St. Paul's Episcopal Church
425 Cleveland Ave. SW
Canton, Ohio
Sunday services begin at 10:30 a.m.
425 Cleveland Ave. SW
Canton, Ohio
Sunday services begin at 10:30 a.m.
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Today's program for
Mother Robin's farewell Luncheon begins at 12:30 p.m. Vestry letter to the parish and the community:
Where we've been and where we're going Jan. 12, 2025
Dear People of St. Paul’s, With Mother Robin's announcement, 2025 will again prove a time of challenge for St. Paul’s but also a time of opportunity to build on the progress we've made over the last three years. Before we look ahead, we wanted to review the strides we’ve made and where we are today. A little over three years ago, St. Paul’s renewed its commitment to the steps we considered crucial to growing our church -- in faith and service -- downtown. We did this by committing to support our call for a full-time priest by withdrawing up to $100,000 a year from our endowment (a pool of money invested over the years to ensure funds for capital improvements and special missions). It was an act of faith that St. Paul’s has a vibrant future and is uniquely positioned to serve our community and to share a loving God through our works, prayers and joy. Throughout even the uncertain times of Covid and an extended rector search, we had learned how to draw on our gifts and strengths as a faith community and set up the structures that would ensure a strong and vibrant St. Paul’s. And then came the call to Mother Robin, and the blessings of that call have been innumerable. With a renewed commitment throughout the parish, we’ve grown our congregation and energized and expanded ministries that serve literally thousands: Courageous Conversations, HOT, Meals on Wheels, NA/AA. Mother Robin has celebrated, encouraged and supported the lay-leadership of the parish, and together we’ve renewed the bonds of worship and faith within the parish and spread the presence of a loving God throughout our community. Mother Robin has introduced services that offer us new ways to know God and ourselves, and we have shared joys and sorrows in the spirit of a loving family. As important, St. Paul’s has created and strengthened bonds with other faith communities and organizations in Canton that share our commitment to social justice and the Great Commandment*. While finances remain a challenge, we’ve grown in both numbers and the continuing generosity of parishioners. And Mother Robin has been key in renewing our relationship with the Diocese of Ohio. We are again at an inflection point. The Holy Spirit has led Mother Robin in a different direction. While we celebrate for her and pray that her gifts will deliver the same joy to others as they have to us, we are saddened that our time together is coming to an early end. But we’re on a positive path and are in a much stronger position now to call a new priest and work with them to ensure both they and St. Paul’s grow in faith and works. The committee structure nourished by Mother Robin is set to step up to fulfill the daily functions of the church. The Diocese has pledged to be a true partner in our time of transition and in finding the right fit in our next spiritual leader. The next step will be for the Vestry to meet with Canon Jessie Dodson. And the Vestry pledges to be transparent with the entire congregation throughout the process, inviting everyone’s input. The gifts of the entire parish will help us decide how we build on our strong foundation. In Love, Your St. Paul’s Vestry *Thou shalt love the Lord they God with all thy heart and with all thy soul and with all thy mind. This is the first and great commandment. And the second is like unto it: Thou shalt love thy neighbor as thyself. On these two commandments hang all the law and the prophets. Mother Robin's next steps
Dear Beloved Congregation,
It is with mixed emotions that I share with you the news of my departure from the great St. Paul's Episcopal Church, Canton effective January 31st. After much prayer and discernment, I have accepted the call to serve as the Rector at Christ Episcopal Church in Warren. This new journey presents an opportunity for me to grow in my ministry and continue serving God’s people in fresh and meaningful ways. Though leaving is difficult, I am profoundly grateful for the relationships I have formed in this community and for the many ways you have helped me deepen my relationship with God. Serving as your priest has been one of the greatest blessings of my life. Together, we have shared in the joys and sorrows of life, grown in faith, and deepened our commitment to God’s mission. I am deeply grateful for your love, support, and