December 9, 2012, at 5 pm Episcopal Church of the Resurrection will host Musica Sacra with Canon Musician Scott Raab for a Choral Evensong service. Join us at 13112 North Rockwell in Oklahoma City for this wonderful worship service and reception which follows.

Recently the Oklahoma Self-Defense Act/Open Carry Law was officially made law in the State of Oklahoma. We have received numerous inquiries concerning how this law impacts our congregations and diocesan institutions.

The official policy of the Diocese of Oklahoma can be found at:  http://www.epiok.org/resources/oklahoma-self-defense-act-open-carry-law.html  and applies to all congregations, schools and institutions of the diocese.  

"It doesn't matter how long you live, but how you live and what you leave behind."-Heather L. Harkness

Whole Creation Community hosted an information fair on November 11, 2012 at St. Paul's Cathedral. Exhibitors participated in the event during which they shared their concepts on what it means to be a good steward of creation. I asked each of the exhibitors one question: What inspired you most to become a good steward of God's creation? I thought the question was light hearted, but found I was inspired by the depth and sincerity of each response. These are their stories.

Kirkpatrick Foundation (Safe and Humane) - Lisa Jensen feels it is important to care for those who cannot speak for themselves. She believes how we treat children and animals says a lot about our character.

Ethan Hong believes everything happens for a reason. He got into animal rescue by mistake (or was it?). He further believes there is a path for everything and we are put in the right places to complete the puzzle.

Everett McPhail-Parishioner - During the Fair, Everett demonstrated how to crochet plastic bags into something reusable. He believes everyone has a responsibility to be good stewards. Everett is inspired by his 27 years of SCUBA experience during which time he has witnessed the changes in marine and freshwater systems.  

Sierra Club - Chris Applegate wants to preserve the beauty of God's creation. Chris is awe inspired by his natural surroundings and believes nature provides a place for his spirit to grow.

OG&E - Susan Harknessbelieves each of us has a responsibility and accountability to take care of the world that has been gifted to us by God.   She believes stewardship is an individual responsibility to leave some place worth living for future generations.   Susan shared a quote that her daughter, Heather, posted on facebook. Susan believes this quote captures the essence of our responsibility to creation: "It doesn't matter how long you live, but how you live and what you leave behind."-Heather L. Harkness (Heather died on September 9, 2008 at age 16 years old)

Whole Creation Community - Kathryn Kirt acquired her inspiration through her 14 years as a camper and camp counselor during which time she lead wilderness trips through Minnesota and Wisconsin.

Oklahoma State Beekeeper Association - David Gilliand is inspired by watching nature and helping honeybees survive.

Maribeth Snapp remembers her fascination with an observation hive outside her first grade classroom. She became interested in beekeeping for pollination reasons. She believes bees are essential for the viability of our fruits and vegetables.

Regional Food Bank of Oklahoma - Joe Hudson acknowledges how fortunate he is to have Life. This drives him to help create a world more aware of the life given to us by the Earth. 

Conservation Coalition of Oklahoma - Geralyn Hoey gives credit to her parents who have inspired her to become a good steward of creation. She believes that nature provides a safe and peaceful place for her spirit and where troubles are muted by the sound of trees.

Green Bambino - Jennifer Roy was inspired to become a good steward when she became a mother at which time she realized it was more than just her.

Gentle Cashion grew up on a dairy farm and cannot imagine her children not having the opportunity to experience something similar.

Wildcare Foundation - Rondi Large does not understand how someone can refuse help to an animal struggling to survive. Even as a child, she was drawn to help animals. She believes it is equally important to respect a wild animal and not disturb its life.

The Humane Society of the United States - Cynthia Armstrong has always felt an instinctive connection and bond with animals. As a child and teen she often pondered what role she could play in their welfare. She feels she has been blessed with a career where she has an opportunity on a daily basis to make a difference in their lives and advocate for their protection.

CDR Global Inc. - Tim Calvert was inspired in part from his time growing up on a farm. He was raised to appreciate the fresh air, vibrant pastures, and diversity of creatures. He recognizes that each generation is met with new technologies; however, education and policies for proper disposal has not yet caught up with the flow of new electronics. He wants to teach his children that we must take care of Mother Earth to ensure her longevity for future generations.

St. Francis Guild-St. Paul's Cathedral - As a child, Ann Baer has had a great love for the Earth and gardening. Her mother was a wonderful gardener. Church and family probably inspired her the most as they read daily prayers and psalms that revered creation. She has always thought of the Earth as a garden. When Ann was 12, her father would take her to the oil field where she would observe the impact oil field practices had on the environment. This experience influenced Ann's philosophy on how we should treat the Earth. Today, Ann stays abreast of environmental issues and concerns. She often stops to smell the roses. 

Turtle Rock Farm - Pat Hoerth grew up on Turtle Rock Farm where her parents introduced her to many of the plants and animals that surrounded her making it possible for her to be an active participant in her relationship with creation. In seminary, Pat studied the New Cosmology, which taught her in a transformative way that we are a part of God's creation, a part of a whole living organism and that we play critical roles for the planet by living in a way that all can thrive, and by celebrating this wondrous universe.

*To see all of the pictures taken at the fair, go to http://www.facebook.com/wholecreation. A special thank you goes to Joyce Gibb for coordinating the Whole Creation Community Fair.

Respectfully Submitted,

Ferrella March

Whole Creation Community

Province 7 hosted service week in Dallas that will be this summer July 8th-14th at the University of Dallas.  Here is the early info:

• Dates are July 8th-14th, 2013
• Location is the University of Dallas  http://www.udallas.edu/
• Begins with afternoon registration
• 4 Work days are the 9th-12th all over the city 
• The 13th will be a celebration day at Six Flags
• Open to current 9th, 10th, 11th and 12th grade students and we will cap it at 160 youth and 30-40 adults
• More details will come soon!

If this is something you or your youth group is interested in attending, please let me know. Sabrina Evans sevans@epiok.org.