This Week at St. Mark's         October 13, 2016
Schubert's Winterreise Song Cycle
will be performed at St. Mark's on Sunday, October 16 at 3 p.m. featuring Wayne Parham, tenor and St. Mark's parishioner and choir member, Andy Howard, bass-baritone and Dr. Charles Smith, piano. Die Winterreise was one of the last major works of Schubert's brief and intense career. The deeply moving text comes from a set of 24 poems written by the esteemed German lyric poet, Wilhem Müller. Of his poetry, Müller wrote: "I can neither play nor sing, but when I compose my poem I sing all the same and play as well." Schubert's masterfully crafted music, fitted perfectly to the text, is an apotheosis of the song cycle genre. St. Mark's will present this historically significant song cycle to you in its entirety. Suggested donation $15. Proceeds go to St. Mark's Organ and Piano Fund Repair Fund.
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." 
Holy Eucharist with Blessing of the Animals- On Saturday, October 15 at 4 p.m. during our regular 3rd Saturday worship service, we invite everyone with a dog, cat, chicken, guinea pig, hamster, gerbil, fish or other pet critter to bring yourself and your animals to church for a special blessing.  Dog and cat treats will also be available.  Invite your friends and plan to join us!
Hand Bell Choir:   The Ringing Resumes! St. Mark's hand  bell choir rehearses Sundays from noon until 12:30 under the direction of David Plank. New ringers (ages 5 and up) are welcome to join at any time! For more information, contact David at music@stmarksevanston.org

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: Pat Bent, Rachel Easton
  • Flower Guild: Dale Seifert
  • Lector: Anne Heinz, Ted Richardson
  • Ushers: Fred Lewis, Susan Lewis, Lisa Montgomery
  • Lay Eucharistic Ministers: Dorothy Szczepaniak, Abigail Seifert, Eva Sondgeroth
  • Acolytes: Neena Gaede, Eva Sondgeroth, Wesley Urbanowski
  • Coffee Hour Snacks: last names beginning with M-R
  • Vestry Persons of the Day: Ted Richardson, Doug Sondgeroth
Feast of All Saints-  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 6th at worship services at 8 a.m. and 10:30 a.m. We will also use this occasion to renew our baptismal promises. 
 
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 the church office at office@stmarksevanston.org by Sunday, October 30.
 
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 Sundays, October 16, 23, or 30 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.
Fellowship
Jubi-latte & Tea Deum with the Rector-  On Friday, October 14 from 9:30 a.m. - 10:30 a.m. at Cupitol Coffee & Eatery, 812 Grove Street, Evanston, Pastor Debra will be available to treat you to your favorite coffee or tea drink and to enjoy a time of relaxation and fellowship.  No hidden agenda. Just a time to spend time together.  Jubilate is Latin for "Rejoice" and the Te Deum is a Hymn of Praise. . .Thank you to The Rev. Eric Biddy of St. Christopher's Episcopal Church for thinking up this fabulous pun in search of a ministry!
Second Friday Dinner-  On Friday, October 14th, all are invited to join in conversation and good at Bonefish Grill, 9310 Skokie Blvd, Skokie.  This restaurant has a seafood-centric menu and a full bar.  We will meet at 6:00 (15 minutes earlier than the usual time). If you plan to join the group, please rsvp to Dick and Carolyn Brooks at brooksuww@comcast.net  or 847-424-8422. 
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.

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 a.m. On Wednesday volunteers are asked to arrive by 10:00 a.m. and stay until 12:30 p.m. Questions? Contact John Lucadamo at lucadamj@gmail.com. To sign-up to volunteer, please click these links:  
Exploring the Continuum of
Services for the Homeless-Learn about two innovative programs providing housing and program services for homeless people in Evanston on Monday, October 17, 2016 at 7:00pm at Fisher Memorial A.M.E. Zion Church, 944 Elmwood Avenue. Hear presentations by Housing Options'  Catharine Hamrick and Kristen Johanns, and Interfaith Action of Evanston's Birch Burghardt and Sue Murphy.  Questions: Contact Sue Murphy: (847) 475-1150
Stuff the Bus Food Drive:  COPE (Caring Outreach by Parents in Evanston) is holding their Annual Stuff the Bus Food Drive and St. Mark's will serve as the food-sorting site.  Volunteers are needed on Friday, October 14 and Saturday, October 15.  If you are able to help for a 2-hour shift, please click here and sign up! 
 
