St. Mark's Weekly Bridge Newsletter

We are pleased to share with you the Financial Addendum to our Fiscal Year 2017-2018 Annual Report. There are some hard copies available on the Welcome Center or you can click into the Financial Addendum here.

Produce Palooza! Sundays in the Courtyard, 9:45-11:00 a.m.

Produce Palooza will continue each Sunday until our gardens are finished for the season. Please feel free to share your bounty.

Infant Layettes

Thanks to Melanie Powell who answered the call to take my place with the LWR Infant Layettes with the help of Jana Skaga!!!! -Randi Holland

Women's Tea and Conversation

St. Mark's IT Notes

We are pleased to share that we were able to secure a new donation from Microsoft for Azure Backup which replaces our existing backup solution. We are privileged to be able to receive continued donations and discounts from Microsoft and Google that help support our mission. If you have any questions, please feel free to contact Levin Conway through the Church office.

Third Quarter Group

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

Thursday, September 13, at 6:00 p.m. Potluck in Parish Commons. We will review our past year's activities and get your ideas for 2018-2019 monthly events.

Women of St. Mark's

Our September Craft Night will be on Friday, September 28, in the Youth Room. Lots of tables, room and cooler! We will be assembling the Snowman Chocolate Bars, a favorite at the Bazaar. Hope to see you there!

Hope all of you are working on your items for the bazaar. I have had a request for washcloths all you who knit and/or crochet! We would love to have all you bakers plan to make cookies, bread, candy, jelly, jam, preserves or whatever goodie you like to make. We have containers both small and large for selling cookies or candies in dozen or half dozen sizes.

We will need lots of helping hands to put on the Bazaar. Stay tuned for more information. There will be sign up sheets available soon. Look for the Women's table in the Narthex.

Questions, contact Barbara Meyers at 253-756-9352 or [email protected].

News from the Food Backpack program!

School has started and so has the Food Backpack program. We are looking for all of the food items on our list as well as cash donations, grants, Thrivent Action Team grants, and school supplies. We are once again serving the hungry youth at DeLong Elementary and Sherman Elementary schools.

Thank you for your generous support in the past! Looking forward to partnering with you again.

If you have questions please stop by our table in the Narthex or contact Jean at [email protected].

Children and Youth Faith Formation

Sunday morning Faith Formation Classes for children 3 years old to 12 th grade begin Sunday, September 16, at 9:45 a.m. Teacher training/orientation will be held Saturday, September 15, for those working with 3 year olds to 4th grade.

CYFF Team meeting Tuesday, September 11, 7 p.m. in the Fireside Room.

Welcome to Sunday Morning Milestone Event for 3 year old children and their parents will be held Sunday, September 30, at 9:45 a.m. in the preschool rooms, downstairs in the CFC. Led by Char Leone. Please let Celesta Smith know by Sunday, September 23, if your child plans on attending.

1st/2nd year Confirmation Ministry at St. Mark's:

Sunday, September 9

1st year Rite of Welcome at 11:00 a.m.
1st/2nd year Potluck lunch and welcome event at noon in the PCC

3rd year confirmation: 9th grade

September 16 Sunday AM classes begin at 9:45 a.m. in the Fireside Room.

Wednesday programs for children begin September 12 with Holy Moly running from 6:15-6:45 p.m. in the Youth Room with Char Leone. Children's choirs begin at the following times: Little Angels: 5-5:30 p.m.; Joyful Noise: 5:30-6 p.m.; Jubilation Choir: 6-6:45 p.m.

Thursday Nights at St. Mark's for youth grades 6-12th begins September 20! Youth Group: 5:30-6:30 p.m. with Nate Nolting. Youth group is held the 1st & 3rd Thursday of each month. Youth Choir also begins September 20, 6:30-7:30 p.m. in the Choir Room with Cooper. Choir is held weekly.

You are INVITED to join the Sunday morning Children's Faith Formation fun! Be a member of a teaching team for 5-6 weeks during one or more sessions September 16 to June 16 . See the table in the Narthex or contact Celesta Smith at [email protected] for more information.

Adult Faith Formation

Sunday Adult Faith Formation

9:45 a.m. Care of Creation Forum Series begins September 9 with a look at a Franciscan Spirituality of Creation. Pastor Ruud will host this conversation. Upcoming topics: Ice, Whales and Environmental Advocacy.

11:00 a.m. Crossways Bible Study begins September 16. Crossways is a comprehensive Bible study that is taught over the course of 2 years. If you did not participate last year, you are welcome to join the group as they start up again this fall. Materials cost $20 every 10 weeks (scholarship money available).

