May 2013
St. Mark’s News Volume 16/Issue 5
From the Rector – Stewardship for the Present and Future An article on stewardship in May you may well be asking?! It is true that we usually talk explicitly about stewardship only in October, but our focus in October is on our next year’s budget. We have not said nearly enough about the fact that St. Mark’s has an Endowment Fund to which gifts can be given at any time of the year, and for any occasion or reason. This has come to my mind because of a most generous gift St. Mark’s recently received. A parishioner who is faithful each year in pledging recently sold some property that enabled him to give us a gift (actually a tithe of the amount he received from the sale) in the month of April. Per his suggestion and the Finance Committee’s affirmation, it was decided that $6500 of the gift would be designated for Outreach (and specifically a Habitat for Humanity Build) and $4500 for the Endowment Fund. This is the first gift to the Endowment Fund in several years. The Vestry of St. Mark’s established the Endowment Fund on February 14, 1983. The Fund’s purpose is “to maintain and enlarge a permanent fund for the benefit of St. Mark’s and its mission.” The Fund Agreement specifies that the Vestry, with the advice of the Finance Committee, will determine the amount to be distributed from the Fund for the use of St. Mark’s. The practice has been that 90% of interest earned would go into the General Budget and 10% retained. Because of the generosity and faithfulness of St. Mark’s parishioners it was decided that for the 2013 budget we would not include endowment monies in the general budget, but that we would confirm that decision on a quarterly basis. As of March we had an endowment of $103,033.41. St. Mark’s is the beneficiary of our parishioners’ faithful pledges each year, but we also benefit from those gifts that have been made in wills and at other times for other occasions (like our most recent gift). We have been able to make some of our recent building improvements (vesting room, roof work, and choir loft) from a Capital Improvement Reserve that we created out of a portion of one gift and the entirety of another willed to us. As you consider your own financial estate, please consider including St. Mark’s in your will.
In this Issue From the Rector .............................. 1 Vestry Highlights ............................. 2 Looking Ahead ................................ 3 Outreach.......................................... 4 Parish Life ....................................... 5 Christian Formation ......................... 7 Parishioner Highlights ..................... 9 Birthdays & Anniversaries ............... 10 Caffeine Ministry.............................. 10 ROTA .............................................. 11
And with respect to our present Mission and Ministry I am thankful to and for several new parishioners who understand that pledging is part of membership and who requested pledge cards upon joining the parish. If you are new to St. Mark’s and have yet to make a financial commitment in the form of a pledge please contact the Rector and she will get you a card.
My appreciation to and for each of you is immense. At the beginning of May we are at 127.21% of our Year to Date budgeted income. It is a joy and a gift to be able to say thank you, rather than help! EZT+
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May 2013
Vestry Highlights The St. Mark’s Vestry met at 7:00 p.m. on April 16, 2013, in the Bennett Wing classroom. The first item on the agenda was a presentation of an Eagle Scout project proposal by Kyle Way. Kyle proposed building three benches to set around the labyrinth on the Meditation Trail. Vestry members were enthusiastic in their affirmation of the proposal. Kyle’s goal is to have the project completed by the beginning of summer. In other business:
Elizabeth+ reported that we had approximately 25 volunteers working on the Meditation Trail cleanup on Saturday, March 23; that we had a total of 616 people attending our 4 Easter services (a baptism service on Easter Eve and three services Easter Sunday); and that between the end of March and the feast of Pentecost in May we will have baptized 12 infants/children. Elizabeth+ also reported on the successful search for a new Head of School for the Day School (see article elsewhere in this issue about the new Head, Anne Wingler). The Day School’s Board of Trustees was unanimous in their decision to offer the position to Ms. Wingler and the St. Mark’s vestry voted to affirm her hiring. Gina Newton’s resignation will be effective at the conclusion of this school year and Ms. Wingler will assume the position of Head of School the first week of June. Travis+ reported that the number of youth involved in the youth group is growing. During the Easter season they will be making desserts. The youth are also considering what they want to do with the shed that will be their dedicated youth space. Youth and Young Families will continue to