Dean's Message for August 21, 2025

Author:
August 20, 2025

Five years ago, when I accepted the position as Dean and came to
St. Paul's, I was immediately captivated by the stained glass window created by Preston Singletary, and the portrait of David Pendleton Oakerhater created by America Meredith. A few weeks after I arrived, the Feast of St. David Pendleton Oakerhater was celebrated and I began to learn more about his life and ministry, and the singular place he holds in the complicated history of our state, country and cathedral and our relationships with the first Americans.

This weekend we will again mark the only feast day honoring an Oklahoman, with our guest the Rev. Isaiah "Shaneequa" Brokenleg, and I invite you to join us for any and all of our activities: a visit to the First Americans Museum on Saturday at 11:00 am, formation on Sunday morning at 9:00 am, and Sunday morning worship at 10:30 am (one service only). Details on all of these events can be found below or on our website.

I am particularly grateful to the Oakerhater Guild, which honors his life and ministry year-round. It is a weekend like none other in our church year.

"That our Cathedral, responding with courage to the signs of our times, may embrace our role in learning with humility and leading with intention, to the betterment of relationships between us and all indigenous people, respecting the dignity of all human beings, Creator in your mercy, hear our prayer."

The Very Reverend Katie Churchwell+, 15th Dean, St. Paul's Episcopal Cathedral, Oklahoma City, Oklahoma

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