Letters to the Churches of Carbon County and Beyond

It is the day after the big Forth of July. It seems like people got a chance to play and get outdoors for a couple of days. I did a ride-along with the Rawlins Police Department on Friday night and it was quiet around Rawlins. The talk among the officers that night was that most people headed out of town for the weekend. Well, Kellie, the girls, and myself did the same on Monday afternoon and drove up to the Snowy Range to check out the snow that is still there and noticed a lake is still frozen. I was crazy enough to wear shorts and a short sleeve shirt. The car's heater was on full blast until we came off the mountain. Talk about diversity in Wyoming. One minute you are cooking at the local fair ground as the girls rode their horses, and then planning a snow ball fight a couple hours later. I hope this letter finds you well.

St. James (Encampment). All is quiet in Encampment. I had a chance to catch up with the fine folks of St. James a couple of weeks ago. There was some discussion about Wyoming Wilderness Camp and where the local youths were planning this summer. We were informed that they wanted to stick a bit closer to home this year. We also talked about the news of the partnering status of St. Barnabas (Saratoga) and that there will be need to open discussion about how to provide the sacramental support in the future. As of right now St. James will be in their normal routine. The general maintenance issues have begun to be addressed like mowing the lawn and moving the water around. The construction of a new parish hall has not started yet, but that is not a major concern. St. James is flexible in giving the general contractor some room to work out the scheduling. One of St. James own got tapped for a Diocese level position to serve (if needed) on the discipline board.

St. Luke (Medicine Bow): I have not visited much with this congregation for the month of June and that is all going to change this weekend. I have been exchanging e-mails with the senior warden and we have finalized the plans for a DiSC(r) Biblical Profile Training this weekend. It will be good to catch up with them and to enjoy a summer day in Medicine Bow.







St. Paul (Dixon): The water continues to flow heavy in the rivers around the area. The water is staying in the blanks however the water is high in volume. The local community gathered on June 18th to say good bye to a long and trusted friend of the LSRV Lee “Peter” Jon. The service was well attended and the full military honors at the grave side was touching. The younger boys really enjoyed watching the guns fire during the 21 Gun Salute. The Family, Fun, and Faith night on June 25th was a success. We shared a meal, played games, talked, and watched a movie Secretariat. I like the idea that we all have a race to run and what is important is not winning, but actually doing it! It was good to see other members of the the LSRV in attendance. I also realized that I have a gift as a priest and that is helping others think theologically about their own views of the world. Linda Fleming has submitted a grant to up-grade the rectory's windows and just in time as they have new renters in the property. The up-grade on the windows will save a bundle when it comes to heating costs in the winter.

St. Thomas (Rawlins): The building of the lift is progressing quiet nicely. The building now is framed and closed in. It is hard to see what is now taking place with the plumbing and electrical, yet I can see the new “hole” in the wall in the undercroft. Soon this project will be complete. On June 25th there was a Memorial Service for Robert Woodrift in which there were three priests present. The remarkable thing was that the priests were not in a public leadership role for the service and it did not appear odd or uncomfortable. The Worship Leaders did a fine job. Shared Ministry is really taking place around St. Thomas. Their VBS is scheduled for the last week of July and will be taking place in the evening to accommodate everybody's scheduling needs and to give the children the opportunity to burn the last bit of wiggles before going to bed for the night. Also the Ministry Role Description for a priest at St. Thomas is now complete and I am impressed with the work. If anybody is interested in a copy of it let me know and I will send it to you.

St. Barnabas (Saratoga): We have completed our first LifeCycles meeting and worked out the details for sacramental support the summer months. As it turns out I will be preaching (when called upon) and presiding every 2nd Sunday of the month at 7pm. There will be Morning Prayer that morning so that people can remain in their worship routine. We also talked about expectations of a priest that is different from a rector. That was build on work that I did with St. Thomas and I believe that this discussion will serve this congregation well into the future. St. Barnabas is already working on their sign noting the changes in the worship life of the church.

What is taking place this week? I will be at Kraft Hall on Wednesday from 10 am to 12 pm stop by if you like. I also received a call to do a graveside service on Thursday at 1pm in Rawlins. Talking about doing graveside services, I will be doing an Ash Interment for three people in Little Snake River Valley on Friday at 2:30 pm. Saturday have a full day and I welcome it. At 8:30 in the morning I will be meeting with the Worship Leaders of St. Thomas. That afternoon I will be heading to Medicine Bow and gathering with people from St. Luke's to host a DiSC(r) Biblical Profile Training. Sunday I will be found at St. James (Encampment) at 9 am and then St. Barnabas (Saratoga) at 7pm.