January 2017
St. Mark’s News Volume 21/Issue 1
From the Rector Almighty God, whose Son our Savior Jesus Christ is the light of the world: Grant that your people, illumined by your Word and Sacraments, may shine with the radiance of Christ’s glory, that he may be known, worshiped, and obeyed to the ends of the earth: through Jesus Christ our Lord, who with you and the Holy Spirit lives and reigns, one God, now and for ever. Amen (The Collect for the Second Sunday after the Epiphany, BCP p. 215) This Collect, which we will pray on January 15, reminds us that Jesus is the light of the world, and that those of us who are his followers are meant to shine with the radiance of Christ’s glory. On January 1 we will hear The Prologue to the Gospel of John: In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. He was in the beginning with God. All things came into being through him, and without him not one thing came into being. What has come into being in him was life, and the life was the light of all people. The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness did not overcome it. From the feast of the Epiphany (January 6) until Ash Wednesday (March 1) we will be in this season of Epiphany, this season of light. 2015 had seemed like a dark year, In this Issue because of terrorist attacks abroad and domestically. But 2016 seemed to be even darker: the Presidential campaigning and election were From the Rector ......................... 1 toxic; there were more terrorist attacks (Istanbul Airport, Bastille Day Vestry Highlights ........................ 2 Adult Formation & Jan. Events ... 3 attack in Nice, Brussels, and Jakarta); there were devastating photos of New Vestry Members ................. 4 the siege of Aleppo; there were police killings of unarmed men, and Parish Life .................................. 5 killings of police officers; Dylann Roof killed nine African Americans Caffeine Ministry ........................ 7 gathered for Bible Study in a South Carolina church; 49 people were Christian Formation .................... 9 killed and 53 wounded in the Pulse Nightclub shooting in Orlando; the Celebrations ............................. 11 Zika virus was linked to microcephaly in newborns; and there were ROTA ....................................... 12 numerous deaths of admired and gifted people (Muhammad Ali, Prince, Patty Duke, Gene Wilder, David Bowie, Elie Weisel, Arnold Palmer, Harper Lee, John Glenn, Leonard Cohen, Nancy Reagan, Gwen Ifill….to name only a handful). So yes, at the beginning of this New Year and during this season of Epiphany we need to be reminded again that Jesus is the light of the world and that he is the light that shines in the darkness and that darkness has not, and will not, overcome that light. At the beginning of this New Year and during this season of Epiphany we need to be reminded again that as God’s people we are meant to shine with the radiance of Christ’s glory: both individually and as a community of faith. My own resolution for this new year is the same one I made (not entirely successfully I am sorry to admit) last year, and that is to ask again how I can best live as a “child of the light.” I am again asking how can I live in such a way that speaks of light and hope? One way is certainly to remember what St. Paul wrote to the Philippians: Whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is pleasing,
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January 2017 whatever is commendable, if there is any excellence and if there is anything worthy of praise, think about these things. (Phil. 4:8) Let us daily remember what the prophet Micah said: He has shown you, O mortal, what is good. And what does the Lord require of you? To act justly, to love mercy, and to walk humbly with your God. This New Year may God’s presence and love be palpable to each of us. In this New Year may we love one another as Christ loved us. In the words of Tiny Tim, may God bless us everyone! EZT+
Vestry Highlights The December meeting of the Vestry was at the home of Elizabeth and Philip Turner on Tuesday December 20 at 6:00 p.m. Three items were on the agenda: the 2017 budget, approving the slate of Vestry nominees (Dan Aja, Dru Cabler, Scott Forrest, Marjie Lawrence, and Pattie Rose), and approving Diocesan Council Nominees (Ann and Roger Seyler, John Cooper, and Pattie Rose). The Proposed budget that was presented at the October Mission and Ministry meals was based on pledge income of $515,000. However, as of December 17, 2016 pledges were considerable lower and fewer in number than anticipated (156 pledges for a total of $479,862) because we seem to have hit a “perfect storm”, as it were, of death, relocations, and changed life/employment circumstances. Very few changes were made to the budget itself. Instead, for 2017, we are going to use a portion of the $120,000 Surplus Income from Previous Years to offset the pledged income deficit. There will be opportunity to discuss this at the Annual Parish Meeting on January 22. The meeting adjourned, and dinner was served to Vestry members and spouses. Also present were our seminarians and their spouses.
