The Lion's Pause 🦁

The Lion's Pause

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

Rector's Ramblings

In his book Consuming Religion: Christian Faith and Practice in a Consumer Culture, Vincent Miller points out the difficulties that the commodification of culture and consumerism poses to religious institutions today. When I was in college, I witnessed some of these challenges, but did not fully appreciate how they were related to the larger culture. A few of my friends joked about what they called the “floating congregation.” The floating congregation was made up of a group of people who would go from one mega church to another. They would stay at one church for a few months, or even a couple of years, then say, “This church isn’t meeting my needs anymore,” and be off to the next church.

One of the characteristics of St. Mark’s that I truly appreciate is that I do not hear much talk of, “How is St. Mark’s meeting my needs?” The people here seem to be more concerned with questions about how they can contribute to the St. Mark’s community and the larger community. In this way, we resist the consumerism of the culture around us. Our faith is not simply about what we get, it is also about what we give to God and to one another.

I was recently speaking with someone who said that they did not need to be part of a church to be a good Christian. There is no point in trying to debate that statement, so, instead of debating, I said, “You may not need the church, but the church needs you. You have a unique perspective and unique gifts to offer and the church is diminished by your absence.”

Our culture has fallen a long way from the time of, “Ask not what your country can do for you, but what you can do for your country,” to, “Are you better off now than you were four years ago,” to, “It’s the economy, stupid.” The church is one place where we can resist consumerism and the commodification of individuals, and value the unique contribution that we can make and each other member can make.

Fr. RJ+

70th Anniversary Apparel!

Apparel to celebrate St. Mark's 70th Anniversary is being sold through March 2. T-shirts and sweatshirts will be available for purchase in the Narthex on Sunday mornings.

Need to mail an order form? Find it here.

St. Mark’s 70th Anniversary

May 18, 2025

History Quiz

On October 19, 1954, at a general meeting, a petition was signed to start a new mission church. How many people signed the petition?

A celebration luncheon is being planned and contributions are being welcomed to support this special event. If you are interested in donating to the 70th celebration, checks may be made out to St. Mark’s with 70th Anniversary in the memo line and dropped in the offering plate or the office.

Sunday , February 9:

Morning Prayer at 8 and 10 a.m.

Monday, February 10:

Knitting, 1 p.m.

Book Club, 3 p.m.

The Personal Librarian by Marie Benedict and Victoria Christopher Murray

Tuesdays, 6:30-7:30 PM in the undercroft.

Cost is $10 per session.

Cash, check, Venmo or PayPal accepted

Reserve your spot by texting 330-705-4359 or emailing yogabeth63@gmail.com

Wednesday, February 12:

Evening Prayer, 4 p.m.

Zoom Bulletin

View the St. Mark's calendar HERE.

SUNDAY SCHOOL OUTREACH UPDATE

Our Sunday School kids and Youth Group preteens started out this year’s Outreach with an enormous amount. Nine of them all worked very hard and efficiently to assemble 369 Hygiene Kits!!

A really good deal for washcloths can be found at Walmart (18 pack for $5.78). Amazon has deals from time to time on antibacterial bar soap.

Not a fan of shopping, but would still like to donate? You can put cash and/or checks in the offering plate at church, with a note designating it to go towards Hygiene Kits. We can find the deals and go shopping for you.

Hygiene Kit Totals–

YEAR 2024: 2,494

YEAR 2025: 369

Thank you so much for supporting Hope Outreach Ministries through our St. Mark’s Sunday School. Hygiene Kits are (unfortunately) a continual need and very much appreciated.

~Beth Bletzacker, Coordinator

The Great Chili Cook-off!

Spicy - Mild - Texas style - Gramma’s recipe - Vegan!

Bring it on!

Bring your best crockpot Chili for tasting and

see who wins THE GRAND PRIZE!

DATE: SUNDAY, FEBRUARY 23, 2025

WHEN: AFTER THE 10:00 SERVICE

Sign-up now in the Narthex!

Book Club Updates

March 10 - Mr. Einstein’s Secretary by Matthew Reilly

April 14 - The Reading List by Sara Nisha Adams

May 12 - The Book Woman of Troublesome Creek by Kim Michele Richardson

Newsletter Additions

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

February Anniversaries

6 Bill and Beck Rand

18 Ashley and Jess Hostetter

23 Brad and Sandi Kaustinen

February Birthdays

4 Rick Werren

5 Caroline Willoughby, Lesley Kiesling

7 Tom Turner

11 Peggy Peretzky

15 Ron Brookes

22 Lauren Hoot

23 MaryAnn Kiesling

*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

My apartment-sharing adventure was drawing to a close. Wilbur Robert Meloy accepted an offer from the Toledo YMCA which proved to be a good career move for him. After some time in Toledo, he was transferred to Hawaii and ended his YMCA adventure in Bradenton FL. He was particularly good at arranging senior events.

In his last days with me, he continued preparing meals. Kathleen often was a part of these occasions and Wilbur continued chiding me about the affectation of "W. Robert Morrison."

After he settled in Toledo I got the surprise of my life. He wasn't "Wilbur Robert Meloy" anymore! He was "W. Robert Meloy!" So much for the affectation.

I had saved expenses by sharing an apartment with Meloy but, with him gone I wondered what I should do. And my minister, Dr. Roland Gilbert Hohn came to the rescue. He called me into this office and said, "Bob, you are spending lots of time with Kathleen. If you don't wise up, you're going to lose her. She won't wait forever for you to make a romantic move."

And so it was, on Christmas Eve 1956, that I made one of the best decisions in my life.

Prayer Concerns

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

For those who have died: Ten Gall

Family & Friends: Bobbie Lenzie, Lucas Anderson & family, and Clarice Lough (sister & friends of the Watters) + Katheleen Philippsborn (sister of Tom Turner) + Machelle Wells (friend of Jaime Heinzman) + The Willoughby Family + Baby Ulysses (MaryAnn Kiesling’s 2nd cousin’s grandson) + Kimberly Nugent (daughter of the Thorps) + Grosschmidt family (friends of the Nadels) + Father Jon Conventry (Trinity Episcopal Church - Alliance) + Jimmy Little (son of Sue Little) + Patti & Jack Freeder and Kim Milinkovich (former members of St. Marks) + Alison (friend of the Willoughbys) + Jane McBride (mother of Beth Crowl) + Tom (brother-in-law of AnJane McConville) + Gail and Judy Shumway (friend, sister-in-law, & co-worker friend of the Rand’s daughter) + Dr. Mallamaci (acquaintance of Bobbi Zollinger) + Jolonda Mull & Pam Lagodich (sister-in-law & friend of the Mulls) + Scott Jones, Val Hiner-Donlon, Rick Ciminelli, & Harold Freedman (cousin & friend of the Gordons) + Larry Aclaska & Judy Heisser-Turner (acquaintance & sister of Bert Heisser) + Lee, Theresa, & Chuck Boone (friends & cousin of the Hixons) + Melanie & Trish (friends of Paulette Frech) + Pat Walter & family (friend of Barb Whitehouse) + Alycia Geis (Karen Violand’s friend’s daughter) + Don Siegfried & Janet Sheatzley-Morgan (husband and sister of Barb Siegfried) + Allison Cornell-Hood & Anne Higgins (daughter & friend of Diane Cornell) + Finnigan Savage (friend of Pam McCarthy) + Tony Donahue (friend of the Boyds) + David (acquaintance of the Nadels) + 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.