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St. Thomas’

Episcopal Church

News

ALL ARE WELCOME!

Rooted in the Liturgy that sustains us

and inspires us to be Christ in our community and the world.

Volume 8, issue 2 APRIL 2020

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St. Thomas’ Episcopal Church

P.O. Box 735

Church: 9 S. 1st St. Office: 5 S. 1st St.

Dubois, WY 82513

Phone: 307-455-2313 E-mail: stthomas.wy@gmail.com Website: stthomasdubios.diowy.org

Sunday sermon and prayers sent out weekly. Call if you would like to be on

our email or mailing list!

Church doors are open for private worship.

Notice of Special Vestry Meeting:

April 29thAt 2 pm Next Regular Vestry Meeting:

May 6th at 2 pm Agendas will be emailed before meetings.

Contact Connie if you would like a Zoom invitation!

Church Office Connie is working from home now,

and will be glad to help you if you contact her at

307-754-2813 or 455-2670.

Food Bank Hours: Saturdays; 10 am - Noon

Knock on the door on the south, or the kitchen window, and we will bring your food out to you.

Or by appointment: Call Connie at 307-754-2813 or 455-2670 or

Rick Metzger at 455-2846.

Wishlist: We are looking for a picnic table for the Community Garden area.

If you have one you would like to donate, please call Connie.

Vestry:

Dick Hodge Twila Blakeman Senior Warden Vestry Member

Pamela Glasser Peter Gottfried Junior Warden Vestry Member

Kate Falco Nancie Vion-Loisel Treasurer Vestry Member

Mary Ellen Honsaker Clerk Altar Guild Coordinator

Nancie Vion-Loisel

Bible Talk Coordinator

Mary Ellen Honsaker

Choir Director

Sue Bodar

Chrismoose Coordinator

Jennet Ballinger

Community Garden Coordinator

Position open; volunteer appreciated

Cyclist/Hiker Ministry Coordinators

Ian and Cindie Watson

Dubois Jamz Coordinators Peter Gottfried and Pamela Glasser

Farmers’ Market Coordinator

Twila Blakeman

Finance Committee

Peter Gottfried, Kate Falco, Randy Lahr

Food Bank Manager Rick Metzger Food Bank Administrator Mandy Rose

Parish Administrator

Connie Ticknor

Pastoral Care Coordinator

Sandy Lahr

Pianist

Pamela Glasser

Ram Paks Coordinator

Mandy Rose

Scholarship Committee Chair

Sue Bodar

Worship Committee Chair

Sylvia Crouter

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What does the term “Pastoral Care” mean? Written by Pastor Bob McNamara

Pastoral care is not necessarily done only by an ordained person. It is a calling for any per-son who wants to help and assist others in times of the need for healing, guiding, recon-ciling and nurturing of persons who have con-cerns to share.

Pastoral care flows out of God’s grace, love and integrity, which is part of any encounter with another person. Pastoral care is not in-

tended to fix a person's problems. Instead it is a means of simply being with and listening to the other person.

Most importantly, any person's wholehearted presence is one of the greatest gifts we can give to someone who wishes to express a need or who yearns for words of encouragement and grace.

Lets stay in touch!!

Dear Saint Thomas' family, local and out-of-town, near and far,

During this time of voluntary isolation, we have been denied our comforting Eucharist, com-munity worship time and enjoyable coffee hour gatherings.

Please remember to access the wonderful sermons provided by Sylvia Crouter,, Mary Ellen Honsaker and Bob McNamara when they arrive in your email box, or archived on our website.

In order to add communication between us, the St.Thomas vestry members have discussed finding ways to keep in touch until we can officially regather in person. We invite you to let us know if you would like some phone call visits, a sort of "PhoneTree," and what timing would be best for you.

Please send Connie feedback via phone, snail mail or email on these bytes of information:

Please include me for regular weekly calling (YES) ________(NO)_________ If you answered "YES", the best day of the week to call me is_____________ If you entered a day of the week, the best time of day is__________________ And, to follow these responses, the best phone number to reach me at this time of day is________________________________________________________

And would you like to do 2 or 3 calls yourself? (YES)______(NO)_________ If "Yes", what day(s) of the week is best for you ? _______________________ What time of day is best ?___________________________________________

As soon as we have responses within the next week, we will work to initiate communications on a regular basis. Remember to call for any needs that may arise in the time ahead. We wish to maintain service to our church members and our community as well as possible.