Overnight Shelter Supervisor and Volunteers Needed: Interfaith Action of Evanston will be opening an overnight shelter this year when the temperature reaches 15 degrees. Six faith communities in the downtown area have agreed to host.  If you are interested in becoming an overnight shelter supervisor, please contact Sue Murphy for a job description and details ( ia@interfaithactionofevanston.org ). If you would like to volunteer one or more nights this winter - as a set-up volunteer (8 pm-9:30 pm), as an overnight volunteer (9 pm-7 am) or as a clean-up volunteer (6 am-7 am), email Sue Murphy for more information and plan to attend a training session at St. Paul's Lutheran Church, 1004 Greenwood Street, Evanston from 7 pm-8:30 pm on any one of the following dates: October 27, November 1, November 7, December 6. St. Mark's is a member of Interfaith Action of Evanston.
Bishop's Ball - Join Pastor Debra and Andrea at the 57th Annual Bishop's Ball on Friday, November 4 from 6 p.m. - Midnight at J.W. Marriott in Chicago (Adams and Wells).  Special guests and honorees include The Rt. Rev. Katharine Jefferts Schori, former Presiding Bishop and The Rev. James Steen, Diocese of Chicago's former Director of Ministries.  If you would like to attend this evening of celebration and fellowship, contact Pastor Debra at rector@stmarksevanston.org .  The cost is $250 / ticket; however, steep discounts are available!  Monies raised go to support Episcopal Charities and Community Services and their 16 ministry partners!
Twenty-Second Sunday after Pentecost
Jeremiah 31:27-34; 2 Timothy 3:14-4:5; Luke 18:1-8

"Oh, how I love your law! all the day long it is in my mind." - Psalm 119:97
In This Issue:
Calendar
Thursday, October 13
7:30 p.m.
Choir Rehearsal, Choir Room

Friday, October 14
9:30 a.m.
Jubi-latte and Tea Deum with the Rector, Cupitol

10:00 a.m.
Stuff the Bus: Grocery Sorting, Bethlehem Chapel

6:00 p.m.
Second Friday Dinner, Bonefish Grill

Saturday, October 15
8:00 a.m.
Stuff the Bus: Loading and Storing, Bethlehem Chapel

