December 2015
St. Mark’s News Volume 19/Issue 11
From the Rector Come, thou long expected Jesus, born to set thy people free; from our fears and sins release us, let us find our rest in thee . . . . (Hymn 66) On Friday, November 13, as news of the terrorist attacks in Paris were unfolding and the death toll was rising, the poem that came immediately to my mind was The Second Coming by W.B. Yeats: Turning and turning in the widening gyre The falcon cannot hear the falconer; Things fall apart; the centre cannot hold; Mere anarchy is loosed upon the world, The blood-dimmed tide is loosed, and everywhere The ceremony of innocence is drowned; The best lack all conviction, while the worst Are full of passionate intensity. Surely some revelation is at hand; Surely the Second Coming is at hand. The Second Coming! Hardly are those words out When a vast image out of Spiritus Mundi Troubles my sight; a waste of desert sand; A shape with lion body and the head of a man, A gaze blank and pitiless as the sun, Is moving its slow thighs, while all about it Wind shadows of the indignant desert birds.
In this Issue From the Rector ........................ 1 New Assistant Rector ................ 2 Vestry Highlights ....................... 3 Advent Schedule ....................... 4 Christmas Schedule .................. 4 Outreach ................................... 5 Parish Life ................................. 6 Music Notes............................... 7 Christian Formation ................... 8 Parishioner Highlights ............. 10 Celebrations ............................ 11 ROTA ...................................... 12
The darkness drops again but now I know That twenty centuries of stony sleep Were vexed to nightmare by a rocking cradle, And what rough beast, its hour come round at last, Slouches towards Bethlehem to be born. This season of Advent in which we now find ourselves has as its focus the Second Coming of Christ. On the first Sunday of Advent, in the 21st chapter of St. Luke’s gospel we read, “There will be signs in the sun, the moon, and the stars, and on the earth distress among nations, confused by the roaring of the sea and the waves. People will faint from fear and foreboding of what is coming upon the world for the powers of the heavens will be shaken. Then they will see the Son of Man coming in a cloud with power and great glory.” On the second and third Sundays of Advent we encounter John the Baptist in the wilderness proclaiming a baptism of repentance for the forgiveness of sins. It is not until the fourth
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December 2015 Sunday that we look back to that first Advent, that First Coming of Jesus, when we will hear the story of The Visitation and the Magnificat. “Things fall apart; the centre cannot hold.” It does seem as though things are falling apart; as though the center is not holding. The signs and portents predicted to accompany the Second Coming of Christ seem writ large in the daily news. But during this season of Advent we are reminded to look at those readings through the lens of the First Advent – the birth of Christ. If we look through that lens, our focus shifts from fear and despair to light and hope. Yes, during Advent we hear readings about judgment, but during the Christmas season we are reminded above all else that the birth of Jesus is about the love that God has for his people and the world: “God so loved the world that he gave his only begotten Son….” Our readings during Advent are about judgment, but our music is about hopeful expectation: “Come thou long expected Jesus,” “Savior of the nations, come!,” “O come, O come, Emmanuel and ransom captive Israel,” and “Comfort, comfort ye my people, speak ye peace, thus saith our God.” It may well be that Yeats is correct that “the Second Coming is at hand.” But Jesus was explicit that only God the Father knows when the Lord will return. These days of waiting are not meant to be days of despair, but rather days of rejoicing and hope. During this month of December, as we anticipate the Second Coming, let us hear again that angelic proclamation at the First Advent: “Do not be afraid; for see – I am bringing you good news of great joy for all the people: to you is born this day in the city of David a Savior, who is the Messiah, the Lord.” Do not be afraid: Emmanuel, God is with us. Even when things seem to be falling apart, do not be afraid: the Light of Christ shines in the darkness. Do not be afraid. Wishing you and your loved ones a season of joy and of hope and of generosity. EZT+
Meet our New Assistant Rector Meet our new Assistant Rector: The Rev. David W. Peters, who will begin his ministry with us at St. Mark's on Sunday, January 17. We will have a reception at 10:00 a.m. to welcome David and his family. EZT+ David W. Peters was born in Pennsylvania, and grew up in Elkridge, MD, and Limerick, PA. He served in the military as an enlisted Marine and an Army Chaplain, deploying to Baghdad, Iraq, in 2005. His ministry experience includes youth ministry, hospital and military chaplaincy, as well as parish experience at Grace Episcopal Church in Georgetown, TX. He completed the Master of Divinity (Biblical, 2002) and Doctor of Ministry (Erskine, 2012) degrees, as well as two years of Clinical Pastoral Education at Army hospitals and Seton Medical Center in Austin. He is currently in the final year of the Master of Arts in Religion program at Seminary of the Southwest in Austin.
