• Hi-Line Sletten Cancer Center

• Diabetes Resource Center
• Dialysis Unit
• Education Assistance Program
• Osteoporosis Testing Equipment
• Community Fitness Park

Pastor Brad Ulgenes, representing the Greater Havre Ministerial Association, handed over a check to Christen Obresley, Executive Director of the Northern Montana Health Care Foundation in the amount of $20,130 to be applied to the "Space for Grace" project: a dedicated non-denominational chapel to be built in Northern Montana Care Center. The ministerial association had held the funds in trust for over eight years. Click here for Space for Grace.

“Numerous contributions to the project were received from the loved ones or children of the original homesteaders of our farms and ranches,” said Ila McClenahan, Pastoral Care/Activity Director for the Care Center. “These people came to Montana and first built their houses, sometimes a barn, but definitely a church for their own communities! Mrs. Mildred Doney has been the President of the Resident Council at the Care Center for the past six years. “We have been waiting a long time for a Chapel,” said Doney. McClenahan said she had mixed emotions the day the check was in hand….of “excitement that the Chapel will be a reality mixed with memories of those residents now gone. The first memorial toward the Chapel was received in April of 2000 in memory of Christina Walker.”

“We all stand on someone’s shoulders,” said Rowlie Hutton, Minister of Havre’s 5^th Avenue Christian Church. He sees Space for Grace as a place that will be used for a lot of things. “It is a place to say, ‘Thanks’ to those who sacrificed for the next generation.” Pastor Hutton has been coming to offer spiritual comfort to Care Center residents for the past 12 years. Pastor John Chapman, of First Baptist Church in Havre said the Space for Grace Chapel will be “Providing a place in their [residents’] lives for spiritual rest, reflection, and strength. Without a healthy spiritual life, our physical existence is devoid of purpose and passion.” Pastor Chapman has been attending to the residents of the Care Center for the past 11 years.

“Space for Grace in the Care Center will be used for worship services, bible studies, times of meditation, funeral services, and small group gatherings," said Pastor Ulgenes, of First Lutheran Church in Havre. Pastor Ulgenes has been coming to visit and attend to residents’ spiritual needs at the Care Center for the past eight years to lead services, share communion, and devotions, as well as counsel residents and their families. “God has always been strength in our senior’s lives and we honor them by providing a place of grace and refuge in their later years. God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble.” Psalm 45:1

The Board of Trustees of the Northern Montana Health Care Foundation voted unanimously to dedicate funds raised at the 2009 Annual Invitational Golf Tournament and the Benefit Wine Gala toward the Space for Grace Project. Obresley is working in concert with McClenahan, Lori Henderson, RN Administrator and the Ministerial Association to be sure the project will be funded and will meet the needs of the residents. “It is important that our residents have a dedicated space where they can worship and have quiet time,” said Henderson. “It will be open for all denominations.” The Foundation has overseen many projects to benefit the community over the years, not the least of which was the tremendous success to raise over $1.2M to help open the new Hi-Line Sletten Cancer Center in August of 2008.  Other community projects funded by the Foundation  include the Community Fitness Park, Diabetes Education Project, Bear Paw Hospice & Home Health Care, Hospital Resource Room, Employee Education, and the Hi-Line Sleep Center and Dialysis Units Expansion.

Donations for the Space for Grace Project will be accepted by the Foundation through June 30, 2010. A donation may be made by contacting the Foundation Office at 262-1419.