December 2014
St. Mark’s News Volume 18/Issue 11
From the Assistant Rector The story of Israel begins in Genesis with these words: “I am with you and will watch over you wherever you go, and I will bring you back to this land. I will not leave you until I have done what I have promised you,” (Gen. 28.15). For nearly a thousand years, Israel enjoyed the blessings of this promise. God made his dwelling with them, first in the tabernacle built by Moses, and then in the temple built by Solomon. In the deepest part of these structures, what was called “the holy of holies,” God’s glory (Hebrew: )הניכשrested. 2 Chronicles 7 describes this as a visible cloud that came down and remained in this holiest space. But then, in the 6th century before Christ, tragedy struck. Israel, it seemed, had come to take the presence of God for granted––to treat God’s dwelling as a sort of talisman that would keep them safe from all their enemies. The prophet Jeremiah records how Israelites would go around chanting “The Temple of the Lord! The Temple of the Lord! The Temple of the Lord!” as if God’s presence in the temple would protect them no matter what sort of lives they lived.
In this Issue
As the prophet Ezekiel tells us, this did not make God happy. For in their obsession with the temple, Israel had forgotten the “weightier things.” They had forgotten to care for the poor, the sick, and the helpless. They had forgotten the alien, the orphan, and the widow. Their comfort and their security had actually caused them to neglect those who did not share in their comfort and their security. And so, as Ezekiel describes it, God decided to take their comforts away. By the ninth chapter of his prophecy, the cloud of God’s glory has moved to the threshold of the temple. In chapter ten, it moves from the threshold to the space above cherubim. And then in chapter eleven, it moves up from within the city and stops over the mountain to the east of it––before it finally departs Jerusalem for good.
From the Assistant Rector ......... 1 Vestry Highlights ........................ 2 Advent Schedule ....................... 3 Christmas Schedule................... 4 Parish Life.................................. 5 Outreach .................................... 5 Music Notes ............................... 7 Christian Formation ................... 8 Parishioner Highlights ................ 9 Celebrations ............................ 11 Caffeine Ministry ...................... 11 Christmas Eve ROTA .............. 11 ROTA....................................... 12
God had left God’s dwelling. Shortly after these events, Israel is conquered by Babylon. The temple is destroyed, and the Israelites are taken into exile. And though this exile only lasts fifty years, it marks the identity of Israel forever. For even when they return to the land and rebuild the temple, the glory of the Lord does not. In the six hundred years that followed, Israel lived under the oppression of her enemies––not just Babylon, but Assyria and Rome as well. For six hundred years, Israel cried to God for God’s glory to return. But for six hundred years, the glory of the Lord is nowhere to be seen. Six hundred years. These six hundred years are what we live into in the season we now enter. In Advent, we come alongside Israel, and just as Israel cried out “How long? How long, O Lord?” as they waited for the Messiah, so do we now cry out for the Messiah’s return. Just as Israel spent this time repenting their neglect of the “weightier things,” Advent is a penitential season, where we repent for our own neglect, and “prepare the way for the coming of the Lord,” (Luke 3.4). Which is what will make this announcement on Christmas Day so breathtaking: “There were in the same country shepherds abiding in the field, keeping watch over their flock by night. And, lo, the angel of the Lord
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December 2014 came upon them, and the glory of the Lord shone round about them,” (Luke 2.9). The angels cried “Glory to God in the highest,” (Lk. 2.14) in the fields through which the “glory of God” had departed six hundred years earlier, because the “one on whom his favor rests” (Luke 2.14) had arrived. The sign was clear. God had not left for good. God had returned to keep God’s promise. In the child born that night, God was to make his dwelling with his people once more. Dear friends, this is the story we now have before us. I am so excited to walk through this story with you over the coming month. And I pray that, though this is a story we have all walked through before, our time together in these days will bring you ever more deeply into the central mystery of our faith: that in Jesus, God has become flesh and made a dwelling among us (John 1.14). - Nate+
Vestry Highlights The St. Mark’s Vestry met on Tuesday, November 18, 2014, at 7:00 p.m. in the Bennett Wing classroom. Elizabeth+ opened the meeting with the Collect for Hilda of Whitby. Our senior seminarian, Tom Schneider, joined us for the meeting.
The Vestry was asked to consider and support Michele Bonner’s application for ordination to the bivocational Priesthood. Since August Michele has met with a parish discernment committee comprised of Mike Thomasson (chair), Clarence Bonner, Mark Breen, Pat Bullock, Jodi Doran, Karen Milton, and Becky Poynot. Karen and Mark gave the vestry a synopsis of the discernment process and then Michele met briefly with the vestry. A bi-vocational priest is a priest who continues in his/her secular career while serving a parish on weekends. Study/training happens at the Diocesan Iona School one weekend a month for three years. The vestry voted to approve Michele’s application and each member signed the requisite form, in addition to each person completing the Diocesan Rating Scale indicating their level of confidence in her potential for successful ministry.
