As directed by the congregational council at its September meeting, St. Mark’s is no longer requiring masks on Sunday mornings.  Thank you to each and every one of you for your patience and compliance with our masking rules over these last couple of years- what a difference it has made!  We still don’t know of any cases where transmission of Covid happened at St. Mark’s.  That is an exceptional track record, and your cooperation made that possible.

While we know that Covid has not gone away, we also recognize that we are in a very different place than we were when we began masking requirements for gatherings more than two years ago. Vaccines that are very effective at preventing severe disease and death are now readily available, including for young children, and new adult boosters targeting Omicron variants offer the opportunity for solid protection against the most prominent strains currently circulating.  Another game changer is the fact that N-95 masks are now widely available.  When we started masking, I needed to wear a mask to protect you from my airborne particles, and vice versa.  But at this point, even if I am not wearing a mask, you can still choose to have good protection from airborne particles with a well fitted N-95 mask.  Windows in the sanctuary will also remain open to improve ventilation and lessen the risk of transmission.

Masking continues to be an effective tool for slowing the spread of Covid and other respiratory diseases, so we continue to recommend masking, especially for those who have had potential Covid exposure.  And as always, if you don’t feel well, please stay home and worship with us through the livestream.  

Pastor Matt Smith

Parish Administrator, Out of Office

September 19th-23rd 

Danielle will be out of the office all of next week, with no access to email. Please keep this in mind if you are visiting or calling the church for specific questions that she would normally assisted you with. She will return to the office on Monday, September 26th. The church office will remain open during normal hours with the rest of the St. Mark's staff monitoring phone calls and door access. 

*Any contributions collected between 9/13-9/25 will be deposited on 9/28.*

9th Annual World Communion Sunday Ecumenical Service

Sunday, October 2nd, 11am

St. Mary's Episcopal Church

337 Charlotte Street

Don’t miss World Communion Sunday on October 2nd at St. Mary’s Episcopal at 11:00 am! We will join with our brothers and sisters from St. Paul’s UMC and St. Mary’s Episcopal to celebrate our unity at the Lord’s Table. St. Mary's is located at the north end of Charlotte Street.

The sacrament of Holy Communion, which is intended to bring us together in unity, sometimes divides Christians of various denominations. Worshipping together on World Communion Sunday is a unique opportunity to enjoy fellowship with our brothers and sisters, and to witness to Christian unity in a time when division seems so common.

While there will be a short 8:30 service at St. Mark’s, the 11:00 service at St. Mary’s just won’t be the same without you! If you have concerns about parking or accessibility, please contact the church office and we will be happy to make arrangements.

Blessing of the Animals 

Sunday, October 9th, 2-4pm

Save the Date! Our annual Blessing of the Animals will be Sunday, October 9 from 2-4pm! Stay tuned for more details! Interested in helping out? Contact Deacon Katie

Crop Hunger Walk 2022

September 25th, Registration begins @ 1pm

Sign up to do the Walk, and/or make your financial donation now, on this web site.

Pledge-Registration envelopes are also available at St Marks, on the shelf downstairs by the elevator.

Registration starts at 1pm, and the Walk begins at 2pm. The walk is 2.5 miles, (or less). If you cannot participate on the 25th, please do this Walk whenever you have time.

T-shirts with a new design ("Believe there is Good in the World") are FREE to St Mark's participants, as we are a sponsoring Church. Join in with your fellow St Mark's members, and sisters and brothers of other local churches, for this wonderful opportunity to serve people with food insecurities!

Jackson Flooding Relief 

For those who would like to donate funds to purchase water, follow this link. Working Together Jackson is a broad-based coalition of institutions committed to collaborative strategies that solve many of the problems facing Jackson, working across racial, religious and economic lines within the city. Its mission is to rebuild Jackson through institutional leadership development as well as pragmatic and cooperative community problem-solving. They will purchase water and get it to distribution sites as long as water is available from major suppliers such as Walmart and Kroger.

Lutheran Services Carolinas (LSC)

Aston Park Health Care Center

From John 10:10, “I came that they might have life and have it abundantly.”

Lutheran Services Carolinas (LSC) has some exciting news to share! This can benefit the lives of you and your neighbors, and we wanted you to be among the first to hear about it!

Aston Park Health Care Center, Inc and LSC recently became partners in offering quality care and services to seniors in your community. Aston Park is the only nonprofit, community-based nursing home in Buncombe County. It has served this community providing skilled nursing care for over 42 years and hopes to serve another 42 years by partnering with LSC! To learn more about the announcement click here. 

Please contact Ted Goins with questions about the newest senior community to join the LSC family.

Lutheridge Fall Family Fun

October 14-16, 2022

Enjoy the beauty of the changing season while experiencing all that camp has to offer with your family! Click here for more details.

Faith Stories

The Evangelism Team continues a series of interviews with St. Mark's members called "Sharing our Faith Stories." This week we hear from Anne Blackwell about her faith journey, what keeps her going during hard times, and more.

Click here to view the faith stories

that have already been published.

September 18th @ 8:30am

Greeters

Henry Ulrichs

Barbara Ulrichs

Usher

Ken Lane

Deborah Lane

Altar Guild

Debbie Layne

Acolyte

Liza Volk

Assisting Minister

Mary Brady

Reader

Linda Kinsinger

Communion Assistant

Anne Sites

September 18th @ 11am

Greeters

Bob Mihara

Cindy Lauster

Usher

Jason Jones

Josh Kersey

Altar Guild

Donna Turnbaugh

Acolyte

Eileen Cram

Crucifer

Katie Rivers

Assisting Minister

Dave Epley

Reader

Bonnie Richards

Communion Assistant

Donna Turnbaugh

Live Stream

Gloria Sainio