November 12, 2020 Dear Friends of St. Timothy's: As Ohio's COVID numbers continue to go in the wrong direction--dramatically so--it is important for us to remain vigilant for ourselves and those we love. Currently, three of our own members have tested positive. None of those persons has been attending our in-person services. And while they are all doing well at this point, it is a close-to-home reminder that we are just as at risk as any other community. With Thanksgiving approaching, we know that family and friends want to be gathering around tables, indoors, for long periods of time. This is, perhaps the most risky behavior possible right now. And so, with the Vestry's support, I want to be very clear on this: If you spend time outside your "bubble" with people who have not been recently tested, we insist that you not come to any in-person services for at least ten days. I know we are all bored and lonely and frustrated, but we must take every precaution to keep our fellow parishioners safe. We cannot put others at risk, no matter how bored, lonely, and frustrated we are. On to the updates . . .

WORSHIP We have our regular five services this week. 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).  10:00 am, we will stream Morning Prayer, Rite II. The service outline is HERE, and hymns are HERE. This service will only be available online, due to restrictions against singing together in person. 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. You can tune in at 7pm, on Facebook and at our website. You can find an updated 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.

ANNUAL BLANKET DRIVE (ends 11/22) We are collecting blankets to distribute to our neighbors in need, through the Salvation Army. Until Sunday, November 22nd, you can purchase and contribute new blankets to this ministry. (If you prefer, you can send a monetary contribution and we can purchase blankets on your behalf.) Blankets may be dropped off any time the office is open, but we suggest you call first to make sure someone is here. 330.833-3183 We will bless these blankets on Christ the King Sunday, November 22nd.

THANKSGIVING OUTREACH (ends 11/22) Thanks to Ann Higgins and our Outreach Team, we will be sponsoring five families for Thanksgiving this year. You can find more information at THIS LINK. Monetary contributions are always welcome, to offset the costs for perishable items. Deadline for dropping off is Sunday, Nov. 22nd at noon.

STEWARDSHIP CAMPAIGN EXTENDED Given the challenges posed by not meeting together in person, Vestry has decided to extend our stewardship campaign for an extra two weeks. 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.

PRAYERS REQUESTED Please keep these friends and parishioners in your prayers. David Wigginton, 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, Becky, Michael Flamm, Dave Cottrill, Leslie, Bob Long, Tim Welch, Chester Brumbaugh, Stormi, Greg Wood, Laurie Bomze, Rick & Etta Trimpi, and all those affected by COVID 19. And do call the office if there's anyone you'd like to have added.

WEEKLY PUZZLE This week, we're going with another close-up photo of the window above the High Altar. When you look at the very top of this window, you'll see the arc of 7 decorative windows. The number 7 is considered holy in most religions, but for Christians it represents completeness. God rested on the 7th day after Creation, and also the 4 corners of the earth plus the 3 members of the Trinity give you the completeness of 7. These 7 windows sit overtop the letters IHS. Regardless of what you've heard about what these letters mean, they are English substitutes for the first three letters of Jesus' name in Greek. (iota, eta, sigma.)  All that said, 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!

BIRTHDAYS and ANNIVERSARIES Celebrating birthdays this week are Ann Renkert (11/15) and Jackie Regula (11/21). Still no anniversaries to celebrate this week, but watch out for the week following! Be sure to send happy thoughts and good wishes to all who celebrate this week!

ADVENT AND CHRISTMAS I've been working on creating and compiling a packet of materials (similar to what we did for Holy Week) to send to everyone on our mailing list. These will go out the week of November 23. If we don't have your current mailing address, please call the office. Also, we've begun our planning for Christmas Eve services. Currently, we will have a 7pm in-person service with limited music, and a 9pm streamed service with lots of music. We will add additional services earlier in the day if necessary. You can sign up to reserve seats at the 7pm service by clicking HERE.

BUILDING THINGS We recently had Buxton Roofing come out and clean the leaves out of the gutters and downspouts. (We have some lovely trees, but they sure do clog up our gutters.) So, 17 bags of leaves later, we are ready for winter. Also, we've hired an architect to design plans for redoing the bathrooms to make better use of the space, and to make them handicap accessible, as part of our Growing with God capital campaign. More on that as things develop. 

OTHER THINGS As I said above, I know we are all bored and lonely and frustrated. And there's no indication that things are going to change anytime soon. But we must continue to support one another, and to support our neighbors. Please continue to reach out to one another and be helpful where you can. I have been assembling a small team to go out on visitations to our parishioners, once the Bishop gives permission for that (though we don't have a sense when that permission might come). In the meantime, if I can be helpful in any way, please don't hesitate to call or text or email. And, please, wear a mask when you are out of your home, and wash those hands. Faithfully, Fr. George