The Twenty-Second Sunday after Pentecost

October 25, 2026

8:00 and 10:30 a.m.

Your Support Means the World to Us!

Rector's Discretionary Fund

The Rector's Discretionary Account provides confidential assistance to individuals and families in our parish and community facing unexpected hardship. Your generous donation helps meet urgent needs such as food, housing, utilities, transportation, and medical expenses. Every first Sunday of the month, the loose plate offering goes to the Rector's Discretionary Fund along with other donations during the month. Please consider contributing to this important ministry of compassion and care.

Donate here

TWM Immigration Support Ministry

Early in the morning almost every day in our city, under cover of darkness, parents are

being abducted. Families are left without their husbands/dads/wage earners, in shock

and desperate. Alone, they now have huge legal bills and rent to pay. In response to

this injustice, St. Mark’s now has a designated fund to help! Donations go directly to the

Immigrant Support team at Together West Michigan, and then right to the families we

support. Go to our church website, Click on Giving, and choose the Immigrant

Support Ministry. Or just click HERE. Or scan this QR Code.

October Outreach Collection

Each month the Outreach Ministry designates a different cause for a collection from our parishioners. For the month of October, the collection will go to the Breakfast Cafe. There are envelopes in the pews at church or you may place "Breakfast Cafe" in the memo section of a personal check. Help take a neighbor to breakfast and thank you so much for helping us with this ministry as we are making a difference in our community.

Thank you for Standing with Nic Fletcher!

He needs your support and prayers!

Please share Nic's letter and donate to support Nic

Visit Nic's Go Fund Me Page

Announcements and Celebrations

Newsletter and Bulletin Deadline Reminder

Don't miss the deadline! Got something to share? We want to hear it! Please submit all announcements, articles, and information for the e-news and bulletin by Wednesdays at Noon. This helps us make sure everything is included and ready to go for Friday. Thank you for helping us keep our communications running smoothly!

Newcomers Event

New to St Mark’s in 2026? We’d like to make the social hour on Sunday, November 1 a celebration of your being a part of our St Mark’s family. We hope you can be with us then!

Costume Sunday

Children, youth, and children of all ages are welcome to wear their Halloween costumes at both services this Sunday.

Candy Tithe And All Saints'

Speaking of Halloween, as a way for our youth and children to tangibly participate in this stewardship season, we invite them to participate in a Candy Tithe on All Saints' Sunday on 11/1. Those who would like to tithe 10% of their candy may bring it to a basket at the altar for donation during the offertory on that day.

Also on All Saints' Sunday, everyone is invited to come dressed as their favorite saint.

Outreach needs your help! Gender neutral clothing needed.

The Outreach ministry would like to thank St. Marker's for their generous clothing donations for our unhoused guests at Breakfast Cafe. In order to better serve our guests, we ask that such clothing be gender neutral items such as: Jean, t-shirts, sweatshirts, sweatpants, tennis shoes, and coats. We also appreciate donations of new socks and underwear. Items can be place in the basket in the north transept.

Together West Michigan (TWM)

The Candidate’s Accountability Session on October 10 was a great success, and 505 people attended. Moving forward, we need to get out the vote.

Have you ever wondered how Together West Michigan actually works, and how it’s

organized? On Tuesday, November 11, there will be a Broad-Based Organization

training at Oakdale Park Church, 961 Temple St. SE, Grand Rapids, 6:30-8:30pm. You will find this very engaging, and you’ll meet a lot of wonderful people! Everybody is welcome. Register HERE.

One of TWM’s main focuses is Immigrant Family Support, helping mostly mothers

whose husbands have been taken from them. Our church has been fantastic helping

one large household with groceries every other week. If you’d like to help, you can

The other main projects TWM is currently working on are

Traffic Safety: Deb Van Duinen Deb VanDuinen

Policing: Saxony Matousek Saxony Matousek

Public Transportation: Dan Miller Dan Miller

Public Accountability and Transparency: Dan Van Meurs Dan Van Muers

Affordable Housing: Virginia La Grand Virginia La Grand

Childcare and Education: Laurel Schantz Laurel Shantz

Contact any of these folks if you feel drawn to work on one of these issues.

The next TWM Leadership meeting will be held Thursday, November 19th at 6:30pm at Westminster Presbyterian Church, 47 Jefferson Ave SE. Everybody is more than welcome to come. Look for me or Val Ambrose or Jan Gockerman there.

Downtown Food Pantry

St. Mark’s partners with the Downtown Food Pantry to help supply needed food to neighbors in the downtown area. For the month of October boxes of cereal would be much appreciated, although all gifts will be gratefully received. Each item you donate makes somebody’s life a little easier.

