Feast of St. Timothy, 2023

Dear Friends in Christ:

Happy St. Timothy Day! This is the day the larger Church sets aside for Timothy and Titus, one of whom means a great deal to our parish. What's interesting to me, however, is that there's nothing in the parish records to indicate exactly why we are dedicated to this particular saint.

The Duncan family--founders of Massillon--were Presbyterians, and the town of Massillon gets its name because Mrs. Duncan enjoyed reading the sermons of the French Catholic Bishop Jean Baptiste Massillon (1663-1742). Why St. Timothy? Why Episcopalian? Who knows?

Nonetheless, since January 26th is Timothy's Day, we will celebrate him this Sunday with a feast of beautiful worship, followed by our traditional annual feast of a Swiss-steak luncheon. Why Swiss steak? Who knows? But it sure is tasty!

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 1/29, St. Timothy Sunday

**10am only** Holy Eucharist, Rite II, with choir. In person and streamed at our website, on youtube and on our Facebook page. The bulletin can be found HERE.

Wednesday 2/1, Rite II with Healing

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

Sunday 2/5, Epiphany 5

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 2/8, Rite II with Healing

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

UPCOMING DATES OF NOTE

Jan. 29 St. Timothy Sunday, Vestry Commissioning

• St. Timothy's Luncheon, 11:30am

Feb. 3-4 Winter Convocation

Feb. 12 Children's Sunday, 10am

Feb. 14 Taize', 7pm

Feb. 21 Pancake Supper, 5:30-7pm

Feb. 22 Ash Wednesday, 12:10pm & 7pm

Feb. 26 Great Litany, both services

Mar. 1 MACCA Lenten Service, St. John's UCC

Mar. 22 Host MACCA Lenten Service

Apr. 2-9 Holy Week

Apr. 29 Bishop Jolly Ordination, 11am Cleveland

ST. TIMOTHY SUNDAY

As I noted above, this Sunday we will celebrate our patron saint, Timothy. We'll have just one service at 10am, where we will commission our Vestry for another year of thoughtful leadership. Following the service, we will share a luncheon, which has returned to its usual treat of a hearty Swiss steak entree', thanks to Etta Trimpi and her dedicated band of cooks.

If you have not yet made reservations for this delightful free meal, please call the church office (330.833-3183) or sign up on the bulletin board in the parish hall.

WINTER CONVOCATION, Feb. 3-4, 2023

It's not too late to sign up for the Diocesan Winter Convocation. And, not only will our Bishop-elect, the Rev. Anne Jolly will be in attendance, but your Rector has been roped into asked to provide music for Saturday's worship service.

If you're interested, I'd love to have you join us. There is lodging available at the lodge, but it's a little pricey. Other hotels are nearby, or one could drive up and back each day. More information can be found HERE.

ORGANIST UPDATE

Our of nowhere--and much to our surprise--we recently had two competent musicians apply for the position of Organist at St. Timothy's. We are currently working on plans to meet with them individually for conversations and auditions. Meanwhile, Jay Spencer's fingers are aching from being crossed so tightly in the hopes that one of them pans out.

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:

✥Chris Lane ✥Priya Kurian ✥Chuck Tilley ✥Liz Frank  ✥Mike Requa ✥Toni Contini

✥Brian Dorosch ✥Bob Daane  ✥Noble Carpenter ✥Gail Moss ✥Greg Rush

✥Tony Donahue  ✥Tina Gottshall  ✥Ruth Lash ✥Gayle McHenry ✥Dylan Miller

✥Ted Savastano ✥Hadley Hirschman  ✥Eamonn Hunter ✥Sarah Kouri ✥Matt Neal

✥Becky Frum ✥Marilyn and Denny ✥Thomas Haidet ✥Ed Nihser

✥Lester Kidney ✥Bill Mayer ✥Andrew DeBroeck ✥Allison Stergios ✥Dave Cottrill ✥Leah ✥Trisha Rusford ✥Curt Allison ✥Jack ✥Leah ✥Linda Devore ✥Gabriella Santos

✥April Henry ✥Steve Deuble ✥Dan Kloock ✥Randa Farah ✥Melissa Allison ✥Bob Boley

BIRTHDAYS and ANNIVERSARIES

Celebrating birthdays the next two weeks are, Chris Lane (1/29), Jon Silvis (1/30), Abby Strawder (2/3), Cathy Tilley (2/6), and Anne Buchman (2/7).

No anniversaries in the next two, of which I am aware.

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

PERIODIC PUZZLE

On this most festive of days, I think you can probably guess which window is headed your way. Behold the man who was told by St. Paul to drink a little wine for his stomach!

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.

It was nice to spend some time out of state with Cristin last week. We visited friends on Long Island, climbed around on some cliffs, and touched the icy Atlantic. We went to the Hopper exhibit at the Whitney, visited my former seminary, and climbed around on something called Little Island. I read a great novel, and we spent a few nights at a house two blocks away from a certain house in Amityville. All in all, a good time back in my home state.

While I was away, I resisted the urge to check in on things back at St. Timothy's, because I knew you all had it under control. Though I missed hearing the Choir and Jon Silvis' sermon on Sunday, word on the street is that everything went well. And I am encouraged by that.

Sometimes it's helpful to just get out of the way and let people engage in the ministries God has called them into. Thank you to everyone who does so much to make St. Timothy's a haven for those who are seeking the Gospel and a welcoming community.

Faithfully,

Fr. George