Friday June 19, 2009

Hello and welcome to the June 19 edition of the eSpirit of Wyoming!

Planting your mustard seeds or watching the seeds grow? The folks in the Diocese want to know about your Mustard Seed Project! Please call (307.265.5200) or email (andrew@wyomingdiocese.org) and we can tell your story. Also, if you are still in the planning (or even preplanning) stages, 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,

-Andrew
 

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The Rev Kay Rohde sat down with Andrew Kerr for an interview about the mission trip to Honduras. This link is posted in Diocese's account with MyPodcast: http://wyomingdiocese.mypodcast.com

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By the Very Rev Marilyn Engstrom. Email: stmattsdean@aol.com

St. Matthew's Cathedral, Laramie, is literally raising the roof. Last week work began with removal and asbestos abatement of the shingles which have been in place since the 1920's. This week will bring the installation of four inches of vented insulation, followed by laminate shingles that look like slate. Engineering estimates indicate that utility savings will be about 30% annually with the added insulation. The project is being financed through insurance benefits, a much appreciated grant from the Episcopal Foundation of Wyoming, through the accumulated proceeds from the sale of cloth shopping bags donated by the Prayers and Squares Bag Ladies and Cathedral maintenance funds. Of course, additional donations would be greatly appreciated. Junior Warden, Charlie DeWolf, is on hand every day overseeing the project. Gertsch- Baker Architects are the consulting engineers.

For the duration of the project to avoid any possible asbestos contamination, the congregation is worshiping in the undercroft. This is enabling us to try different seating arrangements while focusing on the shape of the liturgy, rather than obsessing about the shape of the room.
This project is the first major venture to address other long deferred maintenance issue. Later projects include the installation of a ramp to allow for easier access to the Cathedral, new hardwood flooring in the nave, sound system installation, cathedral seating and front entry and stairway improvements.
 

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

Feast of Jonathan Myrick Daniels

St. Mark’s Episcopal Church in Cheyenne, Wyoming will be observing the Feast of Jonathan Myrick Daniels, Seminarian and Witness for Civil Rights, in a series of events on August 22 – 23, 2009, including an informal social gathering on Saturday evening and a Sunday Forum featuring The Rev. Judith Upham. The Rev. Upham will also preach at both the 8:00 a.m. and 10:30 a.m. services.

Jonathan Myrick Daniels (March 20, 1939 – August 20, 1965) was an Episcopal seminarian, killed for his work in the American civil rights movement. On August 13, 1965, Daniels, in a group of 29 protesters, went to picket whites-only stores in the small town of Fort Deposit, Alabama. All of the protesters were arrested and taken to jail in the nearby town of Hayneville. Five juvenile protesters were released the next day. The rest of the group was held for six days; they refused to accept bail unless everyone was bailed. Finally, on August 20, the prisoners were released without transport back to Fort Deposit. After release, the group waited by a road nearby the jail. Daniels with three others — a white Catholic priest and two black protesters--went down the street to get a cold soft drink at Varner's Grocery Store, one of the few local stores that would serve nonwhites. Tom L. Coleman, an engineer for the state highway department and unpaid special deputy, who wielded a shotgun, met them at the front. The man threatened the group, and finally leveled his gun at seventeen-year-old Ruby Sales. Daniels pushed Sales down to the ground and caught the full blast of the gun. He was killed instantly. The priest, Richard F. Morrisroe, grabbed the other protester and ran. Coleman shot Morrisroe, wounding him in the lower back. Daniels’ death helped galvanize support for the civil rights movement within the Episcopal Church. He is regarded as a martyr in the Episcopal Church. (source-Wikipedia)

The Rev. Judith Upham, who graduated from the Episcopal Theological School in 1967, spent most of the spring semester 1965 in Selma, Alabama, working with Jon Daniels. She was ordained Deacon on Dec. 6, 1975 and Priest on Jan. 6, 1977. She was Rector of Grace Episcopal Church in Syracuse, NY from 1979 to 1991. Since then she has served as Interim Rector for a number of parishes throughout the country.

Observances at St. Mark’s are sponsored and made possible by The Jonathan Daniels Society, the Church’s Peace and Justice Ministry.

