November 20, 2013
In This Issue
November 24, 2013
Christ the King
Jeremiah 23:1-6
Colossians 1:11-20
Luke 23:33-43

In the tender compassion of our God the dawn from on high shall break upon us, To shine on those who dwell in darkness and the shadow of death, and to guide our feet into the way of peace.
- Canticle 16
Calendar
Wednesday, November 20
12:15 p.m. Holy Eucharist and BYO Lunch, Lady Chapel and Parlor
8:00 p.m. Evanston English Country Dancers, Cunningham Hall

Thursday, November 21
10:30 a.m. Holy Eucharist, Traditional, Presbyterian Homes Elliott Chapel
7:30 p.m. Choir Rehearsal, Choir Room

Friday, November 22
ALL DAY 176th Annual Convention of the Diocese of Chicago, Lombard

Saturday, November 23
ALL DAY 176th Annual Convention of the Diocese of Chicago, Lombard

Sunday, November 24
8:00 a.m. Holy Eucharist, Traditional, Lady Chapel
9:30 a.m. Children's Formation, Classrooms
9:30 a.m. Choir Rehearsal, Sanctuary
10:30 a.m. Holy Eucharist with Music, Sanctuary
12:00 p.m. St. Mark's Bell Choir, Balcony

Tuesday, November 26
7:30 p.m. Choir Rehearsal, Choir Room

Wednesday, November 27 7:00 p.m. 15th Annual Interfaith Thanksgiving Service, First United Methodist Church
November Birthdays
2 - Aina Gutierrez
3 - Judy Kopp
8 - Elizabeth Furlong
9 - Betsy Sagan
11 - Ovaldo Buntin
13 - Debbie Nee, Compton Page Chase-Lansdale
18 - Tori Gallegos
20 - Jane McCarron
21 - Ruth Duck, Cath Carpenter
25 - Mickey Loewenstein
27 - Nia Himrod
28 - Dorothy Laudati, Katie Gallegos
November
Anniversaries
11 - Phyllis Lyons & Manel Valdes-Cruz
This Week at
Saint Mark's Episcopal Church
Blue
for Advent

On Sunday, December 1, St. Mark's sanctuary will be readied for the Season of Advent. In the past, the color you may recall has been a brilliant purple - a reminder of the coming Christ's royalty and a color associated with penance. The season of Advent is a season of expectation and hopefulness. And so beginning this year, St. Mark's is switching to the more traditional Advent Blue. This new-to-St. Mark's tradition actually dates back to the early founding of the Anglican Church in England and the color blue is intended to remind us of the darkness of night in which the world sleeps, before the dawn of the Sun of Righteousness.

The Altar Guild purchased new paraments for the sanctuary and vestments for the clergy - including a communion table runner, pulpit hang, Bible markers, chasuble, and stoles - all in a beautiful 100% worsted wool that is durable and wrinkle resistant. These items - along with the altar made by Dr. Rob Horton and funded by John and Betsy Sagan - will all be dedicated by Bishop Christopher Epting on Sunday, December 1st when we gather together for one service at 9:30 a.m.
Worship
In the baptismal covenant, we are asked, "Will you continue in the apostles' teaching and fellowship, in the breaking of bread, and in the prayers?" and we respond, "I will, with God's help."
Thanksgiving Services
St. Mark's and St. Luke's will come together on Thanksgiving Day - Thursday, November 28th - for a Celebratory Eucharist at 10 a.m. at St. Luke's Episcopal Church, 939 Hinman Avenue, Evanston. You may recall that last year St. Luke's joined us at St. Mark's and we are delighted this year to be invited to join them in their space.

