Beloved of God~
For your thought in this season of Epiphany:
And Jesus said to them, “Follow me and I will make you fish for people."
--Mark 1:17
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FOR VIRTUAL WORSHIP/CLASSES/PRAYERS: For a complete listing and schedule of our online / in-person offerings available, please visit our website: https://www.stmarksabq.org/online
or click on the button below:
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Saint Mark's Mission & Outreach |
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St. Mark’s Welcomes New Director of Music Jeremy Wirths |
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Originally from Kansas, Jeremy Wirths lived in Dallas for several years before relocating to Albuquerque in 2018. In addition to his work at St. Mark's, Jeremy continues his role as Director of Development for Opera Southwest, Albuquerque's opera company. Before moving to New Mexico, he served as Music Director of churches in Kansas, Georgia and Texas. He has also taught music at the university level. Jeremy considers himself a lifelong learner and has earned a number of degrees. Most recently, Jeremy earned an MBA at Southern Methodist University in Dallas focused in arts administration. More relevant to his work at St. Mark's are his doctoral degree in choral conducting from the University of North Texas and master's degree in organ performance from Emory University, a program which included extensive study of liturgical theology and practice. Jeremy's undergraduate degree in music was earned at the University of Kansas (rock chalk!). Prior to COVID-19, he enjoyed several hobbies and a vibrant social life, which he hopes to resume soon. Highlights include his love of the Santa Fe Opera, Whisk(e)y, and his Standard Schnauzer, Anna Magdalena (named for the wife of Johann Sebastian Bach). The third coequal person of the household is Jeremy's spouse James, a Pediatric Neurosurgeon practicing and teaching at UNMH. James and Jeremy are New Mexico foster parents. Jeremy is passionate about the Anglican choral tradition and looks forward to diving into work with St. Mark's Choir. His goal is to make the choir accessible and fun for singers of all levels of training, while aspiring to make music at the highest possible level. He also works to make the choir an inviting gateway into the parish for those seeking a religious community. Jeremy and St. Mark's Reuter Organ are both natives of Kansas, and Jeremy looks forward to working together to bring great organ music to St. Mark's. Jeremy will officially join the St. Mark’s staff in February 2021.
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Annual Meeting & Vestry/Delegates |
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Three vestry positions open up each January at St. Mark's, as well as one delegate position - all will be elected at our Annual Parish Meeting (Sunday, Jan. 31 at 11:00 a.m. via Zoom). Please prayerfully consider whether your time and talent could be best used in the guiding, collaborative spirit of our vestry or as our representative to the Diocese of the Rio Grande at Convention. Nomination forms are available here.
We currently have three members nominated for Vestry:
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Charles "Barry" Hogge
Born in Baltimore, Maryland, I attended VPI (Virginia Tech now), and went to grad school there before finishing my graduate work at Johns Hopkins. I came to Albuquerque for active duty in the Air Force in 1968. Four years later, I separated from the Air Force (as a captain) and took a job at what is now the Air Force Research Laboratory on Kirtland AFB. I retired from the laboratory in 2000 and have continued to work in that laboratory in a variety of arrangements, one of which was as an employee of New Mexico Tech (in Socorro). Today, I have a consulting business with other major tech companies and still work for the Laboratory. In my first marriage, I had the good fortune to have two sons. When Kristin and I married in 1981, we were blessed again with two sons of our own as well as two wonderful boys from her first marriage. Today, our boys range in age from 30 to 50 years old, and all but the youngest one live outside New Mexico. When I was young, I attended a Methodist, then Lutheran, then Methodist and finally another Lutheran church after finally coming to Albuquerque. When Kristin and I married, we began attending St. John’s Cathedral, where she had been raised. We attended the Cathedral until 1999, at which time we moved to the east mountains near Edgewood, NM. There was no Episcopal church in Edgewood, but a small group of new and old locals were just beginning to foster one. Attending services in the Edgewood Elementary School gymnasium on old Route 66, we eventually built a small, frame/metal building of our own north of town, and so we began to grow Holy Cross Episcopal Church of Edgewood. I had the privilege of being on their vestry during those early (and difficult) years. A little over ten years ago, we built a townhouse on Candelaria near the nature center and I began looking for a new church. The very first time I came to St Mark’s, I knew that I had found my home and I have been here ever since. A couple of years ago we lost one of our beloved boys, a tragedy that we continue to struggle with now. St Mark’s, Fr. Christopher and many others were our anchor and beacon during those dark days. St Marks is my home. It has been there when we needed it, and I will be there for it. Thank you for giving me the honor to offer my name in nomination for St Mark’s Vestry.
