“Dear People of St. Paul’s, ”

archives below, May 2021 - Nov 2023

November 16, 2023

Dear People of St. Paul's,

As I write, snow is gently falling outside and the fire in the wood burning stove warms the house. I have a cat asleep on the blanket that drapes my lap, with two dogs tucked in next to me and a third at my feet. I feel so cozy! As much as I lament the loss of long, warm Summer days, I always appreciate the invitation of winter and the transition into a new time and space. 

My appreciation is particularly poignant this year, as I transition not only between meteorological seasons, but also ministerial ones. The signs of change are just as blatantly visible. My coffee mug sitting on a packed moving box because the coffee table is loaded in the U-Haul trailer in the driveway. Rectory walls bedecked with exposed hooks and nails where pictures once hung. Empty bookshelves in my church office. Like with Summer, I am lamenting the loss of these things and the home they have provided me these many years. Not entirely sure of what awaits me in this new season, I find myself looking for cozy signs of light, warmth, and love, inviting me into what will be.

You, dear people, are showing me the way. Thank you for sharing with me your excitement and encouragement in my call. Thank you also for sharing your disappointment and sadness in my departure. Thank you for allowing me to share these same feelings with you. In this in-between time, our sharing together has been the light, warmth, and love that help me step into this next season with hope. 

My biggest desire right now, is that you carry this hope, too. 


Peace,
Catie

November 2, 2023

Dear People of St. Paul's,

While travelling through Spain and Italy last year, Chas and I visited a lot of churches, many of them Roman Catholic in tradition. One of the more interesting practices we encountered was that of interring revered saints (or those in the running) in see-through caskets, otherwise known as Cinderella coffins. This, as I understood it, was to display the miracle of incorruptible flesh, which is one of many miracles that makes an individual eligible for sainthood in the Roman Catholic church. While I was fascinated by the physiology and physics of it all, I couldn't help but feel that this focus on saintly flesh was distracting me from an even greater miracle - that of the communion of all the faithful departed. To me, the belief that the Body of Christ is more than the church today, but also the church that was and that will be, shatters not only the laws of science, but also of time. The Body of Christ knows no bounds and no limits other than that of God in Christ, who is the Head. I wonder, how often we limit ourselves as church, forgetting that church is so much more than a building, or even the folks gathered for worship on a Sunday morning. It is the remembrance (or re-membering) of all the faithful, throughout time, in praise and service to our living God.

This coming Sunday, we will celebrate the Feast of All Saints and the commemoration of all the faithful departed. You are invited to bring with you to our worship a picture or a memento of the saints in your life - those who have gone before and, in some way, have shone Christ's light on the path you follow today. We will also conclude our service in the memorial garden, giving thanks and praying over the saints of St. Paul's history. These two acts are ones of re-membering Christ's body throughout time and place, in this particular place and time. It is a reminder to us that who we are and what we do today matters in the life of the world. That perhaps even more miraculous than the incorruptibility of the church today, is the influence of it, to transcend all limits in our physical world to reveal God's eternal love.

Peace,

Catie

October 27, 2023

Dear People of St. Paul's, 

By now you have hopefully received my letter and that of our Sr. Warden, Dave Kinnear, announcing my resignation as your Rector. I have received notes from many of you and I have spoken with a few, and I know that my news has stirred many emotions, thoughts, and wonderings. 

My words of encouragement to you during this time are the same I've received from others in my discernment - feel your feelings, examine your thoughts, articulate your wonderings. The Holy Spirit speaks through us and her comfort, as well as her direction can be found when we engage in these practices. 

Do not worry and do not fear, or more accurately, do not operate from worry or fear. It is really hard to hear and follow the Spirit's abundant goodness when our hearts and minds are focused on scarcity and worse case scenarios. Trust me, the Spirit operates in reality and is well aware of everything that could go wrong, which is why it is so important to trust God's righteousness. Pray, engage your spiritual practices, listen to and lean on each other with grace and curiosity. You are held intimately in God's loving embrace - personally and corporately - and God will never let go. 

Yes, there are trying times ahead, which will ask much of you. And I promise you, by the love of our Lord Jesus Christ, abundant joy awaits you, too. This, after all, is the faith that we profess - love wins, always.

Peace,
Catie.

Rev Will Fisher will be the supply priest this Sunday, October 29.  

October 23, 2023 - from Dave Kinnear, Senior Warden

Dear People of St. Paul’s:
 
The Rev. Catie Greene has decided to pursue a new calling. I want to thank Catie for all she has done at St. Paul’s. The congregation was troubled when Catie arrived and now we are healthy and thriving. Her work has been a blessing to us all. I hope and pray that Catie’s next endeavor will be fulfilling for her.
 
St. Paul’s Episcopal Church is a great spiritual home now and can become even better in the future. Let’s not let the uncertainty of this transition distract us from that. Our members, friends and staff make St. Paul’s what it is, and we continue to do great things for our members and our community.
 
The stewardship drive continues and is vital to the success of St. Paul’s. Please be sure to attend one of the cottage meetings and prayerfully consider how you can increase your support of our youth and family ministry, our music ministry and all the other ministries that we value so much. Let’s be ready to hit the ground running with our new Rector!
 
On that topic, let me summarize how the Vestry is moving forward and how you can help. I have been in contact with the Bishop’s office and we have a plan in place to move forward. St. Paul’s will be served by supply priests for several weeks, beginning December 3. The Vestry will be meeting with the Reverend Canon Vanessa Stickler Glass, on November 16, to begin the process of seeking a new Rector. After this meeting, the Vestry will name a search committee, which will prepare a profile of the congregation and work closely with the Vestry and with Rev. Vanessa. I cannot commit to a deadline by which we will identify a new Rector; I can promise that we will work as thoughtfully, prayerfully, and quickly as possible.
 
We do have one rather urgent need. Our supply priests will be staying in the rectory, when they visit, and the rectory will have little furniture. Do you have some furniture to lend? We especially need bedroom furniture, linens, and kitchen supplies. If you can lend us anything, please contact June (office@steamboatstpauls.org , 970-879-0925) or me.
 
Cindy and I will be leaving town Saturday, October 28 on a trip that has been planned for a long time, so you will not be able to grab me for a conversation during coffee hour over the next three Sundays. If you would like to talk, please contact me before October 28 or after November 13. My email address is dkinnear@gmail.com and my phone number is (262) 853-0868.
 
I cannot wait to see where our ministry takes us next at St. Paul’s Episcopal Church!
 
Regards,
Dave Kinnear
Senior Warden

October 23, 2023

Dear People of St. Paul’s,

It is with mixed emotions that I write to you today to announce my resignation as Rector of St. Paul’s, effective December 1, 2023. I have been discerning a call to spiritual direction for many years and I am excited to actively pursue my call during the next two years. I am also sad to leave this community and the relationships that have blessed me these past almost ten years.  My last Sunday as your priest will be November 26, and I look forward to celebrating, with gratitude, my Christian service with you all on that feast day of Christ the King.

My priesthood is grounded in God’s call for me to accompany people on their journey in faith. I have engaged this calling in multiple ways and most significantly these past nine and a half years as your priest. In my roles as Associate, Priest-in-Charge, and Rector you have allowed me to walk with you, ministering, discerning, and growing into a community of service, hospitality, and evangelism of Christ’s love. I have been honored to travel this road and share my spiritual gifts with you. Now, I believe God is calling me to spiritual accompaniment in new ways. I will be starting a spiritual director certification program with The Haden Institute after the first of the year.

I’m not sure there is ever a good time for transitions like this, but I do believe there are ripe times and now is one. St. Paul’s has strong lay and staff leadership in place and a clarity of vision for its ministry. It is not only debt free, but rich in the gifts of beautiful spaces, places, and traditions, sharing God’s grace in multiple ways, near and far. You are also a community that meets every challenge with resourcefulness, hope, and courage to listen, learn, and adapt to the Holy Spirit’s guidance. St. Paul’s is ripe for and very attractive to dynamic new clergy leadership in mission and ministry. In the time ahead, our bishop, the Rt. Rev. Kym Lucas, and her staff, will work closely with St. Paul’s Vestry in discerning this leadership and next steps in St. Paul’s journey.

The time is also ripe for Chas and me to live into the vision of our life together. We have purchased property in southern Colorado, on which we will build a new home, and from which we are embarking on new career paths.  We, too, are leaning into the Holy Spirit’s desire for us, discerning what is required of us and when, as we grow in our journey together.

There is so much I appreciate about you all and the time I have been privileged to spend with you. I am so grateful for my relationships with each of you and for the honor of walking with you in heartache and joy. I love your faithfulness and “can do” attitude, and I thank God for this community of fellowship that nurtures and supports one another in worship, prayer, formation, and service. You have shaped me as a priest, as a Christian, and as a person, and I have, do, and will always love you for it. Thank you.
 
Peace,
Catie

October 19, 2023

Dear People of St. Paul's,

Our 2024 Stewardship Campaign theme of Gather & Grow builds upon the long-time articulated desire of this church community. Specifically, you all have emphasized the importance of the ministries of music and of children, youth and families in making this desire of gathering in worship and fellowship, and growing in faith and in church participation, a reality.

We made some headway in these areas in 2018 and 2019, gathering in focus groups to discern God's vision for us and put into place some achievable steps towards it. We started 2020 with a search for new musical leadership and a task group working on establishing the resources for a staff person in children's ministries. The Covid pandemic halted both of these processes, but it did not quench the desire for the ministries, nor the hope we placed in them in living out God's mission through St. Paul's.

As we emerged from the restrictions of the pandemic in 2021 and began to gather again in person, we also re-engaged our strategy for growth. In 2022, we celebrated the addition of two excellent staff members serving as St. Paul's Music Minister and Children's Ministry Coordinator. Both of these positions started at part-time with the hope and intention of growing them into full-time positions over three years, by growing our own resources to support them.

In the past year we have seen an increase in church participation and in quality Christian formation through our music and children's ministries. Our average Sunday worship attendance has gone up incrementally, but more than that, the number of people we connect with beyond Sunday worship is exponential. Yes, the beauty of our music program is drawing people to worship with us, and more than that, St. Paul's choir, music programs like vocal boot-camp and kids choir, and community concerts, engage many more who cannot or will not participate from the pews on Sunday mornings. The same is true for our ministry with children, youth, and families, in that we are seeing and welcoming these community members in our Sunday worship on occasion, and more regularly connecting and serving them through Parent's Nights Out, collaborative youth group with our Methodist siblings, Kids Choir, seasonal events, and providing Children's Church curriculum for use at home. We are gathering and growing in traditional ways and new ones, and this is definitely worthy of celebration.

We are finally experiencing the realization of our desire and glimpsing the future we envisioned years ago. This is largely possible because of the good stewardship of our finances, especially of one-time gifts. With the approval of the membership at the annual meeting in 2023, we funded the Music Minister and Children's Ministry Coordinator positions primarily through reserve funds. These funds are now exhausted and to continue this ministry of gathering and growth, we need to increase our operating revenue by forty percent. This is a significant challenge and one I'm not sure we can overcome. However, we have in the past (raising more than $200,000 to replace the roof and renovate the Old Stone Church), and I trust, if we are indeed called and led by the Holy Spirit to continue this ministry, we can again.

To help better discern our call to these ministries and identify challenges and possibilities, we are creating yet another opportunity to gather and grow. We are hosting cottage meetings over the next two weeks, currently two hosted in church member's homes, and one via Zoom. I invite and encourage you to make the time and give of your energy to participate in one of these meetings. St. Paul's Vestry and other leadership want to learn where God is moving in your life, what wisdom you might bring to the goals we have set for the year ahead, and what means might exist in meeting them. You may sign up online (see link below), on one of the sign-up sheets at the back of the church, or by contacting the church office.

Please join in prayerful consideration and direction of St. Paul's ministries and your investment in them.

Peace,

Catie

September 28, 2023

Dear People of St. Paul’s,
 
Earlier this summer, one of our younger members, Beatrice Bishop, asked if she might have a few minutes during the announcements at the end of our Sunday worship service to share about Routt County Humane Society. Beatrice is a volunteer with the organization and is passionate about caring for God’s creatures, especially the 4-legged ones. I gladly gave her the time and many of you responded to her passion by making a financial donation to the Humane Society, to support their work.
 
Thankfully, I remembered Beatrice’s passion as I was contemplating how best to celebrate the Feast of St. Francis this year. One coffee date with Beatrice and her BFF, Klara Novotny, and the whole concept of a Celebration of Dogs and Pet Blessing was created and the preparation begun. This coming Saturday, September 30, from 4-5pm, St. Paul’s will join with Steamboat Digs Dogs and Mountain Paws Bakery in hosting this special celebration and tribute to St. Francis of Assisi. The event will take place at Rita Valentine Dog Park and include information about pet advocacy and responsible ownership from Steamboat Digs Dogs, free doggy treats provided by Mountain Paws Bakery, pet blessings offered by me, education in animal abuse prevention given by Beatrice Bishop, and lots of fellowship with canines and their companions. Please join in the celebration as you are able. We will also lift up the ministry of St. Francis in our worship the following morning, on Sunday, Oct. 1 at 9:30am, and provide pet blessings to-go, for those who wish to honor the relationships they have with their special critters, at home.
 
One of the things I find most attractive about St. Francis is his belief and practice of praising God in the midst of all things. For Francis, there was no separation between sacred and secular, rather a deep understanding and commitment to God’s presence in all things. Our celebration of his feast day this year seems to really emphasize this aspect of Francis’ ministry, recognizing the many ways God is working through our community to honor God’s creation and creatures, and creating a space and place for these gifts to be shared. Thank you Beatrice and Klara ( and their siblings and parents in their support) for showing us this way of being and creating an opportunity to become more like St. Francis.
 
Peace,

Catie
 

September 21, 2023

Dear People of St. Paul's,

This month we celebrate a momentous occasion! After 21 years of faithful giving, we have paid off, in full, our portion of the mortgage on the building shared by us and Steamboat Mountain School. St. Paul's is officially debt-free - whoopee!!!!

In celebrating what we have accomplished, I find myself thinking about those community members - the clergy and lay leaders of St. Paul's; the school directors, teachers, parents and children; and the city governors and stakeholders - who not only had the vision for what we could become, but who also invested of their time, talent, and treasure to make it happen. I've read through our historical documents enough to know that we do not currently represent exactly what was imagined, and in some cases we have become more than what was imagined. Still, we are who we have claimed to be, all these many years - St. Paul's Episcopal Church, in the heart of Steamboat Springs, bringing people into loving relationship with God in Christ. This consistency of identity and mission, especially through all the changes of the past two decades, seems just as worthy of celebration as our financial accomplishment because it speaks to our ability to stay grounded in our faith, and our courage and adaptability in living it out - whoopee!!!

I believe our groundedness, courage, and adaptability are needed as much now as ever has been. A year ago, St. Paul's took a bold step in increasing our capacity for ministering the Gospel, creating and hiring for two new staff positions - a Children's Ministry Coordinator and a Music Minister. Already I am able to witness how our investment of time, talent, and treasure in supporting these positions have shaped us in new ways and in ways more than we had imagined. For instance, our Children's Ministry Coordinator position requires a name change, as the ministry is engaging not just children, but teens, young adults, parents, most of the ministries of St. Paul's, and a growing number of people from the broader community. We are growing into a vision of what we can become as St. Paul's Episcopal Church, in the heart of Steamboat Springs, bringing people into loving relationship with God in Christ. Continuing this growth will require as much of us today as it did of our community members 20+ years ago, when they laid the foundation of the building we so comfortably utilize today. It will require our time, our talent, and our treasure, not just today but throughout the years to come.

In the month ahead, we will be sharing with you St. Paul's goals for mission and ministry for 2024 and the cost to achieve them. In addition to asking your support of them, we are also asking for your deeper engagement with them. St. Paul's Vestry and other leaders will be hosting cottage meetings the second half of October, where we will review our goals, inquire about what might be missing, identify the challenges in attaining them, as well as identify ways to meet these challenges. Much like the work of creating the buildings in which we now gather for worship and fellowship, this work will benefit from the participation of our entire community - the clergy and lay leaders; the faithful Sunday participants and the "as needed" and "when available" ones; the ones hosting programs and events and the ones whose only connection to St. Paul's may be a program or event. All of these folks and more are needed to shape our vision for ministry and invest in our becoming it. So when you receive an invitation to participate in a cottage meeting, I hope and pray it is one you will accept. And if, in our own imperfectness, we neglect to send you an invitation, please let us know by contacting the church office or me.

My hope and prayer are that in 20 years from now (and sooner) we will, like today, look at what we have accomplished and what we have become, and have multiple reasons to celebrate - whoopee!!!

Peace,

Catie

September 14, 2023

Dear People of St. Paul’s,
 
On the first Sunday of September, our liturgy shifted to a new order of service including new service music and a new prayer forms. This is a typical practice for us at St. Paul’s, changing our worship structure to fit the liturgical season we are in, resulting in a change of liturgy every six to eight weeks. In the summer, however, we have the very long season of Ordinary Time, extending from the Feast of Pentecost (typically in May or June) to the start of Advent (last week of November or first week of December). So, although the liturgical season doesn’t change we typically change up our worship order once and sometimes twice, in that 6 month period, to emphasize a shift of season in our collective life. This is the reason behind our liturgical shift this month.
 
Our thematic emphasis for the first part of summer focused on the celebration of the Holy Spirit (received on Pentecost) and the rest and renewal of summer. Our service music (the Gloria, Sanctus “Holy, holy, holy”, and Fraction Anthem/Breaking of the Bread) all came from the Episcopal Church’s hymnal additions, Lift Every Voice and Sing and Wonder, Love and Praise, which include the rich music of the spirituals so prevalent in our Latino and black American membership. Our prayer forms were some of the most familiar ones to Episcopalians, from our 1979 Book of Common Prayer, inviting us to rest in the comfort of language we’ve spoken through the years.
 
The liturgy introduced on September 3 that will carry us through November represents a new emphasis on creation, spiritual giftedness, gratitude and inclusion – themes that reflect the onset of Autumn, embarking on a new program year, and the approach of our church stewardship campaign and the Thanksgiving holiday. Likely, the change in our prayer forms have already captured your attention. Everything from our opening acclimation to the post-communion prayer are sourced from Enriching Our Worship, liturgical materials approved by the Episcopal Church in the mid 1990’s to supplement to 1979 Book of Common Prayer. Two of the primary reasons for creating these materials were to provide language and imagery that emphasized our role and interconnectedness with all creation, and the inclusion of the breath of God and God’s people. For instance, gendered pronouns are largely absent, used only when directly referring to an actual gendered person (i.e. Jesus). The language is also less formal and is laden with imagery of God’s presence and action in the world, as revealed in scripture and church tradition. We have also moved from a sung Gloria to a hymn of praise that lifts up an celebrates God’s loving act in Jesus, while bringing back a familiar Sanctus, and a Fraction Anthem that emphasizes the unity of the church in sharing the gifts of Christ’s body and blood.
 
I realize that whenever we change the components of our worship liturgy it can be disrupting. Most of us have our preferred music and prayers, as well preferences for where we sit, when we sit, kneel, and stand, and other pious acts, such as genuflecting or crossing oneself. From my vantage point at the altar, I witness almost as many different ways of worshipping as there are people. This is one of the great gifts and strengths of our Christian community of St. Paul’s Episcopal Church, and one of its greatest challenges. One size does not fit all, so in the diversity of our liturgies, some are distressed where others find comfort. I invite you to please be patient with the changes. My hope is that which disrupts us may provoke a deeper curiosity about God in Christ, leading to a deeper relationship with our living God. I also welcome the opportunity to hear about your experiences – that which inspires you and that which troubles with you – please just let me know. Finally, I hope you take comfort in knowing that everything we do in our worship is intended for the Glory of God, and founded on the belief that where two or more are gathered in Christ’s name, God is with us.
 
Peace,
Catie

September 7, 2023

Dear People of St. Paul’s,
 
This week was one of those weeks. Over the holiday weekend, our dog, Ambrose, hurt his leg, Chas caught a cold, and my toothache escalated to a level of pain I didn’t think possible. This resulted in a vet visit for the dog Tuesday afternoon and a root canal for me Wednesday afternoon, on top of previously scheduled ortho appointment for Chas Wednesday morning (shoulder surgery at the end of the month). The perfect formula for a no-good, very-bad week of grumbling and lament.
 
The funny thing is, though, I don’t feel like it. I don’t feel like complaining or hiding under the covers or cursing the universe. Instead, I find myself full of gratitude. I’m thankful for good doctors. For insurance that helps make our medical care somewhat affordable. I’m grateful for the lay leadership and staff of St. Paul’s who engage the faithful work of this parish with and without me. I’m thankful all Ambrose needs is a week of rest and that the shoulder injury that has troubled Chas for the last couple of years will soon be repaired. I’m grateful for antibiotics, cough drops, painkillers, and hot tea.  I’m grateful for things not even related to these events, like the rain at the Labor Day Picnic and for Fr. Bain White brining every jacket he had at home to share with those of us who were underdressed for the cold. I could go on and on – there are so many things I am giving thanks for this week, of all weeks, and it’s blowing my mind.
 
Maybe it’s the Holy Spirit at work, or the time and attention I’ve given to prayer and meditation recently. Or maybe it’s hormonal and I have more “happy” neurotransmitters circulating about than depressive ones. Whatever the cause, the gratitude I’m experiencing this week is a reminder that, in all things, there is likely something for which to be thankful. So, I’m taking some time now, and I’m committing time yet to come, to practice gratitude at the beginning and end of each day, and maybe more. One of the colleagues on my retreat a few weeks ago has an alarm set on her watch for 5pm every day. When it goes off, she pauses whatever she is doing and gives thanks – right there in that moment.
 
I don’t pretend that a regular gratitude practice will liberate me from no-good, very-bad weeks, or even days, but I believe fiercely that it will help me navigate them with more compassion for all God’s creation, and people, and myself. This, too, is something for which I am grateful.
 
Peace,
Catie

 

August 24, 2023

Dear People of St. Paul’s,
 
One of the most hospitable moments I ever experienced was joining the young people of Sk8 church for dinner and worship one Monday evening. It was the regularly scheduled slot for middle school members to share a meal together, reflect on God’s Word and activity, and pray, and a night where our outreach team signed up to provide the food. When I arrived at Sk8 church, a warehouse like space – one half skate park, one half lounge – there were already a half dozen folks from St. Paul’s setting up the hot meal made by them and others. Being empty handed with nothing to do, I plopped on one of the couches to watch kids skate. Within moments, two of them were at my side asking me if I wanted to give it a go. Now, I am no stranger to skateboarding, spending much of my middle school years hopping curbs with neighborhood friends, and my college years cruising campus corridors on a long board. Still, it’s been decades since I have been on a board and I wasn’t quite up to taking on the ramps in the park. Instead, I amused myself and my companions by trying to pop an ollie, without breaking a body part. We all shared in laughter and words of support and congratulations for my attempt, if not my success. As the night progressed, I was awed by the ease in which the members of Sk8 church interacted with me and the others from St. Paul’s in engaging conversation, sharing their faith, and praying. Here I thought we were the ones being of service – and we were – and I realized their hospitality was as great service they shared with us.
 
One of our core values with our outreach ministry at St. Paul’s is to develop mutually beneficial relationships, where we understand that in our service to, for and with others, we hold the belief that others have gifts that will be of service to us. We enter into every relationship vulnerable to being changed by that relationship. I believe this is what took place with my experience of Sk8 Church that night and many times since. In providing a meal (or at least showing up for one), I open myself to the gift of their hospitality and am changed by it. It is one reason why we continue to partner with Sk8 Church, a safe and sober refuge who reach out to lost, broken, and addicted young people with the love of Jesus. Sk8 Church exists to see lives changed and I don’t think that is limited to the young people who skate there. They engage in multiple mission trips throughout the year, host various addiction recovery meetings weekly, and provide a safe afterschool space where youth can gather with peers, mentors, and tutors for fellowship, counseling, and help with their school work. And they welcome anyone who joins them with warmth and support – even old wannabe skaters, like me.
 
We will have the opportunity to learn more about the ministry of Sk8 Church this coming Sunday, August 27, when their director, Noah Blumenberg, will join us for worship as our guest preacher. Also, we have the opportunity at least twice every quarter to get to know and be known personally by the people of Sk8 Church, by helping to provide and/or joining in for dinner. So when the announcement is made to join in, please do.
 
Peace,
Catie

May 19, 2023 - from Nicole Hickory, Children’s Ministry Coordinator

Greetings People of St. Paul’s,
 
As always, time continues to move along and we find ourselves nearing the start of summer. I’m excited to share some activities we have lined up this summer for our children and youth. We will be looking at another Parents Night Out, Vacation Bible School (VBS), and a couple ‘to be announced’ activities for our youth- middle school through high school. Also, here at St. Paul’s our children will be diving into the creation story this summer. AND, I really need some volunteers to make all of this happen!
 
The dates are as follows:
June 17th 4-7pm Parents Night Out
June 26, 27, & 28th 5-8pm VBS at the Methodist Church
 
VBS
This summer we have the unique opportunity to partner with The Heart of Steamboat Methodist Church and Har Mishpacha, The Jewish Congregation of Steamboat for a summer VBS for our children. Children who are potty trained to 5th grade can participate in this Hero Hotline camp. The following is an excerpt from this summer’s program.
 
“Our team of Heroes (children) will spring into action and explore the ultimate Hero Handbook- the Bible. They will discover how all Heroes can follow the examples set by a cast of supporting Bible Heroes, who work together to bring peace, build each other up, and share the great story of God’s love for us where they are and with the whole world.”
 
Youth
I’m honored to announce we plan to partner with Pastor Maggie Taylor at The Heart of Steamboat Methodist Church for youth group next year. This will be for our middle and high school students. I have coordinated a group of volunteers from St. Paul’s, along with myself, to help support this new partnership and provide a space for our youth to learn and grow in their relationship with Christ. Together, we will plan a couple of fun activities over the summer to give our youth the chance to meet and start forming community. This is still under way, so more info to come!  
 
Childrens Church
Also, here at St. Paul’s this summer, on Sunday mornings our children we will be diving into the Old Testament and exploring the story of creation with Storymakers. This is a 12-week study where we will explore creation through art and imagination. What better time to dive into creation than in the bounty of all summer’s blessings.
 
One of the aspects I love with Storymakers is the ability to take you along on the journey. Each week a new poster will be placed at the back of the sanctuary to feature that week’s theme. Along with the art I will include a small piece or interesting fact from the lesson. Throughout Genesis, the author, makes the case that God is GOOD and all that God creates is for God’s purpose. God spoke, and out of the chaos of nothingness, light came into existence. I hope all of us have something to imagine or re-imagine from the story of creation this summer.
 
How to Help
So now I come to the place where I have some pretty big asks. I can really use some support to make all of this happen. I am very much in need of volunteers to assist ministering directly with children and youth for Childrens Church, Parents Night Out, and our summer VBS. You will need to complete about 2 hours of online Safe Church training before working with children and I can get you going on this right away. I also need folks who would be willing to provide part, or all, of the meal for Parent’s Night Out. Please reach out to me if you might be interested in any of these areas.
 
Maybe you don’t want to commit on an on-going basis? I totally get that. There are so many other ways you can help! From providing meals, helping at the Parent’s Night Out, or delivering this summer’s curriculum to families I have much need right now.
 
Thank you for all you already do to love and support the children and youth at St. Paul’s! I’m so grateful for the volunteers that have helped start and grow these ministries and welcome more volunteers to strengthen them.
 
