Thursday June 25, 2009

Hello and welcome to the June 26 edition of the eSpirit of Wyoming!

The Diocese has a mission trip in Honduras! Follow their adventures by following Twitter (www.twitter.com/wyomingdiocese), the Diocese blog (wyomingdiocese.blogspot.com), and meet the team (www.youtube.com/wyomingdiocese ). Internet connectivity is spotty, so expect blog updates every other day (or days) rather than everyday. The team is doing great and has done enough work to open the clinic today. This technology is not just for this mission trip. General Convention is happening soon, so expect to see more information on what the Wyoming Delegation is doing via the blog, Twitter, and Youtube.

If you are still in the planning (or even preplanning) stages for the Mustard Seed Mission, the Diocese and Foundation are standing by to help you! Let us know! As always, we are a phone call or email away.
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.

Thanks and God’s peace,

-Andrew
andrew@wyomingdiocese.org

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Bishop Caldwell sat down with Andrew Kerr for an interview from the mission trip in Honduras. This link is posted in Diocese's account with MyPodcast: http://wyomingdiocese.mypodcast.com

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I thought summer would never get here, and now not only are we well into June, but the 76th General Convention of the Episcopal Church is right around the corner! Attending as Deputies from Wyoming will be me (Margaret Babcock), John Smylie, Ann Fontaine and Marilyn Engstrom in the clerical order, and Dan Land, Mary Ellen Honsaker, Kay Flores and Josie Nickels of the laity. Warren Murphy and Linda Fleming will also be joining our deputation as first alternates. And, of course, Bruce Caldwell will be in the “Jr. House” (the House of Bishops). We will meet in Anaheim, California from July 7 through July 17 with deputies and bishops from all the rest of the dioceses in the Episcopal Church to ponder, debate, set canonical law and church polity…and vote on resolutions which will hopefully move the Church along on our journey with God.

As I struggle to get through the massive Blue Book (its cover is actually red and it’s over 800 pages long) sometimes I wonder why I am doing this for the seventh time. But that same Blue Book with its reports from the Standing (meaning they meet for the 3 years between General Conventions) Committees and Commissions and the Executive Council…along with the budget and the nominations of people volunteering to do all sorts of difficult and thankless work…reminds me of the strength of our Episcopal Church. Reflected in every paper and resolution submitted, from rules of order to the proposed new liturgies to the priorities of budget, is a grappling with theology which is wider and deeper than any one congregation or even one diocese can achieve on its own. The breadth of our Communion is amazing and the seriousness with which we take our partnership with God and our task to reveal God’s presence and love in the world humbles me. There are times (actually not that many!) when I disagree with the resolutions and even the direction which the writers are encouraging, but I am buoyed up by a vision that there are so many people committed to God’s mission and that together we really do have power to effect the whole world.

So, as the deputies prepare for their experience at General Convention, I’ve asked them to help prepare the members of the Church in Wyoming as well by submitting several articles about issues which we will be considering. Hopefully these articles will help you see the scope of the work before us. If you have questions and/or concerns that you would like to raise, please don’t hesitate to contact us. And of course, we will all be twittering and blogging away once we get there (well, that’s the plan!) to let you know what the “real” scoop is! Keep us in your prayers…..
 

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By Mr. John Peacock. Email: mettenheim@msn.com

A Mustard Seed Grows in Cheyenne!

After a long germination, the Mustard Seed planted at St. Mark’s/Cheyenne is sprouting!

A parish-wide discernment effort resulted in five potential projects being presented to the congregation at a Sunday Forum. “Voters” understood that, by voting for a particular project, they were also volunteering to help make it happen. The “ballot box” remained open for three weeks and, when the ballots were counted, St. Marksters had chosen to partner with Holland & Hart in the Friday Food Bags program.

Friday Food Bags is designed to combat childhood hunger by getting food for the weekend into the hands of LCSD1 students who most need it as determined by District social workers. Each bag contains approximately $5 worth of food with an emphasis on healthy and non-perishable food. Typically, bags contain multiple servings of proteins, fruits and whole grains. School district nutritionists assisted in developing the content.