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George McJimsey
I grew up in Colorado Springs with my two sisters - raised by parents who were professors at Colorado College and active members of Grace Church and Stephen's Episcopal Church. My belief that the life of the mind informs and strengthens the life of faith (and that, indeed, they are one) grew, no doubt, through my upbringing on a college campus and a church nearby. This, and a recognition that the strength of any community -be it faith-based or otherwise - flows from the willingness of its members to participate, and to foster the relationships that will help it to grow. It is this commitment to participation and relationships that I hope to bring to the Vestry at St. Mark's.
My wife Brenna and I - and sons Rowan and Malcolm - found our spiritual home at St. Mark's three years ago. We have become "members" week by week - day by day - through worship and conversation and have always felt welcome. Meanwhile, I continue to explore the contours of the life of the mind (and perhaps of life in general) with middle and high school students at Sandia Preparatory School, where I have taught for twenty-one years.
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Lucy H. Sinkular
I was raised and confirmed in the Roman Catholic faith, and was received into the Episcopal Church in 1995, at St. Mark’s in Albuquerque. Although my husband Scott and I lived in Albuquerque when we were newlyweds, we were absent from the parish from 1997 to 2017 while we moved around the world for Scott’s military career. During this time, we also raised our two children Emily and John, who are now 22 and 21 years old.
I have always felt drawn into a closer relationship with God. In every parish we have called home throughout 28 years of marriage, I have volunteered in some capacity or another. I have attended Bible Studies, been a Lector, a Lay Eucharistic Minister, a Vestry member, a stewardship worker and a Sunday school teacher. Now, I feel a strong calling to serve St. Mark’s as a member of the Vestry. I would like to assist in the mission of the clergy and our members as we all strive together to make something beautiful for God in our neighborhood. To me, those are not just words! I think we each have an opportunity to serve Christ in one another. I would like to have a part in helping each member deepen his or her faith and also help our members discover their unique gifts. I think serving on the Vestry would allow me to contribute to our community in a really good way.
Professionally, I have been an attorney for 25 years. I practice family law as a shareholder at Atkinson & Kelsey, PA. Even though it may seem sad, I do enjoy using my abilities to help families in transition and crisis. I also serve as a Commissioner for the New Mexico State Bar Association and am involved as the President of the Women’s State Bar. In my free time, I enjoy camping, hiking, running and spending time with my wonderful partner, Scott. Thank you for considering me as a member of your Vestry.
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Important Notice from St. Mark's About Donations |
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St. Mark's Episcopal Church is thankful for your continued support for our community outreach. Currently, these are the ONLY ways we accept your contributions:
- Writing a check, or sending us one from your financial institution, to St. Mark's Episcopal Church. Please write in the memo the donation's intended purpose.
- Automated bank transfers to St. Mark's Episcopal Church Account (ACH) - Please call our office at (505) 262-2484 to set up.
- Donations through the Dioceses of the Rio Grande (click here to donate)
- In-Person card payments at the church - temporarily on hold
- Electronic payments via Saint Mark's Episcopal Church links.
For good measure, please follow up with an email to finance@stmarksabq.org noting your contribution amount and intent with all donations.
For questions about donation requests that are outside of what is published within The Messenger newsletter, please forward your email or text information to info@stmarksabq.org with a note so we can confirm the situation before you make any purchases or contributions.
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In an effort to recycle and reuse items for future communion deliveries and special events, if you could please consider helpings us with any of the following:
- Advent Wreath Frames
- Small basket for communion jars.
- Communion Jars with lids (washed)
- Large kraft bags
- Bin for smaller Christmas bags we can reuse
If you have any of these items, please drop them off at the church under the bench near the West Entrance. Thank you for your help!
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Please Return Christmas Pageant Clothing & Props |
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If you haven't done so already, now is the time to return your costumes and props to the church so that Ms. Heather can organize them for next year!
Please launder the costumes - if possible (EXCEPT THE MAGI). The Wise Men costumes will do better going to the cleaners which Ms. Heather will take care of once they are returned) and return them to the church in a bag with your name on it no later than Sunday, January 31st.
If no one is at the church when you stop by, please leave your costume bag on or beneath the bench near the West Entrance to the church.
Thank you!
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Pre-Lenten Poetry Group for African American History Month |
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Wednesday, February 3rd and 10th - 2 sections 10 a.m. or 7p.m.
Join us for a thoughtful conversation centered around the life and work of these four African American poets, modern and contemporary:
- James Weldon Johnson
- Langston Hughes
- Rita Dove
- Nikki Giovani
This course will be facilitated by Don DeNoon, one of our resident poets. Pre-registration is required as there will be materials delivered prior to each session. This class will be offered via Zoom.
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Lenten Book Group and Meditations on the Wonder of Creation |
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Lenten Book Group and Meditations on the Wonder of Creation
Tuesdays 10 a.m. and/or 7 p.m. Zoom (1-hour sessions)
Beginning February 23, 2021
Facilitator: Fr. Christopher
We have pre-ordered 21 copies at $15.00/each ($4 cost savings for the purchaser), so please let us know if you need one or plan to order your own from Paraclete Press.
