Waiting with Patience
"I cannot do anything to hasten Christ's return. But I can learn by practicing what it looks like to wait with patience," writes the Rev. Nurya Love Parish in her contribution to "Living Well Through Advent 2015:  Practicing Patience with All Your Heart, Soul, Strength and Mind." 
 
"The Israelites waited thousands of years for the promised Messiah. Not until John the Baptist did anyone announce his arrival, generations after he was proclaimed," she writes. "And now, together, we wait with patience for the day of Christ."
 
Love Parish joined the Rt. Rev. Steven Charleston, the Rt. Rev. Porter Taylor, and the Rev. Tom Purdy in contributing Sunday meditations to this booklet that encourages us to practice patience. The Rev. Dr. Scott Stoner, Living Compass co-founder, wrote the meditations for weekdays.
 
"I believe that one of the core components of living a life of  wellness and wholeness is learning to delay gratification," writes Stoner in the booklet's introduction. "In a culture that glorifies immediate gratification, learning to wait is counter-cultural."
 
St. Mark's will have copies of this Advent Meditation booklet from Living Compass available beginning this Sunday, November 22.  Be sure to pick yours up!
Worship
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." 
Thanksgiving Eve Service at St. Mark's
The Rev. Bret Lortie
The 17th Annual Interfaith Action of Evanston Thanksgiving Eve Service will take place at 7 p.m. at St. Mark's on Wednesday, November 25. The Keynote Speaker will be The Rev. Bret Lortie.  The Rev. Bret Lortie is senior minister of the Unitarian Church of Evanston, Illinois, and a chaplain and search and rescue pilot with the Civil Air Patrol. An Interfaith Choir will be led by St. Mark's very own David C. Plank, Associate for Music Ministries.  If you want to sing with the Interfaith Choir - and we hope you do - please send an email to [email protected].  A free-will offering will be collected to benefit Interfaith Action of Evanston. 
Worship on Thanksgiving Day
 In our ongoing rotation for Thanksgiving Day worship, this year's Thanksgiving Day Eucharist will take place on Thursday, November 26 at 10 a.m. at St. Luke's Episcopal Church, 939 Hinman Avenue, Evanston.
Name Tags
Please take a moment on Sunday mornings to find and wear your name tag. They are located at the back of the Lady Chapel and at the back of the sanctuary . Wearing name tags is a great way help those of us with horrible memories and to help those who might be worshiping at St. Mark's for the first time. If you do not find a tag with your name on it, please use the paper on the center table in the Parlor and make a note that says "I need a name tag" and put your name on it. The next Sunday your name tag will be at the back of the church waiting for you.  Thank you.    
This Sunday's Lay Ministers
Thank you to the following parishioners for sharing their time and talent with the congregation this week. If you would like to become involved, please contact Pastor Debra at [email protected] . 
  • Altar Guild: Dorothy Laudati
  • Flower Guild: Dorothy Laudati
  • Acolytes: Leela Gaede, Patrick Nee, Bruce Gaede
  • Lectors: Anne Heinz, Carol Martin
  • Eucharistic Ministers: Alison Walsh, Ted Richardson
  • Eucharistic Visitor: Milner Seifert
  • Ushers: John Fitts, Alison Walsh, Rich Forst, Tacia Johnson
  • Vestry Persons of the Day: Motoko Maegawa, Ted Richardson
  • Coffee Hour Snacks: Last Names beginning with O-Z
  • Sunday School Teachers / Assistants:  Patty Acha, Tyler Maegawa-Goeser (ages 3 - 5), Anne Heinz, Shannon Najem & Luke Urbanowski (ages 6 - 8), Lori Goede, Rima Lockwood (ages 9 - 11), Chad Goeser, Deane Johnson (ages 12 -14)
Hand Bell Choir
The Ringing Continues! - St. Mark's hand bell choir rehearses most Sundays from noon until 12:30 under the direction of David Plank. New ringers are welcome to join at any time! For more information or questions, contact David at [email protected]  
Chapel and Sanctuary Flowers
If you would like to honor or remember a loved one by dedicating altar flowers to them, a flower chart is available in the Parlor for Sundays through September 2016. The minimum suggested donation for one week is $25. Instructions for completing the form and envelopes for payment are next to the chart. Monies received are used for altar flowers and for landscaping around the church.
Formation
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 life of continuous learning. Following are some upcoming opportunities for your journey in faith.
Christmas Pageant
Calling all young people - toddlers through high school! It's time for us to prepare St. Mark's Christmas Pageant. This year we will begin rehearsals on Sunday mornings from 9:30 - 10:15 a.m. on November 29, December 6, 13, 20.  A final dress rehearsal will take place on Wednesday, December 23 at 3 p.m. and the pageant will be part of our Christmas Eve worship on Thursday, December 24 at 4 p.m.  David Plank and Pastor Debra hope that all of the young people at St. Mark's - and their friends - will take part.  Please e-mail Pastor Debra at [email protected] to let us know if your child will be part of this year's pageant.  If you are not going to be at worship on Thursday, December 24, we still invite and encourage your young person to join in the preparations.  If you would like to help with costuming, please contact Patty Acha at [email protected].
Waiting and Refreshment Wednesdays
Each Wednesday from 7 - 9 p.m. until Christmas, St. Mark's will open its doors for "Waiting and Refreshment Wednesdays." On these evenings the sanctuary will be open for quiet meditation, rooms will be set aside for book reading or crafting or playing non-electronic board games - things that in our hurry to "get one more thing done" often get set aside when, in fact, we might be better served when the world around us says DO MORE to make more time to DO LESS. We hope you will join us. Just come and be. Don't do. Don't come because you 'have to' or because you 'ought to' but because you want to in order to refresh yourself in response to the culture around you. Our hope is that with the expanded season of Advent, we may come to the celebration of Bethlehem with a clearer understanding of why we are embarking once again on the annual pilgrimage of the liturgical year.
MIQRA (meek-rah)
This weekend retreat for all youth in Grades 6 - 12 will take place January 16 - 18 at Grace Episcopal Church in Oak Park.  The focus will be on the Bible - what's in it, why we should care, and how we should read it. During the retreat, the entire Bible from Genesis to Revelation is read aloud in 72 hours! The reading is voluntary and participants take turns reading in shifts around the clock. In addition, MIQRA participants play wacky games, watch a movie, worship with fun and lively music. Participants will attend engaging workshops on various biblical topics and hear clergy speak about the Bible. Those who attend will also meet with a small group several times to make friends and talk about what they're discovering about the Bible through the event. To learn more and to register, click here.
Social Justice & Outreach Opportunities

