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A reminder that if you have announcements for the newsletter or the bulletin, they must be sent to office@stmarksevanston.org no later than Tuesday at 12 noon. We have returned to a Wednesday morning delivery schedule.
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Stewardship and the Annual Campaign
Each month in 2017 we will feature a ministry of St. Mark's where we can "count what counts" because we are Bound Together in Christ. If you have a ministry at St. Mark's where we can "cou
nt what counts" (lunches packed or served, pounds of produce distributed, hours of candles burned, number of notes sung!) contact Katie Kuriyama at community@stmarksevanston.org so we can assign you a month!
Counting What Counts:
During Advent and Christmas, St. Mark's collected 31 scarves, 66 pairs of mittens and gloves, 48 hats, and 31 pairs of socks for the men and women of the Interfaith Action of Evanston Hospitality Center and for the Evanston School Children's Clothing Association.
Annual Campaign: Bound Together in Christ
- If you have not received a letter and pledge card from the Stewardship Team, please contact us at stewardship@stmarksevanston.org so that we can figure out how you were missed. In the meantime, you will find extra pledge cards at the back of the church and in the parlor. A special thank you to those who have already pledged! We are at 42% of our goal to date. The annual campaign pledge in-gathering will take place on Sunday, January 29th.
But plan to j
oin us each Sunday as we highlight ministries that bind us together in Christ and as we prayerfully consider how we might continue to make and build community that celebrates God's bounty in a world that often speaks only of division and of scarcity. This year's Stewardship Team members are Aina Gutierrez, Ted Richardson, Debra Bullock, and Scott Lybrand with the support of the wardens and vestry of St. Mark's.
The 2016 Financial Books have been closed. Monies received are now being credited to 2017 (e.g., pledge payments, memorial gifts, etc.). Thank you to Treasurer, Chris Schultze for doing this important work.
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Faith, Formation and Fellowship
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 847-732-9564 or rector@stmarksevanston.org.
- Altar Guild: Julia Ferguson, Beth Johnson
- Flower Guild: Dorothy Laudati
- Ushers: John Fitts, Tacia Johnson, Alison Walsh
- Acolytes: Eva Sondgeroth, Abigail Seifert, Asher Sondgeroth
- Lectors: Carol Martin, Mike Johnson
- Eucharistic Ministers: Joanna Greene, Andrea Nowack, Milner Seifert
- Eucharistic Visitor: Alison Walsh
- Vestry Persons of the Day: Motoko Maegawa, Doug Sondgeroth
- Coffee Hour Snacks: last names beginning T-Z
Lector Coordinator:
If you would like to be responsible for coordinating the readers for Sunday morning worship, please contact Pastor Debra at rector@stmarksevanston.org. What this entails is sending an email out to all lectors (list provided), recruiting new lectors, creating the schedule and sending out weekly reminders. Templates for all of these have already been created and can easily be shared.
If you would like to join the crew of volunteers who share the story for the day and/or coordinate the craft for the day, let Pastor Debra know, rector@stmarksevanston.org. The easy-to-follow curriculum is provided and support is available!
2017 Evanston Ecumenical Week of Prayer for Christian Unity:
At least once a year, Christians are reminded of Jesus' prayer for his disciples that "they may be one so that the world may believe" (see John 17.21). Hearts are touched and Christians come together to pray for their unity. Congregations and parishes all over the world arrange special ecumenical celebrations and prayer services. You are invited to join in prayer with the ecumenical community in Evanston on Thursday, January 26 at Immanuel Lutheran Church, 616 Lake Street, Evanston.
Adult Forum: An Intro to Pastor Debra's Thesis -
On Sunday January 29 from 9:30 - 10:15 a.m. and again from 12:30 - 1:15 p.m. in Bethlehem Chapel, Pastor Debra will share some of the background of her thesis plans with any who are interested. This will also be a great opportunity to explore whether or not you might be called to participate in the study during Lent.What's this about?
