Fall is always a busy time on the Residential campus at Intermountain. Before we know it, we are making preparations for the holidays. This year’s preparations come with the added excitement of the children’s participation in helping decorate the first ever Chaplain’s Tree at Intermountain’s Festival of Trees. Good friend and supporter of Intermountain’s Chaplain’s Program, Lisa Lovell-Mattioli, has agreed to be the tree designer and coordinate the effort. Chaplain Chris Haughee has been working diligently with the children to create ornaments for the tree that point to the spiritual significance of the season. Janet Tatz, our Jewish Educator, will be supplying items for the tree display that reference the wonderful Jewish education and mentoring that is also a part of our Chaplain’s program. Surrounding the tree will be donated items from local supporters and churches that have expressed excitement about drawing special attention to the spiritual and cultural development of children while they are in residential treatment.
Decorations on the tree will be predominantly white and gold, drawing upon the purity and majesty associated with God, regardless of religious tradition. The ornaments will be “Chrismons”—or “Christ monograms,” a tradition started at Ascension Lutheran Church in Danville, Virginia about sixty years ago. Since that time, a number of churches have started a tradition of displaying a tree in their sanctuaries that tells the story of Christmas through signs and symbols. As the children have been learning throughout the Fall, there is a great deal of meaning and power connected between the mysteries of faith and the signs and symbols we choose to represent them.
Chaplain Chris has taken a great deal of care in preparing materials for partner churches to participate alongside our children as they learn more about the Chrismons and the meaning behind them. If you have yet to examine those materials, make sure you check out the resource page on the intermountainministry.org website. There are sermon outlines, children’s sermons, candle lighting liturgies, and a special Advent devotional based on the Chrismon symbols. Finally, if you have the opportunity to attend this year’s Festival of Trees in Helena, please take time to visit the Chaplain’s Tree and see just how beautifully our children’s creations have made the tree. Every child was given the chance to participate, and we believe that you’ll find even the little imperfections in their creations to be a reminder of the love and grace God shows us and wants us to know during this season. All the money raised by auctioning the Chaplain’s Tree will go right back into the spiritual and cultural education of our children. So, even if you cannot attend, please pray for a wonderful and successful festival and great generosity by the donor that will end up purchasing the Chaplain’s Tree!
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