A rare Oklahoma snow A rare Oklahoma snow blankets the red front blankets the red front doors of St. Paul’s. doors of St Paul’s
AN INVITATION FROM THE DEAN AN INVITATION FROM THE DEAN
Dear Colleagues,
I am excited to let you know that our search for a Senior Associate and Canon Priest at St. Paul’s Episcopal Cathedral in Oklahoma City is open, and we would love to welcome you to consider joining our team! You may be wondering, Why St. Paul’s?
This is the good kind of challenging ministry—the kind that pushes you to grow and stretch. Yes, it’s hard work, but it’s the type of work that leads to real progress, both personally and spiritually. If you're someone who is ready to put your gifts to use, learn new skills, and move forward in your ministry, St. Paul’s might be the perfect place for you.
Feeling stuck where you are? We want you here, where you’ll be given the opportunity to exercise your talents, grow, and truly make a difference. At St. Paul’s, you’ll find a real community in a city and congregation filled with some of the friendliest people around. There’s a reason Oklahoma City is called "The Big Friendly" and we live that out in every aspect of our ministry and community.
For clergy with school-age children, St. Paul’s also offers a unique benefit—financial support for your children to attend Casady School, the top-rated private Episcopal school in Oklahoma. Your children will have access to a world-class education at a significantly discounted rate, making this opportunity even more attractive.
At the core of this role, you’ll have the chance to go deep into Cathedral ministry. You’ll be a leader in pastoral care, liturgical ministry, and serve as a primary support to the Dean. This is an incredible opportunity to develop executive leadership skills while engaging in meaningful ministry.
We want YOU here! I encourage you to open a conversation with me anytime or share your CV and details at deanchurchwell@stpaulsokc.org. Please take a moment to read the attached publication to learn more about this amazing position and our Cathedral. I look forward to hearing from you!
The Very Reverend Katie Churchwell 15th Dean, St. Paul’s Episcopal Cathedral
A WORD FROM A WORD FROM
THE CANON TO THE ORDINARY THE CANON TO THE ORDINARY
Welcome to the Episcopal Diocese of Oklahoma! Since 1837, the Episcopal Church in Oklahoma has attracted mission-minded clergy committed to sharing the Gospel of Jesus Christ and strengthening the Body of Christ. Clergy called to serve in Oklahoma will find encouragement in Bishop Poulson Reed’s vision for congregational vitality, which is at the heart of our Diocesan mission. Our spiritual and financial health empower our Diocese to carry out its mission effectively.
The Diocese and our dedicated diocesan staff are fully focused on promoting and nurturing congregational vitality, believing that every congregation—whether rural or urban, modest or resourced—can thrive and remain sustainable. This vision is supported by and contributes to our strong clergy collegiality, characterized by close-knit, supportive relationships.
The Diocese and the Cathedral share a strong, faithful partnership, working together on various Diocesan projects and events. As a Canon for the Cathedral, you will have the opportunity to engage in many of our Diocesan initiatives. With offerings such as the Clergy Retreat, Vestry Academy, Faithful Innovation, New Camino, Vitality Grants, and assistance from our diocesan staff, we ensure that our clergy are connected, supported, and strengthened in their leadership.
St. Crispin’s Conference Center + Camp is at the heart of much of our diocesan life. It serves as the home for our Summer Camp for children and youth, the Iona School for Formation, and hosts our Diocesan Convention, clergy retreats, and lay leadership events.
Our Episcopal Schools in Oklahoma City, Tulsa, and Ardmore offer excellent education rooted in the Episcopal tradition, with tuition discounts and scholarships available for the children of clergy.
If you hope to serve in a diocese characterized by deep spirituality, prayerful discernment, close connection, and joy in sharing the Gospel, the Diocese of Oklahoma welcomes you! Please consider applying to join us at St. Paul’s as Canon and Senior Associate Priest.
