FISHERMAN’S NET Saint Peter’s Episcopal Church • Lakewood, Ohio

Volume 47, Number 02 • October 2013

My Problems are Other People’s Dreams

Sometimes someone says something to me that has

the quality of a bright light turning on, or a great

bell being rung, that shakes me out of my usual

sleepwalk and reminds me of what’s truly real and

truly important.

Just last week, I found myself in a conversation

with one of our very active parishioners, a woman

who quietly and efficiently does a whole lot of

important work around here. I asked about the

work going on in her home, a typical Lakewood

house project where one thing maddeningly leads to

another. She shared a kvetch or two, with which I

responded with a kvetch or two of my own. But

then, she smiled and said “but you know, I can’t

complain. My problems are other people’s

dreams.” She said this with such a sincere gratitude

that I was moved.

Of course, these days I worry about a house that

is always breaking somehow. I worry about college

tuition payments. I worry about insufficient

retirement savings and my nineteen year old car.

These are problems, real problems, and all of us

have them. And sometimes, they seem

overwhelming. But, as our friend so simply

reminded me in a blinding statement of the obvious,

isn’t it wonderful that I have these problems. Isn’t a

blessing that I have a house to live in, that my

daughter has the opportunity to go to college, and

that I have a car to get around in? There are people

within the audible range of our church bell who

have none of these “problems,” but would love to.

Later this month, you will receive in the mail a

“Gratitude Journal.” The Stewardship Committee

this year is inviting all of us into a three week

spiritual exercise. In a sense, it is a three week time

to inventory our “problems.” Perhaps, like me, you

will start to learn the lesson that many of our

“problems” are, in fact, enormous blessings in

disguise. Perhaps, like me, you will have a good

laugh at your tendency to warp into complaints

what ought to be songs of thanksgiving.

I hope you will take the time to keep this journal,

and maybe even use it to start a lifelong spiritual

discipline. I would especially encourage families to

use this together, perhaps at dinner or bedtime. Our

children are growing up in the most viciously

acquisitive society known to human history.

Perhaps this simple ritual of daily giving thanks

might be a small inoculation against the insanity

that assaults them, and us, all day every day.

“My problems are other people’s dreams.” Now

there’s a piece of holy speech if I ever heard one.

May all of our lives be filled with such problems,

and our hearts filled with such gratitude.

Your Brother in Christ,

— Keith

Coffee Hour

Coffee Hour is in the Undercroft after

the 10 am service. Coffee hour is

simply “goodies” and coffee and

lemonade. We provide the

beverages, you provide the

goodies. On the third Sunday of the

month, we have Birthday Cake,

celebrating the birthday of everyone

who has a birthday that month. Some people sign

up to celebrate a birthday in the family or someone

they know, and others sign up just because they like

to celebrate birthdays or eat cake. Whatever the

reason, this ministry has given us a chance to

celebrate lots of birthdays with our St, Peter's

family and taste a lot of different kinds of cakes.

Thank you for continuing to sign up to host a

Coffee Hour. If you have any questions about this

ministry please contact Amanda Chambers.

Thoughts from the Stewardship Committee…

Giving and Receiving, the Circle Unbroken

Mystical thinking is frequently associated with Eastern

philosophies and religions. Our Western culture and

traditions prepare us to be more comfortable with

dualistic thought patterns; we tend to see things as

“either-or.” The concept of non-dualistic thinking,

grasping both-and, not either-or, may seem a little

weird to us when we first encounter it. But it is not too

difficult to understand how two separate concepts can

be related and interdependent. It is exactly this

principle that is captured by

the symbol of yin and yang.

In the symbol of

yin/yang, two opposing

principles are “nested” to

create a perfectly balanced

circle. The boundary

between the two creates the

longest possible interface

within the symbol, indicating relationship and balance

(harmony) between the two sides. That undulating line

illustrates interaction, tension and relief. Each half

tapers in an opposing direction until it disappears into

infinity, exactly where its opposite is at its fullest - one

leads inevitably to the other. Notice also that a tiny bit

of each principle is embedded in its opposite,

completely integrated, indivisible.

Plug “Giving” and “Receiving” into the yin/yang

symbol and give some thought to several questions:

When we give something of ourselves, how

freely is it given? Do we expect to get to get

something in return? What might that be?

When we are the recipient of some gift

(thoughtfulness, kindness, support, sympathy),

does our gratitude create a desire to become the

“giver” of some gift or kindness to another?

To what extent do the gifts we receive from God

improve our ability to recognize gifts we receive

from any source?

Does that help us broaden our concept of what

constitutes a gift?

Does receiving lead to giving? And vice versa?

Allow your mind to wander around in those

associations. As the boundaries blend and blur, you will

arrive at both-and! When we live with this “duality”

united within us we are more whole. It is the circle

unbroken.

