Weekly Newsletter | November 24, 2020
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Join Us Online for Worship Every Sunday at 10:00 a.m.
We are happy to have people from all over the world worshipping with us online through the livestream on our Facebook page. If you miss any of our services, you can find them on our website and Facebook page.
Share prayer requests with us by sending them to prayers@smlutheran.org. If you would like us to include them in the Prayers of the Church during Sunday worship, please make note of that.
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Sunday School/Program Coordinator --45 hours per month for 10 months (44 weeks) beginning January 15, 2021. This person would plan, schedule, organize, and communicate ministry opportunities to all families of children 3 years old to 4th grade, as well as coordinate volunteers and work along with the CYFF committee.
For a full job description click here or if you have questions please contact Ingelaurie Lisher at ingelaurie@smlutheran.org. Please submit a resume or letter of interest with 3 recommendations (outside of family) to Ingelaurie Lisher by December 2. We plan on doing interviews the week of December 10.
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Interfaith Celebration of Gratitude |
Join us as we come together in peace and community to reflect on gratitude and Sacred Connection in Community. Although this year's gathering will look different than previous years, we look forward to being with you all virtually, coming together in spirit and shared virtual space!
When: Tuesday, November 24, at 7:00 p.m.
Where: Zoom
Register: Click here to register (please note registration is free but will be required).
For more than thirty-five years, this annual gathering has brought together people of many faith traditions. Historically, the service has included choirs and participants from the Bahá'í, Buddhist, Roman Catholic, Center for Spiritual Living, The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, Jewish, Muslim, Protestant, Sufi, Native American and Unitarian Universalist faith traditions. This gathering promises to be a wonderful evening of exploration, reflection, and fellowship!
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If you ordered a wreath from the scouts, it will be available for pick up in the church parking lot on Sunday, November 29, from 12:30-2 p.m. along with the Advent bags. If you are not able to pick up your wreath at that time, contact Teresa Handy at teresa.handy@smlutheran.org or by phone at 253-752-4966 x112, to make other arrangements. Thank you for supporting troop 216!
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Sign Up to Have Your Holiday Shopping Dollars Help St. Mark's |
Did you know that St. Mark's can earn "free" money nearly every time you shop at Amazon and Fred Meyer? These companies will donate money to our church at absolutely no cost to us - and it adds up. Every dollar earned is applied to our Mortgage Principal Retirement Fund. Please take the time to sign up, following the instructions on our church website under the Give tab. Please contact Jennifer Droubay in the church office if you have any questions.
Thank you in advance!
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Interfaith Encounters Will Resume in 2021 |
We are happy to announce that our monthly Interfaith Encounters will resume in January via Zoom. Join with friends from Temple Beth El, Bethany Presbyterian Church, The Islamic Center of Tacoma, and St. Mark’s as we delve into books by leading authors Karen Armstrong and Michael Kinnamon. Mark the 4th Tuesday of each month at 7:00 p.m. and plan to join this lively group. More information will follow in early January.
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Adult Faith Formation
On the first day of Advent, November 29, at 5 p.m., St. Mark's will host Rev. Dr. Scott Stoner of Living Compass for a session on "Hope." Please register here to access the Zoom link.
Young Adults: Join us at 7:30 p.m. on Tuesday, December 1, for a virtual pub theology night. Guest Mark Gravrock will lead us in our discussion- bring your favorite brew and we'll talk theology! Click here to join.
Our family traditions are extra important to us this Advent season, as we experience advent in our homes this year. Maybe your family will decorate a Christmas tree this year, or light candles around your own advent wreath, or count down the days to Christmas with an Advent calendar. At 5 p.m. on December 6, we invite you to join us on Zoom and share a story about your favorite creche or Nativity set with us! Click here to join.
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Children, Youth, and Family Faith Formation |
From Children’s Faith Formation: Happy Thanksgiving! Click here for some prayers for giving thanks.
Advent in the Home Kits/bags will be available for pick up on Sunday, November 29, from 12:30-2 p.m. in the parking lot at St. Mark's. If you didn't get a chance to sign up for one please do so soon, as supplies and materials have been ordered and copied--but don't worry we should have extras: Just contact Ingelaurie Lisher at ingelaurie@smlutheran.org to reserve yours today.
Youth Ministry: week of November 23-29
No Middle School Youth (6-8 gr) group this week, November 25
No 5-12th grade Sunday AM classes this week, November 29, see you all again on December 6 at 11 a.m.
December Youth Events: All over Zoom
Sunday, December 13: High School Christmas Party 4-4:45 p.m.--grab a festive sweater, make some hot chocolate, log in, and we'll play some fun games. Zoom link will be in weekly email to families.
