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This Week at St. Mark's November 10, 2016
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Food for Thought: What Are We Waiting For?
Beginning this Sunday, St. Mark's observation of the season of Advent will commence. While many of the churches around us will begin their observation of Advent later in November, we have adopted this earlier start as a way to push back at our culture's attempt to move the commercial celebration of Christmas into November (and even October!) as advertisements and shopping overload our senses with the sights and sounds of trees and decorations, Santa, reindeer, elves, carols and jingle bells - all of them obscuring our observation of Advent (and, we might suggest, entirely missing the point of Christmas).
This Sunday's reading from the prophet Isaiah begins this way:
"F
or I am about to create new heavens and a new earth; the former things shall not be remembered or come to mind. But be glad and rejoice forever in what I am creating; for I am about to create Jerusalem as a joy, and its people as a delight." - Isaiah 65:17-18
And isn't this what we are waiting for? Aren't we waiting for this, the full manifestation of the reign of God, this promise of a new creation? The season of Advent invites us to prepare for the coming of Christ at the end of time even as we welcome his appearance in our weekly gathering and in the world to which we are sent.
During the Sundays in November, our focus is on the full manifestation of the reign of God - the promised new creation - and then, as we move into December, our Advent theme turns toward the incarnation. These two themes - incarnation and reign of God - offer us a lens through which to experience the "now-and-not-yet" nature of the fulfillment of our hope in Christ, a lens through which to observe this season of hope, longing, fear, comfort, repentance, restoration, death, birth, endings, and beginnings. God is on the way. But, let us take our time and wait for the darkness to give way to the light, for the world to be reborn. Let us take the time to journey through Advent together.
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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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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
Coffee Hour Hosts
- During December Mohammed and Zubaira will be taking some time off. We are looking for one or two people each Sunday to set out coffee hour treats for the 8 a.m. and the 10:30 a.m. services and to clean up afterwards (i.e., load and run dishwasher, clean out coffee urns, wipe down tables and counters, etc). Coffee making will be taken care of by staff members who are already in the building. If you can assist on any of these Sundays, please contact Pastor Debra. The dates are December 11, December 18, December 24 (Christmas Eve, 4 p.m. and 10 p.m. services), December 25.
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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: Sharon Friend, Evelyn Russell
- Flower Guild: Michael Schoen
- Lectors: Nancye Kirk, Anne Heinz
- Ushers: John Lucadamo, Doug Sondgeroth, Nancye Kirk
- Lay Eucharistic Ministers: Andrea Nowack, Carol Martin, Ted Richardson
- Acolytes: Eva Sondgeroth, Mickey Loewenstein, Bruce Gaede
- Coffee Hour Snacks: last names beginning G-L
- Vestry Persons of the Day: Ted Richardson, Nancye Kirk
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Social Justice & Outreach Opportunities
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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.
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Take a Stand with Standing Rock Sioux-
We have an opportunity to take a stand for justice on Tuesday, Nov. 15th at 11:30 a.m. at the Daley Center, 50 W. Washington St., Chicago (near the Picasso sculpture). We will join with others to protest the construction of Dakota Access Pipeline, the violation of the treaty rights of the Sioux Nation, and the violent abuse of the Water Protectors of the Standing Rock Sioux and their allies who have gathered near Standing Rock in North Dakota to protect their sacred ground and their drinking water. From the Daley Center, after some brief remarks, we will march to the office of the Army Corp of Engineers at 231 South LaSalle Street to deliver a letter and wait for a response. This day of action is part of a broader call to action happening across the country targeting decision makers and stakeholders at every level. By gathering at the Army Corps of Engineers offices across the country, we hope to call attention to the brave water and land protectors at Standing Rock and to encourage President Obama to stop the pipeline. Sponsoring Groups for this event include: SOIL (Save Our Illinois Land,) 350Kishwaukee, Rising Tide, Sierra Club, Fox Valley Citizens for Peace & Justice, Elgin Green Groups 350.org.