Giving and receiving is part of the Great

Commandment to love all as we love ourselves, as god

loves us. Giving and receiving is a mystical unity

which God, through Christ, offers to all humanity. If we

are to have Christ in us we must offer gifts of love to all

others too. Our gratitude as the receivers of God’s gifts

is most perfectly expressed when we become the givers.

By giving to others we are returning those gifts to

God…we are participating in the both-and of giving

and receiving.

St. Ignatius expresses this mystery in his prayer, the

Suscipe:

Take, Lord, and receive all my liberty,

my memory, my understanding and my

entire will. All I have and call my own

You have given to me; to you, Lord, I

return it. Everything is yours; do with it

what you will. Give me only your love

and your grace. That is enough for me.

~ Fred Purdy, Member,

Stewardship Committee

Women Welcoming Women

Woman Welcoming Women will be meeting on

October 22nd

at 7 PM at Panera

in Rocky River. This will

be our last meeting of 2013

since we don’t meet in

November and December

because of the holidays.

As usual the October

meeting will be filled

with lively discussion and

lots of laughs about life and friendship.

We will also be planning our holiday

events. Remember “Scatter seeds of

kindness wherever we go...and

watch friendship bloom.” For more

information call Lorna Jordan

(216) 227-0163 or ljcookie@cox.net.

October Outreach Focus of the Month: Watterson-Lake

Elementary School

For over 20 years Watterson-Lake School (K-8),

located at W. 74th

& Detroit, has been St. Peter’s

“adopted” school. We have had a rich and varied

history with the children and staff. We began by

sending volunteer tutors to help bolster deficient

skill levels and encourage love of reading, then

moved on to providing clothing to the neediest

children through the Share the Blessings Project.

Parishioners have taught a manners program,

sponsored a knitting club and offered individual

talents in other ways. Through engaging on a one-

to-one level, we have had and continue to have the

hope that the love of Christ flows through us to

those we help.

That’s the history. Now, the present: W-L

currently has 260 students, down from last year’s

325. The schedule is back to the usual, 9:30 to 3:45

and full-time teachers have been restored to gym,

music and art. The State mandated third grade

initiative is still in place—students not reading up to

grade level will be retained. (Note: the importance

of tutors for the early grades where the foundation

is laid.) The pressure is on to improve performance

indicators with the new Federal and State education

criteria—individual and group progress will be

measured for literacy, math and science, and test

results will be measured and evaluated for every

student.

Our 2012 loose plate offerings helped to

purchase red, white & blue uniforms for the girls

cheerleading team. Success! We rejoice with these

10 girls and their dedicated teacher. This first year

the W-L team won FIRST prize in the City of

Cleveland K-8 cheerleading competition! The

glittering 28” trophy is prominently displayed in the

school office. Individual and school pride is hard to

come by for these students.

This year the suggestion is to use our October

offerings to help fund the second Spring Carnival.

This first family fun day was held in the school

parking lot the end of May to celebrate the school

year. And celebrate they did—inflatables, hot dogs,

popcorn, slushies, games and prizes. This day gave

hope and spirit to students, their families and the

staff. Some of it still remains. Stay tuned….there

will be opportunities for us to participate in the

Family Fun Day next May.

Little Libraries: have you heard of or read about

them? These small book houses are installed near

schools in Cleveland. Children can take a book,

read it and return on the honor system. It’s working!

W-L would welcome book donations for their Little

Library. Look for a box by the entrance from the

parking lot in October. One problem we might solve

for them: the school has the house and the post but

no one to install it. Do we have a handy volunteer?

Please be as generous as you can and look

forward to hearing from the principal at both

services on Sunday, October 13th

. For more

information contact Nan Miller at

nan.m@sbcglobal.net or Monica Owen at

monicaowen@gmail.com.

The Feast of Francis of Assisi and the Blessing of Beasts

Friday, October 4, 6:00 p.m.

Bring some lawn

chairs. Bring some

food or drink to

share. Bring a sense

of humor and a sense

of fun. Most of all,

bring your critters

(and yes, the fuzzy

stuffed kind are

welcome too). A

few plastic bags

would probably be a

good idea as well! All pets should be on a leash or

in some kind of carrier.

We’ll gather on the West Clifton lawn (weather

permitting) of the church to worship God by

remembering one of the most famous saints of the

church on his feast day. Francis is often called the

patron saint of animals because of his infectious

love of nature and all things living. The service will

be short, sweet, and fun. Afterwards, we’ll have a

big potluck picnic on the lawn to enjoy one

another’s, and our pets’, company.

Attention Newcomers & First-time Visitors: Explore & Connect

To help people new to St. Peter’s

become better acquainted with

who we are, what we

believe and exactly how

to find the bathrooms in

this maze of a building,

we offer a three session

designed to answer these

critical questions.

