The St. Mark’s Lion · The St.Mark’s Lion September 13, 2017 – September 26, 20176 STAFFING UPDATE Katie Snitker has resigned from her position as Associate for Community Engagement

The St. Mark’s Lion September 13, 2017 – September 26, 20176

STAFFING UPDATE

Katie Snitker has resigned from her position as Associate for Community Engagement at St. Mark’s. Her last Sunday with us was last Sunday and we are so grateful that she stayed to ensure the success of the Ministry Fair! In the next week or so, Pastor Debra and/or Scott Zaucha will be reaching out to those involved in upcoming events like Bike the Ridge and the CROP Walk, new initiatives like the Green Team, and ongoing ministries to ensure that you have the support you need to ensure that these events and initiatives continue to move forward. In the meantime, if you have any concerns, please do not hesitate to contact Pastor Debra at [email protected] or Scott at [email protected].

SOCIAL JUSTICE & OUTREACH MINISTRIES St. Mark’s is committed to working with God to create a better community and a better world. God is at work in our world and we are

invited to join God’s mission in our daily lives – at school, at home, at work, and through a variety of social justice and outreach initiatives. Following are just some of the ways you can join in this work with and through St. Mark’s.

Bike the Ridge: We are collecting 8 oz. water bottles and packaged snacks (granola bars, crackers, and fruit snacks) for this fun, city-sponsored event which will take place on Sunday, October 1st. Donations can be placed in the red shopping cart in the back of the sanctuary. On the day of the event, St. Mark's will offer snacks, water, use of tire pumps, bathroom breaks, bike blessings, and a prayer craft for our community. If you would like to volunteer to help out the day of the event, please sign-up in the parlor. We will only have one service on Sunday, October 1st at 9:30 a.m. followed by a Bike Blessing at 10:45 a.m. If you have any questions, please contact Lisa Montgomery, [email protected] or Chris Schultze, [email protected].

Be sure to give yourself a few extra minutes to get to church if you will be driving as Ridge Avenue will be closed between Howard and Church Street from 8 a.m. - 2 p.m. If you would like a parking pass that will allow you to park on Grove Street between Ridge and Oak Avenues that morning, please see Debra or Scott. We have a limited number that will be given on a first come, first served basis and which do not guarantee that a parking space will be available. Please only pick one up if you would have difficulty walking further to the church. Thank you. Midweek Lunch: Come and Join Us! Each week, volunteers from St. Mark's and St. Matthew's work together to prepare and serve meals for our neighbors who struggle with hunger and homelessness. On Tuesdays from 6:00-6:30 p.m. volunteers turn deli meat, cheese, and bread into 60 sandwiches. On Wednesdays, volunteers gather in Cunningham Hall from 10 a.m. – 12:30 p.m. to set up and take down tables and chairs, set out food and beverages, serve the meal and talk with our guests. Contact John Lucadamo at [email protected] or 847-436-1701 for more information. Racism, Poverty & Gun Violence: On September 30 from 9 am-noon at St. James Commons (65 E. Huron), the Rev. Julian DeShazier, senior pastor of University Church, Chicago (also known as hip-hop artist, J. Kwest), will lead an open discussion on racism, poverty, and gun violence. The event is free and open to all, and a light breakfast will be served. The discussion, sponsored by the Diocese of Chicago and its Peace and Justice Committee, follows on a conference held in Chicago by Bishops United against Gun Violence titled "Unholy Trinity: The Intersection of Racism, Poverty and Gun Violence." To register: http://bit.ly/UnholyTrinityChicago or contact Scott Zaucha, [email protected].

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CROP Hunger Walk – Ending Hunger One Step At a Time: The annual North Shore CROP Walk will take place on Sunday, October 15th. This 1 mile walk begins and ends at First Congregational Church. St. Mark’s will be walking and we are looking for more walkers and for individuals to make donations to help us reach our goal of raising $1000 for Church World Service (CWS). 15% of the monies raised will be distributed among the following local organizations: Interfaith Action of Evanston, Soup at Six, Family Promise, St. Paul’s Soup Kitchen, and Second Baptist Soup Kitchen. The remaining funds go to CWS to aid in their global relief efforts. To join St. Mark’s team as a walker, a donor, or

both, you can go to: www.crophungerwalk.org/skokieil/StMarksEvanston or look for more information in the parlor beginning September 24.