St. Mark's continues its commitment to our community through its many social justice and outreach activities. Following are ways in which you can get involved with the St. Mark's community in helping to create a better world.
Interfaith Action of Evanston Advocacy Appeal
In addition to providing direct services to our neighbors who are hungry and/or homeless, Interfaith Action of Evanston - of which St. Mark's is a member - has as part of its mission to be advocates for those we serve.  We have an opportunity to do just that right now.  The City of Evanston has an Inclusionary Housing Ordinance that has been in effect for a number of years but which has been largely ineffective.  Since that time, an amendment has been written and is now waiting for action with City Council.  This amendment has been in the works since at least October 2014 and has been pushed back, revised, reworked, and pushed back again and again. The time to act is now.  The amendments will next be heard on Monday, November 23 at the regular City Council Meeting (immediately after the Planning and Development Committee).  We are asking you to help us flood the room with supporters to show the alderpersons that the residents of Evanston want inclusionary housing in our community.  If you are able to help, here is what we are inviting you to do:
  • Contact your alderperson and tell them to vote in favor of the amendments.  If you do interact with your alderperson please let Pastor Debra know the outcome.  If you would like a fact-sheet and/or some talking points, please e-mail Pastor Debra at [email protected] and they will be sent to you.
  • If you are able, please attend the council meeting on November 23.  Please bring family, friends, and neighbors.  Plan to arrive around 7 p.m.  The meeting will likely start between 7 and 7:30 p.m.  
3rd Sunday of Advent: 2 Samuel 23:1-7; Revelation 1:4b-8; John 18:33-37

"Arise, O Lord, into your resting place, you and the ark of your strength." -Psalm 132:8
In This Issue:
Calendar
  Thursday, Nov 19   
10:30 a.m.
Holy Eucharist, Presbyterian Homes

7:30 p.m.
 Choir Rehearsal, Choir Room

Friday, Nov 20 
All Day
Diocesan Convention, Lombard

Saturday, Nov 21
All Day
Diocesan Convention, Lombard

10:00 a.m.
Tai Chi Chuan,
Cunningham Hall

12:30 p.m. 
Buddhist Meditation, Spirituality Center
Sunday, Nov 22
8:00 a.m. 
Holy Eucharist,
Lady Chapel

9:30 a.m. 
Children's Formation,
Classrooms 
 
10:30 a.m.
Holy Eucharist,   
Sanctuary

12 noon
Handbell Choir Rehearsal,
Loft

Tuesday, Nov 24
6:00 p.m. 
Midweek Lunch Packing, Kitchen  

7:30 p.m.
Choir Rehearsal, Choir Room
 
Wednesday, Nov  25   
11:00 a.m. 
Midweek Sack Lunch, Cunningham Hall
 
7:00 p.m.
Interfaith Thanksgiving Service, Sanctuary

8:00 p.m.
Evanston English Country Dancing,
Cunningham Hall 

Thursday, Nov 26
Office Closed,  All Day

Happy Thanksgiving!
Birthdays
November 2
Aina Gutierrez

November 3
Donald Lindstrom
Judy Kopp

November 8
Elizabeth Furlong

November 9
Betsy Sagan

November 11
Ovaldo Buntin

November 12
Janet Mack

November 13
Debbie Nee
Compton Page Chase-Lansdale

November 18
Tori Gallegos

November 20
Jane McCarron

November 21
Ruth Duck
Cath Carpenter

November 25
Mickey Loewenstein

November 27
Nia Himrod

November 28
Dorothy Laudati
Katie Gallegos
Anniversaries
November 8
David & Shannon Najem

