Letters to the Churches of Carbon County

What a week! I was able to participate in a Bishop's Visit, Maunday Thursday, Stations of the Cross, Easter Vigil and Easter Services in one week. The additional activity was the bishop's visit in Medicine Bow, yet I was able to be present in three of the four churches I work with in Carbon County. I trust that the Easter Event was full of unexpected promises. The long cold winter has ended (ok I know we live in Wyoming) and spring is now upon us. The landscape of Wyoming is waiting to be born. I hope this letter finds you well.

St. Luke (Medicine Bow): Last Wednesday I was slightly detained in Rawlins before arriving in time to receive a quick bit to eat with the fine folks of St. Luke's in Medicine Bow at the Dip. That location has some really amazing wood carvings and wonderful paintings of the local ranches on the ceiling. For all my years of traveling to that quite little town I never knew about that wonderful treasure. Because we were looking at Holy Week the Bishop lead a Tenebre Service on Wednesday evening. We had to use our imagination and picture the church dark as the candles lit and extinguished. It was a moving service. On Saturday I arrived before the Rounds (that does not happen!) and talked to a long standing member of the church. As it turned out one of her best friends from Medicine Bow daughter was in town and wanted to attend the service. It was nice to show off St. Luke's. It was also nice to start “Easter” on Saturday.



St. James (Encampment): The plans for the Bishop Visit are made. I am impressed by the care and intentionality that was put into the entire planning process. Hotels were visited, times and locations were carefully reviewed, meals planned, and other accommodations were factored in and a wonderful schedule as been put together. It was also nice for me and for St. James to know that the priest who was presiding for the Easter Services was not under any pressure to get out the door. Yes this is the beginning of a new period of history for Shared Ministry in Carbon County.

St. Thomas (Rawlins): I participated in the Maundy Thursday services that included a foot/hand washing. Prior to the service there was an Agape Meal in which the Rev. Karen Buckingham blessed the wine and food for our enjoyment and fellowship. We heard of stories about people traveling to Rawlins thinking it was Cheyenne (back in the day when the train was the main mode of transportation) and Easter plans. The watch went without a hitch and from what I heard the Easter Service was a holy moment with Bob Garner preaching, the Rev. Karen Buckingham reading a book to the children. I also heard that on Monday more eggs were found that were left over from the Easter Egg hunt! The Easter Event does not end on Sunday with the resurrection. It keeps on going. What great news.

St. Paul (Dixon/LSRV): I arrived on Friday to lead the Stations of the Cross. The faithful gathered and we walked around the church and pondered at each station the meaning and power of the cross and Jesus' walk toward a defining moment in history. On Sunday I was recruited to bring a member of St. Paul's (she also considers herself a member of St. Thomas) from Rawlins to Dixon for the Easter Sunday Services. We had a full house with kids who were pumped up from their Easter Basket goodies. As the service ended the local music teacher was asked to sing Amazing Grace without music and the entire congregation joined in on the last verse. It was a holy moment.

What is coming up? Well it is already Tuesday and I am well into my week. Yesterday the Ministry Developers checked back in on a WebEx meeting after taking most of April off. Today (Tuesday) I met with the Gospel Study Group in Rawlins and one member was quite excited about all that is taking place. Wednesday I will have office hours at Kraft Hall at 10 am to 12 pm and a WebEx meeting with the Attractive Church at 2 pm. The reminder of the week is light and I will enjoy the slower pace that arrives after Easter.