December 2017
St. Mark’s News Volume 21/Issue 11
The Spirit of Advent-ure We begin a new Church year Sunday, December 3, with the season of Advent, and changing to Lectionary Year B. There are many and varied sources of this opening phase of our life together—each rooted in the particular circumstance of the early church in east and west. It is not as if our calendar with its colors and rituals just appeared. Rather, it took centuries for these rhythms to develop and have characteristics of the traditions in which they were born. They continue to evolve. For example, the Advent wreath, a distinct marker of our life before Christmas is fairly new, especially in America. We have four Collects for Advent, the special prayers offered at the beginning of worship. Two of the Collects date from the 8th century, one from the first prayer pook in 1549, and one that is brand new to the 1979 Book of Common Prayer. Marion Hatchett, a great authority on the Book of Common Prayer, points out that eventually both Christmas and Epiphany were celebrated throughout the Christian world. An anticipatory element appeared in the weeks before Christmas, and a time of preparation developed prior to baptisms in Epiphany. Advent resulted from the joining of these two traditions—a mixture of joy and penitence. Some might say that joy and penitence are the anchoring emotions of every day of Christian life, fully captured in our Eucharistic celebrations.
In this Issue From Fr. Bill .............................. 1 Vestry Highlights........................ 2 Advent Schedule ....................... 3 Caffeine Ministry ........................ 3 Outreach .................................... 4 Parish Life.................................. 4 Music Notes ............................... 5 Christian Formation ................... 7 Parishioner Highlights ................ 8 Celebrations .............................. 9 ROTA ...................................... 10 Seen Around St. Mark’s ........... 11
The word “Advent” meaning “arrival” or “about to come” shares (depending on who you consult) a common root with the word “adventure.” I love the sense of anticipation and excitement that this implies. We are preparing for the greatest adventure of human life, not only with the celebration of Christ’s birth but also looking forward to his coming again, bringing the Kingdom of God into a hurting world. May we capture this hope as we begin a new year together. Bill
Mark Your Calendar: Bishop Visitation Bishop Dena Harrison will be at St. Mark’s on Sunday February 4th for our annual Bishop’s visitation and service of Confirmation/Reception at the 11:00 service.
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December 2017
Rector Search & Vestry Update Dear St. Mark’s Family, We hope you had a blessed Thanksgiving Day and weekend. We want to inform you of a few decisions that were made in the November 21st vestry meeting.
Rector Search In the October newsletter, we indicated that the vestry would choose a search committee of seven members. The vestry revisited that decision and enlarged it to twelve members: two vestry members and ten non-vestry members. This will allow the search committee maximum flexibility in spreading the work load and for multiple interviews over the same weekend. Also, five of the current vestry members will go off the vestry in January at the Annual Parish Meeting. The vestry decided that outgoing members and their spouses may be candidates for selection to the search committee under two conditions: The outgoing vestry member is not allowed to participate in the search committee selection process or discuss or vote on any rector search matter that comes before the vestry between the time of search committee selection and the end of their term in January 2018. I want to thank everyone who provided nominations for the search committee. You gave the vestry a good slate from which to choose. The vestry has selected a final group of search committee members, all of whom have been contacted and agreed to serve our parish on the search committee. The members are Mark Breen, Jay Brown, Pat Bullock, John Cooper, Suzann Dvorken, Scott Forrest, Marjie Lawrence, Michael Meigs, Jonea Raney, Jennifer Shaw, Amelia Sondgeroth, and Christie Stockstill. The vestry chose the members for their leadership abilities, particular talents that you revealed to us in your nominations, and their proven ability to work with others toward a common goal. The vestry attempted to make sure that that the committee represented our ministries, spanned age ranges, and balanced genders. We are grateful this committee has agreed to share their time and talents in this critical part of our search for a new rector. Remember that all the work of the search committee will be confidential and it is important that we all respect this and allow them time to do their work. Additionally, the vestry approved the parish profile, and the senior warden sent it to the Diocese of Texas for its approval. As soon as the Diocese approves it, the Diocesan Communications team will create a Transition website for St. Mark’s. We will let you know when that has been accomplished and provide a link to it from the St. Mark’s website. Thank you to our parish profile committee for their hard work completing this step in the process.
