The Bridge
        
The weekly newsletter of St. Mark's Lutheran Church by The Narrows                  
   August 23 , 2017 
        
 
Sunday Worship      
8:30am-Blended
9:45am-Contemporary
11:00am-Traditional
 
 
To hear podcast recordings of our Sunday Sermons
Click Here
St. Mark's Staff
Pastors
Phil Rue, Visitation
Staff
Ingelaurie Lisher, Youth and Family
Music Ministry
Contemporary Music Ministry
Manager of Finance and Operations
Office Coordinator
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Just Shopping

Just Shopping is an Internet Fundraising Program at St. Mark's. It's part of a three-tiered plan to eliminate our building debt by 2023. On-line purchase made through our website with affiliate companies helps pay off our building loan. Thank you for your support and please share this internet shopping opportunity with your family and friends! For more information, click here to visit our website. 


 

 
       Contact Us  
St. Mark's Lutheran Church by The Narrows

6730 N. 17th St.
Tacoma, WA 98406

Office: 253-752-4966
Preschool: 253-752-4929
Join our mailing list.
Wednesday Night Church Night will resume on September 13th. 
 
Sunday after church lunches will resume on the 17th. 

Church Office Closed Friday Afternoons 
 
The church office will be closed on Friday afternoons through 9/22 while Nikki is on maternity leave.

Faith, Sexism & Justice

Thursdays , 6:30-7:30pm.   August 24 (This is our last session.)

The ELCA Task Force on Women and Justice: One in Christ invites you to join a growing conversation and to add your input. After receiving feedback from more than 100 Listening Events and hearing from several dozen specialists, the task force has written the study "Faith, Sexism, Justice: Conversations Toward a Social Statement" as a way to invite broad engagement with the questions and issues.

At St. Mark's we will be reading through this study over the course of six Thursdays.  Each week individuals will have the opportunity to respond in writing to the ELCA task force as a draft social statement is prepared.  Questions?  Contact Pr. Shjerven

Marimba Camp Performance

Join the youth who spent this week at Marimba Camp as they perform some of the week's greatest hits this Sunday in the Parish Commons.  Two performances: 10 a.m. and 11 a.m. 
 
GOD'S WORK OUR HANDS DAY OF SERVICE, Saturday, September 9th

Many of you have been part of the ELCA Day of Service these past two years.  In 2015 we worked at DeLong Elementary School and park.  Last year we partnered with our friends at L'Arche Tahoma Hope.
This year we have the opportunity to partner with Habitat's Building on Faith house, for which St. Mark's is a sponsoring congregation!

LWR Layettes Update

Thank you to all who have been donating flannel, hand towels and soap.  We have need for even more soap, hand towels and diapers.  Please drop off these things to the baskets in front of the office for use in putting together the final shipments of the year coming up the first of Nov.

Any questions call Randi Holland at 253-905-5693.

New Community Group "Third Quarter"

Christian friends in the "third quarter" of life are welcome to join a new community group at St. Mark's. Lori Clark and Steve and Martha Ward invite age 50ish -75ish to create a supportive and Spirit-filled community to share hope, laughter, and love through active events.
The inaugural Third Quarter event will be  Thursday September 7 from 6:00-8:00 pm, Gathering and Potluck at St. Mark's Parish Commons. 

Suggested future events are the second Thursdays of each month:
Thursday October 12 at 6:00, Mini Golf 
Thursday November 9 at 6:00, Game Night
Thursday December 14 at 6:00, Christmas Pot Luck and Tradition Share

Contact: St. Mark's Church office:  253.752.4966

Alzheimer's Caregiver Conference - September 16

The 2017 Pierce County Alzheimer's Caregiver Conference helps provide useful information and practical skills for individuals and families providing care or seeking more knowledge about Alzheimer's and other dementias.  This free event will be held Saturday, September 16 from 8:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. at Emmanuel Lutheran Church, 1315 N. Stevens Street in Tacoma.   The featured speaker for the 2017 conference is Laura Wayman, known as "The Dementia Whisperer."  Breakout sessions will examine practical caregiving skills, the power of music, challenging behaviors, legal issues, dementia & social engagement and housing and care options.  Refreshments will be provided.  The conference is free but advance registration is requested at:  www.alzconferencetacoma.eventbrite.com  or by calling (253) 798-8787. 

Baby Kits for Refugees Arriving in Tacoma Area

Refugees continue to arrive to our community despite new national immigration policy changes.  550 individuals were resettled in this area since October 2016.    Lutheran Community Services has a need for baby kits to distribute to young families who are arriving.  We will be collecting supplies on Sunday, Aug.  27.    A baby kit includes a package of disposable diapers (greatest need for size 3-4), baby wipes, and any additional baby item you'd like to include such as onesies, other clothing (newborn to age 3), book or a small toy.    The focus is diapers and wipes.   Please visit the table in the foyer for more information or questions.   Also, you may contact Kathleen Campbell at regkathleen@msn.com or 253.820.3297.

Lutheran World Relief (LWR):  Fall School Kit Supply Drive! 

It's that time of the year to shop for great prices on LWR School Kit supplies for our annual drive with details at the table in the Narthex! This year our goal is  200 kits  and we are offering these options for participation: 
1) Pick up an orange school bag/supply list and return filled,
2) Donate supplies - greatest need is  spiral bound notebooks 8.5" X 10",  
3) Donate funds for shipping by leaving a check in the offering labeled LWR School Kits. 