Why should St. Mark's get involved?
Presiding Bishop Michael Curry said, "... Standing Rock may be the new Selma. This may well be the moment when nations come together, when peoples of goodwill come together to transform this world from the nightmare that it often is into the dream that God intends so that clean water is available to everybody, so that every man, woman and child knows the peace and the goodness that God intends for us all." Signs and banners are welcome; sample messages include: People over Pipelines, #NoDAPL, In Solidarity with Standing Rock, Obama: Stop the Dakota Access Pipeline. If you are able to attend with Pastor Debra send an email to
rector@stmarksevanston.org
or text 847-732-9564. Also, click to RSVP online here
so that organizers know how many people to expect.
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The Revive Christmas Basket Program has started and there are many ways to get involved! For 95 years, ReVive Center for Housing and Healing (formerly Cathedral Shelter) has provided Christmas gifts to low-income people on Chicago's West Side. Once again, St. Mark's has the opportunity to share Christmas with our neighbors in need through ReVive's Christmas Basket Program. This year, St. Mark's has received 12 Christmas basket requests (3 seniors, 9 families). Already there has been a strong response from St. Mark's and the majority of our families have sponsors-Thank you! 9 individuals are still in need of a sponsor. To sign-up to be a sponsor, visit the Christmas table in the parlor! Please plan to bring gifts to the parlor or the volunteer office by Sunday, November 27th. Volunteers are also needed to help package gifts after the
10:30 service on Sunday, November 27th. ReVive is also seeking energetic volunteers to help distribute baskets to families. ReVive welcomes teens, adults, and older adults to volunteer, but not children. Contact Dave Himrod (847-864-7815) or Katie Kuriyama (847-864-4806,
community@stmarksevanston.org
) with questions or for more information.
St. Mark's is Collecting Donations! Head to your closet because our bright red shopping cart is in the back of the church ready to collect donations for Interfaith Action's Hospitality Center and the Wednesday Lunch program! Both of these programs serve individuals who are homeless.
Here is a list of items needed at this time, especially with colder temperatures on the way:
socks (new or gently used but clean); laundered warm coats; sweatshirts and sweaters (especially larger men's sizes); ground coffee (regular); coffee creamer; hangers; bars of soap;
toothbrushes; and books for the Hospitality Center library. Thank you,
and may the cart overfloweth.
Social Justice & Outreach Ministry Meeting- All are invited to a Social Justice & Outreach Ministry Meeting on Sunday, Nov. 20th from 12:30-1:30 PM in the Library Room at St. Mark's. The aims of this meeting are 1) to learn about/ check-in with the various social justice and outreach ministries at St. Mark's 2) decision-making about the allocation of ministry funds, and 3) 3rd Sunday drives. Light snacks will be provided before the meeting. We hope to see you there to converse faith in action!
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First Sunday of Advent
Isaiah 65:17-25; 2 Thessalonians 3:6-13; Luke 21:5-19
"Surely, it is God who saves me; I will trust in him and not be afraid." - Canticle 9
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Thursday, November 10
7:30 p.m.
Choir Rehearsal, Choir Room
Friday, November 11
9:30 a.m.
Jubi-Latte and Tea Deum with the Rector, Cupitol
5:30 p.m.
Confirm not Conform members leave from St. Mark's for retreat
6:15 p.m.
Second Friday Dinner, Trattoria D.O.C.
Saturday, November 12
4:00 p.m.
AlAnon meeting, Bethlehem Chapel
Sunday, November 13
8:00 a.m.
Holy Eucharist: Feast of All Saints, Lady Chapel
9:30 a.m.
Children's Formation, Downstairs Classrooms
Choir Rehearsal, Choir Room
10:30 a.m.
Holy Eucharist: Feast of All Saints, Sanctuary
12 noon
Handbell choir rehearsal, Sanctuary Balcony
Tuesday, November 15
6:00 p.m.