Here’s how it works:

Each session will begin with a light snack followed

by the information part of the session.

October 27 @ 11:45 a.m.: Welcome &

Meet ‘n Greet: have a light lunch, take a

tour, meet other new and more seasoned

parishioners, and ask questions

November 10 @ 11:45 a.m.: The Episcopal

Faith and St. Peter’s: a high level overview

of what it means to be Episcopalians and

how St. Peter’s fits into the equation.

Snacks are provided.

November 17 @ 11:45 a.m.: Getting

Involved: share your interests and skills,

learn about opportunities to get plugged in,

and ask questions. Snacks are provided.

November 24: Official welcome of

newcomers to St. Peter’s during both church

services. This is optional but very helpful for

the other parishioners to get to know you.

To help us plan adequately, we request

you let us know if you would like to attend.

Please note: you may participate in one or

all of these sessions depending on your

needs and interests, although we hope you

will join us for all as it strengthens our

community and fellowship.

If you have been attending St. Peter’s for years,

we would love to have you present at one or

more of these dates to meet our newcomers and

bless them with your knowledge and experience

of our church home. We also are looking for

individuals from other ministries to help with

the planning and administration of this series.

For more information call Lorna Jordan (216)

227-0163 or e-mail ljcookie@cox.net.

Stewardship Packets are Coming!!!

Stewardship Packets will soon be arriving in your

homes. All of the material in the packet, including

the 11x17 glossy was donated by members of the

stewardship committee.

We would like to thank the committee for a great

job. Please turn your pledge card in on Stewardship

Sunday, October 13th

and join us for a FREE

breakfast on Sunday, November 3rd

at 9:00 a.m. in

the Undercroft.

Charitable Giving…

The IRA charitable distribution provision was

extended through December 31, 2013. This

provision allows taxpayers who are age 70 ½ or

older to give up to $100,000 from their IRA to

qualifying charities without having to pay income

tax on the withdrawn amount.

IRA owners must take what is referred to as a

Required Minimum Distribution (RMD), starting

with the year a person turns 70½ years of age.

However, IRA owners 70½ or older can

make Qualified Charitable Distributions up to

$100,000 each year. Through a QCD, an IRA owner

can make a cash gift with all or a portion of their tax

year distribution, potentially bypassing the taxation

on the distribution.

For a distribution to qualify as a QCD, it must be

one of the following:

An outright gift to a qualified 501(c)(3)

institution such as your local church or

ministry.

This gift would be made directly from the

IRA to the Qualified Charity

St. Peter’s qualifies as a charitable distribution.

Please discuss this with your tax advisor before

making any decisions.

Stewardship Sunday Wrap-up!!! Free Breakfast!!

The November Parish Breakfast is on the

house for all households who return a

completed pledge card on or before

November 3rd

! Join us at 9:00 a.m. in the

Undercroft.

Child Care News

We have received many

compliments on our

SUNFLOWERS again this

year! We have grown these

from seeds planted back in

May and the children are

eagerly awaiting the

squirrels to begin eating and exploring them! They

enjoy watching how they grow and change. The

Prekindergarteners brought some indoors to

investigate closer and created interpretations of

them with paint and markers! We do love that we

have a bit of space to still garden in…it’s

AWESOME!

Each October our children do a Costume Parade

near Halloween. For the fifth year in a row we will

do our Mini March for Cystic Fibrosis. The

children will be raising money to help find a cure

for Cystic Fibrosis by asking for donations prior to

the event. Cystic Fibrosis (CF) is a genetic disease

which affects approximately 30,000 children and

adults in the United States alone. A defective gene

causes the body to produce abnormally thick, sticky

mucus. This abnormal mucus leads to chronic and

life-threatening lung infections and impairs

digestion. Currently, there is no cure. If you would

like to sponsor a “marcher” please contact the Child

Care office at (216) 226-2840 or stop in for visit on

October 31 to see the children in their costumes!

Watch out this month for flyers on Little

Caesar’s Pizza Kit sales!! (October 7-21, 2013).

~ Denise Minor

Adult Spirituality and Education

Adult Spirituality and Education pans for October:

Window into Islam continues.

SUNDAYS at 9 a.m.

October 6 – Parish Breakfast 9 to 9:30

October 13 – Conversations on Capital

Punishment with St. Helen Prejean; Living

the Questions…

October 20 – Conversations on Capital

Punishment with St. Helen Prejean; Living

the Questions…

October 27– Conversations on Capital

Punishment with St. Helen Prejean; Living

the Questions…

All are welcome. Childcare is provided for all

Adult Forum sessions.

Advent Retreat 2013 Save the Date!!!