November 11
Phyllis Lyons & Manel Valdes-Cruz

November 23
Donald & Bonnie Lindstrom
Christmas Baskets for ReVive
It is time once again to purchase Christmas gifts for the ReVive Christmas Basket program. Detailed information about individuals and families you can shop for are available in the parlor. Or, for more information you can contact Dave Himrod at 847-864-7815 or Anna Holladay at 847-864-4806
community@stmarksevanston,org . All gifts must be returned to St. Mark's no later than Sunday, November 29th. Thanks for considering sponsoring this year!
Lunch Packing Volunteers Needed
Come spend a Tuesday evening packing sandwiches for our neighbors in need. We pack lunches on Tuesday nights at St. Mark's from 6:00-7:00 PM. We also need volunteers to serve lunch on Wednesdays. Volunteers to serve Wednesday lunch are asked to arrive by 10:45 a.m. and stay until 1:00 p.m.  To sign-up or for more information contact Anna Holladay, Community Engagement Director at
[email protected] or click the links below:
Fellowship
Coffee Hour Change
Each Sunday after worship we enjoy snacks together in the Parlor because all of us pitch in and bring treats to share.  Lately we've noticed that some weeks are more "abundant" than others.  As a result of this observation and the availability of a new parish directory, we realized it is time to update our break down of who brings what, when. . . so, beginning on the first Sunday of December, here is the new breakdown:
-        1st Sunday of the month: Last Names beginning with A - F
-        2nd Sunday: Last Names beginning with G - L
-        3rd Sunday: Last Names beginning with M - R
-        4th Sunday: Last Names beginning with S - Z
-        5th Sunday: Everybody!
How much should you bring?  Consider bringing enough for about a dozen people (those of you who worship at 8 a.m. feel free to scale down!).  It would also be helpful to have a "reminder person" for each week - someone who can simply send an e-mail to their section of the alphabet to say, "Hey, it's our week to bring snacks on Sunday!" If that is a ministry you'd be willing to take on, please send an e-mail to Natalie in the office at [email protected] and we'll get you set up with an e-mail list and have you ready to go in no time!  
SMAC (St. Mark's Adventurous Christians - a.k.a., Youth Group)
Join us at St. Mark's on Tuesday evening at 6 p.m. to help pack lunches for our hungry neighbors.  We'll meet in the kitchen!  Afterwards, we'll head on downstairs to the SMAC Room for some games and dinner for ourselves.  Parents, please pick up your young person at 8 p.m.   
Movie Night  
Mark your calendars for Saturday, December 5 from 7-9 pm, because St.Mark's will be hosting a free community movie night! Take a break from the busy holiday season and enjoy a free showing of the movie "Elf" while snacking on complimentary popcorn! This event has the purpose of welcoming our neighbors in for a fun night of fellowship, so feel free to spread the word around town. If you would like to volunteer, contact Anna Holladay, Community Engagement Director, at [email protected] or sign up here.
Other Announcements
The All-Schubert Concert to Benefit St. Mark's Organ Fund
will be presented on Saturday evening December 12th at 7:00 p.m. in the sanctuary. Andrew Schultze, bass baritone, accompanied by pianist David Plank, will perform works by the eminent Viennese master including selections from the song cycles: Die schöne Müllerin, Winterreise, and Schwanengesang, as well as five of Schubert's immortal songs, among them: "An die Musik", "Die Forelle", and "Der Erlkönig". Arias from three of Schubert's rarely performed operas will also be heard!  A free-will offering to benefit the St. Mark's Organ Fund will be received (suggested donation: $20). 
New Office Hours
Starting this week, St. Mark's office will be open on Mondays and Thursdays from 8:30-4:30 and on Wednesdays from 8:30-1. 
New Parish Directory 
A current Parish Directory is available in the Parlor. If you would like a copy, help yourself. Thank you for helping us stay in touch with one another!
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. St. Mark's website has up-to-da te information on all that's new at St. Mark's - including a current calendar of events - check it out at  www.stmarksevanston.org .  Also, we are on Facebook and Twitter! Find us at http://www.facebook.com/StMarkEvanston and follow us @StMarkEvanston.  
In The Community