the many memories we have created. Whenever a priest leaves a parish, the parish, the priest, and the community encounter mixed feelings of gratitude and grief, along with a combination of hope and anxiety about what comes next. Bishop Jolly and her staff along with the Vestry will be in regular contact and will chart a faithful path to the calling of a new rector in due course. For now, we have some holy time to celebrate and give thanks to God for the privilege and blessing of these almost three years together. While I am excited about the path that lies ahead, I will greatly miss each of you and the vibrant community we have built together. Please know that my prayers will always be with you, and I trust that God will continue to guide and bless St. Paul's. I look forward to our remaining time together in the coming weeks, cherishing every moment and every worship service we share. Let us continue to trust in God’s plan and remain steadfast in our faith. With love and gratitude, Rev. Dr. Robin Woodberry Priest-in-Charge St. Paul's Episcopal Church |
This week
(and beyond) with St. Paul's Sunday, Jan. 26
Holy Communion Farewell and Appreciation Luncheon for Mother Robin, 12:30 p.m. in the Guild Hall Tuesday, Jan. 28 Social Justice Book Club, "Becoming" by Michelle Obama, discussion begins at 6:30 p.m. in the Guild Hall. Wednesday, Jan. 29 Small Group Bible Study Vestry meeting via Zoom, 7 p.m. Thursday, Jan. 30 Choir rehearsal 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.
Continuing to serve the most vulnerable among us
In his post-election statement, Presiding Bishop Sean Rowe calls on Episcopalians to work and pray for justice, peace and the dignity of every human being. Click here for the complete letter and more on what the Episcopal Church stands for. |
Lots of ways you can serve at St. Paul's
As the St. Paul Family continues to grow, we want to ensure that everyone has a chance to engage and assist with the work we have placed before us. To carry out this work, we need to draw upon the gifts, talents, and skill sets of everyone.
We are currently looking for people to serve in the following ways:
Remember, every member is a minister!!
We are currently looking for people to serve in the following ways:
- Greeters on Sunday Mornings
- Grant Committee to assist with securing funds
- Christian Formation Committee to assist with the growth and spirituality programming of the congregation
- Lectors to present the lessons on Sunday
- Choir members
- Acolytes: Crucifer, Torchbearers, Eucharistic Ministers
- Lay Eucharistic Visitors to help visit the sick and homebound and provide communion
- Audio/Video
Remember, every member is a minister!!
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
Bishop Mark Hollingsworth Jr. presents newly ordained priest, the Rev. Robin Woodberry to a crowd of nearly 200 at St. Paul's Saturday morning (June 3). Rev. Woodberry is the fifth generation of pastors in her family and her mother, Gena Thornton, delivered the homily. Rev. Woodberry's husband, Anthony, helped her don her priestly vestments. Photo by David Rotthoff.
Clergy from different denominations and throughout the Episcopal Diocese of Ohio gathered with Bishop Hollingsworth for the laying on of hands during the Rev. Woodberry's ordination. Photo by David Rotthoff
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.
Above: During the litany, then-Deacon Woodberry lies full length and face down on the floor as a gesture of humility and devotion. Right: Bishop Hollingsworth offers the prayers of consecration, which include: "May she exalt you, O Lord, in the midst of your people; offer spiritual sacrifices
acceptable to you; boldly proclaim the gospel of salvation; and rightly administer the
sacraments of the New Covenant. Make her a faithful pastor, a patient teacher, and a wise
counselor. Grant that in all things she may serve without reproach, so that your people
may be strengthened and your Name glorified in all the world. All this we ask through
Jesus Christ our Lord, who with you and the Holy Spirit lives and reigns, one God, for
ever and ever." Photo by David Rotthoff
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Among those participating in the ordination were the Rev. Gena Thornton, Robin's mother (left rear), and Maureen Woods Major and Jon Coventry (right rear), whose own journey to the priesthood began at St. Paul's. Photo by David Rotthoff
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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 [email protected];
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 [email protected];
and you may leave a message on the phone voicemail
(330)455-0286