WORSHIP & FAITH FORMATION Lifelong Christian faith formation is important for lifelong growth in the knowledge, service and love of God as followers of Christ. Worship is the primary place in which this formation

takes place; but we also offer classes and discussion groups to support one another in our journey in faith. No matter what season of life you are in, we hope you will take part in a

prayerful life of continuous learning.

Lay Ministers – Thank you to the following parishioners for sharing their time with the congregation. If you would like to serve, please contact Pastor Debra. September 17• Altar Guild: Pat Bent, Rachel Easton • Flower Guild: Dale Seifert • Ushers: Fred Lewis, Susan Lewis, Lisa

Montgomery • Acolytes: Neena Gaede, Bruce Gaede, Evelyn

Skelton • Lectors: Ric Ashley (8a.m.); Lisa Montgomery,

Maryallen Estes (10:30 a.m.) • Eucharistic Ministers: Alice Pappas, Dorothy

Szczepaniak, Sarah Francis • Coffee Hours Snacks: Last Names beginning with M

through S • Coffee Hour Hosts: Rima Lockwood, Donna

Richardson, Ted Richardson • Vestry Persons of the Day: Ted Richardson, Rima

Lockwood

September 24 • Altar Guild:

Julia Ferguson, London Ferguson, Beth Johnson, Betsy Johnson

• Flower Guild: Dorothy Laudati • Ushers: John Fitts, Alison Walsh • Acolytes: Wesley Urbanowski, Sebastian

Urbanowski, Bruce Gaede • Lectors: Nancye Kirk (8a.m.); Donna Richardson,

Andy Howard (10:30 a.m.) • Eucharistic Ministers: Andrea Nowack, Edie

Molumby, Alison Walsh • Coffee Hours Snacks: Last Names beginning with T

through Z • Coffee Hour Hosts: Nancye Kirk, Rima Lockwood,

Julia Ferguson • Vestry Persons of the Day: Austin Suvari, Rima

Lockwood Handbell Choir launches Sunday, September 17 in the balcony of the sanctuary from 12 – 12:30 p.m. Ages 5 and up are welcome. For more information, talk to David or just come and see! Choir: The St. Mark's choir rehearses each Wednesday evening from 7:30 - 9 p.m. and on Sunday mornings beginning one hour before worship. Come and sing for a month, a season, or the whole year! We look forward to welcoming you!

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Sunday School Starts Sunday, September 17 at 9:30 a.m. So we give thanks to Chad Goeser, Anne Heinz, Beth Johnson, Deane Johnson, Liz McElhatton, Lisa Montgomery, and Milner Seifert who have all agreed to teach our young people on one or more Sunday mornings this year. Thank you to Nasim Alexander who has agreed to be a substitute. Thank you also to CnC Mentors – Patty Acha, Clark Alexander, Allison Ashley, and Chad Goeser. We are still in need of a couple more teachers and/or substitutes. If you have one or more Sunday morning from 9:30 – 10:15 a.m. that you are willing to share with our young people, please contact Pastor Debra, [email protected]. They have so much to teach us!

Becoming the Story We Tell: Bible Study – Tuesdays (7 – 8:30 p.m.) - Join in a discussion of the Biblical story – focused on one of the passages that will be read in worship on Sunday - so that we might become living members of the story that God intends for our lives. All are invited. No prior Bible study experience expected or required. Just bring an open mind and heart. Ages 16 and up. Quiet space is available for younger children to work on homework, build puzzles, and/or color. We meet in the Spirituality Center (St. Mark’s basement – use the alley entrance on the southwest end of the church building). Confirm not Conform students, mentors and families will be worshipping with St. Matthew’s at St. Matthew’s on Sunday, September 24th as they celebrate their patronal feast day. As they worship, the rest of the St. Mark’s community will gather for worship at 8 and 10:30 a.m. and will hold our brothers and sisters in Christ in our prayers that day. Episcopal Church Women’s Annual Fall Retreat will take place at the DeKoven Center in Racine, Wisconsin October 28 through 29. This year’s retreat leader is The Rev. Mollie Ward and the retreat theme is, “Nurturing the Spirit.” All women in the Diocese of Chicago are welcome to attend. For additional information and to register, contact Linda Toberman at [email protected].