Elizabeth+ gave a pledge-to-date report: 137 pledges received for a total of $449,979 (compared to same number for $435,176 last year). We have received over $20,000 in prepaid pledges for 2015. She also said that threshold ramps will be installed on 11/19, which nearly completes the exterior project – with the exception of having the deck repainted. We are going to add two more handicap parking spaces – for Sunday mornings only. There is going to be a Town Hall Meeting with Bishop Doyle on Tuesday, Nov. 25 at 7:00 p.m. at St. David’s.
Nate+ and Meredith Childs have met re. the Newcomers’ ministry. There will be a Newcomers’ reception in the Common Room on Sunday, Dec. 7, at noon. They are also talking about making some changes to our greeters’ ministry. Nate+ bowled with the youth on Sunday, and though he will not be involved with the youth to the extent Travis was, he will work with the lay leadership on present and future directions. Nate+ and Elizabeth+ will be teaching the adult confirmation classes, that begin December 7. Bishop Doyle is challenging each congregation to start a “missional community” and Nate+ has some ideas for what we might do to respond.
Becky Janes presented the report from the Vestry Nominating Committee (Kathy Genet, Susan Bonnen, Dan Bogard, Becky Janes, Bo Overstreet). Three women and two men will be invited to join the vestry in January. The slate of 5 who accept will be approved at the December vestry meeting, and they will be elected by the Parish at the Annual Parish Meeting on Sunday, January 18, 2015.
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December 2014
The Jr. Warden, JP Kloninger, gave the report of the Finance Committee: Year-to-date our Contributions income is at 114.71%. There were no unusual expenses for the month of October. To date we have spent $36,466.91 on the building project and the cost has been covered by the prior year’s surplus income.
Other reports included Education, Outreach, Parish Life, and Day School. The meeting closed with Compline.
Worship Services, Adult Formation, and Parish Activities During Advent Sunday, November 30 (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 3 6:00 p.m.
Holy Eucharist, Rite II (Grace Chapel)
Saturday, December 6 10:00 a.m. – 2:00 p.m.
Advent Quiet Day
Sunday, December 7 (Advent 2) 7:30 a.m. 9:00 a.m. 10:00 a.m. 11:00 a.m. 12:15 p.m.
Holy Eucharist, Rite I Holy Eucharist, Rite II Adult Inquirers’ class (Bennett Wing Classroom) Adult Formation in the Parish Hall: Canterbury Ministry at UT (Kate Bonnen*) Holy Eucharist, Rite II Newcomers’ Reception luncheon (Common Room)
Wednesday, December 10 6:00 p.m.
Holy Eucharist, Rite II (Grace Chapel)
Saturday, December 13 5:00 p.m. – 9:00 p.m.
Youth Christmas Party at Michele Bonner’s
Sunday, December 14 (Advent 3) 7:30 a.m. 9:00 a.m. 10:00 a.m. 11:00 a.m. 5:00 p.m.
Holy Eucharist, Rite I Lessons and Carols Adult Inquirers’ class Adult Formation (Parish Hall): Kelly Cromack* – Heifer International Lessons and Carols Families With Young Children (FWYC) Manna Bags and Pizza Party
Wednesday, December 17 6:00 p.m.
Holy Eucharist, Rite II (Grace Chapel)
Sunday, December 21 (Advent 4) 7:30 a.m. 9:00 a.m. 10:00 a.m.
Holy Eucharist, Rite I Holy Eucharist, Rite II Cookie Exchange in the Parish Hall Adult Inquirers’ Class 11:00 a.m. Holy Eucharist, Rite II *We are delighted that two young women who grew up at St. Mark’s will be with us on December 7 and 14 to lead our Adult Formation classes. On December 7, Kate Bonnen will talk to us about the Canterbury ministry at UT Austin. And on December 14, Kelly Cromack will talk to us about Heifer International. St. Mark’s gives parishioners the opportunity to participate in Heifer International twice a year: at Christmas and then again at the end of the church program year.
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December 2014
Christmas Pageant Preparation Begins December 7 The Church School program will take a break during December so children can prepare for St. Mark’s Christmas Pageant. 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. During the regular Christian Formation hour, children who wish to be in the pageant will spend some time 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. The Cookie Exchange is scheduled for Sunday, December 21, at 10:00 a.m. December 7
Costume selection: 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 14 Pageant Practice: The children will continue pageant practice with the youth. Those who haven’t chosen a costume visit Classroom B to choose a role. Volunteer help is appreciated! December 21 Pageant Practice & Cookie Exchange: 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., 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.
