Dean's Message for October 8, 2026

Author:
October 08, 2026

Beloveds,
What a wonderful Sunday we shared this past week at St. Paul’s. Our 9 a.m. Blessing of the Pets brought a little extra joy—and plenty of extra life—into the Cathedral as we welcomed beloved pets, stuffed animals, and the people who care for them. It was a beautiful reminder that living a faithful life includes noticing and tending all that God has entrusted to us: people, creatures, creation, and one another.

That, of course, is the invitation on our Living a Faithful Life card for October: CARE. As we have each week, before we turn toward a new Sunday and a new card, I hope you’ll spend a little more time with last Sunday’s practices.

Who have you noticed? Where have you offered care? What part of God’s creation have you received with greater attention? These cards aren’t intended simply for Sunday morning. Carry the practices with you, return to them, and find ways throughout this month to make care part of the rhythm of your faithful life.

Care also takes many forms in the life we share as a Cathedral community—including how we steward what God has entrusted to us.

Our annual stewardship mailing is going out today, so watch your mailbox in the coming days for a letter from Rob Duran, our Stewardship Chair, along with your 2027 pledge card. When it arrives, please hold on to your pledge card. We invite you to spend the coming weeks praying about your giving and then bring your completed card with you on Sunday, November 8, for Consecration Sunday.

This year’s stewardship campaign, Walk in Love, invites us to consider our gifts of time, talent, and treasure and the many ways each sustains the worship, formation, care, fellowship, and ministry we share at St. Paul’s. As you consider your promise for the coming year, I hope you will reflect on the part you are called to play in our common life.

There is much ahead, too. Join us this Saturday for Yappy Hour in the East Garden, then return Sunday for worship, formation, and Evensong as we continue making room for the practices and relationships that shape a faithful life.

Be sure to mark your calendar for our 23rd Annual Health Fair next Sunday, October 18—a longtime St. Paul’s ministry of health, care, and community. If you plan to receive a flu shot or other immunization, be sure to register by this Sunday, October 11. Later this month, we’ll also gather for our next Embodied Practice of Movement and Canon Conversation, with still more opportunities to learn, connect, care for one another, and grow together.

Wherever this week takes you, keep noticing. Keep tending. Keep caring. And above all, keep walking in love.

Grace and peace,

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

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