IONA SCHOOL VISITATION IN WYOMING

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1 St. Christopher s Episcopal Church Recently we had a retired couple visit us at the June 14 worship service. He was a retired American Baptist pastor but has recently been serving as an interim pastor in a Episcopal church in North Carolina. We had a brief but pleasant visit but they were in route to the Unitarian church to catch their later service that morning. (His wife is Unitarian). They were travelling through Cheyenne and dropped by. I asked "How did you find us?". His answer: "I found you online." That's how he knew our location and time of worship, as well as the location and time of worship at the other church. After they left I felt good that in searching the internet for an Episcopal church, they decided to visit St. Christopher's. Thinking about this couple's visit, it struck me that their search for a congregation did not start with the yellow pages, or any newspaper or print media, but online. We are, and have been, in the digital age for quite a few years now. And I will tell you that it gave me a good feeling that this couple's "online" search led them to St. Christopher's, when there are a number of other Episcopal (or Anglican) churches available. As we proceed into our future, one of the avenues for outreach is the internet. We are working on getting "linked" with "Digital Faith" provided free of charge though our Diocese. Stay tuned. Back to our visiting couple. If they weren't just "passing through" and were considering re-locating to Cheyenne, we would have been the first church they would have visited. I have enough confidence in the warm and welcoming spirit of most of our members that they would more than likely return, maybe to Our Mission: To Know Christ and to Show Christ. stay. And I am glad that our website was effective in the above story. I hope that it will serve us well in the future, as we look forward to also being linked in to "Digital Faith." IONA SCHOOL VISITATION IN WYOMING In July the Diocese of Wyoming will host two New Testament scholars (who are also ordained Episcopal Priests) John Lewis and Jane Patterson. They are faculty from the Iona school, based in Texas. The scholars will begin their sojourn through Wyoming here at St. Christopher's on WEDNESDAY NIGHT, July 8th. This is the first of three sites they will visit in our area. The subject of the class is the Sermon on the Mount/Plain from 6:00 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. This event will be preceded by a pot-luck at 5:30 p.m. We hope this event will be well attended by members of St. Christopher's and perhaps others in our community. The program will continue in our area on Thursday night in Torrington, Friday night (10th) at St. Mark's, and Saturday (11th) at Canterbury House in Laramie. Here is a great opportunity to learn and discuss Biblical themes with two faculty of the Iona school which will informative and enjoyable. It will also serve as a good midweek meal and fellowship in July. Faithfully, Roger Rapp Interim Rector 1

2 There are many people to thank this month for their contributions of time, talent and dollars. Thank you to Sherell Jones for everything she does for God s cupboard, thank you to Lynda Hardgrave for all her work but especially for making everything so nice for the Bishop s visit. Thank you to Connie Norwood for the beautiful table center pieces for the Bishop. Thank you to Gene Williams for continuing to work so hard on the garden and our beautiful building. Thank you to Keith Bausserman for lending a helping hand anytime and anywhere it is needed. We always appreciate the sign. It is a wonderful way to spread the word. The sign is a combined effort between Gene and Connie. Thank you to everyone who helped with the spring clean-up. We really appreciate all your hard work! In my opinion, we especially need to give thanks to each and every one of the Vestry members. They have had to make difficult decisions and will continue to have to make very difficult decisions regarding the future path of St. Christopher s. Thank you for much for all you do! Judy Bair God's Cupboard served 37 families (111 people) from May 1 through June 12. We continue to see some regulars and some who just need a helping hand for a week or two. I will be having my shoulder replaced on July 24. This is a long project, and we will need extra help. I will probably not even start strength therapy until September. Some people have volunteered to come on Fridays, but I am concerned about the behind the scenes work. I spend between 5 and 10 hours a week shopping for food and putting it away. We really need people to step up and do this. It is physical work because most of our food is in cans. I use coupons and shop the Ads to get the best deals. I come in on Monday or Tuesday to put away the food you all so wonderfully bring on Sundays. Then I shop at least on Thursday to fill in. I am now shopping on Tuesdays because I cannot lift so many sacks in one day. If there is a great sale, I buy in quantity and store it for later. Please sign up on the sheet in the parish hall if you can help. Thank you. Now for the important part. We always need meat and not just tuna. We have 3 regulars who are allergic to fish and eating fish more than 2 or 3 times a week can lead to brain damage in children. We also need regular size dish soap, toothpaste, shampoo, and lotion. We need the regular size because over half our clients are families of 4 or more. We try to feed families for a week and singles or twos for 2 weeks. And another thank you for your donations. Sherell Jones 2