In peace,
Nicole
 

May 12, 2023

Dear People of St. Paul’s,
 
Last week I participated in the Church Pension Group’s CREDO conference for clergy. This offering provides clergy the opportunity to dive deeply into examination of their spiritual, vocational, financial, and physical/mental well-being, and establish practices, supportive communities, and other resources to help them live and serve in health and wholeness. We were invited to really name and claim our core values, examine the ways we live (or not) out of them, and create a rule of life with practices to help guide and support our work towards well-being. My time of learning and renewal with Episcopal clergy colleagues and CREDO faculty yielded many gifts, not the least of which being confirmation of my current call and of some of the practices I already engage.
 
Perhaps coincidentally (or perhaps not), on my flight to the conference in North Carolina, I started listening to the book “The Gifts of Imperfection” by Brene Brown. Her decades of research in studying courage, vulnerability, shame, and empathy have led her to some conclusions about health and wholeness. She has found that those people who are healthiest and on the path towards wholeness, whom she terms “wholehearted”, share three key values – courage, compassion, and connection. According to Brown, these three values are the gifts of imperfection—gifts that we only have access to because we’re flawed. If we all lived ideal lives free from struggles and mistakes, we’d never need to put these values into practice—and we’d never reap their benefits. I won’t go into detail about how she defines these values and the practices that cultivate them, though you can get a pretty good summary if you click here. Rather, the subtitle of her book is sufficient for my reflection today - “Let Go of Who You Think You’re Supposed to Be and Embrace Who You Are”.
 
One of my great realizations during CREDO was how susceptible I am to expectations – other people’s and my own. I have a strong tendency to take on expectations as my identity, especially when I fail to meet them. And, if you were not aware, the life of a priest and a rector of a parish, is full of all kinds of expectations. I give an extraordinary amount of my time and energy to trying to manage them, if not meet them. This is not necessarily a bad thing, as accountability is crucial to developing trust and building healthy communities. However, if the expectations I or others have of me deviate from who I understand myself to be, then the attention I give to them is destructive to myself and others. I am unable to operate from my giftedness and to create space for others to operate from there’s. When I stop and think about the most life-draining experiences I have ever had (in ministry and otherwise), they are all times when I was trying to be something other than myself because I believed it was expected of me.
 
This is why I’m such a big fan of almost anyone or anything that can lead me and others to self-awareness and maturation. I confess, some resources are more substantial in study and practice than others, and not all resources are helpful to all people. I think of them like tools in a toolbox – collect them, learn how to use them, and hold on to the ones you find useful. You might not always need it, but when you do, it’s nice to have.
 
This weekend, as part of our vestry retreat, St. Paul’s staff and vestry are utilizing the tool of the Enneagram (click here for more information) to help us understand ourselves and each other better, especially as it relates to our leadership styles. Some people are really excited about this and some people not so much. That is ok. Although I find the Enneagram really helpful I do not have any need (or expectation!) of convincing others of its benefit. Instead, I hope that by simply engaging in the act of self-examination in a courageous, compassionate, and connected environment, this body of church leadership might receive some of the gifts I did in my conference last week and put them to good and life-giving use in their ministry and their lives. In this way, I hope and trust that you all will be gifted too, as grace begets grace. No one of us can be all things to all people, but our faith teaches us that each one of us is necessary for a healthy and whole body. May we each find the courage, compassion, and connection to be and embrace who we are four our life and the life of the world.
 
Peace,
Catie

April 27, 2023

Dear People of St. Paul’s,
 
This time next year, I hope many of you will be joining me in a pilgrimage trip to Greece and the surrounding area to follow in the footsteps of the apostle Paul. For many years now, I have had a desire to engage our congregation in a study of our patron saint that might lead to greater understanding of him and his ministry, as well as greater understanding of our ourselves and our ministry in Jesus’ name. Global pandemic has made this challenging, however, the year ahead looks promising to embark on this adventure. In the weeks to come, I will share with you not only information about how to participate in the pilgrimage, but also invitations to study and formation that will prepare us to take full advantage of that time.
 
This summer, I invite you to participate in a bible study of Paul’s letter to the Romans, portions of which we will hear every Sunday in our worship. Using N.T. Wright’s For Everyone Bible Study Guides, and building upon the success of our past summer small groups, we will comprise small groups who will determine when and where they meet, and provide them the materials for their study together. These materials can also be engaged in individual study, and groups can meet physically and/or virtually, in order to accommodate participants that do not live here year-round. The groups and the materials are also adaptable to summer travel schedules, allowing everyone the ability to participate, even if they aren’t able to gather with their group every time they meet.
 
In the fall, our focus shifts to the events of Paul’s life and the context in which he lived it. Our study and shared reflection on the book “The Call: The Life and Message of the Apostle Paul”, by Adam Hamilton provides an excellent means of getting up close and personal with St. Paul and the people and places he encountered. Our book study will be augmented with Sunday morning forums (presented in person and via Zoom) highlighting certain contextual topics such as Greek rhetoric and Roman politics that informed Paul’s ministry methods.
 
Next winter, our Lenten Study will focus on the theology of Paul, especially tackling some of the tricky bits ascribed to the apostle through the millennia (i.e. misogyny, homophobia, anti-Semitism, pro-slavery). Saint that he is, Paul was also a human being with his own challenges and failings. The season of Lent provides us a perfect opportunity to encounter our humanness in his, and our shared blessedness as God’s missionary in our particular places and times.
 
This year long course of study culminates in an opportunity to travel to Greece and the region surrounding it, following in Paul’s missionary journeys and encountering him anew in the places where he ministered. This will be an 8-10 day trip, complete with guide and lodging and travel accommodations. Advanced registration is required and I will have more information about the trip itinerary and cost out this summer.
 
In addition to my hope of many of us sharing the physical pilgrimage trip together, I have a greater hope that in our engagement in this “Year of Paul” as a church community, we will come to grow in faith and love for God, one another, and our neighbor more deeply, discovering the gifts for ministry God has placed in each of us, and creating ways to use them. This is the vision we claimed for St. Paul’s many years ago, and the vision I believe St. Paul has for us. Please join me in realizing this hope.
 
Peace,
Catie

April 21, 2023

Dear People of St. Paul’s,
 
I find, when faced with challenges, to seek the opportunities a challenge can provide. Recently, the Regional Missioner for the Northwest Region of the Episcopal Church in Colorado reached out to the clergy of the churches in this region with a challenge. The venue identified to hold the Northwest Regional Confirmation service had a conflict with the date slotted for the service to take place and was unable to host it. Our missioner reached out to the congregations to get a sense of how many people this conflict would affect. As it turns out, St. Paul’s had the most to lose, as we have at least 6 people currently discerning confirmation or reception in the Episcopal Church, and who were planning with this service in mind. With this awareness, I quickly started thinking about alternatives: could some folks go to Denver or Boulder for those regional confirmation services? Could we crash the bishop’s visitation at another church in our region in the next few months? These options have their downsides – travel, separation of the group who have been preparing together, my ability to be at any of the options. And then another opportunity presented itself – why not invite the bishop here? Why not host the confirmation service for the region?
 
I posed the option of hosting the confirmation service to our class of explorers, and then to our staff, and with their support, I extended an invitation to Bishop Kym. And, I’m thrilled to share, she said yes! St. Paul’s will host the Northwest Regional Confirmation Service at 10am on Saturday, May 27, with The Rt. Rev. Kym Lucas presiding.
 
It has been almost two years since we have had the pleasure our bishop visiting and worshipping with us. In a diocese this size, our bishop is only able to visit each congregation about once every three years, so this special time with her is a real gift. In addition, it provides us the opportunity to host our siblings from the congregations of our region and celebrate with them. And it provides an extra meaningful time for our own St. Paul’s folks who choose to be confirmed or received, as they will do so surrounded by the community that nurtures and accompanies them in their faith journey.
 
Another opportunity that exists in this opportunity is the possibility is to extend an invitation to any of you who have already been confirmed or received in the Episcopal Church, to reaffirm your baptismal vows with our bishop. If this is of interest to you, please let me know, so that we may plan for your inclusion in our worship service that day.
 
Finally, we have an opportunity to let our hospitality shine in hosting a reception following the service. We need folks that can help with the set up and decoration of our parish hall and the provision of food and drink for our guests. If you would like to help in providing this hospitality, please also let me know.
 
Please save the date of Saturday, May 27 and the time of 10am to gather as a community to celebrate the confirmation, reception, and affirmation of our St. Paul’s folks and all others who join us that day. It will be a joyous event and I am excited and grateful for such rewarding opportunities, in the midst of challenging times. I hope you are too.
 
Peace,
Catie
 

April 6, 2023

Dear People of St. Paul's,

This past winter, our bishop, the Rt. Rev. Kym Lucas, invited the congregations in the Episcopal Church of Colorado to discern the re-engagement of the common cup for communion. St. Paul's Vestry accepted this invitation and recently agreed that we are prepared as a community to move to sharing a common cup for the distribution of the wine made holy during communion. We will re-engage this practice starting this weekend, with our celebration of Easter.

In addition to the appropriateness of celebrating resurrection and new life as we emerge from the COVID pandemic, this time of year also provides a level of community safety, with the reduction of visitors and the viruses so prevalent in the winter months. In making this decision, we consulted with Dr. Brian Harrington, Routt County Public Health Medical Officer and St. Paul's member, who shares his enthusiastic support and approval for our return to the common cup.  He cautions, however, that each of us continue to use good sense regarding our participation in communion and church community, in general. Continue to wash your hands and use hand sanitizer. If feeling ill, stay home. If you are uncertain as to whether or not you have been exposed to a virus (COVID, flu, common cold, etc.), consider masking, and abstain from close contact with others, including partaking of communion wine. The church understands the sacrament of Eucharist to be received fully in the consumption of one of the blessed elements. Which means that sharing only of the bread, is sharing fully in the Lord's supper. Also, please continue to be respectful of the choices any of us may make on any given Sunday. This is yet another time of change and adjustment to a new way of living, a transition all of us must make in our own way.

So as you approach the altar this Sunday, we invite you to extend your hands to receive the bread made holy. As the wine bearer approaches, you may choose intinction, by gently dipping the bread (and not your fingers) in the wine, or choose to sip from the cup, or choose to abstain from the wine all together. All choices lead to loving communion with our loving God and each other. Thanks be to God.

Peace,

Catie

 March 30, 2023

Dear People of St. Paul’s,
 
This past Sunday, at our Annual Meeting, I shared my joy and enthusiasm for the gifts of St. Paul’s, specificallyin our gift of hospitality, and in the gift of our people and place as means of nurturing people in their walk with Christ. These gifts have shaped us into a vibrant and welcoming community and, with our continued cultivation, I believe will grow it. I also spoke of two challenges to our growth and my commitment to address these challenges to facilitate our growth.
 
The first challenge is financial and it is not a surprising challenge given where we are in our community development. In 2022, we committed to investing in our ministry, specifically in the areas of music and children’s ministry. We were successful in hiring two excellent leaders in these areas, our Music Minister, Vincent Lee, and our Children’s Ministry Coordinator, Nicole Hickory. In the 6 months they have served this community, we are already experiencing the positive effects of their leadership. If you have yet to experience the fruit of their gifts, join us this Sunday, Palm Sunday and the following Easter Sunday to witness the joyous song of the children’s choir. These staff members, along with the gifted direction of St. Paul’s member, Susan Cahoon, and the support of other members, have supported and nurtured these children in the Way of Love, and given them voice in our worship. I know it’s Lent, but I can’t help but say “Alleluia!”. The commitment we made a year ago to invest in these ministries is paying off in life giving ways, and this life needs our continued support for its sustenance. Our 2023 budget projects close to a $100,000 deficit, largely due to the increased expense of staff and little change in our income. Thankfully, through good stewardship of generous gifts in the past, we have reserved funds to cover a majority of this deficit, but even using those, we are still facing a $10,000 deficit. St. Paul’s Vestry is looking into how to meet the challenge of this financial shortfall, including requesting more of you to give and, for those who are giving, to consider giving more. I share this with you now for your awareness and, in the coming months, I and the Vestry will provide more information regarding our plan and a formal invitation for your participation.
 
The second challenge I believe we face in our growth is what I describe as a divisive spirit within our community. It is a spirt that leads us to oppose one another rather than embrace each other in love. It is not new or unique to St. Paul’s – I have witnessed a spirit of divisiveness in many and varied communities and it often manifests in times of change, uncertainty, loss, and fear. Again, this challenge is not surprising, given all the change, uncertainty, loss, and fear we have experienced as a church community in the past few years. On Sunday, I apologized for the ways my actions have contributed to this divisiveness, and I also committed to addressing this spirit as a community so that we may move to a place of greater love and wholeness. I believe this work starts with addressing conflict directly and in healthy ways. As a person who really dislikes bad feelings, addressing conflict can be hard for me. However, as a person who also cares deeply about healing the hurt of others, I willingly embrace conflict resolution to aid in this process.
 
In my work with the Colorado Episcopal Service Corps Centennial House members, conflict resolution was something we learned together. As you might imagine, three to five 20-somethings living, eating, praying, and working together, provided plenty of opportunity to practice. The first, and perhaps the hardest, step in our resolution practice was to assume the positive intent of the other. This is so hard because our feelings of betrayal, anger, hurt, sadness, etc. (whether or not we acknowledge them), lead us to defend ourselves and see the other as the villain or enemy. To consciously assume the other person had a positive intention for whatever they did or said requires a massive amount of energy and grace. Blame feels safe. Empathy is risky. Yet, if we don’t start here, with this assumption of good intent, we cannot move forward. We cannot move to place of listening and understanding, and from there to a place of amends and reconciliation without abandoning our defenses and stepping into that risky territory of giving the other the benefit of the doubt.
 
So I invite you, in your places of conflict and dis-ease, to try the following practice, just as I endeavor to do, albeit imperfectly. Rather than assume that someone intends to harm me, I have learned to first assume that I misunderstood. I assume that they meant something other than what I heard, or that they are struggling to communicate their thoughts and feelings. By assuming the positive, I have found that I feel less stress, less frustration, and less irritation with others. Because I feel less stress, I am better able to work to understand their perspective without feeling compelled to force my perspective on them. When we assume positive intent, we have greater control over our emotional response, and we retain the power to control one of the few things we can control – ourselves.
 
Friends, the challenges before us as a community are formidable, and they are conquerable. We are a community full of gifts and talents, when used in loving ways, can lead to growth and wholeness. And we are a community that recognizes the source of those gifts, our loving God, gives of them abundantly and faithfully. “Through him all things were made; without him nothing was made that has been made. In him was life, and that life was the light of all mankind. The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it.” – John 1. Let us look to the light and discover the life given to, for, and with us.
 
Peace,
Catie
 

 March 22, 2023

Dear People of God,

I read the news this morning about another school shooting in Nashville, TN, where three nine year-olds, three adults in their 60’s, and the shooter, 28 years old, were all killed. This news, coming on the heels of the East High shooting in Denver and hearing our Bishop, Kym Lucas, share her experience of being there in lockdown while it took place, is gutting me. I find myself echoing the words of the psalmist (Psalm 13):

“How long, Lord? Will you forget me forever?

    How long will you hide your face from me?

  How long must I wrestle with my thoughts

    and day after day have sorrow in my heart?

    How long will my enemy triumph over me?”

I sat this morning and prayed the middle section of this psalm:

“Look on me and answer, Lord my God.

    Give light to my eyes, or I will sleep in death,

and my enemy will say, “I have overcome him,”

    and my foes will rejoice when I fall.”

And this practice is helping me to believe in the hope articulated in the last part of the psalm:

“But I trust in your unfailing love;

    my heart rejoices in your salvation.

I will sing the Lord’s praise,

    for he has been good to me.”

I ask you to join me in prayer. In praying our lament, our needs, and our hope, that we may be empowered by God’s Holy Spirit to be Jesus’ healing presence, and cooperate with God’s restoring wholeness. Kyrie eleison. Lord, have mercy.

 Peace,

Catie

March 22, 2023 - from Vincent Johns-Lee, music minister

Hello Good People of St. Paul’s!

The last time I did an E-Pistle was shortly after I arrived in Steamboat Springs. It seems ages ago when we pulled into Steamboat with our U-Haul trailer. So much has happened and quickly, I found a family in the choir and with you, the people of St. Paul’s. Thank you again for such a warm welcome. I can’t think of anywhere I’d rather be.

Just to recap, the choir program went into high gear with our rehearsals. I must brag a bit about our choir. In the 35+ years, I’ve been doing this, this choir has not only been a joy to work with, but their hearts are in the right place, as well. They are all ministers in that they are committed to bringing the word of God to you in song. Of course, that’s not to say that the beauty of the music isn’t important…it is. However, the music enhances the message, and the choir does that beautifully. It really helps that they’re all wonderful people also!

There were a few growing pains. I wasn’t aware of this when I first got here, but I realized soon after that the choir hadn’t had a choir director for three years. JoAnne Grace and Susan Cahoon did a marvelous job in keeping everyone together. By the time I arrived, I think everyone was so ready to go, that it made my job a lot easier. We started slowly by singing our first anthem in mid-October and again, either in late October or early November. Gradually, our anthems became a little more complex and by Christmas, we were singing some difficult but beautiful pieces. I pray we keep this trend growing.

It’s been a bit of a blur with the end of the Christmas season to where we are now…a little less than 2 weeks till Easter! Around this time of year, it’s easy for me to panic. I begin to wonder if I’ve covered all I need to with the choir or if I’ve prepared music for the preludes and postludes adequately, wondering where the time has gone, but here we are. Easter is a joyous time, but it’s important to not forget the period between Palm Sunday and Easter. The services leading up to the celebration of Easter are just as important: Beginning with Palm Sunday, then Maundy Thursday, Good Friday, Easter Vigil and finally Easter Sunday. It’s a bit of a manic journey where you find yourself celebrating, then deep in sorrow and then celebrating again. The music you will hear during this time will reflect all those emotions. My prayer is that the music will minister to you and bring you closer to God with all of these different services.

Going forward, things will slow down a bit. Probably an anthem a month. Some Sundays, you’ll hear solos, duets, trios and quartets. Ours is a transient choir where a set of choir members leave for a season or shorter, and another group of folks come back to Steamboat. It’s never dull! You’ll hear a variety of different music with different styles that you may not be used to. However, they will all be to the glory of God and that’s what it’s all about.

Some programs that I’m hoping to accomplish in the summer is a music “camp” where we’ll meet for an hour or two a day for a week or so, to learn basic music, how to read music, singing exercises and learning a choral song. If you’ve ever wondered what it’s like to sing in a choir or perhaps, what your voice range is, or even if you’ve ever thought, “I wonder if I’m ‘good  enough’ to sing in a choir?” Here’s your chance! It’ll be a relaxed time where there are no expectations or pressure. Come and have fun and maybe learn a thing or two about music.

I think we’ve all read or heard the verses, “Make a joyful shout to the Lord, all you lands! Serve the Lord with Gladness, Come before His presence with singing.” Psalm 100 1:1-2. One verse that has meant a lot to me lately is from Exodus 15:2. “The Lord is my strength and song, and He has become my salvation; He is my God, and I will praise Him. My father’s God, and I will exalt Him.

Many of you may already know, I’m battling some serious health issues. It’s not been easy these past few months, but I know that God is with me and with that and the choir and all of you, it sustains me and has been my strength. Thank you to all of you for your kind words of encouragement, hope and most of all, your prayers. They are truly appreciated. I am blessed to be a part of the St. Paul’s community.

Peace,
Vincent

March 16, 2023 - from Nicole Hickory, children’s ministry coordinator

Greetings dear people of St. Paul’s, 

The fourth week of Lent brings us the story of Jesus giving sight to a blind man; John 9: 1-41. In children’s church, one of our field notes for this story is, ‘In each of the Gospels, Jesus is telling us something, he wants us to know that he has the power to give us all sight. He helps us see the world, life, and the Divine in the way we are meant to see. The good news is that Jesus can open our eyes to ourselves and our neighbors.’ 

The children will be asked, “Sometimes God opens our eyes to new adventures or friendships. Has God given you vision to see something new?”  

I feel we in Children’s Ministry are asking to see anew. When I came into this position, I was linked with a mentor through the Diocese who shared with me the need to evaluate Children and Youth Ministries with a new lens. She shared that for far too long we have evaluated our ministry on numbers. Yet, our evaluation should be not on the numbers but the possibility to share, grow, and engage our faith. She said even if it was just my girls and me on a Sunday morning, we were growing in our faith, and that should be considered success. “Where one or two are gathered in my name, there I shall be.” 

Winter sports have our children busy through these cold months. While we miss them on Sunday mornings, it’s wonderful to know so many get the opportunity to enjoy this beautiful area we call home. Hopefully making new friends and experiencing new adventures. As a community of faith, we trust that Christ dwells among them as they engage in skiing, figure skating, hockey, and time with family and friends.  

Over the last few months, I feel we are growing deeper with each other. I’m so grateful to be a part of this community. On Sunday mornings our sweet little group is starting to feel like home. I see children who were quiet at first starting to share more during our discussions. I’m watching as our children are excited to see each other each week. I’m hearing from families that their children have asked about coming back once their other commitments are over. It certainly feels as though the Spirit is at work. Our new Storymakers curriculum has given us the opportunity to share with families an option to continue to engage their faith outside of traditional Sunday times.  

Another exciting thing happening in the St. Paul’s children’s world is the Children’s Lenten choir. Vincent Johns-Lee and Susan Cahoon have been going above and beyond loving on and ministering to our youth. We have about 15 kiddos coming each week, working around wild schedules to make it happen. We were able to invite our larger community to take part and that itself feels like a gift. On Easter the children will share with us, through the gift of song, the Easter Story. It’s been a time to grow in musical awareness with voice but also a chance to learn and engage with the Easter story.  

On March 25th the Genesis team will again host a Parents Night Out. We are thrilled to share this with our community and excited for yet another chance to engage with our children outside of traditional Sunday hours. Their work and dedication toward this have been so well received.     

“Sometimes God opens our eyes to new adventures or friendships. Has God given you vision to see something new?” He has certainly opened my eyes to both new friendships and adventures. I continue to be amazed at the abundance of support and help this community bestows upon me and our St. Paul’s children. My hope is that together we are creating a space for our children to learn about, wrestle with, and engage in their faith in a way that is just right for them. May our children be given sight to the world, life, and God in the way are meant to see it. That they too hear the good news that Christ can open their eyes to themselves and their neighbors. And lastly, that we may continue to be open to seeing ourselves and our neighbors as God sees us.   

Peace,  

Nicole  

March 9, 2023

Dear People of St. Paul's,

During our Camino pilgrimage, Chas and I befriended a fellow pilgrim from the UK, Keith. We happened to be walking with him the day Queen Elizabeth died. As a bit of a royal fan, I felt a pang of sadness at her loss. However, Keith's grief was tangible, as I noticed the tears in his eyes and the broken gruffness in his voice as he shared the news with us. When we encountered him in the days that followed, he shared his struggle in deciding whether to end his Camino to return for the Queen's funeral and his agony at not gathering with the tens of thousands of his fellow compatriots. He shared in their collective grief and it was a very difficult decision to stay on the Camino and not join them.

I was reminded of this experience with Keith as I was researching the concept of collective grief. St. Paul's has suffered a lot of loss in the past few months through death and transition of some of our most constant and devoted members, and I wonder how we navigate this collective grief as a community. In their article "The psychology of collective grief", the British Psychological Society cited the response to Queen Elizabeth's death as an example of collective grief:

"Those mourning the death of the Queen will all be experiencing grief differently depending on their relationship with her. Family and friends and those in close employment will obviously experience her loss on a more personal basis but for the general public, their sense of loss will be affected by whether they may have met or had any interactions with her, even their proximity to places such as Buckingham Palace, and their views on the monarchy and the potential loss of stability and leadership that she represented, especially during recent difficult times...Collective grief is how we describe the reaction of a group of people (usually a nation, region or community) who experience the death of a significant figure from that nation/community or experience multiple deaths."

I feel like this description might hold true for us during our time of loss and grief at St. Paul's. Each of us may share similarities in our sense of loss, yet each sense of loss is unique to each person. This is because each of us brings our own experiences to this shared one, where our relationships with those lost, as well as the experiences of loss in our past inform how we respond. Like with the Queen's death, the public awareness of our loss at St. Paul's can trigger all kinds of grief in us, making this a particularly difficult time for us, individually and collectively. Yet, there can be some benefits to sharing this grief together:

  *  It can give us permission to revisit our own experiences and to express our own grief again
* Some things that may help each of us move through grief in ways that lead to these benefits include:

*  Identify your losses and name your experiences as grief.  And, rather than comparing your losses to those of others, you can give yourself the space to experience and feel them.
*  Be present for others as they experience their losses and grief.  Being together and connected to others can help you find meaning in your experiences.
  *  Remember that there is no one (or right) way to grieve or experience loss...accept that others may be doing so differently than you, which can keep you connected to them.
  *  Find 'Wins' in your day to day life. For example, have you been able to go for a walk, despite your feelings of loss? If so, that is a 'Win.'
  *  Name the meaningful moments you have each day
  *  Ask yourself: "What can I do that will be meaningful to me today?" Use your answer to guide what you choose to do each day.

I am grateful to the scientists and the authors that compiled and shared this information on the internet, for me to share with you now. As a member of this community, I too, am grieving our losses and I find it difficult to help guide you all in your grief, while I move through mine. My hope in sharing this knowledge and suggestions, is that it may help guide us all as we gather, share, morn and move through the time ahead. May we, in our prayer and practice, be awakened to God's presence with us, uniting us in our brokenness, and healing us in God's grace.

Peace,

Catie

March 1, 2023

Dear People of St. Paul’s,
 
The word “lent” is derived from the Old English Word “lencten” which means spring season. In the liturgical calendar, we always begin the penitential season of Lent on the cusp of this seasonal transition, with a recognition that those things that have been dormant in winter’s cold and darkness, will emerge with the growing warmth and light of spring. We know this from our own observation and experience of the created world around us, and this feeds our hope for the life within us.
 
So my invitation to you now, on the cusp of spring, is to take a few moments of prayerful introspection and consider what might be growing in you. Are there seeds you or others have planted for your continued growth that are breaking open? What might God be nurturing in you and calling forth from you? What new springing do you hope to see emerging from you and in the world around you this spring?
 
My hope in inviting you into this exercise is that it prepares you to see that which you intend and hope, and maybe also help you see the graceful surprises that so often accompany them. And may this Easter hymn encourage you in your work:
 
Now the green blade riseth, from the buried grain,
Wheat that in dark earth many days has lain;
Love lives again, that with the dead has been:
Love is come again like wheat that springeth green.
 
Peace,
Catie

February 23, 2023

Dear People of St. Paul's,

In preparation for our 2023 Annual Meeting, St. Paul's Vestry recently discovered that St. Paul's By-laws (ratified in 2007) were not in compliance with diocesan canons (ratified in 2013), preventing us from holding a valid election. This discovery also led to an investigation of St. Paul's Articles of Incorporation (ratified in 2007), where we discovered conflicts with the canons and with our proposed by-law changes. In response, the Vestry voted to postpone our Annual Meeting to March 26, 2023 and established a task force to address both St. Paul's By-laws and St. Paul's Articles of Incorporation. After thoughtful consideration, this task force has proposed revisions to both documents to bring St. Paul's into compliance with the current Canons of the Episcopal Church in Colorado. In accordance with the diocesan canons, the proposed revisions of St. Paul's By-laws have been presented to the Vestry at least 30 days in advance of the Annual Meeting, and upon Vestry review, will be presented to the congregation no-less than 10 days before the Annual Meeting. Communicants in good standing with St. Paul's will then have the opportunity to discuss, amend, and vote to accept the revised By-laws at our Annual meeting on March 26.

