Scripture: John 10:10 (I came that they may have life, and have it abundantly.)

Opening Prayer Prompt: Give thanks for God’s overflowing gifts.

Discussion Questions:

• Where do you see God’s abundance in your life or in creation?

• How does abundance change the way we see generosity?

• What holds us back from trusting in God’s plenty?

Activity: Create a group “abundance list” on a board or paper.

Closing Prayer Prompt: God of abundance, open our eyes to your gifts and open our hands to share.

Free Online Bible Resources: https://www.biblegateway.com and https://biblehub.com

Scripture: Romans 15:7 (Welcome one another, therefore, just as Christ has welcomed you.)

Opening Prayer Prompt: A prayer for hospitality.

Discussion Questions:

• When have you felt truly welcomed?

• How does our parish extend (or fail to extend) God’s welcome?

• What might “radical welcome” look like in practice?

Activity: Share one concrete way the parish could be more welcoming.

Closing Prayer Prompt: Gracious God, make us a people of open hearts, open doors, and open arms.

Free Online Bible Resources: https://www.biblegateway.com and https://biblehub.com

Scripture: John 14:2 (In my Father’s house there are many dwelling places…)

Song/Media: Play or sing the spiritual *Plenty Good Room*

Opening Prayer Prompt: Give thanks for the witness of those who carried faith through song.

Discussion Questions:

• What do you hear in the words “Plenty Good Room in my Father’s kingdom”?

• How do spirituals give voice to faith, hope, and resilience?

• What does it mean for us to proclaim “room for all” in our time and place?

Activity: Invite each participant to share one line from a hymn or song that carries them in faith.

Closing Prayer Prompt: God of song and story, help us proclaim your welcome with our voices and our lives.

Free Online Bible Resources: https://www.biblegateway.com and https://biblehub.com

Scripture: Galatians 3:28 (There is no longer Jew or Greek… for all of you are one in Christ Jesus.)

Opening Prayer Prompt: A prayer for unity.

Discussion Questions:

• What does “beloved community” mean to you?

• How does our parish reflect diversity and inclusion?

• What more could we do to live into God’s vision of community?

Activity: In pairs, name and affirm one gift you see in the other.

Closing Prayer Prompt: God of love, bind us together in your Spirit of unity.

During the “Plenty Good Room” Campaign the weekly feature of “Faces of Gratitude” will  highlight the people, expressions, and personal stories that show what gratitude looks like at St. Andrew’s.

In this feature, we will share brief biographies of four parishioners—Gail Wassermann, Sylvia Taylor, Sue Dyer, and Florence Rauh—who expressed their gratitude by supporting St. Andrew’s with bequests in their wills to advance our mission of sharing God’s unconditional love. We will share one biography each week over the next four weeks.

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Gail Wassermann
Dec. 11, 1942 – Dec. 16, 2022
Born in Columbus, Gail Wasserman moved to Yale Avenue in Elyria as a young girl. She graduated from Elyria High School in 1961 and earned a Bachelor of Science in Psychology from St. Lawrence University in Canton, NY.

She then moved to Chicago, where she worked for many years in the retail and wholesale industries. Eventually, Gail returned to Elyria to be closer to her parents, Robert and Eileen Wasserman, and later concluded her career as an administrator at Wesleyan Village.

Gail was a long-time member of St. Andrew’s, and she and her parents were close to the Van Wormers, sharing holidays and enjoying the bonds of church and family. After retiring from Wesleyan Village, Gail later returned as a patient when her health declined.

Through St. Andrew’s Pastoral Care Ministry,  Joanie Van Wormer visited her regularly and brought her communion. Joanie shared that Gail’s faith remained strong and that she trusted in God’s mercy.  She passed away after an extended illness. Gail was deeply loved and continues to be missed.
When I think of Gail, I think of the perfect example of positivity. Her attitude would light up a room. I’m so grateful to have known her and that Frannie [Gail’s mother] brought her into our lives.
Monica Duffy ²

The Wassermann bequest is divided into four distinct areas outside of the Operating Budget: In-reach, Outreach, Capital Projects, and Emergency Reserve.  This designation was recommended by a task group of parish members appointed by the Rev. June Hardy Dorsey, Rector and facilitated by Mike Von Gunten.  The group was tasked with discerning, together with the parish, how we are being led by God to share and use this generous unrestricted bequest. Several “town hall” meetings were held and a recommendation was made to the Vestry.  The Vestry accepted the recommendation of the task group and the funds are being stewarded accordingly.

