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"RACE: Are We So Different"... and a Call for Cookies!
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 For several weeks now, we've been running an announcement in "This Week" and the Sunday bulletin about the upcoming Interfaith Action of Evanston Fall Gathering, "RACE: Are We So Different?" But I want to make a direct appeal to you about why it is I think St. Mark's should attend en masse!
Race: Are We So Different? is an exhibit at the Illinois Holocaust Museum offered in partnership with the YWCA Evanston/North Shore. Every public school student in Evanston will be given the opportunity to attend the exhibit and take part in facilitated conversations with their school. Did you know that Evanston's public schools are minority-majority schools? (in other words, fewer than 50% of the students are white). Through this exhibit, our young people - and, indeed, our entire community - have the opportunity to deepen our understanding of how the socially constructed notion of 'race' impacts us all. The exhibit at The Illinois Holocaust Museum in Skokie opened on Sunday, October 12. The exhibit will run through January 25, 2015.
As Christians, we commit ourselves to doing all in our power to support newly baptized persons in their life in Christ. That "life in Christ" is then described for us in a series of questions known as The Baptismal Covenant, a covenant which we promise to uphold. Two of those questions seem particularly relevant here: (1) Will you seek and serve Christ in all persons, loving your neighbor as yourself? and (2) Will you strive for justice and peace among all people, and respect the dignity of every human being? Attending this facilitated discussion about how we talk about race, human differences and similarities seems a good way in which to work on living into these two promises. It is my hope that attending this facilitated discussion will also set the stage for you to attend the RACE exhibit at the Illinois Holocaust Museum - with your neighbors, your friends, with a group from St. Mark's.
Please join all of the member congregations of Interfaith Action of Evanston at the Fall Gathering on Monday, October 20 at 7 p.m. at Trinity Lutheran Church, 3637 Gold Road, Evanston. Wouldn't it be a fabulous problem if there simply wasn't enough space to hold us all!?
As a member congregation of Interfaith Action of Evanston, St. Mark's has been asked to provide 12 dozen cookies for the gathering. If you are able to contribute, please contact Pastor Debra for more information.
Pastor Debra+
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19th Sunday after Pentecost: Exodus 33:12-23; 1 Thessalonians 1:1-10; Matthew 22:115-22
"Proclaim the greatness of the LORD our God and worship him upon his holy hill; for the LORD our God is the Holy One." - Psalm 99:9
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Worship
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In the baptismal covenant, we are asked, "Will you continue in the apostles' teaching and fellowship, in the breaking of bread, and in the prayers?" and we respond, "I will, with God's help."
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 Noisy Collection
This Sunday, October 19th, the children of St. Mark's will have a "noisy collection" during the 10:30 a.m. worship to collect coin donations (and dollar bills or checks made payable to CWS: CROP Walk) for the CROP Walk. Please bring a little (or a lot!) of spare change to give to the kids. Pastor Debra and Deacon Joan will be matching all "noisy donations" with a gift to CROP from the Deacon's Alms Fund. Thank you to Jacqui Zeng for coordinating this effort.
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 Sesquicentennial Music Composition Competition Award Winner Announced
Congratulations to Daniel Bondaczuk, winning composer of St. Mark's Composition Competition for his celebratory anthem, "Gloria". His energetic and joyous setting of the Latin text is written for organ and choir and will be premiered at St. Mark's Episcopal Church on Sunday, November 23rd, as the capstone of our congregation's 150th year anniversary celebration. Bondaczuk, a native of Brazil, lives near Nashville, Tennessee as he pursues a Master's degree in composition at Middle Tennessee State University. He has 10 years of experience as an arranger in the recording industry in Brazil and describes himself as very passionate about delivering sophisticated music. Congratulations Daniel Bondaczuk! The competition received 24 entries from a total of 8 countries and 12 U.S. states. St. Mark's extends its thanks to all the other composers who entered the competition for their hard work and creative efforts.
