For your thought:

"I tell you, this man went down to his home justified rather than the other; for all who exalt themselves will be humbled, but all who humble themselves will be exalted."

--Luke 18:14



Study this Sunday's Readings.

Important dates:

• Saturday, October 22 at 5:00 p.m. - Oktoberfest & Hymn Sing - BBQ, Bratwurst, Potluck and Music. Please bring a salad, side, dessert and/or drinks. - Parish Hall
• Sunday, October 23 at 9:30 a.m. - Worship with Bishop Hunn. Bring a pie - savory or sweet!
• Sunday, October 30 at 9:30 a.m. - Pledge & Pancake Sunday (bring you pledge card & a side for a parish pancake breakfast) 
• Monday, November 1 at 9:30 a.m. - Autumn Rosary for Resurrection & Remembrance
• Sunday, November 6 at 9:30 a.m. - Feast of All Saints (bring a photo of a recently deceased loved one for the ofrenda)
• Sunday, December 11th at 4:00 p.m. - Parish-wide holiday concert outing to see Santa Fe Desert Chorale at Immanuel Presbyterian Church

Useful links:

• Fill out a form to volunteer, donate altar flowers, fill out a new member/visitor form, and more!
• Access and/or edit your Member Directory information.
• Access previous sermons.
• To check CDC COVID-19 Risk for Bernalillo County, click here.

Stewardship 2023: Rising to the Challenge, RECONNECTING WITH JOY, Reaching out With Love

The Apostle Paul tells us that “Each one must give as they have decided in their heart, not under guilt or obligation, for God loves a cheerful giver.”

--2 Corinthians 9:7

This past summer, St. Mark’s embraced a Summer of Conversation. It led to many new relationships and the building up of a community. It was a time of Reconnecting with Joy and a time of deepening our experience of community. St. Mark’s has welcomed many new members in the midst of the pandemic and many existing members are beginning to reconnect with the faith community as well. As we Reconnect with Joy, we ask that you consider your ongoing or emerging financial support for the work of God through the ministry of St. Mark’s. 

Scripture invites us to prayerfully consider all that we have been given by God, and then to “decide in our hearts” what the Spirit is calling us to give. The spiritual journey is about continually growing in faith and trusting in the Lord to be our strength and our security. The tithe is a goal based on the witness of Scripture. It is not meant as a harsh requirement nor as a source of shame or guilt. It is God’s gracious invitation to join our resources to God’s work in the world as an act of thanksgiving and worship. This year, in the midst of so much uncertainty, our call is to continue to grow through the practice of stewardship. 

Like any “practice” stewardship implies an intentional pattern of action that we repeat on a regular basis over a period of time. A new pattern of action may seem difficult at first, but as you continue to practice, you notice it beginning to feel easier and more natural. Practice transforms us. Stewardship practices, over time, shape us to be more grateful, more trusting, more generous, and more joyful people.

Saturday: Oktoberfest Potluck & Hymn Sing!

St. Mark's is hosting an Oktoberfest event on Saturday, October 22 from 5-7 p.m.  St. Mark's will supply the BBQ, Bratwurst and buns, but please bring a side dish, salad, dessert and/or drinks/beverage.  After eating, we'll sing hymns around the piano.  It's sure to be a great time had by all.  This will take place inside the Parish Hall.  All are welcome!

Sunday: Bishop Hunn to Visit St. Mark's

Join us on October 23rd for worship with Bishop Michael Hunn of the Diocese of the Rio Grande. This will be his first visit to St. Mark's since his ordination.  

Confirmands, Reaffirmations and those being Received into the Episcopal Church will meet with Bishop Hunn at 8:30 a.m. that morning.

Let's show Bp. Hunn some of the parish's generous hospitality by bringing a pie (savory or sweet) to be shared following worship. 

All Saints Sunday (11/6): Litany of the Saints and Virtual Ofrenda

If you wish to submit names of those faithful departed whom you would have us remember in our prayers on All Saints Sunday (November 6th), you may  submit names using this form. 

If you have photos of the faithful departed that you would like to add to St. Mark's Virtual Ofrenda, please email photos to Mother Sylvia (email her here).

Please submit names and photos no later than Sunday, October 30th for inclusion.

Feast of All Saints Physical Ofrenda

To celebrate The Feast of All Saints at St. Mark’s each year, we build an ofrenda.

Traditionally, an ofrenda (“offering,” in Spanish) was put together around the Day of the Dead (El Día de los Muertos) in Latin cultures to welcome those who have died back into your life. Photographs, mementos, and favorite foods were offered to entice loved ones to return.

In our Christian tradition, we make an ofrenda to celebrate and honor the lives of the saints who have traveled this journey before us – loved ones who have helped build the foundation of our spiritual lives and showed us how to be faithful servants of God.

We invite you to participate in this beautiful tradition. Please bring photos of your loved ones who have died: people who made a difference in your lives, from whom you learned unconditional love, who were instrumental in making you the person you are today.

