September 4, 2019
The eLion
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.
Back to Church Potluck Breakfast!
On Sunday, September 8th, at 9:15am please join us for a pot luck breakfast in Cunningham Hall between the 8:00am and 10:30 services. Catch up with your church friends and enjoy a delicious breakfast. To bring something to share, please contact Beth Johnson at 312-206-3574 or bethj5@comcast.net .
See you on September 8th in Cunningham Hall!
This Weekend
Lay Ministers for
Sunday, September 8

Eucharistic Ministers: Abigail Seifert (8 a.m.), Betsy Johnson, Byron Scott, Eva Sondgeroth (9:30 a.m.)
Lectors: Kathy Hart (8 a.m.), Lola Himrod, Aina Gutierrez (9:30 a.m.)
Altar Guild: Alice Pappas
Altar Flowers: Mary Nowack
Usher: Doug Sondgeroth, Nancye Kirk, Elsa Sondgeroth
Vestry Person of the Day: Rachel Easton, Milner Seifert
Staying Connected
Westley in Concert and Conversation: Join us on Sunday, September 8, 2019 at 7:00pm for a concert featuring our new Associate for Music Ministries. Westley will be accompanied by Beau Surratt and the concert will feature Finzi’s Five Bagatelles for clarinet and piano, as well as some vocal piano music by Mark Hayes and Dr. Thomas Lee. Following the short concert, Westley will lead us in song to demonstrate how he leads congregational singing. A reception will follow with plenty of time to meet and chat with Westley. Thank you in advance for support the music ministries at St. Mark’s—we look forward to Westley’s work with us. For more information, please contact Westley at music@stmarksevanston.org .

Youth Group – Photo Scavenger Hunt:   On Sunday, September 15 th  all youth in Grades 6 through 12 are invited to a photo scavenger hunt at St. Mark’s beginning at 6:30 p.m. At the conclusion of the scavenger hunt we will enjoy s’mores around the fire pit on the front lawn of the church (feel free to bring a blanket or lawn chair to sit on --- and bug spray!) Our evening will conclude at 8:00 p.m. In the event of a rainy night, event will still take place – but indoors minus the s’mores. Bring a friend, bring your phone, and come have a fun evening! If possible, please RSVP to  rector@stmarksevanston.org  or 847-732-9564; but, if you forget and want to join at the last minute, that’s o.k. too! Parents, you are welcome to join me at the fire pit as we await the return of the scavenger hunters. . . . or, simply drop your young person off and return for them at 8 p.m.

Office Hours for Fall:  Associate for Operations, Timothy Beltran del Rio is in the office on Tuesdays from 9 – 1 p.m. and on Thursdays and Fridays from 9 – 5 p.m. To meet with Pastor Debra Bullock or Associate for Music Ministries, Westley Hodges, please call or email to make an appointment as we are not always in our office when we are at work in the world.

Jubi-latte and Tea Deum –  The Time (and Place) They are a Changing!   Beginning in September, Pastor Debra looks forward to welcoming you to a time of conversation over coffee or tea at Cupitol (812 Grove Street) each Wednesday morning from 9:30 – 10:30 a.m.

Interfaith Block Party:  Unity on the North Shore invites us to participate in an Interfaith Block Party on Saturday, September 14 from 10 a.m. – 4 p.m. at Unity on the North Shore (3434 Central Street, Evanston). There will be live performances, interactive world religions walk, games and activities, delicious food, and ample opportunities to get to know your neighbors.

St. Mark’s Next Family Play Date   will take place at Smith Park (corner of Ashland and Lyons in Evanston) on Saturday, September 7 from 2:30 – 4 p.m. Bring your kids (or your inner child) and come out and play! If it is raining, the event will be cancelled.

An Invitation to the Women’s Gathering & Retreat: God’s Healing Leads to Wholeness : All women of the Diocese of Chicago and their guests are invited to attend the ECW (Episcopal Church Women) sponsored fall retreat (October 11-13 at The Portiuncula Center for Prayer in Frankfort, Illinois). Colleen and John Willard will be our featured presenters. Jeannie McCabe from Fort Smith, Arkansas will be our centering presenter and Lead Musician. Janet Irvine, from Janesville, Wisconsin is our Musician. The Rev. Trilby Murray, ECW Chaplain (Deacon at St. Thomas Episcopal Church, Chicago) is our Quiet Day Presenter and Spiritual Director for the weekend. The Rev. Eileen Shanley-Roberts is our Celebrant. Special pricing is available through August 31, 2019. Details and registration forms may be found on the ECW website: ecwchicago.org. For questions and concerns please contact Linda Toberman, retreat@ecwchicago.org .

Vestry
Did you know that the most recent Vestry Meeting minutes are always posted on the bulletin board outside of the volunteer office? Now they can also be viewed online by clicking   this link!
Choir Room Open House: Have you ever wondered what it would be like to attend a choir rehearsal? Well, now is your chance to come see what all the hype is about! Come out on Thursday, September 5, 2019 at 7:30pm to get a tour of the choir room, enjoy some fellowship with cookies and lemonade, chat with Westley our new Associate for Music Ministries, learn some new music, and end with Night Prayer. Even if choir isn't your thing, come say hi! For more information, please contact Westley at music@stmarksevanston.org.
Worship & Formation

Fall Worship Schedule:   On Sunday, September 8 we return to our “school year” schedule with worship at 8 a.m. and 10:30 a.m. and coffee hour following each service. 

