September 21, 2016
This fall we are looking forward to a number of events and celebrations in our parish, our diocese and our region. Each signals our pursuit of vitality and growth. !!Entering the season of color and cool, we begin with a festive blessing of the animals, we will dedicate the new Columbarium and its accompanying memorial window, for a month of Sundays we will turn our attention to stewardship, we will celebrate several baptisms and weddings, we will welcome guest celebrants and speakers, and we gather for renewed initiatives of Christian formation, including church school, youth ministry and the adult fall teaching series. Parish life has good fun and fellowship planned for us and our outreach efforts continue apace.!!Very soon, the Diocese of Ohio embarks on a year-long celebration of its 200th anniversary, as well as marking a new era with the groundbreaking for our Wakeman camp and retreat center. !!We invite you to read about these developments and more in the following pages of the sixth edition of our quarterly parish newsletter The Beacon.!
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The Beacon!Saint Martin’s Newsletter, Autumn 2016!To pray the Prayer of Christ, to learn the Mind of Christ, to do the Deeds of Christ
Saint Martin’s Episcopal Church 6295 Chagrin River Road Chagrin Falls Ohio 44022
440.247.7406 saintmartinschagrinfalls.com
Holy Eucharist Saturday 5 pm Sunday 8 am & 10 am
Admin Office Hours 10 am-2 pm Monday thru Wednesday
Clergy Hours Saturday thru Thursday, by appointment is best
Emergency Pastoral Care 24/7
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September 21, 2016
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Youth Initiative!!On Sunday, October 30, 2016, The Reverend Vincent Black, Canon for Christian Formation in the Diocese of Ohio and Priest-in-Charge of the Church of the Ascension, Lakewood, will be our guest celebrant and preacher in the 8 a.m. and 10 a.m. services of Holy Eucharist. Canon Black will then meet with the youth of our parish, middle schoolers and high schoolers, for a pizza lunch and conversation about a youth initiative at Saint Martin’s and our involvement in the youth programs of the diocese. Canon Black will be with us as part of an altar/pulpit exchange between Saint Martin’s and Ascension. John Cerrato will be celebrating and preaching in the two morning services at Ascension Church that Sunday. !!Canon Black brings experience and expertise to his ministry with the youth of our diocese. A graduate of John Carroll University and Bexley Hall Episcopal Seminary, he has served on the bishop’s staff of the Episcopal Diocese of Ohio for seven years. He sees our diocesan youth ministry as offering similar resources to our families and young people as do the largest youth-oriented churches with their major events and gatherings. He advocates for connecting youth with one another across the boundaries of parishes in order to provide a regional sense of community, support, encouragement and growth in faith. About twelve of our young people have committed to meeting with Canon Black on his visit and we welcome more! The pizza lunch is scheduled for the parish library after the service on the 30th October. !!Still Relevant after all these years#!The amazing fact about Saint Augustine is his abiding relevance to our spiritual struggles and the human question. As we read his Confessions this fall in our Christian formation series, it is his contemporaneity that strikes us. As a student several decades ago at Harvard Divinity School, I overheard Professor Margaret Miles, a world renowned Augustine scholar, saying to another student about Augustine: “Still relevant after 16 centuries. Pretty good.” Indeed, pretty good. !
The Reverend Dr. John A. Cerrato!
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Saint Martin’s, Chagrin Falls, is a parish of the Episcopal Diocese of Ohio, The
Right Reverend Mark Hollingsworth Jr., Bishop
Priests serving Saint Martin’s The Reverend Dr. John A. Cerrato
The Reverend Gary A. McElroy
Staff serving Saint Martin’s Sandra Tittle, Director of Music
Carol Maye-Botzman, Administrator Connie Schaaf, Sexton
Church Wardens Mr. John Meade
Dr. Karen Gerken
Vestry Jane Albert
Linda Bird Daniel Carter, Esq.