Through the Wassermann Outreach Fund, we have been able to support several key non-profits, including the Neighborhood Alliance and Blessing House. Additionally, the Wassermann Capital Projects Fund enabled us to renovate both the kitchen and second floor  restrooms.

1. St. Andrew’s  Director of Music Emerita  and long-time member.
2. From the Dickens Funeral Home webpage for Gail Wassermann https://www.dickenfuneralhome.com/obituaries/gail-hwassermann-1163

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Sylvia C. Taylor
6/28/1928 – 12/3/2016

Petite, quiet, and unassuming, Sylvia Taylor appeared docile, but underneath she was a dynamo:
she spoke her mind, traveled widely, was a ballroom dancer, was an Air Force officer, and
worked at the NASA.
An Elyria native, Sylvia attended Elyria High School and graduated from the College of Wooster
in 1950 with a degree in chemistry. From 1951 to 1990, she worked at NASA’s Lewis Research
Center (later the Glenn Research Center) in Cleveland, where she rose to lead the Editorial
Branch in the Technical Information Services Division. Her branch edited NASA Research
publications: improving clarity, fixing grammar and removing sensitive text before approving
documents for public release. Her branch also maintained all technical policies and procedures.
She retired as a Lieutenant Colonel in the US Air Force. After NASA she held the position of
Secretary at the Episcopal Diocese of Ohio.
Sylvia was also active in several non-profit organizations including the American Association of
University Women (President, Elyria Branch; Ohio Division Board Member); the Ohio Council
of Churches (serving on both the General Board and the Executive Committee); and the Elyria
Chapter #165, Order of the Eastern Star.
Sylvia was a lifelong, much-loved member of St. Andrew’s, where she was active in the Altar
Guild, choir, and the Vestry. She was also Senior Warden, a lector and a chalice bearer. She was
quiet, delightful, and much-loved.
Sylvia enjoyed traveling, reading, music, ballroom dancing and loved cats. Joanie Van Wormer ¹
shared the following fun memory: Years ago, St. Andrew’s hosted a talent show. No one knew
Sylvia had been taking ballroom dancing lessons. She arrived with her partner from the Arthur
Murray Studio and performed a beautiful routine that surprised and deeply moved many
attendees.
Sylvia left a generous bequest to St. Andrew’s, which has supported many of our parish’s
programs and renovations.

1. St. Andrew’s Emeritus Director of Music and long-time member.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Sue Dyer

9/24/1912 – 6/16/2000

Sue Dyer (né Susan Jane Simsik) was born in Ohio to John Simsik and Ann Puskas, emigrants
from either Austria² or Czechoslovakia. ¹In 1930 Sue was living in Elyria at 169 Bell Avenue¹
and working in a “saddle factory” as a “mapper”. This may have been the Troxel Manufacturing
Company, maker of bicycle and motorcycle saddles. ³Later Sue worked for the Elyria Arts
Company on Telegraph Road making picture frames. Sue was also an amateur artist; St.
Andrew’s has seven of her paintings.
In September 1937 Sue married Ellis Dyer (1913 – 1984). Ellis worked as a steel fabricator and
later as an engineer. Ellis’ family immigrated from England when he was 10. His father, Steward
Dyer, a local cabinet maker, made the wooden cabinet displaying St. Andrew’s Bruce Roger’s
World Bible. Ellis was also a musician playing with local, and some nationally known bands, like
Jack Gillette’s Orchestra. A 1938 ad for their weeklong gig at Vermilion-on-the-Lake, described
Ellis as a “past-master in steel guitar playing.” 4
Sue and Ellis were both active, long-time members of St. Andrew’s. Sue was very active in the
Altar Guild. Joan Van Wormer 5 remembers Sue as a very precise, petite lady who was friendly,
talkative, and very dependable; she didn’t drive but could always get to church when needed.
Although the Sacristy is not a consecrated space, in Sue’s day it was treated with such deep
reverence that Joan felt she needed permission to enter!
Sue cared deeply for St. Andrew’s; Sue and Ellis donated the sterling silver chalice, still used to
distribute wine at communion, in memory of their only child, a son, Eric J. Dyer (1946-1971)
who died during the Vietnam War. Eric was awarded a Bronze Star Medal “or heroic or
meritorious achievement in a combat zone.”; Sue Dyer’s bequest, The Sue J. Dyer Fund, provides
ongoing support for the Altar Guild, the Acolytes, and St. Andrew’s buildings and grounds.

