January 2015
St. Mark’s News Volume 19/Issue 1
From the Rector O God, by the leading of a star you manifested your only Son to the peoples of the earth: lead us, who know you now by faith, to your presence, where we may see your glory face to face; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever. Amen (Collect for The Epiphany on January 6. BCP p. 214) 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 (Collect for the Second Sunday after the Epiphany) You are the light of the world. A city built on a hill cannot be hid. No one after lighting a lamp puts it under the bushel basket, but on the lampstand, and it gives light to all in the house. In the same way, let your light shine before others, so that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father in heaven. (Matthew 5:14-16) The season of Epiphany begins with the Feast of Epiphany on January 6. Epiphany is a season of light, of manifestation, and of revelation. Epiphany is a season for remembering both that Jesus is the light of the world and that we are as well. The question we might ask ourselves during this season of Epiphany is how best we might let our light shine before others so that they might see our good works and give glory to our Father in heaven.
In this Issue From the Rector .............................. 1 Vestry Highlights ............................. 2 Meet the New Vestry Members ....... 3 Outreach ......................................... 5 Parish Life ....................................... 5 Christian Formation......................... 7 Parishioner Highlights ..................... 9 Celebrations .................................. 10 ROTA ............................................ 11
A week or so before Christmas I heard an interview with Dr. Kent Brantly who contracted Ebola while serving in Liberia, who was treated in Atlanta, and who survived. He talked about the disproportionate fear and hysteria about Ebola in the United States. He said that it is a terrifying disease but that the American response is one of fear rather than knowledge. He said one thing in particular that caught my attention, and that was that “compassion should trump fear.” Compassion should trump fear. There is much to fear in this world in which we live. There is much darkness. But this season of Epiphany reminds us that light overcomes darkness and that the light is the light of Christ. We are the light of the world; a city built on a hill. Perhaps being the light of the world can be summed up in that single word, compassion. To be compassionate means to suffer with those who suffer. Being compassionate means being courageous rather than fearful. Being compassionate means being tender hearted. Being compassionate means being generous and hospitable. Being compassionate means being forgiving. During this Epiphany season may we look for manifestations of Christ’s presence every day. During this Epiphany season may we ask how best to let our light shine before others. In all that we do may we give glory to our Father in heaven. EZT+
Page 1