In addition, Interfaith Action of Evanston is holding its Fifteenth Annual Interfaith Thanksgiving Service, celebrating Evanston's 150th Anniversary, on Wednesday, November 27 at 7 p.m. at First United Methodist Church, 516 Church Street, Evanston. The Rev. Dean Francis, Senior Pastor at First United will be the keynote speaker and an Interfaith Community Choir will be led by David Castillo. Everyone is encouraged to attend - last year more than 400 Evanstonians gathered together to give thanks!
Sesquicentennial Kick-Off
Are you excited yet? The kickoff event for St. Mark's Sesquicentennial Anniversary Celebration is just around the corner. On Sunday, Dec. 1, 2013, the first Sunday of the Advent season, we will welcome Bishop Christopher Epting and celebrate with a 150th Anniversary Kickoff Breakfast in Cunningham Hall immediately following the 9:30 am service. Instead of two services that day, there will only be one. Please make sure that you mark your calendar accordingly and save this important date!
Living Love: Advent Meditations

Copies of "Living Love: Journeying toward Christmas with All Your Heart, Soul, Strength, and Mind" are available in the Parlor. This booklet of daily readings for the Season of Advent is a publication of Living Compass. To assist us in this season of waiting, watching, and preparing, this booklet of meditations can be used on your own, with your family, or in a small group of friends. The booklet includes reflections for each of the four Sundays in Advent, followed by unique Advent blessings and prayers that can be used in the home. The weekday reflections also provide space for you to jot down your own thoughts and reactions as a response to the reflection of the day. It is my hope that every St. Mark's household will take a copy for use at home.