David's writing has been published by the Huffington Post, Oxford University Press, and Tactical 16 Press. His sermon, "Learning War and Reconciliation," won the Reconciliation Preaching Prize from Trinity, Wall Street. David had the honor of preaching it to first responders at Ground Zero in NYC on 9/11/2015. David still ministers as an Army chaplain in the Army Reserve. He is currently a reserve Instructor at the U.S. Army Chaplain Center and School at Ft. Jackson, SC. David is the founder of the Episcopal Veterans Fellowship and the Hospitallers of St. Martin, a missional Christian Community for Veterans. David enjoys long-distance running, reading novels, dark chocolate, social bicycling, and writing about himself in the third person. He is the father of three sons and is married to the lovely Sarah Bancroft.
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December 2015
Vestry Highlights The St. Mark’s Vestry met in the Bennett Wing Classroom at 7:00 p.m. on November 17. The meeting opened with the Collect for St. Margaret of Scotland. The agenda and October minutes were approved. The Rector reported the following:
Our contact person with Google Fiber indicated that a check for $6,800 is soon to be cut. The A.C. unit for the choir loft is due to be installed on 11/18/15. Pledges to date are 133 for a total of $450,838. This time last year we had 136 for a total of $446,979. This afternoon Elizabeth+ sent 45 emails to parishioners from whom we have not yet received pledge cards. Our pledged income goal is $500,000. Elizabeth+ expects that we might be as much as much as $60,000 short of last year’s total because of moves and job changes/losses. The Finance Committee decided at its last meeting to move some of the $80,000 “Surplus from Previous Years” to 2016 income if need be, and to do some budget tweaking prior to having it approved at the December vestry meeting. We will be able to let the Parish know who our new Assistant Rector is on Advent 1 – after his current parish has been notified of his imminent departure. January 17 will be his start date at St. Mark’s. The Vestry Nominating committee has come up with a slate of nominees for the next vestry class. The Vestry will approve the final slate at the December meeting.
The Junior Warden, Diana Stangl, reported that she, Liz Davis, and Sylvia Fitz will be going to Costa Rica for the exploratory Mission opportunity trip with parishioners from other Austin parishes. She also gave the Finance Committee report: Year-to-date we are at 106.83% of budgeted income; facility expenses in October included a new hot water heater in the sacristy, the carpet cleaned, and light bulbs; new sarum blue altar fittings were purchased from Memorial Gift funds; we have received $18,038 in 2016 prepaid pledges for 2016; and overall in October income exceeded expenses by $15,386. Clarence Bonnen gave the Outreach Committee report: Trick or Treat for Unicef brought in $234.10; El Buen Samaritano requests that donated food be in smaller cans and containers (e.g. no #10 cans) which can be distributed more equitably; Angel tree gift recipients will be Austin Children’s Shelter and the Community First! Village; on St. Nicholas Day (Dec. 6) we will have a visit from the saint himself and put together Blessing Bags (socks, water, clementines, snack bar, Chap Stick). The Day School currently has an enrollment of 101 students; to date the Annual Fund has brought in $4,130 of its $12,000 goal; Day School early application date for church families is January 17-31; and the fundraising fiesta event is scheduled for Feb. 26, and will be held on the 13th floor of the IBC bank building.
Adult Confirmation Classes begin in January in advance of Bishop’s visit Bishop Harrison will be at St. Mark’s for our annual Bishop’s visitation and service of Confirmation/Reception on Sunday, January 31, at 11:00 a.m. Elizabeth+ will be teaching the Adult Confirmation classes for any adults interested in being confirmed/received on that Sunday (or for anyone wanting a refresher class on the Episcopal church’s history, polity, and liturgy. There will be three classes: January 9, 16, and 23 from 10:00 to noon. Please contact Elizabeth+ (ezturner@stmarksaustin.org) to register for the class or if you have any questions.
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December 2015
Advent Worship Services, Adult Formation, and Parish Activities Sunday, November 29 (Advent 1) 7:30 a.m. 9:00 a.m. 10:00 a.m. 11:00 a.m.
Holy Eucharist, Rite I Holy Eucharist, Rite II Intergenerational Advent Wreath Making Party Holy Eucharist, Rite II
Wednesday, December 2 6:00 p.m.
Holy Eucharist, Rite II (Grace Chapel)
Saturday, December 5 10:00 a.m. – 2:00 p.m.
Advent Quiet Day
Sunday, December 6 (Advent 2 and St. Nicholas Feast Day) 7:30 a.m. 9:00 a.m. 10:00 a.m. 11:00 a.m.
