The Quill—Newsletter of Saint Simeon's Senior Community February 2023

THE CHAPLAIN’S CHAT

The Rev. Susanne Methven, Chaplain

A Time to Savor A Time to Savor

February 22nd we enter the season of Lent and we remember that "[we] are dust and to dust, and to dust [we] shall return" (The Book of Common Prayer, 265). For many, the forty days before Easter, know as Lent, is a time to give something up.

I invite you to think of Lent as a season to savor: savor the life we have been given, our family (blood or chosen) and friends, and the beauty of creation, especially as spring begins to unfold.

Savoring implies delight and pleasure. To savor a moment is to pay attention to all aspects of an experience: the physical, the mental, and the spiritual. Savoring means slowing down and enjoying One way to do this is to engage the senses: What do you see? What do you hear? What does it feel like? Is there a taste? What do you smell?

We are so used to "tuning out" or taking for granted what surrounds us. What if we took 3-5 minutes each day to notice how much we perceive through our senses? We may be amazed at all the gifts that envelop us. Like the Psalmist, we may say,

I will bless the Lord at all times; his praise shall be ever in my mouth... Taste and see that the Lord is good; Happy are they who trust in him

Psalm 34: 1,8

A prayer from Jan Richardson might help us to "go deeper":

"God of eye and ear, of taste and touch, of smell and of every sense and source of knowing, bless me not with sight alone. But bless me also with ears to hear your voice, and tongue to taste your essence, and nose to breathe your fragrance, and fingertips to touch your nearness, and heart to open the door, which is wisdom, which is wonder, which is God in every sense, God of all. Amen."

Between our birth and death, we are given many opportunities to savor life. May this season of Lent be one you savor!

Western

Days 2023 Event Chairs Announced

The Saint Simeon's Foundation is thrilled to announce the 2023 Western Days Event Chairs James and Nancy Hicks.

Jim and Nancy have been engaged with Saint Simeon's since the early 1980s when Nancy's grandfather and aunt were residents. Additionally, they have volunteered on multiple occasions and of course, have participated in Western Days over the years. The Hicks are members of Saint John's Episcopal Church and are well known and respected Tulsans. Please save the date! We hope you will join us on Thursday, September 14th for Western Days 2023!

Saint Simeon's Western Days

Tuesday, September 14th, 2023

Cox Business Convention Center

SAINT SIMEON'S REMEMBERS GENE STARR 1926-2023

Saint Simeon's honors the life of Tulsa architect and emeritus Home Board member, Gene Starr.

Mr. Starr was the architect for Saint Anna's Chapel here on the Saint Simeon's campus as well as All Saint's Chapel at Holland Hall, Saint Basil's Episcopal Church in Tahlequah, Oklahoma, and many more distinguished Tulsa churches, schools, and residences

We are grateful for Mr. Starr's contributions and service to our community over the years.

Maryann Beene

Cloyd Cornish

Marjorie Dew

Roy Garner

Jo Ann Gilbert

Geraldine Gilley

Victor Latimer

Virginia Lively

Napoleon Midget

Michael Nemec

William Phillips

Jimmie Pope

Jeanne Safavi

Charles Scott

James Shafer

Linda Shelton

Henria Taylor

Eleanor Tolson

We've had so many great events and activities over the last couple of months it would be impossible to share even one photo from each, but here are some highlights.

New Staff Welcoming New Staff Welcoming New Staff

Welcoming

Joann Pollard Charles Scott Billie Bowline Judy Mallory Ingrid Darneider

Lyn Schmigle