3 TREASURER S REPORT Receipts for the month of May $55, Expenses for the month of May $52, Balance in checking on May 31 $32, Balance in Endowment on May 31 $20, Balance in savings on May 31 $32, Grand total on May 31 $85, Dedicated Funds $9, Dolores Dionne July 2 Jodi Willoughby July 6 Jeanette World July 6 Lisa Reynolds July 7 Gerry Gilbertson July 8 Amy Lee July 9 Beth Carpenter July 11 Nancy Scheffey July 11 Steve Reynolds July 18 Jim Foreman July 22 Bill Seebaum July 22 Martin Hardsocg, Sr. July 23 Bob Willoughby July 24 Don Wood July 25 Helen Bolognesi July 26 Kaitlin Inniss July 31 Thank you to all of the volunteers who helped to prepare the church for summer on May 31. We were able to complete all of the items on the list. Fellowship was enjoyed by all in addition to lots of hard work. Also, thank you to all of you who do things that need to be taken care of every day. Please let the office know of any items that need to be done. The church could not be maintained without all of your help. Thanks again to all of the St. Christopher s family for your help. God Bless you all! Gene Williams MAJOR GIFT RECEIVED AT ST. CHRISTOPHER'S We received a major gift recently of $10,000 from Dr. Ted McCoy, in loving memory of his late wife, Anne McCoy who passed away in March of this year. Many recall Anne's active leadership at St. Christopher's (especially the Altar Ministry). This gift was deposited in our congregation's Foundation, thereby providing support of future ministry.. 3

4 C. C. S. F. (Caring Christians Special Forces) How do you feel when you know you have made somebody s day a little better? You could join our Special Forces and visit those who cannot leave their home alone. We have two people at Pointe Frontier, one at Life Care, one at Kindred Care and two or three in their own homes. They are all hoping for a visit from one of their Christian brothers or sisters. There is a communion service every Sunday at 1:30 pm at Pointe Frontier. It would be so nice if once in a while some one from the congregation would join us. It really makes the day so much better to know some one at St. Christopher s is thinking and caring about them. Each of us has a responsibility to do as Jesus asked us to do care for each other. Just as the government has special forces so does God s army of believers. Be one of them. Dolores Dionne Listed below are items that are needed by the flood victims in Lusk. If you would like to contribute these items please bring them to the church. Money should be sent to an established relief fund. I will try to compile a complete list of the funds to post in the July 5 bulletin. Shovels boots masks Gloves bleach pine-sol Rags bug spray soap money to a 501 (c) (iii) they have set up. THE 78th GENERAL CONVENTION June 25-July 3, 2015 in Salt Lake City (where else?!!) This is the National Episcopal Convention which is held every three years. One of the noteworthy events at this year's convention will be the election of a new Presiding Bishop! You can follow it already online up to and throughout the days at 4

5 Almighty and ever living God, look favorably upon the people of St. Christopher s Church, in this time of transition and discernment. We pray that we may continue to be guided by your love and strengthened in our mission to serve you through ministry, fellowship and worship. We pray for the Vestry, that their hearts and minds may be open to what your spirit is saying. Give us grace to follow where you would lead. In Jesus Christ s name grant us your peace. Amen Wyoming Service In keeping with the Frontier spirit, we will be enjoying the Wyoming Service this summer in July. 5

6 St. Christopher s Episcopal Church 2602 Deming Blvd. Cheyenne, WY