Holy Eucharist, Rite I Holy Eucharist, Rite II St. Nicholas visit and Blessing Bags Holy Eucharist, Rite II
Wednesday, December 9 6:00 p.m.
Holy Eucharist, Rite II (Grace Chapel)
Saturday, December 12 6:00 – 9:00 p.m.
Youth Christmas Party at Michele Bonner’s
Sunday, December 13 (Advent 3) 7:30 a.m. 9:00 a.m. 10:00 a.m.
Holy Eucharist, Rite I Lessons and Carols Adult Formation: Greg Garrett
11:00 a.m.
Lessons and Carols
Wednesday, December 16 6:00 p.m.
Holy Eucharist, Rite II (Grace Chapel)
Sunday, December 20 (Advent 4) 7:30 a.m. 9:00 a.m. 10:00 a.m. 11:00 a.m.
Holy Eucharist, Rite I Holy Eucharist, Rite II Cookie Exchange in the Parish Hall Holy Eucharist, Rite II
Wednesday, December 23 6:00 p.m.
Holy Eucharist, Rite II (Grace Chapel)
Christmas Eve and Christmas Day Services Thursday, December 24 (Christmas Eve) 5:30 p.m. 9:40 p.m. 10:00 p.m.
Holy Eucharist, Rite II, with Pageant Choral Prelude Festal Holy Eucharist, Rite II
Friday, December 25 (Christmas Day) 9:00 a.m.
Holy Eucharist, Rite II
Sunday, December 27 (The First Sunday of Christmas) 7:30 a.m. 9:00 a.m. & 11:00 a.m.
Holy Eucharist, Rite I Holy Eucharist, Rite II with Carol Sing
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December 2015
Christmas Pageant Preparation Begins December 6 The Church School program will take a break during December so children can prepare for St. Mark’s Christmas Pageant. At 10:00 a.m. on St. Nicholas Day, December 6, families will enjoy a visit from St. Nicholas and help decorate and stuff Blessing Bags to share with the homeless on the streets, and on December 20, families will take part in the Cookie Exchange. All of St. Mark’s children are invited to take part in the Christmas Pageant on Christmas Eve during the 5:30 p.m. service. Those children who wish to be in the pageant will spend some time on December 6, 13, and 20 picking out their roles and costumes and practicing for the pageant. Parents will receive a letter with the details and information about how you can help with the Christmas Pageant. December 6
Children and parents can stop by the Common Room to choose their costumes for the Christmas Pageant. We will need volunteers to help label the costumes chosen.
December 13
The children will continue pageant practice with the youth while those who haven’t chosen a costume visit Classroom B to choose a role. Volunteer help is appreciated!
December 20
We will have a pageant practice with the Youth Lector narrator in the Sanctuary after children have enjoyed the Cookie Exchange.
December 24
Please bring your children to the church at 4:45 p.m. on Christmas Eve, to dress for the pageant. All St. Mark’s children are invited to be a part of the pageant so please plan to come early to get a costume if your child does not already have one. We will process into the sanctuary at 5:00 p.m. to pose for parents who would like to take pictures. Remember that there will be no cameras allowed during the actual service.
Outreach - December is full of ways to take care of those in need around us! St. Nicholas Day & Blessing Bags for the Homeless, December 6 @ 10 A.M. Please come and help make Blessing Bags for the homeless at 10 a.m. on December 6th. The bags are yours to take home and give out as you notice those in need around you. Saint Nicholas will be making a special appearance during the event. Don't miss it!
Angel Tree On the first Sunday of Advent, November 29, a Christmas tree magically appears in the Parish Hall. The tree is decorated with angels, which represent needs in the greater Austin community. This year we are honored to support Austin Children's Shelter and the Community First! Village. Year round, Austin Children's Shelter provides on-campus services for children, young adults and families affected by abuse, exploitation, and neglect. They believe that every child, youth, and young adult deserves to feel safe; to receive nurturing care; and the opportunity to grow into happy, responsible and fulfilled adults. We are excited to help share the Christmas love to the precious children and youth they serve. In addition to sponsoring a home, St. Mark's would like to share Christmas gifts with the neighbors residing at the Community First! Village. What a wonderful opportunity to fulfill the residents’ wants, as opposed to merely meeting their basic needs. How the Angel Tree works: Our procedures will be a little different this year. Each ornament will have two cards. When you select your angel, please take a moment to remove one, sign the back, and place it in the bin provided. Take the second ornament with you & return with your gift by Sunday, December 13th. Thank you for your generosity and love that you so freely share all year and especially at Christmas! We would also like to say a big thank you to Resa Dunn and Clarence Bonnen for donating a reusable Christmas tree this year.
