Dean's Message for December 18, 2025

Author:
December 23, 2025

Our winter shelter started on Monday of this week, and I would like to report that it has proceeded flawlessly! However, that would not be truthful. Monday was one of those days—the door locks balked, our guests were dropped off at scattered locations across our campus, and the spaghetti and sauce for lunch were uncooperative.

However, a mighty team of volunteers worked tirelessly along with CityCare staff, and our Shelter Coordinator Stephanie Jensen, to welcome our visitors and serve a delicious hot meal on a cold day. Their positive attitude was heartwarming and contagious.

If you were waiting to see how it goes before volunteering, I can (truthfully) report that your service, which is basic to what we are called to do, will be most welcome! Will it be easy, or free of glitches? Probably not, but few things worth doing are.

As we await the birth of Christ and remember his family's search for shelter at the time of greatest need, please consider supporting this effort.

"Happy are they who consider the poor and needy! The Lord will deliver them in the time of trouble. The Lord preserves them and keeps them alive, so that they may be happy in the land" (Psalm 41:1-2).

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

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