This Friday, February 13th, we will meet for the Second Friday Dinner at Symphony Cafe, 1945 Central Street, Evanston.  This restaurant serves American food and provides a full range of beverage choices.  We will meet at 6:15 p.m.  Children are welcome.  If you plan to come, please RSVP to Dick and Carolyn Brooks at [email protected] or 847-424-8422.

Cribbage Tournament

Do you enjoy cribbage? Bring your board and a deck of cards and join us at 3 p.m. on Sunday, February 22 for this tournament - the only prize? Fame! (of a limited nature). . . so why come? For the fun! Have you always wanted to learn? There will be a table set up for learners as well (children are welcome as long as they can, without help, (a) add numbers up to a total of 31 --- e.g., 8 + 10 + 6 + 7) and (b) hold up to six cards in their hand (or bring a card holder with them). If time warrants, we'll order in dinner. . . Feel free to bring a snack to share and a non-alcoholic beverage of choice. Questions? Contact Pastor Debra ([email protected]), Andrea Nowack ([email protected]), or David Plank ([email protected]). Game on!

♪♫ Music Night♫♫

If it's Wednesday Night it's Music Night at St. Mark's!  Who will be the composer of the month? What will be the instrument of the fortnight? Will there be a quote of the week? Come and find out! Associate for Music Ministries, David Plank, leads "Music Night." People with any level of musical background-even those with no music experience-are welcome to come upstairs to the choir room on Wednesday night from 6:00-7:30. Younger children, starting at age five, are welcome to join with all ages from 6:00-6:30. Youth and adults can come (or continue) from 6:30-7:30. Please contact David with any questions you may have at [email protected].  

Social Justice and Outreach Ministry Team Meeting

All who are interested in the social justice and outreach ministries of St. Mark's are invited to attend our next meeting scheduled for Wednesday, February 11 at 7 p.m. in Bethlehem Chapel. For more information or for questions, please contact Dave Himrod at 847-864-7815 or Jacqui Zeng at [email protected] .

Third Sunday Food Drive

On the third Sunday of each month, St. Mark's will collect non-perishable food items to be shared with local food pantries. On Sunday February 15, please bring your boxes of cereals, cans of soup, jars of peanut butter and other non-perishables with you to church. The big red shopping cart will be waiting for you at the back of the sanctuary. This month's donations will be given to the food pantry at the Salvation Army, a member of Interfaith Organization of Evanston.

Wednesday Lunch Program Has Launched!

Lunches are being packed on Tuesday evenings at 6 p.m. in Cunningham Hall. Lunches are being served on Wednesdays (volunteers are asked to arrive by 10:45 and stay until 1 p.m.). If you're interested in volunteering, please sign-up on the schedule in the parlor. We especially need people who can volunteer monthly. We are excited to report that all February volunteer slots have been filled. For more information, contact Community Engagement Coordinator, Jacqui Zeng at [email protected].

Annual Pledge Update

As of Sunday, February 8, we have reached 97% of our Campaign goal.  With everyone's help, we are confident that we can meet our goal and perhaps even make a dent in that "faith line" of the budget. If you have not yet sent in your pledge card (or put it in the offering plate), please do so as soon as possible so that we can wrap up our campaign and move forward confident of our ability to meet our ambitious budgetary goals this year.

 

God of Abundance, as we seek to follow your Son our Savior Jesus Christ and give our whole lives to your service, let these portions of who we are and what we have help us along the way. We know you have blessed us with abundance, and while we often do not see it, help us to know you better through generosity to your Church, each other, and the world around us. Bless our gifts that they may transform others through your Church, and bless them so that they may transform our lives as part of our journey to and with you. We ask this in the name of the Holy Trinity, one God. Amen.

Pastor Debra Vacation

Pastor Debra is on vacation through Sunday, February 15. During her absence, Father Charlie de Kay is available for pastoral emergencies. He can be reached at 630-862-5701. Deacon Joan is also be available and can be reached at 847-334-1848. On Sunday, February 15, The Rev. Stacy Alan, Chaplain of Brent House at the University of Chicago will preach and preside. We are delighted to welcome her back to lead worship among us!

Ice

Please remember that with fluctuations in temperature, icy patches can appear despite after even a small amount of precipitation. Please use great care when driving and walking. And, if you notice a particularly icy area, please notify an usher on Sunday or, during the week, let a staff member know.

Adult InterPlay Group

InterPlay is an easy to learn creative process that invites adult participants to express themselves through storytelling, movement and vocalization. Through well-established methods of play participants can simply have fun. They can also discover new things about themselves and others. InterPlayers across the world are celebrating its 25th birthday this year. You can be part of the party! No Prior Experience is Necessary. This class meets every Tuesday night in Cunningham Hall. The cost is $5 per session. Contact: Christina Ernst (847)899-5329.

Evanston English Country Dance Group

This group meets every other Wednesday in Cunningham Hall. All dances are taught and prompted. We learn English Country dances devised from pre-1650 to the present. Jane Austin would recongize much of the dancing we do. Once a month, we have live music performed by Putting on Aires; the other Wednesdays, the music is from an extensive CD collection. You are welcome to come with or without a partner. Wear comfortable shoes (the type you would use to walk a mile) and casual clothing. We ask for a $5 ($3 for students) admittance fee to cover the rent and to buy music for the band. For further information, contact Tom Senior 847-606-8704, [email protected]. Upcoming dates include: February 11, 25.

Evanston Creative Writing Meetup

If you like to write and want a supportive environment in which to write, join us! Each week, a member volunteers to provide writing prompts to spark our creativity. It can be a first line, an object, a picture, a situation. For about 10-15 minutes we write and if we feel like sharing we read our creation aloud. This is not a critique group - only positive feedback is encouraged. We usually fit in 3-4 prompts in an evening. Member ages range from young adults to octagenarians. You do not have to be a serious or professional writer to participate. For more information go to http://www.meetup.com/Evanston-Creative-Writing-Group/. The group meets on the 2nd and 4th Wednesday of each month in the Old Library at St. Mark's.

Annual Absalom Jones Day Observance

The Union of Black Episcopalians Chicago will celebrate the annual Absalom Jones Day observance at St. Thomas, 3801 S. Wabash Avenue, Chicago on Sunday, February 15, 2015 at 3 pm.  This year's speaker will be Dr. Eddie Glaude, the William S. Tod Professor of Religion and African American Studies and Chair of the Center for African American Studies at Princeton University.  All members of the Diocese of Chicago are invited to attend.