I was thinking of my discussion board family today and I had to laugh. For many of you have never been to Montana or the western part of the country. By the way our denomination has been here since the 1800's. I ran into one of my girlfriends who told me she was going bear humting in Alaska next week and that she and I should get bear tags to hunt in Montana in the fall. I told her I was going to get tags to go wild turkey hunting, then another friend said she had just caught some huge rainbow trout, and that she heard I was going paddle fishing later in the summer. Paddlefish are huge fish and the average weight is 60 to 100 pounds it is like fishing for salmon. She wanted to know when I was going. We were all in a copying store and it was so funny to hear all of us women talking about hunting and fishing. Intersperse with me bemoaning the fact I broke a nail in the gym. I then ran into another girlfriend at the post office, who had just gotten back from camping and wanted to know if I wanted to go kayaking with her and her husband. By the time I got home, I was just laughing for everything we were talking about is so normal in Montana. I did think of all of you and it made me smile, for I wish I could take all of you fishing on the yellowstone river, or see yellowstone national park, I wish you could go white water rafting, and meet the most wonderful people in the world. God's creation is so beautiful and though the majority of you live in the city, do not forget to get to a park, fish, camp and relax. Much love for that is what Christ gives to you.

-- Anonymous, May 30, 2002

Answers

I ain't a-laughin'. I grew up camping in the Sierra Nevadas and Redwoods of Northern California. When I lived in Washington we'd camp in the Cascades of Washington, Oregon, and Northern CA.

I've been all over the country, but the closest I've ever been to the Northeast are some brief visits to D.C. and Virginia. I could never live in a city. Nowadays I live in town, but regularly head out to shoot. Funny how I love to shoot, but don't hunt. This weekend we'll be at it again.

So you're going turkey hunting? Who's taking you, and are you using your own gun and gear? Will you process the bird yourself, or will someone do it for you?

-- Anonymous, May 30, 2002

No I don't own my own gear because one of my best friends owns a hunting store. Actually I call him my little brother. Anyway he outfits me with what I need for free. I will have someone else dress the bird for me. What I really want to do is go elk hunting, but I missed the deadline to get tags. My main thing right now is fishing high up in the mountains for trout. Montana is famous for it's cutthroat trout. Our town is getting busy with tourists who come from afound the world to fish. The movie a river runs through it was filmed in Bozeman and I live next door to the church that they used in the film.

-- Anonymous, May 30, 2002

Ahhhhh....Rev.Denise (Daniel Boone)Rogers! You truly have the pioneer spirit! When shie is not blazing trails or plucking a wild turkey to eat, Rev. Boone still has time to preach! I really admire your enthusiasm.

-- Anonymous, May 30, 2002

Ray you are so funny!! But the real truth is; that when we are following Jesus Christ our lives will be filled with wonderful adventures. I never in my wildest dreams thought I would be living in Montana doing ministry. When God calls us to serve him, most times we will be called out of our comfort zones. We will have to move, families will have to make a sacrifice, there will be less money, we have to make new friends, learn new things, and feel discouraged. All of the previously mentioned are temporary! For God knows us so well, it is not a punishment but a blessing to serve him. I loved living in New York City, but my heart belongs to Montana, the mountains, and forests. When I look out my living room windows I see the rocky mountains, in fifteen minutes I am fishing in the mountains. If I had not said YES! to God, I would not be in Montana. And I would not be an A.M.E pastor. I love Montana with all of my heart and I pray God and my Bishop will allow me to stay. And yes Ray I do have a pioneer's spirit, which God gave me. It is a gift that makes church planting fun and rewarding for me. One of the most rewarding things for me, Is having a Bishop and Episcopal Supervisor who understands that part of me, and encourages me to utilize these gifts from God. In all my years of being a United Methodist I never had that before. I will always thank God for Bishop Bryant and Dr. Cecilia Bryant for allowing me to be what God calls me to be. I am a church planter. I have a Bishop who says YES! You can go to Indian reservations and do a revival. I have a Bishop who treats me and my small church like we are a megachurch. Yahoo!! And to my A.M.E family when God calls you to serve him as clergy or laity and the task seems impossible. Trust him and say YES!! Your reward will be great in heaven and earth. And by the way God knows we need money and he will provide it for you. God bless and Ray I do hope you and your family can come and visit my state, everyone should see Yellowstone National Park.

-- Anonymous, May 31, 2002

My Sister,

You have given new meaning to the phase "go into the highways and hedges to preach":) Women can and should stop and enjoy the beautiful world that God has given us to live in. You give so much encouragement and support to your fellow clergy through your joy and excitement about the work God has laid to your hand. It is frighting to leave the "known" and venture out into the deep. Thanks for letting us know that on the other side of the fear and challenges there is joy and fullment in the Lord. I also, share your wonder excitement about your Episcopal Team. They were here (in Baltimore) first and blessed us beyond measure. And still continue their anointed ministry to our great city because they are often here supporting their son Pastor Jamal Bryant in the Empowerment Temple Ministry that has blessed Baltimore tremendously. Thanks for letting the world know that we sisters(are all that and a bag of chips) we can preach, camp, kayak, fish and hunt too. God love and keep you in your ministry. Your Sister in the struggle.

-- Anonymous, June 03, 2002

Rev. Bess it is so good to hear from you again. I have missed your posts on the board. Thank you for your kind words about Bishop Bryant and Rev. Cee, they are indeed outstanding. A few months ago when I was so sick, (I just found out from my doctor recently I was near death from the infection and blood clot, I was so focused on God, I just kept making plans for church;-) The one person I worried about was my daughter. It is just the two of us and we have no other family. She is 25 and she is my whole world!!! The Bryants were incredible, they kept in touch with me prayed for me, and flew my daughter down to phoenix to mid-year convocation. Everything was paid for and they treated her like a member of their family, while she was gone I ended up in the hospital for a second time with a pulmonary embolism, I was so grateful my daughter did not have to deal with that. God has blessed me with the most incredible episcopal team that truly cares about clergy and their families. I am new to our denomination but the Bryants have treated me and my daughter with so much respect and joy. God took great care of me, and I had a lot of support, I had a registered nurse come to my home for two months, plus two doctors, and I only missed two sundays of church. My daughter covered the days I was not there. One of the blessings of living in Montana and being diabetic is the excellent health care I receive. God knows I have diabetes and when he called me to Montana he sent me to a place where there is excellent health care. I ask all of you to lift Bishop Bryant and Rev. Cee up in prayer for they are in charge of 14 states. And also lift your own Bishop up in prayer, send your Bishop a thank you card, send them some good news about your church. They always hear the best stuff but probably do not hear the great stuff. Well, I have a worship service to do at a nursing home and so I am off!!! I love all of you so much. Isn't God Grand!!!!!

-- Anonymous, June 03, 2002

OOPS! The third line from the bottom of the above post should read "they always hear the "BAD" stuff. Sorry. Denise

-- Anonymous, June 03, 2002