August 2018
St. Mark’s News Volume 22/Issue 7
From the Rector Dear St. Mark’s family, July 15, 2018 is a day that will live long in my and Anna’s memory. What a welcome! What a bountiful feast! What a full room! We are floored by the love and hospitality already showed to us in this place. Thank you a thousand times over. We feel very lucky to be here. King David’s prayer from last Sunday’s reading is mine right now: “Who am I, O Lord God, and what is my house, that you have brought me thus far?” (2 Sam 7:18). These first few days have been a mix of keys, books, paper, and people. I’ve found the bathrooms by now. And I’m slowly but surely moving into my office. (I’ve arranged and rearranged my bookshelves 3 or 4 times already, but I’ve yet to hang anything on the walls.) I’ve been reading through the St. Mark’s archives (Yes! We have archives!), paging through Annual Reports, Vestry Minutes, and old photos in effort to get to know, however imperfectly, all the joys you’ve shared together in the past. I’ve been exploring the building and the property, praying in new spaces and looking forward to a day when they feel like home. The best part, of course, has been my time spent with you. Whether we’ve talked briefly at the door, in depth over tea, casually over lunch (lookin' at you, Youth Group!), or earnestly over drinks and snacks at our Thursday night get-togethers—each has been a joy. And if we’ve not had the opportunity yet, fear not, I don’t plan to go anywhere for quite some time :-) I’m so glad God has called us together. And I can’t wait for the adventure ahead.
In Christ, Zac
In this Issue From the Rector ......................... 1 From the Associate Rector......... 2 Outreach .................................... 3 Parish Life .................................. 3 Music Notes ............................... 6 Parishioner Highlights ................ 7 St. Mark’s At Revival .................. 8 Welcome Fr. Zac & Anna ........... 9 Celebrations ............................. 10 ROTA ....................................... 11
Page 1
August 2018
Awkward Encounters, Stories, and Single Cowboy Boots: My Take on #GC79 By The Rev. Dr. David W. Peters It’s really weird to meet people IRL (In Real Life) after following them on social media for years. There’s that moment of recognition, followed by a rude thought like, “They’re so much shorter than I envisioned them to be,” and then hugs and good natured banter all around. This summer, between July 5th-13th, the 79th General Convention of The Episcopal Church (#GC79) gave me numerous opportunities for these joyfully awkward encounters. The most notable for me were Fr. Tim Schenck, the co-creator of Lent Madness, Army Veteran, and really funny guy and Richard Mammana (pictured with David), who, among many other things, digitizes prayer books in multiple obscure languages. Richard has also written thousands of Wikipedia pages, mostly about little-known Anglican bishops from around the world. Speaking of the HOB (House of Bishops), and HOD (House of Deputies), I have very little to report. I peeked in a few times, but my main focus was the booth I was staffing, the Episcopal Veterans Fellowship booth. Several veterans from around the country came to staff our booth, and I was thrilled to see how they were able to tell our story to the larger Church. Throughout the days of #GC79, a steady stream of people came to our booth and shared stories of veterans in their lives, and asked us how they could be involved in this ministry in their own parishes. Some of the stories involved the recent suicides of veterans, some were less tragic, but all pointed to the urgent nature of our work. I was thankful for how St. Mark’s has sent me out to share this work with the larger Church, and how far we have all come. The signature public event of #GC79 was the Saturday night Revival with Bishop Michael Curry. I saw so many of you there, and I was blessed by the music and Bishop Curry’s Spirit-filled preaching. It was encouraging to see such a large gathering of Episcopalians and others in one place praying together. Some legislation came out of #GC79, which took a very long time to hash out, and will take a very long time to explain. I encourage you to read about all of them on our diocesan website. http://www.epicenter.org/article-category/general-convention/ The highlight for me was the re-reception of the Diocese of Cuba back into TEC (The Episcopal Church), after a long absence. As you can imagine, there was much rejoicing and very little debate. On the last day of the convention, our booth was gifted with around 30 single cowboy boots. Each boot was exquisitely made—they were very high quality boots. They had been used by the Episcopal Church Women (ECW) as centerpieces and were given to us so we could distribute them to amputees. We found an organization in Arizona that specializes in distributing single shoes and boots to amputees, so we boxed them up and sent them out to continue the mission. This small act of love by ECW was consistent with so many other acts of kindness initiated at #GC79. This was my first General Convention and I’m glad I was able to experience some of it. The most impressive things about it was to feel that connection to the larger, national and international Church that was founded by Jesus Christ 2,000 years ago.
