Clergy & Staff
Clergy
The Very Reverend Katie Churchwell, Dean
Dean of St. Paul's Episcopal Cathedral since 2020, Dean Churchwell believes that God's presence is with us always, especially when we take big risks for God and our neighbor!
A lifelong Episcopalian, Dean Churchwell has served in churches in Arizona, Oregon, Virginia, Texas, and Florida before making St. Paul's her spiritual home.
As Dean of the Cathedral, Dean Churchwell is responsible for the spiritual health and vitality of the cathedral, serves as Head of Staff for clergy and laity, chairs the Vestry (the lay leadership team of the Cathedral), and spends equal time bent over the Bible as she does spreadsheets.
For fun Dean Churchwell spends time with her family, her husband Logan and their three children Addison, Crawford, and Collins. She reads, naps, and enjoys the ritual of a good cup of coffee with a side of good conversation. You can find her at various kid activities, roaming the aisles at Trader Joe's, or jogging downtown between meetings.
Want to schedule a meeting with Dean Churchwell? Click here
The Reverend Canon Tim Sean Youmans
Clergy Canon
Father Tim Sean Youmans serves as the Vicar of St. Edward the Confessor
Chapel and Chair of the Religion Department at Casady School.
Additionally, Father Tim Sean is the Bible Instructor for the Diocesan
Iona School for Ministry. He serves the Cathedral as Canon for Youth and
Families, bringing experience, joy, ad creativity to our community. A
native of Wyoming, Father Tim Sean is married to Dr. Karen Youmans,
Honors Director and Associate Professor of English at Oklahoma City
University. Tim Sean came into the Episcopal Church after 20 years as a
Baptist youth pastor. He earned a degree in English and History from
Oklahoma Baptist University in 1991, a Master's of Divinity at
Southwestern Baptist in 1994, and Anglican Studies at Nashotah House in
2011. He is the author of Blessed to Bless: An Introduction to the Bible,
a survey of the scriptures geared toward teenagers and the biblically
uninitiated. Tim Sean is a folk musician and songwriter, and tinkers at
the banjo. Tim Sean and Karen have a son in college, Noah.
The Reverend Gerald Butcher
Deacon
Gerald Butcher was appointed by the Bishop to serve St. Paul’s Cathedral in 2013. Gerald's primary service is Community Outreach. A native Oklahoman, Gerald is a graduate of Oklahoma State University and has worked for Western Farmers Electric Cooperative for nearly four decades as an Environmental Regulatory Affairs Coordinator. His wife Debra is a registered nurse (BS, BSN, MSN, CHN) and is employed at Mercy Hospital. Gerald and Debra have three adult daughters who also work in the health-care industry. Daughter Catherine is a radiation therapy clinic and technical manager at the University of Texas Medical Center in Dallas, Rebekah is a nurse supervisor for Mercy Home Health and Jennafer is a dietitian supervisor at the OU Medical Center in Edmond. Five grandchildren light up Debra's and Gerald's lives. Deacon Butcher loves working in the community where he has served as a coach for youth soccer, softball and basketball, serving on the board of directors for Chickasha Youth Soccer. Additionally, Gerald served on the National Rural Electric Environmental Association board and as a Grady County Court Appointed Special Advocate (CASA). Today, he continues to serve on the Environmental Federation of Oklahoma board of directors and is a volunteer with the Oklahoma Department of Corrections. Recently, the Bishop appointed Gerald to the Oklahoma Prison Commission.
The Reverend Marilyn Robertson
Deacon and Cathedral Nurse
The Reverend Tracy Anderson
Deacon
The Reverend Deacon Tracy Anderson has been involved in many aspects of church life and service from a young age, including teaching Sunday school, singing in the choir and leading women’s ministries. She first came to the Episcopal church in 2013 and was confirmed in 2014 by Bishop Ed Konieczny in Sapulpa, Ok. Deacon Tracy was ordained as a vocational deacon in 2022 after graduating from the High Desert School for Ministry in Cove, OR, the realization of a lifelong call to service. She feels particularly called to walk alongside the economically disadvantaged and those living with mental health issues. She is excited to see what God has planned for her in serving at St. Paul’s.
