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Season of Creation: River Sunday
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"On River Sunday, we explore the ways God renews creation, not only through waters and rivers but also through God's healing Spirit. Water as an element of healing is vital and purifying, from the flood story and rainbow covenant in Genesis to the renewal of the land in the psalm, and Jesus as the "water of life" in Revelation.How might we live in this time and place that we might be signs of healing, hope, and promise for a renewed creation?"
- from "River Sunday," Seasons of the Spirit Curriculum for September 28, 2014.
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Sundays Scripture: Genesis 8:20-22; 9:12-17; Revelation 22:1-5; Matthew 28:1-10
"He looks at the earth and it trembles; he touches the mountains and they smoke. I will sing to the LORD as long as I live; I will praise my god while I have my being." -- Psalm 104:33-34
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Bike the Ridge on September 28
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Bike the Ridge will be on September 28, and St. Mark's intends to be part of the festivities! We will have our regular worship schedule, but Ridge Avenue will be closed to motor vehicles from 9:00 AM to 1:00 PM.
Parking during Bike the Ridge
As you probably are aware, parking in the half-circle drive at the front of St. Mark's will be unavailable on Sunday morning due to Bike the Ridge. However, we have made arrangements with the police department to allow parking on both sides of Grove between Ridge and Oak. You do not need a special permit for this. However, we please ask that you use these spaces only if you would ordinarily use the circle drive on Sunday mornings. Thank you.
Better yet, if you can, plan to bike to church that day. Make it a family outing since there will be only bikes on Ridge. Valet parking for your bike will be available from 10 a.m. to Noon will be provided in a secure, inside room. Sunday School / Blessing of Bikes and Bikers There will be no Sunday School at 9:30 so families can ride together. But, do plan to gather on the front lawn of the church at 9:30 AM or at 12:00 PM to get your bike - and yourself - blessed by Pastor Debra. Coffee Hours Our coffee hours will be on the front lawn from 9 a.m. to 10:15 a.m. and again from 11:45 - 1 p.m. We will be serving treats on the lawn after church, so everyone is urged to bring treats If you have any questions or need any more information, please contact our Community Engagement Coordinator, Jacqui Zeng at [email protected]. |
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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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Chapel and Sanctuary Flowers
If you would like to donate money toward chapel and sanctuary flowers on a Sunday, the new flower chart (October 2014 - September 2015) is available in the Parlor. The minimum suggested donation for one week is $25. Instructions for completing the form and envelopes for payment are next to the chart. This is a lovely way to remember or give thanks for a loved one.
If you would like to join the dedicated team of volunteers who prayerfully select and arrange the flowers for Sunday services, please speak with any member of the Flower Guild - Virginia Beatty, Dorothy Laudati, Michael Schoen, or Dale Seifert or send an e-mail to Coty at [email protected] .
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Semi-Annual Choir Guild Meeting
The semi-annual meeting of the St Mark's Choir Guild will be held after the 10:30 a.m. service in the church library on Sunday 28 September. Everyone is welcome. This is a great opportunity to get to know choir members and learn about the ministry of the choir at St. Mark's. There will be a potluck lunch, so bring sandwich-makings, drinks, and salads or chips. There will be a sign-up sheet at the Thursday rehearsal prior to the event so we can get a balanced lunch (or contact Andy Howard if you won't be at the rehearsal but would like to contribute to the potluck). Agenda items include electing new leadership to the guild, reporting on recent expenditures and income, and about special activities that the choir might undertake in the year ahead. For more information or questions, please contact Choir Guild President, Andy Howard at 773-202-5030 or [email protected].
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Music Composition Competition
It is St. Mark's Episcopal Church's 150th year as a  congregation! We are inviting entries for a Music Composition Competition. We will be choosing one selection from the entries to be used during a church service as part of our celebration. The winner will receive a prize of $500 and their composition will be performed at St. Mark's Episcopal Church in Evanston, IL. For complete competition rules go to http://www.stmarksevanston.org/150anniversary/ The deadline is September 30, 2014.
