Letters to the Churches of Carbon County and Beyond

The snow is starting to fly here in Rawlins Wyoming. It is hard to imagine what winter looks like due to the mild and very pleasant Fall that we have been experiencing. My youngest daughter awoke on Tuesday morning, looked out the window and saw the snow on the ground. She said, “Dad! It is Christmas Time!” Talking about daughters, my middle child asked me the other day why do I go to meetings at the church? I told her that is my job. She asked me if I am going to be the the bishop and I laughed and said, “No, that is too much for me to handle right now, and I like what I am doing right now.” Then she replied, “You know Dad I like what I am doing, being an Acolyte.” The church is drawing toward an end of a liturgical season and soon will begin another year. As this takes place, I take pause and give thanks that the God that I have come to know and love is always stirring about and prompting new and wonder blessings, planted, growing, harvesting, and surrendering. The Diocese of Wyoming is entering its first (or second depending upon how one looks at it) month of listening and learning to discover God's calling for the future. With change comes grief and with this grief a new hope is born. There is much to celebrate in Carbon County and I hope that you find, in some small way, your own story being told in this weekly letters.

Ministry Developer: As I work with (Rev) Tristan English on enhancing the VTC (video/teleconferencing network) I am learning a new kind of technology language. I am also learning that there is a difference between up and down speeds on the internet. Most of us have quick “download” speeds but very limited “upload” speed. This is important because the VTC needs both. It looks like he has found a solution which could be good news for us all throughout the state. I am looking forward to moving this work from start-up to ongoing use. I am in contact with Saratoga about possibilities about ministries and I am hopeful about the future.

St. James (Encampment): I am looking forward to catching up with those fine folks of Encampment next week. I admit that being gone for almost two months is really too long. I don't want to intrude on the weekly events and I have come to learn that they do well throughout the week. Somethings that I ponder is what can I do to continue to be of service and to support the ministry of St. James? During my conversations in the past it seems to me that they enjoy being together on a weekly basis and children are important to them. Their future holds promise as they continue to look at ways to build a parish hall that will serve in so many different capacities – restroom, meeting place for the community, and provide handicap accessibility to the church. St. James don't surrender that dream of a better future for yourself as well as the town of Encampment.

St. Luke (Medicine Bow): The last time I was in Medicine Bow the weather was mild and comfortable. I am sure now that the weather is changing the proposed new wall furnace would be a welcomed idea. St. Luke finds ways to keep going in spite of challenges of life. They too are one of the two churches that are still active in this part of the state that don't have a bathroom. However, Medicine Bow is popular place for the Fish and Game to set up a check in station for the hunters in the region. What may appear as quite and sleepy can be deceptive in that there is plenty of life to be found if a person can slow down long enough to find it. The now growing familiar faces of the town are a welcome sight for a weary traveler. Keep the home fires burning.

St. Thomas (Rawlins): I preached and presided last Sunday. A couple of months ago the idea of starting a Sunday School was brought up and one of the members of the vestry put forth the energy and effort to organized one. She was honest by saying that to host an event every week would be simply too much; however once a month is doable. So, she called some parents and received favorable responses. This past Sunday was the first Sunday as it fell on All Saints Sunday and the number of kids doubled the attendance for the day. It was quite a buzz going on in the undercroft (basement). There was also a generous contribution to the “lift” that nobody knew what to do but stare at it for a while to make sure it was the real deal. It was and for the unknown saint of Rawlins … thank you.

St. Paul (Dixon/Little Snake River Valley): I arrived early on Sunday to catch up with Linda Fleming and together we went to visit George Salisbury and his family. George is a life long Episcopalian who is now home bound. He has a large family who are willing and eager to step in and to provide him the needed support for him to remain in his home as his health slowly surrenders to the final chapter of life in this world. We had an abbreviated church service in which communion was served. As George's great-grand daughter distributed the bread and we all shared the wine I saw tears in George's eyes along with his primary home care provider. To witness such a holy moment makes all the driving worth while and then some. Linda Fleming has received support from St. Paul to take the first steps into entering the priesthood and I am in the process of collecting signatures and talking to others at St. Paul about what that will mean for them. This is an exciting time for the congregation on the Little Snake River in the southern part of the state of Wyoming.

What is coming up this week? Yesterday I drove to Dixon to meet briefly with the group that likes to gather for the bi-monthly bible reflection. Tuesday I spent an hour with St. Thomas to reflect on the assigned Gospel for the up-coming Sunday. Wednesday I will be in Kraft Hall (Rawlins) from 10:30am to 12pm and marriage counseling from 6 pm to 7:30 pm. I am also in the process of calling the members of the Ministry Support Team of Rawlins to see if they are up for gathering prior to the vestry meeting which will be begin at 6:30 pm on Thursday. Friday I will be taking an ad-hoc day off as I drive to Green River to pick-up my vestments. Saturday is the worship planning team of St. Thomas will be gathering at 8:30 in the undercroft (basement) at St. Thomas. Sunday I will be found in Encampment for fine fellowship with the members of St. James which begins at 9am. Talk to everybody soon!