Up until the partnership with St. Mark’s, Friday Food Bags had been a 9-month, school year program. On June 18, St. Marksters (remember those voters!) delivered bags for the first time to the six campuses housing Summer School students. As volunteers get to know school staff, adjustments can be made in the number of bags delivered each week.

As these weekly deliveries continue, work is beginning in getting ready for fall and the expansion of Friday Food Bags into more schools. Two sub-committees are being formed: Marketing and Fund Raising. St. Mark’s and Holland & Hart are committed to the development of a vital, growing and long lasting partnership, one that can help meet the nutritional needs of our community’s children for many years to come.

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By The Rev Joe Galligan. Email: joe@wyomingdiocese.org

REGION ONE gathered at St. Alban’s Church in Worland for its Regional Confirmation Service on Saturday, May 30, 20009. Bp. Strickland presided over Confirmation and celebrated Eucharist. Candidates for Confirmation included Shirley Wildman, Worland; Rachel Miller and Noel Balog, Thermopolis; and Nelson Fees and Ben Galagan, Cody. Kim Dillivan, Powell, was received.

Members of all six churches in the Region – Basin, Cody, Meeteetse, Powell, Thermopolis, and Worland participated in the joyous celebration. Candidates had breakfast with Bp. Strickland; the Confirmation service began at 11AM and was followed by a luncheon.

During the luncheon, representatives of each congregation met to form an Apostolic Team for Region I to improve communication, awareness and mutual support among the churches of the Big Horn Basin.

Holy Trinity, Thermopolis elected to send Nicole Davenport, an Acolyte, Lector & and Youth Representative on the Vestry on the Honduras trip this June. Various fund-raisers and other means were enthusiastically employed to help with her expenses, along with the usual monetary support the ECW gives to the Honduran Feed the Children Program. Everyone is excited about her trip & many prayers, hugs, and good wishes go with her. Quilters were also busy finishing a baby blanket for the newest member of the congregation.

Both Worland and Thermopolis have been pursuing their Ministry Role Descriptions with enthusiasm for moving forward with their moves into Total/Mutual Ministry.

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

Hello this is Doug coming from Carbon County Wyoming! Where the cool weather continues to play games with plants, the residents who struggle to determine what to wear outside, and the wind blows our blues away! It is full summer time fun. I hope this letter finds you well.

The mornings around Carbon County are very pleasant. They begin with the sunshine coming up and warming everything up which has been cooled down during the night. Because of the rain and moisture that we have been receiving the grass is really green, the leaves on the trees are striking, and the dew twinkles in the sun. The graveside service in Rawlins last Monday was just that, peaceful and brought the family measureable closer. The drive to LSRV was equally relaxing as I was able to look about and drink in the wonders of Wyoming and the views of open space. The summer café bible study is currently working through 2 Chronicles and I have to admit it seems like Solomon is a bit of an egomaniac because the bible reads it is all about him (not prophet to challenge him from time to time). The fellowship was rewarding.

Tuesday I was the host for the MDC Certificate Project Possible Learners for Project. This project is looking at developing a certification for future Ministry Developers. It is a collaborative effort of many different Dioceses throughout the country (and I believe one from Canada) and EDS. As this work becomes more visible through the United States is important to increase the training and competences of our leadership. This is edge cutting stuff.

Wednesday I was again hosting a web/phone meeting for the pre-general convention for the Diocese of Wyoming. This year’s convention will prove to be a busy one as the National Canons will be working on Title IV (the disciplinary canon) to make it more congregant with reconciliation and restoration along with addressing health care insurance needs. Throughout all the meetings there will be social justice issues, small churches needs, liturgy, and the list goes on and on. The Diocese is working on keeping everybody informed through the General Convention through the use of technology (twitter, blogging, and e-mail).

Thursday I drove to Green River for a second session of Wade in the Water. This session we looked at how big and how small we make God. The group is working hard on this material and I am impressed on the level of commitment that I am seeing through the summer. I am praying that the seeds of their effort will take root and many fruits will be blooming because of their willingness to gather and listen to God in community. Friday I took my laptop with me to Laramie and worked on scenarios with Linda Wilson. I think we are ready to go this week.

