St. Mark's Episcopal Church News and Events July 25, 2021

St. Mark's Episcopal Church

The Ninth Sunday after Pentecost

July 25, 2021

At this time we are offering one worship Service at 10:30 from the St. Mark's Sanctuary through our Facebook page and YouTube Channel.

A copy of the Bulletin may be found on our website, in the button below

or on the Facebook page.

This Service will be also available in person and preregistration is no longer required on line.

Bulletin for Sunday

It is not too late to sign up for day camp! July 28 and July 29

Camp Chickagami, an ACA Accredited Family Camping Center of The Episcopal Diocese of Eastern Michigan, is offering traveling day camps this summer. They will be at St. Mark's, Wednesday, July 28-Thursday, July 29, offering a day camp from 10 a.m.-4 p.m. The suggested age range for campers is upcoming 3rd-8th graders, however friends from 1st-2nd grades are certainly welcome, too. Early drop-off, beginning at 9 a m., and late pick-up, until 5 p.m., will be offered. Lunch and snacks will be provided.

Please fill out the registration below for each child attending. A suggested donation of $25 per child, for those able to do so, will help support this offering from Camp Chick. Checks should be made payable to St. Mark's Episcopal Church with "Camp Chick Day Camp" in the memo line. Please send completed forms and donations to St. Mark's at 134 N. Division Ave, Grand Rapids, Mi, 49503 by Sunday July 25. Please send any questions to our Director of Youth Ministries, Jeff Brown, at jeffatgrey@gmail.com. Jeff will be on-site for the duration of camp, along with camp staff and additional volunteers.

Every precaution will be taken according to state, diocesan, and CDC requirements and recommendations at the time of the sessions to keep all of our campers, staff, and families safe.

Link Here for Details and Registration

Episcopal 101 Sunday Aug 1 - 9:15 to 10:15 a.m.

Please note change of date and time

Hoping to provide a more timely opportunity for learning more about the Episcopal Tradition, please, join me in the Parish Hall next Sunday instead of next Wednesday night. We will gather on Sunday, August 1, for an hour prior to the 10:30 Eucharist for time together. Come and bring your questions. I hope to see you then. ~ Christian+

Social Hour Hosts

Please, considering offering to host a social hour on a Sunday following the 10:30 Eucharist. A sign-up sheet is available on the Welcome Desk of the Parish House foyer. A social hour can be as simple as cookies, cheese and crackers and lemonade. Hosts can expect to be reimbursed by submitting receipts to Pam Stevenson, Financial Manager of St. Mark's. Please, consider this opportunity for service and fun. Thank you.

First Sunday Food Collection

Please, consider bringing non-perishable food for our local food pantry at Westminster Presbyterian Church on the first Sunday of the month. We will be responsible for delivering food collected so that the Downtown Pantry will receive your donation. Thank you.

St. Mark’s Sacred Grounds Wildlife Habitat

Since the summer of 2017 the south side of St. Mark’s property, the St. Mary’s Garden, has been landscaped. Sixteen diseased hawthorn trees and a tangle of overgrown yew shrubs were removed. With the help of a grant from the National Wildlife Foundation, the vision of the Rector, and the labor of many parishioners, that space has since been transformed to encompass a native plant garden, a children’s outside classroom and a Memorial Garden. Last week, St. Mark’s was recognized as a Wildlife Habitat. We are committed to supporting the health and preservation of specific types of wildlife by providing native plantings, food and water sources, and places to shelter and raise them. In addition, we are incorporating sustainable environmental practices throughout St. Mark’s campus. Through our Earth Care and Garden Ministry, we have become active participants in the effort to be good stewards of God’s creation. ~ Dr. Marie McKendall, Ministry Chair.

Volunteers Needed

If you can offer time and talents to assist with ministries at St. Marks, please pick up a Ministries Directory and see the many opportunities to serve. We have many areas of need as we return to a fuller expression of our life together. Thank you!

Backpacks for Children

Please, join in the fun of purchasing backpacks for children, all ages. Purchase them and bring them to St. Mark's. We'll bless them on August 8 for delivery to Fr. Jose to distribute to Hispanic children in local parish schools. Please, consider this opportunity for serving God and God's children.

backpack information and links to purchase materials

All Ministries Planning Meeting: Sept. 8

Chairs of all ministries or representatives of ministries and staff are invited to the annual fall All Ministries Planning Meeting on Wednesday, Sept. 8 from 6:30-8:00 p.m. Pizza will be provided. A sign-up sheet will be available on Welcome Desk next month. Please, plan to come and participate in this interactive opportunity for planning the program year together. Thank you.

