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This Week at St. Mark's
A reminder that if you have announcements for the newsletter or the bulletin, they must be sent to Katie at community@stmarksevanston.org  no later than Tuesday at 12 noon.
Stewardship 
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 the month of February, St. Mark's parishioners collected 166 bags of chips, 13 gallons of juice, and 10 boxes of snacks for the Wednesday lunch program. Thank you all for your generous contributions.
 
Come and See Campaign-- If you weren't in church on Sunday to pick up your "Come and See" Brochure, be sure to pick one up this Sunday from the table located in the middle of the parlor.  Throughout the Bible, "come and see" is an invitation to see God at work.  This year, St. Mark's is asking you to commit to having a conversation with a friend, coworker, parent, classmate, or acquaintance, inviting them to a worship service, forum, or event-- it's an invitation to "come and see" God at work in an through St. Mark's!   Commitment cards can be mailed to St. Mark's (attn: Katie Kuriyama) or placed in the offering plate.  Please return commitment cards by Sunday, March 19, 2017.

Faith, Formation and Fellowship 

Happy are they whose transgressions are forgiven, and whose sin is put away! - Psalm 32:1


This Sunday is the First Sunday in Lent and the appointed readings are Genesis 2:15-17, 3: 1-7; Psalm 32; Romans 5:12-10; and Matthew 4:1-11.  We invite you to take some time this week to read them in advance so that they can speak to you throughout the week.  If you don't have a Bible nearby, you can find the passages at this website: www.lectionarypage.net 

Lent Begins Today - It is Ash Wednesday: Join this evening for worship including imposition of ashes and communion.  Service begins at 7:30 p.m.

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: Trish Barr, Dorothy Laudati 
  • Ushers: Marion Macbeth, Dorothy Laudati, Bob Barr, Rich Forst
  • Lectors: Ted Richardson, Anne Heinz
  • Eucharistic Ministers:  Alison Walsh, Lisa Montgomery, Motoko Maegawa
  • Eucharistic Visitor: Joanna Greene
  • Vestry Persons of the Day: Nancye Kirk, Nathan Waller
  • Coffee Hour Snacks:  Last Names beginning with A through F
One Book, One Diocese-  Bishop Lee is leading an online book discussion during Lent. This year's book is  Living Into God's Dream: Dismantling Racism in America , a collection of essays edited by Catherine Meeks, that combines personal stories and theological reflection with real-world examples of the ways in which new conversations on race can be forged. The book is available online from   Church Publishing, Amazon  (book and Kindle formats), and other retailers.   The online discussion begins on Ash Wednesday, March 1 with a video from Bishop Lee.  Learn more at https://www.episcopalchicago.org/.  Meet the Editor - Catherine Meeks- On Thursday, March 2 at 7:30 p.m. (at St. Matthew's Episcopal Church, Evanston), Living into God's Dream editor Catherine Meeks will lead a conversation and be available to sign her book, copies of which will be available for purchase.

Jubi-latte & Tea Deum with the Rector-  On Monday, March 6 from  2 - 3 p.m. at Curt's CafĂ© South, 1813 Dempster St., Evanston (note new day and time), 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.

Second Friday Dinner will take place on Friday, March 10th 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. Anyone is welcome to participate - especially those who are new to St. Mark's.  If you plan to join the group, please rsvp to Dick and Carolyn Brooks at brooksuww@comcast.net  or 847-424-8422


Going Where the Youth Are: Being Church

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
 
Patrick will be working stage crew and Betsy J. is Head of Costume Design for Haven Middle School's  annual production of Haven Help Us - this year, a musical! Performances will be Thursday, March 2 and Friday, March 3 at 7:00pm.

Abigail will be performing with Evanston Dance Ensemble (EDE2) on the following dates: March 4 at 4 and 7 p.m.; and March 5 at 4 p.m.  All performances are at Studio 5 at Dance Center Evanston. 

Sebastian will be playing basketball on Sunday, March 5 at 3 p.m. at Central Elementary School (910 Central Ave., Wilmette) and at 5 p.m. at the Wilmette Recreation Center (3000 Glenview Road).

Tyler is the Assistant Technical Director for USC's School of Dramatic Arts production of Evita which runs the weekends of March 30th and April 6th.  If you can't get to southern California to see the show, you can send a note of encouragement to Tyler Maegawa-Goeser, Arts & Humanities Residential College, 920 W. 37th Place, Los Angeles, CA 90007 or email to tcmg98@gmail.com.

