Dean's Message for June 25, 2026

Author:
June 25, 2026

Beloveds,
As we approach the end of June and look ahead to Independence Day celebrations, I find myself reflecting on the power of legacy and memory. Communities are shaped by the stories they choose to remember and the values they choose to pass on.

This Saturday, June 27 at 4 p.m., I will help host An Evening Celebrating the Future of St. Paul's Cathedral, a gathering at the home of Franci Hart for current Legacy Society members and anyone interested in learning more about legacy giving and end-of-life planning.

While annual pledges provide the foundation for our ministry, legacy gifts have long played an essential role in sustaining the life and mission of our cathedral. These gifts help grow the endowment, which supports the ministries, worship, outreach, and operations of St. Paul's for generations to come.

If you did not RSVP but would like to attend, please know you are warmly welcome. Tap HERE to RSVP. Whether you are simply curious about the Legacy Society, exploring estate planning options, or considering how your faith can shape your lasting legacy, I hope you will join us!

For more information about legacy giving, estate planning resources, or to request a Legacy Society brochure, letter of intent, or other materials, please contact Lauren Bass at lbass@stpaulsokc.org.

That same spirit of remembrance will be at the heart of our upcoming Stars, Stripes, and Pipes celebration at 6 p.m. on Friday, July 3. Through music, readings, and reflection, we will revisit some of the words, events, and ideals that have shaped our nation over the past 250 years. As our nation begins commemorating its 250th birthday, we are offered a rare opportunity to pause and consider the generations who have come before us and the legacy we hope to leave for those who follow. Milestone anniversaries invite more than celebration; they invite reflection, gratitude, and renewed commitment to the values that sustain a community.

As Christians, remembering is never simply looking backward. We remember so that we may live faithfully in the present and courageously into the future. Whether we are honoring the saints, celebrating our nation's ongoing story, or giving thanks for those who have gone before us, we are reminded that we are part of something larger than ourselves.

Almighty God, you have built your Church upon the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Jesus Christ himself being the chief cornerstone: Grant us so to be joined together in unity of spirit by their teaching, that we may be made a holy temple acceptable to you; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen.

Faithfully,

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

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