Holy Spirit Celebrates Terri Grotzinger and Gretchen Strohmaier

Sunday’s farewell celebration was one of those rare moments when a community’s love becomes almost tangible. The church was full, the Parish Hall was overflowing, and everywhere you turned there were smiles, hugs, and stories being shared — a beautiful testament to how deeply Rev. Terri Grotzinger and Rev. Gretchen Strohmaier have shaped life at Holy Spirit.

Terri, who first joined us as Rector in 2011, and Gretchen, who stepped into the Co-Rector role in 2024, now move into new chapters: Terri into the fullness of retirement, and Gretchen into her new ministry as Rector of St. Paul’s Episcopal Church in Hamilton. Both spoke with the kind of honesty and warmth that has always marked their leadership. Terri reflected on the life-giving acceptance of diversity she found here — something she cherished from her first days in Missoula, puppy Journey at her side. Gretchen shared her winding, grace-filled path to the priesthood and offered stories from more than 25 years woven into the heart of this parish. And there was more…

Parishioners Warren Gartner, Margaret Borg, Lindsay Iudicello, and Mary Beth Jourdonnais added their own heartfelt tributes, each one painting a fuller picture of the impact Terri and Gretchen have had. We were also treated to a joyful musical gift from Nancy Cooper and the choir, whose tribute added its own beautiful layer to the celebration. (See story below.) And in a moment that had the whole room laughing and singing along, Mary Beth and Gretchen teamed up for a spirited rendition of the children’s classic “Deep and Wide.”

The parish offered several gifts as expressions of gratitude and affection: framed drawings of the church by graphic artist Kirk Johnson; Leupold binoculars for Terri’s birding adventures, paired with a lovingly handmade case by Diane Rasmuson and Rose Rademan; a stunning liturgical stole for Gretchen created by artist Barbara Morrison; and whimsical birdhouses crafted by Warren and Karen Gartner with joyful decoration by the Nederhoed family. Each priest also received a traditional purse — a final, heartfelt gesture of thanks for their ministry among us.

A deep and warm thank-you goes to Patti Beckley, whose leadership shaped the entire celebration — from the food and special beverages to the decorations and hospitality that made the day feel so welcoming. Gratitude also to Mary Beth Jourdonnais, Holly Swartz, Torian Donohoe, and Anne Geiger for their work behind the scenes, and to Glenn Hladek for guiding the program with care. And of course, to the many parishioners who set up, cleaned up, carried chairs, washed dishes, and quietly made the day shine — thank you.

As we say farewell with full hearts, we also look ahead with hope. This week we welcome Pastor Arne Bergland, who will be with us through June and July, before Father Nate Darville and his family arrive in early August.

Check out some of the moments captured by Jim Streeter on Facebook — a beautiful reminder of a day filled with joy, thanksgiving, and deep appreciation for Terri and Gretchen.

We, the undersigned bishops of The Episcopal Church, write today out of grief, righteous anger, and steadfast hope.

What happened a week ago in Minnesota and is happening in communities across the country runs counter to God’s vision of justice and peace. This crisis is about more than one city or state—it’s about who we are as a nation. The question before us is simple and urgent: Whose dignity matters?

In the wake of the tragic deaths of two U.S. citizens, Alex Pretti and Renee Good, we join Minnesotans and people across the nation in mourning two precious lives lost to state-sanctioned violence. We grieve with their families, their friends, and everyone harmed by the government’s policies. When fear becomes policy, everyone suffers.

We call on Americans to trust their moral compass—and to question rhetoric that trades in fear rather than the truth. As Episcopalians, our moral compass is rooted firmly in the Gospel of Jesus Christ.

This is what we know. Women were shoved to the ground, children torn from their families, and citizens silenced and demeaned for exercising their constitutional rights. These actions sow fear, cast doubt, and wear us down with endless noise.

We cannot presume to speak for everyone or prescribe only one way to respond. For our part, we can only do as Jesus’ teaching shows us.

A Call for Action

This is a moment for action. We call on people of faith to stand by your values and act as your conscience demands.

