Celebration of Life for Irene Savara

This Saturday, August 1st at noon,

with visitation in the hour before and a reception to follow at Vitale's on Leonard St NE.



Click below to read a tribute to Irene's life, including the fascinating story of her immigration to the United States from Austria as a young child in the 1930s. We hold her memory and her loved ones in our hearts.

Announcements and Celebrations

 Our Special Collection in July directly supports the immigrant and refugee families in relationship with our Together West Michigan ministry. These local families, mainly women and children, are struggling to meet basic needs because the main wage earner in their families has been detained or deported. To contribute, use the special envelope or include a memo line directing it to the TWM special collection.

Meet our Bishop Candidates

With gratitude and hope, the Standing Committee of the Episcopal Diocese of the Great Lakes announces the nomination of three candidates to stand for election as the first bishop diocesan of the Episcopal Diocese of the Great Lakes.



This is a sacred and historic moment. For the first time, we will gather as one diocese to call the bishop who will walk alongside us in the years ahead as we continue growing into the diocese God is calling us to be. We give thanks to God for bringing us to this threshold together.

We are deeply grateful for the faithful, prayerful, and often unseen work of the Search Committee, whose members have given themselves generously to this demanding discernment work on behalf of us all...

We now invite you into this next season of discernment. On the Meet the Candidates page of our website, you'll find a photo, bio, and short video introducing each candidate. We encourage you to read, watch, and, above all, pray.

The candidates will spend time among us in a series of Meet and Greets held all across the diocese and online during the week of September 20. The Bishop Transition Committee will announce specific dates and locations soon, along with a number of other opportunities to get to know the candidates and discern together. Watch your email, the diocesan newsletter, and our social media in the coming weeks for details.

A petition process for any additional nominations opens with today's announcement and remains open for two weeks, closing on Wednesday, August 5. Once all petition candidates have been reviewed, the final slate will be announced. 

The election will take place at our Diocesan Convention on October 24 at the VanDyk Mortgage Convention Center in Muskegon. All convention worship and business sessions, including the Saturday election session, will be livestreamed and open for anyone to attend. On-site seating will prioritize voting delegates first, then registered convention visitors, then any unregistered on-site guests. The proposed rules for the election were approved by the Standing Committee at its February 1, 2026 meeting and are part of the larger proposed rules of order for our third diocesan convention, available here. 

Above all, we ask you to hold this diocese, these candidates, and their families in your prayers.

Let us pray together:

Almighty God, giver of every good gift and source of all wisdom, look with favor upon your Church in the Episcopal Diocese of the Great Lakes as we seek the bishop you are calling to shepherd and to lead us: Grant to your people faith to discern, courage to choose, and unity to follow in the way of your Son; that guided by your Holy Spirit, all of our prayers may rise up to you, and we may continue to proclaim the Gospel and serve the world in love; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever. Amen.



With hope in Christ,

The Standing Committee of the Episcopal Diocese of the Great Lakes

   Capital Campaign Gratitude and Construction Update

The Committee offers sincere and heartfelt thanks to the nearly 60 individuals and families who have made a gift to the capital campaign. Those dollars, along with the State appropriation and grants from outside funders, allowed us to embark on the first part of the construction, adding the new accessible north entrance, the longed-for elevator and many new barrier-free bathrooms!  

We want to provide you the latest update on where we are with the second phase of our construction. We have learned through the bidding process that the capacity for companies to take on our project within this calendar year is almost non-existent. Rockford Construction has advised us that they will meet individually with potential partners to create more opportunities to complete the work in a timely and budget friendly fashion. They also suggested that we pause the beginning of the next phase until the new year and that bids should go out again as the construction has slowed down in the area.

This pause will also allow us to continue to raise funds we need to meet our vision on a renewed church, ready for to do the work of ministry. We hope that you will help us meet our goals and prayerfully consider your gift, and make it today. You can obtain materials from the church office, or request a conversation with any of the committee members (Bob Connors, Judy Freeman, Gloria Lara or Jackie Taylor) to learn more.

From the Life of the Church

Our local Episcopal camp options building fellowship, discipleship, and fun! Here are some from last week's day camp at St. Andrew's.

Faith Formation Family Picnic

On Sunday, August 9, at 1 p.m., we’ll meet at Wilcox Park for our summer picnic. Pack a lunch or grab something from a nearby restaurant. Bring a suit and a towel for the splash pad, sports balls to kick and throw in the big open field, and a picnic blanket. We'll meet near the playground off Youell Ave. All are welcome! Email Jeff at jeffb@stmarksgr.org with questions.

Mary Oliver: Saved by the Beauty of the World

St. Andrew's Screening: Aug 26 @ 7 pm (room location TBD)

From a lonely childhood to literary fame, Oliver's life was shaped by devotion to nature, paying attention, and the long journey toward learning to love and to be loved. Her poems inspire liberals and conservatives, atheists and believers, naturalists and urbanites, speaking directly to contemporary anxieties ttention, presence, and the human relationship with the natural world - issues that feel especially pressing in an era of climate crisis, digital distraction, and social fragmentation.

Prior to the screening, we will be hosting two intergenerational nights of crafting, reflection, and Mary-Oliver-themed food on August 5 and August 19 at St. Andrew's Episcopal Church on 3 Mile, from 6:30-8:30 pm.

Please contact Jeff Brown (jeff@grey.com) if you plan to attend one or both of these evenings.

Upcoming Opportunities with Together West Michigan

Aug. 27 Delegates’ Assembly

Oct. 10 at 10 am at Calvin Church, Candidates’ Accountability Session

Bike Fundraiser to help West Michigan people with ALS. Sun., September 13.