The Rev. Canon Betsy Randall, Canon to the Ordinary The Episcopal Diocese of Oklahoma
A WELCOME FROM THE BISHOP A WELCOME FROM THE BISHOP
Dear Friends in Christ,
I invite you to consider prayerfully the Canon and Senior Associate Priest position at St. Paul's Episcopal Cathedral in Oklahoma City. This is a unique and exciting opportunity to serve in one of the largest congregations in our diocese, and an important center for our diocesan life. St. Paul’s Cathedral is a vibrant, diverse, and faithful community, rooted in the deep traditions of our Episcopal faith, and engaged with the growing and complex city around it.
The Episcopal Diocese of Oklahoma (epiok.org) includes 66 congregations, 5 schools, 2 senior living communities, and a camp and conference center. Rural and urban, varied in theology and politics, multigenerational, and increasing in ethnic and cultural diversity, we are united as disciples of Jesus Christ around three mission priorities: vital congregations, steadfast prayer, and courageous witness. Oklahoma, often called "The Big Friendly," is a place of genuine hospitality, where clergy and families alike will find a welcoming home. Clergy routinely describe our collegiality in Oklahoma as one of our greatest strengths.
St. Paul’s Cathedral holds a special place not only in my ministry but in my life. I appreciate not only the large diocesan liturgies that are held there, but also the small midweek Eucharists on Prayer Book holy days, and the cathedral’s dedication to the vulnerable, serving regularly as a warming shelter for our neighbors. My three children are active in the marvelous chorister program under the direction of Canon Ripka, and when I have a Sunday off, you can usually find me in the pews at the cathedral with my wife, Megan.
If you are looking for a place where your gifts will be cherished, where you can grow spiritually and personally, and where you can make a meaningful impact in the life of a dynamic community, I encourage you to consider this position.
Please feel free to reach out to me (bishoppoulson@epiok.org) if I can be of any help in your discernment, and may God bless you in your ministry.
Grace and peace,
The Rt. Rev. Poulson Reed Bishop, Episcopal Diocese of Oklahoma
ForGod hasnot givenusa spiritof
Deacon Tracy Anderson, Deacon Tracy Anderson, Fr. Tim Sean Youman & Fr. Tim Sean Youman & Dean Katie Churchwell Dean Katie Churchwell
To embrace radicalinclusivity
Ripka
The Rev. Jim Kee-Rees and Dean Katie Churchwell celebrate Eucharist on the Feast of David Pendleton Oakerhater
SaintDavidPendletonOakerhater SaintDavidPendletonOakerhater
NestledinanalcovetotheleftofthechancelatSt.Paul'sCathedralisthe OakerhaterChapel.Theceilingfeaturesavarietyofcolorsrepresentingthefour cardinaldirections.Eachyear,Oakerhater’sFeastDayiscelebratedatSt.Paul’s withlivelydrumming,prayersdirectedtothefourdirections,sagecleansing, andspecialguests.TheOakerhaterGuildplaysanimportantroleinpreserving thelegacyofOakerhaterandmaintainsaconnectionwithWhirlwindMission.
DedicatedonSaturday,January17,2004,theOakerhaterChapelhonorsDavid PendletonOakerhater,acourageousCheyennewarriorwholaterservedasan EpiscopaldeaconinIndianTerritoryandlaterOklahomafrom1881to1931. DeaconOakerhaterwasalsoaprisonerofwarduringtheeraofwestward expansion.
Throughouthis50yearsofdedicatedserviceonhishomereservation,the Cheyenne-ArapahoReservationinwesternOklahoma,thisdevoteddeaconoften stoodasthesoleordainedpresenceinallofIndianTerritory,aswellasatSt. Paul’sinOklahomaCity.In1985,theGeneralConventionoftheEpiscopal ChurchhonoredhimbyaddinghisnametoitsCalendarofLesserFeastsand Fasts,makinghimthefirstAmericanIndiantoreceivethisdistinction.
AtSt.Paul'sCathedral,weareproudthatmanyofourmembershaveIndigenous heritage,andwedeeplyembraceandcelebratetherichnessofthatculture, whilealsoacknowledgingthecomplexanddifficulthistorythatintertwines withit,especiallyinOklahoma.Wereverenceandhonorsacrednativetradition.
