August 2014
St. Mark’s News Volume 18/Issue 7
From the Rector There are innumerable things that I love about St. Mark’s and you, its people. There are two adjectives that always come first to mind, and they are “generous” and “healthy.” This summer, as always, your generosity has been evident in your donations to the Family Eldercare fan drive, to the 100 Manna bags we filled for our homeless neighbors on July 6, and the bins full of food for El Buen Samaritano and SafePlace. Evidence of our health as a parish is our ability to love one another despite whatever differences we might have between, and among, us. One issue about In this Issue which I am certain there is political disagreement is that of immigration reform. Whichever political party we might align ourselves with, I would From the Rector ......................... 1 hope that we might all agree that as Christians our response to the Outreach .................................... 3 Parish Life .................................. 4 thousands of children crossing the border from Central America and Music Notes ............................... 6 Mexico must be one of compassion and care. On occasion we are asked, or we ask ourselves, what does the Episcopal Church have to say about a particular issue? I thought it might be of interest to read what the Presiding Bishop had to say, as well as our own bishops.
Christian Formation .................... 6 Parishioner Highlights ................ 9 Celebrations ............................. 10 Caffeine Ministry ...................... 10 ROTA ....................................... 11
From the Presiding Bishop, Katharine Jefferts Schori: The influx of vulnerable people from Central America, including unaccompanied minors as well as mothers with children, continues to challenge the United States to respond compassionately. Like Sudanese or Syrian refugees, these people are fleeing hunger, violence, and the fear of rape, murder, and enslavement. The violence in Central America has escalated significantly in recent months, particularly as a result of gangs and trafficking in drugs and human beings. These people are literally fleeing for their lives. The United States has a checkered history in responding to refugee crises. We shut our eyes and ears, as well as our ports, during the crimes against Jews and other vulnerable persons in the midst of the Second World War. We have been more welcoming to Sudanese youths looking for survival in the last 20 years. The Episcopal Church believes we have a responsibility to all our neighbors, particularly the strangers and sojourners around us. We have been resettling refugees since 1939. Today, Episcopal Migration Ministries (EMM) and Episcopal Relief and Development are working with churches and dioceses in areas where these Central American women and children are being served. Episcopalian are responding with prayers and concern, and asking how to help. I urge you to remember these people and their difficult and dangerous position in your prayers – today, this coming Sunday, and continuing until we find a just resolution. The Episcopal Church has established an account to receive financial contributions to assist EMM in this work. (EMM@episcopalchurch.org)
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