Upcoming dates for your calendar:

• Saturdays: Calming the Waters @ 10am (see below)
• Saturday, June 20: Bishop's Visit (see below)

PLEASE NOTE: Many of our church leaders are currently away, including Jenny, James Tetler (Senior Warden) and Cheri Thayer (Interim Treasurer). While they will not be responding to everyday emails and phone calls, Jenny and James are reachable in the event of an emergency. Additionally, there are several clergy on-call should you need any pastoral attention. Any concerns and/or needs should be emailed to office@stmarksportroyal.com.

MEET OUR SCHOLARSHIP RECIPIENTS ON SUNDAY

One of the ways St. Mark's fulfills its mission to love and serve God's world is to award the St. Mark’s George I. Forsythe Scholarship each year to a graduating senior from north of the Broad River who has significant financial need and who has demonstrated potential for future success. The scholarship award is for $2,000 each year to support the completion of an associate’s or bachelor’s degree. This is the second year for the award of the scholarship. Please join us Sunday to welcome, honor, and support our two scholarship recipients: Nadija Peterson (left), now a sophomore at SCAD after a very successful freshman year, and Selia Fields (right), soon to be a freshman at Allen University in Atlanta. Well done, ladies!

WELCOME RYAN!

In Jenny's absence, Canon Ryan Currie, Canon for Common Mission in the Diocese of South Carolina, will be our celebrant and homilist on Sunday.

Please give a warm St. Mark's welcome to Ryan.

WHAT IS STEPHEN MINISTRY?

Toni Pennington writes -



On May 31^st, it will be 17 years since I was commissioned as a Stephen Minister. I was in the first class of Stephen Ministers at Holy Cross Faith Memorial Church in Pawleys Island, SC. A Stephen Minister doesn’t solve the care receiver’s issue(s), but rather walks with the care receiver through that time and remains as long as it takes. 



One of my care receivers was diagnosed with terminal cancer. Her entire life she had been the glue that held her family together, so she was reluctant to show any weakness to her family. In our time together, she was allowed to be vulnerable rather than be the strong one who her family looked to as their rock. The Christ-centered and confidential conversations we had during our weekly visits allowed her to share her thoughts and fears as she made her plans for her last days on this earth.  

Another care receiver’s husband was in the throes of Alzheimer’s. She knew his behavior toward her was not his fault, but as we talked, she was allowed to express her feelings about how the week was or was not going. As her Stephen Minister, I did not judge and she could express her frustrations and even anger about how this disease took the man she had loved and turned him into someone she no longer knew. She felt her friends did not want to hear from her anymore. She was exhausted and needed someone to care for her. 

Here at St. Marks, I look forward to being part of the Stephen Ministry. If you need someone to talk to, to pray with, or just to sit with as you go through a difficult time, consider meeting with a Stephen Minister.  

For further information, contact Glenda Lee Nutting at gnutting@stmarksportroyal.org.

We’ve got a gift for you: your very own St. Mark icon!

These laminated icons, featuring a scripture and blessing on the back, are meant to travel with you all summer long — tucked into a suitcase, backpack, beach bag, or glove compartment as a reminder that wherever we roam, we remain connected in Christ and in our shared mission.

As we scatter for vacations, camps, family visits, and adventures near and far, we invite you to take St. Mark along for the ride. Pose with St. Mark, snap some ICONic (ha!) travel photos, share your stories, and post them on our social media @stmarksportroyal so we can keep up with one another, pray for one another, and celebrate the many places God carries our parish family this summer.

If you've already left town but would like us to mail you an icon, click the button below to send us your current mailing address.

It will be reMARKable adventure!

FROM THE DIOCESAN NEWSLETTER -

Presiding Bishop Voices Support of Diocesan Capital Campaign

As we begin the advanced giving phase of the campaign, please enjoy this video of support from Presiding Bishop Sean Rowe.

We are so grateful to the Presiding Bishop for his support of our 2026 Rising Together Capital Campaign. As the pilot diocese for a new church-wide fundraising initiative, The Episcopal Church is covering the costs of our campaign, and we in return will tithe a portion of the proceeds back to the whole church. Stay tuned for updates regarding our kickoff event on August 29 and community, congregational, and online giving this fall!

Learn more about the upcoming diocesan capital campaign on our website at this link.

WE NEED YOU! No, we're not Uncle Sam, but St. Mark's is looking for some volunteers to train as acolytes, sacristans (altar guild), eucharistic ministers (chalice bearers), and ushers. Due to some recent departures of long-time, faithful volunteers, our supply is low. If you are interested in training or want to learn more, please contact Carter Hoyt at carterhoyt@comcast.net.

WANT TO DONATE

ALTAR FLOWERS?

The following Sundays are available for flower donation:

July 5 July 19 July 26

August 2 August 30

Numerous other dates are available later in the year. If you would like to donate in memory of or in thanksgiving for loved ones or a special event, please contact the office at office@stmarksportroyal.org.

THE BISHOP IS COMING!

Join us for a joyful Celebration of New Ministry on Saturday, June 20 at 10am as we welcome Bishop Ruth for the official installation of Rev. Jenny as Rector. This special service marks a new chapter in the life of our parish as we celebrate God’s work among us and look toward the future with hope and gratitude. A reception will follow the service. We hope you will mark your calendar and lend your presence to the occasion!

The request for $25 and/or $50 Walmart or Food Lion gift cards to support Family Promise continues through June 7. Only a few have been collected so far to support 3 very needy families. Cards may be given directly to George Utter or be left in an envelope with his name on it at the Center. Any questions, please contact George at gbu.187@gmail.com or (843) 521-0195.

GOD AND THE BARD - Click here for further details.

And the St. Mark’s Book Club, facilitated by RJ Gaines, will continue its study of writings of Richard Rohr, looking this time at The Tears of Things: Prophetic Wisdom for an Age of Outrage. The first meeting will be at 3pm on Saturday, June 6, and will cover the first two chapters. Any questions or for further information, please contact RJ at rjgaines11@pm.me.

GOING, GOING, GONE!

If this 2-bottle wine carrier (complete with corkscrew!) or earmuffs belong to you, please email office@stmarksportroyal.org and we'll set it aside for you. Otherwise, they'll be finding a new home.

WE ASK YOUR PRAYERS FOR: Mary Bryan, Bonnie Connolly, Molly Wolford, Linda Jones, Tom Tull, Duane and Jane Twenge, Lettie Stoops, Mike Domby, Jim Sweeney, Hollis, Christian Buchmann, Ann Frias, Amy Christian, Stephanie Peters, Steven Sonders, Patty Crower, Clydette McDaniel, Catherine Guerrero, Mark Kube, Patti Teter, Teege Culp, Sally Domby, Jennifer Williamson, Joe Schmidt, Lisa Westbrook, Lynn Strange, Patricia Turk, and Suzanne Thompson. 



PLEASE PRAY ALSO for friends of St. Mark’s parishioners: Rhonda Adams, Nadija Peterson and Selia Fields (our two St. Mark’s scholarship recipients), Joyce Goodwine, Dan Snook, Marete Myhre, Adam, Carl and Karen and Linda in Michigan.

ONLINE GIVING

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.-1 p.m.

Mailing address:

PO Box 761

Port Royal, SC 29935