Diocesan Council Your vestry approved a slate of delegates for Diocesan Council: Melissa Blanding, Dru Cabler, Marjie Lawrence, and Becky Poynot. It will take place in Waco, Texas, from February 15th through February 17th. This is the annual meeting to discuss the business of the Diocese of Texas. Bishop Doyle presides over the event and Reverends Fowler and Peters will also be in attendance. Any changes to the Diocese of Texas’s constitution or canons must be approved by this council. If you have questions, please feel free to contact either of us or any vestry member. Clarence Bonnen & Melissa Blanding Wardens
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December 2017
Advent, Christmas, & New Year’s Worship Services December 2 Daughters of the King Quiet Day from 10 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. Hosted by the DOK; all are welcome. Lunch provided. RSVP to Judy at judyelkins@me.com. December 3, Advent 1: 7:30 a.m., 9:00 a.m., 11:00 a.m. Holy Eucharist Join us at 10 a.m. for wassail, cookies, and Advent wreath making in the Parish Hall. Wreath supplies provided. December 10, Advent 2: 7:30 a.m., 9:00 a.m., 11:00 a.m. Holy Eucharist No Christian Formation. December 17, Advent 3, Lessons and Carols: 9:00 a.m. Share a Sweet Day: bring a sweet treat to share with others 10:00 a.m. Lessons and Carols December 24, Advent 4 & Christmas Eve: 9:00 a.m. Holy Eucharist 5:30 p.m. Holy Eucharist and Pageant (Pageant participants arrive at 4:45 p.m.) 9:40 p.m. Choral Prelude 10:00 p.m. Holy Eucharist December 25, Christmas Day: 9:00 a.m. Holy Eucharist December 31, New Year’s Eve: 8:00 a.m. Holy Eucharist, Rite I 10:00 a.m. Holy Eucharist, Rite II, with Carol Sing at 10:00 a.m.
Caffeine Ministry December – Vestry Contact – Jill Collins 3 10 17 24 31
L.A. & Ann Williams Stephen & Barbara Wilson Ryan Yard & Misty Stafford Christmas Eve New Year’s Eve
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December 2017
Outreach Gratitude. St. Mark’s raised $436.13 for UNICEF this year! That is significantly more than last year! Thank you for your ongoing generosity to the communities beyond the walls of St. Mark’s. Thank you all for your participation in the El Buen Samaritano Hands for Hope event. El Buen provided 1,000 Austin families with food for a Thanksgiving meal this year. And thank you to our Parish Turkey, the wonderful Resa Dunn, for her enthusiasm to spread the word about this important event, and to those who volunteered at the Distribution Day.
Angel Tree. The spirit of giving and love continues as we quickly roll into December! We are honored to support SAFE Alliance again this Christmas. SAFE is the merger of Austin Children’s Shelter and Safe Place and is dedicated to ending child abuse, sexual assault, and domestic violence. Year round, the SAFE 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 children, youth and adults they serve. Please consider taking an angel tag home and purchasing a gift for a SAFE client this Christmas. Please follow the directions below when you take a tag from the tree: 1.
Select your angel tag from the tree.
2.
Sign your name next to your gift item on the spreadsheet.
3.
Save your angel tag and return it with your UNWRAPPED gift!
4.
Place your gift and tag under the tree by Sunday, December 10th.
We would love help dropping the gifts off at SAFE Alliance the following week. Sign-up on the angel spreadsheet and you will be contacted with more details.
Please note: The Outreach Committee will not meet on December 3 at noon. Instead, we will gather on December 10, after the 11 a.m. service, to sort Angel Tree Gifts. Lunch will be provided. Thank you for the generosity and love you so freely share all year and especially at Christmas!
Parish Life The Page Turners Friday Book Group Our last meeting of 2017 will be Friday, December 1. We meet at 11:00 a.m. in the Bennett Wing classroom and the book we are discussing is The Long Way Home by Saroo Brierley. Books selected for early 2018: January 5, 2018. News of the World by Paulette Jiles (Amazon 4 1/2 stars). Set in the aftermath of the Civil War and a National Book Award finalist. February 2, 2018. The Sympathizer by Viet Thanh Nguyen (Amazon 4 stars). Set in Viet Nam, the narrator is a Communist double agent. This is a sweeping novel of love and betrayal. It is a 2016 Pulitzer Prize winner for fiction. March 2, 2018. Shrouded by Meredith Lee (Amazon 4 1/2 stars). American graduate student Crispin Leads arrives at the Vatican to study the Shroud of Turin and becomes a witness to a murder and is subsequently drawn into the investigation of multiple homicides.