1. The 1930 census

2. The 1920 census

3. The 1914 City Directory places this business across the street from St. Andrew's (in the same
block as the Court House). Troxel Manufacturing may have been owned by Elyria native Arthur
Lovett Garford (1858 – 1933) who invented the first padded bicycle seat in 1892.

4. Sandusky Register, 9/3/1938, Page 2, Part 2. Vermilion-On-The-Lake was a private club built
in 1919. Today it is a non-profit historical building available for public use.
https://www.volohio.org/history

5. St. Andrew's Emeritus Director of Music and long-time member of St. Andrew's. Joan was
born the year the Ellis' were married.

In 1860 Mr. and Mrs. John Dyke welcomed Florence into their family, which eventually grew to nine children. Florence was raised at St. Andrew’s and lived in Elyria her entire life. In 1894, at the age of 34, she married David Lewis (1860 – 1917). Born in Trecastle, Breconshire, Wales, David Lewis immigrated to the U.S. in 1878 when he was 18. (2)  They lived on West 3rd Street and were active members of St. Andrew’s.(3) Two years after their marriage, in the fall of 1896, Lewis opened a dry goods store D. Lewis & Company on Broad Street, which they operated for 17 years; in 1913 he sold it to C. H. (Charlie) Merthe, his business partner and brother-in-law. The business continued under the original name until Lewis’s death in 1917, when it became C. H. Merthe Co. (7)

After selling his store David Lewis traveled throughout the country studying retail operations. In 1916 or 1917 he returned to Elyria and built Lewis Mercantile at 329 Broad St. which he ran until his untimely death in 1917. Now a widow, Florence Dyke Lewis ran the store for a few years and then sold the business (but not the store), to Alex Williamson and Edwin Gillis. It continued under their management until the Great Depression, closing in 1933-34. Mrs. Lewis rented the building to JC Penney; today it is the home of Shane Furniture. (7)

In 1917 St. Andrew’s  completed a major renovation of the church building. This involved extending the south wall 25 feet to create the current chancel, and expanding the basement under the entire church. New furniture was also purchased; the total cost was approximately $35,000.

Florence Lewis funded the renovation and, in 1919, donated the fine-grained limestone altar, reredos (carved lintel over the altar), sedilia (clergy chair), and wainscoting in memory of her husband, David Lewis. (2) The altar still bears the engraved memorial on its west side.

Florence remained very active in the church, hosting many meetings, teas and other events of the Ladies’ Guilds (later the Ladies’ Society.) In 1922 she and another parishioner, Mr. William M. Masterson, gave funds to purchase the church’s Skinner organ which is still in use. (4)

In 1923 she remarried Mr. Joseph Rauh and moved to new home at 401 Washington Street. (9) Florence Dyke Lewis Rauh passed away on August 3, 1932, at the age of 72. In her will, she expressed her gratitude to God and her fondness for St. Andrew’s by leaving a bequest to be used in four ways:
– The improvement and betterment of the Sunday School
– The improvement and betterment of parish music
– The support and maintenance of the Rector’s home
– The maintenance and repair of the church edifice
Although details about Florence’s character and temperament have been lost to time, we know she
was dearly loved by our community; the Women’s Guilds of the church dedicated a bronze plaque in
her memory for the Centennial Celebration in 1937. (10)
1. St. Andrew’s Church, Elyria, Ohio: the First 150 Years. Compiled by Rev. Brian K. Wilbert. Toledo, Ohio, Lent, 1987.
2. Saint Andrew’s Episcopal Church, Elyria, Ohio The first 175 years. Michael Palazzolo and Eleanor Whitehead. © 2012. page 48.
3. “Pleasant Reception”; Elyria Reporter, 7/3/1901. page 4.
4. St. Andrew’s  Episcopal Church, … Programme of Ceremonies in connection with Dedication of Organ. Sept 16th &17th 1923. Back page, end of paragraph.
5. St. Andrew’s Church, Elyria, Ohio. 1837 Centennial 1937. page 19-20
6. St. Andrew’s Church, Elyria, Ohio. 1837 Centennial 1937. page 8-10
7. Connie Davis, editor. “Recollections about three Broad Street stores”  Chronicle-Telegram. 6/11/1981. Section C, page 9.
8. “Pleasant Reception” Elyria Reporter, 7/3/1901. page 4.
9. “North Side Guild of St. Andrews Church hold Annual Silver Tea” ; The Chronicle Telegram Newspaper Archives July 10, 1923. page 8
10. The bronze plaque is in the chapel to the right of the door that leads to the Gathering Space.

