Bishop’s Q and A more like a sales pitch
By Adam Jerome, I-O Reporter
On Thursday night, Jessica Crist the Montana Bishop for the Lutheran Church came to Conrad to hold a Q and A session at the Pondera Valley Lutheran Church (PVLC).
The Q and A which resembled more of a sales pitch was attended by 20-30 church members.
The reason for the Bishop’s visit is because the Evangelical Lutheran Church of America (ELCA) requires a meeting with the Montana Bishop before a second vote on leaving takes place.
Crist began the evening with a prayer followed by a list of reasons that the PVLC should consider staying with the organization.
State may face funding short fall reports Jones at CofC
By Buck Traxler, I-O Editor
Montana House Representative Llew Jones, HD-27, told the members of the Conrad Area Chamber of Commerce as they met the Pondera Golf Club on Wednesday, “Montana could face a $500 million shortfall in revenue when the legislature convenes in 2011.”
He noted that when he left the capital there was $300 million in savings and that Montana was one of two states that was still in the black.
If the current forecasts are right, lawmakers will have “only” $44 million, or “there abouts,” left in savings.
Jones reported that individual income tax collection is down about 18 percent and corporate taxes collections are down about 50 percent.
Traveling in the spirit of Christmas
NEAT TREE — A South American Christmas tree, made entirely of poinsettia plants was photographed by Habets for her wandering travel column. Photo courtesy of Cindy Habets Peterson
Special to the I-O by Cindy Habets Peterson
Several years ago, when asking the eternal holiday question “What’s on your Christmas list?”, my parents gave a new and unexpected answer: “We want you to do something for someone less fortunate. Someone who really needs help this holiday season. Give us a card telling us what you did, and that will be your gift to us.”
I admire my parents for many reasons, and this new holiday tradition is no exception. Each year it requires us to search out a person or a cause that we believe is worthy of our parents’ gift. And in requesting this gift each and every year, our parents ensure that we all remember the true spirit of Christmas – to give of ourselves, and do our part to increase peace and love in the world.