God's blessings to us all; God's.Love and Divine Light guide us through! St.T. Vestry

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Vestry Doin’s in Brief by Mary Ellen Honsaker, Vestry Clerk

Your Vestry, with a new Senior Warden and two new members, met in the Coffee Room in February and March – the full minutes are available in the Notebook there. A decision was made to meet once a month at 2 pm on the Wednesday, usually the first one, that Rev. Bob is in town so that he might attend. All members and their ideas are welcome at any time.

Decisions were made to fund August lunches done by the Boys and Girls Club when the school will not be doing it, provide meeting space for a Survivors of Suicide group led by the County once training is completed, have Joan Radoumis proceed to make pew cushions as funds are nearly complete. We approved hiring of plumber for Community Room buildings and a Snow removal person, also a color Ad for Discover Dubois and a pastoral counseling ad. Changes were made for the way the plate is counted to make pledges more private. Discussion of possible Strategic Planning Task Force outside of vestry members was started. The Community Garden will continue with two beds re-moved and help from a Master Gardener working with Boys and Girls Club, and a clothesline and picnic table will be installed in the area. Decision that Wednesday Even-ing Prayer will not be held this summer. Our understanding with Pastor Bob was dis-cussed and solidified and it was agreed that we will meet on April 29th to evaluate the relationship from both sides. A look for possible housing beyond May will be started.

The Vestry met via Zoom in April with many changes to consider. Once those minutes are approved there will be another “Reader’s Digest Condensed” Report. If you wish a copy of any Minutes they can be e-mailed to you, once approved, from the office.

Thanks to a generous grant from

the Foundation for the Episcopal Diocese,

St. Thomas’ Episcopal Church may be able to help you

if you are a part of the St. Thomas’ family,

or if you live in the Upper Wind River Valley,

and have unforeseen expenses because of

job restriction or loss, sickness, or other

circumstances due to the Covid-19 virus pandemic.

Please contact us if you need help! See application on pgs. 5-6.

Questions? stthomas.wy@gmail.com or call Connie at 455-2670,

Twila at 455-2027, or Mary Ellen at 455-2182.

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Covid-19 Relief Application

Thanks to a grant from the Foundation for the Episcopal Diocese of Wyoming we are

pleased to offer assistance to residents of the Dubois/Crowheart area that have lost

wages due to the Covid-19 pandemic. We may also consider assistance for hardship

caused by special circumstances related to Covid-19.

Please submit proof of income from all places of employment for all wage earners in

your household. If you are an independent contractor, please submit client names as

references.

If your request is approved, payment will go directly to service providers. Please attach

copies of bills you are requesting to be paid.

PLEASE PRINT AND FILL OUT COMPLETELY

Date: ______________________________

Full Name: __________________________________________________________________________

Mailing Address: ____________________________________________________________________

Physical Address: ___________________________________________________________________

City: ________________________________State: ______________ Zip Code: _________________

Telephone Number(s) _______________________________________________________________

Email: ______________________________________________________________________________

State ID or License # ______________________________ Date of Birth ____________________

How long have you lived in the Dubois/Crowheart area? ______________________________

Are you planning to leave the area as a direct result of the Covid-19 pandemic?________

Relationship, age and income of each and ALL people in household:

Relationship: Age: Income per _______________:

_____________________________________ ________ ____________________________

_____________________________________ ________ ____________________________

_____________________________________ ________ ____________________________

_____________________________________ ________ ____________________________

_____________________________________ ________ ____________________________

_____________________________________ ________ ____________________________

_____________________________________ ________ ____________________________

P.O. Box 735 Dubois, WY 82513

(307) 455-2313 stthomas.wy@gmail.com

Stthomasdubois.diowy.org

Page 1 of 2. If you need help: Cut out, Fill out, Turn in.

