Important Links


Sunday Service live stream 01/26/25

Sunday Bulletin

Week at a Glance

Breeze

The Good News

St. Mark's Episcopal Church

A Community of Grace


We spread God's word,

love like Jesus,

enjoy worshipping together,

and help our neighbors.

Sunday, January 26, 2025 Holy Eucharist Service at 9:30 AM

Followed by the Annual Meeting and Brunch

The service can be viewed live or on demand via the church's website, Facebook page, and YouTube channel.


Click HERE for Sunday Worship Information


Community & Fellowship

Childcare available at Annual Meeting, Jan 26

Because we value parents and young families at the annual meeting, childcare will be offered in room 14 during the annual meeting. 

2025 Annual Report

A copy of the annual report can be found on our website.

Men's Breakfast, Feb 8

The next Men's Breakfast will be on Saturday, February 8. Will meet in the parish hall at 8am. We'll do another potluck. Bring your favorite dish.

Look for a signup sheet in the parish hall or contact Dale Biggs.

Narthex Glass

We have just installed a protective film on the inside (sanctuary) side of the large glass windows. With that film being on the glass we will no longer be able to hang, stick, tape anything to the film. It could damage the film.

Thank you.

Buildings &Grounds Committee

Dale Biggs

Head Start Preschool Update

As you are aware, St. Mark's has been in negotiations with San Bernardino County to allow a Head Start Preschool to be housed in our Christian Education Building to offer a quality curriculum, staffing, renovated classrooms and playground for deserving children and families in the neighborhood. After several years and meetings, we have decided that there are too many unknowns and risks to continue to pursue this lease/licensing opportunity with Head Start as a good investment of time, focused effort, and resources of St. Mark’s. We are still committed to using the classrooms for the education of children and we will continue to pursue other partnerships to fulfill this mission. We are excited about the people showing up. And during this time, we continue to learn much about what our church has to offer in terms of Eric Law's Currency of Place. Many thanks to the Buildings and Grounds committee, Venue Rentals, Vestry members, wardens, Parish Counsel, Schools Consultant, parish staff, Diocesan Canon to the Ordinary, and the Diocesan CFO Susan Stanton for their time and effort since 2020. And finally, many thanks to Dale Biggs, Sharon Muehlbacher, and Marcia Godwin for their uncounted hours, experience, and expertise during this time of discernment.

Rev. Keith Yamamoto, Wardens, and Vestry

Get Organized and Energized in 2025!

Lectio Divina: In Person Bible Study, 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.

St. Mark's Book Club, Feb 15

St. Mark's Book Club met in Rosemary Wesley's home for a rich, multi-level and sometimes painful discussion of "The River Between," a novel that thoughtfully and movingly deals with Colonization, religious conversion, loyalty, leadership and the push-pull between tradition and the new. 

 

Our next meeting, on February 15th, will be held in Maggie Vizio's home when we will consider "All the Beauty in the World" by Patrick Bringley. The Washington Post calls it "A beautifull tale about beauty. It is also a tale about grief, balancing solitude and comradeship, and finding joy in both the exalted and the mundane." NPR praises it as "rich in moving insights as The Met is in treasures" and "reminds us of the importance of learning not 'about art, but from it'."

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.

“A Hole in the World: Finding Hope in Rituals of Grief and Healing” 

by Amanda Held Opelt - January 28

Join us on Tuesday, January 28, 2025, from 9 to 10:30 AM in Room 16


We will use the method of Lectio Divina to guide our book discussion. Our process includes listening to the text, one another, and God in a three-stage conversation prompted by questions that bring us to a deeper and deeper revelation where text intersects with our own experiences.


And consider joining us every Tuesday, from 9-10:30 AM, as we use Lectio Divina to explore the upcoming gospel text for Sunday.



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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: 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.


Vestry News

2025 Vestry Candidate Bios


Dale Biggs

I have been a member of St. Marks since the late 90's. At this time, I am the Building

& Grounds Committee Chair. I have served on the vestry in the past as well as on

other boards when we had a school and preschool. The campus of St. Mark's is

large and takes a great deal of time to maintain. That is my most enjoyable thing

to do. I have served on other guilds as chair also, as the Program Leader for the

Red Cross blood drives. I believe that blood drives are a lifesaving event. What I

think I like most about St. Mark's is coming early before anyone else arrives to have

quiet time to relax. Being a past vestry member will help me learn the new ways of

doing things here at St Marks. My vision is to be transparent with all.


Susan Mackall

I joined St Mark’s after graduating from University with my Masters in Library

Information Services and returning to California in 1973. While working at a local

city library, I was a member of the Upland Women’s Club participating in their

community activities. Later I joined the teaching staff at St Mark’s School.

I was a member and joint chair of Women of Saint Mark’s ECW assisting in

organizing fund raisers, Sunday hospitality, and spiritual retreats, Advent and

Lenten programs, bible studies and a LEM. I have concentrated on Children

Christian Education and Fellowship programs.

For me the Episcopal Church represents God’s dream for His people. A dream

where we share, care, help, say we are sorry and forgive and love. No matter

where we come from, how we look, or where we live. As represented in

Archbishop’s Tutu’s book.


