Glacier Presbytery, Montana, Presbyterian Church (USA)

Bringing Together

Congregations, Sessions, Pastors and Leaders
to Model Christ

Glacier Presbytery resources and news -

God's ministry unfolding through

18 Presbyterian (PCUSA) congregations

and 2 new worshiping communities

in North-West-Central Montana

Glacier Presbytery Fall Gathering

Reformed and Always Being Reformed:

Looking Back with Gratitude,

Looking Forward with Hope

Saturday, October 31, 2020

10:00 a.m. - 2:30 p.m. via Zoom

Worship, Communion, Celebration of Retirements, Installations and New Worshiping Communities, Business Meeting

The Retreat Portion of the Fall Gathering will be held Sunday evenings November 7 and 14 (see below)

Registrations are due now: Please click here to e-mail the Interim Stated Clerk with name, congregation, e-mail address, cell phone, role, and practice session choice:

10/26 7 p.m. or 10/28 1 p.m.

Fall Presbytery Retreat

Reformed, Always Being Reformed

The fall retreat is being offered on two Sunday evenings, November 7 and 14, via Zoom. GPC Director Tim Lanham and Presbytery Leader Beth McCaw will facilitate discussion on two classic confessions - the Nicene Creed and the Heidelberg Confession, and two contemporary confessions - the Brief Statement of Faith, and the Belhar Confession. You may find a summary of these here. Register for these retreats in the same way, or along with, your presbytery meeting registration (above), in order to receive the Zoom links and preparatory material.

Many Tongues, One Spirit

In this season following Pentecost, Christ's Church around the world celebrates that Jesus did not leave us orphaned, but rather has poured out his Spirit that we would become one out of diverse nations, tongues, cultures. We are empowered to minister the gospel, and to become a sign of hope and reconciliation to God's beloved world.

To celebrate this gift, leaders in the Montana Association of Christians knit together a common liturgy, found here. “Many tongues” – or different voices - are reflected, prayers shared with Methodists, Disciples of Christ, Lutherans, and the United Church of Christ. May God be glorified by our diverse gifts - shared for the common good of the church; may God be glorified by our unity - as we are sent the part of the world which we share.

In recent days, all have been bearing witness to the heartache of a world torn by racism, violence, despair, injustice and grief. Some presbytery leaders from across the country (pictured above), shared in a common litany of lament and faith, which can be viewed here. As Christ's witnesses, we share an urgent mission in a hurting world right now. May each of our members and all of our congregations find ways to demonstrate the justice and love of God in these days of need.

Helena in Stitches Quilt Mission Project

The winning ticket for the First Presbyterian Church “Helena in Stitches” quilt raffle was drawn on Sunday, April 19th . The lucky winner was Toni Larson of Great Falls. A small group of people gathered for the drawing, including First Presbyterian Church Pastor Scott Wipperman, quilt designer and crafter Sally Klein, and project chairman Karen Witte. See the PW page for more details and the mission projects supported through the proceeds!

Glacier Meetings (via Zoom)

Tues. Oct. 20 Pastors Coffee on "Truth"
Tues. Oct. 20 Camp Board, 1:00 (Zoom)
Wed. Oct. 21 Finance, 1:00 (Zoom)
Sat Oct. 31 Presbytery, 10-2:30, Zoom

Thurs. Nov. 12 COM, 1:00 (Zoom)

Presbyterian Foundation Survey

The Presbyterian Foundation is anticipating future stewardship needs and needs your help.

Below is a link to a survey which we offer for you to take. All other information will be confidential. The scope of the survey right now are folks who attended the webinar “Generosity in Uncertain Times” but we may widen it other churches in the Northwest. Thanks so much for your consideration and attention.

The Presbyterian Foundation is here to assist and help churches according to your need.

Presbyterian Foundation Survey Here

Glacier Newsletters

Find detailed updates about happenings in Glacier Presbytery, click to view:

May 20: Matthew 25; Camp Blessings

May 10: GA Commissioners; Safe Music

April 26: Pastoral Care; Re-gathering Steps

April 18: Stewardship recording; Easter signs

To subscribe directly, contact Beth.glacierpresbytery@gmail.com.

Prayer and Nurture

Please pray for justice and peace for our nation during elections; God's blessing and keeping for all affected by the COVID-19 crisis: Those with fragile health; the sick; families separated from loved ones; those who are homeless or unemployed. Pray guidance and unity for leaders in governments, churches, agencies serving God's beloved world. Pray for those congregations in transition and those about to enter transition: Conrad, Great Falls Sunrise, and Dayton/Polson having welcomed Interim Pastor Paul Hayden.

Today in the Presbyterian Church (USA)

Mission Yearbook

Scripture Readings for today from the Daily Lectionary

Current Issue of Presbyterian Women's Horizons

2020 Fall Glacier Camp News

Summer Camp

With much love and care put into new protocols, Glacier Presbyterian Camp was able to offer an abbreviated and safe camping season. Children and youth were thirsty for spiritual nurture and time together in God's creation. Many thanks to Executive Director Timothy Lanham and a terrific staff for making God's love known during a difficult year. Click here to read testimony from this summer's camp season in the current Camp Newsletter.

Fall TIM Talk

On September 20-22, Tim Lanham led the latest "Theology in Ministry' retreat, exploring the call from God to people in the Bible. Participants were refreshed in their personal sense of call and shared warm fellowship. Treasurer and camp supporter Dick Siderius was honored for his presence and gifts to GPC which have touched many lives.

Donor Appreciation and Scholarship Dinner

A Donor Appreciation Dinner will be held on November 22 to thank those who have support GPC, and to look ahead to the 2021 camping season.

Drive for 75

In order to support GPC including staff during ongoing COVID-19 financial challenges, the Camp Board has launched a Drive for 75 to raise $75,000 to meet commitments through the end of 2020. Thank you for your gifts and prayers, donations marked "Drive for 75" can be sent to:

Glacier Camp and Conference Center
PO Box 384, Lakeside MT 59922

Glacier Congregations Take Care

for Safe Worship and Ministry

Glacier congregations continue to discern the safest forms of ministry during a time of rising COVID cases in Montana. All congregations are urged to have read through the Glacier COVID-19 Team's recommendations and have a plan in place for virtual and physical gatherings: Taking Care II. This is how we care for those at risk during this pandemic. During these weeks and months, it is likely that congregations will need to monitor conditions in their counties and be prepared to fall back to virtual offerings when risk is high.

Examples of practices recommended:

Disinfect touch surfaces before and after worship
Remove commonly touched items from pews.
Mark off seating so that households are distanced at least 6 feet
Have masks available for those without,
Make sanitizer, soap, tissues, wastebaskets liberally and visibly available
Open windows and prop doors open; preheat the building and turn off air re-circulation when it is cold out
Find means for music that do not require all singing out (solos; duets; instrumental; clapping; percussion instruments)
Put offering plates or baskets in a common location with a sign
Take a photo of gatherings in case it is needed for contact tracing
Those over 60, with underlying health conditions, or simply concerned should continue to worship from home with virtual and/or print resources from the church.

Resources During the Pandemic

Glacier Presbytery's Response Team is Leader Beth McCaw, Moderator Rose Leavitt, Conrad Interim Pastor Andrew Smothers, and Marsha Anson. Resources for health, worship, care and outreach, and discussion boards, are in the presbytery online office glacieroffice.crhosts.com. Contact Beth for login information. These are among many additional resources (click to view):

Congregations are encouraged to subscribe to free conference calling or videoconferencing services as one means for groups to communicate and meet during this time.