Upcoming dates for your calendar:

• Sunday, September 6: Food Collection Sunday
• Saturdays: Calming the Waters - @10 AM
• Sunday, September 13: Return to two services and Discernment launch!
• Saturday, September 19 - 10th Annual Walk for Water and Discernment Groups

VALUE SURVEY



Discernment Value Survey #1 - "This September, St. Mark’s is entering a hopeful time of focused attention on the values that shape our life together -- and the voices of our parishioners are at the heart of that work! We hope you will take a few moments to complete this brief survey and help us name the values that will guide our church forward in seasons of joy and peace, and hold and inspire us in times of hardship and turmoil. Please take a few minutes and fill out the survey BELOW

DISCERNMENT PROCESS LAUNCH 



Sunday, September 13, will be an important day in the life of St. Mark’s! Not only will we return to our regular schedule of two Sunday services, but we will also officially launch our parish-wide Discernment Process. This journey will invite all of us to listen deeply—to God, to one another, and to the hopes and possibilities unfolding for our parish.An information session will be offered after each service, where you can learn more about the process, what to expect, and the many ways you can participate. We hope everyone will join us as we begin imagining and discerning together what God may be calling St. Mark’s to become in the years ahead!

FOCUS GROUP INVITATION

Join us for our inaugural Focus Group session on Saturday, September 19th at 11:00 AM (right after the 10:00 AM yoga class) here at St. Mark's! Delicious food will be provided as we gather to refine the values the congregation will share during the first two weeks of September through our surveys and Sunday Engagement cards. In this 30–60 minute deep-dive, we'll whittle down the values we've collected and begin crafting 3–5 top value statements using the draft phrasing: "As St. Mark's, we are committed to…" Bring your heart, your wisdom, and your appetite—we'll handle the rest. Come shape our core identity with us! All are welcome.

KAIROS MINISTRY

Kairos is a Christian ministry that brings God’s love, hope, and encouragement to men and women who are incarcerated. Through prayer, fellowship, letters, cookies, and other acts of kindness, Kairos volunteers seek to share the transforming love of Christ with those who may feel forgotten or alone.



St. Mark’s is invited to support the upcoming Kairos Weekend, September 24–27. Please bring homemade cookies, prayer list letters, and other contributions to the church office by Wednesday, September 23. Contributions may be placed in the bins on the porch. Thank you for helping us share the love and light of Christ through this important ministry. For questions, please contact Ken Kraft at 843-489-2544.

A Time of Silent Prayer & Remembrance

Friday, September 11 • Noon–1:00 p.m.

On the 25th anniversary of the tragedy of September 11, 2001, St. Mark’s will offer a quiet space for prayer, meditation, and remembrance.

At noon, Russ Boltz will open the church for anyone who wishes to come and spend time in silent prayer or reflection for our nation. There will be no program, agenda, or liturgy.

In keeping with the words of the prophet Habakkuk, “The Lord is in his holy temple; let all the earth keep silence before him,” those present are asked to maintain silence inside the sanctuary.

At 1:00 p.m., Russ will ring the “Six Bells”, marking the end of our time together, and the sanctuary will close.



All are welcome to come and remember, pray, and be still.

WOMEN OF GRACE



Women’s group to meet Thursday, September 17, at noon

St. Mark’s women’s group, Women of Grace, has planned an interesting series of speakers and activities for the coming season. These include everything from chair yoga to a Penn Center field trip to an update of last year’s report on the human trafficking that goes on right here in our area.

The group meets at noon on the third Thursday of each month and ALL St. Mark’s women are warmly invited. Bring a lunch, catch up with old friends, and meet some new ones. Beverages and cookies will be available. For more information, contact Barbara Berry at bberry409@gmail.com

See you on the 17th at noon in the church!

JOIN THE FLOWER GUILD

If you have ever paused to admire the altar flowers, you have witnessed the quiet and creative ministry of the Flower Guild. The Guild is a dedicated team of volunteers who arrange flowers for our Sunday services, Easter and Christmas

floral arrays and special services.

Currently the Guild is welcoming new members. You do not need to be a master gardener or florist to participate, you simply need a love for nature and a desire to serve. The members serve on a rotating weekly schedule. We each gather our own flowers and prepare two arrangements for Sunday service. The volunteer usually arranges at the church on Saturday, and places them on the pedestals in the sanctuary. We will help you with basic floral design, so no fear. Our materials come from gardens, greenery from our yards, local markets and, on occasion, roadside finds. The ministry continues after each service as volunteers rearrange the flowers and deliver them to members of our church community as a reminder of our love.