Page 2
August 2018
Outreach School Supplies. We are excited to support Crockett High School this August by donating school supplies through Austin Partners in Education. Austin Partners in Education gathers requests from teachers all over A.I.S.D. and creates an online sign-up for community members to fulfill specific needs for the school year. In order to make sure we get the appropriate amounts of each item, please sign up in the parish hall next to the items you would like to donate. School supplies can be dropped off in the Parish Hall for the entire month of August. Look for the signup sheets/supplies requested posted in the Parish Hall. And best wishes for a fantastic 2018-2019 school year for all of our children and youth. Home | Austin
Partners In Education El Buen Samaritano Food Pantry item for the month of August is LAUNDRY DETERGENT. Please place it carefully in the bin to minimize spillage and leaking. Save the Date: Blood Drive! Reminder, our annual blood drive will be on Sunday, September 16th, 9 a.m.-noon. Be on the lookout for sign-up details in the announcements. Our goal is to have 18 donors this year! Thank you for your generous support of the Women's Shower Ministry and the Women's Storybook Project last May! They were very successful drives supporting mother's on Mother's Day. Thank you for your generosity to make our community a better place!
Parish Life Friday, August 3, 11 a.m., Page Turners Book Group The group is reading A Memoir: Cocktail Hour Under the Tree of Forgetfulness, by Alexandra Fuller, and will meet on August 3 for a discussion. All are welcome to join! September Book: Our book selection for September is a novel: Less by Andrew Sean Greer.
All Day Youth Outing on August 10 If you've never been, just know that it's a full day where we take off around the city for swimming ... eating ... the occasional swashbuckling adventure ... and, in this year's case, a trip to see the Round Rock Express round-out the night with fireworks. (Parents are encouraged to attend the game, by the way. We don't want to leave y'all out of all the fun...) We'll give out more details of that as we get closer—but for now, just keep your calendars clear for that date. Youth: Aug. 5: Meet to discuss calendar for future events Aug 10: All Day outing Aug 12 & 19: NO Youth Group meeting Please email Eric Panter to RSVP for the all day youth outing at: stmarkflions@gmail.com
Page 3
August 2018 Rally Day: Sunday, August 26
Blessing of Backpacks and Commissioning of Teachers during the 10 a.m. service. Ministry Walk in the Parish Hall at 11 a.m. Come see the ministry opportunities St. Mark's has to offer, and what ministry speaks to you!
Snacks and beverages provided!
Connecting with Fr. Zac and Anna Koons Responding to Fr. Zac’s desire to meet parishioners in a home setting, a series of informal gatherings have been set up on mostly Thursday evenings, between now and October. A dozen or so of parishioners will gather in a relaxed atmosphere for a drink and snacks from 7 - 9 p.m. Sign up sheets for the first few meetings are posted in the Parish Hall—we hope you can find a night to participate! August 23:Scott and Jewellyn Forrest home, Circle C Ranch. August 30: Melissa and Chris Blanding, near Driftwood, Salt Lick area. September 11, TUESDAY Amber Featherstone-Uwague & Ted Uwague's home, Barton Hills. Plans are underway for other dates— watch for more sign-up sheets!
