Weekly Announcements

Week of July 25, 2010

Announcements

1. Announcements: Announcements should not exceed 125 words and should be submitted to Caitlin Jacobs by 5:00 PM. on Tuesday preceding the Sunday announcement is to run.
   
   
2. Vision 2020--Boldly Engaging in Our Future: At the Vestry Meeting on July 28, the Vision 2020 Steering Committee will present the results of the discernment process about what St. Mark's should look like in the future and formally request that the Vestry approve moving forward to the Feasibility Study.  All of the reports of the Steering Committee, including a summary report of work done to date and the underlying reports from the Community Engagement Committee, the Building Committee and the Dreamcatching Committee, remain available for parishioners to review on the St. Mark's website at: stmarks.net/vision/documents.html. Since those reports were issued, the Steering Committee has been working with our architect to define general options for renovation and/or expansion of our facilities.  Those options will be part of the presentation to the Vestry on July 28.   Should the Vestry decide to move forward to a Feasibility Study, that study would be conducted this fall by our consultant, the Episcopal Church Foundation.  Details on this next phase of the process will be made available to the community once the Vestry makes its decision.
   
   

From the Rector

3. A Word about "Crab Sunday": Annually, dating back to the late 1970s, we host a July 4th Crab Feast (which never falls on July 4th!). In conjunction with a sumptuous meal of crab and fixings, the annual Crab of the Year is named. COTY is a person who, during the previous year, has demonstrated a quintessential fussiness about things that matter, that is, a faithful persnicketyness for the sake of our community. Once named COTY, that person joins the illustrious College of Crustaceans, the members being the COTYs of all prior years.
   
   

Staff News

4. Associate Rector Vacation Schedule: The Associate Rector will be away on vacation July 14-28. Susan will return to her office on Thursday, July 29.
   
   
5. Last Chance to Submit Bulletin Announcements and Schedule Your Space Use! July 30 will be the last day that Caitlin Jacobs, Parish Administrator for Programs and Facilities, is in the office prior to her departure. Bulletins for August will be prepared in advance.  Please send all announcements for Sunday bulletins on August 1, 8 and 15 to you! caitlin.jacobs@stmarks.net no later than this Tuesday, July 27.  Please also think ahead and address with Caitlin any space use and scheduling needs that you may have this summer.
   
   
6. Rector Vacation Schedule: The Rector will be away on vacation throughout the month of August. Paul will return to his office on Wednesday, September 1, 2010.
   
   

Christian Education

We welcome your participation and your interest in Christian Education classes offered at St. Mark's.  Let us know where your interests lie in becoming more involved in the life of the parish!

7. Sunday School: Summer Sunday School's final class is today.  Please look for the full announcement under the Youth and Family Ministry section.  Like most of Washington, Sunday School will take a break in August.  The new Sunday School year will begin on September 12th.  Enjoy your summer holidays!
   
   
8. Introduction to Life at St. Mark's: The Introduction to Life at St. Mark's class this past Sunday drew both newcomers and "old" comers which made for a vibrant discussion led by our rector, Paul Abernathy.  This class, which offers a rich overview of St. Mark's worship and community, will next be be held September 19 from 2:00 - 6:00 PM.
   
   
9. Life, Community and Faith (LCF) Class Coming this Fall! Our parish is in for a treat as our Rector, Paul Abernathy, and Associate Rector, Susan Pinkerton, will be facilitating the Fall LCF Class together. This thought-provoking class considers how we live out our faith in community and provides an opportunity to get to know a small group of St. Mark’s parishioners. The class also prepares you for confirmation in the Episcopal Church if you choose to do so. The Fall class begins on Wednesday, September 29 and will run for 10 Wednesdays from 7:30 - 9:30 (except for November 24) – the weekends will be October 15-17 and December 3-5.  More information will follow, but mark your calendars now!  
   
