Note on Division Ave Road Construction

It may look like Division Ave is blocked, but there will be a way in! The City has promised to maintain at least one route to our gate (except for a few days this summer while our drive is being paved).

Fountain Street is temporarily two-way, and Lyon Street will be two-way starting in June. The Fountain Street intersection pavement is chewed up, so you'll likely want to use Pearl St, Lyon Ave or southbound Division Ave to reach us for the time being.

If there is an unexpected blockage at any point, you can always call us or drive up the Winchester Pl NE 'alley' to our delivery door and ring the buzzer for assistance.

Mosaic Scholars Coming to St. Mark’s!

(Part 4 - What Would Support Look Like?)

During the past several newsletters the Dismantling Racism Ministry has introduced the Mosaic Scholars Program of the Grand Rapids Symphony and suggested our reasons for wanting St. Mark’s to develop a deeper and more supportive relationship with the program.

How would such a program work?

After an 18-month discernment process, the Dismantling Racism Ministry recommends that the parish enter into a relational (as opposed to transactional) relationship with the Grand Rapids Symphony’s Mosaic Scholars Program. We envision this relationship to include not only a modest degree of financial support, but also actions that express appreciation and recognition of the talents, efforts and accomplishments of the individual Mosaic Scholars.

Members of the DRM believe that this is a real way to dismantle racial and ethnically based inequities in education and music. There is an ongoing need for financial support. More funding could support additional students and more creative opportunities. The cost per student for lessons and supplies is $1050. DRM

recommends that St. Mark’s set an initial goal of raising money to support three students. We could do this through special offerings, fundraisers or however the congregation wishes.

Parishioners would be invited to attend creative sessions and concerts. Scholars might be invited to perform during worship services (with an appropriate honorarium) and our building might be made available for performances. In these ways we would demonstrate our respect and appreciation of the scholars themselves.

So how exactly might St. Mark’s support these students?

Watch this space next week to find out.

~Dismantling Racism Ministry

Announcements & Celebrations

Sacred Sounds at St. Mark's Presents "Salutation" with Vox GR

Sunday, March 16th at 5:00

Vox GR is the premier professional choral ensemble in West Michigan. Under the direction of Christopher Mason, this enchanting program will trace a day - from first light of dawn to the soft glow of twilight - through the music of Britten, Elgar, Muhly, Gjeilo, Palestrina, and many more. No cost due to generous sponsorship of Sacred Sounds of St. Mark's. Reception to follow. Add to your calendar via our Facebook event.

Transform Me, O Lord

Find our Lenten daily devotional at the Welcome Desk or linked here!

Any photos you'd like shared with the congregation can be emailed to Kate (or send her a Google Photos shared album invite or Drive link).

Invitations from Plainsong Farm



Prayers for Getting Ready        March 9, 4:30 pm

Earth Day Birthday Volunteering April 26, 1 pm

Adult Formation,

Wednesdays of Lent: March 12, 19, 26; April 2, 9 and 16.



Join us for soup supper at 6 pm. Sessions will begin at 6:30, led by Rev. Dr. Steven Manskar and Steve Bell.

We will explore the book Being Christian: Baptism, Bible, Eucharist, Prayer by Rowan Williams, former Archbishop of Canterbury. We will close with Compline and dismiss by 8 pm.

Intergenerational Game Time

March 29, 1-3 pm

Bring your favorite snacks and games to the Social Hall. All are welcome.

Give Something Up/Give Something Away

If you’re looking for something to give up during the season of Lent, how about taking up the challenge to Give Something Up/Give Something Away! 

Set aside a box or bag in your kitchen and add items to it each week, and then bring those items with you to church every Sunday in Lent. We will make weekly deliveries to the Downtown food pantry with your donations. By giving up a can of soup or a box of cereal, you will be blessing both yourself and someone in need. It’s just one way that we at St. Mark’s take Jesus’ command to love our neighbors to heart. 

Thanks for considering this option this Lent! ~Outreach Ministry

Gratitude is a Journey - UTO Boxes

Lent is a time for gratitude. We're hoping our St. Mark's will join us in giving back for all the blessings we have from God by joining us in our renewed commitment to United Thank Offering (UTO).

UTO encourages people to notice the good things that happen each day, give thanks to God for those blessings and make an offering for each blessing using a UTO Blue Box. UTO is entrusted to receive the offerings, and to distribute the 100% of what is collected to support innovative mission and ministry throughout The Episcopal Church and Provinces of the Anglican Communion.



Come learn more about UTO during a short presentation at the Shrove Tuesday dinner.

Together West Michigan (TWM)

Looking for a place to invest your energy for or anxiety about social justice in our local community? Contact Deacon Jan, another TWM member or Kate to link up.

Campus Ministry Every Wednesday 11-1

Students continue to be fed at St. Mark's, in more ways than one. Are you interested in hosting a lunch, volunteering, or serving as a point of contact for this program? Please email Laura Kozminski. Program partner is United Campus Christian Fellowship, a partnership ministry program supported by local Presbyterian, Lutheran, Methodist and Christian Reform congregations.

Do You Want to Stay “In the Know” with Vestry Activities? Great!

Vestry Person of the Day: Bring your questions or ideas to the Vestry representative at the Welcome Desk, after the 8:00 a.m. and 10:30 a.m. services. The Vestry also welcomes any parishioner to Vestry meetings that are held on the fourth Tuesday of each month (with the exception of July) at 6:30 p.m. Vestry Minutes from each previous month’s meetings are always posted on the bulletin board next to the main entrance.

Is Education for Ministry (EfM) for You? EfM offers you a small, mentored group setting for college level study of our Christian tradition. EfM is for adults of any age, and no prior knowledge of scripture or theology is required. The four-year curriculum fosters spiritual growth through study, reflection, prayer and worship. It develops a theologically informed, reflective and articulate laity. Contact the church office or Doug Karsen for more information.

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 March are canned vegetables and baked bean

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!

Clothing Donations: The Outreach Ministry welcomes donations of belts, jeans, shirts and sweatshirts, coats, socks and warm weather items, to be given out to our unhoused neighbors at Breakfast Café. There is a basket in the coat room for these.

Downtown Food Pantry: Just bring your cans or boxes to church with you and leave them by the basket just inside the Sanctuary doors. ~Outreach Ministry

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.

Consider the free metered parking on Pearl, Ionia, Lyon, Fountain and other streets near the church. The small Kendall College lot across Division from the church is available when the gate is open. Paid options include the upper and lower levels of the GRCC building on Fountain Street, and the Ellis Parking Lot at 210 Ionia just west of Lyon Street. For Sundays only, white validation tickets for the Ellis lot can be found from an usher or greeter.

Main floor restrooms are limited. The second floor has additional restrooms.

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

Background image credit: Angel Pattern Vectors by Vecteezy