"The Episcopal Church Welcomes You" -- Indeed it does!

“The Episcopal Church Welcomes You” took on a new meaning today as one congregation after another threw open their doors to greet our fleet-footed team of bishop nominees.

We headed out at 6:45am to our first stop in Rawlins where shopkeepers were shoveling sidewalks of early-morning snow, making us even more thankful for a safe journey from Laramie.  What a pleasure it was to have recently-ordained priest Karen Buckingham and smiling folks from St. Thomas and the nearby communities of Saratoga, Encampment and Medicine Bow welcome us with some of the best homemade goodies we’ve had yet.  What a pleasure to be greeted so warmly on such a frosty, wintery morn.  

Our day continued to brighten as we moved forward in faith on a snowy highway to St. Paul’s in Dixon. Our perseverance was rewarded with a colorful luncheon repast offered by the lively ladies of the Little Snake River Valley. Linda Fleming shared a few not-so-tall-tales of the region and we heard about the Amazing River Kids – an after-school program which each week attracts about 25 children ages two years to 4th grade, as well as a few 5th grade helpers.  The nominees were particularly impressed to learn the popular program draws children of all faiths in the valley, including LDS.  The children learn about kindness, service, generosity and good behavior. The parish hall was decorated with their hand-colored table coverings, hanging mobiles about God’s love, tissue paper rainbow wall art and sticker-covered attendance sheets proudly displaying the children’s accomplishments. Wow, what a joyful ministry – one can’t help but wonder what those youngsters’ views of the Episcopal Church will be as they grow older. The church has certainly welcomed them in the Little Snake River Valley! 

Of course, it wouldn’t have been an authentic gathering of Episcopalians without more delectable treats for our tummies. (We just keep eating and eating and are now strategizing that if we speed fast enough from town to town, the calories won’t catch up with us!)

With hugs, goodie bags and good-byes we retraced our steps back to I-80 to continue our adventure west to Rock Springs where the nominees had a heartfelt, emotional and spirit-filled conversation with members of the church. Father Bob Spencer introduced us to his pastoral assistant Chewie who graciously modeled his new vestments. (Many of you are already familiar with Bob and his beloved four-legged companion for the past 15 years.  Bob, a retired priest, has found a new home at Holy Communion as a part-time interim rector.)

Holy Communion is once again a growing congregation and they are understandably proud of their unusual and creative outreach programs.  Recently, using Mustard Seed Mission funds, the church established a “mobile thrift shop” to serve outer-lying communities. The parish is truly inspired and inspiring.

More hugs and then we continued our journey west.

The southern portion of our state lived up to the old cliché that if you don’t like the weather in Wyoming, wait five minutes. We moved from sun to snow to thick clouds and then back to sun again – within a matter of miles and minutes.  Just west of Rock Springs, the heavens spilled luminous rays of sun into dreamy whipped-cream clouds, proving once again that Wyoming continues to be one of the Creator’s most cherished canvases.

A packed house awaited us in Evanston where we spent the evening at the loveliest little white church named after St. Paul. Savory soups and an eager audience of all ages filled the parish hall, along with neighbors from St. David’s-Ft. Bridger and St. James-Kemmerer.  With names drawn randomly from a cowboy hat to determine their order, each nominee had time alone with the responsive, eager and appreciative audience whose questions included…

* Views on mutual ministry 
* deas for church growth and full inclusion of all members  
* Belief in the Bible being the “inerrant” Word of God and of Jesus being the “only way to the   Father.”  
* Views on priestly practices and liturgical fidelity, as well as collegial leadership

The six nominees were animated and informative, and their individuality shone brightly – this was an amazing feat considering they’d been on the move for 14 hours!  If the laughter and boisterous applause were any indication, Episcopalians in the southwest corner of the state enjoyed their time with their next bishop – whoever of the six it might be!

All in all, a terrific day.  Despite a schedule that would leave an Olympic athlete exhausted, everyone on this whirlwind of a Walkabout seems invigorated by the parish communities and extraordinary Episcopalians we’re visiting. Their faith, dedication and enthusiasm is literally fueling us from location to location.

We’ll do it all again at 7am tomorrow when we head north toward Kemmerer, Pinedale and Jackson with a few other stops in between.

If you’d like real-time updates of the Walkabout, simply sign on to www.Twitter.com and ask to follow me at PamelaGRW.  (Thanks to you new followers who hopped on board today. Hang on for the ride!)