Altar Guild Corner So many of the objects in the Episcopal Church have histories that go back very far. Have you ever wondered about the candle hanging above our Tabernacle? A long-term Altar Guild member, Tina Stonebarger explains. The Eternal Flame I love symbols. For me they are a focal point linking the present moment with history and opening a mental and spiritual space to move forward. Serving on the Altar Guild is an opportunity to be immersed in the myriad symbols of our Church and in many cases our link with Judaism. One such symbol linking us with our Jewish beginnings is the candle above the Tabernacle. In Exodus, the Lord gives instructions for building the Ark, the Tabernacle, and other items for worship to remind the people God was always with them. Aaron and his sons are instructed to set a flame in the Tent of Meetings. They are instructed that it must burn before Yahweh from evening to morning perpetually; that this is an irrevocable ordinance to be kept by the sons of Israel. Centuries have passed. Rituals have been modified. Christianity evolved from Judaism. But to this day in synagogues and in many churches the Eternal Flame burns. In synagogues it burns above the Holy Ark, which contains the sacred Torah scrolls. In Christian churches it burns above the Tabernacle, which holds consecrated communion elements. It shines to remind believers that God is right here, right now.
Monthly Men’s Group Meeting The Men's Group meets the Second Monday of each month @ 6:30 p.m. for dinner and fellowship. Dinner is prepared by cooking groups that rotate each month. Men's Group is open to all men of St. Mark's. To get on the email list, contact Bob Peterek: rpeterek@austin.rr.com.
Page 4
August 2018 Women of St. Mark’s The Women of St. Mark's will be dining at TLC on August 11 and then touring the Blanton Museum later in the afternoon. We will carpool from St. Mark's at 11:30 a.m. to TLC located in the Lamar Union at 1100 S. Lamar Blvd., Suite 1150. TLC serves a variety of boiled seafood as well as sandwiches and salads. Their andouille and cheddar hush puppies are supreme. We will then carpool to the Blanton. We expect to be back at the church by 5:00 p.m. Please sign up in the Parish Hall! If you can't make the museum trip, we hope you will join us for potluck and bunco on August 27 at 6:30 p.m. What better way to beat the heat than spending a summer afternoon with friends!
Shower Ministry Triennial 2018 (Go! ECW Spread the Word Every Day Everywhere), in conjunction with the Episcopal Church General Convention, was an exciting time for the Shower Ministry! Being selected as the Community Connection for the Triennial meant that convention participants brought items to make summer survival kits (lip balm, sun screen, Wet Ones, socks). Attendees donated items above and beyond what was requested, and we will conduct an inventory to see exactly what we have collected (see picture, right). Because St. David's is home to the Trinity Center, where the Shower Ministry takes place, parishioners from another St. David's, in Brooklyn, NY, wanted to bring items. A very big suitcase was required, and when the airline heard what it was for, they did not charge a luggage fee. The youth group of ECW National board member Beth Agar's church in Bellevue, Nebraska, put together 100 summer survival kits for us. Beth and her husband, Wes, also brought materials and Wes assembled a "shower" in the ballroom where the ECW events took place (picture below right). The "shower" had drops of water cut from blue poster board. When a donation was made, the person could put their name on the drop of water and put it in the shower. I was fortunate enough to be the secretariat for the Triennial, and was so happy that this allowed me the privilege to see Triennial participants giving so generously and to visit with them about this ministry. I heard many heart-warming stories from participants about how individuals and churches are helping those less fortunate. I worked with some of the best volunteers ever and made lots of new friends! On Tuesday, July 10, I was invited to present a workshop during the Triennial: Reaching Out to our Neighbors - Providing Showers to Homeless Women. Lisa Martin provided technical assistance. I love talking about the shower ministry, so this workshop provided me another opportunity to spread the word about how anyone can take a thought, an idea, and act on it to make a difference. I also gave a brief overview of the shower ministry to all the participants on Social Justice Day. In addition to the wonderful supply of items for the ministry, we also received $501 in cash and $615 in gift cards. Just when I thought it could not get any better, the ECW Board announced that they are donating $10,000 to the Shower Ministry! Triennial 2018 was a very rewarding experience and made me happy to be in community with so many women who love God and who look for ways to help others. Pat Bullock
Page 5
August 2018
We want YOU to sing with us this year! The St. Mark’s choirs are a special group within the larger family of the church. They are a place to grow musically, while forming lasting friendships in a supportive environment. The choirs offer a unique and important way to serve God within a caring and close-knit community. ●
Do I need to read music? We welcome singers from differing backgrounds with varying levels of experience. If you love to sing, there’s a place for you in the choir!
