WE SEEK TO UNITE ALL PEOPLE WITH GOD AND EACH OTHER IN CHRIST THROUGH WORSHIP, FELLOWSHIP, EDUCATION, AND SERVICE

Rector's Ramblings

Today is the Commemoration of John Henry Hobart, the third Bishop of the Episcopal Diocese of New York. Hobart was known for his energetic ministry. He endeavored to visit every parish in his diocese at least once per year. At that time the diocese stretched into the western part of New York State. In addition to New York, Hobart oversaw the Episcopal Church in Connecticut and New Jersey when those dioceses were unable to elect bishops.  

Bishop Hobart was also one of the founders of General Theological Seminary in New York City, which was the first Episcopal Seminary in the United States. Chartered by the General Convention, the vision for the seminary was to serve the whole Episcopal Church.  

Bishop Hobart was also an important theologian. He was a powerful advocate for the High Church Movement which emphasized the continuity of the Anglican/Episcopal Church with the pre-reformation church. Hobart emphasized the importance of the Apostolic Succession of bishops. At the same time, he strongly opposed certain Roman Catholic doctrines which he thought were incongruous with scripture and the teachings of the early church.  

Bishop Hobart encouraged one young priest, Francis Cumming to, "Be sure that in all your preaching the doctrines of the Cross be introduced: no preaching is good for anything without these."

In a sermon on Isaiah 53:7, Bishop Hobart demonstrated his own commitment to this encouragement. He said, “Under the character of a "lamb brought to the slaughter," we are led to consider, The innocence of Christ; His tenderness and compassion; His patience; And, finally, to consider him as the victim for our sins.”

The Collect for the Commemoration of John Henry Hobarts is: 

Revive your Church, Lord God of hosts, whenever it falls into complacency and sloth, by raising up devoted leaders like your servant John Henry Hobart; and grant that their faith and vigor of mind may awaken your people to your message and their mission; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen

Fr. RJ+

Sunday, September 14:

Services at 8 and 10 a.m.

Lessons

Bulletin

Live Stream

Tuesday, September 16:

Yoga with Beth, 7 p.m. ($10)

Wednesday, September 17:

Virtual Evening Prayer, 4 p.m. Zoom | Bulletin

Thursday, September 18:

Prayer Book Study, 1 p.m.

View the full St. Mark's calendar HERE.

A Layman’s View of the Episcopal Church Structure

Why St. Mark’s sends a monthly support check to the Diocese of Ohio

Why St. Mark’s should send delegates to the Diocese Yearly Convention.

St. Mark’s and the Diocese of Ohio are part of the National Episcopal Church which is part of the Global Anglican Communion of Churches. We all use The Book of Common Prayer. One of the concepts I like is that on any given Sunday morning there are millions of Anglicans around the world participating in service liturgies based on the same book. A person does not become a Bishop, Priest, Deacon, or Eucharistic Minister by completing an application online and registering with their state of residence. There is an education requirement, discernment reviews, and built in challenges to give candidates time to evaluate their personal commitment. For Priests and Bishops, there is also the mystical, traditional, ceremonial, and sometimes controversial rite of Apostolic Succession.

There are Canons (by-laws) at each level of the Anglican Communion, which included operation and support requirements. I view St. Mark’s monthly diocese support as our tithe (outreach) to the wider church (the diocese, the National Church and the Anglican Communion). I like being part of something larger than Canton, Ohio.

November 14 and 15, the Diocese of Ohio will hold our annual convention in Wooster. Each congregation is expected to send their priest and up to three delegates. Guests are welcome. The delegates need to be approved by their elected Vestries. Attending the Diocesan Convention is an opportunity to be part of the decision-making process that forms the Episcopal Church and to experience the next level of devotion and commitment Episcopalians have to God’s work in the Episcopal Church. St. Mark’s has received a lot of support from the Diocese since I have been your treasurer. Capital fund grants, low interest loans, and emergency support last Palm Sunday when Bishop Anne herself filled in on short notice when Fr. RJ’s father passed away. 

Charlie Kiesling

Book Club Updates

• October 2025 – I Was Anastasia, Ariel Lawhon
• November 2025 – The Briar Club, Kate Quinn
• December 2025 – Ghosts of Panama, Mark Harmon / Leon Carroll, Jr.
• January 2026 – The Wife, the Maid, and the Mistress: A Novel, Ariel Lawhon

Newsletter Additions

If you are adding something to the Lion's Pause, please submit it here by the Monday prior to Friday publication.

September Birthdays

3 Ashley Hostetter, Ronald Rupp

7 Beth Julian, Linda Deuble

14 Maxine Kit

16 Bruce Hixon

17 Wayne Paradis

23 Christopher Smith

25 Richard Tirpak

29 Emily Gordon

September Anniversaries

2 Tom and Sandy Turner

*Please note: Your birthday/anniversary will only show up if you've completed your profile on Instant Church Directory.

