Congratulations to these students on their academic achievements:


Rising 6th Graders/Middle Schoolers: Liam Deja, Jaegar Fox, Maxwell Muschiana

Rising High Schoolers:

Chloe Claire, Leo Duncan, Henry Dunnick, Sam Hiskes, Alex Molloseau, Evan Vander Velde

Rising College Students:

Alejandra Fletcher - Attending Kalamazoo College

Shannon Gould - Attending Saginaw Valley State University

Riley Olivas - Attending to Grand Rapids Community College

College Grad:

Denise Hartman - Graduated from Grand Rapids Community College

We are grateful for our faithful volunteers in our Faith Formation Ministry- from nursery to Sunday School to Youth Group- who gave of their time, talents and energy to help shape the spiritual lives of our children. Thank you for sharing your gifts. 

Sarah Alberts, Patrick Alberts, Nicolle Brown, Dawn Buller, Marcus Deja

Christina DeKoekKoek, Cat Gonzales, Josh Gonzales, Peggy Goetz, Samantha Green

Dorothy Hughes, Peter Hughes, Sarah Kerrish, John Kerrish, Emily Krueger 

Shawn Miller, Kelly Muschiana, Rick Muschiana, Javier Ronquillo, Fred Skidmore

Sue Stevens, Meghan VanderMale, John Wells, Wendy Wenner

Updates

Summer Fridays: As we enter 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 that you are the only one left before setting the building alarm on your way out. 

Lot Closure Next Friday, June 5: We’re excited to be finishing construction on the new entrance and moving on to new pavement. There may be limited parking this Thursday as they prep and grade the lot. Then it will be completely blocked off all Friday, until Saturday morning, so the asphalt can cool overnight.

Blessing of and Dedication for New North Door, Friday, June 25 at 5:30 pm! Save the date for this celebration of our first big completed milestone of the building project. 

Announcements and Celebrations

Thank you to Alexis VanZalen and Alex Williams! We are so grateful to our Interim Organist and Interim Choir Director for stepping up to lead our music program since last fall. Along with our excellent vocal and bell choirs, you've kept us all singing and ringing along beautifully.

16th Annual Diaper Drive: Thank you to everyone who donated diapers for local families this past month for the 16th annual drive! They are being picked up by a few local diaper pantries who are very grateful to have them to distribute. ~ Outreach Ministry

Seeking Volunteers for the GR Pride Festival, June 20-21: St. Mark's supports Grand Rapids PRIDE! Our church proudly stands with our LGBTQ+ friends, family and neighbors. Come spread God's love for all people. Sign up for one or more one-hour time slots between 12:00 – 6:00 p.m., at the Welcome Desk or through Scot, s.gugle@comcast.net.

Last Week for the Survey

The survey is open until May 31 and takes about 15 minutes. They want your honest experience. Your responses are completely anonymous - it does not collect your name or email address. Enter to win a swag prize pack of hat, pride item and more.

Voter Pledge Cards for Together West Michigan:

Please help us meet our goal of collecting 250 voter pledge cards. 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. If you know of others who would like to sign on, you are encouraged to take a stack of cards as long as you can return them here this summer. 

From the Life of the Church

Ronnie's vegan and gluten free cakes for our celebrations. Thank you, Chef Ronnie!

Margaret sent us some peace with this morning view from Beaver Island.

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).

Pride Service, June 21 at 10:30 am:

Join us for a special Eucharist celebration of all the unique ways we reflect God’s image. 

Join the West Michigan Bike MS Breakaway, June 6-7. Our member Erik invites you to join his bike team, volunteer or donate toward multiple sclerosis causes. Route options are 30-100 miles Saturday and (optional) 30-50 miles Sunday. Riders must register and raise $250. Email e.bloomquist70@gmail.com or use events.nationalmssociety.org/2520. 

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.



Camps and Summer Youth Offerings

Parents be sure to talk with Jeff, jeffatgrey@gmail.com, about camps, the provincial youth event, and fun summer offerings! Don’t hesitate to use our scholarships if costs are a barrier. It is a blessing to be together.

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

Together West Michigan Updates

Thanks to those who attended our recent Issues Assembly.

Ways you can help with Immigration Support:

-Donate money. Contact me for Venmo information. 

-Sign up to bring groceries (link here). I will email you early in the week you are scheduled.

-Attend an Immigrant Support Team meeting   -Attend a St. Mark’s Core Team meeting

-If you are a notary public or a lawyer, you can help provide important documents.

On May 21, at Trinity Reformed Church at 6:30, please attend our Delegates Assembly. This is a time of celebrating our wins, and planning for the future. It’s a lot of fun and full of excitement and inspiration! Register here.

May God bless us all and keep us strong to do God's work. Let justice roll down!

  ~ Nancy Mulder, TWM

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 is at 9:15–9:35 a.m. in the Choir Room. Sunday School for ages 5 and up is 9:35-10:15 a.m. on the 3rd level. Nursery ages are invited to the Sanctuary soft space. For grades 6-12, Grand Rapids Episcopal Youth (G.R.E.Y.) is a joint youth ministry between St. Mark’s and St. Andrew’s Episcopal Churches. We meet on afternoons for formation gatherings, service opportunities and social activities. 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 May are pasta sauce and pasta.

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