Churches in the News

The National Committee for Historic Preservation in 1966 hand-selected 109 buildings to be honored as features in its “With Heritage So Rich” publication. Among them was the humble folk log building nestled in Atlantic City, St. Andrew’s Episcopal Church.

And last year, St. Andrew’s was once again recognized for its historic merits when it was listed on the National Register of Historic Places.

Rev. Christian P. Basel speaks during a healing service to commemorate Sen. Lester Hunt at St. Mark’s Episcopal Church in Cheyenne on Wednesday, June 19, 2024. Basel is the new rector of the downtown church, following an 18-year stint by the Rev. Rick Veit. – Wyoming Tribune Eagle/File

Though the museum thrived for decades, many of the artifacts within were technically owned by the Episcopal Church of Wyoming, stemming back to a deed signed between missionaries in 1947. The church moved over 200 artifacts into storage space at an office in Casper. As of Monday afternoon, the sacred items have been officially turned over and returned home to the Northern Arapaho Tribe.

Img: Lloyd Goggles signed papers officially receiving the artifacts back on behalf of the Northern Arapaho Tribe Monday.

A couple hundred people and students from Wyoming Indian Schools gathered in a grassy field on Oct. 14 at St. Michael’s Circle in Ethete for the “Coming Home - Noe'heeckoohut Hiisi'” celebration. The afternoon included prayers, a cedaring, drumming, words from Northern Arapaho elders and leaders, and a liturgy of lament and healing from the Episcopal Church.

Img: Hannah Habermann/Wyoming Public Media

Northern Arapaho member Jordan Dresser shares opening marks to the crowd at the “Coming Home” celebration in Ethete on Indigenous Peoples’ Day.

CHEYENNE – The Episcopal Church in Wyoming announces the installation of the Rev. Christian Paul Basel as the new rector of St. Mark's Episcopal Church at 9:30 a.m. Sunday at St. Mark’s.

All are invited to attend the celebration.

The Episcopal Church in Wyoming is set to return about 200 cultural items to the Northern Arapaho tribe on Monday after a years-long effort by the tribe to repatriate the artifacts.

The momentous return for the Northern Arapaho comes as Indigenous activists have urged the nation to reckon with its violent history toward Native Americans.

Img: Some of the 200 cultural items that the Wyoming Episcopal Church returned to the Northern Arapaho tribe last week. (Crystal C'Bearing)

TRIBAL items belonging to Native Americans are to be returned by the Episcopal Church in the United States, 80 years after they were taken in exchange for food and other goods by a deacon. What the diocese calls its Edith May Adams Collection contains ceremonial headdresses, handmade women’s clothes, toys, and medicine bags, mostly from the Northern Arapaho tribe, but also the Eastern Shoshone. It also contains some sacred items that, tribal elders say, should never have left the tribe.

In acknowledgment of September as Suicide Prevention Month, The Episcopal Church in Wyoming is taking significant steps to address mental health concerns within the community by hosting a series of free Soul Shop workshops.

The workshops began on Sept. 9 in Cheyenne and have worked its way around the state, finally by making a stop in Laramie from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. on Monday at the Canterbury House located at 110 S. 9th St.

ROCK SPRINGS — As part of Suicide Prevention and Awareness Month, a group of local actors will present “Chimes” in Rock Springs. On Saturday, Sept. 14, the Episcopal Church in Wyoming is hosting “Soul Shop,” a free suicide prevention workshop scheduled from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. in the Episcopal Church of the Holy Communion Parish Hall.

Presiding Bishop Michael Curry has traveled to over 100 dioceses during his nine-year term, sharing pastoral support and celebrating Eucharist. His final visit will be to The Episcopal Church in Wyoming’s diocesan convention in Casper this month. Curry reflects on his travels as witnessing the diversity and vitality of the Church.

Img: Presiding Bishop Michael Curry preaches July 25, 2017, at the 145th Niobrara Convocation at Red Shirt Table, South Dakota. Photo: David Paulsen/Episcopal News Service

The Episcopal Church in Wyoming is hosting a series of FREE faith-based suicide prevention workshops during Suicide Prevention Month.

Soul Shop™ workshops aim to equip faith leaders with the skills and knowledge needed to support those struggling with suicidal thoughts. These one-day workshops will be held across Wyoming from September 9 to 16, 2024.