Christmas Eve and Christmas Day Services Wednesday. 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
Thursday, December 25 (Christmas Day) 9:00 a.m.
Holy Eucharist, Rite II
Sunday, December 28 (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
Wednesday, December 31 (New Year’s Eve) No Wednesday evening service!
Adult Inquirers’/Confirmation Class December 7, 14, 21 and January 4 and 11 at 10:00 a.m. in the Bennett Wing Classroom Bishop Harrison will be at St. Mark’s on Sunday, January 25 for our annual service of Confirmation. This class is required for those adults who want to be confirmed/received during the Bishop’s visitation, but it is open to anyone who wants to join us. Elizabeth+ and Nate+ will be teaching the class, and we will be covering the following topics: History, Liturgy, Holy Scripture, the Sacraments, and Polity.
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December 2014
Outreach Angel Tree Beginning on Advent I, November 30, you may stop by the Angel Tree in the Parish Hall to pick out an angel and make Christmas more meaningful for you and others. This year, each angel on the tree will list gifts for the following organizations:
St. Louise House for homeless mothers and their children. The children will receive a bicycle helmet, a bicycle lock, and a pair of pajamas from us. Austin Children’s Shelter clients. House the Homeless: $10 contribution to the Thermal Underwear Drive.
Please bring your gifts to St. Mark’s by Sunday, December 14, so we can deliver them the following week. For more information about these organizations, please view their websites: www.stlouisehouse.org, www.austinchildrenshelter.org and www.housethehomeless.org.
Families with Young Children Manna Bag Project Sunday, December 14 @ 5 p.m.: FWYC Manna Bag Project: come enjoy pizza in the Parish Hall while we decorate and prepare manna bags for the homeless. Items needed for Manna Bags: 24 pairs of socks 24 bottles of water 24 travel-sized toothbrushes and toothpaste 24 individually wrapped granola bars 24 tubes of Chapstick Please RSVP via the signup sheet in the Parish Hall by indicating what items you will be donating.
Parish Life First Friday Book Group – December 5 in the Bennett Wing Classroom at 11:00 Join us on Friday, December 5, for our discussion of Someone by Alice McDermott. This is McDermott’s first novel in seven years and it recounts the life of Irish American Marie Commeford. “One life: its devastating pains and unexpected joys; its bursts of brilliant clarity and moments of profound confusion. This is the subject of Someone.” The book group will not meet on January 2, 2015. Our first meeting of the new year will be Friday, February 6.
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December 2014
The First Church School Mission Sunday Was a Success On Sunday, November 16, some of our Church School families and a few teens and their teacher Danielle Adkins, gathered to make toys for kittens in the Austin Animal Center. The Rev. Cecilia Smith led a service in the Common Room before showing us how to make the toys. After we arrived at the Center, we learned that a bat had gotten into the Cat House so we were not able to personally deliver the toys. No one was too disappointed though, because we were able to spend time in the viewing area.
Mark Your Calendars for the Day School Fiesta on February 27 Please save the date! St. Mark's Day School invites you to the annual Fiesta fundraiser party on Friday, February 27, from 7 to 11 p.m., at a hip new location, “Innovation Station,” just west of downtown. We are also looking to get in touch with St. Mark's alumni -- if you are a former Day School student or parent, please contact schooloffice@stmarksdayschoolaustin.org so we can be sure to update you on exciting school events and news!
