Sisters and brothers:

Our mini "Celebrity Guest Preacher Series" in May has now passed.  While attendance was unusually low on one of those Sundays (yes, the cat does check on the mice while he is away), I am glad that some of you took advantage of the gift that these three folks offered.  For those who were here, I hope you appreciated their unique message and individual  preaching styles.  

I think opportunities like this are important not only because we get a chance to practice our hospitality skills, and not only because it helps us be more ecumenical, but because they give us a chance to step out of our own comfortable ruts for a moment and experience something different, interesting, and hopefully enlightening.  I know I appreciate the opportunity to hear others preach because I too need a chance to be fed. 

In thinking about these unique (and hopefully exciting) opportunities, I invite you to reflect on these questions: What did you enjoy most about these guest preachers?  Who did you relate to the most?  What important message did you hear?  What insights dawned on you in the process?   What were the positives about this experience?  What were the negatives?  

Each of us clergy types develop our own way of doing things and each of us have our own strengths and weaknesses.  Even so, if you are inclined to do so, I invite your feedback.  Let me know your thoughts about these guests and about what you experienced.  

Lastly, I want to close with a word of encouragement.  We will soon be heading into the vacation season.  No doubt summer plans may be underway for many of us.  I hope that as you make plans and as you participate in various weekend activities that you'll keep your parish family firmly in mind.  We are all diminished by your absence and whether you know it or not, you are missed.  So be as regular in attendance as possible.  

Blessings!

Fr. Dewayne

Over the past few weeks we've had some beautiful flowers at the altar. Where do these flowers come from?  How are they underwritten?  What can folks do if they wish to have flowers at the altar to mark a special occasion?  These might be questions that have crossed your minds.   Although we've addressed some of these questions in the past, perhaps they bear repeating.  

While the Vestry earmarks a modest amount of our pledges each year for flowers, most of the money in the flower fund comes from donations collected around Easter and Christmas.  (Those donations are noted in the special insert for those services.)  In years past, the tradition was that folks were invited to purchase a lily or poinsettia for a set price.  In reality, though, a regular number of lilies were ordered well ahead of time, and the hope/expectation was that we'd have enough folks to underwrite what was actually spent.  While this assured flowers on those two occasions, it meant that there was little money available for flowers at other times of the year.  

In the past three years, we've moved to a different model - one where everyone is invited to donate toward the flower fund in the weeks leading up to Christmas and Easter and whatever might be left over is carried over to cover costs for flowers throughout the year, not just on a few occasions.  (After all, Easter lasts 7 weeks, not just one day!)

We are extremely lucky that in the past year or so we've had other florist folks besides Joyce and Preston to join our parish family and thus, we not only have more access to affordable flowers, but have the skills to assemble spectacular arrangements.  Many times these  arrangements were simply given as a gift - that is, at no cost to the church.  (We thank Colleen for being so generous with her talents!)  

There are of, course, those times when arrangement of flowers at the altar are underwritten by someone for a special occasion.  This is precisely what happened last week, when Peggy generously  

contributed the funds for providing flowers.  When this happens, we are more than happy to note that special gift in our weekly insert.  

Most parishes have flowers at the altar on a regular basis.  We want to honor God in this way as well.  Perhaps you might consider underwriting the flowers on a particular Sunday for our own special occasion.  (By the way, if you underwrite the flowers, you are more than welcome to take them home or share them with someone after the service.)  Because of our unique resources, a suggested contribution of $40 can assure an arrangement can be made that would normally cost most churches $80 to $100 dollars.  What a gift!

Lastly, it might be good to point out that in so far as we are able, we try to "recycle" many of the flowers.  This means we try to be good stewards with the gifts that are given.  If tended and refrigerated, many flowers can last two or perhaps even three weeks.  Thus, each week we can add a bunch of fresh flowers to previous bunches that have held up well from the prior week(s).  So your flower contributions may serve on more than one occasion!  

James Barrentine (Kevin's father)

Charity Watson (Kathy Cox's daughter) - recovering from heart surgery

Jonathan Cantrell

Matthew Reed (Maria's husband)

Dale Gillman (Francie's husband)

Chris Curtis (friend of Raul)

Linda Stevens (friend of Francie)

Steve Rathburn (family of Mikki Mast)

Allen Carpenter (Bill Carpenter's brother)

Mary Lynn Ruehlen (friend of Rack and Eric)

Sarah Vizza (Kathy Elliott's daughter-in-law)

Mike Feess

Carlene Sanchez (Hospice)

Roseanne O'Brien

Robert Stotler-Easley

Cloyd Stotler-Easley

Those who are (or will be) traveling

Paul Gossett

Andy Kinslow & Russ Kirkpatrick

Those who have died

Barbara Schoelen, mother of Steve Schoelen

Those in need of comfort or support

Celesta Birk, Steph Cantrell, Jonathan and Eden

Raul Daniel Rosario (Raul's brother)

Tulsa International Mayfest 2017 is upon us (May 18-21), and
  

For those who've signed up already, you can open the following schedules to see when you are supposed to report for duty:

Beer Booth Schedule

Snack Booth Schedule

St. Jerome Church is pleased to present Bobby Jo Valentine in concert on June 14. The concert will be preceded by a spaghetti supper with salad and bread. The entire evening is yours for just $15!

From his website:

For more information about Bobby Jo Valentine, visit his website at:

Bobby Jo Valentine

To hear one of Bobby's songs, click here:   Listen

  

To purchase tickets, click here:   Tickets

Mark you calendars; get your tickets; then anticipate a wonderful evening with friends, good food, and exceptional music!

The CAVU Center is planning to host this year's workshops entitled "Celebrating the Positives about Love, Sex and Faith."  The workshops are geared to offer insight into positive ways of understanding the dynamics that can happen when Love, Sex and Faith intersect.  Topics range from faithful intimacy to open relationships.  They seek to help folks find a positive and healthy approach regarding intimate relationships.

Building upon the success of last year's event, this year's conference will be longer and have more presenters.  Early Bird Registration is now open and will continue till June 13.  We have discounts for certain groups (teachers, students, clergy, active duty military, etc.), two-for-one registrations and some great plans for networking, learning and fun.  

To find out more, and to register online, please follow this link: LOVE

Greek?  Hebrew? Russian?  German? Spanish? Chinese?  Pentecost is just a couple of weeks away.  Do you have the ability to speak (or at least read a short paragraph) in a different language?  If you are willing to help us out during the time of our Prayers of the People as we celebrate the phenomena that occurred that first Pentecost, please see Fr. Dewayne

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.

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.