St. Peter's Episcopal Church

Worshipers entering St. Peter’s Episcopal Church on a sunny Sunday morning immediately see the light - literally. The traditional rich purple, red and gold colors of the stained-glass windows circling the interior of the stone structure are a delight to body and soul. The windows tell the whole of salvation history, old and new testaments. The main window features a royal Jesus, flanked by Moses and St. Paul.

The Episcopal tradition is best known for the beauty of its music and liturgy. There are two choirs, an adult choir consisting of parishioners and choral scholars from local colleges and a children’s choir. Sunday morning Eucharistic services are at 8 and 10.

The church, which celebrates its Centennial this year, offers a variety of programs to nurture the faith and fellowship of its members and to serve those outside the church community.

Educational opportunities for adults include several Bible studies, as well as informal topical discussions following Sunday services and seasonal programs. Programs for youngsters include Sunday school and Children’s Word, which takes place during the sermon and gives a more child-oriented reflection on the scripture readings. Special programming last year included an Epiphany program.

The youth group, aimed at those 11 and older, has undertaken several service projects including Souper Bowl Sunday where youth collected donations to fight hunger in large soup pots on Super Bowl Sunday. They also held a sleep-out , where the teens slept outside in cardboard boxes to increase awareness, and generate donations, for the homeless. Fun activities have included skiing and a trip to a water park.

Coffee hour is just the beginning of fellowship programs at St. Pete’s . Other highlights include the annual picnic, newcomer brunches and dinner groups that meet once a month.

St. Peter’s has “adopted” Watterson-Lake Elementary School in Cleveland. Members’ contributions include tutoring, teaching knitting classes and providing school clothes and supplies . The church hosts a community meal once a month and contributes to service organizations, such as Zelma George Shelter. The church also houses a day-care center, which has served the community for 30 years.

St. Peter’s was founded in 1906 and its first location was in a vacant church. In 1907 the parish acquired its present location at the southeast corner of West Clifton and Detroit Avenue. The present building was completed in 1928.

In the Episcopal tradition, contemporary issues are tested by the standards of scripture, tradition, reason and experience. The conscience of the individual is highly respected

The Rev. Keith Owen has been a priest for 18 years and rector (pastor) at St. Peters for three years. The Rev. Nancy Wittig, assisting priest, is semi-retired and is one of the first women to be ordained a priest in the Episcopal Church. The church’s web site is www.stpeterslakewood.org.

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Volume 3, Issue 14, Posted 6:45 AM, 07.06.2007