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 Feast of All Saints Memorial Book
All Saints Day is a time to remember the saints who have gone before us and to give thanks for the blessings God has given us to share with others. When we faithfully place ourselves in God's presence, new possibilities for life and service become visible. We have a role to play, along with the saints of old, in the story of God's saving work. This year, the Feast of All Saints will be celebrated on Sunday, November 2nd at worship services at 8 a.m. and 10:30 a.m.
If you have loved ones who have passed away in the last year that you would like to have remembered in worship, please send their name, their relationship to you, and their date of death to Coty Colson in the church office at [email protected] no later than Tuesday, October 28.
Other loved ones will be remembered through St. Mark's Memorial Book which we have been adding to over the last several years. You are encouraged to contribute names, photos, or other papers (poems, letters, etc.) to include in the memorial book. Items can be brought to church on Sunday, October 26th or brought to the church office during regular office hours. We will offer the book to God during the offertory at the 10:30 service that day and it will remain on the altar throughout the remaining Sundays of November.
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Volunteer Recognition Event
On Sunday, Oct.19th, St. Mark's and the Anniversary Steering Committee will recognize and honor parishioners who helped plan, staff, and coordinate events for the past year of celebration. These volunteers will be recognized for their service at both the 8 a.m. and 10:30 a.m. services that day. We have enjoyed outstanding support from the congregation and look forward to saying "thank you" for those volunteers who worked tirelessly and made our yearlong celebration special.
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This Week's Lay Ministers
Thank you to the following individuals for bringing their best gifts to God in ministries at St. Mark's. If you would like to become involved, please contact Pastor Debra.
- Lector: Bob Barr & Lisa Montgomery
- Eucharistic Ministers: Dick Brooks & Ted Richardson
- Acolytes: Rachel McElhatton, Tyler Maegawa-Goeser, KateJohnson
- Altar Guild: Patricia Bent & Beth Johnson
- Flower Guild: Dale Seifert
- Vestry Persons of the Day: Dave Himrod & Aina Gutierrez
- Ushers: Susan Lewis, Fred Lewis, Lisa Montgomery
- Coffee Hour Snacks: Last names beginning with
J - N - Welcoming New Worshippers: All the People of St. Mark's
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Christian Formation
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Lifelong Christian faith formation is important for lifelong growth in the knowledge, service and love of God as followers of Christ. Regardless of where you are on your spiritual journey, no matter what season of life you are in, you are invited to enter into a prayerful of continuous learning.
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Adult Forums Return this Sunday October 19th with Animate FaithOn Sunday, October 19th from 9:30 - 10:15 a.m. Adult Formation returns to Bethlehem Chapel with conversations sparked by Sparkhouse's Animate Faith series. Oct. 19th Religion | Spirituality Is Not Enough: What does it mean to be spiritual? Is it the same as being religious? Lillian Daniel pushes back at this question that has been stirring up the cultural conversation for a while now. She asks us to consider how the seeds of faith take root and thrive. What role does organized religion play in helping-or hindering-growth? If religion is the problem, why has it held fast for thousands of years? In this age of religious pluralism, is it possible or even desirable to stick with our age-old traditions? Nov. 2nd Bible | A Book Like No Other: Why read the Bible? This is Lauren Winner's central question. For Lauren, an avid reader, there remains something odd about the way Christians read the Bible. Why do we keep turning to the same stories in search of some new revelation? What is it about the Bible that makes it worth repeated reading? What gets in our way as we read the Bible and try to make sense of it? These are issues the church has wrestled with for centuries and yet we keep at it. We keep coming back to this book and its strange narrative full of plagues and miracles and destruction and rebirth. So why do we do it? Nov. 9th Church | An Imperfect Family: Bruce Reyes-Chow knows he's not inventing the metaphor of the church as family. So he suggests we take our changing notions about what it means to be a family and let them seep into our understanding of the church. For Bruce, it's the messiness, the dysfunction, and the joy that comes from complex relationships that make church worth hanging on to. So how do we stay connected to this sometimes-broken family system? What does it mean to commit ourselves to the church family, for better or for worse?