●
Is there an audition? No audition required, we welcome everyone!
●
What if I can’t be at every rehearsal or service? We begin practicing our songs several weeks before we perform them so that everyone has time to learn the music. Although we always want a full choir, we realize that few people can be here for everything.
●
I’m already busy, why should I take the time to sing with a choir? People need music. Our souls crave a release from the busyness of everyday life, we need art and beauty in our lives. Choral singing is one of the only experiences in which true amateurs can come together to produce truly great art. Time spent singing words of faith set to music of significance will invigorate the rest of your week!
You are WELCOME in a St. Mark’s Choir! St. Mark’s Adult Choir: High School through Adult Rehearsals are Wednesdays from 7:00–8:30 p.m. in the Chapel. Our first rehearsal will be Wednesday, August 29. St. Mark’s Choristers: Grades K through 6 Rehearsals are Wednesdays from 6:00–6:45 p.m. in the Common Room. Our first rehearsal will be Wednesday, September 5. Youth Ensemble: Middle School and High School Rehearsals are approximately every other Sunday from 12:15–12:45 p.m. in the Chapel. First rehearsal TBD. Contact Mark Reed for more information! mark@stmarksaustin.org
Page 6
August 2018
Parishioner Highlights I grew up in Ohio riding a horse and attempting to rope Angus cattle that I showed in 4-H. I always dreamed of Texans that did these things on a regular basis. So this was a fun article to do and how fun it was to better get to know L.A. and Ann who are living out my dream of being true Texans and living in picturesque Texas country. We are glad L.A. and Ann that you chose St. Marks and thank you both for your faithfulness with church assignments and for careers that better serve Texas and Texans!
Beth Chenoweth Ann and L. A. Williams L. A. and Ann were married in the Old Rock Church in Cranfills Gap, Texas which was built by Norwegian settlers in Bosque County. They are lifelong Episcopalians and have been members of St. Mark’s since 1995. Ann has served with the Marthas and L.A. has been on the usher team. They have been faithful with their coffee hour assignment and are eager to assist when asked to do so. Both their son, Chad, and daughter, Julie were confirmed at St. Marks. Chad and Laurie Dobbs live in southwest Austin and are both in real estate. They enjoy off shore gulf coast fishing at Port Aransas. Julie & Kelly Forbes live in Dallas, Texas with their children Isaac, Ryder, and newborn daughter Anna. They
are both employed in the field of sports in Dallas where he is a video coach with the Dallas Stars and she is a sports broadcaster. L.A. and Ann are tried and true Texans! L.A. is a mechanical engineer in the electrical utility industry and is still working as a project manager in the power industry. Ann worked as a middle school teacher for 25 years and is now retired from her career in education. They are owners of a small-scale, all-natural, sustainable, farm-to-table ranching operation in the Llano area committed to producing grass fed all-natural beef (Longhorns) for sale to individual consumers at affordable prices. L.A. and Ann Williams live in southwest Austin in Travis Country. They also have an 1850s ranch house that they frequent as they work the cows and watch the sun set by the Llano River. Ann’s hobbies are swimming and reading and they both enjoy watching those grand babies “grow!”
Page 7
August 2018
St. Mark’s Goes to a Revival: General Convention 2018
Page 8
August 2018
Welcome Lunch for Fr. Zac and Anna
Page 9
August 2018
August Celebrations Birthdays Douglas Kim Quincy Wesley Nancy Avery Anna Margaret James Chris Berit Nicholas Steven Sue Kerstan Christian Danielle Willah Dodie Laura Lisa Kathleen Brian Audra Iona
Joyce Kiplin Raines Raney Hicks Peters Shaver Azarmehr Crowson Delfausse Kragas Sepos Siegismund Crowson Turman Llull Adkins Peers Wells Delfausse Martin Allen Hack Bogard Olive
Aug 1 Aug 1 Aug 1 Aug 1 Aug 2 Aug 2 Aug 2 Aug 3 Aug 3 Aug 3 Aug 3 Aug 3 Aug 3 Aug 4 Aug 4 Aug 5 Aug 5 Aug 5 Aug 5 Aug 6 Aug 6 Aug 7 Aug 7 Aug 8 Aug 8
Katie Briana Britt Yvonne Scarlett Virginia Jenny Cynthia Avery Liam Jeff Julia Roger Mark Lark Nathan Carter Penny Delia Leigh Ann Lucas Nicole Cole Bodhi Jonea C. S.