Robert Case Cindi DelBrocco Kristina Gillespie
Gail Kallock Nancy McKinley
Merry Petroski Jean Schmiege
David Simko Greg Streicher
Victoria Ware
Colleen Deering, CPA, Treasurer Byron Hays, Clerk of the Vestry
CHRISTIAN FORMATION
Saint Martin divides his cloak to share with the poor
September 21, 2016
Columbarium & Memorial Window !!On Sunday, October 9, 2016, in the 10 a.m. service of Holy Eucharist we will dedicate the newly installed columbarium, as well as bless the new memorial window. These new features of our pastoral ministry are located on the epistle side of the church in the narthex, where they were brought to completion this summer under the guidance of our vestry columbarium working group, including Bill and Bonnie Hotchkin, John Meade, Karen Gerken, Linda Bird, Gail Kallock, John Cerrato and Todd Palmer.!!The designer and builder of our columbarium is Eickhof Columbaria of Minnesota. The stonework used for the niches is imported Italian marble. The installation of the unit was completed by local woodworker Jonas Yoder — J&B Construction — and Gary Novak — Novak Painting. As reported in the summer Beacon: the window is a fabulous piece of artwork designed and executed by local glass artist Jason Wein. A visitor's precinct will be arranged around the columbarium and window, where family members can sit to pray and reflect. This will include chairs and other furniture in keeping with the purpose of that sacred space. !!The completion of this project provides a significant new pastoral-liturgical resource for our parish. Information about purchasing niches and the protocol of the columbarium ministry is available at the church, especially the brochure entitled “The Columbarium of Saint Martin’s Episcopal Church” and the “Columbarium Fact Sheet,” as well as contract documents. Information will also be forthcoming online at our parish website. The management of the columbarium will be a ministry of the clergy and vestry of the parish. A separate fund has been designated for its maintenance and expansion, if/when needed in the future. !
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Volunteer Staff Alfred KanagaRaj, Service Leaflets
Cheryl Gray, Parish Nurse
Ministry Leadership
Judy Tremain, Altar Guild
Karen Swan, Pastoral Care, The Daughters of the King
Nancy McKinley & Jane Albert, Parish Life
Tim Schaaf, Stewardship, Vestry Nominations
Karen Gerken, Property
Colleen Deering, Finance
Dave Simko & Dan Carter, Christian Formation
Katie Clark, Church School & Children’s Ministry, Child Care
Emily Gielink, Acolytes
Elizabeth Hays, Women’s Christ Care Journeying Group
Carolyn Downie, Communications
John Meade & Alfred KanagaRaj, Men’s Bible Study Group
!Augustine Series Fall 2016
Parishioners and friends are welcome to join in on the eight
week series on Augustine's Confessions, meeting each
Wednesday evening in the library at 7 p.m., as they are able. No need to
attend every gathering, if you can only make a few. Join us as you
have the opportunity.
Blessing of Animals will be offered on Sunday, October 2,
2016, following the 10 a.m. service of Holy Eucharist. We all convene,
so to speak, on the lawn outside the Burroughs Room doors. This is in
advance of Saint Francis Day (October 4).
PASTORAL
September 21, 2016
God’s Generosity 2017!!From Sunday, October 2 through Sunday, November 13, Saint Martin’s will engage in our Fall Stewardship Campaign, seeking to raise awareness, teaching and challenging our congregations on the significance of Christian stewardship. Our leadership, including Tim Schaaf, John Meade, John Cerrato, Greg Striecher, Jeanne Schmiege and others, will communicate the message and meaning of our efforts as a people to embrace faithful practices of stewardship. Most Sundays will be dedicated to furthering the cause of Faith Pledging, offering talent and time to the ministries of the parish, and cultivating a sense of gratitude for all of God’s blessings in this life. !!