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This Week at Saint Mark's
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Wednesday,
October 15
All Day
Pastor Debra at Leadership Evanston
6:00 p.m.
Music Night
(ages 5 and up),
Choir Room
6:30 p.m.
Music Night
(youth and adults),
Choir Room
7:15 p.m.
Sesquicentennial Steering Committee Meeting,
Bethlehem Chapel
Thursday, October 16
10:30 a.m.
Holy Eucharist,
Presbyterian Homes
5:30 p.m.
Evanston Jr. Wildkits Cheerleading Practice,
Cunningham Hall
7:30 p.m.
Choir Rehearsal,
Choir Room
Saturday, October 18
9:30 a.m.
Chicago Chamber Choir Rehearsal,
Sanctuary
Sunday, October 19
8:00 a.m.
Holy Eucharist with Recognition of Sesquicentennial Ministry Team Members- Traditional,
Lady Chapel
9:00 a.m.
Coffee Hour,
Parlor
9:30 a.m.
Children's Formation,
Classrooms
9:30 a.m.
Adult Formation,
Bethlehem Chapel
10:30 a.m.
Holy Eucharist with Music and with Recognition of Sesquicentennial Ministry Team Members,
Sanctuary
11:45 a.m.
Coffee Hour,
Parlor
12:00 noon
Handbell Choir Rehearsal,
Balcony
2 p.m.
CROP Walk
(SMAC meets at St. Mark's at 1:30 p.m.)
Monday, October 20
1:00 p.m.
Staff Meeting
7:00 p.m.
RACE: Are We So Different? - Interfaith Action Fall Gathering,
Trinity Lutheran Church
Tuesday, October 21
5:30 p.m.
Evanston Jr. Wildkits Cheerleading Practice,
Cunningham Hall
Wednesday,
October 22
6:00 p.m.
Music Night
(ages 5 and up),
Choir Room
6:30 p.m.
Music Night
(youth and adults), Choir Room
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October 3
Lily Consiglio
Otober 4
Margaret Forst,
Betsy Sagan
October 5
Sydney Johnson
October 8
Carol Martin
October 10
Leela Gaede,
Ayden Lettner
October 12
Owen McElhatton
October 13
Movelle Das
October 18
Abby Stahr
October 21
Doug Sondgeroth
October 23
Darlisa Himrod
October 25
Hardy Murphy
October 31
Tacia Johnson
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October 7
Charlie and Judy Kopp
October 11
Bob & Edie Molumby
October 25
Kevin & Debra Nee
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Children's Sunday School
This week's session helps children explore friendship with God. For most children, their understanding of a relationship with God comes largely from their experiences at church and home. God's presence becomes real as children experience love and friendship from those who talk about God. Pray for the children, that they will continue to grow in their understanding of what it means to be friends with God. Thank you to this week's teachers and classroom assistants: Liz McElhatton / Holly Benz (ages 3 - 5), Anne Heinz / Luke Urbanowski (ages 6 - 8), John Lucadamo and Lori Goede (ages 9 - 12).
We need your help: If you are able to assist (ages 9 - 12) on October 19 or to assist (ages 6-8) on either November 16 or November 23, please get in touch with Pastor Debra.
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Fellowship
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Where are you today? Lonely and afraid? Joyful and confident? Somewhere in between? Wherever you are in your journey of faith, know that there is a place for you here, companionship for the journey in this community gathered.
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SMAC News
On Sunday, October 19th SMAC, along with youth from St. Matthew's, will meet at St. Mark's at 1:30 p.m. to participate in the CROP Walk followed by ice cream sundaes and conversation at St. Mark's. Parents you can pick your youth up at 5:00 p.m. (parents, please note this time correction). Please let Pastor Debra (email: [email protected]; text 847-732-9564) and/or Deane Johnson (e-mail: [email protected]; text 231-313-9217) know if you will be attending this event.