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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: Casmir Szczepaniak, Lori Goede
- Eucharistic Ministers: Jane McCarron, Lynette Murphy
- Acolytes: Tyler Maegawa-Goeser, Debbie Nee, Eva Sondgeroth
- Altar Guild:Louise Behrends, Dorothy Laudati, Pat Bent
- Flower Guild: Dorothy Laudati
- Vestry Persons of the Day: Dave Himrod, Ted Loda
- Ushers: John Fitts, Tacia Johnson, Richard Forst
- Coffee Hour Snacks: All the People of St. Mark's (Bike the Ridge)
- Welcoming Worshipers New to St. Mark's: 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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Children's Sunday School
There will be no Sunday School on Sunday, September 28th due to the Bike the Ridge Activities - come and take part! We need your help: If you are able to assist (ages 9 - 11) on October 19 or to assist (ages 6-8) on either November 16 or November 23, please get in touch with Pastor Debra. Be involved in the lives of St. Mark's children. You'll learn a lot!
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Adult Forums Return October 19thOn 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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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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InterPlay
Beginning Monday, September 29th from 7:30 - 9 p.m. in Cunningham Hall, St. Mark's will be partnering with non-profit Evanston Dance Ensemble to offer weekly InterPlay classes. InterPlay is an easy to learn creative process that invites 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 Monday night. The cost is $10 per session or $40 for a five-class card. Contact: Christina Ernst (847)899-5329
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This Week at Saint Mark's
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Wednesday,
September 24
6:00 p.m.
Generations Walking the Way: Stewardship Webinar,
Rector's Office
7:00 p.m.
Evanston English Country Dancers,
Cunningham Hall
7:15 p.m.
Evanston String Quartet Rehearsal,
Sanctuary
Thursday,
September 25
5:30 p.m.
Evanston Jr. Wildkits Cheerleading Practice,
Front Lawn
7:30 p.m.
Choir Rehearsal,
Choir Room
Sunday,
September 28
Bike the Ridge
8:00 a.m.
Holy Eucharist - Traditional,
Lady Chapel
9:00 a.m.
Coffee Hour,
Front Lawn
9:30 a.m.
Blessing of Bicycles and Riders,
Front Lawn
10:30 a.m.
Holy Eucharist with Music,
Sanctuary
12:00 noon
Blessing of Bicycles and Riders,
Front Lawn
12:00 noon
Handbell Choir Rehearsal,
Balcony
12:00 noon
Choir Guild Meeting,
Library
5:00 p.m.
Evanston Dance Ensemble Fall Fundraiser,
Cunningham Hall
Monday,
September 29
7:30 p.m.
InterPlay Class,
Cunningham Hall
Tuesday,
September 30
5:30 p.m.
Evanston Jr. Wildkits Cheerleading Practice,
Front Lawn
6:30 p.m.
Greeting Ministry Planning Team Meeting,
Bethlehem Chapel
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September 3
Dale Seifert
September 7
Alice Lele, Jack Suvari, Austin Suvari
September 13
Karen Cornelius
September 14
Wesley Urbanowski
September 15
Michael Schoen
September 17
Mary O'Dowd
September 18
Compton Chase-Lansdale, Peter Dangremond
September 20
Gerald Offutt
September 22
Joan Barr Smith, Debra Bullock
September 24
Alex Gallegos
September 25
Colin Nesburg
September 26
S�le Malone
September 27
David Baker
September 28
Catherine Rocca, Rachel Easton, Nadia Oussenko
September 29
Jim Carver
September 30
Pat Bent
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September 1
Jonathan Greene and S�le Malone
September 2
Casmir and Dorothy Szczepaniak
September 5
Robert and Mary Pat Buckley
September 8
Jake and Nonie Morris, Dave and Lola Himrod
September 10
Jim and Lynn Carver, Jay and Kate Hayes
September 24Doug Sondgeroth and Aina Gutierrez
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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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CROP Is Helping Hospitality Center! 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. Support your local Hospitality Center by registering for the walk online at http://bit.ly/StMarkCROPWalk. You can also drop a note saying that you'd like to participate in Ted Loda's mail file, located outside the Rector's office.
