Friday December 4, 2009

Hello and welcome to the December 4 edition of the eSpirit of Wyoming!

Happy Advent!

It is moving time for the Diocese! The Diocese Office on Durbin Street, Casper is finished (mostly). The big day is December 7 (also a big day for the announcements of the bishop candidates). Please keep this in mind when you call and/or email the Diocese office that the staff may not respond as quickly as they normally do (and their computers and phones will be offline most of Monday morning). They are doing everything possible to ensure there is a seamless transfer of technology to the newly remolded building, but sometimes life just happens. Rome wasn’t built in a day, the office certainly wasn’t remodeled in a day…and it will take more than a day for them to get settled in and back in the swing of things. The mailing address and phone numbers will stay the same (123 S Durbin, Casper WY 82601 & 307.265.5200).

As always, a reminder that if you have articles you would like to share with the rest of the Diocese, please email them (and a picture if you have one) to info@wyomingdiocese.org. It doesn’t have to be earth-shattering news or events, but anything you would like to share.
 

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From the Communications, Oversight Committee for the Search, Transition & Election

The Search Committee's slate of nominees for the 9th Bishop of Wyoming will be announced Monday!

The announcement will be made Monday, December 7th, in Casper and will be transmitted electronically immediately. If you'd like to be among the first to know, go to www.wyomingbishopsearch.org and sign up for email alerts there. According to the charge given to the Search Committee at the 2008 Annual Convention, four to six nominees will be named. Biographic information on each of the nominees also will be posted on the Bishop Search website soon after the announcement.

Once the nominees are made public, the Petition Process opens. Per the canons of the Episcopal church, canonically resident clergy & laity living within the diocese are also able to nominate candidates for bishop. The rules and process will be posted at www.wyomingbishopsearch.org on December 7th. Please read that information carefully as the petition period is only a couple of weeks long.

And, just a reminder... The Elections Resolution approved at the 2009 Convention calls for the Electing Convention to be held on or about March 24, 2010. That's less than four months away.

Stayed tuned for Monday's announcement!

For more information contact: Ms. Pamela Kandt at

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John Masters and Mike Ballard gave an update on the Diocese office remodel, December 2: HERE

For all Diocese podcasts, go to: http://wyomingdiocese.mypodcast.com

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Thomas the Apostle Center (TAC) in Cody is known for many things, like warm hospitality, spiritual retreats, stunning scenery...and Connie's kitchen! Connie Moody has taken her world famous (well, Wyoming famous anyway) granola, packaged it up, and is selling it as a TAC fundraiser. The granola (aptly named, Free Spirit) is 100% organic and a delicious blend of oatmeal, honey, canola oil and assorted dried fruits & nuts (a nut-free variety is available, too). Help support TAC and get you and your family some of the best granola around. Enjoy it as a breakfast cereal, snack food, and even ice cream topper!
Prices are:
$4.00 a 1lb bag with fruit
$4.50 a 1lb bag with fruit and nuts

Contact Thomas the Apostle Center at thomap@tritel.net to get your bags ordered!

Who knew helping support a wonderful resource like TAC could be so delicious!
 

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By the Rev Warren Murphy. Email: warrencmurphy@gmail.com

THE TOWN OF HANNA – EPISCOPALIANS EVERYWHERE

It’s hard to believe that the little town of Hanna was not long ago a bustling place for Episcopalians. Hanna got its start after 1902 when the Union Pacific moved its tracks away from the nearby town of Carbon to be closer to a better source for coal. Many of the miners, especially Finish immigrants, moved into the new town. It wasn’t until 1922 when St. Mark’s Church was constructed on a hill above the railroad tracks. In its early days it listed 128 Communicants. It maintained an active congregation until the coal industry at Hanna became diminished.

What many people don’t know is that also had a second Episcopal Church. In 1925 the African-American residents of Hanna established their own congregation called St. John’s Baptist Church. But they struggled to find for themselves a pastor. Fr. Harry Kellam of St. Mark’s agreed to do their services and it wasn’t long before the members decided they might as well become Episcopalians. They were received “into full communion for the Episcopal church” by Bishop Ziegler on February 26, 1932. They became known at The Church of St. John the Baptist. The two churches worshiped separately but it was said they did share a youth group and joined together for social occasions.

Things are different in Hanna today. Many of the old buildings are run down and the new ones tend to be of modular construction. St Mark’s Church is no exception. The building has a very “closed” look about it and services are rarely held. St. Johns is no longer around and its members have left the area. The town’s most notable attraction is the numerous monuments commemorating all those who have been killed over the years in coal mining accidents. But the story of St. Marks and St. Johns remind us that the white and black folks of the 1930s could get along in racial and religious harmony.

Most of this information gleaned from the diocesan archives and the book HANNA FIELD by the Rev. Harv Wilbur, c. 1995.

Picture from Wyoming Tales & Trails

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By the Rev Doug Wasinger. Email: doug@wyomingdiocese.org

Have you ever wondered what a Ministry Developer would do on a “short week”? Well check out Doug’s blog at http://ministrydevelopmentregion4.blogspot.com

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From The Episcopal Church Office of Public Affairs

“Episcopal Church Welcomes You” Signs Now Available - in Spanish!

Episcopal Books and Resources (EBaR) has launched “The Episcopal Church Welcomes You” signs in Spanish! EBaR can now fill all signage needs in both English and Spanish.

Is it time to replace the signs surrounding the church or the directional ones on area roads? Does your church need to send a clear message of welcome to your growing Hispanic congregation and visitors?

The eye-catching signs that herald “The Episcopal Church Welcomes You,” feature the church’s colors – blue and red on white – all highlighted by the recognizable and treasured Episcopal Church shield.

Also available are small signs that can attach to the bottom indicating "Member of the Worldwide Anglican Communion,” and one indicating times of services or other information.

“EBaR is listening,” said Bernice David, director for Episcopal Books and Resources. “In a time when growing our congregations is important in the life of the Episcopal Church, EBaR knows that we should be doing all that we can to support this effort.”

For prices and to order signs in single-sided English and Spanish or double-sided English/Spanish, contact EBaR via email at ebr@episcopalchurch.org, phone 800 903-5544, or www.episcopalbookstore.org.

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