Annual Meeting

The Love INC Annual Business Meeting will be held on Thursday, October 8, at 7 AM, at Christ the King Lutheran Church on Durston in Bozeman.

The business meeting, per Love INC by-laws, is held annually to update all partner churches about Love INC's financial condition, ministry activities and long-term plans. Importantly, the nominees for the Board of Directors will be voted upon by church partners' representatives at the meeting.

As Love INC ministry leaders, Love INC Church Ministry Coordinators from each partner church will attend the meeting or send a representative in their place. Partner church pastors are warmly encouraged to come, meet the Board of Directors, and visit with staff and volunteers. Any interested party is welcome to attend.

A light breakfast will be served. Christ the King Lutheran Church is located at 4383 Durston Road, across the street from Heritage Christian School.

Hope for Kids in Need

As the calls to the Clearinghouse multiply, a common theme continues to be the absence of God in many clients' lives. Although we give people who request it a booklet of the Gospel of John, together we all need to communicate better the hope of Christ and how God can change lives.

Additionally, Love INC serves many single parents who mention that their kids ask questions about God but they don’t have answers. We recently discovered a children’s DVD series of Bible stories that proved to be just what we were looking for. We decided to approach the publisher to seek a discount on a large volume order. They were interested. Additionally, they sent us a sample: a combination young child's Bible (book) and DVD set. Parents can read the Bible to their children, and be touched by its message themselves; together parent and child can watch the DVD. (If you are wondering, yes, most needy families do have DVD players while they lack other necessities). The publisher offered the Bible and DVD for a lower price than what the DVD alone initially would have cost.

We hope that Love INC will be able to offer this wonderful message to families, delivered by Christian volunteers from partner churches. For this to happen, once or twice a year, churches or individuals who have a heart for this ministry, would contribute to help pay for an order that would last through the year.

We estimate that if just (!) 6 to 12 churches or individuals contribute $50 per quarter, together we can place this attractive Bible and DVD in the hands of families who are asking for it. That would be enough to meet the demand of the one to two weekly requests we receive from families with children who tell us they want to know more about God.

If you can help, please send a donation to Love INC, PO Box 7117, Bozeman, MT 59771 Mark on your check: Bibles/DVD. It will only take 6 people (or churches), who give 4 times per year, to touch local families who are in need and who want to hear of God. If you (or your church) want to be involved in delivering these items, and meeting these clients, please call us. Thank you!

CMC Meeting Reminder

Church Ministry Coordinators will meet for their semi-annual, on-going training on Sept. 10, 2009, at the Love INC office (upstairs meeting room). CMC's meet at least twice a year as a group to receive news and updates, and guidance on how to accomplish their ministry tasks in light of new developments.

Two training sessions are offered: noon and 6:00 p.m. This training is not a repeat of anything CMC's have received before. Semi-annual training is required for all Love INC Church Ministry Coordinators (even well-experienced ones).

Many exciting developments are occurring at Love INC! At this meeting, CMC's will learn how to best involve their respective churches, and how to share these great ministry opportunties.

Picnic Pictures

About 50-60 volunteers from a variety of Love INC partner churches recently came together for food, fellowship and fun at the Aug. 11 Love INC picnic.

What a blessing! A whole community center full of hardworking, giving Christians who were sitting back, relaxing, laughing and enjoying each other in Christ's Name! We met new friends and reconnected with old ones.

Staff brought hot dogs and polish sausage, condiments and buns, and served the volunteers.

The purpose of the picnic was to thank the people who are Love INC, to meet each other (since we all serve in different capacities and often don't cross paths) and to simply enjoy a couple of hours together in the love of Christ.

Many thanks to everyone who helped set up and clean up, and for everyone who came! Here are a few pictures of the event, which was held at the River Rock Community Center.

We had such a good time (and ate such yummy salads and desserts), we hope to have a picnic again next year!

Picnic for the Volunteers

A potluck picnic for current Love INC volunteers will be held on Aug. 11, 6-8 pm, at the River Rock Community Center (Take Amsterdam Rd. to River Rock Rd. and watch for the sign and balloons). You are considered a current volunteer if you have a Talent Tithe on file or you have served through Love INC in the past twelve months.

This is an opportunity for staff to thank the volunteers who do the work of serving others and who are the Love INC ministry! We will provide hot dogs, brats, buns and condiments, along with tableware and beverages. Tables and chairs are available in the pavilion (so we can have the picnic rain or shine).

Volunteers, please bring your choice of a salad or dessert (or some other type of side dish). Bring lawn chairs and blankets if you desire. Volunteers' families are welcome.

This will be a fun time to eat and meet! See you at the picnic on Tuesday!

Clothes Closet Moves

The Love INC Clothes Closet is moving this week, July 27-31, to its new location just west of the intersection of Jackrabbit Lane and Main Street in Belgrade. If you drive by, we are in one of the new units in the rust-colored building (northwest corner of the intersection, just west of the apartment/hotel).

Many thanks to the volunteers who are working hard on this move: Betty House, Pat Ungersma, Morgan Hinesly, Mark Logan, Ryan Connelly (and youth from Lion's Ridge), and Andy Leep. Also thanks to Jim DeJong, Tony Jansma, and Mark Kredit who helped prepare the new space through their construction, plumbing and electrical talents. Eileen Matzinger coordinates the Clothes Closet.

Love INC Trailer Needs Drivers

The new Love INC trailer, pictured here, needs reliable, experienced drivers. This great (brand new!) trailer was recently donated for the Love INC Furniture Ministry and the Moving Ministry.

Here's the idea: each partner church assembles a team of people who can help needy families pack and move their belongings (within Gallatin County). One member of the team serves as captain - the contact with Love INC. One person must have the appropriate vehicle to pull the trailer (with hitch), and must be experienced in driving a 7'x16' trailer.

Plus! We are looking for mature Christians who can reliably drive this trailer to help with our furniture ministry: pick up donated furniture and unload at our warehouse, and deliver furniture to neighbors in need.

All Love INC volunteers are Christians attending Christian churches in Gallatin County. Email for info!