Upcoming dates for your calendar:

• Saturdays: Calming the Waters - @10 AM
• Sunday, August 2: Food Collection
• Tuesday, August 4, 11, and 18: God and the Bard returns
• Saturday, September 19 - 10th Annual Walk for Water

FOOD COLLECTION THIS SUNDAY!



We'll be collecting food this Sunday, August 2nd for St. Francis Center. They always appreciate canned meats, instant oatmeal and grits, pasta and sauce, canned fruit, and PB and J. Thank you as always for your generosity!

NEW VESTRY MEMBER - HARRIETTE KNOX

At its July 20 meeting, the vestry unanimously appointed Harriette Knox to fill the remainder of James Tetler's unexpired term, and we are delighted that she graciously accepted. Many of you have already had the opportunity to get to know Harriette and her husband, Bob, who have been worshiping with St. Mark's for the past several years. After relocating to Beaufort full-time from Greensboro, North Carolina, they officially made St. Mark's their church home in January.

A cradle Episcopalian, Harriette grew up at St. Martin's-in-the-Fields Episcopal Church in Columbia, South Carolina. She is a graduate of Heathwood Hall Episcopal School and the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, where she earned a degree in journalism.

Now retired, Harriette enjoyed a diverse career in journalism, marketing, and communications. She worked as a weekly newspaper editor and held communications and marketing positions at two North Carolina community colleges, a national clothing manufacturer, Nabisco Foods, and Canterbury School, an Episcopal school in Greensboro.

During her 34 years as a member of Holy Trinity Episcopal Church in Greensboro, Harriette served three terms on the vestry and three terms as senior warden. She also volunteered her talents as a writer and designer for church publications and the parish website and served as communications coordinator during the church's 2020 rector search.

Harriette has also been active in her community, serving as both a board member and president of The Barnabas Furniture Bank. In addition, she has served on the boards of ArtsGreensboro, the Family Life Council, Preservation Greensboro, and Canterbury School.

Harriette and Bob have one son, who serves as a nuclear reactor engineer for the U.S. Navy and the Department of Energy in Washington, D.C.

Please join us in welcoming Harriette and Bob as they continue their journey with the St. Mark's family.

SERVERS NEEDED

If you are looking for a way to serve St. Mark's but can't make a big commitment of time, we have an opportunity for you! We are building a team of 4 people who will, once a month, serve as sacristan (altar guild member) for the noon Hope & Healing service. Training is provided and all instructions are in writing, including pictures. If interested or for further information, please contact Carter Hoyt at carterhoyt@comcast.net.

SAVE THE DATE:

RISING TOGETHER CAPITAL CAMPAIGN KICKOFF

We hope you will save the date for these upcoming campaign kickoff events on Saturday, August 29, 2026:



• 10 am Service of celebration at St. Mark’s, Charleston – 16 Thomas Street, Downtown Charleston.
• 12 pm Lowcountry Boil at St. Peter’s, Charleston – 1393 Miles Drive, Charleston (West Ashley)

Additional regional events after official kick-off will be announced soon.

SACRED GROUND SESSION THIS FALL

The Diocesan Racial Justice and Reconciliation Commission is pleased to announce that another session of the Sacred Ground program will be offered on Zoom this fall beginning Thursday, September 17, 2026. For those interested, there will be a Zoom introduction to Sacred Ground on Thursday, September 3rd at 6 pm. This Zoom meeting is mandatory for those considering the program; it will provide insight into what you may expect from Sacred Ground and what is expected of you. You may decide after this session if you would like to sign up for the program.

Sacred Ground is a film and readings-based dialogue series grounded in faith. It was developed by The Episcopal Church as part of the “Becoming Beloved Community” and is designed to promote racial understanding, justice, and reconciliation. The materials focus on Black, Indigenous, Latino & Asian-Pacific histories as they intersect with European American stories.

Participants will gather on Thursday evenings every other week from 6 to 7:30 pm. The first six sessions will be covered from September 17th through December 3rd followed by a break for the holidays. The series will resume Thursday, January 7, 2027, for four more Zoom sessions with a final in-person session on Saturday, March 6th.

If you would like the link for the September 3rd information session or if you have questions, please contact Tater Beak, peels1t@aol.com or Gail DeCosta, gdecosta256@gmail.com. Watch a video invitation to the program from Presiding Bishop Sean Rowe on our website at this link.



St. Mark's will not be offering the traditional in-person course that had been offered the past four years and that questions can be directed to Kathlyn Gray, 843-812-4557/kg449@aol.com.

ST. MARK'S BOOK CLUB



The Book Club will be on summer break in August! Throughout August we'll be reading a very short introduction to Celtic Spirituality: Listening for the Heartbeat of God: A Celtic Spirituality by J. Philip Newell. As we bump into each other in church, we'll share what jumps out to us in the book. 

Book Club will resume on Saturday, September 5th at 3pm at Jane's Abram’s house (902 Madrid Ave, Port Royal). We'll cover Chapter 6 of The Tears of Things by Richard Rohr. RJ Gaines will send out another briefing in the weeks ahead. Please contact RJ if you are interested in joining the Book Club or have any questions - rjgaines11@pm.me.

JOIN ST. MARK'S CHOIR!