Harwood Shepard Sitzes Chavez Lewis Acker Greer Harris Lindeman Sullivan Doidge Greer Seyler Zuniga Anthony Kelly Van Cott Considine Greer Hendricks Ruiz Flores Francis Pitt Raney
Aug 9 Aug 9 Aug 9 Aug 10 Aug 10 Aug 11 Aug 11 Aug 11 Aug 11 Aug 11 Aug 12 Aug 12 Aug 12 Aug 12 Aug 13 Aug 13 Aug 13 Aug 14 Aug 14 Aug 14 Aug 14 Aug 15 Aug 15 Aug 15 Aug 15
Cathy David Max Claire Ryan Rina Lucy Kate Lee Oliver Becky Charlie Marcy Barbette Clara Marquita Stacey Rich Michael David Barbara C. Rick Aby
Chadwick Martinez Azarmehr Dempsey Dempsey Hartline Joyce Bonnen Siegismund Bondy Janes Berndt Greer Cooper Berndt Dubach Gonzalez Janes Brode Lindeman Wilson Albers Gomez
Aug 16 Aug 17 Aug 19 Aug 19 Aug 19 Aug 20 Aug 20 Aug 21 Aug 21 Aug 22 Aug 23 Aug 24 Aug 24 Aug 26 Aug 28 Aug 28 Aug 28 Aug 28 Aug 30 Aug 30 Aug 30 Aug 31 Aug 31
Anniversaries Patricia & Joe Bullock Amelia & James Sondgeroth Lorraine & David Bowman Amy & Seth Randle Amy & Matthew Sepos Susan & Rick Albers Meredith & Kevin Childs Lisa Leach & Jeff Doidge Elizabeth & Reynard Wellman Carol & Gary Todd Cathy & James Nelson Sharon Voudouris-Ross & John Ross Amy & Nassos Papalexandrou Dee Ann & Mike Thomasson Jonea C. S. Raney and Jill Collins Rose & Jim Jennings
Aug 7 Aug 7 Aug 10 Aug 11 Aug 12 Aug 15 Aug 15 Aug 15 Aug 17 Aug 18 Aug 22 Aug 23 Aug 27 Aug 29 Aug 30 Aug 31
Caffeine Ministry Vestry Contact: MIke Brode Aug 5: Matt Friedlander & Ali Ashley Aug 12: Sylvia & Adam Gates Aug. 19: Linsey & Michael Gehrig Aug. 26: Kathy & David Genet
Page 10
August 2018
ROTA
ALTAR GUILD
10:00 a.m.