Wednesday Adult Faith Formation

Women's Morning Bible Study: The 9:30 a.m. Wednesday morning Bible study meets in the Parish Commons #1 Classroom. Ladies begin gathering about 9:15 for coffee and visiting. We are ladies with varying faith and Bible experiences, who help each other by sharing our questions and insights. This fall we will study the book of Romans. We begin on September 12, and books are available - an excellent time to join us! For more information, contact Linda Durant, [email protected] , or (253) 363-8202.

Noon Text Study Luncheon, Parish Commons Classroom: We will resume our weekly study and lunch on Wednesday, September 12. Come for this lively discussion of the texts for the upcoming Sunday, hosted by the preacher.

Midweek Renewal 6:15 p.m., Parish Commons Classroom: "Reclaiming Jesus: A Confession of Faith in a Time of Crisis." In September and October we will study this historic document, written by several "elders" in the Church. This document calls for Christians to be very clear about our identity in Christ and the necessity to reject the rise of oppression based on race, gender, identity, and class. To view the document and learn of its origin, go to www.reclaimingJesus.org.

Note: We also have an opportunity to be part of a multi-congregational study of "Reclaiming Jesus" which will be taking place on Monday evenings throughout the fall. Pick up a schedule on the Welcome Center if you are interested in studying with our Christian neighbors.

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.

The 2018 midterm elections are critical to Bread for the World's work. This year, we can elect leaders who will pass laws, fund programs, and create policy to put our nation and the world on track to end hunger by 2030-an outcome that is achievable, if our elected leaders make ending hunger a priority. Hunger is not a partisan issue. That is why Bread works with our nation's leaders-whoever they may be-in a bipartisan manner. Bread does not endorse any candidate or political party. Learn more about the Vote to End Hunger campaign here.

Walking 4 Wellness

All are welcome! We have a fun, social time. Meet the group for friendship and fresh air. Wednesdays, 3:30-4:30 p.m. (approx). Meet at the TLRC Art Center, near the fountain. No sign up required. Questions? Contact Pastor Sigi at: [email protected].

New Hearing Loop System in Sanctuary!

We are pleased to share that our sanctuary is now equipped with a Hearing Loop System! This loop system gives greater accessibility to those with hearing challenges to hear scripture readings, the sermon, and music. All seating in the pew areas is covered by the system. Hearing loops have been widespread in public venues in Europe for some time, but are just now starting to catch on in the United States.

Please ask the ushers for assistance with the receivers. Click here for the instruction sheet, also available at the church.

Fall School Kit Drive - Lutheran World Relief

It's time for St. Mark's Annual LWR School Kit Drive and to shop for school supplies at great prices!

Last year St. Mark's delivered 225 school kits to LWR, and LWR delivered 214,690 school kits to 17 countries! Starting August 25 through September, you will be able to pick up and fill one or more ORANGE bags that will be delivered to one child OR just pick up a supply list and shop for the items you choose. This St. Mark's ministry of collecting supplies, packing, and shipping kits allows children to attend school in their communities! Pencils and paper help write a positive future ! Contact Catherine Terrill with ? at 253-732-3479. Blessings!

EACH KIT INCLUDES :

(4) Spiral bound notebooks (8" X 10 ½")

(1) 12" ruler (metric/inches)

(1) pencil sharpener

(1) blunt scissors

(5) pencils -unsharpened

(5) ballpoint pens (blue or black)

(1) 2 ½" pink eraser

(1) box crayons (16 or 24 crayons)

Free Pierce County Film Series Focuses on Family Caregiving

Films on Caregiving - Happy Tears

September 8 - Two sisters help their crude but endearing father deal with age-related health and mental problems. Upon returning to their childhood home to help their father, they face difficult, frequently comic situations. The sisters also bicker over the seriousness of their father's condition and his caregiving needs. The struggle to balance familial duties with their own strained lives suggests a more meaningful family connection they may not have had as children. Free film held at the Grand Cinema, 606 Fawcett in Tacoma. Doors open 10:30 a.m. Film shows at 10:45 a.m. Free popcorn. Tickets at www.PierceADRC.org (click on News & Events) or call 253-798-4600.

Member Notes and News

Sunday worship seems to mean more to us every week, now that we are not involved in the other 6 days. Thank you so much for the prayers, the sermons, and the new hearing system, and of course the fellowship of believers. This morning I didn't even have time for a cup of coffee, everyone was surrounding us with so much loving care. We are so thankful for Helen Huseth and her transportation. It is such a new stage in life for us to be without a car. But every day is filled with thanksgiving. We still have each other, this wonderful apartment with our meals provided, and new friends we are meeting here. God is so good. -Elaine Rodning

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!