Announcing!

Adult Formation in May

May 8, 2024      

John & Charles Wesley and Their Journey in Methodism

How did John Wesley, an Anglican priest, and Charles Wesley, hymnwriter, come to the understanding of Methodism? What impact did it have on the Wesleys’ lives and the world they knew? How did the Anglican church respond, and what is the Methodist Church’s standing with the Episcopal Church today?

Discussion Leader - The Rev. Stephen Manskar

May 15, 2024             

Celebrating 50 Years of Women’s Ordination in the Episcopal Church



How has the ordination of women impacted the Church today? Who were the Philadelphia Eleven? What were the challenges of women in the ministry 50 years ago, and what challenges do women Priests/Bishops/Deacons face today: what has changed?

Discussion Leaders – The Rev. Val Ambrose, The Rev. Jan Gockerman, The Rev. Sue York

May 22, 2024  

Bible/Faith and Science

Is it possible for Science and Faith to exist with one another, or are they incompatible? Can we follow Science and be faithful Christians?

Discussion Leader – David Buller

Thanks to all who helped design, implement and lead this year’s Winter/Spring Adult Faith Formation Studies and Discussions. We will break for the summer season but return again in the Fall. Please watch the announcements for upcoming events!

Final Education Session on the Building Project 

this Sunday from 9-10 am

Please plan on attending this week for our session entitled: Financing Our Mission/Blessed to be a Blessing. A group from our finance team will talk about the St. Mark's Budget Summary, Our Endowments and other income sources. This will be a great overview of the financial health of our parish. In addition we will get updated from the Stewardship Team and hear about the overall plan for where the revenue sources for the building project will be sought. Please join us for donuts and fellowship as well.

ACCESS Walk May 5–15: kick-off this Sunday, 2- 4 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.

Holy 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.

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

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.’ Lyon St and Fountain St are temporarily converted to two-way traffic from Division Ave to Ransom Ave.

Watch eNews or Facebook

for map updates when it shifts.

Sustainable Investing: Thursday, May 16, 7:00 p.m.

Our Creation Care Ministry invites you to a free webinar with Kurt Holzhueter from ClearView Investments. Learn how people and institutions manage investments to help mitigate the worst of the climate crisis while maximizing returns. Contact Steve for the link. 

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, here or at the Welcome Desk. Then remember to vote for the Ready by 5 millage renewal on August 6.

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

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 May: pasta sauce (canned preferred) and pasta.

Annual Diaper Drive, May 12

Please consider bringing diapers with you to church next Sunday, to benefit a local pantry. Especially needed are larger sizes 3-6.

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