In2023,St.Paul’sEpiscopalCathedralreleasedaLandAcknowledgement, IndigenousPeoplesinthepastoccupied,livedonorpassedoverthespacewhich theCathedralcurrentlyoccupiestoday.TheCathedralrecognizes,acceptsand acknowledgesthelossoflife,lossofterritory,thehistoricalconsequencesofthe violentoccupationbynon-Indiansoftheregionandtheforcibleremovalof IndianTribesfromtheirSoutheasternhomelandsinto“IndianTerritory”(later calledOklahoma)inthe1830sknownastheTrailofTears.
Discovering Faith
The Children & Youth Ministry is booming and most classrooms in the undercroft are at full capacity. Our extensive network of volunteers has created a safe, loving, and nurturing environment for more than 130 children. We’ve been fortunate to have experienced an influx of young families coming to the Cathedral providing our children with a broad peer group. We encourage them to be curious, to discover, and to be involved in our numerous activities.
At Saint Paul's Cathedral, we provide both a weekly Sunday morning Church School and Children’s Chapel for children ranging from ages 3 to 12th grade, along with exceptional nursery care. We are dedicated to guiding our teens on their journey to adulthood. Our aim is to help young people identify their spiritual gifts, learn how to serve God, and explore answers to their faith-related questions while nurturing their passion for making a positive impact in the world. Our youth group, SPY (St. Paul’s Youth), serves grades 6-12 and meets weekly under the mentorship of our experienced Youth Minister.
In addition to our Sunday morning programs, we organize a variety of special events throughout the year to help Cathedral kids and their families deepen their faith.
The Cathedral Chorister program offers youth (open to both boys and girls in grades K through 12) a premier musical education that honors the tradition of children's voices. Our comprehensive approach to training these choristers emphasizes musical growth, religious education, leadership skills, and social engagement. Cathedral Choristers receive professional instruction in essential music fundamentals, including sight-reading, ear training,
As a vital part of our Christian faith, and as a complement to scripture and tradition, we challenge people to think critically, bring their doubts, questions, and beliefs and convictions, then take responsibility for their actions. Human reason is set within the context of our relationship with God. He calls us to bring our whole selves to the life of the church.
Worship of God, together in community, is integral to who we are at St. Paul's. At Eucharist services, we gather with others before God. We hear the Good News of Jesus Christ, give thanks, confess, and offer the brokenness of the world to God. As we break bread, our eyes are opened to the presence of Christ. By the power of the Holy Spirit, we are made one body, the body of Christ sent forth to live the Way of Love. All are invited and all are welcome to every service and learning o
OUR WORSHIP SERVICES
Wednesday at 12:10 p.m. - Holy Eucharist Rite I, spoken; St. Nicholas Chapel
Saturday at 4:00 p.m.- Holy Eucharist Rite II with organ; Cathedral
Sunday at 8:00 a.m.- Holy Eucharist Rite I, spoken; St. Nicholas Chapel
Sunday at 9:00 a.m.- Holy Eucharist Rite II, with St. Paul's Choir; Cathedral
Sunday at 11:15 a.m.- Holy Eucharist Rite I, with Schola Cantorum; Cathedral
Feast Days and other special services including Evensong are also regularly celebrated and observed as part of a robust worship schedule at St. Paul’s Episcopal Cathedral.
We support our volunteers across all aspects of our programs here at the cathedral Dedication to service is strong within our community as more than 250 committed people continually fill our rosters, utilizing their God given gifts and talents.
Beyond our guilds, we sponsor numerous opportunities to serve, perform outreach and just get together for fun activities and community sharing More than 300 people show us their giving side annually, allowing clergy to be freed to focus on pastoral and liturgical responsibilities.
Mobile Meals Ministry is one of our longest serving Guilds, preparing and delivering 140+ meals monthly. More than 30 youth ages 8-18 serve as acolytes with multiple acolyte masters helping guide and train them.
