Letters to the Churches of Carbon County and Beyond - June 14, 2009

This guy looks like he is up to something! Perhaps it is because he is having too much fun with Wade in the Water in Medicine Bow. In any event this person is always looking for ways to build up the church.

Here is a picture of the faithful gathering every Sunday at St. Paul's in Dixon. It is a delight to worship with these fine folks of the Little Snake River Valley.

Yes this picture was taken a year ago. The children always bring good cheer to our churches in Wyoming. This picture was taken in Encampment at St. James.

This gentleman is a wonderful grandfather in his own rights. This child is not related to him, however he does not pass up an opportunity be blessed by the presence of babies. It can feed the soul. (St. Thomas in Rawlins)

June 14, 2009

Hello folks of Carbon County. I hope the June month has been pleasant and rewarding. Looking around the County this is what has been taking place – St. Luke’s has completed one session of Wade in the Water; St. Paul’s working through the summer month with their Summer Café bible reflection; St. Thomas is going to have VBS this upcoming week. I hope this letter finds you well.

Last Monday was a quite day in sorts. I mostly hung around the office at home and worked on various projects like sermon prep, reviewed e-mails, and got ready for the web/phone meeting with the regional reps. When the meeting was beginning we realized that the phone call was scheduled for a different time, nevertheless, we worked through the slight scheduling and technology issue can carried on. The major pressing piece of work for this group is helping the Diocese make more available the Safeguarding God’s Children training for our churches and communities. We have decided that we will look at scheduling regional presentations along with those congregations who wish to host a local training in their congregations. During our web/phone conversation we also did a general check in as well to listen to what is taking place throughout the Diocese.

Wednesday was another web/phone meeting with the Ministry Developers. We follow-up on our conversation with the regional reps and Safeguarding God’s Children and will include some work that Kathy has done around this work when she was a director of a pre-school. We also did some general check in which some attending funerals, trainings, transitions in Region VI and V, and other various personal happenings. The Ministry Developers are using a tool called scenario planning as a way of looking into the future (in some predicable and intentional way if that is even possible – smile) and we were reminded to work on our area of assignment. The reminder of the day was spent on preparation of up-coming Wade in the Water session in Medicine Bow, sermon, phone calls and the like.

Thursday I was in Kraft Hall in Rawlins for a couple of hours. I spoke with Kathleen Ford about baptism preparation in July in Rawlins, helped plan the service on Sunday and hung out to field questions and requests. I worked a bit on my part of the scenario planning which is about writing a story about a response and challenge in the Diocese. Friday was much the same.

Saturday I drove over to Medicine Bow and meet with the fine folks of St. Luke’s. They have decided to go through Wade in the Water educational program this summer. The primary reason is that during the winter travel is a bit of a challenge and an important member of the congregation heads south after Christmas and does not return until Easter. This seems to be the best time to get together. We had a carry in breakfast and started the first session. It was a good time.

Sunday I was at St. Thomas in Rawlins. Karen Buckingham, newly ordained into the transitional diaconate, had return from her trip to Oregon and this was the first Sunday for us to work together as a worship team. I will admit it felt different working with a deacon during a service and I like it. There was a birthday to be celebrated by one of the younger members of the congregation and we blessed the wonderful 4 year old.

This summer seems to be taking a lighter and laid back approach this year. I am being a bit more intentional about slowing down to rest and play during these months. I have found this to be very beneficial for my spiritual and mental well being. Yet the work continues to be done as the leadership of our Diocese continues to work toward the call of the next bishop, General Convention this year that starts in August, and to continue to listen to what our next steps will be in our journey with God. I really hope that people of this wonderful state take time to enjoy the many blessings that we are given from God.

The up-coming week looks like this – Monday I will be attending a graveside service in Rawlins starting at 9am and St. Thomas will kick off their VBS for the week. On Monday afternoon I will travel to LSRV for their summer café bible reflection. Tuesday is a working day for me in which I will be hosting “MDC Certificate Project Possible Learners for Project” web/phone meeting starting at 1pm. Wednesday is the regular weekly web/phone check in with the Ministry Developers at 8am. That afternoon I will host Pre-General Convention web/phone meeting starting at 4pm. Thursday is office hour day at Kraft Hall from 10-12pm in Rawlins. Thursday I will be driving to Green River and hosting the second session of Wade in the Water at St. John’s starting at 6:30pm. Friday I will in Laramie working on my personal project. Throughout the week I am planning on stopping by St. Thomas and seeing how the VBS is coming along (and taking pictures). It looks like Saturday will be spent with the family (and maybe fishing). Sunday I have two services with the first one in Encampment at St. James starting at 9am and the second service in Dixon at St. Paul’s. Before the service at St. Paul’s I will be leading training for pastoral care for one hour.

Be well my friends!

Doug