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Inquirers’ Class: Lenten Book Study |
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Inquirers’ Class: Lenten Book
Title: Inspired: Slaying Giants, Walking on Water, and Loving the Bible Again
Author: Rachel Held Evans
Sundays in Lent (Starting 2/21) - Noon-1 p.m. – Zoom Class
Join us for a lively discussion and community time
Participants are asked to purchase their own book online.
If the Bible isn't a science book or an instruction manual, then what is it? What do people mean when they say the Bible is inspired? When Rachel Held Evans found herself asking these questions, she began a quest to better understand what the Bible is and how it is meant to be read. What she discovered changed her--and it will change you too.
Drawing on the best in recent scholarship and using her well-honed literary expertise, Evans examines some of our favorite Bible stories and possible interpretations, retelling them through memoir, original poetry, short stories, soliloquies, and even a short screenplay. Undaunted by the Bible's most difficult passages, Evans wrestles through the process of doubting, imagining, and debating Scripture's mysteries. The Bible, she discovers, is not a static work but is a living, breathing, captivating, and confounding book that is able to equip us to join God's loving and redemptive work in the world.
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Tuesday afternoon, January 19, St. Mark's participated with churches and other organizations around the country in remembering the death of over 400,000 Americans from COVID-19.
The bell was rung 400 times - once for each 1,000 lives lost. It took just under 15 minutes from start to finish. That duration was impactful in that it took such a short time to ring the bell 400 tolls. Life is indeed fleeting.
Thank you to Chuck Pederson who rang our church bell and to Karen Pound for helping to organize this effort.
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Help Wanted: Making Anglican Rosaries for Grief Care Packages |
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Sunday Morning Discussion Group |
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Again, this Sunday, January 24, join Deacon David from 11:00 to noon for some spiritual exploration based on short videos presented by Nadia Bolz-Weber. We will use her bold and sometimes irreverent view of Jesus’ teachings as a starting point for discussing our own thoughts on spirituality and our journeys. This week’s topic will be FAITH (Matthew 8:23-27, Mark 4:35-41, Luke 8:22-25) and HOPE (Psalm 62:5-6, Romans 15:13).
Coffee Hour Catch-ups will take place from 10:30 to 11:00.
Please join us in the regular Sunday morning Zoom Room for these talks.
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All are welcome to give and/or pledge to St. Mark's by mail (St. Mark's has a secure mailbox and is checked regularly): 431 Richmond Place NE, Albuquerque, NM 87106.
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You may give electronically through the Diocese of the Rio Grande Parish Donation site and check the box next to "Albuquerque-St. Mark's". Just fill out the rest of the information and click the Next button at the bottom of the page. Please make sure fill out "special instructions or comment" to let us know how to apply your gift (i.e.: pledge, congregational relief fund, etc.).
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You may give an Electronic Offering, donate to the Congregational Relief Fund, or make a Pledge payment to St. Mark's - securely via PayPal® - anytime.
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COVID-19 NEWS & RESOURCES |
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"What strikes me about the Neighbor-to-Neighbor program to help asylum seekers is the one-on-one basis. Welcoming these new "neighbors as we would welcome Christ is more than a political issue; it is a question of our identity as followers of Jesus, as members of the Episcopal branch of the Jesus movement, and as people who made promises at our baptisms..."
There is a discernment process to prepare those who are interested in helping the seekers. Several of us have talked about this program, however, we have not begun the somewhat involved discernment process yet."
-Anne Fritz, Parishioner
The Episcopal Diocese of the Rio Grande invites you to consider a new way for DRG Congregations to support asylum seekers as we partner with Episcopal Migration Ministries in being a pilot diocese for the Neighbor-to-Neighbor program.
Neighbor-to-Neighbor is a new network designed to connect asylum seekers with Episcopal congregations in local communities across the US. Led by Episcopal Migration Ministries and the Rev. Cristina Rathbone, Neighbor to Neighbor seeks to provide a way for Episcopalians to accompany, assist and support asylum seekers who live close to them, and is committed to offering congregational groups training and support as their relationships with these newest neighbors develop and grow.
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ABQ FaithWorks & Immigration |
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Changes in immigration in 2021 will surely impact our community! At the FaithWorks Quarterly meeting, you will be pleased to hear Jessica Corley show and tell how creatively asylum seekers are served in the expanded FaithWorks program. This meeting is open to all! Mark your calendar and plan on attending this 1-hour Zoom meeting. Wednesday, February 3, 2021 at noon.
Meeting ID: 645 684 6642 Passcode: 870537 One tap mobile +12532158782
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St. Mark's Episcopal Church
© 2021
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