​If you don’t know Tom and Amy, then you obviously have not been attending church, because they are there at every turn, helping with so many things since Tom joined in 1985 (transferring from Lutheran Church of the Master, Bedford), and Amy in 1987 (transferring from her family’s Methodist Church in East Palestine OH, outside of Youngstown).
Tom grew up in Bedford, graduating from Bedford High School before going on to Ohio State and Cleveland State. He is employed by an accounting firm in Beachwood, as their Network Administrator (I.T. guy).  Amy graduated from East Palestine H.S., Kent State, and Cleveland State, and works as I.T. manager in the banking industry.  They met through a mutual friend, and married September 12, 1987 at Centenary United Methodist Church in East Palestine. 
Many of you will also remember Kyle & Brooke, who were baptized and confirmed and grew weekly at Advent.  Kyle is now married to Rachael and proud dad to Adelynn (Addie), and lives in Indianapolis, as both work for CRU there. Brooke now lives in Ft. Myers FL as a probation officer for the state.
At Advent, the Fadeleys have both served on Council and many committees (Amy is a past president and still on the Spiritual Growth board, Tom on call committees and Word & Sacrament), and they have built many a set and participated as leaders for VBS. Tom is also a vital member of choir and a key technical whiz for Pastor Jim.  Amy is a Board member for Hands, Hearts, and Homes Outreach, which grew out of our furniture ministry a few years ago.  During our Covid distancing, they have been gracious virtual hosts of the coffee group on Tuesday evenings.  How they can have any spare time is a mystery, but when they do, Tom loves movies and aviation, and Amy crafts and interior design.

​Ruth joined Advent in 2006, transferring in from Faith Lutheran in Mentor.  She is a faithful attendee of the early service.  Ruth lives in Reminderville, and her children live not too far away: Valerie Whewell, who lives with husband Arthur in Solon; Kathleen Secor, who lives in Madison Ohio with Paul Beal; and Arthur, who lives with wife Kathy in Chardon.
Ruth was born in Maize, out in the country from Wichita Kansas, #12 in a family of 16 children, and the last of the girls. Her father had emigrated from Holland when young. Just she and her youngest brother remain. She met her late husband Art when he was in the Air Force.  They married August 3, 1953 in Wichita, and had the two daughters before moving to Michigan and finally to Ohio. Art was a “head hunter” recruiter who passed away in December 2003. Two years later Ruth moved to Solon to live with Valerie for a while before getting her own place in Reminderville.  She worked at many different jobs, with the last 20 years in, until she was 74.
Ruth says she tried a number of other churches in the area but found Advent to be very warm and welcoming. Sadly, she has now given up driving and must rely on rides to attend service.

​Pat became a member of Advent way back in 1967, when she transferred from Good Shepherd, Cleveland, with her family.  Doug was born and grew up in Parma, attend All Saints Episcopal Church. He graduated from Cleveland State and Cleveland-Marshall College of Law.  Pat graduated from Warrensville Heights High School and Ohio University, and earned an M.Ed. from Kent State.  Pat taught 2nd and 4th grades in the Orange City School District, from which she retired in 2004.
Doug was a member of the Hands, Hearts & Homes Outreach furniture truck crew until a few years ago, and now he and Pat collect and deliver by car small household items and hygiene products to individuals in need.  Pat especially enjoys being a long-time member of the choir, participating in Bible study, H3O rummage sales, pot lucks, the Christmas giving and mitten trees, Trunk or Treat, and helping at VBS last summer. Pat’s hobbies include reading mystery and fiction, and together Doug and Pat enjoy following the Tribe, Cavs, and Browns, and attending ethnic festivals, cinema, and cultural events in University Circle, mutual interests that brought them together after meeting at a church singles event at Christmas time years ago.

​Paul & Mary, from Orange Village, joined Advent in 2007, transferring in from Garfield Memorial Methodist Church in Pepper Pike. Paul taught science for many years at Lake Catholic, and Mary taught art in Maple Heights for 35 years. She spent her years divided between the high school and the elementary school levels. Both local folks, Paul graduated from Euclid High School in 1970 and Kent State in 1974; Mary is a 1970 Chagrin Falls grad and a 1974 Kent State grad. (That is when you could get a college degree in four years.) They met at Faith Lutheran in Kent, and were married there on April 10, 1976. They were each 23 years old.
Paul & Mary have 2 sons: Matthew, married to Sara, who practices Medicine in Miami Florida, and son Christopher, who lives in Athens Ohio.
Paul has been working at the Giant Eagle Market District in Solon for the last five years. On Tuesdays he hikes with a senior hiking club. They go all over northeast Ohio Emerald Necklace Metro parks system as well as our beloved Cuyahoga Valley National Park. A typical hike is 3.5-5 miles. Photography is his first love. These hikes allow him to document the beauty and wonder in northeast Ohio. His love of the outdoors was shared with Troop 309 for many years. After his kids earned Eagle Scout, he continued on as a leader and assistant leader for many years. Wood working and of course home repairs fill out any remaining time. Mary was active in cub scouts when the boys were young. She handed over the reins to Paul when they entered middle school. She also taught Sunday school and vacation Bible school as well as being an active worker bee for Kids Club. Her interests include art, crafts and gardening. She has been focused on making face masks for the last six months, sending them to family, friends and the Navajo Nation. Ronald McDonald House is the new beneficiary of her current production of masks. Mary is the much-appreciated provider and maintainer of the plants at Advent.
Both are active members in Lander Circle Kiwanis, ‘Making the World Better One Child at a Time.’ Paul has also served on the Word & Sacrament board for many years, and sings bass in the choir, and Mary plays in the adult bell choir.
They believe Advent is a wonderful community that makes their life fuller.

​Rose came to us in 2018 from Lutheran Church of the Master after Pr. Jim was assigned as there “on call” pastor. She was attracted to Advent’s families and our spirit of friendliness.
Rose lives in Walton Hills with Paul, her husband of 13 years. They met online when she was living in Massillon.
Rose’s brother is an anesthesiologist in Toledo, married with 3 children, providing the children in Rose’s life.
Rose worked for 26 years as an estate appraiser, having been introduced to it in the early 90s. She holds her undergraduate degree from Hiram and an MBA from the University of Akron.  Paul is a draftsman/designer.
When it comes to interests/hobbies, Rose listed many, like visiting wineries (all over Ohio, Niagara-on-the-lake, and many in Europe), and traveling on bus tours (she guessed 13 countries). She still takes road trips within Ohio with the Village of Walton Hills and Church of the Master congregants.  Rose is a long-standing member of the Cleveland Museum of Art, the Rock ‘N Roll Hall of Fame, Playhouse Square, and the Cleveland Botanical Gardens.  She enjoys walking and reading (she’s waiting for the Advent book club to start). 
If you’ve not yet met Rose, look out for her when we finally get to worship together.  She might be the one wearing a hat!