In contrast, the parish Vestry votes to accept revisions to the parish Articles of Incorporation. However, our laws require that any proposed revisions be shared with the parish through any customary parish communication at least 30 days prior to the Vestry's vote. To that end, we have included a link here to the document containing St. Paul's Articles of Incorporation and its proposed revisions, in their entirety. I invite you to review this document and to share any inquiries or concerns with a member of St. Paul's Vestry.  This document has also been presented to the Bishop and to the Chancellor of the Diocese of Colorado for their required review and approval, and the Vestry will be discussing these revisions prior to their vote on March 25, 2023.

I am grateful for the good and prompt work of our Vestry and of our St. Paul's Task Force members, Susan Cahoon, Tom Chaney, Dave Kinnear, and Nancy Kramer in facilitating the governance of our church and life together. Their work now has been primarily focused on making the changes necessary to hold our Annual Meeting. In the year ahead, the Vestry will continue to review and update these documents to better reflect our current church make up and mission. We will keep you appraised of this work and we invite your insight in it. Thank you.

Peace,

Catie

February 16, 2023

Dear People of St. Paul’s,
 
Next Wednesday, February 22, we begin our journey through Lent. These weeks before Easter are popularly known as a season of sober self-denial, with an emphasis on repenting from sin and receiving God’s forgiveness.  We are commissioned to “keep a holy Lent.”
 
Figuring out how to keep a holy Lent can be a challenge, but if we move beyond the popular conceptions (and misconceptions), Lent holds the possibility for real change – or to use the church’s word, conversion – in our lives, as well as for rich and lasting spiritual growth.  The word “lent” comes from the Anglo-Saxon word lencton, referring to the springtime of the year when the days grow longer and warmer and brighter.  It is during the weeks of Lent that (at least spiritually) we begin to emerge from our protective winter burrows, to stretch our legs and sniff the air for signs of new life.
 
This is not to say that Lent is a season of giddy celebration, but rather that joy in the new life we have found in the Christian faith should never be overwhelmed by our struggles to live out that faith or our awareness of the ways we fall short.  The ultimate purpose of Lent is to strengthen our spiritual lives.  In Lent we step back and consider the ways we need to repent, to turn around – to be converted.  It can feel like a dislocated knee or shoulder moving back into place.  Repentance is not always pain-free, but it is the start of profound healing.
 
We invite you to know and share in this healing through prayer, study and worship. If there are things about our worship and practice that are new to you or do not make sense, be patient with the unfamiliarity.  Consider that you are entering a conversation with God and the faithful which began centuries before we were here and will continue after we are gone.  Just join in as you are, and bear with the rest of us as we are, and we will all be changed as we go.
 
Peace,
Catie
 

February 2, 2023

Dear People of St. Paul's,
 
We write to inform you that at the meeting of St. Paul's Vestry on January 30, 2023, the Vestry voted to postpone St. Paul's Annual Meeting from this Sunday, February 5, 2023, to Sunday, March 26, 2023.

We made this decision because we have recently become aware of some conflict between our past practices and parish By-Laws, and the Canons of the Episcopal Church in the Diocese of Colorado that affect our ability to hold valid elections during our annual meeting. This postponement allows time for an appointed task force to address these issues and present amendments to the By-Laws to both the Vestry and the parish within the timeframe required, prior to the Annual Meeting.
 
We apologize for any inconvenience this postponement may cause you and we thank you for your patience as we address these important issues. We will report on the progress of this work as we can.
 
In Christ,
 
Your Vestry

January 5, 2023 - from Molly Raphael, Senior Warden

Dear People of St Paul’s,

Since this is the first E-News edition of the 2023, it seems appropriate to look back, review and share some of the Vestry and church activities with you.  Months ago as we began the 2022 Vestry Year, in anticipation of Catie’s planned sabbatical, we tried our best to plan ahead to assure smooth functioning of our church.

We wanted St Paul’s to remain strong and grow even stronger in the months while Catie was away. This summer, we were energized to launch a new Children’s Ministry and a renewed Music Ministry.  Many of you have commented that our Sunday services have been well attended and that there is a special vibrancy in St Paul’s as we experience increased visibility and participation of children and families and as the choir grows in size and the music options expand.

Another objective was for us to communicate more effectively. We broadened the weekly E-news and website to include more information and photos. We have been trying to strengthen the volunteer base of our church through the creation of descriptive ministry brochures and by inviting members to write the weekly epistle so that you all might have a greater awareness of the opportunities at St Paul’s. The new ministry brochures are now in each pew. St. Paul’s could not function without the help of all of the wonderful volunteers who support the church week after week. We are trying to welcome and identify newcomers to our church and have prepared a newcomer letter.  The Genesis Team partnered with Nicole to sponsor a Parents Night Out so that children could be cared for while parents tended to other tasks or just had fun. The evening was very successful with 20 children participating!  As a service to the community, we also invited children from the Steamboat Mountain School to join us.

As you might expect, no matter how much we planned ahead, unexpected challenges arose. We learned in October that our aging fire alarm system was broken and needed replacing. Together with the Steamboat Mountain School, we have contracted to install a completely new fire alarm system with work expected to begin in the next few weeks. Fortunately through your generosity and due to prudent planning and investment management, St Paul’s has funds available to cover this project. Our relationship with the school has always been good, but this year we have strengthened our relationship because of oversight of shared life safety systems and shared classroom space. Since we share a common wall, it is good to know that we are both good neighbors one to the other.

We also looked at the insurance coverage on our facility and the rectory, created an insurance work group and convened an on-site meeting with our insurance representative. Our goals were and are to reduce our risk by having adequate insurance coverage and to reduce any unnecessary insurance expense.

We welcomed Brain Hickory as our new property maintenance manager beginning January 1. Brian has a property management business and project manager experience. Louie Pabon, to whom we are indebted for his service as building manager for the past three years, has experienced successful growth in his business and can no longer address our growing facility needs. 

We are still reviewing the procedures and costs related to our Memorial Garden. While the work group has not met in a while due to the heavy workload with other facilities projects, this group is expected to get back on track soon. Our goals are to keep the Memorial Garden financially sound while also offering an attractive space for folks to visit, think and pray.

The Old Stone Church workgroup continues to address the remaining needs and welcomes guests and others from the community who wish to use our beautifully restored old church. This OSC workgroup is revising our building usage contracts – a process long overdue- so that the space is appropriately used.

We are also so thankful for the guidance and leadership provided by the two Interim Rectors. Bonnie with her years of experience and wisdom helped begin Sunday children’s sermons and shared very useful and valuable resource information that clearly helped our Children’s Ministry get off to a strong start. Both Bonnie and Will resumed Adult Formation classes that were well attended and meaningful. Both kept our pastoral care outreach strong and meaningful and for that we are very thankful!

Looking ahead, I am hoping that we can discover new and compassionate ways to work together with Catie to support our community and to strengthen our mission. Some have begun to explore the Mutual Ministry concept, a program in which many Episcopal churches are participating. This program helps churches discern how they are responding to God’s call. If any of you have participated in such an effort in the past and want to share your experiences, it would be appreciated.  Please remember that the members of the Vestry welcome inquiries, concerns, requests, suggestions, etc. Our meetings are open and occur on the fourth Monday of each month at 5 PM. 

The next edition of the Epistle and E-News will be written by Catie whom we shall welcome back this Sunday, January 8. 

Thank you from the bottom of my heart for your support, understanding and guidance during the past months. See you in church!

Molly, Sr Warden
 

January 4, 2023 - 6th postcard received from Rev Catie

December 27, 2022 - from Marty Kilhefner, Daughters of the King

Dear People of St Paul’s,

The Daughters of the King (DOK) was formed in 1885, by Margaret Juliet Franklin. At that time she was leading a Bible study in Manhattan, NY. The women in the Bible study made a resolution that they would pray daily and spread the Kingdom of Christ among young women. By 1891 there were 63 chapters of the DOK. And DOK continues to grow spreading God’s word.

The Daughters of the King is an order for women who desire to serve and spread God’s word. All Daughters everywhere make these vows upon admission to the Order.

• To obey the 2 Rules of The Order: the Rule of Prayer and the Rule of Service

• To faithfully wear the DOK cross as a reminder of our vows

• To serve God and spread His word when given an opportunity.

• To offer assistance to our clergy and parish.

The Daughters of the King is an international order, there are over 6000 members in other countries. There is also a Junior Daughters for young girls ages 7-21.

Our Chapter name is St. Clare of Assisi. We meet monthly.  In the winter, we meet in the parish hall on the first Saturday of the month at 9:30. In the summer, we meet on the first Monday of the month at 5:30. We do several service projects over the year, for example:

• Bags of Blessings – we work together with Lift Up and prepare approximately 60 bags with food for an Easter dinner.

• Advent Tea – we provide an opportunity for women and girls to enjoy a social gathering in preparation for Christmas.

• Quarterly we provide a dinner for the Sk8 church.

Each Daughter takes an 8 week discernment class. These classes teach what it means to become a Daughter. After the classes each woman decides if she wants to become a Daughter. If so, she becomes part of the chapter after taking her vows during The Admission service. We would encourage any woman who feels that she would like to become a Daughter to take these classes. We’d like to start a discernment class in January. If you are interested, please contact the church office or Marty Kilhefner. 970-291-1246.

For His Sake,
Marty Kilhefner

December 22, 2022 - from Rev. Will, interim rector

Dear St. Paul’s Family,

In these seasons of Advent, Christmas, and Epiphany, it’s appropriate to reflect on the state of the world for which we pray. We usually keep the Prayers of the People pretty general so that it can meet the widest range of concerns with the least amount of words. But I invite you in your own private time to direct prayers to specific situations, people or causes, as the mere act of praying orients one towards compassion and understanding. As is said, “to clasp hands in prayer is to rebel against the disorder in the world.”

I like to classify prayers in four categories. The first are prayers of petition; when we ask God for something like peace between warring nations, health for a sick friend, or favorable conditions for an individual undertaking. Offer petitions for concerns personal, community, and global.

The second kind of prayer is one of gratitude. In this, we typically offer thanksgiving for something that’s already happened, like when we give thanks for people in our lives or a special blessing we’ve experienced. As St. Paul said, in all things, give thanks.

The Third category of prayer can best be described as prayers of surrender. It’s when we are so perplexed or vexed by the complexity or opacity of a situation that we simply have no alternative but to simply lay it before God and say, “OK, I give up; you figure it out.” Sometimes we need to do this.

The final type of prayer is a passive type of prayer: a listening prayer. Obviously, this is when we simply listen to what God says to us (if anything; for sometimes no answer is an answer itself). It’s simply the act of silencing our own wants, our own ego, and letting God fill that space. In fact, quite often we pray this kind of prayer when we’re doing something like hiking or gardening; we don’t even realize we’re praying. It’s important to give yourself credit for listening time and not beat yourself up because you don’t feel you pray like you should.

Just some thoughts. Hopefully it helps.

Have a Merry Christmas,

Fr. Will

December 15, 2022 - from Lynn Worrell, Altar Guild

Dear People of St. Paul's, 

Altar Guild is a quiet, behind-the-scenes ministry.  It is a very fulfilling way to serve St. Paul's.  

Some of the duties are as follows:

• After the Sunday worship service (you do have time for coffee) you clean and polish the silver elements and then prepare them for the next Sunday service.  You will be taking the linens home to be washed and pressed.  Ironing can be quite relaxing.

• The Frontals have to be changed according to the church calendar.  

• The sacramental candle has to be changes every 10 to 12 days.  It stays lit at all times.  

• Another important duty we have is cleaning and polishing everything in the altar area before Easter.  We also are involved in the stripping of the altar on Good Friday.  

• We made sure the priests vestments are clean and pressed.  

This is a most important ministry because every Sunday the congregation focuses on the altar and the cross and of course Fr. Will's sermons.  

The Altar Guild has only three members; Sally Hertzog, Jennifer Shea, and Lynn Worrell.  We need help!!

We hope to get more participants involved in this important ministry.  

We will make sure to have training if you wish to join us.  Also, there are written directions in the sacristy.

God's Blessings and Peace,
Lynn Worrell

December 2, 2022 - 5th postcard from Rev Catie!

December 8, 2022 - from Jim De Francia

Dear people of St. Paul's, 

Liturgy, as defined by Webster, is “the prescribed form for a religious service.”  More solemnly, it is the ritual of the worship…the customary rite.

The word itself comes from the Greek “leitouria”, which means “public service”.
 
And so, indeed, is service in our Sunday ritual a public service. To the public at large, and to the public of our fellow congregants.
 
Moreover, the ritual is also a form of both prayer and connection.  Prayer in actively assisting celebration of our faith with our brothers and sisters; and, most certainly, connection to those of the faith who worshiped before us, in the same way, over centuries.
 
Participating in the liturgy – the ritual – is a deeper sense of prayer and connection than just attendance. Whether as a Verger/Acolyte, or a Reader, or an Usher….all contribute to the ritual; all are important; all are needed for the liturgy; all contribute to the prayerful participation of those in attendance.
Such liturgical service is itself prayer, and a manifestation of the faith.

To that end, volunteers for such service in our religious services are welcomed, and, in fact, requested.
Joining in the ritual actively is adding to one’s own prayer and one’s fellowship connection….it is a wonderful personal experience.

James DeFrancia

December 2, 2022 - 4th postcard from Rev Catie!

December 1, 2022 - from Rev. Will, interim rector

Dear People of St. Paul's, 

Happy New (liturgical) Year! Over the next three Sundays in Advent, I will be teaching a formation class and I hope you will join me. This formation series will err on the academic side but, I hope, will add some enriching context to your reading of the Bible and your ministries as a believer.

Our first session will cover the ancient migrations that shaped the Biblical world and afterwards. We will look at clues in the Biblical text as well as insights from the fields of history, archaeology, and linguistics to deepen our understanding of the Bible.

In our second session, we explore the very human phenomenon of conspiracy theories and the challenge they present to the witness and credibility of the Church. We will look at what defines a conspiracy theory, how they propagate, and how to combat them. 

For our third and final session, we will study prostitution in the Scripture. We will look at the Bible’s multiple understandings of the world’s oldest profession. This session will also explore the schizophrenic way the the Church has addressed this grown up topic throughout its history. 

I hope these sessions will be interesting and informative. 

Have a Blessed Advent,

Fr. Will

November 23rd, 2022 - Molly Raphael, Senior warden

Dear People of St Paul’s,

Last weekend our Steamboat Springs community was treated to a beautiful vocal concert performed by the Steamboat Chamber Singers. The theme of this concert Giving Thanks reminded those of us in attendance of the many reasons for us to be thankful. Since the venue for the concert was the St Paul’s Sanctuary, as I sat in the audience, I found myself thinking of the renewed vibrancy our church is currently experiencing. Many of our congregants express heartfelt thanks for Nicole as she leads the renewal and growth of our children’s programs. When I hear the joyful noises of the children during the Sunday services or during the monthly Saturday Family service, I am reminded how the presence of children brings us joy and hope.

Many also express thanks and excitement as under Vincent’s leadership, our music program grows in both breadth and depth. The glorious sounds of the choir fill the sanctuary week after week!
While some of us were apprehensive as we approached the beginning of Catie’s sabbatical, our two Interim Rectors are leading us forward in our faith journey and we can be thankful for their guidance and teachings.

It is also gratifying to see the return of familiar faces as we enter the winter season and look forward to the greening of the church, the lighting of the Advent Candle and all that comes with Advent.
And as we conclude our current Stewardship efforts we are grateful that so many of you have pledged so that we can continue to sustain, grow and strengthen the mission of our church.
The year’s Stewardship theme focused on investing time and talents. Our church is much more vibrant, our surroundings more beautiful and our Hospitality time more abundant because of the time and energy contributed by many, many volunteers. Our new Ministry brochure describes the Ministries that we have and for which we can be thankful.

I, personally, am appreciative of the support of the Vestry as together we are addressing challenges that come with a modern day church in a rural community during a period of time when the Rector is on sabbatical!!

But looking outside of the church and thinking about our world, sometimes it is difficult to be optimistic and thankful. Yet if we allow ourselves to look to the scriptures for guidance and direction, our blessings and capabilities become clearer. We may question why events such as those in Colorado Springs and the Ukraine occur but we can be thankful that we have both an opportunity and time to reach out to those marginalized and in pain and thank them for being part of a world that needs all of us to live and work together for the greater good.

St Paul’s welcomes all of us “Whoever you are, wherever you find yourself on your journey, you are welcome here”. Young or old, fat or thin, rich or poor, gay or straight, black or white or brown, short or tall, well or ill- I am thankful that our church welcomes all others as an expression of God’s love.

May you all have a very Happy Thanksgiving and “See You In Church”!!!!!

Molly (Raphael)
Sr. Warden

November 17th, 2022 - from Sandy Schwindy, Flower Guild

Dear People of St. Paul’s,

Your Flower Guild is comprised of a very talented group of people, fondly known as “Dear Flower People.” We volunteer our time, emotions, and talents to re-fresh our flower offerings on a frequent basis.

How many of your eyes are drawn every Sunday morning toward the sides of the altar to gaze at and ponder the meanings behind the arrangements?

Or, during Christmas and Easter do you feast on the views of the arranged lilies and poinsettias around the church?

During your gazing and pondering, do you ever think you’d like to be a part of this wonderful group?

We’re always looking for fresh ideas and people to make those ideas happen. One thing you NEED to know about us is that, to my knowledge, none of us are professionally trained. We are learning on the job and appreciate all the comments we receive (now that the arrangers’ names are listed in the bulletin) - thank you June!

Many people research flower arrangements on the internet; others are naturally gifted; and some of us (myself included) are just learning the art! Some don’t live here full- time and volunteer when they’re in town!

Please reach out to me if you have any interest in learning more, making suggestions, or joining us in this important ministry to St. Paul’s. We are eager to show you around!

Respectfully submitted,
Sandy Schwindy
970-846-8559 (email 2schwindys@gmail.com)

November 10th, 2022 - from Rev. Will, interim rector

Dear St. Paul’s Family,

Thank you so much for welcoming me this past Sunday as we celebrated the witness of All (of the) Saints.

I wanted to share a quick thought with you all and it came to me when I was leaving the building after services and lunch. Someone who lived nearby was walking their dog, a handsome pointer type mix, and passed by the back door as I exited. I said hello and asked if the dog was friendly. The human responded that the dog was friendly but shy. I offered my hand and the dog sniffed it, wagging its tail. But the dog recoiled when I reached to pet it. So I turned around and pretended like I was ignoring the dog and let him sniff me. Once I let him sniff me while in a less threatening stance, the dog warmed up to me enough to pet it.

The episode reminded me of the importance of nonverbal communication. The dog, of course, doesn’t understand the English language, save for a few words. But even those words need to be accompanied by hand gestures and a particular tone of voice. In fact, the dog pays more attention to body language and tone of voice that to actual words. I couldn’t simply say that wasn’t threatening, I had to offer my hand and then turn around.

Humans, despite our technological advances and cultural refinement, are the same way. Cognitive scientists estimate that only 10% of human communication is verbal; most meaning is carried by symbols, body language, and tone. It’s always a good reminder to think about nonverbal messages when we think about the work of the Church. It’s always good to ask ourselves if our words are matched by the way we carry ourselves and the presence we bring. It’s just something to think about as we begin our Stewardship campaign. It’s something to think about as welcome new visitors during the holidays. It’s something to think about as we engage the need in our community. In a lot of ways, YOU are the message. Remember that.

Blessings,
Fr. Will.

November 3rd, 2022 - from Lisa Schmierer, Stewardship Chair

Dear People of St Paul’s

It is that time of year and the Stewardship Committee and Vestry are launching the 2023 Stewardship Campaign.

The theme for this year’s campaign is:

Rooted in Love, Growing in Faith

“Rooted” signifies fixed, grounded, established. St Paul’s has ministered in Christian love in the Yampa Valley for over 100 years. Our theme of Rootedness continues this wonderful tradition.

“Growing” signifies looking ahead and planning how the gifts of today can become the gifts of tomorrow. Let us focus on practice, a faith journey toward a deeper relationship with God and Jesus Christ. The practice of building up, reaching out, rising, branching and growing.

Beginning Sunday, November 6 and continuing until Sunday November 20, we will be discussing our stewardship goals for 2023.

We begin this Sunday, November 6, with a delicious lunch from Yampa Sandwich Company and a wonderful Ministry Fair. Members from our various ministries will be on hand to talk about their work serving St. Paul’s and the community at-large. I hope you will join us for this time of fellowship and learning. Our Hospitality Team will be providing yummy desserts to complement our sandwiches and sides!

This Sunday we also welcome Rev. Will, our Interim Rector for the next 2 months. He joins us to celebrate the Feast of All Saints. I hope you will be here to give him a warm St. Paul’s welcome.

I also hear that the choir will be doing an anthem – always a treat! And Children’s Church is now a regular staple of our Sunday worship. We have been so blessed by the addition of Vincent (choir director) and Nicole (children’s ministry) to our staff.

So let us all move forward
Rooted in Love, Growing in Faith
Blessing in Jesus Christ

Lisa, Schmierer
Stewardship Chair

November 2, 2022 - 3rd postcard from Rev Catie!

October 27, 2022 - (from Duane Erwin, Junior Warden)

Dear People of St Paul’s,

The Amish are usually associated with the phrase "many hands make light work" even though the phrase has probably been around for centuries before the Amish ever existed. If the Episcopal church has a saying associated with it, it is probably “form a committee.”

I wanted to use this E-pistle to express my gratitude to the several committees and people who help keep St. Paul’s going. These groups work to keep our church’s physical home in good order. Also, I wanted to update everyone on the progress of the various committees and projects here at St. Paul’s and to remind everyone that we can only strengthen our spiritual offerings and grow as a church if we all work together in all things.

Many of you know that we have established a Memorial Garden Committee that is reviewing issues related to landscaping, internment procedures, garden maintenance, memorial services, etc. The group is still meeting to hammer out details, but I think we will have a well-organized and sustainable plan very soon.

The Old Stone Church Interior Committee is working towards new lighting and ceiling fans for the OSC and the floors should be completely repaired very soon. Recently about 60 chairs were delivered for use in the OSC and we are currently reviewing any quality issues they may have. Steamboat Opera, a dance group and Steamboat Mountain School have all used this space since the exterior renovation was completed. It is so nice to see this space used by the Steamboat community.

The bathroom flood that caused damage to the hallway flooring and walls this summer is being repaired. The new flooring is already in place and looks very good. We decided on a vinyl laminate for the floors instead of the original carpet since it is in a hallway with a door to the outside. We expect that the walls in that area will be finished soon as well.

Many of the spaces in the church have been cleaned out and are usable now. The OSC basement area and the nursery have both been cleaned out and looks much more spacious and cleaner.

You may already know that the church and the Steamboat Mountain School had the exterior stucco repaired and painted. Areas in the exterior stucco were deteriorating so these areas needed patching to prevent moisture penetration and structural deterioration. Once the patching was finished the building needed to be painted with elastomeric paint which also helps to fill any small cracks. The new color matches the original color perfectly. Steamboat Mountain School also has a new sign that looks very good as well.

Steamboat Mountain School is working hard to complete their new Middle School/Music building across the alley. St Paul’s and the School enjoy a very friendly good neighbor relationship as we share space and parking. As is the case with most construction these days, the project has fallen behind. I’m sure anyone who has had construction work done here in Steamboat can feel their pain. Honestly, the school isn’t quite sure when it will be completed. They do think it will be within the next few weeks. In the meantime, the school will continue to use some of our space such as the library, the Old Stone Church, and areas near the choir loft to conduct some of their classes. June keeps the calendar so if anyone needs to access church space for various church activities please coordinate with June.


I am thankful to St Paul’s for the opportunity to serve a church family that I love and care for and whose presence in our community is relevant, loving and Christ like.

God Bless,

Duane Erwin, Junior Warden

October 18, 2022 - 1st and 2nd postcards received from Rev Catie!

October 19, 2022 - (from Rev. Bonnie Sarah Spencer, interim rector)

Dear Beloved of God,
 
It is hard to believe that Catherine, Finn, and I will be heading home to Denver in less than two weeks.  Our time here has been a gift and a blessing.  You, the body of Christ at St. Paul’s Episcopal Church in Steamboat, are a gift and a blessing!
 
Before I go, here are a few blessings I have noticed and/or experienced.  St. Paul’s is served by an incredible staff and vestry.  Clearly Music and Children’s ministry is blossoming this fall. Love them, pray for them, and serve joyfully with them.  And please prayerfully consider if God might be inviting you to serve on the vestry!
 
You have many vibrant ministries and a strong team of lay leaders. I see a great balance between caring for the community at St. Paul’s and the community beyond the church doors. Join them to make a difference in Steamboat and the surrounding communities in Routt County.  Your hospitality, warmth and commitment to faithfully following Jesus is lovely.
 
All that being said, I encourage you to keep striving to grow, change and step out in faithful risk taking for the sake of the gospel.  There is always work to do in justice and peace making.  There is always work to do to help folks understand God’s deep love for them and their neighbor. There is always work to do to be the church in new and creative ways.  Keep at it!
 
I look forward to return visits to this beautiful place to see what God is up to with you and through you.  Know that in the coming months you all and Rev. Catie will be in our prayers.

Life is short,
and we do not have too much time
to gladden the hearts
of those who travel the way with us.
So be swift to love; make haste to be kind.
And may the blessing of the one
who made us,
who loves us
and who walks the way with us still;
the one, holy and undivided Trinity
be with us this day
and remain with us always.  Amen.

Adapted from Henri Frederic Ameil

Shalom,
Rev. Bonnie

October 13, 2022 (from St. Paul’s Genesis II E-Pistle Report, The Genesis II Team)

A brave team of pioneering souls are exploring a pilgrimage known as the Genesis II Revision and Renew Covenant for the Practicing Community. This journey of discovery is facilitated by the national Episcopal church for congregations seeking to grow in faithful presence. Team members Rick Wodnik (Team Leader), Molly Raphael, Louise Wu, Catie Greene, Ken Cannon, Rebecca Gould and Ian Engle have committed to this 18-month interactive workshop. There are four stages to our work:

1) Clarifying the St. Paul’s identity and core values
2) Discovery and awareness of our neighbors and neighborhood
3) Discernment of God’s mission in our neighborhood
4) Application of our gifts and resources in God’s mission with our neighbors.

As the team progresses, we find opportunities to include the congregation in our renewal effort.

Exploring and developing the relevance of St. Paul’s for future generations requires feeding curiosity and challenging our comfort zones. We mean to engage in continued growth with a genuine desire to embrace the journey of the Way, as exemplified by Jesus Christ and guided by the Holy Spirit. Our commitment to be welcoming and accommodating of all is predicated upon an inclusive environment with appreciation for everyone in an atmosphere of tolerance. Our neighbors will know we are Christians by our love and be drawn together as respected and valued contributors with a solid sense of belonging to something greater. Through celebrating and cultivating the traditions and rituals of our neighborhood, acknowledging the history of these native lands, ranching pioneers, frontier family legacies, robust mining culture and cowboy ethic, we can better ascertain a spiritual lay of the land. Our neighborhood represents a progressive culture in a conservative historic setting. Come for the skiing, stay for the library, then discover the value of over 200 non-profit and service organizations working together in support of a healthy inclusive community. Our compassion finds a high rate of suicide, mental health struggles, homelessness and addiction, with a health-conscious interactive community juxtaposed by many who are oppressed and struggling, yet we resiliently strive for a sense of neighborhood built around common interests.

We are adapting and adjusting to the needs and interests of our neighbors through innovative ways to connect. Rather than disintegrating in the midst of isolation, we are coming together with integrity and being here for each other in practice, the Way Jesus teaches us, with thoughtful, compassionate and considerate attention. We are using this opportunity to explore natural ways of checking in with one another and bolstering a broader network of support. We are honored and excited to realize the vision of connecting with our neighbors in a meaningful and valuable manner as exemplified by the love of Christ and guided by the Holy Spirit with awe and respect for the Almighty.

