Good Morning from the Church Mouse

Tuesday, September 22, 2020

Diocesan Budget 2021 Video

Good Afternoon,

Thank you to all those who attended the Virtual 2021 Diocesan Budget Meeting on Saturday. For those who were unable to attend please see the video in the link HERE and the link to the budget spreadsheet HERE.

To access the budget file in the future please visit epiok.org and navigate to the Resources tab and click the "Finance & Administration" link to the "Accounting" tab and scroll down to see the "2021 Budget."

Have a blessed week,

Lesli Graft

Executive Assistant to

The Rt. Rev. Poulson C. Reed

Bishop of the Episcopal Diocese of Oklahoma

August note from St. Andrew's Financial Committee and Rev. Mary:

August giving was down from July and down from August of last year. Expenses were curtailed, with the Church in a shutdown mode, but a $3800 deficit was incurred for the month of August. Once again the funds received from the Federal CARES program allowed us to continue to be positive for the year to date.

We understand the hardship and financial stress the COVID pandemic has been for everyone. We recognize and understand, an individual can do and give only what is prudent for their circumstance. Whatever support you can give will be deeply appreciated.

You can make your offerings or contributions through Tithely , make arrangements through your bank to have a check mailed to the church, or just drop a check in the mail (P.O. Box 938, Stillwater, OK 74076).

Stay safe and God be with you.”

St. Andrew's has a new address for receiving mail: P.O. Box 938, Stillwater, OK 74076

EYC (Episcopal Youth Community)

We welcome all youth in grades 6-12 to join us. We will begin this year meeting virtually over Google Groups.

This year for EYC is going to be a little different. With all the challenges our youth are experiencing at this time due to COVID-19, we want to create a safe space for our youth to be able to share and explore the unique challenges they are experiencing framing them in how can their faith and God’s love can help them through these unique times. We invite our youth and their parents to share with our youth ministry leaders the challenges they are facing. This will allow us as a group to explore some of the direct challenges they are facing during this very unique times.

If you have any questions or concerns please feel free to contact Stephen Baker at 405-990-0028.

Looking forward to seeing all our youth.

St. Andrew’s EYC Team

I am getting excited by this idea of herd immunity. Not from the virus, but from other things that seem to have reached epidemic proportions among us. For example, we could use some herd immunity from dumbness. Then people wouldn’t walk around without a mask when they are inside and close to others. How about a little herd immunity from anger? That would go a long way right about now. And, while we are at it, can we ever get immune to political bombast of any kind so we just hear the truth spoken plain and simple? That would be a relief. Not to mention immunity from the need to blame one another, shout our opinions at one another, or hunt for conspiracy theories to justify our own prejudice. The herd would appreciate that I think. And finally, most important of all, how about herd immunity from despair? When does that kick in?

The Rt. Rev. Steven Charleston,

a Native American elder, author, and retired Episcopal Bishop of Alaska.

A Seed A Day

Seed of Encouragement

God's delays may sometimes cause us to start to think that He will not answer our prayers. Just as He delayed in answering Mary and Martha's request to come see about Lazarus, He may also delay in answering our prayers... but delay is NOT denial. Just as Lazarus was raised from the dead, so shall EVERY seemingly dead situation in your life be RAISED to NEW LIFE when you trust it ALL to Jesus Christ. That situation may seem like it’s in the grave, but know that the despite what it seems like, it is NOT the end... because when Jesus steps in, He brings LIFE, VICTORY, and DELIVERANCE to EVERY situation! Keep waiting with patience and EXPECTATION!!!

And when he thus had spoken, he cried with a loud voice, Lazarus, come forth. And he that was dead CAME FORTH, bound hand and foot with graveclothes: and his face was bound about with a napkin. Jesus saith unto them, Loose him, and let him go. John 11:43-44

Forward Day by Day, September 22

Mission of St. Clare: Online Daily Office, Episcopal Book of Common Prayer

Psalm 78:38-39

"But he was so merciful that he forgave their sins and did not destroy them; many times he held back his anger and did not permit his wrath to be roused. For he remembered that they were but flesh, a breath that goes forth and does not return."

Jesus calls us to forgive seven times seventy times. I often struggle to do it once. But God forgives by putting it all in perspective, remembering that his people are only flesh.

I fail to put things in perspective, to acknowledge the truth of my family and coworkers’ reality: the million things on their mind, the signals I’m sending that may be contradictory or confusing, the history of relationship we share. We are but flesh and will pass away.

MOVING FORWARD: How can we reflect God’s forgiveness today to make this brief existence more generous, more connected, more merciful?