The focus of my study is creating a catechumenate-ready congregation here at St. Mark's. Catechumenate is a word that refers to an ancient way of making disciples, of preparing individuals for baptism. The cat
echumenate relies on the full participation of laypeople and clergy. My study sets out to describe and implement a process of readying St. Mark's to mentor new disciples through formation in the stories of our faith (scripture) and spiritual conversation (seeing the connections between daily life and baptismal living). If you are interested in participating - or even just curious about what that would involve - I invite you to come to the Adult Forum on January 29 at 9:30 a.m. or 12:30 p.m. to learn more. - Pastor Debra+
Pre-Lenten Parish Retreat Day:
On Saturday, February 4 from 8:30 a.m. - 1:30 p.m. Pastor Debra and Milner Seifert will lead a retreat to introduce our Lenten Journey to the Font. Together we will consider what are some of the biggest obstacles or challenges in today's world to following the way of Jesus? And how might we as a community Bound Together in Christ and as individuals use Lent as a time to face those obstacles/challenges? A continental breakfast will be available from 8:30 - 9 and the day's program will begin promptly at 9. Lunch will also be provided. There is no fee to attend. Please RSVP to rector@stmarksevanston.org by January 30 so we know how much breakfast and lunch to have on hand. We do not want anyone to miss out because of childcare needs; so, if you need childcare, please contact pastor Debra at 847-864-4806.
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Outreach and Social Justice
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. For more information and to volunteer, contact John Lucadamo at
lucadamj@gmail.com
.
Women's March on Chicago on January 21! Be a part of this global event, with more than 200 U.S. cities joining DC and 50 cities internationally marching with us. It will be an inspiring day of diverse people brought together by intersecting themes of women's rights, human rights, and social justice. Start time is 10am at Petrillo Bandshell in Grant Park. You can expect the route will be about a 1 mile walk on paved roads in the area around the Petrillo Band shell. Those not able to walk the route can optionally remain in the bandshell with music and others who are rally-ing. The march ends back at the bandshell. A group of Episcopalians committed to living out our baptismal promises to "strive for justice and peace among all people and respect the dignity of every human being" will be traveling together. We will depart from St. Mark's on Saturday, January 21 at 7:30 a.m. We will walk to the Davis Street CTA station. Bring friends. Brings signs. #RespectDignityOfEveryHuman.
Interfaith Music & Storytelling Event, January 22nd
Join Interfaith Action of Evanston for an afternoon of interfaith music and storytelling. Listen and discover we are more alike than not. Saturday, January 22nd at 3 PM at Jewish Reconstructionist Congregation (303 Dodge Ave., Evanston). Questions: Contact Sue Murphy (847-475-1150).
Coffee & Council, January 23rd
Beginning January 23rd, St Mark's will practice living into its value of "being in place" by periodically attending City Council meetings as a group-even if nothing pressing is on the agenda. City Council meetings are informative and a great opportunity to learn more about "What's going on" in Evanston, which Christian ethicist H. Richard Neibuhr considered the critical ethical question. If you would like to attend, plan to meet at Coffee Lab (910 Noyes) at 6:30 PM for a time of fellowship, coffee! (of course), and to review the meeting agenda. At 7 PM, we will walk together .3 miles to the Lorraine H. Morton Civic Center (2100 Ridge) for the meeting (about a 7 min. walk). Parking is available behind the Civic Center. Stay as long as you'd like! It's easy to leave before the meeting is over. Hope to see you there! Questions? Contact Katie (
community@stmarksevanston.org or 847-864-4806).
Meet Evanston's Candidates for Election - *Note time change on 1/31* As preparation for Evanston's Municipal Election in April 2017, OPAL (Organization for Positive Action & Leadership), a local nonprofit committed to building an equitable Evanston, is hosting candidate forums over three days this month to provide residents with the opportunity to meet, learn about, and question candidates. Each evening will begin with a Candidate Meet 'n Greet from 5:15-5:45p followed by the forum from 6-8p. On January 24 OPAL will partner with the Evanston NAACP to host an Education Forum: District 65 candidates from 6-7p & District 202 candidates from 7-8p. On January 26: Mayoral Candidates from 6-7p and Wards 1, 6, & 8 following from 7-8p. On January 31 The City Clerk and Wards 3 & 9 will begin at 6p. All forums will be held at Foster Theater located in Family Focus (2100 Dewey). Due to several similar forum taking place, OPAL has cancelled the 5th Ward Candidates participation on 1/31. Look for paper handouts of this information on the center parlor table at church next Sunday, January 22nd.