Although she moved frequently during her childhood due to her father’s military service, Tracy’s family has lived in Oklahoma for generations and many still reside in the Tulsa area. She recently moved from Sisters, OR to Del City to be closer to her 4 grown children and grandchildren who live in the Dallas area. In addition to enjoying life as a grandma, she likes to crochet, bake, and spend time with her dog Jemma.
The Reverend Omar Cisneros
Curate
Fr. Omar was born in Denver, Colorado, to parents from northern Mexico. He grew up in predominately Spanish-speaking Episcopal churches. In his twenties, he worked as a community organizer, primarily focused on education, and staffed various local and state-wide campaigns. He received his undergraduate degree at Southeastern Oklahoma State University and his Master of Divinity from Virginia Theological Seminary. Omar was ordained a deacon at St. Paul’s Cathedral on December 21st, 2021 (Feast of St. Thomas) and a priest on June 29th, 2022 (Feast of St. Peter and Paul). He enjoys reading, writing, archery, and competing in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu and Judo. Omar has been married to Karina since 2016, and they have one dog.
Staff
Joseph Ripka
Canon Precentor - Director of Cathedral Music - Diocesan Music MissionerJoseph Ripka is an internationally respected and acclaimed organist, recognized for his virtuosity and expressiveness. He was the rst-prize winner of the Dublin International Organ Competition, the Fort Wayne National Organ Playing Competition, and the San Marino/ Elizabeth Elftman National Organ Competition.
Joseph is in demand as a concert organist and has performed recitals throughout the United States. He received high praise in a review from the Boston Musical Intelligencer for his performance at Holy Cross College in Worcester Massachusetts on the renowned Taylor and Boody Opus 9 instrument. Joseph has performed with the New World Symphony, the Boston Philharmonic, and the Boston Symphony Orchestra under conductors Michael Tilson Thomas, Benjamin Zander, and Alan Gilbert. Mr. Ripka’s recitals have been aired on American Public Media's Pipedreams several times; he was invited by Michael Barone to be the featured artist for the 25th anniversary celebration of Pipedreams in 2008 in Minneapolis, Minnesota. During the summer of 2009, Joseph made his European concert debut with recitals at St. Sulpice in Paris, Bavo Kerk in Haarlem, Oude Kerk in Amsterdam, and Hooglandse Kerk in Leiden, Netherlands. Joseph has since played recitals at Westminster Cathedral in London, St. Michael’s Church in Dun Laoghaire, St Paul's Cathedral in London, St Columb's Cathedral in Derry, Noorderkerk in Amsterdam, and many more. Joseph’s acclaimed YouTube videos have received hundreds of thousands of views and have earned rave comments from around the world.
Joseph holds bachelor’s degrees in both organ and piano performance from St. Cloud State University, masters degrees in organ and piano performance from the University of Kansas, the Artist Diploma in organ performance from Oberlin College and a master’s degree in organ performance from Yale University. His principal teachers were James David Christie, Webb Wiggins (harpsichord), Derek Rêmes (thoroughbass), Martin Jean, James Higdon, Charles Echols, Jack Winerock and Carmen Wilhite, and Yakov Gelfand. He has coached with Olivier Latry, Marie Claire Alain, Wilma Jensen, Jean-Baptiste Robin, John Scott, and Phillipe Lefebvre as well.
Mr. Ripka is the Canon Musician at St. Paul’s Cathedral in Oklahoma City, OK. At St. Paul’s, Joseph is director of a comprehensive choral and music program, including two adult choirs and the Cathedral Chorister program, which he inaugurated in the fall of 2021. He also serves as Diocesan Music Missioner for the Episcopal Diocese of Oklahoma.
