St. Mark's Episcopal Church |
Evanston
Being in Place - Growing in Faith - Living from the Center
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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.
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During the COVID-19 outbreak, in keeping with the CDC's guidelines and Bishop Lee's instructions, St. Mark's is practicing responsible social distancing, St. Mark's has suspended all in-person gatherings including worship. We do not know how long this will continue.
Please read this newsletter carefully to learn more about how we will continue to stay connected through online worship, formation, and fellowship opportunities. Social distancing need not mean social isolation.
Being in Touch with One Another:
In this time of separation, it is even more important that the church does what the church does best - stay connected. We have included the most recent
Parish Directory here
and Pastor Debra invites everyone to hold the other persons on "their" page of the directory in prayer and - better still - to reach out to them weekly to see how everyone is doing. If you or someone you know becomes ill, please let Pastor Debra know. Together we will continue to be the Body of Christ for one another and the community. If your information is missing or if it needs to be edited, please contact Pastor Debra at
rector@stmarksevanston.org
.
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In a call with Bishop Jeff Lee on Wednesday of this week, it was made clear that we will not be gathering in-person for the foreseeable future (that includes Holy Week and Easter and likely several weeks beyond). But what was also clear is that we ourselves are the Body of Christ and, as such, we continue to gather. . . . but for now, online.
Sunday Worship
:
Join St. Mark's for weekly morning prayer on Sundays a 9:30 a.m. on Zoom. To find the worship, go to
https://zoom.us/j/238775068
. The first time you use Zoom, you may need to download software to your computer. It is free. Or, if you prefer, you can dial in by calling 312-626-6799. The Meeting ID is 238 775 068.
Children's Message and Sermon
:
A children's message and sermon will be posted on St. Mark's Facebook page each Sunday morning by 11 a.m. (
www.facebook.com/stmarkevanston
). A link to those messages will also appear in each week's eLion. You do not have to have Facebook in order to see the videos.
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Texts for March 22, 2020
Psalm 23
1 Samuel 16:1-13
Ephesians 5:8-14
John 9:1-41
The Lord is my shepherd; *
I shall not be in want.
He makes me lie down in green pastures *
and leads me beside still waters.
- Psalm 23
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 3/22 and 3/29 at 10:30 am via Zoom. All are welcome to attend and add value to our conversations. To participate, go to
https://zoom.us/meeting/948508203
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Other Ways to Stay Connected & Involved
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Children - We Need Flowers:
Pastor Debra invites all children to draw picture or otherwise "make" a two-dimensional picture of a flower (8 ½" x 11"). These will be used either to adorn our online worship for Easter morning. Once your child's flower is complete, please email a picture of it (or scan it) to
rector@stmarksevanston.org
. Please have all flowers delivered no later than Monday, April 6.
Confirm not Conform:
We will be meeting on Sunday March 29 via Zoom. You will have the opportunity to share your world religion project in this video conference format. If you have a file you want to share, email it to
rector@stmarksevanston.org
by Thursday, March 26 so Pastor Debra can make sure it's available. Watch your email for the Zoom link!
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Weekly
Online Prayer
and Reflection Group:
Pastor Debra hosts an online video conference at 12 noon 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 a reflection for the day and share our thoughts on the day's reflection question.Reflections will come from
Living Well Through Lent 2020: Practicing Courage with All Your Heart, Soul, Strength, and Mind
(copies are available in the Parlor, or you can read it online by going to
LivingCompass.org/Lent
.
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Easter Flowers:
One of the most beautiful ways in which we mark the difference between the season of Lent and the joyous celebration of the Feast of the Resurrection is in the way we adorn our worship space. The children will be drawing Easter flowers that will provide the backdrop for our Easter online worship. If you would like to be a sponsor for these flowers, we welcome that. These contributions may be given in memory of a loved one or in thanksgiving or honor of someone special. The requested minimum donation is $20 per name. Please make checks payable to St. Mark's Episcopal Church and indicate "Easter Flowers" in the memo line. Send checks to St. Mark's Episcopal Church, 1509 Ridge Avenue, Evanston, IL 60201 or go to our website (www.stmarksevanston.org) and click the DONATE button. Email the names of those you want to remember or honor to
rector@stmarksevanston.org
. Requests to remember or honor loved ones in this way, must be in to Pastor Debra by
Monday, April 6
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Music Update: Hi, all! This is a very difficult time for us all! If you find yourself wanting to hear a hymn, or just need some music in your life, shoot me a text or email. I would love to set up a time to chat with you and play you a hymn or song over Zoom or the phone. Don't hesitate to reach out!
Musically,
Westley
312.241.5308
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Parish Staff and Volunteers
are, for the most part, now working from home. Pastor Debra can be reached at 847-732-9564. And each of us can be reached by email
Giving to the Church
This is a relatively small matter, but please stay current on your giving by mailing a check to the church or, better still, by going to our website,
www.stmarksevanston.org
, and clicking on the donate button. This will stabilize cash flow during what will otherwise be a bumpy time..
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!
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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, Suzanne Preiman, Kate Lewis, OJ Mabwa, 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, Barbara Flynn, Janet Gurniak
Birthdays
Ryan Benz (3/25)
Anniversaries
Andrew & Sandra Howard (3/26)
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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 Pastor Debra at
rector@stmarksevanston.org
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For the first time, ALL the Episcopal Church's in Evanston
are joining together as one team:
"EPISCOPALIAN'S UNITED AGAINST HATE!"
YWCA's Race Against Hate on Sunday, June 21
Registration is now open.
Please register under our united banner and help us make a difference in fighting hate in our community.
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