Grace Lutheran — Statement of Support
The letter as it was sent, with a readable transcription below. The signed PDF is also linked.
Text of the letter
Grace Lutheran Church — Statement of Support (Rev. Justin A. Herman)
Grace Lutheran Church & Learning Center 279 Hattie Lane, Hamilton, MT 59840 Website: www.gracelutheranhamilton.com E-mail:
Ravalli County Board of Health 205 Bedford St., Suite L Hamilton, MT 59840
To Whom it may Concern,
I am the pastor of Grace Lutheran Church here in Hamilton. Our Church is also home of The Learning Center which is used by many people in our community. Grace is also active in helping those who struggle with hunger and housing in the Bitter Root. Our members regularly contribute to our Persons In Need (PIN) fund, which is used on a weekly basis.
The need for help in the Bitterroot however, goes beyond our congregation’s capabilities. The Pastor before me, Rev. Vern Sandersfeld regularly called upon Rev. Harris Himes and the Big Sky Christian Center Homeless Shelter for collaboration.
Many of our local churches in Hamilton support Big Sky Christian Center because they are doing needed work that each local church cannot carry out individually.
Our prayer is that Rev. Himes’ work would not be hindered or stopped. It is Grace Lutheran’s hope that the work of the Big Sky Christian Center would at the least be tolerated and unhindered. Or better yet, it is our wish that its work would be celebrated.
In many communities countless tax dollars are spent on the Homeless with poor results. The Big Sky Christian Center allows nonprofit ministries and churches to step up and care for others so that State tax dollars don’t have to.
Please join Grace Lutheran in our support of this worthy ministry in the Bitter Root.
[Stamp: RECEIVED MAY 12 2025 — Ravalli County Commissioners]
Rev. Justin A. Herman Rev. Justin Herman, Pastor Arielle BeVan, Learning Center Director Teresa Stricklin, Office Administrator
— A Church of the Lutheran Church-Missouri Synod