WYOMING ELECTING CONVENTION LIVE-STREAMED

Without plan, preparation or promotion, the Election of Wyoming's 9th Bishop was broadcast over the internet using a laptop, cellphone and cheapie web camera. (There is no WiFi in the Cathedral.) Thad Hunter from St. Mark's-Casper came to witness the election with all of his portable gear in tow and we set it up in the loft in back of St. Matthew's.

With just a few Tweets, Facebook updates and a link from Wyoming Bishop Search, our viewership began to grow within a matter of minutes. When we hit 47 viewers, we thought we were a sensation. By the 4th ballot we had 100 people watching from around the country: Los Angeles, Rhode Island, Massachusetts and Texas. In state, there were folks primarily from Evanston and Casper. Lindy, an Episcopalian teacher in China, gets the prize for checking in from farthest away.

The broadcast was hosted on UStream where, in addition to watching the events, viewers could instant message live with the host. They typed in their questions, we would answer either verbally or by typing and everyone else could see or hear the discussion. We had a wide range of questions about process, location, history, the nominees...and more. The educational aspect of the live stream alone made the broadcast valuable. (We would strongly recommend this web host -- it's works well and it's FREE!) We got to such a large audience that Ustream added a moderator to the broadcast to see what we were up to.

Those who were watching got to witness the international internet debut of Bishop Bear, a honey bear (literally!) who's been outfitted with a miter made by Carole Buckingham of Kaycee, as well as a purple chasuble and stole crafted by Greg Kandt of Casper. The little honey bear joined the Walkabout at Holy Trinity-Gillette on March 1 after the bishop nominees' lunch stop and served as much-needed comic relief for the Walkabout support team who were running on tight schedules and little sleep. Bishop Bear typically rode in the advance car. His picture was taken at each new location and texted back to the support crew on the bus so they'd know he arrived safely. Bishop Bear has an album of his travels which he has shared on the Bishop Search Website. (His journeys were also chronicled on Facebook and he has a following of fans from around the country!)

Bishop Bear [pictured above] was present (along with a few friends) for Sunday's celebration at St. Mark's-Casper where the congregation greeted Bishop-elect John S. Smylie with cheers and tears. Apparently Bishop Bear has already struck up quite the friendship with the new bishop-elect and is promised an invitation to the Consecration on July 31 at the Casper Events Center. Bishop Bear is already shopping for new vestments.

The Communications Team received widespread "thank-yous" for the broadcast -- it enabled people who could not get to Laramie to be included in the Electing Convention. The discussion has already begun about live web-casting the Consecration. Hmmm....perhaps Bishop Bear can provide the color commentary!

To see a slideshow of Bishop Bear's adventures, go to Wyoming Bishop Search and click on the BISHOP BEAR slideshow link on the right side of the page.

Bishop Bear sends his blessings to you all!

___________________________________

PAMELA RW KANDT
Communications Team
WyomingBishopSearch.org

Thanks to Ann Fontaine

HERE HE BE

Rep. Randy Neugebauer (R-TX)

NEUGEBAUER STATEMENT ON "BABY KILLER":

"Last night was the climax of weeks and months of debate on a health care bill that my constituents fear and do not support. In the heat and emotion of the debate, I exclaimed the phrase 'it's a baby killer' in reference to the agreement reached by the Democratic leadership. While I remain heartbroken over the passage of this bill and the tragic consequences it will have for the unborn, I deeply regret that my actions were mistakenly interpreted as a direct reference to Congressman Stupak himself.

"I have apologized to Mr. Stupak and also apologize to my colleagues for the manner in which I expressed my disappointment about the bill. The House Chamber is a place of decorum and respect. The timing and tone of my comment last night was inappropriate."


Oh. I see.




From TPM.

NANCY IS A MENSCH!

The health care reform bill could be better, but it could be worse, too. And the bill could not have passed the House of Representatives at all. Congratulations, Nancy. Congratulations, Barack, for finally getting serious about health care reform. See. The presidency truly is a bully pulpit. Harry, I congratulate you for getting the 60 votes in the Senate to get us where we are now. I'll congratulate you again when we get a bill on the president's desk for him to sign.

