St. Mark's Weekly Bridge Newsletter

At the Congregational Meeting on November 17, which was attended by more than 170 people, we affirmed the recommendation of the Call Committee to call Hallie Parkins as our Associate Pastor and the recommendation of the Church Council to call Sigi Helgeson as Pastor of Congregational Care. This is exciting news for all of us! It marks a new stage of our journey together, and we thank God for the gifts of these amazing women.

Wednesday Church Night Tonight

5:00-6:30 p.m. Dinner: Dijon chicken, rice, green beans, salad (Suggested donation: $5)

5:00-5:30 p.m. Little Angels Choir (Preschool-K)

5:30-6:00 p.m. Joyful Noise Choir (Grades 1-2)

6:00-6:45 p.m. Jubilation Choir (Grades 3-5)

6:00 p.m. Praise Team Rehearsal

6:15-7:20 p.m. Midweek Renewal

7:30-7:50 p.m. Evensong

Reminders from our Parish Nurse

Flu and cold season is here.

1. Get a flu shot.

2. Wash your hands or use hand sanitizer before handling food or putting anything in your mouth - i.e. before communion.

3. Sneeze or cough into your sleeve, not into your hand.

Women of St. Mark's

Mark your calendars to ring in the season!

Come and enjoy a delicious breakfast, Christmas music, advent reflections, crafts, and door prizes.

Advent Brunch

Saturday, December 7, 2019

9:30 a.m.-11:30 a.m.

Sign-up in the narthex at our table Sunday a.m.

Interfaith Thanksgiving Service on November 26

We hope to see you at next week's Annual Interfaith Celebration of Gratitude! It will take place at St. Patrick Catholic Church, 1123 North "J" Street in Tacoma at 7:00 p.m. You are invited to sing in an interfaith choir which is open to all participants who would like to gather the day of the event, quickly practice to learn the song, and then sing at the gathering with friends, new and old! Plan to arrive promptly at 6:00 for a run-through of the song as an interfaith choir. No need to sign up or RSVP. Just show up the night of the event at 6:00 for a quick practice ahead of the service! This year's interfaith choir song will be "We Are Not Alone" by Pepper Choplin. Sheet music will be provided at the drop-in practice the night of the event. If you would like to practice this song prior to the gathering on November 26, you can view or purchase the sheet music online. Donations of new or gently used hats, gloves or socks will be collected at the event. These donations will be provided to those in our community who are experiencing homelessness.

Memorial Services

The congregation is invited to memorials this month:

Sue Spaulding Saturday November 23, at 11 a.m.
Barbara Meyers Saturday, November 30, at 4 p.m.

October 2019 - General Ministry Fund Financial Update

Offerings for October were $4,756 above budget ($81,104 versus budgeted offerings of $76,348). Fiscal year-to-date (FYTD), we are $19,596 above budgeted offerings of $287,485, and 4.5% above last year's actual offerings over the same time period.

Expenses for October were $8,683 below budget (spending $73,782 versus a budgeted $82,465). Although Benevolences were slightly "over budget" as a result of offerings exceeding projections, we saved over $7,000 in our Staff line item and $1,000 in our Office/Admin line item. FYTD, we are $17,050 below budgeted expenses of $318,099. Of that $17,050, more than $14,000 is attributable to our pastoral transitions. For full FY19-20, we anticipate budget-relative savings of approximately $33,000 due to these transitions. As discussed at our congregational meeting on November 17, we removed certain line items from our current budget (as part of last year's budgeting process) that Council may wish to revisit in coming months in light of this number.

The bottom line for October is that we brought in $7,861 more than we spent versus our projection to spend $5,842 more than we brought in. This puts us $13,703 ahead of budget for the month. On a FYTD basis, we are $37,642 ahead of budget on a net basis (i.e., looking at total inflows and outflows). We have brought in $8,128 more than we spent versus a projection to spend $29,514 more than we brought in at this point in the fiscal year.

Please feel free to contact Jennifer Droubay or Mike McKeller in the Church office with any questions. Thank you.

Annual Christmas Fair Trade Bazaar!

Sunday, December 1 and 8

9 - 11 a.m.

Choose beautiful gifts that change lives ! Shop for unique, handmade Christmas items, beautiful home décor and jewelry--along with delicious coffee, tea, chocolates and spices. Every Fair Trade purchase you make brings security, hope, and dignity to disadvantaged artisans around the world.

Upcoming Advent Book Study

Advent book study: Sunday December 8, 15, and 22 at 11 a.m. "Living Well Through Advent," a 40-day devotional book focusing on practicing peace with all your heart, soul, strength, and mind.

Hosted by Ingelaurie Lisher and Sigi Helgeson in the Fireside room, Sundays at 11 a.m. (Devotional books and sign up available on Sunday November 24 and December 1).

