Author: Beth Case

Yes please! Our culinary team is hard at work creating delightful dishes such as this Cheese Tortellini in pesto cream sauce. It is a vegetarian (VG) option on our Bistro menu. It is served with a small garden, spring, caesar or create your own salad…..and you should always follow it with dessert!

Keep checking back with us as we introduce you to more savory and sweet dishes that are being served up at Epworth Villa!

Resident, Bill Elliott will be presenting the topic of Bicycle Tourism next Tuesday at the “2020 Lt. Governor’s Virtual Travel & Tourism Summits”. It is Oct. 20 from 1:30 to 3:30 pm. We hope you will “zoom” in to learn all about Touring Oklahoma on your Bike. Info and register at https://mms.otia.info/members/evr/reg_event.php?orgcode=OTIA&evid=24118293

In addition, you will hear about the plans for the upcoming “Cycle 66” ride to celebrate the birthday of Route 66 ( 94 years young ).

Bill Elliott is a retired computer programmer and lifetime bicyclist. He is a past president of the Oklahoma Bicycle Society (OKC Bike Club) and current president of BikeOklahoma – Oklahoma’s bike advocacy organization. He participated on the committee that worked to add Oklahoma to the U.S. Bike Route 66. Bill attended the Oklahoma Route 66 Convention as an Edmond stakeholder. He also serves on the Edmond Cycle 66 board as volunteer chair for the inaugural bike ride on November 8, 2020.

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I was raised in Iowa in a Mennonite community, graduated from a Mennonite High School, and I was loved and nurtured by a large Mennonite family. Though my brother and I are the only two siblings in our large family, I have 28 cousins. Most all my family lived in the vicinity. Some were preachers, all were craftsmen, and women, and all were raised to understand a giving heart. FYI – Even today, the Mennonite Central Community has a yearly state fundraiser for handmade crafts to provide funds for disaster relief. Oklahoma has been the beneficiary many times as Mennonites worked hand in hand with Methodists in disaster relief. I can remember as a child playing under the quilter rack as the hand stitches were methodically placed for the next yearly sale.

Fast forward to 2014, Max and I moved to Epworth Villa. He had been a physician at OKC Presbyterian Hospital, and I was a retired nurse. We found Epworth Villa provided everything we need. That is the way I see God – God provides everything we need.

Even in this difficult time of confinement – God provides everything I need. My apartment is one that from my balcony every morning I can see the roof of Brill Chapel. At night, I see the light glowing from the chapel windows. The view inspires me to say this prayer every morning: Holy Spirit – Think through me – Live through me – Love through me – Thank you Jesus – for this precious day of life. Help me to stay aware of your presence with me. AMEN

“Cause me to hear your loving kindness in the morning; for in Thee do I trust: Cause me to know the way wherein I should walk; for I lift up my soul unto Thee.” Psalm 143:8

When I moved here thirteen months ago, I was seeking help. I was physically ill and spiritually hungry. Brill Chapel was the “outward and visible sign of the inward visible Grace” I was seeking. It is a place where I could go and rest in the quiet; a place to gain strength to face difficult times. Besides the times I have gone there to be alone, I have enjoyed the wonderful programs there like Vespers, Concerts, and Bible Studies. In one of those concerts, the pianist, Gathan Graham, said he felt a need to play a certain song. It was “God Will Take Care of You” — a comforting message telling me I was in the right place.

Because my parents did not go to church, my upbringing was ecumenical — some relatives were Methodist; others Episcopalian. Sometimes I attended with friends and often a synagogue with my Jewish neighbors. I became Catholic 60 years ago. I continue to enjoy, as I was raised, to honor and respect all faiths. I love that there are speakers at Brill Chapel from different faiths. I join friends as we receive Communion from the Catholic Deacon in Brill Chapel weekly and I look forward to when we can again worship together when COVID restrictions are lifted.

By far, the biggest challenge this past year was the loss of my son, Danny. I loved going to vespers and hearing him being prayed for. I have shown him, and the rest of my family, the beautiful windows. After my son died last November 15th, we found a prayer in his kitchen that looked as though he prayed it daily. I want to share —- “The Third Step Prayer” (from the 12 Steps of Recovery.) God, I offer myself to Thee – To build with me and to do with me as Thou wilt. Relieve me of the bondage of self, that I may better do Thy will. Take away my difficulties, that victory over them may bear witness to those I would help of Thy Power, Thy Love, and Thy Way of Life.” May I do Thy will always.

I was blessed to share recovery with him. He told me in Brill Chapel that I had found the right place, and he was accurate . May God rest his precious soul. Go with God – Jane Lepak