After Republican Scott Brown was elected to the Senate in Massachusetts, the health care reform bill was in its death throes, but the grass roots would not let the bill die a peaceful death. In the face of the fury and ugliness of the teabagger types, the people in favor of health care for all demanded the resuscitation of the bill and the president and the Congress got going and brought it back to life. Then 40 brave senators took a stand for the public option. We may not get the public option in the bill now, but I hope we won't be finished with health care reform if and when this bill is passed and signed into law.

Yesterday was a good day.

Image stolen from Padre Mickey.

STORY OF THE DAY

hard to see what's happening inside so
she feels a need to give complete reports
whenever someone asks

The raison d'etre for my blog?

From StoryPeople.

"SORRY, HOLY FATHER...."

From Rod Liddle in the TimesOnline:

Last year Pope Benedict XVI invited disillusioned Anglicans to join the Church of Rome if they were disapproving of, or merely bored by, women priests and homosexuals but fancied instead a few Latin incantations, rosary beads and the whiff of incense; this took the Church of England by surprise.

Now is Beardo’s chance to get his own back. He should strike while the iron is hot. Give the émigré left-footers free passage, one of those Christingle oranges and a DVD collection of The Vicar of Dibley — they can even cling on to transubstantiation, if they keep quiet about it.

Rod is naughty. Nevertheless, you may want to read his entire column.

Thanks to Ann V.

SINGING THE COLD BLUES

Today I stayed home from church because I have a cold of the constant sneezing, runny nose and eyes variety. Best to stay home and not spread the germs around. Besides, I look a fright. That's the bad news.

The good news is that I haven't had a such a cold since last year when I was in England, and I spent the afternoon sneezing and wiping my nose and eyes with Doorman-Priest and his family. I didn't want to spread my germs at their house either, and I begged and pleaded with DP, on my knees even, for him to drive me back to my hotel, but he and his lovely wife would not hear of it. Anyway, to have gone a whole year without a cold is a good thing, yes?

In lieu of attending church, I prayed The Daily Office at the website of Mission St. Clare. The words from the Office which resonated with me are below.


PSALM 118:

The LORD is my strength and my song,
and he has become my salvation.


From SUFFRAGES B:

Save your people, Lord, and bless your inheritance;

Govern and uphold them, now and always.

Day by day we bless you;

We praise your name for ever.

Lord, keep us from all sin today;

Have mercy on us, Lord, have mercy.

Lord, show us your love and mercy;

For we put our trust in you.

In you, Lord, is our hope;

And we shall never hope in vain.


GENERAL THANKSGIVING:

Almighty God, Father of all mercies, we your unworthy servants give you humble thanks for all your goodness and loving-kindness to us and to all whom you have made. We bless you for our creation, preservation, and all the blessings of this life; but above all for your immeasurable love in the redemption of the world by our Lord Jesus Christ; for the means of grace, and for the hope of glory. And, we pray, give us such an awareness of your mercies, that with truly thankful hearts we may show forth your praise, not only with our lips, but in our lives, by giving up our selves to your service, and by walking before you in holiness and righteousness all our days; through Jesus Christ our Lord, to whom, with you and the Holy Spirit, be honor and glory throughout all ages. Amen.


And let us pray that the US House of Representives votes "Yes" on health care reform today.

STORY OF THE DAY

Opening a door to the mysteries, hoping
to shed a little dark on all the stuff we
think we know


I love this story!

From StoryPeople.

"GRACIOUS RESTRAINT" AGAIN?

See Adrian's post titled "Archbishop Not With Us". Pluralist quotes the Archbishop of Canterbury's own words - against himself?

OUR FELLOW AMERICANS

Count me amongst the speechless.

THE REV. JOHN S. SMYLIE ELECTED 9TH BISHOP OF WYOMING

From the Episcopal Diocese of Wyoming:

The Rev. John S. Smylie has been elected the 9th Bishop of Wyoming. He and his wife, Jill, have accepted the call from the people of this diocese.

Results from 5th ballot:
33 clergy, 53 laity to elect

CASEY-MARTUS - C:2 L:3
SHERMAN - C:24 L:37
SMYLIE - C:37 L:63

JOHN SMYLIE OF ST. MARK'S-CASPER HAS BEEN ELECTED.

H/T to Nicholas Knisely at The Lead.