St. Mark's Episcopal Church | Evanston
Being in Place - Growing in Faith - Living from the Center
The eLion
All of us at St. Mark’s share a commitment to our faith and to our community, and we welcome visitors regardless of religious background, race, sexual orientation, or gender identity. Everyone is welcome here.
This Weekend
Fuzzy Slipper Sunday: Daylight Savings Time begins on Sunday, March 8th - yes, you will lose an hour of sleep. BUT, you are invited - and encouraged - to come to church wearing your most outlandish (or comfy) slippers. Think of the time you will save?!

Worship will take place that morning at 8 a.m. and 10:30 a.m. as usual. We hope you'll join in this little bit of silliness
Texts for March 8, 2020

Genesis 12:1-4a
Psalm 121
Romans 4:1-5, 13-17
John 3:1-17

The Lord shall watch over your going out and your coming in, from this time forth for evermore.
- Psalm 121:8
Lay Ministers for Sunday, March 8, 2020

Eucharistic Ministers: Aina Gutierrez, Andy Howard, Rachel Easton
Lectors: Kathy Hart (8am); Mike Johnson, Tacia Johnson (10:30am)
Acolytes: Anne Kirchner, Calvin Whitmore, Eva Sondgeroth, Vince Pappas
Altar Guild: Alice Pappas
Ushers: Hector Cortes, Doug Songeroth, Nancye Kirk
Coffee Hour Host: Debra Bullock
Coffee Hour Snacks: Last names beginning with G - L
Vestry Persons of the Day: Andy Howard, Milner Seifert
Worship & Formation
Lenten Devotionals and Weekly Online Prayer and Reflection Group: Living Well Through Lent 2020: Practicing Courage with All Your Heart, Soul, Strength, and Mind devotionals for Lent are now available in the Parlor. This devotional is intended to be used for daily personal reflection as we journey through Lent. The book includes reflections from a variety of authors, Scripture passages, and a space for you to record your own thoughts, feelings, or insights. If you prefer to receive the devotional as a daily email you can go to LivingCompass.org/Lent to subscribe.

Pastor Debra will be hosting an online video conference from 12 - 1 p.m. each Friday in Lent . To join the video conference, go to https://zoom.us/j/7465059615 (the first time you use the link you will be asked to download free software so you'll want to do this in advance). During this time we will pray together, read the reflection for the day and share our thoughts on the day's reflection question.
Creation Care Adult Education Forum: Looking for a Lenten practice or meditation? Concerned about the modern ecological crisis? Pastoral Intern, Carter Schram, will be leading two adult education forums to talk about the concept of creation care and our response as Christians. Explore the theological motivation behind environmental justice and learn more about what the Episcopal Church and St. Mark’s are doing to help. We will gather 3/15 and 3/22 at 9:15am in Bethlehem Chapel. All are welcome to attend and add value to our conversations.

Newcomer Series: Are you new to the Episcopal Church or new to St. Mark’s? Or maybe you’ve been coming for a while but want to know what it means to be a “member” of this thing called Church. Whatever your story, wherever you are on your journey in faith, you are invited to join Pastor Debra on Sunday mornings from 9:15 – 10 a.m. through March 29. If you have any questions, please email Pastor Debra at rector@stmarksevanston.org .
Staying Connected
Choir Member of the Month: Joanna Greene is St. Mark’s Choir Member of the Month! Joanna has been singing in the St. Mark’s Choir for 30+ years and loves the beautiful sounds we produce and the enjoyment and appreciation she sees on the faces of the St. Mark’s congregation. If you see Joanna, let her know how much we appreciate her willingness to serve as a leader of worship in our Parish Choir. Thank you, Joanna!

Youth Group Game Night : All youth (grades 6 – 12) are invited to come to St. Mark’s (1509 Ridge Avenue) on Sunday, March 15, from 6:30 – 8 p.m. for an evening of board games. We’ll bring Monopoly, you bring whatever else you’d like to play. You deserve a break, so come on out and join the fun. Feel free to invite your friends. Questions? Contact Pastor Debra at rector@stmarksevanston.org or 847-732-9564
Who Are We? Where Are We? And How Can We Find One Another? It’s time once again to update the Church Directory! You will find a copy in the parlor or you can click on a copy right here! On Sunday morning, please take a moment to check your information – spelling of name, children’s names, address, phone, email, etc. If there are changes - or if you are not listed! - simply write the changes or add yourself to the directory in the Parlor OR send an email to rector@stmarksevanston.org and we will make the necessary changes to the database. In Eastertide we will print copies of the new directory for everyone. Thank you for your help in keeping our data up to date!
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Jubi-latte and Tea Deum: Join Pastor Debra any Wednesday from 1:45-2:45 p.m. at Cupitol (812 Grove Street, Evanston) for a time of conversation over a cup of coffee or tea. Everyone is invited. It’s drop-in office hours without the office!