The Genesis II Team
Becca Gould, Ian Engle, Ken Cannon, Molly Raphael, Louise Wu, Rick Wodnik

October 6, 2022 (from Sally Hertzog, Outreach Team)

Dear People of St. Pauls,

The purpose of service is so God can reach others through our hands. In II Cor. 9:12-13, the Bible says that the service we provide not only meets needs but expresses thanks to God and leads others to praise God. This is a fantastic way of thinking about service….meeting people’s needs while thanking God, and hopefully leading others to praise and thank God.

As I write this article, I am thinking of the many people in Florida, Puerto Rico and other areas who have suffered great loss due to recent hurricanes. Many of these folks are in dire need of shelter, food, clothing, comfort; the basics of life. Then there are the servants, again ordinary people who come to another’s aid. These people are showing God’s love, and in a way giving praise and thanks to God. Certainly the recipients of such service will realize the love of others and may well give thanks, not only to their servants, but to God. In a time of crisis or disaster, one often hears the phrase, “Thank God for…”

Service and outreach can be given in many ways; to a neighbor needing assistance with shopping, to a friend who is ill and seeks comfort and encouragement, to the student requiring some tutoring, to people dealing with natural disasters. I’m sure you can think of many more ways one can reach out to another to provide service.
Here at St. Paul’s we have an Outreach Team, formerly known as the Service Team. This is our mission:

“The Outreach Team is comprised of St. Paul’s parishioners, who seek to serve through prayer, discernment and action. As such, the Team attempts to assist those with some type of need…in our church, local area and beyond, while building relationships and community.

The Outreach Team strives to discern whether the assistance provided fosters (when appropriate) growth and independence for the recipients, and if the service is to be “ongoing” or a single one-time project.”

Needless to say, there are numerous needs in the Steamboat Springs community, and many of St. Paul’s parishioners volunteer their time and energy to various non-profits, such as Lift-Up, the Boys and Girls Club and Integrated Community.

The St. Paul’s Outreach Team has focused on organizing assistance for United Way’s Holiday Market Exchange/gift cards. Our parish also contributed supplies for the United Way’s Blessing of the Backpack. Providing quarterly meals to SK8Church is a huge service that the students greatly appreciate. Regular St. Paul’s food drives are established to help stock the shelves at Lift-Up. Blessings of the Backpacks is an important event to involve our youngsters, and send them back to school with God’s blessings.

The Covid pandemic left many people isolated from others. The Outreach Team tried to connect with members of the congregation during this time. Families with young children were given gift cards for a meal, and the other members were called on a regular basis to chat and inquire about needs. In addition, funds from the Outreach budget were donated to the Diocese of Navajo Land, to help support this population during the pandemic. Employees at Casey’s Pond were greatly appreciated by many of St. Paul’s parishioners who reside there. The Outreach Team donated funds from its budget to the Casey’s Pond Appreciation Fund. Three members of our church, who are front line health care workers, received restaurant gift cards in appreciation of their hard work. Children at the Boys and Girls Clubs in Steamboat and Craig were thrilled to receive pumpkins which were secured for them through our Team last Halloween.

The Outreach Team continues its work in many ways, through a card ministry and assisting Catie when an ongoing or single time need arises. Our team was excited to provide a luscious breakfast for the staff of both Steamboat Mountain Schools as they gathered for the beginning of the 2022 school year.

Now that the Covid pandemic is hopefully subsiding, the Outreach Team is researching ways that St. Paul’s can serve the greater community. Are you interested in a mission trip to another country or helping in a food or homeless shelter in Denver? Might we seek a “sister church” in another town? The Outreach Team welcomes all suggestions and invites you to attend a meeting on the 3rd Wed of each month at 11:30 in the parish library. Come join us and see what the Team is all about.

Sally Hertzog

September 29, 2022 (from Nicole, Children’s Ministry)

It’s been such a joy growing in fellowship with many of you! I wanted to take some time this week to share some of the happenings with our Children’s and Families Ministry here at St. Paul’s.

First, we’ve opened Children’s Church every Sunday! After a few weeks of attending service with our girls I realized there was a real need for our St. Paul’s children to have a space of their own. I have revamped the nursery space to accommodate all ages. It’s such a beautiful and light filled space, I love being in there! I have a vision to paint a tree mural on the north facing wall. If you happen to have some art skills, I would love to connect to make this happen.

Currently we are having children come into service with their families. Following the procession, the Priest will call the children forward, give a short children’s sermon, and dismiss us a group. We are aiming to have the children return to service in time to attend communion with their families. At this point we are not following a set curriculum. I am creating activities and a simple lesson based on what the teachings are each week for the whole congregation. This may change in the future but felt like a good starting point for now.

Also, just to be clear we DO have our space open for those under five years of age. We have a second person staffed to be in the room every Sunday to care for our littlest. There are age-appropriate activities, spaces, and loving arms for our babes!

Saturday, we held our first intergenerational Community and Family Gathering. It was a small group but it sure was fun! My hope is to create a space to know and be known and engage our faith together outside of the regular Sunday hours. This space is for anyone, any age! This month we engaged in the idea of being the body of Christ, each with our own gifts to share in our larger community.

Next month, October 15th , Reverend Bonnie will join us to speak on being Beloved. Please join us!

While I have many more ideas, my final one for now is to share that Vincent and I have been dreaming about starting a children’s choir. If you would be interested in having your child participate in choir please reach out to me or Vincent.

It’s been such a pleasure working with our St. Paul’s staff and starting to know some of our children! These last two weeks with our children in Children’s Church has made me think we need to give them microphone to them sometimes! They have so so much to share with us and I’m just honored to share space with them.

Gratefully,
Nicole

September 15, 2022 (from June, office administrator)

Dear Friends,

It has been a busy couple of weeks since we had the Parish Picnic and wished Rev. Catie a Bon Voyage. There is a lot going on at St. Paul’s. I thought I would take a few minutes to catch you up on the news.

As you know, we welcomed Rev. Bonnie a couple of weeks ago and she has settled in quickly. The first of her four Formation Classes was strongly attended last Sunday. There are three more upcoming. I encourage you to attend. You’ll find the schedule further down in this E-news.

The Steamboat Mountain School is using some of our rooms and spaces while their new building (across the alley) is being completed. The new building will hold all the music classes and the middle school grades. As good neighbors, we are hosting the SMS students in the OSC for music classes, the Library for 8th grade English, and math is being taught on the landing just outside the choir loft! The building has been very lively indeed. We are not quite sure when the new school building will be completed, but will be getting an update very soon.

The new chairs for the Old Stone Church have arrived! Many thanks for the OSC Interior team for helping to select these beautiful new chairs. A hearty thanks to the volunteers who helped unload them and bring them into the building. They are currently being unpacked and unwrapped this week. Just in time for the Opera Company to use the OSC next week on Monday – Wednesday.

We need a Monthly Mingle host for the month of November. Is anyone willing to open their doors to the ladies of St. Paul? The Mingle Mingle is BYOB and bring an appetizer to share. So it's a fairly low maintenance event. Please contact me in the office and let me know if you can host. office@steamboatstpauls.org or 970-879-0925.

Finally, the most exciting news of all. This Sunday, September 18, we will be holding CHILDREN'S CHURCH. Children are invited to join the Procession and immediately following the procession, Rev. Bonnie will spend a few moments for CHILDREN'S TIME. After this brief message, children, OF ALL AGES, are invited to the former Nursery (it has been completely re-vamped to accommodate children of all ages) to spend time with our new Children's Ministry Coordinator, Nicole Hickory. Nicole has been hard a work developing the programs for the Children's Ministry. Thank you Nicole! This will be an ongoing part of Sunday Services here at St. Paul's. We hope to see all you families here soon!

Enjoy this beautiful fall weather!

June

September 08, 2022 (from Rev. Bonnie Sarah Spencer, interim rector)

Dear siblings in Christ,

I am delighted to be here with you at St. Paul’s for September and October. As many of you know, I am joined by my wife, Catherine Anderson and our rescue husky mix, Finn. We all look forward to getting to know the St. Paul’s community and Steamboat Springs. In addition, I am grateful that we will be able to worship and learn together for these two months that God has given us to be together.

I thought I’d share three great influences in my life, and if any of them spark something for you please reach out for more conversation!

First are the Desert Fathers and Mothers. These folks, mostly from the 4th-7th centuries, who lived on the desert and cultivated wisdom from life on the edge became known as the desert fathers and mothers, or abbas and ammas. They came to the deserts of Egypt, Palestine, Arabia, Syria, and modern-day Turkey seeking an unobstructed closeness to God. They came in the hope of finding their own true self in Christ, wrestling with evil and their own personal demons while exploring the inner life and serving Christ by serving others. They have been my teachers for many years now. The beginning and end of the spiritual life for the abbas and ammas was love. Here is one of my favorite sayings:

A brother of Scetis committed a fault. A council was called to which Abba Moses was invited, but he refused to go to it. Then the priest sent someone to say to him, “Come, for everyone is waiting for you.” So he got up and went. He took a leaking jug, filled it with water and carried it with him. “What is this, Father?” The old man said to them, “My sins run out behind me, and I do not see them, and today I am coming to judge the errors of another.” When they heard that they said no more to the brother but forgave him.

Second is poetry. I confess that I often find poetry hard to understand, but many days a good poem will bypass my intellect and head straight to my heart. I am a particularly big fan of Mary Oliver and Rumi.

Song of the Builders by Mary Oliver

On a summer morning
I sat down
on a hillside
to think about God -
a worthy pastime.
Near me, I saw
a single cricket;
it was moving the grains of the hillside
this way and that way.
How great was its energy,
how humble its effort.
Let us hope
it will always be like this,
each of us going on
in our inexplicable ways
building the universe.

Third is Howard Thurman (1899-1981) who was an American author, philosopher, theologian, mystic, educator, and civil rights leader who had a tremendous influence on Martin Luther King and his commitment to non-violence. I highly recommend “Meditations of the Heart” and/or “Jesus and the Disinherited”.

Lord, Lord, Open Unto Me - Howard Thurman, from Meditations of the Heart

Open unto me, light for my darkness
Open unto me, courage for my fear
Open unto me, hope for my despair
Open unto me, peace for my turmoil
Open unto me, joy for my sorrow
Open unto me, strength for my weakness
Open unto me, wisdom for my confusion
Open unto me, forgiveness for my sins
Open unto me, tenderness for my toughness
Open unto me, love for my hates
Open unto me, Thy Self for myself
Lord, Lord, open unto me!

Who or what has influenced you?

I will be working Mondays, Thursdays, and Sundays and other times as needed. My e-mail address is bonspen68@gmail.com. My phone is 970-420-7347. Please do not hesitate to call for emergencies or if you need or want to be I touch.

Shalom,

Rev. Bonnie

August 25, 2022

Dear People of St. Paul's,

This is my last E-Pistle to you all for a while. Never fear, we have some excellent writers scheduled to write this weekly missive during my sabbatical time away, and I hope you enjoy the variety of voices and messages they share. But for this week, I am thrilled to share some good news and an answer to our prayers these past many months. Nicole Hickory, a member of St. Paul's and a wonderfully gifted individual, has accepted the position as Interim Children's Ministry Coordinator. Nicole will serve 10 hours per week over the next five months supporting families with young children (ages birth through 8th grade), planning monthly family focused Saturday worship and fellowship events, and recruiting and directing volunteers in implementing these events.

In addition, Nicole is supported by the search team for this ministry position, who during this interim time, will continue to seek and discern the person to fill the permanent position. This time ahead provides wonderful opportunity to re-engage our ministry with Children and families and grow in the process. The greatest growth, however, comes when the entire congregation supports this valuable ministry of teaching God's word, sharing in the church's worship, and nurturing in God's love, with their own commitment. You will be presented with opportunities, most of them simple and minimal in time commitment, to share your time and talent to make this ministry with our youngest members possible. I hope and pray you accept the invitation to do so. I have every confidence that when we all come together and share what we have, we will be enriched beyond measure.

Please find below a short biography for Nicole and in the weeks ahead, please take the opportunity to get to know her and support her in the wonderful work she is called to do with St. Paul's in Christ's love and image.

Peace,
Catie

Hello, my name is Nicole Hickory. My family and I moved to Steamboat in the summer of 2018. I grew up down the road in Craig, where my parents still reside. Moving to Steamboat felt like coming home to me. I received my undergraduate in Human Development and Family Studies with an emphasis in child development from Colorado State University in 2007. I met my husband, Brian, at CSU and after graduation we moved to Seattle, WA together. What we thought might just be a couple year adventure turned into so much more. Eleven years in the Pacific Northwest grew us and changed us in ways we are forever grateful. Both of our girls were born in Seattle and we found friends and a faith community that were deeply enriching.

I have always loved working with children and families. I find being with children offers new ways to see the world and pulls me into the present with all the amazing growth that takes place in their young lives. I've worked all my life in varying ways with children, day care worker, social worker, Montessori assistant, and mom. Before our own children, Brian and I spent a year in Chamwino Ikulu, a village in central Tanzania, East Africa. While there we aided in their children's ministry, taught English in an elementary school, and took part in starting a preschool for some of the communities most vulnerable.

From our first visit to St. Paul's our family has felt welcomed and loved. I love how open and intentional this community is. I grew up Catholic and took more of an evangelical turn in college. Episcopal, and especially St. Paul's feels like a good fit for our family and I'm excited to be able to serve here.

August 18, 2022

Dear People of St. Paul's,

At the beginning of August, we transitioned to a new liturgical order of service for our Sunday worship. We change the liturgical order with every new season of the church year (Advent, Christmas, Epiphany, Lent, Easter, and Pentecost). The season after Pentecost (referred to as Ordinary time) is so long, however, that it affords an opportunity for change within the season. Spanning from June through the end of November, we typically will change our liturgical order at least twice, if not three times. The season, with its variation in scriptural themes, also invites us to consider themes more related to our community and cultural context, for instance the rest and renewal of summer or the harvest of fall, or themes of our parish identity, such as inclusivity and welcome, or the three legged stool of Anglicanism - the interplay between scripture, tradition and reason/experience. This has been my practice in liturgical planning throughout my career, and one that was in place when I started my service with St. Paul's eight years ago.

I am also aware that these past couple of years have been unlike any that I and we have experienced as church. The practices we have often engaged had to be considered and adapted in light of the COVID pandemic, leading to liturgical orders of service that were more reminiscent of the early 1900's in some ways (i.e. non-Eucharistic worship), while also engaging the "futuristic" technology practices of the 21st century. Challenging as this has been, I have also found it very enriching and rewarding. Our planning and execution of our liturgy and worship has called us into deeper appreciation and understanding of our Episcopal tradition and a broader consideration and experience of our relationship with God through worship. These are significant gifts in our journey and growth as Christ's followers.

I took all the above into account when planning the liturgies for this Season after Pentecost. Our worship from Pentecost Day until the end of July focused on the work of the Holy Spirit. It invited us to consider the nature and the action of this third person in the Holy Trinity, as well as subject ourselves to the Spirit's guidance and influence in our lives, who has a tendency to invite us (or sometimes blow us) out of our comfort zones. The liturgy I introduced starting the first week of August builds upon this experience with it's focus on our identity, especially in relationship with others. The order of service comes directly from the Episcopal Church's supplemental liturgical resource called Enriching our Worship. This resource was authorized for use by the General Convention of the Episcopal Church in 1997, and is a resource we have used often in our worship at St. Paul's. In fact, the order of worship for this summer is exactly the same order of service we employed in the summer of 2019. The purpose of Enriching our Worship is to adapt our traditional Episcopal liturgies to be more inclusive of a variety of people, while also conveying an accurate, and perhaps in some cases, improved theology about who we understand God to be. If you pay attention, the words of our liturgy avoid use of pronouns or include all pronouns where the liturgy was traditionally or inappropriately gender assigned (usually in the masculine form). It also makes an effort to better define the various roles of the Holy Trinity (God, Son, Spirit), as well as the role of the church. In our efforts here at St. Paul's to be welcoming and inclusive of various people and their various journeys with God in Christ, this liturgy helps us live into this identity through our worship.

Unlike in years past, I have also already planned the liturgical orders of service through the Christmas season (a gift of sabbatical prep). We will have unique worship to celebrate the feast days of St. Francis in October and All Saints in November. At the start of Advent, our worship will invite us into a more somber and contemplative practice, with sung psalmody and more traditional prayer forms. Our Christmas services pulls out all the stops of our traditional favorites, including festive sung glorias and service music, while also incorporating some more contemporary prayer forms to speak to the hundreds of visitors that join us for worship during this time. And all of it is or is a slight adaptation to something we have done before and that its supported by our grounded, yet adapting, Episcopal practice.

If there are things about our worship and practice that are new to you or do not make sense, be patient with the unfamiliarity. Consider that you are entering a conversation with God and the faithful which began centuries before we were here and will continue after we are gone. Just join in as you are, and open yourself to others as they are, and, by God's grace, we will all be touched and transformed by God's glory.

Peace,

Catie

August 11, 2022

Dear People of St. Paul’s,

For the past two years I have shared with you Mary Oliver’s poem, “The Summer Day”. Usually, I send it out as my E-Pistle the week I’m preparing to go on vacation because I’m so busy getting everything ready, I don’t have an original thought in my head. And while this week I am not preparing for vacation, I am preparing for a trip to Montana this weekend to hold a memorial and celebration of life for our beloved Juanita Wilcutt, and I find myself busy with preparation and scarcely an original thought in my head. So here you go – enjoy!

Peace,
Catie

Who made the world?
Who made the swan, and the black bear?
Who made the grasshopper?
This grasshopper, I mean—
the one who has flung herself out of the grass,
the one who is eating sugar out of my hand,
who is moving her jaws back and forth instead of up and down—
who is gazing around with her enormous and complicated eyes.
Now she lifts her pale forearms and thoroughly washes her face.
Now she snaps her wings open, and floats away.
I don't know exactly what a prayer is.
I do know how to pay attention, how to fall down
into the grass, how to kneel down in the grass,
how to be idle and blessed, how to stroll through the fields,
which is what I have been doing all day.
Tell me, what else should I have done?
Doesn't everything die at last, and too soon?
Tell me, what is it you plan to do
with your one wild and precious life?
—Mary Oliver

August 4, 2022

Dear People of St. Paul's,

August has become a big anniversary month for me. A year ago, this month, I lost my beloved Bella dog, and this Saturday marks the first birthday of our new wonderful little puppy, Chiara. Two years ago, my Grammy died and at the end of the month, Chas and I will be celebrating three years together. The births and the losses of these significant relationships in my life are tugging on my emotions hard this month.

I also know, through my ministry with you all these past eight years, that many of you are marking anniversaries this month. There are birthday and wedding anniversaries, some celebrating decades, and some celebrating without beloved spouses. And health anniversaries, where some are celebrating years of sober living or cancer-free screens, while others are marking the start of their journeys with disease.

So much joy and pain wrapped up in 31 days! Some days, it feels like too much to bear.

So I invite you to a practice - nothing novel, and one I have shared with you before. Practice grace. Practice bearing and being love towards others, and most especially, towards yourself. Grace can look like gentleness, kindness, patience, faithfulness, peace, joy - essentially the fruits of the Spirit (Galatians 5:22-23) - received and given. It might look like saying "no" to something in order to say "yes" to another. Or just saying "no". Or just saying "yes". It might look like an extravagant waste of time or money, or laziness, or rambunctious behavior. And it might also look like a recommitment to things you have committed your life to for years. Whatever it looks like, grace is the most loving thing you can do or be in any given moment, so pay attention to the moment before you and do and be love.

Peace,

Catie

July 28, 2022

Dear People of St. Paul’s,

A number of you have expressed interest and, in some cases, concern about my proposed sabbatical scheduled to take place September through December 2022. In response, the leadership team who worked with me to design this time to benefit both congregation and clergy, and submitted a grant to the Lilly Foundation to help fund this time of renewal, has assembled this proposal in a three part document. Part 1 was shared last week, and parts 2 and 3 are included below. I hope this helps to clarify the intent and benefit of this time, as well as build even more enthusiasm and support in the month ahead.

Peace,
Catie


Catie’s Plan for her Sabbatical – September-December 2022
Part 2

There is a great quote that has been attached to bumper stickers and t-shirts for years – “Not all those who wander are lost”. As a self-proclaimed wanderer herself, Catie has always been attracted to the quote, and upon discovering its association with J.R.R. Tolkien’s Lord of the Rings trilogy (one of her favorite stories), she liked it even more. It speaks to not only her experience of her Christian journey, but also her sense of how the Holy Spirit works in the guidance and direction of the church.
Catie has spent the 20 years since her ordination pursuing her calling by serving in a number of pressure packed positions within the Episcopal Church, both at the local parish level and at the Diocesan level.

Meanwhile, St. Paul’s Episcopal Church has transitioned, in many ways, over the last few years. Rev. Catie successfully guided us through these transitions, including the challenging transition that occurred when our previous rector resigned. St. Paul's has begun a formal process, with guidance from the Colorado Diocese and the national church, to renew our ministry. The Genesis II process is scheduled to continue into early 2023, when Rev. Catie returns from her sabbatical. As St. Paul’s is reexamining and reinvigorating our ministry, we are excited to offer our priest an opportunity to step back from her day-to-day responsibilities for a few months so that she can renew herself and her ministry.
During her sabbatical, Rev. Catie Greene intends to wander – physically, mentally, and spiritually – pursuing bucket list dreams, engaging people she meets along the way, getting messy with creation, and lapping up the love of good food, awe inspiring places, and deep commitment. She has planned for herself a time of adventure, rest, learning, and love. A time both of disconnection from everyday routine and deeper connection with every moment of her life. She wishes to experience a freedom of schedule to not only be present to God, her life and the life around her, but to also interact with them from a place of wonder, joy and gratitude.

Sabbatical Timeline
Part 3

August 29-September 2, 2022 – Tapering of Rev. Catie's responsibilities to St. Paul's.
Catie’s sabbatical officially begins with a celebratory send off from St. Paul’s on Sunday, August 28. After months of preparation by Catie and by the congregation, these first few days of renewal are intended to be ones of rest, and final preparations for the next phase of the journey. Catie will spend this time with her partner, Chas Klisis, at their farm in the Denver area, before their departure overseas at the end of the week.

September 3-October 8 – Walking the French Way of the Camino de Santiago
The ancient, sacred Camino has been a huge bucket list item for Catie for a number of years. The extended renewal period now provides Catie the opportunity to walk the entire route at one time, an opportunity she would likely not see again until retirement. Hiking and trekking are spiritual practices Catie has engaged throughout her life, as a means of listening, discernment, re-creation, and articulation in her relationship with God and others. This practice is one she has shared with Chas during the months of preparation, leading to the decision that Chas join her for the walk. Starting in St. Jean Pied de Port, France, Catie and Chas will spend a little more than a month walking, praying, ruminating, reflecting, and engaging with all that they meet on the Way of St. James. The pilgrimage concludes in Santiago de Compostella, Spain, with the celebration of the pilgrim’s mass in the cathedral.

October 9-November 15 – Absorbing Italy, Country of Love
Upon completion of their Camino pilgrimage, Catie and Chas will head to Italy for a month of sensual stimulation. The two lovers plan to enjoy many of the tastes, sights, sounds, smells, and touch that Italy has to offer. Their time begins with a week in a Tuscan villa, surrounded by grape vines and olive orchards, and from which they will take day trips to neighboring towns and the city of Florence. They continue their journey with four days in Assisi, specifically exploring the lives and ministry of St. Francis and St. Claire. These two saints of the church found and reveled in God through their embrace of the wondrous (and messy) reality of life before them – a practice Catie strives to imitate. The last half of their time in Italy will include exploring the art, history, and romance of Venice, and an eight day romantic cruise through the Adriatic Sea and along the Dalmation Coast, landing them in Rome. There they will spend three days exploring ancient landmarks and traditions, and celebrating the Feast of All Saints. Finally, Catie and Chas will depart Rome for some time in Paris, before returning to Denver. This trip specifically nurtures Catie’s love for learning and beauty, found both in the sensual stories and artifacts of the material world, and in the conversations and interactions she has with the people with whom she journeys.

November 16-18 – Return
Catie and Chas return to the Denver area for a few days of rest.

November 19-26 – Family Beach Vacation
Catie, Chas, and Chas’ daughter, Sophie (who will be a college freshman), will spend a week on Kauai, snorkeling and sailing in the pristine ocean, hiking, biking, and kayaking in the island's forests and canyons, and a good amount of lounging on the warm sand beaches. In addition, they will celebrate their wedding, with an intimate ceremony.

November 27-December 18 – Advent Integration
Traditionally one of the busiest times of the year for Catie, the Advent season during this renewal period offers a much-anticipated change of pace. Rather than preparing budgets and leaders for the coming year, and worship and Christian formation opportunities for the hundreds of people who descend upon St. Paul’s during this time, Catie will spend Advent preparing herself for her return to parish ministry. Specifically, she will use this time to address the questions of mission and missional expression that St. Paul’s is addressing in their Genesis II renewal project, but on a personal level. She will integrate the insights and lessons gained in the sabbatical time thus far, composing a personal mission statement, in relation to her ministry with St. Paul’s, and goals for living it out in the year to come.

December 19-27 – A New England Christmas
Catie, Chas, and Sophie will pack their bags for four days of big city life in New York City, followed by three days of mountain retreat in Vermont. The three of them plan to take in a Broadway show, visit the twin towers memorial and the Statue of Liberty, and ice skate at Rockerfeller Center, underneath the massive Christmas tree. From there they will travel to Stowe, VT, where they will lodge at the Swanson Inn (owned by one of Catie’s closest friends from seminary) and celebrate the Feast of the Incarnation at the Episcopal Church of St. John in the Mountains (where the same friend serves as rector). This will be an opportunity for Catie to experience Christmas without the responsibility of leading worship and while surrounded by loved ones.

December 28-January 7, 2023 – Return, Reorientation, Re-engagement
This final week of Catie’s sabbatical involves a return back to Denver, then to Steamboat Springs for re-orientation and re-engagement with the congregation of St. Paul’s. Her first Sunday back will be January 8, 2023.

July 21, 2022

Dear People of St. Paul’s,

A number of you have expressed interest and, in some cases, concern about my proposed sabbatical scheduled to take place September through December 2022. In response, the leadership team who worked with me to design this time to benefit both congregation and clergy, and submitted a grant to the Lilly Foundation to help fund this time of renewal, has assembled this proposal in a three-part document, which is shared over these three weeks in our E-Pistle. I hope this helps to clarify the intent and benefit of this time, as well as build even more enthusiasm and support in the months to come.
 
Peace,
Catie

St. Paul’s plan for Catie’s Sabbatical, September-December 2022
Part 1
The Vestry and other congregational leaders have been pondering the role of St. Paul’s Episcopal Church during the coming years. We believe that people are hungering for authentic spirituality; a hunger the gospel can fill. However, the church is often seen as hypocritical or irrelevant. In an increasingly skeptical and jaded society, we must demonstrate an authentic and transforming faith, a faith lived out in all areas of our life. It is a critical time to gain clarity about our mission.

Rev. Catie’s time away on sabbatical is timed to coincide with the final phase of a parish redevelopment and renewal program that St. Paul’s has just begun to engage. St. Paul’s is one of three parishes in the Episcopal Diocese of Colorado who have been invited to join a program titled “Genesis II”, which is being facilitated by the national Episcopal Church. A team of 6 members has been formed to take on this lay led program, beginning last November. We are currently working on completing a comprehensive inquiry and learning of our Steamboat Springs community, interfacing with these neighbors to determine how God is already at work and how we are called to participate in this work. From this information we will identify our mission in this community. The final phase of the project is to determine how we will incorporate that mission with our neighbors into the life of the parish. Rev. Catie will be doing similar discernment work, on a personal level, toward the end of her time away, and upon her return we will mesh the parish and Rev. Catie’s work into a single vision. The Genesis II program and Catie's sabbatical will synergistically renew our Rector and our congregation in engaging the Holy Spirit's activity authentically.

