The year 2010 is drawing to a close. It is natural to take this week between Christmas and New Years to think and review all that has taken place. As I write this letter I am surprised to discover that much has taken place. At the Diocesan level we said good-bye to one bishop and welcomed another. The first part of 2010 was about the walk-about and election. The Ministry Developers said good-bye to Rev. Margaret Babcock, Rev. Warren Frelund, Rev. Tommy Means, Rev. Linda Wilson, and Rev. Kathy Robinson; the Ministry Developers also welcomed Rev. Joel Dingman, Rev. Melinda Bobo, Rev. Roy Walworth, and Rev. Walt Seeley. The Diocesan Staff also has been through some changes with Andy Kerr, Katie and Pat Walsh all moving on to explore and do other things and welcomed Rev. Tristan English. This time of a year is bitter/sweet as we say good-bye and welcome. I hope this letter finds you well.

St. Luke (Medicine Bow): Prior to Christmas I spoke to Arlen on the phone. As it turned out one of the steady members of the church was not able to attend the Christmas service this year. Her family arrived a week early and she spent the holidays with her children. Yet the show went on and I heard that there were 21 people in attendance! It is looking like a new tradition is starting to form in Medicine Bow when it comes to Christmas services. That is encouraging news.

St. Thomas(Rawlins): These past couple of weeks have been full of fruitful activities. I have heard in passing that St. Thomas sponsored a family for Christmas and used some of their Mustard Seed Money to make a bleak Christmas a brighter one for a family in Rawlins. There was a soup and sharing dinner on the Monday prior to Christmas in which some honest and open sharing was done in preparation for the arrival of the Christ child that changed everything. I was able to participate in the worship event at St. Thomas from the pews. Sticking with the good-bye and welcoming theme (with an emphasis on welcoming) St. Thomas experienced their first Christmas with their local priest preaching and presiding. That is a major mile stone for this congregation.

St. James (Encampment): I started my Christmas Eve day in Encampment and worshiped with the congregation of St. James. I arrive and the parking lot was plowed! I was told that the snow was really high, but some of it had melted off. The people in attendance participated in an activity in which they were invited to “Look around you People of God” with the intention that they will discover that God was present among them (sticking with the idea that God was born as child and lived among us human beings). It went really well. This congregation will be saying good bye to no more running water and hello to a parish hall with running water! We also prayed for one of the grand-daughters of the member of the church as she will be deployed in Afghanistan for four months. We pray for a speedy return to the United States.

St. Paul's(Dixon/LSRV): Sunday the 19^th I spend my whole day in the valley. It started with preaching and presiding, followed by a Ministry Support Team (aka MST) meeting in which this congregation is using the “wheel” to lead the discussion, and then I ate lunch and the Senior Center. After having a wonderful meal and fellowship I headed to 3 Ladder Ranch to visit with the Salisburys. After my visit I returned to St. Paul's to wish Jesus happy birthday. On Christmas Eve I arrived to visit the Salisburys again and to pay George a visit along with his extended family. As it turned out George passed away on Christmas night around 10pm. The evening service at St. Paul's was a fun event and there was a young couple (mostly my age!) who are musically talented and they led “Silent Night” by playing the flute and singing the first verse. It was a holy moment. George's memorial service will be January 3^rd at 11 am in Baggs.

What is coming up? It is a quieter week for me (as you can see I am writing in the middle of the week). I will be meeting with “building committee” of St. Thomas as they work through figuring out the next steps in building a lift for the church at 3pm on Wednesday. On Sunday I will be preaching and presiding at St. Thomas starting at 9:30 am and then I will be going to St. Paul's for a 3pm service. Monday I will be spending most of the day in the Little Snake River Valley attending to George Salisbury's Memorial.

Like I said, there has been some saying good-bye and welcoming that took place during 2010. It looks like 2011 will be more changes that will be woven throughout the entire Diocese. Take time to mourn what has been lost and celebrate the new discoveries of the coming year. Happy New Year!

Letters to the Churches of Carbon County and Beyond

It is really interesting how events can change so quickly in one days time. Wednesday I had a full day lined up, but by the time the day was complete I finished my sermon that I was planning on writing on Sunday. Then the sermon that I was planning on preaching at St. James in Encampment changed because I was going to preach and preside at St. Barnabas in Saratoga. Advent is time for preparation, but prepare for what (smile)? As it goes to for planning … the difference between me and God is that God KNOWS that he is not me! I hope this letter finds you well.

