Letters to the Churches of Carbon County and Beyond

Coming off a short, yet full week. I stayed close to Rawlins during the later half of the week and so this will be an up-date on what took place since Thursday. Before I get onto what happened I want to share a bit about what is taking place in my personal life. Some people had called me last week noting there was a difference in the tone of my letter, up-beat, energetic, and a bit mysterious. There is a quote that best describes what I am experiencing, “Everybody thinks of changing the world, but no one thinks of changing himself.” - Leo Tolstoy. I have committed to myself to live a life of abundance of love, compassion and forgiveness. Everything I do is drawn into that possibility. I told the Bishop of Wyoming that I am playing big game now. I want the Episcopal Church to matter to people. As I shared my ideas and excitement and find myself saying things and believing in such a large picture that at times I get overwhelmed and yet I am excited about what is coming next. As I shared with a friend my vision for the church he pointed out that vision is big and there will be resistance. I laughed and said well there was another person who went big and they killed him, and yet we still talk about him which is remarkable given he didn't write a single word. Now I am not proposing that I can be that big, but I am proposing that I am aiming that large. Ok on to the news since Thursday. I hope this letter finds you well.

St. Thomas (Rawlins): As I met with the vestry on Thursday night I thought we had planned the weekend well that would give the Bishop some time to enjoy himself around Rawlins. Looking back St. Thomas struck a nice balance with the activities that were not rushed. Friday night the Bishop took the Rev. Karen Buckingham and her spouse out to a nice dinner and met with Karen on Saturday morning. After Karen's visit I had a chance to catch-up and share what is taking place in Rawlins and some of my plans. Following those two visits there was a nice lunch in which St. Thomas had a salad by committee. After that Bishop Smylie visited with a long time member of two congregations in Carbon County at the nursing home. I didn't attend the vestry meeting with the Bishop, but I hear words like “productive”, “informative” and “useful” were used to describe their time together. The dinner had kids running about and peaceful laughter was heard throughout the undercroft. The next day St. Thomas welcomed three new young and soon to be driving adults as they reaffirmed their Baptismal Covenant. There is a real sense of God working powerfully and intentionally. People at St. Thomas have worked hard to this point I believe they will need to buckle their seat belts because something powerful is coming their way.

St. Luke's (Medicine Bow): I received word that St. Luke had church today and the warmer weather made travel a bit of a challenge for the Rounds. The nice thing about having church was one of the parishioners had a reason to leave her house, the first time in two weeks, to attend church. Another parishioner arrived just in time to shovel the walks and clear it from snow. He was a bit tired because he was out all night fighting a train fire. I also received information that the misunderstanding around the assessment will be taken care in due order and everything will be back on track starting in February. It is starting to sound like February and March in Wyoming.

St. Paul's (Dixon): It is my understanding that the Winter Bible Cafe is scheduled for this Monday and I am planning on attending. That is all for the past couple of days.


St. James (Encampment): They have completed the COM grant and it will be submitted by Monday to the Diocesan Office. Other than that there is not much to report. Again it was a short week.

What is coming up? Monday I am on the weekly WebEx meeting with the Ministry Developers and that afternoon I head to St. Paul's for the Winter Bible Cafe. Tuesday is Gospel Study at Kraft Hall in Rawlins starting a 9 am for an hour and then Karen and I are going for coffee. Wednesday I have a WebEx meeting with the Ministry Developers and the Bishop and office hours at Kraft Hall starting from 10 am to 12 pm. Thursday from 8 am to 9:30 am I will be in a DiSC and Discipleship training for professional development and could be doing a ride along with the Rev. Tristan English as he comes through to Rock Springs to setup the VTC equipment at that site. Friday is sermon writing day and planning with the Rev. Tom Fiske on Safeguarding God's Children/People. Saturday there is a Worship Breakfast for St. Thomas starting at 8:30 am and we are meeting at McDonalds. Sunday I will be preaching and presiding at St. Paul's in Dixon following the service a Ministry Support Team meeting and then off to lunch at the senior center.