St. Paul's Episcopal Church, Canton
Sunday services begin at 10:30 a.m.
425 Cleveland Ave. SW
Canton, OH
Sunday services begin at 10:30 a.m.
425 Cleveland Ave. SW
Canton, OH
April Newsletter:
St. Paul's shares the good news From Mother Robin's desk
The Month of March was a whirlwind of activity for me. It didn’t seem to stop at all from beginning to end. In addition to all of the regularly scheduled meetings and activities related to the church and the community, I had several funerals, parishioner illnesses, and unexpected situations to address. It’s all a part of the life of a priest, so I am not complaining. And I thank God, for giving me the strength and wherewithal to get it all done.
I also give thanks to our two lay preachers, Demi and Douglas for stepping in to offer sermons at a time that is extremely busy for all clergy as we head out of Lent and into the Easter season. There is a mass amount of planning for additional services that come along with this time of year, with lots of moving parts. I am grateful for our Worship Committee consisting of Edward, Barb, Demi, Douglas, and David Rotthoff. Their input helped to make sure all bases were covered appropriately and completely. Before I knew it, Holy Week was upon us!!! We engaged in Holy Week a little differently this year by incorporating an Agape Meal and a joint Good Friday service with Crossroads UMC. Yes, things were somewhat different for some and brand new for others, but the opportunity to share in these ways was rich, meaningful and made for memorable moments to be remembered. Oh what joy to move through the journey of the Cross with our Lord, yes, even when it became very dark. But as we follow him through the ups and downs to the tomb, may we receive all of the messages and lessons that God has for us as we seek to live in the resurrection power of our Lord. Each day God gives us, we have the chance to share the message of the resurrection with others. Our life should prayerfully reflect to others the victory that we live in each day through our Lord and even when times get tough, we can hold on to knowing that we belong to God and that we have the power to get through the toughest of times. One of my favorite hymns to sing this time of the year is “He Lives”: “I serve a risen Savior, He's in the world today. I know that He is living, whatever men may say. I see His hand of mercy, I hear His voice of cheer. And just the time I need Him He's always near. He lives (He lives), He lives (He lives), Christ Jesus lives today. He walks with me and talks with me along life's narrow way. He lives (He lives), He lives (He lives), Salvation to impart. You ask me how I know He lives? He lives within my heart.” Oh that people may come to know that Jesus lives because of the way we live and share Him in the world! What redlining did to Canton,
and why it's not just a sad story of the past (Updated April 10) The effects of a federal policy dating back to the 1930s continues to be felt in Canton in everything from chronic health problems to crime to generational wealth gaps.
About three-dozen people gathered Tuesday night (April 9) at St. Paul's for dinner and discussions of redlining, a policy that steered investment towards what were regarded as desirable neighborhoods and away from lower income, working class and overwhelmingly minority neighborhoods. The term comes from the literal red lines drawn on maps to advise banks where to put their money and what to avoid. In Canton, the red areas extended largely from the near southeast and northeast along an industrial corridor that later became a target for urban planners clearing out the southeast end. Canton attorney Richie Harper outlined some of his deeper research into the long-term impact of redlining, sharing figures that show glaring gaps in environment, income and health. Canton's so-called "A" (green) neighborhoods, for example, can boast tree-cover of nearly a third and land temperatures 1.9 degrees cooler than the city average. In the "D" (red) neighborhoods, the tree cover is less than half that, and the temperature is nearly a degree hotter than the city average. (Green space vs. asphalt also separates the A's and D's.) The crime index in the green areas is less than a third what it is in red neighborhoods. And chronic health problems from asthma to heart disease continues to plague red areas. Courageous Conversations is a collaboration of St. Paul's, Mt. Olive Missionary Baptist Church and StarkFresh, a Canton nonprofit. It meets the second Tuesday of each month at St. Paul's, beginning with dinner at 6 p.m. The next discussion on May 14 will explore what federally funded urban renewal projects did to Canton and how it still shapes the city. To register, go to ccorrohio.org. To find more on Harper's research, https://canton-community-equity-hub-stark.hub.arcgis.com/ Holy Week at St. Paul's
Sharing the joy that is Easter
Crossroads United Methodist joins
St. Paul's in remembering our Lord's ultimate sacrifice Members of two downtown Canton churches, Crossroads and St. Paul's, joined together Friday night in a service that included a reading of the Passion of Our Lord according to John and quiet meditation and prayer before the cross.
