This Week at St. Mark's         April 21, 2016
Going Where the Youth Are: Being Church
On Sunday, we were reminded that the Church is wherever God's people are gathered and that oftentimes are youth are not at St. Mark's - the building - because they are involved in so many extra-curricular activities. Imagine the positive message we might share with our young people by Being Church where they are - at the ice rink, on the baseball diamond, at the debate club, at their concert. To make it easier for us to do this, we will include a regular feature in our weekly newsletter called "Going Where the Youth Are." I encourage you to show up and cheer for our young people. I encourage you to Be Church Where the Youth Are! Take pictures, congratulate often, and remind our young people that they too are Being the Church wherever they are! Parents and grandparents, if you have upcoming events to share about your young person(s), please e-mail Pastor Debra at rector@stmarksevanston.org.
 
Friday, April 22
  • Jack and Austin: water polo tournament, Glenbrook South, 5:55 p.m.
Saturday, April 23
  • Jack: water polo tournament, Glenbrook South, 9:40 a.m. and 11:20 a.m.
  • Austin: Central Baker Qualifying Regatta, Chicago Yacht Club, Belmont Harbor, begins at 9:30 a.m.
Friday, April 29
  • Jack and Austin: water polo tournament, Niles West High School, time TBA
Saturday, April 30
  • Neena: Robert Crown Spring Ice Show, Robert Crown Center, 2:30 p.m. Tickets are $10 for reserved seating and $9 for general admission. Tickets may be purchased online or by calling 847-448-8258, or at the door.
Sunday, May 1 
  • Neena: Robert Crown Spring Ice Show, Robert Crown Center, 2:30 p.m. See April 30 for more details.
  • Asher, Eva: Piano Recital, St. Mark's Episcopal Church, Sanctuary, 3 p.m.
Thursday, May 5
  • Kate S.: Orchestra Concert, Nichols Middle School Auditorium at 7 p.m.
Saturday, May 7
  • Austin and Jack: MISSA Baker Qualifying Regatta, Lake Forest Rec Center, time TBA
Friday, May 13
  • Kate S.: Foster Dance Company Spring Performance: Dance Forward, Regina Dominican High School Auditorium, 2 p.m. and 7:30 p.m.
Saturday, May 14
  • Austin: May Madness Regatta, Pewaukee Yacht Club, WI, time TBA
Saturday, June 4
  • Dance Center Evanston Recital 2016, North Shore Center for the Performing Arts, 4:00 p.m. (Asher); 6:30 p.m. (Abigail). Tickets are $16 - $18 adults / $14 - $16 children and are available at NSCPAS Box Office beginning at Noon on April 30th.
Sunday, June 5
  • Dance Center Evanston Recital 2016, North Shore Center for the Performing Arts, 1:00 p.m. (Elsa); 6:30 p.m. (Abigail - but, note, Abigail says she'll be dancing more on Saturday then on Sunday!). See June 4 for ticket information.
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." 
Feast of St. Mark
On Sunday (April 24), we celebrate the Feast of St. Mark. What does this mean?
  • Show your St. Mark's pride by wearing red and/or wearing a St. Mark's t-shirt.
  • Find out who the Lion of the Year is at the 10:30 a.m. service
  • Eat lion cake during coffee hour (after both services)

Almighty God, by the hand of Mark the evangelist you have given to your Church the Gospel of Jesus Christ the Son of God: We thank you for this witness, and pray that we may be firmly grounded in its truth; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God for ever and ever. Amen. 

This Sunday's Lay Ministers- Thank you to these parishioners for sharing their time and talent with the congregation this week. If you would like to be involved, contact Pastor Debra at rector@stmarksevanston.org. 
  • Altar Guild: Tony Campise, Beth Johnson
  • Flower Guild: Dorothy Laudati
  • Children's Formation: Pat Acha, Tyler Maegawa-Goeser, Anne Heinz, Julia Ferguson, Lori Goede, John Lucadamo, Chad Goeser, Deane Johnson
  • Ushers: John Fitts, Alison Walsh, Rich Forst, Tacia Johnson
  • Acolytes: Kate Johnson, Betsy Johnson, Tyler Maegawa-Goeser
  • Lectors: Carol Martin, Edie Molumby
  • Eucharistic Ministers: Betsy Johnson, Lisa Montgomery, Carol Martin, Ted Richardson
  • Eucharistic Visitor: Ric Ashley
  • Vestry Person of the Day: Luke Urbanowski, Beth Johnson
  • Coffee Hour Snacks: S-Z 
Hand Bell Choir:  The Ringing Continues! St. Mark's hand bell choir rehearses under the direction of David Plank on Sundays from noon until 12:30. Pack a lunch - or fill up in coffee hour - and join us in the balcony. New ringers are welcome to join us! For more information or questions, contact David at music@stmarksevanston.org
 
