Early this morning the Magical Ministry Tour left Las Vegas and began our ride out into rural, small town Nevada. The Reverend Reporter, who until this time had never before encountered the grandeur of early morning in the southern Nevada desert, stared out the window in wonder at the razor-sharp mountain ranges that framed the valley around us. It felt very much like being in a cathedral painted with subtle colors as though etched by the very finger of God. Joshua trees dotted the landscape and broken rocks cast shadows on the sand. Then we began to climb "over the hump to Pahrump," climbing from the valley floor into the Red Rocks canyon.After about an hour's drive we entered the town of Pahrump and met the people of St. Martin's in the Desert Episcopal Church. The spread that had been laid out for us was so abundant that I sincerely wished I hadn't eaten breakfast at the hotel. As The Entourage stood in the frame of their new-church-in-progress and met the people of this dynamic and growing church we heard stories of excitement and anticipation as their community expands and seeks new ways to serve.
On this leg of the journey I met someone amazing: Joan Kennedy, founder of the Knitting Nancys. This group of approximately 15 people started when one of the younger parishioners asked Joan to teach her to crochet, and interest in yarnwork began increasing in the parish. The Knitting Nancys now meet every week and have created blankets for newborns at the local hospital and clinic, donated handmade caps for sailors, and have made lap blankets for hospital patients. Talking with Joan was a wonderful reminder of how God uses what gifts and talents we already have in order to serve and love others as Jesus did for us.
After coffee and questions (which I shall post in more detail tomorrow) all went to the small church for a spirited time of worship. The Spirit is clearly at work in this wonderful community and it was a true blessing to participate in the Holy Eucharist here. After too short a time we were back on the bus for the very long trip to Tonopah.
Cathy Deats finds a fellow ASL signer
Dan and Linda Edwards
Our next stop was in Tonopah, an old mining town. The congregation of St. Mark's Episcopal Church is a very small one and they have not had a priest for some time. There we were hosted by 4 active members of the parish and heard clearly their pain and distress at not being able to participate in the Holy Eucharist very often. The candidates listened carefully to the community's fears of being closed or fading away and offered as much assurance as they could that they would not be forgotten. Their determination to survive and their acute need for a spiritual leader made our drive toward Hawthorne a sober and reflective one. The Reverend Reporter does not exaggerate when I say that this community will be in the thoughts and prayers of all of us who visited there today.
Finally we came to Hawthorne, a very small town located near Walker Lake. This town has been a center of military activity for a long time, but that presence has been cut back significantly over the years, leaving behind a shrinking economy and population. Although the Episcopal parish in Hawthorne is now closed we were able to enjoy dinner with Mildred Springer, a longtime resident of Hawthorne and an active member of the diocese. The candidates listened to her reminisce about the days of Bishop Frensdorff and her many years involvement with Total Ministry and answered questions she put to them. It was a pleasant end to a very long day.
Tomorrow we move on to Carson City, and it is time for The Reverend Reporter to get some sleep. But first, a prayer from the Compline service:
Into your hands, O Lord, I commend my spirit;
For you have redeemed me, O Lord, O God of truth.
Keep us, O Lord, as the apple of your eye;
Hide us under the shadow of your wings.
Our next stop was in Tonopah, an old mining town. The congregation of St. Mark's Episcopal Church is a very small one and they have not had a priest for some time. There we were hosted by 4 active members of the parish and heard clearly their pain and distress at not being able to participate in the Holy Eucharist very often. The candidates listened carefully to the community's fears of being closed or fading away and offered as much assurance as they could that they would not be forgotten. Their determination to survive and their acute need for a spiritual leader made our drive toward Hawthorne a sober and reflective one. The Reverend Reporter does not exaggerate when I say that this community will be in the thoughts and prayers of all of us who visited there today.Finally we came to Hawthorne, a very small town located near Walker Lake. This town has been a center of military activity for a long time, but that presence has been cut back significantly over the years, leaving behind a shrinking economy and population. Although the Episcopal parish in Hawthorne is now closed we were able to enjoy dinner with Mildred Springer, a longtime resident of Hawthorne and an active member of the diocese. The candidates listened to her reminisce about the days of Bishop Frensdorff and her many years involvement with Total Ministry and answered questions she put to them. It was a pleasant end to a very long day.
Tomorrow we move on to Carson City, and it is time for The Reverend Reporter to get some sleep. But first, a prayer from the Compline service:
Into your hands, O Lord, I commend my spirit;
For you have redeemed me, O Lord, O God of truth.
Keep us, O Lord, as the apple of your eye;
Hide us under the shadow of your wings.
Blessings,
RR+
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