Letters to the Churches of Carbon County and Beyond

As it looks like 2011 has started with quite a bang! It is Wednesday and I have not slowed down long enough to catch my breath. I rather be a busy than board. As I crank-up for the coming year, I also would like to find balance. Here is a great quote that was in St. Paul's bulletin this past Sunday and I wanted to pass it along to others: “When the song of the angels is stilled, when the star in the sky is gone, when the kings and princes are home, when the shepherds are back with their flock, the work of Christmas begins: To find the lost, to heal the broken, to feed the hungry, to release the prisoner, to rebuild the nations, to bring peace among the sisters and brothers, to make music in the heart.” - the Rev. Howard Thurman I have to add my own quote for the year - “Turn curses into blessings.” Will it happen? Not right away and not without some effort and sacrifice, but it will be worth the effort and if anything else it provides guidance and a great attitude for the work ahead. I hope this letter finds you well.

St. Paul's (Dixon/LRSV): It has been a sad and yet joyful time for the people of the Little Snake River Valley. They had three funerals in the past two weeks. The people who have died were known and respected members of the area and who had deep and long connections to the community. They will be missed. Time continues as the absence of these people will be filled with love and new leadership in the days, months and years to come. George, Claudia, and Judi you will be missed and we all will work hard to honor your life by living ours more to the fullest. On another front, Linda Fleming is progressing well through the first stages of her call to the priesthood and is getting all the “paperwork” in order. This is all positive news for St. Paul's. Last Sunday I arrived to preach and preside in the afternoon. I believe having the services moved from 5pm to 3pm is a benefit due to the fact the sun is still up and it is easier to travel in the daylight. The quote that I have in the beginning of this posting came from this church.

St. James (Encampment): Not much to report at this time which is all good news. I will be heading to spend some time with them on the up-coming Sunday. They are in a holding pattern until spring. That is when they can break ground and begin working on building their parish hall. I am sure there will be other details to address throughout the winter months and we will cross that bridge when we get to it.


St. Thomas (Rawlins): They keep plugging along. I joined a meeting last week to discuss ideas about how to move forward with the “life and handicap bathroom” project last week. They (as a community) are really close to completing a significant project. The leadership of the church have been working on making this dream a reality for about two years now. I was encouraged to see and experience the enthusiasm of this group. Last Sunday I presided and preached. The service went well and Kellie and I received our anniversary blessing. We are starting our 11th year as a married couple with 8 years spent in Carbon County. It is hard to imagine.

St. Luke's (Medicine Bow): There is not much to report this week. The good news is the Round's computer is back on-line and so the correspondence will be kicking up again. I have contacted Arlen and St. Matthews to start putting together a preaching discernment group to assist Arlen's efforts in being licensed to preach.



What is coming up? This past two days have been filled with travel (Monday – Baggs for a Memorial Service. Tuesday – meeting with clergy throughout this part of the state). Today I was in Kraft Hall to help St. Thomas organize their up-coming vestry meeting and preliminary Annual meeting for January. Tonight I will meet with a couple to continue with our marriage counseling (they got married by the Justice of the Peace) as they prepare to seek the church's blessing on their relationship. Thursday and Friday are sermon writing and administration days. Saturday I will be attending a worship leader breakfast at St. Thomas. Sunday I head to St. James to preach and preside starting at 9 am. Have a great (short) week.