Coffee Hour Hosts are needed each Sunday morning to ensure that members and first time worshipers alike are greeted with our famous hospitality after worship. This ministry entails brewing fresh coffee and setting out snacks (brought by other members of the community). Then, once folks are heading out, we ask that you make sure the food is put away, dishes are in the dishwasher and coffee pots are rinsed. There are many folks who can help you and answer questions on Sunday if you get stuck. But we need your help! There is a sign-up sheet in the Parlor with several open dates for February, March and April. Please help us ensure that our hospitality remains one of the things our first time worshipers talk about.

Episcopal Church Women Conference: Join us Saturday, April 18 at the Cathedral for the Episcopal Church Women 135th Annual Conference (Men and Children are welcome) 9 am -3 pm.  This year’s theme is “Creation Care: Paths to Sustainability” and will feature a panel of representatives (including Allison Ashley, representing St Marks ) from around the diocese to discuss sustainability projects done since the 2010 launch of the Bishop’s Task Force on Sustainability. Rev. John Christ will present a “Stations of Creation”, Rev. Anna Broadbent will deliver the homily and Bishop Lee will celebrate the eucharist. For more information and to register, visit https://www.ecwchicago.org/education/ Contact Allison Ashley at creation@stmarksevanston.org if you would like to carpool.

Office Hours and Announcement Deadline: Paula Cosby, Administrative Assistant is in the office each Monday, Wednesday and Thursday from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. The deadline for all announcements for the eLion and bulletin is Tuesday at 12 noon. Thank you.

 Vestry: Did you know that the most recent Vestry Meeting minutes and the treasurer's reports are always posted on the bulletin board outside of the volunteer office? The minutes can also be viewed online by clicking   this link!
Social Justice & Outreach
3rd Sunday Juice & Sock Collection: Our next collection takes place on Sunday, March 15th. Please place jugs of apple or cranberry juice and new socks in the red shopping cart at the back of the sanctuary. Thank you!


Help Care for the Earth by Reducing Landfill Waste:   If you don’t have access to City Compost pick-up you can now bring your compostables to St. Mark’s. Our composting program is up and running so individual households are invited to participate. A suggested donation of $10 each month is requested. The funds will enable the St. Mark’s program to be self-supporting. For details please contact Allison Ashley at creation@stmarksevanston.org or Chris Schultze at chris.schultze@comcast.net

Sandwich-Makers and Lunch Servers Wanted: Every week St. Mark’s and St. Matthew’s serve lunch to between 50 and 70 guests in Cunningham Hall AND, you can get involved by helping to make those lunches on Tuesday evenings! Sandwich-making takes place on the 2 nd , 3 rd , 4 th , and (when it exists) 5 th  Tuesday of each month in the kitchen from 6 – 6:30 p.m. but we need your help. If you can spend 30 minutes even once in a while, we could use your help. In addition, especially during the summer weeks, additional help is needed on Wednesdays from 10 a.m. – 1 p.m. to set up, serve, and clean-up lunch. Sign up is easy:

·     Tuesday sandwich making -  http://tinyurl.com/y3xwbcda
·     Wednesday Lunch -  https://tinyurl.com/wedlch

If you have any questions, please contact Donna Richardson at 847-712-0705 or  dlynnrich322@gmail.com.
Pastoral Care Notes
Prayer List
Names remain on the prayer list for 5 weeks (2 weeks for those who have died).
  
We bid your prayers for: Veronica Braithwaite, Carolyn Brooks, Dick Brooks, Mary Pat Buckley, Gerritt Dangremond, John Fitts, Caroline Frowe, Charlie Lettner, Grace Lettner, Paul Lettner, Katherine Tyson McCrea, Jan and Jeri Offutt, Kate Lewis, OJ Mabwa, Tom and Renee Holmgren, Janon Furlong, Mary Lew Finster, Barbara Flynn, Rick Artwick, Demetrie Augustinos, Michael Collins, Kathleen Cook, Pat Ryan, David and Donnie Cresap, Lynn Kissell, Ahmed Mahmoud, Holly Nelson-Johnson, Herb Reese, Lisa Smith, Brian Styron, Mary Lew Finster, Barbara Flynn

We pray for those who have died: Albert (Ace) Simmons, beloved godfather of Lisa Montgomery,
Cyndy Peterson Starr, former member of St, Dunstan's Choir

Birthdays
Lynn Carver (March 6)
Hector Cortes (March 6)
Virginia L Beatty (March 8)
Sarah Francis (March 9)


If we have missed your birthday or anniversary, or if you have a name you would like added to the prayer list (or removed from the list) please send an email to Paula at office@stmarksevanston.org
Beyond our Walls
Interfaith Action of Evanston: March Madness Vendor Fair -- Wednesday, March 11, from 4 - 7 pm, Hilton Garden Inn Chicago North Shore is sponsoring this event with 50 vendors from the North Shore Community. There will be Raffle Prizes and easy garage parking. Admission is free and all proceeds from the raffle will go to Interfaith Action.