Journeying Through Grief

This 5-week class runs through December 11. 6 p.m.- 7:15 p.m., in Pastor Ruud's office. The class is for anyone experiencing a significant loss in their life. Pastor Sigi Helgeson will facilitate and guide the class through the materials provided.

Prayer Shawl Knitters

Prayer Shawl Knitters will meet on Wednesday, November 20, at 1:30 in the Fireside Room. All knitters are welcome to join the group.

Giving Tree 2019

We will be supporting multiple families from DeLong Elementary School with gifts and food this year. Please look for the GIVING TREE in the Narthex beginning Sunday, November 24. Questions? Contact Celesta Smith at: [email protected] .

Third Quarter

Those in the "Third Quarter" of life are welcome to join others age 50ish-75ish to share hope, laughter, and love through monthly active events.

Thursday, November 21 - meet at 6:00 p.m. at Studio 6 Ballroom, 2608 6th Ave - instruction included and extra partners available for dancing. ALL capabilities welcome! C'mon! At 7:00 we'll walk across the street to Gateway to India's party room for dinner. Please let Lori Clark or the church office know that you are coming to dance, dinner, or both.

Friday, December 20 - The Messiah at St. Charles Borromeo, 7:30 p.m.

Chase the Chill

Chase the Chill is in action again! We are encouraging knitters and crocheters to get those needles busy making warm hats and scarves. We will be delivering them to agencies who work with our homeless population in Tacoma. Questions? Come see Linda McKeller and Eleanor Sherry in the church office.

Visit the Friends of Women's Protection Center (WPC) Nepal table November 17 and November 24 to purchase beautiful clothing, jewelry, and purses from Nepal and to hear from the Founder, Lila, about how St. Mark's has supported the WPC whose mission is to prevent human trafficking, protect and empower at-risk women and children with their Safe Home, Vocational Training and Awareness Programs. On November 24, join the Terrill's Forum for a presentation on their experiences and activities at the WPC Nepal Safe Home this past August!

Children and Youth Faith Formation

Children's Christmas Program and Potluck! Sunday, December 15 4:00p.m. here at St. Mark's! The Light of the World with music from Marty Haugen's Night of Silence. Sign up to help with the Potluck at: https://www.signupgenius.com/go/30E0B45A4AA2FABFE3-christmas

Sunday AM classes for children and youth will NOT meet December 1 (Thanksgiving Weekend). Regular schedule: November 17 and 24, December 8, 15, and 22. No classes December 29 and January 5.

Thursdays at St. Mark's for youth grades 6-12: November 21: 5:30 p.m. Youth Group; 6:30 p.m. Youth Choir; 7:30 p.m. Youth Marimbas. November 28: Thanksgiving Day, No Evening Programs.

The Well for high school students-next gathering November 24, 6:30-7:30 p.m. at the Reese house. (Last one of 2019.)

Home for the Holidays college-age brunch Sunday, December 22, 9:45 a.m. in the Fireside Room.

Spring/Summer 2020 Meeting for youth grades 8-12 and their parents. Tuesday, November 19, 7 p.m. in the Youth Room.

High School Game Night-Friday, November 22 is CANCELLED.

Middle School Fall Baking Event: Wednesday, November 27, 1:00-3:30 p.m. Last chance to sign up-Thursday, November 21. Cost: $5.00 to help with supplies.

High School Winter Baking Event--Monday, December 23, 10:00 a.m.-1:00 p.m. Cost: $5.00 per person.

Middle/High School Movie Night--Friday, December 20, 5:30-10:30 p.m. here at St. Mark's. See the youth board for more info and to sign up.

Information on all summer trips will be available by Sunday, December 15--check out the youth board NOW for dates and locations.

Adult Faith Formation

Wednesday Adult Faith Formation

Wednesday Morning Bible Study meets in the #1 Commons Classroom. Visiting with coffee begins at 9:15. We have varying bible experiences, share our insights and concerns, and are now studying Proverbs. We will not meet November 27. We will meet December 4.
We will not meet December 11, December 18, December 25, or January 1. We will resume meeting January 8, 2020. Come and join us! Questions? Linda Durant (253) 363-8202, [email protected].

Midweek Renewal: Tonight! Come explore the Bible readings for next Sunday with Pastor John Rosenberg in the Parish Commons classroom at 6:15 p.m. Pastor Rosenberg will pay particular attention to apocalyptic themes in the readings for the last Sunday of the Church year. All are welcome!

Wednesday Noon Text Study Luncheon

We gather for lunch and for conversation at noon in the Parish Commons Classroom and study around the texts that will be heard in worship the following Sunday. Conversation will be guided by the pastor who will be preaching, and by the insights and questions of the group.

Lydia Circle meets the first Tuesday of the month at noon in the Parish Commons Classroom. Everyone is welcome to bring a sack lunch and join us.