Catie’s sabbatical officially begins with a celebratory send off from St. Paul’s on Sunday, August 28. Follwing the worship that morning, all are invited to a picnic at Wolf Run Ranch.

Rev. Catie wrote in her sabbatical grant application: “I want to be clear, I very much love every aspect of my life, as it is now. I am grateful beyond my imagining to be living out this vocation with the people of St. Paul’s, in the beautiful creation of Colorado, with my loving partner, Chas, and with the continuous support of family and friends who have journeyed with me every step of the way. I love God in all of God’s divine mystery more today than ever before. And even in the uncertainty of what lies before me in life and ministry, I love this precipice of possibility on which I stand. This sabbatical time is not about learning to love my life, it’s about providing me time to lavish in it. “The program I have planned is one in which I engage activities and relationships that inspire me, challenge me, and animate me. Just the idea of devoting four months of my attention and intention to this plan makes me swoon. I believe this euphoria benefits both me and all the loving relationships in which I participate, strengthening, empowering, and encouraging us for the journey ahead.”

The parish’s liturgical and pastoral functions, during Catie’s absence, will primarily be covered by the Revs.s Bonnie Spencer and Will Fisher.. They are both wonderfully gifted in ministry and will incorporate education opportunities relevant to some of Catie’s sabbatical activities, and thus share in her journey. For example, you can expect some Sunday forums in September and October focusing on the lives of Spanish and Italian saints, including St. Francis and St. Claire.

At the beginning of 2023, we will celebrate Catie's return as well as a new year and new beginning. We will celebrate Catie’s return with the same enthusiasm as we celebrated her departure. Catie has committed to preaching a four-part series of sermons, in order to communicate her sabbatical insights to the congregation. The themes of Adventure, Rest, Learning and Love will be featured. Additionally, the Genesis II team will commence their concluding work on the Genesis II renewal and redevelopment project. We anticipate a two-month process to integrate their separate insights and finish the project, and then several years following to implement them.

Next Week: Part 2 – Catie’s Plan for Catie’s Sabbatical
 

July 14, 2022

Dear People of St. Paul’s,

Last week I introduced you through this letter, and then in person on Sunday, to The Rev. Bonnie Sarah Spencer, who will be serving St. Paul’s as Interim Rector for September and October, while I am away on sabbatical. Bonnie enjoyed getting to know this community some in her visit and is very much looking forward to her service with you all.

This week, I introduce you to The Rev. Will Fisher, who will be serving as Interim Rector starting November 1st, through January 3, 2023. Some of you may remember Will from a visit he made a few years back. As he shares in his biography, Will loves to run – a lot.  So much so, that he signed up to run in the 100 mile Run Rabbit Run race hosted by Steamboat in September. He reached out to me to see if he might lodge with me that weekend, and then offered to preach on Sunday. I quickly accepted the opportunity to provide him a place to stay and the opportunity to sit in the pews and listen to a great preacher. After running for 24 hours, Will showed up at St. Paul’s on Sunday morning and donned in his white alb, stole, and flip flops (because his feet were swollen), he shared the good news of God’s love for us in Christ Jesus. The man is faithful, committed, fun and funny, and I think you will very much enjoy your time with him during his service to St. Paul’s.  So read below for more information.

Peace,

Catie

July 8, 2022

Dear People of St. Paul’s,

While I am away on sabbatical this fall, you will be faithfully and fantastically served by two different clergy. The Rev. Bonnie Sarah Spencer will serve as supply clergy September 1 through October 31, and the Rev. Will Fisher will serve as the clergy person November 1 through January 3, 2023. They will be employed 15 hours per week to celebrate and preach our church worship (i.e. Sunday morning Eucharist, Christmas services, funerals), provide pastoral care, and support the staff and vestry in their leadership with the congregation. In addition, each of them bring their own unique skill sets for Christian formation and they will provide some unique offerings during their time with St. Paul’s.

This week I share with you some information about Bonnie in the bio below. Bonnie will actually be worshiping with St. Paul’s this coming Sunday, July 10 at the 9:30 am service and I encourage you to take this opportunity to introduce yourself and get to know her a little more in anticipation of her time spent here this fall.

Peace,
Catie

July 1, 2022

Dear People of St. Paul’s,

Our wonderful, beloved parish administrator, June O'Neill, is still suffering some nasty symptoms from COVID. Throughout the last week and a half, she has continued to work as she is able from home, designing our Sunday bulletins (and a funeral one this week), answering emails, and even zooming in for the vestry meeting to add her input and record the minutes. Through it all she has apologized for not being able to do more, while I have apologized for asking her to do anything. If any of you have ever wondered or, dare I say, doubted, the value of June and her wonderful administrative and pastoral skills, toss those thoughts and feelings aside. This person is the glue that holds us together in so many ways and I ask you to please continue to pray for June's healing and full recovery, and give thanks for her joyous spirit, even in the face of adversity.

In an effort to spell her from at least one responsibility this week, I am composing this week's E-Pistle/E-News mailing myself. I am helped by the fact that June provided me the login information to Mail Chimp (mailing software), and by the ability to just copy the previous week's missive and edit it for today. Otherwise, I would be sending out 300 emails with a quick bullet point of what's to come. Instead, I am able to build upon the work that June created, providing beauty and efficiency for us all.

What I am not prepared to do, however, is create new announcements in blocked and colorful formats, so instead, I have just listed them below. Proof that it really is me ineptly trying to fill June's shoes. Still, the show must go on and the news must go out, so please read and respond with a bit of grace for me and a whole lotta love for June O'Neill.

Peace
Catie

June 23, 2022

Dear People of St. Paul’s,

We are just over 9 weeks away from the start of my sabbatical. After years of anticipation, and the past year and a half of planning and organizing, I am all a-twitter with excitement and stress in these final months. I and the vestry have done a lot to prepare me and this church community for the time ahead, so that it may be an enriching time for all, and we still have much to do. I have listed below updates on the projects and tasks we set for ourselves this past winter, and in the weeks ahead, we will be sharing information with you about the clergy who will be serving this community in my stead, and some of the ministry opportunities you can expect while I’m away.

Right now, however, I want to acknowledge something that many of us feel and that few of us want to talk about…our fear. I’m not exactly sure what all the fears are that are rising up among our community, but here is some of what I know:

Some of you have told me that you fear I won’t come back from sabbatical. I will.
Some of you are afraid that the church will die if we don’t have kids in the pews, or a strong music program, or communion with a common cup, or (insert church tradition here). It won’t.
Some of you fear that the church is irrelevant in today’s secular culture. It isn’t.
Some of you fear that the church that formed you has abandoned you. It hasn’t.

Still, the things that we wish to remain the same, don’t. Everything changes.

Someday (but not for a while, God willing), I will move on from my service to St. Paul’s and the community here will discern new leadership. And, as one of my seminary professors taught, the church will never die, despite our best efforts. For the church is of God, inspired by God’s Spirit. However, it is this same Spirit that won’t allow it to remain the same, either. The Holy Spirit calls us out of our comfortable ways of doing things to participate in God’s mission in the reality of our current context. The church is and will continue to be vital, relevant, and present because it is grounded in the Spirit. OUR church will too, if we are willing to let go of our fears and let the Spirit lead us.

I recognize the uncertainty before us, as the church, is scary and in many ways my sabbatical activities tackle this scary uncertainty head on. After all, I’m reducing everything I believe I need to survive into a 10lb backpack, and walking 500 miles relying on the generosity of complete strangers (and God) to help care for me. I do not know what I will encounter on my journey and I don’t wish to, because what I believe God is inviting me to, and what my sabbatical is about (at least in part), is surrender. I am invited to cut the bonds of comfort, certainty, and familiarity and release myself into the wind of the Holy Spirit. This is the invitation I believe God puts before all of us, to respond in our own ways.

And so in the time ahead – the next 9 weeks, and the four months after that, and the years that follow, I urge you – do not fear. Pray, talk, listen, cry, laugh, imagine, act, sit, live, love…but do not fear. Fear is the kryptonite to the Spirit’s work, cutting us off from its power to guide, comfort, inspire and transform. Fear breeds lies, arrogance, division and abuse – some of the most un-Christ like behaviors we can engage. I believe this is why the most often repeated commandment throughout all of scripture is DO NOT FEAR.

This commandment is also relevant for all the “some of you’s” out there who are afraid to talk with me about your fears around me and/or St. Paul’s. I do, and always have, welcomed direct, honest, compassionate conversation and I am available to anyone who wishes to engage it with me. All you have to do is ask. My cell phone is 303-898-4724 and my email is revcatie@steamboatstpauls.org. Please reach out to schedule a time to meet. My work hours are Sunday through Thursday. I am typically in and out of the church office Monday through Wednesday and working remotely on Thursday. Friday and Saturday are my days off, and I observe a tech free sabbath (no phone, computer, TV, etc.) on Friday. Of course, I make exceptions when circumstances warrant, but otherwise this structuring of my week helps me best tend to my responsibilities in healthy and loving ways. I ask that you please respect it. Over the next 9 weeks, I am gone one weekend (August 12-14) to conduct the funeral of one of St. Paul’s members, in Montana. Otherwise, I am available until my departure date on August 29. And available again upon my return on January 8.

Finally, I leave you with this blessing, utilized regularly by our Bishop, Kym Lucas. It seems appropriate for this time:

"Life is short and we do not have much time to gladden the hearts of those who travel with us. So be quick to love and make haste to be kind. And the blessing of God who loves you be with you this day and always."

Peace,
Catie

June 16, 2022

Hello Friends,

This Sunday, June 19th, is the holiday of Juneteenth.  Most people I know are not familiar with it.  I had heard of it, but didn’t realize its significance until I lived in Houston. 

As we all know, the Emancipation Proclamation was issued by President Abraham Lincoln on January 1, 1863.  But the slaves in Texas didn’t know about it.  They didn’t learn about it until federal troops arrived in Galveston in 1865 to take control of the state and ensure that all enslaved people were freed.  On June 19, 1865 U.S. General Gordon Granger read aloud General Orders No. 3: “The people of Texas are informed that, in accordance with a proclamation from the Executive of the United States, all slaves are free.” 

Two-hundred fifty thousand (250,000) people remained slaves for an additional two and one-half years until they learned they had been freed. 

The following year, freedmen began to celebrate “Jubilee Day” which eventually became Juneteenth (short for June 19th).  As these former slaves migrated to other parts of the country the Juneteenth tradition began to spread.  It has been, and continues to be, commemorated by music, barbeques, prayer services, and other activities. 

Juneteenth became an official U.S. holiday in 2021.  

Happy Juneteenth everyone!

Cheers, 
June

PS - Catie will be back from vacation and leading the service on Sunday!

June 9, 2022

Hello Friends,

Catie is on vacation for the next week. We had planned to have a supply priest for this Sunday's service. Unfortunately, Fr. Mike is very unwell and won't be able to join us. David Lund will be serving as the officiant leading Morning Prayer. The choir will inspire us with the hymns they have rehearsed. And Mark Goodhart will be enriching the service with a prelude and postlude. Catie will be back on the 19th. In the meantime, we appreciate David's stepping in!

Next week is also my one year anniversary with St. Paul's - June 16. I can't believe it has been a year already. When David Kinnear and Catie interviewed me for the position, I told them that it is important for me to care about my work, care about the people I work with. For that reason, I have spent most of my career in the non-profit arts - it's what a care about most. At St. Paul's I have found a caring community, colleagues I enjoy, and genuine satisfaction in my work.

I recently participated in a retreat for Parish Administrators. It was two days at Cathedral Ridge with Parish Administrators from all over Colorado. There was time for reflection, to relax, and to talk with my peers about how they manage their parishes. Some sessions included the full group, and some were break-out sessions about specific topics.

One group session was called "The Ministry of Lay Staff; What sustains us?" We were asked to put a sticker on a graph between 1 and 10. Number 1 was "this is just a job." And Number 10 was "this is my ministry." Interestingly, most put their sticker between 5 and 10. Most of the stickers hovered between 5 and 8 - including mine. There were a couple stickers between 3 and 4, and one sticker at "1." On the other end of the graph, there was one sticker at 10 and a couple at 9.

After that session, I kept thinking about the word ministry. When my son Luke was small, we had a family friend that he called Grandma Swingle. Her name was Alma. Alma did not have any of her own grandchildren, but she loved Luke as if he were her own. Alma loved to cook and bake. She made her own egg noodles. She provided 25 different kinds of Christmas cookies to the carolers at her church. When Alma passed away, her pastor (giving her eulogy) referred to "Alma's ministry of pies and cakes." I still remember that, and think about it often, because I thought it was such a poetic way to describe her.

I now realize that I did not fully appreciate the word "ministry" and I did not fully appreciate Alma's ministry. Her ministry of pies and cakes. It was her gift, her talent. It was how she shared herself with the people she cared about. It was her labor of love. It sustained her.

Being parish administrator of St. Paul's - is it my ministry? I'm not sure yet. But I know that it does sustain me. I leave the office at the end of the day with enormous satisfaction. I love printing the bulletins and imaging them in your hands on Sunday morning. It gives me pleasure to manage the office, organize files, and coordinate meetings. I enjoy working with Catie, the Vestry, and all of your various ministries.

Warm regards, June

June 2, 2022

Dear People of St. Paul’s,

This coming Sunday, June 5, marks the church’s celebration of the Feast of Pentecost. On this day we celebrate the reception of Jesus’ promised gift of an advocate, companion, and mediator – the Holy Spirit. This Spirit rushes upon Jesus’ disciples like a mighty wind and alights upon them like tongues of flame. It inspires and ignites in them a passion and persuasion to share what they have learned and experienced from Jesus, with all those they meet. Thus, the church is born, and along with it, Christian ministry, that helps the church grow in number and in deeper relationship with God through Jesus Christ. The Holy Spirit is why we are here today, as Jesus followers, in St. Paul’s Episcopal Church, and the means to our continued growth. It is definitely worthy of our celebration!

These past two years of pandemic have challenged the church, St. Paul’s included, to pay attention to and trust in God’s Holy Spirit. Not able to safely rely on what we have always done as a church body (whether or not it was Spirit-led), we have instead tuned our ears towards the sound of rushing wind and exposed our hearts to the fiery flames of God’s intervening acts among us. And now, like those disciples many years ago, we are called to respond with actions of our own. Acts that lead to greater knowledge and experience of Jesus Christ, acts that share this awareness with others, and acts that lead to growth as God’s beloved children. With our celebration of the church’s birthday, we are reminded, and hopefully inspired and ignited in our call to Christian ministry.

Our Genesis II leadership team recently shared with St. Paul’s vestry what they learned in a recently completed project on the value of connection within our church community. With three purposes in mind – to become more aware of how people are connected with St. Paul’s, to learn ways people desire to connect with St. Paul’s, and to understand why connection with St. Paul’s is meaningful – the leadership team hosted conversations with approximately 25 St. Paul’s members, representing the diversity of the larger community. Some of the discoveries include:

• People primarily feel connected in three ways: to our sacred space, to the priest, and to each other. Memorable experiences, a safe environment to risk vulnerability with oneself, one another, and God, and the engagement of people’s talents and gifts all foster a deeper sense of connection and community.

• There is a part of our congregation for whom their connection to St. Paul’s centers around Sunday worship and coffee time. There is another sizable part of our congregation for whom St Paul’s is vitally important, but they do not regularly participate in the Sunday worship service. In ministering with these two distinct dynamics, we must both uphold our traditional worship and fellowship, while also promoting opportunities for people to gather and contribute in non-traditional ways. Important to both groups is excellence in worship, meaningful involvement, and a mutually beneficial relationships.

Meanwhile, we are dealing with some realities that makes responding to this insight challenging. During COVID, many of the people who helped lead our worship moved away or stepped away and haven’t returned. We struggle to find volunteers to assist at the altar as acolytes or vergers, to prepare our worship materials and vessels as part of the altar guild, to proclaim the Word of God as readers, to facilitate people’s worship experience as ushers, and to welcome and host worship participants in food and fellowship as part of the hospitality team. Outside of worship, we lack leadership in coordinating fellowship and spiritual growth experiences, whether hosting a men’s or women’s gathering, partnering and serving with others in mutually beneficial ways, or reaching out to families to support them and their children.

From where I sit, there is an opportunity here – an opportunity to minister in ways that specifically address what we find most important and most meaningful in our journey with God in Christ at St. Paul’s. So, I invite you, at this Pentecost time, to open your hearts and minds to the movement of God’s Holy Spirit and allow it to move you to action. I’ve listed below some of the ways God may be calling you to respond, based upon what we are learning about the people of this community, and our needs, but please don’t let it be a limit to what you may be called to. Rather, use this invitation as a launch point, not only for you, in your journey, but for this church community, and share your sense of calling with me, or vestry members, or any of our ministry leaders. If there is one thing I have learned from my relationship with the Holy Spirit is that it regularly leads me to places I would not have thought of going – all of them very good places – and I trust it will do the same for all of us, too.

Ministry invitations:

• Become an acolyte, verger, reader, or usher for Sunday worship. This is a great ministry for those prone to boredom and wiggling in the pews. The active engagement of our bodies and minds in assisting in worship can provide focus and greater spiritual awareness in a way passive participation cannot. These ministries are appropriate for children age 8 years and older and adults, and can be a great ministries for families of all ages to share. Those who participate in these ministries can expect to serve once every 4-6 weeks, or more, if they like. Jim DeFrancia coordinates, trains, and supports these ministers and please reach out to him (JDeFrancia@lowe-re.com) or me for more information. FYI, I am one of those wiggling bodies prone to boredom in the pew and I loved being an acolyte.

• As an individual or a family, sign up to host coffee hour one Sunday. This ministry is particularly suited to those who love to speak more with their actions than their words, providing refreshment and a pleasant environment for people to gather and get to know one another. Baking skills are not required, though are appreciated. To learn more, please speak with Louise Wu (louisewu55@yahoo.com).

• Join the altar guild and serve one Sunday every 4-6 weeks. The altar guild is responsible for setting up the altar area with changing seasons and feast days and preparing the communion vessels and elements each week. This ministry is a great fit for those who prefer working alone or as a pair, who have a love for sacred symbols, and who enjoy creating neat and beautiful spaces. We are currently without an altar guild coordinator, so there is an opportunity for someone with an additional skill set and enjoyment of coordinating people in a common work, to take on this leadership role. Please speak with me about your calling and interest.

• If the passion you are experiencing is one for nurturing children in their journey in faith, then you may be called to a ministry of advocacy and support for children’s ministry. We are currently searching for a staff person to create, implement, and coordinate children’s ministry, but this person will need caring and committed participants in the congregation to help discern, direct, and facilitate this ministry. Serving as part of a children’s ministry team is a means of engagement beyond Sunday morning, and is particularly suited to creative and imaginative people, with an ability to meet and relate with young families where they are. This team will also be active in the hiring process of the children’s minister staff position, so please speak to me if the Spirit is nudging you this direction.

• Sunday morning not your thing, but creating fellowship and/or spiritual formation opportunities outside of worship is? Then you may be called to participate in or even help coordinate community gatherings. We know there is a strong desire amidst our community to re-engage the Monthly Mingle for women (a casual happy hour like gathering once per month), as well as to start a men’s group (or three!) – one for breakfast and conversation, one for fathers with young children, and one for spiritual formation. If you feel called to participate in any of these gatherings, and help coordinate, please speak with St. Paul’s Senior Warden, Molly Raphael (molly.raphael@yahoo.com).

• Join the service team and put your passion and calling for ministering to, for, and with those in need to work. The service team meets once per month on the third Wednesday, from 11:30am-12:30pm in the St. Paul’s library, to identify and engage acts of service towards reconciliation and restoration of human dignity. The service team informs the development and spending of St. Paul’s outreach budget, and coordinates congregational, as well as individual, service opportunities. To learn more, contact Sally Hertzog (sallyahertzog@gmail.com), the team coordinator, or come to a meeting.

Peace,
Catie

March 11, 2022

Dear People of St. Paul’s,

Last night, in her sleep, Rosemary Post died. A long-time member and participant of St. Paul’s, Rosemary was not shy about sharing her love (and sometimes criticism) of the Anglican Church. She loved high liturgy and ancient hymns, but also down to earth priests and “with it” preachers who could relate to the people gathered in the sanctuary. She particularly loved her border collie, Heidi, and our mutual love for dogs is one of the reasons we loved each other.

Rosemary has been battling cancer for several years and winning. A proud, determined woman, Rosemary was a formidable foe towards anything that got in the way of her life and independence. COVID nearly took her down when it bound her to her home, but thanks to her family and many wonderful friends (including many from St. Paul’s), life came to Rosemary providing her strength and courage to keep persevering.

A few weeks ago, Rosemary fell at home and hit her head, rendering her unconscious. She was found two days later by her friend and housekeeper and admitted to the ICU for care. During that time, she made a remarkable recovery with no indication of kidney or brain damage, and growing cognition and communication skills. She moved into the Doak Walker home at Casey’s Pond this week to continue her re-hab and surprised us all by passing quietly in the night. Rosemary Post was an extraordinary woman and she will be missed greatly by many.

I am in touch with Rosemary’s children and will share news about memorials and a service as we confirm them. Please continue to hold Rosemary, her children, Karen and Andrew, her dog, Heidi, and all those who love her in your prayers.

Give rest, O Christ, to your servant with your saints,

Where sorrow and pain are no more,

Neither sighing, but life everlasting.

You only are immortal, the creator and maker of mankind;

And we are mortal, formed of the earth, and to earth shall we return.

For so did you ordain when you created me, saying,

“You are dust, and to dust you shall return.”

All of us go down to the dust; yet even at the grave we make our song:

Alleluia, alleluia, alleluia.

• Book of Common Prayer, p. 499

Peace,

Catie

March 4, 2022

Dear People of St. Paul’s,

After much consultation, and with the support of the vestry, I share with you today our decision to move to wearing masks during worship as an optional choice starting this Sunday, March 6. This decision comes after lots of discernment around health in body, mind, and spirit and we believe this is a life-giving choice in our communal life and worship. Still, even with vaccines and immunity and reduced occurrences of the spread of the COVID 19 virus, there are those among us who are very vulnerable. Please be respectful of those who choose to wear masks for their well-being and the well-being of others.

We will continue to provide disposable masks during worship for any who wish to wear one; continue to ask those who are ill and not feeling well to stay home; continue to encourage people who are not vaccinated to wear a mask and to get vaccinated; continue to live-stream our worship; and continue to monitor and assess the threat of COVID to our community. But starting this Sunday, March 6, we invite you into hopeful new life in our emergence from this pandemic by removing our mask requirement and inviting you to join the choir in praising God through singing. Please join us, as you are able, and please contact me if you have any questions or concerns about this decision.

Peace,

Catie

February 26, 2022

Dear People of St. Paul’s,

Next Wednesday, March 2 is Ash Wednesday and marks the beginning of our Lenten journey as Christians. As in the past, our we are invited into holy observation “by self-examination and repentance; by prayer, fasting, and self-denial; and by reading and meditating on God’s holy Word.” (BCP p. 265). And, as in the past, our worship and other formational opportunities during this season are intended to help us do this.

The origins of Lent were that one was to leave their old life behind to fast and prepare to be baptized into a new way of living. In essence, this was a practice of stepping away from corrupt power, scarcity mentality, and empty rituals in order to live a more expansive and full life of faith. And so, our Lenten theme, Full to the Brim, is an invitation—into a radically different Lent, into a full life. It’s an invitation to be authentically who you are, to counter scarcity and injustice at every turn, to pour out even more grace wherever it is needed. When we allow ourselves to be filled to the brim with God’s lavish love, that love spills over. It reaches beyond ourselves; like water, it rushes and flows, touching everything in its path.

The scriptures for this Lenten season (in the Revised Common Lectionary, Year C) are filled with parables and promises of God’s abundant and expansive grace. Jesus as a mother hen, a prodigal son welcomed home, a fig tree nurtured with care and hope, precious oil poured out lovingly and freely, stones shouting out with praise—these sacred texts are brimming with a gospel of grace. We’ve done nothing to deserve or earn this grace, and yet, like water, it spills over. 

Full to the Brim reminds us to live fully—as we pursue justice and hope, or express grief and gratitude. If love is our beginning, how can we live our lives led by love’s promises? And so, this Lent, let us trust—fully—that we belong to God. Let us increase our capacity to receive and give grace. Let us discover the expansive life God dreams for us.

Peace,

Catie

February 11, 2022

Dear People of St. Paul’s,

 I’ve spent the last three days in my old haunting grounds – the physical office of the bishop in Denver. I am here with three other members of diocesan leadership, including Bishop Kym, participating in a Diocesan Leadership Initiative orientation conference. We were originally supposed to join with twelve other dioceses from around the Episcopal Church, including Puerto Rico, at Kanuga, an Episcopal conference center in North Carolina, but the physical gathering was swapped with a virtual one due to COVID concerns. So our little team chose to gather physically here in Denver while joining the rest of the cohort virtually.

 While I miss the gifts of gathering with all, I’m grateful for the conversations that bubble up in our group of four here in Denver. We have been presented with some of the demographic data of the world and the church today, and challenged to examine our intercultural competency. We have reflected on scripture and practiced theology. We have wrestled with institutional restraints in our call to gospel mission. We have a lot to chew on and engage as a group and as a diocese in the year ahead, as we respond to the adaptive challenges of the present and future, retaining the timeless values of the past.

At the end of our second day, as our team sat around the table reflecting on our take aways for the day, I was struck with the image of a skier. Not surprising, given where I live and my current nightly ritual of watching the winter Olympics. My familiarity aside, we all found it an apt metaphor for describing how we, as the church, or at least the Episcopal Church in Colorado, might meet the realties before us in healthy, life-giving, and faithful ways. By all accounts, the church institution of the past is not aligned to address the pluralistic, multicultural, and tech proficient culture of today and tomorrow. However, we are discovering that the church body is endowed with the resources and skills to align itself in this world. Perhaps all we need to do to share and live the gospel moving forward is shift our weight – just like a skier. To shift direction as they descend the slope, a skier shifts their weight from one hip to another. They don’t buy new skis, or stop and step out of them to move to a different place to start again, or even abandon skiing all together. They just shift their weight, putting less emphasis in one area and re-distributing it to another that causes their skis to turn and take them in a new direction in their journey. 

For decades, the church (St. Paul’s included) has put a lot of weight on building and maintaining institutional structures – physical, community, and governing. This practice has allowed the church to carve its way through some pretty choppy territory – geographical and societal expansion, political upheaval, and industrial growth. But, I believe, our continued emphasis on this institutional “ski” is taking us off course and hindering us from being present and relevant to path before us. If we don’t shift our weight to other aspects our ministry – cultural competency (aka engaging our neighbors), empowering the priesthood of all believers (aka lay leadership), and missionary discipleship (aka sharing the gospel) – we will become irrelevant, and worse, unfaithful. I would argue that we will cease to be the Body of Christ. The good news is that the church (St. Paul’s included) possesses (by God’s grace) all things necessary to navigate the path ahead. We are well equipped with our practices of worship, formation, and spiritual discernment, which, by our practice, keeps us in shape for the adventure before us. Even if we aren’t the most stylish and proficient in our skill, even if we are snow plowing the whole way, we know, that we can make it, if only we shift our weight.

Steamboat Springs is known for its skiing – we don’t call it Ski Town USA for nothing. Wouldn’t it be cool if the wonderful little Episcopal church here was too? In the year ahead, as we engage this Diocesan initiative of shifting weight, might St. Paul’s carve first tracks? I invite and encourage us, in our own renewal as Christ’s Body to shift our weight to the other ski, turning from the direction of institutional preservation towards engaging God’s mission of today and tomorrow.

