Pastor's Corner: Back to School Bash update

I would like to deliver a couple of ministerial association "shout-outs." This past Saturday, Aug. 21, was the Sixthth Annual Back to School Bash.

Greater Havre Area Ministerial Assocation would like to thank Harley Edmonds - Christy Edmonds' daughter - for leading this year's Bash.

Thanks also goes to Trina Crawford and her crew from Salvation Army for facilitating the backpacks distribution.

My wife, Susan, and our friend Anita Atkinson helped get the shoes and socks from Samaritan's Feet onto the feet of the children - thank you, ladies!

We had two hairdressers charitably providing haircuts the entire time - thanks so much you two! Bounce On In provided inflatable games for the children, free to the Bash - thanks so much!

Set Free Church, with Pastor Matt Moore and his team, provided the lunch and the sound system and music for the event - thanks, Set Free.

Walmart avidly supports this event, providing resources and helpers - thanks, Walmart!

Pastor Munya Takawira from the Community Alliance Church was on site providing wagons full of age-appropriate gift bags for the children - thanks, Pastor Munya! He helped me in the Prayer Tent, a place where folks could go for prayer, free Bibles and tracts to read.

Many families with lots of children were effectively served during this event. And it took all of these folks, churches, and businesses - along with so many people whom I didn't name - to make it happen. Again, thanks everybody for serving at this year's Back to School Bash!

As a new school year begins, a new ministerial association year begins also. We take a break from meeting during the summer. Our first meeting of this school year will be Thursday, Sept. 2, at noon in the Fellowship Hall of Havre Assembly of God Church. We look forward to welcoming the new pastor at Van Orsdel United Methodist Church, Rev. Sue King.

Speaking of Van Orsdel, they are having a pig roast "Fun-raiser" Saturday at lunchtime. Don't miss it!

GHAMA also looks forward to eventually meeting and welcoming the new pastors of the joint Prebyterian Churches of Chinook and Havre and the joint Lutheran Churches of Big Sandy and Havre - Messiah Lutheran.

Our special guest at this first ministerial association meeting will be Child Bridge's Bryon Gustafson from Great Falls. Child Bridge helps foster and adoptive families as they provide care for needy children.

During our first meeting, we will also plan this year's See You at the Pole, a youth prayer event that happens one Wednesday September morning at the middle and high school flag poles.

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The Rev. Edroy "Curt" Curtis, president of the Greater Havre Area Ministerial Association, Northern Montana Care Center chaplain and lead pastor of Havre Assembly of God Church