Anniversary Celebration Sunday, in the Parish Hall at Social Hour. Our Vestry invites you to celebrate our church’s 187-year Anniversary and the Feast Day of Saint Mark, Apostle and Evangelist with festive hors d’oeuvres!  St. Mark's is grateful for each of our members, Vestry, volunteers, clergy and staff, who together make up our church. We hope this Sunday will be a fun and celebratory afternoon in each other's company. We have all risen to the occasion in many ways during this unusual past year, with flexibility, faith and renewed energy.

Parish Education Sessions on the Building Project

Sundays, April 28 and May 5, 9:00 a.m.

These are being repeated for those who did not attend the first series. They will take place in-between the services. This second session is entitled: "The History of Change." 

"Redeemed" Ballet, Knickerbocker Theater at Hope College

April 26-27 at 7 pm or 2 pm Buy tickets now.

Our own youth Sophia Rozeboom is dancing in a spectacular new show “Redeemed” that tells the story of salvation. It is in Holland in a few weeks. It is the dramatic continuation of the winter ballet performance of Christ’s birth. This spring ballet showcases the rest of His life.

Mass Theater Production at Fountain Street Church

Saturday at 7:30 pm with Directors' talk at 6:30.

Free will offering! Despite its name, it's not actually a Catholic Mass but more of a theatrical pageant about challenging organized religion; losing and finding faith; and advocating for peace. More than 100 performers are involved, including singers from the community in addition to the Fountain Street Church and Aquinas College choirs, a children's choir, a 20-piece orchestra and the Deos Contemporary Ballet. More info. 

ACCESS Walk May 5–15: The annual Walk For Good Food is fast approaching with a kick-off event on Sunday, May 5 from 2:00-4:00 p.m. at Richmond Park. As in the past few years, you may walk the routes that day, or walk on your own until May 15. St. Mark’s has a walk team which you can join, or you can donate online or by check can made out to “Access of West Michigan.” Contact Scot (s.gugle@comcast.net) or Jeff (jeffatgrey@gmail.com) for more information or visit www.givelively.org. 

Safe Haven Training, Saturday, May 18,

8:30 a.m.–5:00 p.m. at St. Andrew's Episcopal Church

We can all help prevent and recognize domestic violence, relationship abuse and trafficking. This training will include learning activities as well as considering relevant policies and procedures for our church. Register at the Welcome Desk or online here. The $20 lunch fee is waived for St. Mark's parishioners. All training costs are sponsored by St. Mark's. Click here to read more.

Sacred Sounds Presents: Evensong for the Holy Spirit

May 19, 5:00 pm

St. Mark's Choir, under the direction of Gregory Crowell and accompanied by St. Mark's Organ Scholar Alexis VanZalen, presents a service of Choral Evensong in celebration of the Gifts of the Holy Spirit.

Announcements & Celebrations

Test of the Emergency Alert System, Sunday:

Sunday, there will be a brief test of the emergency alert systems during the Announcements of both Services. You will not be required to move to a different location. In the event of a true weather or other non-fire emergency, an announcement with further instructions will be made from the pulpit. It will also be texted to all parishioners with mobile numbers on file. If your cell phone is not already listed in the Church Directory, and you would like it on the emergency-only contact list, see staff or the Welcome Desk. 

~ Safety and Security Ministry

Construction Update

Work at the Pearl Street intersection nears completion, but it is intermittently blocked off. Our parking gate on Division Avenue is accessible, using Lyon St from either direction. (Note that the separate road closure on Lyon St east of Ransom Ave is in flux.) On Sundays or by special request to put the chains down, the lot can also be reached by the Winchester Place NE ‘alley.’ On April 29th, Lyon St and Fountain St will be temporarily converted to two-way traffic from Division Ave to Ransom Ave. Watch eNews or Facebook for map updates when it shifts.

Baptisms on Pentecost, 10:30 a.m.

