St. Mark's Weekly Bridge Newsletter

Have you ever considered being a Greeter, an Usher, a Lector, or a Communion Assistant in Worship but weren't sure how to get started? If so, now is a great time to begin. We need volunteers every week at all three services. It is a great way to become involved in our congregation and to be a part of our worship services. Training is available and we happily work with your schedule. If you are interested or have questions, please talk to Linda McKeller in the church office Sunday morning between 9:30 and 11:00, or send an email to [email protected] .

Care of Creation Camping Trip

The Care of Creation committee is sponsoring a two-night camp-out at Seal Rock Campground in Brinnon on Hood Canal July 19 through the 21. Seal Rock is a federal forest service campground adjacent to the Dosewallips State Park. It has beach activities, hiking, and more. You can obtain a shellfish license in Brinnon, three minutes from the campground. We cannot make reservations, however. It is first come first served. COC members will go early to stake out the number of campsites needed to accommodate our group size. We would need to know the number of campers to secure enough campsites for the two nights we are there. The cost per campsite is 18 dollars per night (and 9 dollars per night with a senior park pass). (Maximum eight people per campsite.) So please contact Tom Hulst by email at [email protected] or by phone 253-460-2683 if you would like to go. Folks could drive up for a day visit too if desired.

We plan to have a potluck on Friday night (July 20), campfire, and s'mores. Hotdogs, buns, condiments, vegetarian chili, and s'mores will be provided. Please bring a salad or other dish to share on Friday. All other meals will be on your own. Participants should have all other equipment for overnight camping. Could you

please contact us no later than July 14 if you plan to participate?

St. Mark's Picture Directory

Have you had your picture taken for the directory yet? If not, you have a few more days to make it happen, July 13-14. There are several times available on Friday and Saturday afternoons. We would love to have all of our members included in the directory and hope you will schedule your appointment soon. Visit the table in the Narthex to find the day and time that will work for you. Thank you!!

You are Invited to an Interfaith Discussion with Bishop Jaech and Rabbi Jaech on July 24 at 7:00 p.m. at St. Mark's Lutheran Church by The Narrows

Come join a discussion with Bishop Rick Jaech of our ELCA Southwestern Washington Synod and his cousin, Rabbi Jennifer Jaech, as they discuss the Christian and Jewish faith tradition and the spiritual pilgrimage they have each made. Rabbi Jaech is the Senior Rabbi of Temple Beth Israel located in Northern Westchester County above New York City. They look forward to having a family interfaith discussion with all of you.

Third Quarter Summer Fun

Those in the third quarter of life, ages 50-75ish, are invited to share hope, laughter, and love through active events.

Thursday, July 12, 6:50 p.m. Rainiers game at Cheney Stadium. Please eat beforehand or plan on buying concession food. We will meet by the ticket windows at 6:50 p.m. and each buy our own $15.50 general admission tickets. The game starts at 7:05 pm against Fresno.

Thursday, August 9, 5:45 p.m. Happy Hour dinner at Duke's, 3327 Ruston Way. Optional bike ride: meet at Duke's lot at 5:00 for leisurely cycling along Ruston Way before Happy Hour.

Circle of Welcome Potluck for Refugee Resettlement

Sunday, July 15, 12:15 p.m. in the Parish Commons. We are organizing the new "Circle of Welcome" team of volunteers to mentor a new refugee family in our community. Please bring a main dish and salad or dessert to share. Please bring a recipe/food from another country, and be ready to share why you chose that dish or country. After the lunch, we'll divide into different hospitality teams: setting up a new apartment, transportation to medical/school appointments, cultural orientation, getting to know Tacoma, English language practice, and job search.

If you have not signed up yet to be part of the team to mentor a new family, please RSVP to Kathleen Campbell ( [email protected] ) or John Avery ( [email protected] ), or leave your name with Pastor Rebecca.

Weekly Walking for Wellness on Wednesdays

Wednesdays throughout the summer. Those who are interested will meet at 3:30 p.m. in front of the Wellness Center at TLRC and go for a short, easy walk around the neighborhood. Please sign up in the church office or on the back table in the Narthex. All are welcome to come (wheelchairs and walker friendly), this will be an accessible walk. Questions? Contact Pastor Sigi Helgeson, [email protected] , or call the church office.

Thank You from the Food Backpack Program!

A HUGE THANK YOU to all of you who have participated in the St. Mark's Food Backpack program!!!!! Because of your support we were able to provide an average of 65 weekend food bags to DeLong Elementary School and an average of 4 weekend food bags to Sherman Elementary School.

We will CONTINUE to collect FOOD and MONEY throughout the summer so that we will be fully stocked for the start of the 2018-2019 school year.

Food may be left at the church in the Backpack box just outside of the office door and funds may be put in the offering basket or left in the office (please plainly mark your check and envelope indicating that it goes for the Backpack Program). There will also be donation envelopes on the counter outside of the office.

Once again, THANK YOU for making this program sustainable.

You may contact Jean Steingrebe ( [email protected]) if you have questions or comments.

Marimba Summer Camp

Back by popular demand, a Marimba experience is being offered this summer for children:

Youth Marimba Camp (3rd through 12th grade): August 20-24
Registration Fee: $50.00 (cash or check)

Registration is available with Linda or Katie in the church office. There is limited space, so we encourage people to register early.

Women of St. Mark's

Our first craft night produced jars of bath salts, beautifully decorated, and all the stuffed toys have been filled! Thanks to all who attended! Our next craft night is on July 27, Friday, from 6 p.m. till 9 p.m. We will be making the Popcorn Snowmen and other small projects. Come one and all for an night of crafting and lots of conversation!