 

    The Rev. Sabeth Fitzgibbons is rector of Trinity Church, Seattle and serves as

    Treasurer on the board of TENS.

 

  Questions for Reflection:

    What is something risky that you have undertaken that has paid off in the long run?

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Invitation to Thrive

It’s 7:45AM on a Saturday morning in May. I join 45 people gathered on a dirt lot around a table made of plywood laid over sawhorses. We sip from cups of hot coffee and someone offers a prayer. I grab work gloves from a bin and follow the sheetrock team.

The sheetrock team includes: Amelia, the future homeowner who will live here with her three children; Charlie, a retired history professor; Cameron, a pastor from another denomination. Together, we learned a new skill that day – to hang and mud sheetrock.

I kept going back to that worksite one Saturday a month until the house was built. It was a testament to community, overlapping human stories, joy, generosity, building God’s kingdom on South Holly St.

Our congregations thrive because the people who sit in the pews volunteer to learn new skills and share experiences of creating a vibrant community. We know the power of having a common purpose to deepen our faith.

When we open ourselves to volunteering, sharing our stories and skills, our ministry reaches far beyond what we can imagine or accomplish alone.

Will you join me in the adventure of trying something new? Meeting new people who share our core values, seeing our work build on itself and God’s kingdom flourish? Would you commit to volunteer one hour a week (beyond worship time) for your church?

Yes, it’s risky. It might require us to share our stories and find connections. The work we do might not be perfect by the world’s standards (have you ever seen how many crooked nails are in a Habitat for Humanity house?). If we work together to create justice, make peace, spread joy to our neighbors, stand with the outcasts, the kingdom of God – where there is plenty good room for all people – will thrive.

 

The Rev. Debra Q. Bennett is rector of the Church of our Saviour, Akron

and is past-president of the board of TENS.

 

 

Questions for Reflection:

So who’s missing from your table? Is there space at your table or do you need to add another in

response to God’s generosity and abundance?

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There’s Always Room for One More

In our household when I was growing up, and it is still true today, there was always room for one more in our home and at our table. It was not uncommon to awaken and find someone asleep on our sofa–whether an old friend of the family who just happened by or a family acquaintance who was experiencing a challenging time in their life. It could even have been the children of one of our upstairs neighbors who were experiencing conflict in the family. My parents opened our home to our schoolmates to keep them from going to a shelter while things were resolved with their parents. We shared our room and a space at our table to accommodate three additional guests. No matter the season there was always room at the Bennett Inn, there were loaves and fishes, and there was always plenty good room at our table. Praying shapes believing and practice not only gets you to Carnegie Hall, it also makes perfect. “You give them something to eat.” Jesus’ words–an admonition to some an invitation to others–we get to embody in table fellowship where all are treated equally and all are fed. This way of being, this way of discipleship, this spirit of generosity and compassion was modeled for us by our family, in our church, and at our babysitter’s home where no child was a stranger and tables were set in the eat-in kitchen and railroad length hallway and Sunday morning we were all given our envelopes with a dollar enclosed for the collection plate (if we didn’t already have one). There was always room for one more and enough to share. There was plenty good room. Even now at our family gatherings we prepare for the unknown guest who may be invited to share our table. A spirit of generosity and abundance finds its root in the beatitudes, in the story of the walk to Emmaus, in the wedding feast at Cana, and in the commandment to “love one another as I have loved you.” Jesus made space for the vulnerable, the marginalized, the poor, and the list could goon ending with all of us. There was plenty good room at his table. When we respond to God’s generosity in kind, there will always be enough, there will always be loaves and fishes, and there will always be plenty good room.

 

 

The Rev. Ramiro (Ram) Lopez serves as rector of St. George’s Church

in San Antonio and serves on the board of TENS.

 

 

 

Questions for Reflection:

Take a moment to thank God for all those who made plenty good room for you in the Church. How has that shaped who you are today?