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December 2015
Parish Life First Friday Book Group Join us for the First Friday Book Group at 11:00 a.m. in the Bennett Wing Classroom. Do you want Santa to bring you books for Christmas? Here is the list of scheduled books for 2016 – the perfect Christmas wish list! Our last meeting for 2015 is Friday, December 4, when we will be discussing Girl Meets God by Lauren Winner. 2016 Dates and Books: January February 5 March 4 April 1 May 6 June July 1 August 5 September 2 October 7 November 4 December 2
No Meeting The Children Act Above the East China Sea Lila Ordinary Grace No Meeting Deep Down Dark The Love Song of Miss Queenie Hennessy Redeployment Still Alice The Last Runaway Dead Wake
Ian McEwan Sarah Bird Marilynne Robinson William Kent Krueger Hector Tobar Rachel Joyce Phil Klay Lisa Genova Tracy Chevalier Erik Larson
Music Notes The seasons of Advent and Christmas are filled with beautiful music. There are hymns of expectation, yearning, and even urgency as we eagerly await Christ’s coming. There are gentle songs of reflection as we welcome Christ as an infant child. There are thrilling and jubilant carols as we join with the angels to share the glad tidings of salvation. Join us in worship throughout December and January as we experience the glorious music of the season! Sunday, December 13, is our annual Service of Advent Lessons and Carols. The choirs will sing anthems in a variety of styles at the 9:00 and 11:00 a.m. services, bringing to life the Bible readings for Advent. We begin with anticipation, as the world awaits the Savior. We end with wonder and exuberance as the angel Gabriel announces God’s plan to the Virgin Mary. The timeless liturgy of Morning Prayer, the reading of scripture, the ringing of bells, and the singing of hymns, psalms, and anthems will help you prepare your heart for the coming of Christ this Christmas. Thursday, December 24 is Christmas Eve. The Choristers will sing for the early pageant service at 5:30 p.m. The St. Mark’s Choir will sing for the late service. Plan to come early -- a program of Christmas music will begin at 9:40 p.m., followed by the festive Christmas Eve liturgy at 10:00 p.m. On Sunday, December 27 we will have our annual Christmas Carol Sing during morning worship. Come prepared to request your favorite Christmas songs from the hymnal. Thanks to everyone who ordered poinsettias and wreaths from the Music Ministry! If you haven’t yet paid, please bring checks made out to “St. Mark’s” to the church office, or give them to Mark Reed on Sunday. Please write “Choir Poinsettias” in the memo field of the check. Poinsettias and wreaths will be distributed on Sunday, December 6. Best wishes for a Blessed Advent and a Merry Christmas, Mark Reed Organist and Director of Music
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December 2015 St. Mark’s ECW Successfully Hosts 114th ECW Retreat The 114th annual ECW diocesan retreat was held at Camp Allen from November 20 – 22. St. Mark’s ECW hosted the retreat, and it was a complete success! Approximately 140 women attended, and 22 of them were from St. Mark’s. Lisa Martin was St. Mark’s Honored Churchwoman. The outreach project for the retreat was the St. Mark’s shower ministry. Attendees generously donated more than $1,100 in gift cards to the ministry. Likewise, the St. Mark’s ECW sold handmade items at the retreat marketplace and raised an additional $1,185 that will be donated to the Trinity Center and the Community First! Village. ECW President Pat Bullock would like to thank all the women of St. Mark’s who worked so hard to prepare for and host the event.
Golf Tournament Sponsors The St. Mark’s Men’s Group would like to thank the following sponsors for their gracious support of the 2015 Scholarship Golf Tournament.
Platinum Sponsor Michael Deane Homes, Inc.
Gold Sponsors Susan & Clarence Bonnen The Park on South Lamar The Park at the Domain
Hole Sponsors Annie’s Restaurant Aroma Azarmehr Law Group Cecily Bennett Big Red Dog Engineering Black Sheep Lodge The Bogard Family Shelly Botkin & Ryan Marquess Kay and Jay Brown The Buckner Family The Bullock Family Dru Cabler Beth Chenoweth
Duggins, Wren, Mann & Romero Law Firm Resa and Sam Dunn Suzann Dvorken The Fuhrman Family Golf Cars of Austin Gray Rock Golf Club Green Mesquite The Hay Legal Group, PLLC Hyde Park Grill Nancy and Bill Kibler Kizer Golf Course Carol and Rich Oppel Bo Overstreet
Marie and Bob Peterek Precision Camera Ross Ramsey Red’s Porch David and Susan Randle James Sherrard Shoal Creek Saloon Jean and Frank Severn Diana Stangl Aimee and Rick Tennant Tree House Elizabeth and Philip Turner Brenda and Rex White
Patron Sponsors The Borja Family Mike Davis Terry Dempsey The Forrest Family Becky Janes
Ed Mickler Cathy Nelson George Pazdral Susan and Bill Willis
Golf Committee & Tournament Volunteers Phil Aboussie, Mark Breen, Mike Brode, Kevin Cromack, Al McKinney, Ed Mickler, Andrew Poynot, Bo Overstreet, Ross Ramsey, and James Wier.