The Reverend Canon Willie

(“Will”) H. Mebane, Jr. is to

be the Advent Retreat leader

this December 7th

. His

journey began in Durham,

North Carolina. His

spiritual journey includes

the African Methodist

Episcopal and Baptist Churches –

the denominations of his mother and father

respectively.

He found his way to the Episcopal Church where

he was mesmerized by the liturgy, and stimulated

and challenged by the sermons. He was baptized

and confirmed in St. Titus’ Episcopal Church. He

wrestled since childhood with a call to the ordained

ministry and entered the formal discernment process

just short of his 50th

birthday. He was accepted into

Yale Divinity School where he earned his Master of

Divinity along with an award for excellence in

preaching.

Will served five years as a liturgical and pastoral

care assistant to Christ Episcopal Church in

Greenwich, Connecticut where he began as

seminarian.

Will had an eclectic business career prior to

entering seminary and ordained ministry. It

included managing the 5oth Anniversary

Celebrating the entry of Jackie Robinson into Major

League Baseball, the 1995 Special Olympics World

Games, and the 1998 Elton John World Tour.

Will joined Trinity Cathedral in Cleveland in

2009 as curate and assumed the role of canon in

2011.

Please mark your calendars now for what

promises to be an oasis of calm in the midst of the

storm of Christmas preparations.

Growing Together

We had an AWESOME start to our formation

year!!! All of our classes are leaning The Book of

Genesis and our 3rd-5th grade class has learned a

bit about our new Bibles and how to look up the

Book of Genesis all on their own. All classes are

learning about creation, and will learn about Joseph

next. The Middle and High School Bible Study is

also off to a strong start and have seen record

attendance! Family Time has been a little altered

and is going GREAT! Thank you to Linda Lange

and family for sharing "Head Bands" game with us

throughout September. I will have Halloween J-I-N-

G-O available throughout October.

UPDATE: 3rd through 5th Grade “Mock” Lock-In

is on hold. A flier was distributed in class to try and

find the best date to achieve the highest attendance

at our "Mock" Lock-In. It seems the Friday,

September 27th would not work for a lot of our

families. The flier asks families to choose between

three Friday’s and to just return the flier back to me

or reply to a similar email that was sent.

I will also need a volunteer parent or Sunday

School Teacher to help me so that we are being

intentional in practicing our Diocesan wide

Safeguarding God's Children Policy. This is a great

event we've had one similar a couple years ago and

those kids are still talking about it.

Laser Extreme! Our Youth Group has been

talking about

it for a year

now and .....

we’re

actually

going to do

it, Sunday,

October 6th

:

LASER

XTREME!

Directly

following

church we’ll

head out

(13409 Smith Road, Middleburg Hts., 440-842-

6044).

We will participate in two games, pizza,

pop, and cake. The cost is $10; please let Michelle

know if you plan to join us.

KidMin Conference, October 11-14 in Columbus;

Training Session Overview: Super-size your

impact…choose from over 130 sessions! All the

deeper learning, authentic conversations, and

renewed passion are designed to get you pumped

and prepped for a super-effective children’s

ministry. The 2013 conference will be full of …

• More than 130 children’s ministry training

sessions to choose from. All with plenty of time to

mine the depths of each topic and dig up treasure

troves of practical ideas.

• Marinade-style learning. You’ll go below the

surface to fully understand your new discoveries—

no more “fire-hose blast” of information! KidMin

speakers don’t merely lecture. They mix, mingle,

and merge with you and your peers.

• Interactive wor kshop format. Connect with

fellow kidmins in and out of sessions. You'll get the

chance to network like never before.

• Practical, relevant insight. You'll go home with

solutions that can truly redefine your children's

ministry. You'll be surprised. You'll be challenged.

And, most importantly, you'll be ready.

• Personal attention from all our top-notch

speakers. Today's most respected voices in

children's ministry are on our KidMin team. They're

here to engage you in and out of the sessions. It's an

atmosphere of full access and full acceptance.

• Customizable training experience. What matters

most to you? At the KidMin Conference, you can

take whatever "unconventional" route works best

for your ministry. Whether you want a full four

sessions, two, or just one, you choose the path that

fits YOU.

DYE Diocesan Youth Event at Cedar Hills Camp

Friday, October 25-27th

for Youth in 6th-12th grade

Cost is $60 (includes food and lodging)

Registration Deadline is Sunday, October 6, 2013

(Some scholarship money is available – don’t let the

cost prohibit you from attending – this is a

wonderful event!) Contact Michelle with questions

or concerns.

Fifteen members of St. Peter’s Youth

Group and Advisors joined Lakewood

United Methodist Church on Sunday,

September 15th

to run to fight malaria.

