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

Wednesday, December 6, was the Feast of St. Nicholas of Myra. One of the most famous events in the life of Nicholas was that, upon hearing of three single young women whose family did not have enough money for suitable dowries, Nicholas walked by their house on three successive nights and threw a bag of gold through the window. By providing the gold for their dowries, Nicholas saved the girls from lives of shame. The custom of “Santa Claus” dropping presents down the chimney on Christmas honors this event.

St. Nicholas was more than a giver of anonymous gifts. He was the Bishop of Myra, and attended the Council of Nicaea in 325. He was a staunch defender of the belief in the divinity of Christ. When Arius, who taught that the Son of God was not equal to the Father vigorously voiced his opinion, Nicholas stood up, walked to where Arius was speaking, and slapped him on the face. Nicholas spent the night in jail for this action. During the night, he repented of his poor behavior and asked for forgiveness.

An orthodox faith is not contrary to charitable action. In the case of St. Nicholas, it was his orthodox faith that led to his charitable actions. When you see the images of a jolly old man with a read suit, remember the Bishop of Myra whose faith led him to be the kind and charitable man we remember.

Fr. RJ+

St. Mark’s New Improved Fire Panel

The new panel on the right doesn’t look much different. But after several months of negotiations, mechanical drawings, building permits and over $10,000 we have a new improved fire alarm panel. After many years of dedicated service the old panel required frequent expensive house calls for technical support. A special thank you to Fr. RJ, the finance committee, and the buildings and grounds team for working through this process.

Now the finance committee has an opportunity for the entire parish to get involved in this significant mandatory capital improvement to our worship home. The finance committee has an initial $3,000 donation from a family towards the panel cost. We understand at this time of year you receive many requests for financial support from the church and other organizations.

Please consider a special donation to St. Mark’s to help defer the unexpected expense of a new fire panel. Please note Fire Panel on any contributions.

Thank you for your prayerful consideration,

St. Mark’s Finance Committee

Sunday, December 10

Holy Eucharist at 8 a.m.

Lessons

Bulletin

Live Stream

Wednesday, December 13

Evening Prayer, 4 p.m. on Zoom

Bulletin Zoom

The Diocese has continued to offer easy online giving. To use this, please select "St. Mark's Canton" from the dropdown, and choose either a one-time or recurring gift. We thank you for your continued support.

Designate a Gift to St. Mark's

Newsletter Additions

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NOTABLE - Bob Morrison

The last seven months of Thomas Jeffery White's life were spent as my house guest. I first encountered him when he was 5. He came up to the organ console at First Methodist Canton and I took his chubby little hand and guided it to play a melody on the carillonic bells. He went on to study at Florence Nusly's piano school (located just north of 12th Street on Cleveland Avenue.) He became a piano teacher, but his personality as a social catalyst was his defining characteristic. For years he played Santa Claus in Massillon and made it a point to remind the tots that Christmas was not just toys and fun, but the birth of Jesus. He became the manager for Hector Olivera, the virtuoso who recently dedicated the Hazel Wright organ in Garden Grove CA (Schuller's previous church now a RC Cathedral.) And he was also the road manager for legendary Virgil Fox.

One story about Fox never fails to amuse me. Fox was scheduled to play at Akron's Civic Theater which possesses a fine theater organ - but Fox's electronic organ had not yet been delivered, so Fox did some practice on the theater organ ("After all, Tommy, it has keyboards and pedals") and then said, "Let's take a walk." It was winter, and the two of them trudged off into a downtown area with department store windows ablaze with Christmas lights. Tommy said to Fox, "Look how those windows are lit up!" Fox replied, "Tommy, honey" (Fox called everybody "honey"), "the windows are lighted. They are not lit."

Tom initiated a gala for me when I turned 90 and started the tradition of a Christmas Eve luncheon with many of his musical friends at downtown Canton's Bender's restaurant - a tradition continuing to this day by Susie Buckey. This year we'll meet on Saturday, December 23 since Christmas Eve is Sunday and Bender's isn't open. We'll gather to remember this gregarious soul who so enriched many lives.

December Birthdays

2 Dave Thorley

10 Kathy Wise

12 Al Korosi, Pam McCarthy

14 Gary Mull

16 Patrick Watters

24 John Wise

25 Christy Thorley

27 Marilyn Thorp

29 Rebecca Watters

December Anniversaries

13 Wayne and Sandy Paradis

27 Rick and Julie Werren

29 Barrie and Marilyn Thorp

*Please note: Your birthday/anniversary will only show up if you've completed your profile on Instant Church Directory.

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Prayer Concerns

Vonda Temelkoff, Henry Aegerter, Jim Weaver, Jane Schutrum, & Ron Brookes

Family and Friends: Jolanda Mull, Dr. Sandy Lopater, Kirk Schuring, Pam Lagodich, & Bill Allen (sister-in-law & friends of the Mulls); Earl Hoot (father of Joe Hoot); Chuck Boone (cousin of Bruce Hixon), Ashley Stockman (friend of Katie & Ryan Kuceyeski); Tim Swihart & Michelle Graber (friends of the Gordons); Larry Aclaska & Judy Heisser-Turner (acquaintence & sister of Bert Heisser); Lee, Theresa, & Addelyn (friends of the Hixons); Nori Shawk (friend of Brynn Pelger); Heidi Hoekstra (friend of Father RJ); Tracey Davy, Alison, & Johnny Willoughby (friends & grandson of the Willoughbys); Middle East & Heather Armington (request & friend of the Watters); Jane King; Elaine Campbell (friend of the Turners); Sammy (friend of Leslie Redmon); Bob Rownd (friend of John Werren & Anne Coen); Melanie & Trish (friends of Paulette Frech); Pat Walter & family (friend of Barb Whitehouse); Don Martin & Mark Osterhage (classmate & neighbor of the Watters); Alycia Geis (Karen Violand’s friend’s daughter); Don & Janet Sheatzley-Morgan (husband & sister of Barb Siegfried); DaNay Jackson (friend of Ron Brookes); Allison Cornell-Hood, Jody Serentsis, & Anne Higgins (daughter & friends of Diane Cornell); Finnigan Savage (friend of Pam McCarthy); Lynnda Hoefler & Jimmy Little (friend & son of Sue Little); Yanette Pysher (Vonda Temelkoff’s cousin); Tony Donahue (friend of the Boyds); Marc Hostetler (brother of Susan Hostetler); Baby David (acquaintance of the Nadels).

For those who have died.

For 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.