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December 2015 News from the Daughters of the King Advent Quiet Day Saturday, December 5th 10 a.m.-2 p.m. The Daughters invite you to attend this day of quiet reflection, meditation, and listening to God's voice in preparing your heart for Christmas. Quiet Days are for men as well as women and members of other parishes are invited. There is a sign-up sheet in the Parish Hall to help us plan, but if you find yourself available to attend and haven't signed up, please come. We provide a simple lunch and end our day with Eucharist. Great News! A Junior Daughters of the King chapter is being formed. Jonea Raney will be our first director and Heather Azarmehr will assist her. If you have a daughter who is interested, please call the office or Jonea. Training will begin in January. Two Thank Yous: We want to thank Neal McGowan, our Seminarian, who spoke to our group in November. It was such an inspirational time of sharing how prayer has affected his life and his decision to pursue the priesthood! Thanks also to all of you who donated to Coats for Kids again this year. Reminder To All Daughters: Our meeting for December will be a salad luncheon at the church after the 11 o'clock service on December 13th in the Common Room rather than the Bennett Wing classroom.
Christian Formation by Cathy Nelson, DRE On November 29, the calendar of the Church year began again with the celebration of Advent. St. Mark’s welcomed the season with the Advent Wreath–Making Event and the appearance of the Angel Tree, our annual outreach tradition of sharing with those in need. Together, our community observes this season of waiting and hoping and getting ready for the coming of Jesus, the Son of God, with these celebrations and the St. Nicholas Day party, the Cookie Exchange, and preparations for the Christmas pageant. We will also prepare ourselves during our worship services as we hear beautiful music from the choirs and listen to the readings from the lectionary calling us to repent and make way for the coming of the Messiah. During the season of Advent we wait with anticipation for the coming of a savior into a dark world, and then look ahead to the second coming. It is a time of joyful celebration and of prayer and repentance. But how can families bring this spiritual preparation into the home in ways that are not drowned out by the secular season of Christmas that began at Halloween this year? Parents often feel rushed and overwhelmed by the lists of to do, dazed by the holiday commercialism, and exhausted by the need to provide our children the perfect celebration of Christmas, all of which leave little space for spiritual reflection. Incorporating some of the symbols and practices found throughout the history of the Church’s celebration of the Christian year into family life can help everyone slow down and prepare for a meaningful celebration of Advent and Christmas. St. Mark’s library has some new and old books specifically about bringing our faith into our homes. They provide suggestions for experiencing the liturgical year with our families through the use of traditions, symbols, prayers, recipes, crafts and more. In Feast! Real Food, Reflections, and Simple Living for the Christian Year, by Haley and Daniel Stewart, a quote from Joan Chittister’s work The Liturgical Year, says it all. “The liturgical year is not an idle discipline, not a sentimentalist definition of piety, not an historical anachronism. It is Jesus with us, for us, and in us as we strive to make His life our own.” Haley Stewart later writes, “What a beautiful gift the Church offers us in the Christian Year! We get to wait for Christ, walk with Him, die with Him, and be raised with Him. We get to use food, music, and
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December 2015 traditions, to help remind us what story we participate in: the cosmic talk of God’s love. We get to live by a different calendar – one that isn’t created by greeting card and candy companies. A rich calendar of redemptive time that makes us take a breath, slow down, grow, change, remember, mourn, and sometimes really kick up our heels and party with joy. It is the opportunity to set your life by a different watch, by holy time.” Book Suggestions:
Feast! Real Food, Reflections, and Simple Living for the Christian Year, by Haley and Daniel Stewart Let Us Keep The Feast, Living the Church Year at Home, Jessica Snell, ed A homemade YEAR, The Blessings of Cooking, Crafting, and Coming Together, by Jerusalem Jackson Greer Passing It On, How to Nurture Your Children’s Faith Season by Season, by Kara Lassen Oliver At Home with God, a Complete Liturgical Guide for the Christian Home, by Gavin Long Celebrate Simply, Nancy Twigg The Anglican Family Prayer Book, Anne E. Kitch A Continual Feast, a cookbook to celebrate the joys of family and faith throughout the Christian year, Evelyn Birge Vitz Feasting for Festivals, Customs and recipes to celebrate the Christian Year, Jan Wilson
Thanks to all of our Church School teachers for the work they have done with St. Mark’s children this fall! And thanks also to those who helped with the preparations and cleanup for the Advent Wreath event!