Kits are sent to places where school supplies may be more than a family can afford. All donations are due by September 17! Thank you! 
Contact Catherine Terrill or Celesta Smith with questions or visit  https://lwr.org/get-involved/build-kits-of-care/school-kits


Friends of Women's Protection Center, Nepal 

Construction of the Friends of WPC Nepal Safe House has made amazing progress, and plans are for completion in November/December with an inauguration in early March in Heatuda, Nepal!  Through the recent monsoon season, the workers have continued to work to make this dream home a reality to help victims of human trafficking.  St. Mark's generous gifts to the safe house construction and kitchen has help make this possible. The organization sends their sincerest thanks to our congregation! The Friends of WPC, Nepal, will hold their 7th Annual Hope For Freedom Gala fundraiser on September 16, 2017, 5:00 p.m. at the Red Lion Hotel in Bellevue. 
For more information visit  friendsofwpcnepal.org or contact Catherine Terrill at 253-732-3479.  

National Lutheran Choir presents "Una Sancta"

The National Lutheran Choir commemorates 500 years of Protestant Reformation, and the transformation of Christ's church, with a concert of choral music-both ancient and modern-that brings the historical journey to life. Under the direction of Dr. David Cherwien, the 64-voice National Lutheran Choir, based in Minneapolis, seeks to strengthen, renew and preserve the heritage of sacred choral music. More information at NLCA.com

Thursday, September 28, 2017 - 7:30pm
Lagerquist Concert Hall
Pacific Lutheran University
12180 Park Ave. S., Tacoma, WA 98447
More info: www.nlc.com         
  
Sunday, October 1, 2017 - following 4pm Evensong
St. Paul's Episcopal Church
1444 Liberty St. SE, Salem, OR 97302

Summer Story Time

Summer Story Time at 9:45 a.m. continues August 27th in the Parish Common Classroom.

Ring in Some Summer Fun with St. Mark's Summer Bells!

Summer is a GREAT time to try something new and if you have ever wondered what it is like to ring a bell, I have just the thing!
St. Mark's Summer Bells happens every Thursday evening from July 6 th through August 24 th, 6:00pm - 7:30pm in the bell room (upstairs music wing.)
 
This blurb may start to sound Suessical, it's true, but anyone can ring a bell - yes anyone! And that's YOU!
You can ring one - or two --  or sometimes three! Little bells, big bells or even a bell tree.
Come with your can-do attitude for fun to all of the sessions, or maybe just one.
If you are 16 or older drop in just to play a beautiful bronze bell on any Thursday!
 
I hope you can experience the good vibrations with us this summer.
Previous bell experience is not necessary. Come and check it out, see what it's like. Who knows, maybe YOU are a born ringer and don't know it!
For more information contact kmoats@harbornet.com
 
Karen Moats
Handbell Choir Director

Care of Creation Summer Hikes

The Care of Creation committee is sponsoring one more hike this summer--one per month alternating between Fridays and Saturdays.   
 
Friday, September 8: Sunrise (Rainier) or Hurricane Ridge (Olympics)

We will meet at the church at 8 a.m. and form car pools.  Hikers should have water, sun cream, sun glasses, lunch, first aide, camera, extra clothing, good hiking shoes, and money to help defray the costs of gas for drivers.  We will not go if it is raining.
For more information contact: Tom Hulst thulst@live.com 

Children and Youth Faith Formation

Children's Faith Formation!

Summer Story Time at 9:45 a.m. continues August 27th in the Parish Commons classroom. 
 
Fall Sunday programming for children 3 years old to 6th grade begins Sunday, September 10th at 9:45 a.m.
 
Children and Youth Faith Formation Leaders Orientation and Training  will be held Sunday, August 27 from 11:00-12:30 in the CFC/Preschool Wing AND Thursday, September 7 from 7:00-8:30p.m. in the CFC/Preschool Wing. If you plan on teaching/leading a group for children and/or youth this fall please plan on being at one of these trainings. 
 
2018 ELCA Youth Gathering!   June 26-July 2, Houston TX. Details, costs, etc are on the youth board and registration opens September 15. We will be registering by October 15, a deposit of $150.00 is due by October 8th to guarantee your spot. 

Adult Faith Formation

Adult Forum-Sundays 9:45am in the Fireside Room
Adult Forum is done for the year, join us again in the Fall.

Adult Class- Sundays 11am in the Fireside Room
Adult Class is done for the year, join us again in the Fall.

Wednesday Midweek Renewal; 6:15pm
Midweek Renewal is done for the year, join us again in the Fall. 

Tuesday "Fully Alive" Bible Study; 5:15pm in the Fireside Room
Fully Alive is done for the year, join us again in the Fall. 

Women's Bible Study; 9:30 am in the Parish Commons Classroom
 Women's Bible Study is done for the year, join us again in the Fall. 

Noon Wednesday Text Study Luncheon in the Parish Commons Classroom.
Noon Wednesday Text Study is done for the year, join us again in the Fall.  

Have an item for the bridge?
Send it to communications@smlutheran.org by 8am on Tuesday. All items will be run for 2 weeks prior to the relevant date and will be edited for length. Don't forget to send your member notes and news!