Friday January 16, 2009

By Mr. Andrew Kerr. Email: andrew@wyomingdiocese.org

Welcome to the third electronic issue of the Spirit of Wyoming, or eSpirit of Wyoming, as we are calling it. The eSpirit is designed as an easy way of communicating with each other in the Diocese of Wyoming: right to your inbox. Expect the eSpirit in your Friday afternoon email about 3-4 times a month (or more if there is a special event). If it is too much, just opt out by unsubscribing (the bottom left column) and read archived issues at your leisure: www.wyomingdiocese.org/spirit or www.spiritofwyoming.org . It is easy to get your friends to register, as well. You can forward the eSpirit to them by using the "Forward to a Friend" box on the bottom left column. Or there is an opt-in box to subscribe on the front page of the Wyoming Diocese website: www.wyomingdiocese.org.

The eSpirit is a publication from the Diocese FOR the Diocese and OF the Diocese. What I mean is this eSpirit is meant to connect our Diocese together through information. Please share your articles and pictures with us by emailing info@wyomingdiocese.org. If you would like articles to go out on Friday, please have them to us by Thursday afternoon. Also, please encourage others to register for the eSpirit, so we can all stay connected.

God’s Peace, -Andrew

back to top ^

Same great camp, but a new name. HR Camp has provided thousands of Wyoming youth and adults countless wonderful experiences over the years, and NONE of that is going to change. The HR Camp Foundation (the governing body of the camp) will stay the same, too, continuing to honor Hank Raymond¹s generous gift to the Diocese in 1943. The change came about to help the camp market itself outside the Diocese and needed a name that would reflect the experience: Wyoming wildernessŠin a camp. Wyoming Wilderness Camp.

Camp Director Pat Walsh had this to say about the new name and how it relates to the mission of the HR Camp Foundation, "This is what I think about the name Wyoming Wilderness Camp. For me change or clarification is exciting! I think that marketing the brand of Wyoming Wilderness Camp to Wyoming schools and organizations, as well as our churches, gives a sense of excitement to the camp and should help in the overall marketing of the camp."

The website is up, as well. You can go directly to the site at: www.wyomingwildernesscamp.org or www.hrcampfoundation.org. Help spread the word in your community that Wyoming Wilderness Camp is available for year-round outdoor activities both at the Esterbrook camp site or programs anywhere in Wyoming.

back to top ^

Winter is an awesome time to enjoy God¹s creation in Wyoming. The HR Camp Foundation, through Wyoming Wilderness Camp, provides many programs and activities for Wyoming youth all winter. Unfortunately, many of Wyoming youth never get a chance to spend much time outside since they cannot afford the protective clothing needed to snowshoe, ski, or even sit around a campfire. The camp tries to keep a supply of donated gloves, hats, and coats on hand for needy youth (and adults) that participate in the winter programs, but supplies are low! If you have good condition winter boots, coats, gloves, hats, mittens, and other winter clothing, HR Camp Foundation can use it! Also, if you have winter gear that you would like to donate like cross country skiis, snowshoes, sleds, HR Camp Foundation can use those, too. You can clean some space in your closet and garage, get a nice recipet for your 09 taxes, and do a very, very nice thing for kids.

If you would like to donate items to Wyoming Wilderness Camp winter activities, please send them to the Diocese to:
Pat Walsh
Episcopal Diocese of Wyoming
123 South Durbin St
Casper WY 82601

If you have questions , please contact Pat at: pat@wyomingdiocese.org or call 307-351-7006

back to top ^

By the Rev. Kathy Robinson. Email: kathy@wyomingdiocese.org

Dear Friends in Christ,

Someone once described Wyoming as a town with really long streets. For the past two years there has been an ongoing conversation throughout the Diocese about discerning God’s vision for our future. One of the topics that arose during these conversations was the real need to connect between the congregations and Diocesan community. Upon further discernment the concept of an Apostolic Team, which is charged with the ministry of communication, education and organization emerged.

We are a diocese that has come alive with God’s Spirit over the past years as more and more we have learned to identify and share our gifts with one another. Yet we are also a diocese of small congregations, along with a few larger churches, each unique with a variety of gifts and needs. It only makes sense to join together creating a pool of individuals with a passion for seeing the “big picture” along with those with special gifts and skills in everything from accounting and grant writing to music and liturgy. In addition there are projects that require more resources than any one of us can give alone – but together are possible. With a little imagination, the possibilities become endless. All of this - not so that we become more alike – our individuality is perhaps our greatest strength - but so that we have the resources available to enrich our unique identities.