Adult Formation in January (and other January events) During the month of January, we will only have two Adult Formation classes, on the 8th and the 15th. On those two Sundays, Michael Meigs will teach a two-week class: Dealing with “The Other” – Thoughts Ranging from Islam’s Middle World to the Mikado’s “Gentlemen of Japan.” Michael will be drawing from cross-cultural experiences of his diplomatic career, translations of the Qur’an (Koran) and scholars’ thoughts, then looking at the dilemmas of “cultural appropriation.” Why only two classes in January? Because January 1 is New Year’s Day, when we will have two services: at 8:00 and 10:00. Following the 10:00 service plan on staying and joining us for a brunch of black eyed peas and greens! Sunday, January 22 is the Annual Parish Meeting at 10:00: a time to thank outgoing vestry members (Diana Stangl, Mark Breen, Suzann Dvorken, Karen Milton, and Dave Randle) and to elect five new vestry members (Dan Aja, Dru Cabler, Scott Forrest, Marjie Lawrence, and Pattie Rose), to approve the 2017 budget, and to enjoy fellowship with one another.
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January 2017 On Sunday, January 29 Bishop Doyle will be with us at the 11:00 service for our annual Bishop’s Visitation and service of Confirmation/Reception. Adult Inquirers’ classes will be taught on January 7, 14, and 21 from 10:00 to noon. If you are an adult who would like to be confirmed or received on January 29, or if you want a refresher class on the Episcopal Church, join us!
Thank you! Once again, you have been incredibly generous to your clergy and our staff members. Thank you so much for the financial gift that we received on the 4th Sunday on Advent. Thank you as well for your generous gifts to the wider Austin community during the holiday season: close to $1000 for El Buen Samaritano’s Hands for Hope Thanksgiving Basket Project, numerous “Coats for Kids,” and Angel Tree Gifts for the Austin Children’s Shelter and AISD’s Project HELP. Thank you from the Assistant Rector Thanks to Joe Moldenhauer for the gift of his piano for the Dear St. Mark’s Family, choir loft. Mark had been looking for a new or used piano, but had not yet found just the right one when Joe offered his. Thank you so much for you generous gift Joe gave it in honor of Joanne (Mickey) Moldenhauer, who to us at Christmastide. This first AdventChristmas among you has been full of loved music and who loved to sing in church choirs when she Hope, Joy, and Love. was able to do so. Thanks to Pat Bullock, Cindy Cabler, Beth Greenlee, Dee Ann Thomasson, and Brenda White who created, crafted, and sewed new angel costumes and wings for the Christmas Pageant.
With Warm Regards, David, Sarah, Soren, Avery, and Hieronymus
Thanks to Mark and our amazing choir and musicians for another lovely service of Lessons and Carols on the fourth Sunday of Advent, and for a lovely choral prelude on Christmas Eve. And thanks to the staff for all the extra work during a most busy time of year: year end financial reports, a lively Christmas Pageant, organization and distribution of Angel Tree gifts, extra music, additional service bulletins, more to clean….. And thanks to each of you for the privilege of being the Rector of St. Mark’s!
St. Mark’s Day School Enrollment for St. Mark’s Parishioners begins on January 15! St. Mark’s has a wonderful, accredited (SAES: Southwestern Association of Episcopal Schools) Day School for children between the ages of 2 and 4 (pre-K). The Day School provides a safe, nurturing, and joyous community for children to experience and develop compassion, empathy, and creativity; to learn about and engage with the natural world, and to build a foundation for a life-long love of learning. The curriculum supports the healthy growth – mentally, physically, and spiritually – of children. Look for the applications in the Parish Hall!
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January 2017
Meet the New Vestry Members Dan Aja. I have been attending St. Mark’s for at
Scott Forrest. My family and I came to St. Mark's
least 4 years with my wife Nicole and very lively children Colt and Willow. You may have seen us sitting in the last row on the left during the 11 a.m. service. Nicole and I were brought to St. Mark’s by chance checking out churches in the Austin area and found comfort in St. Mark’s, its community and Day School. Both Colt and Willow are proud graduates of the St. Mark’s Day School which has set a sound foundation for their elementary education. Although Colt and Willow have Cystic Fibrosis this has made us stronger as parents in our fight to maintain their health, and we devote significant efforts to raise money for research and awareness to cure this disease. Nicole and I believe we are fortunate with the gifts we’ve been given to do this, Nicole being a physician and I a pharmacist. I’ve always had an interest in science which brought me to become a pharmacist and now using these skills at Circassia Pharmaceuticals, a small biotech company. At Circassia I work with leading physicians throughout the Southern U.S. on projects related to allergy and asthma research and development. (Yes, we are working on a vaccine for Cedar fever). In addition to work I have a passion for running and cooking, specializing in paella and anything Italian while I work on my BBQ skills. I am hoping to make an impact at St. Mark’s through the Vestry in any manner I am asked or need to lead.
after moving to Austin in 2010. We visited many churches and knew we were home when we walked into a Sunday morning service. My wife, Jewellyn, and I spent most of our lives in Southern California. Our 4 children, Matt (17), Ben and Sam (14) and Nick (8), have grown up in Texas, which has been home to us for the last 11 years. On Sunday mornings, I teach Godly Play and our sons enjoy being part of the St. Mark's youth group. The rest of the week I run business development for a local digital design firm. In the mornings, I enjoy rowing on beautiful Lady Bird Lake.