On Sunday, November 6, in the 8 a.m. and 10 a.m. services of Holy Eucharist we will hear guest speaker Katie Ong Landini, Project Director of the Diocese of Ohio. Katie has been a leader in the Planting for Tomorrow Campaign and the development of the new camp and retreat center in Wakeman, Ohio. In 2015 Saint Martin’s embraced the diocesan Planting for
Tomorrow Campaign as a way of doing regional outreach, fundraising, stewardship and building bridges with our diocese. The generosity of our people in support of the program was remarkable. As a result, we will soon be able to retire our parish debt. Katie will talk about the overall successes of the Planting for Tomorrow effort, as well as the diocese’s plans for the Wakeman center. !!On Sunday, November 13, we will celebrate Saint Martin’s Festival Day (transferred from November 11) and have our annual Faith Pledge Ingathering. Thanks be to God for the stewardship ministries of our parish and diocese.!!!Clergy Notes !!We welcomed The Reverend Susan Tiffany as our celebrant and preacher on the weekend of August 7, 2016, The Twelfth Sunday after the Day of Pentecost. Reverend Tiffany is a priest new to our diocese and her ministry among us was well-received and appreciated. !
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PARISH & DIOCESE
Mission Trip to West Virginia Consider joining with other
volunteers from Saint Martin's Episcopal Church and Holy Angels Catholic Church for a trip to WV to
aid with the flood recovery there. Work will range from clean-up to rebuild, and many other tasks in
between. The dates are October 16 through 21, Sunday through Friday.
We will be looking for about six people to go. For more information,
please contact our senior warden John Meade at
[email protected] or 440.804.4910.
The Men’s Study Group meets each Wednesday at 7 am in Saint
Martin’s Library. We start with coffee and donuts, then spend an hour in discussion of a text of scripture or
another book. This fall we are reading and discussing Paul’s Epistle to the Romans. Men from the parish and the community are welcome to
join us.
Midhour Forum on Sunday mornings is continuing. We meet in
the library at 9 am for conversation on the day’s scripture readings and
liturgy, as well as contemporary topics. Parishioners and visitors are
welcome to join us for a cup of coffee and conversation.
Bainbridge Food for Friends Who is aided: Local families in need.
Location: 17826 Chillicothe Road, Chagrin Falls Township, OH 44023.
How we participate: food collection. Please bring your contributions to
church and place them in the wicker baskets in the entryway. Items
should be nonperishable and within date of use. Contact: Elaine Brophy.
Cathedral Meal Program (trinitycleveland.org). A Place at the
Table (APATT). Who is aided: hungry Clevelanders. Location: Trinity Cathedral, Cleveland. How we
participate: a team to helps serve as scheduled. Time commitment:
several hours on a Sunday morning as scheduled, to serve a mid day
meal. Age restrictions: none. Contact: Tom Gerken, 440.668.6731
STEWARDSHIP
September 21, 2016
On Saturday, August 6, we welcomed Father Mac, The Reverend Gary McElroy, as our celebrant and preacher for the 5 p.m. service of Holy Eucharist. !!Our priest John Cerrato attended a Fresh Start Picnic on Wednesday, August 24, at the Wakeman property, site of the new camp and retreat center of the Diocese of Ohio. The gathering represented an opportunity for clergy to see the new land, as well as meet and welcome new clergy to the diocese. A group, including Saint Martin’s vestry members and parishioners, is planning to attend the Groundbreaking event in Wakeman on Saturday, October 1 (11 a.m. — 3 p.m.), along with John Cerrato and John Meade. This diocesan day is a barbecue outing with tours and other celebrations. Interest in car pooling can be directed to John Meade or John Cerrato. !!On Sunday, August 28, The Reverend Dr. Mark Pruitt and The Reverend Dr. John A. Cerrato engaged in a Pulpit Exchange between their parishes: on that Sunday Dr. Cerrato preached in Saint Paul’s Episcopal Church, Akron, Ohio, and Dr. Pruitt preached and celebrated in Saint Martin’s Church. !!Over the summer John Cerrato began his involvement with an ecumenical initiative being undertaken by a group of diocesan clergy, including The Reverend Vanessa Clark, rector of Saint James Episcopal Church, Painesville, who serves as the Ecumenical Officer of the Diocese of Ohio. The task is the ecumenical dialogue between the Episcopal Church and the United Methodist Church in the United States. Plans are in the making for exploring cooperative ministry and exchanges of worship between Episcopal parishes and local Methodist Churches, in the hope of furthering an eventual outcome of communion between these traditions. !!Vestry member Linda Bird has been appointed Bicentennial Missioner for Saint Martin’s Church, to work with the Diocese of Ohio in the coming months in planning the celebration of the 200th anniversary of the founding of the diocese. Linda is serving her second consecutive term on our vestry and has been active in the ministries of Episcopal Church Women, as well as the Winter Convocations of the diocese. She also serves on various parish committees, including fundraising efforts. !