We urge the immediate suspension of ICE and Border Patrol operations in Minnesota and in any community where enforcement has eroded public trust. Because the rule of law is weakened, not strengthened, when power is exercised without restraint.

We also call for transparent, independent investigations of the people killed—investigations centered on truth, not politics. Justice cannot wait, and accountability is essential to healing.

We call on the elected officials of our nation to remember the values that we share, including the rule of law. Rooted in our Constitution, it ensures that law—not the arbitrary will of individuals—governs us all, protecting individual rights, ensuring fairness, and maintaining stability.

A Shared Commitment

Every act of courage matters. We must keep showing up for one another. We are bound together because we are all made in the image of God. This begins with small, faithful steps.

As bishops in the Episcopal Church, we promise to keep showing up—to pray, to speak, and to stand with every person working to make our communities just, safe, and whole.

We are committed to making our communities safer and more compassionate:

• So children can walk to school without fear.
• So families can shop, work, and worship freely.
• So we recognize the dignity of every neighbor—immigrant communities, military families, law enforcement officers, nurses, teachers, and essential workers alike.

You may feel powerless, angry, or heartbroken right now. Know that you’re not alone.

Each of us has real power: community power, financial power, political power, and knowledge power. We can show up for our neighbors, support small businesses and food banks, contact elected officials and vote, and learn our rights so we can speak up peacefully without fear.

Choosing Hope

This crisis is about more than one city or state—it’s about who we are as a nation. The question before us is simple and urgent: Whose dignity matters?

Our faith gives a clear answer: everyone’s.

Safety built on fear is an illusion. True safety comes when we replace fear with compassion, violence with justice, and unchecked power with accountability. That’s the vision our faith calls us to live out—and the promise our country is meant to uphold.

In the face of fear, we choose hope.

By the grace of God, may this season of grief become a season of renewal. May courage rise from lament, and love take root in every heart.

Faithfully,

† The Rt. Rev. Kristin Uffelman White, Bishop of Southern Ohio

† The Rt. Rev Gladstone B. Adams, III, X Bishop of Central New York (Retired)

† The Rt. Rev. Laura J. Ahrens, Bishop Suffragan of Connecticut

† The Rt. Rev. Diana D. Akiyama, Bishop of Oregon

† The Rt. Rev. David A. Alvarez, VI Bishop of Puerto Rico (Retired)

† The Rt. Rev. Lucinda Beth Ashby, Bishop of El Camino Real

† The Rt. Rev. David C. Bane, IX Bishop of Southern Virginia (Retired)

† The Rt. Rev. J. Scott Barker, Bishop of Nebraska

† The Rt. Rev. Cathleen Bascom, Bishop of Kansas

† The Rt. Rev. Jennifer Baskerville-Burrows, Bishop of Indianapolis

† The Rt. Rev. Nathan D. Baxter, Bishop of Central Pennsylvania (Retired)

† The Rt. Rev. Mark Beckwith, X Bishop of Newark (Retired)

† The Rt. Rev. Barry L. Beisner, Bishop Provisional Missionary Diocese of Navajoland

† The Rt. Rev. Patrick W. Bell, Bishop of Eastern Oregon

† The Rt. Rev. Scott Anson Benhase, OA, X Bishop of Georgia (Retired)

† The Rt. Rev. Mark Allen Bourlakas, Assistant Bishop of Virginia

† The Rt. Rev. Thomas E. Breidenthal, IX Bishop of Southern Ohio (Retired)

† The Rt. Rev. Jennifer Brooke-Davidson, Assistant Bishop of North Carolina

† The Rt. Rev. C. Franklin Brookhart, Assisting Bishop of Los Angeles

† The Rt. Rev. Kevin S. Brown, Bishop of Delaware

† The Rt. Rev. Thomas J. Brown, Bishop of Maine

† The Rt. Rev. Susan Brown Snook, Bishop of San Diego

† The Rt. Rev. Diane M. Jardine Bruce, Bishop Suffragan of Los Angeles (Retired)