We are now beginning the process in every region of discerning people within each church that are excited by the idea of working creatively with others sharing the stories of their congregations and really getting to know Christians from other communities as we pray, dream, learn, work, play and celebrate with one another. Below is a list of possible gifts that will be needed. You may think of others. Over the next few months you are being asked to hold the formation of these Apostolic Teams in your prayers looking around at your brothers and sisters in Christ as well as searching your own hearts to discern those who God is calling into this special ministry.

Imagine what is possible when people of vision join together in love. Why we just might begin to see more clearly what a diocese would look like as one community in Christ connected by people working, laughing, and praying together.

In Christ, Kathy Robinson

o Liturgy (Priests, liturgists, musicians etc)
o Pastoral Care (pastoral care providers, eucharistic visitors)
o Administration (Grant Writers, Lawyers, etc.)
o Formation (Stewardship, Christian Ed. for young people and adults, systems people)
o Transformation (Deacons, evangelists)
 

back to top ^

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

A quick glimpse around the county looks like this …. St. Thomas has completed their Annual Meeting, moving forward in building a wheelchair lift along with a handicap bathroom, with the Mustard Seed Project they are looking at starting a Soup Kitchen that will involve the other churches of Rawlins. St. James has recently said good-by to Ken Morrison and he passed from this life on Tuesday January 6, 2008. A memorial service was held in Rawlins with another service scheduled in Encampment this up-coming Sunday. St. Paul is getting ready for their Annual Meeting. They also had a brief meeting two weeks ago to review up-coming activities such as worship leaders, perhaps a BINGO night for families and the like. I had not contacted St. Luke’s since the holidays, but what I have heard it was a grand time shared by all in Medicine Bow. I hope this letter finds you well.

Last Monday the conversation with the Regional Reps, the Oversight Committee for the Bishop Search, and Ministry Developers went well. We discussed about how many people have submitted their names and if they are laity or ordained. In Region IV we have a strong representation from the laity and with a good mix of larger and smaller churches in the mix. Now it is time to assemble the team and pray for on-going discernment.

Tuesday was a day of working around the office, making phone calls, sermon prep, and the like. Wednesday there was a Ministry Developer web/phone conference where we all checked in from the holiday break and shared what is taking place throughout the state. As one can imagine Annual meetings are being scheduled and held and some of us are working hard to attend to as many as we can. That evening I attended St. Thomas’ vestry meeting, talked about up-coming elections and the general thoughts about building a wheelchair lift and handicap accessible bathroom along with Muster Seed Project.

Friday St. Thomas held a memorial service for Ken Morrison. Ken was 91 years old. He had deep roots in both Rawlins and Encampment. He was a man that was surrounded by love and it showed. Although the weather kept some people home for safety reasons the service was well attended. The reception following the service had many pictures of the full life that Ken and Lois have shared together over the years. Ken will be missed.

Saturday I attended a worship breakfast with St. Thomas in which everybody talked about up-coming services and sermon rotation. They also talked about how to prepare for (Rev) Jess Smith as he will be presiding at St. Thomas for once a month as an Associated Priest in Region IV. (Rev) Margaret Babcock will be presiding for a service in February. The breakfast was a good way to communicate what is happing in the up-coming month. They also decided to reengage “Opening the Prayer Book” from the New Church Teaching Series to learn more about liturgy.

Sunday I presided at St. Thomas in Rawlins with the Annual meeting following the service. St. Thomas accepted their invitation to use the Muster Seed money with the help of the Holy Spirit. Following the service Annual meeting when well and open and candid conversation was held about what to do with the rich blessings from the Foundation and there seemed to be a strong consensus about a soup kitchen. Now how this will look is an ongoing process as this unfolds.

The reminder of the week looks like this … projects to complete is filling out recommendations for the search and transition committee; prepare a workshop for Eucharistic visitors and report for St. Paul; write a report on a phone conference for the Evangelism group. Of course there is the sermon writing that needs to take place. Wednesday I will be on web/phone conference with the Ministry Developers. Thursday I head over to Green River to participate in the Rooted In God congregational development process. Friday I will be in Kraft Hall meeting with a couple who are planning on getting married in July of this year. Sunday I will be starting my day in Encampment with the Sunday service that will a memorial of Ken Morrison. That evening I will be in the Little Snake River Valley for a workshop, service, and the annual meeting. Talk about a busy week.

Take care and be well,

Doug

back to top ^

The devotional includes an adaptation of the Rev. Barbara C. Crafton's Almost-Daily Emos and highlights the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs), offering ways for parishioners to help achieve these life-saving goals, especially through Episcopal Relief & Development's MDG Inspiration Fund.

