Dear Friends in Christ in Oklahoma,

As you may have seen in the news, because of the government shutdown, SNAP benefits will be cut off on November 1. Nearly 700,000 Oklahomans depend on these resources to help feed themselves and their families. This government shutdown, now the second longest in history, is affecting many, but disproportionately it harms the poor. As the Church, we are always to stand with the poor, those called blessed by Christ himself. These are not "others" but one in six of our friends and neighbors.

As a concrete expression of our commitment to our brothers and sisters struggling with food insecurity, I’m asking each of our congregations to take up a special collection of food and money for your local food bank or feeding ministry this week or next. I know this is something many of our congregations do regularly, but please consider being even more generous in this time of urgent need. I will be using my own discretionary funds to do the same.

Thank you and may God bless you and those in your communities.

Bishop Poulson