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This Sunday...
Is our First Sunday in Lent. We will start our Lenten Series "Stay Focused" with our sermon "Stay Focused: When Tempted."
Scripture: Luke 4:1-13
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Wednesday Night Dinner and Fellowship
Is tonight with Roast Pork Loin, with our Ash Wednesday Service to follow at 6:30PM. Please join us! RSVP with the Church Office at Office@stmarkumc.org no later than 2PM today.
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Ash Wednesday
Today | March 5, 2025
Join us this morning or this evening, March 5th, as we begin our Lenten journey together. You can join us this morning between 7AM and 9AM for Solitary Imposition of Ashes on the Peachtree Terrace or join us this evening at 6:30PM for our Ash Wednesday Service in the Sanctuary.
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SPRC Pastoral Appointment Update – Your Voice in the Process
Following this previous Sunday’s announcement that Pastor Carolyn will be appointed to the Cabinet of the North Georgia Conference, and we will be receiving a new Senior Pastor, the Staff Parish Relations Committee (SPRC) wants to share some of the information that was communicated on your behalf to our District Superintendent, Rev. Dr. Byron Thomas. This Pastor Profile will be used by the Cabinet and the Bishop as they discern our next pastoral appointment this week.
Who We Are & Where We’re Headed
Saint Mark is a progressive, inclusive, and radically loving church. Under Pastor Carolyn’s leadership, we have grown in outreach, discipleship, and our mission of full inclusion. As we look to the future, we seek a pastor who will: Build on this momentum, challenge us in our faith, and deepen our commitment to justice and grace.
Some Key Qualities We Need in Our Next Pastor: An effective preacher, a vision and community-oriented leader, and pastoral shepherd.
Key Skills That Matter: Biblical teaching and preaching; pastoral care and counseling; multicultural and intergenerational ministry; leading with inclusivity and grace; worship leadership; and strategic vision and goal setting.
We recognize the sacred responsibility of pastoral appointments and appreciate your trust as we advocate for our congregation’s needs. If you have any questions, please reach out to Eric Steverson, Jill Lee-Barber (SPRC Chair & Vice Chair), or any Church Council member.
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Open Doors
March 15, 2025 | 11:30AM-1:30PM
Open Doors is an opportunity for members of the community to come and see the history of where Saint Mark has been and where Saint Mark is going! Join us on Saturday, March 15, 2025 from 11:30AM-1:30PM, to share the beauty and history of Saint Mark with our community. For more information, please contact Viveca Richards at viveca1956@gmail.com.
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Bayard Rustin Day
March 15, 2025 | 2PM
We are excited to share that the LGBTQ+ Institute of the National Center for Civil and Human Rights will be holding its second annual Bayard Rustin Day on Saturday, March 15 here at Saint Mark! Please plan to come and learn more about this civil rights icon and architect of the Great March on Washington. The event will be from 2-4PM in the Sanctuary. To register for the event, please click here.
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Souper Chili Cook-Off
March 23, 2025 | After 11AM Worship
YOU DON'T WANT TO MISS THIS!
Saint Mark will hold our (now annual) Souper Chili Cook-Off on Sunday, March 23, immediately following the conclusion of the 11AM worship service! Let Pastor Andy know if you are willing to provide an entry, last year we had a great variety of dishes! Make plans to come and enjoy all the different kinds of chili and soups your Saint Mark friends prepare for us - and after tasting, vote for your favorites, and help us eat until everyone is full, or everything is gone.
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Partnership with the Atlanta Symphony Orchestra
March 30, 2025 | After 11AM Worship
Mark your calendars! While there may be confusion in the air these days about public health priorities coming from Washington DC, here at Saint Mark we are clear - VACCINATIONS save lives!
We will be partnering with the Atlanta Symphony Orchestra and the Georgia Department of Public Health in hosting an event on Sunday, March 30 after the 11AM worship service to provide vaccine-related resources and utilize arts and music to engage people in increasing their confidence in the COVID-19 vaccine. This will be a community event open to the public with an ASO Chamber Quartet classical music performance, a certified vaccine partner to provide COVID-19 vaccines to anyone who is willing to be vaccinated, and discussion of how each of us can help in community public health efforts. From 12-1:30PM on March 30, 2025. Watch for more details.