meet during the summer months. As reported in the article about the Endowment, we are at 127% of our year to date budgeted income. We finally received our Austin Energy bill, after having not been billed since October. Our water usage is high and over budget. Elizabeth+ also reported on the $11,000 gift received in April: $6,500 of which will be go into the Designated Outreach fund for a Habitat for Humanity build in 2014; $4,500 of which will be deposited in the Endowment Fund. Outreach opportunities scheduled for June and August are the Habitat Build on June 1(20 volunteers needed to build and others to prepare and serve lunch), dinner preparation for the Ronald McDonald House on June 22 and 24 (10 volunteers needed each evening), and a blood drive in August. We will also participate in the Family Eldercare summer fan drive. Elizabeth+ was pleased to report that Pat Bullock has volunteered to assume leadership of the Shower Ministry. Other reports included Parish Life, Newcomers, and Liturgy and Worship
St. Mark’s Annual Chicken BBQ Picnic is Saturday, May 4, at 5:00 p.m. Our delicious smoked chickens will be sold along with sausage links and peach cobbler. Those attending should bring a potluck side dish to share and your favorite beverage to have with your dinner. Tickets will be sold at the door. Remember, you can also take some of these delectable chickens and sausage links home with you for later eating (they last great in the freezer). Lots of help is needed with the event--cooking at the pits, delivering chickens and sausages to the kitchen, wrapping cooked chickens and sausage for take out, setting up tables and chairs, and serving and cleaning up.!
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May 2013
May – What a Month! May promises to be a full, fun, and enriching month at St. Mark’s! First on the calendar is our annual Chicken BBQ and picnic on May 4. Chicken will be served at 5:00 p.m. and once again this year we will have some banjo music, brought to us by Sam Dunn and friends. The BBQ pits will be fired up and Pit Boss Britt Sitzes will once again oversee quality control and the ever-important continuity with tradition! At 5:00 on Sunday, May 5, we will have a service of Evensong with fabulous choral music under the direction of our own brilliant Mark Reed. The following Saturday, May 11, is our 10th Annual Men’s Scholarship Golf Tournament – the proceeds of which go towards scholarships for our qualified, graduating High School seniors.
June – With More to Look Forward to! In June we move to our summer schedule of two services, at 8 and 10 a.m. Saturday, June 1, is the day for our Habitat for Humanity Build. This will most likely be the last day of the Build, so we will get to work and welcome the family to their new home. Sunday, June 2, is Graduation Sunday and the Heifer Living Market Fair. At the 10:00 service we will acknowledge our parishioners who are graduating from High, School, College, or Graduate School (get names to us please!!). And then after the service we will move out to the lawn for hot dogs, ice cream, and the always-fun petting zoo. On Saturday, June 15, at 10:00 a.m. Mary Ann Huston and Jeremiah Griffin will be ordained to the transitional deaconate at the Cathedral in Houston. They would like the pleasure of our company. And for those of you with children… Vacation Bible School is the week of June 17. And even if we don’t have children, Cathy Nelson welcomes the help of anyone who loves to do crafts and activities with young people.
St. Mark’s Day School News In mid-March Gina Newton, the Head of the Day School, submitted her resignation effective at the conclusion of this school year. During her tenure as Head of the Day School Gina led the school through the accreditation transition from our former affiliation with NAEYC (National Association for the Education of Young Children) to our current affiliation with SAES (Southwestern Association of Episcopal Schools). She also took on the challenging job of following someone in that position who had held it for 28 years. I give thanks to Gina for her leadership the past nearly 5 years. I am pleased to announce that a new Head of School has been found and that she has accepted the offer extended to her. Anne Wingler will become the next Head of School the first week of June. Anne is a former St. Mark’s Day School teacher (1989 – 2000) who went on to do impressive work with the Children’s Defense Fund of Texas. Most recently Anne served as the Director of Faith Presbyterian Child Development Center, where she did an incredible job providing quality early childhood education to a largely under-served and diverse community. Anne began her vocation at St. Mark’s Day School, and as a result knows and values our school culture. She brings to the position experience, leadership skills, and vision for early childhood education. She is active in the Presbyterian Church and values the Day School’s Episcopal Church foundation and convictions. Welcome to St. Mark’s Anne!