† The Rt. Rev. Mariann Edgar Budde, Bishop of Washington

† The Rt. Rev. Elías García Cárdenas, Bishop of Colombia

† The Rt. Rev. Paula E. Clark, Bishop of Chicago

† The Rt. Rev. Angela Maria Cortiñas, Bishop Suffragan of West Texas

† The Rt. Rev. Matthew Cowden, Bishop of West Virginia

† The Rt. Rev. James E. Curry, Bishop Suffragan of Connecticut (Retired)

† The Rt. Rev. Michael B. Curry, XXVII Presiding Bishop of the Episcopal Church (Retired)

† The Rt. Rev. Joe Morris Doss, X Bishop of New Jersey (Retired)

† The Rt. Rev. Ian T. Douglas, Assisting Bishop of Massachusetts

† The Rt. Rev. DeDe Duncan-Probe, Bishop of Central New York

† The Rt. Rev. J. Zache Duracin, Bishop of Haiti (Retired)

† The Rt. Rev. Mark D.W. Edington, Bishop in charge of the Convocation of Episcopal Churches in Europe

† The Rt. Rev. Dan Edwards, XII Bishop of Nevada (Retired)

† The Rt. Rev. C. Christopher Epting, VIII Bishop of Iowa (Retired)

† The Rt. Rev. Douglas Fisher, Bishop of Western Massachusetts

† The Rt. Rev. Jeff W. Fisher, Bishop Suffragan of Texas

† The Rt. Rev. Robert L. Fitzpatrick, Bishop of Hawai’i

† The Rt. Rev. James E. Folts, VIII Bishop of West Texas (Retired)

† The Rt. Rev. Jonathan H. Folts, Bishop of South Dakota

† The Rt. Rev. R. William Franklin, Assisting Bishop of Long Island

† The Rt. Rev. Sally French, Bishop of New Jersey

† The Rt. Rev. J. Michael Garrison, X Bishop of Western New York (Retired)

† The Rt. Rev. Alan M. Gates, XVI Bishop of Massachusetts (Retired)

† The Rt. Rev. Wendell N. Gibbs, Assisting Bishop of Southern Ohio

† The Rt. Rev. Mary D. Glasspool, Assisting Bishop of Massachusetts

† The Rt. Rev. Susan E. Goff, Bishop Suffragan of Virginia (Retired)

† The Rt. Rev. William O. Gregg, VI Bishop of Eastern Oregon (Retired)

† The Rt. Rev. Daniel G. P. Gutiérrez, Bishop of Pennsylvania

† The Rt. Rev. Douglas Hahn, VII Bishop of Lexington (Retired)

† The Rt. Rev. Michael Hanley, X Bishop of Oregon (Retired)

† The Rt. Rev. John T.W. Harmon, Bishop of Arkansas

† The Rt. Rev. Gayle Elizabeth Harris, Assistant Bishop of Virginia

† The Rt. Rev. Scott B. Hayashi, XI Bishop of Utah (Retired)

† The Rt. Rev. Susan B. Haynes, Bishop of Southern Virginia

† The Rt. Rev. Matthew Heyd, Bishop of New York

† The Rt. Rev. Rayford B. High, Jr., Bishop Suffragan of Texas (Retired)

† The Rt. Rev. Mark Hollingsworth, Jr., XI Bishop of Ohio (Retired)

† The Rt. Rev. Barry R. Howe, VII Bishop of West Missouri (Retired)

† The Rt. Rev. Carlye J. Hughes, Bishop of Newark

† The Rt. Rev. Michael B. Hunn, Bishop of the Rio Grande

† The Rt. Rev. Robert W. Ihloff, XIII Bishop of Maryland (Retired)

† The Rt. Rev. James I. Jelinek, VIII Bishop of Minnesota (Retired)

† The Rt. Rev. Don E. Johnson, III Bishop of West Tennessee (Retired)

† The Rt. Rev. Deon Johnson, Bishop of Missouri

† The Rt. Rev. Anne B. Jolly, Bishop of Ohio

† The Rt. Rev. Charles I. Jones, VII Bishop of Montana (Retired)