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December 2017
Men’s Group Date change for December only! “His Joyceness” is planning a great Christmas dinner this year! However, due to issues beyond our control, our meeting has moved one day to Tuesday, December 12, at 6:30 p.m.
Altar Guild Tidy Time: Thursday, December 21 It’s almost TIDY TIME at St. Mark's. Please mark your calendars for our semi-annual cleanup in the Sanctuary: Thursday, December 21, beginning at 9 a.m. We'll need dusters, vacuum cleaners, polishers, and ladder climbers. If you have a small hand-held vacuum cleaner, please bring it. The altar guild needs you to help make St. Mark's really sparkle for the holidays and beyond. Light refreshments will be available. Many hands make light work!
Music Notes Plan to attend A Festival of Lessons and Carols presented by the St. Mark’s Choir, Youth Ensemble, and Choristers on Sunday, December 17th at 10 a.m. The liturgy of Lessons and Carols has been used in Anglican churches for nearly 140 years. The service from King’s College, Cambridge is famously broadcast around the world by the BBC every Christmas Eve. This service centers around nine readings (lessons) that tell the Christmas story. Throughout the service, our choirs will sing beautiful carols for the Advent and Christmas seasons. Please invite your friends and neighbors to attend! We will be joined by a special guest conductor, my good friend and former colleague Linda Williams. The Rev. Linda Williams grew up singing and playing the piano before attending the University of Missouri to major in music. She and her husband Wayne have been together since junior high. Wayne served in the military, and for a time they were stationed at Ft. Hood before Wayne went to Vietnam. While Wayne was deployed in Vietnam, Linda continued her education at Mary Hardin Baylor University and the University of Iowa. When Wayne returned home, he got a job with a financial company in Pittsburgh, where they moved in 1972. Linda was hired to coordinate the large children’s choir program at Christ United Methodist Church in suburban Pittsburgh. At the time, Christ Church was the largest Methodist congregation in the Northeast. When the Director of Music left the church, Linda became interim director. She was soon appointed permanent Director of Music, and served in this capacity from the early 1980s until 2016. Linda continued to develop her skills by spending four summers at Southern Methodist University. The SMU summer institute focused on the musical and theological aspects of sacred music. Linda studied conducting privately with SMU professor Jane Marshall. She later spent several years engaged in private study with Robert Page, who was then the conductor of the Cleveland Orchestra Chorus, the Mendelssohn Choir of Pittsburgh, and a professor at Carnegie Mellon University. Linda furthered her studies at the Pittsburgh Theological Seminary and became a Diaconal Minister of Music in 1990. She continued through the United Methodist ordination process to be ordained a permanent Deacon in 1997. Deacons in the UMC are ordained to service ministry and commissioned to connect the church to the world. Her title at Christ Church became Minister of Music and Worship Life. I was privileged to serve as the Organist and Associate Director of Music at Christ Church under Linda Williams from 2003 to 2010. It was a true joy to make music with her, and I’m thrilled that she and her husband Wayne will be joining us for Lessons and Carols. Before her retirement, Linda and Wayne brought the 50-voice youth choir from Christ Church here to St. Mark’s. This time, she will coach our Adult Choir and Youth Ensemble in a Saturday workshop, and then conduct the choirs for the Lessons and Carols service. We hope you’ll join us at 10 a.m. on Sunday, December 17th!
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December 2017
Good News to share concerning the Shower Ministry! Alternative Gift Market at St. John’s UMC. This is our third year to be chosen as one of the charities to participate in St. John's UMC “Gifts of Hope: Alternative Gift Market.” The Market offers unique holiday gifts from around the world and handcrafted items from St. John's members. Local charities, including St. Mark’s Shower Ministry, will be on hand offering opportunities to honor others through contributions. Holiday goodies and time saving frozen casseroles and pies are available in the Bake Shop. Visit the Market on Saturday, Dec. 2 from 10 a.m. – 3 p.m. and Sunday, Dec. 3 from 12 p.m. to 3 p.m., 2140 Allandale Rd. ECW National Board Triennial. The Shower Ministry has been chosen as the Community Connection Gift recipient at the National ECW Triennial conference, which will be held in Austin July 5-13, 2018. Conference attendees (numbering around 350-500) are being asked to bring travel size personal hygiene items that will be used to make our summer survival kits and/or make monetary contributions. Pat Bullock will hold a workshop during the conference that will give a history of the Shower Ministry, and attendees at the workshop will assemble the kits. We are so grateful to be selected as their Community Connection and look forward to the Triennial. More information about the Triennial will be available after the first of the year. Donations of $525 made in memory of Sandy Sterzing. Sandy always had a smile and words of encouragement for the neighbors we serve. And for those who volunteered with her, Sandy was a sweet example of Christian love and service, and we will always treasure the fellowship we had with her.
