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.