Wesley and Sebastian will be playing squires in the Junior Tower Players of Sacred Heart's production of What a Knight! Camelot's Craziest Quest!  Performances are on March 23 and March 24 at At Sacred Heart School, 1095 Gage Street, Winnetka


Outreach and Social Justice

With St. Mark's 

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.

Social Justice Adult Forum Series Begins this Sunday: Learn About the District 65 Referendum!  Every Sunday in Lent, St. Mark's will offer an adult forum on a social justice theme.  Join us this Sunday, March 5 at 9:30 a.m. (Bethlehem Chapel) to learn more about the D65 Referendum and its impact on our schools. We are lucky to have Suni Kartha, a member of the D65 board, to lead this forum and participate in discussion.  Learn about the current state of the district and be prepared to vote on April 4!   Other Social Justice Forums include-- parishioner George Mitchell, What is Social Justice? on March 12; parishioner Motoko Maegawa,  Exploring "Windows" and "Mirrors" -   An Introduction to the National SEED Project on Inclusive Curriculum  on March 19 ; community leader Susan Rex on Restorative Justice & Circle Process on March 26; and Associate for Community Engagement Katie Kuriyama on Nonviolence for Social Transformation-- A Christian Exploration on April 2.

In the Community

Be Bold: Let's Move the Needle-- On Wednesday, March 8 from 6 - 8 p.m. at Evanston Township High School in the Upstairs Theater, as we commemorate International Women's Day, you are invited to join a conversation on women's economic progress and the journey ahead.  The keynote speaker is Evelyn Diaz, President of Heartland Alliance.  Panelists include women entrepreneurs, artists, and law enforcement professionals.  Presented by YWCA Evanston/North Shore in collaboration with Founding Partners.

Understanding and Analyzing Systemic Racism workshop will be held on April 20 - 22 at Oakton Community College in Skokie, Illinois.  This is a unique opportunity for St. Mark's as most of the trainings have taken place in Hyde Park.  If you have questions about what to expect, contact Pastor Debra, Liz McElhatton, Andrea Nowack, or Katie Kuriyama who have all attended the workshop within the past year.  The most recent workshop filled up quickly (over 60 attendees!); so, please register early. Registration is now open, and you can learn more and register online at http://bit.ly/ChicagoROAR

Other Announcements

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, Caroline Frowe, Ann Lettner, Ayden Lettner, Charlie Lettner, Grace Lettner, Kathy Lettner, Donald McCrea, Bob Molumby, Jake Morris, Mary O'Dowd, Jan and Jeri Offutt, Casmir Szczepaniak, Danny White, Fareedun Ansari, Betty Augustinos, Lucy Augustinos, Jen and Patsy Becerra, Susan Murrell Castaneda, Marilyn Goede, Katie Iles, Joan and Sherwin, Jay Johnson, OJ Mabwa, Ahmed Mahmoud, Carl and Lindy Messier, Reg Ryan, Herman Schrock, Kelly Wheeler Szczepaniak, Tim and his family, Dorothy Waller.


We pray for the people in   the Diocese of Southeast Mexico and the Diocese of Renk
 
March Birthdays  -Natasha Oussenko (2), Kirk Lucadamo (4), Bernard Rocca IV (4), Miranda Whitmore (4), Katherine Heinz (5), Lynn Carver (6), Hector Cortes (6), Bernadette Lettner (7), Virginia Beatty (8), Sarah Francis (9), Marion Macbeth (12), Calvin Whitmore (12), Deane Johnson (16), Madeleine Yanaga (16), Addison Benz (17), Cynthia Garrels (18), Charles Sagan (19), Lisa Davis (23), Michael Arrington (24), Ryan Benz (25), London Lytle (27), Lynette Murphy (27), Henry Babbitt (30), Gabriel Howard (31)
 
March Anniversaries - Andy and Sandra Howard (26)

If we have missed your birthday or anniversary, please do let us know so we can correct the error. Send your name and date of birth to  rector@stmarksevanston.org

Nametags During Lent-- Please wear your nametags this season for the guest speakers and visitors who will be at St. Mark's.  It's welcoming!  And helps us all converse and connect.  If you need a nametag, please contact Katie (community@stmarksevanston.org)

Super Soccer Stars Spring Session at St. Mark's begins April 1. Enrollment is open now! For more information and to register, go to http://www.supersoccerstars.com. This is indoor soccer with classes for children as young as 12 months and as old as 8!

Calendar of Events
For information about upcoming dates and events at St. Mark's, click here ( http://www.stmarksevanston.org/calendar-of-events/)

St. Mark's Episcopal Church | community@stmarksevanston.org | www.stmarksevanston.org
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