According to the website,

www.imaginenomalaria.org, “ No single

organization can beat malaria—we must

all work together to do our part against this

killer disease. To beat malaria, it’s gonna

take a global village.”

Our youth and church leaders, did just

that… they joined together with other kids,

adults, and church leaders, and ran! And

what fun they had… for all the pictures of

this wonderful event, check out the

Facebook page or our website!

Congratulations to all our youth and

other participants! We’re very proud of

you!

Super Mom’s Group coming in January!

Group’s Where Moms Connect…

“Moms come in all shapes and sizes, but one thing's

for sure--all moms need to connect with other

moms! Where Moms Connect is a unique

curriculum that brings women together and helps

them connect naturally, through faith-based

discussion and fun. No matter where a mom is on

her journey, she's welcome at Where Moms

Connect.” Stay tuned for more information.

Apple Picking!!!

Fall Fun for St. Peter’s

Families! Everyone is

invited, Saturday,

October 5th

… meet at

Miller’s Apple Hill in

Amherst at 9:30am for a

Parish-Wide Apple

Pickin’ Spree!

Come kick off fall with this outdoor event that

is fun for the whole family. Enjoy wagon rides to

the orchard where you can pick apples. Visit

Pumpkin Land with two hay mazes, scarecrows and

farm animals (make sure you stop to see the bunnies

as one bunny lives in St. Peter’s church, hee, hee).

Shop from the various craft exhibitors and enjoy

delicious treats from food vendors. Pick up

everything you’ll need to decorate for fall – gourds,

pumpkins, cornstalks, and straw. While here you

can visit our bulk food store. It’s filled with all

sorts of goodies like snack mixes, home baked

goods, candy and more. Admission is FREE!!!

Miller’s Apple Hill, Ltd.

50549 State Route 113

www.millersapplehill.com

Amherst, OH 44001

Phone: (440) 965-7077

Come One, Come All! Continental Breakfast on Sunday,

October 6th

Hosted by The Killin-Keith and

Step-Vogelgesang Families

Last month’s Yogurt Parfait Bar

was a wonderful start to our new

fall season! The Staff of St.

Peter’s enjoyed hosting the

September breakfast and

congratulates the winners of the

Yogurt Contest.

For October, Larry

and Michelle Killin-

Keith and Cathe Step

and Ryan Vogelgesang, and

their respective children, have graciously agreed to

host the breakfast.

If you or your group are interested in hosting the

breakfast, give the office a call. Our Continental

Breakfast can be as easy as picking up the phone,

calling a few friends, and baking, or it can be going

to the store and buying a few breakfast items like

coffee cake, muffins, Danish, bagels, or cereal.

Breakfast will run from 9 – 9:45 a.m. All are

invited! 8 o’clockers… stay after the service and

meet the 10 o’clockers! And, 10 o’clockers… come

meet the early risers!

And the cost? Whatever you think is fair…a

basket will be set on the table for a free-will

donation. So join us on Sunday, October 6th

for

fellowship, food, and fun before or after the service.

Mission Report

Thank you to everyone for your many donations of

clothing, kitchen and household goods, as well as

loose plate offerings for our West Side neighbors at

St. Luke’s Church. We delivered ten carloads of

items there during July and August, and gave them

a check for $2,733 from your Sunday offerings.

The need for clothing and household items to be

given away at “Your Neighbor’s Cloak” continued

at any time of the year, so if you have things you

would like to donate, please call Dorothy Cibula at

440-331-4838 to arrange for pick-up or to transfer

from car-to-car or on a Sunday morning. Thank

you again for your generosity.

~ Dorothy Cibula & Stewart Mickley

September Yogurt Bar, Huge Success!!!

Special thanks go to the Staff of St. Peter’s for all their hard work in preparing the September First Sunday Parish Breakfast. The Yogurt Bar was a huge success! The toppings rivaled Menchies and the folks attending seemed to really enjoy the fellowship and camaraderie as well as making their parfaits. Winners will be announced as soon as the Youth Group gets the list to the office (they have been very busy running, and we mean that literally – the Imagine no Malaria, and the Juvenile Diabetes Run!) Check out the pictures… you’re never too old or too young for a yogurt parfait! So, Donna, Michelle, Michael, Nancy, Keith, Jennifer (our Intern), Jennifer (our Childcare Provider), and Tom, great job! We look forward to next year!!!

St. Peter’s Choristers

Our new music program for children is preparing to

begin in October. Information about this program

for children in grades 4-6 is available on our parish

website and by contacting Michael Miller.

What can every parishioner do to help? The best

way to help us get started is to let people know

about the program. We need you to help us identity

and reach out to parents and children in your

neighborhoods. Tell them about this musical

program and invite them to learn more about it.

Volunteer to help us put a flier in your local coffee

shop, market or library. Share this news whenever

you can with parents of school age children, and let

them know it really is something special and

different.