Dru Cabler. I am married to Cindy and we have a teenage daughter, Claire. I'm originally from southeast Louisiana and moved to Austin in 1984. We've been coming to St. Marks since around 2005 after Claire started attending the Day School. I've been active in the parish as a vestry member, a member of the technology committee, a LEM, and of course, as St. Nicholas! St. Mark's really is an extension of our family. I'm an electrical engineer currently working for a semiconductor company based in Austria, which means a lot of travel. In my spare time, I enjoy golf, cycling, and reading.
Marjie Lawrence. A “cradle Episcopalian,” I grew up in Grace Episcopal Church, Alvin, Texas. I have attended St. Mark’s with my family since discovering it in Advent 1999, when I noticed on Sunday mornings that more and more cars seemed to be appearing at the church down the street. I thought, “Something must be happening there!” The first time I came here, I was given the warmest of welcomes by Elizabeth+, and by that Christmas, Bill Bennett+ had pulled me aside and asked if I’d be on a committee, which I think was his strategy for making sure newcomers would come back. It must’ve been effective, because I’ve been here ever since then. Two of my greatest joys here have been singing in the choir and attending Contemplative Prayer on Saturdays. My involvement with both groups over the past several years has greatly deepened my sense of being part of a church family. Our daughters Wenlan and Sophie (both now in college in Massachusetts) were both choristers and acolytes, and they still love to acolyte when they’re home from school. When the girls were young, Mary and I both taught Sunday school, and I served on the education committee and on the vestry. I have completed one year of EFM, and hope to continue it again in the future. I’ve been a librarian (music and media cataloger) at the University of Texas for about 30 years, and as one would expect, I love music and reading. Outside of work, Mary and I have been coping with empty nest
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January 2017 syndrome by getting together with friends, tackling some long-overdue house projects, making sure our large assortment of plants stay alive, and trying to find cheap ways of escaping the heat in Austin. I am honored to be asked to serve again on the vestry.
Pattie Rose. A long time ago, when I was a new Austinite, the Rev. Malcolm Riker knocked on my door when I lived in the neighborhood, inviting me and my husband to attend a new Episcopal mission: St. Mark’s. We became charter members. Circumstances took me to other Episcopal churches in Austin over the years, but in the early 1980s, I returned to St. Mark’s and regularly attended the 8 am service. Before I knew it, I had been drafted to usher at that service. That later led to service as lay reader, LEM, and acolyte (mostly at 7:30 a.m.), chair of the Stewardship Committee and the Chicken BBQ, two terms on the vestry, attendance at Tuesday noon Bible study, and many years’ participation in the Saturday morning contemplative prayer group. After retiring from my 3½ years as St. Mark’s parish administrator, I still volunteer in the church office and assist with computer troubleshooting. The Episcopal church laid a strong foundation for my lifelong religious life. In my teens, I actively participated in youth group, attended and counseled at Camp Capers in the Diocese of West Texas, sang
in the choir, and served on the altar guild. As an adult, my secular life has been one of service, reflecting my belief that my faith should be manifest in my interactions with other people. In 1999 I retired as the graduate coordinator of the Department of Curriculum and Instruction at the University of Texas, where I handled the administrative work for graduate students in a very large program. I continue to love retirement!! I had been single for 26 years when I reconnected nine years ago with my high school boyfriend Mike Davis, after he lost his wife to cancer. We married 8 years ago, and he quickly became involved at St. Mark’s—singing in the choir, participating in the Men’s Group and the contemplative prayer group, attending Tuesday Bible study. He is a retired Episcopal priest and still celebrates Eucharist once a month at St. Timothy’s in the small South Texas town of Cotulla. We share a large extended family: my 3 grown daughters, 3 grandsons, Mike’s adult son and daughter, his 10 grandchildren and 1 greatgranddaughter. I am very pleased to have the opportunity to serve another term on the vestry. St. Mark’s has become in many ways my second family; I have been very blessed in my life, and serving on the vestry is a way for me to express thanksgiving for those blessings.
