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Yellowstone Episcopal Ministries is a regional cluster of churches in the Diocese of Montana. We are four congregations, nestled between the city amenities of Billings and the beauty of the Absaroka-Beartooth Wilderness, supporting one another in life and ministry. We strive to Seek Christ, Serve Christ, and Share Christ in all that we do.
Some faithful musings and food for thought are written below on this main page. For more information about our individual congregations, regional news and current events, please click on one of the links in the sidebars. "Logging in" will let you arrange to receive emails when the website is updated, if you're interested; but it is not necessary to do that in order to access the information you see here.
Thanks for stopping by; may God's peace be with you!
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Our national church website is running a new feature these days. Entitled “I am Episcopalian,” it is an ever-increasing series of short (90 seconds or less) videos of people from all walks of life sharing their reasons for being members of the church. Anyone can post a video, and anyone can watch the videos posted.
It’s actually a good question to consider. Why am I a member of this church? In the Gospel of Matthew, Jesus tells a parable about wheat and weeds growing together, and it surely seems weedy in our church these days! With all the accusations of heresy or schism, shouting and lawsuits and mean-spirited behavior that makes newspaper headlines, the church sometimes seems less an oasis of Christian discipleship and witness and more an angry sea of argument and dissension.
It’s not only on a national level; if we’re honest, we must admit that even local churches are not immune from conflict that is not always handled well. Why continue to wade into that? Why be part of a group that seems to be the focus of so much controversy? Why not move to a less challenging, less weedy field?
I believe there are two parts to the answer to this question. First, of course, is that old truism about the grass seeming greener on the other side of the fence. It’s not hard to look healthy, cohesive and even holy from the outside; but any group made up of actual people will inevitably reflect the faults of those people, as well as their virtues. Of course, this includes the church-- ANY church. I believe that “all things are being brought to perfection” through Jesus Christ, as the old prayer states; but Jesus obviously isn’t done yet!
We Episcopalians may be making the news this week; but every group of believers has their issues and imperfections, sins and struggles that are often not apparent until one really gets to know them-- when relationships begin to develop and people “let their hair down.” If I refuse to stay in any group that turns out to be less than perfect, then I will be disobedient to the God who calls us into relationship with one another-- and I will be an awfully lonely soul.
The other part of the answer, of course, is that it is not all weeds! I can look around, and see so many vibrant gifts in our midst... I cannot begin to name them all, even in our own region.
I see prayerful, Christ-centered worship: in our Book of Common Prayer and the Anglican tradition; but also in Glenda, Cindy, Jeannie, Mary, Jim and so many others who serve at altar, lectern, and sacristy, working to make our liturgy each Sunday a thing of beauty and grace to offer our Lord.
I hear people “making a joyful noise” in song, as well as those who provide accompaniment as we pray: Jo, who has gently and faithfully held down the organ bench at Our Saviour’s for nearly seven decades; Linda, who graces Calvary with her talent; Nancy and Rosemary, who fill in at Calvary, stepping out in faith as they learn their gifts are joyfully welcomed.
I see practical hands who serve in often unseen and unanticipated ways: John and Ray, who see that lawns get mowed and buildings are kept in good repair; Kris, Cliff and Bruce, who spent hours fussing with a new water heater; Joan and Mike, who have turned their hands to any number of projects; Carol, who turns up each week or two with fresh linens. No one asks; these folks (and any number of others!) just pitch in and do what needs to be done.
I see hearts for God’s work in our world: Doris at the food pantry; Chuck at the Boy’s and Girls’ Club; Mitzi with Domestic and Sexual Violence Services; Ruth driving shut-ins to appointments and shopping; Marilyn setting up a fund for an uninsured neighbor.
In other words, I see the Holy Spirit at work. I see wheat.
Of course, you might find that elsewhere, too. However, it is here in the Episcopal Church where I have seen and known it best. This is where I have learned to look for the image and likeness of God in everyone I meet. This is where I have learned to be a better human being than I would otherwise be. This is where I have seen Jesus.
This is why I am Episcopalian. |
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April 5: PALM SUNDAY
- 9:00 AM - Calvary
- 9:00 AM - St. Alban’s
- 11:00 AM - St. Paul’s
- 11:00 AM - Our Saviour’s
April 9: MAUNDY THURSDAY
- Our Saviour’s: 5:00 PM
- St. Paul’s: 7:00 PM Community Service (at Congregational Church)
- Calvary: 7:00 PM
April 10: GOOD FRIDAY
- Calvary: 8:00 AM - 6:00 PM Vigil
- St. Alban’s: 12:00 Noon Worship
- St. Paul’s: 7:00 PM Community Good Friday (at St. Paul’s)
April 12: EASTER
- 6:00 AM - St. Paul's
- 9:00 AM - Calvary
- 9:30 AM - St. Alban’s
- 11:00 AM - Our Saviour’s
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Across the region, we will offer “Soup & Study” evenings in each of our communities throughout Lent. In many cases, we will be working with other churches in each community. Each program intends to encourage and deepen faith as we “turn our faces toward Jerusalem” with Our Lord through the season. Please, join us!
Our Saviour’s will be following “A Spiritual Journey” in conjunction with the Lutheran, Christian (Disciples of Christ) and Roman Catholic churches in Joliet. The series will be held on Tuesday evenings from March 3 through March 31. Supper at 6:00 PM will be followed by the evening program. Our Saviour’s is hosting the first evening, March 3: after that, location rotates between participating churches.
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Calvary will participate with three other churches in Red Lodge in a progressive study of the Lord’s Prayer. Churches will take turns hosting each of four sessions on Wednesdays: March 4 (Messiah Lutheran), March 11 (Calvary), March 18 (St. Agnes Roman Catholic) and March 25 (Community Congregational). Evenings will start with a worship program at 6:00 PM, followed by a simple soup supper.
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St. Paul’s of the Stillwater will join the Lutheran and Congregational churches in Absarokee in saying Evening Prayer and considering “Bread For the Journey.” Each week we will look at the significance of “our daily bread,” in Jesus’ time and ours. Five Wednesday sessions will be hosted at Immanuel Lutheran Church, from March 4 through April 1. Each session begins with supper at 6:30, followed by worship.
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St. Alban’s will also be following “A Spiritual Journey.” How do we encounter God, made known to us through Jesus Christ, in our day-to-day lives? How can we increase our awareness of God’s presence among us? Those are the primary questions we will attempt to address along the way. This program will assist in opening our eyes to ways that God is revealed to us. There are 5 Thursday sessions, March 5 through April 2. The evening begins with a soup supper (Gene Clark is cooking!) at 6:30 PM, followed by the program. |
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