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

Rector's Ramblings

I recently came across the term “Main Character Syndrome.” I had to do a little research to figure out what this term means. Evidently, the term emerged in the 2010s on social media. It has recently gained some attention in scholarly circles. Cleveland Clinic published an article on its website in 2024. The wheels of academia turn slowly.  

At first I thought Main Character Syndrome sounded a lot like Narcissism.  However, Main Character Syndrome is not an official psychological diagnosis. However, Narcissism is marked by a lack of empathy. Main Character Syndrome allows for empathy. Main Character Syndrome is the perception of life in which a person assumes they are the central character in life. Everyone else is either a supporting character or a guest star.  

In a way, I think Main Character Syndrome is part of the fallen human condition. We tend to put ourselves at the center. We have to step outside of our normal thinking to sit on a train, in traffic, or on a plane, and recognize that everyone surrounding us has a story in which we play an insignificant role.  

The theologian Hans Urs von Balthasar said, “Our play plays in His [God’s] play.” In other words, there is a main character, and God, rather than me, is the main character. God is the central actor around whom creation revolves. God allows us to share the stage with Him. Our actions have meaning that depends on whether we act to further or frustrate the story that God is telling.  



To counteract Main Character Syndrome, it is helpful to ask, “Where is God active in this moment? How would God write my role in this moment?” Sometimes the answer is clear. Sometimes I will have questions about how God would write my part. However, the very act of asking the questions will help overcome Main Character Syndrome.  

Fr. RJ+

Sunday, August 2:

Services at 8 and 10 a.m.

Lessons | Bulletin | Live Stream

Tuesday, August 4:

Yoga with Beth, 7 p.m.

Wednesday, August 5:

Virtual Evening Prayer, 4 p.m.

Bulletin | Zoom

Thursday, August 6:

Bible Study, 1 p.m.

Save-the-Dates:

30th Annual Sermon on the Mount

Sunday, August 9, 2026, 10 a.m.

Betty Fortney Sanctuary in the Woods

Followed by a Picnic in the Pavilion

Hot Dogs and Hamburgers will be provided.  

Please sign up on the kiosk to let us know how many dawgs and burgers to make, and bring a side dish to share. Summer is flying by, so let's plan on a big turnout for our final outdoor service of the year!  

Blessing of the Backpacks, August 16 at 10 a.m.

View the full St. Mark's calendar HERE.

Upcoming books:

August 10 - The Book of Charlie by David Von Drehle

September 14 - Destiny of the Republic: A Tale of Madness, Medicine and the Murder of a President by Candice Millard

October 12 - Killers of the Flower Moon by David Grann

November 9 - Hello Beautiful by Ann Napolitano

Notable with Bob Morrison

My "decade of delight" was drawing to a close. For ten years, I made recordings for Schulmerich Carillonic Bells on a "Generation IV" instrument that they installed in my music room. This device featured five different bell options: "Cast Bells" was the closest equivalent to the "real" thing with a slightly minor group of complicated overtones to mimic cast bells; "Flemish Bells," a gentler, sweeter version of bells akin to what one might find in the Low Countries, not so minor in its tuning and a great favorite of mine; "Harp Bell" which was a pure sine wave, a charming flute sound that could act as accompaniment to Flemish or Cast bells; "Celesta bells," which sounded an octave higher than Harp; and, finally, "Old English Bells," the original Schulmerich sound, quite minor and somber.

All these lovely sounds were generated by computer unlike the first generation which was electro-mechanical, requiring lots of space (and still in use at the downtown Canton Methodist Church). I invited various groups to my music room for soirees over the. years, and it was great fun to have at my fingertips these gorgeous sounds.

But Schulmerich decided they'd like to install "my" bells in a church, and when I learned of this, I contacted Mark Allen Thewes, the long-time parish musician at Westbrook Park UMC where I had dedicated a small Schulmerich carillon some years ago. Mark was a fellow who was always improving things. He had increased the organ size with the skills of Hartville's Charles Kegg; he added a grand piano and improved the acoustics of the chancel, and, happy to say, he arranged for "my" carillon to be installed at Westbrook Park - and Mark invited me to play there quite often for special Lenten services and a gala event with Hector Olivera, the guy who recently dedicated the massive Hazel Wright organ at the former Crystal Cathedral in Garden Grove CA.

I had the opportunity to play dedicatory recitals on the bells in numerous churches. A few stand out: I played at a large Presbyterian Church in Cincinnati with a Holtkamp Organ. This Cleveland firm is noted for adhering to ancient principles from organ builders in Europe as opposed to electic schemes which incorporate orchestral voices made famous by Ernest M. Skinner.

I was used to the Skinner sound, and wondered how the bells would hold up against the Holtkamp. I needn't have worried! I was super delighted with the way that Holtkamp merged with the bells, a great "wedding" of organ and percussion.

But I faced a most vexing problem in one church where I was to dedicate bells.

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Prayer Concerns

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

For those who have died:  Tom Temelkoff & Patty Kapper



Family & Friends:  Rachel Murphy (friend of the Kovacevichs & Wises) + Tom Phister & Terry Phister (Marcia Kiesling’s father & uncle) + Alison (friend of the Willoughbys) + Bill Malsch (cousin of Jim Weaver) + Betty Williamson, John, & David (cousin of Mark, brother of Kim, & friend of the Nadels) + Richie & Char (Florida friends of  the Kieslings) + Lesley & Trish (friends of Paulette Frech) +  Irina Chernikova & Clifton McAuley (friends of Chris Arnold & Katie Cerrone) + Christen Rian (niece of Kathy Wise) + Deb Bester, Mike Paris, Tom Jackson, & Karen McVehil (friends of the Mulls) + Gordy (Christy Revoldt’s grandson) + Heather (friend of the Derek Gordons) +  Bruce Redmon, & Jan Taylor Troche, & Mary Hunter (cousins & friend of Leslie Redmon) + Bob Timken & Linda Morrow (friends of the Boyds) + Mark Eldrige family & Hannah Smith (friends of the Pelgers) + Max Barton, Christine Osterman, & Chuck Boone (friends & cousin of the Hixons) +  Kathleen (acquaintance of Sara Strattan) + Clarice Lough (friend of the Watters) + Robert “Dink” Heinzman (Todd’s dad) +  Father Jon Conventry (Trinity Episcopal Church, Alliance) + Jimmy Little (son of Sue Little) +  Tom (brother-in-law of AnJane McConville)  +  Gail & Judy Shumway (sister-in-law & friend of the Rands)  +  Gwyn Hensley Thompson, Martinelli family, & Rick Ciminelli (friends of  the Gordons)  +  Janet Sheatzley-Morgan (sister of Barb Siegfried)  +   Finnigan Savage (friend of Pam McCarthy) + 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

515 48TH ST. NW CANTON, OH 44709

330.499.2662 | OFFICE@STMARKS-CANTON.ORG

WWW.STMARKS-CANTON.ORG

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