Letters to the Churches of Carbon County and Beyond

September 27 2010

Hello folks of Carbon County and a friendly Wyoming welcome to those who receive this letter who live outside of the part of Wyoming I live and work. This has been a different month for me as I traveled to California to preside at the wedding of my cousin and to visit with members of my family that I have never met. As we draw to the end of the month of September and draw our sights toward the Diocesan Convention that will be held in a couple of weeks, I wanted to drop everybody a line on what has been taking place. I hope this letter finds you well.

St. Luke's (Medicine Bow): It was good to catch up with the fine folks of St. Luke's on Sunday. When I arrived I found some of the back pews full of clothes from their “boot” sale. The concept is that booths or slots would be available for others to set up and to sell their items for a small fee. There were few if any takers, however there was plenty of donations. As it turns out they made almost $500 on the event. The reminder of the clothes have been donated to the Town of Medicine Bow as they prepare for “Medicine Bow Days”. Arlen got a bit teary during announcements as he shared that his life is going to be changing as he is planning on spending more time with visiting with family in the months ahead. This did not come to any surprise to St. Luke and they expressed their gratitude for his ongoing service to the church. I pointed out that this is not the end, but another chapter in their lives. We had our coffee hour outside due to the wonderful weather and a man who lives in Texas and is working in the air stopped on by to visit and had a cup of coffee. Talk about hospitality!

St. Paul's (Dixon): As it turns out for the past three months I have missed being present for the morning Eucharist service. Nevertheless I still stay connected by attending their bi-weekly “Bible Cafe” that meets on Mondays. The meetings rotate around the valley as they meet in different homes and read the bible from different versions. People are encouraged to share what they think and feel when the bible is read. At the conclusion of the reading period the social takes place as coffee or tea is served along with some kind of irresistible sweets. The last time we met we read Ecclesiastes and Solomon can paint a depressing picture. Toward the end of the book the vision of humanity was redeemed. I have found this time to be helpful as I learn what is taking place and stay connected with the members of the church beyond a Sunday service.

St. Thomas (Rawlins): As I turn to closer to home in Rawlins I don't really have to much to report about St. Thomas. They had a successful rummage sale a couple of weeks ago and this is becoming an annual event. The leadership of the church are moving into the fall rhythm and this year it is shift has brought about some change in the level of participation of some of the members of the church. This is normal as people's lives change along with their commitments. I look forward to the next chapter of St. Thomas' life as a church. In some other ways my participation remains the same as I hold office hours and prepare for the book study of “Born of Water, Born of Spirit”, and preside once a month.

St. James (Encampment): This group of people continue to be the church in their special way. They are a small and mighty group of faithful people. From what I have learned life continues to be be full of activity. They are preparing to participate in the up-coming convention and it will be good to see them there in Laramie.

What is coming up? Monday is a full day. It seems to happen when I come off vacation. I am not complaining because I really prefer to jump in with both feet. Starting at 8:30am I will be on the weekly WebEx meeting with the Ministry Developers, then I will travel to Little Snake River Valley to spend the reminder of the day visiting with folks and attending the Fall Bible Cafe. My day will conclude with another WebEx meeting with the Regional Reps and Ministry Developers at 5:30pm. Tuesday I will be spending the day in the office preparing a sermon and attending a WebEx meeting at 6:45pm for Evangelism. Wednesday I will be holding office hours at Kraft Hall from 10:30am to 12pm. That evening I will be in Casper for the Ordination of the Rev. Kay Flores and the Rev. Tristan English into the priesthood. I have been asked to be one of the presenters for Kay. What an honor. Thursday through Friday I will be in Cody for “Getting to Share with the Bishop”. Like I said a full week coming off a well rested vacation. See everybody on the highways and byways of Wyoming!

Letters to the Churches of Carbon County and Beyond

Hello fine folks of those who receive this letter which spans from Wyoming across the United States. For those who where looking for this letter last week I was coming off double service day right into Labor Day which I decided to take a break from my labors. And now I am back into the grove. Labor Day Weekend is the unofficial mark the end of the summer or another way to look at it the beginning of Fall. As I looked around for the past two weeks I noticed a theme, What has changed? Well that is what this letter is all about. I hope it finds you well.

St. James (Encampment): I was there this Sunday. There has been a couple who retired from Nebraska who has been attending lately, but somehow I only met today. As it turns out they have experienced a form of Shared Ministry and are familiar with the concept. It is good to compare notes and see how others are living into this kind of Ministry. My middle child traveled with me this day. It was good to have the extra company. As I looked around St. James in Encampment what has really changed? They are singing now. Yes, an opening and closing hymn is now being sung. That is noticeable change since I starting working with them in 2003.

St. Paul (Little Snake River Valley): I spend two full days with them this week. Bishop Smylie had his annual visit and getting to know people and the churches which started Tuesday. St. Paul has this tradition where they meet during the warmer months for Compline and Thanksgiving service that is conducted outside around a fire. Bishop Smylie was in attendance to experience on aspect of the spiritual life of the church and really enjoyed himself. The next day (Wednesday) I spent the afternoon visiting with Bishop Smylie and assisted in celebrating the Holy Eucharist that night. After the service he shared what he has been doing and what is coming up. What changed at St. Paul's? Something that may not seems to be a big deal, but it really helped St. Paul when they set up for the dinner. It was their new tables. One person was laughing and said that they no longer need to cover up the old ones!

St. Thomas (Rawlins): I attended two different but related meetings with them on Thursday. The first meeting was the Ministry Support Team in which we are building the Ministry Role Description of the MST. They are preparing to enter a discernment period in which new leadership is being called into that role. Then I attended a vestry meeting in which they had a honest conversation about what it means to have a resident priest in their midst. What has changed? The arrival of a locally formed priest who is becoming more comfortable in her role and the opening for discernment for the next year's leadership who will be supporting the ministries of the church and partnering with the vestry in this work.

St. Luke (Medicine Bow): There is not much to report on this end for the week. I know that they are working hard to prepare for their annual rummage sale which will take place in about two weeks time. After the rummage sale (which will take place on Saturday) I will be celebrating the Holy Eucharist outside to prepare the church for the winter. What has changed? The leadership of the church is looking at different ways to be the church with the knowledge that one their faithful and reliable leaders will not longer be able to attend. She has moved to be with her family. I am hopeful that God will provide the answers for the future.

What is coming up? Monday I am having a meeting with the Rawlins Police Chaplains and then I head to LSRV for their first Fall Bible Cafe for the season which starts at 2pm. Wednesday I will be hosting office hours at Kraft Hall starting at 10:30 am to 12pm. Thursday through next Wednesday I will be in California to preside at my cousin's wedding have spending some quality time with my middle child. Have a great week!