St Mark's Episcopal Church
THE COLLECT
Almighty God, you have built your Church upon the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Jesus Christ himself being the chief cornerstone: Grant us so to be joined together in unity of spirit by their teaching, that we may be made a holy temple acceptable to you; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever.   Amen.
Ordination Service Invitation
June 30th
at 11:00AM

By the Grace of God and with the Consent of the People of God, The Right Reverend Whayne M. Hougland, Jr., Bishop of Western Michigan will ordain Francis Michael Berghuis,  Janet P. Gockerman and Patricia Gay Vinge to the Sacred Order of Deacons here at St. Mark’s
 on Saturday June 30 at 11 am.
Your prayers and presence are requested.
There will be a light luncheon to follow.  
First Sunday - July 1
  • Each first Sunday we collect food donations for our local food pantry, Westminster Presbyterian Church. Bring in non-perishable food items to help support our neighbors in need.
  • Church Tour – If you would like to know more about the church’s history meet at the main doors on the west side of the sanctuary following the 10:30 a.m. postlude.
We are excited to see growth and enthusiasm at St. Mark’s and appreciate the opportunity to get to know one another and to socialize following our Sunday Worship Services. With this being said, it has been hard for individuals to pick up the responsibility to supply food for these gatherings. We therefore would like to request that our Ministry teams sign up for a few Sunday’s a year and provide both or just one of the 8 a.m. and 10:30 a.m. social hours with treats/sweets needed. It will be up to your Ministry team to handle assignments and set up. As always/receipts may be turned in to the Financial Manager, Pam, for reimbursement up to $75 per Sunday. There will be two ways to sign up your Ministry team. Clip boards with signup sheets will still be on the Welcome Desk or you may email Megan ( meganh@stmarksgr.org ) or call (616-456-1684) to request a Sunday.

Thank you so very much for all that you are doing for St. Mark’s and thank you in advance for your assistance with our Social Hours, Megan
Receiving the Chalice
The best way to receive the chalice for Communion is to take the chalice with both hands and serve yourself prior to returning it to the Eucharistic Minister, with the exception of children.
Invitation from the Property Ministry
We have some painting projects going on this summer through out the building. The nursery has been completed and we are now going to start on the large classroom next to the nursery in the lower level. Our next scheduled painting dates are July 7 & 21. If you would like to participate we will be meeting at 9:30am. Please sign up at the welcome desk or contact Michelle Jennings at 616-821-6014.
After the classroom is done we will move upstairs to paint the parish hall with a completion date sometime in early September so we will be ready for Artprize.
If you would like to paint but can’t make the painting dates, you are welcome to paint during the week on your own. Mike Armour likes this schedule and you can see his handy work in the nursery. He even created the critter hole for Jane Stidolph our director. Please call me with any other questions. I would greatly appreciate any help offered.
Gratefully
Michelle Jennings
Junior Warden and vestry liaison to the Property Ministry. 
Kidney Match Needed for Westminster Member
Partnership
Islamic Center of Grand Rapids
During the past year, I have been working on the Parish's behalf toward more collaboration with the Islamic Center of Western Michigan on Burton Street. The Kaufman Interfaith Institute and its year 'Year of Friendship' strongly encourages partnerships between religious traditions. Imam Dr. Sahibzada of the Islamic Center has been with us at St. Mark's on two occasions this past year, and I attended a presentation and dinner at the mosque last fall. I frequently work with the Imam and others of many different faith traditions in my involvement with the Institute.  At Tuesday's Vestry Meeting, I proposed that we approve a formal partnership with the Islamic Center, a partnership which would enable us to move forward with more collaboration and creative events. The Vestry voted "yes" to the proposal, for which I am very grateful. Together, we will support one another as people working for justice and peace. At St. Mark's, we will continue to honor and respect our Muslim brothers and sisters. My prayer is that our partnership will be an example of our support of the Islamic Center and the faith of our Muslim brothers and sisters there. 
May God bless us. ~ Christian+ 
Youth and Children Formation
  • The summer formation program for preschool - 4th grade began June 10 during the 10:30 Service. The children will be working in Creation Care, so please bring children dressed for planting and tending to our green space.
Highlight from the Vestry Meeting
  • Met together for dinner and fellowship at 5:30 p.m.
  • Approved Fr. Christian's proposal for an official partnership and collaboration with the Islamic Center of Grand Ropids
  • Approved the creation of a Breakfast Cafe Advisory Board to assist with the Breakfast Cafe Ministry
  • Reviewed our participation and success at the Pride Day celebration
  • Heard an updated report on the new Parish Website to be launched in September
  • Reviewed ministry needs based on continued growth of the Parish (six Baptisms in three months and additional new families)
  • Discussed the status of plans to have the boiler replaced before the cold weather sets in.
  • Discussed financial reports, noting that it has not yet been necessary to use the Annual Endowment Fund allotment for 2018
  • Reviewed the development of a plan for Safety and Security developed by a committee of Vestry members.
  • Reviewed the list of Parishioners who have agreed to serve on the St. Mark's building/parking project.
Parking for Sunday Services
Upcoming Events
  • June 30 - Ordination for Jan Gockerman
  • Sept 19 through Oct 7 - Artprize
  • October 21 - Anniversary Dinner
Sustaining St. Mark’s Ministry in 2018

Thanks to all who sustain our ministry together at St. Mark’s with pledges and offerings. We have pledged $425,550 toward our common life in 2018.  Last week, we received $ 5,821 contributions in  
                                         pledges and offerings.  

                                 R eceived YTD                      Needed                    Difference
YTD Contributions:         $ 342,474                       $  305,585                 $ 36,889 

A reminder that we gratefully received pledges at any time throughout the year. (Pledge cards and envelopes are available on the resource table in the church, which can be given as cash, check, or direct deposit.) Want more details about the Parish’s giving or finances? Please email questions to Finance Manager, Pam Stevenson pams@stmarksgr.org or our Treasurer, Sharon Buursma sbuursma@msn.com .
 
Join us on Sundays for
Faith Formation
9:15am—
Childcare (Nursery, lower level) available for infants - kindergarten
Children's Choir Rehearsal (upstairs children's chapel) for 1st-6th graders. No audition, all are welcome.
We Make the Road by Walking (upstairs Youth Room) for High School - Adult. Overview of the whole Bible, organized around the traditional church year.
Devotional Book Group (Library, main floor) for adults. Exploring faith and spiritual practices.

10:30am—
Childcare (Nursery, lower level) available for infants - 2 years
Preschool/kindergarten (Activity Center, lower level) chapel and formation for ages 2 through kindergarten.
Elementary (Main classroom, upstairs) chapel and formation for 1st through 4th grades.
Middle (Youth Room, upstairs) formation for 5th through 8th grades.
Explorations and Renewal in Christ (St. Mary's Chapel) June 3rd at 12:15pm. 
Assisting Worship This Sunday
  St. Mark's Episcopal Church
134 N. Division Avenue
Grand Rapids, MI 49503
Office#: 616-456-1684