Sing to the Lord a New Song: An Invitation to Sing in St. Mark's Choir-  All teens and adults are invited to join St. Mark's Choir. People from all musical backgrounds and levels of experience are welcome! Rehearsals take place every Thursday evening from 7:30-9:00 in the choir room. Please contact David Plank at music@stmarksevanston.org if you have any questions.
The Feast of St. Mark
Isaiah 52:7-10; Ephesians 4:7-8, 11-16; Mark 16:15-20

"I myself have set my king upon my holy hill of Zion."  Psalm 2:6
In This Issue:
Calendar
Thursday, April 21
10: 30 a.m.
Holy Eucharist, Presbyterian Homes

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

Saturday, April 23
10:30 a.m.
A Celebration of Life: Walter Clarkson, Sanctuary

Sunday, April 24
8:00 a.m.
Holy Eucharist, Lady Chapel

9:30 a.m.
Children's and Adult Formation, Classrooms and Bethlehem Chapel

10:30 a.m.
Holy Eucharist, Sanctuary

12 noon
Handbell Choir Rehearsal, Loft

Monday, April 25
Community Conversation: Young People and the Criminal Justice System, Curt's Cafe

Tuesday, April 26
11:00 a.m.
A Celebration of Life: Mary S. Hair, Sanctuary

6:00 p.m.
Lunch packing, Cunningham Hall

Wednesday, April 27
6:45 a.m.
AA meeting, Bethlehem Chapel

11:00 a.m.
Midweek Sack Lunch, Cunningham Hall

6:00 p.m.
4 Church Worship & Picnic Planning meeting, St. Matthew's
Birthdays
April 5
Sandra Howard

April 6
Elizabeth McElhatton

April 7
Ellen Bergman

April 9
Caroline Frowe
Dan Whitmore

April 10
Bob Barr

April 11
Kendra Johnson
Holly Yanaga

April 16
Jeremy Greene

April 18
Samuel Najem

April 20
Owen Baker

April 21
David Plank

April 23
Timothy Himrod
Rudy Burke

April 25
Anna Holladay

April 28
Holly Benz
Richard Brooks
Anniversaries
April 10
Clark & Nasim Alexander

April 19
Elizabeth & Gary McElhatton

April 26
Michael Schoen & Nathan Waller

April 30
Blair and Dr. Melind Lele
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.
The Quality of Mercy Project-  We have the opportunity as a faith community to participate in a community effort on behalf of the Piven Theatre. The Quality of Mercy project is a 3-month community programming initiative which invites us to discuss the complex issues arising from the play Dead Man Walking. These include forgiveness, compassion, the death penalty, mass incarceration, racial inequity, and social justice, among others. Based on the book by Sister Helen Prejean, Piven Theatre's production of Dead Man Walking tells the story of Sister Prejean's journey through our system of capital punishment.
Visit www.piventheatre.org/deadmanwalking for a full schedule of community events.
Here are ways you can participate with us:
  • Adult forum at St. Mark's on restorative justice on Sunday, April 24 from 9:30-10:15.
  • Attend a panel conversation at Curt's Cafe on Monday, April 25 at 6:00 pm. This panel will be centered on the stories of young people and how their lives have been impacted by the criminal justice system. 
Following the Way to the Font and Beyond: Baptism, Confirmation and Reception Prep

Pentecost (Sunday, May 15) is a great day for baptisms.  And, on Saturday, June 11, the Bishop will be worshiping with us at 3:30 p.m. for confirmation and reaffirmation of baptismal vows.  

If this is the moment for you or your household to become intentional about following the way of Christ, this small group is for you. If you are ready to make common cause with other disciples of Jesus, this small group is for you. If this is the moment for you to deepen your relationship with the risen Christ, this small group is for you. The journey may lead to baptism (your own or that of your child), the journey may lead to confirmation or a reaffirmation of faith, the journey may lead you to asking more questions. Wherever the journey takes you, we will walk the path with you. If you would like to participate in this small group, please contact Pastor Debra at  rector@stmarksevanston.org .  Every effort will be made to find a time that works for all who are interested.
ECW (Episcopal Church Women) Annual Meeting- On Saturday April 23, 2016 at Saint John the Evangelist in Flossmoor,  Mary Fran Crist will present a two-part workshop on adult bullying:  "Bullying: it even happens in our churches". The day will include the annual meeting, lunch and a worship service. For questions or to reserve your place please contact Dorothy Laudati at daalaudati@gmail.com. We will carpool to the event. 
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.

Stand Against Racism on April 29 All who are available on Friday, April 29 from 12:30-12:55 pm are encouraged to come to St. Mark's so that we can embody our commitment to Stand Against Racism. The Stand, organized by the YWCA, makes visible the broad range of people in this community who are committed to working towards eliminating racism. Since the Stand will take place on Ridge Ave., we at St. Mark's have prime real estate! Please make every effort to stand with us. Contact Anna Holladay, Community Engagement Director, with any questions at community@stmarksevanston.org. 

