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

Rector's Ramblings

Wednesday, July 22, was the commemoration of Mary Magdalene. In the Western Church, she has often been conflated with two other women in the gospel accounts, the sinful woman in Simon the Pharisee’s house who anointed Jesus’ feet, and Mary of Bethany, the sister of Martha and Lazarus. I use the description sinful woman because that is how she is described in the Gospel of Luke. There is, however, no evidence that these three women were the same. The Eastern Church has traditionally held that they were three separate women.  

The gospel accounts do tell us a few things about Mary Magdalene. Luke 8 lists her among the women who were followers of Jesus. He notes the seven demons had been cast out of her. The women who followed Jesus provided for Jesus and his disciples out of their own resources. Mary Magdalene was one of the earliest financial supporters of Jesus.  

We are also told that Mary Magdalene was among the women present at the crucifixion, saw where Jesus was buried, and went to the tomb on the day of the resurrection. John tells us that she was the first person to see the risen Lord. Jesus then sent her to tell his disciples that he had been raised from the dead. For this reason, she is called the “apostle to the apostles.”  

The conflation of Mary Magdalene with the sinful woman in Simon the Pharisee’s house first appeared in a sermon by Gregory the Great in A.D. 591. This probably reflected the influence of Augustine of Hippo in the Western Church. Augustine had a somewhat conflicted view of women due to his life prior to his conversion.  



During his ministry, Jesus elevated the position of women. He allowed women to be disciples at a time when no other Rabbi would allow a woman to be a disciple. He employed Mary Magdalene to be the first messenger of his resurrection at a time when women were not considered to be reliable witnesses. The church has been slow to adopt Jesus’ view of women as people who have an equal place in the ministry of the church.  

Fr. RJ+

Sunday, July 26:

Services at 8 and 10 a.m.

Lessons | Bulletin | Live Stream

Monday, July 27:

Knitting, 1 p.m.

Tuesday, July 28:

Yoga with Beth, 7 p.m.

Wednesday, July 29:

Virtual Evening Prayer, 4 p.m.

Bulletin | Zoom

Thursday, July 23:

Bible Study, 1 p.m.

Save-the-Date:

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

View the full St. Mark's calendar HERE.

MOD Squad

MOD Squad marked a special milestone on July 15 as they celebrated their 8-year anniversary with a festive luau at Meyers Lake. The evening was filled with fellowship, laughter, and gratitude as members gathered to reflect on the community and connections that have grown over the years.

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

Although music was an avocation, my great tenor friend David White sought out every opportunity to advance his knowledge of classical song by studying with teachers fluent in the works of Vaughan Williams, Gerald Finzi, Mahler, Brahms, George Butterworth and of course Bach, Mozart, Schubert, Schumann. He brought delight to his audiences in churches and concert halls and in groups like Akron Friends of Music and AGO venues. Reminds me of my wife Kathleen, who studied for 24 years with Professor Karl Trump at the College of Wooster, Burton Garlinghouse in Cleveland, Lorean Hodapp at Westminster Choir College, Dale Moore (National Teachers of Singing President), and in NYC with Dan Merriman.

David was a soloist with my choir downtown for some time and, after his work took him to Missouri, with every visit back to Canton, he sang a solo at St. Mark's.

But then fate played a cruel trick - a glitch in his hearing prevented him from attaining the proper pitches for his songs, and thus ended this aspect of his talent.

But, to his credit, David took all this in stride, reminding me of poetess Fanny Crosby, she of some 8000 hymn texts (think "Blessed Assurance," "To God Be The Glory," "Pass Me Not," a favorite of Father RJ). A botched medical procedure when she was young resulted in blindness. She wrote, "Oh, what a happy child I am, although I cannot see, I am resolved that in this world contented I will be." This cheery adaptive spirit made her famous, meeting presidents and extending poetic infuence which blesses us to this day.

David's visits to Canton are now such happy events, and, although he can no longer serenade us with his singing, his very presence is a delight.

Meanwhile, my recording adventure with Schulmerich Carillonic Bells was coming to a close.

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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. 

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

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WWW.STMARKS-CANTON.ORG

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