Adult Formation During the month of December we will only have one Adult Formation class because of Saint Nicholas’ visit to the parish on his feast day (December 6), the Cookie Exchange on the 20th, and the Sunday after Christmas (December 27). However, the one class we have is one you will not want to miss! Local and renowned author, Greg Garrett, will be with us December 13 to discuss his book Entertaining Judgment: The Afterlife in Popular Imagination. Here is a description of the book by Jolyon Mitchell: “In Entertaining Judgment Greg Garrett skillfully leads his readers through a wide range of portrayals of Heaven, Hell, and Purgatory, showing how they continue to populate contemporary imaginings. Going beyond well-known routes, his voyage of discovery includes popular films and television series, novels and comics, pop music and biblical stories.” Dr. Garrett teaches classes in fiction and screenwriting, literature, film and popular culture, and theology at Baylor University. He is the author or co-author of three dozen short stories, a dozen scholarly articles, and twenty books of fiction, nonfiction, and memoir. He is also Residential Scholar at Gladstone’s Library in Wales. Buy yourself a copy for him to sign but join us whether or not you have a chance to read the book between now and then!
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December 2015
Parishioner Highlights Roy and Cheryl, long-time residents of Barton Hills, have both lived lives of service in making the community a better place for people to live. And so it seems their children have followed in their footsteps with equally rewarding lives. So Roy from attorney at law to the FBI and Cheryl pursuing teaching and service with St. Mark’s, I present to you another dynamic St. Mark’s couple that we are fortunate to have in our midst! And from the sounds of it “Flash” the cat is well named living with 2 labs! Beth Chenoweth
Roy and Cheryl Smithers Cheryl and Roy have lived in the Barton Hills Neighborhood for 42 years, moving into their home on Barton Parkway on their oldest son’s first birthday in 1973. They came to St. Mark’s in the 1970s after attending St. David’s Episcopal Church, which was Roy’s church as a child. Their three sons, Austin, Aaron, and Adam, attended St. Mark’s Day School. At present, their son Austin is an attorney living in Austin. Aaron and his wife Emily live in Chapel Hill, North Carolina, and work for the Wilson Library at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. The youngest, Adam, and his wife Joy, just moved back to Austin from Washington, DC. Adam was just licensed as a physical therapist and his wife Joy works for the Texas State Auditor’s Office. They have a cat named Flash and two large white lab granddogs, Slaid and Hays. They are a lot of fun and require much exercise. Slaid is a Pet Therapy dog and with Cheryl visits Barton Hills Assisted Living. He has also won the “Best Dressed Dog” two years in a row at the Barton Hills 4th of July Parade! After coming to St. Mark’s, Cheryl, who was raised in the Methodist Church, took confirmation classes and was confirmed along with their three sons. She has served on the St. Mark’s Day School Board and taught Church School and Bible School for many years. She has also served on many committees and the Vestry, serving as Senior Warden. She currently serves on a most interesting committee, the Long Range Planning Committee. She attends the early church service and has for a number of years. It is a very special part of her week.
Roy grew up in Austin and Cheryl in Cypress, Texas. They met while attending the University of Texas. After graduation, they married and moved to Salt Lake City, Utah where Roy was in the F.B.I. After being transferred and living in Kansas City, Missouri, for a year, they moved back to Austin. Roy worked for the Governor’s Office and the Texas Attorney General’s Office Consumer Protection Division. He then went into private law practice. Now that Cheryl is retired and Roy can basically work when he wishes, they can pursue their hobbies. They are faithful walkers, and they love to garden and read and attend soccer games. They have always traveled due to Roy’s volunteer soccer jobs and made many family trips while the boys were young. Since retirement, they have had much more time to travel. They love to visit New York City, where Cheryl’s niece lives, the North Carolina mountains, Maine, and Europe, especially France and Italy. They are looking forward to many more travel adventures. Roy, a semi-retired attorney, manages the family real estate rental business and volunteers as chair of several committees for the United States Youth Soccer Association. Cheryl retired two years ago from Faith United Methodist Preschool, where she was the Director and taught for 32 years. She still works for Faith when needed and loves being with the children. They love the Barton Hills neighborhood. Even though their sons are long graduated from Barton Hills, Roy is the chairman of the Barton Hills Community Park Executive Committee. The Committee is responsible for new landscaping, new playground equipment, and the wonderful and almost complete mosaic mural. The Committee has many additional plans for future park improvements. They look forward to many more years at St. Mark’s!