- Pastor Debra+ 

This Week's Lay Ministers
Thank you to the following parishioners for sharing their time and talent with the congregation this week. If you would like to become involved, please contact Pastor Debra at 847-732-9564 or rector@stmarksevanston.org
  • Altar Guild: Louise Behrends, Dorothy Laudati, Char Wiss
  • Flower Guild: Dorothy Laudati
  • Ushers: John Fitts, Tacia Johnson, Rich Forst
  • Lectors: Bob Molumby, Edie Molumby
  • Lay Eucharistic Ministers: Motoko Maegawa, Lisa Montgomery
  • Vestry Person of the Day: Clark Alexander, John Lucadamo
  • Snacks for Coffee Hour: Last Names beginning with O-Z
  • Welcoming First-Time Worshipers: All the people of St. Mark's
Wednesday Worship
Join us on most Wednesdays throughout the year for this 30-minute break in our busy weeks to be reminded of the refreshment and strength God offers. Those who want to stay for conversation bring a lunch and gather after worship for fellowship in the Parlor.
There will be no Eucharist on Wednesday, November 27.
Ring On!
Our new handbell choir rehearses on Sundays from noon until 12:30 (i.e. after coffee hour).  Bring a bag lunch and come for the fun! See Dr. Rob for more details.
Saint Mark's Choir
Saint Mark's Choir rehearses Thursday evenings at 7:30pm. This ministry is open to all parishioners and we have a fun year planned out. Join for the year or just for a few Sundays. See Dr. Rob to learn more.
Christian Formation
Lifelong Christian faith formation is important for lifelong growth in the knowledge, service and love of God as followers of Christ. Regardless of where you are on your spiritual journey, no matter what season of life you are in, you are invited to enter into a prayerful life of continuous learning. Following are some upcoming opportunities for your journey in faith.
This Week in Children's Christian Formation
This week in Christian Formation, our children will be focusing on this week's passage from the letter to the Colossians, an ancient hymn that refers to Jesus in extravagantly theological language as "the image of the invisible God." Thank you to this week's classroom teachers and assistants:
  • Motoko Maegawa / Luke Urbanowski (ages 3 - 5)
  • Anne Heinz / Holly Benz (ages 6 - 8)
  • John Lucadamo / Lori Goede (ages 9 - 11)
The Christmas Pageant: I Will Play My Part
This year's Christmas Pageant is called, "I Will Play My Part" written by Roddy Hamilton. Rehearsals for the pageant itself will take place on Sunday mornings from 9:30 - 10:15 a.m. in Bethlehem Chapel on Sundays, Dec. 8, 15 and 22. The pageant will once again be a central part of our worship on Christmas Eve, December 24th at 4:00 p.m. and we hope that all children will participate!
Fellowship
Where are you today? Lonely and afraid? Joyful and confident? Somewhere in between? Wherever you are in your journey of faith, know that there is a place for you here, companionship for the journey in this community gathered.
Sesquicentennial Kick-Off
Join Bishop Christopher Epting and the entire St. Mark's community as we celebrate with a 150th Anniversary Kickoff Breakfast in Cunningham Hall immediately following the 9:30 am service on Sunday, December 1. Immediately following the service, parishioners will leave the sanctuary convene upstairs and enjoy a buffet breakfast and brief program. No long speeches. There will be music, an updated anniversary calendar handout, a special commemorative anniversary gift for everyone, and information on the anniversary gifts to the church. For the children, there will be a special VIP visitor from the North Pole who will make an appearance. Don't miss this special kickoff event! - St. Mark's Anniversary Steering Committee
Saint Mark's Guild & Second Friday
Christmas Potluck Dinner Party
All Men, Women, Friends and Guests of Saint Mark's! This year the Saint Mark's Guild and the Second Friday Dinner Groups are combining forces for a fabulous Christmas Potluck Dinner and Celebration on Friday, December 13 at 6:30 p.m. at the home of Carolyn and Dick Brooks, 1314 Ridge Avenue, Evanston (parking is available in the Unitarian Church lot immediately north of their home). Please bring an appetizer, a side dish, beverages, or a dessert (plan for your dish to serve 6 people) or donate $7.00. RSVP to Dorothy Laudati, daalaudati@gmail.com or by calling 847-491-1026 no later than December 11th. When you RSVP, please let her know what you will be bringing. The evening's program: don your gaudiest, wildest, silliest Christmas sweater, vest, shirt, tie or hat for the CCC (Christmas Costume Contest) and the panel of judges will award a prize to the most outlandish one! This is a fun activity for all ages. Please also bring new warm socks, mittens, hats, scarves and gloves for our guests in the Saint Mark's Hospitality Center.
Social Justice & Outreach Opportunities
Each Sunday we pray, "Bring newness and change to our streets, O God, that we might commit ourselves to our young people and address the epidemic of gun violence which plagues our communities, our country, and the world. Awake, O Streets, rise from death!" Following are a list of ways in which you can get involved with the St. Mark's community in helping to create a better world.
Saint Mark's Holiday Food Drive
In cooperation with several area faith communities and the City of Evanston, St. Mark's will be collecting non-perishable food items on Sunday mornings, November 24, December 1 and December 8. All collected food will be given to the City of Evanston Holiday Giving program and will be shared with neighbors throughout Evanston on Friday, December 20th. How can you help? Place your non-perishable food items in the red shopping cart at the back of the sanctuary on Sunday mornings! And, if you would like to help with the distribution, contact City of Evanston intern, Jonathan Williams-Kinsel at 847-448-8103. Last year the City of Evanston provided food baskets to more than 250 families. This year's goal is nearly double!