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.
Locked Down, Locked Out
Meet the author, Maya Schenwar, on Sunday, November 22 at 12:30 p.m. at Unitarian Church of Evanston, 1330 Ridge Avenue. The book looks at how prison tears families and communities apart, creating a ripple effect that touches every corner of our society. Schenwar shows how the institution that locks up 2.3 million Americans - and decimates poor communities of color - is shredding the ties that, if nurtured, could foster real collective safety. For more information, call 847-864-1330 or visit www.ucevanston.org. 
Northwestern Community Ensemble fall gospel concert
This Sunday, November 22nd at 7 p.m. the Northwestern Community Ensemble will perform their 45th annual fall gospel concert at Cahn Auditorium, 600 Emerson St. in Evanston. Come join in worship with the theme of Forever In Praise! Please RSVP here.
3rd Annual Do-It-Yourself Handel's Messiah
On Tuesday, December 1st at 7 p.m. the Niles Metropolitan Chorus and the Musica Lumina Orchestra present a free do-it-yourself Handel's Messiah at St. John Brebeuf Church, 8307 N. Harlem Ave. in Niles. Join with all the angels and sing! For more information e-mail [email protected] or call 702-806-8421. 
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 (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 per session.  Members range from young adults to octogenarians. You don't have to be a professional (or even a serious) writer to participate. The group meets on the 2nd and 4th Wednesday of each month in the Old Library at St. Mark's. For more information, go to meetup.com/Evanston-Creative-Writing-Group/
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 recognize 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].
Tai Chi Chuan is an ancient Chinese martial art that promotes well-being by circulating the chi of the body through a series of slow, relaxing movements.  The Human Process teaches the Yangstyle short form each Saturday morning at St. Mark's.  Practicing Tai Chi helps replenish energy reserves, improves balance, loosens tight muscles and brings more flexibility to joints and ligaments.  It is a cardiovascular and weight-bearing exercise.  For more information, contact The Human Process at 847-556-6040.  
Are you looking for new ways to have fun? Discover some cool things about yourself? Meet some new people? Relieve stress? Just take a break from the normal routine? Did you answer 'Yes' to one or more of those questions?  If so, you'll probably enjoy attending an InterPlay drop in session.  Interplay meets at St. Mark's a couple of Tuesdays each month from 7:30 - 9 p.m. in Cunningham Hall. Cost is $5 - $15 (sliding scale, you decide). To learn more, visit their website: http://www.meetup.com/InterPlayChicago/about/
Help through the Holidays
Recognizing that Thanksgiving and Christmas can be difficult, especially for those who have recently experienced the death of a loved one, NorthShore Hospice will be holding a free session with "tips for those who grieve in the season of good cheer" on Tuesday, November 17th from 6:30 - 8 p.m. at NorthShore Hospice, 4901 Searle Parkway, Skokie. You are invited to come and learn some helpful ways to cope with the holidays
Soul Mates is an ongoing support group for those who have experienced the death of a spouse or life partner. This free group meets at NorthShore Hospice, 4901 Searle Parkway, Skokie on the 2nd and 4th Tuesday of the month from 6:30 - 8 p.m.
Legacy is an ongoing support group for adults who have experienced the death of a parent. This free group meets at NorthShore Hospice, 4901 Searle Parkway, Skokie on the 1st and 3rd Tuesday of the month from 6:30 - 8 p.m.
Parish Prayer List

If you have loved ones you would liked added to (or removed from) the prayer list at any time, send an email to Pastor Debra at [email protected]. 
We bid your prayers for: H elen Baker, Trish Barr, Tom Bergman, Veronica Braithwaite, John Burnham, Tony Campise and his family, Karen Cornelius, Bob and Rachel Easton, Lynn Erickson, Hal Griffith, Mary Hair, Charlie and Judy Kopp, Grace Lettner, Kathy Lettner, Ayden Lettner, Ann Lettner, Susan Lewis and her family,  Ted Loda, Janet Mack, Carol Martin, Jane McCarron, George Mitchell,  J ake Morris, Mary O'Dowd, Jan and Jeri Offutt, Char Wiss, Carol Albertson, Betty Augustinos, family of Lamart Bailey, family of Cesario Cox, Kim Duffy, David and Janet Gurniak, family of Christy Rae Lennox , Jay and Bonnie Lytle, OJ Mabwa, Ahmed Mahmoud, Carl Messier, Linda Messier, Susan Murrell Castaneda, Leon Robinson , Helen Snow, Tim and his family, Miriam, Christopher and Jonathan Witmer, Jackson Yancy.

We pray for those who have died: Lillian Rice, step-mother of Susan Lewis,  Anthony Campise, father of Tony Campise

We pray for the people in: the Diocese of Southeast Mexico and the Diocese of Renk
St. Mark's Episcopal Church | 847-864-4806 | [email protected] |   http://www.stmarksevanston.org
1509 Ridge Avenue
Evanston, IL 60201