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May 2013
Outreach Our El Buen food donation item for the month of May is Canned Fruit and Veggies (healthy options where available; low sugar/sodium). Upcoming Outreach Opportunities: June 1: Habitat For Humanity Build, 8 a.m.-4 p.m. Come help put the finishing touches on the house, located at 6108 Sandshof Dr., We need 20-25 people to help with this event. The house will be dedicated at 3 p.m. on this day—stay & watch the keys be handed over to the family! For more details/information contact Andrew Poynot: apoynot@yahoo.com or 529-7309. June 22 & 24: Dinner preparation at Ronald McDonald House (RMH) at Dell Children's:
Teams of 8 people, including one lead volunteer are needed for each night. Volunteers are responsible for planning, buying, and preparing the food to be served buffet style at the RMH kitchen. We had a great time last year and look forward to this event again. Saturday, July 13: We will spend the morning sorting donations at the Capital Area Food Bank. Be on the lookout for the sign-up sheets in the Parish Hall for all these great events! A sheet is currently posted for the Habitat for Humanity Build!
Are you being called? We all have our callings. Some of us are called to be ushers; others are called to help with the Pastoral Committee or as lay readers. St. Mark’s is rich with opportunities for those who wish to serve the Lord. So what is your calling? If you are a woman of the Episcopal Church and are called to a prayerful life, you may want to consider joining the Daughters of the King. I know you’re thinking, “I don’t have time to fit one more thing into my life.” Being a Daughter does not require a whole lot of your time and is so very fulfilling. So who are the Daughters of the King? The Order of the Daughter of the King is an international religious order for women who vow to accept the Rule of Life, which can be thought of as a covenant between God and ourselves. It helps us to focus on our walk with Jesus Christ. Our Rule of Life incorporates a Rule of Prayer and a Rule of Service. We fulfill the Rule of Prayer by praying daily for unity in Christ’s Church; the spread of Christ’s Kingdom; God’s blessings upon members of our chapter and our clergy; and the spiritual growth of our parish. We also pray daily for those on our parish intercession list. Through the Rule of Service, a Daughter seeks to do the will of God every day. It is an application of her baptismal vow in which she strives to be Christ’s faithful servant by growing His Kingdom, assisting clergy in the outreach and work of the Church. Does this sound like something you may be interested in? At St. Mark’s we have women as young as their 20s and all the way up to those in their 80s who are Daughters. You can recognize us by the silver cross we wear each day. We meet on the second Sunday of each month, September through May, after the 11:00 service. Membership in The Order of the Daughters of the King is established by taking a lifetime vow of Prayer and Service, which is our Rule of Life. A woman enters the Order by completing a three-month preparation period. The St. Mark’s Chapter will start a new three-month preparation class in June. If you are interested in joining this class, please contact Lisa Martin at 512-431-7716 or at dmartin12@austin.rr.com before May 31.
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May 2013
Parish Life First Friday Book Group; Bennett Wing Classroom at 11 a.m. Join us on the first Friday of each month for our First Friday Book Group. We have books chosen for May and June, and then it’s time to generate a new list (recommendations most welcome!) May 3 Plainsong
Kent Haruf
June 7 The Maid
Kimberly Cutter
2013 St. Mark’s Scholarship Golf Tournament
Call for Scholarship Applicants
Presented by St. Mark’s Men’s Group to endow scholarships for high school graduates
St. Mark’s Men’s Group Scholarship Application Requirements 1.
When: Saturday, May 11, 8:00 a.m. Shotgun Start Where: Newly redesigned Morris Williams Golf Course Format: Four-man scramble—Enter your own team or we will match you up. Register / Pay By April 12: $55 per player Register / Pay After April 12: $65 per Player Entry Fee includes: Green fees, Cart, practice balls New Scramble Format (handicap avg. score required) Great Prizes & refreshments! Awards Luncheon! For registration: Phil Aboussie (512-447-2255) or John Cooper (512-771-0507) or john@nextwattsolutions.com.
2.
3. or 4.
5.