Midweek Lunch: Come and join us! There are two weekly opportunities to serve our neighbors who struggle with hunger and homelessness. Every Tuesday from 6:00-6:30 pm, lunches are packed in the kitchen here at St. Mark's, and every Wednesday lunch is served at 11 am. On Wednesday, volunteers are asked to arrive by 10:30 am and stay until 1 pm. 
 
Lunch packing and serving is a great way to get to know members of your church family and meet others from St. Matthew's, our partner in this ministry. Please join us as we joyfully build a deeper sense of community both within our church and more broadly in Evanston. You can make this commitment to fit your schedule: weekly, monthly, or every once in a while! Do you have summers off from school or work? Start thinking about ways you can plug in to this ongoing program. 

Our Midweek Lunch Ministry is growing! We have started a partnership with the King Home on Oak Ave. On the first Tuesday of every month, King Home residents will be making the sandwiches in their lounge. Volunteers are needed at the usual time, 6 pm, to transport lunch packing materials over to the King Home and provide assistance to the residents while they make sandwiches. 

To sign-up, please click these links:
Questions? Contact Anna Holladay, Community Engagement Director, at
community@stmarksevanston.org with any questions.
Fellowship
4 Church Picnic Planning
Do you love a good picnic? Do you enjoy games at the park? If so, join with clergy and lay people from St. Andrew's Pentecost, St. Luke's, St. Mark's and St. Matthew's on Wednesday, April 27 at 6 p.m. at St. Matthew's, 2120 Lincoln St., Evanston for a planning meeting. This year's picnic will take place on Sunday, August 14. . . but, to make it all that it can be, we need you to help with planning now! If you are interested in being part of this team, please let Pastor Debra know. 847-732-9564, rector@stmarksevanston.org.

Lifetouch Photo Directory this spring- On May 6th, 7th, and 10th, Lifetouch will behere taking portraits for our very own St. Mark's photo directory! You will receive a call on March 24th with information about how to sign up for a photo session. Everyone who participates will be included in a PDF photo directory and will receive a free 8.5x11 print photo. You will also have the option of purchasing more print photos for personal use. Click here or click the blue image below to schedule your appointment. 

We also need volunteers to help greet people during the photo sessions! Contact Natalie Greene, our Office Manager, with to volunteer or with questions at (847) 864-4806 or  office@stmarksevanston.org
Fifth Saturday Men's Breakfast-  The St. Mark's Men's Group will meet for breakfast on April 30th at 7:30 AM at Walker Bros. on Green Bay Road. We would like for this meeting to be a tribute to the memory of long-time member Walter Clarkson, so check your memory banks for your best Walter stories. Questions? Call Bruce Gaede at 847-274-0541.
Other Announcements
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. Also, find us on Facebook and follow us on Twitter @StMarkEvanston! 
In the Diocese
St. Augustine College will hold its annual "El Puente Awards Gala" on April 28, 2016, 6 pm at the Aragon Ballroom, 1106 W. Lawrence Ave., Chicago. 
This year, The Rt. Rev. James W. Montgomery, Episcopal Bishop of Chicago (Retired), has been selected to receive the "El Puente Achievement Award".  The Hon. Heather Steans, Illinois State Senator, will also be honored for championing St. Augustine's mission to provide access to higher education to the communities we serve. 

We invite you to join us in honoring Bishop Montgomery as a sponsor or through table/ticket purchases . Attached is an invitation, which includes information on various levels of support. The funds raised at this event will go toward scholarships for students in financial need, which will make it possible for them to attain a college degree and to find success through education.  Most of the students at St. Augustine are from low income households and the first in their family to attend college. Single tickets are $175 and tables are $1,750. St. Augustine College is a 501(c)(3) organization. Your contribution is tax deductible to the extent allowed by law.

Please contact Gail Lawler (773-878 -3694 or glawler@staugustine.edu ) about tickets, tables, donations, sponsorships or with any questions.
Bexley Seabury Seminary Lead Change training June 2016-  Congregations...church organizations...judicatories. All need strong clergy and lay leaders to make a difference. Our sixth annual Bexley Seabury Leadership Institute will help leaders at all levels become more confident and more effective. 

