August 10, 2023

Dear Friends in Christ:

It will surprise no one to hear that Vestry has been talking about replacing the parking lot doors. In fact, Vestry has been talking about replacing the parking lot doors since I first arrived in Massillon, seven years ago last week. The problem is, it's a complicated affair to replace those doors. There's a lot to take into account, including accessibility, security, historical fidelity, and more. And on top of all that, for most people those doors are their first impression of St. Timothy's--who we are and what we're about.

So, turns out, what we really need is a committee. I'm thinking of it as a First Impression Committee. This group will consist of interested persons from the parish (both Vestry and non-Vestry) who will reassess the entryway from the ground up: from the waterlogged sill to the leaking canopy awning. They'll figure out what we need in the long term, get estimates from a few capable contractors, and bring their recommendations to Vestry.

If you would like to serve on this committee, please contact me or any Vestry member as soon as possible. We are hoping this committee can begin meeting shortly after our next Vestry meeting (August 28th), when Vestry will write a formal charge for the committee. If you've got strong feelings about those doors, serving on this committee is the way to make your voice heard.

On to the updates . . .

WORSHIP

Sunday 8/13, Pentecost 11

8:00am Holy Eucharist, Rite I. In person only. 

We will be using a trial-use liturgy (authorized by General Convention).

You can find the bulletin at this LINK.

10:00 am Rite II Holy Eucharist, with music. In person and streamed at our website, on youtube, and on our Facebook page.

We will be using Eucharistic Prayer II from Enriching Our Worship, with portions of trial use liturgies.

Special offertory by soprano Suzanne Woods. You can find the bulletin at this LINK.

Wednesday 8/16

12:10pm Our mid-week Rite II service of Holy Eucharist, includes anointing with oil for healing. In person only. We will be using a trial-use liturgy (authorized by General Convention).

Sunday 8/20, Pentecost 12

8:00am Holy Eucharist, Rite I. In person only. 

We will be using a trial-use liturgy (authorized by General Convention).

Seminarian Melissa Allison will preach. You can find the bulletin at this LINK.

10:00 am Rite II Holy Eucharist, with music. In person and streamed at our website, on youtube, and on our Facebook page.

We will be using Eucharistic Prayer II from Enriching Our Worship, with portions of trial use liturgies.

Seminarian Melissa Allison will preach. You can find the bulletin at this LINK.

Wednesday 8/23

12:10pm Our mid-week Rite II service of Holy Eucharist, includes anointing with oil for healing. In person only. We will be using a trial-use liturgy (authorized by General Convention).

CONFIRMATION CLASSES

We're in the process of putting together a confirmation program for the younger people of the parish. An actual Episcopal Church Confirmation is tied more to the Bishop's schedule than to finishing a class. But, we've got a few younger folks who are approaching the appropriate age for confirming their faith, so it seems like the timing is right.

If you've got someone in your family who might be interested, come and talk to me, and we'll see if we can find a time that works for everyone.

SUMMER MUSIC

In the spirit of St. Cecilia, special music has been happening over the summer at St. Timothy's, even though choir is not in session. Last month we were treated to a spectacular offertory from Melody Moore (available HERE). This coming Sunday (8/13), soprano Suzanne Woods will grace us with an offertory at our 10am service. Later in the month (8/27) tenor John Pickle will lift his voice to the glory of God. And word on the street is that Bruce Stebner will put down his paintbrush and pick up his clarinet on September 3rd.

I am so delighted that beautiful music continues at St. Tim's over the summer, and we're gratefully indebted to Jim Mismas and all these talented artists for their offerings.

GREAT GROOMING OF THE GROUNDS: Sept. 16, & Oct. 28

Thanks to everyone who came over on August 6th to tidy things up. All your weeding and raking and trimming is greatly appreciated. We do have some beautiful grounds thanks to so many people doing so many things!

The next gardening day will be Saturday, September 16th, from 9am to noon. As usual, any time you can spare that morning would be much appreciated, as we weed and clean things up. Put the October date on your calendar as well, and join us if you can, to help make our beds and grounds look even better!

PRAYERS REQUESTED

When you ask for someone to be added to the prayers, they will stay on our list for four weeks unless we hear from you. We maintain a continuing prayer list for those with ongoing needs. The email list below merges both lists.

Please be sure to let us know if someone should be taken off this list so we can focus on those in need.

Please pray for the people of Ukraine & Russia, that they would be kept safe and live in peace and safety. 

And please also keep these friends and parishioners in your prayers:

✥Priya Kurian ✥Chuck Tilley ✥Liz Frank  ✥Mike Requa ✥Brian Dorosch ✥Bob Daane

✥Gail Moss ✥Greg Rush ✥Tony Donahue ✥Ruth Lash ✥Gayle McHenry

✥Eamonn Hunter ✥Sarah Kouri ✥Marilyn ✥Andrew DeBroeck ✥Leah ✥Trisha Rusford ✥Gabriella Santos ✥Steve Deuble ✥Dan Kloock ✥Ian Long ✥Ann Renkert ✥Carolyn Flamm ✥Linda Schmidt ✥Ray Anderson ✥Stephanie Morrow ✥Tiffany Thornton

✥Roger & Gloria Campbell ✥Eve Bonk ✥Karen Fox ✥Crystal Riggleman ✥John Petty

✥Chris Streb ✥John & Bobbie Muhlbach ✥Laurie Bomze ✥Patty Partridge ✥Tim Wentzel

✥Ingrid Arsuaga ✥Janine Hartman

BIRTHDAYS and ANNIVERSARIES

Those celebrating birthdays over the next two weeks include Jay Spencer (8/13), Candy Dickerhoof (8/13), John Muhlbach (8/18), Larry Mizer (8/20), Amanda Smith (8/23), Anna Schroeder (8/23), Rita Haines (8/24), Miriam Joseph (8/24), Matt Kurian (8/26), and Ellin Schroeder (8/26).

Hal & Pam Dill will celebrate their anniversary on August 22nd, as will Paul & Janet Kaboth.

Be sure to send good wishes and thoughts to all who celebrate in the coming weeks!

PERIODIC PUZZLE

The Bee & Butterfly Hotel is open for business! You can make a puzzle reservation HERE.

As always, you can choose your background color, number of puzzle pieces, and even set it to display just the edge pieces. Plus, you get a very affirming crowd reaction once you have completed it!

Also, if you want to take a trip down puzzle memory lane, you can go back and find the whole collection on our website at this LINK.

As of today, we've made it through one full week of trying the trial-use liturgies. Overall, most people have said the changes felt positive but different. We'll continue using these liturgies for the remainder of August, and probably roll them out here or there in the seasons ahead. Again, please do tell me what you think, what you like and what you don't like. And, of course, bonus points for saying why.

Faithfully,

Fr. George