Lutheran Services Carolinas |
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Afghan Resettlement Update
Thanks to all who were able to attend the Lutheran Services Carolinas session yesterday at St. Mark's. It was a great showing of our members as well as interested folks from about 5 other congregations/community groups.
Here's some of what we heard:
- The first arrivals could begin as early as Jan 15 or as late as mid February
- LSC staff will be responsible for securing housing, documentation, enrolling in schools, and seeking employment for arrivals
- Volunteer teams are needed to support families with some transportation, language practice, and generally providing a friendly welcome to the area
- Leads are needed on affordable housing options, both temporary and long-term. Even AirBNB situations with openings of 1-6 weeks would be helpful to know about to give LSC staff more time to search for longer term options. Do you or someone you know have an affordable rental property you'd be willing to lease to new arrivals (rent guaranteed by LSC for 6 months)?
- Leads are needed on job prospects, though we may not know specific skills until new arrivals are here and assessed by LSC
We're working on identifying our leadership contact from St. Mark's, but in the meantime, if you are interested in being part of a St. Mark's team offering support to these new arrivals, please let the church office know. The next phase will be to get those interested together early in the new year to give updates on the situation and assess what availability and skills we have to offer. We'll also look at scheduling a volunteer training with LSC staff to prepare us to support those new arrivals. Let us know if you'd like to help!
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Congregational Covid Update |
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An attendee of the 8:30 service this Sunday tested positive for Covid on Monday morning. There were no known close contacts as the person was not seated near anyone else. Thank you for continuing to wear a mask in the building and dressing for open sanctuary windows- these safety measures are what allow us to continue to worship and sing together!
Thank you for all you are doing to care for your neighbors, and should you receive a positive Covid test, we appreciate you notifying the church office so that we can reach out to any close contacts. There has been no known transmission of Covid through St. Mark's activities to this point. Mask wearing and vaccination (boosters too) are the best tools we have to keep it that way.
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Mid Week Advent Services (mask required)
Wednesday Evenings during Advent beginning @ 7pm
December 15th, St. Eugene's Catholic Church
This week we will worshipping at St. Eugene's Catholic Church. Please join after for coffee and cookies together with our Ecumenical Church Partners. If you are unable to attend in person, St. Eugene's will be streaming the service on their Facebook page.
The Last Mid Week Advent Service, on 12/22, will be held at St. Mark's and will be live streamed on our Facebook page.
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Christmas Eve Service Information
December 24, 2021: 4:00, 7:00, and 10:00
We are delighted to invite you for worship in the sanctuary at St. Mark's to celebrate the Nativity of Our Lord! Masks will be required, and we will have the windows open for improved airflow, so you may want to bring a sweater (ugly Christmas or otherwise!)
The 4:00 pm service features a Christmas story sermon for children. The 7:00 pm and 10:00 pm services are led by handbells, choir, and brass quintet. Music begins 30 minutes before each service. All three services will include candle-light and Holy Communion. We will have a staffed nursery during the 4:00 pm and 7:00 pm. If you are unable to join us in person, please visit our Facebook page to watch the live stream beginning at 6:30pm.
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From the Church Office
As we are in a season of waiting, we are also preparing for the upcoming 2022 year at St. Mark's. I wanted to send out a few updates and reminders to help us make a smooth during the holidays and from the 2021 to 2022 year.
- The church office will be closed on December 24th, 27th, 28th, and 31st.
- If you have contributions that need to be made in 2021, please have them turned in by December 29th, 2021.
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Please use our physical address of 10 N. Liberty St. Asheville, NC 28801 for all mailing purposes as the old PO box address will only be active for a few more months.
- The 2022 Sanctuary Flower Donation Sign-Up Sheet is available. Please visit the Sign-Up-Central Board if you would like to donate flowers for a Sunday in 2022. The price will remain $35 per arrangement.
