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

When riding a motorcycle, it is important to avoid target fixation. The term “target fixation” was first used in World War II bomber-fighter pilot training to describe pilots crashing into their targets. When riding a motorcycle, if the rider focuses on a hazard in their path, they are almost certain to hit the hazard. If the rider is turning too wide and is worried about hitting an object, the worst thing they can do is look at the object they are trying to avoid. Instead, the rider should focus on where they want to go. Riding instructors will tell their students, “Your motorcycle will go where your eyes are pointed.”

Of course, when riding, it is important to be aware of hazards. The trick is to glance at the hazard to be aware of its location, but then to focus on where you want to go to avoid hitting it. If there is a pothole in the road, look at it briefly, then focus on the path around it.

Avoiding target fixation is important not only in flying a plane or riding a motorcycle. We should avoid target fixation in life in general. In other words, we should focus on where we want to go or what we want to be rather than on what we want to avoid.

In his letter to the Philippians, Paul wrote, “Whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is commendable, if there is any excellence, if there is anything worthy of praise, think about these things.”

The books we read, the movies and television we watch, the music we listen to, and the conversations we engage in will all have an influence on what we become. If we fill our minds with that which is commendable, our lives will go in that direction.

Fr. RJ+

Sunday, September 7:

10 a.m. Outdoor Service + Cookout

Services at 8 and 10 a.m.

Lessons

Bulletin

Live Stream

Monday, September 8:

Knitting, 1 p.m. Atmosphere, Taylor Jenkins Reid

Book Club, 3 p.m.

Tuesday, September 9:

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

Wednesday, September 10:

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

Thursday, September 11:

Prayer Book Study, 1 p.m.

Save the Date:

Lunch Bunch, September 23 at 1 p.m.

Grinder's, North Canton

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, Preast, 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 grands, 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

ATTENTION….ATTENTION!!!

Our Parish completed (drum roll please) 644 hygiene kits at the Intergenerational Service on Sunday, August 24. With your continued support of: new washcloths, Dial antibacterial bar soap, and funds donated we were able to accomplish this.

Please continue to support this worthwhile mission of the Sunday School to help provide these kits to Hope Outreach Ministries. You can also donate cash or check (with Hygiene Kits written on memo line).

Hygiene Kit Totals–

YEAR 2024: 2,494

YEAR 2025: 2,030

The Sunday School kids and preteens are on their way to beat 2024!

–Beth Bletzacker, Coordinator

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

My mother used to say, "There's many a slip 'twixt the cup and the lip." That's what happened after music minister Don Farley of Canton OH First Methodist Church signed a 1949 contract with Aeolian-Skinner for a 70-rank four-manual organ. In this case, it was a blessing.

The present building was dedicated in 1883 following an 1881 fire, assisted by major donations from Cornelius Aultman and his relative Miller, founder of

Chautauqua. In a picture called "floral offerings for President McKinley," it shows the chancel filled with bouquets and behind them, organ pipes with a high central pulpit. [McKinley was a church member and his 1901 funeral service was held at First ME.] The church also featured a massive rood-screen which divided the sanctuary into two sections. The screen could be lowered to the basement to open up another third of the sanctuary for overflow. This back section also had balcony rooms for Sunday School classes.

But this arrangement was modified by removing the large wooden screen altogether and by altering the chancel to open up the space with a pulpit on the left and a lectern on the right.

And then - I wish I knew who thought of this - maybe it was Farley, but with the removal of that massive screen, someone wondered why it wouldn't be a good idea to put some organ pipes high in the back as an Antiphonal Division?

So Farley talked to Aeolian-Skinner about altering the contract to include an enclosed (expressive) Echo/Antiphonal Division consisting of a flute, two string stops, a four-foot principal, a Vox Humana, a small trumpet, and chimes.

But how to pay for this extra division? Don was reluctant to approach donor Mrs. Ball for another handout. What to do?

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: Rachel Murphy (friend of the Wises & Kovacevichs) + 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 (acquaintence 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 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