Hoping everyone has a safe and cool holiday weekend. The church will be closed on Monday, July 6th.

Bonus links: a special Litany for Independence Day prayer here and a letter from the Episcopal News Service about America's 250th.



Announcements and Celebrations

Have you come in the new north doors yet? We had a nice dedication and blessing last week. Thank you to those who came to circle up in fellowship and celebrate with us.

Community Pride Services: Here are a few more photos and the video of the 10:30!

Pride and Thanks! It takes a church to represent our church in our community - thank you for your participation! We appreciate Scot, Pam, Gary, Lori, Jan, Wendy, Chris Wilson, Christina; C, Bird and baby Juno; Jeanne, Brian, Peggy, Chris DeGroot, Susan, Heather and Mike, Anne and Mike, Kate A and her sister Holly, Erik and Sherry. Many thanks to Erik and Sherry for closing down the booth, tear down, and returning it to church so we can do it all again next year! Once we replenish our Pride gear... 

Remembering Doris

We had a lovely Celebration of Life for our sexton Doris Molina last Saturday. It was a showing of church community and care, with Ronnie organizing the reception meal, Sandie volunteering to design flowers, Mother Sue reflecting on Doris, and more. The family was very appreciative, and an attendee even called the church to say she was moved by the service and will join us soon on a Sunday.

Thank you to the Multiple Sclerosis Fundraisers!

Thank you to Alexis and Steven Manskar for joining in Erik’s bike team to raise $2,309.74 over the two day charity ride! Erik will organize another bike team next year, so save the first weekend in June.

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.

From the Life of the Church

Good thing we got out into St. Mary's Garden before this heatwave!

Kudos to Scot, Shawn and Craig for these garden Social Hours. (And to Steve and all the attendees who came for the Waste Not presentation in the Chapel!) The top photo is from our 8 am Service.

Church Closed on Monday, July 6, in observance of the Independence Day holiday.

The Creation Care Ministry’s Second Quarter Zoom meeting is happening Monday 7/13 at 7:00pm. (Yes, I know it’s the Third Quarter. We almost made it!) We will be discussing Waste Not (our waste reduction program), Solar at St Mark’s, and Diocesan Creation Care efforts (including Holy Ground for Whole Communities, among other things. If you are interested in joining the ministry or just this meeting, please let Steve Mulder know: steven.mark.mulder@gmail.com or (616)581-2020.  

Ordination of John Khot Atem and Stephanie Ann Coté, July 14, 7 pm

at Grace Episcopal Church. Reception to follow. Your prayers and presence are requested. For those joining online, the livestream direct link will be shared via the Diocesan Facebook page on the day of the service.



‘Waste Not’ Composting Presentation, July 19 after 10:30 am: Stay for the Social Hour, when Catherine Molloseau will share her academic and personal expertise around home composting. 

Voter Pledge Cards for Together West Michigan:

Please help us meet our goal of collecting 250 voter pledge cards, by filling one out and taking several for friends and family. You will find the postcards at the Welcome Table. Fill one out and leave it in the box to show local candidates that you are paying attention to their stances on the key community-identified issues: transportation, housing, immigrant and refugee wellbeing, policing, and childcare and education.

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