† The Rt. Rev. David Colin Jones, Bishop Suffragan of Virginia (Retired)

† The Rt. Rev. W. Michie Klusmeyer, VII Bishop of West Virginia (Retired)

† The Rt. Rev. W. Nicholas Knisely, SOSc, Bishop of Rhode Island

† The Rt. Rev. Chilton Knudsen, VIII Bishop of Maine (Retired)

† The Rt. Rev. James E. Krotz, IX Bishop of Nebraska (Retired)

† The Rt. Rev. Philip N. LaBelle, Bishop of Olympia

† The Rt. Rev. Stephen T. Lane, Bishop Provisional of Western New York,

† The Rt. Rev. Mark Lattime, Bishop of Alaska,

† The Rt. Rev. Jeffrey Lee, XII Bishop of Chicago (Retired)

† The Rt. Rev. Edward L. Lee, Jr., Bishop of the Great Lakes (Retired)

† The Rt. Rev. Frank S. Logue, Bishop of Georgia

† The Rt. Rev. Craig Loya, Bishop of Minnesota

† The Rt. Rev. Kym Lucas, Bishop of Colorado

† The Rt. Rev. Shannon MacVean-Brown, Bishop of Vermont

† The Rt. Rev. F. Clayton Matthews, Bishop Suffragan of Virginia (Retired)

† The Rt. Rev. J. Scott Mayer, Bishop of Northwest Texas

† The Rt. Rev. Dorsey McConnell, VIII Bishop of Pittsburgh (Retired)

† The Rt. Rev. Jack McKelvey, VII Bishop of Rochester (Retired)

† The Rt. Rev. Jeffrey W. Mello, Bishop of Connecticut

† The Rt. Rev. Juan Carlos Quiñonez Mera, Bishop of Central Ecuador

† The Rt. Rev. Rodney Michel, Bishop Suffragan of Long Island (Retired)

† The Rt. Rev. Betsey Monnot, Bishop of Iowa

† The Rt. Rev. Robert O’Neill, X Bishop of Colorado (Retired)

† The Rt. Rev. Todd Ousley, Bishop Provisional of Wyoming

† The Rt. Rev. Jacob W. Owensby, Bishop of Western Louisiana

† The Rt. Rev. George E. Packard, Bishop Suffragan of Armed Forces and Federal Ministries (Retired)

† The Rt. Rev. Bonnie A. Perry, Bishop of Michigan

† The Rt. Rev. Kenneth L. Price, Jr., Assisting Bishop of Southern Ohio

† The Rt. Rev. Brian N. Prior, X Bishop of Minnesota (Retired)

† The Rt. Rev. Lawrence C. Provenzano, Bishop of Long Island

† The Rt. Rev. John Rabb, Bishop Suffragan of Maryland (Retired)

† The Rt. Rev. Rayford J. Ray, Bishop of Northern Michigan

† The Rt. Rev. David G. Read, Bishop of West Texas

† The Rt. Rev. Jennifer Reddall, Bishop of Arizona

† The Rt. Rev. Poulson Reed, Bishop of Oklahoma

† The Rt. Rev. Gretchen Rehberg, Bishop of Spokane

† The Rt. Rev. David Rice, Bishop of San Joaquin

† The Rt. Rev. Austin K. Rios, Bishop of California

† The Rt. Rev. Ann Ritonia, Bishop Suffragan of Armed Forces and Federal Ministries for the Episcopal Church

† The Rt. Rev. Bavi (Nedi) Rivera, VII Bishop of Eastern Oregon (Retired)

† The Rt. Rev. Phoebe A. Roaf, Bishop of West Tennessee

† The Rt. Rev. Gene Robinson, IX Bishop of New Hampshire (Retired)

† The Rt. Rev. Samuel S. Rodman, Bishop Diocesan of North Carolina

† The Rt. Rev. Catherine S. Roskam, Bishop Suffragan of New York (Retired)

