Thursday, September 15, 2011

Letters to the Churches of Carbon County

Well I finally got near a computer.  For those who don't know, I had my house on the market for about a year.  Our realtor walked through our house today and gave me some pointers on how to stage the house.  We were the 2nd in a showing last week.  So, I have been painting while the weather permits.  It has been a good week two churches in Carbon County as they received news that their grant request have been approved.  I say something big is going on.  I hope this letter finds you well.

St. James (Encampment): I arrived at St. James in Encampment early enough to walk around the framed out parish hall.  I used the new door that will provide handicap access to the parish hall and church building.  I kept hearing comments like, “This is going to be nice when it is completed.” And, “This is so cool!”  Prior to starting the service Nancy and I took a few moments to select some music and we were off.  Now this is something to celebrate.  A couple of years ago St. James did not have regular music nor a parish hall and now it has both!  The roof is being replaced and so I saw sunlight pushing through the ceiling.  Later this week I talked to Vonnie about somethings that we saw on Sunday and she said that the contractor is aware of them and everything has been checked out.  It is really amazing what six people can do with some support from the Diocese.  It is a wonderful blessing.  Later that day I went and “harvested” chokecherries for Kellie.
St. Barnabas (Saratoga): Last Wednesday (9/7/11) I participated in session 5 which was scheduled for session 4 of LifeCycles.  It was well prepared and the leader worked hard to have everything ready to go.  The running understanding is if a person misses the session they will be selected to be a leader for the next session.  This was all done in good humor. The Rev. Susan Dyers wrote a brief service in honor of 9/11 tenth year anniversary.  Since St. Barnabas was going to have their Eucharistic Service on Sunday evening they invited first responders to be recognized that morning.  It was well attended and St. Barnabas will be praying for these people throughout the year by name during the Prayers of the People. I arrived that evening to find people smiling and ready to celebrate around the Lord's Table and to be fed by God's sacrament of bread and wine.  
St. Luke (Medicine Bow):  They are excited about the possibility that they may have a restroom after all.  I heard they discussed last Sunday about a possible location for the restroom.  Now this is an important lesson that I remind myself from time to time, listen to those who live in the community for they know what they are talking about.  What I am I referring to?  I thought I knew the best location for the restroom and they come up with a better plan!  They have even located a local contractor who is working on putting together a bid.  Nice work and I am looking forward to seeing how this unfolds.
St. Paul (Dixon aka Little Snake River Valley): They are plugging along.  I didn't see them last week, but that does not seem to bother them.  Linda Fleming along with the Rev. Susan Dyer got together last Tuesday (9/6/11) for Title IV training.  During lunch Linda told us that she didn't get to see much of Battle Mountain because of the clouds, but she was interested in checking out the work that has been done at St. James in Encampment and their parish hall.  The entire LSRV (Little Snake River Valley) attending their annual BBQ which this year fell on September 11th.  What a way to honor 9/11 by having a fest and to celebrate what is right in the world.






This guy got this figured out!
St. Thomas (Rawlins): I met with the Ministry Support Team (aka MST) last Thursday (9/8/11) and we went around the “wheel” in which we shared what is taking place in pastor care, worship, transformation (aka outreach), formation, and administration.  It is nice to get back in the grove after taking most of the summer off to play.  The vestry meeting when well and they are happy to receive the news that the “lift” along with the new restrooms for handicap accessibility is paid in full.  One member of the vestry was a bit nervous throughout the building project because St. Thomas went of faith that it would happen.  He smiled and said, “Now I know what people mean by a faith budget!”  The worship breakfast last Saturday was a great time of fellowship and laughter.  All in all St. Thomas is in a good place now and they are looking forward to getting back into working on some ongoing formation.

What is coming up in this short week?  Well most of my week is behind me at the moment.  So, you will hear about that next week.  I will be at St. Paul's this Sunday to preach and preside.  Following the service we will all gather at the senior center for lunch.  Talk to you soon.   

Monday, September 5, 2011

Letter to the Churches of Carbon County and Beyond

Are you resting from your labors this Labor Day Weekend? I was doing a little bit of research and discovered that the original Labor Day was a march that was to celebrate the work and trade associations and it was twelve years later when it became an official holiday. I like the idea of celebration and to recognize the work and labor of others. This was a week of little and yet meaningful blessings. I hope this letter finds you well. 

St. Thomas (Rawlins): I have started having conversations with people about what the future holds for both myself and St. Thomas. It has been good and people are being honest about their feelings. This Sunday I preached and presided in Rawlins and I received good response from my sermon. During announcements a member of the congregation shared that her son has been only using about 2% of his brain to process sounds on his right ear. Most of us use about 80 to 90%. This young child is only eight years old. Now that the parents and other professionals now know what needs to be done to help this young boy understand his world and unspoken healing will take place. It was the church family who was there as the parents continued to struggle in finding the answer that they needed and it was a moment of great celebration for the people of St. Thomas. The power of perseverance at its best! 

St. Paul (Dixon and LSRV): I got to spend most of this week with this congregation. Last Monday I was at their bi-monthly Bible Cafe and I shared what happened with you last week. Wednesday I attended their Compline/Thanksgiving Campfire monthly event. This year the location had horses grazing through the area. At one point a colt came right up to us (the girls and I) and was checking us out. That was amazing given that colts are a bit shy and stay away from people. It was a touching moment to thing that we were so grounded in the moment that a horse was comfortable in coming and checking us out. On Sunday I preached and presided at St. Paul's and we had a deciation and blessing of Clavinova which is quite a flexible musical instrument by its ability to be a pinaio, an organ, a jazz organ, among many other things. I was impressed! It also has the ability to record music in a USB drive and played back. The home made ice cream was wonderful and it was a nice way to being Labor Day Weekend. 

St. James (Encampment): Not much to report this week. I will be preaching and presiding there this coming Sunday. We will also be finishing up out DiSC(r) training as well. I am also looking forward to seeing what kind of progress had been done on their new parish hall. 
 
St. Luke (Medicine Bow): We are working a little project. I have been asked to do a cost analysis on what it would take to build a bathroom for this church. If a bathroom is to be install it would mean that all the churches of this area now has running water. That would be an amazing accomplishment for this group of dedicated Episcopalians.



St. Barnabas (Saratoga): I received a nice e-mail from on of the members of the church letting me know that I am in their prayers and everything has a purpose. In God's hands we all shall be well. I am deeply touched by how quickly this community has welcomed me into their lives. I don't have much to report this week. 


What is coming up?  Tuesday I will be meeting with Susan Dyer and Linda Fleming for their Title IV training and so they have that complete for their formation toward the priesthood. Wednesday I will be in Kraft Hall from 10am to 12pm and that evening I will be participating in LifeCycles at St. Barnabas (Saratoga) starting at 6pm. Thursday St. Thomas (Rawlins) will have their Ministry Support Team (aka MST) meeting before the vestry meeting and I am planning on attending both events. Saturday St. Thomas (Rawlins) will have their monthly worship breakfast at Square Shooters at 8:30am. Sunday I will once again be preaching and presiding at two services. St. James at 9am with DiSC training following the service and St. Barnabas at 7pm. I have heard that St. Thomas is planning to recognize 9/11 during their worship with more information being published in the local newspaper. I ask that we all take a moment this week to give thanks for all the First Responders to crises. People like the Police, EMTs, Emergency Room Personal, Highway Patrol, Fish and Game, Search and Rescue, and Sheriff Deputies who are often those who give their today so that we may have a better tomorrow. On September 11th 2001 many of these people lost their lives in the service of others. May their effort will never be forgotten.