St. James (Encampment): On Saturday I received a phone call from a member of the church. As it turns out two people where planning on attending church and she wanted to know if I wanted to make the trip for two people. My response was sure, after all I wrote a wonderful sermon and I wanted to share it with the congregation (the wonderful sermon is subject to debate!). Then I received a call from St. Barnabas confirming my meeting with the congregation. As it turned out the fine folks of Encampment were willing to change their plans and worship with St. Barnabas (in the spirit of working together and for me it meant that I could address two congregations in one meeting). Today (Sunday) I received a text message informing me that the people of St. James in Encampment were sick. It all turned out ok in the end. I am looking forward to Christmas Eve worship event in Encampment!

St. Paul's (Dixon/LSRV): I made it to Baggs last Friday to spend some time answering questions for the second part of the Social History for those who are entering the process for the call to Holy Orders. Similar to my week, the snow was blowing, then the sun was out, then it was cloudy, and the wind was either blowing or not. That was just for the trip to Baggs. Linda laughed at one point as she looked out the window and saw a whiteout taking place. I smiled and said I am not worried and I was right. The weather cleared right up. Much like the social interview in the midst of chaos there is clarity. I have been working with Linda for about seven years and I am still learning more about her every day. Linda, Jill, Julie and I have been reading a book called Christianity-The First Three Thousand Years written by Diarmaid MacCulloch. The concepts that the author are talking about and the way they are put together is very complex, however the way the material is presented is well done and accessible. This is going to be a good book study.

St. Thomas (Rawlins): Last Wednesday I was schedule to meet with a couple to continue with their marriage counseling (mostly preparation for the couple since they are newly married) and one of the parties had to work so we changed our plans. Thursday I meet with the Ministry Support Team and we discussed various events and happenings that are taking place at St. Thomas (going around the wheel that looks at – worship, pastoral care, administration, formation, and transformation). I have also pointed out that the members of this team have met their one year commitment and so we talked briefly about how to include others in this work in the future. After the MST meeting I spent some time with the vestry as they too discussed activities that are taking place at the church from an administrative perspective. The installing and building handicap accessibility bathrooms will be a major project for 2011. Most people know when a building project at this size does tend to disrupt things and in this case for the right reasons!

St. Luke (Medicine Bow): On Monday I received a call from Arlend asking if I knew who was coming over to preach and preside. About three months ago I was planning on attending Landmark Form in Denver Colorado from December 9^th through the 12^th and 14^th. As I turned out I changed my plans and so Jess Smith and I changed or service schedule. I was going to take St. James in Encampment and Jess was going to St. Luke's in Medicine Bow. Poor Alrend and Jess were spinning around trying to figure out who was where. I have also received useful direction as for Arlend's preaching licensing process.

Ministry Development (well it is a development): Sunday I had a good conversation with St. Barnabas (Saratoga). This started with a phone call from Ralph Hicks who was looking what and how to get licensed for preaching. That started two years ago. I helped Ralph put together a discernment group (similar to a MST). Today I explained the process of congregational development in that is it a process and not a program. The congregation liked the approach. It took seven years of driving by the church, help from Rev. Ray Griebs and with God's help. I am very hopeful for the future with St. Barnabas.

What is coming up?: Monday I will be heading reviewing a joint project with the Rev. Tom Fiske and Rev. Tristan English. Tuesday is the Gospel Study meeting at St. Thomas. Wednesday is office hours at Kraft Hall (Rawlins). Thursday is administrative day (sermon writing and etc.) Sunday I will be preaching and presiding at St. Paul's (Dixon); making a pastoral visit and enjoying ARK's Christmas program (having a birthday party for Jesus). Take care.

A sense of the range and breath of my work

Here is a map showing all the congregations of Wyoming. I primarily work in Region 4. To give you a sense of distances, I often see my travel not in miles but in time. St. Paul (LSRV/Dixon) is about 167 miles around trip or about one hour and fifteen minutes of travel one way. You can find the congregation in the lower central part of the state. St. Luke's (Medicine Bow) is located to the east and north of Rawlins. Is about 123 miles round trip and takes about an hour to travel one way. St. James (Encampment) is also to the east of Rawlins, but to the south. The total mileage round trip is about 128 miles around trip and it takes about an hour to drive one way. I often joke with others when I tell them that my “office” is about the size of Connecticut with a fraction of the population.

