Looking Back on Festive Fun

Thank you to everyone who made the latest Shrove Tuesday such a delight!

Ronnie and Anne Armour for the meal, everyone who brought desserts, Parish Life (Scot, Judy, Barb) for setting up and serving, Mark and Martha Stoppels on costume duty, Jeff for the UTO presentation and activities for kids and big kids, Craig and Ronnie for cleaning up, the adults who faced off in the Pancake Race, Margaret Taylor for taking photos, everyone else who brought their joy, Margaret for preparing ashes and Fr. David for the service! It is good to be together.

Music This Sunday

Mosaic Scholars Coming to St. Mark’s—

This is the Sunday, 10:30 a.m.

Please join us this Sunday as we welcome four Grand Rapids Symphony Mosaic Scholars:

•   Isabel Landero, a student from Lee High School who is in her senior year. She studies with Ale Miller, the GRS principal oboist.
•  Andrew Warren, a 11th grade student from East Kentwood High School who studies saxophone with Ed Clifford.
• Mia Williams, a 9th grade student from East Kentwood High School who studies violin with the GRS’s Christina Fong
• Berlinda Pablo-Pablo, a developing flutist from Wyoming High School who is studying with the GRS’s Ruth Bylsma.

With the support of the parish, the Dismantling Racism Ministry (DRM) wishes to build an impactful relationship with the Mosaic Scholars program, supporting them with friendship, encouragement, interest, and some financial support. We are the members of the DRM and we’re interested in your feedback. Anne Hiskes, Wendy Wenner, Penny Larsen, Karen Hunter, Judith Claytor, Julie Connors, Becky Bocskey.

~Dismantling Racism Ministry

Sacred Sounds at St. Mark's Presents

"Salutation" with Vox GR at 5 pm

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.

Want to hear a sample song?: "When The Earth Stands Still."

Announcements & Celebrations

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).

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.

Education for Ministry (EfM) Welcomes You!

Book discussion of “The Four Vision Quests of Jesus,” by Steven Charleston, a Native American priest within the Episcopal Church.

March 30 and April 6 from 12:15 -1:30 p.m.

EfM is an adult education course that dives deeply into scripture, church history and theology. All are welcome to join these discussions. This is a chance to explore a wonderful book and possibly explore interest in joining our EfM group in the future.

Please contact Laura Kozminski.

Invitation from Plainsong Farm



Earth Day Birthday Volunteering April 26, 1 pm

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! 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

We're hoping 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.

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.

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