Submit a completed St. Mark’s Scholarship Application. Contact Mike Brode at mbrode@swbell.net or 512-4228420 to receive application. The neatness and completeness of the answers are important. Attach extra sheets if necessary. Submit an acceptance letter or equivalent that the applicant has been accepted into a college, university, junior college, or an accredited trade or vocational school within six months of the time of the application. Submit two letters of recommendation, one from an adult, non-relative member of St. Mark’s and one from a high school teacher. Submit an essay of no less than 200 words and no more than 400 words on the following topic: “How Being at St. Mark’s Has Formed Me as a Christian.” Submit a list of youth activities and accomplishments at St. Mark’s for the past four years. Turn in the application and other documents to the St. Mark’s church office by May 1, 2013.
Festal Evensong with the Adult Choir, Sunday, May 5 at 5:00 p.m. The Adult Choir invites you to attend a service of Festal Evensong in celebration of the choir loft renovation on Sunday, May 5, at 5:00 p.m. Over the past two months, the choir loft has been renovated and redesigned. The broken, bumpy, squeaky, and worn floor has been replaced. The organ and speaker wires that were ducttaped to the floor are now out of sight. A new choral riser and pews now accommodate seating on both sides of the organ console. The hulking filing cabinets and mismatched bookshelves have been replaced by efficient and elegant cabinets and shelves for better music storage. The wobbly second-hand table (which had served the city of Austin for many years before coming to St. Mark’s) has been replaced with a nifty built-in desk. We hope you will join us as we sing hymns, anthems, and canticles in praise and thanksgiving to God for the blessings of our St. Mark’s family whose generosity made this renovation possible. The choir will sing a variety of pieces, including a new setting of the Phos hilaron by Houston composer David Ashley White, an African-American Spiritual, a new treatment of Amazing Grace, and the glorious Magnificat and Nunc dimittis in C by the renowned Victorian composer Charles Villiers Stanford. We will be joined by flutist Nicole Routier. Hymns, psalms, and prayers will be offered as we join in a profound service of worship. Following the service, you are invited to attend a reception of hors d’oeuvres in the Parish Hall.
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May 2013
From the Garden St. Mark’s gardeners love the month of April. We have enjoyed the fresh infusions of colors from wood violets, dianthus, and snapdragons to Knockout Roses, lantana, salvias, and begonias. Fresh chrysanthemums are peeping out of pots and the lacy maidenhair ferns have been gorgeous. Our wonderful Joanne Foote has brought renewed vigor to the plantings at our entrance, helping the grounds on Easter Sunday look just beautiful! The many palms that have been placed around the building graced our Palm Sunday celebrations, but their green abundance is a welcome sight year round. McKinney Isle continues to grow and develop. Al’s roses are doing beautifully as are the many other specimens he has added to the space. The recent hard rains in April did little to damage the sturdy stone and pebble walks. Thanks to everyone who worked hard during the ‘Meditation Trail Clean-up’, which spilled over into other areas. Our entrance drive has been opened up after all the scrub brush and small trees were removed, exposing a beautiful large Live Oak tree. Where the city once planned an extension to Barton Skyway, is now a more welcoming invitation to St. Mark’s! At our corner, the perennial plants tended by Becky Nolan are all thriving and the roses along the sanctuary wall are showing their colors, too. Dee Ann Thomasson’s special areas are still lovely with the cacti and rosemary forming the backdrop for other pretty additions. Guild gardeners are doing so well and Mother Nature is finally lending a hand. The vines in the columbarium garden are awash in color, the redbud trees bloomed again where we once thought them lost, and the other low-maintenance plantings are thriving, too. The ongoing efforts of these wonderful volunteers have had a beautiful effect on the grounds. Thank you, one and all! The earth laughs in flowers, Diane Brewer, Coordinator
