Friday April 24, 2009

Welcome to the April 24 issue of the eSpirit of Wyoming!
Summer is almost upon us (even if it is snowing outside now) and soon the Wyoming Convention will be here! Part of the convention will be highlighting what each church has done for the Mustard Seed Mission in a poster display, multimedia production, and presentation. I would like to visit with each church (phone/email) soon on the projects and, if needed, schedule a visit to interview folks, take pictures and video, etc. Also, if any churches need help with the Mustard Seed Mission project, I can help (and find help if it is out of my area of expertise). Already some exciting projects are being started and we at the Diocese Office want to make sure the story is documented so we can share these projects (from start to finish) with the world.

Also, 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.
So thanks and keep the stories coming!

God’s peace,

-Andrew

Email: andrew@wyomingdiocese.org or call (+1) 307.265.5200

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By Mr. Pat Walsh. Email: pat@wyomingdiocese.org

A Summer of Planting Seeds
The kingdom of heaven is like a mustard seed, which grows until it is like a tree

As the snow from winter is begins to melt, Wyoming Wilderness Camp begins to ready to host campers from all over Wyoming. Groups start arriving in May and will do so through the middle of October. After working in camp and youth ministry for twenty years, I continue to see the value and impact on young person after they spend a week at camp. The impact and change is truly transformational.

This year the HR Camp Foundation Board has embarked on an effort to raise $40,000.00 in gifts in an effort to match a similar amount of money set aside for the camp by the Episcopal Foundation of Wyoming. Members of the Board and myself are travelling around Wyoming visiting church’s and communities in an effort to raise money for this match. To date the camp has received $1,200.00 towards the goal of $40,000.00. Those wishing to donate to the camp to support the ministry of the camp programs can send gifts directly to the Diocese office at 123 South Durbin in Casper.

The ministry of Wyoming Wilderness Camp continues to expand into communities around Wyoming into public schools and other youth serving organizations. Beginning in May, five different school and University programs and one Episcopal congregation will be visiting the camp for a variety of retreat and leadership programs. We are starting to receive summer camp registrations for family camp, Middler I and II camp, Art and Music Camp, Junior High Camp, and the Wind River Leadership and Mission Camp. Registration forms, camp information, and the camp calendar are available at the web site at www.hrcampfoundation.org or you can email me at pat@wyomingdiocese.org . Kay Flores of St. Stephens has been working hard this winter spring contacting members of the Diocese to serve as spiritual directors during one week of camp. So far we have Rev. Doug Wasinger, Rev. Jess Smith and Leigh Smith, Jennifer Gamber, and Kay Flores set to help out. This weekend, I will be interviewing potential summer camp counselors at Canturbury House in Laramie. Those wishing to apply for a position, can still get information and an application from the camp webpage and send it in to the Casper office at 123 South Durbin street.
 

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

How did the week get by so quickly? Here a quick snap shot of what has taken place this past week around Carbon County – St. James continues to have a good time being with one another and looking forward to setting a date to develop a master plan for the church; St. Luke has welcomed one of their snowbirds this week and she is not missing a beat; St. Paul continues to work on their Christian Caregiving training, and Spring Café bible reflection; St. Thomas’ vestry heard a stirring and inspiring story from their appointed senior warden for the month. I hope this letter finds you well.

I really don’t know how this week got by so quickly. Last Sunday (April 19) I presided at two services and assisted in a pastoral care training that took up most of my day. Monday was a repeat in which I attended a book study at St. Thomas (Rawlins) and that afternoon I was in the Little Snake River Valley for a spring café bible reflection in which the group is working through 2nd Kings. Two very full days and I was enjoying the spring like views as I drove about Carbon County.

Tuesday I think allergies got the better of me, nevertheless I was able to host a joint web/phone meeting with Regions IV (4) and V (5) to teach others how to use Moodle and the Adobe Connect. Wednesday I was on a web/phone meeting with the Ministry Developers as we are looking forward to our time together in Casper next week. We also had a chance to look over the 2nd Annual Wyoming Visitor Weekend. I spent the rest of the day catching up from Tuesday. Thursday was one working through administrative duties (worship schedules and other various things) and worked with Linda Fleming in planning the up-coming Region IV (4) Apostolic Team face-to-face meeting this Saturday in Laramie.

Friday I will be at Kraft Hall in Rawlins from 10 to 12pm and then head to Laramie for the afternoon. Saturday is the Apostolic Team meeting in Rawlins. Sunday I will be presiding at St. Thomas in Rawlins and Sunday afternoon I head for Casper for two days for the Wyoming Visitor Weekend and for the Ministry Developer face to face meeting.

Be well me friends!

Doug

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The Episcopal Church: Office of Public Affairs

Episcopal Church Presiding Bishop Katharine Jefferts Schori highlighted areas of increased focus and activity at the Library of Congress in Washington, D.C. last Thursday evening.

In challenging her audience to find their passions, Jefferts Schori addressed efforts to re-focus, re-imagine and re-invigorate.

The Library of Congress provided an historic setting for the Presiding Bishop's remarks. A special exhibit of Founder's papers was prepared and presented by James Billington, Librarian of Congress (and an active Episcopalian). On display were documents and personal letters from Presidents James Madison and Thomas Jefferson containing references to a shared interest in the fullest possible freedom of the early Episcopal Church and the early United States of America.

“A world deeply hungry”

"We live in a world deeply hungry for the transcendent values of our faith - for holiness, wholeness, health, right relationship; for truth and beauty in human communities; for the justice and peace that characterize healed communities," the Presiding Bishop said.

"The urgent matters before us as a human community right now have to do with the response to ethical lapses behind the current financial situation; the growing inequity between rich and poor; how we care for creation - shrinking Montana glaciers, depleted fisheries in the Southwestern Pacific; the increasing difficulty of growing crops in Africa; how to have an impact on the violence in Gaza, pirates off Somalia, Afghanistan and Iraq, and the drug war in Mexico."

She cited areas of special focus including communications, where we must "re-focus, re-imagine, and re-invigorate our invitation and welcome." The Presiding Bishop asked for increased energy for developing new congregations and redeveloping existing ones

Jefferts Schori addressed "how our stewardship can have a lasting and transformative impact on the world around us."

The Episcopal Heritage

Speaking of the long standing heritage of the Episcopal Church, she noted, "The values this church represents continue to be of utmost significance even after 400 years on these shores."

Jefferts Schori continued, "We live in a tradition that says each member has a vital role to play - at our beginning we insisted laity had a central governance role, and bishops should be elected rather than appointed. Today we talk about baptismal ministry, and unique and shared vocations."

In order to advance the Church's mission into the 21st century and beyond, the Presiding Bishop said leadership must be developed by "recruiting and educating inspired and inspiring leaders."

Jefferts Schori called for a strengthening and expanding of ministries to meet the needs of the global community.

In conclusion, she pointed out, "The first petition in the prayer that Jesus taught us is, 'your kingdom come.' This work is about the Reign of God, and how this Church can be God's partner in building a world that looks more like what God intends. We're meant to be heralds of resurrection to a world that still thinks death is the last word."
 

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