Parish Life First Friday Book Group 11:00 a.m. in the Bennett Wing Classroom Here is our schedule of books for the first half of 2017: January 6 February 3 March 3 April 7 May 5 June 2
A Man Called Ove The All-Girl Filling Station’s Last Reunion The Secret Scripture The Nightingale Our Souls at Night My Name is Lucy Barton
Fredrik Backman Fannie Flagg Sebastian Barry Kristin Hannah Kent Haruf Elizabeth Strout
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January 2017 Music Notes January is a time of new beginnings and resolutions for the coming year. I encourage you to consider participating in one of our three St. Mark’s choirs in 2017. Choir members tell me that the time they spend making music in the company of friends helps to fight stress, to put things in perspective, that it deepens their faith, and that it just makes them feel better. There is a special joy that comes from working as a team to create something beautiful, perhaps even transcendent. The awesome thing about a choir is that the whole is truly greater than the sum of its parts. Very few members of our St. Mark’s choirs have professional training or solo experience, but by joining our voices together we can do something none of us could do alone. The St. Mark’s choirs are amateur in the best sense of the word—they are made up of people who love music, who love to sing, and who love the bonds of friendship we forge together. We warmly welcome you and your children to join us in one of our three choirs. January is a great time to start as we begin new music for winter and spring. Choristers: The choir for children in Kindergarten and Elementary school. This fun and friendly group of kids practices Wednesday Evenings from 6-6:45 in the Common Room. Join us beginning on Wednesday, January 11th. Youth Ensemble: This group is for middle and high school youth who enjoy preparing music for performance in church about once a semester. We practice about twice a month following the 11:00 Sunday morning service. This spring, we will be learning two fun, challenging, and high-energy pieces for performance in the Easter season. Contact Mark Reed (music@stmarksaustin.org) for more information about the rehearsal schedule. Adult Choir: The Adult Choir sings for the 11:00 a.m. service during the academic year. We are a welcoming, fun, and caring group of (mostly) amateur singers who enjoy working on a diverse repertoire of sacred music. We are always excited to welcome new members, and there is no audition. We rehearse on Wednesday Evenings from 7:00 to 8:30 in the Parish Hall. Join us beginning on Wednesday, January 11th. Please contact me (music@stmarksaustin.org) for information about our choirs and how you and your children can participate. Best wishes for a very Happy New Year, Mark Reed Organist and Director of Music
Daughters of the King News A huge THANK YOU to everyone who donated to the Coats for Kids! Our generous parish filled up the collection tub about three times for a total of 60 coats this year! Thank you to Pam Johns for once again heading up this drive. We also wish to thank everyone who attended and those who brought food for the Advent Quiet Day, and most especially to Jonea Raney, who organized and set up the day, and to Elizabeth+ for conducting Morning Prayer and our closing Eucharist. It was a sweet, peaceful day with a gentle rain falling outside. We had 4 visitors from area churches as well as 17 from our own parish who shared the day with us. On December 11th, Brenda White hosted 21 Daughters at our Annual Christmas Salad Luncheon in her home. Thank you to Brenda for your gift of hospitality! Everything was lovely and festive! We have three new candidates for membership who were welcomed into the group at the luncheon--Beth Greenlee, Yvonne Chavez, and Cindy Cabler. They will begin their training in January. If there is someone else who feels a call to prayer and service and would like to become a Daughter or find out more about this International Order, please let Judy Elkins know. 512-312-9690 or judyelkins@me.com
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January 2017 Women of St. Mark’s The mission of the Women's Group is to bring women together for sharing gifts of fellowship, service, and outreach while spreading the good news of Jesus Christ. All women in the parish are members and invited to attend our monthly dinner/bunco. January 23 is the next Potluck dinner and bunco, starting at 6:30 p.m. Please bring a dish or drink to share and $3 for bunco. On December 9, six of us (pictured from left to right: Pattie Rose, Susan Willis, Barbara Wilson, Liz Davis, Pat Bullock, and Tina Stonebarger), took a road trip to Brookshire, Texas to visit the Brookwood community for their annual Open House. We visited with Rick (Tina Stonebarger's son), toured the community, went to the Christmas play, ate lunch and enjoyed Christmas shopping in their wonderful gift shop. It was a very pleasant and fun day and we hope to be able to go again next year. Save the date for our annual Champagne Brunch on February 23 at 11 a.m. We will be voting on officers for the coming year: Diana Stangl, President; Sandy Sterzing, Vice President; Susan Willis, Secretary; and Helen Anderson, Treasurer. Quilting Group. The next Quilters meeting will be Friday, January 27, at 10 a.m. Cathy Nelson would like to acknowledge several members of the Quilters Group, who created and sewed new angel costumes for the Christmas pageant: Pat Bullock, Cindy Cabler, Beth Greenlee, Dee Ann Thomasson and Brenda White! Shower Ministry. Donations received from the St. John's United Methodist Church's Alternative Gift Market are estimated to be $1,200. We will receive the check in January. On December 6, hair stylist Marie came to the Trinity Center and provided 14 haircuts to our neighbors! Shower Ministry Volunteers (pictured here) met for lunch on Tuesday, December 13, at Olive Garden.