E p i s c o p a l C h u r c h W o m e n ( E C W ) M o b i l e M e a l s
G a r d e n G u i l d & H a n d y S a i n t s
T h e N i r a S m i t h B o o k & G i f t S t o r e
S u p p e r C l u b s
P r a y e r S h a w l M i n i s t r y
O u t r e a c h & C o l d W e a t h e r S h e l t e r
O f f i c e H e l p e r s / F r o n t D e s k
H o s p i t a l i t y / C a t h e d r a l L i f e
P a s t o r a l C a r e M i n i s t r y
O a k e r h a t e r G u i l d
a r i s t i c V i s i t o r s
H e a l t h T e a m
D
At St. Paul's, traditions and events hold great significance! Our aim is to gather as many people as possible in one place, enjoying themselves together as often as we can We love spending time together, and there are many ways to connect
Cathedral Circles are lay-led interest groups are designed to be smaller gatherings that foster more intimate fellowship opportunities within the Cathedral community, centered around a shared activity or interest
Just a few of our Cathedral Circles include: ROMEO (Retired Old Men Eating Out), Taizé Chapel, Caffeinated Yappy Hour Social, Cathedral Book Club, Crafting Cathedral Circle, and the High Fidelity Music Circle
C h r i s t m a s P a g e a n t
E
J
A
C
W i n e , C h o c o l a t e & J a z z
B l e s s i n g o f t h e A n i m a l s
S h r o v e T u e s d a y P a n c a k e s
Y o g a
M e m o r i a l M a r a t h o n
C a t h e d r a l S o c i a l s & O u t i n g s
S t . N i c h o l a s R e c e p t i o n
C h r i s t m a s i n W a t o n g a
P a r e n t s D a y / N i g h t O u t
F a l l R a l l y D a y
B a c k t o S c h o o l S w i m P a r t y
M o n t h l y S o c i a l s
Z o o & S c i e n c e M u s e u m O u t i n g s
N e w c o m e r s C o f f e e s
P i p e S c r e a m s & T r u n k o r T r e a t
M u s i c L e c t u r e s a n d S p e c i a l G u e s t s
P a l m C r o s s M a k i n g
I c e C r e a m S o c i a l s
Heavenis under ourfeet
-HenryDavidThoreau aswellas overour heads.
The Courtyard The Courtyard Garden Garden
THROUGH RESTORATION THROUGH RESTORATION
COMES RENEWAL COMES RENEWAL
Our campus stands as a beautifully restored sanctuary, symbolizing serenity and serving as a testament to renewed spirituality, contemplation, reflection, and social awareness within our community.
Throughout the challenges of world wars, economic downturns, energy sector fluctuations, the bombing of the Alfred P. Murrah Federal Building, and the transformation of downtown Oklahoma City, we have demonstrated remarkable resilience.
Thanks to an endowment established in the early 1990s, we have expanded our campus to feature the Dean Back Administration Building and a milliondollar renovation of the garden, which includes a Columbarium, Memorial Garden, Arbor, and Labyrinth.
Recognizing our historical significance to the Diocese, we initiated a capital campaign aimed at repairing the damage caused by the federal building bombing, resulting in a multimillion-dollar restoration project. The Celtic Cross, referred to as the "Broken Cross," is now embedded in the exterior wall of the Memorial Gates, having once graced the top of the Cathedral before being dislodged by the blast on April 19, 1995.
The Broken Cross on The Broken Cross on the Memorial Gate the Memorial Gate
Our surroundings connectustothe hereandnow, thebeautyof God’screation
SacredFoundationsUrbanHorizons
TheCathedral TheCathedral--Constructedin1903andinauguratedin1904,thisgothic-inspiredstructureboastsagraniteandbrickexterior.Itwaslisted Constructedin1903andinauguratedin1904,thisgothic-inspiredstructureboastsagraniteandbrickexterior.Itwaslisted ontheNationalRegisterofHistoricPlacesin1977 Inside,you’llfindourbreathtakingNaveandSanctuaryadornedwithoriginalTiffany-era ontheNationalRegisterofHistoricPlacesin1977.Inside,you’llfindourbreathtakingNaveandSanctuaryadornedwithoriginalTiffany-era sstainedglass,richhardwoods,andanexquisiteItalianmarblealtar.The120thAnniversaryoftheCathedralwascelebratedonEaster,2024. tainedglass,richhardwoods,andanexquisiteItalianmarblealtar.The120thAnniversaryoftheCathedralwascelebratedonEaster,2024.