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Sesquicentennial Anniversary Blood Drive
We are asking parishioners to please donate blood as part of our special anniversary community outreach program. We have set a goal of 150 blood donations, a modest goal that we hope to exceed. As you are probably aware, there is an acute and ongoing need for blood by hospitals. In order to donate blood, an individual must be in good physical health and be prepared to donate by eating well and staying hydrated. Also there must be at least eight weeks between whole blood donations.
We have arranged for to have parishioners and friends to make donations through LifeSource, which is located at 2436 Main Street in Evanston. Donation hours are Monday thru Thursday, noon to 7:30 p.m.; and Friday thru Saturday, 7:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. You must schedule an appointment by calling 877-543-3768. When you donate blood, identity our blood drive by using the special code O57G (zero, five, seven, g).
On Sunday, October 26th, LifeSource will be at the church upstairs in Cunningham Hall to accept blood donations between 9 a.m. and 2:00 p.m. If you have any questions please contact Donna Richardson at 847-677-0701.
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"@Home" Screening
Interfaith Action of Evanston is co-sponsoring the screening of this movie at the Evanston Library on Sunday, October 5 from 3 - 5 p.m. @Home is a documentary film with one goal: to help move the needle on homelessness in America. The screening will be followed by panel discussion on homelessness and affordable housing in Evanston.
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"Race: Are We So Different" and A Call for Cookies!
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. The topic will be "Race: Are We So Different?" It is hoped that the conversation during the Gathering will move you to visit the Illinois Holocaust Museum and Education Center's exhibit, "Race: Are We So Different" which will be on display from October 12, 2014 through January 25, 2015.
St. Mark's has been asked to provide 12 dozen cookies for the October 20 gathering. If you are able to contribute, please contact Pastor Debra for more information.
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Interfaith Action of Evanston, an organization of faith-based groups and individual members bringing direct help to many in our community, has an easy way for you to help them fund its programs when you buy the groceries your family needs. Gordon Food Service (GFS Marketplace), 2424 Oakton St., Evanston. Register (free) for a Fun Funds card next time you are at GFS and you will receive coupons and special offers, as well as earning rebates of from 1%-10% for IAE. Ask for more details at GFS.
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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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Stewardship Ministry Team
On Wednesday, September 24, the Stewardship Ministry Team will meet in the Rector's office to take part in a webinar called "Generations Walking the Way." Anyone who is interested may join the team as we explore the generationally distinct footprints and cadences of those who walk the way of Jesus and the implications for stewardship. We will be learning about The Episcopal Network for Stewardship (TENS') Stewardship Resource Series: Walking the Way and about overall strategies for an annual commitment campaign as well.
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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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Freedom Fund Banquet: We're All in this Together for Justice and Equality
The National Association for the Advancement of Colored People, Evanston / North Shore Branch will be holding their annual Freedom Fund Banquet on Saturday, November 1 beginning at 6 p.m. at the Holiday Inn and Convention Center in Skokie. Tickets are $100. If you would like to attend with Pastor Debra, please let her know by September 28. For more information or questions, please speak with parishioner George Mitchell who is President of the Evanston/North Shore Branch of the NAACP. George can be reached at 847-507-2023.
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Evanston Dance Ensemble Fall Fundraiser
On Sunday, September 28 beginning at 5 p.m. the Evanston Dance Ensemble will hold its Fall Fundraiser at St. Mark's. Learn World Dances from many cultures including circle dances, line dances, and mixers, led by internationally known dance leader Sanna Longden. EDE will provide a potluck supper for you and your family. Come alone or bring a group! Fun for all ages! Cost: $15/adults; $10/kids; $40/family of four or more. For more information, call 847-328-6683. To purchase tickets, go to: http://www.events.org/familydance14/cpage.aspx?e=76240.
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Evanston Chapter of the Lyric Opera
Sunday, September 28th, at 3 pm, the Evanston Chapter of the Lyric Opera will present a 'Season Overview' of the operas to be presented by Lyric next season, and the speaker will be Jack Zimmerman, who was the PR man at the Lyric until his recent retirement. He is also a story teller, and has written several books. It will be held at First Congregational Church house at 1417 Hinman Avenue in Evanston. The cost is $10.00 for members and $15.00 for guests.
