Hello, Friends!
Many thanks to those who participated in the clean-up party last Friday evening. Ecclesiastes 4:9 says, “Two are better than one, because they have a good return for their labor.” We had several more than “two,” and together, we were able to get the church yard cleared of debris from the wind storm that hit Claremore on Memorial weekend. Well done, team!
Last Sunday, June 1, we joined the congregation from 1st Presbyterian Church for Eucharist and a cookout at Claremore Lake. The weather was perfect and it was a wonderful time of fellowship with our siblings in Christ. Later that evening, some of us gathered in the Parish Hall for a watch party! On screen was a livestreamed service with Presiding Bishop Sean Rowe in the Episcopal Church Center chapel, during which he blessed all upcoming Episcopal Pride events and participants.
This Sunday, June 8, we will celebrate Holy Eucharist at 10am at St. Paul’s (on the front lawn if the weather permits). After the service, we’ll all load up for a road trip to Art & Linda Paul’s house in Grove for a BBQ by Grand Lake. Art will be grilling up some marvelous ribs for us, Linda will provide chicken and beverages, and the rest of us will bring side items and/or desserts. What a fantastic opportunity to relax and enjoy each other’s company, so don something red to celebrate Pentecost and join us for food and fun!
Ron Parker Now Official Aspirant
For those of you who haven’t heard, St. Paul’s now has its very own Aspirant! Ron Parker has officially been accepted into the diocesan Aspirancy program. Simply stated, an Aspirant is one who aspires to become ordained. The program lasts approximately eight months, during which time, Ron will focus on discerning his call. This discernment takes place on an individual basis, in community with a committee which will be formed from our St. Paul’s congregation, and through monthly classes at the cathedral in OKC with other Aspirants from across the diocese. At the end of the program, all Aspirants who still feel that they are called to be ordained undergo a series of interviews which will determine whether they are to be accepted as Postulants (priests- or deacons-in-training) in a seminary or in a local formation program (Iona). This is a big and exciting opportunity – congratulations, Ron!
Christian Formation: Summer Yoga with the Psalms
In June and July, we will be participating in the Good Book Club’s “Summer with the Psalms.” There are two separate but complimentary tracks for this study. Here is the link to the reading schedules: https://www.goodbookclub.org/readings/
This week’s discussion prompt (June 5): We will read Psalm 11 together aloud. As you listen to the words of the Psalm – What feelings arise in your body? What do you notice about the experience of hearing the words of the Psalm? What effect do you feel in your physical being?
Readings for Week 2 (beginning June 8)
- Track 1 – Psalms 18, 22, 24, 27, 31, 34, 35
- Track 2 – Psalms 18-36
Here is a five-minute video which offers a overview of the entire book of Psalms: https://youtu.be/dpny22k_7uk?si=gmzhLgwDEtcKAF2v
In conjunction with this study, we will be hosting yoga classes in St. Paul’s Parish Hall at 7:00pm on Thursday evenings (beginning June 5). We have two instructors (Selena and Danie) who will take turns guiding us through beginner-friendly yoga routines while helping us to focus on parts of our weekly Psalms. Don’t have a yoga mat? No problem; the instructors have extras. These classes will be FREE and open to the entire community, so spread the word and invite everyone you can!
Sponsor a class: The instructors do receive $30 per class, so the members of our St. Paul’s congregation are invited to sponsor one or more classes. If you wish to sponsor a class, you may place $30 in the offering plate or give it to our treasurer, Kaitlyn. Be sure to indicate that the money is for Summer Yoga with the Psalms.
Donate to charity: In addition, these classes will be an opportunity for charitable giving. At each class, a basket/jar/collection plate will be provided wherein we will collect voluntary donations. At the end of July, all donations collected will be given to Meals on Wheels.
Grace UMC Mobile Food Pantry
The date of the next visit by the Grace UMC food truck has been set for Wednesday, June 11, from 3-6 pm. They will arrive around 2pm to set up, and if there are still several people arriving at 6:00, we may extend the hours a bit. There is always plenty to do if you are available to help out during any of the allotted time. They can use help setting up at 2:00, help assisting people with paperwork and with shopping for and loading groceries, help keeping the workers fed and hydrated, and help breaking down at the end of the event; so, if you are available for any or all of this time, come along. It is always fun!