Please join the St. Mark’s Women’s Group at the following events Alternative Gift Market at St. John’s UMC, December 2 and 3. Both the Shower Ministry and The Storybook Project will benefit from your participation. See above for location and schedule. Cherrywood Art Festival, December 9. Let’s go together to the Cherrywood Art Festival! We could meet in our parking lot at 10 a.m. and carpool to 38½ Street and Maplewood. RSVP to Diana Stangl, dstangl@austin.rr.com, if interested! Admission is free and there will be food and art for sale. Blue Genie Art festival. Blue Genie is open from 10 a.m. to 10 p.m. every day from 11/24 through 12/24. If anyone wants to go together we could organize small groups. If anyone is really feeling adventurous on December 9th we could have a car load go to both Cherrywood and Blue Genie! Thank you all for your patience as we worked through the communication issues. And many thanks to Joanne Foote and Liz Davis for getting us back on track. Since we were not able to get a bus trip planned this year, we will try to get something organized for the spring! Keep sending Diana your ideas!
Pat Bullock named St. Mark’s Women’s Group 2107 Honored Woman Pat has been active in many of our ministries. Never one to want the spotlight, she quietly shows up and serves where needed. She is a member of the Altar Guild, the Martha’s, the Daughters of the King, and the Quilters’ Group. She served as President of the Women’s Group for two years and VicePresident before that. While President, she served as the Host Committee Chair when St. Mark’s Women’s Group hosted the 2015 annual retreat at Camp Allen. When our longtime treasurer had to step down recently, Pat stepped up to take on the treasurer duties. In 2010 St. Mark’s established the Shower Ministry at the Trinity Center and Pat signed up as one of the first group of volunteers. In 2013 Pat became the coordinator of the Shower Ministry. It is easy to see why we think she is so deserving of this recognition! Thank you Pat for all of your service!
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December 2017
Christian Formation for Children, by Cindy Cabler, DRE As your new DRE, I want to say how excited I am to be working with my St. Mark’s family as we move into the season of Advent. Personally, this is my favorite time of the year; as I reflect back, I realize that some of my fondest memories of this season were made at St. Mark’s: my then little daughter dressed as a sheep in the pageant; making a wreath with the same daughter a few years later; singing Silent Night as the lights were dimmed on Christmas Eve and feeling the profound mystery of the moment. Once again, I am filled with anticipation for this special time. First Advent falls on December 3rd this year, and there are a number of activities planned to usher in the season. Advent is a time for preparation, and we will be busy getting ready for the pageant to be presented on Christmas Eve. We will also herald the start of Advent with our tradition of intergenerational wreath making in the parish hall. Last but certainly not least, we will be celebrating the Feast day of St. Nicholas with a very special visitor. I’m looking forward to making new memories with all of you!
Wreath-making details & visit from St. Nicolas: December 3rd, 10 a.m., Parish Hall Enjoy some wassail and make a memory with your family and friends as you make a new wreath or refresh an old one. Additional resources to help you and your family celebrate the season will be available in the Parish Hall. Christmas Pageant Details. No Children’s Formation classes during Advent. Instead, we will be preparing for the pageant. There are parts for all who wish to participate! We have both speaking and non-speaking roles; we even accept walk-ons the night of the pageant, as we encourage young family members who are visiting to participate too–there’s always room for another shepherd, sheep or angel! We also welcome participation “behind the scenes” by our youth, helping the children learn their lines and lead them to their positions as well as providing the much-needed support for the scenery.
December 3, 10 a.m., Common Room -- begin choosing parts and speaking roles; pick out costumes. December 10, 10 a.m., Common Room – continue choosing parts & costumes; practice lines. December 17, 11 a.m., Common Room – please note the time (only one service on this day at 10); continue practicing. This is also Share a Sweet Day! Bring a sweet treat to share with others in the Parish Hall before the 10 a.m. service. December 24, 4:45 p.m., Common Room – assemble & dress for pageant, with a quick run-through (and photo op). December 24, 5:30 p.m., show time!
