Dean's Message for July 30, 2026

Author:
July 29, 2026

Beloveds,
In Celtic Christianity, a "thin place" is a place where the distance between heaven and earth seems just a little smaller—where God's presence feels especially near.

For generations of Episcopalians in Oklahoma, St. Crispin's Conference Center & Camp has been just such a place.

Whether you first experienced St. Crispin's as a camper, counselor, retreat participant, clergy member, or parent watching a child discover the joy of camp, chances are you carry memories that have shaped your faith. It is a place where friendships are formed, vocations are nurtured, and lives are changed by the beauty of creation and the love of Christian community.

This Labor Day Weekend, St. Crispin's will celebrate 60 years of ministry, and I'm grateful that St. Paul's has the opportunity to be part of that celebration. Through Vestry-designated outreach funds, our Cathedral has committed a $2,500 Hydration Station Sponsorship, and now we're inviting you to help us grow that gift.

If St. Crispin's has been part of your story—or if you simply believe in supporting places where people encounter Christ—I invite you to join our Cathedral's collective gift. Click HERE to make your gift online and enter "St. Crispin's" in the memo field. If you prefer, you may also place cash or a check in Sunday's offering plate or bring it to the Cathedral Office, noting "St. Crispin's" on your check or envelope. Together, we'll present one Cathedral gift in thanksgiving for sixty years of faithful ministry and in hope for all the years to come. As part of our Cathedral's collective gift, we will present St. Crispin's with the names of every donor who joined this special offering.

This Sunday also marks six years since I began serving as Dean of St. Paul's. Looking back, I am filled with gratitude for the privilege of serving alongside this remarkable community. Thank you for your faith, your generosity, and your willingness to keep saying "yes" to where God is leading us. Together, we continue to create spaces where others can encounter God's love—here at the Cathedral, at St. Crispin's, and wherever Christ calls us.

Let us pray.

Gracious God, we thank you for places where your presence is made known and your people are renewed. We give thanks for sixty years of ministry through St. Crispin's Conference Center & Camp, and we pray that it may continue to be a place of welcome, formation, and holy encounter for generations to come. Make us generous in heart and steadfast in faith, that all we offer may serve your mission and proclaim your love; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

Grace and peace,

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

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