Women’s News Congratulations to Lisa Martin, Diocese of Texas ECW Austin Convocation Coordinator for hosting a successful and fun Spiritual Growth workshop held at St. Mark's Episcopal Church. The guest Speaker was Susan Richardson of Love Never Fails Ministry. Thank you to ALL who participated in making this event a terrific morning of shared fellowship. We appreciate all those who volunteered in the setup and cleanup and for once again bringing delicious deviled eggs and assorted breakfast treats. The Shower Ministry is up and running and is under the new direction of Pat Bullock. Volunteers from St. Mark's Church will be providing showers to homeless women at the Trinity Center. The showers are scheduled for every Tuesday from 9:30 am to noon. Volunteers and substitute volunteers are needed to keep this ministry a continued success. If you are interested, please contact Pat Bullock at (512) 369-3525. Kudos go to Dodie Wells for ensuring that this important ministry continued during the leadership transition. A standing ovation goes to Suzann Dvorken, the creator and founder of the Shower Ministry. Over the years, Suzann's idea has been and continues to be a comfort to many homeless Austin women. These women have been uplifted by the efforts for ALL the volunteers who have served every Tuesday since the Shower Ministry began in June of 2010. A heartfelt "THANK YOU" to all volunteers for their time, support, and love for our neighbors at the Trinity Center. “All thrive in one grand concord." - Mary Baker Eddy Ladies, save the date: Saturday, May 4th is the St. Mark's Annual Chicken BBQ Picnic. Please check the sign up sheets for various
opportunities to help. Sunday, Mary 5th is The Evensong Service @ 5 p.m. Please note this is a special occasion & there will be a light reception following the Service. Come and see the wonderful renovations in the Choir Loft. May 27th...It's Bunco Time! Join us for fellowship, potluck dinner & the roll of the dice. November 22-23, 2013, is the Annual Diocesan ECW Retreat at Camp Allen.
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May 2013
Christian Formation For Children and Youth (by Cathy Nelson, Director of Religious Education) The rhythm of the liturgical calendar is a central force in many lives, especially those who work for the church, or attend services regularly and participate in the celebration of Jesus’ resurrection every Sunday. Along with our Sunday celebrations, there are various events that punctuate the liturgical calendar; such as baptisms, the celebration of Advent, the Nativity of the Lord, Lent, Jesus’ Death, Resurrection, and Ascension, the descent of the Holy Spirit on Pentecost, and the continuing work of Christ in His Church, by the Spirit. For me, the flow of the liturgical calendar has begun to blend with the seasons of the year, the course of the school year, secular holidays, and extra church events, like Rally Day, Families with Young Children’s Halloween party, Mission and Ministry meals, Advent Wreath Event, Cookie Exchange, Pancake Supper, Lent Soup Suppers and Services, Easter Egg Hunt, BBQ picnic, Graduation Sunday, Heifer Living Gift Market, Vacation Bible School and the yard sale, to create the tempo of my life. All of these things provide the backdrop to the stories of our lives. I was struck by a sentence in an article published in the New York Times with a link on the Episcopal Children’s Formation page of the National Episcopal Church website, http://episcopalchildren.org/. The article, The Stories that Bind Us, by Bruce Feiler is adapted from his book about how to hold a family together and keep it effective, resilient, and happy: The Secrets of Happy Families: How to Improve Your Morning, Rethink Family Dinner, Fight Smart, Go Out and Play, and Much More. In the article, Feiler writes about the findings of two psychologists studying whether knowing the family narrative helped children survive challenges. “Dr. Duke said that children who have the most self-confidence have what he and Dr. Fivush call a strong ‘intergenerational self.’ They know they belong to something bigger than themselves.” According to Feiler, “The bottom line: if you want a happier family, create, refine and retell the story of your family’s positive moments and your ability to bounce back from the difficult ones. That act alone may increase the odds that your family will thrive for many generations to come.”
Vacation Bible School: June 17-21, 9 a.m.-noon We are still accepting registration for St. Mark's Vacation Bible School. Please register your child through our website, www.stmarksaustin.org. And don’t forget to tell us how you will be helping us during the program! You may turn in your check and a copy of your insurance information to the front office. This year, VBS is based on Noah from PowerXpress. The children will learn about God’s promise of forgiveness and his love for the people of God. There will be childcare for young children of parent leaders and youth th th from 6 to 12 grade are invited to help us during the week. Please let us know how you are able to help with VBS this year. We’d love to share this great experience with both you and your children! Please fill in an application for children attending and teens working with us! Teens are paid $25 for the week. They are required to attend a VBS orientation the week before VBS.
