inward, taking account” by Janet Tatz, Jewish Educator

[note: this article first appeared in the print and online edition of the Helena Independent Record on Saturday, October 15, 2016] I have just returned home after spending 25 hours in Butte, at the historic B’nai Israel synagogue. I was celebrating Yom Kippur, the Day of Atonement, the holiest day in the Jewish year. This …

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