Participants will interact and collaborate with one another and with faculty from Bexley Seabury and the Kellogg School Center for Nonprofit Management at Northwestern University.  Through lectures, interactive exercises and dialogue, participants will b uild skills for effective leadership, g ain a deeper understanding of complex cultural change, and l earn strategies to make your faith community more vital. Click here to apply online by May 2.
Contemplative Leadership Retreat: May 16-19- In this retreat, we will explore a way of being contemplative that can be practiced both in solitude and action. Often called "mindfulness," a contemplative awareness can transform both how we feel and how we effect others as we go through the day. As leaders in ministry, this gives us the opportunity to bring perspective, patience, compassion, and faith to bear even in the most demanding situations. And this has the potential to transform the community we serve, so that together we might experience and build up what Jesus called "the kingdom of God." Register online
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.

Ten Thousand Villages Rug Sale-  Ten Thousand Villages, Evanston fair trade rug event returns this year from  April 21-25.  For just a few days, Ten Thousand Villages will be home to more than 300 high quality hand-knotted Pakistani rugs.  In addition, today  we will have an Intro to Rug Evening  at 7 pm . The event is free but please RSVP online or by calling (847) 733-8258. 

The Unitarian Church of Evanston presents a spectacular concert on Saturday, May 21, 2016, 7:30 p.m. at 1330 Ridge Ave. featuring Howard Levy with Kalyan Pathak, Larry Gray and Jean Christophe Leroy. Howard Levy's Musical Worlds concert will include World Music, Afro-Cuban sacred chants, Vedic and Jewish traditions, as well as the music of Bach, original compositions, blues and some free Jazz improvisation - a truly eclectic program. A variety of instruments will be played from the west, Africa, India and Asia.  Tickets are $30. For more information or tickets contact  uce@ucevanston.org  or (847) 864-1330.
Kantorei, the Singing Boys of Rockford-  St. John Brebeuf will host the Singing Boys of Rockford on Sunday, April 24th at 3 p.m. for a free concert. Come hear this special group of talented young people at 8307 N. Harlem in Niles. For more information, call (847) 966-8145 or visit kantoreirockford.com. 

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. 

Evanston Sings: A Community Choir- Do you like to sing? Perhaps only in the car or shower? There is a community choir that would benefit from your voice!  Every Saturday, the Evanston Sings choir rehearses at Friendship Baptist Church (2201 Foster St.) at 3 pm. Although rehearsals have already begun, people are more than welcome to join and catch up on the music (gospel and old spirituals). This choir has gathered for the purpose of having a concert on Friday, June 17. All ticket sales from the concert will go to benefit the Mayor's Summer Youth Employment Program. Contact Anna Holladay, Community Engagement Director, with any questions at

Evanston Creative Writing Group- Do you like to write?  Do you like to be creative but find it challenging sometimes to put yourself on the page?  Do you enjoy receiving challenging prompts that spur your creativity?  The Evanston Creative Writing group is a creative prompt group designed to get you on the page and start the creative juices flowing.  Each meeting one member will act as the Prompt Master, offering a writing prompt like a picture, a first line, an object, or even a single word.  From these prompts members will write for fifteen to twenty minutes, creating a unique and original story, or perhaps creating something that will be the start of something bigger.  Please note that this is not a critique group.  We offer positive comments on what our authors create, understanding that the writing generated within our group is rough or "first-draft".  We accept all members, from those who are serious about writing to those who use the time offered to blow off some creative steam.  We meet on the 2nd and 4th Wednesday of the month in the library at St. Mark's. For more information visit us online here
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, ChicagoECD@yahoo.com.
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 rector@stmarksevanston.org

We bid your prayers for:   Helen Baker, Astley Bent, Veronica Braithwaite, John Burnham, Karen Cornelius, Bob and Rachel Easton, Lynn Erickson, Hal Griffith, Charlie and Judy Kopp, Grace Lettner, Kathy Lettner, Ayden Lettner, Ann Lettner, Ted Loda, George Mitchell, Jake Morris, Mary O'Dowd, Jan and Jeri Offutt, Sarah Sutcliffe, Casmir Szczepaniak, Char Wiss, Ronnie Witt IV, Carol Albertson, Betty Augustinos, Carol Beatty, Margaret Beatty, Susan, Michael, Julia and Jack Brierton, Corinne, Paul, Steven Clarkson and their families, David Cresap, Janice Dillman, Cynthia Garrels, Janet Gurniak, Mary Hair Graham, Nancy Hair, Dennis Johnson, OJ Mabwa, Ahmed Mahmoud, Pat Martin, Carl & Lindy Messier, Noanie O'Brien, Helen Snow, Tim and his family, Richard Walsh, Miriam, Christopher and Jonathan Witmer.

We pray for those who have died:   Walter B. Clarkson , St. Mark's parishioner; Mary Hair;  Ron Hunter, friend of Mike and Tacia Johnson.
 
We pray for the people in:   the Diocese of Southeast Mexico and the Diocese of Renk.
St. Mark's Episcopal Church | 847-864-4806 | office@stmarksevanston.org |   http://www.stmarksevanston.org
1509 Ridge Avenue
Evanston, IL 60201