An internationally recognized organist, Mr. Ripka is also a performing pianist and harpsichordist, He has performed professionally as a pianist in numerous duo recitals and chamber-music concerts and as a continuo harpsichordist in concerts and recitals with Baroque ensembles and soloists. Joseph has conducted numerous complete performances of Handel’s Messiah and cantatas of Bach, Buxtehude and Schutz. His repertoire as a keyboardist, conductor and teacher extends from the late Renaissance and early Baroque to the 21st century. Joseph serves as instructor of harpsichord and director of the Early Music Ensemble at Oklahoma City University.
Ashley Ozan
Children, Family & Cathedral Life MinisterAshley is the mom to Amelia, Charlotte and George. Ashley and her family usually attend the Rite I service. She has been active not only in the undercroft teaching many classes over the past years, but has also served as the Altar Guild director, Wedding Chair and an acolyte. Ashley comes to us from the First Presbyterian Preschool where she has been a teacher and manager of the preschool for over 9 years. She is looking forward to developing stronger relationships with each family and building our undercroft programs in this new season of change.
Lauren Bass
Director of OperationsLauren joined the staff of St. Paul’s Episcopal Cathedral in response to a call to align her spiritual life and work life. As the Director of Operations she manages the day-to-day operations of the Cathedral, including its financial and information technology systems; protection of its assets; maintenance of building and grounds; logistical support to Cathedral ministries and programs; vestry, executive and stewardship committee support; management of the use of Cathedral facilities by outside groups; and being the public face to parishioners and community members for operational needs.
Her background is rooted in technical communications. After receiving a Bachelor of Arts in English and Journalism from Baylor University then completing a publishing program at New York University, Lauren embarked on a writing career focused on technical and resource publications. For 24 years, she wrote policies, procedures, programs, proposals, brochures, trade-journal articles, and a myriad of supporting materials for a variety of federal and state regulated and non-regulated companies in the oil, gas, energy, and banking industries.
Lauren brings an attention to detail and professional perspective to all her projects for the Cathedral. But when she’s not focused on the details, you might find Lauren chitchatting with Cathedral members or camping and fishing with her family. She loves to grow her mind and enlarge her perspective and is thankful for how the people and mission of St. Paul’s support both her spiritual growth and social awareness.
Many, many years ago, Lauren was a cheerleader and although the toe-touches didn’t stick, her commitment to cheering on others and encouraging them to be their best has remained a fundamental part of who she is. We encourage you to reach out to Lauren if you have any questions about Cathedral operations or if you just want to share stories… Lauren is your go-to person.
Sarah-Emily Steinhardt
Communications MinisterSarah-Emily, or "SE" as she is often called, is a lifelong Episcopalian and the daughter of an Episcopal Priest. Some of her fondest and most formative memories center around the church events of her childhood and teen years. SE and her husband Michael have been married since 2011, and are parents of one charismatic and dynamic son. The Steinhardts have been active members of the greater OKC community since May of 2017, when they relocated from Lawrence, Kansas. SE holds both bachelors and masters degrees in education, and spent nearly 20 years teaching prior to 'early retirement' with the pursuit of lay work within the church. When not busy with her work or family, SE is an Active Member of the Edmond Women's Club as well as President of the Holy Trinity Lutheran School PTO. In her free time, SE enjoys walking and being outdoors, traveling, kayaking, reading, great music and good coffee.
Stephanie Jensen
Staff AssistantAs Staff Assistant, Stephanie will coordinate with every member of the staff to ensure that they are well supported in their work. Stephanie is an Oklahoma City native and a long-time member of St. Paul's Cathedral. Her previous work and educational background is in nursing. Stephanie and her wife, Alice, have been married 6 years in June and are dog-mom's to Lila the mutt.
Page Jackson
Youth MinisterPage Jackson grew up in the Northern Midwest in the great state of Michigan but has called Oklahoma home for the last 16 years. She has spent the majority of her career working with kids and adolescents, most recently her attention has been focused on adolescents (11-25) through Young Life. Page have an MA in social work and public administration from the University of Oklahoma. From the first time she visited St. Paul’s it felt like home and has been a member for five plus years.