January Caffeine Ministry Vestry Contact: Laura Merritt 1 New Year’s Day: no one 8 Cecily Bennett and Sue Borel 15 Cookie and David Bowman 22 Pat Bullock and Becky Janes 29 Kevin and Meredith Childs
The parishioners assigned for Caffeine Ministry are asked to do two things: replenish cookies, if needed and wash the coffee pots and counters after the 11:00 service (and put away any extra cookies).
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January 2017
Men’s Group Scholarship Golf Tournament Acknowledgements
St. Mark’s Episcopal Men’s Group gratefully appreciates all of the 2016 Scholarship Golf Tournament supporters. The thirteenth annual event was a big success and raised almost $7,400 for the Men’s group Scholarship fund! The Golf Committee of Kevin Cromack, Phil Aboussie, Al McKinney, John Edgerton, Ed Mickler, Andrew Poynot, and Mike Brode did an incredible job of hosting the event this year! Also, a Big Thank You to our volunteer help of James Wier, Ross Ramsey, Mark Breen, Frank Severn, Clarence Bonnen, Bo Overstreet, Rex White, Dan Aja and Jim Nolan.
HOLE SPONSORS Aja's Amigos Annie's Cafe aRoma Restaurant Azarmehr Law Group Capital Pet Nanny-Yvonne Chavez
The Hay Legal Group Hendrick's Real Estate Hyde Park Bar & Grill Treaty Oak Spirits The Park on South Lamar The Park at the Domain Plucker's Wing Bar Uchi Restaurant The Blanding Family Cecily Bennett The Bogard Family
Beth Chenoweth Suzann Dvorken Nancy & Bill Kibler The Lightsey Family The Mayor Family Joe Moldenhauer Carol & Rich Oppel Bo Overstreet Bob & Marie Peterek David Peters Joe D. Robinson Jim Sherrard Diana & Greg Stangl Dee Ann & Mike Thomasson Elizabeth & Philip Turner Rex & Brenda White
PATRON SPONSORS Paul Berndt, Mark Breen, Marjie Lawrence & Mary Tonsager, David & Susan Randle, Stephen Wilson Alamo Draft House, Shoal Creek Saloon SUPPORTING SPONSORS Resa & Sam Dunn, John DeMarines, Ray & Cecilia Smith
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January 2017
Christian Formation for Children, by Cathy Nelson, DRE Thank you all for another wonderful Advent season and Christmas Pageant! The pageant was beautiful as usual, thanks to our sweet actors; narrator Abbe Kelly; helpful teens; and team of leaders Nancy Bachschmid, Ellie Reshetnikov, and Becky Poynot. The services, events and activities we participate in here at St. Mark’s during Advent and Christmas, such as the Christmas Pageant bring the community together, as we say in Godly Play, “to come close to the mystery that is Christmas.” And now, the Church digs deeper into what the Christ Child ushered into the world. During the twelve days following Christmas and during the season of Epiphany, the Church turns to scriptures that make it clear that Jesus Christ is truly the Son of God, God incarnate. Dotted throughout the lectionary are references to the light of God shining in the darkness and revealed to all nations through Christ. We also hear the call to do justice in the world. We focus on the mission of the Church to share God’s light and love with each other and the world. On January 1, the eighth day of Christmas, the Church celebrates The Holy Name of Our Lord Jesus Christ commemorating the naming and ritual circumcision of Jesus at the temple. The name “Jesus” is from the Hebrew Joshua, or Yehoshuah, meaning “Yahweh is salvation” or “Yahweh will save.” Soon after, on January 6, the end of the Christmas Season, we celebrate The Epiphany of Our Lord Jesus Christ. The word “Epiphany” comes from the Greek word that means ‘manifestation’ of Christ, “the revelation of God in his son as human in Jesus Christ.” We learn that the Magi were the first Gentiles to recognize the significance of Jesus’ birth. The Magi acknowledged Jesus as “King” when they presented their gifts of gold, frankincense and myrrh, and were the first to “show” or “reveal” Jesus to the world outside. According to Dennis Bratcher General Editor of the Christian Resource/Voice Institute, “The day is now observed as a time of focusing on the mission of the church in reaching others by "showing" Jesus as the Savior of all people. It is also a time of focusing on Christian community and fellowship, especially in healing the divisions of prejudice and bigotry that we all too often create between God’s children.” http://www.crivoice.org/cyepiph.html On the Sunday following the Epiphany, we celebrate the Baptism of our Lord. Jesus goes out to the River Jordan to be baptized by his cousin John. “And when Jesus had been baptized, just as he came up from the water, suddenly the heavens were opened to him and he saw the Spirit of God descending like a dove and alighting on him. And a voice from heaven said, “This is my Son, the Beloved, with whom I am well pleased.” Matt. 3:13-17. The theological lessons embedded in the liturgical calendar