Youth Confirmation classes continue on Dec. 3 and Dec. 10 (makeup class) at 10 a.m.
Adult Formation December
December 3, 10 a.m. come to the Parish Hall for Intergenerational Advent Wreath Making and a visit from St. Nicolas! See the calendar on page 3 for Advent, Christmas & New Year’s Events & worship service times.
Adult Confirmation Classes Bishop Dena Harrison will be at St. Mark’s on Sunday February 4th, for our annual Bishop’s visitation and service of Confirmation/Reception at the 11:00 service. For adults interested in being confirmed/received in the Episcopal Church, please contact Father Bill, or David+, to learn about adult confirmation opportunities.
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December 2017
Parishioner Highlights I am so pleased to be able to feature Carol and Rich Oppel this month. They both lead extremely busy lives but agreed that the time was right to be featured in the December newsletter. I loved Rich’s response related to the photo: “Please use the photo of the two of us that is in the 2014 church directory. I’ve got more hair in that picture, although Carol has only gotten younger since the picture was taken.” This article was written by Rich with I am sure guidance and direction from Carol. I can’t imagine walking in either of their shoes! Their children seem to have followed in their parents’ footsteps with vocations that speak to communication and public relations.
Beth Chenoweth
Carol and Rich Oppel We joined the St. Mark’s Episcopal Church family in January 1997, about 18 months after coming to Austin. The trigger event was a going-away party at the Episcopal Seminary of the Southwest, where Carol was studying for her Masters in Religion degree. The party was for ESSW Provost The Rev. Bill Bennett, who was leaving to join St. Mark’s as rector. We’ve been members for 20 years, longer than at any of the other five Episcopal churches in our 50-year marriage. Carol has been an active Episcopalian since age 8. And when I say active, I mean active. Just at St. Mark’s, she has become a Licensed Lay Preacher in the Diocese of Texas; an acolyte; acolyte supervisor; Lay Eucharistic Minister; and member of the vestry. She created and organized the Pastoral Care Commission; and participated in Christian Formation/Adult Education as a writer and teacher; served on the Curate’s and Seminarian’s Lay Committees, and the Regional Discernment Committee. Elsewhere in Austin, Carol has been a chaplain at Lifeworks, the homeless teenager intake center; and a chaplain at El Buen Samaritano, where her fluency in Spanish served that mission well. Before we came to Austin, Carol was a writer and editor for various parish, diocesan and national Episcopal publications. As for me, I’ve led a couple of Sunday school classes, missed only a couple of men’s fishing trips in 20 years, and now manage to get to church about once a month. Consider me the trailing spouse, but one who along with Carol loves the people, clergy and spirit of St. Mark’s. In our secular lives, we’ve followed the route of the typical newspaper editor, who gets kicked out of town
on the average of once every seven years. We met in Tallahassee in 1966 on a double blind date, swapping partners as quickly as we could, then after a torrid courtship getting married six months later. I worked as an Associated Press writer or bureau chief in Tallahassee (twice), Tampa, Miami (twice) and Detroit. I quit to become associate editor of the Detroit Free Press in 1976; then was editor of The Tallahassee Democrat (1976-78), editor of The Charlotte Observer (1978-93), Washington bureau chief for Knight Ridder Newspapers (1993-95) and editor of the Austin American-Statesman (1995-2008). After each such move, Carol stepped in to lead her experienced deployment of securing homes, schools, church relationships and dentists. Along the way, I served as president of the American Society of Newspaper Editors (2000), chairman of the Pulitzer Prize Board (2009), and vice president of Huston-Tillotson University (2015) in Austin. Since then, I’ve been dabbling in public relations….but less and less as time rolls on. We have two children, Rich Jr., 49, a national correspondent for The New York Times who lives in Brooklyn. Rich, a bachelor, also served as a war correspondent in Iraq and Afghanistan. His sister Shelby Oppel Wood, 44, lives in Portland, Oregon, and is a former columnist for the Oregonian, now working in advertising and public relations. She is married to Dr. Nate Wood, one of the federal government’s leading research scientists on tsunamis, landslides and coastal evacuations. They are parents of our two grandchildren, Elektra, 11, and Roxy, 8, who are the loves of our lives. Carol’s hobbies and interests are the Protestant Reformation in England, the Book of Common Prayer, and the life of Archbishop Thomas Cranmer. Mine include fishing, swimming and reading.
