Letters to the Churches of Carbon County

I cannot imagine how much material I have covered for the past ten years through writing this weekly letter. This all started back in seminary when a professor told my class that most people will not understand us as we are transformed over the three years. That started my weekly habit of writing letters to family and friends. When I arrived in Wyoming to continue my calling into Shared Ministry I continued to write. Week after week I wrote and today I continue to follow that discipline. Why do I write? First it was to sharpen my writing skills and to keep others informed about what I do week to week. As a Ministry Developer it is easy for people to fall into that trap – out of sight out of mind. I now write to tell the story of Region 4 in Wyoming. I am not sure that I fully capture the stories that are told, but I remain faithful and let outcomes be what they are. Ok, now onto what has taken place for the past week. I hope this letter finds you well.

St. James (Encampment): I don't have much to report this week. I heard that they are in conversation with the Foundation about their grant proposal to build a bathroom/parish hall. There was a suggestion that the project be done in two stages and it was pointed out in the grant proposal that was a possible suggestion. Rev. Jess Smith presided yesterday and there is a chance that he will be back next week to catch them up on the Eucharist Services next week. St. James is also planning on attending the local Senior Center Flea Market and the kids of the church are planning on selling baked goods to raise money to pay to them to attend Wyoming Wilderness Camp next year. Other than that they are busy with various events of life.

St. Luke (Medicine Bow): Last Sunday I received encouraging news. One of the faithful members of the church who has in the past travels south for the winter and informed the church that this year she has checked it out with her doctors and family and has received permission to remain in Medicine Bow for the winter. It may be her last because after that she will be ninety years old. Great to be that vital at that age! There also has been some brief discussion about purchasing a new “wall furnace” to lower the heating costs. As it turns out there is enough money from their rummage sale this year to pay for about half of the cost upfront. Not bad at all for a church that is stilling looking at ways to have a bathroom!

St. Paul's (Dixon a.k.a. LSRV): Last week they hosted a discussion about immigration in the United States and more particularly what is taking place in Arizona. As it turns out members of the church leadership winter in different parts of Arizona and so it was nice to hear more of what people are struggling with from a local perspective. The big insight for me was to hear stories that for some people from Mexico they have traveled to the United States because they are safe here in large part as a response to the growing drug trafficking problem and wars among gangs jockeying for position among themselves.

St. Thomas (Rawlins): Oh how did I manage to overlook St. Thomas? Perhaps it is because I was just there! What is taking place? Last week I was a member of a graveside service of Wyoming Engstrom who received sacramental support from St. Thomas for as long as I remember. Also Rev. Karen Buckingham has attended her 5^th of 6 systems retreat last week. I am looking forward to hearing about what she has learned.

Ministry Developer: Last Thursday I talked to two people from St. Barnabas about discernment and preaching licensing. We shall see how this unfolds in the future. What is coming up? Well I attended the Fall Bible Cafe in LSRV on Monday and today I attended the Gospel Study at St. Thomas. I have made a couple of phone calls and now I am moving toward the middle part of my week in fine fashion. I am the “on-call” chaplain this week and so I will be dropping in for the briefings with the Rawlins Police Department. It is also a week for WebEx as I will be participating in three meetings – Ministry Developers, Evangelism, and Regional Reps. This Sunday I head over to Region 5 to preside at St. David's (Fort Bridger) and St. John's (Green River) and I will be back in home to enjoy the Halloween festivities. Have a great week!