January 14, 2021 Dear Friends in Christ: If you're like me, you were hoping that 2021 would be the year when everything returned to normal. So far, those hopes have been more than a bit dashed. But each new year has to find its footing, perhaps. We know the COVID-19 vaccine is being distributed now, and it would be so wonderful to be able to gather for Holy Week, but even that seems doubtful, if I'm being honest. And though we can't sit in a room and sing together quite yet, the day is surely coming. Until that day arrives, we must continue to care for one another by keeping our distance, so that all God's children have a place in that choir. On to the updates . . .

WORSHIP You can find this week's bulletin insert HERE. Sunday 1/17, Epiphany 2, Rite I 10:00 am we will stream a Rite I service of Holy Eucharist, at our website and on our Facebook page, using Choirmaster Andrew Bolden's Third Street Mass, which can be found HERE. This week's service outline is HERE, and hymns are HERE. Note: We will be using Rite I on Sundays up until Ash Wednesday. Tuesday 1/19 7pm Our weekly evening service, based on the Taize' model. You can tune in at 7pm, on Facebook and at our website. You can find an outline of the service HERE. Also, I am passing on word from Mayor Kathy Catazaro-Perry that all churches are invited to participate in an upcoming national event. At 5:30pm on January 19, cities and towns across the country will join with Washington, DC, illuminating buildings and ringing church bells in a moment of national unity and remembrance. So, if you hear the bells a ringing that day, that's why.

ANNUAL MEETING We will hold our Annual Meeting online, using zoom, this Sunday, January 17th, at 11:30am (following our online worship service that day). If you have never used zoom before, you'll want to download the application in advance by visiting their website as soon as possible. The two main things we need to do are to elect three new Vestry members, and approve the budget for 2021. Our zoom meeting ID is 853 4798 1005. And the password is 1836 (the year the parish was founded). To be eligible to vote, participants must be adult members of St. Timothy's. Please contact me if you have any questions. (Preferably, before 11:29am on January 17th.) On Tuesday, we mailed out the Annual Meeting guidebook. Given the ongoing postal service delays, it's possible you won't get that on time. As a backup, you can find a PDF version of this booklet by clicking HERE.

WINTER CONVOCATION The Bishop's office has asked that we let you know about the upcoming virtual Winter Convocation, February 7-14. This is, of course, held entirely online. But bonus: It's entirely free! You can pick and choose any events you'd like to attend. More information can be found at THIS link.

PRAYERS REQUESTED Please keep these friends and parishioners in your prayers. ✥David Wigginton ✥Anne Smith ✥Bob Meyer ✥Chris Lane ✥Judy Wigginton ✥Priya Kurian ✥Chuck Tilley ✥Michael Flamm ✥Bob Long ✥Chester Brumbaugh ✥Stormi ✥Dave Cottrill ✥Jeff Frank ✥Shari ✥Margaret Fowlar ✥Bobbie Muhlbach ✥Isaac Leggett ✥Patty ✥Liz Frank ✥Mike Requa ✥Katie Kuss ✥Toni Contini ✥Charlene Lochland ✥Dan ✥Brian Dorosch ✥Charles Conner ✥Marlene, and all those affected by COVID 19. Please also continue to pray for the doctors, nurses, and other frontline workers who risk their own lives to keep us safe and healthy. And for the repose of the soul of Caroline, cousin of Melissa Allison.

BIRTHDAYS and ANNIVERSARIES Celebrating birthdays this week: Maureen "Mo" Wood (1/18), David Strodtbeck (1/20), and Olivia Regula (1/23). Jonathan and Anna Schroeder will celebrate their anniversary on January 20th. Be sure to send happy thoughts and good wishes to all who celebrate this week!

WEEKLY PUZZLE This week, we continue with our theme of things most people don't get to see, featuring our Trinity pall. (I promise, it's the last pall puzzle.) The pall--you'll remember--is a square piece of stiff fabric or cardboard that sits atop the chalice. I wanted to be sure you got to see this particular pall, since we use it just once each year! On Trinity Sunday, (May 30 this year), the Trinity pall will make its annual appearance, and then go back into the drawer, wrapped in tissue paper, carefully placed in it's box, until spring of 2022. And, again, the pall doesn't have to have anything on it, which is why St. Timothy's collection is so remarkable.  You will find the puzzle by clicking HERE. 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!

OUR ONGOING SONG St. Timothy's has been a fixture in the Massillon community since 1836. This Sunday, as we hold our 185th Annual Meeting, I am particularly grateful for the privilege of serving as your 20th Rector. This parish has seen a lot over the years, both good and bad; and here we stand, still serving our neighbors, still proclaiming the Gospel, still sharing the hope of Jesus. We have been here a long time, because of the faith-filled generosity of our parishioners in sharing their time, talent, and treasure. We are living in uniquely difficult days, but I am confident we will still be a vital part of this community for many decades to come, because our people continue to do just that. See you at the Annual Meeting on Sunday! Fr. George