Worship & Formation
A Word from Pastor Debra

You Can Too!
As we prepare to launch a new Sunday School curriculum,  I am well aware of that feeling we all get - yes, clergy too! - that we simply don't know enough to teach faith to others. We either fear that we don't have enough information (not enough knowledge of the Bible, theology, Church history, etc.) OR that we aren't "holy" enough (don't pray often enough, don't read Scripture enough, don't serve others enough, etc.). . . . So, today, in my mailbox, I received a link to an article called "Five things You Didn't Know about Teaching Faith to Others."  The full article can be accessed via that link,   but here's a synopsis:
  1. You don't have to know everything - or even close to everything! Curriculum is provided (it's like an answer key, only better!)
  2. You'll learn AS you teach! Our children teach me something new everytime I engage with them. 
  3. This one is my favorite:  Not everyone will remember everything you say, but they will remember what you did. I don't remember what my mom taught us in junior high youth group; but I will always remember that she raised her hand to volunteer when asked.
  4. None of us is "holy enough" or, put another way, we are all loved by God exactly as we are. For the past 2000+ years the Christian faith has been passed along from generation to generation by people like you!
So, if you can overcome these fears -  even for one Sunday this year, 
I hope you will reach out to Liz McElhatton  or Emily Chastain  - so they can help connect  you to some of the brightest, most energetic, most authentic Christians  I know - our children! Dates still available this fall are Oct. 21, Nov. 18,  Nov. 25 - and, of course, we can always use your help with the Christmas  Pageant (Sundays in December). 

Thank you  to all who have already said, "Yes, I can do this too!"  - Clark Alexander, Nasim Alexander, Allison Ashley, Eliot Burlingham, Blake Chastain, Emily Chastain, Julia Ferguson, Anne Flosi, Bruce Gaede, Lori Goede, Joanna Greene, Betsy Johnson, Beth Johnson, Lisa Montgomery, Andrea Nowack, and Donna Richardson!
 
Pastor Debra+

Last Lakefront Worship Service for the Summer!
Sunday September 2, 9:30 a.m. at Hamilton St. and the Lake.
(Rain Location: St. Mark's)
It's summertime at St. Mark's and our 9:30 a.m. service is at the lakefront one last time! Bring a lawn chair, a blanket and come on down! The 8 a.m. service will be held in the Lady Chapel.
Fall Schedule
Sunday, September 9
On Sunday, September 9th we return to our Fall Schedule with worship at 8 a.m. (Lady Chapel) and 10:30 a.m. (Sanctuary) and Sunday School for ages 3 through grade 12 meeting from 9:15 a.m. - 10:15 a.m.  We look forward to falling back to church with you!
SPARK Mornings and ECHO The Story
Sundays, 9:15 - 10:15 a.m.
St. Mark's brand new Sunday School program launches with SPARK (for children ages 3 through grade 5) and ECHO (for young persons grade 6 - 12)! 

Thank you to: Emily Chastain and Liz McElhatton for agreeing to direct the SPARK program and to September rotation leaders Andrea Nowack, Anne Flosi, Eliot Burlingham, Clark Alexander, and Nasim Alexander for volunteering for a week!  Thank you also to Blake Chastain and Lori Goede who will be leading the ECHO program!
Sabbatical Swap Coffee Hour!
Sunday, September 9
We will have one coffee hour between the services from 9 a.m. - 10:15 a.m. as we welcome The Rev. Canon Suzann Holding ("Suzi"), our sabbatical priest and as we bid farewell-for-now to Pastor Debra and Andrea. The vestry will be hosting this coffee hour; however, if you would like to assist, please email our Senior Warden  or Junior Warden . 

Coffee Hour Hosts 
Hosts are needed beginning Sunday, September 16th after each service. If you are able to host, please email Timothy!
Bible in the Backyard - Tonight is the LAST NIGHT!
Wednesday, August 29, 7-8 p.m. 
Rectory Backyard (Rain Location: St. Mark's).
Come and continue to be shaped by the stories that have been part of our faith for centuries!  A continuation of our Lectionary at the Lakefront through the month of August, meeting in the Pastor's backyard! Here we will read the following Sunday's readings together.