Women’s News New officers for 2015 presented! Our Bylaws state that the slate of officers for the coming year is to be presented at a November meeting, which we did at the November Potluck/Bunco night on November 17. The officers presented were: President, Pat Bullock; Vice-president, Karen Dulaney Smith; Secretary, Liz Davis; and Treasurer, Helen Anderson. The election of these new officers will take place at our Champagne Brunch on Saturday, February 7, 2015. You will see sign-up sheets in the Parish Hall to contribute beverages and delicious brunch items prior to then. Put February 7 on your calendar now. St. Mark’s is Host Church for 2015 ECW Women’s Retreat! Add this date to calendar—November 20-22, 2015, and see how you can be a part of this exciting event! As mentioned in the November newsletter, St. Mark’s will be the host church for the 2015 Diocese of Texas Annual Women’s Retreat at Camp Allen, November 20-22, 2015. I am so excited for the St. Mark’s women who have come forward and volunteered to be the necessary committee chairs. They are: Tina Stonebarger – registration chair; Bradley Johnson and Laura Merritt – cookie chairs; Beth Brode – decorations chair; and Mother Elizabeth – worship and music chair. Pat Bullock is the chair for the Retreat Committee. She will do all the necessary communicating needed with the members of the Diocese of Texas ECW Board and Camp Allen personnel. The Retreat is an opportunity for you to visit beautiful Camp Allen and enjoy worship services, spiritual workshops, vendors for shopping, and fun and games on Saturday night. Please contact any of the chairs mentioned if you would like to serve on their committee. Hope everyone had a safe, healthy and happy Thanksgiving Day! We will skip Bunco in December due to the busy month. See you in January for our next Bunco meeting, scheduled for January 26! Dee Ann Thomasson, President
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December 2014
From the Garden The harvest season was royally celebrated in November for our corner dazzled neighbors and others passing by. Chair Becky Nolan’s festive touches with pumpkins and mums added to the other colors in the beds was truly exciting! The softer weather of October and November spurred blooms to pop all over the grounds. One could almost smell pumpkin pie! The RAIN was the biggest help! Plus, a lush load of mulch was delivered for the gardeners to cover and protect our plants, and of course, dress the beds in their holiday finest. Many thanks to Greg and Michael Stangl who helped Becky Nolan spread the first wheelbarrows of mulch over the grounds. Tom Delamater and Jay Doran once again worked over the Columbarium garden, covering the lower levels with mulch, pruning back the pea vine groundcover, which reached into the pathways, and trimming our refreshed vines. Al McKinney was seen working several long days in November in the isle and other areas, continuing his prowess as a premier guilder. Dee Ann Thomasson, Joanne Foote, and Day School gardeners worked over the Foote Path and Thomasson triangles, also spreading mulch and grooming our existing plants while replanting aspidistra and other new plants to herald spring. Guilders and others love the low bed that resulted from trimming the old nandinas to make way for workers, but the jury is still out on how we can get the old aggressive shrubs removed for good to allow the Asiatic jasmine to return as a low groundcover, which would perfectly set off the new siding. We all once loved the beautiful colors of nandina in the 1970s, failing to realize how they spread like weeds into places where they are not wanted. Their common name, heavenly bamboo, is rather a misnomer! They grow like bamboo, but do not remain heavenly very long. With the new stucco, new windows/doors, and window washing projects complete, the church is beautifully set for its holiday finest in this special season of the year. During Advent, a certain mysterious elf will festoon the corner sign garden area with touches of purple and an Advent wreath to remind us of this four week wait for Christmas, when the miracle of Christmas week turns everything to red and greenery. St. Mark’s is blessed with the energy and creativity of Becky Nolan, who as Miss Becky, and along with fellow teacher Kiki Sousa, has inspired and taught students about composting and planting vegetables. Their gardening talent is reaching into the Day School areas beyond the large tubs and we all get to enjoy the results. During these beautiful days, when you smile at the lovely look of our grounds on Sundays, thank a gardener! And, it is never too late to “Adopt a Spot!”
“The earth laughs in flowers.” - Ralph Waldo Emerson
Music Notes A Service of Lessons and Carols for Advent Sunday, December 14th at the 9:00 and 11:00 services we will observe our annual Service of Advent Lessons and Carols. The liturgy is modeled after the traditional Christmas Eve service from Kings College. Since it takes place during the season of Advent, the lessons focus on the creation and redemption of humankind, especially the words of the prophets proclaiming a new heaven and new earth through the coming of the Messiah. The lessons culminate in the coming of the archangel Gabriel to Mary, bearing the news that she will bring forth a son and call his name Jesus.
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December 2014 As part of the service, The St. Mark's Choir will sing the Magnificat of Italian Baroque composer Francesco Durante (1684-1755). The text of the Magnificat comes from the Gospel of Luke. After Mary hears Gabriel's message, she travels to visit her cousin Elizabeth who is also expecting a child. Elizabeth's unborn child, the prophet John the Baptist, leaps in his mother's womb at Mary's arrival. Elizabeth then praises Mary for her belief in God's promise, and Mary responds with her song of praise: the Magnificat. This famous canticle – My soul doth magnify the Lord... – has found a familiar place in the liturgies of Morning and Evening Prayer. It is also given special emphasis in the season of Advent. Durante's setting of the Magnificat breaks the poem into six movements, which we will intersperse between the traditional Advent lessons. Along with Vivaldi's Gloria and Pergolesi's Stabat Mater, it is one of the most celebrated examples of 18th-century Italian choral music. For many years, the work was incorrectly attributed to Durante's student Giovanni Pergolesi and is still listed under his name on many recordings. Durante's Magnificat is light, ebullient, and filled with energy and joy. It is a fitting testament to Durante's reputation among his contemporaries as one of the greatest composers for the Roman Catholic Church. The St. Mark's Choristers will sing two beautiful pieces with piano, oboe, and bells. The anthem One Simple Candle is a meditation on the beauty and meaning of the candles on the Advent wreath and their promise of a greater light to come. The First Song of Isaiah is another setting of a familiar canticle. It is a reminder that God's salvation breaks into the world in the midst of darkness and despair. It is a song of hope and expectation. Please plan to join us at 9:00 or 11:00 on December 14th as we set aside an intentional preparation for the coming of Christmas. Let the music and readings prepare your heart to welcome our Messiah.