I have heard the same phrase, “they belong to something bigger than themselves” used in the context of religious education. Children who trust that there is a loving God who is bigger than themselves find it easier to work through life’s challenges. Feiler’s article is helpful to families raising children, but I think with the two stories overlapping - our family narrative and our narrative of us as people of God - the sense that we belong to something bigger than ourselves is even more powerful. The liturgical calendar and church events help us walk through and remember that second piece of our story. This month we will be celebrating the Season of Easter for two more weeks and then move into the Season of Pentecost on May 19. During this busy month, as you will notice in this newsletter, we have many of the activities that punctuate the St. Mark’s calendar. Children can attend the last two Sundays of Church School
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May 2013 classes on May 5 and 12, baptisms on May 5 and 19, an evensong with beautiful music provided by St. Mark’s choir on May 5, and a special intergenerational celebration of Pentecost on May 19. For families, there will be many school and extracurricular events and celebrations as the end of school draws near. I pray that you will be able to participate in some or all of the St. Mark’s events despite the busyness of the season! Church School classes for children: May 5 and 12:
This month the pre-kindergartners and kindergartners in the Godly Play class will hear the Symbols of the Holy Eucharist and have an introduction to the books of the Bible on the 5th and the Mystery of Pentecost on the 12th. The Godly Play Two class for 1st and 2nd graders will hear the stories Paul’s Discovery and The Holy Trinity.
The 3rd, 4th and 5th Grade Class will finish up the Church School year with more exciting Biblical adventures in the early Church in the stories of a young man’s death while Paul is preaching (Acts 20:712) and Paul and the snake (Acts 28:1-6).
The Middle School and the High School class will meet with Travis Smith and teachers, Danielle Adkins, Jay Brown, Kathy Genet and Harry Lipp for Bible study and breakfast. The stories this month are Ascension Accounts (Luke 24:50-53 & Acts 1:1-11) and Replacing Judas (Acts 1:12-26).
For Adults The first two Sundays in May (May 5 and 12), parishioner Michael Meigs will lead a two-week series entitled “The Elixir of Immortality – Translation and Reflection.” When Michael retired from his work with the U.S. Foreign Service, he and his wife Karen Milton made both Austin and St. Mark’s their home. “Retirement” does not come to mind when talking about Michael, who has been able to immerse himself in two of his great interests and passions: theater and translating. He is a theater reviewer who has initiated the St. Mark’s theater group (enjoying, not acting, various performances in the Austin area). Language is another of his passions, and his foreign languages include French, Spanish, German, Swedish, Portuguese, and Italian. He is a member of the Swedish Translators in North America and he has recently translated The Dean – a Swedish Novel about Texas and Austin by Lars Gustafsson and Gabi Gleichmann’s The Elixir of Immortality (hence the title of the class). May 5 – The Elixir of Immortality – Translation and Reflection (Michael Meigs) May 12 – The Elixir of Immortality, continued May 19 - A Journey from Atheism to Seminary (Vivian Orndorff, Seminarian) May 26 – Memorial Day Weekend – no class
Summer Activities for St. Mark’s Children Sunday, June 2: The annual Heifer Living Gift Market will be held on the lawn at 11:00 a.m. Join us for the fun! Vacation Bible School for children 4 years - 5th grade will be held June 17 – 21. Mayra’s Art Camp: June 17 - 21, 1 p.m.-5 p.m.: For families who need full-day supervision for their children the week of VBS, Mayra Alvarez, Day School Teacher and a member of our church nursery staff, will provide fun activities. There is an optional supervised lunch from noon to 1:00 p.m. Please email Mayra mayra_alvarez69@yahoo.com for more information. The Art Camp is not affiliated with the Day School or St. Mark's Church. Summer camp information is here! Camp Allen camps and events for children ages 8 through 18 years open on June 9, but sessions run all summer long! Check the board in the Parish Hall for applications, or go to Camp Allen’s website, http://www.campallen.org/summercamp/calendar, for on-line registration, registration forms, information, and the calendar for campers and counselors.