Announcements from Director of Faith Formation, Jeff Brown

Sunday Youth Group Meetups (6th-12th)

All Youth Group meetups this fall will be on the 1st and 3rd Sundays from 4-6 pm at St. Mark’s. See you on October 18, November 1 and 15, and December 6 and 20.

Charge: Youth Event-November 6-8, Traverse City (6th-12th)

Episcopalians in 6th-12th grades from around our diocese are invited to join with our Lutheran neighbors from Living Water Ministries for Charge, a high-energy ecumenical youth event at the Great Wolf Lodge in Traverse City from November 6-8pm. Participants at Charge are equipped and empowered to learn, lead, laugh, and love as an expression of their faith in Jesus. Worship, small groups, congregational time, workshops, recreation options and an outdoor campfire camp style are all elements of this powerful gathering of community! To learn more, register at https://vist.ly/5ksjv

Diocesan Virtual Youth Group-3rd Wednesdays Beginning October 21 (6th-12th)

Virtual Youth Group first launched during the pandemic when we could not meet in person. We are pleased to announce it will return this fall, as a way to keep our youth from around this diocese, and beyond, connected throughout the year. These meetups will take place via Zoom on the third Wednesday of the month from 6 to 8 p.m., from October through May. Participation is open to 6th-12th grade students and their mentors in the current school year.

During our time together, we will explore Storymakers NYC’s Relationships: Teen Zine Vol. 4, which invites teens to explore the diversity of relationships—with God, themselves, family, besties, neighbors, or strangers across the globe. Teens will walk through the Ten Commandments, exploring how these rules apply to our relationships with God and other people, showing humans the best way to love one another, because relationships are where true meaning is found.

Participants will each receive their own zine from the diocese, but should register by October 1 in order to have it prior to our first meetup. That said, we welcome youth to join as they are able, at any time in the program year, and will get their zine to them as soon as we can.

There will also be time for sharing, devotions, games, and Compline. We hope you can join us!

Disciples & Dragons-1st Wednesdays Beginning November 4 (3rd-12th)

Disciples & Dragons will return on the 1st Wednesday of the month, beginning in November, and will run from 6-8 pm on Zoom.

Save the Date:

Charge: November 6-8, Traverse City (6th-12th)

Dinner & Movie Night: December 18 (6th-12th)

Capital Campaign Updates and new Matching Gift!

Thank you so much to those of you who have made gifts or pledges to the capital campaign. As you may remember, Kate Pew Wolters has offered a very generous matching gift to support the work of St. Mark’s. If we raise $250,000 through new or additional gifts, she will match every dollar with her own $250,000 gift. That would be a total of $500,000 towards the campaign.

Thanks to much prayer, hard work and generous response from the congregation.

Please prayerfully consider a new or additional gift, and make it today, as our capital campaign continues. Remember that you can make a one-time gift; a multi-year pledge; a gift of stocks, securities or real estate; or a gift from your retirement account as part of your required minimum distribution. You can obtain materials from the church office or request a conversation with any of the committee members to learn more. Your gift will help us reach the goal and secure these vital funds for the future of our congregation and our work in the community.

You can donate here at the link below.

All Saints Day November 1

As we remember and give thanks for the lives of those who have gone before us, we invite you to submit the names of loved ones who have passed away before us since November of 2025 to be included in our parish Necrology. This is a special opportunity to honor their memory and hold them in prayer. Please submit the names of those you would like to remember by Wednesday, October 28. May their memories be a blessing, and may they rest in the eternal peace of God.

From the Life of the Church

Any photos you'd like shared can be sent to Pam Stevenson or Jeff Brown

Events

Feeding America Food Truck, November 5, at our partner Gerald Ford Academic Center. Could you or someone you know use free food items? All are welcome. Volunteers needed 4-6 pm: Contact Scot

Grand Rapids Symphony Concert at St. Mark's

Saturday, October 24th at 9:30am

For the last several years, the Grand Rapids Symphony Musicians have been playing for our neighbors who attend the Breakfast Cafe on the first week of every month. This has proven to be a beautiful experience for the musicians and our Cafe patrons. Due to a grant from the Michigan Arts and Culture Council, 20 musicians from the Symphony will provide a larger concert in the church on Saturday, October 24th at 9:30am. The concert is called "M is for Music" and will feature all composers whose last name starts with the letter "M." It will be conducted by Geoffrey Larson and should be a special experience for all who attend. Please join us if you are able and we can celebrate beautiful music with our neighborhood and the Grand Rapids Symphony.