8 a.m.              Holy Eucharist in the Lady Chapel
9 a.m.              Refreshments
9:30 a.m.         Choir Rehearsal
9:55 a.m.         The Gathering (children ages 3 – Grade 5)
10:30 a.m.       Holy Eucharist in the Sanctuary
11:45 a.m.       Refreshments
12 noon           Handbell Choir Rehearsal (begins September 22)

Adult forums will resume every other week beginning at the end of October. Programming for youth (Grades 6 – 12) will take place one Sunday evening per month beginning in September (watch for a separate email about that when our first gathering nears) and Confirm not Conform kicks off its second year with a retreat in early October (watch for a separate email with those details).

The Gathering: Children ages 3 through Grade 5 are invited to join Pastor Debra each Sunday morning beginning September 8 from 9:55 a.m. – 10:20 a.m. for this NEW Christian Formation offering. We will gather in the classroom on the main floor of the parish house for a time of prayer and reflection, we will then join the choir for 5 – 10 minutes to learn the Psalm for the day which the children will lead during worship, and we will end our time together by prayerfully lighting the candles in the sanctuary and preparing for worship. All children will be invited to be a part of the procession into the church that opens our worship before joining their families for worship.
Altar Flowers: If you would like to remember a loved one by making a donation for flowers on a Sunday morning, add your name to the sign up sheet in the parlor. The suggested donation is $50. There are several dates throughout the summer still available!

Coffee Hour Hosts:  Did you know that if every household at St. Mark’s hosted just one coffee hour, we could cover every Sunday of the year! So, a sign-up sheet is available in the parlor and we encourage you to choose a Sunday. Vestry members, Pastor Debra, and others who have hosted in the past are always happy to assist you! Not at the church but want to sign up? Send an email to Timothy at  office@stmarksevanston.org  and let him know your date! Thank you everyone!

Who Brings Refreshments on Sundays?  On September 8 we return to our schedule of having groups of people provide the treats (e.g., cookies, donuts, bars, fresh fruit, cheese plate, etc.) for coffee based on your last name (for households with multiple last names, just choose a Sunday). The schedule is as follows:

1 st  Sunday of the Month – Last Names beginning with A - F
2 nd  Sunday of the Month  (Sept. 8)   - Last Names beginning with G - L
3 rd  Sunday of the Month – Last Names beginning with M - S
4 th  Sunday of the Month – Last Names beginning with T - Z
5 th  Sunday of the Month – All y’all

Handbells start ringing on September 22, 2019: Do you love music? Or, maybe you like shaking things… Well, you are in luck! Our handbell choir will start back rehearsing on Sunday, September 22, 2019 at 12:00pm. Even if you can’t read music, come join us as we learn together and create beautiful music that enhances our worship services. Send Westley an email at  music@stmarksevanston.org  to let him know you plan to attend.
Social Justice & Outreach
Sandwich-Makers and Lunch Servers Wanted: Did you know that every week St. Mark’s and St. Matthew’s serve lunch to between 50 and 70 guests in Cunningham Hall? AND, did you know that you can get involved by helping to make those lunches on Tuesday evenings? It’s all true! Sandwich-making takes place on the 2 nd , 3 rd , 4 th , and (when it exists) 5 th  Tuesday of each month in the kitchen from 6 – 6:30 p.m. but we need your help. If you can spend 30 minutes even once in a while, we could use your help. In addition, especially during the summer weeks, additional help is needed on Wednesdays from 10 a.m. – 1 p.m. to set up, serve, and clean-up lunch. Sign up is easy:

·     Tuesday sandwich making -  http://tinyurl.com/y3xwbcda
·     Wednesday Lunch -  https://tinyurl.com/wedlch

If you have any questions, please contact Donna Richardson at 847-712-0705 or  dlynnrich322@gmail.com.

Hospitality Center Red Basket Campaign July-September: Below is the list of items along with suggested sources sent by Sue Murphy, executive director - Interfaith Action of Evanston. A red bucket has been placed in the parlor to collect items and will also be available at second service at the Lake please drop the items in at your convenience. Questions, please contact Donna Richardson. Thanks, we appreciate your generosity!

We're looking for: sunscreen, umbrellas, small bottles of hand sanitizer, deodorant, dollar store ear buds, and lip balm (ChapStick, etc.).
Pastoral Care Notes
Birthday Celebrations:
Emily Chastain (9/6)
Alice Lele (9/7)
Austin Suvari (9/7)
Jack Suvari (9/7)

Anniversary Celebrations:
Mary Pat & Bob Buckley (9/5)
Dave & Lola Himrod (9/8)

Prayer List
Names remain on the prayer list for 5 weeks (2 weeks for those who have died).
  
We bid your prayers for: Trish Barr, Veronica Braithwaite, Carolyn Brooks, Dick Brooks, Mary Pat Buckley, The Carver Family, Gerritt Dangremond, John Fitts, Caroline Frowe, Charlie and Judy Kopp, Charlie Lettner, Grace Lettner, Paul Lettner, Katherine Tyson McCrea, George Mitchell, Mary Nowack, Jan and Jeri Offutt, Kate Lewis, OJ Mabwa, Brian Styson, Rick Artwick, Demetrie Augustinos, Michael Collins, Kathleen Cook and Pat Ryan, David and Donnie Cresap, Lynn Kissell, Ahmed Mahmoud, Holly Nelson-Johnson, Reg Ryan, Lisa Smith

We pray for the deceased: Maggie Oswald, Irene Sondgeroth, Tiray Burnett, John James Carver
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 Timothy at office@stmarksevanston.org