Crossroads pastor, the Rev. Don Ackerman asked during his homily which cross we will chose to follow: the slick marketing tool employed in war and justifying human ambition or the cross of Jesus, calling on us to serve our neighbors as he served us. Good Friday's closing prayer
Lord Jesus Christ, Son of the living God, we pray you to set your passion, cross, and death between your judgment and our souls, now and in the hour of our death. Give mercy and grace to the living; pardon and rest to the dead; to your holy Church peace and concord; and to us sinners everlasting life and glory; for with the Father and Holy Spirit you live and reign, one God, now and for ever. Amen. Agape meal and service:
Unconditional love |
Coming up with
St. Paul's Sunday, April 14 Third Sunday of Easter Holy Eucharist, 10:30 a.m. followed by coffee in the Guild Hall Wednesday, April 17 Small Group Study series “Eclipse 2024: A Study of Astronomical Events in the Bible and Our Lives.” The storm and the sun: Joshua 10:12-14, Habakkuk 3:9-13a; 10 a.m. in the library and via YouTube/Facebook Sunday, April 21 Fourth Sunday of Easter Holy Eucharist, 10:30 a.m. followed by coffee in the Guild Hall Tuesday, April 23 Social Justice Book Group discussion of "White Too Long," white supremacy in the American Church, 7 p.m. in the Guild Hall and via Zoom Wednesday, April 24 Small Group Study series 10 a.m. in the library “Eclipse 2024: A Study of Astronomical Events in the Bible and Our Lives," 10 a.m. in the library and via YouTube/Facebook Saturday, April 27 Free HOT lunch with our neighbors, 11 a.m.-12:30 p.m. in the Guild Hall St. Paul's members got a front-row seat to the eclipse at Bellwether Farm
Canton was in the 124-mile path through Ohio for the rare solar eclipse on Monday. But better seats for the eclipse were about an hour northwest of here at the Diocese of Ohio's Bellwether Farm.
Despite whispy clouds, it was straight in the center of the path of totality, between Oberlin and Norwalk, and the farm hosted a three-day "Path of Totality Festival," which began April 6. Sunday morning began with Holy Eucharist in the worship barn, and Monday marked the Feast of the Annunciation with Morning Prayer. All meals were farm-to-table fresh. A local band performed a blues/jazz mix before a feast of s'mores by the campfire. Guests from Ohio, Michigan, Indiana, Pennsylvania and beyond got to spend time with the goats, sheep, chickens, cows and dogs who call the farm home. There also was meditation, fishing, canoeing, kayaking and hiking. And the early spring sound of peepers sang them to sleep. Then all eyes (with special eclipse glasses, of course) turned to the sky Monday, for about four minutes of the total eclipse, and the hours in which the moon moved into the path of the sun and then back out. For more of David Rotthoff's photos of the farm, click here. Thanks to the Sonnenberg Station men's ensemble
Thanks to Sonnenberg Station for a concert Saturday afternoon (April 6) at St. Paul's that honored choral arranger, Alice Parker, and offered selections ranging from "Shenandoah" to a Swahili version of "The Lord's Prayer."
Also filling the sanctuary were two original compositions by Andrew Bolton of our sister church, St. Tim's. More from Sonnenberg Station about its heritage: Sonnenberg Station began in Spring, 2006 with a simple goal -- a few men gathering to sing songs of faith and everyday life. From churches and businesses, to universities and concert halls, Sonnenberg Station men's choral ensemble has performed in more than 70 different venues to appreciative audiences throughout Ohio. Their repertoire features beloved classical pieces as well as contemporary selections and everything in between, several from original arrangements written by the group's director, Tim Yoder. Each season’s selections draw from traditional spirituals, fun folk tunes, and always include a few lighthearted surprises, all covering a variety of cultures, eras, and styles. Tim Shue directed Sonnenberg Station until 2018 when he was replaced by the current director, Tim Yoder. Our Mission
St. Paul’s is an exceptionally welcoming Episcopal community in downtown Canton, grounded in faith, called by God’s Love to minister to the world.