Need to log in? Go here.

Notable with Bob Morrison

Mrs. Ball had pledged $50,000 for a new organ at First Methodist Canton, which delighted musicman Don Farley no end. But now he was in a quandary. He thought the addition of organ pipes placed high in the ceiling at the far end of the sanctuary would be great - an Echo/Antiphonal. But he had no intention of asking this generous donor for additional funds.

The only way to pay for the new work was to alter the original contract for 70 ranks and four manuals. It was finally agreed to cut the ranks to 61 and to construct a console of three manuals.

And that's exactly what I found on the evening of July 5, 1951, when I came to audition for the position of music minister.

And I was impressed! The 1926 Skinner at Baltimore's Peabody Conservatory, the organ on which I played my scholarship recital in March 1949 (and the organ upon which Virgil Fox made his initial impact) had some 61 ranks, so here I was confronted with a similarly sized organ all my own! I felt so blessed.

I was appointed music minister at First Methodist, and it was my delight to sit at that console by the hour practicing and listening to all that exquisite layout of perfect pipes. My favorite rank was the Quintade on that Positiv Division that Arthur Poister had told Farley he must have. I tried each note and was moved by the subtle 2 2/3 overtone of those pipes. I spent more time at that console than any person living or dead.

You'd think I was so fulfilled I would have nothing to want. But there was one thing this lovely organ didn't have and, since Mrs. Ball was still alive, I decided to pay her a visit.

Prayer Concerns

Have compassion on: Rich Tirpak, Vonda Temelkoff, Jim Weaver, Jane Schutrum, Ron Brooks, and all those who suffer from any grief or trouble. 

For those who have died:  Tom King (husband of Jane King) + McKenzie Julian (Daughter-in-law of the Julians) 

Family & Friends: Freeder & Milinkovich families + Jan Taylor Troche (cousin of Leslie Redmond) + Rachel Murphy (friend of the Wises & Kovacevichs) + Ellen Snow, Paul Tagliabue, Bob Timken, & Jody (friends of the Boyds) + Hannah Smith (friend of Brynn Pelger) + Mary Ann Legrom, Lee, & Chuck Boone (friends & cousin of the Hixons) + Jill Black (friend of Leslie Redmon) + Schultz family (acquaintances of Katie Cerrone) + Joann Smith family (friends of Ken Jaeb) + Kathleen (acquaintance of Sara Strattan) + Allison (cousin of Sandi Kaustinen) + Debbie, Jared, & Clarice Lough (niece & friends of the Watters) + Katheleen Philippsborn (sister of Tom Turner) + Robert Dink” Heinzman & Machelle Wells (Todd’s dad & friend of the Heinzmans) + Father Jon Conventry (Trinity Episcopal Church - Alliance) + Jimmy Little (son of Sue Little) + Tom (brother-in-law of AnJane McConville) + Gail and Judy Shumway (sister-in-law & co-worker friend of the Rand’s daughter) + Karen McVehil & Pam Lagodich (friends of the Mulls) + Mark Heretic, Sara, Val Hiner-Donlon, & Rick Ciminelli (friends of the Gordons) + Terry Adaska (acquaintance of Bert Heisser) + Trish (friend of Paulette Frech) + Don Siegfried & Janet Sheatzley-Morgan (husband and sister of Barb Siegfried) + Allison Cornell-Hood & Anne Higgins (daughter & friend of Diana Cornell) + Finnigan Savage (friend of Pam McCarthy) + David (acquaintance of the Nadels) + Paul (friend of the Browns) + Those in the Armed Forces.

PRAYER CHAIN:

St. Mark's has a group of prayer warriors who pray for the specific needs of those on the prayer chain. If you would like to place yourself or a loved one on the prayer chain, please contact Bobbi Gordon at ggordon24@sbcglobal.net

Prayer requests may be placed on the private Prayer Chain or on the Prayer Concerns list appearing in The Lion's Pause and Sunday bulletin or in both places. Please let Bobbi know your preference. Unless otherwise instructed, names will be listed as we receive them. Please update Bobbi or Katie on the status of your friends or family members as to when they may be removed from the prayer lists.

Contact Us:

Fr. RJ

Office

Wardens

Ministry Leaders

Vestry Liaison Chart

515 48TH ST. NW CANTON, OH 44709

330.499.2662 | OFFICE@STMARKS-CANTON.ORG

WWW.STMARKS-CANTON.ORG

St. Mark's Church

The Episcopal Church

The Diocese of Ohio

More Links HERE