Hello, All! We hope this letter finds you safe and warm!
Last Sunday (1/25) we discussed ways in which God brought us together as a community to ensure that those in need had a warm place to sleep and eat during the winter storm – a marvelous manifestation of the ways in which God uses our individual resources to spread the Good News of Christ!
This Sunday (2/01) we’ll look at the Beatitudes from Jesus’ Sermon on the Mount, and what they might have to say to us today in light of the current social and political environment.
Community Warming Station
Last weekend we hosted our very first warming station.
Between noon on Friday through 2 pm on Monday, the church was open and available for people in need to come in for hot beverages and food or for overnight accomodations.
This was a very rewarding and successful experience. We received help in the form of prayer, volunteers who stayed on site, people who delivered food supplies, and folks who contributed financially – including a generous donation from our friends across the street at St. Cecilia’s Catholic Church! God is good!!!
In future, we will continue to open our doors to those in need anytime we have a combination of freezing temperatures and precipitation; so, if you were unable to be involved in this first adventure, you will have plenty of opportunity down the road!
UnClobber
Each Wednesday, January 14 – February 18, St. Paul’s will be collaborating with Grace UMC to provide a 6-week class entitled UnClobber. This course covers the “clobber verses” frequently used to condemn people of the LGBTQIA2+ community, and will discuss the historical and cultural context of each of these verses, including some of the ways in which certain words and phrases have been mis-translated and/or misinterpreted.
The class will take place each week from 6:30-8:00 pm in room 207 of the Stratton Taylor Library on the RSU campus. For a Zoom link send an email to admin@stpaulsclaremore.org
Tuesdays at RSU
We have finished our discussions over the book God Didn’t Make Us to Hate Us. Now, we will pause our Tuesday gatherings until after the 6-week Unclobber class on Wednesday evenings has ended.
We will resume Tuesdays at RSU on February 24 with a new book entitled Transforming by Austen Hartke. If you would like a copy of this book, please reply to this email or let Ron Parker know.
Food Pantry Needs
So many in our community suffer from food insecurity, and we work with a couple of great organizations who are helping to fight this problem.
One: Pastor Tim from Grace United Methodist Church recently contacted us to let us know that, as of November 1, their food pantry is open every day. He asked us to donate funds to help with those extra expenses. If you wish to participate in this financial gift, please designate your offering to “Grace Food Pantry”.
Two: St. Paul’s is now the host location for the Pride Community Shelf (find it located near our entrance through the double red doors of the church next to the small community library). Suggested items for donation to this shelf include the following:
Proteins: Canned meat or fish, Canned or dried beans, Peanut butter, Lentils and other dried peas.
Grains: Rice, Pasta, Cereal and oatmeal, Microwaveable mac and cheese cups and ramen noodles
Fruits and vegetables: Canned vegetables like corn, green beans, and mixed vegetables, Canned Fruits, Dried fruits, single-serving Fruit and applesauce cups
Cooking and meal essentials: Pasta and tomato sauce, Canned soup or stew, Powdered, evaporated, or boxed shelf-stable milk , vegetable or olive oil .
Spices: Basic seasonings like garlic powder, onion powder, and Italian seasoning can significantly improve a meal’s flavor.
Snacks and beverages: Nuts, Crackers, Drink mixes (Packets of hot chocolate, coffee, and fruit juice)
Hygiene and household supplies: Baby food and diapers, Feminine hygiene products, Personal hygiene products (soap, deodorant, shampoo, toothpaste, and toothbrushes), Laundry detergent and dish soap, Toilet paper.
Classroom Needs
Christina has made us aware of a new need for the students at her school: highlighters. Any color, any size will work. We are still collecting good quality No. 2 pencils, Post-it note pads, and Kleenex; so, the next time you’re doing a little shopping, pick up one or two of these items, then bring them to church to donate.
Be on the lookout for new requests during these colder months and as the school year progresses!
Let Us Pray
- Thanksgiving for the success of the warming station
- For the success of the new Soft Space in the Nave
- For all students, faculty, and staff, especially Christina, Shelby, Tony, Liam, and John
- For the success of the 6-week Unclobber class
- For the continued success of Tuesdays at RSU
- That our parishioners will exemplify God’s love and peace during this time when so much religious, social, and political unrest plagues our community, nation, and world
- For all individuals living in fear due to executive orders and mandates being imposed nationally and internationally
- For Ukraine and Russia, Israel and Palestine
- For the repose of Ron Missinne/ the repose of Phylis Goodner/ the repose of Wally Tarkington/ the Woodard family/ Bob/ Krislyn/ Makayla/ Florence/ Christopher/ Heidi/ Ron/ Gina/ James/ Lane/ Wayne Hanway/ Shelby/ Kaitlyn/ Tammy Morales/ Cynthia Woods/ Danny/ Vicki A./ Karen/ Jeff/ Catherine/ Vicki/ Brady/ Zachary/ Donna/ Don/ Kevin/ Roger/ Pastor Coulter and Mt. Zion Baptist Church / Pastor Elizabeth and First Christian Church / Pastor Tim and Grace UMC / Pastor Tom and Verdigris UMC
If you have prayer requests to add to the Newsletter, email them to Clergy@stpaulsclaremore.org
Save the Dates
- Sunday, February 1 – Holy Eucharist @ 10 am; Fourth Sunday after Epiphany
- Wednesday, February 4 – Week 4 of Unclobber at 6:30 pm
- Friday, February 6 – Claremore Pride Youth Valentine’s Mixer @ 6 pm in the parish hall
- Sunday, February 8 – Holy Eucharist @ 10 am; Fifth Sunday after Epiphany
- Sunday, February 15 – Holy Eucharist @ 10 am; Sixth Sunday after Epiphany; Bishop’s Committee Meeting
- Tuesday, February 17 – Annual Shrove Tuesday Pancake Supper
- Wednesday, February 18 – Ash Wednesday
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