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On Being Invited

Growing up in Corpus Christi, Texas I spent more time fishing in the surf of Padre Island than in going to church. Our Latino family roots were in Roman Catholicism but our church was the Gulf of Mexico shoreline. How, then, did I grow up to become an Episcopal priest? Thinking back I will say that my life today is the result of someone taking the time to invite me to Christ’s table. First invitation was to the local Canterbury group (college ministry). Next came an invitation to attend worship at Church of the Good Shepherd followed by an invitation to serve at the Diocesan camp, Camp Capers. One after another, the invitations kept coming. Each one led me to a community which always made room for me. I found belonging in a spiritual family. They made plenty good room for me and for my family and friends. Over and over again, the graciousness of Christ was extended to me. I found fellow travelers on the spiritual journey. More importantly, I found the gifts of God within me. I suppose that I am an Episcopal priest because of all the people along the spiritual way who invited me into communities in which there was plenty good room. Plenty good room to discover myself. Plenty good room to discover God. Plenty good room to discover and discern how God was calling me to serve and lead. I cannot imagine any other life than the one I have now – serving as an Episcopal parish priest! I am ever grateful for all the wonderful, lifelong friendships I have made. I cannot imagine any other job that would be so wonderful, so exciting and energizing as the ministry I have today. I am so grateful for all the invitations and all those who made plenty good room for me!

Every generous act of giving, with every perfect gift, is from above, James 1:17 NRSV

Dear Friends,

Jesus said, “In my Father’s house there are many dwelling places,” John 14:2, NRSV.

This promise of abundance and welcome lies at the heart of our stewardship theme:   Plenty Good Room.

In recent weeks, you have heard how we are called to share our resources and nurture our relationships. Now it is time for our response. Stewardship is our faithful reply to God’s generosity. It is gratitude put into action.

A pledge / intent Card and the proposed 2027 Church Budget is provided through the buttons below. Please click to securely download these items.  Pledge Cards are also available on a table in the Gathering Space.

I invite you to prayerfully consider your response and return your pledge by October 11, 2026.  You can turn it in by putting it in the offering plate during a Sunday service,  bringing it to the church on Ingathering Sunday (Oct. 11), dropping it off at the church during office hours or mailing it in an envelope noted as “Includes Pledge Card.”  Please feel free to reach out to me if you have questions about submitting your Pledge Card.

Every gift matters. Every commitment sustains our worship, our learning, our fellowship, and our outreach to those in need.

This is not only an appeal for funds – it is an invitation to claim your place in God’s household, to make room for others, and to live into God’s abundance. When we respond together, we become the church God is calling us to be: a community with plenty good room for all.

Thank you for your faithful and generous response to this call.

With gratitude,

Deb Schwan Campaign Chair

I have been asked to share during this stewardship time and to speak from the
point of view of the Congregational Development Commission.
I have been privileged and honored to be a part of this important ministry of St.
Andrew’s as we provide outreach to the community and in-reach to our
congregation.
There has been “plenty good room” for participation in all of our works from
feeding and providing hospitality for our community guests with the community
meals program, providing perishable groceries weekly for the free refrigerator
known as the “Freedge” located at the south branch of the Elyria Public Library
and collecting and distributing food pantry and personal care items for several
local organizations.
We have had “plenty good room” supporting our community partners with
monetary and physical donations. Those community partners have been- Place to
Recover (P2R), Neighborhood Alliance, Lorain County Urban League, Blessing
House, Agape Youth Choir, Big Brothers/Big Sisters, City of Elyria Parks and
Recreation summer events, open house events with Elyria Community
Partnership, the homeless to humanity project and Church of the Redeemer
Lorain outreach program.
Over the last 3 years we have donated $ 122,000.00 to our community partners
from the Wassermann funds that were designated for community outreach
projects.
For our own congregation we have distributed holiday gift baskets to our at-
home members, offset the cost of guardians tickets for our St. Andrew’s night at
the ballfield to make tickets affordable so that more people could participate,
provided college care boxes to our college students and provided hospitality and
refreshments for the Annual Meeting Brunch, Shrove Tuesday pancake supper,
Easter brunch, Pentecost party, coffee hour and other special meetings and
events.

A part of stewardship is the sharing of your time and talent. We are blessed at St.
Andrew’s that we have many dedicated parishioner’s that will give of their time to
our programs, donate to the many needs of our community and offer their input
for additional good work that we can pursue.
As is always the case, additional volunteers are needed for the community meals
and hospitality program, more donations are needed to help support the needs of
our community and more people are needed to help plan and implement our
future projects and mission.

There is “Plenty Good Room” for you.