Monday, December 21: 5-8th grade Christmas Cookie Baking Event 3-4:30 p.m.-sign up by December 13 so we guarantee we get enough supplies and can deliver them to you. Make sure a parent or older sibling is home to help out as needed. Sign up here.
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Living Well Through Advent 2020
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Practicing Hope with All Your Heart, Soul, Strength, and Mind
Join in a discussion with Rev. Dr. Scott Stoner on the concept of Hope!
Sunday Nov. 29th at 5:00 p.m. via Zoom, please register here.
After registering, you will receive a confirmation email containing information about joining the meeting.
Advent Devotional Book Discussion
During the season of Advent join others in a discussion of each week’s devotional readings, Thursdays, Dec. 3, 10, and 17 at 5:30 p.m. via Zoom.
(Hosted by pastors at St. Marks by the Narrows.) To receive an Advent devotional and Zoom link email sigi.helgeson@smlutheran.org.
Advent Facebook Retreat Group – through the Living Compass
We would like to invite you to join our Advent Facebook retreat group. If you participate in this private group, you will be enriched by your interactions with hundreds of others who are also reading this devotional.
Daily Devotional Emails
We also are offering an opportunity for you to have the reflections from this devotional emailed to you each day during Advent.
Visit us at LivingCompass.org/Advent to learn more or to sign up.
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Thank You Greater Tacoma Community Foundation! |
We wanted to share with you that St. Mark’s recently received a grant through the Greater Tacoma Community Foundation. The grant will be applied to general operating support in accordance with the donor’s designation. Thank you for your support of the mission and ministry of St. Mark’s! |
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Bringing Joy to Families & Students in Our Community
This year we are collaborating with Peace Community Center and DeLong Elementary School to provide holiday joy of gifts and food for families and students in our community. Here are the different ways you can support this annual event:
- Make a donation, either by check made out and sent to St. Mark’s with a memo of Giving Tree or through the Online Giving tab on the church website, select “Christmas (Virtual) Giving Tree."
- Sign-up to purchase a gift, gift card, or other items.
These gifts will support 62 families with 305 adults and children. Thank you for your Generosity!
Q: How do I sign-up?
A: Click the link for the organization (PEACE or DELONG) you would like to support. Scroll through the items to sign-up for and select the gift, gift card, or other items you would like to give.
Peace Community Center supports single-parent families by providing gifts for the children, a gift card for the adult head of household, and gift cards for food for the family. All gifts need to be wrapped and tagged with the FAMILY (letter) & Child (#).
DeLong Elementary has requested support for their students in need with 1-2 books and a game for each student. Additionally, for the student's family, gift wrapping paper, and gift cards for food for a holiday meal. All items need to be labeled with the Grade of the student you signed up for.
Q: When and how do I drop off the gifts?
A: There are multiple dates and times for you to drop off your gift items at St. Mark’s. Please see the list of days and times. Drop-offs will be at the upper door by the Fireside Room. All gifts need to be dropped off by December 13th.
- Sunday, November 29th from 12:30 to 2:00 p.m.
- Thursday, December 3rd from 6:00 to 7:30 p.m.
- Sunday, December 6th from 12:30 to 2:30 p.m.
- Thursday, December 10th from 6:00 to 7:30 p.m.
- Sunday, December 13th from 12:30 to 2:30 p.m.
Support Local
In an effort to support local businesses we have provided a list of places to purchase items found on this year's Virtual Giving Tree. This list provides detailed information including store contact information, a few suggested items, and optional bulk pick-up.
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Chase the Chill
Have you been busy knitting/crocheting during this time of distancing? Are you a knitter/crocheter and looking for ideas of things to make? Do you have gently used or new items you would like to donate? We are ready to collect items for "chase the chill". Useful items are hats, scarves, mittens/gloves and socks. Items can be delivered to the church any time before 4 p.m. on Wednesdays, starting 10/21. Please have your items in a bag and just place them outside the office door near the fountain. Items will be sorted into kits to be distributed at a later time. If you have any questions or need to coordinate a different time for drop off, contact Teresa Handy at teresa.handy@smlutheran.org. Thanks!
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Antiracism Resources
Over the past few months, many members at St. Mark’s have been engaged in an urgent conversation about racial justice. The killings of George Floyd, Breonna Taylor and others have brought into focus the reality of systemic racism in our country and in our church. We have begun this journey through book studies, movie discussions, and extended conversation.
We all find ourselves in different places on this journey. Fortunately, there are abundant resources available to help us. St. Mark’s Peace and Justice committee hopes that you will look at the attached list and find some useful tools. We will be posting this on the church website soon, and we welcome new additions to the list.
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Calling All Current UW Huskies and Alumni! |
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St. Mark's Lutheran Church by The Narrows
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