Proceeds go toward amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), also known as Lou Gehrig’s Disease. The current registration cost is $75. Unlike the recent Multiple Sclerosis ride, there is no fundraising minimum.

The ride options are 100 kilometers (about 66 miles) on pavement, 20 miles on pavement, or 32 miles on gravel roads. There is also a 16 mile mountain bike route or a 5k run, walk, roll option. If you want to help but don't feel up to it (or can't because it's during Sunday mass), I encourage you to donate.

Here are the links to register or donate to the cause. Or you can contact Erik Bloomquist.

Signs and Grace: Adult Formation discussion

beginning September 20 at 9:30 am in the Parish Hall

We come to worship every Sunday. Every Sunday after the Scripture lessons, sermon, the creed, and prayers, all are invited to the Lord’s table. On some days, the Easter Vigil, Pentecost, and All Saints we celebrate baptism.

Beginning on Sunday, September 20 at 9:30 am, and the following three Sundays, we will explore why the church practices the rituals called Baptism and Eucharist. “Signs and Grace: An Introduction to the Sacraments” is a video-based resource produced by the Episcopal Church. Each session begins with a 20-minute video presentation followed by 20 minutes of discussion.

If you are a life-long Episcopalian or new to the church, “Signs and Grace” is for you. Come and join the conversation about the Sacraments, the acts that bring us together and closer to God. 

Summer Fridays: For the rest of summer, the church office will only be open on Fridays by appointment or with a gate key card and kitchen door code. Please be aware of who is in the building with you and check before setting the building alarm on your way out.

Voter Pledge Cards for Together West Michigan: Please help us meet our goal of 250 voter pledge cards. Take several from the Welcome Desk and return them completed. We also seek a volunteer to enter the info into a spreadsheet. These show local candidates we will watch their stances on community-identified issues: transportation, housing, immigrant and refugee wellbeing, policing, and childcare and education. Then join in the Aug. 27 Delegates’ Assembly and Oct. 10 Candidates’ Accountability Session. 

Spring cleaning? Please consider donating your gently used clothing for use by our Breakfast Cafe guests. Jeans, t-shirts, socks, tennis shoes, and back packs are the most frequently requested items. We welcome newly purchased items such as underwear and toiletries. Volunteers are always welcome (and appreciated!) to help hand out clothing. Visit the Welcome Desk where you can sign up to help monthly or as an occasional substitute.  Thank you. ~Outreach Ministry

Safety and Security Ministry Monthly Topic

Spring brings unpredictable weather hazards, so preparation, 

awareness, and emergency planning are essential for safety.  

Please click to read important tips that will help keep you and yours safe.  

Children & Youth Offerings

Make a Joyful Noise with Mr. Alex, Sunday School, the Celebrate Jesus children's message, and Youth group gatherings other than special events are on sabbath for the summer and will return in September. There is a children's bulletin available as you enter the Sanctuary, and the soft space with toys across from the Sanctuary entrance is open to children and families of all ages. To connect with our programs, contact Jeff Brown, Director of Faith Formation, jeffb@stmarksgr.org.

All staff, Vestry and volunteers in contact with vulnerable youth or adults must re-certify with Safe Church every 3 years. For the online, self-directed platform, reach out to Kate or Jeff for instructions.

Zoom opportunities for this training are forthcoming from the diocese.

St. Mark's partners with Westminster's Downtown Food Pantry. Items needed for July are peanut butter and jelly.

St. Mark's Volunteers:

St. Mark’s relies upon a significant volunteer effort to fulfill its mission – within the congregation and in the community. There is an online form to see volunteer opportunities you can fill out to alert staff and ministry leads. If you prefer a more personal option, do not hesitate to reach out to Mike or Kate, 616-456-1684. Thanks to all our ongoing volunteers!

Sunday Services at 8:00 a.m. and at 10:30 a.m. (recorded live)

Healing Prayer during Holy Communion, near the piano in the South Transept

Mid-week Eucharist at noon on Wednesdays from September-May

St. Mark's Episcopal Church is a growing, welcoming, and affirming community of faith in a vibrant urban community. In our worship and in our service to the community, we proclaim that all people are worthy of God's love. We celebrate and uphold the dignity of all people whose ethnicity, cultural heritage, and denominational traditions are examples and celebrations of God's love. We welcome visitors and parishioners from all social, political, and educational backgrounds, and all abilities, sexual orientations, and gender identities. We affirm all people and celebrate diversity, as we work to fulfill God's love for all people as a community of faith.  

Parking and Restrooms on Sundays

Please respect the handicap parking spaces at St. Mark’s, especially on Sundays. These are needed by many parishioners.

Sunday parking options are free metered parking on Pearl, Ionia, Lyon, Fountain and other streets near the church, the Kendall Lot across Division Ave, the upper levels of the GRCC ramp off Fountain Street (only until 2 p.m.), and (with validation from ushers) the Ellis lot just west of Lyon at 210 Ionia. On weekdays, staff will park offsite and have some validation slips day-of for GRCC lots.

Main floor restrooms are limited. The lower level has a men's restroom. Upper level restrooms are not available while Sunday School happens above.

Weather policy reminder- if the church will be closed for Sunday services, the decision will be made by 7 am and posted shortly thereafter on Wood TV8, WZZM 13, our Facebook and the website. Please prioritize your wellbeing, especially if you're one of our faith families in the harder-hit lakeshore areas, who drives a significant distance to attend, or who has limited mobility even when it isn't icy. You can always livestream a service or pray from home, and even the once-a-year Annual Meeting isn't worth truly risking your safety.

St. Mark's Episcopal Church

134 N. Division Avenue

Grand Rapids, MI 49503

616-456-1684

https://www.stmarksgr.org

https://www.facebook.com/stmarksgr/

officeadmin@stmarksgr.org