St. John's Center for Spiritual Formation

09/08/2025

Dear Sangha,
We want to take a moment to acknowledge the beautiful community Sister Ellie lovingly built here. Her vision and dedication created the foundation for all that we continue to share today. 💜

As we step forward, our new meditation center—and its new name—serve as a living tribute to her legacy. We are deeply grateful for the path she opened, and we carry her spirit with us as we grow.

✨ All updates, events, and offerings will now be shared on our new page. Please join us there and continue this journey together: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61579122027493

With gratitude and respect,
Open Door Meditation Center

The Open Door Meditation Center is a conscious community offering opportunities to deepen mindfulness through meditation
and other
spiritual practices. We are located in Tulsa, Oklahoma at 5001 S. Fulton Ave.

06/08/2025

https://mailchi.mp/17e2cef226fb/ru8rvnzn2e

I found these two questions together in Ellie’s stack of self reflection questions. After spending some time with them, I kept coming back to this idea that compassion isn’t always warm and fuzzy—sometimes it’s dragging yourself through the wreckage of your own reactions and realizing, “Oh...

05/21/2025

https://mailchi.mp/9a2c7b1289c6/opening-new-doors-10336216

We warmly invite you to our Monthly Community Potluck—a cherished opportunity to gather in connection, conversation, and community.

05/08/2025

https://mailchi.mp/ebd6ad98118f/opening-new-doorshttps://www.facebook.com/stjohnscenter

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04/16/2025

April Newsletter -

These past few months have been a powerful lesson in impermanence and acceptance. As we’ve moved through waves of uncertainty and transition, one thing has remained steady—your unwavering support and desire to stay connected.

03/21/2025

As we reflect on our meditation center’s journey and look toward the future, we want to hear from you. This short survey seeks to understand your experiences with the center, how it has (or hasn’t) met the needs of the community, and how we can evolve to better serve you. Your insights are vital to the next iteration of this space! Don’t miss your chance to share your thoughts - survey closes on March 28th!! The link is in the comments.

Thank you.

Beth Williams, Board President
Bethany Lamb, Board Vice President
Matt Mason, Board Treasurer
Danielle Miner-Burney, Board Secretary
Claudia Ainette, Board Member
Dee Duren, Board Member

03/12/2025

Updates from the Crysalis....https://mailchi.mp/85fd104d5c03/entering-the-crysalis

Please complete our 20-minute survey to assist the Board with our transformation.

03/08/2025

Here is a link to the recording of Ellie’s Funeral Mass at Christ Church Episcopal on March 8, 2025.

Christ Church is an Episcopal church in South Tulsa, Oklahoma; we welcome all saints, sinners, and skeptics alike.If you enjoyed this sermon and would like t...

03/07/2025

Please join us tomorrow for Sr. Ellen Finlay's Funeral Mass and Celebration of Life at Christ Church Episcopal at 10:30AM CST. The church is located at 10901 S. Yale Ave. Tulsa, OK 74137. There will be plenty of parking, however, we do anticipate a full sanctuary. Please arrive a few minutes early and carpool if possible. We hope you'll stay for fellowship and food at the reception immediately following the service.

If you are unable to attend in person, please visit our website here to access the livestream.

Thank you to everyone for your prayers, thoughts, volunteerism and continued donations.

Peace be with you.

St. John's Center Board of Directors

02/26/2025

UPDATE ON SR. ELLIE'S PETS!

Finlay (formerly known as Jimmy) is enjoying his new home with the Smith family!

Yesterday, members of the community spent hours capturing Ellie's six cats and transporting them to Sapulpa Animal Shelter/Purr A Lot.

This is a no-kill shelter, and the owners will make every effort to place each cat in a home. The shelter will keep the cats indefinitely.

We are extremely thankful for the personal connections and help of Tracy Arvidson, director of the Sand Springs Animal Shelter and Brandie at Sapulpa Shelter that has made this possible.

Please consider sending a donation in Ellie's memory to Sapulpa Animal Shelter, 8812 W 100th St. South, Sapulpa, 74067, and/or Sand Springs Animal Shelter, 8620 W 21 St, Sand Springs, 74063.

This serves as another reminder of the importance of localized community during these heartbreaking and stressful times.

Thanks for all your support!

02/22/2025

https://mailchi.mp/f5380e5d9547/important-updates-for-the-community-of-st-john-center

The board of directors and other volunteers have been working to organize the life of the Center as we mourn the death of our founder, Sister Ellie Finlay, on Feb. 4. 

02/20/2025

UPDATE ON SR. ELLIE FINLAY'S CELEBRATION OF LIFE. WE WILL POST A LINK TO THE LIVESTREAM WHEN IT BECOMES AVAILABLE.