ParishHouse ParishHouse--Erectedin1909,thissmallerbuildingislinkedtotheCathedralandhousestheSacristy,ClergyVestingRoom,Chapter Erectedin1909,thissmallerbuildingislinkedtotheCathedralandhousestheSacristy,ClergyVestingRoom,Chapter Room,andMusicRehearsalSuitesonthesecondfloor. Room,andMusicRehearsalSuitesonthesecondfloor.
TheEducationBuilding TheEducationBuilding--Finishedin1949,theEducationBuildingfeaturesthreestoriesthatincludeacommunalgatheringspaceknownas Finishedin1949,theEducationBuildingfeaturesthreestoriesthatincludeacommunalgatheringspaceknownas ttheReceptionArea,classroomsthroughout,anursery,theParlor,readingandstudyareas,St.NicholasChapel,theNiraSmithCathedral heReceptionArea,classroomsthroughout,anursery,theParlor,readingandstudyareas,St.NicholasChapel,theNiraSmithCathedral Bookstore,andDeanWilleyHall.Thelatterisa3,000squarefootParishHallequippedwithafullcommercialkitchen,suitableforreceptions, Bookstore,andDeanWilleyHall.Thelatterisa3,000squarefootParishHallequippedwithafullcommercialkitchen,suitableforreceptions, banquets,lectures,andDiocesanevents.AColdWeatherShelterhasalsotakenplaceinDeanWilleyHallthelastthreewinters. banquets,lectures,andDiocesanevents.AColdWeatherShelterhasalsotakenplaceinDeanWilleyHallthelastthreewinters.
TheDeanBackAdministrativeBuilding TheDeanBackAdministrativeBuilding--Completedin1998,thissecludedbuildingaccommodatestheOakerhaterSuite,MakingMedicine Completedin1998,thissecludedbuildingaccommodatestheOakerhaterSuite,MakingMedicine Library,GardenGallery(whichservesaskitchenandmeetingspace),administrativeoffices,andarchives.JustoutsidetheDeanBackBuilding Library,GardenGallery(whichservesaskitchenandmeetingspace),administrativeoffices,andarchives.JustoutsidetheDeanBackBuilding lliestheEastGarden,whichconnectstotheEducationBuilding. iestheEastGarden,whichconnectstotheEducationBuilding.
Adoptthepace ofnature:her secretispatience.
-Ralph
emorialGateandnestledbetweentheEducationandDeanBackBuildingsliesourcherished MurrahBuildingbombinginApril1995,theCathedralexpandeditspropertyeastofDeanWilley ofOklahomaCity,theCathedraltransformedthisspaceintoasereneoasisamidstthebustlingcity oyinthetranquilbeautyofnature TheEastGardensymbolizesGod'spresencethroughoutall seasonsofourlives.Dependingonthetimeofday,itmaybealivelyplaygroundforchildren,acontemplativespaceformourners,oraspotforfarewellsto lovedones.
TheRev.CanonSusanJoplinPetMemorialGardenservesasaspecialplacetohonorallthepetsthathavetouchedthelivesofourCathedralcommunity overtheyears.AftertheannualPetMemorialService,whichcoincideswiththeFeastofSt.FrancisofAssisiandPetBlessings,thegardenisprayerfully plantedwithspring-floweringbulbs,servingasarespectfulreminderofGod'sloveforallcreatures,bothgreatandsmall.
