7sep22

Dear Parish Family,

There are several events coming up over the next few weeks and months. We plan on beginning our fall Wednesday night programs the first week of October through the first week in November. We are planning to have Family First Saturdays where we will have family events once a month designed for all ages beginning October 1, 2022, with a taste of home and game night. Bring the dish that most reminds you of home and please share the recipe with us. The School Diversity and Inclusion Committee are putting together a cookbook and we would like to include your recipes. The upcoming training for Invite Welcome Connect is scheduled for October 15 from 9:00 am – 3:00 pm at the Church of the Ascension in Miami. I am hoping to have 2-3 people attend with me. There will be another session on March 5, 2023, planned for the Palm Beach area and I hope we will also get 2-4 people to attend that one as well. 

We are beginning to work on improving our sound and video capabilities for our live stream. That will probably include a significant investment toward being prepared for the next several years. It will make our feed faster, more professional looking, and more accessible. We will need additional volunteers willing to learn how to use the new system as it really is not a one-person job, even as we have it today. 

I am excited by how many people attended last weekend during a holiday weekend and cannot wait to see how we grow over the next several months.

Yours in Christ,

Grant +

Today’s Gospel tells the story of a good shepherd who leaves his/her 99 sheep to search for the one lost. What about the 99? Does this make sense? YES, if you remember that each one is of eternal value. In essence, Christ is calling us of St. Mark’s to bring home to Him our friend or foe, relative or stranger. Carry him/her on your shoulder with love, and by your example of forgiveness, example and counsel, draw your beloved to Christ. My friend, Christ is calling you to be a good shepherd. (Norm Carroll)

At the 10:30 am service, this past Sunday, our choir sang “Let There Be Peace on Earth”. Click on the image (left) to watch the choir’s performance.  

The Guild will meet on Thursday, September 15th at 12:00 pm in the Ministry Center for prayer, a short program, and a potluck lunch. James Jana, a familiar figure to many of us and a Franciscan, will be speaking on the life of Saint Francis, a topic dear to his heart. Knowing James, there might even be a little bit of theatrics in his talk. We are a group of retired members who enjoy getting together once a month every third Thursday for fellowship and growth. If you have questions, contact Lynne Coughlin, at lynnecoughlin@gmail.com or 954-741-6566.  

Vestry meetings are usually held each month at 10:00 am on the third Saturday of the month. Vestry meetings are public – all parishioners are welcome to attend as guests. The Vestry conference room is on the second floor of the middle school building. There is a staircase in the corner of the courtyard that goes to the second floor, across from the Vestry room. There is also an elevator. For the elevator go through the glass doors on the east side, and turn right to reach the elevator. In order to add a topic to the agenda, parishioners must submit their request to the Rector at least a week in advance of the meeting.  

All women in every episcopal congregation are automatically members of ECW and we are all invited to be active participants in the organization’s ministries. On Saturday, September 24th, at 9:30 am in the Parish Hall the women of Saint Mark’s will gather to regroup and enliven our chapter of the ECW. Please join us!

 

Parishioners will be receiving an invitation to join our Church Realm. This will be an

online directory and gateway to much church information. You will choose what contact information you want just the church office to have, and whether you want to share addresses, phone numbers, email addresses, etc. with fellow parishioners. You will need to create a login for yourself. Once you get in you will see an image on the left for the photo. Click on it and upload your photo to that space. If you do not have a digital photo

to upload, Father Grant or a parishioner will happily take one for you. Watch for your invitation!

I was looking for a simple way to serve God and my Saint Mark’s family. They were asking for volunteers so I signed up for the Pew Guild. I’d noticed three drops of candle wax on the cushion in my pew and I looked forward to taking care of them. When I came to the meeting someone said “oh, this is Altar Guild.” So that’s where God led me. I was unprepared for the joy it would bring. (read more)

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.

Father Grant, our rector is currently available to provide pastoral care for our parish. You may contact Fr. Grant at 954-334-0131, or by email at gwiseman@saintmarks.com.

Please check for our parish updates on the church website at: https://saintmarksftl.com/parish-news/

Got news to share? We’d love to receive your submission at: https://saintmarksftl.com/submit-post/