Peace,

Catie

February 3, 2022

Dear People of St. Paul’s,

In a little less than two weeks, I will be marking my 50th birthday. I’m usually one to celebrate my birthday and appreciate my age, but I confess I’m wrestling with this one. Maybe it’s the half century mark. Or the recent diagnosis of arthritis in my knee and the literal and figurative pain it’s giving me. Maybe it’s because I just learned of a friend and high school classmate’s death this morning. He turned 50 on January 18. Likely, it is all of the above mixing together to elicit my current sense of ennui.

It seems to me that the older I get, the more I experience the harshness of life. I suppose it is a good thing that with age I am developing increased awareness – of the world around me, of loved ones, and of my own thoughts and emotions. It is indicative of me living life with my eyes and heart open, or at least cracked or ajar, which is what I think God wants for all of us (at least, this was the example Jesus set). And I confess that living this way has exposed me to greater love and beauty and grace than I could have imagined possible. But there are times, like today, that I would just as soon batten down the hatches and hide from it all.

So, I think I might do just that. Get this missive written and sent off and then call it a day. Go out and try to find some warmth in the sun, and if not there, then in a cuddle puddle with my pups. Maybe order hot, cheesy pizza and drink a favorite beer. Say a few prayers. Watch a romcom. And just let this day be. By God’s grace, I will live to see another, maybe as many that will take me to my 70th or even 90th birthdays. And I trust that many of those days will be full of more love and beauty and grace. And some of them won’t. Still, each one is a gift that even I, in my weary state, am grateful for.

Be well, my friends. Until tomorrow…

Peace,

Catie

January 27, 2022

Dear People of St. Paul’s,

We have a guest writer this week, St. Paul’s member Kay Francis. Kay, and other members of the Service Team, felt called to respond in helpful ways to the victims of the Marshall Fire in South Boulder County. Given Kay’s connections to the area, she was able to identify some needed ways to care for individuals and families now, as well as deepen connection for ongoing aid. Please see Kay’s note below and take a few moments to help. The partnership with a local school impacted by the fire allows for people of all ages and abilities to do a small thing now that loves and cares for our neighbor in big ways.

Peace

Catie

Dear St. Paul’s,

For the many of you who do not know me I am Kay Francis, a recent addition to the congregation. Although my main residence is in Boulder, I, like Rev. Catie, travel back and forth to see my beau here in Steamboat. I am a cradle Episcopalian, daughter of an Episcopal priest, and lived most of my life in NJ. I attended Holy Comforter Episcopal Church in Broomfield for several years after moving to CO.

Sally Hertzog immediately asked if I would be interested in the Service Team when I arrived at St. Paul’s, so I hopped on board. I know we have all wondered about how to give support to the fire victims in Boulder County therefore I contacted a friend at Holy Comforter and asked what they are doing. We have been invited to join with them and the Discovery Church in supporting the Superior Elementary School staff. 15% of their students lost their homes. The request is for letters of support to the staff and gift cards from Grub Hub or Door Dash. How nice it would be for the staff to occasionally know they can go home and order out after a trying day at school as well as know that others are thinking of them.

There will be a box at the back of the church where we can drop off donations and find writing materials for notes. I will transport all of them to the Front Range.

Thank you for your support!

Kay Francis

January 20, 2022

Dear People of St. Paul’s, 

Shortly after the start of the COVID shutdown in March of 2020, a variety of media commentary emerged regarding the experience – everything from memes and videos to blogs and benedictions. I received and shared a liturgical resource in one of our virtual worship services at that time. The other day, I was cleaning out the sacristy and came across it, and in re-reading it today, found it just as applicable. The fact is that things are not back to normal, that we are still having to adjust and pivot our lives on almost a daily basis, and that all this wears on us. On my best days, I’m proud of the way this St. Paul’s community is persevering in faithfulness, and on my worst days, I wonder why I even try. The liturgical resource I re-discovered encourages me to live my best days and be my best self. If you can relate with my struggle, then I hope this benediction encourages you too.

A Benediction for When This is Over

(Adapted from Laura Kelly Fanucci)

When this is over,

May we never again take for granted

A handshake with a stranger

Conversations with neighbors

A crowded theater

Friday night out

The taste of Communion

A routine checkup

The school rush each morning

Coffee with a friend

The stadium roaring

Each deep breath

A boring Tuesday

Life itself.

When this ends

May we find that we have become

More like the people we pray to be,

We are called to be,

We hope to be.

And my God give us the grace to

Stay that way - a people raised to

New life from death.

 The grace of Our Lord Jesus Christ,

The love God, and the fellowship

Of the Holy Spirit be with us all

Evermore. Amen.

Peace,

Catie

January 13, 2022

Dear People of St. Paul’s,

Two weeks ago, I was out running errands in Arvada, as Chas, Sophie, and I were preparing for our little get away to San Diego. The wind was fierce, blowing from the west and propelling debris across the road I was travelling. The power was out at several intersections, and at several of the stores I needed to go to. So, I abruptly abbreviated my trip, dropping off a couple of things at my sister and my aunt’s homes, and then headed back to the farm. As I retraced my route, this time heading north, rather than south, I noticed a massive plume of smoke in the air, and as I crested a hill, it looked as if it was coming from the open space park where I run the dogs regularly. Upon my return home, I searched the internet for more information, but there wasn’t much at the time, just a Twitter report of a grass fire in Boulder County. A few hours later, however, the fire was all over the news and consuming the neighborhoods directly north of the farm.

Thankfully, we did not have to evacuate the farm (it takes bit of time to evacuate 4 alpacas, 6 sheep, two cows, and a whole lot of chickens), though the pre-evac boarder was just six blocks north of us. Still, we watched the news with grave concern, not only for our welfare, but also for the welfare of friends in the evacuated area. Our friends were safe, and we found out the next day that their homes had been spared too. But hundreds of people were not so fortunate. The Marshall fire of south Boulder County consumed the town of Superior, a good chunk of Louisville, and almost a thousand homes, ranches, and farms in the area, leaving folks with no or minimal resources for everyday life.

And then I got on a plane to California and left the people, events, and news of the fire behind me. I was thrilled to learn, upon my return, that the Episcopal Church in Colorado, did not.

In the past week, the bishop’s office of disaster relief has mobilized with congregations from all over the state, and with local and national service agencies to provide resources and relief to those with little or none. Our Northwest Region Executive Committee (on which I sit) contributed $5000 towards the general relief fund, an additional $5000 towards the purchase of 1000 rapid antigen COVID home tests, and put another $5000 in reserve to support new needs as they emerge. St. Paul’s contributes a portion of our income to the Northwest Region, in addition to the diocese, every year, making this support possible. Tens of thousands of additional dollars, as well as gift cards, clothing, and housing have been provided by multiple congregations, for which I am grateful.

But I also feel a little negligent, maybe even guilty: a horrendous tragedy took place in my back yard (literally), and I have done little to help…until now.

I have thanked my colleagues in the Northwest region for their quick and compassionate response and I have made a financial contribution to the Marshall fire relief fund hosted by the diocese. I invite you to join me, as you feel called (https://onrealm.org/coloradodiocese/-/form/give/fire). In addition, I welcome your ideas of how else we might help our neighbors in need. I also realize that this is one disastrous event among many, and you might feel compelled to give of your resources to something closer to your “home”.  What I feel is important is not how much or to who or what we give, but that we recognize that we are interconnected with all things, and our well-being is dependent upon the well-being of our neighbors, near and far. This is the essence of what it means to be the church – to recognize that our body, the Body of Christ, is only as strong and healthy as all its members, and to act accordingly.

Peace,

Catie

P.S. Thank you to all of you who sent me book suggestions – I now have a wonderful and diverse reading list for the year!

December 30, 2021

Dear People of St. Paul’s,

I hope you are enjoying the blessings of this Christmas season and you are looking forward to a new year.

In her weekly e-news this week, Bishop Kym shared about a few newly released books she is looking forward to reading in the coming year. It made me think that it might be a good idea for me to share my reading list for 2022 with you all. And then I realized that I don’t have one. In fact, looking back on 2021, I can’t say that I really read much of anything not research related for a sermon or an event.

This is a bit unusual for me, as I have been an avid reader my whole life and I love a good story. I realize, however, that raising puppies and travelling back and forth to Arvada eat up a lot of the time I would otherwise use to engage a good book. These realities are not likely to change in the coming year, however, I do intend to re-engage my fondness for literature, thanks to the gift of Audible and audio books. I oftentimes listen to podcasts and books when I’m driving. Up to now, most of the books I’ve listened to are ones I’ve read before, and I am looking towards the new year with the intention of engaging new stories.

So instead of me sharing with you all my reading list for 2022, I’m asking for yours. What have you read or are intending to read in the new year that you would recommend to me?

Peace and Happy New Year,

Catie

December 16, 2021

Dear People of St. Paul’s,

‘Twas the week before Christmas and all through the church

God’s people were busy, not to be left in the lurch.

The bulletins were drafted on the computer with care,

In hopes that the final liturgy soon would be there.

The congregation was busy tying up loose threads

Of the visions of celebrations filling their heads.

And the staff in their planning and I in my emails

Were still nailing down the logistical details.

When into our souls there arose such a clatter

That we paused in our work to pay attention to what mattered.

Appreciation for a friend, a plea from the grieving

More accurately defining the season of giving and receiving.

The spirit of Christmas is more than music and worship

It is the presence of love that brings all into kinship.

And so we settle into these last days of preparing

With our hearts and actions focused on caring

For the child of God present in every being

Inviting each one of us into a new way of seeing;

Christmas is not just a day in a year,

But a reminder that God is always here,

Loving each one of us, just as we are,

And inviting us to share that love, near and far.

So merry Christmas to all, and to all God impress,

The blessing of God and the gift of God to bless!

Peace and love,

Catie

December 9, 2021

*Warning – the following reflection has copious references to the Lord of the Rings trilogy written by J.R.R. Tolkien. If you are not familiar with this story, there is a good chance that the following will sound like gibberish.

Dear People of St. Paul’s,

December 7 marked the 19th anniversary of my ordination to the priesthood in the Episcopal church.

I’m not really one for marking dates, but this one is one I rarely forget. Maybe it’s because 19 years ago, when I knelt before the Rt. Rev. William Swing, then Bishop of the Diocese of California, surrounded by the clergy of the diocese, and accepted the Holy Spirit’s ordination of me as God’s priest, I struggled to believe it was happening. Maybe it’s because I still struggle today to believe that this is the life God ordained for me. My struggle – then and now – is one of reconciling my sense of who God is with my sense of who I am.

I have a tendency (and to a certain extent, rightfully so), to magnify the significance of God and God’s work, usually at the expense of diminishing my own. In my mind, God takes on the characteristics of someone like Sauron, in Lord of the Rings – mysterious, all seeing, and all powerful (in a scary way) – and I an Orc, a dumb and ugly subject of Sauron’s will.

 In reality, however, I have more often experienced my relationship with God, and envisaged all our relationships with God (ordained or lay) more like that of Gandalf and Frodo. God the wise, knowing, and powerful (in a good way), in a mutually respectful relationship with an authentic, compassionate, and courageous creature.

Still, when I think about the privilege and responsibility associated with my ordination, I often feel as burdened with its weight as Frodo does with that of the One Ring. How did I get here? Why me? How on earth am I to live up to the task? And although my confidence in this calling grows with every year, so does my awe.

I am astounded and amazed to be living this life, doing this work, serving God and God’s people in this capacity. On a daily basis it all seems rather routine – I have good days and bad, work I enjoy and work I really don’t, engagements that fill and inspire me, and some that annoy and exhaust me. But every year, when December 7th comes around, I view these ever increasing days with a broader perspective. Rather than focus on the detail of daily activities that make up the story, I look back on my time with the view of someone who knows how the story ends. That in God’s time and love, all will be reconciled to God and all will be well. And I, in my only little bit part, get to help bring about that ending.

And so, like Frodo, I journey on, grateful for the companions I encounter on the way (which includes all of you, good people), still wondering how I got here, while also knowing I’m exactly where I’m supposed to be.

Peace,

Catie

December 2, 2021

Dear People of St. Paul’s,

 I forget things. Even things I’ve done many times before. Even with lists and reminders. Even with hours of preparation and practice. There just doesn’t seem to be an event or a responsibility in which I don’t forget something. For instance, Tuesday evening, as I was sitting in a meeting with one of our church members who has young children, who let me know she was missing an Advent calendar this year. It was then that I realized that I forgot to send out the family advent calendars that I have had on hand for distribution for months. There is now a link in this note to print your own, and we’ll have hard copies in church on Sunday. Still, you’ll just have to mark the first week of Advent in one lump sum, because I forgot.

 This is what I really don’t like about my forgetfulness – the sense that I have failed or inconvenienced someone or something I care about. This is why I do my best to remember to make good on what I have promised. But, I have learned and continue to learn that forgetting is not as bad as I often times make it. My forgetfulness often yields an awareness of what is truly important in the ministry I engage, and an opportunity to engage more fully with the people I am called to minister to, for and with. For it seems to be the nature of human beings that if you fail to deliver something someone believes is important, you will hear about it. So a comment about missing an Advent calendar was confirmation to me that family Advent calendars are important, and an opportunity to understand why from someone who cares. This is the gift of forgetfulness.

 Over the next several weeks I am juggling multiple logistics in my responsibilities to this church community – liturgies, pastoral care, leadership, finances, facilities, etc. Try as I might otherwise, I’m pretty sure I’ll forget some things. My wondering is whether or not the things I forget will be missed. If they aren’t, then I can probably reassess their importance. If they are, I will apply that awareness in my prioritization of my work. So this is an open invitation to you all to pay attention to your need from me and this church and to what we are forgetting. Please, let me know, preferably with kindness, patience, and understanding, what is missing, so that I may know what it most important and strive to serve accordingly.

 Peace,

Catie

November 25, 2021

Dear People of St. Paul’s,

Meister Eckhart is credited with the following wisdom “If the only prayer you ever say in your entire life is thank you, it will be enough.” My initial internet research does not answer why Eckhart said this, but given the time in which he lived and his theological background as a Dominican preacher, we can presume that it was not just a quip offered in passing, but a foundational point of operation for him in his faith journey. 

Eckhart von Hochheim lived in the late 13th century and early 14th century in what is now Germany. It was a time of extreme tension in the world and in the church, with the political shifts of the middle ages and the growing conflict between monastic orders and diocesan clergy. In both politics and religion, there was a growing divide between the power of the state/institution and the spirit of the law/faith, not unlike some of what I experience today. I imagine for Eckhart, as for us, he didn’t have to look far to identify numerous troubling situations, not the least of which, his own (Eckhart was tried, but not condemned of heresy). And so his statement about gratitude feels all the more profound to me. With so much “wrong” with his world, so much at stake in the way he lived out his relationship with God, his ability to summarize the essence of our God connection to only one thing – gratitude – is saying a lot. We can’t always change what we don’t like. We won’t always get what we want. Still, our mere existence is miracle enough to thank our creator. And our expression of gratitude is all that WE need (not God) to live in beloved relationship.

As we embark on our Thanksgiving celebrations this week, I invite us all to consider the miracle of our being and give thanks. Amidst the tragic news headlines, or tables laden with food, or conversations with family and friends, or in the stillness of being alone, there is at least one thing for which to be grateful – our being -and it is enough.

Happy Thanksgiving!

Peace,

Catie

November 18, 2021

Dear People of St. Paul’s,

 I am up to my eyeballs in planning for the Advent, Christmas and Epiphany seasons. I still maintain my hopeful optimism for a season of awe, wonder, joy, and light, gathered together with our community members, growing in love as Christ’s disciples. My optimism is supported by so many of you giving of your time, talent, and creativity to create meaningful worship and engagement, and by the recent approval of the COVID vaccine for children. Looking towards this holiday season I am hopeful that vaccination and our continued attention to creating safe environments will allow our youngest members to more fully participate in our corporate life as church.

As in the past, I am inviting children each Sunday in Advent to help create the manger scene, processing and placing its residents at the beginning of each service. I am also extending an invitation to our middle school and high school members to lead us in the lighting of the Advent wreath each week. Their progressive leadership helps us all on our journey to Bethlehem.

On Christmas Eve, we will again hold a family oriented celebration at 5pm, inviting teens to narrate the Christmas story, as younger children place the figures in their respective places. In addition, we are asking some of our musically gifted young people to help in the leadership of our worship music.

 To help keep our most vulnerable safe, we will again concentrate the children’s leadership in all of our worship (Christmas Eve included) in the first 15 minutes of our service, inviting families to come and participate and then leave, if they wish, to reduce the amount of time spent indoors in a public setting. We will also continue to wear masks during our worship, and we will limit attendance at our Christmas Eve services, by re-engaging a registration system, to ensure that there is adequate physical distancing for those in attendance.

I am hopeful for the time ahead and I am also practical. Please know that I and the church leadership continue to gather information and prayerfully discern how we manifest Christ and be church during these unprecedented times. We are prepared to amend or adjust our plans, if necessary. Either way, I look forward to celebrating a holy season with all of you, and I hope you do too.

 Peace,

Catie

November 12, 2021

Dear People of St. Paul’s,

I’m struck by an old image of women sitting at telephone switchboards, headphones on their ears, sleeves rolled up, and deftly unplugging and plugging in phone cables as rapidly as the calls come in. In truth, I have no idea how that system worked – it was long before my time (though I am old enough to have used a rotary dial phone). I recall the image not because of what is actually taking place in it, but because it seems to represent my experience of functioning this week. The following list is a small sample of the various activities, outside of my job and personal care, that occupied my energy this week:

• A Bronco’s win

• A vet visit with puppy for a swollen muzzle (suspected yellow jacket sting)

• Coordinating Italian language lessons

• News of a friend’s engagement

• Coming down with a cold

• Prepping for retreat with the Standing Committee of the Diocese of Colorado

• Daily check-ins with my friend Jill, regarding Pat’s post-surgery progress (he’s doing really well!)

• A big work achievement for Chas

• A teenager’s English paper

• Podcasts on Ex-vangelicals

• Culling roosters

• Raking leaves

• Making Thanksgiving plans

When I integrate these activities with my daily responsibilities of home and work, and then step back, my sense of my life looks a little like the image of the telephone switch board I described. During any given day, I am jumping from one connection to another, unplugging and plugging in as rapidly as I can to the call before me. I don’t think I’m alone in this. Even the most type A, organized people I know, have to adjust on the fly fairly regularly. Life has a way of throwing things at us, which we feel a need to catch.

I’ve always been a little awestruck watching switchboard operators, wondering how they keep track of what they are doing with constant changes and interruptions. But, with this reflection, my awe has expanded to include anyone who, at the end of the day, falls asleep feeling like they managed to do their job, care for their family and loved ones, and keep the constant competing priorities of life from bottlenecking. Often times I think we have a Pollyanna image of what a life well-lived looks like – everything orderly, tidy, even predictable. 

I don’t think this image is true, nor helpful.

John Lennon sings, in his song, Beautiful Boy– “Life is what happens to you while you’re busy making other plans.” So, while I am an admirer of an organized calendar and a prioritized task list, the truth is, this is no way to live life. Life is messy, uncoordinated, and often, inconvenient. And because of this, it is wonder-full.

My friends, do not be dismayed by all the calls on your time and energy, nor in your ability (or lack thereof) to manage them. Just keep plugging away and trust that each connection you make is a wonder-full life in the making.

Peace,

Catie

November 4, 2021

Dear People of St. Paul’s,

Tomorrow morning, at the hospital of the University of North Carolina, my high school friend and junior prom date, Pat Lindstrom, will undergo the Whipple surgery for pancreatic cancer. Pat is one day younger than me, is married to his high school sweetheart, Jill (who is one of my closest friends since 8th grade), and they have three kids – Jack, a college sophomore, Ben and Maggie, who are twins and seniors in high school. Pat is a Lt. Colonel in the marines, flying helicopters during several tours in Afghanistan, and now instructing new pilots. He has served all over the world, taking his family with him when not in combat. I have managed to visit them a few times over the last 30 years, and thanks to social media and Jill’s excellent Christmas card communication each year, we have stayed close in each other’s hearts, if not physically. So this day, and the day’s since learning of Pat’s diagnosis are weighing heavily on my heart. Pancreatic cancer is deadly and the Whipple procedure is no walk in the park. I hate that my friends have to deal with this.

This week, in her weekly e-news to the diocese, Bishop Kym wrote of a similar pain because of her concern for those she knows and loves, and who are suffering. As she spoke of her morning prayers, I found myself relating to her experience in my own prayers for Pat and his family, members of our church community, and so many of our family and friends who are struggling. I believe my prayer is an act of hope, faith, and confidence in God’s loving care, while also acknowledging my lament of the situation. This is what the bishop so wonderfully articulates in her message, so I invite you to read it or watch it for yourselves https://episcopalcolorado.org/november3/. It has provided grace and comfort for me and my heavy heart, and I pray, if you find yourself feeling weighed down too, that it does the same for you.

And if you feel so moved, please pray for Pat, Jill, Jack, Ben, Maggie, and all their caregivers today, tomorrow, and in the days to come.

Peace,

Catie

October 28, 2021

Dear People of St. Paul’s,

 The vestry gathered for our monthly meeting this past Monday, with some of us sitting around the library table and others on the computer screen, Zooming in. In some respects, there isn’t anything particularly remarkable about our meeting. We gathered, greeting each other with smiles, inquiries, and stories, then began our meeting with prayer and 30 minutes of formation as Christian leaders. Our agenda continued with reports from me, and my ministry as rector of the parish, and our ministry liaison teams and their ministries of oversight in leadership, finance, and facilities. We engaged discussion of our upcoming stewardship campaign, our 3rd quarter financials, and discernment of vestry leadership in the year ahead. Then we closed our meeting with prayer, led by one of our members, with two minutes to spare in our two-hour meeting time. In every way, it was a pretty typical vestry meeting.

 What is remarkable, however, is that THIS IS our typical vestry meeting. It wasn’t always this way. In previous years, those who responded to the call to serve as leaders in the parish did not always find welcome, nurture, transparency, purpose, and satisfaction in their work, and it was reflected in the health (or lack there of) of the parish. We have worked hard these past few years to create a vestry culture that acknowledges, values, and utilizes the unique giftedness of its members, the servant leadership to which Jesus calls us, and God’s direction in our common work. This has been especially apparent in the vestry’s leadership during this pandemic, and it is reflected in St. Paul’s current state of health. Our buildings and finances are in good shape, our community is cared for, and our connection with God in Christ is palpable. This is not accidental, but the result of faithfulness and effort, and I am extremely grateful for the people who have given of themselves to achieve this well-being.

 As we look to 2022, the cycling off of current vestry members and the election of new ones, I ask for your help in discerning this leadership, within yourself and amongst others. I have listed below some of the general requirements of vestry members, as well as the characteristics we strive to embody and exemplify in our work as the vestry of St. Paul’s. I invite you to prayerfully consider this calling and those whom you believe are called. Please share with me or one of our current vestry members (info found here https://www.steamboatstpauls.org/st-pauls-vestry), your findings, so we might begin the discernment process with our next potential leaders.  

 Serving on the vestry is a right and a privilege of every member of this parish, and thanks to the good work of previous members, it is also a joy and a gift. I wonder which of you God is inviting into this gift now.

 Peace,

Catie

The Vestry of St. Paul’s serves as the governing board for the parish. The basic responsibilities of the vestry are to help define and articulate the mission of the congregation; to support the church's mission by word and deed, to ensure effective organization and planning, and to manage resources and finances.  The vestry is directed and empowered by the rector in this important ministry and meets monthly to conduct its work. The membership of the congregation has the privilege and duty of nominating and electing candidates from among the parish to serve in this leadership role. Vestry member terms are three years, with the possibility of serving for two consecutive terms. St. Paul’s will need to elect between three and six new vestry members at our annual meeting in 2022, and we are now seeking nominations from the congregation. If you would like to nominate yourself or someone else, please contact Rev. Catie at revcatie@steamboatstpauls.org or 303-898-4724 or one of our current vestry members (contact info found here https://www.steamboatstpauls.org/st-pauls-vestry).  Please find below some of the characteristics we are looking for in this important service.


Vestry member Characteristics:

• Believing the Vestry’s main role is to lead the church somewhere, not just overseeing financial and administrative matters

• Believing the church has great gifts to offer people who have not yet found our congregation

• Believing that higher expectations of membership creates a stronger congregation

• Believing that attempting to be all things to all people trivializes the church’s message, meaning, and purpose

• Encouraging church members to lead lives of dedication and commitment to a higher cause

• Ensuring that money is available, by asking for it, to implement new ideas and to seize new opportunities that lie outside the current budget

• Willing and able to say “yes” to new ideas

• Believing that a vestry member’s role is not to please all factions in the congregation at all times.

• Being a generous donor (time, talent, finance) to the church

• Honoring risk, not being afraid of making mistake

October 21, 2021

Dear People of St. Paul’s,

You may not know that, in addition to serving as St. Paul’s rector, I also serve on the board of Lift Up, here in Routt County, as a member of the Standing Committee (the governing board) of the Diocese of Colorado, and on the executive committee for the Northwest Region of the diocese. In all of these organizations, our work recently is focused on investing in the future. Whether it be strategic planning, restructuring, or re-orienting priorities, all of these groups acknowledge that where we are going is not where we have been before, and they desire to allocate funds and resources to help support their mission and vision into this uncharted territory.

St. Paul’s is in a similar place. In the coming weeks, we will be sharing with you some of our intentions for the year ahead and our campaign to raise funds and resources to allocate towards them. I would not describe any of our three goals as novel ideas. In fact, I think you will find them quite familiar. However, they do invite us into a different way of strategizing, structuring, and orienting for our future – one that takes steps to support us in the unfolding future, rather than repeat the past.

Have I piqued your interest? Then stay tuned for more information and please join us, in person or virtually, for worship on November 7, as we launch our campaign for supporting the year ahead.

Peace,

Catie

October 14, 2021

Dear People of St. Paul’s,

Chas and I made a big decision this week – one we have been contemplating for a while. We got a puppy!

A little less than a year ago, we lost Chas’ big farm dog, Beo. We started talking then about a new pup. And when we suddenly lost Bella in August, we felt a new canine addition to our family was in our near future.

Last month I reached out to the breeder from whom I acquired Ambrose to see if she might have a pup for us. She said yes, if we were willing to wait to January. It wasn’t our preference, given our travels in the year ahead, as we wanted our puppy to be at least a year old before leaving her for a month, but it seemed like our best option. Until I met Robert on Tuesday.

That morning, Ambrose and I went to Rita Valentine dog park and there was a whole pack of playful pooches, delighting Ambrose thoroughly. Among them were two Chesapeake Bay Retrievers, a breeding pair owned by Robert, and one of the 13 pups they recently whelped. He was nine and a half weeks old, and he and a brother and a sister were still looking for a home. Twenty-four hours later, I brought the little girl home.

Chiara (Italian for Clare, a saint of the church and St. Francis’s closes companion) is quickly integrating into our family. She has rubbed noses with the alpacas, had a staring contest with some chickens, and is Ambrose’s favorite playmate/chew toy. Chas, Sophie and I are working diligently with her on potty training and being a “good girl”. She is already proving to be a spiritual aide – sleeping on my lap for the entirety of my hour and a half spiritual direction appointment. In short, we’re in love, and possibly a little bit insensible. Mostly, we’re grateful.

Peace,

Catie

October 7, 2021

Dear People of St. Paul’s,

Yesterday, Ambrose and I took a seven mile hike along Mule Creek, near our Episcopal camp and retreat Center, Cathedral Ridge, in Woodland Park. When we stepped out of our cottage that morning, I had intentions of a quick walk down the road to stretch our legs, then a return to my reading and study of St. Francis and St. Clare. But, when I came upon the trail head, the aspen trees looked so inviting, that I decided to stroll along the path for a bit. That bit led to the next, and the next after that, until I came to the end of the trail and turned around to head home.