Letters to the Churches of Carbon County and Beyond

Today is an important day in the history of the United States. Pearl Harbor was attacked and the outcome of that battle lead the United States to enter World War Two. It was a game changer or a point in history that defined a different direction. I am not a historian or ever claim to be one, but that battle changed the United States at its core. Prior to that moment, the United States was on the sideline in most world events. Most of the United States family life was organized different. Then the Greatest Generation was born and they changed the very social fabric of this country. We continue today to live with the change. Japan who was an enemy is now an important partner with the United States on the international level. Europe appears to be more stable now then 69 years ago. These are big changes. What about changes at the local level? I was talking to a 87 year old woman this morning and she said that church has changed from her earlier years as mother of five children. “Congregations are struggling to be congregations.” was what she said. I noted to myself was that what as changed is our understanding of leadership and ministry. If we like it or not (and I do) there is a shift from gathering around a person to gathering around ministries. Sure this change in our congregations are impacted the same way Pearl Harbor changed the United States, nevertheless, we are living through an important point in history that is changing the direction that we are moving as a Church. I have come to believe that the God that I have come to know intentionally built an altar around a tent because we are a people that move, grow and discover new lands and ideas as we journey together as a people of faith. The change we now experience is more of a local expression than grand global one. I hope this letter finds you well.

St. Thomas (Rawlins): Last week St. Thomas was asked a difficult and painful reality, the birth of a baby who was born at 18 weeks and lived for only a few moments outside of the womb. This is a painful part of our lives and it has been my experience that it does not get talk about much. It is hard to prepare a pastoral response to such an event, yet God does provide. The young baby was baptized by Rev. Karen Buckingham at birth and four days later a memorial service was held to assist the family and friends in dealing with their grief and sadness. In some ways it was a recognition of my personal dream and vision. Throughout this entire response I was able to remain on the sidelines so to speak. I was able to sit in the pews and be supportive of the leadership so that family got to witness a group of people responding to a need and ministry. It was truly a collaborative effort with many people contributing both visibility and behind the scenes. I count this one of my prouder moments of ministry and a blessing in the midst of great pain and distress. On another front St. Thomas is working hard and putting together some final details on moving forward in installing a lift to grant more people access to the under-croft for fellowship. Another dream that is coming to fruition.

St. Paul's (Dixon/LRSV): I preached and presided at St. Paul's last Sunday and there were some slight changes. One, we moved the service from 5pm to 3pm so that we all can travel in the daylight. The deer like to hang out on the road at dusk and I sure like seeing God's creatures with plenty of time to avoid hitting them! What I forgot to mention last week was a group of people from St. Paul got together a couple of weeks ago and made Advent baskets for those who consider themselves members of the church, but are not regular attendees for different and various reasons. The outcome so far is that one person attended church and others have written thank you letters. Linda and I continue to put together the needed paper work for her call to the priesthood and you will see a picture of her looking up her baptism date.

St. Luke's (Medicine Bow): I received notice that the Rounds are looking at see what it would take to put in a new wall furnace. The old one that is near the lectern has failed. There has been some looking around for a replacement. It is funny how when one starts to do research they find more questions than answers! I am sure this will resolve itself all in due time. On another front I have composed a joint letter for Arlen's preaching licensing and so that will be send to the Diocesan office.

St. James (Encampment): I spoke to Rev. Jess Smith and he informed me that they are “jazzed” about receiving their grant. It will not be until spring until they are able to “break ground” for their new parish hall that will include a bathroom, a gathering place for the community, and will include handicap accessibility to the church in the next phase. This could be a moment in the history of this congregation that changes who they are and perhaps communicates to the larger community that there is much that can happen when a committed group of people pool their passions that is worth while and grand in vision!

What is coming up? Tuesday evening I will be meeting with a group of planners for Rhythms of Grace at St. Thomas. This is a liturgical event that is designed with people with special needs such as autism so that families and people who have autism can experience worship in a meaningful and real way. Wednesday I will be at Kraft Hall for office hours and then marriage counseling that evening in Rawlins. Thursday St. Thomas has a Ministry Support Team meeting before the vestry meeting in which I will be in attendance for both. Friday I will drive to Baggs to conduct a social interview of Linda Fleming (St. Paul's/LSRV). Sunday I will be heading over to Encampment to preach and preside. Following that service I will head to Saratoga and meet with the fine folks of St. Barnabas about how Shared Ministry works and the implications of having a local priest in their midst.

In closing I hope that some point in this Advent Season you will look back and say that there was a meaningful moment that an encounter with the Divine took place and that your lives were forever changed. Keep praying for our armed forces who are deployed here stateside and abroad. May some day all the world experience peace that is beyond comprehension.