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

Today is Independence Day. We commemorate the signing of the Declaration of Independence on July 4, 1776. In the opening of the document, the signers of the Declaration spoke of laws of nature and inalienable rights granted by the creator. They later cited the violation of these as a justification to dissolve the relationship with Great Britan, and to institute a new government.

In the Book of Common Prayer, the Collect for Independence Day is, “Lord God Almighty, in whose Name the founders of this country won liberty for themselves and for us, and lit the torch of freedom for nations then unborn: Grant that we and all the people of this land may have grace to maintain our liberties in righteousness and peace; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen.”

The Collect of the Day mentions two vocations. The first is the vocation to be a light of freedom for nations then unborn. Over the last several decades, we have learned that we must be careful of how we understand this vocation. The torch of freedom can beckon people to move in a certain direction. However, it cannot coerce people to move in that direction. No one can force another person or group of people to embrace freedom. To fulfill our vocation as a torch of freedom, the best that we can do is to be the kind of nations that other nations would desire to become.

The second vocation is to maintain our liberties in righteousness and peace. In our exercise of liberty, we must be careful not to harm others. We must consider the impact of our actions not only on our current generation, but on generations to come as well. We must, so far as possible, examine the unintentional effects of our actions. If we maintain our liberties without love for our neighbors, we will fall short of this vocation and the torch of freedom will be quenched.

Fr. RJ+

ST. MARK’S SUMMERTIME PICNICS!

We had a splendid turnout and a beautiful day for our first outdoor service last Sunday. The weather was perfect, with sunshine and blue skies. After a service of Morning Prayer in the chapel, with wonderful music and singing, the grill was fired up, and hot dogs, hamburgers and all sorts of side dishes were served in the breezy pavilion. Lots of St. Mark’s “specialties” were on hand, like baked beans, multiple delicious salads, and homemade hummus, and yummy desserts.

It’s a great time to thank the building and grounds folks for the excellent job of trimming much of the overgrown trees around the pavilion and chapel areas, and to the “garden warriors” who have been working in the chapel gardens all spring. The Columbarium flowers and gardens have been spruced up and a new rose bush was planted at the front entrance.

The next picnic will be the SERMON ON THE MOUNT - SUNDAY, JULY 27, so please mark your calendars and plan to attend this annual service in the lovely Betty Fortney Sanctuary in the Woods. Look for the sign up sheet in the Narthex for side dishes and attendance.

Sunday, July 6

Services at 8 and 10 a.m.

Lessons

Bulletin

Live Stream

Tuesday, July 8:

Yoga, 7 p.m.

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, July 9:

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

Save the Date

August 24,9:00 a.m.- Altar Guild Meeting

View the full St. Mark's calendar HERE.

At our recent Cluster Dinner, participants were welcomed by cheery flocks of flamingos! A heartfelt thank you to Livvy & Gary Mull for opening their festive home. Delicious pot luck food, constant conversation, and perfect weather provided a backdrop for continued good fellowship. Stay tuned for future opportunities.

Building Update & Donation Request

Again, congratulations and thank you to everyone involved with, and all who attended, our 70th year young celebration. This highlights the fact that our beautiful church building is 60 years plus old. Mature buildings require maintenance.

This spring we started to address a long overdue floor issue in what is now the Rector’s office, coatroom, and administration office. Several years ago, the concrete added around the original concrete pad that was part of the original church entrance sunk and cracked away from the original pad. The added concrete needs to be lifted, before a skim coat can be applied to level the floor. After the skim coat, new flooring will be installed. This project is scheduled to start the week of June 22nd. If you are planning a wedding at St. Mark’s, please wait until after mid-July.

The driveway and parking lot was refinished and lined in 2020. At that time an electric line was also added to the Betty Fortney Chapel. In 2022 we had the parking lot cracks filled. Later this summer the driveway and parking lot will be sealed and lined.

The Vestry, at their June meeting, approved two motions to move forward with these capital projects at a total cost not to exceed $24,000. At the end of May, St. Mark’s had $28,000 in Capital Reserves. By September the parking lot will look new and you will be able to sit in the Rector's office and not roll to the wall. And, the Capital reserve will be down to $4,000.

All that is to say, we could use donations to the St. Mark’s Capital Reserve.

Rest assured, between the Vestry, Finance Committee, and Buildings & Grounds team, we remain fully committed to using your generous contributions responsibly and wisely.

Thank you,

God’s Grace

Charlie Kiesling

Book Club Updates

July - NO BOOK CLUB MEETING

August 11 - Code Name Helene by Ariel Lawhon

September 8 - Atmosphere by Taylor Jenkins Reid

Newsletter Additions

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

July Birthdays

9 Jane Schutrum

12 Vonda Temelkoff

13 Eloise Hochwalt

17 Scott Shellhammer

27 Brynn Pelger, Rachel Crowl

July Anniversaries

13 Beth and Rick Crowl

24 Bruce and Judy Hixon

29 Katie Cerrone and Chris Arnold

30 Kent and Pamela Clark

31 John and Kathy Wise

*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

The first time I ever so much as touched an organ was when I was about nine years old, attending Arlington Presbyterian Church in Baltimore, located near Pimlico Racetrack. The organist was Henrikka Whelan who also taught piano at Peabody Conservatory in downtown Baltimore. I annoyed Miss Whelan no end by hurrying to the console while she was playing the postlude and then chatting with her, an event that likely spoiled her day.

But I dreamed of the day when I could actually touch this Moller Organ, a fine instrument made in Hagerstown MD, so I approached pastor T. Roland Philips and asked if I would be allowed to play the organ, and he said "Yes."

One day during the week, my mom took me to the church, and I sat on that bench and turned the blower on. I had the notion that if I didn't keep playing, the wind pressure would accelerate and blow up the organ, so I kept trying different stops and was just the most happy camper. This organ, like almost all organs, had stops enclosed in a large chamber with venetian-blind-like shutters that could be opened and closed with a pedal at the console to achieve a measure of expression. The expression on this particular organ was mechanically connected to the shutters (unlike large organs which have an elaborate wind system to accomplish the task). When I finished my exploration I inadvertently closed this expression pedal.

Shortly thereafter, I learned that Miss Whelan informed the church council that I had broken the organ! What to do?

Prayer Concerns

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

Family & Friends: Jill Black (friend of Leslie Redmond) + Karen McVehil (acquaintance of Gary Mull) + Schultz family (acquaintances of Katie Cerrone) + Joann Smith family (friends of Ken Jaeb) + Jean & David Fell (Father RJ’s acquaintance) + Father RJ & family + Shelly Burns (Tom Burns’ cousin’s wife) + Kathleen (acquaintence of Sara Strattan) + Allison (cousin of Sandi Kaustinen) + Clarice Lough (friend of the Watters) + Katheleen Philippsborn (sister of Tom Turner) + Machelle Wells (friend of Jaime Heinzman) + Father Jon Conventry (Trinity Episcopal Church - Alliance) + Jimmy Little (son of Sue Little) + Tom (brother-in-law of AnJane McConville) + Gail and Judy Shumway (friend, sister-in-law, & co-worker friend of the Rand’s daughter) + Pam Lagodich (friends of the Mulls) + George Finley family, Scott Jones, Val Hiner-Donlon, & Rick Ciminelli (cousins & friends of the Gordons) + Larry Aclaska (acquaintance of Bert Heisser) + Lee, Theresa, & Chuck Boone (friends & cousin of the Hixons) + Trish (friend of Paulette Frech) + 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) + 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.

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