have added depth to my life over the years. But, many years ago as a new Episcopalian, when I learned more about the celebration of Epiphany in one of my favorite family cookbooks, Feasting for Festivals by Jan Wilson, I was struggling to simply bring Christian formation into my family’s mostly secular lives. The book’s author provided me with recipes and easy-to-use ideas for teaching us about the traditions, rituals, feasts and fasts surrounding these important times of the Church year. Ideas that brought Christian beliefs into our home. In A Continual Feast by Evelyn Birge Vitz, the author writes about Christmastide, “The point is to help our families and ourselves not merely to know but to feel that something wonderful has happened, and is continuing to happen, in our lives. So let’s not just unload presents on our children on Christmas Day. When the last package is opened, they’re depressed. Why wouldn’t they be? Try doling out little presents throughout the whole twelve-day period – with perhaps one last, nice present for Epiphany.”
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January 2017 Another practice that can take place at home, literally, is the tradition of the blessing of homes on Epiphany. Using chalk, write the symbol +C+M+B+ with two numbers before and two numbers after (for example, 20+C+M+B+17) above the doorway of your home. “The letters are the initials of the traditional names of the Three Magi: Caspar, Melchior, and Balthasar. These letters also abbreviate the Latin phrase Christus mansionem benedicat, "May Christ bless the house."” The beginning and ending numbers are the year, 2017 in the example above. The crosses represent Christ. To find a traditional Epiphany prayer and blessing visit: http://www.crivoice.org/cyepiph.html To Dance With God by Gertrude Mueller Nelson is another favorite book on my bookshelf at St. Mark’s. Nelson says of her book, “I want to return strength to what has become sentimental and commercial.” In a recent interview by Nurya Love Parish, a contributor to Grow Christians, an online resource for those practicing faith at home, Nelson talked about those who had inspired her to write her book. One important influence was Carl G. Jung. “Jung made enormous sense to me. Reading his work just strengthened and underlined my faith and showed me how archetypal were the folk customs and practices that surrounded the sacramental and seasonal life of the Church. Symbol, ritual, story, archetype were “justified” for me. This was a world that had a long, deep taproot into the unconscious. Heaven and Earth are united in the world of symbol and ritual. http://www.growchristians.org/2016/12/15/still-dancing-with-god-aninterview-with-gertrud-mueller-nelson/#more-2611. I hope you will find ways to deepen your family’s rituals and celebrations at home and with us at St. Mark’s during the season of Epiphany.
Christian Formation for Children The Christian Formation classes for children during Epiphany will focus on Jesus’ life and teachings. Classes will meet on January 8, 15, and 29. We take a break on January 22 so teachers can attend the Annual Parish Meeting. Please bring the children to the Common Room to watch videos that morning at 10:00 a.m. They will move outside if the weather permits. This winter, the Godly Play class for Pre-Kindergartners through 2nd Grade will learn about Epiphany and baptism and then begin a section on parables. The following stories are scheduled for January: Epiphany, Holy Baptism, and The Parable of the Good Shepherd. The 3rd, 4th and 5th Grade Class will follow the lectionary using The Episcopal Church’s Lesson Plans that Work. Because in the mystery of the Word made flesh, you have caused a new light to shine in our hearts, to give the knowledge of your glory in the face of your Son Jesus Christ our Lord. (Book of Common Prayer, page 378) “Accept the light we have received and shine it forth! It is not about shining the light in other’s faces, blinding them, but holding the light in open hands.” The children learn that after he has baptized Jesus John the Baptist identifies him as the “Lamb of God”. After John is imprisoned, Jesus moves to Galilee where he begins his ministry. He heals the sick and teaches in the synagogues, proclaiming, “Repent, for the kingdom of heaven has come near.” He also begins to recruit his disciples and delivers the sermon on the Beatitudes. The Youth Class will begin a new Bible study with Eric Panter on Sundays in the Bennett Wing classroom. Finally, as we begin this new year, I would like to thank all of our teachers, parent and teen helpers, and the youth and leaders who serve as lectors and acolytes, for enriching so many lives through your commitment and presence in our programs throughout the year. Your work is truly appreciated!
