Much work – and hopefully, accomplishment is in store for St. Bede’s during April.

Maundy Thursday service will begin at the church at 6 p.m., April 9, following an Agape Supper in Parish Hall at 5 p.m. “Maundy” comes from the Latin term for mandate in which Christ’s disciples are commanded to wash the feet of the poor.

Colors will change from the violet to oxblood or crimson for Holy Week, black for Good Friday, and white for Easter. This custom originated in the Middle Ages as a visual reminder of the church day or season for the majority who could not read or write.

Continuing one of his traditions, Fr. Powers will distribute spring flowers to Easter service attendees after church. Lenten classes are being held at 9:15 a.m. each Sunday and will conclude on Easter. The class is in the middle of a discussion-type study of “Mere Christianity,” by C.S. Lewis.

Before Easter a group from St. Bede’s will visit several Episcopal churches having memorial gardens in order to get tips on how to arrange and maintain their own. Selections include St. Matthew’s of Sand Springs, St. Dustan’s and St. John’s of Tulsa. More may be added. Scheduled to make the tour are Libbye Brooks, Alan Oliver and Sandy Charlson.

The project resulted from the death of Dean Coonrod, St. Bede’s long time organist. Dean’s wish was to be buried in the church columbarium, a future project of the church. His ashes were placed in a large raised flower bed and this is being converted into a permanent burial spot not only for Dean but others who might want their ashes buried there.

A fund in Dean’s honor is growing, with Masons, Shriners, friends and relatives contributing. Plans on how best to use the funds were made at the latest vestry meeting. At that meeting it was revealed that an unknown person or group had already paid for Dean’s cremation services and had requested the name not be revealed.

Another trip by vestry volunteers is planned, possibly this week, to select replacement chairs for Parish hall. A demo chair was brought to he church recently on which the group looked on favorable. If enough suitable chairs can be obtained, a motion has passed to buy them.

Hymnal and prayer book replacement were also considered. A sale is on until April 15 and it was suggested that members either buy a book for themselves or in memory of someone.

Doug Laird, reporter-treasurer, prepared and presented a detailed parochial report on church finances. It shows where church funds originate and where they are spent.

Three from St. Bede’s received special recognition or notice during March: Dr. Peter C. Rollins, the Rev. Canon John C. Powers and Ms. Stephanie Swinnea, formerly of Terlton but now rector of All Saints in McAlester. Dr. Rollins was notified that his book, “Why We Fought,” has been chosen for yet another honor, the Ray and Pat Brown Award, given by the National Popular Assn. for American Culture, for best collected essays.

Both Fr. Powers and Mtr. Swinnea were quoted in a front page article of Oklahoma Missions, a diocesan addition for the national Episcopal Life. Both are quoted in an article concerning the value of prayer in one’s life.

In addition, Fr. Powers was recently named in the Tulsa World as among those recently elected to the board of directors of Irongate Food Kitchen in Tulsa. Further recognition for the St. Bede’s priest in charge came in an article about the church of Holy Family in Langston. Fr. Powers helped with organization and performed its first service.

Then of Oklahoma City, he was sent by his bishop to help those desirous of having their own church and led a 6-week’s
confirmation class at Holy Family. The class, upon completion, was confirmed Nov. 19, 1967 by the Rt. Rev. Bishop Chilton Powell.

By Margaret Speegle
Recording Secretary