Christian Formation For Youth, by Cathy Nelson DRE Celebrating Advent and Christmas with the Church year adds a depth that cannot be found in the secular celebration of Christmas as a happy, gift-giving holiday. While any family oriented holiday is meaningful, one that follows the flow of the liturgical calendar of the Church, beginning with Advent, creates a deeper experience. One of my favorite Christian educators, Gretchen Wolff Pritchard, writes in a chapter titled, “Learning Through Celebration” in her book Offering the Gospel to Children, that “for most children, the liturgical year is one that has been developed by elementary school teachers and the greeting card companies, in which there is a celebration and a focus for each month of the school year.” On the other hand, Pritchard says, the Church year with its “feasts and fasts, penitence, preparation, and praise, its synthesis of Scripture and salvation history with the life of Jesus, our own lives, and the rhythms of the natural seasons, can provide a backdrop of extraordinary richness for children’s spiritual and emotional lives – as it does, of course, for many adults.” As we near the Second Sunday of the season of Advent, anticipation of the celebration of Christmas grows. For parents, that often means that the many details of planning the joyful, happy, family-centered Christmas festivities begin to loom and overwhelm. While in the midst of our already busy lives, we coordinate holiday schedules, complicated by extra childcare and parties, shopping, cooking, and preparing for the coming events, we can experience some of the tension that is found in the lectionary during Advent. The hope for perfection and the understanding of not quite good enough; the acknowledgement of the wonderful excitement and beauty of life lived at the moment and the recognition that we do not quite appreciate these moments as we struggle to prepare a perfect future; the desire for the celebration to really mean something to us and our children and our longing for the holidays to come and
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December 2014 be over so we can get back to everyday life. Sometimes it seems it might be easier to just give the gifts, have a good meal and get it done! And still, somehow, we manage to get ourselves to Church on Sundays in Advent and on Christmas. We come to remember that we are part of a bigger plan, and to find God’s meaning and purpose in our lives – and to share it with our children. So what is the message that families can share with their children? As much as we love celebrating happy events, we know there is a richer, deeper message to be found in the birth of the Christ child in a stable. As Pritchard Thank You! points out, even children know that Christmas isn’t just about Thanks to all of our Church School receiving gifts from Santa Claus. They recognize that there teachers for the work they have done with is a chance that they haven’t been good enough to receive the St. Mark’s children this fall! A special thanks to Bill Kibler for making new desired gifts and that Santa Claus may not like them. bookshelves for the materials in the Godly Celebrating Advent at home and at church with an Advent Play Two class. They are beautiful and wreath or calendar, having a special feast on St. Nicholas very helpful during set up in the Parish Day, attending a Lessons and Carols service and the Cookie Hall! And thanks also to those who will have helped with the preparations and Exchange, and participating in the outreach activities at cleanup, for the Advent Wreath event! church, like making Manna Bags with the Families with Young Children group, picking angels tags off the Angel Tree and shopping together for a gift for the listed recipient, or another project chosen by your family will help enrich our lives with both fun and the acknowledgement that the mystery of Christmas is much deeper than it appears on the surface. As Pritchard says, “When celebration is alive and well, the feast itself is the teaching tool.” “We experience the feast itself and all it stands for, with our whole selves, in all its richness.”
Parishioner Highlights The Sondgeroths’ story is fascinating. It involves interesting travels, advanced educational degrees leading to challenging career paths, children pursuing career goals as they followed in their parents’ footsteps, and how our fabulous rectors past and present have made a difference in all of their lives. So from their Catholic roots to joining the Episcopalian ranks they have worked effortlessly (so it would seem) to make St. Mark’s a better place to worship as well as Austin a better place to live. Jim and Amelia, we thank you for all your steadfast efforts and many talents!
