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Sisters and brothers:
As your pastor, I would be totally remiss if I did not speak up about the events that took place in Charlottesville, Virginia last weekend. While the freedom of speech is something sacred in our nation, hate speech is not something we should simply tolerate or turn a blind eye to. (Inciting violence is NOT protected under the first amendment.) And while violent acts perpetrated by anyone should be denounced, it is clear that those carrying torches in hand while chanting anti-Jewish and racist tropes, were not there for a simple peaceful protest in the park. Nor were they there simply to peacefully protest the removal of a historical monument.
Perhaps like me you were shocked and appalled to witness people being run down by a car,
images of folks bearing KKK and Ne
o-Nazi, White Supremacist, Neo-facist and Alt-Right Flags, shields and symbols. Most of us thought that racism was on its way out. But it has become clear that hate is alive and well here in America.
While there have been some great pronouncements against racism, many of us are disturbed by the lack of leadership from our President.
Where is the clarion call denouncing these events? Where is the clear and unambiguous pronouncement that this kind of hatred has no place in America? Where is the sharp warnings that those promoting violence and bigotry will be persecuted to the fullest extent of the law?
Rather than denouncing racism in all its forms, he has sought to equate those holding Nazi ideologies with those (both clergy and laity) who came out to protest against hate. Sisters and brothers there is no equating the two. Nazis, supremacists, and the KKK do not have a corresponding group on the political Left. There is no Alt-Left.
There is no doubt that we have folks who identify as Republican, Democrat or Independent in our parish. We would never want to dictate what political party one should be part of, or what political views one should hold. Each of us are welcomed here. Each hold sacred value. But sisters and brothers, there comes a time when things go beyond mere politics. There are times when we must speak about moral and ethical issues. This is one of those times and frankly, political allegiances be damned.
Let us be clear: Hatred has no place in our hearts. Racism is a moral value. We as sisters and brothers in Christ
MUST denounce these acts and rise up against this evil whenever, and wherever it rears its ugly head.
Blessings!
Fr. Dewayne
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A photo from last Sunday:
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 The Painting & Wine Party is almost here. If you've been
considering participating in this fun event, it's time to let Joyce know so she can plan for supplies (and wine!) Art supplies and wine, $35. Fellowship and fun-priceless!
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Join some pretty cool folks this Friday night for Karaoke! The gathering starts at about 8:00 pm and lasts until about midnight. Folks are invited to bring snacks and drinks to share. Come, sing, laugh and have fun!
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Friday
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Daytimers
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11:00 a.m.
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Sunday
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Sunday Worship
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11:00 a.m.
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Tuesday
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Midweek Fellowship Group
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6:00 p.m.
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Friday, August 18
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Karaoke
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6:30 p.m.
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Saturday, August 19
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Painting and Wine Event
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7:00 p.m. |
Looking Ahead
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September 24
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Feast of Title
Worship & Celebration
BBQ to follow!
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11:00 a.m.
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Over the past several months our prayer request list has continued to grow. While we want to be a "prayerful people", we want to make sure that our prayer list is current, lest it simply becomes overwhelming. The church office has recently removed some names of folks who have been on our list for quite a while. If we've removed someone who NEEDS to remain on the list, please let us know, and we'll add them back on. If you know of someone who is doing better and could come off, please let us know that, too. You can contact the church office at:
(918) 582-3088
or
Thanks so much for your help!
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Those who are ill or recovering
Fr. Mark Sutton
Ralph Wright (Kellie's father)
Dale Gillman (Francie's husband)
Tim Williams' brother
Derrick Longacre
Charles Barnett (Joyce Daley's brother)
Wendy Wheaton (friend of Susan Schlesinger)
David Hedges ( " )
Zanny Sylvetta (friend of Paul Maschi)
Sandy Chambers (niece of Paul Gossett)
Dick Cantrell (cousin of Virginia Cohlmia)
Debbie Wilson (friend of Virginia Cohlmia)
Shelley Bradley ( " )
Lisa Chaney ( " )
Myrna Campbell ( " )
Ray Voils
Penny Walker (friend of Lori Stem)
Gary Alexander - recovering from surgery
Herb & Ada Allison (Kelly Austin's in-laws)
Carla High (friend of Joyce Daley)
Janice West (friend of Eric Sanchez)
Jonathan Cantrell
Roseann O'Brien
Those who are (or will be) traveling
Those who have died
Jack Harker (friend, Virginia Harrison)
Those in need of comfort or support
Rachel Sutton
Martin Wing (friend of Virgina Harrison and partner of Jack Harker)
Elvis Mukombo
Ral & Casey Conrad
The family of Jeanne Miles
Marie Welden
Marlon & Alexis
Celesta Birk, Steph Cantrell, Jonathan, Derrick, and Eden
Theo Simatupang
In thanksgiving for birthdays and anniversaries
Scott Crow (August 17)
Alexis Mendez (August 17)
Karl Villadsen (August 17)
Victor Evens (August 19)
Erin Roach (August 20)
Sky Walton-Ramirez (August 21)
Bishop Rick Hollingsworth (August 24)
Rack Brown & Eric Sanchez (August 26)
Howard Brewer (August 27)
Sylvia Belitz (August 28)
Steve Culley (August 30)
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We get "interesting" emails in the church's inbox from time to time. This one came earlier this week, and Fr. Dewayne thought you should be aware of and pray for folks affected by difficult immigration challenges. Here is the note from Karin that we received this week:
Hello,
I'm contacting the church because I really need to intercede for my mom and the dreamers. My mom is in the process of getting her status as a resident. she has been waiting for this for a long time and she has been stressed too because of the time the process has been taking; and that's not good for her since she has high blood pressure issues, but God and I know she's a generous person and she really deserves to have the opportunities the U.S offers. She has gone through a lot of things and I'm sure all that suffering is gonna disappear when she finally gets her residency, please ask God to put his hand in that process so she gets her residency as soon as possible. Also, I would really appreciate you praying for the executive action that protects the dreamers, which are young immigrants who were brought here when they were kids; and there are thousands of them right now that are working hard and contributing to the country. I would really appreciate you with the bottom of my heart to pray for that executive action to remain intact and for the dream act to pass, this is about the lives of so many people who really deserve to be here.I really beg you with all my heart to pray for these two things.