Livestream Sound Issues

If you tune in with us for our Sunday Worship Services please be patient with our sound as we work through some of the issues with the system. We are in the process of updating speakers in the Sanctuary and acquiring new microphone packs as well. We appreciate your patience and look forward to improvements to share with everyone as we get the new equipment installed and up and running.

Parishioner Larry Manglitz

Long-time parishioner, Larry Manglitz, is now in residence at Porter Hills on Fulton. Please, keep Larry in your prayers as well as all those on our In-Bound Parishioner list and all those for whom we have promised to pray, especially those found on our Parish Prayer Lists. Thank you.

Health Safety Protocols at St. Mark's

Please, remember to use sanitizer when entering the Parish House and when leaving as well as after washing hands in the restrooms. Those who have been fully vaccinated are free to not wear a mask. If you have not been fully vaccinated, we kindly ask that you wear a mask. Masks are provided at the entrance to the Parish House. Two sections of the nave of the Sanctuary have been reserved for anyone wishing to maintain more distance from others. When receiving Holy Communion, please feel free to maintain distance if you wish while kneeling or standing at the communion rail. At the Sign of Peace, we advise respectfully offering a sign of peace without touching others. Please, help us maintain as much health safety as possible. Blessings and many thanks.

Sunday Children's Opportunities

During the 10:30 Service, opportunities for children are offered in the Lower Level of the Parish House. Please plan to be with us, parishioners of all ages! For more information and to volunteer to be of assistance, please, contact Laura Kozminski, Director of Children's Formation at laurakozminski@gmail.com

Summer Parish Office Hours

With a few exceptions, the Parish Office will close at noon on Fridays for this summer. Please let us know if you are expecting a delivery

or have a need for the staff to be available.

The Episcopal Diocese of Western Michigan Episcopal Youth Camp this summer!

We will gather the weeks of August 8 (Senior Camp) and August 15 (Junior Camp and CIT) at Camp Newaygo. All youth, grades 3-12, are invited to join us for a great camp experience. Visit our website, www.episcopalyouthcamp.org to learn more about our sessions, pricing, and more. Registration is open now and early bird rates are available. Link Below for more information.

More details for EYC

Dismantling Racism Ministry Blog

Walking my path… Diversity, Inclusion, and Equality

Shared by Penny Larson

(Penny Larson joined St. Mark’s during the pandemic. She moved to Grand Rapids after retiring from a career in education in northern Michigan) My first memory of being involved with diverse marginalized people occurred when I was about 20 years old. I remember being bused into inner cities and …link below to continue reading....

Link to Blog

Celebration Sunday, September 12, and Return to Two Services

In consultation with staff and other ministries at St. Mark's, we will return to two Services on Sundays on Celebration Sunday on Sept. 12 at 8:00 a.m. and 10:30 a.m.

Mid Week Eucharist

Will be available to you in person as well as through Facebook live. Please join us in our Sanctuary at 12 noon.

Weekday Prayers and Worship

Due to schedules for the summer, Tuesday Noon Prayer will be suspended through the end of the summer and resume on Tuesday, Sept. 14. Wednesday Eucharist in-person and live-streamed will continue throughout the summer. Please, continue to join Compline at 8:00 on Facebook on Mondays and Thursdays. Blessings and thanks.

Stewardship at St. Mark's

Please join us in pledging for 2021. Pledge cards are available at Church, online (See link below) or by contacting the Parish office, if you'd like one mailed. Please, consider joining us in regular support of our mission at St. Mark's/ Pledging a specific monetary gifts is very helpful to us for planning purposes. Many thanks for your generosity.

The goal for 2021 was $470,000. We have received 142 pledges for a total of $480,746.

Complete your 2021 Stewardship Pledge online

Click here to submit your 2021 pledge

Prayers Requested

Ephesians 6:18

Pray in the Spirit on all occasions with all kinds of prayers and requests. With this in mind, be alert and always keep on praying for all the LORD's people.