Pictures from Carbon County and weekly up-date

Here is a picture of the Morrison's in action. They are getting ready for a service.












Ida is setting up the coffee hour after the service in Medicine Bow at St. Luke's. The church currently does not have a parish hall; however that might be resolved as we speak. The building across the street is being renovated.









What a picture of the fine folks of St. Paul's in Dixon. This is a Ministry Support Team meeting and please check out the background (the art work on the wall). This was done by the kids of ARK (Amazing River Kids) and it covers the walls of the parish hall.









This is a book study event at St. Thomas in Rawlins. Noticed all the books that are open on the table? The primary book for the study is "The Bible for Today's Church" from the original church teaching series.

March 1, 2009

Welcome to Lent a time to reflect, wrestle and ponder the many graces of God. It is a time of transition and shifting from one season (winter) to another season (spring and renewal). A quick tour around the area looks like this – St. James in Encampment is plugging along doing what they do best, being themselves; St. Thomas has received some good news, Karen Buckingham has received her letter of Candidacy for priesthood and working hard on their Mustard Seed Project and starting to generate interest on their addition to add an elevator and handicap accessible bathrooms; St. Luke is doing well and I do believe they have hosted a joint Ash Wednesday service in Medicine Bow; and St. Paul in Dixon has completed a community discernment process and now the individuals themselves are going to ask to discern the call themselves. I hope this letter finds you well.

Last Sunday (Feb 22, 2009) I made it over to Medicine Bow and worshiped with those fine folks of St. Luke’s. I was a bit surprised when I pulled up and found that my “parking space” has been taken over by construction equipment. That is a good thing. After talking to Arlen I found out that the city got a grant to build a childcare center and perhaps the church may have access to the building during off business hours. We shall see.

Monday I participated in a book study “The Bible for Today’s Church” and it was a good discussion. We talked about how interpretation plays an important role in reading and studying the bible. One part of the discussion was about different genres are used to express different meanings and then there was a brief discussion about how cultural events impact how the bible is read during different periods of history. From there I drove to the LSRV (Little Snake River Valley) for the winter café which they are reading the bible one book at a time. It was a good time to catch up and share what I have experienced in Israel. I don’t read the bible the same any more.

Tuesday was an all day web/phone conference with the Ministry Developers. We talked about what is taking place each of the regions, planning Holy Week services, discussed the development of Apostolic Teams throughout the state, and Wyoming Weekend to list a few items of discussion. Then I returned to LSRV for their pancake supper. It was a full day.

Wednesday was about catching up and getting ready for Ash Wednesday services at St. Thomas in Rawlins. Overall more of a day in “the office” so to speak and attempted to get caught up all on the activities and tasks that needed to be addressed during my time in Israel. Thursday I was scheduled to go to Green River, however there was not enough people available for the trip and it was decided that we should reschedule for this up-coming Thursday.

Friday I spent some time at Kraft Hall talking to people on the phone. That afternoon I headed over to Laramie to work on personal project. Saturday I drove to Casper and spent some time with the Presbyters of the Diocese. We talked about transitions and how we can live into the wilderness and not be too fearful of the wild beasts.

This Sunday (March 1, 2009) I presided at St. Paul’s in LSRV. The weather was glorious and it is a reminder that better days are coming. I have to admit being Lent it is sure hard to be somber with such great views of Wyoming. The church had a Ministry Support Team meeting following the service in which I heard about how “Cabin Fever” night was a success; planning services for April took place, and the next step of discernment for those who are called to the priesthood.

The reminder of the week looks like this – Monday I return to LSRV to talk with folks and begin the ramp up for the Apostolic Team meeting for Region IV in March. That evening I will be on a web/phone conference with the regional reps and ministry developers. Tuesday I am heading to Fort Collins to participate in a priest coaching group that helps me understand and use some of my family systems training in more effective ways. Wednesday I have the weekly check in call with my fellow Ministry Developers and that evening I will be on a web/phone conference with the Evangelism Team of the Diocese. Thursday I am planning on going to Green River to work on Rooted In God. Friday I will be found at Kraft Hall, yet I will be there earlier because I need to leave earlier to head to Laramie to work on my person project. Saturday St. Thomas will be having their monthly worship breakfast at 8:30 am at Kristi Bakery. Then Sunday I will be at St. Thomas to preside and following the service make a presentation of my time in Israel.

Be well my friends,

Doug

PS I have “changed” the blog of my trip to the holy lands. It now will include this posting so if you want to check it out feel free to ready about my trip and what is taking place in Region IV.