GOING WHERE THE YOUTH ARE

The Church is wherever God’s people are gathered and for our youth that is often not at St. Mark’s – the building - because they are involved in so many extra-curricular activities. So, let’s Be Church Where the Youth Are! If you have events to add on behalf of your young person, please email Pastor Debra, [email protected]

Betsy will be performing with the ETHS Marching Band at Evanston’s ‘Kits, ‘Cats and Kids Block Party on Thurs., Sept. 14, from 4:45 p.m. to 7:30 p.m., at Sherman Avenue and Church Street in downtown Evanston. This free event will also feature games, arts and crafts, music, food trucks and more!

STEWARDSHIP

We are grateful for the gifts you bring to St. Mark’s and marvel at how God cherishes and multiplies each and every gift for God’s good purpose.

Ongoing Disaster Relief: There is a collection jar in the sanctuary for Episcopal Relief and Development’s Disaster Response Fund. Out of the abundance we have, please give generously, for the needs of the world are great. We especially encourage paper donations

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- checks (payable to Episcopal Relief & Development) or bills in any denomination. Also, for those who prefer, you can set up a one-time or recurring payment to Episcopal Relief and Development on their website, episcopalrelief.org. If you choose to give a gift online, there are cards next to the collection jar indicating that you have done so. Please pick one up and place it in the jar. This is the last Sunday for this ERD collection. To date, St. Mark’s parishioners and staff members have given $1243.38 to ERD for disaster response; in addition, at least 2 parishioners have made online donations directly to ERD. Thank you all. Counting What Counts: In July & August, 28 St. Mark’s folk (parishioners and staff, former parishioners and friends of St. Mark’s) contributed $608 to COPE for the purchase of School Supplies for students in District 65 and 202. St. Mark’s Deacon’s Alms Fund matched the first $519 of monies bringing the St. Mark’s contribution to COPE to $1,127 (enough to buy school supply kits for 49 students). 6 new backpacks were donated by 4 parishioners and 7 St. Mark’s parishioners and staff members contributed a total of 21 hours to sorting and distributing supplies to students.

FELLOWSHIP

Jubi-latte & Tea Deum with the Rector takes place every Wednesday from 3:30 – 4:30 p.m. at Cupitol, 812 Grove Street, Evanston. Pastor Debra is happy to buy you a coffee, tea, or milkshake and to chat about whatever is on your mind (or nothing at all) when you stop by! No appointment needed.

OTHER

Office Hours: Scott: Tuesday, 9 – Noon and by appointment; Pastor Debra: Thursdays from 2 – 5 p.m. and by appointment on Tuesday, Wednesday and Friday; David by appointment.

MINISTRY FAIR A tremendous thank you to Joanna Greene and Tacia Johnson for coordinating, setting up and cleaning up after our potluck for last Sunday’s ministry fair. Your efforts are greatly appreciated! Also, thank you to all the poster creators and delicious food contributors! In case you missed it, the ministry fair posters are on display in the Parlor.

PRAYER LIST

If you would like yourself or your loved one added to (or removed from) the prayer list at any time, please email their name(s) to Pastor Debra.

We bid your prayers for: Veronica Braithwaite, John Burnham, Tony Campise, Karen Cornelius, Caroline Frowe, Lola Himrod, Seth Himrod, Donald McCrea, Jake Morris, Mary Nowack, Jan and Jeri Offutt, Betty Augustinos, David Cresap, Donnie Cresap, Carol and Laura Easton, Suzanne Ehrenberg, Olivia Heiting, Jay Johnson, OJ Mabwa, Ahmed Mahmoud, Carl and Lindy Messier, Susan Murrell Castaneda, Reg Ryan We pray for those who have died: Paul Ewald, nephew of Lola (and Dave) Himrod and cousin of Seth Himrod; The Rev. Ronald Lockhart, friend of Debra Bullock We pray for the people in the Diocese of Southeast Mexico and the Diocese of Renk