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By Mr. John Masters, Esq. Email: john@efwy.org

The diocesan offices of Wyoming are being remodeled. Originally built as a savings and loan building in 1960, the space had evolved into a law office before its purchase by the Foundation for the Diocese in 2007. Plans immediately commenced to renovate the space. Early on the Foundation committed to the concept of making a more environmentally friendly building. It engaged a LEED® (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design) consultant to guide it through the maze of rules and requested its architect and contractor to take the steps necessary to comply with the LEED regulations needed for certification.

The project is scheduled to be completed in late August of this year. When done the new building will feature many “green” elements, including: high reflectivity, high insulation glass; complete abatement of asbestos; facilitation of staff usage of public or non polluting transportation; more efficient use of water on the premises; substantial reuse of existing materials on site, use of recycled materials, and use of wood from replanted forests; more efficient heating and cooling, including individual control for work spaces; installation of low emitting carpets, floor and wall surfaces, adhesives, and paints; enhanced use of natural lighting including controls to automatically dim lights during daylight periods; and better insulation of walls and attic areas. In addition the diocese has applied for a grant from Rocky Mountain Power to install solar power collection panels on the roof.

The project is well underway but was not without its challenges. LEED® would like each building to have a white or light colored roof, but in northern climates our heating cost typically exceeds our cooling cost, so this type of requirement is somewhat nonsensical. We would probably see greater energy savings from using a dark roof surface to retain heat. I also believe in the overall concept of saving energy, but some rules seem to be overly costly for the expected benefit. Prior to the remodel, our basement was at a comfortable temperature throughout the year. However LEED® requires we insulate the walls so we will insulate the walls but it does seem a waste of insulation as well as diocesan resources. Some of these expectations do not seem designed for buildings in northern climates but may be very appropriate for other locations.I suggest that others working towards greening their buildings can borrow heavily from the work of the U.S. Green Building Council (the LEED® sponsor) but may wish to make individual decisions as to which guidelines make the most sense for each project. We will be happy to have a LEED® certified project when all is done but the process has been an adventure that I might not wish to repeat. Ask me again in two years when my memory has dimmed!

The Diocese hopes to show case the new space at the October convention. Among its goals for that meeting is an instructive tour of the green components of the new space.

The LEED website is located at: http://www.usgbc.org/ and is a valuable resource for those seeking good information on greening techniques.
 

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

It has become a tradition each year for region III to hold a barn dance at an old grange hall named Cottonwood Hall because it is nestled in among those trees. Its purpose is simply to gather people together to share a meal and enjoy the music of Rex Martin’s band – The Timberline Express. Each year a group of people arrive early to sweep up the accumulated dirt and cobwebs – flinging open windows to let the spring air chase the mustiness of winter away.

The evening always seems to start slow as people dribble in two and three at a time, greeting friends that they have not seen for months. Pretty soon the room is full of talk and laughter as people line up piling their plates full of a kaleidoscope of food. As the eating begins the room quiets once more…and then the music begins. It is great fun just to watch as children of all ages join in the dance and Rex has just the knack for getting everyone involved.

When we first began the dance several years ago those attending were either from the churches or friends of theirs, but beginning last year new faces began to appear from the ranches and towns surrounding Cottonwood Hall. The older people talk of how the floors of the old grange hall used to shake weekly with music and the feet of dancers and it is obvious that the younger folk practice their dancing often as they swing across the floor with complicated moves.

Sitting and watching the fun the refrain from the song Lord of the Dance kept coming to mind.

Dance, then, wherever you may be;
I am the Lord of the
Dance, said he.
And I’ll lead you all wherever you may be,
And I’ll lead you all in the dance, said he.

It occurred to me that in many ways there is a real liturgy in the barn dance as a community of people gather for the simple joy of being together in movement and song. All that is needed is an acknowledgement that it is God who is the Lord of the Dance. It is so obvious that it is this kind of music and dance that draws people together that I can’t help but wonder how this might be included in our Sunday worship.

