St. Luke (Medicine Bow): I don’t much to report except I did receive news (through facebook) that last Sunday (Feb 28) that there was 15 people in attendance. The average attendance has been around about 6 people including the presider. I am not 100% sure what has changed, but I have a sense that the power of invitation has something to do with it. During the annual meeting it was decided that times of services would be made public in the surrounding towns including Medicine Bow. The idea that regular services continued to be held demonstrates the spirit of Wyoming in that adversity will be trumped by the patience will to continue to gather in God’s name. The leadership of that congregation is finding their strength.I heard that the bus that is taking the nominees throughout the state drove through the town of Medicine Bow on their way to Rawlins last Thursday. I-80 was up to its normal behavior in the month of February (moments of clear roads and sky followed by limited visibility and ice). I think this turned out to be a good opportunity for the nominees to see the diversity of this great state.
St. James (Encampment): This too is a fun group who has found energy. I was presiding there last Sunday (Feb 28) and we talked about the walkabout and other current projects (mostly planning on building a parish hall that will include handicap access for the church as well as a bathroom). After the service we all drove over to the Johnson’s house to begin Wade in the Water which is a four session program about Baptismal Ministry. The diocese of Wyoming uses the title Shared Ministry, nevertheless the purpose of this is to increase the awareness that ministry is shared among all the people of the Church through their baptism in to the Body of Christ. They were so energized by the presentation that they are going to host a session on their own in which everybody will be responsible for a piece of the presentation (worship leader, session leader, and hospitality). Great stuff.One of the parishioners of St. James (Encampment) noted that the election of bishops has been primarily done by vestries and that they lived with who was chosen. This election process the laity of Encampment has met with the nominees (or will by the time the walkabout reaches its conclusion) three different times in three different locations. The involvement of the smaller churches of Region 4 is encouraging.
St. Thomas (Rawlins): They have also started Wade in the Water as their Lenten study. The first session was last Tuesday I have heard reports that 10 people were in attendance. After spending much time in their formation process and preparing for the ordination of a local priest, it is encouraging to see that the people are wanting to work on some more education and formation work around a shared understanding of baptismal ministry. Sure sounds like Lent to me!The nominees had a “coffee hour” event scheduled for the walkabout. They arrived on Thursday in Rawlins in the midst of a spring snow storm (rather mild compared to back East) and got a tour of the church. Members of Encampment, Green River, Rawlins, and Saratoga were all present and had a chance to talk to nominees to get to know them in an informal setting. The transition team (who are given an difficult task) managed to herd the group onto the bus in time to make it to St. Paul’s (Dixon) for their lunch appointment.
St. Paul (Dixon): A couple of weeks ago I attended two events back to back. The first event was the traditional Strove Tuesday dinner in which is a community event for the Little Snake River Valley. For two hours people from the community drop in to eat eggs, pancakes, and sausage. The people in attendance range from children to their grand-parents. The next day I arrived to participate in the Ash Wednesday service. It has been a couple of years since I was in St. Paul’s for this service.There was some discussion about the possibility that the nominees will have to take a pass on attending lunch during the walkabout. I was bold in my prediction (yet within my mind was a bit uncertain) that all will work out and that St. Paul would be one of the stops that would be made. It came to pass and the fine people of Little Snake River Valley hosted a fine meal and go to show off their outreach ministry called ARK (Amazing River Kids).
Bishop Walkabout: Here are some of my observations of the process to date. During periods of major transitions emotions, feelings, memories, and thoughts that have remained dormant are awakened. Some of these emotions, feelings, memories, and thoughts are comforting as well as troubling. This being said I believe it means that we are human beings who care deeply and passionately about our church and God. I have found myself in a period of discernment and asking questions that upset my own perspective of the world. This is not a bad thing and I see this as another aspect of God’s revealing nature to the church and the world. I trust that God has been invited into this journey and that together we will come to know what God is calling Wyoming to and be.
It is fitting that this walkabout and election should be held during the Lenten season. I find myself taking the approach that I show-up with my “lunch pail” and report to work with God directing my efforts. As I let go of outcomes and yield my own will to God’s I have encountered a spirit of grief and lost, yet I am comforted in the knowledge that there is a resurrection event that is included in the narrative. I have discovered that the relationships that have been forged in the past have a hidden and deep strength that can carry us all and I am thankful to be a participant in this process. May God continue to bless us all on this journey of discovery.Ok, what is on deck for this week? Today (Tuesday) I will be meeting with Pat Walsh as we talk to the Boys and Girls Club of Rawlins about Wyoming Wilderness Camp. Wednesday is the weekly check in call on WebEx with the Ministry Developers, office hours at Kraft Hall and Wade in the Water – Session 2 @ St. Thomas starting at 5:30pm Thursday I will be heading to Laramie to work on my personal project and that evening I will be hosting a WebEx meeting (and it is also a conference call for those who want to use their phone) to debrief the walkabout. Friday is one of those administrative days and Sunday I will presiding at two services starting at St. Thomas in Rawlins and finishing at St. Paul’s in Dixon.
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