4:00 p.m.
AlAnon meeting, Parlor

4:00 p.m.
Third Saturday Worship, Blessing of the Pets, Sanctuary

  Sunday, October 16
8:00 a.m.
Holy Eucharist, Lady Chapel

9:30 a.m.
Children's Formation, Downstairs Classrooms

Choir Rehearsal, Choir Room

10:30 a.m.
Holy Eucharist, Sanctuary

12 noon
Handbell choir rehearsal, Sanctuary

Choir Guild meeting, Old Library

3:00 p.m.
Winterreise (Schubert) concert, Sanctuary

Tuesday, October 18
6:00 p.m.
Lunch packing, Kitchen

Wednesday, October 19
6:45 a.m.
AA meeting, Bethlehem Chapel

11:00 a.m.
Wednesday lunch program, Cunningham Hall

7:00 p.m.
Vestry meeting, Bethlehem Chapel
Birthdays
October 2
Thomas Kirby

October 3
Lily Consiglio

October 4
Margaret Forst
Margaret Sagan

October 5
Sydney Johnson

October 7
Gordon Francis

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 30
Stephen Szczepaniak

October 31
Tacia Johnson
Anniversaries
October 3
Debra Bullock & Andrea Nowack

October 7
Judy & Charlie Kopp

October 11
Bob & Edie Molumby

October 25
Debra & Kevin Nee
Help Build a Hunger-Free World!  On October 23rd, St. Mark's will participate in the North Shore CROP Hunger Walk to raise awareness and funds to help end hunger globally and locally. To sign-up to participate in the Walk and/or to make a donation to our team, visit the CROP table in the parlor during coffee time on Oct. 16th, or click here . Also on Oct.  16th, there will be a "noisy collection" during the 10:30 service, so save  your loose change! Donations will support the global anti-hunger  development initiatives of Church World Service, as well as local anti-hunger programs, including Interfaith Action of Evanston, Second Baptist Food Kitchen, Soup at Six, St. Paul's Soup Kitchen, and Family Promise. On the day of the Walk, we will meet at St. Mark's at 1 PM and then walk to First Congregational Church of Evanston (1445 Hinman Ave.) together to register. The Walk kick-off is at 2 PM. Wear a St. Mark's t-shirt if you have one! Email Katie Kuriyama  ( community@stmarksevanston.org ) with questions.
In the Diocese
Episcopal Men's Retreat- We are happy to announce that the Rev. Gary B. Manning accepted our invitation to serve as our Retreat Leader for the 16th Annual Episcopal Men's Pre-Lenten Retreat in February, 2017. You will experience a rich time of important thoughts and messages alongside opportunities to participate in small-and large-group discussions on issues that are critical to men in our lives and in our faith. We will learn about prayer, meditation, and reflection.  And, we will share fellowship with other men, as all of us seek to respond to Christ's call that we manifest Him in our lives, families,  work and worship.  Registration sheets are to be completed, enclosed with your check for $145, payable to James Massie, and mailed to 215 North Washington Street, Hinsdale IL 60521. E-mail office@stmarksevanston.org for a registration form!
Understanding and Analyzing Systemic Racism Training - In July, Pastor Debra, Liz McElhatton and Andrea Nowack attended the Chicago ROAR / Diocese of Chicago Antiracism Commission's 2 1/2 day training in Hyde Park.  The cost was just $75 and the information shared and conversations had were priceless.  We hope you will consider taking this training when it is next offered - October 20 - 22.  To learn more and to register, click here
Other Announcements
St. Mark's is having a Book Fair sponsored by Sparkhouse Family! Looking for that perfect Christmas gift for your kids or grandkids? Stop by our Book Fair and shop award-winning Bibles, books, and videos for babies to twelve-year-olds. Save up to 40% PLUS free shipping on all Book Fair titles. Stop by the Parlor on Sunday, Oct. 16 from 7:30 a.m. to 12 noon to order books and videos for your kids, your grandkids, your neighbors' kids, your nieces, your nephews, your cousins. . .
Upcoming Vacation-  From October 17 - October 31, Pastor Debra will be away on vacation and will not have access to voice mail or email.  In her absence, The Rev. Stacy Alan and The Rev. Sarah Odderstal will be leading worship on Sunday mornings.  Father Charlie de Kay will be available for Pastoral Emergencies. He can be reached at (630) 862-5701.  

St Mark's Gardens Committee oversees the gardens at St. Mark's, maintaining and improving them as necessary. We are grateful to Sarah Francis who donated many beautiful hostas to the Alley Garden, which had the biggest upgrade this year. Also improved was the area abutting the north wall of the sanctuary. Several areas of the gardens have an Area Coordinator, with the responsibility to oversee the maintenance of that area and its improvements. Volunteers and ideas from the congregation are always welcome; but please do not add or remove plants without checking with the area chairperson so that we can maintain a coordinated plan. If you have ideas for an area not covered or would like to volunteer for that area, please call or see Lola Himrod (847) 864-7815. Area Chairpersons are: Virginia Beatty (Memorial Garden); Rima Lockwood (Alley Garden); Bonnie Lindstrom (North Side of Church); Lola Himrod (St Francis Garden).  Other active members include Ellen Bergman, Joanna Greene, Carol Martin and Chris Schultze.
Staff Schedules - With the addition of Pastoral Intern, Scott Lybrand, and with our Associate for Music Ministries, David Plank, starting graduate school, we thought it might be helpful to share the staff schedule with everyone to make it easier to reach us during the week.  Once the schedule for our Associate for Community Engagement, Katie Kuriyama, is set, we will update the schedule to include her regular hours.
 