This Food Drive and subsequent drives throughout 2014 will all be tracked as part of the Deacon's Appeal. Deacon Joan will speak briefly about this on Sunday morning.
ReVive� Center for Housing and Healing
Christmas Baskets
Thank you to all who selected individuals and families for the ReVive� Center for Housing and Healing (formerly known as Cathedral Shelter) Christmas Basket program. A reminder that all gifts should be wrapped and returned to St. Mark's no later than Sunday, December 1st. The Social Justice and Outreach Ministry Team will need help on the afternoon of December 1 preparing our gifts for pick-up. Please contact Dave Himrod (847) 864-7815 for more information.
Saint Mark's Annual Mitten Tree
Each of the past several years has seen the arrival of a lightly decorated Christmas tree in the Parlor. It quickly becomes filled with donated new hats, gloves, scarves and socks. As we have for the past two years, adult-size items will be donated to the Interfaith Action Hospitality Center (upstairs at St. Mark's) to keep our homeless neighbors warm. Additionally, children's sizes will be donated to the Blessings in a Backpack program at Oakton Elementary School. They are asking for 50 hat/scarf/glove combos! Once we've met that goal, additional children sizes will be given to the City of Evanston Holiday Drive. This year's mitten tree will go up on Sunday, December 8th.
Interfaith Action of Evanston Delegates
St. Mark's is a member of Interfaith Action of Evanston (IAE), an organization that actively participates in serving hungry and homeless persons in Evanston (the Hospitality Center upstairs at St. Mark's is a ministry of IAE). St. Mark's is currently looking for one more person to serve as our official "Delegate" to IAE. Thank you to Dorothy Laudati who has already agreed to be one of our delegates. Delegates are asked to attend three gatherings each year - Fall, Winter, and Spring, to participate in activities of IAE as their time permits, and to bring information about IAE initiatives back to the local faith community. If you'd like to learn more about being a Delegate, you can speak with current St. Mark's Delegate, Cynthia Garrels. If this is a ministry you are interested in, please call or email Pastor Debra at 847-732-9564. Pastor Debra currently serves on the IAE Board of Directors.
Hospitality Center Requests
Supplies:  As the winter months approach, the hospitality center is in need of the following items: cough drops, lip balms, toothbrushes, razors (blue ones, not the yellow!), combs, vitamins, nail clippers, gloves, hats, and socks. Items can be taken directly to the Hospitality Center (upstairs at St. Mark's), Monday through Friday, 7 a.m. - 11 a.m. or can be left in the Volunteer Office at St. Mark's during regular business hours.

Volunteers: The Hospitality Center is looking for some help in its computer room on Monday and Thursday from 7 to 11 am. No need to be a computer expert - just one (or several) person to open the room and be a presence while computers are in use. If you can give a few hours to this effort, please call Sue Murphy at (847) 475-1150
Curt's Caf�
Everyone in the St. Mark's community is encouraged to enjoy coffee, sandwiches and more at Curt's Caf�, 2922 Central Street, Evanston. Curt's Caf� is a non-profit organization that provides training in food service and life skills for at-risk youth in Evanston.
Other Announcements
What's Your Number?
This Sunday is the last day to be sure that your listing in the church directory is correct. A copy of the Church Directory is on the center table in the Parlor. Please take a look at your listing, correct any errors or add yourself and your family if you are not listed. Copies will be made and distributed on the first Sunday of Advent, December 1. Thanks for your help in ensuring our directory is accurate. If you will not be at church in November, please contact the church office at 847-864-4806 so that we can ensure we have the correct information for you..
Social Media
If you have your mobile device with you it would be good if you put it on silent when in worship. But if anything in Sunday's service-a prayer, reading, hymn or the sermon-moves you, please feel free to tweet it or post it to Facebook #StMarkEvanston.