The Foundation for the Episcopal Church in Wyoming provided “Mustard Seed” money to all of its Wyoming churches to do projects to benefit their communities. As a member of Torrington’s All Saints Episcopal Church, Watson requested help for Gracie’s family. This first act led to the organization now called Gracie’s Promise.

The Episcopal Church played a significant role in Indian boarding schools, actively involved in running these institutions. The church's involvement has been scrutinized for its impact on Indigenous communities, particularly regarding cultural assimilation and loss of heritage. The article explores this historical involvement and its ongoing implications for the church and Indigenous peoples.

Rev. Mary Erickson, associate rector of St. John’s Episcopal Church in Jackson, was among those who signed the letter. The interpretation of Christianity she sees used to prop up political extremist rhetoric is not one she recognizes. “There’s a lot of loud Christian voices across the country and in Wyoming that does not necessarily represent my faith,” she said.

Nestled in the Snowy Range Mountains sits a quiet mountain chapel. With stunning views of the Centennial Valley , St. Alban’s Chapel near Little Brooklyn Lake draws outdoor enthusiasts, engaged couples and parishioners of St. Matthew’s Cathedral to the site year after year.

“You just look out that window and you can’t help to think of something greater than yourself,” he said. “The building is a very special building, but that is not what makes our church. It’s the people in our community that make it a real church.

Randy Belton receives the $9,240 raised during the 8th Annual Boulder Roll for the Sublette County Mental Health Fund maintained and administered by St. Andrew’s in the Pines Episcopal Church in Pinedale.

Trinity Episcopal Church’s Reverend Jordan Bishop and Deacon Linda Hudson presented Fremont County Search and Rescue representative Griffin Lawrence (center) with a check for $5,500 last Thursday.

Evanston’s Cheryl Sherman will lead a support group for those who are grieving the loss of animals. The first meeting is scheduled for 7 p.m. on Thursday, Jan. 18, at St. Paul’s Episcopal Church rectory.

Today's Wyoming sunrise was captured by LeaAnn Henderson of Sundance. LeaAnn writes, "A beautiful morning in Sundance. Reminds me why I live in Wyoming!"

For decades, the Christmas season didn’t start in Buffalo until the annual Surprise You Sale at St. Luke’s Episcopal Church. The first sale was 138 years ago.

Driving down 1st Street you will see coats hanging from a tree in the yard of St. Barnabas Episcopal Church. This unique ministry began last year when someone told Virginia Parker that they had seen three men walking to work in below zero weather without coats.

On Sunday at 4 p.m., St. Peter’s Episcopal Church is hosting the third in a series of three benefit concerts. The concert will be a classical voice concert featuring local artists. The concert is a free community event, but a free will offering will be taken to benefit Sheridan’s Uprising.

Celebrating the rich history of the arts, music and culture of the many Native American tribes who call the West home, St. John’s Episcopal Church is thrilled to be hosting dozens of regional indigenous artists on Sept. 30 and Oct. 1 on the church lawn.

Over $10 million dollars  has been pledged to support the rebuilding and expansion of the building on St. John’s campus that houses Browse ‘n Buy, along with Jackson Cupboard, Recovery Community spaces, and housing.

Heart to Hands Ministry was formed more than five years ago to focus on providing diapers, toiletry items, winter clothing, children’s books and laundry vouchers to families and individuals.

Two Episcopalian churches in Wyoming, along with private donors, have paid down $2.2 million dollars worth of medical debt through a nonprofit for people living below the poverty line in Wyoming and Montana.

The Compass Center for Families is recognizing St. Peter’s Episcopal Church as a champion for local children. Sagebrush and Meadowlark Elementary Parent Liaison with Compass Amber Gable said St. Peter’s has been a beacon of support for children and families in need.

A new statue memorializing the great Eastern Shochone tribal elder was dedicated Friday at the corner of 19th and Capitol streets in Cheyenne on the southwest corner outside St. Marks Episcopal Church.

A global exhibition tour of indigenous Great Plains artists, including artists from Wyoming, opens next week at the Wyoming State Museum. Organizers hope that the “Grounded” exhibit will inspire thoughtful relationships with the earth, and each other.

The Lander Free Medical Clinic, which just opened its doors for service February 6, took another big step forward in providing free medical services after receiving a $25,000 check from Trinity Episcopal Church in Lander.

St. Mark’s Episcopal Church in Casper is sharing this video that explains the different reasons why people don’t go to church. They include feelings of nervousness, believing you have to have your life together, and uncertainties on dress code.