For in-person ofrenda submissions, framed photos, which can stand on their own, work best, but all photos are welcome. We would also encourage everyone bringing in photos or frames to have the name of the departed and the name of the individual who it should be returned to on the back (a small piece of tape or something of that nature works well). If you would like to drop them off at the church during this week, place them in the basket in the narthex and we can put them on the ofrenda for you. You are also welcome to bring photos anytime until and on Sunday, November 6th.

The ofrenda will go up for Sunday, October 30th and will remain in place through our All Saints’ Day Celebration on Sunday, November 6. Afterwards you may take your photos home.

We hope everyone will take advantage of this opportunity to celebrate the lives of loved ones.

Parish Group Outing: Holiday Concert

You are invited to join in a parish group outing to attend a holiday concert of the Santa Fe Desert Chorale. If you have never heard the Desert Chorale, they are one of the most accomplished choirs in the United States. The group will present Benjamin Britten's "Ceremony of Carols," a classic of Christmas music. We will sit together at the concert and then optionally go together for dinner at a tasty restaurant on Central. The concert will be Sunday, December 11th at 4:00 p.m. at Immanuel Presbyterian Church, just south of Carlisle and Central in Albuquerque. The tickets will be available at a discounted rate of $35/person. To reserve a ticket please contact Taylor Spence via email here. Please reserve by Sunday, November 20th. Ticket subsidies are available. Please contact Jeremy Wirths via email or Taylor Spence (via email) with any questions.  

Autumn Rosary for Resurrection & Remembrance

All Saints Day, Tuesday, November 1st, 7PM

In person at St. Mark's and on Zoom Click here for Zoom Link

As we move through seasons in the natural world, so too we move through seasons of grief. As we move through each season, new memories bubble up, and our grief might take on a variety of different qualities. In each season prayer, remembrance, and community are essential sources of support for our journey. We invite you to join us for our Autumn Rosary for Remembrance on All Saints Day, Tuesday, November 1st at 7PM Mountain time. We'll gather in person at St. Mark's and online via zoom, for a quiet time of prayer, silence, poetry, and song in honor of all the departed. These gatherings are open to all, and we warmly welcome you, along with any other family members who might be interested, to join us. 

Thanksgiving Weekend: Pilgrimage in Place

A self-designed offering of gratitude

November 25-27, 2022

Register: pilgrimageforunity.org

Share gratitude as a pilgrim: Walk, Pray, Give Thanks

11/25-27 Self Designed Pilgrimage

Include others or walk alone; walk 1, 2, or 3 days; shorter or longer distances; consider walking with friends from other faith communities; seek blessings of unity

11/25 Pilgrimage Zoom Blessing Service, 8AM MT

• 11/27 Pilgrimage Zoom Closing, 6pm MT

Formation Classes

St. Mark's is offering a variety of classes after worship on Sundays for both youth and adults. Please consider our offerings and we look forward to the gift of your presence on Sundays. Check out our full class descriptions and schedules here:

https://www.stmarksabq.org/class-schedule

Athletic Shoes Needed for Asylum Seekers

We are still working to help immigrants, mostly Venezuelans, who are coming through town on the way to sponsors. They still need athletic shoes, lace-up or slip-ons, for men, women and children. The sizes for men are 7-12 and women 5-10, children's all sizes. We are only collecting new (or could-pass-as-new) shoes at this time. Please bring the shoes to the big box in the narthex (entry area). We are grateful for your continued help and support. 

FaithWorks Volunteer Opportunities

If you are interested in any of the volunteer opportunities below, please call the FaithWorks office at 505-457-1728.

ID Clinic- In partnership with Central United Methodist Church (CUMC), we are holding a weekly ID Clinic to assist clients in both of our programs to obtain ID documents such as Birth Certificates, Driver’s License Renewals, Real ID’s, etc. We are looking for volunteers to help clients every Wednesday from 10AM-12 PM at CUMC on 201 University BLVD (near UNM Campus). Training will be provided. You do not have to commit to attending

every Wednesday, but we do ask that you are available at least 2 Wednesdays a

month.

Christmas Party for Asylum Seeking Children- Every year, the Asylum Program has a Christmas Party for the children in our Asylum Program. We are looking for a committee to plan, organize and implement the party this year. If you are interested in working on this committee, you can participate in one part or many parts of this committee, such as shopping for the gifts, wrapping the gifts, attending and helping on the day of the party, etc. The date of the Party will be Saturday, December 3, 2022, location TBD. This is a time limited commitment.

Family Liaison- Our Asylum Program currently has nearly a dozen families waiting to enroll into our program. As a Family Liaison, you will be assigned to work with a family to ensure they have their needs met through our program. There is ongoing training and several of our current Family Liaisons will share their expertise with you to help you get started in this crucial role with our families. Time commitment is initially a few times per week, then as much or as little as your family might need. (Typically, at least a weekly check in with your family by telephone).

New Mexico Immigrant Law Center (NMILC)-

We are partnering with NMILC to assist asylum seekers with applying online for asylum and/or work permits. NMILC will provide training and will have specific times/days to volunteer at NMILC to work directly with clients in this process. You must be bilingual and commit to at least one time per month.