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December 2017
December Celebration Birthdays Remy Hatton Christopher Olivas Benjamin Ramsey Grace Kochelek Amy Sepos Susan Randle Cassandra Gehlken Winston Raines Ray Smith Brodie Doidge Bill Adkins Sarah Bancroft Jeff Steinberg Jonathan Vande Streek Gage Pitt Paul Berndt Sue Borel Ryder Denniston Yvette Webb Brian Crozier Ashley Denniston Samantha Linderman Sonia Randle Sam Dunn Kay Brown Patrick Camp Rachel Jackson David Kurak
Dec 1 Dec 1 Dec 1 Dec 3 Dec 3 Dec 4 Dec 5 Dec 7 Dec 7 Dec 8 Dec 10 Dec 10 Dec 10 Dec 10 Dec 11 Dec 13 Dec 13 Dec 13 Dec 13 Dec 14 Dec 14 Dec 14 Dec 14 Dec 15 Dec 16 Dec 16 Dec 16 Dec 16
Ella Blanding Clara Bogard Zachary Mayor Robert Romero Genevieve Vande Streek Jack Considine Terry Dempsey William Pugsley Beverly Crozier Olivia Llull Douglas Smith Sandy Harwood Melissa Markman Misty Stafford Cynthia Zuniga Zachary Borja Lily Phillips Win Lee Flo Puryear Jon Dullnig Nolan Duffin Ann Seyler Mary Carole Sitzes Harper Stilson Samuel Parker Jenna Ramsey
Dec 17 Dec 17 Dec 17 Dec 17 Dec 17 Dec 18 Dec 18 Dec 18 Dec 19 Dec 19 Dec 20 Dec 21 Dec 21 Dec 21 Dec 21 Dec 22 Dec 22 Dec 23 Dec 24 Dec 25 Dec 26 Dec 27 Dec 27 Dec 28 Dec 30 Dec 31
Anniversaries Susan & Bill Willis Tracy & Matthew Cain Sloan & David Kurak Amy Newman & Sandy Harwood Phyllis & Dennis Millirons Marty & Jim Clark Pattie Rose & Mike Davis Vanessa & Matt Joyce Kim Kiplin & Don Camp Amy & Kevin Farley Shirley & Lloyd Schwartz Berit Kragas & Dave Thiessen Julie & Kyle Rush
Dec 10 Dec 14 Dec 15 Dec 17 Dec 18 Dec 22 Dec 27 Dec 27 Dec 28 Dec 29 Dec 29 Dec 31 Dec 31
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December 2017
December ROTA TIME
December 3 Advent 1
December 10 Advent 2
Margarita Moreno
Amelia Sondgeroth
LEM / ACOLYTE
Jill Collins
Pattie Rose
USHERS
Beth Chenoweth Mary Smith
Judith & Jon Dullnig
LECTORS
Christine Brunson (1) Bill Kibler (2)
MINISTRY
7:30
LECTOR
Carol Oppel Rex White Claire Cabler Hunter Rogers Mairin Bachschmid Lucas Breen Nancy B. Mark Breen
December 17 Lessons & Carols Advent 3
December 24 Christmas Eve Advent 4
Pattie Rose NO 7:30 Service
NO 7:30 Service
Beatrice Reshetnikov,
and Will Kelly Kim Buckner Brian Prall Will Kelly Matthew Awitan Nora Kelly
Nancy Middlebrook Danielle Adkins Stephen White
10: 00 AM
Brodie Doidge,
December 31 Carol sing 8 & 10 AM
9: 00 AM Mike Thomasson, Dodie Wells, Meredith Christine Brunson (1) Childs, Kevin Childs, Phil Aboussie (2) Nora Kelly, & Will Kelly
10: 00 AM Melissa Blanding (1) Chris Blanding (2) Pam Castles Liz Davis Clay Buckner Karen Milton Michael Meigs Mairin Bach Nancy B. Mark Breen Dee Ann Thomasson Dodie Wells Amalia de la Rosa
None needed
TBD
Ariston Awitan IV (only Crucifer needed) Carol
No acolytes needed
Ken Whalen Barbara Wilson Stephen Wilson
John Cooper Wade Buckner Dan Bogard
Michael Meigs
Yvette Webb
Diana Stangl
Jean & Frank Severn
Chris Blanding (1) Dave Elkins (2)
Suzann Dvorken (1) Andrea Michael (2)
December 17
December 24
December 31
Dru Cabler Rex White
Jay Brown Liz Davis
NO 11:00 A.M. SERVICE.