Our next opportunity for the Sacrament of Holy Baptism, for adults or children, will be on May 19. Contact Fr. David or the church office to join those participating in this important Sacrament.

Sign a Childcare Voter Card: As a church member of Together West Michigan, St. Mark’s continues to work toward solutions to the childcare crisis. Whether or not you submitted a postcard earlier in the campaign, please do so now. Then remember to vote for the Ready by 5 millage renewal on August 6.

~Together West Michigan core team, St. Mark's

Rector Search Committee Update

The official St. Mark's Rector posting is up on the Episcopal News Service job board as well as both the Western and Eastern Diocese websites, and will be included in the next edition of the Feast (e-newsletter). It is also being featured on our facebook page. If you participate on facebook, please help spread the word by "sharing" to gain more attention to our search (and encourage qualified candidates to apply)!

"Hope: A Song in a Weary Throat"

Celebrating the Rev. Dr. Pauli Murray



Two weeks ago, the Social Hour was hosted by the Dismantling Racism Ministry. People who weren’t already familiar with Rev. Dr. Pauli Murray learned, among other things, that she was the first African-American woman ordained as an Episcopal priest and that hers is the 11th coin in the American Women Quarters Program. In this 4-minute video Ruth Bader Ginsburg speaks about Pauli Murray’s influence on gender equality.

~Dismantling Racism Ministry

All staff, Vestry and volunteers in contact with vulnerable youth or adults must re-certify with Safe Church every 3 years. For the online, self-directed platform, reach out to Kate or Jeff for instructions.

Zoom opportunities for this training are forthcoming from the diocese.

St. Mark's partners with Westminster's Downtown Food Pantry. Items needed for April: pork and beans, ravioli, chili.

St. Mark's Volunteers:

St. Mark’s relies upon a significant volunteer effort to fulfill its mission – within the congregation and in the community. There is an online form to see volunteer opportunities you can fill out to alert staff and ministry leads. If you prefer a more personal option, do not hesitate to reach out to Mike or Kate, 616-456-1684. Thanks to all our ongoing volunteers!

Sunday Services at 8:00 a.m. and at 10:30 a.m. (recorded live)

Healing Prayer during Holy Communion, near the piano in the South Transept

Mid-week Eucharist at noon on Wednesdays from September-May

St. Mark's Episcopal Church is a growing, welcoming, and affirming community of faith in a vibrant urban community. In our worship and in our service to the community, we proclaim that all people are worthy of God's love. We celebrate and uphold the dignity of all people whose ethnicity, cultural heritage, and denominational traditions are examples and celebrations of God's love. We welcome visitors and parishioners from all social, political, and educational backgrounds, and all abilities, sexual orientations, and gender identities. We affirm all people and celebrate diversity, as we work to fulfill God's love for all people as a community of faith.  

Parking and Restrooms on Sundays

Please, respect the handicap parking spaces at St. Mark’s, especially on Sundays. These are needed by many parishioners.

Consider the free metered parking on Pearl, Ionia, Lyon, Fountain and other streets near the church. The small Kendall College lot across Division from the church is available when the gate is open. Paid options include the upper and lower levels of the GRCC building on Fountain Street, and the Ellis Parking Lot at 210 Ionia just west of Lyon Street. For Sundays only, white validation tickets for the Ellis lot can be found from an usher or greeter.

Main floor restrooms are limited. The second floor has additional restrooms.

Sunday Children's Opportunities

During the 10:30 Service, in the Lower Level. 



For more info and to volunteer, contact the church office.

Grand Rapids Episcopal Youth

For info on virtual and in-person youth group meetings as well as events and activities, contact Jeff Brown, Director of Youth Ministries at jeffatgrey@gmail.com

St. Mark's Episcopal Church

134 N. Division Avenue

Grand Rapids, MI 49503

616-456-1684

https://www.stmarksgr.org

https://www.facebook.com/stmarksgr/

officeadmin@stmarksgr.org