   

Music

10. Guest Artist Jeffrey Cohan: We welcome guest artist Jeffrey Cohan from Seattle this Sunday at 9:00 on the flute, playing music of Johann Ludwig Krebs (whose surname is German for “crab”) and of Johann Sebastian Bach (Krebs’ teacher). Bach’s “Crab Canon” displays a compositional technique in which the musical theme of the first player is rendered backwards by the second player. Jeffrey is in town for his annual Capitol Hill Chamber Music Festival. See announcement #10 for more information. Also this week, our own Michelle Mathew offers a piano meditation on her final Sunday with us before she begins an extended stay in Paris.
11. Summer Choir: The Summer Pick-up Choir will not convene again until August 8. In the meantime the Chancel Choir will formally rehearse and sing at the Director of Music audition proceedings.
    
    
12. The 2010 Capitol Hill Chamber Music Festival: The Capitol Hill Chamber Music Festival celebrates its 10th anniversary with two Saturday period instrument Capitol Hill performances at St. Mark's. "Splendor of Four Centuries: 1550 to 1850" on Saturday, July 24 at 7:30 PM. and "The Music de la Chambre of Louis XIV" on Saturday, July 31 at 7:30 PM. The suggested donation is $20 for each concert ($36 for both) and youth 18 and under are free.
    
    

Outreach

13. Extra Effort for Partner Arms: Transitional Housing Corporation, the group in that administers the "Partner Arms" program is trying to furnish four apartments ASAP. They are very excited about being able to move more families out of the DC shelter and into their Partner Arms program! Anyone with any useful household furnishings and/or furniture is asked to contact Jack Burton at jburton39@gmail.com to arrange for transfer/pick-up of the items donated. (Yes, we just did a full apartment at the end of March for them, but now they have a special opportunity and need. Can you help?)
    
    
14. Update from Congregation-based Shelter Ministry: During July and August we offer hospitality to families working with the Capitol Hill Group Ministry towards stable housing. Keisha Rice and her son, Keshaun, 5, and Tracy Hunter and her 21-month-old daughter, Liberty, dine each night with volunteers at Baxter House, then spend the night in rooms in our undercroft. Thanks to Paul's leadership, the generosity of many parishioners, and the expertise of Ed Corr, a beautiful bathroom with tub and shower for their use opened this week. Please help yourself to a souvenir soap from the basket near the A Street entrance in honor of this event. There are still many dates in August when volunteers are needed.  Please sign up in the foyer or call Stephanie Deutsch, 202/547-8624.
    
    
15. Golfers: Save Monday, September 20 for the 8th annual Capitol Hill Group Ministry Hope for the Homeless Golf Tournament at Renditions Golf Course, Davidsonville, Maryland.  Contact Rick Rutherford at rruther427@aol.com or Peggy Pecore at ppecore@verizon.net for information.
    
    

Parish Life

16. Caregivers Support Group: The next meeting of the support group for those caring for a loved one or ones seriously ill or otherwise incapacitated, will be on Monday, July 26, 2010, at 7:30 PM in the Adams Room. Feel free to contact the group leaders: Suella Henn at swhenn@mac.com or 202/544-0113, or Mary Welker at marymwelker@aol.com or 202/387-4083.
    
    
17. Parish Picnic: Sunday, September 5 - one service at 10:00 AM. Parish Picnic follows - cookout, Pillar Fair, organized children and youth activities. Kick-off the new program year with fun and fellowship. More details to follow.
    
    
18. St. Mark's Reading Group: We decided on July 5 not to meet on August 2.  On September 13, we will meet to discuss Spiderweb by Penelope Lively.  The book for October 4 is The Help by Kathryn Sockett. For more info, contact Linda Ewald at llerbe@aol.com.
    
    
19. Become an Angel: That is, become an “Answering Angel,” a St. Mark’s parishioner who assists the Baxter House staff for several hours on a regular basis by answering the telephone, greeting visitors at the door, and otherwise being helpful. As Parish Administrator Caitlin Jacobs has noted, “Having someone downstairs to staff the Penniman Room desk boosts productivity and flexibility for those of us upstairs a million-fold!” If interested, please contact Bob Ewald at llerbe@aol.com or 202/546-6836.
    
