October 22, 2020
Dear Friends of St. Timothy's:
As I'm sure you have seen, Ohio's numbers with the coronavirus continue in the wrong direction. We have more citizens hospitalized for Covid than at any time since this all began. Each Thursday afternoon, our state updates the alert map, which can be found HERE. In speaking to our Bishop yesterday, he made clear that he prefers most decisions regarding staying open be made at the local level--which I appreciate.
In conversations with Vestry, they have agreed with my opinion that, should Stark County "turn purple" on the map, we should suspend in-person worship until we get back to red. (No county has yet reached purple in this system, but the guidelines say, essentially, stay home.)
So, I tell you all that to alert you that if these trends worsen, we may end up going back to online only as soon as this Sunday morning. If that is the case, I will send a follow-up email this afternoon letting you know, and will also make posts on our various social media platforms.
On to the updates . . .
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WORSHIP
You can find this week's bulletin insert HERE.
Sunday Services:
8:00am Holy Eucharist Rite I, including distribution of bread, for those who wish to partake. Please remember: everyone must wear a mask, so please bring your own. All must enter through the parking lot doors, and provide contact information (if we don't already have it). Seminarian Melissa Allison will be preaching.
10:00 am, we will stream Holy Eucharist, Rite II, with Spiritual Communion. We are delighted once again to be using Andrew Bolden's "Third Street Mass" for this service, which you can find HERE. The service outline is HERE , and hymns are HERE .
This service will only be available online, due to restrictions against singing together in person. Seminarian Melissa Allison will be preaching; includes dramatic postlude!
Tuesday 7pm:
We will stream The Great Litany and sung Compline at 7pm, on Facebook and at our website.
Wednesday 12:30pm:
Rite II Holy Eucharist. Though we are unable to offer anointing for healing due to social distance restrictions, we will have distribution of bread for those who wish to partake. (Restrictions and guidelines are the same as Sunday 8am service.)
Thursday 7pm:
We will continue our weekly Thursday service, based on a Taize' model of singing. You can tune in at 7pm, on Facebook and at our website. You can find an outline of the service HERE.
More information on all our services can be found at the Calendar page of our website, and all streamed services are then uploaded to our youtube page.
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BURYING THE BULBS
The bulbs for fall planting have arrived! So, this Saturday (Oct. 24, from 10am to noon) we will gather together (with safety protocols in place) and continue our efforts to make for a more beautiful spring.
Items to bring:
Small trowels and bulb planters
Shovels and spades
Cushions for the knees
Masks for the face
Gloves for the hands
Possibly rain gear for the body
Other helpful gadgets and tools for the garden
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ELECTION EVE PRAYER SERVICE
Thanks to all who participated in the survey in last-week's email. More than half the 45 respondents were in favor of a streamed service that would include music and singing.
So . . .
November 2nd, at 7pm, we will stream a service to pray on the eve of the election. We will begin with the Great Litany, followed by prayers for our government leaders, civic safety and civil discourse, and for the citizens of this land, and conclude with a brief service of Compline.
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STEWARDSHIP CAMPAIGN
Thanks so much to those who have already returned pledge cards or pledged online.
The Vestry and I ask that you prayerfully consider your support of St. Timothy's, and to make a "best estimate" of what you expect to give in the coming year.
A reminder, we have added a tab on our website, which allows you to pledge discretely online, meaning you can opt not to return the pledge card, if that's more convenient. You can find that link HERE.
Thank you in advance for your continued support of our parish.
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WEEKLY PUZZLE
This week, we're back to some stained glass. You can find this window at the top of the stairs from the lounge. As far as imagery, the circle represents God's eternal nature, while the triangle represents the Trinity.
You will find the puzzle by clicking HERE. You can choose your background color, number of puzzle pieces, and even set it to display just the edge pieces. Plus, you get a very affirming crowd reaction once you have completed it!
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BIRTHDAYS and ANNIVERSARIES
The only birthday this week is one we missed last week. Happy belated birthday to Linda Mospens DeVore (10/21).
Celebrating anniversaries this week are John and Elaine Harris (10/25) and Dana and David Ehmer.
Be sure to send happy thoughts and good wishes to all who celebrate this week!
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PRAYERS REQUESTED
Please keep these friends and parishioners in your prayers.
David Wigginton, Joyce Vitale, Brian Dorosch, Don Zimmerman, Rachel Sanchez, Anne Smith, Bob Meyer, Chris Lane, Chelsey Levin, Judy Wigginton, Don Merrill, Trish Dwigans, Priya Kurian, Sarah, Ben, Chuck Tilley, Mike Requa, Michael Flamm, Dave Cottrill, Mike, Taylor, & Cody Nagel, and all those affected by COVID 19.
And do call the office if there's anyone you'd like to have added.
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OUTREACH THINGS
We will still be conducting our annual Blanket Drive in November. Given the challenges of getting them collected, we won't have a specific goal this year except for "as many as possible."
Ann Higgins is checking with the Salvation Army as far as Thanksgiving and Christmas outreach plans. I will update you all next week as to how we can contribute. As with each holiday season, we are grateful for Ann's dedication and organization in leading our congregational holiday cheer to our neighbors.
St. Timothy's has a long, long history of reaching out to our neighbors, and I am especially grateful to serve among such a loving, generous group of people.
Remember to wear your mask!
Faithfully,
Fr. George
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