United Women In Faith Garden Party
Saturday, June 14, at 10am, we have been invited to attend a garden party at Grace UMC. Ladies come and celebrate the new garden at Grace UMC with salads and conversation. Bring a friend and a salad to share. Contact Donna Grabow at 918 341-8347 with questions or RSVP.
PRIDE in the Park
Saturday, June 21, from 3-9pm, St. Paul’s will host a booth at the Claremore Pride Festival to be held at the park on Claremore Lake. Come one, come all, to celebrate love and community and the fact that ALL people are created in God’s image!
PRIDE Mass
Speaking of celebrations…. In honor of PRIDE month, and to round out the Saturday festivities, our service on Sunday, June 22, will be a PRIDE Mass. It will be a customary Episcopal Eucharistic service; but the lessons and prayers are specifically suited to supporting the LGBTQIA2+ community. As such, feel free to wear your shirts, buttons, and pins that show your love for all God’s people to church that day. After the service, we will – of course! – feed all who are in attendance!
T-shirts, Get Your St. Paul’s T-shirts!
We are placing an order for new St. Paul’s t-shirts. Shirts are a pale blue and have the Episcopal shield, church name and location, and our motto: “Here you will be loved.” If you want one, the cost is $17.25 (more for 2x & 3x) per shirt. Let us know what size you need and have your money turned in no later than June 8. (Note: shirts are 100% cotton, so some shrinking will occur upon first wash.) Shirts will be in on time to wear them to the Pride festival and/or Pride Mass!
Meals on Wheels Needs Volunteer Drivers
For those of you who may not be aware, the metal building on the east side of our church parking lot is rented from us (at a very reasonable rate!) by Meals on Wheels. We have a history of supporting this organization; but lately it has fallen a bit by the wayside. However, in addition to the donations we will be collecting for them over the next couple of months, it has come to our attention that they are in need of volunteer drivers.
The job is simple and does not require a lot of time. They deliver meals on Monday, Wednesday, and Friday mornings. Drivers meet at the building to collect the groceries at about 9:45am, and are finished making deliveries by around 11:00am. If you, or anyone you know, is available on any of these days to volunteer in this capacity, please let Rev. Nancy know. If there are enough of us available and willing, perhaps we can form delivery teams – what fun!
Let Us Pray
- 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 new executive orders and mandates being imposed
- For the safety of all individuals involved with the Claremore Pride in the Park event
- For Ukraine and Russia
- For Israel and Palestine
- For Lucas/ John/ Kaitlyn/ Patty/ Karen/ Lee/ Nathan/ Tammy Morales/ Cynthia Woods/ Chris/ Rose/ Brady/ Zachary/ Donna/ Justin/ Robert/ Lenny/ John/ Cooper/ Josh/ Steven/ Connor/ Pastor James Coulter and Mt. Zion Baptist Church
If you have prayer requests to add to the Newsletter, email them to Clergy@stpaulsclaremore.org
Save the Dates
- Thursdays, June 5 – July 31 @ 7:00pm – Summer Yoga with the Psalms in the Parish Hall
- Sunday, June 8 – Holy Eucharist @ 10:00am on the front lawn (weather permitting); Day of Pentecost; last day to order t-shirts; BBQ at Art & Linda Paul’s house by Grand lake in Grove
- Wednesday, June 11 – Grace UMC Mobile Food Pantry at St. Paul’s from 3-6 (-ish) pm
- Saturday, June 14 – United Women In Faith garden party @ 10:00am at Grace UMC
- Sunday, June 15 – Holy Eucharist @ 10:00am in the Nave; 1st Sunday after Pentecost/Trinity Sunday; Deacon Linda Paul to preach
- Saturday, June 21 – Rogers County PRIDE in the Park festival at Claremore Lake from 3-9pm
- Sunday, June 22 – Holy Eucharist @ 10:00am; 2nd Sunday after Pentecost; PRIDE Mass; Ron Parker to speak
- Sunday, June 29 – Fifth-Sunday worship with Mt. Zion Baptist Church
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