NO 11:00 A.M. SERVICE.
NO 11:00 A.M. SERVICE
Ryan Dempsey Michael Meigs Clara Baumgart Josie Baumgart Cindy Carolyn Wier James Wier JP Kloninger Bo Overstreet Rick Tennant John De Marines Steve Niemeyer Barbara Dody Jonea Raney-TC Jill Collins Karen Milton Carolyn Wier
Matt Forrest Sam Forrest Ben Forrest Nick Forrest Jay
Lessons & Carols at 10 a.m.
Christmas Eve
Services are at 8 & 10 a.m. Join us for the Carol Sing at 10 a.m.!
Shelly Botkin Ryan Marquess Dee Ann Thomasson-TC Susie Baxter-Harwell Darlene Goodnight
Cecily Bennett
WED. 6 p.m.
Lector
9:00
LEM
ACOLYTES
USHERS
GREETERS LECTORS
11:00
LEM
ACOLYTES
USHERS
ALTAR GUILD
GREETERS
Sat. 9:00
Depositor
Christmas Eve
5:30 p.m. 10 p.m
Dee Ann Thomasson
Dodie Wells Amalia de la Rosa Laura Merritt Ellie Reshetnikov
Beatrice Reshetnikov
Kim B. Mike Brode Phil Aboussie Ross Ramsey Stephanie Young
Evening services:
5:30 p.m. Holy Eucharist & Christmas Pageant
Charles Brewer Bob Peterek Manuel de la Rosa Jim Nolan Ryan Marquess
9:40 p.m.: Choral Prelude 10 p.m.: Holy Eucharist
Karen Milton-TC Henry Olivas Tina Stonebarger
Judy Elkins-TC Debbie Thornal Clara Bogard Pat Bullock
Diana Stangl-TC Evelyn McMillen Dodie Wells
Megan Ching
Ed Mickler
John De Marines
Bo Overstreet
December 6
December 13
December 20
December 27
January 3
Dodie Wells
Jay Brown
Rex White
Jill Collins
Pattie Rose
Lectors: TBD Lectors: TBD
Acolytes: Abbe Kelly, Narrator: Brodie Doidge LEMS: TBD Will Kelly, Nora Kelly Acolytes: Claudia Janes, Henry LEMS: Becky Janes & TBD Janes, and torches TBD
Ushers: TBD Ushers:TBD
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December 2017
Seen Around St. Mark’s (and beyond!)
Women’s Group Members at the annual ECW retreat in October.
Fr. Bill and Resa Dunn promote El Buen’s Hands for Hope event.
The youth group sold tacos in early November.
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December 2017
Vestry Clarence Bonnen, Sr. Warden Melissa Blanding, Jr. Warden
Vestry members: Dan Aja, Mike Brode, Dru Cabler, Jill Collins, John Cooper, Scott Forrest, Marjie Lawrence, Ryan Marquess, Laura Merritt, Becky Poynot, Pattie Rose, and Ann Seyler.
To view the monthly calendar of events at St. Mark’s, visit our website: www.stmarksaustin.org.
Committees
Staff
Acolytes: Jay Brown, Carol Oppel, Cindy Cabler, Kim Kiplin, and Nancy Bachschmid
Interim Rector The Rev. William Fowler
Altar Guild: Karen Milton Building Committee: Amelia Sondgeroth Christian Formation: Cindy Cabler Communications: Pattie Rose Daughters of the King: Judy Elkins Women of St. Mark’s: Diana Stangl
Director of Religious Education Cindy Cabler Organist/Director of Music Mark Reed Seminarian Brian Prall
Facilities: Ray Smith Finance: Diana Stangl Outreach: Laurie Mayor
Deadline for the January 2018 St. Mark’s News is Friday, December 15, 2017. Please submit your article by email as an attachment to: stmarksaustin@gmail.com.
Associate Rector The Rev. Dr. David W. Peters
Parish Life: Brenda White Pastoral Care/Health Ministry: Jonea C.S. Raney Stewardship: Amelia Sondgeroth, Dru Cabler
Head of Day School Anne Wingler Parish Administrator Joanne Foote Newsletter Editor Becky Janes
Ushers: Ryan Marquess St. Mark’s Episcopal Church 2128 Barton Hills Drive Austin, TX 78704 512.444.1449 www.stmarksaustin.org office@stmarksaustin.org
CHANGE SERVICE REQUESTED
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