Lunch packing, Kitchen
Wednesday, Nov. 16
6:45 a.m.
AA meeting, Bethlehem Chapel
8:30 a.m.
Producemobile, Robert Crown Center
11:00 a.m.
Wednesday lunch program, Cunningham Hall
7:00 p.m.
Vestry meeting, Bethlehem Chapel
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November 2
Aina Gutierrez
November 3
Donald Lindstrom
Judy Kopp
November 8
Elizabeth Furlong
November 9
Betsy Sagan
November 11
Ovaldo Buntin
November 13
Debra Nee
Compton 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
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November 8
David Najem Sr. & Shannon May
November 11
Phyllis Lyons & Manel Valdes-Cruz
November 23
Bonnie & Donald Lindstrom
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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 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 December 6. St. Mark's is a member of Interfaith Action of Evanston.
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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:
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Going Where the Youth Are: Being Church
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The Church is wherever God's people are gathered and for our youth that is often 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. Let's show up and cheer for our young people. Let's 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! If you have events to add on behalf of your young person, please email Pastor Debra, rector@stmarksevanston.org
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Saturday, November 19
Neena and Leela
will be running the Girls on the Run 5k at Arvey Field in Grant Park (1501 S. Lake Shore Drive, just north of the museum campus). The run begins at approximately 8 a.m.
December 16-19
Neena
will be participating in the Nutcracker on Ice at the Robert Crown Center
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Second Friday Dinner- On Friday, November 11th, the St. Mark's Second Friday Dinner will take place at Trattoria DOC, 706 Main Street in Evanston. This restaurant serves Italian food and has a full bar. We will meet at 6:15 p.m. If you plan to join us, please rsvp to Dick and Carolyn Brooks at
brooksuww@comcast.net or 847-424-8422.
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Confirm not Conform -
A reminder to all CnC students and parents, that we will depart for our weekend retreat from St. Mark's on Friday, November 11. Plan to be at the church at 5:30 p.m. We do not want to leave anyone behind! Please eat dinner before you arrive at the church. Watch your email for details about what to pack.
Bread-Baking for The Body of Christ
- All children of St. Mark's are invited to join Pastor Debra and Andrea in St. Mark's kitchen on Saturday, December 3 at 9 a.m. for a morning of bread-making! The bread which we make will be shared with newcomers at St. Mark's- and perhaps we'll make enough for you to each have a small loaf as well! Children ages 3-5 must be accompanied by a parent or guardian or a responsible older sibling (for extra safety in the kitchen!). If you are able to join us, please let Pastor Debra know- rector@stmarksevanston.org or 847-732-9564.
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Returning church keys-
We are requesting that any parishioners who have a church key return their keys as soon as possible. Unless you need your key on a weekly basis, please bring your keys to the church during office hours- Monday 12:30-4:30 pm or Wednesday/Thursday 8:30-4:30. If you have questions or need to drop off your key at another time, call Natalie, Office Manager, at 847-864-4806.
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St. Mark's Parishioner Mickey Loewenstein
will have an Exhibition of Paintings at the Evanston Library, 2nd Floor through November 29. Mickey was the Scenic Art Director at WTTW Channel 11 for forty years and he was privileged to design most of their local and Network productions including Siskel and Ebert, Kukla Fran and Ollie. In addition, he designed specials for Studs Terkel, Steppenwolf Theatre, Hubbard Street Dance and more. Mickey is a six-time regional Emmy Award winner, with one National Emmy Nomination and a Peabody award.
Jubi-latte & Tea Deum with the Rector-
On Friday, November 11 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!
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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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St. Andrew's Annual Christmas Dinner and Fundraiser-Join guest speaker Elizabeth Tisdahl, Mayor of Evanston, and enjoy entertainment by Mr. Jeff Green on Saturday, December 3, 2016 from 7-10 pm. This dinner will benefit St. Andrew's Pentecost Episcopal Church at 1928 Darrow Ave Evanston, IL. For Tickets and more information, visit Stapec.com or call (847) 340-1452. St. Mark's has a 10-seat table reserved, so please RSVP to Pastor Debra at rector@stmarksevanston.org to come to this fun event!