Ginger Rudisill

Born in Torrance, California. Two daughters, one son. BS and CEM (Certified

Emergency Manager) Retired from Northrop Grumman as Environmental, Health

and Safety Manager. Two beloved dogs.


I have been a member of St Mark’s since October, 2023, spending much of

my time creating the church Disaster plan which included a dedicated

Medical Team and Wellness Room. I’m an avid reader and struggling painter.

The loving welcome I first received when attending St Mark’s cemented my

love for this church. I hope to do all I can to maintain the high degree of love

exemplified by clergy and parishioners and continue to grow in God’s grace.


EB Stapp

My name is EB Stapp, and together with my husband, Paul, we've been members

of St. Mark's for around eight years. Before joining St. Mark's, we were part of the

Holy Trinity St. Benedict’s Episcopal Church community. My daughter, Lyla,

attended St. Martha’s Episcopal School until its closure in 2000.


Our family's bond with the Episcopal Church runs deep, starting with my pagan

grandparents who, as children, were among the first baptized by Episcopalian

missionaries in the Mountain Province in the early 1900s. In the Philippines, my

siblings and I were students at Easter School, a private Christian school founded by

Episcopal missionaries, now known as Easter College, where my father served as

the principal. After our family emigrated to the United States in 1970, we continued

our tradition of attending Episcopal churches. As teenagers, my siblings and I

received confirmation instructions from Father Reitz of Trinity Church, Los Angeles,

and were confirmed by Bishop Gooden, the oldest living bishop at that time, who

was 101 years old when he confirmed us. Our Episcopal legacy continues with Paul

and Ben, who were baptized into the Episcopal Church in 2003.


What I cherish most about St. Mark's and the Episcopal Church is the genuine

welcome extended to everyone—to worship, to partake in communion, and to

question our faith. St. Mark's and the Episcopal Church provide me with hope

when I feel discouraged, light when I can’t see past the shadows that obscure my

way, and permission to question and doubt.


Currently, I organize the coffee hour hosts and contribute as a member of the Altar

Guild and St. Mark's medical team. In the wider community, I volunteer at a no-kill

dog and cat shelter in Claremont and will soon start a new volunteer role with

Care for the Caregiver at USC Arcadia.


At St. Mark's, my interests lie in promoting initiatives that reflect our commitment to

environmental stewardship and assisting wherever I can. I would also be interested

in helping increase membership and possibly start a food bank at St. Mark's to help

those who suffer from food insecurity.

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 6th 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

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

Creation Care

O Sun behind all suns

O Soul within all souls

grant me the grace of the dawn's glory

grant me the strength of the sun's rays

that I may be well in my own soul

and part of the world's healing this day

that I may be well in my own soul

and part of the world's healing this day.

-John Philip Newell, Celtic Benediction

Episcopalchurch.org/creation

Worship

Remembering the Ordination of the Rev. Dr. Florence Li Tim-Oi

Rev. Florence Li Tim-Oi was the first Anglican woman priest. She was ordained to the priesthood in the Hong Kong Cathedral by Bishop Ronald Hall on January 25, 1944. We will give thanks for her legacy on Sunday, January 26, 2025.

Sustainable Communion Cups: Epiphany Experiment

This Epiphany we will be experimenting with sustainable communion cups for the Eucharistic wine. These will still be personal cups of wine that will be distributed via the communion cup trays held by the Eucharistic ministers at the altar. However, these cups are made of food-grade quality stainless steel and are lead and BPA free instead of plastic and can be reused. Please be aware of lipstick when drinking from the reusable communion cup. 

Prayer Requests

Please send your prayer requests to prayer@stmarks-upland.org.

Deanery 6, Diocese and Beyond

Pastoral Letters and Resources from the Episcopal Church


Bishop John Harvey Taylor "Here am I; Send me!"

The Rt. Rev. John Harvey Taylor, Seventh Bishop of Los Angeles, addresses the fires and our times in his January 21, 2025, pastoral letter “Here am I; send me!” It is available here and printed copies at church. Pastoral letters are commended to all members. 

Click here.

 

The Episcopal Church on the Executive Orders on Immigration

The Most Rev. Sean Rowe, Presiding Bishop, and Julia Ayala Harris, the President of the House of Deputies, address the presidential Executive Orders on Immigration.

Click here.

 

Sermon by Bishop Budde: Unity and Mercy

The Rt. Rev. Mariann Edgar Budde, Bishop Diocesan of Washington, preaches at the Service of Prayer for the Nation at the Washington National Cathedral - the foundations of unity and a plea for mercy. "In the name of our God have mercy on the people in our country who are scared now."

Click here for video or here for text.

 

Resources for Immigrant Families Curated by Episcopal Migration Ministries

EMM has gathered a collection of resources to help individuals and families take steps toward ensuring stability and peace of mind. Click here.

 

A Curated Children's Book List

A resource to build power, not panic for those who raise or teach children and for those who support and love them. Click here.

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.

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.

 

Thank you for your generous gift.

No matter how, how much, or how often you give,

you make a difference. Your contribution is appreciated.

Give to St. Mark's

The Episcopal

Church

St. Mark's

Episcopal Church

Episcopal Diocese

of Los Angeles

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

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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