And if you still don’t know what it’s all about—

take a look at our website and see how this ministry

can enrich and enliven our life and community at St.

Peter’s. We can get this started, but your help is

needed and gratefully accepted. For more

information, contact Michael Miller at 216-226-

1772, or via email mmillerohio@msn.com.

Note from the Treasurer

Through August the good news

is revenues and expenditures

are close to budget. We are

short around $13,000 in

pledges however non-

pledge income and

special occasion

income is up $8,000 over

budget. Good news: we have

received a $6,000 refund from

the federal government for health

care reimbursement; this along with other cost

savings will keep our expenditures under budget.

A strong final quarter will give us a surplus again

this year, which will be needed to offset higher

anticipated medical premiums. If you have any

questions about your pledge or financials of the

church, please don’t hesitate to contact the office

or me. Thank you and have a wonderful autumn.

Yours truly,

Dan Lammers, Treasurer

Mark your calendar!!

Diocesan Youth Event for Youth Grades 6th – 12th

Cedar Hills Camp and Conference Center October 27-27, 2013

Cost: $60 See Michelle for details or scholarship information

St. Peter’s Foundation:

If you are considering St. Peter’s Church Foundation

in your giving and estate planning, and would like

more information, please go to St. Peter’s website at

www.stpeterslakewood.org, and click on the link to

the Foundation. You may also call the church office

for assistance. This is an opportunity for you to give

to the future of our church, in building and in mission.

Share the Blessings

With school starting, we parents realize just how

much we need to purchase. Whether it’s clothes or

supplies, lunches or book bags; we know we can’t

ignore what our children need to be productive in

class. But what about those children whose parents

can’t afford the simple basics of shoes and socks.

For the children at Watterson-Lake Elementary

School, St. Peter’s tries to Share our Blessings with

them in a helpful way.

Many of you know what Share the Blessings

encompasses; but for those of you who don’t it is a

chance for St. Peter’s families and friends to help a

student receive what they need to be productive in

school. It is also a way we help encourage these

students to be educationally successful and

humanitarianly responsible. When our journey with

Watterson-Lake began Nan Miller was our church

liaison and motivator. She started a tutoring and

reading program to help the students.

One day Nan asked a child what they

wanted for Christmas and she was

stunned with the response. The

student simply said “my own

toothbrush.” It was at that

moment Nan realized how much

more St. Peter’s could offer these

children.

This became known as the Epiphany

Project: because it traditionally took

place during Advent and Christmas. The packages

were delivered to each child at a party celebrated

around the Feast of Epiphany. Every teacher at

Watterson-Lake would nominate 2 students who

they believed were most in need of simple essentials

for school. That’s when the parishioners of St.

Peter’s stepped up and helped with their generosity.

Our parishioners, either individually or

most often in groups,

“sponsored” a child. With

all the information

needed about their

child, our

parishioners

went shopping

for the

essentials – uniforms,

underclothes, socks, and

winter outerwear, etc.

Now we have moved this project up to the

beginning of school because we want the children to

have the outerwear before the cold autumn days roll

in.

I know that in current times everyone is feeling a

financial strain. Many of us wonder how we can

afford clothes and school supplies for our own

children, much less another child. However, as a

community we can rally our resources to help these

children together. I urge you to consider sponsoring

one of these children either independently or Share

the Blessing with another. The child will need a

uniform, under garments, shoe voucher (from

Payless), a coat with hat and gloves, and possibly a

few other items. Also you may include an

educational item, such as a book, puzzle, or

anything you may think they would find useful.

We are trying to make the sponsorship as easy as

we can; there will be a table on Sun. Sept. 22 and

29, and Oct. 6 and 13, 2012 for parishioners to pick

their student. When you sign up we will give you

information on the child’s sizes and acceptable

colors hoping to make your shopping experience

easier. We would also be grateful for monetary

donations to the project if you are unable to shop for

the child yourself. All donations are due October

27, 2013. We will be presenting the children with

their gifts at a party on November 8 at Watterson-

Lake Elementary School if you are interested in

helping.

As always we are humbled by the support and

compassion you have continually shown for this

project. Thank you for all your help in continually

making Share the Blessing’s a wonderful and

successful Project every year. Please feel free to

contact Wendi Schwartz (MBRsMom@aol.com or

440-937-9131) or Jennifer Williams at

(jjwilliamsjen@gmail.com or 216-221-3530) with

any questions or comments.

Nancy’s Corner

Everlasting God, you

have ordained and

constituted in wonderful

order the ministries of

angels and mortals:

Mercifully grant that, as

your holy angels always

serve and worship you in heaven, so by your

appointment they may help and defend us

here on earth; through Jesus Christ our

Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the

Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever.