Faceless: Performance & Interfaith Discussion, January 31st - Award winning playwright Selina Fillinger's "riveting and timely new drama" Faceless is making its world premiere at Northlight Theatre (9501 Skokie Blvd). Join Interfaith Action of Evanston for the performance, followed by a discussion with panelists: Rabbi Andrea London (Beth Emet the Free Synagoge), Muhammad Salduzzaman (Dar-us-sunnah Masjid Community Center), Rev. Dr. Michael Nabors (Second Baptist Church), and Birch Burghardt (IAE), moderator. Performance at 7:30 PM on Tuesday, Jan. 31. Panel discussion immediately following. Special Ticket Discount: $10 off per ticket with promo code: INTERFAITH. Student prices also available. For Tickets call 847-673-6300 or visit northlight.org.
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Other Announcements
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Julia and Family
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Deane and Family
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Vestry Nominees:
The following individuals have accepted nominations to serve on the vestry: Julia Ferguson, Deane Johnson, and Rima Lockwood. The congregation will have the opportunity to approve the slate of nominees at the Annual Meeting on Sunday, January 22, 2017. Thank you Julia, Deane, and Rima for agreeing to serve.
The 153rd Annual Meeting of St. Mark's Episcopal Church
will take place this Sunday, January 22 immediately following worship. Please pick up a cup of coffee, tea or juice and a snack in the Parlor and come back to the sanctuary for the meeting. Muppet Treasure Island (rated G) will be showing in Bethlehem Chapel for St. Mark's younger members. Teens will be on hand to supervise (and to get parents from the sanctuary if there are any issues that arise during the Annual Meeting).
Prayer List
If you have loved ones you would like added to the prayer list at any time, send an email to Pastor Debra at rector@stmarksevanston.org.
We bid your prayers for:
Bob Barr, Louise Beem, Astley Bent, Veronica Braithwaite, John Burnham, Tony Campise, Genevieve Costello, Karen Cornelius, Adrianna Dangremond, Nicholas Easton, Rachel Easton, Caroline Frowe, Ann Lettner, Ayden Lettner, Charlie Lettner, Grace Lettner, Kathy Lettner, Donald McCrea, Anne Meyers, Bob Molumby, Jake Morris, Mary O'Dowd, Jan and Jeri Offutt, Casmir Szczepaniak, Char Wiss, Betty Augustinos, Lucy Augustinos, Jen and Patsy Becerra, Susan Murrell Castaneda, David Cresap, Marilyn Goede, Joan and Sherwin, Jay Johnson, OJ Mabwa, Ahmed Mahmoud, Carl and Lindy Messier, Reg Ryan, Herman Schrock, Stephanie Short,
Kelly Wheeler Szczepaniak, Tim and his family.
We pray for those who have died: Al Murin, friend of Andy Howard;
Louise Barnett Szpara, aunt of Deane (Beth) Johnson and great aunt of Betsy and Kate Johnson
We pray for the people in
the Diocese of Southeast Mexico and the Diocese of Renk
January Birthdays
Milner Seifert (1), Pat Furlong (4), Jay Hayes (4), Rima Lockwood (5), Garrit Dangremond (9), Carl Furlong (10), John Burnham (11), Soren Alexander (14), Susan Lewis (16), Patrick Nee (16), Andy Howard (17), Dave Himrod (18), David Forst (19), Beth Johnson (19), Charlie Kopp (19), James Lettner (21), Grace Lettner (22), Jonathan Greene (23), Will Suvari (25), Lindsay Chase-Lansdale (28), Byron Scott (28)
January Anniversaries
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St. Mark's Episcopal Church |
office@stmarksevanston.org | www.stmarksevanston.org
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