Sharing the Bounty Food Walk

Join us on October 25 at 12:30pm for the annual Sharing the Bounty Walk. This walk is a key fundraiser for St. Mark’s Breakfast Cafe and for the Westminster Downtown Food Pantry. Our walk will focus this year on the churches that support these two programs. Starting at Westminster Presbyterian Church, Brian Kamstra will lead Sharing the Bounty participants on a walk to each of these churches (Westminster Presbyterian, St. Andrew’s Cathedral, LaGrave Christian Reformed, St. Mark’s Episcopal, Fountain Street, and First United Methodist), highlighting what each church does to support the local downtown community. This is a great opportunity to learn more about how each church is making a difference and how we work together to increase the impact we have. We encourage walkers to set a goal to raise $100 in pledges for their walk. Donations will be turned in at Westminster on the day of the walk. The walk is scheduled to last approximately 1 1/2 hours and will be set at a leisurely pace. There is a sign-up sheet at the Welcome Desk for those who will participate. Thanks for your support. For further questions, please see or email Sue Poll.

Tutoring at Gerald R Ford Academy

When you walk into Gerald R Ford Academy located at 851 Madison Ave SE, you are

greeted with smiles, energy and hope. It is a wonderful place to spend an hour a week

getting to know one or more students, helping them learn. Sign up to be a tutor at the

welcome desk. Come learn more at a tutor orientation on Oct 21 at 10 AM. You can pick

the dates that work for your schedule. The teachers give guidance. A background

check is required. I am happy to answer any questions you may have. Please contact

Betty Taylor

From Your Ministries

Music Ministry Update

Dr. Gary Gordon, Director of Music

garyg@stmarksgr.org – cell: 214-629-8926

November 1st at 5:00 PM - All Saints Evensong

Come experience the serene beauty of this 45-minute choral service, deeply rooted in our Anglican tradition. Please note this service will include light incense.

November 8th at 5:00 PM - Evensong Honoring Bishop Anne

This Evensong is provided as a Diocesan event as we mark the end of Bishop Anne’s service with us. Please note this service will include light incense.

Make a Joyful Noise 9:15-9:35 - Choir Room

All Children/Youth are invited for a time to learn music we can share in our services, learn more about the Liturgical calendar, and learn how hymns support our faith.

Instrumental Music - Calling All Players

If you are learning an instrument in school, taking private lessons, or have been playing for many years, I cordially invite you to share your talents in our services. Please speak with me after any service or send an email to garyg@stmarksgr.org and let me know more about your instrument and level of skill.

Hand Bells – Wednesdays, 6:15-7:15 PM (bi-weekly)

We’d love to welcome you to our ensemble. Playing experience isn’t required but some familiarity with the musical staff and sight-reading ability will be helpful. This ensemble meets bi-weekly and performs occasionally throughout the year. For more info contact garyg@stmarksgr.org.

Michigan Arts and Culture Council

We are grateful for generous financial support from MACC which supports our Sacred Sounds Series and makes occasional performances by the Grand Rapids Symphony at our Breakfast Cafe possible.

Grand Rapids Choir of Men & Boys

Our church has been a busy hive of activity this week as the Grand Rapids Choir of Men & Boys prepares for their upcoming concerts Oct. 24-25 at the Basilica of St. Adalbert. The boys rehearse each Tuesday evening (choir room) and the full choir rehearses each Thursday evening in the Parish Hall.

Last week's Sacred Sounds concert featuring VOX GR and two high school choirs was a resounding success! We are grateful for the beautiful music making, and generous support from the Michigan Arts and Culture Council.

Episcopal 101

An Inquirer's Journey is offered yearly for adults especially those seeking Confirmation Reception into the Episcopal Church or to Reaffirm one's faith. Sign up at the Welcome Desk to join the next class. It will meet at 12:30 p.m. in the Chapel, starting October 18th. This is a great way to deepen your faith and friendships here at St. Mark's.

Contemplative Prayer Group

Our next meetings will be Nov. 5th & Dec. 3rd. We will be meeting on the first Thursday evening at 6 p.m. each month to spend time in the practice together. All are welcome whether this is your first time trying contemplative prayer or you have been engaging in contemplative prayer for years. If you are interested in joining, please email Christina DeKoekKoek so we can get a rough head count.

Adult Formation: The Shape of the Liturgy

Discussion 9:30 am in the Parish Hall

Fr. Jed will be leading a class from October 18th to November 22nd explaining the modern Eucharistic liturgy in the Episcopal Church. The class will address historical precedents and modern theological and practical consideration that have created and innervate our worship on Sunday morning.

