Monday November 9, 2009

Hello and welcome to the November 9 edition of the eSpirit of Wyoming!

An exciting issue this week featuring a podcast with Bishop Caldwell about his recent trip to the White House and a podcast with Mr. John Peacock and his new position with the Diocese.

You may have noticed the past couple of issues have asked for items to donate to Micronesia. As you prepare for winter and are putting away summer clothes, please keep in mind that it is always “summer” in Micronesia, and if you want to donate summer items, they are very willing to accept them. The church on Saipan distributes clothes to its parishioners, as well as raising consider money through rummage sales to support their own mission efforts. If you are interested in sending clothes to Saipan or Chuuk, please contact Andrew Kerr at 307.265.5200 or andrew@wyomingdiocese.org . Many items are needed here at home, too. So please contact Andrew if you have winter clothes (boots, jackets, gloves, etc) and items (skis, snowshoes, etc) to donate to Wyoming Wilderness Camp. Often the youth that participate in the winter outreach programs are woefully unprepared with appropriate clothing to really enjoy the activities in God’s wonderful creation in the beautiful Wyoming winter.

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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Bishop Bruce Caldwell witnessed history on October 28 as a guest of President Obama to the White House as the Matthew Shepard and James Byrd, Jr. Hate Crimes Prevention Act was signed into law! "I think God was smiling and moving with every stroke of the pen as Obama signed this legislation," Caldwell said. "I think passage of this legislation gives the country the opportunity to press the pause button to say enough is enough. No more violence."

Hear more from Bishop Caldwell in a podcast. For all Diocese podcasts, go to: http://wyomingdiocese.mypodcast.com

Read more at Episcopal Life
 

The Rev Ann Fontaine also wrote a story for Episcopal Café
 

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The Diocese welcomed Mr. John Peacock to the Diocese team at the Wyoming Convention last October. Mr. Peacock's role will be to assist the Bishop and staff as a transitional administrator through the consecration of a new bishop next July. Andrew Kerr talked with him last Friday about his new position, his position with Wyoming Association of Churches, and how things are going after a month on the job.

To listen to the podcast click here

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

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By Ms. Marcia Hensley. Email: mhensley@marciahensley.com

Bill and Nancy Webster of Eden, Wyoming are pictured in front of the new restroom facilty installed at the Oregon Trail Memorial Church in Eden, Wyoming in August. Bill and Nancy voluteered their time and equipment to prepare the site for the installation of a vault toilet similar to those used in campgrounds. Previously, the church had no restroom facilities because the building, constructed in 1937, does not have plumbing. This addition was made possible by a generous grant from the Sargent Foundation through the Episcopal Diocese of Wyoming.

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By the Rev Warren Frelund, Deacon. Email: warren@wyomingdiocese.org

WADE IN THE WATER WASHES OVER REGION II

Wade in the Water, a program developed and presented by Dr. Fredrica Harris-Thompsett of Episcopal Divinity School is having an impact on the congregations and communities in Region II. After experiencing this program during the Living Stones Annual Meeting last February, I returned to begin introducing this program to the congregation I work with in the Northeast area of Wyoming.

Wade in the Water involves viewing short DVD presentations by Dr. Harris-Thompsett followed by discussion questions. The subjects addressed are: A Short History of Baptism, Thinking About Who God is, Thinking About Who We are in Relation to God, Differing Perspectives on the Church, Change in a Small Church, and Focusing on Your Work in the World.

The full DVD is 1 hour, 35 minutes. Our experience has been to break the DVD into 5 or 6 segments for viewing and discussion. The discussions have been very full and opening in each of the congregations. Those participating in the program have begun to explore ways in their own life as well as the life of the church in which their Baptismal Promises can become a part of their everyday presence in the world.

As the groups begin to explore ways the church can become active in the community, they begin to draw others into the discussions and involvement in the ministries they hope to develop. When I visit the churches involved in Wade in the Water I now hear new conversation during coffee hour. Discussions concerning ministry in their daily lives. Congregations who have completed or are engaging Wade in the Water are: All Saint's, Wheatland, Christ Church, Newcastle, Church of the Good Shepherd, Sundance, and St. Francis on the Prairie, Wright.

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

Photo: Could happen on any Sunday in Wyoming...

Have you ever wondered what a Ministry Developer does from week to week? Here is snap shot of what I do in Region 4 from week to week. Last week I worked with the Apostolic Team, participated in discernment for preaching in Saratoga, talked with Regional Reps on a web/phone meeting, worked with Karen Buckingham for her formation to the priesthood, and yes presided and attended a Ministry Support Team meeting. Check out all the details on this blog http://ministrydevelopmentregion4.blogspot.com

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Monday, December 7, 2009---Mark your calendars!

On Monday, December 7, 2009, the Slate of Candidates to become the IX Bishop of Wyoming will be presented to the Oversight Committee and subsequently announced to the entire Diocese. Information concerning the Slate will be sent out via e-mail and posted to the Search website at http://www.wyomingbishopsearch.org

Until then, please continue to hold the work of the Search Committee in your prayers:

Eternal God, our sovereign Creator, Redeemer and Guide, in your mercy give your Church in the Diocese of Wyoming a shepherd after your own heart, who will walk in your ways, and with loving care watch over your people. Grant us a leader with your vision and a teacher of your truth, so your Church here may be built up and your name glorified; though Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

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From The Episcopal Church Office of Public Affairs

When is a bishop a bishop?
 

When is a bishop a bishop? At his/her election?

If you answered “yes” to that question, then it’s time to brush up on the canons of The Episcopal Church. And, considering this is “election season” – with eight bishop elections slated for Fall 2009 – it’s a good time to look at the process.

While bishops in The Episcopal Church are elected on the local level, they are not approved to serve as bishops until after the completion of a consent process by the leaders of rest of the Church, followed by ordination.

The process
Generally, the process for electing bishops in the dioceses of The Episcopal Church is the same, whether the election calls for a diocesan, a co-adjutor or a suffragan bishop.

After a process of discernment within the diocese, in which usually a selection of candidates is presented to the diocese, an election is conducted on an appointed date. Upon election, the successful candidate is a Bishop-Elect.

Following some procedural matters including examinations, formal notices are then sent to bishops with jurisdiction (diocesan bishops only) with separate notices to the standing committees of each of the dioceses in The Episcopal Church. These notices require their own actions and signatures.

It’s at this point that time starts ticking.

Approvals
In order for a Bishop-Elect to become a bishop, Canon III.11.4 (a) of The Episcopal Church mandates that a majority of diocesan bishops AND a majority of diocesan standing committees must consent to the Bishop-Elect’s ordination as bishop. These actions – done separately - must be completed within 120 days from the day after notice of the election was sent to the proper parties.

If the Bishop-Elect receives a majority (at least 50% plus 1) of consents from the diocesan bishops as well as a majority from the standing committees, the Bishop-Elect is one step closer. Following a successful consent process, ordination and celebration are in order.

It is at this point, often more than four months after local election, that a Bishop-Elect is a Bishop.

However, if the majority of the diocesan bishops do not consent, and/or the majority of the standing committees do not consent, the Presiding Bishop, in accordance with Canon III.11.5, is required to declare the election null and void. In those cases, a person elected by the diocese will not be ordained. Hence, the bishop is not a bishop, and the process must start anew.

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