While you're at it, "check-in" with us on Foursquare! St. Mark's website has up-to-date information on all that's new at St. Mark's - including a current calendar of events - check it out at http://www.stmarksevanston.org. Also, we are on Facebook and Twitter! Find us at http://www.facebook.com/StMarkEvanston and follow us @StMarkEvanston.
In the Diocese
The Episcopal Diocese of Chicago is a vital community of 40,000 people in 124 congregations across northern Illinois. Through the work of parishes and missions, social outreach agencies and campus ministries, it is devoted to three simple goals: Grow the Church. Form the faithful. Change the world.
176th Annual Convention of the Episcopal Diocese of Chicago
As clergy and lay leaders from each congregation across the Episcopal Diocese of Chicago gather together on Friday, November 22 and Saturday, November 23 at the Westin in Lombard, we ask your prayers.
Almighty and everliving God, source of all wisdom and understanding, be present with those who take counsel in this Convention for the renewal and mission of your Churches. Teach us in all things to seek first your honor and glory. Guide us to perceive what is right, and grant us both the courage to pursue it and the grace to accomplish it; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
Thank you to St. Mark's Convention deputies - Clark Alexander, Chris Schultze, and Byron Scott - for representing St. Mark's at this year's convention.
Critical Cultural Competency Workshop
Friday, December 6: noon - 4:30 pm St. James Commons
As a follow-up to the diocesan convention and the Episcopal Church's recent webcast conversation on race and racism, this interactive workshop explores how our culture shapes us as individuals, shapes our institutions, and examines the power dynamics in society that affect us all. The workshop introduces skills to interrupt old patterns and inequitable practices that limit access and exclude some people from our institutions, and focuses conversation on trust building, clear communication and making decisions based on multiple perspectives where all people can be heard and represented. The $15 registration fee covers the cost of lunch and snacks. Click here to register
In the Community
God calls us to love our neighbors as ourselves. Loving finds all of its meaning in relationship. The following are opportunities to be in relationship with one another and with the community of Evanston.
Share the Gift of Learning
Many adults need help with basic English reading, writing and speaking skills. Oakton Community College invites you to share the gift of learning by becoming a VITA tutor. A required 4-part training will take place at the Skokie Campus on January 9th and 14th, February 8th and March 1st. For more information, call Oakton at 847-635-1426.
Evanston English Country Dancers
Two Wednesdays each month at 8 p.m., the Evanston English Country Dancers meet in Cunningham Hall to learn English Country dances (from pre-1650 to the present). The group is currently extending an open invitation for anyone who wants to join them to do so. You can come with or without a partner. You should wear comfortable shoes - the type you would use to walk a mile - and casual clothing. The group asks for a $5 ($3 for full-time students) admittance fee to cover rent and to buy music for the band. For more information, contact Tom Senior at 847-606-8704 or send an e-mail to ChicagoECD@yahoo.com. Upcoming dates: November 20; December 4, 18.
Parish Prayer List
Please remember: This Sunday the prayer list begins anew. If you would like your friends or family members to remain on the prayer list or if you have additions to the prayer list, please send an e-mail to rector@stmarksevanston.org or call the church office at 847-864-4806. Thank you.
We bid your prayers for: Janice Baker-Offutt, Bob Behrends, Veronica Braithwaite, John Burnham, Karen Cornelius, Kendric Das, Bob Easton, Lynn Erickson, Desmond Francis, Mary Hair, Charlie and Judy Kopp, Mary O'Dowd, Joan Barr Smith, Carol Albertson, Betty Augustinos, Einy Andersson, David and Peggy Brooks, Dorothy Clarke, Kandi and Golden Corbbins, Terry Diamant, Sharon Iles, Yvonne Johns, Teresa Johnson, Fredericka Kaider, Bruce Kaplan, Marc King, Audrey and Howard Kittelberger, Pat Kyllenen, Alain Lecurieux, OJ Mabwa, Mark and Fran Mann, Sandra Merrill, Bert and Anne Ott and their children, Quetzalli and her family, Sara, Carolyn and Dick Seaberg, Bruce Seaton, George Settlemyer, Tom Sheasby, Ean and Neale Smith, Tim and his family, Carlo Trovato, Rosemary Tyler, Dick Zielinski.

We pray for the repose of the souls of Dorothy Fiducci, mother of Carrie King, Bobbi Arnold, friend of Joan Barr Smith, for those who perished in the tornadoes last Sunday, and for the thousands of victims killed in the wake of Typhoon Haiyan. May their souls and the souls of all the faithful departed rest in peace and rise again in glory.

We pray for the people in the Diocese of Southeast Mexico.  We pray for the people in the Diocese of Renk.
  St. Mark's Episcopal Church
1509 Ridge Avenue
Evanston, IL 60201
847.864.4806

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