So here is our challenge – to find where God’s people gather together outside our church walls and then to bring what we find into our worship as it invites new people into our midst while enriching our own time together
 

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

Photo of St. Paul's in Dixon

Hello folks of Carbon County. I hope the June month has been pleasant and rewarding. Looking around the County this is what has been taking place – St. Luke’s has completed one session of Wade in the Water; St. Paul’s working through the summer month with their Summer Café bible reflection; St. Thomas is going to have VBS this upcoming week. I hope this letter finds you well.

Last Monday was a quite day in sorts. I mostly hung around the office at home and worked on various projects like sermon prep, reviewed e-mails, and got ready for the web/phone meeting with the regional reps. When the meeting was beginning we realized that the phone call was scheduled for a different time, nevertheless, we worked through the slight scheduling and technology issue can carried on. The major pressing piece of work for this group is helping the Diocese make more available the Safeguarding God’s Children training for our churches and communities. We have decided that we will look at scheduling regional presentations along with those congregations who wish to host a local training in their congregations. During our web/phone conversation we also did a general check in as well to listen to what is taking place throughout the Diocese.

Wednesday was another web/phone meeting with the Ministry Developers. We follow-up on our conversation with the regional reps and Safeguarding God’s Children and will include some work that Kathy has done around this work when she was a director of a pre-school. We also did some general check in which some attending funerals, trainings, transitions in Region VI and V, and other various personal happenings. The Ministry Developers are using a tool called scenario planning as a way of looking into the future (in some predicable and intentional way if that is even possible – smile) and we were reminded to work on our area of assignment. The reminder of the day was spent on preparation of up-coming Wade in the Water session in Medicine Bow, sermon, phone calls and the like.

Thursday I was in Kraft Hall in Rawlins for a couple of hours. I spoke with Kathleen Ford about baptism preparation in July in Rawlins, helped plan the service on Sunday and hung out to field questions and requests. I worked a bit on my part of the scenario planning which is about writing a story about a response and challenge in the Diocese. Friday was much the same.

Saturday I drove over to Medicine Bow and meet with the fine folks of St. Luke’s. They have decided to go through Wade in the Water educational program this summer. The primary reason is that during the winter travel is a bit of a challenge and an important member of the congregation heads south after Christmas and does not return until Easter. This seems to be the best time to get together. We had a carry in breakfast and started the first session. It was a good time.

Sunday I was at St. Thomas in Rawlins. Karen Buckingham, newly ordained into the transitional diaconate, had return from her trip to Oregon and this was the first Sunday for us to work together as a worship team. I will admit it felt different working with a deacon during a service and I like it. There was a birthday to be celebrated by one of the younger members of the congregation and we blessed the wonderful 4 year old.

This summer seems to be taking a lighter and laid back approach this year. I am being a bit more intentional about slowing down to rest and play during these months. I have found this to be very beneficial for my spiritual and mental well being. Yet the work continues to be done as the leadership of our Diocese continues to work toward the call of the next bishop, General Convention this year that starts in August, and to continue to listen to what our next steps will be in our journey with God. I really hope that people of this wonderful state take time to enjoy the many blessings that we are given from God.

The up-coming week looks like this – Monday I will be attending a graveside service in Rawlins starting at 9am and St. Thomas will kick off their VBS for the week. On Monday afternoon I will travel to LSRV for their summer café bible reflection. Tuesday is a working day for me in which I will be hosting “MDC Certificate Project Possible Learners for Project” web/phone meeting starting at 1pm. Wednesday is the regular weekly web/phone check in with the Ministry Developers at 8am. That afternoon I will host Pre-General Convention web/phone meeting starting at 4pm. Thursday is office hour day at Kraft Hall from 10-12pm in Rawlins. Thursday I will be driving to Green River and hosting the second session of Wade in the Water at St. John’s starting at 6:30pm. Friday I will in Laramie working on my personal project. Throughout the week I am planning on stopping by St. Thomas and seeing how the VBS is coming along (and taking pictures). It looks like Saturday will be spent with the family (and maybe fishing). Sunday I have two services with the first one in Encampment at St. James starting at 9am and the second service in Dixon at St. Paul’s. Before the service at St. Paul’s I will be leading training for pastoral care for one hour.

Be well my friends!