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Bishop’s Appeal 2016 Love God. Love your neighbor. Change
the world. The Episcopal Diocese of Ohio, supporting parish outreach
programs and leadership development. For more info see the
pamphlets on the tables in the entryways or visit www.dohio.org.
ERD Help sustain the church’s response in South Sudan where
over one million persons are displaced and 4.9 million are in
need of humanitarian assistance. Visit ERD, Episcopal Relief &
Development, at www.episcopalrelief.org or call
1.855.312.HEAL.
Serve We welcome sign-ups for folks to serve as ushers and as
hospitality servers at Coffee Hour on Sundays. We also invite sign-ups
to donate flowers and candles to be used in worship. The sign-up sheets
live on the large window table in the Burroughs Room. Please help out as
often as you can.
Once Together Now Alone Widows and widowers of Saint
Martin’s are invited to join a lunch/dinner group currently gathering on
the fourth Monday of the month to share a meal at a local restaurant. If
interested in learning more about the group, please contact Jane
Albert 440-591-5490. !Trinity Cathedral “A Place at
the Table” Feeding Program in Cleveland. Our next Sunday to serve
is November 20, 2016. Spaces are still available on the signup list in
the Burroughs Room. !Ministry Discernment Day, Saturday, October 15, 2016, 9:30
a.m. to 3 p.m., Saint Paul’s Episcopal Church, Akron. Explore your calling. For more information contact Betty
Kondrich, [email protected] !Special Thanks to Karen Swan
and Amanda Meitz for the summer series “A Time for You, A Time for
Us,” offered at Saint Martin’s !!!!!
September 21, 2016
Special thanks to Paula Stepnick for serving as acting coordinator of our Altar Guild as our coordinator Judy Tremain is on hiatus this fall. Paula is also planning to offer a jewelry sale fundraiser in the fall, as we head toward the Christmas season. Keep an eye out for forthcoming information on this special and convenient shopping opportunity. !!Upcoming celebrations of Holy Baptism include John and Victor Dippel on Sunday, October 23, 2016, in the 10 a.m. service of Holy Eucharist, and Hudson Rankin on Sunday, November 13, 2016, in the 10 a.m. service of Holy Eucharist. !!This fall we welcome to Saint Martin’s members of the bishop’s staff: The Reverend Canon Vincent Black (October 30) and Katie Ong Landini (November 6). See the special mention of these visits in the above articles “Youth Initiative” and “God’s Generosity 2017.” These visits are part of our efforts at bridge building with the diocese. !!!Living Water!Water is one of the most basic elements of life, important to all living things. 60% of the human body is water. We and all living things need a large amount of water to function and grow properly. Even Jesus was thirsty. In the account of Jesus and the woman at the well, Jesus asked for a drink of water. Most of us do not drink enough water. Unless otherwise directed by a doctor, we should drink 6—8 glasses daily. What water does for us is:!• Removes waste products effectively!• Assists in digestion and metabolism!• Helps regulate body temperature!• Lubricates our joints!• Improves energy!• Helps maintain our fluid balance!• Increases our mental and physical performance!• Keeps our skin healthy and glowing!• Reduces headaches and dizziness!!God has provided living water for our spirits. Without this living water, we can become spiritually dried up. Think of the familiar glass of refreshing water as a symbol for life both physically and spiritually. Try focusing your mind on each drink of water as a drink from God’s living water for our spirits. Jesus said, “Everyone who drinks this water will get thirsty again. But no one who drinks the water I give will ever be thirsty again. The water I give is like a flowing fountain that gives eternal life.” John 4:13-14! !
Cheryl Gray!
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HEALTH & WELLNESS
Holy Unction, or Anointing with Oil for Healing, is offered on the
second Saturday of each month in the 5 pm service of Holy Eucharist.