As I walked, I found myself thinking about walking, specifically reflecting on my practice of it these past few weeks.

I have walked for at least 45 minutes every morning since the end of August. I started this practice the first morning in the rectory after Bella’s death. I woke with such heartache that I thought I was going to be sick. Her absence from our home was so profound that I was desperate to leave it. So, before the sun had even crested the horizon, I had dawned a pair of sneakers and a headlamp, called for Ambrose, and headed out the door. We walked down the county road in front of my house, until the pain in my heart was bearable. It took a little time, and when I stepped back through my door, I felt more at peace and more confident in meeting the day before me. And when the heartache was back the next morning, we did it again, and we have every day since.

I’m glad to report that with time, and I think this walking practice, my pain and anxiety of my loss and grief have dissipated greatly. They are no longer what drive me to leave my house each morning. Instead, I am motivated by the peace I find in the walking, as well as a very wiggly black lab who thinks this routine is almost as good as breakfast. I am also motivated by what awaits me in the year ahead.

This time next year, I will hopefully be completing a 500 mile walk from St. Jean Piet de Port, France to Santiago de Compostela, Spain. To do this, I will need to walk about 15 miles per day, every day, for just over a month. Now, I’ve summited 14nr’s, run 10k’s, and backpacked through the wilderness, but never in my life have I just walked…all day…every day. That is what I will be doing come next September, and it seems to me that my minimal 45 minutes a day now might help get me there.

In my reading on St. Francis and St. Clare this week, one author points out that Francis’ life was lived on the road, and Clare’s in the monastery. These are the two dimensions of Franciscan spirituality – the going forth and the going within – that make up our spiritual journey. Another word for this is pilgrimage – an outer journey AND a retreat into the soul. It seems to me that my walking practice of these past weeks feels very much like pilgrimage, where both body and soul are engaged, enlightened and invigorated. And that my pilgrimage now is also preparation for the journey ahead.

As I walk and think about walking, I wonder what if we, as St. Paul’s, lived our lives like Francis and Clare, embracing life as pilgrimage. I wonder if we would be less consumed with what isn’t or what should be, and instead more curious about what is unfolding before us. I wonder if we would be less anxious and more peaceful. I wonder if we might be dynamic and relevant with an appreciation for the past, but not stuck in it. I wonder if we can trust that stepping out our door is enough, allowing one bit to lead to the next. I wonder if in our going out and retreating within, we might be healed, nurtured, and prepared for the bit yet to come.

Want to walk with me and see what we discover?

Peace,

Catie

September 30, 2021

Dear People of St. Paul’s,

Even while enjoying this beautiful autumn, I can’t help but think that winter is coming. I am cautiously optimistic that this winter, unlike last, we’ll be able to engage in some of our favorite activities as church and community. I am already planning Advent and Christmas, including a return to our full retinue of services. And I would like to re-engage some of our community gatherings, like a Halloween family pot-luck, the women’s Monthly Mingle social gathering, and a service project that can involve people of all ages in sharing love and healing. Doesn’t just the thought of these make you feel good? All tingly inside?

My caution lies in two areas.

The first is likely obvious – the impact of COVID on the well being of our church and broader community. While vaccination severely limits the spread of COVID, as well as the symptoms of it, if contracted, COVID still poses a life-threatening danger to many in our community, and there is still not a vaccine option for our youngest members. Still, Routt County is labeled at Low Risk, and if we continue to stay there by our efforts to vaccinate, respond quickly and smartly when sick, or exposed to those who are, and respect one another, I’m hopeful we can once again gather as we have in the past.

My other caution is in the area of people resources. Much as I’d like to take credit for all the wonderful things that have happened and do happen at St. Paul’s, I can’t. Everything that I’ve listed above and so much more happen because at least one of you, and usually a handful of you, make it happen. It is you who make our services happen by lending your leadership in any number of areas. Whether coordinating a kid’s Christmas pageant, singing in the choir, or decorating the church, Advent and Christmas are celebratory times of year because you, the people of the church, create it. It is you that organizes the pot-luck, or hosts a social gathering, or reaches out to families to understand their needs and schedules, in order to best include them in the joys of our common life. I serve to provide resources and direction in all of these areas, but all of this happens because you make it happen. And I know how exhausting navigating life in these constantly changing times can be. My concern is whether there are enough of you out there with the energy, willingness, and desire to do this work.

So I’m cautiously optimistic, because I can see the possibility of an expanded life for our community on the horizon, and I am deeply committed to nurturing this. And I can see the reality of the present, where people still restrict themselves in our common life because of concerns for their well-being. What I can’t see is when the present reality will change to allow us to engage the future possibilities. So will you let me know? Will you let me know where your energy lies? Your concerns? What you are willing to lead? Participate in? Because how I lead in the near future is very much dependent on where you are, as my first and primary calling as your rector is to love you. So please, help me to know what is the most loving thing I can do, so that we might be the most loving community we can be.

Peace,

Catie

P.S. my email address is revcatie@steamboatstpauls.org and my cell phone is 303-898-4724. Friday is my sabbath day, so I will return phone calls and emails after observing sabbath.

September 23, 2021

Dear People of St. Paul’s,

I recently pulled a book of my shelf that I haven’t read in a few years. It’s not an earth-shattering piece of literature, simply a little novel called “Chasing Francis”. It was written by Ian Morgan Cron, an Episcopal priest from the East Coast, but I didn’t buy it and read it for that reason. I acquired the book because I was intrigued by the back cover description. It is a story of a mega church, evangelical pastor who finds himself in a spiritual crisis – he no longer believes in his call, what he preaches, and maybe even in God. His congregation is in an uproar as a result of his spiritual breakdown, and they put him on a leave of absence, time frame to be determined. At a loss, the pastor, Chase, contacts his uncle, a Franciscan friar living in Assisi, who convinces Chase to come stay with him as he navigates his crisis of faith. The rest of the book is Chase’s story of chasing St. Francis and the profound impact that chase has on Chase’s life.

I was moved to pick up the book again in anticipation of my own planned trip to Assisi next fall. This book was one among many other books and movies that solidified my desire to go to Italy, and specifically spend time studying Francis and Clare in Assisi. Although I can relate to the main character’s struggle with his identity and role in the church, please do not fear – I am not currently (nor have I ever) experienced a crisis of faith as described in the novel. But, I am seeking renewal and inspiration and guidance from my planned encounter with Francis, much like that which Chase received. So I’m starting now, a year out, to engage and re-engage works to help make the time I spend in Assisi as beneficial as possible. Hence, re-reading “Chasing Francis”. 

I have also set aside some retreat time this year over the feast of St. Francis (October 4) to engage a deeper bibliography of Francis and Clare. I will be on retreat October 3-7 at our diocesan retreat center, Cathedral Ridge, with a stack of books and articles, and my faithful furry friend, Ambrose. I will spend my time engaging the life and ministry of these two saints, both in the words written by them and about them, and in my own prayer time and communion with creation. While I am away, I have invited a friend and a Third Order Franciscan, The Rev. Canon Carl Andrews, to celebrate and preach during St. Paul’s worship on Sunday, October 3. St. Paul’s will be celebrating the Feast of St. Francis that day, and Carl will teach about the saint, both in his preaching and in informal conversation during the fellowship hour. And, of course, he will bless any and all animals who are presented to him, both within the worship service and following.

My hope and intent is that we can share in our study of St. Francis, and consequently be shaped by this study in new and life giving ways. My observation thus far is that there is a lot of similarity between St. Francis’ world and ours, as well as a lot of similarity between St. Francis’ relationship with God and our experience of the divine in nature. I think Francis of Assisi has something valuable to share with us and is worthy of the chase. Won’t you join me?

Peace,

Catie

September 16, 2021

Dear People of St. Paul’s,

I think one of the most significant ministries of the church is prayer. Whether corporately or individually, whether petitioning God or giving God thanks, the time we spend communicating with God on our own and other’s behalf is well spent.

This has been made especially clear to me in this time of COVID, when so many of our associations and means of connection have been disrupted. When we don’t see or talk with each other for a while, or we are unable to gather safely together, prayer unites us – with God and with one another.

Did you know that in addition to our prayers of the people during our Sunday worship, St. Paul’s has two other ministries devoted to lifting up one another in prayer? Our Daughters of the King chapter pray daily for the needs of this parish family, as do the members of St. Paul’s prayer team. These needs are made known when those seeking prayer contact me, or our parish administrator, June O’Neill, or a member of the DOK requesting prayer. We maintain a prayer list that is updated each month, as well as immediately distribute prayer requests via email, when they come in. In addition, members of the service team follow up with requests by parishioners, sending cards of support. I am so grateful for this communal ministry that helps to create a net of support, encouragement, and compassion connecting us and all whom we love.

So I encourage you to fully participate in this ministry. You may join formally join with the Prayer Team, the Daughters of the King, or the Service Team, or informally hold the community of St. Paul’s in your prayers. I also encourage you to call on these ministries for your own prayer requests, by contacting me, our parish office, or any member of the above ministry teams, that by our prayers, we may be made whole in God’s love.

Peace,

Catie

September 9, 2021

Dear People of St. Paul’s,

First, I want to acknowledge a very important feast taking place today, September 9 – it is International Buy a Priest a Beer Day. (It’s for real – Google it). Should you wish to celebrate this festive occasion with me, please know that I am willing to transfer the feast to whatever day is convenient for you. Please just let me know 

Now, on a more serious note, I invite your reflection on three questions:

1. What gives you the greatest joy in life?

2. What creates for you the deepest sense of purpose?

3. When do you feel most alive, most true to the person you believe God created you to be?

 The vestry of St. Paul’s will be sharing our reflections on these three questions (and others similar to them) during our vestry retreat Friday, September 17 and Saturday, September 18. Our reason for doing so is because our underlying belief is that we, as a church body, are strongest and most faithful when we are leading from these answers. We are constantly presented with problems and conflicts, and we are tempted to put all our energy into addressing them. But studies (and Jesus’ ministry!) have shown us time and again, that this is a waste of energy if our work does not build upon our greatest values. And so we start with identifying what we value – what gives us joy, and purpose, and life.

David Lose, a Lutheran Pastor and a biblical commentator, offers a reflection and an answer to these three questions in his blog “In the Meantime”, specifically reflecting on the passage from Mark’s gospel that we will proclaim in our worship service this Sunday. I share it with you for further consideration https://www.davidlose.net/2015/09/pentecost-16-b-intriguing-elusive-captivating-and-crucial/.

 And in the meantime, I and the other members of our vestry would love to hear your answers to the questions posed above, either before or after our retreat, so that our ministry and leadership moving forward is truly a reflection of the community we are called to lead. Please feel free to email or call any of us. Our contact info can be found on St. Paul’s website http://www.steamboatstpauls.org/st-pauls-vestry. Or maybe consider taking your priest out for a beer.

Peace,

Catie

September 2, 2021

Dear People of St. Paul’s,

As you are aware, last week I took a brief break from my duties as your rector to grieve. Recent events and anniversaries of other losses were weighing me down emotionally, and the time apart has afforded me space and strength to navigate the heaviness.

For those who don’t know, I made the difficult decision to euthanize my dog, Bella, last Thursday. I have been walking around with a huge hole in my heart since, but as horrible as it feels, it’s still better than the fear and anxiety that resided there before. I am emerging from my heaviness – I wish I could explain it, but it’s hard to find the words. Richard Rohr’s meditations the first week of August do a good job of describing what I’m feeling, what I’m trying to practice, and where my hope lies. I recommend them to you both for understanding and perhaps to support you in any grief you may be experiencing https://cac.org/themes/everybody-grieves/.  I have spent much of these past few days engaged in manual labor – it’s amazing how therapeutic cleaning out chicken pens and mowing lawns can be. They have offered me space on my own while also being near people, which is a good combo for my extroverted and tender soul.

I’m back at work now, primarily focused on responding to emails that have come in and addressing the work for this week. I have multiple meetings on Thursday, I will take my sabbath on Friday, conduct a wedding on Saturday, and I look forward to celebrating worship at St. Paul’s on Sunday.

Thank you again for this time and for holding this space for me. I am so grateful for all the people and other animals that have propped me up these past few weeks, including you all. Thank you.

Peace

Catie

August 20/21, 2021

Dear People of St. Paul’s,

I intended to write about something exciting to look forward to – like the celebration of the renovation of the Old Stone Church (save the date: Sept. 26), or the Romeo and Juliet performance that St. Paul’s is hosting (more info in e-news). But today I received some news that has me more fearful than excited for the days ahead.

My wonder dog, Bella, is sick and her kidneys are failing. She has been at the vet all week undergoing IV infusions and antibiotics with the hope of flushing out the kidneys and getting them operating more normally. Unfortunately, four days of treatment have not improved her test results, and so I approach these next days with a sense of dread and anxiety about how long I actually have left with her.

I think by this point, you all know how much my dogs mean to me in my life and how much happiness they bring me. Bella is the same dog who underwent four surgeries three years ago for ruptured ACL’s in both her back legs. You all walked with me every stage of that journey and her wondrous recovery that led to the last three years of hiking, snowshoeing, and other adventures. But today I got news that solidifies that an end to the adventures is on the horizon.

I don’t know how long she has – it could be weeks, it could be months, it may even be years – but eventually this disease will take her life. And that, my friends, is a very hard pill for me to swallow right now. So, please pray for Bella. And for me. And for Ambrose, who is lost without her. We’ve got some tough terrain to navigate in the time to come and we could use your support. Thank you.

Peace,
Catie

August 12/13, 2021

Dear People of St. Paul’s,

This summer has afforded us the opportunity to engage our corporate worship in some creative ways. Our monthly, Saturday, outdoor services have not only provided a safe way for us to gather physically in this pandemic time, but also a way to incorporate specific themes and practices in our worship.

In June, in the midst of a summer rain shower, we celebrated a creation liturgy next to the tree rimmed lake at Euzoa Bible Church. In July, we got reacquainted with our church camp roots, with an extemporaneous liturgy full of campfire spirituals on the shore of Stagecoach Reservoir, and followed it up with a grill-out picnic. This month, specifically thinking about our youngest members, we have planned a Messy Church liturgy and Agape meal at Wolf Run Ranch, home of the Cressy family.

Messy Church might sound new, but it is a way of giving families more opportunities to come to church together and stay in church together that has been active since the early 2000’s. The strength of Messy Church lies in its simplicity and the robust set of values that underpin it. It’s a simple format that usually consists of a warm welcome, 45-60 minutes of hands-on activities around a Bible theme, a short gathered worship time, and a shared meal. It is easy to see how the gradual building of community happens through this shape. But the shape is undergirded, more importantly, by five values:

• being Christ-centered and using every moment to invite people to come closer to Jesus;

• being hospitable, with the challenge of being God’s guests and welcoming hosts;

• allowing space for creativity, for the God-spark in each of us to come to life as we get our hands into the stuff of the earth and play together;

• celebrating and expressing the joy of the life-giving love of Jesus;

• and being intergenerational, a community where the old feel as treasured as the young, where the children and teenagers feel as valued as the adults.

When you join us for worship this Saturday, August 14 at 4pm at Wolf Run Ranch, you will find some tables set up with activities centered around the Bible road stories of our faith. After a warm welcome and song, participants are then free to spend the next 45 minutes engaging the activities they choose, before we regather for a brief reflection on God’s stories and our journeys, prayer, and some more music. At the conclusion of this worship, we will share dinner together in an Agape style meal, which emphasizes the hospitable love (agape) Jesus shared when he gathered with friend and strange alike to eat. The meal feeds body and soul as the congregation sits around tables or picnic blankets as equals and breaks bred together in a nonverbal expression of the feast of the kingdom of heaven, where all are accepted and everyone belongs without a need to earn their place or fight for recognition and status.

So come join us for some messy church this weekend and take the opportunity to encounter God in maybe some new and unexpected ways.

Peace,
Catie

August 5/6, 2021

Dear People of St. Paul’s,

A number of you have expressed interest and, in some cases, concern about my proposed sabbatical scheduled to take place September through December 2022. In response, the leadership team who worked with me to design this time to benefit both congregation and clergy, and submitted a grant to the Lilly Foundation to help fund this time of renewal, has assembled this proposal in a three-part document, which is shared over these three weeks in our E-Pistle. I hope this helps to clarify the intent and benefit of this time, as well as build even more enthusiasm and support in the months to come.

Peace,

Catie

Sabbatical Timeline,  Part 3

August 29-September 2, 2022 – Tapering of Rev. Catie's responsibilities to St. Paul's.Catie’s sabbatical officially begins with a celebratory send off from St. Paul’s on Sunday, August 28. After months of preparation by Catie and by the congregation, this first week of renewal is intended to be one of rest, to ensure that Catie is at full strength for the next phase of the journey. Catie will spend this time with her partner, Chas Klisis, at their farm in the Denver area, before her departure overseas at the end of the week.

September 3-October 8 – Walking the French Way of the Camino de SantiagoThe ancient, sacred Camino has been a huge bucket list item for Catie for a number of years. The extended renewal period now provides Catie the opportunity to walk the entire route at one time, an opportunity she would likely not see again until retirement. Hiking and trekking are spiritual practices Catie has engaged throughout her life, as a means of listening, discernment, re-creation, and articulation in her relationship with God and others. Starting in St. Jean Pied de Port, France, Catie will spend a little more than a month walking, praying, ruminating, reflecting, and engaging with all that she meets on the Way of St. James. The pilgrimage concludes in Santiago de Compostella, Spain, with the celebration of the pilgrim’s mass in the cathedral, and her reunion with Chas.

October 9-November 6 – Absorbing Italy, Country of LoveUpon completion of her Camino pilgrimage, Catie and Chas will head to Italy for a month of sensual stimulation. The two lovers plan to enjoy many of the tastes, sights, sounds, smells, and touch that Italy has to offer. Their time begins with a week in a Tuscan villa, surrounded by grape vines and olive orchards, and from which they will take day trips to neighboring towns and the city of Florence. They continue their journey with four days in Assisi, specifically exploring the lives and ministry of St. Francis and St. Claire. These two saints of the church found and reveled in God through their embrace of the wondrous (and messy) reality of life before them – a practice Catie strives to imitate. The last half of their time in Italy will include exploring the art, history, and romance of Venice, and an eight day romantic cruise through the Adriatic Sea and along the Dalmation Coast, landing them in Rome. There they will spend three days exploring ancient landmarks and traditions, and celebrating the Feast of All Saints. Finally, Catie and Chas will depart Rome for two days in Paris, before returning home to Denver. This trip specifically nurtures Catie’s love for learning and beauty, found both in the sensual stories and artifacts of the material world, and in the conversations and interactions she has with the people with whom she journeys. 

November 7-18 – Farm LifeCatie and Chas return to their farm to re-engage the earth and the animals in their care, taking time to contemplate and appreciate the insights gained during their time away.

November 19-26 – Family Beach VacationMuch of Catie’s family lives within 10 miles of the farm, yet with the busyness of each family’s life, they struggle to make time to spend together. Holidays are the exception and for years, siblings, parents, cousins, aunts, uncles, nieces, and nephews have gathered at Catie’s grandmother’s house for Thanksgiving dinner. With the recent death of “Grammy”, the family now seeks new ways to gather and celebrate. In 2022, they hope to do that with a family vacation to Hawaii over Thanksgiving break. Catie, Chas, and Chas’ daughter, Sophie (who will be a college freshman), will spend a week on Kauai, SCUBA diving, snorkeling, and sailing in the pristine ocean, hiking, biking, and kayaking in the island's forests and canyons, and a good amount of lounging on the warm sand beaches.

November 27-December 18 – Advent IntegrationTraditionally one of the busiest times of the year for Catie, the Advent season during this renewal period offers a much-anticipated change of pace. Rather than preparing budgets and leaders for the coming year, and worship and Christian formation opportunities for the hundreds of people who descend upon St. Paul’s during this time, Catie will spend Advent on the farm, preparing herself for her return to parish ministry. Specifically, she will use this time to address the questions of mission and missional expression that St. Paul’s is addressing in their Genesis II renewal project, but on a personal level. She will integrate the insights and lessons gained in the sabbatical time thus far, composing a personal mission statement, in relation to her ministry with St. Paul’s, and goals for living it out in the year to come. 

December 19-27 – A New England ChristmasCatie, Chas, and Sophie will pack their bags for three days of big city life in New York City, followed by three days of mountain retreat in Vermont. The three of them plan to take in a Broadway show, visit the twin towers memorial and the Statue of Liberty, and ice skate at Rockerfeller Center, underneath the massive Christmas tree. From there they will travel to Stowe, VT, where they will lodge at the Swanson Inn (owned by one of Catie’s closest friends from seminary) and celebrate the Feast of the Incarnation at the Episcopal Church of St. John in the Mountains (where the same friend serves as rector). This will be an opportunity for Catie to experience Christmas without the responsibility of leading worship and surrounded by loved ones.

December 28-January 7, 2023 – Return, Reorientation, Re-engagementThis final week of Catie’s sabbatical involves a return back to the farm, then to Steamboat Springs for re-orientation and re-engagement with the congregation of St. Paul’s. Her first Sunday back will be January 8, 2023.

July 28/29, 2021

Dear People of St. Paul’s,

A number of you have expressed interest and, in some cases, concern about my proposed sabbatical scheduled to take place September through December 2022. In response, the leadership team who worked with me to design this time to benefit both congregation and clergy, and submitted a grant to the Lilly Foundation to help fund this time of renewal, has assembled this proposal in a three-part document, which is shared over these three weeks in our E-Pistle. I hope this helps to clarify the intent and benefit of this time, as well as build even more enthusiasm and support in the months to come.

Peace,

Catie

Catie’s Plan for her Sabbatical – September-December 2022, Part 2

 There is a great quote that has been attached to bumper stickers and t-shirts for years – “Not all those who wander are lost”. As a self-proclaimed wanderer herself, Catie has always been attracted to the quote, and upon discovering its association with J.R.R. Tolkien’s Lord of the Rings trilogy (one of her favorite stories), she liked it even more. It speaks to not only her experience of her Christian journey, but also her sense of how the Holy Spirit works in the guidance and direction of the church.

Catie has spent the almost 20 years since her ordination pursuing her calling by serving in a number of pressure packed positions within the Episcopal Church, both at the local parish level and at the Diocesan level.  Meanwhile, St. Paul’s Episcopal Church has transitioned, in many ways, over the last few years. Rev. Catie successfully guided us through these transitions, including the challenging transition that occurred when our previous rector resigned.  St. Paul’s is about to begin a formal process, with guidance from the Colorado Diocese and the national church, to renew our ministry. The Genesis II process is scheduled to continue into early 2023, when Rev. Catie returns from her sabbatical. As St. Paul’s is reexamining and reinvigorating our ministry, we are excited to offer our priest an opportunity to step back from her day-to-day responsibilities for a few months so that she can renew herself and her ministry.

 During her sabbatical, Rev. Catie Greene intends to wander – physically, mentally, and spiritually – pursuing bucket list dreams, engaging people she meets along the way, getting messy with creation, and lapping up the love of good food, awe inspiring places, and deep commitment. She has planned for herself a time of adventure, rest, learning, and love.  A time both of disconnection from everyday routine and deeper connection with every moment of her life. She wishes to experience a freedom of schedule to not only be present to God, her life and the life around her, but to also interact with them from a place of wonder, joy and gratitude.

July 22/23, 2021

Dear People of St. Paul’s,

A number of you have expressed interest and, in some cases, concern about my proposed sabbatical scheduled to take place September through December 2022. In response, the leadership team who worked with me to design this time to benefit both congregation and clergy, and submitted a grant to the Lilly Foundation to help fund this time of renewal, has assembled this proposal in a three-part document, which is shared over these three weeks in our E-Pistle. I hope this helps to clarify the intent and benefit of this time, as well as build even more enthusiasm and support in the months to come.

Peace,

Catie

St. Paul’s plan for Catie’s Sabbatical, September-December 2022

Part 1

The Vestry and other congregational leaders have been pondering the role of St. Paul’s Episcopal Church during the coming years. We believe that people are hungering for authentic spirituality; a hunger the gospel can fill. However, the church is often seen as hypocritical or irrelevant. In an increasingly skeptical and jaded society, we must demonstrate an authentic and transforming faith, a faith lived out in all areas of our life. It is a critical time to gain clarity about our mission.

Rev. Catie’s time away on sabbatical is timed to coincide with the final phase of a parish redevelopment and renewal program that St. Paul’s has just begun to engage. St. Paul’s is one of five parishes in the Episcopal Diocese of Colorado who have been invited to join a program titled “Genesis II”, which is being facilitated by the national Episcopal Church. A team of 10 members has been formed to take on this lay led program, beginning this summer. Before Rev. Catie leaves, we expect to have completed a comprehensive inquiry and learning of our Steamboat Springs community, interfacing with these neighbors to determine how God is already at work and how we are called to participate in this work. From this information we will identify our mission in this community. The final phase of the project is to determine how we will incorporate that mission with our neighbors into the life of the parish. It’s that final stage that the parish will be working on during Rev. Catie’s absence. She will be doing the same discernment work, on a personal level, toward the end of her time away, and upon her return we will mesh the parish and Rev. Catie’s work into a single vision. The Genesis II program and Catie's sabbatical will synergistically renew our Rector and our congregation in engaging the Holy Spirit's activity authentically.

Catie’s sabbatical officially begins with a celebratory send off from St. Paul’s on Sunday, August 28. Because of our mountain location, the weather in late August is beautiful, and we are anticipating an outdoor send-off.

Rev. Catie wrote in her sabbatical grant application: “I want to be clear, I very much love every aspect of my life, as it is now. I am grateful beyond my imagining to be living out this vocation with the people of St. Paul’s, in the beautiful creation of Colorado, with my loving partner, Chas, and with the continuous support of family and friends who have journeyed with me every step of the way. I love God in all of God’s divine mystery more today than ever before. And even in the uncertainty of what lies before me in life and ministry, I love this precipice of possibility on which I stand. This sabbatical time is not about learning to love my life, it’s about providing me time to lavish in it.

“The program I have planned is one in which I engage activities and relationships that inspire me, challenge me, and animate me. Just the idea of devoting four months of my attention and intention to this plan makes me swoon. I believe this euphoria benefits both me and all the loving relationships in which I participate, strengthening, empowering, and encouraging us for the journey ahead.”

The parish’s liturgical and pastoral functions, during Catie’s absence, will primarily be covered by the Rev. Fred Poteet. He has indicated that he is happy to move to Steamboat Springs for the duration of his work at St. Paul's. Fred already has a relationship with Rev. Catie and the congregation from previously covering short-term rector absences. The congregation will work with Fred to incorporate education relevant to some of Catie’s sabbatical activities, and thus share in her journey. For example, we have identified individuals who can provide presentations about the Camino de Santiago, St. Francis and St. Claire.

At the beginning of 2023, we will celebrate Catie's return as well as a new year and new beginning. We will celebrate Catie’s return with the same enthusiasm as we celebrated her departure. Catie has committed to preaching a four-part series of sermons, in order to communicate her sabbatical insights to the congregation. The themes of Adventure, Rest, Learning and Love will be featured. Additionally, the Genesis II team will commence their concluding work on the Genesis II renewal and redevelopment project. We anticipate a two-month process to integrate their separate insights and finish the project, and then several years following to implement them.