Come one! Come All! Looking for a few good men (and women) to join the choir. We have lost some individuals due to moves and would LOVE to add anyone who enjoys singing! We practice every Wednesday (2-4pm) and sing for Sunday service. Try it; you’ll like it!

WALK FOR WATER!

The 10th Annual Beaufort County Walk for Water will take place on Saturday, September 19 at Live Oak Park in Port Royal, and St. Mark's is once again a sponsor. This event raises funds for Water Mission, a non-profit headquartered in North Charleston which "builds sustainable safe water solutions for people in developing countries, refugee camps, and disaster areas." Charity Navigator has awarded its top rating to Water Mission for 19 consecutive years.

Registration is now open at walkforwater.com/beaufort. There’s no fee to walk this year. This creates an opportunity for even more participants to learn about the global water crisis, engage with Water Mission work, and raise funds to support safe water solutions around the world. Walkers who register before August 18 and raise or donate $25 will receive a free t-shirt. When registering, be sure to join the St. Mark's Saints team. Feel free to encourage others - neighbors, family, friends - to join our team or to support you as a walker by making a donation. Not walking, but want to support the Saints and the wonderful work of Water Mission? You too are invited to make a donation to the team or any individual participating. 

As Water Mission says, “We Walk So They Don’t Have To.” Questions? Contact Carter Hoyt at carterhoyt@comcast.net.

CONFIRMATION CLASSES COMING SOON

Are you curious about the Episcopal Church? Are you interested in joining St. Mark's, being confirmed or simply looking for a refresher on what we believe and why we worship the way we do?

This fall, Jenny will be offering Confirmation Classes for anyone who wants to explore the Episcopal tradition in a welcoming, conversation-based setting. Whether you're brand new to the church or have been here for years, these classes are a wonderful opportunity to ask questions, deepen your faith, and get to know others on the journey.

Class meeting times will be determined based on the schedules of those who are interested.

If you'd like to participate—or simply want to learn more—please contact the church office or speak with Jenny. We'd love to have you join us!

GOD AND THE BARD’

Now that the UK has its seventh PM in 10 years, the second season of the ‘GOD AND THE BARD’ lecture series, presented by our Shakespeare scholar, Cecilia Kendall White, will kickoff on Tuesday, August 4, from 10:00-1100ET, followed by two more on August 11 and August 18, each from 10:00-11:00 ET.

All lectures and Q&A will be by Zoom. The Zoom invitation will be emailed to each participant in advance. For any questions, please contact Tom Miller at youngtom1969@gmail.com.

St. Mark's would like to wish a VERY HAPPY AUGUST BIRTHDAY to: Ken Kraft (1), Lisa Westbrook (1), Anne-Marie Irwin (2), Ron Grundy (2), Scott Graber (4), Weezie Gibson (4), Bella Hetzel-Esch (5), Susan Grimes (6), Walter Dixon (7), Nancy Thode (7), Barbara Hauler (8), Barbara Anderson (9), Susie Dolan (9), Mark Whitehouse (10), Maggie O'Sullivan (10), Beth Campbell (11), Chris Kinsler (14), Bob Anderson (17), Karen Guinn (20), Polly Paruso (20), Isabel Percival (25), Alice Miller (29), Jeff Gephart (29), Rick Kroncke (30), Jim Houser (30), and Ben Rutland (30).

May God bless each of you on your special day and throughout the year ahead. We pray that your birthday is filled with joy, love, peace, and the many blessings of God's grace. Thank you for being such an important part of the St. Mark's family. Happy Birthday!

WE ASK YOUR PRAYERS FOR: Mary Bryan, Bonnie Connolly, Molly Wolford, Linda Jones, Duane and Jane Twenge, Lettie Stoops, Mike Domby, Jim Sweeney, Hollis, Christian Buchmann, Ann Frias, Amy Christian, Patty Crower, Clydette Mc Daniel, Catherine Guerrero, Steven Sonders, Charlie Hart, Gary Mac New, Molly Ferguson, Lisa Westbrook, Fred Menzel, Dawn Rutland and Debbie Dawsey-Davis.



PLEASE PRAY ALSO for friends of St. Mark’s parishioners: Rhonda Adams, Nadija Peterson and Selia Fields (our two St. Mark’s scholarship recipients), Dan Snook, Marete Myhre, Adam, Linda in Michigan, Barbara Atkins, Tom Tull, Gary Mc Graw, Rev. Brian Pearson and Will Guerrero.

ONLINE GIVING - NEW LINK

It's easy and convenient to keep up with your pledge online.

Just click the red box below and follow the prompts.

Sunday Worship

Holy Communion at 10:00 a.m.

(Livestream available at www.stmarksportroyal.org)

Children’s Sunday School and nursery care (for ages 3 and under) are offered in the St. Mark’s Center during the 10:00 a.m. service.

Midweek Worship

Join us for a Hope and Healing Service each Wednesday at noon.

Click the icons below to follow us on Facebook, Instagram or get to our website!

Parish Office

phone: 843 379-1020 email: office@stmarksportroyal.org

Office Hours

Tues., Wed., Thurs. 9 a.m.- 2 p.m.

Mailing address:

PO Box 761

Port Royal, SC 29935