Nov. 15, 2024

Archbishop's Resignation and

St. Mark's Commitment to Safe Church

As many of you know, the Archbishop of Canterbury, Justin Welby, resigned from his post on Tuesday, November 12, in response to criticism regarding his handling of an abuse case that came to the attention of church leaders in 2013, the same year he began his service as Archbishop. You can read more in Tuesday's report from the Episcopal News Service here. The Archbishop's resignation reflects his commitment to take personal and institutional responsibility for the church's failure to respond with adequate vigilance and vigor to this report of abuse. 

If you desire to be in further conversation about this news, please contact any of St. Mark's clergy to set up an appointment, or join Mother Sylvia at 8pm on Sunday, November 17th at 8pm on zoom (immediately following the Difference Course.)

The failure of the Archbishop's office in this case serves as a valuable reminder that every member of our Church shares ongoing responsibility for enacting and upholding our common commitment to Safe Church practices at every level of the church. If you have not yet completed or renewed your own Safe Church Training this year, we ask that you recommit to this important work by doing so. You can find more information at on our website. You can find information on how to access and complete the four basic "Universal Training" modules in the Safe Church Training that we expect all members of St. Mark's to complete by clicking here. 

Building Renewal Fund Established and Initially Funded

We want to publicly thank and acknowledge the many members of St. Mark’s who have already made initial gifts to the Building Renewal Fund (BRF). Thank you for providing St. Mark’s with a strong start to funding our architectural, liturgical and musical goals and priorities.

The Vestry, Finance Committee and the Building Renewal Committee are pleased to publicly announce the establishment of the Building Renewal Fund (BRF) at St. Mark’s. Gifts to the Building Renewal Fund (BRF) can be made by check, transfer of securities, Qualified Charitable Distributions, Required Minimum Distributions, and other tax advantaged gifts. If you need to speak with our Treasurer Ken Reese or our Business Manager Laura Blum please call the church office at 505-262-2484. 

The Building Renewal Fund (BRF) will be used for all expenses related to the Building Renovation Project and Organ Replacement work with a commitment to Music Ministry, Accessibility, Liturgical Flexibility, and Beauty in the coming months and years.

Read more....

We continue to receive Annual Giving Pledges to fund our 2025 Budget. Current results are below. Please visit the Stewardship page. Click here for the Pledge Card.

Our Sunday Coffee hospitality groups are in great need of additional help. The commitment is generally just one Sunday per month, either before and/or after worship. May hands make light work! Please contact Pauline via phone or email.

P.S. We have fun in the kitchen, too!​

UPCOMING EVENTS

A Better Way: An Evening with Francis Collins

Tuesday, November 18, 7 pm

In our increasingly polarized world, it’s easy to feel lost and divided. Join Dean Randy Hollerith for a timely and inspiring conversation with former director of the National Institutes of Health Dr. Francis S. Collins about his new book, The Road to Wisdom: On Truth, Science, Faith and Trust. 

Dr. Collins’s new book offers a beacon of hope during these times. He ponders his own spiritual journey from growing up on a farm to becoming a serious Christian after his earlier atheism. Drawing on his work as director of the Human Genome Project, he probes ethics, philosophy and Christian theology to make a clear case for each of these sources and chart a new path forward.

Tickets are required for this Pay-What-You-Wish event. Book signing to follow; copies of The Road to Wisdom available for purchase.

Learn more... ​

The Men's Book Group will meet in the library on Thursday, November 21st, from 9:30 to 10:25 am. to complete Richards Reeve's Book of Boys and Men with Part V "What to Do?"

For more information, email Michael Jupin.​

Thanksgiving

Feast of Hope 2024



There are exciting outreach opportunities this Thanksgiving. St. Mark’s is joining with La Mesa Presbyterian Church to feed those in need at La Mesa’s annual Feast of Hope Thanksgiving Day dinner.

Here are some opportunities to help:

• Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday (Nov 25, 26, 27), 9:00 to noon each day – help with set up and food prep at La Mesa.

• Thursday, Nov 28 (Thanksgiving Day) – early set up, mid-day food service, meal delivery to homes, late day clean up at La Mesa

You can sign up online for shifts at: the Feast of Hope page.

These online sign-up sheets fill up quickly. But don’t worry, just show up and there is always work to do. There are also sign-up sheets in St. Mark’s entry lobby with detailed information about help that is needed.

Now – We are accepting money for food and supplies in advance of the dinner.

These are great ways to express our gratitude for the abundance of gifts we receive by giving our time and talents to help create a wonderful Thanksgiving for others.

Please see Deacon David for more information.

​

St. Mark’s New Eldering Group

Begins Saturday, 11/16 (Tomorrow)



St. Mark’s new “Eldering Group” meets once a month on Saturday mornings at 9am, beginning Saturday, November 16th. 

During this year’s Summer of Conversation, St. Mark’s clergy noticed many common themes emerging among our members regarding both the practical and spiritual challenges of “eldering.” Eldering, that is living into the later decades of life, presents us with a vast array of challenges and changes–as well as the potential for some unexpected gifts. While we cannot do the hard work of eldering for one another, we can certainly do the hard work of eldering with one another, and we can choose to be generous in sharing our experiences, resources, wisdom, support, and encouragement for one another along the way. 

 If you are doing the work of “eldering”, or if you are simply eager to listen with curiosity and compassion to support others who are doing this important work, please join us for this monthly time of conversation and mutual support. 

Volunteers needed to help provide coffee and snacks for our monthly meetings.

Contact: Mother Sylvia via phone or email.

Upcoming Dates for the Eldering Group: 12/21, 1/18, 2/15, 3/15, 4/12, 5/10.

The Difference Course (Online) BEGINS THIS SUNDAY

Sundays, 6-8pm (Mountain Time) on Zoom

6 Sessions: November 10 - December 15

When it comes to navigating Differences, we need all the faith, hope, love, skill, and support we can get! We live in a complicated and messy world where there is fracture, division and conflict. We see it when we look around us - and when we look within us. Many of us long to make a difference, but often we don't know how to respond or where to start.

Whether you are struggling to navigate differences in our country this election season, or striving to navigate differences in your family this holiday season, the Difference Course can help.

The Difference Course teaches three habits that have the potential to transform everyday relationships:

• Be Curious: Listening to others’ stories and seeing the world through their eyes.
• Be Present: Showing up and sticking around, learning to encounter others with authenticity.
• Reimagine: Finding hope and opportunity in the places where we long to see change.

Together we’ll explore and develop habits that help us Hear God’s Call, Cross Divides, Navigate Disagreement, Practice Forgiveness, and Risk Hope.

Registration is required, and consistent attendance is encouraged.

Questions? Contact Laurie LaBrecque: via phone or email. 

Register at: https://docs.google.com/.../1FAIpQLSfVyXJziHhi3n.../viewform

More at: https://www.archbishopofcanterbury.org/.../difference-course

Clean Book Launch

Saturday, November 23 at 4pm - St. Mark's Library

Join author A.M. Rivers (Mother Sylvia's mom!!!!) for her book launch event. She'll share excerpts from her new book, Swept Clean. 



If you wish to purchase a copy of the book, we'll have several signed copies for purchase at the event, or you can purchase a hard copy or kindle version on Amazon. You can read excerpts of the book on the author's blog.

Altar Guild

On Sunday, December 1 at 11:15 AM, Altar Guild will meet after church in the library/sacristy for fellowship, lunch and polishing. If you are interested in Altar Guild, we welcome you to join us. Please contact Darcie Farrow via email or phone if you have any questions. 

Read Bishop Michael Hunn's Weekly Update and view his most recent videos.