April 5, 2009 - Letters to the Churches of Carbon County and Beyond

Here is a stuffed sunk to symbolize a major event at St. Luke's in Medicine Bow. The story goes that Bruce Caldwell arrived for the bishop's visit to be met with this strong smell that made it impossible to worship. Arlen when in search for the offensive odor to discover that a sunk had died underneath the church. With some careful maneuvering, Arlen got the sunk out of the building and all was well.

The great think about this picture was that it was taken about three years ago and those same kids are still seen worshiping at St. Thomas. Yes, they have grown up, but they are still around. As you can see they really enjoyed coloring the eggs. This year St. Thomas decided to us plastic eggs just in case they are not found. No offending odors this year or years to come.

Here was one of those rare events that the church actually made it outside and marched around the church in Encampment. It was fun and a pleasant spring morning. Right now I am sure that the place is covered with snow, but being spring time in Wyoming the snow will quickly melt and green grass is soon to follow.

Boy this picture brings back memories. This is a picture of the Wasinger girls three years ago. The third Wasinger girl will be born about a week later. This picture was taken at St. Paul's in Dixon. Again the church today is under some snow, but given a short period of time it will be green and full of color for Spring.

April 5, 2009

It is April, right? It looks like the “winter storms” about two weeks late. I would expect these kinds of weather related issues to be among us during the month of March, but not in April. Then again we do live in Wyoming where anything is possible. I hope that your entrance to Holy Week is full of anticipation and wonder. And now it is time to move onto the news of Carbon County and beyond. I hope this letter finds you well.

Before I get started I was brought up to speed what is taking place at St. James in Encampment. I have been noting that St. James in plugging along, well this is what plugging along at St. James looks like. Lois has started a new bible study in January. They are working out details for their new parish hall and outreach ministry. Roxanne is collecting bids, and then they will meet soon to walk the church grounds to decide on a placement/orientation for the new building. Then St. James will meet for a carry-in supper to discuss the configuration of rooms, needs and possible solutions. Next steps after that will be to write a Sargent Fund grant and get the ball rolling! See, they are working diligently in their part of God’s Kingdom. Thanks Fred for the up-date.

St. Thomas has worked hard to prepare for their Holy Week by having Maundy Thursday meal. Following the meal there will be a Eucharist service that will including washing of hands. Friday, St. Thomas will have a Good Friday service and then on Holy Saturday there will be another prayer service. Given that the weather does not create too much havoc on travel plans, (Rev) Jess Smith will travel from Laramie to preside at the Easter Sunday services. Following the service there will be an Easter Egg Hunt and a brunch.

I got snowed in Rawlins this Sunday and did not make it to Dixon for the Palm Sunday service. I waited to the very last moment before making the decision not to go. The e-mails and quick up-dates on Facebook between Linda and I keep the conversation going up to the very last minute. I understand that St. Paul had their Ministry Support Team meeting this morning and will catch up with them throughout the week to see what is on the horizon for the next month. St. Paul will have a Maundy Thursday meal and service. I am not sure they will have a Good Friday or Holy Saturday services this year. If you have any questions please give Linda Fleming a call. I am planning on attending the Easter Sunday services at St. Paul’s this year (given that the weather will cooperate) along with Kellie and the Wasinger girls.

St. Luke will be celebrating the Easter Vigil this year on Saturday. Arlen and I will be the worship leaders for these series of services (they are four services that incorporate the entire Easter Vigil event). It is a community event and I am looking forward to seeing some the other members of Medicine Bow on Saturday.

It is looking like a busy week. Other appointments and meetings I will be attending this week are as follows: Monday “The Bible For Today’s Church” book study in Rawlins at 9am. That evening I will be on a web/phone meeting with the Ministry Developers and Regional Reps with the main topic of discussion will be the Mustard Seed Project. That meeting will start at 5pm and last an hour. Tuesday I will be helping an Apostolic Team member get her computer up to speed. Wednesday I will be on the weekly web/phone meeting with Ministry Developers at 8am for an hour and that afternoon I head over to Laramie to work on a personal project and attend to some more tech issues. Thursday I dive into the Holy Week activities starting in Rawlins and ending the week in Dixon. Be well my friends.

Shalom,

Doug