The devotional was designed to supplement the Daily Office Lectionary in this reflective season. It invites Episcopalians to reflect on the role of God's grace in our lives and how we may act as instruments of God's healing in a hurting world.
 

Make sure to order enough copies for all members of your congregation. You should have already received a sample of the Lenten Devotional in the mail. Please note that the phone number for Episcopal Books & Resources on the cover letter was incorrect. We sincerely apologize for any inconvenience. To order, visit:
www.er-d.org/LentenResources
or call Episcopal Books & Resources at 1.800.903.5544 (please note that this is the correct phone number for orders).

To ensure delivery by Ash Wednesday, February 25, orders for 2009 Lenten Devotionals must be placed by Monday, February 16.

After receiving your materials, please help your congregation make efficient use of the devotionals by:

• Distributing the devotionals before Ash Wednesday, February 25.
• Providing church members with copies of the 2009 Lenten Bulletin Insert which can be downloaded from www.er-d.org/LentenResources.
• Having prayer cards and other materials available.
• Encouraging members of your church to send donations in the envelope included in the devotional.

back to top ^

By Ms. Ellen Galligan. Email: joegalligan@hotmail.com

Holy Trinity "People-For-People" team had their free Christmas Dinner,open to the public & enjoyed a good size crowd, as well as their regular deliveries of the meal to "shut-ins" in the whole community. This group (of 11 teams made up of folks from all over town) also did a free Thanksgiving Dinner for the community, feeding over 100 people (including their deliveries). Three of the teams are from Holy Trinity, which also sponsors & houses supplies for this Outreach program. We involve as many teams from outside H.T. as we can, spreading the work around & making this a truly Ecumenical program. Anyone in town can sign up for the Sunday meal to be delivered to them & we do about 50+ meals each Sunday noon. Lot of good cooks & drivers!

"Christmas Baskets" was a resounding success again, packing 98 boxes of food including milk, turkeys or ham, bread, stuffing, canned goods,etc. for pick-up by recipients @ the Parish Hall, or delivery for those who needed it. We work with the Souting-for-Food kids & other groups in town to gather food for this program & for the Community Church's Food Bank. P-F-P & Christmas Baskets have been being done by H.T. since 1984 & are flourishing with the commitment of wonderful, dedicated, caring people.

Our Sunday School kids & Acolytes once again did a bake sale for their Outreach project and raised enough to purchase a goat, a flock of chicks, & a trio of rabbits for families through Heifer International. They've done this for several years now. Operation Christmas Child-Shoe Box Christmas ( a Franklin Graham ministry) is another of our outreach programs, as is the African Team Ministry box, so we're a busy bunch.

Greening of the church brought the annual children's program & "Chili & Chocolate" carry-in. Named as such the year we did a "Las Posadas" for our program & had all sorts of Mexican food & Chocolate desserts. We've dropped much of the variety & settled on chili, tortillas, & other foods, but kept the chocolate things! After much eating & visiting we get to work decorating everything in reach of big hands & small. Much fun & laughter is had by all w/ beautiful results.

Now we're working to get our reports & food (again) ready for annual meeting, as well as preparing for our "Mustard Seed" program on the 18th. EFM is ready to resume the 12th after our Christmas break. Never a dull moment!

back to top ^

By Ms. Joni Weed. Email: joni@sjecjh.org

In December, the Jackson Cupboard, our area food bank which has space in our undercroft, was very concerned about the number of families being served during the 2 afternoons they are open. They are averaging over 90 families each day, and the stock of canned goods, cereals and frozen meat was dwindling fast. Fr. Ken Asel, Rector of St. John’s Church in Jackson, recalled Fr. Bill Tully of St. Bartholomew’s in New York City issuing a challenge to his parish during a recent food crisis: bring in a ton of food. A vestry member at St. John’s provided an industrial scale for weighing the food at the altar, and the call went out. Business-card sized shopping lists were given to enthusiastic parishioners and community members. In just three weeks, 9,435 pounds of food (almost five tons!) had been brought into the church to be weighed and taken to the Cupboard, and numerous cash donations went directly to the Cupboard’s fund for fresh goods vouchers, which give recipients an opportunity to obtain milk, bread and vegetables. And, a number of parishioners approached our local grocery stores about obtaining food at a discount or free, as in the case of meat, bakery and frozen items about to be stale-dated. This has resulted in a continuous flow of vegetables, fruit, meat, pizzas and other frozen goods, which the parishioners pick up and deliver to the Cupboard.

This effort was successful in part because it created a new awareness of a need that could be helped by many individuals providing what they could afford. In the community, a number of businesses and St. John’s Staff gave food to the Cupboard instead of having a Christmas gift exchange.

back to top ^