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St. Paul's marked Maundy Thursday with an Agape meal and service that celebrated the unconditional love of Christ and his commandment to serve and love our neighbors. The evening included musical chants, foot and hand washing and Holy Communion and ended in the sanctuary with the meditative stripping of the altar, placing the consecrated host on the Lady Chapel altar, where it remains until the Good Friday service.
The joint service with Crossroads United Methodist Church will begin at 6:45 p.m. at Crossroads (on the corner of Cleveland Avenue NW and Tuscarawas Street W) and will process with the cross to St. Paul's. What is an Agape Meal?
An Agape meal is an ancient feast of a communal meal shared by Christians, ‘agape’ - uh-gah-pay - being a Greek word that reflects God’s unconditional love. On the night of his betrayal, Jesus shared a meal with his disciples. He shared this meal in the home tradition and setting of the Passover meal. The washing of feet, the sharing of bread and wine, and the new commandment to love one another all happened in a home, in a room where Jesus drew his friends together as host, teacher, friend, and master who was there to serve them all. This evening marks the beginning of the three-day celebration of Christian Passover. This service recognizes the profound connection between the celebration of the Eucharist and the meals we share in daily life. Therefore, though this rite is not the sacrament of the Eucharist, it reminds us of the holiness, the “sacramentality” of all meals, the holiness of all food, and the presence of the Risen Christ whenever we break bread. The Music Singing is one of the most important forms of prayer. A few words sung over and over again reinforce the meditative quality of the prayer. They express a basic reality of faith that can quickly be grasped by the intellect, and that gradually penetrates the heart and the whole being. These simple chants also provide a way of praying when one is alone, in the day or at night, or even in the silence of one's heart while one is working. Adapted from Songs and Prayer from Taize |
A rare and joyous day
Clergy, congregants, family and other well-wishers pack St. Paul's to celebrate the ordination of the Rev. Robin Woodberry
Clergy, congregants, family and other well-wishers pack St. Paul's to celebrate the ordination of the Rev. Robin Woodberry
Nearly 200 people gathered at St. Paul's Saturday morning to celebrate the consecration of the Rev. Robin Woodberry to the priesthood.
Robin's service of ordination is the last planned by Bishop Mark Hollingworth Jr., who is retiring. Celebrating with him were clergy from differing denominations and from throughout Ohio, including Robin's mother, the Rev. Gena Thornton, who delivered the homily. Robin is the fifth generation of women clergy in her family.
They were joined by family, friends, congregants and friends of St. Paul's and of Robin's. The choirs of three churches -- St. Paul's, St. Timothy's Massillon and Christ Church Hudson -- joined together for the service with works including "The Work of Love," an original piece composed by Andrew Bolden for the day.
Robin has been deacon-in-charge at St. Paul's since last summer, following her ordination as a transitional deacon, a step toward the priesthood. A native of Youngstown, she was licensed a minister in the Baptist tradition in 1995 and ordained 10 years later at New Bethel Baptist Church. She holds a doctor of ministry degree from the Southern Bible Institute and Seminary in Augusta, Ga. She is the former nominating chairperson for the National Board of Church Women United and executive director of the Mahoning Valley Association of Churches.
She became a member of the Episcopal Church in 2017, and began her seminary studies at the Church Divinity School of the Pacific in Berkeley, Calif. She has completed her studies at Bexley Seabury Seminary in Chicago, has been elected to the Episcopal Community Services Committee and serves on the church’s Commission for Racial Understanding.
Here is message from the Rev. Robin Woodberry, St. Paul's new priest-in-charge
There will never be enough words to say how completely grateful and thankful I am to each one who has been a part of this journey. Whether you played a role at the beginning, in the middle, or in the last few weeks, I would not be here today if it were not for you. I thank you for your prayers, your words of encouragement, your spiritual direction, and your love. To my family who has given the most so that I could do what God was asking of me, thank you for your sacrifice of love! I give honor to my ancestors and the four generations of ministers on whose shoulders I stand.