Saint Luke’s Pasta Dinner Science Success: “Unlocking The
Future, One Teacher At A Time” A Collaboration Between the
Episcopal Dioceses of Ohio & Belize Why: To support a small grant
program for teachers in Belize. Teachers will be able to apply for
funding to support creative and innovative classroom science
programs projects. Who: You & all your friends & family.
Where: Saint Luke’s Church, 11519 Wilson Mills Road, Chardon, Ohio
When: Saturday, October 29, 2016, 4:30-7:30 p.m.
Buffet: Pasta, meatballs, salad, rolls & dessert.
Cost: Love Offering Donations made at the
door or can be mailed to Saint Luke’s Church. 100% of donations
will go to the teachers in Belize. Reservations: Please sign-up in the
church foyer or call Saint Luke’s. !Holy Currencies, 2016 Lay and
Clergy Leadership Conference, Saturday, October 8, 2016, 9 a.m. to
3:30 p.m., Saint Andrew’s Church, Elyria. Online registration at http://
gscc16.eventbrite.com !Human Trafficking: Ohio’s
Tragic Reality. No one should be sold for sex. Recognize and report:
Call 911 or 888-3737-888 or Text HELP to #233733. Visit
www.polarisproject.org
September 21, 2016
De Musica!!!SUMMER MUSIC THANK YOUS! A Lutheran pastor once told me that I shouldn’t ask for more blessings until offering thanksgiving for the ones already given. I am truly grateful for all the musical offerings during the summer. Take a few moments to reminisce with me — Maralee Koval sang some favorites for Memorial Day weekend; delightful music for the annual June picnic by Americana Ensemble — Carolyn Downie, Phyllis Marino, Karen Gerken, Don Daley, Jack and Sandy Tittle; Nancy McKinley and Karen Gerken with music by Bach; guest Karen Abbott; Isabella Otera playing piano beautifully; Sam Gielink made the saxophone sing; all the chirping birds in Karen’s Vivaldi Concerto; the dancing flute duets — Phyllis and Karen; the energetic CANTOREI — Terry Simko, Nancy McKinley, Linda Gilbert and Don Daley; Bill's heartfelt “Precious Lord;” Amanda Meitz’s fabulous Hummel concerto; Judy Vernon’s daughter Susan Linney’s beautiful singing; a buoyant trio sonata by CAMERATA — Carolyn, Karen and Sandy; special solos from Nancy; and talented, dependable substitute organists Linda Gilbert and Alfred KanagaRaj. The summer was packed full of outstanding offerings — SOLI DEO GLORIA! Thank you!!!
Sandy!CAMERATA Our instrumental chamber ensemble, plays frequently for worship, performing mostly music from the Baroque and Classical periods. Members include: Karen Gerken, flute; Carolyn Downie, violin; Elaine Brophy, clarinet; Phyllis Marino, flute; Don Daley, viola; and Amanda Meitz and Linda Gilbert, trumpets. We welcome new members to the group. Contact Sandy Tittle, [email protected]!!Music Opportunity for Youth! Our Chancel Choir especially appreciates music while they receive communion. If you play an instrument or sing, perhaps you would like to give a musical offering at the beginning of communion. Please send an email to Sandy Tittle at [email protected] to schedule a date.!!Looking Ahead On Sunday, December 11, 2016, in the 10 a.m. service of Holy Eucharist, we will celebrate a special service of Advent Lessons and Carols. The traditional lessons of prophecy and beautiful choral music will lead all to reflect on the story of God’s action in history, preparing for the birth of Jesus as Lord and Savior. Be sure to join us for this annual celebration of God’s love.
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!Daughters of the King is an
International Order of women committed to the ministries of prayer
and Christian service. The Saint Martin’s Chapter welcomes inquiries
about membership in our active fellowship. See Karen Swan or John
Cerrato for more info.
Congratulations to our DOK Chapter President Karen Swan, who has been
asked to serve as Vice President of the DOK in the Episcopal Diocese of Ohio. We bid your prayers for her as
she undertakes this new responsibility.
