St. Mark's Weekly E-blast

We gather, connect, and serve so all may experience the love of Christ.

By Rev. Deborah Christine, Discipleship Pastor

May 21, 2025

Next Wednesday, May 28 will be the last Soul Station. We will be taking a pause during the summer to enable the St. Mark’s leadership and programing staff to examine how Soul Station has been meaningful in the past, what is currently meaningful and what might be meaningful in the future.

On that Wednesday (the 28^th) we will take time to give thanks for the many years Soul Station has been a valued part of the St. Marks experience. We will also celebrate the deep and lasting connections that have been made at Soul Station. I hope you will all attend and make this evening a memorable occasion. To help celebrate we will sing some of our favorite songs have an ice cream sundae buffet!

To help leadership better understand the history and importance of Soul Station, a survey will be emailed to all the congregation. It will be very important to have responses from everyone, those of you that have regularly attended, those that attended in the past, and those of you that might want to attend in the future. Your responses will help us make the very best decisions. Please take a few moments to fill out the survey!

During the summer, we have scheduled two mid-day meet-ups from 11:30am - 1pm on June 25 and July 16. We hope to see you there at Grace At The Table. We will share a meal; the main dish will be provided and everyone is invited to bring a dish to share. We'll have fellowship, prayer, discussion, and communion.

Don't worry! We'll remind you as these dates get closer!

Hope to see you!

Blessings,

Pastor Deb

May 4

"~~Everything happens for a reason~~." hmmmm...BUSTED

May 11

"~~God helps those who help themselves." Doesn't God help~~ ~~everyone? Our mothers strive to~~! hmmmm...BUSTED

May 18

On Confirmation and Graduation Sunday we will explore the idea that "~~God said it, I believe it, that settles it~~." hmmmm...BUSTED

May 25

"God won’t give you more than you can handle." Really?!?

June 1

"Love the sinner, hate the sin." There's no connection here to Jordan's last Sunday and special afternoon concert!

Need a mid-week pick-me-up?

Want a meal you don't have to cook, paired with friends to talk with?

Join us at Soul Station!

Dinner this week will be breakfast burrito casserole, mixed fruit breakfast meat, and a special dessert; serving begins at 5:30 pm. The program begins with prayer and communion at 6 pm in person or online.

Prefer to join us online? Use the zoom link below. Bring your own communion elements!

https://dscumc.zoom.us/j/81074485416?pwd=QBaxQm2tB3AhW9ot1aSqW6ov2WOlhe.1

Meeting ID: 810 7448 5416

Passcode: 016308

Join Us In Honoring Our Soldiers Who Have Gone Before Us.

Join us as we place and remove flags pre-and post Memorial Day to pay tribute to our deceased veterans. On Saturday, 5/24 at 8 am we will place the flags. On Monday, 5/26, we will remove the flags beginning at 5 pm.

No experience is needed.
Veterans' gravestones are easily identifiable.
All flags and ground pokers are provided. We place flags as two-person teams, but you can remove them solo.

Meet at Evergreen Cemetery, 3015 N. Oracle Road, Tucson. Enter the cemetery at Ft. Lowell off of Oracle Rd. Park in the North cemetery dirt lot. Arrangements can be made to meet at St. Mark's before 7:30 am to carpool. This is an outdoor project; dress and prepare accordingly. When we did this previously, it was a rewarding and meaningful experience. Contact Cheri Schwartz at 602-320-2152.

JUNE 1

Sign up to reserve your spot now using the QR code. Invite your friends and neighbors to come and help save a life or two.

https://www.redcrossblood.org/give.html/drive -results?zipSponsor=stmarks

Upcoming Concert

June 1-Jordan Shomper Farewell Concert

A reception will follow with a love offering taken.

Also happening June 1, a farewell service for D.S. Rev. Matt Ashley at First UMC.

Summer book study: We will meet at 9:30am on Thursdays June 26, July 24, and August 21 to discuss the book The Heartbeat of Wounded Knee by David Treuer. David is a member of the Ojibwe tribe in Minnesota. He covers the history of indigenous people in America up to the present day.

The class will be led by Art Ragland. Register will be available soon at: St. Marks Adult Spiritual Growth and the Zoom link will be sent to you. Parts one and two of the book will be discussed on June 26th.

July

Get ready for an exciting journey with Mission U, formerly known as The School of Christian Missions! This year, we’re diving into the power of Practicing hope. Through immersive, Biblically based learning, you’ll deepen your faith, connect with your community, and experience healing in mind, body, and spirit. Our mission is to show you how to stay hopeful through tough times, find your safe harbor, and grow in your spiritual journey.

Mission U is all about uplifting experiences—enlightening small group discussions, fun activities, and opportunities to learn from one another! Plus, there’s plenty of fellowship, delicious food, and soul-enriching worship services that will leave you feeling refreshed and inspired.

Ready to be a part of something truly transformative? Whether you join us in person from July 17th-19th at St. Mark’s UMC in Tucson or virtually from August 5th-7th on Zoom, we’ve got a spot just for you! The cost is just $75 for in-person or $25 for virtual, with scholarships available from the United Women in Faith Conference as well as your district and possibly your local units if needed. Links are provided below to register.

Don’t miss out—register today and order your book! Have questions? Reach out to me at ladyinsurance@att.net or call 520-904-8258. We can't wait to see you there!

Order your book here: https://uwfaithresources.org/prodDetail.cfm?productID=11781&catid=2526

Lorraine Shaw

Dean, Mission u

Registration is now open for Summer Camp! Visit HERE to register your student and EMAIL Jane to volunteer as an adult!

“CELTIC TREASURES OF IRELAND” TOUR – April, 2026

Join Rev. Sharon and Art Ragland and others on a “Celtic Treasures of Ireland” tour April 14-23, 2026 through Educational Opportunities. To view the webpage, including brochure and registration information, visit:

Educational Opportunities Tours / Tours · Celtic Treasures of Ireland with Rev. Sharon Ragland, Rev. Doug Handlong and Julie Ragland | April 14, 2026

If you have questions or want more info now, email Sharon at revsragland@gmail.com or call or text at 520-256-7924. Info meetings via zoom and in person will be held soon.

I’d love to have you join me on this tour of Celtic and Christian sites in Ireland.

Rev. Sharon Ragland

From your Church and Society Committee

Filipino inventor Diosdado (Dado) Banatao, the son of a rice farmer, came to the United States to study and work. He transformed the computer industry with the invention of the graphic accelerator chip in personal computers that make it possible to watch videos and play video games on your computer

Check out our devotion for AAPI Heritage month at https://www.umcstmarks.org/racial-equity/ and things to do to celebration on the Heritage Months button!

SUNDAY WORSHIP SCHEDULE

8:30 and 10 am Traditional service in Magee Campus sanctuary and child care in Rm 15

10 am Modern service at Sanctuary Campus with Children's Sunday School and childcare

10 am Magee Campus youth and children's Sunday School (except fifth Sundays) and child care

The 10 am worship service on the Magee Campus is live-streamed on Sundays on our website or on YouTube UMC St. Mark's AZ. You can also watch the service at a later time.

The May Messenger is available HERE!

Office Hours – 9 am to 3 pm Mon-Thurs, closed Friday - Sunday

Staff may be available by appointment at other times; email them using their first name followed by @umcstmarks.org