Parish Life Event

Parish Life is hosting the traditional Holiday trip to the Civic Theater to see the musical ANNIE on Sunday, December 13 for the 2:00 matinee.

A signup sheet is available at the information desk. Tickets are $20.00 for students and $33.75 for adults. That is a savings of $11.75. Your check is your reservation.

Please make your check payable to St. Mark’s. You can give your check to Judy Fetterhoff or put in Pam Stevensons mailbox. We will park in our lot, and all walk together to the theater. Group rate is for a group of 20 or more. Get your reservation in early as Annie will sell out very fast.

October is Fire Safety Month

Highlighting fire safety in October gives the state of Michigan an important opportunity to recognize the role fire safety plays in protecting lives, property, and communities. Fire prevention is not limited to emergency response – it begins with careful design, proper construction, safe building practices, and maintaining building systems. Building codes and fire safety requirements create an important foundation to reduce risks and ensure buildings are designed with safety in mind.

This month the Bureau of Construction Codes (BCC) encourages everyone to review their fire safety practices, identify any potential hazards, and remember that fire safety is essential every day.

Get the family involved by celebrating Fire Prevention Week with the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) October 4 – 10, 2026. You can find helpful tip sheets, an on-demand webinar, and a variety of free resources on the Safe Charging Is a Superpower! webpage.

Safe Church Training

As part of our baptismal vow to respect the dignity of every human being, The Episcopal Church and our diocese requires all clergy, paid staff, vestry members, and anyone working or volunteering with children, youth, or vulnerable adults to complete Safe Church, Safe Communities certification.

If you serve in any of these leadership or ministry roles, your certification must be renewed every three years.

This training has been updated this year and is on our diocesan communication and networking platform Circle. You will be prompted to create an account once you follow the link below. You can take it at your own pace and it saves your progress.

Find the training at this link:

https://greatlakesepiscopal.circle.so/c/parish-resource-library/safe-church-safe-communities-training

Once you've completed the training, you will receive an email with your certificate of completion, which will come from this email address:

The Episcopal Diocese of the Great Lakes

Please forward that email to officeadmin@stmarksgr.org and jeffb@stmarksgr.org, so we can keep it on file.

Even if someone has taken the same or a similar training through another church, diocese, or their workplace, they still need to take this training from our diocese.

In addition, individuals in some roles have varying degrees of background check requirements. If you are in a position where one is required, we will follow up individually.

All requirements should be completed by October 15, 2026.

Children & Youth Offerings

Children’s and Youth Formation Returns September 20

Make A Joyful Noise will return October 4, with Dr. Gary Gordon, from 9:15-9:35 a.m..

Sunday School

9:35 a.m.-10:15 a.m.: Classes remain in the upper level of the Parish House as construction continues. Also, as Sunday School will run concurrent with Adult Formation at 9:30 each week, students may start gathering upstairs as early as 9:20 the first two weeks of the program year, 9/20 and 9/27.

K-2nd Grade: These ages will explore Whirl, a lectionary-based curriculum from Sparkhouse, which includes take home leaflets and a video. This curriculum is designed to teach kids how the Bible is relevant to their lives

3rd-5th Grade:These ages will spend time with Spark, a lectionary-based curriculum also from Sparkhouse, with lessons that connect kids with Bible stories heard in worship.

6th-8th and 9th-12th Grade, meeting separately: We will explore Mini Revolutions, a lectionary-based curriculum from Illustrated Ministry with discussion, reflection, and activities that allow them to connect more deeply with scripture and see how it can be lived out in their lives. Youth classes will transition to a confirmation-focused curriculum in the new year, with the option for those in grades 8th and above to be confirmed in a May confirmation service.

Celebrate Jesus

After the Gospel reading, children of all ages are invited to join us for Celebrate Jesus, a lesson and activity time in St. Mary's Chapel during the 10:30 service. We'll return to the sanctuary during The Peace.

Be the Help & Grow Our Community!

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 616-456-1684. Thanks to all our ongoing volunteers!

New to St. Mark's? Welcome!

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.

The two restrooms on the main floor are in the process of being renovated. However, we have a beautiful new restroom where the cloakroom used to be!

For now, this is a single occupancy, All Gender Restroom without a lock, requiring that you knock loudly before entering. Additional restrooms are located down the stairs next to the front desk.

Please stay behind the yellow construction tape and accompany children when using these facilites.

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.