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A sense of urgency is in the air this time of year. I have been working around our property preparing for the inevitable winter season, when such tasks, would be near impossible to complete. As our contractor is building our house, I see a sense of urgency to get the house roofed and closed so that they can work inside through the winter.
Our perspective on urgency resonates with a deep understanding of both seasonal and societal needs. As winter pushes for progress on the physical structures in Montana, there is also a parallel need for communities to rally together around pressing social issues. You’re absolutely right—solving problems like loneliness, parenting support, financial instability, human trafficking, and addiction requires more than governmental action; it requires community-centered, faith-driven support.
Faith-based organizations have a unique capacity to foster these community relationships and offer essential resources, from daycare and parenting training to financial stability classes and addiction recovery. Your proactive approach in encouraging houses of worship to step up in this way is impactful. The Office of Faith and Community Based Services could be an essential partner in helping mobilize these initiatives.
Would you like any specific guidance or additional resources on how these initiatives could be structured or examples of success stories from similar community-led projects?
HHSOFCBS@mt.gov
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Friends of Montana, I am trying something different to visiting your community rather than just to meet great people, churches, and share about my office which I still hope to do. I have been visiting all the counties and this list represents the unvisited.
Here’s a reason for the Office of Faith and Community Based Services to visit each of these counties:
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Blaine County - Visit with the Fort Belknap Indian Community. Connecting with tribal leaders and community organizations could help strengthen partnerships and address local needs.
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Carter County - Meet with Carter County Museum staff in Ekalaka, a focal point for community events, to explore faith-based and cultural engagement opportunities.
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Chouteau County - Partner with Big Sandy or Fort Benton community groups. These towns have active local churches and organizations that serve as community anchors.
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Daniels County - Connect with local churches in Scobey and potentially the Daniels Memorial Healthcare Center, where faith services and community health intersect.
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Deer Lodge County - Engage with the local ministries in Anaconda, home to several historic churches and community-focused organizations.
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Fallon County - Visit Baker Community Church or connect with the community center, both of which help support local social services and family outreach.
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Garfield County - The First Baptist Church of Jordan serves as a central gathering place and would be a valuable partner for reaching rural residents.
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Golden Valley County - Partner with Ryegate's community churches and the Golden Valley County Health Department for a joint outreach effort.
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Granite County - The Philipsburg Ministerial Association and local churches are well-positioned to help expand faith-based services in this historic mining town.
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Judith Basin County - Engage with Stanford churches and community centers. These institutions are deeply involved in supporting families and elderly residents.
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Liberty County - Connect with Chester churches and local nonprofits that work together to support Liberty County’s small, tight-knit population.
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Madison County - Visit Virginia City and Ennis churches, which play central roles in community gatherings and events in this popular, historically significant county.
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McCone County - Visit Circle churches and service providers who help address rural isolation and provide faith-based support to local families.
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Mineral County - The Superior Community Church and local organizations are actively engaged in outreach and would welcome expanded support for their efforts.
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Musselshell County - Meet with Roundup churches and community service providers to address key challenges and support faith-centered community building.
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Petroleum County - The First Presbyterian Church of Winnett serves as a community anchor and is a great point of contact for outreach in this sparsely populated county.
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Phillips County - Partner with Malta’s churches and local nonprofits. These organizations are critical to community cohesion and social services in Phillips.
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Powell County - Connect with Deer Lodge churches, which work together on outreach and are a central part of the local social service network.
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Prairie County - Visit Terry churches and community groups, which serve as vital connection points for faith and social services.
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Rosebud County - Visit Forsyth and Lame Deer, especially churches and community organizations that work with Northern Cheyenne communities.
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Sheridan County - The Plentywood churches and Sheridan Memorial Hospital could be essential partners for a holistic outreach effort.
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Treasure County - Meet with Hysham churches to support this small community and explore options for faith-based engagement and support.
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Valley County - The Valley County Ministerial Association in Glasgow and local community centers would provide a strong foundation for outreach in northeastern Montana.
These partnerships would help ensure a meaningful and impactful visit, serving as a bridge to the broader community through faith and community services. If these are not the reasons we should meet then just make one and I'll come out and visit.
Contact me: HHSOFCBS@mt.gov; 406-444-5635, faithandcommunity.mt.gov
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