I started my Sunday in Encampment. Olivia volunteered to come along with me and made sure that she was up in time to go. We arrived to many smiling faces and good cheer. The day was up to par and so was the fellowship. St. James in Encampment now has fully embraced the summer time activities which mean that are playing hard. The town itself was having their annual woodchoppers’ festivities. That afternoon/evening I was at St. Paul’s in Dixon. I arrived around 4pm to see if there were anybody interested in working on Pastoral Training with the Eucharistic Visitors, but spent time walking around outside looking at all the work that is being done to the building. Before we got started I had a chance to catch up with Linda Fleming and we put together the Apostolic Team Meeting for Region 4 agenda. The gospel reading was about quieting storms and the rain was coming down! As we gathered for Prayers of the People the sun came out and lit the church up nicely. See God silenced the storm! (Ok that may be a bit over the top, but what the heck!)

The Honduras Mission Trip for 2009 is on their way. There is a blog site that is set-up so that we call can follow their adventures and pray for them as they go about expanding God’s Kingdom. You can follow the blog at this link http://wyomingdiocese.blogspot.com/

The remainder of the week looks like this – Monday I am working around the office at home. Tuesday is an all day web/phone meeting with the Ministry Developers. Wednesday I will be heading to LSRV for their summer Thanksgiving and Compline Service starting at 6pm. Thursday I will be found at Kraft Hall for an hour and then Warren, Karen, and I will meet to discuss the transitional deaconate. After that discussion Warren and I will be working on a resolution for Safeguarding God’s Children. Saturday I will be in Laramie for the Apostolic Team Meeting for Region 4 at Canterbury House starting at 10 am and wrapping up at 2pm. Sunday I will be in Region 5 for Holy Eucharist services; Fort Bridger @ 9am and Green River @ 11am.

Be well my friends.

Doug

 

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Submitted by Mr. Pat Walsh. Email: pat@wyomingdiocese.org

Wyoming Wilderness Camp

We are very excited about this upcoming camp season. We have spent the last week and a half together during staff training,to help us prepare for this challenging, yet rewarding job. We have been fortunate to have been instructed by Jackson Hole Mountain Guides. They have many years experience in this area, and taught us how to climb, belay, and many ways to insure safety with the campers. Mike Galm, who built most of our existing ropes course, was here to instruct us on the ropes, and the important process portion of this activity. John Bowen was here to teach us CPR, and Wilderness First Aid.

This is our staff this year, and their answers to the questions, Why are you here? How do you think you can impact the campers lives?

Marissa: Mt View,Wy. Major is social science: :I am here because I wanted a job where I could focus on ministry to children. I hope to be a good role model and show them how to be closer to God.
Shelby:Washington,majored in environmental science: I am here because I love the outside and this beautiful solitary environment. I think I can share my wisdom and knowledge of the environment.
Caitlin:Nebraska:major textiles and merchandise:I wanted to do something outdoors and with people. I think I can be a positive role model with the campers.
Bethany: Wright WY: JR., high school. I love it here! I have been here as a camper for 8 years. This is one of my dreams. I hope I can make the same impact on the campers as my councilors did when I was here as a camper. I feel closer to God here.
Allison: Laramie, WY: political science. I am here because the councilors that were here when I was a camper touched my life. I will like to share my stories, experience and knowledge, and provide a new way of thinking of things, maybe prevent closed mindedness.
Tyne: Nebraska: psychology major: I am here to gain experience working with people, and to strengthen my relationship with God. I hope to keep the campers safe and maybe plant a seed towards their faith with God.
Sam: Wheatland, WY: mechanical engineering: I love the outdoors. I have been here before with the Wheatland schools as a mentor. I hope to share my wisdom and be a good role model.
Marshall: Laramie, WY: Business: I hope to better myself being outdoors all summer and work with children. I hope to be a good role model.
Stephanie: Wheatland, WY: theater: I hope to have a great time here and hope to listen, and provide emotional support for the campers.
Gayland: Laramie, WY: business: I’ve done a lot of camps as a child. I like the outdoors. I hope to help out with the outdoor activities.
 

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