† The Rt. Rev. Kathryn M. Ryan, Bishop Suffragan of Texas

† The Rt. Rev. Audrey C. Scanlan, Bishop Diocesan of the Susquehanna

† The Rt. Rev. Alan Scarfe, IX Bishop of Iowa (Retired)

† The Rt. Rev. Carrie Schofield-Broadbent, Bishop of Maryland

† The Rt. Rev. Gordon P. Scruton, VIII Bishop of Western Massachusetts, (Retired)

† The Rt. Rev. Brian Seage, Assisting Bishop of Texas

† The Rt. Rev. James J. Shand, X Bishop of Easton (Retired)

† The Rt. Rev. Kara Wagner Sherer, Bishop of Rochester

† The Rt. Rev. Allen Shin, Bishop Suffragan of New York

† The Rt. Rev. Mark S. Sisk, XV Bishop of New York (Retired)

† The Most Rev. Melissa M. Skelton, Bishop Provisional of Olympia (Retired)

† The Rt. Rev. Rob Skirving, Bishop of East Carolina

† The Rt. Rev. John McKee Sloan, XI Bishop of Alabama (Retired)

† The Rt. Rev. William E. Smalley, VIII Bishop of Kansas (Retired)

† The Rt. Rev. Andrew D. Smith, XIV Bishop of Connecticut (Retired)

† The Rt. Rev. George Wayne Smith, X Bishop of Missouri (Retired)

† The Rt. Rev. Douglas E. Sparks, Bishop of Northern Indiana

† The Rt. Rev. Phyllis Spiegel, Bishop of Utah

† The Rt. Rev. Marty Stebbins, Bishop Diocesan of Montana

† The Rt. Rev. E. Mark Stevenson, Bishop Diocesan of Virginia

† The Rt. Rev. William H. Stokes, XII Bishop of New Jersey (Retired)

† The Rt. Rev. George Sumner, XII Bishop of Dallas (Retired)

† The Rt. Rev. Eugene Taylor Sutton, Assisting Bishop of Washington

† The Rt. Rev. G. Porter Taylor, VI Bishop of Western North Carolina (Retired)

† The Rt. Rev. John Harvey Taylor, Bishop of Los Angeles

† The Rt. Rev. Jos Tharakan, Bishop of Idaho

† The Rt. Rev. Brian Thom, Bishop of North Dakota

† The Rt. Rev. Morris K. Thompson, Jr., XI Bishop of Louisiana (Retired)

† The Rt. Rev. John S. Thornton, XI Bishop of Idaho (Retired)

† The Rt. Rev. Martin G.Townsend, IX Bishop of Easton, MD (Retired)

† The Rt. Rev. Megan Traquair, Bishop of Northern California

† The Rt. Rev. Michael L. Vono, IX Bishop of the Rio Grande (Retired)

† The Rt. Rev. Pierre W. Whalon, IX Bishop in charge of the Convocation of Episcopal Churches in Europe (Retired)

† The Rt. Rev. Keith B. Whitmore, V Bishop of Eau Claire (Retired)

† The Rt. Rev. Julia E. Whitworth, Bishop Diocesan of Massachusetts

† The Rt. Rev. Arthur B. Williams, Jr., Bishop Suffragan of Ohio (Retired)

† The Rt. Rev. Jeremiah D. Williamson, Bishop of Albany

† The Rt. Rev. Ruth Woodliff-Stanley, Bishop of South Carolina

† The Rt. Rev. Wayne P. Wright, X Bishop of Delaware (Retired)

† The Rt. Rev. Rob Wright, Bishop of Atlanta

† The Rt. Rev. George D. Young, III, III Bishop of East Tennessee (Retired)

Click here for some vegetarian recipe ideas for the Conscious Eating Potluck.

Interested in volunteering?

Late this fall, Missoula’s First United Methodist Church and First Presbyterian Church asked Holy Spirit to join with them and three other faith communities to provide simple overnight housing for unhoused people when winter temperatures hit 10 degrees or below.

If you remember Bishop Marty’s words to us that “children of God are called to shine,” what’s coming next won’t be a surprise. We are called to do what we can to help others in our community with what we can offer.

