June and July 2016
St. Mark’s News Volume 20/Issue 06
From the Assistant Rector When your children ask in time to come, “What do these stones mean to you?” You shall tell them… Joshua 4:6 The Stones of the Parish Hall By David W. Peters Old stones form this wall Mortared here before color TV, Kennedy’s death, both moon walks Long they slept in the earth or in the creek Before cowboys, Franciscans, Comanche Before the wild pigs, large mammals, with shells the size of Volkswagen Beetles, Before the terrible lizards, the giant ferns, the silent trilobites Each one a grave marker for untold tiny sea creatures Whose skeletons and shells formed the calcium carbonate sediment-the lime stone All creatures of the One who watched them swim and sink Rough stones form this wall Rougher than the newer stones in the newer chapel Rougher and darker than the huge bright blocks around The Domain’s fountain Rougher than the glass-like granite countertop that I simply must have With pits and scrapes and strength from an older world, no two are alike Just like the holy ones who saw each one’s shape in the rugged pile Just like the One who saw how each one fits into the hollow of the other Silent stones form this wall Silent in the presence of our conversations and updates Silent to small lies, “Loved your longer-than-usual sermon” or “Yes, I’m doing great.” Silent to tears of joy and sorrow, for changes and chances, funeral receptions Silent because the living stones, the pillars, sing their heart out Silent because the pebbles bounce their balls, shout at the top of their lungs, Alleluia! Hosanna! Joy! Even when they are not supposed to Shushhhhhh, we say, but the stones know better So they wait for their chance to shout to the One who saw them form
In this Issue From the Assistant Rector ......... 1 Vestry Highlights........................ 2 Parish Life.................................. 4 Outreach .................................... 5 Christian Formation ................... 7 Parishioner Highlights ................ 9 Caffeine Ministry ...................... 10 Celebrations ............................ 10 ROTA ...................................... 12
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