June 15th, MiniMarks

MINI-MARKS

June 15, 2022

Click here to view the June ReMARKS Newsletter

An Invitation to 60-Day Journey Toward Justice in a Culture of Gun Violence

As we continue to mourn lives lost to gun violence, we invite you on a journey of prayer, scripture, stories and church teachings with the ELCA resource, "A 60-Day Journey Toward Justice in a Culture of Gun Violence." Together through daily observances, it calls us to work toward the prevention of gun violence as people of God who strive for justice and peace in all the world.

Church Announcements

An Update on St. Mark’s Mask Policy for Worship

Despite all of us wishing it were not so, the COVID-19 pandemic remains active in our community. The number of cases is rising and Buncombe County’s community rating has gone from “low” a few weeks ago to “medium” today. Many who are immune compromised or otherwise at high risk for severe disease remain vulnerable, even if vaccinated, due to inadequate vaccine response. We know that well-fitting, high-quality N95 and KN95 masks are effective in preventing the spread of the virus for both the person wearing the mask and for those around the mask-wearer.

At our monthly meeting on Monday, the Congregational Council strongly supported continuing the policy of requiring masks during worship services for now. We will revisit this policy each month and will consider the situation at that time to determine when we will be able to move to a “masks strongly encouraged but not required” policy. We appreciate everyone’s compliance with mask-wearing. It’s an important way we show our care and concern for each other.

Linda Kinsinger, Council President

Pastor Matt Smith

VBS Helpers Needed!

VBS will be August 14-18 from 5:15-8:15pm

We are excited that we are able to have VBS again this year, but we need your help in order to make it happen! Crafts, snack, games, and guides - there are lots of different ways for you to support of fun faith formation for St. Mark's kids!

Contact Deacon Katie to learn more and to sign up to help.

Continuing to Learn the Boarding Schools Story - June 2022

The North Carolina Synod office is located on the original and ancestral homelands of the Keyauwee people, and we give thanks for their presence here since time immemorial. We also wish to recognize and honor all our indigenous siblings who have called and continue to call this land their home.

In September 2021, orange cloths were draped in congregations, in the synod chapel, and at the synod entrance in an act of holy remembering—remembering Native children killed in the boarding school program. Now in May 2022, 225 days later, those cloths are being removed. Read more and pray with us in remembrance.

We are following the list of topics suggested by native leaders in the ELCA to continue our learning together. In June we are exploring the Turning Points project of PBS.

Click here to read more information and follow along.

Faith Formation

Faith Formation, Luther’s Small Catechism

Sundays, through June 26th

Join Doug Johnson as he leads us through Martin Luther's Small Catechism. Whether you haven't ever read the catechism, have Luther's explanations memorized, or somewhere in between, come and spend time as we discuss the foundations of our faith together. This class will meet in the library and on Zoom.

Summer Faith Formation

Sundays from 9:45am-10:45am

Children are invited to join Deacon Katie this summer for a one room Sunday School of silly songs and sacred stories! We will meet in the pre K/k room at 9:45 throughout the summer. Interested in helping? Contact Deacon Katie.

Weekly Schedule

Worship Assistant Information

If you are a worship assistant, please take a few moments and refresh yourself on the routines of your position either by watching these videos or by reading the linked text within the titles. If you would like to know more about these positions or any others on Sunday morning, please reach out to Danielle.