8:00 a.m. SERVICE
TIME
MINISTRY
August 5
August 12
August 19
August 26
September 2
LECTOR
Nancy Middlebrook
Pattie Rose
Jonea Raney
Margarita Moreno
Wes Raney
LEM / ACOLYTE
Margarita Moreno
Wes Raney
Pattie Rose
Nancy Middlebrook
Jill Collins
USHERS
Danielle Adkins Stephen White
Ed Shipsey Al McKinney
Jonea Raney Jill Collins
Danielle Adkins Stephen White
Beth Chenoweth Mary Smith
LECTORS
Ken Whalen (1) Dodie Wells (2)
Michael Meigs (1) Karen Milton (2)
LEM
Ann Seyler Roger Seyler
Christine Brunson Barbara Dody
Becky Janes Dru Cabler
Liz Davis Bill Kibler
Brenda White Rex White
ACOLYTES
Jay Brown Matthew Awitan Karen Milton Sam Forrest Jay
Carol Oppel Meredith Shaw Josie Baumgart Clara Baumgart Carol
Claire Cabler Henry Janes Beatrice Reshetnikov Emma Kloninger Jay
Carol Oppel Meredith Shaw Beatrice Reshetnikov Morgan Dew Carol
Carol Oppel Ben Forrest Emma Kloninger Nick Forrest Carol
USHERS
Carolyn Wier James Wier JP Kloninger Bo Overstreet Rick Tennant
Charles Brewer Bob Peterek Manuel de la Rosa Jim Nolan Ryan Marquess
Henry Olivas Yvonne Chavez Darlene Goodnight Debbie Thornal
Jay Doran Jodi Doran Pam Johns David Johns
Mark Breen Dee Ann Thomasson Dodie Wells Amalia de la Rosa
GREETERS
Michael Meigs
Steve Niemeyer
Laura Merritt Ellie Reshetnikov
Barbara Dody
Shelly Botkin Ryan Marquess
Sat. 9:00
Jonea Raney-TC Jill Collins Carolyn Wier Pat Bullock
Diana Stangl-TC Henry Olivas Karen Milton Laurel Kelly
Dee Ann ThomassonTC Emma Kloninger Tina Stonebarger Dodie Wells
Judy Elkins-TC Darlene Goodnight Debbie Thornal Evelyn McMillen
Jonea Raney-TC Jill Collins Carolyn Wier Pat Bullock
Jim Nolan
Shelly Botkin
Al McKinney
Cecily Bennett
Amalia de la Rosa
Lindsey & Michael Gehrig
Kathy & David Genet
Janna Kay & Tim Green
Depositor
Caffeine Ministry Matt Friedlander & Before/After 10 a.m. Silvia & Adam Gates Ali Ashley service
Penny Considine (1) Ariston Awitan III (1) Chris Considine (2) Nancy Kibler (2)
Mike Thomasson (1) Jennifer Jones (2)
WED. 6 p.m. Eucharist
August 8
August 15
August 22
August 29
September 5
Lector
Jay Brown
Rex White
Jonea Raney
Dodie Wells
Pattie Rose
Page 11
August 2018
Vestry Melissa Blanding, Sr. Warden Scott Forrest, Jr. Warden Vestry members: Phil Aboussie, Dan Aja, Mike Brode, Dru Cabler, Meredith Childs, Kathy Genet, Marjie Lawrence, Ryan Marquess, Laura Merritt, Jennifer Payne, Becky Poynot, Susan Randle, and Pattie Rose.
To view the monthly calendar of events at St. Mark’s, visit our website: www.stmarksaustin.org.
Committees Acolytes: Jay Brown, Carol Oppel, Cindy Cabler, Kim Kiplin, Kim Buckner, and Nancy Bachschmid Altar Guild: Karen Milton
St. Mark’s Episcopal Church 2128 Barton Hills Drive Austin, TX 78704 512.444.1449 www.stmarksaustin.org office@stmarksaustin.org
Rector The Rev. Zac Koons Associate Rector The Rev. Dr. David W. Peters
Building Committee: Amelia Sondgeroth
Family Minister, Interin Cindy Cabler
Christian Formation: Cindy Cabler Communications: Pattie Rose
Organist/Director of Music Mark Reed
Daughters of the King: Heather Azarmehr
Parish Administrator Joanne Foote
Women of St. Mark’s: Lisa Martin Facilities: Dan Aja & Scott Forrest Finance: Diana Stangl Outreach: Laurie Mayor
Deadline for the September 2018 St. Mark’s News is Wednesday, August 15, 2018. Please submit your article by email as an attachment to: office@stmarksaustin.org.
Staff
Parish Life: Brenda White Pastoral Care/Health Ministry: Jonea C.S. Raney
Head of Day School Karon Hammond Newsletter Editor Becky Janes
Stewardship: Amelia Sondgeroth, Dru Cabler Ushers: Ryan Marquess
CHANGE SERVICE REQUESTED
Page 12