Church School begins at 10 a.m. each Sunday morning, led by Katie Clark and company, meeting in the
church undercroft. We have fluid and flexible classes and engaging learning events for all ages of
children. See Katie for more details.
Confirmation Class will be starting this fall, for young people
interested in being confirmed in the Episcopal Church in 2017. See John
Cerrato for more information.
Inquirers Class will be offered to adults who wish to be confirmed or received into the Episcopal Church
in 2017, when our bishop’s visitation will happen. When we know the date
of our visit, we will organize accordingly. This class will also be open to all who wish to learn more
about our church, regardless of confirmation or reception. We will look at the Prayer Book, our history
and our stance in today’s world.
Christ Care Journeying Group for women meets every Tuesday at
the home of Elizabeth Hays.
Nominations to serve on the vestry of Saint Martin’s are being
reviewed by the Executive Committee of the vestry and a
Nominations Committee. Interest in this ministry can be directed to the
clergy or a member of the vestry.
LITURGY
September 21, 2016
Harp, flute and violin will join our Saint Martin’s Chancel Choir under the direction of Sandy Tittle, as we present colorful carols filled with hope and expectation.!!!
Life Together!!PARISH LIFE ACTIVITIES & EVENTS 2016 Summer was radiant with special activities. On Sunday, August 28, we enjoyed A Hot Dog & A Hike at Frohring Meadows, Chagrin Falls. This was a chance for parishioners and friends to share fellowship, lunch and a nature walk through the serene woodland and prairie trails. A fun and well-attended event.!! Sign Up for Foyer Groups 2016-2017, dinner gatherings of 6-8 people, began in August and continues into the fall. Foyers meet monthly on a date and time they choose for an informal meal and discussion of a topic selected by the host(s). A great way to build friendships and grow in fellowship.!! On Sunday, September 11, we enjoyed a spectacular Rally Day, our Annual Rally Day picnic which followed the 10 a.m. service. There was face painting and Swifty the Clown. Saint Martin’s ministries were represented. !! On September 20 was Girls’ Night Out at Passion for Fashion, a private evening of shopping and fellowship at the women’s consignment boutique, Chesterland. Participants enjoyed appetizers and wine, as well as a 10% discount.!!UPCOMING THIS FALL !OCTOBER 15, Saturday, Grazing Party 6-9 p.m. Enjoy grazing appetizers & dessert at the Rose Hill Manor home of Cathy Horton in Hunting Valley. Please, sign up in the Burroughs Room. !!NOVEMBER 1, Tuesday, Ladies’ Show & Tell!Enjoy a light dinner, after which the women of Saint Martin’s will share their hobbies, talents, and businesses with each other. Ladies are asked to bring consignment items, which Linda Bird will take to Passion for Fashion. A great source of additional revenue for Saint Martin’s. !!Committee Members: Nancy McKinley, Jane Albert, Linda Bird, Cindi DelBrocco, Merry Petroski
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COMMUNITY BUILDING
Holy Baptism We bid your prayers for Connor O’Shea Franck, baptized on Sunday, July 31, 2016.
Connor is the son of Andrew Charles Franck and Jacqueline Preston
Franck. Congratulations to the Franck and Preston families
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Budget for 2017 Ministry leaders should be aware that we are in the planning stages for next year's
parish budget. Please submit line item proposals for your ministry to our senior warden John Meade, or
other members of the Finance Committee. Thanks in advance for
your cooperation
Annual Meeting of the Parish will be Sunday, January 22, 2017
Happening 2017 Event for Youth in Grades 9 through 12: Staff
Retreat, February 17-19; Happening Retreat, March 31-April 2. Sponsored
by the Episcopal Diocese of Ohio, Canon Vincent Black
Cathedral Pilgrimage, Trinity Cathedral, Cleveland, Youth in
Grades 6 through 12, May 19-21, 2017. Sponsored by the Episcopal
Diocese of Ohio, Canon Vincent Black
Episcopal Youth Event, University of Central Oklahoma, Youth in Grades 9 through 12 in 2017-2018 academic year, July 10-14, 2017. Sponsored by the
National Church
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