May 11th, MiniMarks

MINI-MARKS

May 11, 2022

Click here to view the May ReMARKS Newsletter

2022 Synod Gathering : Registration Deadline - May 13th

June 2-4, 2022 @ Lenoir-Rhyne University in Hickory, NC

You are invited to join other members of the North Carolina Synod for the first ever Synod Gathering. This event will have time for learning, worship, and fellowship with other Lutherans from all over the state.

There are two ways to attend:

Attend with St. Mark's - Pastor Matt will be driving our newly borrowed 12 passenger van to Hickory to attend the Gathering on Thursday. If you would like to attend that day and travel with Pastor Matt, please email Deacon Katie and she will register you for the event. St. Mark's will cover your meals and day registration.
Attend on your own - You are welcome to attend additional days of the Synod Gathering, and stay overnight at LR. For this option, please follow this link to register yourself for the event.

Questions? Want to learn more? Click here or Contact Deacon Katie

REGISTRATION DEADLINE - Friday, MAY 13th

Church Announcements

Covid Update

With another ongoing bump in covid transmission in our wider community, we appreciate you continuing to wear masks on Sunday mornings and for all worship services. Despite being 2 years into this pandemic, we're thrilled that we still know of ZERO cases of transmission at St. Mark's events to date. Our open windows, good mask wearing, and your willingness to be vaccinated are helping keep each other safe!

Office Closed, Thursday May 12th

Staff Volunteer Day

On May 12th, St. Mark’s staff and a few other volunteers will be participating in building an interfaith house together. We need 8 more volunteers on June 2nd. If you are interested in volunteering, please let Danielle or Henry know so that your spot can be reserved. Once you reach out, you will receive additional information about where to find your liability form, what to wear, and a few safety guidelines.

Questions? Contact Henry at henryulrichs66@gmail.com or 910.620.4854.

New Member Reception

Sunday, May 15th @ 8:30am and 11am

Join us as we welcome New Members this Sunday! We will receive new members at both the 8:30 and 11:00am services. You are invited to greet our new members at a reception on the playground after each service. Be sure to stop by and introduce yourselves to the news members of our St. Mark's family!

Quilting Cancelled, May 17th

On Tuesday, May 17th St. Mark's will be opening up the fellowship hall for the 2022 Primary Election. Because of this, the Quilting Group will not be meeting. They will resume regular Tuesday meetings on May 24th.

2022 Primary Election

Tuesday, May 17th

In North Carolina, the statewide primary is Tuesday, May 17, 2022. During this election, voters can choose which candidates they prefer to be on the general election ballot in November.

The purpose of a primary is to narrow the field of candidates for the general election.

Races on the ballot include:

The U.S. Senate and House of Representatives.
The N.C. General Assembly.
The N.C. Supreme Court and Court of Appeals.

Additionally, many voters will find municipal contests on their ballot due to rescheduled municipal elections. This applies to voters in municipalities that delayed their 2021 elections to finalize new electoral districts. This also applies to voters who live in cities and towns that conduct their elections during even-numbered years.

For information on your voter registration and to view sample ballots, visit: ncsbe.gov

Living Waters Visit

Thursday, May 26th

Pastor Matt, Deacon Katie, and a small group from Lutheran Church of the Nativity will be traveling to Living Waters congregation in Cherokee for a food pantry distribution day on May 26 to learn more about that ministry. We have space for a couple more people, so if you'd like to join us please let the church office know.

Ministry Team News

Circle of Welcome

The St. Mark’s Circle of Welcome met on Tuesday, May 3 to review the holy work that this congregation has been a part of over the last few months and to discuss the ministry that has assisted the Ihsas family in their transition to Northern Virginia. To find their full report on this ministry and the needs of future involvements, click here.

Racial Healing Team

The North Carolina Synod office is located on the original and ancestral homelands of the Keyauwee people, and we give thanks for their presence here since time immemorial. We also wish to recognize and honor all our indigenous siblings who have called and continue to call this land their home.

We are following the list of topics suggested by native leaders in the ELCA to continue our learning together. In May we explore the UN Definition of Genocide and wrestle with the question: Is what happened in the Boarding School movement Genocide? To reflect and read more information on May's discussion questions, click here.

Got Peanut Butter?

The CAT Ministry is in need of peanut butter donations. If you are able, please bring a jar to Church this Sunday. We are collecting them for the ABCCM Crisis Ministry. Put your donation on the shelf under the sign-up bulletin board at the bottom of the stairs.

Faith Formation

Faith Formation

Sundays from 9:45am-10:45am

The Racial Healing Team invites you to join for 2 more weeks of Faith Formation class beginning to discuss Indian Boarding Schools during the Faith Formation hour.

What are they?
Who started them?
How was the church involved?
Why should we learn about them now?

It will be a challenge to learn things that directly contradict so much of what you have been taught your entire life to be true. We are hoping you join us with a willingness to be open and open-minded for lively conversations in a safe and loving space, where God (Great Spirit) will be at the center of it all. Your middle and high schoolers are also welcome to attend. We will meet in the sanctuary and on zoom, and we look forward to seeing you all there!

Weekly Schedule

Worship Assistant Information

If you are a worship assistant, please take a few moments and refresh yourself on the routines of your position either by watching these videos or by reading the linked text within the titles. If you would like to know more about these positions or any others on Sunday morning, please reach out to Danielle.