Beth Chenoweth
Jim and Amelia Sondgeroth The Sondgeroth family, Jim, Amelia, Pancho, and Erica started attending St. Mark’s Episcopal Church in the fall of l987 after moving into the Barton Hills neighborhood in October of that same year. Rev. Scotty Innes actually came to our home to visit and invited us to become members. This was rather surprising to us since both Jim and I had been brought up Catholics
and weren’t used to such informality. But Scotty’s visit made a big difference especially because it helped our children, who at the time were 11 and 7, feel more comfortable about going to St. Mark’s and being baptized. Jim and I come from Roman Catholic roots. Although we left the church during our young adult lives, when we found the Episcopal Church – All Saints – after our son Francisco (Pancho) was born we loved the fact that many of the traditions that we loved growing up with prior to Vatican II were very similar. Jim came from a German-Irish Catholic family and attended
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December 2014 parochial schools in the farming community of Mendota, Illinois. I came from a Catholic Hispanic tradition and attended both parochial elementary school and Catholic girls’ high school, Incarnate Word in San Antonio. St. Mark’s has been our family church now for 26 years – through the Reverends Scotty Innes, Tom Gray, Bill Bennett, and Elizabeth Zarelli Turner. Pancho and Jordan were married at St. Mark’s and their children Joseph and Jacob were both baptized here. They also have attended the Day School and have been in several Christmas pageants. In fact, Jacob was baby Jesus when he was only 3 months old. We love the liturgy and the tradition of St. Mark’s. We mostly attend the 7:30 a.m. service but we also make it a point to attend the other services since we both love the music and the special performances of the amazing choir. Both our children were born in Austin, went to Barton Hills Elementary School, and graduated from Austin High. Pancho got his bachelor’s degree from the University of Texas in Economics and Math, following his dad’s footsteps. He has worked mostly in the banking industry in the mortgage area. Erica has a bachelor’s degree in Art and Art History from Rice University and a Master’s in Spanish from Texas State. She has travelled extensively in Spanish speaking countries starting in the Dominican Republic with the Amigos de las Americas Program and various cities in Mexico including Guanajuato her junior year in high school. She was also in a biology science study program in Veracruz with a Rice research group and also Valencia, Spain, as a graduate student at Texas State. She is currently getting a second masters in English as a Second Language and teaching Spanish at Texas State. Pancho and Jordan and their children live in Austin and Erica lives in San Marcos on a little ranch called “Mustang Ranch” not far from the university. Jim and I both went to the University of Texas at Austin during the turbulent times of the late 60’s and were involved in the student protest movement. In fact, that is where and how we met during our senior year of college. We were married at St. Anthony of Padua Catholic Church in my home town of San Antonio in l971. Jim got a Master’s in Economics from UT and began teaching at Austin Community College in l977. He has been there for his entire career as a professor of Economics. I took a more circuitous route to my career. I got a bachelor’s degree in Spanish and Italian and a Master’s in Italian from UT in l974. Then ten years later after staying
home with my children when they were little, I got a Master’s degree in Community and Regional Planning. I started working as a City Planner for the City of Austin in l985. In fact, Liz Badger and I worked for the city in the 80s and 90s for the same department and we formed a lasting friendship. I retired from municipal planning in 2005 after working for the cities of Round Rock and Georgetown and that same year started my own planning consulting firm, Canales-Sondgeroth and Associates. I am now in my 29th year as a professional planner and am a life-time member of the American Planning Association. While Jim is still teaching – going on 35 years – I am mostly retired. This has given me the opportunity to get more involved with St. Mark’s in various capacities over the years – Altar Guild, Vestry, chair of the Building Committee and Stewardship Committee. In 2008-09, Mother Elizabeth asked if I would chair the 50th Anniversary Committee. I agreed not really knowing what would be involved, and I am so grateful that I did. Along with a committee of wonderful St. Mark’s folks we worked together to produce a video and a historical album of photos for the anniversary celebration. I learned so much about St. Mark’s through that experience and got to know so many wonderful people including some of the original founders, Frank and Jean Severn. It was a great experience. Another wonderful opportunity came up in 2007 when I traveled with Rev. Bill Bennett, his wife Molly, and a group from St. Mark’s to France to visit medieval churches in the region of Provence. We visited many picturesque small towns from our “albergue” in Avignon, shared incredible meals and of course amazing wines, and then returned to Paris to enjoy the splendors of the City of Lights. How wonderful to have the opportunity to travel with fellow parishioners. It was truly a memorable trip! Most recently I became a member of the Daughters of the King, a dedicated group of women whose mission is to prayer and service for God’s sake. I feel humbled and privileged to be part of this group. This is mostly our life though we do enjoy fun stuff too like eating out and enjoying the company of others. We spend a ton of time with our grandsons Joseph and Jacob and that’s lots of fun. We’re hoping that keeps us young. We also enjoy watching movies which we mostly stream off the web and some travelling – for now, mostly in Texas. We also spend our leisurely time reading, and I like to play the piano; lately I’ve spent a lot of time on Bach and Beethoven. Thanks for inviting us to share our lives with you. There’s more but I think you’ve heard most of what have been the highlights of our lives.
