St. Mark's Episcopal Church
A Community of Grace
We spread God's word,
love like Jesus,
enjoy worshipping together,
and help our neighbors.
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Sunday, December 29, 2024 Holy Eucharist Service at 8 & 10 AM
10 AM service can be viewed live or on demand via the church's website, Facebook page, and YouTube channel.
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St. Mark's Book Club, Jan 18
Hello, Book Lovers!
First, a big thank you to Nancy Kinney for hosting our December meeting with cheery holiday decorations and traditional German goodies. We had our usual wide-ranging discussion and lively consideration of the characters and issues of grief and family secrets raised in "The Forgotten Garden."
Our next meeting will be held in Rosemary Wesley's home in Upland. It will be Rosemary's first time hosting - hooray and welcome to the gig. Our book is "The River Between" by noted Kenyan author Ngugi wa Thiong'o. Joel Bolton will lead our discussion. A note about the author: Thiong'o is described as "East Africa's leading novelist." His work suppressed and himself imprisoned in his home country, he is now Professor or Comparative Literature and English at the University of California, Irvine. He previously taught at Northwestern, Yale and New York Universities. He is frequently regarded as a likely candidate for the Nobel Prize in Literature.
Set during the colonial period when white settlers arrived in Kenya's "White Highlands," this novel tells the story of the separation of two neighboring villages caused by differences in faith. Bitterness and hatred divides the adults on each side. A young leader, Waiyaki, struggles to unite the two villages through sacrifice and pain.
Please contact Maggie Vizio at: bookclub@stmarks-upland.org
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Holiday Office Hours
The parish office will be closed the following holidays:
Dec 25-30 for Christmas
Jan 1 for New Year's Day
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Lectio Divina: A Hole in the World by Amanda Held Opelt
Join us on Tuesday, Jan 28, at 9AM as we use the Lectio Divina method to discuss A Hole in the World: Finding Hope in Rituals of Grief and Healing (2022) by Amanda Held Opelt. "In a raw and inspiring reflection on grief--selected by Publishers Weekly as one of the best books of the year--a mourning sister processes her personal story of loss by exploring the history of bereavement customs."
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Men's Coffee Fellowship - Wednesdays, 10:30AM
Meet at Starbucks located at the Colonies Crossroads, 1943 N Campus Ave, Unit D, Upland, 91784. For info, contact John Flasher.
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Attention Knitters and Crocheters
If you wish to be of service to St. Mark's and the wider community, the Fiber Arts Guild makes prayer shawls and men's lap robes for those who are sick or facing difficult situations. We also make baby blankets for those celebrating an addition to their family. For More Information...
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Children & Youth Ministries | |
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Children's Chapel
Children from the ages 3-10 are welcome to attend the children’s chapel at the fount of the church on the south side. We begin at 9:50 AM with sign-in, and lessons begin at 10 AM. Your child will join you for communion.
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Haitian Chocolate is Here!
After a long delay owing to unusually hot weather in Wisconsin (because Singing Rooster started as a ministry of the Diocese of Wisconsin, and that's where the warehouse is) the Haitian chocolate bars are here! We will have them in church this Sunday the 8th. Suggested minimum donation, $6 per bar. (Under retail cost even if you order multiples online.) Flavors include a new twist -- "dark milk" (50%, includes a small amount of milk). This year's flavors are: Pure Dark (70%), Pure Dark Lemon Ginger, Dark Milk Peppermint Crunch, Dark Milk Cafe au Lait, and Dark Milk Toffee Sea Salt.
The Haiti Fund is very grateful to you for supporting the sale of other arts and crafts on November 10th! As all of the items were donated, we raised a little over $900, which is nearly one month's payroll for the school. Thanks to those of you who support the Haiti Fund regularly and to our earlier coffee sale, we have been able to send $6000 to Haiti so far this year, or six months of salary costs, and the income from the art and chocolate sales will put us over the mark so that we can send another $3000 shortly. 150 children are safe in school in rural Haiti because of YOU.
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Helping Hands Hot Meal Ministry
Can you provide a meal for a parish member? You don't need to be a gourmet chef - just a person with compassion. You can cook or call UberEATS. Please contact Jennifer Stone at helpinghands@stmarks-upland.org
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Deanery 6, Diocese and Beyond | |
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Intergenerational Learning
The Napier Initiative offers seniors the opportunity to experience intergenerational classes at the Claremont Colleges at no expense. In addition to learning from assigned readings, class “Elders” participate fully in class discussions and projects. My class last spring introduced me to exciting new ideas and critical thinking on important issues while I shared my relevant life experiences with the class. I experienced firsthand the talent and inspiring personal values my younger classmates brought to the classroom. The following courses are offered this spring:
(1) “People & Power: The History and Practice of Community Organizing”; (2) “Political Economy of Food”; (3) “Feminism and Science” and (4) “Human-Centered Design”.
If you would like further information about the classes and/or how to apply for admission to them please contact Paul Turner or call the office, (909)920-5565.
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Creation Care
Have you heard of the Last Ent of Affric? Named after the tree-shepherds from the Lord of the Rings, this ancient wych elm has escaped the ravages of Dutch elm disease.
This made Glen Affric the perfect spot to transfer thirty-five young elm trees from Royal Botanic Garden Edinburgh.
We are planting200 trees over the next year to protect the species from Dutch elm disease. Disease resistant saplings are planted to encourage cross-pollination.
Learn more here: https://forestryandland.gov.scot/blog/national-tree-week-2024
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Come Now and Praise the Humble Saint | |
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Hark! A Thrilling Voice is Sounding | |
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2025 Estimate of Giving aka Pledge: Counting Blessings
Many thanks to the 63 individuals and households who registered their pledges for 2025. We have about 140 individuals and households on record. Please prayerfully consider how God has blessed your life and complete a 2025 pledge card. Your gracious contribution helps us as a community fund people like the rector, office administrator, bookkeeper, and music directors. They also keep the church buildings and grounds maintained and operational. It is not too late to make your pledge; and you may adjust your estimate of giving when circumstances change. Your 2025 pledge is greatly appreciated. Thank you.
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Last day for 2024 Contributions
Last minute contributions for the 2024 year should be dated and postmarked no later than Tuesday, December 31. Early submission is always appreciated.
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Donating from IRA Accounts
Required minimum distributions (RMD) are the least amounts of money you must withdraw from your traditional IRA account each year, once you reach a certain age. If you make a qualified charitable contribution directly to St. Mark's for some or all of the RMD, that amount will not be taxed. Your financial advisor or IRA customer service can provide additional details on how to make this type of donation to St. Mark's.
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Thank you for your generous gift.
No matter how, how much, or how often you give,
you make a difference. Your contribution is appreciated.
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St. Mark's Episcopal Church
A Community of Grace
330 East 16th Street, Upland, CA 91784
(909) 920-5565
stmarks-upland.org
For Venue Rental contact Carol at venuerental@stmarks-upland.org
Office Hours: Monday–Thursday 10 AM to 3 PM (closed12:30-1 PM); Friday Closed
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PLEASE NOTE:
The deadline for article submissions is every Tuesday and must be emailed to
parishadmin@stmarks-upland.org.
Please make sure to include “Good News" in the subject line.
Do not submit article requests via Constant Contact.
Good News articles will be published every Thursday afternoon
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