Letters to the Churches of Carbon County and Beyond

Ok folks. Nothing profound in thought or meaning this week. It will be a typical up-date of activities throughout Carbon County and what I am doing with the churches that I work with. The colors of the trees are changing and it seems like this took place like a flip of a switch. Much like the past two weeks. Now, to move on to the activities of Carbon County and Beyond! I hope this letter finds you well.

St. James (Encampment): This is what I know. Their grant proposal for a bathroom/parish hall with renovations to the church building has been reviewed and there needs to be some slight adjustments to the grant. This is encouraging news. I have the privilege and honor to be affiliated with a church that continues to meet and worship on a regular basis and does not get distracted by physical limitations of the building. Good work! The Rev. Jess Smith and myself continue to be members of the team who provide the sacramental support to this community of faith.

St. Luke (Medicine Bow): Arlen and I are in conversation about the Preaching Licensing to be completed by December 31, 2011. Arlen was a licensed preacher under the previous process. This year the COM (Commission On Ministry) have revised the process and has asked all licensed and inspiring preachers to enter this current process (in my words) so that uniformity and standards will be met in the coming years. Again Rev. Jess Smith and I are members of the team of people who provide sacramental support for this community of faith.

St. Thomas (Rawlins): Last week I met with the Gospel Study group after being away for the summer months of 2010. It was nice to reconnect. I also talked to the MST (Ministry Support Team) of St. Thomas to share that the Diocese has entered a strategic listening and learning period that will last until next convention of 2011 in Cheyenne. It is my understanding that everything is on the table for discussion including my role as a ministry developer. This did not alarm anybody and I take this as a sign of spiritual maturity of this church. Good work St. Thomas. I also met with the vestry to explain the process of preaching license and the vestry role in the process. St. Thomas has also decided to begin having a children's Sunday school once a month and is preparing for the Fall/Winter activities such as the Rawlins Bazaar and selling Christmas wreaths.

St. Paul (Dixon): I presided at St. Paul's yesterday and I was blessed with arrival of a new family to the area. They are familiar with the liturgical worship setting and the mother of the 3^rd grader has many questions. Bring them on! We also tried something new during the Prayers of the People and played music in the background to enhance the prayerful experience. It worked well; however we need to turn the volume down so that others can hear. A very minor adjustment. The members of St. Paul's are also discerning a local priest and are considering what direction they want to take in the future.

Ministry Development (Doug): I have been working on establishing a static IP for Rawlins so that the Diocese can fully utilize the VTC (video teleconferencing) equipment. The Rev. Tristan English, Shane Glassburn (Rawlins) and I have been in conversation. I believe we are about 90 percent complete, but you never know when it comes to technology were you stand from moment to moment! I also sat in the Wyoming Wilderness Camp Board meeting last Saturday in Casper. What I can report is that this board is looking toward the future with an encouraging attitude. The camp is growing in numbers and slowly becoming more economically viable. One major growth area is if every community could send 5 to 6 kids to camps this could increase outreach at the local level and expand the opportunity for the next generation to encounter God who continues to surprise us in wonderful and unexpected ways.

What is coming up? I completed my weekly WebEx meeting with the Ministry Developers. Tuesday I will be visiting with the Gospel Study group of St. Thomas (Rawlins) @ 9am followed by meeting with the Rev. Tristan English to continue our work on the VTC. Wednesday I will have office hours at Kraft Hall (Rawlins) from 10:30am to 12pm and then I am heading to St. Paul's (Dixon) to participate in a learning and discussion session about immigration issues starting at 6pm. Friday I will be presiding at a graveside service in Rawlins starting at 10am. Sunday I will be heading to St. Luke's (Medicine Bow) to preside. Have a great week!