Tuesday, September 8, 2015

Jackson Hole - at last! September 8, 2015

It was a beautiful, wonderfully clear clear morning as I drove from Alpine to Jackson this morning, up through the Snake River Canyon. The mountains all along the way, and especially as one approaches Jackson, are majestic. Jackson itself  is a tourist/resort town, with all that implies. After some effort, I found a parking place and began my customary walk around. I pretty much saw Jackson by walking five blocks  in each direction  from the square (pictured below). It reminds me of Bar Harbor and other places like that, with mountains instead of ocean. Many people with cameras walking around. Lots of shoppy shoppies. Galleries galore (who buys?). Still, it was interesting to walk around. Highlights for me: an exceptional thrift shop connected to the  Episcopal church (it's adjacent to the Episcopal church; the best thrift shop I've seen in a while; definitely make a stop there if you go), where I picked up a brand new copy of John Updike's last book of short stories, which will keep me  company for  the  rest of my trip. I was also impressed by Moos ice cream shop. Delicious cone of Swiss white chocolate hazelnut. One scoop - $3.95. But come on, it's Jackson Hole!  - You can see Moos through the antler arch on the square in the photo here.




In the afternoon, I met with  Ben Pascal, the 38 year-old senior pastor of the  Presbyterian Church of Jackson Hole. This is a new church, fonded in 1994, with a modern building constructed in 2000 and doubled in 2008. The church  building itself says: non-traditional, mega-church influenced, trendy, evangelical. No organ, but piano, drums and other instruments,  Large jumbo-tron screens at the front. No hymnals. Very friendly. Large staff. I must have been greeted and  asked if  I needed help by at least five people. Very large parking lot. Great location,  across the street from the junior high. (see picture below).



The Church has become, I am told, the community church of Jackson, with outreach far exceeding its 400 members. Like Jackson Hole itself, which I was told is listed as among the richest per capita income towns in the nation, the church is very prosperous. Jackson is one of the more politically liberal towns in Wyoming, and the congregation is politically diverse. The  sense of being a Presbyterian Church is fairly weak. While the session  is aware of the  controversial decisions  of the  General Assembly regarding marriage and divestment, there has been little discussion of  these issues in the congregation. I got the impression that their very popular young pastor, who first came to Jackson Hole to ski and stayed to do youth work in this church before he went to seminary and returned as a pastor, will have to cross those bridges eventually, but there is no pressure for him to do so now.

I can see why many people like this church. It has a more traditional service on  Sundays at 8 AM for those who want "no frills so they can get to the hills",  and a more contemporary service (i.e., drums and amplified music) at 10:15.  It's about as "with it" as Presbyterians get.

2 comments:

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  2. Do they sell Rick Warren's "The Purpose Driven Life" in lobby?

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