May 25, 2023

Dear Friends in Christ:

Since my note to you earlier in the week, this morning marks Day Five of my Covid isolation period. Meaning, I can leave the house today if I wear a mask. It is my intention to keep windows open and stay outdoors as much as possible for the next five days. I will be overly cautious until we are confident I'm not contagious.

Of the 75 clergy at last week's conference, almost half of us contracted Covid. From all reports, the symptoms have been universally mild, thanks to a fully-vaccinated assembly. However, in hindsight, we created the perfect environment to spread it around, by staying indoors, talking around tables, eating with different groups, singing together, arguing theology in the bar at night, and so on. Talking and singing and eating enclosed indoors for two full days. How could a highly contagious virus resist an invitation like that?

Anyway, the larger lesson learned is that we still need to take Covid into account any time we are gathering groups of people together. Not saying we need to stop gathering, or wear masks every day, but we do still need to be thoughtful and cautious, as an expression of love for our neighbors.

On to the updates . . .

WORSHIP

Sunday 5/28, Pentecost Sunday (Wear red!)

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 5/31

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

Sunday, 6/4, Trinity Sunday

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 6/7

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

UPCOMING DATES OF NOTE

June 3 Impact Massillon, 9-4

• Ordination of the Rev. Robin Woodbury, 10am

June 4 Final Choir Sunday

• Spring Choir Concert, 4pm

June 11 Founders' Day Luncheon, 11:15am

June 14 Contemplative Service, 7pm

June 17 Outgoing Bishops Celebration, Shaker Heights

June 24 Great Grooming of the Grounds #2

IMPACT MASSILLON, JUNE 3rd

Impact Massillon is an amazing event, held the first Saturday in June, when churches, civic organizations, local businesses, and the city administration team up to repair and beautify a string of houses on a particular street in town. This year we have focused on State Avenue, between Erie and 4th Street. St. Timothy's has been assigned two houses, which will mainly involve powerwashing. For more information, please see Danielle Shaffer.

ORDINATION TO THE PRIESTHOOD, June 3rd

God willing, and the people consenting, the Rt. Rev. Mark Hollingsworth, Jr. will ordain the Rev. Robin R. Woodberry to the Sacred Order of Priests in Christ’s One Holy Catholic and Apostolic Church on Saturday, June 3 at 10:00 a.m. at St. Paul’s Church, Canton. A light reception will follow. 

SPRING FINALÉ CHOIR CONCERT, June 4th

Our Chancel Choir will offer a selection of music to close out the choir season on Trinity Sunday, June 4, at 4pm. The concert is free and open to the public.

Donations will be gratefully accepted toward the purchase of a new grand piano for our sanctuary.

FOUNDERS' DAY LUNCHEON, June 11th

St. Timothy's was officially founded on June 6th, 1836, and we host a festive luncheon on the Sunday following. So please plan to join us around 11:15am on June 11th for our annual Founders Day Luncheon. The food is always great, the trivia is a hoot, and the company cannot be beat.

There is a signup sheet in the parish hall to help us plan for the correct amount of food. If you're planning to attend, please add your name to the list. And, while you're at it, consider adding your name to the adjacent list to help clean things up afterward.

CONTEMPLATIVE WORSHIP, June 14th

Since my musical partner Michael Bridges will be in town for a couple of days, I've decided to put him to work. We're trying out a new kind of worship experience, where we play some of our more reflective songs, along with the scriptures that inspired them, and some prayers. It will look a little like Taize', but with Lost And found providing the music.

June 14th at 7pm, in person and streamed online in the usual places.

FALL CHRISTIAN FORMATION

I am hoping that this fall we can once again get back in the habit of getting together over a meal to read a book, or learn about some aspect of the faith. And it occurs to me, rather than just foist something upon you, it would be good to get a sense of what folks are most interested in. So, please take a moment and vote for one of the following . . .

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 ✥Toni Contini ✥Brian Dorosch

✥Bob Daane  ✥Noble Carpenter ✥Gail Moss ✥Greg Rush ✥Tony Donahue ✥Ruth Lash

✥Gayle McHenry ✥Dylan Miller  ✥Eamonn Hunter ✥Sarah Kouri ✥Marilyn ✥Thomas Haidet ✥Bill Mayer ✥Andrew DeBroeck ✥Leah ✥Trisha Rusford ✥Gabriella Santos ✥Steve Deuble ✥Dan Kloock ✥Jennifer Baer ✥Ian Long ✥Ann Renkert ✥James Hutzell ✥Carson Hutzell ✥Jimmy Carter ✥Carolyn Flamm ✥Jennifer Moyer ✥Linda Schmidt ✥Sheila ✥Ray Anderson ✥Stephanie Morrow ✥Tiffany Thornton ✥Robin Murray ✥Candy Dickerhoof ✥Laurie Salopek

✥Roger & Gloria Campbell ✥Eve Bonk ✥Karen Fox ✥Steve Huba ✥Doris Shoup

✥Cathy Tilley ✥Laurie Salopek ✥Crystal Riggleman

BIRTHDAYS and ANNIVERSARIES

Those celebrating birthdays over the next two weeks include Jessica Fike (5/29), John Harris (6/4), Chuck Tilley (6/4), Leonard Baum (6/8), Megan Drumm (6/10), and Madeline Schroeder (6/10).

No anniversaries, of which I'm aware.

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

PERIODIC PUZZLE

I've decided what we all need is a Pentecost puzzle! It's not at church, but it is on the Rector's front lawn, and 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.

As we enter into the Memorial Day weekend, I want to offer a prayer as we remember those who gave the ultimate sacrifice for the freedoms we enjoy. May their souls and the souls of all the departed rest in peace.

For Heroic Service

O Judge of the nations, we remember before you with grateful hearts the men and women of our country who in the day of decision ventured much for the liberties we now enjoy. Grant that we may not rest until all the people of this land share the benefits of true freedom and gladly accept its disciplines.

This we ask in the Name of Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen. (BCP 839)

Faithfully,

Fr. George