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Dear Saint Mark Family,
The goodness and mercy of God accompany you throughout each day.
This week I have been away from the office for a few days, conducting interviews for candidates who are pursuing ordination, seeking to be provisional deacons and elders in The United Methodist Church. I will be away again in March to interview those seeking to be fully ordained. I serve as a member on the Conference Board of Ordained Ministry, and it is one of the most meaningful and holy responsibilities I participate in each year. Having the opportunity to hear each candidate articulate her or his call to ordained ministry, and to read their written work, and to discern with other members of the Board the candidate’s fitness and readiness, or effectiveness for ministry is humbling, to say the least. At this critical juncture of our denomination and for the church universal, I ask for your continued prayers that the Holy Spirit will always go before us in these interviews, guide us in our decision-making process, and that we will follow the Spirit’s guidance in all we do. Thank you for your prayers.
Saint Mark, there are a few things I want to bring to your attention:
1. As I shared with you last week, this Saturday will be “Make Your Mark Day.” This is the time we come together to care for our building and grounds. Many of you have signed up already, and we thank you. For those who have not signed up, there is still an opportunity for you to come and be a part of the good and needed work that will be done. We will gather at 8:30-8:45am and depart by 12:30pm. I am looking forward to seeing you.
2. If you are interested in joining me in our pilgrimage to the Holy Land in October, there will be an informational session this Sunday, immediately after the 11am worship in Wade Hall. Rev. Dr. Jamie Jenkins will lead this session, and will answer any questions you may have.
3. Next week Wednesday, the 22nd, is Ash Wednesday, and is the beginning of the season of Lent. On Ash Wednesday, there will be multiple opportunities for you to enter into the season of Lent mindfully and deliberately. The clergy will be doing imposition of ashes on the Peachtree Street terrace, in front of the sanctuary, and in front of Dunkin’ Donuts at 7th Street, from 7:30am to 9:30am. We invite you to drive by, or walk by if you are in the neighborhood. Come on out and let us send you forth into the season with a blessing and the reminder to live the gospel.
4. There will also be an Ash Wednesday noon service in the chapel led by Rev. Steve Fazenbaker, and our 7pm service in the Sanctuary. I urge you to come out to worship, and bring a friend.
5. This Sunday, be on the look out for the Lenten Devotionals. They will be placed in key locations in the church. The theme for the devotional is “Journeying with Jesus.” Take one of the devotionals, and read daily the devotion written by your Saint Mark family. I pray as you read each day you will be blessed and inspired.
6. For Lent 2023, I am inviting you Saint Mark to participate in our Milk Money Mission Drive. We shared in the Remarks on Wednesday about this Milk Money Drive, and its purpose. I pray you will participate in this worthwhile ministry.
Finally, this Sunday we will wrap up our series on (Re)Building a Legacy. We will be sharing on celebrating the work accomplished, and the victory God has given to us.
I look forward to seeing you Sunday.
God goes before you and with you,
Pastor Carolyn.
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