YWCA Hosts Post-Election Conversations for the Community- YWCA Evanston invites the community to join in post-election lunchtime conversations about what will happen post-election when the country must start healing, and what can be done about the animosity and misconceptions that have been widely shared about "this group" or "that group" during this election cycle. All are welcome. Dates and Locations:
Nov. 15, Noon, Skokie Public Library, 5215 Oakton St., Skokie; Nov. 17, Noon-1 PM, YWCA Evanston/North Shore, 1215 Church St.
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Carols by Candlelight-
Celebrate the glow of the season with enchanting and cherished holiday music as the Chicago Chamber Choir
returns to St. Mark's on Saturday, December 10th at 7:30 p.m. with Carols by Candlelight: A Holiday Sing-Along. Surrounded by candles, the rich voices of CCC will ring in the season with contemporary and traditional settings of exquisite carols--What better way to kick off your winter holiday? Beloved settings by choral favorites John Rutter, Alice Parker, and Robert Shaw are just a few of the familiar works on this program. In case that isn't enticing enough, they will also be premiering a brand new arrangement by local composer Wayland Rogers. For more information, including other concert dates and venues, visit www.chicagochamberchoir.org.
Saturday, December 10th, 7:30pm
Carols by Candlelight: A Holiday Sing-Along
St. Mark's Episcopal Church, 1509 Ridge Ave, Evanston
Saturday, December 17th, 7:30pm
Carols by Candlelight: A Holiday Sing-Along
Unity Lutheran Church, 1212 W Balmoral Ave, Chicago
Sunday, December 18th, 3:00pm
Carols by Candlelight: A Holiday Sing-Along
Anderson Chapel at North Park University, 3225 W Foster Ave, Chicago
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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!
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The prayer list has been refreshed for the month of November (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.
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We bid your prayers for: Bob Barr, Astley Bent, Veronica Braithwaite, John Burnham, Tony Campise, Karen Cornelius, Bob Easton,
Aina Gutierrez, Charlie and Judy Kopp, Grace Lettner, Kathy Lettner, Ayden Lettner, Ann Lettner, Charlie Lettner
, Donald McCrea, Anne Meyers, Jake Morris, Mary O'Dowd, Jan and Jeri Offutt, Casmir Szczepaniak, Char Wiss, Ronnie Witt IV, Betty Augustinos, Lucy Augustinos, Art & Tim Bauer, Genevieve Costello, David Cresap, Chisara Concepcion, Merle Delandro, Gracia Grindal, Olivia Heiting, Alaf Kwayana, Tehaiko Kwayana, OJ Mabwa, Ahmed Mahmoud, Claire McArdle
, Baila McCullough, Carl and Lindy Messier, Todd and Nicole Michaels, Connie Montgomery, Milton Pickett
, Reg Ryan, Tim and his family, Jay Urbanowski, Richard Walsh, Whitney, Nick, Lily, and Charlie
We pray for those who have died: Henry Gutierrez, father of Aina Gutierrez and grandfather of Eva, Asher and Elsa Sondgeroth; B. Hal Griffith,
longtime parishioner of St. Mark's; Bob Michaels
We pray for the Confirm not Conform Students and Leaders who are on retreat this weekend: Peyton Benz, Lily Consiglio, Betsy Johnson, Joe Kelly, Samantha Kujovich, Brendan Long, Erin Long, Drew McDermott, Rachel McElhatton, Cat Motogawa, Patrick Nee, Aidan O'Hare, Abigail Seifert, Kate Suvari, Debra Bullock, Charlie de Kay, Scott Lybrand, Motoko Maegawa
We pray for the people in the Diocese of Southeast Mexico and the Diocese of Renk |
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