WORSHIP ARTICLE

This week at St. Mark’s, we are keeping in mind and heart our Appalachia Service Project team that has travelled to Johnson City, Tennessee. There they are working with a local family to make their home warmer, dryer and more accessible. ASP got its start through the inspiring work of a United Methodist pastor named Glenn “Tex” Evans. During his thirteen years as director at Henderson Settlement in Frakes, Kentucky, Tex witnessed a deep level of poverty. In 1969, he recruited fifty youth and adults volunteers to help repair homes in Barbourville, Kentucky. By the end of the summer, four families had warm homes in which to live, and fifty individuals had experienced the power of loving connection and useful work.

Serving challenges old assumptions, and creates new worlds. In the case of ASP, Tex was able to challenge prevailing myths about the kinds of things that interest young people, and to confront myths that surround people in poverty. It is, in fact, that the greatest creativity occurs in the intersection of seemingly contradictory realities. As Wendell Berry has taught us, “It may be that when we no longer know what to do, we have come to our real work and when we no longer know which way to go, we have begun our real journey. The mind that is not baffled is not employed. The impeded stream is the one that sings.”

Jesus clearly saw a future for the disciples in which they would be creatively blessing the world around them. He told them that they were to be salt, taking away the blandness that they encountered. He also said that they were the light of the world, and were to bring rays of hope to all around them. On Sunday at St. Mark’s, we’ll engage this, as the sermon is titled, “Serving as an Act of Creation,” arising from Matthew 5: 13-16. The text will be read by James Thomas, who has taken leadership for the ASP team this week. He and other ASP volunteers will bring a report about the work that they accomplished this week. We’ll also receive our latest class of new members into the full fellowship of the Church. We’ll be led musically by the Chancel Choir, under the direction of Gerry Sousa and accompanied by Ilze Akerbergs. One of our choir members, Ashley Ruckman will sing “My House” from “Peter Pan”, written by Leonard Bernstein. 

If you are new to St. Mark’s, or have connected with us for a long time, we look forward to having you join on Sunday. Worship starts at 10:30 in the sanctuary. To connect online, visit www.smumc.church, and click on the Live Stream banner.

As we commemorate seven decades of cherished memories, we invite you to be part of this milestone celebration! Your experiences have shaped our journey, and we’d love to hear about your favorite moments at St. Mark’s.

Take Our Short Survey: Share your stories, anecdotes, and treasured recollections. Whether it’s a heartwarming service, a riveting classroom discussion, or a fun moment with others, every memory counts.

Why Participate? By participating in the survey, you contribute to our collective tapestry of St. Mark’s history. Your insights will guide us as we continue to foster a vibrant and nurturing environment for generations to come.

Thank you for being an integral part of our journey. Let’s celebrate the past, embrace the present, and look forward to the next 70 years together!

GENERAL CONFERENCE OF THE UNITED METHODIST CHURCH HAS BEGUN

HERE'S HOW TO KEEP UP TO DATE

The long-awaited General Conference of the United Methodist Church has begun. The conference began yesterday, and will continue through May 3 in Charlotte, North Carolina. There are several ways that you can keep up with the movement and decisions in Charlotte.

(Don’t be confused. This conference is considered, ironically, the 2020 General Conference, since that one was postponed.)

The overall website for this General Conference has an abundance of information:

https://www.resourceumc.org/en/churchwide/general-conference-2020

Here is the United Methodist News website, and its page dedicated to news coming from the General Conference:

https://www.umnews.org/en/landing-pages/general-conference-news-and-commentary

MONDAY, APRIL 29 - 8:00 AM

CONSECRATION OF LISA MILLER AS A DEACONESS IN THE UMC

GENERAL CONFERENCE IN CHARLOTTE, NORTH CAROLINA

VIEW VIA LIVESTREAM

We at St. Mark’s want to congratulate and celebrate with Lisa Miller Maidi on her consecration as a Deaconess in the United Methodist Church. This service is scheduled for Monday morning, at 8:00 AM from the General Conference occurring in Charlotte.

What is a Deaconess? Deaconesses (and Home Missioners) are laypeople who are called by God to be in a lifetime relationship in The United Methodist Church for engagement with a full-time vocation in ministries of love, justice, and service.

Lisa’s fully volunteer service as a Deaconess is in the overlapping areas of refugee assistance, interfaith relations, and poverty relief. Located in Bloomington, she calls her work “Welcoming the Stranger” ministries. Her mission is to lead by example the Deaconess/Home Missioner motto of Love, Justice, and Service.

We offer our blessings to Lisa in this wonderful moment.

To view the service on Monday, or to view any of the General Conference, click the button below.

BE A LITURGIST/READER IN WORSHIP

Would you like to participate in worship by reading one of the scriptural lessons or another part of the liturgy. We would love for you to volunteer to do so.

All are invited to take part. We look forward to having a deeply diverse and multigenerational roster of readers. If you wish to practice the reading ahead of time, one of our pastors or staff members would be very happy to work with you. Our ramp system makes the chancel area more accessible, and allows those who use a walker or wheelchair to participate as well. We look forward hearing from you. 

