Monday March 29, 2010

Hello and welcome to the March 29 edition of the eSpirit of Wyoming!

Big changes in the Diocese!

March 20 saw the election of a new bishop (elect), The Rev John Smylie from St Mark’s, Casper! Bishop Elect John included a letter in this edition of the eSpirit, too. Check out the pictures from St Matthew’s: http://picasaweb.google.com/wyomingdiocese/BishopElection

The new video conference network, provided by the Foundation for the Episcopal Diocese of Wyoming, is getting closer to completion! Casper, Cheyenne, Cody, Kemmerer, and Jackson all have working units...and by the end of the week, so will Rawlins & Wright! This system will be used to connect the diocese for meetings, workshops, classes, and possibly even worship! (yes, one of the Apostolic Teams is trying to figure that one out!). July 31, it will also be used to transmit (in high-definition) the consecration of Bishop Elect Smylie to the sites around Wyoming.

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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Dear Friends,

Since the fifth ballot at the electing convention on March 20th at St. Matthew’s Cathedral in Laramie, Wyoming, Jill and I have been blessed with numerous telephone calls,
e-mails, letters and cards. We've received congratulations and words of encouragement from as far away as Egypt and Afghanistan (David Duprey) and as close as Casper. One of the messages that I hear in the midst of all of this communication is that what we do here in Wyoming makes a difference to the world. I have believed that about the Diocese of Wyoming for several years. It seems to me that we are positioned at this time in our history as a Diocese, to make a difference for the rest of our country. I believe we are postured to show leadership to the larger church.

In my mind, ministry at its essence is local. When I think of Jesus and reflect on His ministry, He sets clear boundaries as to where He believed he was to serve. As He maintained those boundaries and kept focused on His mission, something wonderful happened -- His ministry became expansive, not because of His extensive travels but because of the power of God found in the relationships that He had with His disciples
and those whom He touched with His word and example. As we look even more deeply, we discover that He, too, was shaped and grew through the encounters He had in His ministry.

These next few weeks for Jill and me are a time of transition, even though we are not moving from one community to another, we are transitioning from 701 S. Wolcott to
123 S. Durban St. -- from St. Mark's in Casper to the State and Diocese of Wyoming. Transitions are important moments of time. Very simply, it's important for us to say goodbye well so the one who follows has an opportunity to say hello well. Jill and I feel hugely privileged as we anticipate the opportunity you have given us to serve with you and to discover with you the good news and vision that God has in store for us all. During this time of transition we will be listening and praying for wisdom.

Please know that you are already in our prayers and we sense that we are in yours as well. Thank you again for placing your trust in us, and may each of you experience the fullness of our Lord's offering as we engage Holy Week and the moments of our Lord's passion leading to His crucifixion and the transforming power of resurrection.

Warmly,

John Smylie
Bishop Elect

(Picture of John & Jill Smylie after the election, March 20, at St Matthew's Cathedral in Laramie)

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As a reminder, The Foundation for the Episcopal Diocese of Wyoming has asked that we let you know that April 1 is the next grant application deadline for Foundation grants and Wind and Wings grants. Sargent Grants are processed annually and applications are due at the Foundation office by the July 1 deadline.

Typically Foundation grants are awarded to encourage mission and outreach; Wind and Wings grants are referred to the Diocesan Council but tend to be directed towards youth focused programs. Sargent Grants are not limited but have tended to be used for capital improvement projects.

Grant applications are available by contacting the Foundation office:
John Masters at 307.233.4222 or at john@efwy.org or at 123 S. Durbin St., Casper, WY 82601

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SERVING GOD IN THE WIDER COMMUNITY
 

Thomas the Apostle Center will be sponsoring a workshop entitled, “Seeking Jubilation: Developing Successful Outreach and Jubilee Ministries” to be held April 30- May 1 at TAC in Cody. This workshop is especially designed for church congregations that want to make a difference outside their walls and in the wider community. It is open to any congregation (Episcopal or otherwise) or church leaders desiring to know how to make this kind of ministry effective.

The “Seeking Jubilation” workshop is a follow up to a similar event sponsored by TAC in 2008. That event gathered representatives of certified “Jubilee Centers” in Wyoming and those churches wishing to become Jubilee Centers. A Jubilee Center is one that is dedicated to social change and service in a local community. This year’s workshop will not only be for Jubilee Centers, but also for congregations that wish to learn more about effective community ministry.

“Seeking Jubilation” will be led by The Rev. Warren Murphy ( TAC Program Director and former Director of the Wyoming Association of Churches), Mary Ellen Honsaker (Jubilee Officer of the Episcopal Diocese of Wyoming) and the Rev. Tim Serson (long time pastor of Faith Lutheran Church in Lander) who is a veteran of numerous church outreach programs in Fremont County. Participants will receive first hand knowledge about successful outreach programs and receive an update on what the Jubilee Centers have been doing.

The theme of the workshop will be on discovering what it takes to plan and carry out community outreach ministry. Participants will focus on the differences between social work, social action and social justice. Ideas will be shared on how churches can make this kind of work into ministry. It will also cover how to generate volunteers and find financial resources to carry out this kind of congregational mission.

Warren Murphy states, “The Wyoming Episcopal Church recently moved in this direction with the creation of the Mustard Seed Project”. He went on to say, “This workshop is especially designed for those who wish to follow through on their Mustard Seed ministry and continue with local church involvement”. Those who would most benefit are any church leaders (both clergy and lay) who wish to see their congregation engaged in this kind of life changing work.

There is no cost for the workshop and TAC is offering free accommodations for the first fourteen registrants. This is all made possible through a generous grant from the Episcopal Foundation of the Diocese of Wyoming. The workshop will begin at 5 PM on Friday, April 30, with dinner and run through Saturday, May 1, with lunch. Please register by calling 307-587-4400 or on-line at thomap@tritel.net.

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

What does Batman and Robin have to do with Holy Week? Check out Doug’s blog and find out! http://ministrydevelopmentregion4.blogspot.com

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