You are invited to consider sharing your time and creativity with this essential ministry. It is a wonderful way to connect with fellow parishioners while creating something beautiful for God and our neighbors. We will schedule an introductory meeting to offer further details and answer your questions in September. If this ministry interests you. Please contact Paula Miller: paulajmiller44@gmail.com.

ALTAR FLOWERS

Flowers are placed on the altar each week in memory or honor of loved ones by their family or friends. The suggested donation will increase to $45.00. When making a reservation, please include the date requested and recipient of your gift of flowers. The donation can be made using envelopes provided at church, a check in the plate or online via the St. Mark’s website.

FOYER GROUPS  

Our 2026-27 Foyer Groups Kickoff will be held Sunday, September 20th , 5-7 PM at the home of Jane and Michael Frederick on Lady’s Island. For those of you not familiar with the origin of Foyer Groups, “Foyer” is a French word meaning “hearthside”, implying the warmth of a close group of friends sharing a common love and concern for one another. Being part of a Foyer Group at St. Mark’s is a great way of strengthening the St. Mark’s family and supporting our mission of loving and serving the world.  

A Foyer Group is a monthly gathering of parishioners (7-9) generally in individual homes for the sharing of a simple meal and fellowship. Groups will be randomly assigned and will determine their own plan for meetings on a rotating monthly basis between November 2026 and May 2027. Depending on the group preference, meals can be potluck, appetizer-focused or very simple meals provided by the hosts. Some groups have also gathered in parks and restaurants.    

Foyer Groups are open to all St. Mark’s adults - singles, couples, and families. If you are interested in participating in a St. Mark’s Foyer Group please email Barbara Berry at bberry409@gmail.com. In return, I’ll send you a short electronic registration form that will capture both your RSVP to the Kickoff and a few key details (like food allergies and contact information). Don’t despair if you are unable to attend the Kickoff as you will still be included in one of our Foyer Groups. If you have a question or two you would like answered before deciding on Foyer Group participation, just email me at bberry409@gmail.com .

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.

SOUTHERN DEANERY CAPITAL CAMPAIGN GATHERING:

Join Bishop Ruth Woodliff-Stanley and the Rising Together campaign team on Tuesday, September 15, from 5:30–7:00 PM at All Saints Episcopal Church in Hilton Head Island for an evening reception and presentation about the Diocese of South Carolina’s 2026 capital campaign. All are welcome to attend this special celebration for the Southern Deanery. No ticket is required, but please register if you plan to attend. Use the link below to sign up.

SIGN UP HERE for Hilton Head

WALK FOR WATER!

 A reminder that the Walk for Water will take place on Saturday, September 19. Though the official deadline is past to register and get a shirt, it is NOT too late to join our walking group, and it is definitely not too late to financially support our team and/or an individual team member. If you would like to donate, go to https://walkforwater.rallybound.org/2026-beaufort-walk-for-water/Donate, click either "Walker" or "Team," fill in the name of the person or the team (St. Mark's Lions), note the amount of the donation and the form of payment, and click "Donate Now." As always, thanks for your generosity.

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

GREAT CYCLE CHALLENGE



GREAT CYCLE CHALLENGE from Merilyn Smith This September, I’m taking on the Great Cycle Challenge, with a goal of riding 300+ miles to fight kids’ cancer! My challenge begins September 1, and while I’m saying “trying” because I’m a little older than last year, I’m confident I can reach my goal with your support! Please consider making a donation through my fundraising page: https://greatcyclechallenge.com/Riders/MJSmith.

All funds raised will support the Children’s Cancer Research Fund and its work to develop treatments and find a cure for childhood cancer. Thank you for helping me ride toward a cancer-free future for kids!

WE ASK YOUR PRAYERS FOR: Mary Bryan, Bonnie Connolly, Molly Wolford, Linda Jones, Duane and Jane Twenge, Mike Domby, Jim Sweeney, Hollis, Christian Buchmann, Ann Frias, Amy Christian, Patty Crower, Clydette McDaniel, Catherine Guerrero, Steven Sonders, Gary MacNew, Molly Ferguson, Debbie Dawsey-Davis, Nicolas Nehf, Bill Crower, Palmer Jones, Glenda Jones and Suzie Kearney.

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

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