A message from Rev. Kay

Greetings dear siblings in Christ!

              As I write this, it has been six months to the date (1/28/24) since our Annual Parish Meeting and luncheon. What a wonderful whirlwind of ministry it has been, and what amazing renovations we are accomplishing!

• Dedication of new St. Francis statue in Memorial Garden
• Our 50’s Pre-Lenten Fellowship with music by Jim Clark
• Our Shrove Tuesday Pancake Supper
• Official Visit by diocesan Archdeacon Julie Altenbach
• Our Lenten Soup/Salad fellowship dinners during Lent
• Holy Eucharist at the Raulerson Ranch
        (complete with Mr. Earl’s swamp cabbage fritters!)

• 2 “Work Days” with fellowship lunch to paint Parish Hall and Admin Office
• Demolition of Parish Kitchen to begin remodel
• Launch of Capital Campaign to enhance Memorial Garden

 In addition, during the last six months we were blessed to welcome Dee Hemmelgarn into The Episcopal Church at the DCF Bishop’s Oratory by

Assisting Bishop Dabney Smith. We welcomed two into the Church by Holy
Baptism, Camille Tiffany Kelly and Audrey Day Curtis. We joined Bobby Olivarez and Sharon Buck in Holy Matrimony and celebrated with a reception afterwards. 

 We also celebrated the lives of three servants dear to our hearts who went to be with the Lord in this past six months. We remember the lives and
witness of Frank Carran, Amy Curvin, and Jamie Dolwick. 

 A special thanks to each and every one for your support and encouragement which allowed me to participate in several events close to my heart including a trip to North Carolina for the ordination of my dear friend and sister-in-Christ, Katie Rives, at Graves Memorial Presbyterian Church in Clinton; the 60th Anniversary of Holy Faith in Port St. Lucie as a parish and the 60th Anniversary of the ordination of Fr. Bill Smith to the priesthood; pre-convention meeting at Kanuga Conference and Retreat Center in Hendersonville, NC; travel to Wisconsin for seminary graduation festivities; and attending the 81st General Convention of The Episcopal Church in Louisville, KY. Additionally, I am honored to serve on the Bishop’s Commission on Ministry and attended BACAM at Canterbury in April, along with co-facilitating an ICS Course (Articulating Your Call) with friend and colleague Fr. Rob Strenth for 14 candidates in discernment for the diaconate in our diocese. 

Your generosity in sharing your time and talent, as well as your gifts, has allowed us to branch out in our ministries, and our remodeling and renovations. Thanks to all for giving so selflessly of yourselves for the work of Christ and our presence and witness in our beloved Okeechobee. 

 The start of the 2024-25 school year is just days away and the next six months will be history before we know it! I would personally ask that you be in prayer about two areas of service in our parish that we need your willingness to hear God’s call to serve: 1) the Vestry; 2) Adult Christian Education leader.

Remember, God doesn’t call the equipped; He equips the called! Or better yet, to quote scripture: “Commit to the Lord whatever you do, and He will establish your plans.” (Prov. 16:3). 

 Truly, I am blessed to be your Rector and grateful for each and everyone of you.

Blessings,

Rev. Kay Mueller, Rector – Church of Our Saviour (Okeechobee)