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Social Justice & Outreach Opportunities
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St. Mark's continues its commitment to young people through its many social justice and outreach opportunities. Each Sunday we pray, "Bring newness and change to our streets, O God, that we might commit ourselves to our young people and address the epidemic of gun violence which plagues our communities, our country, and the world. Awake, O Streets, rise from death!" Following are a list of ways in which you can get involved with the St. Mark's community in helping to create a better world.
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 North Shore CROP Walk: Just Days Away It is not too late to walk with St. Mark's in this year's North Shore CROP Walk. The walk begins this Sunday, October 19, at St. Paul's Lutheran Church, 1004 Greenwood St., Evanston at 1:45 p.m. To register in advance, simply go to http://bit.ly/StMarkCROPWalk OR to register on the day of the event, arrive at St. Paul's at 1:15 p.m. Can't walk but want to participate? Consider giving money to one of St. Mark's walkers/fundraisers/volunteers: Rachel McElhatton, Patrick Nee, Lizzie Lele, Debra Bullock, Jacqui Zeng, Deane Johnson, Ted Loda, Dave Himrod, Aina Gutierrez and/or bring coins for this Sunday's Noisy Collection!
This year, a portion of CROP Walk proceeds are benefiting the Hospitality Center housed in St. Mark's. The center provides breakfast, job counseling, computer training, transportation passes, and a warm place to rest for those struggling with homelessness and unemployment.
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Sesquicentennial Anniversary Blood Drive
LifeSource will be at St. Mark's on Sunday, October 26 from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. to help us meet our goal of 150 blood donations to mark our 150th anniversary year. Please sign-up at https://donateblood.lifesource.org/ to donate blood. If you cannot donate blood on October 26 at St. Mark's, you can also sign-up at that same website to give blood at LifeSource, 2436 Main Street, Evanston, at a time that is more convenient for you. When you donate blood, identify our blood drive by using the special code 057G (zero, five, seven, g). If you have any questions please contact Donna Richardson at 847-677-0701.
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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 October 19, 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 Hemenway United Methodist Church.
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 Curt's Caf� Second Annual Gratitude Bash
Everyone in the St. Mark's community is encouraged to enjoy coffee, sandwiches and more at Curt's Caf�, 2922 Central Street, Evanston. Curt's Caf� is a non-profit organization that provides training in food service and life skills for at-risk youth in Evanston.
Curt's Cafe invites you to Party with a Purpose at their Second Annual Gratitude Bash! On the Menu: Dinner, Drinks and Dancing to Evanston's own Suite Mollie 7! Special of the Day: We're honoring Eddie Lakin, owner of Edzo's Burger Shop, with the Curt's Cafe Life Changer Award Hours of operation: 7 p.m. to 10 p.m., Saturday, November 1, 2014. Where: Alice Millar Chapel-Northwestern University, 1870 Sheridan Road, Evanston. Attire: Festive and fun. Cost: $100 per person
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 ♪♫ Music Night ♫♫
Starting on Wednesday, October 15th from 6:00-7:30pm, our associate for Music Ministries, David Plank, will be leading "Music Night" at St. Mark's. People with any level of musical background-even those with no music experience-are welcome to come! If you like music, but can only play the radio, come join us! If you love to sing, but only sing in the shower, come join us! If you're young and want to join a group where you'll have fun with music, join us! If you're old and have always wanted to be in a music group but just haven't gotten to it yet, join us! If you're a professional musician and want to simply relax and have fun with music, you won't be bored! Sneak peeks include a "composer of the month", where we'll find interesting facts about various famous or not-so-famous composers, and an "instrument of the fortnight", where you'll get to see, listen to, and maybe even play on an instrument you may have never even heard of before! Ever wanted to learn how to read music? Or bang on a timpani? Interested in what that Afro-Brazilian percussion instrument that David played on Sunday is? Come meet us upstairs in the choir room every 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].