St. Mark's Preschool

St. Mark's Preschool is looking to hire a fun, team-oriented PreK teacher with at least two years of experience teaching 4-5 year olds. PreK teachers work M-Th from 9 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. Pay will be between $14-$17/hr DOE. Please be prepared to provide a resume as well as three references. We look forward to hearing from you soon!

Contact: Anne Zimmerman, St. Mark's Preschool Director, [email protected], 253-272-4929.

St. Mark's Preschool is accepting registration forms for the 2018-2019 school year!

Children and Youth Faith Formation

We are back from Houston and ready to share parts of our experience with you through the 9:45 worship service on July 15. Thanks to everyone for their support of us attending this life changing Gathering.

Summer Story time: 9:45 hour for children 5 years old to 3rd grade (incoming). Younger children need to bring an adult. Leaders this Sunday: Ingelaurie Lisher and Julie Milasich

Mark your calendars:

JR/SR ALYVE Family BBQ (youth and parents) Thursday, July 12, 5:30-7 p.m. at the Lisher/Sadler home. Brats and hot dogs provided. Bring a side dish to share. RSVP by July 8 if you are attending, [email protected]
Music on the Lawn Event and Fundraiser Saturday, August 25, 3:00 p.m. at the Reynolds. Tickets available soon. Talk to Jean Steingrebe if you are able to lend a hand, [email protected]. Sign up sheet for volunteers launches July 11.

Travel Adventure VBS 2018

Supplies needed: Empty tin cans of any size (soup cans); paper towel and toliet paper rolls (clean please).

VBS leaders ( youth and adults): Check your email or talk to Celesta about when your next training is planned.

Adult Faith Formation

Summer Series begins in July. Wednesdays, July 18 - August 8, 6:30-7:30 p.m. For the Well-Being of All: praying with heart, soul, strength and mind. Look for details in future editions of The Bridge and Parish Life.

Peace and Justice

Habitat for Humanity

Once again this year a team of volunteers from St. Mark's will help build a Habitat for Humanity house along with groups from local churches -- appropriately, the project is called "Building on Faith." The house is also part of the Thrivent Builds program this year and will be located in the Tillicum neighborhood of Lakewood, near JBLM. Tentatively, our workday will be Saturday, July 14, and like last year, we will probably have additional dates in August and September. Please contact Tom Geary or Deborah Herforth for information or details. You can reach them by email at [email protected] or [email protected] .

Backpacks with School Supplies for Mission Creek

We are collecting backpacks and school supplies for moms at Mission Creek Correction Center in Belfair to give to their kids at their "Back to School" event. We are c ollecting for older kids (5th- 12th grades). First Lutheran in Port Orchard is tak ing care of the little kids. Pick up a list at a table in the Narthex (also see below) and let us know what you can bring. Our goal is 35 backpacks with full sets of supplies. Fill a backpack or bring what you can and we will assemble. Donations are needed by Sunday, July 29. Thank you so much for your generosity!

Backpacks and supplies for 5th-12th grades:

Backpack +/or:

Composition book(s)

Spiral notebook(s)

3-ring binder(s)

Paper (college rule)

Subject dividers

Ruler

Eraser

Glue sticks

Pens (blue/black/red)

Pencil pouch

Pencil sharpener

Pencils (all wood; cheap ones crumble)

Colored markers

Colored pencils

Highlighter(s)

Calculator with advanced functions ($10-15 type)

SUPPLIES NEEDED BY July 29. THANK YOU!!

Speak Up: Moral Voices

The Peace and Justice Committee at St. Mark's suggests we all consider using our moral voices to advocate for justice in the following areas: food, housing, creation, and immigration.

Click here to watch a video on the sanctuary movement/immigration.

Rummage Sale

Rummage sale at Peninsula Lutheran Church (6509 38th Ave NW, Gig Harbor), Friday and Saturday, July 20-21, 8 a.m.- 4 p.m., will benefit Lutheran prison ministry, including Empowering Life's work at the Washington correction centers for women. Drop off donations Tuesday -Thursday, July 17-19, 10 a.m.-7 p.m. Questions: call Pen Lutheran, 253-851-3511.

365 Days of Christmas

Remember St. Mark's children's tree decorating when you take your summer trip or do any travels this year. Bring back a tree ornament that we can place on the World Tree in the downstairs entry. These ornaments from other countries or states will be enjoyed every year by our Sunday School and preschool children. Baskets collecting these ornaments are in the main office and the downstairs entry by the Sunday School rooms. We will be reminding you of an ornament contribution until November of this year. Thanks for your help.

Host Families Needed

Volunteer host families needed

We still have students available to host for this coming year!

I have 1 boy that is from Saudi Arabia! What a cool country to learn about! Mansour is 15 and had Muscular Dystrophy, it affects his shoulders and legs. He is able to walk. Swimming is his approved form of exercise, that he would need to be able to do while here.

Mansour wants to be a Dr. in the future. Mansour enjoys the outdoors, volunteering, science,technology, and learning about new cultures. He is excited to share his culture with you while experiencing the US culture! Contact Cindy Johnson for more information or go to www.ayusa.org and start the application. If you are not able but know someone that would like to host him, refer them and when they host you

will receive $200.00 as a thank you for referring them!

Cindy Johnson, 253-245-6641

Church Office Hours

The church office is open Monday-Friday from 8:30 a.m.-noon, 1:00-4:00 p.m . and Sunday from 9:30-11:00 a.m.

*The door to the office is locked during preschool hours (8:30 a.m.-1:30 p.m.); please knock or ring the doorbell and someone will let you in promptly!

Have an item for The Bridge?
Send it to [email protected] by 5:00 p.m. on Tuesday. All items will run for two weeks prior to the relevant date, and will be edited for length. Don't forget to send your member notes and news!