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.

Pumpkin Patch fundraiser for ESCCA- Help support Evanston School Children's Clothing Association, which provides clothing and shoes to children in need in District 65 schools! Join in Saturday, October 15th from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. in Independence Park, at the 2000 block of Central St. in Evanston. Come pick out a pumpkin and bring the whole family!
Women Hold Up Half the Sky Exhibit 
at the Illinois Holocaust Museum and Education Center (9603 Woods Drive, Skokie) identifies one of the central moral challenges of the 21st century - full equality for the world's women. It is inspired by the book Half the Sky: Turning Oppression into Opportunity for Women Worldwide, by Pulitzer-prize winning authors, Nicholas Kristof and Sheryl WuDunn. The exhibition features ordinary women who have accomplished extraordinary things. It challenges visitors to open their eyes, minds, hearts, and take action to improve women and girls' lives locally and worldwide. 
 
The Hunting Ground on October 20 at 6:30 p.m. as part of the Women Hold Up Half the Sky exhibit at the Illinois Holocaust Museum.  The award-winning documentary, The Hunting Ground, unveils a compelling view of sexual assault on college campuses and the legal hurdles female students face to find justice.  Panelists will share how college women should practice safety, how they can assess if their college is prepared to support victims of assault, and identify strategies to decrease incidences. Featuring: Wendy Dickson, Domestic Violence Training and Prevention Director at YWCA Evanston/North Shore; and representatives from the Center for Awareness, Response, and Education at Northwestern University.
Haydn's The Creation-  Come hear  Niles Metropolitan Chorus; Musica Lumina Orchestra; and Marek Rachelski, Conductor perform Joseph Haydn's choral masterpiece The Creation at St. John Brebeuf, 8307 N. Harlem Avenue, Niles IL 60714, (847) 966-3145, at 3:00 p.m. on Sunday, October 23. Free admission, with free-will donations accepted.
Super Soccer Stars Indoor Soccer for Children Ages 1 through 8 will take place at St. Mark's every Saturday afternoon through December in Cunningham Hall. Super Soccer Star's goal is to teach soccer skills in a fun, non-competitive, educational environment. Their philosophy is to use soccer to nurture, to build self-confidence, and to develop teamwork in every class. For more information and to enroll your young person call 312-477-5877 or visit chi.supersoccerstars.com

Evanston Creative Writing Group meets at St. Mark's on the 2nd and 4th Wednesday of the month in the library at St. Mark's from 7 - 9 p.m. The group is a creative prompt group designed to get you on the page and start the creative juices flowing.  All are welcome - from those who are serious about writing to those who use the time offered to blow off some creative steam!
Parish Prayer List
The prayer list has been refreshed for the month of October (and is at the beginning of each month). If you would like your loved ones to be placed on the prayer list at any time, please send an email to Pastor Debra at rector@stmarksevanston.org
We bid your prayers for: Bob Barr, Astley Bent, Veronica Braithwaite, John Burnham, Tony Campise, Karen Cornelius, Bob Easton, Hal Griffith, Charlie and Judy Kopp, Grace Lettner, Kathy Lettner, Ayden Lettner, Ann Lettner, Donald McCrea, Anne Meyers, Jake Morris, Mary O'Dowd, Jan and Jeri Offutt, Sarah Sutcliffe, Casmir Szczepaniak, Char Wiss, Ronnie Witt IV, Betty, Augustinos, Lucy Augustinos, David Cresap, Olivia Heiting, Maria Hetman, Matthew Hetman, Anna Holladay , OJ Mabwa, Ahmed Mahmoud, Maribel Marcy, Claire McArdle,  Baila McCullough, Carl and Lindy Messier, Connie Montgomery, Inga Newbeck, Milton Pickett , Marshall Pregnall,  Reg Ryan, Tim and his family, Jay Urbanowski, Richard Walsh, Whitney, Nick, Lily, and Charlie

We pray for those who have died: Antawan Ferguson , cousin of Julia Ferguson

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