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January 2017
January Celebrations Birthdays Abby Raines Charlie Ripoll Ann Rowe Tricia Dew Stephanie Grayson Walker Harris Bob Peterek Susan Willis Aaron Bates Philip Denniston Philip Dixon Mark Breen Alyson Flynn Kathryn Camp Seth Randle Amy Bierbower Camila Minne Anika Minne Claire Ripoll Willow Aja Cecily Bennett Jim Jennings Matt Joyce Beth Greenlee
01/01 01/01 01/01 01/02 01/02 01/04 01/04 01/06 01/07 01/08 01/08 01/09 01/09 01/10 01/10 01/11 01/11 01/11 01/11 01/12 01/12 01/12 01/14 01/15
Martha Andre Robin Bridgewater Helen Randle Kevin Childs Wesley Cooper Amy Randle Kendra Roloson Kay Slepr Belinda Romero Xander Stockstill Dave Thiessen Evelyn Allen Julia Grayson Carey Stangl Kevin Brady Laura Dannenmaier Carolyn Foote Carson Johnson Scott Comer Glenn Dody Bill Kibler David Bowman Elizabeth Rogers Riley Russell
01/16 01/16 01/16 01/17 01/17 01/17 01/17 01/17 01/18 01/18 01/18 01/20 01/20 01/20 01/21 01/21 01/21 01/21 01/22 01/22 01/22 01/23 01/23 01/23
Emma Genet Cheryl Smithers Georgia Farley Mark Mazac Henry Olivas Soren Peters Maren Roloson Sarah Tso Barron Johnson Sidney Hilburn Stephanie Young Lloyd Schwartz Alexandra Aboussie Decker Ayers Lucas Breen Kevin Francis Connor Frederick Scott Lubeck Brenda White Rich Oppel Alan Gomez Emily Peterek Heidi Roure
01/24 01/24 01/25 01/25 01/25 01/25 01/25 01/25 01/26 01/27 01/27 01/28 01/29 01/29 01/29 01/29 01/29 01/29 01/29 01/30 01/31 01/31 01/31
Anniversaries Laura & Chris Delfausse Trish & Robert Dew Jennifer Pollard & Nick Ruiz Sherrie & Will Johnson Abby & Stephen Raines Emily & Clint Rogers Laurel Anne & Ron Kelly Lindy & Lee Siegismund Sookie & Gregory Knapp Anjuli & David Martinez Kelly & Jonathan Vande Streek Resa & Sam Dunn
01/01 01/01 01/01 01/06 01/06 01/06 01/10 01/17 01/18 01/21 01/23 01/25
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January 2017
January ROTA TIME
MINISTRY
January 1 8 & 10 AM
January 8
January 15
Youth Sunday
8:00 AM Jonea Raney
Jill Collins
Amelia Sondgeroth
Nancy Middlebrook
Jill Collins
LEM / ACOLYTE
Pattie Rose
Jonea Raney
Wes Raney
Pattie Rose
Jonea Raney
USHERS
Jon & Judith Dullnig
Danielle Adkins Stephen White
Jonea Raney Jill Collins
Beth Chenoweth Mary Smith
LECTORS
10: 00 AM Brian Kelly (1) Mary-Alis Kelly (2)
Meredith Shaw Bryant Johnson
Becky Janes (1) Sherrie Johnson (2)
Ed Shipsey Al McKinney Emma Kloninger Nora Kelly Will Kelly
Michael Brown Bill Kibler
Pam Castles
Lynn Edgerton Christine Brunson
Becky Janes Gary Taylor
Carol Oppel Kim Buckner
Abbe Kelly Will Kelly Nora Kelly Mairin Bachschmid Kim K.
Clay Buckner Meredith Childs Luke Breen Beatrice Reshetnikov Kim B., Carol
Aidan Brady Claudia Janes Hunter Rogers’ Henry Janes Kim K.
