Dean's Message for February 19, 2026

Author:
February 25, 2026

Beloveds,
Lent has begun.

This holy season invites us into deeper honesty with ourselves and with God — a time to reflect, to repent, to renew, and to remember that hope does not avoid the truth. It meets us there. I encourage you to take full advantage of the many offerings this Lent at St. Paul’s: meaningful worship, thoughtful formation classes, small group book studies, outreach opportunities, and sacred spaces for prayer. These weeks before Easter are not simply to be observed — they are to be inhabited. I hope you will step fully into the journey.

This Saturday, I invite you to join me for our Lenten Quiet Day Retreat. Set aside from the pace and noise of ordinary life, this day offers space for prayer, guided reflection, silence, and holy listening. Whether Lent feels steady or unsettled for you this year, a quiet day can help anchor your heart and reorient your spirit toward Christ. Registration remains open, and I would be honored to share this time with you.

As we move through the season together, you may notice a slight adjustment to the flow of Holy Communion on Sundays in the cathedral. In addition to the high altar, there will be two standing communion stations on the main floor. You are welcome to receive at either station by coming down the main aisle and exiting to the side to loop back to your seat, or you may continue to receive at the high altar as you prefer. Our hope is simply to create a smooth and prayerful movement that allows all to participate with ease and reverence.

I look forward to seeing you this First Sunday in Lent as we begin this sacred journey together.

I look forward to seeing you this First Sunday in Lent as we begin this sacred journey together. If you haven’t already, I encourage you to visit stpaulsokc.org/lent2026 to explore the full details and prayerfully discern where God may be inviting you this season.

Beloveds, Lent is not simply something we attend — it is something we undertake. May this be a season where our hope is not shallow or hurried, but truthful, courageous, and rooted in the steadfast love of God.

The Very Reverend Katie Churchwell
15th Dean, St. Paul’s Episcopal Cathedral

 

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