Amen St. Michael and All Saints

(Holy Women, Holy Men. September 29)

The cusp of September and October provides us

with two important holy days. Both are wonderful

ways of reminding twenty-first century Christians

that angels are not an invention of Hallmark Cards

nor is the stewardship of the earth some new Hippie

anti-establishment movement. St. Michael and

All Angels or Michaelmas in England is a time of

new beginnings.

The word “angels” (Greek: Angelos) means

literally a messenger. Messengers from God can be

visible and invisible and can assume human form.

Remember the angels who came to Abraham

announcing the promise of a son, and remember the

angel in Paul’s faith journey and Peter’s experience

in prison. St. Michael is one of the four named

angels in Scripture: Michael, Gabriel, Uriel, and

Raphael. “The Archangel Michael is the powerful

agent of God who wards off evil from God’s

people, and delivers peace to them at the end of this

life's mortal struggle.” I often speak of “the moving

angel” who brought me safely to Cleveland.

The second important holy day is that of St.

Francis of Assisi, the rich young man whose heart

melted when he saw how the poor struggled and

vowed to give away his wealth, which he did. He

was also a lover of all of God's creatures and gently

praised God in The Canticle to the Sun.

The Hymnal version begins:

Most High, omnipotent, good Lord,

To thee be ceaseless praise be outpoured,

And blessing without measure.

Let creatures all give thanks to thee

And serve in great humility (Hymnal 1982: 400; 406 & 407.)

Some people suppose that the concern and care

of the earth is a modern awareness. Not so. From

almost the beginning of time all of God's creatures,

two and four legged, have been important in God's

plans for the care of the earth.

So how do we followers of Jesus mark these

times? What better way than to cooperate in caring

for the earth than to find ways to praise God by

actions of stewardship. Should we be in need of

doing more? Perhaps, we could think of the ways

we are grateful to God for so much in our lives. As

Fall makes its way in the days and weeks ahead,

take a walk under colorful trees or sing a hymn of

joy or hug a loved one or pay attention to your

loving pet. Give a smile to a stranger. Praise God

daily.

Most High, omnipotent good Lord, grant

your people grace to renounce gladly the

vanities of this world; that, following the

way of blessed Francis, we may for love of

you delight in your whole creation...

Collect for St.Francis Day

(Holy Women, Holy Men p.623. October 4)

~ Nancy Wittig

Organ Music at Sunday Worship

Everyone who enjoys hearing the

Concluding Organ Voluntary each

Sunday is invited to come and sit

in the Choir Stalls as we hear

the announcements and then

to experience the organ

music in a really good

location. Children

and parents are

especially invited to

come up to listen, ask

questions, and

experience our pipe organ up

close! ~ Michael Miller

October Events

Sun Mon Tue Wed Thu Fri Sat

1

Long Range Planning, 7:00 pm

2 Holy Eucharist & Healing, 9:30 am

Bible Study, 10:30

am

3

Choir 7:30 pm

4 Men’s Bible Study,

7:00 am

Family Night Potluck

and

Blessing of the Animals,

6:00 pm

5 Apple Picking,

9:30am

Children’s Music

Orientation,

2:00 – 6:00 pm

6 Holy Eucharist,

8:00 & 10:00 am Parish Breakfast,

9:00 am

ROCKs, 9:45 am

Coffee Hour,

11:30 am

ROCKs, 11:30 am Youth Group

7

Prayer/Book Group,

1:00 pm

8 Community Meal,

6:00 pm

9 Holy Eucharist & Healing, 9:30 am

Bible Study, 10:30

am

Children’s Music, 6:00 pm

10

Choir 7:30 pm

11 Men’s Bible Study,

7:00 am

Michelle out

12

13 Holy Eucharist,

8:00 & 10:00 am

Adult Forum, 9:00 am

ROCKs, 9:45 am

Coffee Hour, 11:30 am

Youth Group

Michelle out

Keith vacation

14 Prayer/Book Group,

1:00 pm

15

Fisherman’s NET

deadline

16 Holy Eucharist & Healing, 9:30 am

Bible Study,

10:30 am

St. Cecelia’s Guild

Children’s Music, 6:00 pm

Foundation, 7:00 pm

17

Choir 7:30 pm

18 Men’s Bible Study,

7:00 am

19

20 Holy Eucharist,

8:00 & 10:00 am

Adult Forum,

9:00 am ROCKs, 9:45 am

Coffee Hour,

11:30 am Youth Group

Keith vacation

21 Prayer/Book Group,

1:00 pm

Vestry, 6:45 pm

22

WWW@St. Peter’s, 7:00 pm

23 Holy Eucharist & Healing, 9:30 am

Bible Study, 10:30

am

Children’s Music, 6:00 pm

24

Choir 7:30 pm

25 Men’s Bible Study,

7:00 am

Normandy Service, 11:00 am

26

27 Holy Eucharist,

8:00 & 10:00 am Adult Forum,

9:00 am

ROCKs, 9:45 am Coffee Hour,

11:30 am

Explore & Connect, 11:45 am

Youth Group

28 Prayer/Book Group,

1:00 pm

29 30 Holy Eucharist & Healing, 9:30 am

Bible Study, 10:30

am

Children’s Music, 6:00 pm

31 Choir

7:30 pm

Parish Prayer Rota for October

Please use this parish prayer rota in your daily prayers. We will pray for all the families and individuals in the