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December 2015
December Celebrations Birthdays Christopher Olivas Benjamin Ramsey Susan Randle Sharon Scarborough Ray Smith Brodie Doidge Bill Adkins Jonathan Van de Streek Gage Pitt Paul Berndt Sue Borel Ryder Denniston Yvette Webb Jim Casparis Brian Crozier
12/01 12/01 12/04 12/05 12/07 12/08 12/10 12/10 12/11 12/13 12/13 12/13 12/13 12/14 12/14
Ashley Denniston Sonia Randle Sam Dunn Kay Brown Patrick Camp David Kurak Ella Blanding Clara Bogard Zachary Mayor Robert Romero Genevieve Van de Streek Jack Considine Terry Dempsey Casey Edgerton William Pugsley
12/14 12/14 12/15 12/16 12/16 12/16 12/17 12/17 12/17 12/17 12/17 12/18 12/18 12/18 12/18
Beverly Crozier Bradley Castleberry Sandy Harwood Melissa Markman Misty Stafford Sandy Sterzing Cynthia Zuniga Zachary Borja Lily Phillips Flo Puryear Jon Dullnig Ann Seyler Mary Carole Sitzes Jenna Ramsey
12/19 12/20 12/21 12/21 12/21 12/21 12/21 12/22 12/22 12/24 12/25 12/27 12/27 12/31
Anniversaries Silvia & Adam Gates Susan & Bill Willis Sloan & David Kurak Amy Newman & Sandy Harwood Phyllis & Dennis Millirons Marty & Jim Clark Vanessa & Matt Joyce Pattie Rose & Michael Davis Don Camp & Kim Kiplin Amy & Kevin Farley Shirley & Lloyd Schwartz Berit Kragas & Dave Thiessen Julie & Kyle Rush
12/04 12/10 12/15 12/17 12/18 12/22 12/27 12/27 12/28 12/29 12/29 12/31 12/31
December Caffeine Ministry You will notice a change on this Caffeine Ministry list. Dear and faithful Beth Chenoweth makes the lemonade and sets out the cookies before the 7:30 service, so this schedule only has a team for cleaning up after the 11:00 service. All that is asked is that the assigned team stays after coffee fellowship to wash coffee pots, put away leftover cookies, and clean counters. (So, no early duty---help is now only needed after the 11 a.m. service) Thank you! EZT+ Vestry Contact: Jill Collins 6 13 20 27
Amalia and Manuel de la Rosa Laura and Chris Delfausse Marsha and Terry Dempsey Lisa and Jeff Doidge
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December 2015
December ROTA MINISTRY
December 6 Advent 2
December 13
December 20 Advent 4
December 27 Carol sing
January 3
LECTOR
Amelia Sondgeroth
Jonea Raney
John Dullnig
Pattie Rose
Amelia Sondgeroth
LEM/ACOLYTE
Pattie Rose
Jill Collins
Margarita Moreno
Jonea Raney
Wes Raney
USHERS
Jonea Raney Jill Collins
Danielle Adkins Stephen White
Ed Shipsey Al McKinney
Beth Chenoweth Mary Smith
Jon & Judith Dullnig
LECTORS
GREETERS
Mike Thomasson (1) Lynn Edgerton (2) Neal McGowan Becky Janes Ariston Awitan IV Claudia Janes Matthew Awitan Henry Janes Kim B., Carol Mark Breen Dodie Wells Dee Ann Thomasson Yvette Webb Pam Castles
Brian Kelly (1) Mary Alis Kelly (2) Bill Kibler Carol Oppel Abbe Kelly Will Kelly Nora Kelly Evan Overstreet Carol Ken Whalen Michael Brown TBD Laura Merritt Ellie Reshetnikov
Michael Brown (1) Nancy Kibler (2) Pam Castles Gary Taylor Suzanne Lightsey Meredith Childs TBD TBD Kim B. John Edgerton Lynn Edgerton Kevin Cromack Michael Meigs Diana Stangl
Becky Janes (1) Phil Aboussie (2) Kim Buckner Mike Thomasson Claudia Janes Ethan Fuhrman Henry Janes Hunter Rogers Kim B. Mark Breen Dee Ann Thomasson Dodie Wells Yvette Webb Pam Castles
LECTORS
Chris Blanding (1) Melissa Blanding (2)
Rex White, Karen Milton, Michael Meigs, Meredith Childs, Kevin Childs
Michele Bonner (1) Dave Elkins (2)
Christie Stockstill (1) Cindy Bogard (2)
Kevin Childs (1) Meredith Childs (2)
LEMS
Jay Brown Liz Davis Sophie Lawrence Claire Cabler Xander Stockstill Morgan Dew Jay, Cindy
N/A
Rex White Brenda White
Michele Bonner Dru Cabler
Michael Meigs (only Crucifer needed)
Emma Baxter-Harwell
Ann Seyler Roger Seyler Matt Forrest Luke Thiessen Ben Forrest Sam Forrest Cindy
USHERS
Carolyn Wier James Wier Henry Olivas Rick Tennant John De Marines
Jim Casparis Charles Brewer Bob Peterek Manuel de la Rosa Jim Nolan Ryan Marquess
Henry Olivas Yvonne Chavez Darlene Goodnight Debbie Thornal Sandy Sterzing
Frank & Jean Severn Jay Doran Jodi Doran Pam Johns David Johns
Carolyn Wier James Wier Bo Overstreet Rick Tennant John De Marines
GREETERS
Jean & Frank Severn
Jay Doran
Shelly Botkin Ryan Marquess
Steve Niemeyer Barbara Dody
Jean & Frank Severn
Sat. 9:00
Jonea Raney-TC Jill Collins Carolyn Wier Pat Bullock Helen Anderson
Meredith Childs-TC Liz Davis Darlene Goodnight Debbie Thornal Jennifer McGowan
Depositor
Frank Severn
Diane Brewer
Jim Casparis
John DeMarines
Bo Overstreet
WED. 6 p.m.