We said yes, we can help. We can try. So for two weeks this winter, Holy Spirit will be an overflow sleeping site for up to 20 people on the coldest nights when the Poverello does not have room. Our two weeks are Feb 1-7 and Feb 22-28. This is part of a six-church effort with Missoula Interfaith Cooperative, the city of Missoula, and the Poverello, with each church offering overflow housing for two weeks. Both First United Methodist and First Presbyterian participated last year and found it a positive experience.

Our housing role kicks in only if the overnight temps drop to 10 degrees or colder. MIC provides two trained staff for the overnight hours, transportation and insurance for the program. The POV provides screening, mats and blankets. We provide a warm place to sleep – the Parish Hall. People will arrive at 8 p.m. and leave at 8 a.m. Those staying with us will have been okayed by the POV, which doesn’t allow use of drugs or alcohol. The MIC staff will clean our spaces each morning.

For our “on” weeks, we are looking for several volunteers from our parish to meet and welcome people when they arrive in the evening at 8 pm. Volunteers can expect to be on site for 30-45 minutes. Rev. Terri and Rev. Gretchen will take turns being present in the morning – making coffee, setting out simple breakfast items and making sure things are okay. We also need several volunteers to help out with Gretchen and Terri in the mornings. Is evening welcome or help at breakfast something you feel called to do? Let the office know.

In deciding to do this, Vestry members thought carefully about our capacity and consulted with staff. While other churches are able to take on up to 40 people, we decided our bathroom facilities would only work for a smaller number.

Before our first week on duty, we’re getting ready. At the request of the Montessori school that rents space from us, we are adding locks to make sure their environment is not disturbed. Our kitchen will be secured. But, chiefly, we are trusting the MIC staff to protect the well-being of our space and the people making use of it. We’ll be defining our “house rules” so that everyone is clear on what we expect. If there are significant problems, we will step out of this program.

The Vestry and our clergy hope you will support this short-term gift of warm space to people who need it this winter. It might not be easy. It might not be our preference. But extending this help at this time seems within our reach.

Please talk with any Vestry member, Terri or Gretchen with questions or concerns. If you can be part of our small volunteer team, let us know.

 Position Title: Bookkeeper/Office Assistant
Location: Holy Spirit Episcopal Church, 130 South 6th Street East, Missoula, MT
Status: Part-time, hourly (up to 20 hours/week)
Reports to: Parish Administrator and Treasurer
Submit your resume to: office@holyspiritmissoula.org

Position Summary

Holy Spirit Episcopal Church seeks a detail-oriented and trustworthy Bookkeeper/Office Assistant to support the financial and administrative operations of our parish. This hybrid role blends weekly bookkeeping tasks with office support, contributing to the smooth running of church life and stewardship. The ideal candidate is organized, discreet, and comfortable working independently while collaborating with clergy, staff, and volunteers. This role is essential to the financial integrity and daily rhythm of our church, helping ensure that our ministries and worship run smoothly.

Qualifications and Skills:

• Experience with QuickBooks and Excel required
• Familiarity with Realm (ACS) or similar church management software preferred; training available within the first 90 days
• Experience with Word and Microsoft Office preferred
• Strong attention to detail and confidentiality
• Ability to manage multiple tasks and deadlines independently
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills
• Comfort with basic office equipment and digital tools
• Prior bookkeeping or administrative experience preferred
• Successful completion of the Episcopal Church Safeguarding training
• Successful completion of a background check as required by the Episcopal Diocese of Montana

Schedule and Compensation:

• Part-time hourly position, not to exceed 20 hours per week
• Schedule is flexible within weekday hours
• Hourly rate is $22/hour - $25/hour , based on experience and qualifications.
• This position does not include benefits.