S taying Connected
Jubi-latte & Tea Deum
Wednesdays, 3:30-4:30 p.m. at Cupitol
Coffee-with-the-Rector takes place each Wednesday afternoon at Cupitol. Stop on by to chat!  You are especially encouraged to stop by on Wednesday, September 5 when both Debra  and   Suzi (our sabbatical priest) will be present!
New Office Hours
We will be adjusting our office hours this fall! Here are the new hours:

Monday:
Tuesday & Thursday:
Friday:
Closed
9 a.m. - 5 p.m.
9 a.m. - 1 p.m.
To find out more of what's going on this week at St. Mark's check out our full Calendar of Events!
Social Justice & Outreach
St. Mark's is committed to working with God to create a better community and a better world. God is at work in our world and St. Mark's parishioners seek opportunities to join God's mission in their daily lives - at school, at home, at work and through a variety of social justice and outreach initiatives. Following are just some of the ways in which St. Mark's is involved in the community in helping to create a better world.
SJOM Wish List!
The Hospitality Center needs these things! Below is the list of items along with suggested sources sent by Sue Murphy, executive director. A red bucket has been placed in the parlor to collect items; please drop the items in at your convenience. Thanks, we appreciate your generosity!
  • Umbrellas 
  • Lip balm (ChapStick, etc.)    
  • Deodorant     
  • Readers - the stronger ones 200 and up - dollar store           
  • Ear buds - dollar store
Join Our Creation Care Team!
The Creation Care team is seeking additional members. Questions? Contact Allison Ashley for more information and how you can get involved!
Adopt-a-Beach
Saturday, September 15 at 525 Sheridan Square, Evanston, IL 60202


Come help the Creation Care Team clean up the beach after the summerseason! Tens of thousands of volunteers are working to keep the beaches and lakes clean, sponsored by the Alliance for the Great Lakes. Join members of the Creation Care team to clean this wonderful local resource. Questions? Contact Allison Ashley 
Bike the Ridge
Sunday, September 30: 9:00 a.m - 1 p.m.
Let's welcome riders as they stop by. Sign up in the Parlor to volunteer for set-up and tear-down, to sit at the welcome table, and to bring snacks. Join members of the Creation Care team in this annual event. Questions? Contact Allison Ashley for more information.

The ride will take place on Sunday, September 30, 2018 between 9 a.m. and 1 p.m. Ridge Avenue will be closed to ALL vehicular traffic from Howard to Church Streets. 
COPE Backpack & School Supply Drive

Thank you to all who contributed or volunteered to the COPE Backpack and School Supply Drive. It was an amazing success!
Midweek Lunch: Come Join Us!
Tuesdays, 6-6:30 p.m. at St. Mark's
Wednesday, 10 a.m. -12:30 p.m. at St. Mark's
Each week, volunteers from St. Mark's and St. Matthew's work together to prepare and serve meals for our neighbors who struggle with hunger and homelessness. On Tuesdays from 6:00-6:30 p.m. volunteers prepare sandwiches. On  Wednesdays, volunteers gather in Cunningham Hall from 10 a.m. - 12:30 p.m. to set out food and beverages, serve the meal and talk with our guests. Contact John for more information !
Texts for the Week Ahead

Lay Ministers
Sunday, Sept. 2
Eucharistic Ministers:
Andrea Nowack (8 a.m.), Dorothy Szczepaniak, Lynette Murphy (9:30 a.m.)
Lector:
Lynette Murphy
Lay Eucharistic Visitor:
Allison Ashley
Altar Guild:
Beth Johnson, Dorothy Laudati
Flower Arrangement:
Dale Seifert
Ushers:
Marion Macbeth, Deane Johnson, Rich Forst
Coffee Hour Hosts:
Dorothy & Casmir Szczepaniak
Vestry Person of the Day:
Luke Urbanowski
Birthdays & Anniversaries
Prayer List
Our Prayer List will be refreshing in a weeks time. If you would like a name to remain on our prayer list, please contact Timothy and let him know.

We bid your prayers for: Veronica Braithwaite, John Burnham, Tony Campise, Gerritt Dangremond, Caroline Frowe, Cyndi Hefler, Rebecca Keyes, Judy Kopp, Grace Lettner, John Lucadamo, Donald McCrea, George Mitchell, Jake Morris, Jan and Jeri Offutt, Andrew, the Babbitt-Lewis family, Dionne Bagsby, Herschel Brooks Lowe, Robert Bullock, David and Donnie Cresap, Marc Haidle, James Haywood, Teresa Johnson, Hilary Junkin, OJ Mabwa, Ahmed Mahmoud, Carl Messier, Lorraine Morton, Susan Murrell, The Nacey family, Mikey Pinsker, Jeff Redmond, Reg Ryan, Sarah, Ben and Vera Serna, Gregg Skalinder, and families who have been separated at our nation's borders.

We pray for those who have died, especially: James McCarthy, father of Patrick McCarthy and father-in-law of Kate Molumby McCarthy

We pray for: the people of the Diocese of Renk and the Diocese of Southeast Mexico
The eLion Newsletter is published every Wednesday.
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Wednesday Lion: two days before (Monday)

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