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New Member Class
March 30 and April 6 | During the Sunday School Hour
Interested in becoming a member at Saint Mark?
Join us for our two week New Member Class on March 30 and April 6 in the Wade Hall Conference Room during the Sunday School Hour. Please contact Pastor Carolyn at cstephens@stmarkumc.org for more information.
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Safe Sanctuary Training
March 30 or April 6 | 12:30PM in Wade Hall
This training will cover Saint Mark’s Safe Sanctuary policies, as well as how to report suspected child and elder abuse. Safe Sanctuary training is vital to the health and safety of the vulnerable populations at Saint Mark. This training is mandatory for all people who plan to volunteer with children, youth, or vulnerable adults (adults 65+, disabled adults, those who are homebound, hospitalized, or otherwise incapacitated). Please plan to attend ONE session on March 31st OR April 6th.
If you plan to continue to serve in one of these ministry areas and cannot make this training, please reach out to Madi Dunn at mdunn@stmarkumc.org to reschedule.
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Civil Rights Heritage Tour
The Saint Mark Social Justice Committee would like to share that the Dr. Evelyn Gibson Heritage Tour will be on March 8-9, 2025. This tour is often called "the original civil rights tour" and is a fantastic opportunity to learn about the non-violent work done by our Nation's Civil Rights Tour.
The Social Justice Committee can offer a limited number of scholarships to folks who would like to participate in the tour but lack the funds to do so. These scholarships are available on a first come, first serve basis. You may register for the Heritage Tour here: https://www.sclcwomeninc.com/copy-of-home. For any questions or inquiries about the scholarships, please email Sheri Barrera-Disler at sheribd1962@gmail.com.
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5k Walk/Run to Feed the Hungry
A Message from Pam Buzbee
Hello Friends,
I'm back again with my annual plea to raise funds for the Atlanta Community Food Bank's Annual Hunger Walk/Run, in association with Saint Mark’s ministry partner Midtown Assistance, on March 9, 2025.
We are in uncertain times right now. Some people are questioning whether they will have a job, while others are just looking for a way to put food on the table for their families. One out of four children in Georgia goes to bed hungry; many seniors choose to give up getting their medication in order to have food.
Would you consider supporting me again this year in raising money for this most worthwhile cause? I have directed my funds to be used by the Midtown Assistance Center. Their mission is to "prevent homelessness and hunger during periods of crisis by providing emergency assistance." The shopping credit I raised last year covered their Food Bank orders from July - November (approximately 1,200 lbs each week).
If you want to make a donation, the link to my personal page can be found by clicking here.
Thank you for taking the time to read this and to consider helping. You will be a blessing to someone you will never know.
Love,
Pam Buzbee
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Want something mentioned in the ReMarks?
Please submit the request to Office@stmarkumc.org one week before you would like it published in the ReMarks.
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Saint Mark Prayer Ministry
Click on the link and head over to the Saint Mark Prayer Ministry page. Please surround these people and their family and friends with your prayers and love.
https://www.stmarkumc.org/prayer-ministry
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Ways to Give Financially to Saint Mark | | |
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Your generosity allows us to love, accept and serve the people of our community.
Using your Smartphone’s camera, scan a QR Code below and follow the prompts.
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Welcome Home to Saint Mark!
As a United Methodist Church we are proud to be a congregation with open hearts, open minds, and open doors. We strive to be a congregation that embodies God’s absolute love and hospitality, proclaiming Jesus as our savior and as our model of the ultimate embodiment of God’s love. We believe that all persons are of sacred worth and dignity as part of God’s good creation. Saint Mark United Methodist Church welcomes all persons into the full life and ministry of our congregation, regardless of race, culture, ethnicity, age, sexual orientation, gender identity, family, socioeconomic status, physical or mental ability, or faith history.
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