Next Week Part 2 – Catie’s Plan for Catie’s Sabbatical

July 15/16, 2021

Dear People of St. Paul’s,

This week, at least five people have spoken with me about a sense of burnout they are observing and/or experiencing, and to which I could relate. What is odd to me is that summer time is typically when I experience people and our community more relaxed, enjoying the freedom of vacation to partake in any number of activities that summer in Steamboat has to offer. But this year, what in the past was relaxing, seems to be taxing. People are overwhelmed with social agendas and it’s stressing them out 

What accounts for the difference of experience between this year and years past? Many believe, including me, that COVID is to blame. After more than a year of social distance and sheltering, we emerged as a community in full force of engagement with one another – making plans, attending events, taking on responsibilities, packing our schedules with visits and volunteerism  – and its kicking our butts. We were so ready to re-engage life as it once was, yet unprepared to invest the energy that this life requires. I think we are just out of social shape.

As I reflect on this social phenomenon, I am reminded of a lesson I learned from Hurricane Katrina – recovery from disaster is not a straight path and it can take years. Although we want to believe that the worst of the pandemic is over (and it may be), the influence of experiencing the pandemic is not. We are and will continue to suffer through times of disillusionment, loss, and set back even as we continue to work towards recovery and renovation.  I think the burnout many are experiencing now is just such a time.

The Institute of Collective Trauma and Growth has created a visual diagram to depict the phases of trauma and recovery I encountered in my work with Katrina (https://www.ictg.org/phases-of-disaster-response.html). You will note on the image the various highs, lows, and flat-lines of emotional and behavioral health over time, from the start of a traumatic event (COVID pandemic) until recovery to a state of health the same as or greater than pre-event. What really stands out to me is the time scale – it can take up to 60 months (5 years) for full restoration! No wonder we are burnt and exhausted – we have tried to accomplish in just a couple months what typically takes a few years.

So, my friends, go easy. Stop. Rest. Pray. Soak up. Restore. Take your time. Our efforts at restoration are not in vain. They just need time. So give yourselves that.

Peace,

Catie

July 8/9, 2021

Dear People of St. Paul’s,

My vacation time quickly approaches – 10 more days, but who’s counting? I find it challenging to write my E-Pistle this morning. Maybe it’s because I’m in a proactive, planning mode, rather than a reflective mood. Maybe it’s because I don’t want to think, but instead, frolic and play. Maybe it’s because today is a Summer day.

To that end, I share with you my favorite summer-time poem – Mary Oliver’s “The Summer Day”. I know I have shared this poem with you before, in fact several times before, usually sometime around now each year. Maybe this is becoming tradition.  Happy Summer. What will you do?

Peace,

Catie

Who made the world?

Who made the swan, and the black bear?

Who made the grasshopper?

This grasshopper, I mean—

the one who has flung herself out of the grass,

the one who is eating sugar out of my hand,

who is moving her jaws back and forth instead of up and down—

who is gazing around with her enormous and complicated eyes.

Now she lifts her pale forearms and thoroughly washes her face.

Now she snaps her wings open, and floats away.

I don't know exactly what a prayer is.

I do know how to pay attention, how to fall down

into the grass, how to kneel down in the grass,

how to be idle and blessed, how to stroll through the fields,

which is what I have been doing all day.

Tell me, what else should I have done?

Doesn't everything die at last, and too soon?

Tell me, what is it you plan to do

with your one wild and precious life?

—Mary Oliver

July 1/2, 2021

Dear People of St. Paul’s,

Four years ago, Weston Morris accepted the invitation to serve in Centennial House, St. Paul’s Colorado Episcopal Service Corps ministry. This week, Weston, along with his partner Rosemary and their two cats, journeyed to Berkley, CA where Weston begins his seminary instruction towards ordination to the priesthood. The time between then and now has been peppered with opportunities, challenges, prayer, patience, and grace, not the least of which, was the year Weston spent here in Steamboat Springs.

The Colorado ESC program, focused on community, faith, and personal formation, was a significant thoroughfare in Weston’s journey. He worked with Northwest Colorado Center for Independence (NWCCI), facilitating journeys towards independent living for people with disabilities. He also worked closely with the congregation of St. Paul’s in liturgy, preaching, and teaching, as well as engaging in spiritual direction and group discernment. Today, Weston is the co-founder of Welcome Every Body, a non-profit group that works with church organizations to form, enable, and empower God’s people to welcome and include all people in the unique habitation of their body’s (see an interview with the Canon to the Ordinary here https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Lbcfii8tuLQ). And he is also a postulant for Holy Orders in the Episcopal Church and one of the newest members of the student body of the Church Divinity School of the Pacific.

I share all this with you for two reasons. One, to invite you to celebrate and support Weston on this next stage of his journey in faith. And the second, to congratulate and appreciate you all in your accompaniment of Weston’s journey. Yaaaayyyyy and thank you!

My observation is that we, as humans and as human community, can easily forget and neglect what is most important in our ministry – to form, enable, and empower disciples of Christ. Instead, we get caught up in the anxieties of the moment, and to our detriment, lose perspective on the aspects of our communal life that really matter. For instance, I hear mutterings of concern about when, or even if, our worship will return to “normal”, all the while ignoring the fact that the most significant part of our worship is not what takes place, but how it invites people into deeper relationship with God. Like how it accompanies a 24 year old young adult on his quest for life alive in God. My hunch is, that if you asked Weston what meant the most to him during his service with St. Paul’s, it wouldn’t be the particularities of our worship, but rather the people.

So I invite you to set aside the anxieties of this moment – mask wearing, amended coffee hour, etc. – and instead to embrace the gift that you are – a fellow traveler with Christ, who’s choice to journey with others enriches the journey for all. And if you are so inclined, say a prayer for Weston and/or drop him a note westonlmorris@gmail.com. The journey continues…

Peace,
Catie

June 24/25, 2021

Dear People of St. Paul’s,

I recently heard from the parent of one of our families with young children. All three of their children are under the age of 12 and unable to receive the COVID vaccine. The family has worked diligently these past many months to keep their children safe from contracting the virus and from spreading the virus. But despite their efforts, an extended family member, who didn’t know they were sick with the virus, infected all three kids, who then infected both of their parents, who were vaccinated. The whole family contracted and suffered the effects of COVID. Thankfully, they are all well now, and don’t seem to be suffering from any lasting harm, but the disease upended their lives in other significant ways and they wouldn’t wish that experience upon anyone. Neither would I.

And this, my friends, is why we continue to wear masks in our common worship. Why we don’t sing as a congregation. Or shake hands and hug during the sharing of peace. Or share a common cup at communion. Because we are a community that strives to be inclusive of all people who seek a deeper relationship with God, through Christ and the worship and fellowship of Christ’s Body, the Church. And some people cannot protect themselves with a vaccination. And some people don’t know they are sick. And some people think they can’t get sick because they are vaccinated. So we set up practices that try to account for all of these people and all the others.

I know that other communities – even other church communities – don’t ascribe to the same practices we do. That is for each community to discern. This community strives to seek and serve Christ in all people, to love our neighbor as ourselves, and to respect the dignity of every human being. And I believe that the practices we have put in place around our worship are just some ways we do this.

So thank you for your patience. Thank you for your participation. Thank you for sharing your frustration. Thank you for sharing your concern. Thank you for sharing your confirmations and your conflicts with what we are doing. They are all part of God’s work in informing us of who we are, whose we are, and how to be. Please keep up this good and faithful work.

Peace,
Catie

June 17/18, 2021

Dear People of St. Paul’s,

Yesterday I met with our bishop, the Rt. Rev. Kym Lucas, in person. It was our first meeting of this kind since her installation of me as St. Paul’s rector in December of 2019, and we delighted in meeting at a restaurant instead of an office. It felt so wonderfully familiar! Yet, when our server arrived, and I asked for a menu, I was met with the reality that things today are not exactly what they were. She pointed me to a little card on the table with a QRC code to access my food and beverage options. I groaned.

You see, my cell phone is over 4 years old. It does not possess the technology to read QRC codes. On the few occasions when Chas and I have eaten out in this COVID time, he has used his phone to pull up the menu and share it with me. When I shared my predicament with the bishop, she gave me a side eyed glance that seemed to communicate incredulity and gentle mocking at the same time. It was if she was saying “Who, in today’s day and age, expects to operate efficiently and effectively with technology that is not up to date?” Apparently I do, to my own detriment, at least when it comes to ordering food in restaurants.

It just so happens that yesterday was also the 7 year anniversary of my employment and service with St. Paul’s. As the bishop and I talked about this milestone – the work that I’ve done with this community, and the work that I anticipate – I could not help but draw some points of relationship between my ministry and that of my cell phone. Namely, an expectation that I continue to operate efficiently and effectively without renewal. You see, just like technology, ministry and ministers need to update their operation systems regularly to keep up with the changing surroundings. And I am due for the latest model.

I don’t believe a total overhaul is required – I have been faithful and diligent in engaging continuing education, practicing weekly Sabbath, and utilizing all my vacation time. But after a point, the old model just doesn’t have the capacity to take on the new realities. Something more is needed to ensure my ability to serve this community competently and faithfully, into the next seven years. Thankfully, we are planning for this upgrade.

As shared this past winter, the vestry, on behalf of the people of St. Paul’s, has applied for a Clergy Renewal Grant from the Lilly Foundation. If received, this grant of just under $50,000 would provide funds for a sabbatical for me and excellent clergy coverage and ministry opportunities for the congregation. I am hopeful that the notification we receive in August will include full funding of this renewal opportunity. And if it doesn’t, we are committed to do it anyway, because we can’t afford not to. This 7 year model of me and our ministry together needs a re-boot if we hope to be relevant in our shared ministry moving forward.

Beginning August 28, 2022, I will embark on a four month sabbatical that includes a walking pilgrimage of the Camino de Santiago, in Spain; engaging the food, art, Franciscan spirituality, and romance of Italy; special time with family; reflective time on my mission and ministry; and a Christmas holiday in New England; returning to my service with St. Paul’s on January 8, 2023. During that time, St. Paul’s, under the leadership of the Genesis II team, will complete it’s 18 month project of renewal, focusing on mission and missional expression within the Steamboat Springs community. The congregation will be supported liturgically and pastorally by the Rev. Fred Poteet.

During the next year, I and parish leadership will be preparing for this bountiful upgrade, working to provide the resources that will allow us to take full advantage of the opportunity before us. This time next year, when my 8th anniversary comes around, I trust that we all will be enthusiastic about the renewal we have planned and the capacity it will provide us to live into our ministry not only efficiently and effectively, but authentically and energetically, faithfully addressing the realities of our world today as God’s people and Christ’s body.

Now, it’s time to look into replacing my 7 year old laptop…

Peace,
Catie

June 10, 2021

Dear People of St. Paul’s,

I feel like I’m finally settling into summer. The deck furniture is out, my planters are filled with bright flowers, and my dogs and I are enjoying early morning and late evening walks in the cool of the day. I love Steamboat in the summer time, and I have a feeling you all do, too.

To take advantage of all the wonder summer has to offer, this year we are holding four outdoor services – one each month, June through September. Every service takes place on a Saturday evening, and each service will have a unique theme.

On Saturday, June 19, we will gather at Kingdom Park at Euzoa Bible church at 5pm for a Eucharistic service celebrating creation. Our readings, prayers, and music will all lift up the wonder, beauty, and grace of this creation we call home. We will sing out loud as a congregation (with no masks) and have communion (including the wine), utilizing BYOC (Bring Your Own Cup/Chalice). We’ll follow our worship with an informal church picnic, where you bring your own picnic, too. For this service, please bring a camp chair or blanket, a vessel for communion wine, a picnic dinner of your own, and your wonderful self. Please leave all dogs/pets at home.

On Saturday, July 17, we will gather at Stagecoach State Park in Oak Creek, at the Yamphatheater and Arrowhead Picnic area for a service at 4pm. Our liturgical focus will be on “Campfire Songs”, with a service primarily of music from Christian camp and retreat experiences. We will formulate song books and are taking song suggestions now. What’s more, we have the Yampatheater and picnic area booked for the entire day and evening, and I strongly suggest that you make an adventure day of it. Bring your swimsuit, paddle boards, hiking boots, fishing poles, camp chairs, and picnic lunches and join other St. Paul’s folks in fun and fellowship on the water. But wait, there’s more! Stick around after the service for grilled burgers and hot dogs provided by St. Paul’s, and the side dishes and beverages you bring for yourself, and we’ll join for dinner in the covered Arrowhead picnic pavilion. For those who don’t want the day to end, stick around for a group campfire and s’mores. And if that is not enough, St. Paul’s has also reserved four campsites in the park, two for Thursday through Saturday nights, and two for Friday and Saturday nights. For more information on how to reserve a site, please see the announcement in the e-news or contact Tracie Detwiler at tline79@aol.com. Dogs are welcome for the day, but must be on leash and under control at all times. There is a day use fee of $9 per vehicle and a camping fee of $28 per night (includes vehicle fee).

On Saturday, August 14 we will celebrate back to school with a worship service created and led by our youngest members. St. Paul’s children, youth, and young adults will choose and share the scriptures, compose and lead the prayers, lead the worship in song and instrument, and even provide our homily for the day. For those who prefer to be behind the scenes, there are leadership opportunities in designing, setting up, and cleaning up the space, in greeting and seating participants, and in hosting hospitality afterword. The service will take place at 5pm, and we have two great possibilities of location and are waiting on confirmation. We’ll get that information out ASAP.

Finally, on Saturday, September 18 we will again gather at Kingdom Park at Euzoa for a Celtic themed Eucharist presided by our bishop, the Rt. Rev. Kimberly Lucas. This will be Bishop Kym’s triennial visit with the St. Paul’s community and we are excited to engage the heritage of some of our most beautiful Christian liturgies and music. In addition, we will be celebrating confirmations, receptions, and reaffirmations of those who wish to renew and engage their baptismal vows in the life of the Episcopal Church. The service will be followed by a community meal and time with our bishop.

All of this would not be possible without the leadership of others than myself. Laurie Edwards will be coordinating the music for all four services, and Mary Davis is helping with location logistics. Additional help is very welcome. Readers, singers, musicians, set-up and clean-up, greeters, etc. are needed for every service – and especially our youth led one.

Please contact Laurie for more information and to help on the music scene at sboaters@yahoo.com.

To help with site logistics, please contact Mary at evalgal1@gmail.com.

And to help with the service components and all things liturgical, please contact me at revcatie@steamboatstpauls.org.

I’m really looking forward to this summer and especially the wonderful ways we can gather in prayer and fellowship as the Body of Christ. It’s been a long time coming.

Peace,
Catie

June 3, 2021

Dear People of St. Paul’s,

Earlier this week you hopefully received an email announcing recent changes to our worship life, which start this week. These include retiring our reservation system and welcoming any and all to join us in person for our 9:30am worship service (please continue to wear masks).

For any of you who may be physically returning to St. Paul’s for the first time in a long time, you will notice some changes in our physical building. We have completed the structural renovation of the Old Stone Church, and from the outside you will notice repaired, re-pointed, and re-beaded mortar, restoring the look of the building to its original likeness in 1913. In addition, new concrete steps and railings lead up to the front door of the building, which has been refinished. And very soon, there will be a new light fixture illuminating this entrance. Finally, perhaps the most obvious exterior improvement is the new roof, siding, and trim that help ensure this space will continue to shelter people for years to come.

I am incredibly grateful to our architects, Ashley Russell and Denis Humprhies, of RATIO; to our general contractor, Ron Davies, of Fair & Square, and his most excellent crew; to Emily Katzman, of Historic Routt County, our grant writer, facilitator, and local preservationist; and to the State Historic Fund, and particularly Gheda Gayu, for their investment in our space and community, both financially and with their time and care. None of their work would have been possible if not for the time, skill, and care given by St. Paul’s members to bring about this project. Thanks to ChLoe Lawrence, who five years ago began researching the possibility of a state historic grant to preserve the church; to the preservation committee who gathered all the information, conducted all the interviews, coordinated all the pieces, and solicited all the funds to make this project possible – Jim DeFrancia, Nancy Kramer, Tom Chaney, Rick Wodnik, John Hayden, David Lund, Roger Young and Fred Wolf and to our project team, who oversaw the renovation project from start to finish – Louie Pabon, Erica Hewitt, Nancy Kramer, Jerry Coleman, Jim DeFrancia, and David Lund; and to the folks who have already agreed to carry forth the next stages of our work in interior renovation (Louie Pabon, Nancy Kramer, and Sally Howard) and in applying for state tax credits to further support the finances needed for this work (Erica Hewitt, David Lund, and Bill Murray). Finally, a huge thank you to you all, the people of St. Paul’s, for the myriad ways you have supported and continue to support this project and the work of this church. At some point this summer we will hold a great celebration where we will gather in person to bless the new space and celebrate all the faithful work and workers that are caring for it.

Another site you will notice when you physically return to St. Paul’s is yellow caution tape blocking off the collapsed stone wall in the Memorial Garden. Earlier this spring, with the thaw, the stacked stone wall gave way to years of pressure from expanding and contracting soil. St. Paul’s Junior Warden, Louie Pabon, and vestry members Duane Erwin and Molly Raphael, responded quickly in tackling the repair and all the work associated with it. This summer, the collapsed wall and the others like it will be rehabilitated, including the addition of a concrete foundation, mortaring the stones, and inserting a drainage system in the beds to prevent pressure build up in the future. Prior to this work commencing, the remains located within the stone bordered beds will be reverently removed by me and stored safely in a consecrated area, until they can be returned to their resting place. Every step of this project is being conducted with the utmost care and reverence for the sacred ground that it is, including refraining from using heavy machinery and protecting the other areas of rest in this holy space. During this time, please observe the caution tape boundary and do not cross over into the collapsed area, as It is not safe to you and we also wish to prevent further disturbance to the area. I apologize for inconveniencing those of you who have loved ones resting in this area. We are doing everything we can to quickly and consciously repair the garden to its beauty and peace.

Finally, inside the sanctuary, you will notice the addition of an art piece on the south west wall, near the start of the stations of the cross. This was a gift from Marie Carmichael, in memory of her husband Hugh Carmichael, who ministered in the St. Paul’s and Steamboat Springs communities in the late 1970’s. The print “Miserere” was commissioned by Ambroise Vollard and begun by Rouault in 1916, but was not finished until 1948 when a set of 58 prints was published in an edition of 450 by Editions de l’Etoile, Paris. It is an emotionally moving, yet reassuring image of Jesus that draws one into contemplation and wonder, without detracting from the simple beauty and majesty of the sanctuary space. A big thank you to Nancy Kramer for providing for its restoration and appraisal.

I believe the landscape of our faith is constantly changing, in physical ways, as well as spiritual, and reflecting on the St. Paul’s physical space from the perspective of fresh eyes only confirms this. As we continue our journey with God, may we also continue to pay attention to the new ways God’s work manifests within and around us.

Peace,
Catie

P.S. in response to many questions of concern, the three little lambs (Leah, Luke, and Hahn) are all doing well. They are off the bottle and all over mama, growing daily and tentatively venturing forth into the pasture to join the rest of the flock and herd

May 27, 2021

Dear People of St. Paul’s,

It happened again. One of our ewes gave birth. We were again caught by surprise, not because we didn’t know that she was pregnant, but because we were just starting to conclude she was not. We weren’t sure of the time of conception, but given that our other ewe (Dottie) gave birth in January, and this ewe (Cora) was huge, we had expected her to bear her young weeks ago. Instead, we were surprised to find not one, or even two, but three tiny lambs yesterday morning.

It is likely the lambs were born a few hours before we discovered them and, upon our initial inspection, they weren’t doing so well. They were not nursing and were very weak. Immediately, we jumped to preparing bottles of lamb formula and worked on getting nutrients into their little bodies. Chas and I started bottle feeding every hour scarcely getting them to eat more than a few grams. Last night, we felt confident extending the feedings to every two hours, and Chas was up three times in the night (me, only once), warming formula and feeding babies. By this morning, two of the three lambs had started nursing from Cora, and by mid-day, the third had joined in. They still aren’t strong eaters, and so we continue to supplement with bottle formula, now every three hours, and continue to hope and pray that these little ones will pull through.

Today, as I have struggled to catch up with the work left undone from yesterday, under the burden of a stressful day and a sleepless night, I’ve wondered if it’s worth it. Seriously, I have wondered if all the time and energy and worry are worth it. Sitting in sheep muck. Coated in colostrum. Emails left unanswered. Documents incomplete. Deadlines elapsed or extended. The frustration or disappointment of the people waiting on me. These are the consequences of my decision to completely rearrange my priorities to mother some lambs. And for what? Sure, in another year, if they make it, we’ll hopefully be able to sell them, and if not, at least eat them. But those distant benefits didn’t really cross my mind yesterday as I sat in the barn, with a lamb on my lap and my cell phone in my hands, and emailed and texted between feedings. Instead, yesterday, I didn’t give a thought to why I was doing this. I just did it. I did it because I couldn’t not try to help these vulnerable, beautiful creatures. I guess I can say my heart was moved and my head just followed. From where I stand now, I can see that my choices and the consequences don’t really make much sense, and maybe they are not meant too.

I’m guessing there is more than one mother or father or caregiver or even farmer out there that looks at all the things they do to care for vulnerable, beautiful creatures and think of themselves as irrational human beings. And I’m also guessing that eventually this non-sense behavior fills them with joy, love, hope, and peace. But in the moment, I believe we choose to care, not because it’s logical, or it feels good, but because we can. We find ourselves, and often times put ourselves, in places and situations that require our care, because caring is what we do. In my experience, even the most “uncaring” of human beings cares about something, and when that something needs care, they will drop whatever they are doing to care for it. Why we do this is beyond my current understanding and is probably best left for another rumination. But back to my original wondering, is it worth it?

The answer to this question is for each of us to decide. What I have to offer is this: I will go to bed tonight likely feeling some unease about the “to-do” items still hanging over my head. And this unease will sit with me until I get these items done or I decide they no longer need doing – a few days or weeks. But in a few months, a few years, or even a few decades from now, I’m pretty sure I won’t recall one bit what those to-do items were, or even the angst I associate with them now. And I’m also pretty sure I will never forget these lambs and my caring for them. For this was an act of my heart and a heart don’t forget something like this. Yes, it’s worth it.

Peace,
Catie

May 20, 2021

Dear People of St. Paul’s,

As signs of summer are showing up, and it becomes safer to gather in person, I am looking forward to our reemergence as a parish. We have never stopped being church and we have learned how to be church in some new and life-giving ways. However, now we are entering a time of rebuilding, not for what we once were, but for what we are becoming. As our in-person parish life and ministry begins again, I invite us and encourage us to build upon what we have learned and created in this past, extraordinary year.

One of the things we have learned and created is ministry led and executed by many and not just a few. The necessary halt to our gathering worship and events also led to the cessation or dramatic diminishment of many of our traditional ministries – worship leaders (readers, acolytes, greeters), hospitality, altar guild, choir, children’s chapel, and more. However, these ministries did not die, but instead took on new form and with new people participating, or people continuing in the ministries, but in new ways. Zoom worship (in those early pandemic months) yielded ad-hoc readers for any given service, and musicians, totally comfortable playing their instrument in their own home, willing to offer the gift of a song for our corporate worship (something they were hesitant to do in the formality of our sanctuary). The various comfort levels of parishioners with technology meant that any and all connections, whether Christian formation or pastoral care, had to take on multiple forms – online, at home, and by phone and good old snail mail. With multiple gifts needed, people with gifts in these various areas emerged to help. Looking back on last year, I easily count 40 people who were directly involved in Christian formation (for all ages) and pastoral care, where in the past, those ministries were relegated to a handful of folks. In my mind, this is really good news. It points to our growth as a community of Christ, which I believe will bear much fruit.

And now, we inch closer to gathering as we once did. Our county has recently dropped the mask wearing requirement for vaccinated people in most settings, and while we will continue to wear masks in St. Paul’s indoor worship, given the inclusive and public nature of this ministry, we are anticipating dropping our reservation system in June, and hopefully a return to weekly communion, and even congregational singing later this summer.

With this expansion of our worship practices, we also will see an expansion of our ministries to include some of the traditional formats put on hold during COVID. We need and seek readers and acolytes to assist the priest in leading worship, and people to help prepare communion and care for the altar vessels and space. We seek creative people to arrange flowers. We need nurturing people to share the stories of our faith with our children. We desire hospitable people to welcome others as they join us for worship, or offer them a cup of coffee, tea, or lemonade following our service. We seek people with the gift for prayer, pastoral care and nurturing others to support our ministries of prayer, connection, visitation, and service within and beyond the parish community. In short, in our rebuilding for what we are becoming, we seek to build upon what we have become, engaging all St. Paul’s people in leading and executing the ministries of the church.

In the coming weeks, I will be inviting your participation in this ministry movement. Next week, St. Paul’s will send out an email with two requests – one to share with us ways that you are already ministering in the parish community and beyond, and the other to commit to participating in at least one ministry of St. Paul’s. This may be a ministry you are already involved in, a new ministry you want to try out, or maybe one of each. It may also be that the best way you can serve God and God’s people at this time is to not commit to another thing. This ministry movement is not a mandate, but rather a call to deeper relationship with God through Christian service. Which, by the way, leads to the building up of Christ’s body, the church, and specifically, to the building up of St. Paul’s.

There is definitely a lot of rebuilding that needs to take place in our ministries and ministers, but my larger focus is on how we do this.

I feel like this is a time for building up and building upon the gifts that we have and the gifts that we have cultivated in this time of adaptation. We have learned a lot this past year, and often times we have learned the hard way. Still, a gift of this is our formation as resilient people, and as we emerge into a new reality, I want to continue our lessons. How might we be foster resilience in our faith, our theology, our worship, our welcome, our service, and our structure? As tempting as it might be for us to fall back on what we have always done, relying on the people who have always done it, I encourage us to continue to put in the extra effort to try new things, to learn, to grow, and to bear good fruit.

Peace,
Catie

May 6, 2021

Dear People of St. Paul’s,

I am in full on summer planning mode and I feel both excited and overwhelmed by it.

Summer weather and increasing vaccination rates provide opportunities for us to gather as a community safely and with minimal restrictions. So we are planning for monthly Saturday outdoor worship gatherings and a parish picnic with optional camping at Stagecoach State Park. We have been blessed during this transitional time with excellent interim leadership from Carolyn Dillhyon as our parish administrator and Laurie Edwards as our musician and worship music coordinator. However, their time of service is coming to an end and we are needing to hire new people in newly revamped staff positions to serve us well in the new reality of our ministry life. Finally, we are also planning for how we reform as a church community as we engage in our ministry life post-pandemic, not only with our participation in the Genesis II redevelopment program, but in our everyday expectations in how we minister to one another and to our neighbor.

Lots to look forward to in the next few months, and lots of uncertainty to carry as it plays out.

But if there is one thing that I am more confident in now than ever before, it is that God’s Spirit will show us the way. It was the Spirit who led me to serve as rector, who showed us how to love and worship during a pandemic, and who provided gifted leadership at the moment when we needed it. Only the Holy Spirit could move us from a place so challenging and disheartening to the one of grace and goodness we are experiencing. That’s what the Spirit does. Still, the Holy Spirit does not work alone. Along every step of this journey many of you have acted as the Spirit’s agent. You have shared an idea or a wondering, inquired about a person or a possibility, acted on a hunch or a piece of information only you have, and taken the initiative to pursue a project. The Advent bags didn’t just appear out of thin air. I was not presented with our wonderful staff and leadership in a dream. God’s voice did not thunder from the heaven’s calling me as your rector. No, all these things happened when one or more of you reached out and said “what if?” or “have you thought about this?” or “I wonder.” Yes, the Spirit is very much at work leading us through our uncertainties, and it is doing so through you.

So my friends, in the weeks, months, and years to come, please continue to cooperate with the Holy Spirit’s work in you. Because I have no idea where our new staff will come from, or what exactly our ministry will look like, or how we will accomplish it. But I do know, that if we are meant to be doing it, the Spirit will provide us the means to do so. And that same Spirit will use all of you to make those means known. So hit me up. I look forward to hearing what it has to say.

Peace,
Catie