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December 2014
December Celebrations Birthdays June Karrass Christopher Olivas Benjamin Ramsey Susan Randle Elizabeth Mufich Sharon Scarborough Ray Smith Brodie Doidge Bill Adkins Gage Pitt Paul Berndt Sue Borel Yvette Webb Jim Casparis
12/01 12/01 12/01 12/04 12/05 12/05 12/07 12/08 12/10 12/11 12/13 12/13 12/13 12/14
Brian Crozier Sonia Randle Sam Dunn Kay Brown Patrick Camp David Kurak Ella Blanding Clara Bogard Zachary Mayor Robert Romero 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 12/18 12/18 12/18 12/18
Beverly Crozier Bradley Castleberry Rebecca Greenlee Sandy Harwood Sandy Sterzing Cynthia Zuniga Zachary Borja Lily Phillips Flo Puryear Jon Dullnig Kelli Way Ann Seyler Mary Carole Sitzes Jenna Ramsey
12/19 12/20 12/20 12/21 12/21 12/21 12/22 12/22 12/24 12/25 12/25 12/27 12/27 12/31
Anniversaries Silvia & Adam Gates Susan & William Willis Sloan & David Kurak Amy Newman & Sandy Harwood Phyllis & Dennis Millirons Marty & Jim Clark Pattie Rose & Michael Davis
12/04 12/10 12/15 12/17 12/18 12/22 12/27
Vanessa & Matt Joyce Kim Kiplin & Don Camp Amy & Kevin Farley Shirley & Lloyd Schwartz Julie & Kyle Rush Berit Kragas & Dave Thiessen
12/27 12/28 12/29 12/29 12/31 12/31
Caffeine Ministry 7
Early Late
Lynn and John Edgerton Resa and Sam Dunn
14
Early Late
Scott and Julia Comer Jodi and Jay Doran
21
Early Late
Maria and Mike Fuhrman Shannon and Joe Eaton
28
Early Late
Darcy and Eric Goff Amy and Kevin Farley
Early: Arrive 15 minutes before 9 a.m. service, make lemonade, set out cookies, etc. (Coffee will already be made.) Late: After 11 a.m. service, replenish cookies, and other supplies. After hospitality time, clean up all containers. Complete instructions are in the kitchen above the coffee maker. *If you are unable to make your time, contact the vestry member for December: J.P. Kloninger.
Christmas Eve ROTA Service
Lector/Narrator
5:30 p.m.
Youth
10:00 p.m.
Rex White Michele Bonner
LEMs Bill Kibler Mike Thomasson Ann Seyler Roger Seyler
Acolytes Matt Forrest, Claire Cabler, Ben Forrest, Sam Forrest Bonnie Brode, Sarah Thiessen, Luke Thiessen, Michael Brode
Ushers TBD TBD
Page 11
December 2014
December ROTA
9:00
7:30
TIME
December 28
Advent 4
Carol sing
Jon Dullnig
Amelia Sondgeroth
Pattie Rose
Jonea Raney
Jonea Raney
Pattie Rose
Jill Collins
Wes Raney
Margarita Moreno
USHERS
Ed Shipsey Al McKinney
Beth Chenoweth Mary Smith
Danielle Adkins Stephen White
Jonea Raney Jill Collins
Judith & Jon Dullnig
LECTORS
Phil Aboussie (1) Becky Janes (2)
Brian Kelly, Patrick Camp, Abbe Kelly, Will Kelly, Mary-Alis Kelly
Nancy Kibler (1) Bill Kibler (2)
Lynn Edgerton (1) Mike Fuhrman (2)
Kevin Childs (1) Glenn Lightsey (2)
LEM
Tom Schneider Carol Oppel Suzanne Lightsey Ethan Fuhrman Will Kelly Nora Kelly Kim K., Carol Mark Breen Dodie Wells Dee Ann Thomasson Glen Baumgart
Pam Castles Mike Thomasson Ariston Awitan IV Meredith Childs Matthew Awitan Hunter Rogers Kim B.
Gary Taylor Becky Janes Claudia Janes Abigail Goff Henry Janes Eleanor Goff Kim B.
