July 21, 2022

Dear Friends in Christ:

I am excited to let you know we are once again making good progress on some of our capital campaign projects. The work that Coppersmiths did on sealing the gutters seems to have done the trick. 🤞  After significant rains the past few days, there is absolutely no sign of water intrusion. The next step is to get on the plasterers' schedule so they can begin their repairs in the sanctuary and beyond.  

After much discussion this past year, Vestry has landed solidly on a flooring decision. We will extend the wood flooring that is currently under the pews out into the aisles and entryways in the nave. This means the entire floor will be covered with the same material. We have already purchased the wood for this, and will have that installed after the plastering and painting are complete.

The toilets throughout the building are being replaced, which will save water, and make them more accessible to those in wheelchairs. We are currently getting as many bids as we can on replacing/upgrading our heating and cooling systems for the building. We've had a long run of band-aids and duct-tape (not literally, mind you) and we clearly need to think longer term about heating and cooling to keep our space comfortable and welcoming for decades to come.

On to the updates . . .

WORSHIP

St. Timothy's current policy is that face coverings are suggested, though not required inside our building. You can always find the most-current updates on all our services by checking the calendar page of our website.

Sunday 7/24, Pentecost 7

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

10:00 am Rite II Holy Eucharist. In person and streamed at our website, on youtube and on our Facebook page. This week's bulletin is HERE. 

Wednesday 7/27

12:10pm Our mid-week service of Holy Eucharist. In person only.

Sunday 7/31, Pentecost 8

8:00am Morning Prayer, Rite I. In person only.

10:00 am Rite II Morning Prayer. In person only.

Wednesday 8/3

12:10pm Our mid-week service of Holy Eucharist. In person only.

TWO WAYS TO HELP

As we move through the summer, there are two concrete ways you can help serve our neighbors.

1.  Our food pantry at church is getting a little bare, while the need for help is increasing, due to cutbacks in aid and services. As always, the items that are most helpful are protein foods (peanut butter, canned meats and fish) and grains (pasta, cereals, rice). More folks will be needing help over time, and if you're moved to contribute, anything extra you can put in your cart and bring to church is greatly appreciated
2. In our partnership with Massillon Schools' Care Team project, we are collecting toiletries and hygiene products to distribute to students in our area. If you would like to help with this, please bring any items to church and leave them on the table in the parish hall. We'll arrange to get them to the schools, who will then get them to the students.

ORGANIST POSITION AT ST. TIM'S

With the passing of our dear Organist and parishioner David Sparkes, we are once again seeking someone to take on the role on permanent Organist here at St. Timothy's. Jay Spencer has generously offered to fill in as much as he can, and we're hoping Mark Thewes will do so as well. But having someone on staff as a salaried employee brings a much-needed stability to our very important music ministry.  

So, if you know someone who might be looking for this kind of position, please alert them of the opening. You can find an updated description of the position HERE or at our website.

ELECTION HELP

Vestry decided to continue serving as a voting location for elections, as a service to our neighbors. However, with Ron's retirement, this means we need parishioners to pitch in to help with the transition to a voting location and then back to our regularly scheduled programming.

So, after coffee hour on Sunday, July 31st, we ask that folks stick around a bit to fold up the tables and get them out of the way. We also need someone to meet the elections people around 5pm on Monday, August 1st to let them in, and then lock up after they're done setting up.

Jay Spencer has graciously offered to take one for the team by letting them in at 5:30am on Tuesday, August 2nd. Then we just need someone to lock up when they're done, around 8:30pm that night. The final step is to set all our tables back up by the following Sunday, which can happen later in the week.

See how great it was to have Ron around? It takes a village to replace that guy!

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 will 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, that they would be kept safe from violence and harm.

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

✥Chris Lane ✥Priya Kurian ✥Mike Ziegelhofer ✥Chuck Tilley ✥Michael Flamm

✥Liz Frank ✥Bobbie Muhlbach ✥John Muhlbach ✥Mike Requa  ✥Toni Contini

✥Brian Dorosch ✥Beth Conley ✥Bob Daane ✥Patty Ann  ✥Noble Carpenter

✥Roger Walters  ✥Gail Moss  ✥Stephen Huba  ✥Roy Schoenfeld  ✥Fred Gibbs

✥Betsy Lloyd  ✥Greg Rush  ✥Eamonn Hunter ✥Tony Donahue ✥Carla McCartney

✥Linda Boyer  ✥Tina Gottshall  ✥Ruth Lash  ✥Roberta Ott  ✥Steve Deuble

✥Gayle McHenry  ✥Cal Wolcott  ✥Dave Coltrin  ✥Zachary Miller  ✥Peter Baum

✥Savanna Dissette

For the repose of the soul of Rhea Hollar, mother of Ellin Schroeder

BIRTHDAYS and ANNIVERSARIES

Celebrating birthdays over the next two weeks are Ted Boyd (7/24), Christopher Higgins (7/24), Sue O'Donnell (7/27), and Bob Meyer (7/30).

Helen Keplinger & D.J. Warner will celebrate their anniversary on August 4th.

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

PERIODIC PUZZLE

This time, we get one of my favorite photos of this year's garden with the church in the background. The flower spires set against the building make me think we should call this puzzle, the Third Street Bed Cathedral.

You can find the puzzle by clicking 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.

DIOCESAN CONVENTION

Before we know it, our Diocesan Convention will be here, and we'll be electing a new Bishop. November 18-19, 2022 our Diocese will gather for business and worship in downtown Cleveland. Each parish is allowed to send up to 3 voting delegates, and others are welcome to attend, though without voice or vote. If you are interested in being one of our 3 delegates, please let me know as soon as possible. Delegates must be certified by Vestry before the end of October.

In addition, the following important positions need to be filled at this Convention. Please talk to me if you'd like more information:

Diocesan Trustee- one lay or clergy, 5-year term

Standing Committee- one lay and one clergy, 4-year term

Diocesan Council- two lay and two clergy, 3-year term

ECS Development Council- three lay and one clergy, 3-year term

Regional Disciplinary Board- one clergy, 3-year term

Deputies to the 2024 General Convention, four lay and four clergy

To be included in the Convention Handbook, nominations must be received by Friday, Sept. 23rd. 

DISHES TO STOVE FUNDRAISER

As part of our pantry cleanup, we will donate the flower pattern dishes to help local folks moving into transitional housing. Also, at some point, we’d like to replace the ovens and burners in the kitchen. So, before we donate those many boxes of dishes, we’re going to offer some for sale to those who might be interested. We have loads of dishes in the basement. We’re asking for a donation of $1 per dish, and encourage you to buy as many as you like--for they are legion--and we'll still have plenty to give away.

Pollinators Gonna Pollinate . . .

I've been thinking lately about these little creatures (which our family calls "fuzzy bumblers") and how they just sort of bumble through life, doing what comes naturally, with no thought to how they actually spread the pollen from one plant to another. Without them, we'd have fewer flowers, and many food-producing plants wouldn't give us fruits and vegetables. They have no idea what they're doing, yet all the while they bring life and beauty to this world.

The metaphor seems a natural fit for our lives as God's people in this world. We just do what we do, living our lives, and--no matter our intentions--we bring a message of hope and joy to this world, because loved people love people. Whether or not we plan to, whether or not we notice we're doing it, we move from one place to another, spreading the good news that God has not given up on this world, and that hope is what keeps us alive. 

Because, you know, pollinators gonna pollinate. 🌸 🐝

Faithfully,

Fr. George