Knitters

Knitters are invited to gather to knit and chat on Thursday, December 8, 2022. We will meet in the Fireside room at 1:00 p.m.

Children's Christmas Program

This Sunday, December 4, come to see our St. Mark's Children and Youth in a short holiday presentation of the musical "Circle the World" which recalls the story of the nativity with original songs by Marty Haugen and others.

Date: December 4th

Time: 3:00 p.m.

Duration: 30 minutes

After the show, you are welcome to bring your favorite Christmas treats for a cookie potluck that will begin around 3:30!

Fair Trade Advent Bazaar

Find the perfect Christmas gift at the annual Fair Trade Advent Bazaar!

December 4

Shop for unique fairly-trade handcrafts, spices, coffee, tea, chocolate, and more! Choose from two ways to shop: 

1. Shop our Trunk Sale in the Parish Commons during worship hours December 4. We have ordered a limited selection of items that will make great Christmas gifts and will give you a glimpse of what’s available for online purchase. 
2. Place an online from the full Serrv Fair Trade catalog order using our custom link. 

By purchasing fair trade items through Serrv, you are supporting better trading conditions for the people who actually make and grow products. Artisans and farmers are paid fairly for their work and benefit from safe working conditions. Plus, 20% of each purchase is donated back to Serrv. Thank you for your ongoing support!

Advent

Living Well Through Advent 2022: Practicing Simplicity with All Your Heart, Soul, Strength, and Mind

Midweek renewal Advent class starts on Wednesday, November 30, December 7, and December 14 at 6:15 p.m. in the Parish Commons Classroom.

Christmas Caroling Sunday, December 11 at 12:30 p.m.

Come join this joyful group of carolers following the Sunday noontime lunch- meet in the Narthex to go out to carol to our senior members at Eliseo (formerly Tacoma Lutheran Retirement community)

All ages are welcome and festive holiday dress is encouraged! Caroling music will be provided!

Thank You From the Backpack Team

The Thursday team for backpacking weekend food for students who live in food insecure families heartily thanks the congregation for their support of the program. We would like for you to know that thanks to your generosity, we have packed 628 sacks of weekend food as of November 15; we began our work the first week in October. We estimate that each student receives food that would cost around $15; students pick up the bags on Fridays. We pack non perishable items that students can use even if they do not have access to kitchen facilities.

This past week we packed for 86 students. Your generous support in giving both food items and donations keeps us going. If you estimate 86 times $15, you can see that the outlay is around $1250 to $1300 per week. 

As we approach Thanksgiving and Advent we want to express our gratitude for you; thank you for helping St. Mark’s continue this work as a way to reach out to our community.

Chase the Chill

Chase the Chill is busy! We continue to offer yarn to all who would like to knit or crochet hats and scarves for this ministry. Many warm items are being created and donated--thank you! Please stop by the Chill table in the Narthex on Sundays to select a bag or two to take with you for neighbors in need. The bags contain a scarf or hat (sometimes both if they are small), a bottle of water and a small candy. You can add other things you think might help those who receive the bags.

Children, Youth, and Family Faith Formation

College-age/Home for the Holidays Brunch: Wednesday, December 21, 10 a.m. in the Parish Commons Classroom. RSVP to Ingelaurie at ingelaurie@smlutheran.org by December 18. 

Sunday Morning classes for Children 3 years old to 12th grade. 

Schedule for December 2022:

• December 4: 1st Sunday Family Worship--no faith formation classes for preschool-12th grade students. Please attend worship with your family. The 9:45 a.m. service will feature a children's message and special music geared towards our younger members.
• December 11 and 18: Regular Sunday Morning classes 9:45-10:45 a.m. 
• December 25 and January 1: Holiday Breaks, no classes 
• January 8: Classes resume

Christmas Caroling--Sunday, December 11--meet at St. Mark's at 12:30 p.m. to walk over to elesio. High School--The Well--this is your event, this day. Children and adults of all ages are invited to participate. 

Thursday Nights for youth grades 6-12:

• December 1: 5:30 Youth Group; 6:30 Youth Choir; 7:30 Youth Marimbas
• December 8: 6:30 Youth Choir; 7:30 Youth Marimbas
• December 15: 5:30-6:30 Youth Group Christmas Party and Potluck--bring something to share for dinner.
• December 22: 5:00-7:00pm 6-12th grade Movie Night--Featuring the movie Elf, a pizza dinner and lots of movie treats. Sign up by December 18 on the youth board, if you are attending.

*Christmas Choir--youth grades 6-12th are invited to sing on Christmas Eve. Rehearsals December 15 and 22 7pm--See Cooper for more details and what the commitment is on Christmas Eve.

Summer 2023--we are headed to Flathead Lutheran Bible Camp, Montana.

• For students going into grades 4-12 in the fall of 2023. 
• July 23-28 (travel days not included—reserve July 22-29 just to be safe) .
• Go to https://flbc.net/registration/ to register(registration opened November 17 10 a.m. MST). 
• Parents please register your student with the camp and pay the $100.00 deposit to guarantee your spot—once they are full your student will be on a waiting list with the camp. St. Mark's is not reserving spots. 
• Cost: $530.00 per student (camp fee). The church will pay $200.00 per student off the final balance, for camp plus transportation costs and meals on the road. 
• Indicate St. Mark’s Lutheran Church by The Narrows Tacoma WA, as the home congregation. 
• 2023-2024 school year breakdown: Pioneers grades 4/5^th; Pathfinders grades 6/7^th; Trailblazers 8/9^th and High School traditional camp grades 10-12^th. 
• St. Mark’s will need drivers and at least 4 adults to volunteer at camp. If other adults just want to help drive to and from camp and do their own thing in between that is an option as well.