Thank you so much.
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As you now know, we are looking for someone--or
several someones--who are willing to assume leadership of our Food Pantry.
We are very grateful that Karl notified the vestry early of his resignation, which will happen at the end of this year, thus allowing time for someone to volunteer and get the necessary training. There are only three months (and a couple weeks) left in this year, and the time between Thanksgiving and New Year's Eve are usually quite busy. It would be wonderful to have the new leader(s) fully trained by mid-November.
The Food Pantry is the biggest and most visible ministry we have, and almost all of those who benefit from it are folks outside our parish family.
If you have a heart for this important service and some time--no matter how limited--to dedicate to this vital ministry, please prayerfully consider answering this call. Then visit with Raul Rosario or Fr. Dewayne Messenger and discuss how you might be able to share your talents.
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A Brief Introduction and A Word of Gratitude
First and foremost, from the bottom of my heart, I would like to thank all of you at St. Jerome Parish. Through your Pastor, Fr. Dewayne Messenger, I am now connected with your Church, St. Jerome. I thank God who has been leading me to this path, and I feel that he is guiding me to be with you to worship him at St. Jerome.
My name is Theodorus Simatupang. I go by Theo, which is the short form of Theodorus. I am from Indonesia, and I am 35 years old. I was a seminarian in the
Roman Catholic church, and now I feel that God is leading me to the ECC. The ECC is a church that opens its door to all people and welcomes all of us no matter who we are. The matter is that we are all God's children. We are all made to love and to serve him and people around us.
With love that I treasure in my heart, I am excited to journey my faith with you, people at St. Jerome's. I do believe that we are all called to love one another unconditionally. I will offer what I can do for you and for the Church, that all of us may be made worthy by God to worship and praise his name in our lives and ministries.
I studied Theology at the Catholic University in Washington DC. I did different ministries--from feeding the poor on the street, to organizing a food pantry, and giving religious education. I hope upon my arrival at St. Jerome's I will have an opportunity to share my gifts with the church. I want also to learn from you to be a better person and minister of God. I desire to serve God as a priest. I am excited for the vocation that God has planted in my heart. For me, coming to St. Jerome's is a part of my priestly formation process. I do hope that people at St. Jerome will help me to pursue this vocation. I can't wait to meet you all in person and worship the Holy name of God, Lord Jesus Christ.
As I continue my journey in this vocation, please be generous to offer me prayers and support as I hold all of you in my daily prayers. There is nothing impossible for God. I do believe that God hears our prayers, and God will make everything possible, even something impossible in our human eyes. I trust in the Lord who makes great things.
Finally, in this brief introduction of myself, I would like again to express my word of gratitude to Fr. Dewayne, parish council and all people at St. Jerome's. Thank you for giving me an opportunity to be with you shortly to experience God's love in your community.
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God, you are the source of life and growth. Pour out your Spirit upon us that we may grow together in wisdom, love, devotion, and faithfulness. Stir up within us a desire to draw closer as one family. Give us a yearning for outreach, that we may serve a hurting world; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with You and the Holy Spirit, one God for ever and ever. Amen.
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Here is the schedule of those providing refreshments for the weeks ahead:
Week 3 - August 20 L-R
Week 4 - August 27 S-Z
Week 1 - September 3 A-D
Week 2 - September 10 E-K
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 To download our church app, go to your Play Store and search for Churchlinkapp. Select the app and download. (The app is free.) Once downloaded, open the app. Allow it to know your location. In the search field, type in "the parish church of st. Jerome." Select our parish, and you should be connected.
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Parish Church of St. Jerome
Thank you for being part of our parish family!
See you Sunday at 11:00 for Mass.
205 W. King Street
Tulsa, OK 74106
918-582-3088
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