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St. Elizabeth's, Whiterocks, Utah
July 17 - 25, 2004

Sunday and Monday, July 18 and 19
Due to technical difficulties (honestly mostly operator error) we have no pictures from day 2.
  We worshipped as a community. Father Jim preached and Rev. Sue celebrated. A wonderful coffee hour gave us all an opportunity to catch up on the goings on of the past months. We also enjoyed seeing and interacting with the wonderful new furnishings of the sanctuary including the drum altar, new kneeling cushions and seats, the wonderful teepee tabernacle and the beautiful native American stations of the cross picturing Jesus as a native American.

Sunday afternoon was devoted to final plans for VBS and reading, some sight seeing and, of course, a Sunday afternoon nap or two. After dinner we met with members of the community to plan VBS and tell them how we think things will go. They probably won't go that way at all, but we'll have a great time!

Monday was spent putting up the new teepee the people of St. Elizabeth's have purchased. It was the first time and we turned to an expert, Clifford Duncan. He showed us how to put it up and make adjustments to make the brand new canvas fit the poles that were lovingly harvested by Clifford and Jim Duffield earlier this spring.

The work that went into the lodge pole pine teepee poles was incredible. We got to admire them close-up as we carried them to the front yard of the church. Everyone pitched in as we learned about the sacred nature of the teepee and how nearly every aspect of the teepee has a meaning.

  


 
 
  Following a break, we were treated to a teepee blessing ceremony. Everyone was deeply touched by the affection shared between the native people, their pastor, Sue and her husband Jim. The words of Clifford reached deep within the hearts of each of us. The teepee will be used for the first time at the wedding we'll attend on Saturday before returning to Atlanta. After this was all done, we took the teepee down only to be put again on Friday.  

  We spent the rest of the day at the Wild Water park at Vernal where we used the giant waterslide (most of us at least including the rector three times), swam in the pool and enjoyed a supper of hamburgers and hotdogs. A good time was had by all as we returned home through the mountains as we were treated to a spectacular lighting show. It's been cooler and wetter than our visit last year.  

  Everyone is getting ready for VBS tomorrow. The parish hall is decorated like an undersea world as we prepare for a Super Cool Underwater Bible Adventure.