Abbe Kelly Will Kelly Nora Kelly Emma Kloninger Kim B., Carol
Mark Breen Dee Ann Thomasson Dodie Wells Amalia de la Rosa Yvette Webb Evelyn McMillen
Mike Brode Phil Aboussie Ross Ramsey Stephanie Young
Ken Whalen Stephen Wilson Barbara Wilson
Meredith Childs
Laura Merritt Ellie Reshetnikov
Ariston Awitan IV Emmaline Baxter Harwell Matthew Awitan Hunter Rogers TBD John Edgerton Lynn Edgerton Kevin Cromack Wade Buckner Michael Meigs Diana Stangl
Suzann Dvorken (1) Dave Elkins (2)
Kay Brown (1) Christie Stockstill (2)
Kevin Childs (1) Meredith Childs (2)
Andrew Poynot (1) Jennifer Jones (2)
Dru Cabler
Brenda White Jay Brown
Barbara Dody Rex White
Neal McGowan
Michael Meigs Karen Milton Jay, Cindy
Bonnie Brode Evan Overstreet Xander Stockstill Morgan Dew Cindy
Matt Forrest Ben Forrest Sam Forrest Nick Forrest Jay, Cindy
Max Genet Claire Cabler Mairin Bachschmid Meredith Shaw Jay Brown,Bishop’s Chaplain Jay, Cindy
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
Carolyn Wier Henry Olivas Frank Severn Charles Brewer
Jean & Frank Severn
Barbara Dody
Shelly Botkin Ryan Marquess
Steve Niemeyer
Meredith Childs-TC Judy Elkins Dodie Wells Lynn Edgerton
Millie Casparis-TC Evelyn McMillan Karen Milton Helen Anderson
7:30
LECTOR
9:00
LEM
ACOLYTES
USHERS
GREETERS LECTORS LEM
Jennifer McGowan Emmaline Baxter-Harwell
11:00
January 29
Confirmation w/Bishop Youth Sunday @ 11 a.m. Annual Parish Meeting @ 10 a.m.
Carol Sing @ 10 a.m.
ACOLYTES NO 11:00 A.M. SERVICE
USHERS
GREETERS
ALTAR GUILD
January 22
Sat. 9:00
Depositor WED. 6 p.m. Lector
Jonea Raney-TC Jill Collins Carolyn Wier Pat Bullock
Dee Ann Thomasson-TC Diana Stangl-TC Tina Stonebarger Susie Baxter-Harwell Henry Olivas Darlene Goodnight Sandy Sterzing Debbie Thornal
Bill Kibler (1) Nancy Kibler (2)
Mark Breen Dee Ann Thomasson Ken Whalen John Edgerton Meredith Childs
Cecily Bennett
Diane Brewer
Ed Mickler
John De Marines
Bo Overstreet
January 4
January 11
January 18
January 25
February 1
Jonea Raney
Dodie Wells
Meredith Childs
Jill Collins
Pattie Rose
Page 12
January 2017
Vestry Diana Stangl, Sr. Warden Clarence Bonnen, Jr. Warden
Vestry members: Melissa Blanding, Clarence Bonnen, Michele Bonner, Mark Breen, Mike Brode, Jill Collins, John Cooper, Suzann Dvorken, Ryan Marquess, Laura Merritt, Karen Milton, Becky Poynot, and David Randle
Committees Acolytes: Jay Brown, Carol Oppel, Cindy Cabler, Kim Kiplin, and Kim Buckner Altar Guild: Millie Casparis Building Committee: Amelia Sondgeroth Christian Formation: Cathy Nelson Communications: Pattie Rose Daughters of the King: Judy Elkins Women of St. Mark’s: Pat Bullock Facilities: Ray Smith
Deadline for the February 2017 St. Mark’s News is Friday, January 13, 2017. Please submit your article by email as an attachment to: office@stmarksaustin.org.
Finance: John Edgerton Outreach: Laurie Mayor
Rector The Rev. Elizabeth Zarelli Turner Assistant Rector The Rev. David W. Peters Director of Religious Education Cathy Nelson Organist/Director of Music Mark Reed Seminarian Neal McGowan Brian Prall Head of Day School Anne Wingler
Parish Life: Brenda White Pastoral Care/Health Ministry: Jonea C.S. Raney Stewardship: Amelia Sondgeroth Ushers: Henry Olivas
St. Mark’s Episcopal Church 2128 Barton Hills Drive Austin, TX 78704 512.444.1449 www.stmarksaustin.org office@stmarksaustin.org
Staff
Parish Administrator Joanne Foote Newsletter Editor Becky Janes
CHANGE SERVICE REQUESTED
Page 13