Upcoming dates for your calendar:

• Saturdays: Calming the Waters - @ 10 a.m.
• Sundays: Worship - @ 9 AM and 11 a.m.
• Wednesdays - Healing Service @ 12 p.m.
• NEWCOMER'S RECEPTION - Sunday, November 8 @ 3 p.m.
• PRIDE SERVICE - Saturday, November 14 @ 5:30 p.m.
• WOMEN OF GRACE - Thursday, November 19, @ noon
• FOCUS GROUP - Saturday, November 21 @11:00 a.m.

UPDATED SAFETY POLICY

Now that we have chairs in the nave, we’ve updated our emergency exit policy to meet fire code. Starting November 1, aisles and exits must stay clear during worship. Anyone using a walker, wheelchair, or other mobility aid is asked to sit in the designated accessible seating across from the choir where chairs can be removed to accommodate mobility devices. Everyone is still welcome to use their devices to come forward for communion, or it can be brought to you by the clergy and Eucharistic ministers. This keeps all of us safe! Scan the QR code for the full policy.

FOYER GROUPS: NOVEMBER'S QUESTION



Each month our foyer groups take up the same question as our discernment focus groups. November’s is: “Why do we exist as a church?” Whether or not you belong to a foyer group, we invite you to sit with it this month. Our focus group takes it up on Saturday, November 21, at 11:00 a.m. at St. Mark’s, following yoga. All are welcome.

ANNUAL GIVING CAMPAIGN ENDS NOV. 8

Do you believe that God has a vision for St. Mark’s? Do you believe that when we come together and give generously, we are investing in ministry and creating opportunities to share God’s love? Our annual giving campaign comes to a formal close this Sunday, Nov. 8. After that date -- for the first time at St. Mark’s -- we will make follow-up calls to be sure everyone has the opportunity to participate.



As of this week, 71 families have pledged $282,000 towards the $470,000 goal. The Finance Committee, Treasurer, and Vestry will fine-tune the budget for 2027 based on pledges. The Vestry is committed to a balanced budget, so if the annual giving campaign does not make its goal, the Vestry will then wrestle with which expenses to cut. On the other hand, if the campaign exceeds the goal, the Vestry will have the happy problem of deciding which line items can be expanded. Every gift counts! You can pledge by returning a pledge card in the offering plate or by mail or by contacting Treasurer Cheri Thayer at treasurer@stmarksportroyal.org.

NEWCOMER'S RECEPTION

St. Mark’s annual NEWCOMER’S RECEPTION will be hosted by our vestry and parish staff on Sunday, Nov. 8 from 3 – 5 pm. This is an invitation to those who have visited or attended our services for the first time over the past year. It will be a wonderful opportunity to meet the church leaders, connect with other members and learn more about life at St. Mark’s.

All newcomers that have filled out their contact information will be receiving an email with more specifics from Jane Abrams (843-441-1879). If you would like to attend and have not given us your contact information, please fill out a card available on the greeters table and we will be in touch. We look forward to extending the hand of faith and community with each of you.

PRIDE SERVICE

On Saturday, November 14, St. Mark’s will join the Lowcountry Pride Festival in Port Royal for a day of celebrating the dignity, beauty, and belovedness of our LGBTQ+ siblings. We’ll host a booth at the festival from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m., followed by a special Pride service at St. Mark’s at 5:30 p.m., with a reception afterward.

Why are we doing this? Because our faith calls us to it. As Episcopalians, we believe that all people are made in the image of God, beloved by God, and welcome in God’s house. In our baptismal covenant, we promise to respect the dignity of every human being. At St. Mark’s, we take that promise seriously—not simply as words we say in worship, but as a way of living our faith in the world.

We want our LGBTQ+ neighbors to know that they are loved, valued, and celebrated—not merely tolerated. We want them to know that St. Mark’s is a safe and welcoming community where they can bring their whole selves and encounter the love of God. Participating in Pride is one way we put our baptismal promises into action and make that welcome visible.

Come be part of this joyful witness! We need volunteers to help staff our festival booth, set up and take down, assist with the reception, and serve in various lector roles during the service. Whether you can offer an hour or help throughout the day, your presence matters.

To volunteer, please contact Carter Hoyt at choyt@stmarksportroyal.org.

Let’s show our community what it looks like when the love of Christ is lived boldly, joyfully, and without exception!

WOMEN OF GRACE

Relax with chair yoga led by Jane Forsythe at the Women of Grace meeting on Thursday, Nov. 19, at noon. The focus will be on stretching and meditation. No special clothing or shoes are required. Bring a lunch—drinks and cookies will be available. All St. Mark's women are invited!

THE REV. DEACON KEN KRAFT IS RETIRING!

Following consultation with Bishop Ruth, Deacon Ken will be retiring from parish ministry. His last Sunday with us will be Nov. 22. We will have a reception for him between the services and the loose offering that Sunday will go to support the KAIROS prison ministry with which he has faithfully worked and will continue to work. Ken has been with St. Mark’s since its very early days, and our communal life has been greatly enriched through his faithful service. Come help us celebrate his ministry on Nov. 22!!

