Dean's Message for October 29, 2026

Author:
November 02, 2026

Beloveds,

As we approach All Saints' Sunday, I am reminded of the beautiful truth that we never walk this journey of faith alone. We are surrounded by a great communion of saints—those who have gone before us, those who have shaped our lives and faith, and those who continue to walk alongside us today. 

Last Sunday's Living a Faithful Life card (above) invited us to practice attentive listening—to give someone our full attention, listen without rushing to respond, and make space for another person's story. It is such a simple but meaningful expression of CARE. We heard echoes of this in Canon TimSean Youmans Canon Conversation on the Book of Job and the Theology of Suffering. And as we prepare to celebrate All Saints' and All Souls', I find myself thinking about the stories of faith we have been privileged to hear, the wisdom passed down to us, and the people whose love and witness continue to shape who we are. Perhaps one of the most faithful things we can do is listen well, remember deeply, and carry that love forward.

This Sunday, November 1 (*Don’t forget the time change as Daylight Savings time ends!), promises to be a particularly meaningful day at St. Paul's. We are delighted to welcome Bishop Poulson Reed, who will be with us for our 9:00 and 11:15 a.m. (Incense will be used at the 11:15 a.m.) services and join us for Dean's Hour with the Bishop at 10:10 a.m. Bishop will be speaking on “Towards Transformative Christian Practice: A Theological Roadmap." I hope you will make a special effort to be here as we celebrate All Saints' Sunday together and enjoy this opportunity to hear from and connect with our bishop.

Our remembrance continues with the Solemn Requiem for All Souls' on Monday, November 2, at 7:00 p.m. This beautiful and moving liturgy offers us sacred space to remember those we love but see no longer, entrusting them to God's eternal care. If you have not yet submitted the names of departed loved ones to be remembered, this is your final opportunity to do so. Submit Names of the Departed. I encourage you to return Monday evening for this particularly meaningful service of prayer, remembrance, and hope.

And just one week later, on Sunday, November 8, we will gather for Consecration Sunday, the culmination of our Walk in Love stewardship campaign. This is a significant moment in our shared life as a Cathedral—a time to give thanks for all God has entrusted to us and to prayerfully commit ourselves to the mission and ministry we will share in 2027. We will worship together at one combined service at 10:30 a.m., followed by our Thanks a Lunch celebration in Dean Willey Hall.

There is a beautiful connection between these Sundays. On All Saints', we give thanks for the faithful lives that have helped shape our Church. On Consecration Sunday, we consider how our own faithfulness and generosity will help shape its future. We are both recipients and stewards of a remarkable inheritance of faith, called to carry God's love forward for generations yet to come.

I look forward to sharing these sacred and joyful days with you. May we continue to honor those who have gone before us by living faithfully, loving generously, and walking together in the way of Christ.

With love and gratitude,

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

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