Page 2 is on the back

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Employer(s)/Former Employer(s)/Clients: ____________________________________________

_____________________________________________________________________________________

Spouse’s Employer(s)/Former Employer(s)/Clients: ___________________________________

_____________________________________________________________________________________

Monthly rent or mortgage: ___________________________________________________________

Total usual monthly household income: __________________ Please list ALL: _____________

_____________________________________________________________________________________

_____________________________________________________________________________________

_____________________________________________________________________________________

_____________________________________________________________________________________

Please describe what has changed due to the pandemic that has affected your

household: ______________________________________________________________________

_____________________________________________________________________________________

_____________________________________________________________________________________

_____________________________________________________________________________________

What kind of assistance do you need? _______________________________________________

_____________________________________________________________________________________

_____________________________________________________________________________________

_____________________________________________________________________________________

Amount of assistance applied for: ____________________________________________________

_____________________________________________________________________________________

_____________________________________________________________________________________

Are you receiving any other assistance from individuals or other organizations? If yes,

please list them and the amount of assistance: _______________________________________

_____________________________________________________________________________________

_____________________________________________________________________________________

Have you applied for any other assistance from individuals or other organizations? List

name and for what: _________________________________________________________________

_____________________________________________________________________________________

_____________________________________________________________________________________

Notice: St. Thomas’ is authorized to verify the information I have provided.

Information may be shared with other agencies if needed for the purpose of

obtaining assistance. If further information is disclosed, St. Thomas’ reserves the

right to re-evaluate our pledge of assistance.

Signature: ________________________________________________________________

QUESTIONS? Please call Mary Ellen at 455-2181, Twila at 455-2027, or Connie at 455-2670

Page 2 of 2.

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Photo by John Angst.

Let’s try something new!

Original stories, poems, meditations, essays, prayers, drawings, photos, etc. wanted for

Page 7 of our Newsletter! We’ll publish as space allows.

June Photo, drawing:, etc.: What do you see when you look out your window, or in your backyard?

John Angst caught a great background of blue-grey clouds behind his bird sculpture! I suspect we’ve all seen some interesting shots out our windows, and we all might have a little more time to stop and look now! The subject of the June Newsletter pictures will be: What do you see when you look out your window, or in your backyard?

Let’s have some fun with this and share your perspective with everyone! Send your picture(s) to: stthomas.wy@gmail.com Deadline: May 15th

June Story, etc.: A Remembrance of Mothers and/or Fathers

We wouldn’t be here without them, and wouldn’t be the people we are today. Tell us a story about your mom or your dad! Make us laugh, make us cry, teach us one of the lessons they taught you, give us a list of their corny sayings, it’s up to you! Send your original story, poem, drawing, essay, prayer, meditation etc. about mothers and fathers to: stthomas.wy@gmail.com Deadline: May 15th

If you ever have an idea, or would like to write an article for our newsletter, please contact the office.

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Opp Shop Awards Grant Total of $13,465.03 this Cycle

Nine recipients were awarded a total of $13,465.03 in the Spring 2020 Opportunity Shop

Grant Cycle. Checks were mailed, rather than the usual gathering to present them personally.

Those receiving awards were the National Bighorn Sheep Center for upkeep funds and event

expenses, a drinking fountain, garden hoses, hand sanitizer, soap and hand sanitizer

dispensers, and new flags; High Country Senior Center for expenses for their Home Meal

Delivery Program; Town of Dubois for expenses for the Dubois Fly-In and Community

Aviation Day, August 22; Headwaters Arts and Conference Center and Wind River Valley

Art Guild for a collapsible stage; Dubois Museum: Wind River Historical Center for ex-

penses for Museum days educational programs; Dubois Western Activities Association for

expenses for the Pack Horse Races, June 13-14; Dubois Drive for a Dubois Remote Work

Project Set-up of a new website that is dedicated to provide information about Dubois for

those looking to relocate; and to Dubois Assisted Living/Warm Valley Lodge for a laptop

for the residents’ activities and for video calling relatives, a service cart, storage bench otto-

mans, and a Roku.

The School Outreach Fund was also increased by $400 in this grant cycle. Teachers can

request help from this fund for various expenses when they see a student in need.

A round of applause to everyone that worked so hard at the Opp Shop to make these

grants possible; truly, recycling at its best!!

First Light on the Ramshorn by Mandy Rose

Join the Prayer Chain!

St. Thomas’, like many other churches, has a group of people that offer prayers when someone requests them.

If you would like to be a part of this ministry, please notify Connie.