    
20. Looking to Get More Involved but not Overcommitted? Try hosting the coffee hour! It’s as easy as 1-2-3: 1. Sign up on the bulletin board. 2. Bring food for after Sermon Seminar. 3. (optional) Seek reimbursement (up to $50). Questions? Contact Greg Smith at 202/460-3381 or gsmith@triallawyerdc.com.
    
    

Worship & Meditation

21. Worship Update: Any member wishing to participate in Worship Planning is cordially invited to our next Worship Planning Team meetings, on August 10 and 24 at 7:00 – 9:00 PM. in the Chapel. We welcome your input as we continue to work through the process of planning liturgy, the work of the people. RSVP (so we have enough chairs) to Jan Lipscomb at deljan26@cox.net or Loretta Veney at lwveney@aol.com.
    
    
22. Extra Baptism Sunday: Given the long stretch of the year between the Day of Pentecost (May 23) and the Sunday after All Saints’ Day (November 7), an additional baptism date has been added to the calendar. The Rite of Holy Baptism will be observed on Sunday, August 29, at the 10:00 AM. service. Please contact Susan Pinkerton.
    
    
23. Contemplative Eucharist at 5:00 PM.: Please join us in the Nave at 5:00 PM. this Sunday for our contemplative Eucharist service. Feel free to bring a beverage and/or snack to share during the social hour that follows our service.  Contact Susan Pinkerton at susan.pinkerton@stmarks.net or at 202/543-0053 x302 for information. 
    
    
24. Weekday Services:
    
    
    • Mondays, 7:30 to 9:00 PM. Insight Meditation in the Nave
    • Thursdays, 7:00 to 8:00 AM. Insight Meditation group in Adams Room
    • Thursdays, Noon to 12:45 PM. Holy Eucharist in the Chapel
    
    

Youth and Family Ministry

25. Summer Sunday School: This Sunday marks the last summer Sunday school class, which, hand-in-hand with the liturgical readings will continue to explore the seasonal theme established by the Worship Planning Team: Discipleship. This week’s class will focus on the Lord’s Prayer and Prayer and is designed for children ages 4-12, but teens are welcome to help with the lessons. Please note there will be no Sunday School in August as we shift to one service. (regular Sunday School class will resume on September 12).
    
    

Notes from the Office

26. Newcomers and Visitors: If you complete a "Welcome to St. Mark's" visitors card and give us an email address or paper-mail address, we will contact you with a welcome message (usually within the week). If you have not been contacted, it may mean that we have read your card incorrectly. Please call Susan Block, the Parish Administrator for Finance and Membership, at 202/543-0053 x 305. We do want to keep in touch! Thank you.
    
    
27. For More Information about What's Happening at St. Mark's: Visit the parish web site, www.stmarks.net, or subscribe to the Rector’s weekly email newsletter, This Week at St. Mark’s (aka “TWASM”).  It previews the coming Sunday Service, future activities, events and classes, provides parish news of interest to all, and includes messages from Kenn Allen, the Senior Warden, and Megan Courtney, the Director of Youth Ministries.
    
    To subscribe or Unsubscribe, contact Susan Block, the Parish Administrator, at susan.block@stmarks.net. Subscribe to St. Mark’s YahooGroups listserv.  It provides even more announcements of upcoming events and activities and also provides a discussion forum, where all subscribers can have their say about issues that concern the parish community. To subscribe, send a blank email to StMarks-subscribe@yahoogroups.com; to UNsubscribe, send a blank email to StMarks-unsubscribe@yahoogroups.com.
    
    
28. Moving? Whenever you change your address, phone number, or email address, please advise Susan Block, the Parish Administrator, so she can update the parish database. Please send changes to susan.block@stmarks.net or to St. Mark's Episcopal Church, 118 3rd St., SE, Washington, DC 20003, or call Susan at 202/543-0053, ext. 305. Thanks.