10aug22

I am starting to settle into a pattern and it was so wonderful to finally worship with you all as your Rector. As I try to put together my office hours and how you all will be able to communicate with me, I wanted to let you know the best ways to contact me. If you call the church number and leave me a message on my voicemail, it will email me immediately and I will respond fairly quickly. I am also very quick to respond to email. My email address is gwiseman@saintmarks.com. A reminder, my day off is scheduled for Fridays. You can contact me in an emergency on that day, and if it goes to voicemail know that I will respond fairly quickly. If you know of any shut-ins who might want a visit, or someone who is in the hospital, please contact me. I will work to visit them as quickly as possible.

Heather and I want to thank you again for the warm welcome we have received. The reception was incredible and we were so grateful for the many gifts that you all gave us. We look forward to knowing you all better as we continue to minister together. I hope to meet with many of the ministries over the next several weeks and am excited about all that are beginning together. For those of you who wish to follow, my daily prayers they may be found as www.atwinfather.com.

May God bless you this and everyday,

Grant+

After a three-year wait, Saint Mark’s welcomed a new priest on Sunday, August 7th! Our congregation turned out for a single service at 9:30 am to celebrate with Father Grant. What a joyful service! For more information and posted photos from the service, and the reception chaired by Pia Delvaille, please click on this link: https://saintmarksftl.com/spectacular-service-with-our-new-rector/

Starting this Sunday, August 14, all are welcome to join jus at our 8:00 am or 10:30 am service. Our Rector, Fr. Grant Wiseman will be celebrating the Holy Eucharist during both services. The coffee hour will take place following each service.

Asael Cuesta Cardona, our new alto section leader, will be singing a solo this Sunday. Asael is a countertenor, the highest of men’s voices, originally from Columbia and winner of many awards.

Sam Keen wrote Fire in your Belly several years ago. He was not referring to something visceral, but was speaking of one’s passion in his/her heart. He meant a power, a conflagration, that determines for us a successful life. Jesus had such a fire in his belly and lived to set us similarly afire. His passion, the Holy Spirit, still blazes in us today with love for straights and gays; blacks, browns and whites; Christians, atheists and all in between. The Holy spirit lives daily as fire in our belly.

Becky Fogelson is organizing a revival of the Saint Mark’s Chapter of the Episcopal Church Women (ECW). Becky was a long time member of Saint Mark’s since childhood. She was then very active in the Saint Martin’s Chapter of the ECW and is now back at Saint Mark’s. She is leading an organizational meeting on Saturday, September 24th at 9:30 am in the Parish Hall. Becky’s email address is oldfogey2@att.net. Please email Becky if you have any questions. A sufficient number of women have expressed interest in reinstating the chapter to move forward. All women of Saint Mark’s are invited to join!

Fr. Grant’s office is located in the Ministry Center, north of the Parish Hall. Access to the Parish Hall is now available directly from the church parking lot. During regular school hours, there is no longer a need to go through the administration entrance or the school’s security. Fr. Grant will be easily accessible to all. The parking lots were resealed and striped, in addition to more handicapped spaces, to be designated for the church.

The new dock is in place on the Middle River, and our school has already hosted a sailing camp during its recent Summer Camp. The sea wall is near completion, and construction for the school’s new Sea Lab is currently underway. Stay tuned for river tours as construction completion occurs.

Now that the cases of COVID have thankfully abated, wearing a facial mask is encouraged, but not required. Please respect the space of those who choose to be more cautious.