To my husband Anthony, we had no idea what we were in for when we got married 37 years ago, but God did. I could not have served in ministry had you not been there with me. I praise God for you! To the Ordination Committee who pulled together such a memorable occasion in such a short time, thank you!
And, to this great St. Paul’s family, God heard your prayers, brought us together, and set us on a path to do great and mighty things, in Jesus’ Name!
I love you all, Robin.
Robin's service of ordination is the last planned by Bishop Mark Hollingworth Jr., who is retiring. Celebrating with him were clergy from differing denominations and from throughout Ohio, including Robin's mother, the Rev. Gena Thornton, who delivered the homily. Robin is the fifth generation of women clergy in her family.
They were joined by family, friends, congregants and friends of St. Paul's and of Robin's. The choirs of three churches -- St. Paul's, St. Timothy's Massillon and Christ Church Hudson -- joined together for the service with works including "The Work of Love," an original piece composed by Andrew Bolden for the day.
Robin has been deacon-in-charge at St. Paul's since last summer, following her ordination as a transitional deacon, a step toward the priesthood. A native of Youngstown, she was licensed a minister in the Baptist tradition in 1995 and ordained 10 years later at New Bethel Baptist Church. She holds a doctor of ministry degree from the Southern Bible Institute and Seminary in Augusta, Ga. She is the former nominating chairperson for the National Board of Church Women United and executive director of the Mahoning Valley Association of Churches.
She became a member of the Episcopal Church in 2017, and began her seminary studies at the Church Divinity School of the Pacific in Berkeley, Calif. She has completed her studies at Bexley Seabury Seminary in Chicago, has been elected to the Episcopal Community Services Committee and serves on the church’s Commission for Racial Understanding.
Here is message from the Rev. Robin Woodberry, St. Paul's new priest-in-charge
There will never be enough words to say how completely grateful and thankful I am to each one who has been a part of this journey. Whether you played a role at the beginning, in the middle, or in the last few weeks, I would not be here today if it were not for you. I thank you for your prayers, your words of encouragement, your spiritual direction, and your love. To my family who has given the most so that I could do what God was asking of me, thank you for your sacrifice of love! I give honor to my ancestors and the four generations of ministers on whose shoulders I stand.
To my husband Anthony, we had no idea what we were in for when we got married 37 years ago, but God did. I could not have served in ministry had you not been there with me. I praise God for you! To the Ordination Committee who pulled together such a memorable occasion in such a short time, thank you!
And, to this great St. Paul’s family, God heard your prayers, brought us together, and set us on a path to do great and mighty things, in Jesus’ Name!
I love you all, Robin.
To view the entire service, click on this Facebook link.
For more images of the day and information on ordination, go to the "more" tab or click here.
For more images of the day and information on ordination, go to the "more" tab or click here.
What's an Episcopalian?
We at St. Paul's welcome you. If this is your first contact with St. Paul's or any Episcopal church, we invite you to explore the Seekers Center, which offers a detailed look at our traditions, practices and the application of our beliefs in today’s world. Please join our church family to see us firsthand in all-encompassing, loving action.
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Giving made easier The Diocese of Ohio has partnered with Giving Tools to help with online stewardship for St. Paul's and other parishes. Please click on the church icon at left to visit our Online Giving page. Please join us for services online on our Facebook page and YouTube channel every Sunday beginning at 10:25 a.m.
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St. Paul's Episcopal Church
425 Cleveland Avenue S.W.
Canton, OH 44702-1625
Our secretary, Peggy, remains in the office Monday thru Thursday
8:00-Noon.
There are no office hours on Fridays.
The office email is stpaulsoffice@att.net;
and you may leave a message on the phone voicemail
(330)455-0286
425 Cleveland Avenue S.W.
Canton, OH 44702-1625
Our secretary, Peggy, remains in the office Monday thru Thursday
8:00-Noon.
There are no office hours on Fridays.
The office email is stpaulsoffice@att.net;
and you may leave a message on the phone voicemail
(330)455-0286