 Bookkeeping Responsibilities

Weekly:

• Record deposits in QuickBooks and Excel. Download donations from Pushpay and record in QuickBooks and Excel.
• Record contributions in Realm (ACS), a church management software
• Monitor bank activity and resolve discrepancies
• Make midweek bank deposits and retrieve night bag
• Process payables by check or EFT and record in QuickBooks and Excel

Monthly:

• Process payroll (checks and direct deposit); file federal and state payroll taxes
• Reconcile parish and Memorial Board bank accounts
• Reconcile Realm and QuickBooks; update Stewardship tables
• Maintain Miscellaneous Random Givers and Altar Flowers records
• Enter investment data into QuickBooks; assist treasurer with Vestry reports
• Create financial reports for Vestry and Memorial Board 

Occasional:

• Prepare quarterly and year-end giving statements
• File quarterly 941 and unemployment reports
• Convert Stewardship tables for new year
• Assist with budget prep and tracking
• Contribute to Annual Report (financial pages, proofreading)
• Prepare Form 990, W-2s, 1099s, and related filings
• Support Parochial Report preparation
• Provide financial data for Outreach and other ministries
• Record and adjust pledges in Realm
• Prepare documentation for audits and special reports

Office Assistant Responsibilities

Weekly:

• Send reminders to ushers and counters
• Download and print children’s bulletins
• Assist with church setup for services 

Occasional:

• Order copier supplies
• Proofread monthly printed newsletter
• Assist with newsletter mailing and bulk mailings (Stewardship, holidays)
• Provide coverage during Parish Administrator’s vacation:
  • Update bulletins, e-newsletter (Spirited Times), Facebook posts, Vestry packet
  • Respond to administrative needs
• Support church directory production (as needed from Realm)
• Other duties as assigned

About Holy Spirit Episcopal Church

We are a welcoming and inclusive parish committed to worship, service, and community. Our staff and volunteers work collaboratively to support the spiritual and operational life of the church. Learn more about Holy Spirit Episcopal Church at holyspiritmissoula.org.

We welcome applicants who share our commitment to service, stewardship, and community. Come be part of a team that values collaboration, compassion, and joyful worship. Submit your resume to: office@holyspiritmissoula.org

As immigration enforcement actions across the country have increased in the past three months in size, scope and severity, from traffic stops to mass deportations, churches are no longer safe spaces. ICE agents are free to conduct searches for suspected undocumented immigrants and make arrests. One of the very first acts of the administration on Jan. 20 was to rescind the 30-year federal immigration “sensitive locations” policy prohibiting such actions in houses of worship or during religious ceremonies except in very narrow circumstances.

In our view, and in the view of the national Episcopal Church and many other religious groups, this government policy violates our guarantees of religious freedom under the First Amendment.

A central precept of our faith is welcoming the stranger. ​​Every human being, regardless of birthplace, is a child of God worthy of dignity, care, and love. Our scriptures, our teachings and our traditions point us firmly to the obligation to embrace, serve, and defend the refugees, asylum seekers, and immigrants in our midst without regard to documentation or legal status. We don’t check documents at the church door.

Churches, synagogues and other houses of worship, particularly in areas with large migrant populations, have felt the chill of the new enforcement climate. As one lawsuit challenging the end of the sensitive locations policy noted, “Some congregants with legal status are choosing to stay home out of fear that they may be mistakenly arrested simply because of their appearance.  Ministries that serve largely undocumented farm worker populations, have had to be ended or restructured to keep congregants safe.”

While churches in Missoula may not be as likely to be visited by ICE, it is certainly not outside the realm of possibility. We are glad that our national church has stepped up to defend our sacred spaces, protect the vulnerable and stand up for our religious freedom. In addition, our church and many others are advocating for bills to protect churches and other sensitive locations such as schools and hospitals, which have been introduced in Congress with many co-sponsors (H.R. 1061/S.455). Please call or write to our Congress members urging passage of this measure.

As Julia Ayala Harris, president of the Episcopal House of Deputies, said, “Let us be the church that future generations will remember as having stood firm in faith, unwavering in welcome, and unshakeable in our commitment to human dignity.”

Rev. Terri Grotzinger
Rev. Gretchen Strohmaier
Co-Rectors, Holy Spirit Episcopal Church