July 20, 2023

Dear Friends in Christ:

Since I will be on vacation the next time you're due for a newsletter, today's update will cover three weeks rather than the usual two. Which means I also have to explain some things about our August worship services, because they will be a little different.

So let's start here: In November I was elected deputy to next year's General Convention. I am expecting that there will be conversations and votes regarding the future of our liturgical texts. Specifically, about how they will change going forward. At the previous General Convention in 2022, updated liturgical texts were approved for trial use. And trial use implies that we actually try using them. Which is what we're going to do.

For the four weeks of August (appropriately starting on Transfiguration Sunday) we will be using a different set of texts for all our services. Some are trial use, and some are already approved. From your perspective it will mean paying closer attention to the words in your bulletin, since things will be new to us. I will include links below for examples of our August bulletins (see Transfiguration Sunday, under WORSHIP).

If you have thoughts and reactions once we start using these, I'd love to hear them. If you find yourself having negative reactions, I encourage you to explore those. Is it because it's different? Or because the language is clunky? Is there a theological problem? Look to say something more than "I don't like it."

Prayers are only prayers if we pray them. Which takes time, and would require more than four weeks of sporadic attendance over the summer. But this will at least dip our toes in the water. Come talk to me or write to me about these trial texts. I really do want to hear what you have to say!

On to the updates . . .

WORSHIP

Sunday 7/23, Pentecost 8

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

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

Very special offertory from soprano Melody Moore.

Wednesday 7/26

12:10pm Our mid-week Rite II service of Holy Eucharist, includes anointing with oil for healing. In person only.

Sunday, 7/30, Pentecost 9

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

Lay preacher Jon Silvis preaching.

10:00 am Rite II Morning Prayer. In person and hopefully streamed on our Facebook page. This week's bulletin is HERE. 

Lay preacher Jon Silvis preaching.

NO Wednesday service 8/2

We will not have our weekly Wednesday service as Fr. George is out of town.

Sunday 8/6, Transfiguration Sunday

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

We will be using a trial-use liturgy (authorized by General Convention), and Eucharistic Prayer B (adapted per the instructions on page 14 of the BCP). Prayers will follow the ancient form of response, based on the instructions on page 383 of the BCP.

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.

You can find the bulletin at this LINK.

Wednesday 8/9

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 with Eucharistic Prayer B, authorized by General Convention.

You can find the bulletin at this LINK.

BACK-TO-SCHOOL SUPPLIES

Our local Salvation Army is once again collecting school supplies for Massillon students who need help getting the tools to help them learn. You can help these students start the year off right by purchasing supplies and bringing them to church before noon on Sunday, July 23rd. We will then hand off all that you provide to help make a difference. The full list can be found HERE.

Just three shopping days left!

VOTE FOR US THROUGH AUGUST 10

Stark Community Foundation is celebrating their 60th anniversary by setting up six endowment funds for local non-profit organizations. We have submitted a proposal to fund a Chamber Music Series here at St. Timothy's, and our proposal has been accepted as a possible grant recipient.

The next step is to get everyone we know to vote for us each day through August 10th.

(The phrase, "Vote early; vote often" is actually encouraged in this case.)

You can vote for our proposal each day at this LINK.

You can also vote using the QR code you'll see in bulletins and on posters around church. All you need is a valid email address to confirm your vote each day.

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 ✥Robin Murray ✥Roger & Gloria Campbell ✥Eve Bonk ✥Karen Fox ✥Crystal Riggleman ✥Joan ✥John Petty ✥Chris Streb ✥John & Bobbie Muhlbach ✥Laurie Bomze ✥Patty Partridge

For the repose of the soul of Jane McFadden, beloved sister of Mary Ann Sherer

BIRTHDAYS and ANNIVERSARIES

Those celebrating birthdays over the next three weeks include Laurie Bomze (7/23), Ted Boyd (7/24), Christopher Higgins (7/24), Sue O'Donnell (7/27), Bob Meyer (7/30), Clara Silvis (8/10), James Rieder (8/11), and Janet Kaboth (8/12).

Noble and Sherry Carpenter will celebrate their anniversary on August 11th in Michigan.

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

PERIODIC PUZZLE

Well what do you know? A flower puzzle! You can find it 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.

OTHER THINGS . . .

The women's bathroom has been getting a major overhaul and upgrade thanks to the skill and generosity of Susan Merrill. We expect the new floor to go in before the end of the month. It's a much more cheery and welcoming place now, and we appreciate all the work Susan has done.

We're in the initial stages of putting together some sort of confirmation program for the younger people of the parish. Of course, in the Episcopal Church, an actual 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.

Thanks again to everyone who contributed to our food pantry this month. We don't get a lot of folks coming by in need of food, but the ones who do really need it. So every little can or box of something makes a real difference for real people with real needs. It warms my heart that we are able to help, knowing that it is only because of your generosity that we can.

Several of you have asked when the new photo directories will arrive, and I wish I knew the answer to that. The company sent me a proof a few weeks ago, and I made as many corrections as I could find and sent it back to them. So now, we just have to wait. But as soon they arrive, we will set aside one for every family whose picture is in there, and then the rest will be available on a first come, first served sort of basis. But I think there will be plenty to go around.

Hope you are enjoying your summer, and look forward to seeing you around church!

Faithfully,

Fr. George