Fully Alive Bible Study: The Fully Alive Bible Study meets Tuesday evenings at 5:15 p.m. in the Upper Fireside Room. We will continue our study of the women of the Bible with the life of Gomer, the wife of the prophet Hosea. She's an interesting woman! Please join us. All are welcome. For information, contact Sherry Maiura at 253.303.1681.

Fall Film Fridays

Have you ever watched a film that challenged or changed your perspective on life? And then wanted to talk about it with good friends? Join us in the Parish Commons Classroom to watch a thought-provoking Hollywood film, followed by great conversation. Please bring either your preferred drink or appetizer to share. This summer, the ELCA churchwide assembly voted to be a Sanctuary Synod, issued an apology to peoples of African descent, and adopted a social statement on Faith, Sexism and Justice. These films help us explore the human side of these issues.

Friday, November 22, 6:30-9:30 Love, Simon

Simon is a closeted, gay teen navigating the challenging waters of sexual identity, family and friends. If you enjoyed the romantic comedies of John Hughes (Sixteen Candles, The Breakfast Club...), you'll enjoy this heart-warming, updated take on the challenges of teen life.

Moral Voices, Moral Choices

The Peace and Justice Committee at St. Mark's invites us all to use our moral voices to advocate for justice in the following areas: food, housing, creation, and immigration. We are also invited to make moral choices in our personal behavior that impact these areas.

Last week, the US Supreme Court heard oral arguments about ending the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) program. DACA is one of a history of bipartisan programs like it dating back to the Eisenhower administration. While the court decision is likely months away, you may learn more about this history here.

Items Available

The church has several items that have been replaced or are no longer needed. Could you or someone you know use them? You must be able to pick up from the church. Items are...

1. Foosball table (has all pieces but not all pieces are original or matching)

2. 4 drawer legal sized metal file cabinet

3. Commercial tv cart with tv mount (tv not included)

4. Highchair

5. 17 small preschool chairs

6. Low wooden table 6ftL x 3ftW x 1.5ftT

Please contact Teresa Handy at [email protected] or through the church office at 253-752-4966 by December 1 if you are interested.

Donor Needed

Shirley Peterson, a member of the Daughters of Norway in Tacoma, has a son Mike who is in need of a kidney soon. He is currently in kidney failure and on dialysis. If you feel a tug at your heart to fill out the form to be a kidney donor the website is: www.swedishlivingdonor.org. (Mike Peterson)

For more information you can call his wife, Carrie, at 206.650.1819 or his sister Lisa at 253.905.5553. It only takes 15 minutes and all your costs will be covered by Mike's insurance. Thank you so much!

The Peterson family

2nd Time Around Holiday Gift Drive: It's a Win/Win!

Does your family have gently used toys, games, and plush animals which are no longer being used? The NW Nourish Food Bank in the Proctor District is gathering gently used items for clients to select gifts for family members.

Win #1 : Many of these families are not "connected" to agencies which will help them with gift giving and they were excited to pick out gifts last year!

Win #2: Just think of the space you could "free up" by donating items which are no longer being used.

Bring items to the box outside the church office by December 1st.

Questions? Contact Mary Olsen 253.752.2844 or [email protected]

Thanksgiving Donations Needed

The Health Outreach Coordinator at Oakland High School is requesting help from the community in providing Thanksgiving meals for students from families in need. If you can contribute toward the purchase of prepared dinners for these families, please contact Paula Friedmann at [email protected] or 253-222-4019 by November 20. Thank you!

Donations Needed: SHS Youth in Host Homes

Needed! Full size personal care items for youth 15-22 years old served by Shared Housing Service's Host Home Family (SHS) in Tacoma are appreciated, greatly helping youth starting their new lives off the streets with their host families.

Items most needed:

-shampoo, conditioner

-face wash, soap & body wash
-toothpaste, toothbrushes
-men's and women's deodorant

-creams, lotions, chapstick
-feminine hygiene
-disposable razors, shave cream
-socks, blankets
Hotel size items are accepted and distributed to others in need known to the SHS center.

The SHS box is outside the church office. Thank you!
Also, if you are interested in becoming a host home provider and have a room to share with a homeless youth , contact Roz Lueck-Mammen ([email protected]) or see www.sharedhousingservices.org/#programs for more info.

Church Office Hours

The church office is open Monday-Friday from 8:30 a.m.-noon, 1:00-4:00 p.m . and Sunday from 9:30-11:00 a.m.

*The door to the office is locked during preschool hours (8:30 a.m.-1:30 p.m.); please knock or ring the doorbell and someone will let you in promptly!

Have an item for The Bridge?
Send it to [email protected] by 5:00 p.m. on Tuesday. All items will run for two weeks prior to the relevant date, and will be edited for length. Don't forget to send your member notes and news!