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Increasing the Minimum Wage: A Panel Discussion
The Democratic Party of Evanston will be hosting this event at the Evanston Public Library on Tuesday, September 30th from 7 - 8:30 p.m. Whether to increase the minimum wage, and by how much, is an issue at the heart of the Illinois gubernatorial campaign as well as the lives of Illinois citizens and businesses. The Democratic Party of Evanston has organized a panel discussion presenting several perspectives on this critical issue. Moderated by Emily E. LB. Twarog, PhD, Assistant Professor at the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign School of Labor and Employment Relations, the panelists include:
- John Bouman, President of the Shriver National Center on Poverty Law
- Elaine Kemna-Irish, Executive Director of the Evanston Chamber of Commerce
- Adam Olson, Regional Advocacy Director of Oxfam America.
- Laura Fine, Illinois State Representative, 17th District
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Moms of Multiples Semi-Annual Children's Resale will be held on Saturday, September 27 from 9 a.m. to Noon at the Unitarian Church of Evanston (1330 Ridge Avenue). Shop a huge selection of gently used children's clothing (NB-6+), toys, books, shoes, baby gear, maternity clothing, Halloween costumes and more! Admission is $1. Cash only sale. For questions or more information visit www.momsofmultiples.org/resale.
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Fierce Conversations at The Nicholas Center
The Nicholas Center at the Episcopal Diocese of Chicago is pleased to offer Fierce Conversations trainings in September and October. These workshops will provide sixteen hours of experiential training on how to have more productive conversations. The skills learned will be immediately applicable to one's personal and professional life. As accredited providers for Fierce, Inc. in the Episcopal Church, the faculty of the Nicholas Center have provided Fierce training in a variety of church and diocesan contexts.
Space is still available in the October 13 - 16 training. Discounts are available for local attendees who opt not to stay at The Nicholas Center, and scholarships are available as needed. Register here: http://bit.ly/FIERCE_Chicago. For more information contact Megan Krings at [email protected].
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Analyzing Systemic Racism Training
October 16 - 18 at Lutheran School of Theology
The Episcopal Diocese of Chicago's Anti-Racism Commission and the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America Metro Chicago Synod's Anti-Racism Team are co-sponsors of Analyzing Systemic Racism Training, presented by Crossroads Anti-Racism Organizing and Training.
The 2� day workshop explores the historical development of racism in the U.S.; how racism is perpetuated in institutions and how it continues to manifest itself in our culture; and how racism affects both people of color and white people. Anyone who is open to learning about these facets of historical and institutional racism is welcome to attend.
More details on the schedule, registration and fees can be found here. The registration deadline is Monday, October 13. For more information contact Anti-Racism Commission members Gary Cox (773.434.9783) or Miguel Briones (630.502.0051).
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Keeping God's People Safe Training
The Diocese of Chicago is committed to doing everything in its power to maintain a safe and supportive atmosphere for the children and adults who are members of its congregations, attend its programs or participate in its ministries. To foster a secure environment, we have developed Keeping God's People Safe, a two-level workshop training program that sensitizes all of those who work with children in our church to the dangers of child sexual abuse and teaches them to recognize and prevent situations in which abuse or exploitation might occur.
Several St. Mark's staff members and Sunday school volunteers will be attending training on Saturday, September 27 at Trinity Episcopal Church in Highland Park. If you would like to attend, please contact Pastor Debra at 847-732-9564 or [email protected]. This training is required for all who work with children and is highly recommended for everyone - especially parents.
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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, Marc and Louise Beem, 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, Darrell Huddleston, Kinzie Hughes, Katie Iles, Yvonne Johns, Leo, Alison King, OJ Mabwa, Mary Joyce Menzies, The Nacey Family, Mike Nee, Pam Oshlo, Maureen Puleo, Eli Ransdell, Revaldo, family and friends of Martin Shur, Ean and Neale Smith, Mark and Karen Terrace, Tim and his family, Carlo Trovato, Blanca White, Jorkyn White, Jill Vannattam.
We pray for those who have died: Gregory A. Terrace, cousin of Andrea Nowack and Mary Nowack
We pray for the people in: the Diocese of Southeast Mexico and in the Diocese of Renk.
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Stay Connected
 
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