December 2
December 9
December 16
December 23
December 30
Lector
Jill Collins
Rex White
Wes Raney
Pattie Rose
Jonea Raney
7:30
TIME
9:00
LEMS
ACOLYTES
USHERS
ALTAR GUILD
11:00
ACOLYTES
Lessons & Carols Advent 3 Choristers +Choir
YOUTH N/A Aidan Brady (only Crucifer needed) Kim B., Carol Mike Brode Phil Aboussie Ross Ramsey Kevin Cromack Meredith Childs
Bonnie Brode Josef Genet Ryan Dempsey Jay
Cindy
Max Genet Josef Genet Emma Kloninger Meredith Shaw
Dec. 19 Altar Guild Dee Ann Thomasson-TC Work Party! Lynn Edgerton Diana Stangl-TC, Millie Henry Olivas Casparis, Judy Elkins, Susan Baxter-Harwell Karen Milton Tina Barbara Dody Stonebarger
Jonea Raney-TC Jill Collins Carolyn Wier Pat Bullock
DECEMBER 24, CHRISTMAS EVE SERVICES: 5:30 p.m. 10:00 p.m.
Lectors: Narrator: Ellise Johnson Lectors: Kay Brown & Beth Holmes
LEMS: Kim Buckner Carol Oppel LEMS: Michele Bonner & Pattie Rose
Acolytes Abbe Kelly, Will Kelly, Nora Kelly, Henry Janes Acolytes: Jay Brown, TBD, Sophie Lawrence, Wenlan Lawrence
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Ushers: TBD Ushers: TBD
December 2015
Vestry J.P. Kloninger, Sr. Warden Diana Stangl, Jr. Warden
Vestry members: Clarence Bonnen, Michele Bonner, Shelly Botkin, Mark Breen, Jill Collins, John Cooper, Karen Dulaney Smith, Suzann Dvorken, David Johns, Nancy Kibler, Karen Milton, Jim Nolan, and David Randle
Committees
Staff
Acolytes: Jay Brown, Carol Oppel, Cindy Cabler, Kim Kiplin, and Kim Buckner
Rector The Rev. Elizabeth Zarelli Turner
Altar Guild: Millie Casparis
Director of Religious Education Cathy Nelson
Building Committee: Amelia Sondgeroth
Organist/Director of Music Mark Reed
Christian Formation: Cathy Nelson Communications: Pattie Rose
Seminarian Neal McGowan
Daughters of the King: Pam Johns
Head of Day School Anne Wingler
Women of St. Mark’s: Pat Bullock Facilities: Ray Smith Deadline for the January 2016 St. Mark’s News is Tuesday, December 15, 2015. Please submit your article by email as an attachment to: stmarksaustin@gmail.com.
Parish Administrator Joanne Foote
Finance: John Edgerton Outreach: Laurie Mayor Parish Life: Brenda White
Newsletter Editor Becky Janes
Pastoral Care/Health Ministry: Jonea C.S. Raney Stewardship: Amelia Sondgeroth and Dru Cabler Ushers: Henry Olivas
St. Mark’s Episcopal Church 2128 Barton Hills Drive Austin, TX 78704 512.444.1449 www.stmarksaustin.org stmarksaustin@gmail.com
CHANGE SERVICE REQUESTED
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