Good News for January 12, 2025

The St. Mark's Men's Breakfast invites all to the Parish Hall on Saturday, January 11, at 8AM for a simple potluck breakfast. We offer a simple meal with water, tea, and coffee. All are welcome and no requirement to bring anything. And, we have wifi and power for those who need to recharge their phones and portable chargers.

Parish Hall Open, January 10

The parish hall will be open tomorrow, Friday, January 10, from 10AM to 3PM, for parishioners who need wifi and to recharge their phones and portable chargers. We offer water, tea, and coffee.

Fire Relief News, Resources, and Contributions

Please see here for the Episcopal News article on the fires by Rev. Pat McCaughan https://diocesela.org/news/outpouring-of-episcopal-support-felt-amid-firestorms-in-pacific-palisades-san-gabriel-valley-foothills-hollywood-hills/

If you wish to help those affected by the fires, please consider the following options made possible through the Episcopal Church.

The diocesan One Body & One Spirit Appeal Fund will be used to help local institutions and individuals most affected by the wildfires. https://diocesela.org/annual-appeal/ Please note "Fires" in the memo for your contribution to go to the One Body & One Spirit fund.

Episcopal Relief and Development (ERD): ERD offers resources including financial and awareness raising for all those involved in the disaster, relief, and development process. Please see here for their web statement "ERD is Responding to the Wildfires in Southern California" (Jan 9, 2025) https://www.episcopalrelief.org/press-resources/press-releases/2025-wildfire-response/ and here for a visual of "The Emotional Life Cycle of a Disaster." https://www.episcopalrelief.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/04/emotional-life-cycle-of-a-disaster-explained.pdf and here is a resource for those who know children grades 6-8 https://www.episcopalrelief.org/resource/ministering-to-youth-after-a-disaster-grades-6-8/ and here https://buildfaith.org/spiritual-care-for-children-after-disaster/

The Commission on Schools is also a helpful resource. Please see other article in the Good News. Here is a resource for parents navigating the fires with children:

https://www.episcopalschoolsla.org/_files/ugd/fc8ac0_e9b942fd9d654bda827af04cfb0911d6.pdf

In his address to the all-clergy meeting on Jan 9, 2025, Bishop John Harvey Taylor and diocesan leadership reminded us that money/cash are more helpful in post-disaster situations. And so, rather than giving physical things like clothes and bottled water, please consider the other options mentioned. Please see here for an article from NPR "Thanks, But No Thanks." https://www.npr.org/2013/01/09/168946170/thanks-but-no-thanks-when-post-disaster-donations-overwhelm. Personal cards and texts may be welcome with the understanding that people may be overwhelmed and not able to respond in a timely manner or even at all. People need community, accurate information, and agency.

SoCal Fires and Impact to Our Episcopal Communities

Important Update from the Commission on Schools

Thursday, January 9, 2025

Dear Episcopal Leaders in the Diocese of Los Angeles,

It has been a heartbreaking 48 hours in Southern California, including within our Episcopal community. I want to take a moment to share an update on the impact of the Palisades and Eaton Fires.

Our thoughts and prayers are with all those impacted by the fires. We remain committed to supporting our Episcopal school communities during this difficult time.

The Reverend Ryan D. Newman, Ed.D.

Executive Director, Commission on Schools

Click here for expanded article.

Lectio Divina: In Person Bible Study Resumes, Tuesday Mornings

Join us for an in-person Lectio Divina Bible study, in Room 16 from 9:00

to 10:30AM. Lectio is a contemplative method of reading the Bible. We will listen to

an upcoming Sunday gospel lesson three times from different versions of the Bible

and respond to a reflection question after each reading. Our time includes

introductions, check-in, a break, and open discussion.

Home Organization Workshop by Sally Beardsley-POSTPONED

This workshop has been rescheduled for Thursday evening, January 30. Time and room to be announced.

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

Coloring the Alleluias for Epiphany

Add color to an Alleluia during Epiphany. Please color an alleluia as a mediative practice during the service, hospitality hour, in the car, or at home. Our goal is 490! The wonderful number of times Jesus told Peter to forgive those who sinned against him, 70 times 7. Then bring your Alleluia back to church before Sunday, March 2, the last Sunday before the beginning of Lent. The Sunday School will lead the liturgy of the Burying of the Alleluias to mark the practice of refraining from Alleluias during Lent. Then at Easter, they will bring them back with a burst of joy.

Membership Classes

Interested in becoming a church member? What to find out how to get connected? Do you have questions about Episcopal spirituality? Join the conversation on the second and fourth Sundays at 9AM: Jan 12, Feb 9 & 23, Mar 9 & 23.

We meet at 9am in the back conference room aka the Mason Webber Library located in the north office building through the doors by the presider chairs. All are welcome.

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...

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.

Children & Youth Ministries

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.

Youth Group News

Saint Mark’s youth group is open to all young people in 6^th grade and up and meets every first and third Sunday of the month in Room 18 after the 10:00 AM service. We are reflecting on various aspects of Christ’s teaching and working on our skit to explain how best to use the trash, recycling, and composting receptacles during the coffee hours and special events. Please join us.

Outreach

Blood Drive, January 17

Friday, January 17, 1-7PM, Parish Hall.

Please visit RedCrossBlood.org and enter: STMARKS to schedule an appointment.

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

Deanery 6, Diocese and Beyond

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.

Creation Care

Creator Spirit

Thank you for all the blessings in this life.

Protect our planet from greed. Put out the fires. Calm the winds. Bring us rain. Return us to the garden, where everyone everywhere has plenty of fresh, clean food and water. Move the corporations to repair all the damage they’ve caused. Remove all those in power that would cause harm. Bless all those working to protect and repair our Environment. Help them make a difference.

In the name of all that is most Holy.

Let it be.

#NativePlants #Biodiversity #PollinatorGarden

Episcopalchurch.org/creation

Worship Videos

Songs of Thankfulness and Praise

"I Come," the Great Redeemer Cries

Take My Life

We Know that Christ is Raised

Stewardship & Finance

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.

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.