SATURDAY, APRIL 27, 7:30 PM

CHRIST COMMUNITY CHURCH

Lux: A Concert Exploring the Wonder of Light is the next presentation of the Bloomington Chamber Singers for the 2023-24 season.

Lux or light conjures diverse visions. Running the gamut from Morten Lauridsen’s “Lux Aeterna” (eternal light) to Dolly Parton’s “Light of a Clear Blue Morning” (hopeful light), the vocal images of light will weave together to provide the listener a variety of aural delight. Visions of summer fireflies (Julia Klatt Singer’s “soft blink of amber light”) and a Renaissance homage to Christ, the eternal light, (Thomas Tallis’ “O nata lux de lumine”) provide a range of musical styles that will delight patrons both young and old.

Light, ancient and modern, merges with music, ancient and modern, to bring a new sense of wonder and energy to all who hear. 

RECONCILING MINISTRIES

APRIL NEWSLETTER

Keep up to date with Reconciling Ministries by reading their monthly Newsletter. To read the full Newsletter click the button below.

If you prefer to talk to someone in a smaller setting about what Reconciling Ministries is or how to be a part of the group: representatives from the Reconciling Ministries Committee will be in the St. Mark’s library before church from 9:30-10:15 on April 28, 2024. 

SUNDAY, APRIL 28, 11:45 AM

CREATION CARE LUNCH AND CALL OUT MEETING

You are invited to join us on Sunday, April 28, for a light lunch and conversation about Creation Care at St. Mark’s United Methodist Church. We’ll especially seek to have conversations about ways to invest energy in projects of education, advocacy, and sustainability practices at home and on the church campus. To indicate your interest in attending, let us know on Realm, or contact the church office. 

CHILDREN'S CHIMES IS BACK! 

We are thrilled to be bringing back our fabulous Children's Chimes ensemble this Spring! All ages and abilities are welcome to join us in preparing and performing a simple song in worship on May 12th! Lois will conduct us, and adults will be available to assist with reading and playing as needed.



Rehearsals will be held May 5th right after church (11:45ish), and before service on the 12th at 10am. If you can't make both rehearsals that is OK! We would be thrilled to have you join the ensemble in whatever way works best for your family. We look forward to seeing you in rehearsal!

The Mountain Mission truck will be making a stop at our church on Monday, May 20th. This is a fantastic opportunity for us to come together and support those in need.

Urgent Needs Include:

1. Bedding: As the nights get cooler, let’s provide warmth and comfort. Donations of blankets, pillows, and sleeping bags are crucial.
2. Socks and Underwear: These essentials are often overlooked but are incredibly important. Let’s ensure everyone has clean, fresh basics.
3. Swimwear: With summer approaching, many folks seek refuge from the heat. If you have gently used swimwear, consider donating it.
4. Pots and Pans: A warm meal can make all the difference. Let’s collect pots and pans to help those who rely on communal kitchens.

You can drop off your donations at St. Mark’s between 9:00 AM and 3:00 PM Monday - Friday. Every contribution matters, no matter how big or small.

Upcoming Events for All Sponsored by United Women in Faith

      Thanks for the overwhelming response to the call for shoeboxes. Right now we have enough shoeboxes to get us through July. Please hold onto any extra shoeboxes until after June! It's not that we don't appreciate them--we've run out of storage space!

Monday, May 6th, 9:30–in Garton Hall—Fill decorated shoeboxes with personal hygiene products and “fun” items for children. Current needs include crayons and bars of soap.

May 16th at 1:00 - Food for Thought will meet in the Sun Room at Bell Trace. The current book is The Book of Rosy. This emotional narrative by a Guatemalan mother describes the separation from her two sons at the border and the support she received from an unlikely group of women.

May 20th - 1:30 - 3:00pm. Crafting Adventures will meet in room 1. Bring a project that you're working on, or come to work on making fabric bags that hold personal hygiene items for patrons of MCUM.

NOMADS - Room 8

The Nomads class meets on Sunday mornings at 9:30am. The class is a diverse group which shares ideas about world religions, social justice & creation care with the help of articles, books & videos. On April 28th the Nomads will begin a series about book banning. Inta Carpenter will start the series with a look at when & how sacred books were censored in the past & which leaders & groups were involved. Visitors are always welcomed.

CONVERSATIONS ON LIFE MEN'S DISCUSSION GROUP - Room 8

Conversations on Life is an opportunity for men to discuss topics of spiritual, religious, and social issues of interest. Their meetings are typically held on Fridays at 1:00pm. For more information contact the church office. On April 26 the COL will continue viewing & discussing the DVD about the archeological understandings of the Holy Land - this week with the chapter about the Kingdom of Israel after the time of Solomon & his sons. The Israel of that time period was north of Judah & Jerusalem. It included Samaria & Galilee. The COL will meet in Room 8 from 1 to 2:30 pm. Visitors are always welcomed.

WOMEN OF WONDER AND FAITH - Room 8

Women of Wonder and Faith is a group of journeying disciples sharing conversation with each other around a book study and topics of life. The group meets on Thursdays at 11:00am. Contact the church office for the meeting location. Starting in late March we will be reading "Poverty, by America" by Matthew Desmond. If you have any questions contact the church office. 

St. Mark's United Methodist Church | www.smumc.church

Published Thursday, April 25, 2024