THANKSGIVING SERVICE AT ST. MARK’S



Join us at St. Mark’s on Wednesday, November 25, at 4:00 p.m. for a special Thanksgiving service. As we gather with grateful hearts, we will give thanks for God’s many blessings, the gift of community, and the love we share as a church family. All are welcome to join us for this time of worship, reflection, and thanksgiving as we begin the holiday together.

*There will be NO HEALING SERVICE on Wednesday, November 25.

ST. MARK’S OFFICE CLOSURE

The St. Mark’s Church Office will be closed for the week of Thanksgiving, Monday, November 23 – Friday, November 27.

If you have any urgent or emergency needs during that week, please contact Jenny by email at rector@stmarksportroyal.org.

We wish everyone a blessed and joyful Thanksgiving filled with gratitude, peace, and time with family and friends!

ADVENT WREATH WORKSHOP

This year’s workshop will be held on Saturday, November 28 at 11:00 a.m. on the Green.The $15/wreath fee offsets the cost of wreath forms and candle holders and is payable in cash or check made out to St. Mark’s with “Advent Wreath” in the subject line. Want to donate a wreath? You may sponsor a wreath that will be gifted to a shut-in, someone who is ill, or someone on our prayer list. The workshop participants will make the wreath and can deliver it locally or give it to the sponsor to deliver. This is a “loaves and fishes” kind of workshop: participants are asked to bring greens of any kind – lots of them! – to use and to share. Contact Nicole Passeggio at npp203@nyu.edu to RSVP or ask questions.

ADVENT STUDY WITH REV. GEORGE RONKOWITZ

Join us for an Advent Study beginning Wednesday, December 2, at 11:00 AM in the church building, led by Rev. George Ronkowitz.

This study promises to be a wonderful time of fellowship, reflection, and encouragement as we journey through the season of Advent together and prepare our hearts for the coming of our Savior, Jesus Christ.



All are welcome! We hope you will join us!

ADVENT: A THRILL OF HOPE

This Advent, we will reflect on the theme “A Thrill of Hope” the hope that God brings into a weary and divided world. Across generations, people have longed for healing, justice, restoration, and peace. Through the life of Jesus, we are reminded that God draws near, bringing hope not only for the future but into our lives and communities today.

As we journey toward Christmas, we are invited to look for signs of Christ among us, in acts of kindness, compassion, courage, generosity, and love. The miracle of Immanuel, God with us, continues to bring hope to our world.

Beginning Sunday, November 22, Advent devotional booklets will be available in the Sanctuary or in the church office. We invite everyone to pick one up and use it throughout the season as we reflect, pray, and prepare our hearts for the coming of Christ.

JOIN ST. MARK’S CHOIR FOR ADVENT

Share your voice and the joy of the season by joining the St. Mark’s Choir for Advent and Christmas! Choir practice is held on Wednesdays at 2:00 p.m. The choir will sing each Sunday during Advent and participate in a special Christmas Eve service. Whether you have sung with us before or are new to the choir, we welcome you! No matter your experience, your voice is a gift to our church family. Ready to join us? Sign up to sing with the St. Mark’s Choir this Advent season! Come share the joy of music as we prepare our hearts for Christmas.

ST. MARK'S BOOK CLUB:

CHAPTER 8 OF THE TEARS OF THINGS

The St. Mark’s Book Club meets next on Saturday, December 12, at 3:00 PM at the Forsythes’ house, 26 Lucy Creek Drive, Lady’s Island. We’ll discuss Chapter 8, “The Three Isaiahs: The Heart of Prophecy,” of Richard Rohr’s The Tears of Things.

To help you prepare, RJ Gaines will send a two-page briefing on the chapter, with the questions we’ll discuss, ahead of the meeting.

All are welcome! If you’d like to join the Book Club or have any questions, please contact RJ at rjgaines11@pm.me.

PILGRIMAGE 2027

What if the journey you're longing for isn't about seeing something new, but learning to see everything differently?

For thousands of years, people have walked in search of something: healing, clarity, connection, gratitude, or a deeper understanding of themselves and the world.

The Camino de Santiago is one of the world's most enduring invitations to do just that. But pilgrimage is about more than reaching a destination. It's about awakening to the journey itself.

The crunch of gravel beneath your feet. The salt air on your skin. The taste of a meal shared with friends. The sound of wind moving through the eucalyptus forest. The extraordinary beauty of an ordinary moment, suddenly seen with fresh eyes.

What happens when we slow down, engage our senses, and make room for wonder?

We might discover that the sacred was never as far away as we imagined.

This April, Little Coracles invites you to walk the Portuguese Coastal Way to Santiago de Compostela—not simply to see the world, but to experience it anew.

We will walk. We will notice. We will wonder.

Come walk with us. Come wonder with us.

April 15–27, 2027

Discover the journey by clicking the link in the comments.

REIMBURSEMENTS AND CHECK REQUESTS

We are grateful to the many faithful volunteers who make expenditures or engage services on behalf of St. Mark’s and you deserve a process that makes it easy for you know what information is needed and to submit requests for checks and reimbursement utilizing either electronic or traditional methods as you prefer. Please see the details of reimbursement and check requests BELOW.

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 9 a.m and 11 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 11:00 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