Mike Brode Phil Aboussie Ross Ramsey
Ken Whalen Ariston Awitan III Joanne Foote
John Edgerton Lynn Edgerton Kevin Cromack
Lynn Edgerton Kim Buckner Clay Buckner Ethan Fuhrman Ryan Dempsey Claire Dempsey Kim B., Kim K. Mark Breen Dee Ann Thomasson Dodie Wells Glen Baumgart
11:00
December 7 Advent 2
Lessons & Carols Advent 3
LECTOR
Wes Raney
LEM / ACOLYTE
ACOLYTES
USHERS
ALTAR GUILD
December 14
December 21
MINISTRY
No LEMS today
Aiden Brady (only Crucifer needed)
January 4
GREETERS
Maria & Mike Fuhrman
Meredith Childs Kevin Cromack
Laura Merritt Kim Buckner
Michael Meigs
Maria & Mike Fuhrman
LECTORS
Dave Elkins (1) Michele Bonner (2)
Kevin Childs, Karen Milton, Kimberly Horne, Michael Meigs, Meredith Childs
Suzann Dvorken (1) Liz Davis (2)
Barbara Dody (1) Kay Brown (2)
Eric Panter (1) Dave Elkins (2)
LEM
Thom Temperli Jay Brown
No LEMS today
Dru Cabler Jim Casparis
Brenda White Rex White
Ann Seyler Roger Seyler
ACOLYTES
Claire Cabler Ryan Dempsey Claire Dempsey Cindy, Jay, Michele
Jay Brown (only Crucifer needed) Cindy, Michele
Sophie Lawrence Luke Thiessen Emma Kloninger Meredith Shaw Michele, Jay
Winston Baxter-Harwell Asher Eaton Evelyn Eaton Emma Baxter-Harwell Jay
Patrick Camp Max Genet Evan Overstreet Elijah Gallardo Jay
USHERS
Carolyn & James Wier Bo Overstreet Rick Tennant John De Marines John Works
Jim Casparis Charles Brewer Bob Peterek Manuel de la Rosa Jim Nolan Ryan Marquess
Henry Olivas Yvonne Chavez Darlene Goodnight Debbie Thornal Sandy Sterzing
Jean & Frank Severn Jodi & Jay Doran Pam & David Johns Sue Borel
Carolyn & James Wier Bo Overstreet Rick Tennant John De Marines John Works
GREETERS
Jean & Frank Severn
Shelly Botkin Ryan Marquess
Yvette Webb Diana Stangl
Steve Niemeyer Barbara Dody
Jean & Frank Severn
Sat. 9:00
Jonea Raney-TC Jill Collins Carolyn Wier Pat Bullock Lynn Edgerton
Meredith Childs-TC Debbie Thornal Darlene Goodnight Helen Anderson Liz Davis Barbara Dody
Jonea Raney-TC Jill Collins Carolyn Wier Pat Bullock Susan Baxter-Harwell
Dec. 20 Altar Guild Dee Ann Thomasson-TC Work Party! Susan Baxter-Harwell Diana Stangl-TC, Millie Judy Elkins Casparis, Dodie Wells, Tina Cynthia Archer Stonebarger, Henry Olivas, Elijah Gallardo Karen Milton
Depositor
Bo Overstreet
Jim Nolan
Shelly Botkin
Al McKinney
Frank Severn
WED. 6 p.m. Lector
December 3
December 10
December 17
December 24
December 31
Rex White
Dodie Wells
Meredith Childs
See Below
No evening service
Page 12
Vestry Kathy Genet, Sr. Warden J.P. Kloninger, Jr. Warden
Vestry members: Dan Bogard, Susan Bonnen, Shelly Botkin, Mark Breen, Suzann Dvorken, Becky Janes, David Johns, Nancy Kibler, Karen Milton, Jim Nolan, Bo Overstreet, David Randle, and Diana Stangl
Committees Acolytes: Jay Brown, Carol Oppel, Mary Cromack, Kim Kiplin, and Kim Buckner Altar Guild: Millie Casparis Building Committee: Amelia Sondgeroth Christian Formation: Cathy Nelson Communications: Pattie Rose Daughters of the King: Lisa Martin Women of St. Mark’s: Dee Ann Thomasson Facilities: Ray Smith Finance: John Edgerton
Deadline for the January 2015 St. Mark’s News is Monday, December 15, 2014. Please submit your article by email as an attachment to: office@stmarksaustin.org.
Outreach: Becky Poynot and Laurie Mayor Parish Life: Brenda White Pastoral Care/Health Ministry: Jonea C.S. Raney Stewardship: Amelia Sondgeroth
Staff Rector The Rev. Elizabeth Zarelli Turner Assistant Rector The Rev. Nathaniel Jung-Chul Lee Director of Religious Education Cathy Nelson Organist/Director of Music Mark Reed Seminarians Tom Schneider Thom Temperli Head of Day School Anne Wingler Parish Administrator Joanne Foote Newsletter Editor Becky Janes
Ushers: Henry Olivas
St. Mark’s Episcopal Church 2128 Barton Hills Drive Austin, TX 78704 512.444.1449 www.stmarksaustin.org office@stmarksaustin.org
CHANGE SERVICE REQUESTED