At the August 22, 2009 Conference Board meeting the decision was prayerfully made to eliminate the Associate Conference Minister position on June 30, 2010.  The Board is grateful to the Rev. Michael Obenauer for his current 7 ½ years service to this Conference.  Michael has been instrumental in the very successful Church Vitality Project meetings in each Association.  He has staffed a number of Program Committees, taught in the Lay Ministry Institute, has led workshops, and been a listening, compassionate and helpful friend to clergy, churches, and lay members of the Conference.  We will miss this good and faithful servant of God's work and in the meantime, will enjoy his presence over the next ten months.

     The 8^th Day Offering, of individual gifts to the work and ministry of the Montana-Northern Wyoming Conference, is now in its fourth year and our hopes for the 2009 budget remain high!  A benefit dinner will be held on Saturday, September 12, at the Mayflower Church in Billings.  The dinner has been planned by the Rev. Ken Crouch, Associate Pastor of the Mayflower UCC and will begin at 4:30 P.M. with Hors d'oevres, followed by a catered dinner at 5:00 P.M.  The cost for the evening is $45.00.  Tickets are available in Yellowstone Association church offices.

     A Fall Retreat of Heart, Body, and Soul is being presented by the Western Association September 25-26 at the University Congregational Church in Missoula.  With great excitement, we welcome Mr. Masankho Bando as our retreat leader.  Originally from Malawi, Central Africa, Mr. Banda is an International Peace Builder, Educator, and Certified InterPlay Leader.  His mission and ministry are to build peace, create harmony, create bridges between divided people and inspire and celebrate diversity.  To register, please call the office and let us know of your intention to attend, (406) 453-4316.  All are welcome but space is limited.  Preference will be given to members of the eight Western Association churches.  While the Association budget is covering a good part of the retreat, a $25 donation is asked for to offset the cost of our time with Mr. Banda.

HOSPICE VOLUNTEERS NEEDED:  IS GOD CALLING YOU?

Peace Hospice of Montana is again offering hospice care training.  Opportunities include companionship, respite and areas of assistance for the patients of families in their own homes, nursing home, hospital, or at the Peace Hospice House.  Help with mailings, bereavement follow-up, cooking and community support.  Packets of information will be mailed to all who are interested.  A pre-training interview is required.  Registration deadline is Tuesday, September 8.  To ask for a packet, please call (406) 455-3040.  For more information on becoming a volunteer, please call Volunteer Leader, Suzie Taleff, at (406) 455-3053.  Training will be held at 2600 15^th avenue S on Tuesday and Friday mornings from 8:30 A.M.-12:30 P.M. on September 15, 18, 22, 25, 29, and October 2 (three weeks).  Attendance at every session is required.

CAMP MIMANAGISH WRAPS UP ANOTHER SUMMER     

Thank you to all who supported this summer's Camp Mimanagish season!  Counselors play a huge role in the success of camp, and this year we had Janet Koostra directing the 3^rd/4^th grade camp with camp counselor Stacy Hopkins.  Christine Brauer and Chris Kosmerl counseled the 5^th/6^th grade camp.  Christine Brauer was also a counselor for the 7^th-9^th grade camp, as well as the Senior High camp!   Of course camp would not be camp without our campers!  In the 3^rd/4^th grade camp were Olivia Gittins and Cole Staigmiller.  In the 5^th/6^th grade camp; Will Hoard, Molly Koostra, Taryn Kosmerl, and Kessa Rigali.  7^th-9^th grade camp included Alex Johnson, Darian Keels, Zoie Koostra, Jonah Kosmerl, Micah Kosmerl, Sarah Petersen, Sam Shearin, and Trevin Thompson.  Max Johnson and JJ Petersen attended the Senior High camp.  A big thank you to the Bertsche Memorial for providing $1,800 in financial assistance for our campers!