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Racial Healing Team News
WNC Baptist Fellowship Christmas Meal
You're invited!! This Sunday, December 19, after their 11:15 Worship Service, WNC Baptist Fellowship Church is having a Christmas meal where they enjoy fellowship and hand out Christmas gifts to the kids, and everyone from St. Mark's is invited to join them. Turkey, ham, mac n' cheese!!! Say no more - hope to see you there!
Living Waters News - December 2021
Living Waters has published there December 2021 Newsletter. You can find it attached here to keep up with news and updates.
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ABCCM Volunteer Needed
We are in need of someone to make weekly runs to ABBCM. This would mean that each week you would check the donation bins downstairs and bring anything in them to the ABCCM Crisis Ministry on Cumberland Avenue in Montford (10 Minutes from church). While you are there, you would "shop" in their pantry for sandwich supplies which you would then drop off in the church kitchen. This can be done any day of the week!
Becky Sachsenmaier has been filling this role but will be traveling for a few months and needs someone to help while she is away. If you are interested, please reach out to Becky at 828.333.1539.
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Additional Emergency Training Resources
Grant Millin has shared an additional Red Cross Emergency Resource. If you are interested in finding out more information, the resource can be found here.
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Meet and Greet with Christine W. Avery Learning Center
Sunday, December 19th
Kyla Morton and Cici Weston from Christine W. Avery Learning Center will join us to share about the new childcare center opening at St. Mark's. After their presentation, Pastor Matt will lead a blessing of the center.
December 26 - No Faith Formation
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Wednesday, December 15th
- 9am - Property Day
- 10am - Kairos Group (Zoom)
- 7pm - Evening Advent Service @ St. Eugene's (Facebook Live)
Thursday, December 16th
- 6pm - Handbell Rehearsal
- 7pm - Festival Choir
Friday, December 17th
- 9am - Library Team
- 12:30pm - Bridge
Sunday, December 19th
- 8:30am - Worship
- 9:45am - Meet & Greet CWALC
- 11am - Worship
- 4pm - Youth Christmas Party
Monday, December 20th
- 10am-Faith and Fellowship (Zoom)
Tuesday, December 21st
Wednesday, December 22nd
- 9am - Property Day
- 10am - Kairos Group (Zoom)
- 7pm - Evening Advent Service @ St. Mark's Lutheran Church (Facebook Live)
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Meeting Links:
-Midweek Advent Service @ St. Eugene's Catholic Church
Wednesday, December 15th @ 7pm
-Meet and Greet CWALC
Sunday, December 19th @ 9:45am
Password: stmarks
-Faith and Fellowship
Monday, December 20th @ 10am
Password: stmarks
-Kairos Group
Wednesday, December 15th @ 10am
Password: stmarks
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Worship Assistant Information |
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If you are a worship assistant, please take a few moments and refresh yourself on the routines of your position either by watching these videos or by reading the linked text within the titles. If you would like to know more about these positions or any others on Sunday morning, please reach out to Danielle.
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December 19th @ 8:30am
Greeters
J.D. Slater
Linda Kinsinger
Usher
Julia Volk
Amy Zellers
Altar Guild
Debbie Layne/Gerri Hill
Acolyte
Liza Volk
Reader
Anne Sites
Communion Assistant
Diane Hughes/Liza Volk
Assisting Minister
Connie Chaplin
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December 19th @11:00am
Greeters
Eric Van Tassel
Susan Van Tassel
Usher
Jason Jones
Josh Kersey
Altar Guild
Donna Turnbaugh
Acolyte
Katie Rivers
Crucifer
Eileen Cram/Erick Smith
Reader
Martha Price
Communion Assistant
Vickie Hauser
Live Stream
Natalie Haynes
Assisting Minister
Beth Korb
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Contact Information
Parish Administrator
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Our Mission:
Making disciples by loving Christ,
growing in faith, serving all people
Our Vision:
Experiencing and sharing God's grace as an inclusive, intergenerational congregation through Worship, Outreach, Learning and Fellowship
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