Doug

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Submitted by Mr. John Masters, Esq. Email: john@efwy.org

This is the media statement from the Diocese of Colorado:

The Bishop and the Episcopal Diocese of Colorado are pleased to announce the settlement of all remaining claims in the litigation involving Grace and St. Stephen’s Episcopal Church in Colorado Springs. The parties agreed today to the final resolution of this matter, with both sides agreeing to uphold the court ruling in March which awarded all of the real property to the Episcopal parish and The Diocese of Colorado. The group which left the Episcopal Church and affiliated with Church of Nigeria agreed that it will not appeal the court’s decision after the five week trial.

In addition, the parties agreed that the beneficiary of 8 or 9 disputed trusts in the suit is the Episcopal parish. Both sides agreed to the dismissal of all remaining claims, including damages, with each side to pay its own costs and attorneys fees.

“We are very pleased with the court’s ruling which awarded the property to the Episcopal Church, but it is clearly time to relinquish our remaining claims and bring peace to our respective communities,“ said The Rt. Rev. Robert J. O’Neill, Bishop of Colorado. He went on to say, “We look forward to giving our undivided attention to the mission of the Church.”

The settlement ends two years of litigation over ownership of Grace Church in Colorado Springs which was triggered initially by the discipline of its former rector, Donald Armstrong. “This has been a long, difficult and distressing dispute and we believe that this settlement is the first step towards reconciliation and healing,” said Lawrence R. Hitt II, Chancellor of the Diocese.

The Rev. Martin Pearsall, Priest in Residence at Grace and St. Stephens said “I’m glad that this dispute is over and we can now focus completely on building up the church and meeting the needs of our neighborhood.”

One of the first stories is here: http://www.gazette.com/articles/church-55636-diocese-members.html

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By Ms. Jessica Reynolds. Email: jessica@wyomingdiocese.org

The Rules of Order for Conventions contain the following deadlines for submission of convention resolutions:

Motions and Resolutions

RULE VIII. a. No later than one hundred twenty (120) days prior to the first day of the annual Convention, the Ecclesiastical Authority shall appoint a Resolutions Committee. All resolutions to be considered by the Convention shall be submitted in writing, with the name(s) of the presenter(s), to the Resolutions Committee not less than sixty (60) days prior to the first day of Convention, except that Pre-Convention meetings may also submit resolutions for consideration by Convention. Those resolutions received sixty (60) days prior to Convention shall be distributed to Pre-convention meetings. Any resolution submitted by a Pre-Convention meeting shall be sent to all congregations at least two (2) weeks prior to Convention by the Ecclesiastical Authority or by a person designated to do so by the Ecclesiastical Authority.

b. Resolutions arising from the Bishop’s Address, matters arising from the discussions at Convention which may be referred either to a Diocesan or other organization or a Committee of Convention, or resolutions of Courtesy and Communication may be submitted during Convention without regard to the requirement of submission prior to Convention.

c. Any resolution distinct from those mentioned in Rule VIII, a or b, may be considered at Convention provided that, without debate, a majority approve referring the resolution to the Committee on Resolutions for assignment to the appropriate Convention Committee where it may be heard and discussed. When presented to Convention, the mover of the resolution and two others may speak for it and three may speak against it. To pass, such a resolution must receive approval of two-thirds of those voting.
 

To be in compliance with the Rules of Order, the following dates concerning resolutions for the 2009 Annual Diocesan Convention should be taken into account:
August 1st - This is the deadline for submission of resolutions without the necessity of approval by pre-convention meetings. Resolutions submitted before or on this date to the diocesan office will be considered at diocesan convention. Any resolutions received in the diocesan office will be forwarded to members of the resolutions committee. Resolutions will then be presented in the Pre-Convention meeting packets with a recommendation from the Resolutions Committee.

August 8th – Pre-Convention Meetings. Any resolutions not submitted by the August 1 deadline may be submitted at pre-convention meetings for their approval. If approved at pre-convention meetings, these resolutions will be submitted to diocesan convention on behalf of the region which has approved it.

September 17th - Resolutions submitted from Pre-Convention meetings will be sent to each congregation

October 1-4 – 43rd Annual Diocesan Convention, Casper.
 

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