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 Old Treasures-New Treasures-Something for You---The Gift Shop Sale is coming up Sunday, November 23rd. Plans are being made by Ellie Bergman, Mary Pat Buckley, Joanna Greene, Dave and Lola Himrod, Tacia Johnson, Dorothy Laudati, Bonnie Lindstrom, Rima Lockwood and Natasha Oussenko for a great event. St. Mark's 150th anniversary will be honored by some items. YOU are invited to help by donating baked good, preserves, etc. (what do you make that others would enjoy?) and/or by volunteering to help at the sale. No books, media or other old items are being accepted other than Christmas items in very good condition. Contact Lola Himrod with offers of donations or help at 847-864-7815 or [email protected].
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Social Media and St. Mark's
If you have your mobile device it would be good if you put it on silent when in worship. But if anything in Sunday's service - a prayer, reading, hymn or the sermon-moves you, please feel free to tweet it or post it to Facebook #StMarkEvanston. While you're at it, "check-in" with us on Foursquare!
St. Mark's website has up-to-date information on all that's new at St. Mark's - including a current calendar of events - check it out at http://www.stmarksevanston.org. Also, we are on Facebook and Twitter! Find us at http://www.facebook.com/StMarkEvanston and follow us @StMarkEvanston.
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In The Community
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God calls us to love our neighbors as ourselves. Loving finds all of its meaning in relationship. The following are opportunities to be in relationship with one another and with the community of Evanston.
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Chicago Chamber Choir "From the Heart: A Joyful Retrospective"
All are invited to the Chicago Chamber Choir's concert at St. Mark's on Saturday, October 25 at 7:30 p.m. Their fall concert will pay tribute to 15 years of Artistic Director Timm Adams' leadership music making, and innovative programming, featuring his personal favorites from over 40 concerts with CCC. Included in this treasure chest of choral gems will be classical works by Brahms and Faur�, contemporary pieces by Eric Whitacre and Carol Barnett, as well as some of Timm's favorite hymns and spirituals. Tickets are available online at www.chicagochamberchoir.org.
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Grief Support Groups
NorthShore Hospice sponsors two free support groups that are open to the public. One is called Soul Mates and is for those who have experienced the death of a spouse or life partner. The group meets on the 2nd and 4th Tuesday of the month from 6:30 to 8 p.m. The other, called Legacy, is for adults who have experienced the death of a partent. The group meets on the 1st and 3rd Tuesday of the month from 6:30 - 8 p.m. All groups meet at the NorthShore Hospice office, 4901 Searle Parkway in Skokie. For more information, please call Thom Dennis at 847-982-4364 or e-mail [email protected].
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Parish Prayer List
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If you would like your loved ones to remain on the prayer list or if you have additional names for the list, please send an e-mail to [email protected]. Thank you.
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We bid your prayers for: Helen Baker, Louise Beem and her family, Louise Behrends, Ellen and Tom Bergman, Veronica Braithwaite, John Burnham, Karen Cornelius, Kendric Das, Bob Easton, Lynn Erickson, Hal Griffith, Mary Hair, Charlie and Judy Kopp, Ann Lettner, Ayden Lettner, Grace Lettner, Kathy Lettner, Sadie Mysen, Mary O'Dowd, Jan and Jeri Offutt, Joan Barr Smith, Carol Albertson, Carol Beatty, Barbara Bishop, Susan Murrell Cataneda, Dorothy Clarke, Ward Clarke, Jim and Cathy Dillman, Jessica Erickson, Dave and Jan Gurniak, Darrell Huddleston, Kinzie Hughes, Katie Iles, Yvonne Johns, Leo Padget, Alison King, OJ Mabwa, Mary Joyce Menzies, Mike Nee, Pam Oshlo, Maureen Puleo, Revaldo,Ean and Neale Smith, Tim and his family, Carlo Trovato, Blanca White, Jordyn White, Jill Vannattam.
We pray for those who have died: Victoria Fortner, close friend of Bruce and Lee Gaede; Helen Gofrank, grandmother of Motoko Maegawa and great-grandmother of Tyler Maegawa-Goeser, Marc Beem, husband of Louise Beem.
We pray for the people in: the Diocese of Southeast Mexico and in the Diocese of Renk.
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