parish serially over the course of a few months, we’ll then start over again. Clip this page and keep it with your

daily devotions for easy access.

Oct 1 Andy, Samantha, Jonathan, Patrick,

Anna & Katherine Fitz

Scott & Mary Fitz

Oct 2 Jim Ford

Joan Foster

Oct 3 Paul, Kristin & Liam Francois

Dick Furry

Oct 4 Jeff, Kristen, Evan, Isaac & Keira Gardner

Ann Garland

Oct 5 Richard Garst

Patty Geckler

Oct 6 Chas & Patti Geiger

Lawrence & Geraldine Gibson

Oct 7 Bobbi Gillen

Jim & Linda Good

Oct 8 Dan, Sarah, Emmet, Meredith & Jordan Gourash

Bill Grane

Oct 9 Bob & Lindsay Graves

Sarah Graves

Oct 10 Nancy Gray

Bob & Joyce Gray

Oct 11 Mike, Jennifer, Gaby,

Jacob & Elisa Hammarlund and Alex Thies

Elizabeth Hanrahan

Oct 12 Marjorie Harrington

Nancy Harris

Oct 13 Doug, Caroline & Georgia Henry

Gordon Hewitt

Oct 14 Edith Higgins

Chris & Ginger Hill

Oct 15 Tony Hinkston & Lauren Radkiewicz

Sue Hofelich

Oct 16 Doug Hoffman

Gerry, Tolisa, Anya & Nathan Horning

Oct 17 Bob & Gibby Houck

John & Barbara House

Oct 18 Bill Hronek

Jack & Joanne Hull and Matthew Montagner

Oct 19 Margaret Hull

Anita Hulligan

Oct 20 David Hulligan

Joseph Jacoby

Oct 21 Richard Jacquemotte

Susan Jensen

Oct 22 Lowell Johnson

Lorna Jordan

Oct 23 Joseph, Price & Eddie Kasl

Larry, Michelle, Mackenzie, Madison,

William & Carter Keith

Oct 24 Ann Keller

John Keller

Oct 25 Wes, Abby & Sawyer Kerns

Georgiann Kitchens

Oct 26 Jim & Carol Klomfas

Beth, Jaime & Emily Kloos

Oct 27 John Krebs & Joyce Barrett

Anne Kroehle

Oct 28 Dan, Sally & Danny Lammers

Jason, Christine, Abby & Sara Lance

Oct 29 Kevin, Linda, Jack, Henry & Mia Lange

Alison LaRosa

Oct 30 Grant & Wendy Lawson

Wib Leopold

Oct 31 Bob Lewis

Matthew & Amanda Love

Don’t forget to clip this page.

The Rev. G. Keith Owen, II, Rector keithowen@stpeterslakewood.org

The Rev. Canon Nancy H. Wittig, Assisting Priest n.wittig@att.net

The Rev. John S. Keller, Retired Assisting Priest jskandpk@aol.com

Jennifer Steinfurth, Pre-Ordination Intern jbsteinfurth@gmail.com

Leslie Hannan, Parish Administrator office@stpeterslakewood.org

Donna Felleisen, Parish Accountant finance@stpeterslakewood.org

Michelle Killin-Keith, Coordinator for Youth, Children & Family dartwoman@sbcglobal.net

Barrett T. Newman, Sexton stpetersepiscopalsexton@gmail.com

Michael Miller, Director of Music & Organist mmillerohio@msn.com

John Carlson, Spiritual Director jfcpeace@yahoo.com

Gina Massetti, Senior Warden

Sara Ferry, Junior Warden

Amanda Wolf, Clerk

Dan Lammers, Treasurer

Vestry members: Jim Ford, Jeff Gardner, Jesse Shedden, Fred Bauer,

Dennis Driscoll, Kate McHale, Fred Purdy, Brad Vandrasik,

Karen Bradley-Norton, Doug Fifner, Pete Wheeler, Hayden Bish

Sunday Services: 8:00 a.m. & 10:00 a.m.

Website: www.stpeterslakewood.org

St. Peter’s is on FACEBOOK; Like US!!!