TheArborrepresentstheprotectivepresenceofGod,offeringaspaceforquietconversations,rest,orjoyfulgatheringsandcelebrations. TheLabyrinth,anancientsymbolofspiritualjourneys,invitesparishionerstowalkitspathinprayerfulreflection
TheColumbariumisasacredrestingplaceformanymembersoftheCathedralcommunityandtheirlovedones Amongtheniches,you'llfindoriginal mosaictilework,includingatreeoflifeandotherartworkreflectingthethemeof‘whatremains’(faith,hope,love) Additionalfinalrestingplacesarelocated intheEternalCommons,whichfeaturesasacredcommunalcompartmentforcremains,situatedadjacenttotheColumbarium. TheMemorialGardenisthenewestareaoftheEastGarden,whereashesorcremainsliebeneathagravelpath,andthenamesofthedearlydepartedare engravedonagentlycurvedstonewall.
Waldo Emerson
The spaces of the East Garden
Wesitatthe intersectionof traditionand progress.
St.Paul’sisavibrantEpiscopalchurchintheheartofdowntownOklahomaCity. DeeplyrootedintheministryandteachingsofJesusChristandthetraditionsofthe EpiscopalChurch,St.Paul'sisthespiritualcenteroftheEpiscopalDioceseofOklahoma. WearecommittedtobeingaplaceforallwhoseekandshareGod'sunconditionaland abundantlove,whichcallsustocomfortandstandwiththevulnerableandeachother. Allareinvited;allarewelcome.
The OKC Streetcar stops right outside the Cathedral.
Oklahoma City is an attractive destination, offering a remarkable blend of affordability, safety, and culinary excellence. With a cost of living index 14.5% lower than the national average, residents enjoy more affordable housing, food, childcare, and healthcare. The city is also safer, with crime rates below the national average. Oklahoma City is home to multiple award-winning chefs, such as James Beard Award winner Chef Andrew Black, who leads Perle Mesta, and other standout restaurants like Grey Sweater that offer unique dining experiences. Alongside its vibrant arts scene, plentiful parks, and welcoming community, Oklahoma City lives up to its nickname, "The Big Friendly," ki i li l live and thrive. Come find out why it is such a wonderful p
Oklahoma City has seen remarkable growth alongside our cathe new era. The revitalization of the district has transformed our identity; we are no longer viewed as just a dusty cow town on the plains though we still have cows! Our generous residents have committed to an improvement tax, generating revenue that has empowered the city through targeted projects. This has attracted a younger demographic and sparked the emergence of new businesses and attractions. At the cathedral's doorstep, you'll discover vibrant communities filled with engaging experiences, including museums, art and music venues, restaurants, a top-tier zoo, outdoor activities to thrill, theater, ballet, and Philharmonic performances, alongside professional sports. We are situated right in the heart of it all, and we are thrilled to be woven into this community.
Scissortail Park
Downtown OKC First Americans Museum
Bricktown Canal First Americans Museum
Lake Hefner Oklahoma City Memorial
ParochialReport
AT ST. PAUL'S, WE BELIEVE IN THE COLLECTIVE EFFORT OF MANY, ESPECIALLY WHEN IT COMES TO SUPPORTING THE MISSION AND MINISTRY OF THE CATHEDRAL. A PLEDGE IS A COMMITMENT BETWEEN YOU AND GOD; NO AMOUNT IS TOO BIG OR TOO SMALL. WE BELIEVE IN PLEDGING TOGETHER, SERVING TOGETHER, AND SHARING TOGETHER. WE PRACTICE YEAR-ROUND STEWARDSHIP, WHICH MEANS BEING ABLE TO SHARE OUR TIME, TREASURE, AND TALENTS AS THEY ARE AVAILABLE. WE ARE ROOTED IN FAITH AND REACHING NEW HORIZONS TOGETHER.
E W A N T Y O U
We seek a Canon who not only mirrors our spiritual aspirations, but who seeks to embody the christlike attirbutes we all pursue
Are you intelectually curious, well read, mature and unthreatened by dissenting views? Are you honest, motivated, down to earth and joygul? Do you have a servant heart? A sense of humor is absolutel.
Will you learn our history and traditions and reflect our deep appreciation for all people?
membership of
households