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May 2013
Parishioner Highlights Jim and Marty Clark have been steadfast St. Mark’s supporters and attendees since joining the church, and it has been my pleasure to know them and attend the Wednesday night service and adult education classes with them. Texas and especially Austin should be proud to have had such educational virtuosos involved in what I’m sure resulted in the betterment of the quality of education in all the schools in which they were employed. We indeed do honor their many years of service to that cause as well as to St. Mark’s. Beth Chenoweth
Jim and Marty Clark We moved to Austin from Lake Jackson in 1970 but did not become active in a church until we joined St. Mark’s in 1986. It happened like this: Every day, on the way home to Barton Hills from work, we both passed St. Mark’s. One day Marty said “Whenever you are ready to start back to church, I’m ready.” The next Sunday we attended St. Mark’s for the first time. We were both very impressed even if I did get lost in the liturgy because of that “new” prayer book that had been adopted. We completed a visitor’s card and that afternoon we were visited by the Senior Warden, Albert Bowles. We were both impressed and began going back regularly. We came to know and like the Rector, Scotty Inness, and many of the other members. We enrolled in the next confirmation class available and formally joined St. Mark’s in October of 1986. Since then we have both been involved in a wide variety of ways:
Marty has served on the Altar Guild and was on several building committees. She coordinated the project for making the seasonal banners that hang in front of the sanctuary throughout the year. She also made the ceramic communion cup and bowls that are used at the Wednesday night services. In 2010 she received the ECW Diocesan Award for her Gentle Contributions. She remains active in the contemplative prayer group, and the Friday Book Group.
Jim has served as an usher, a Vestry member, a Warden several times, and on numerous committees. For many years, he served as chairman of the Long Range Planning Committee. He served as chairman of the search committee that selected Bill Bennett as our Rector.
Both of us are retired now. Marty taught Art and English for 37 years in several different Texas schools. Her final teaching job was at Crockett High School in Austin. She retired in 1987. Jim was in education for 43 years as a math teacher, principal, counselor, and school psychologist. He joined the Texas Education Agency in 1969 as Director of Innovative Programs. His final job at TEA was as Executive Assistant to the Commissioner of Education. He retired in 1990. Most of our activities since retirement have been related to St. Mark’s in some way. We have traveled to Europe several times, sometimes with St. Mark’s groups and sometimes on our own. We both enjoy reading and book clubs, and Jim is becoming increasingly addicted to just goofing around with friends. We have one daughter, Val Clark Beard, who is County Judge in Brewster County. She is married to Tom, a Dallas attorney, and they have one daughter. That daughter (our granddaughter), Marty Beard Duncan, is an attorney living in Dallas with her husband Mike.
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May 2013
Celebrations May Birthdays Herschel Carrico
05/02
Pattie Rose
05/11
Erica Sondgeroth
05/16
Mary Ann Huston
05/23
Scott Forrest
05/02
David Way
05/11
Mark Reed
05/17
Albert Chambers
05/24
John Minne
05/03
Matthew Awitan
05/12
Tom Wood
05/17
Jessie Cromack
05/24
Kathy Genet
05/05
Savannah Dew
05/12
Vincent Geraci
05/18
Maddison Whitt
05/24
Eleanor Goff
05/05
Sean Nunes
05/12
Bev Hicks
05/18
Dan Smith
05/25
Kevin Hall
05/05
Joseph Schmittou
05/13
Viviana Martinez
05/19
Will Smith
05/25
Lisa Leach
05/05
Jean Severn
05/13
Beatrice Reshetnikov
05/19
Virginia Sullivan
05/25
Matthew Miller
05/06
Jewellyn Forrest
05/14
Grace Borja
05/20
Becky Nolan
05/26
Andrew Wood
05/07
Natalie Langham
05/14
Alexis Chun
05/20
Thomas Delamater
05/27
Scottie Aplin
05/08
Carl Niemeyer
05/14
Michael Meigs
05/20
Glenn Peers
05/27
George DeMarines
05/09
Samuel Niemeyer
05/14
Gary Todd
05/20
Kristin White
05/27
Sookie Knapp
05/09
John Glover
05/15
Mary Tonsager
05/20
Jay Brown
05/29
Nicolas Ruiz
05/09
Will Johnson
05/16
Patrick Chandler
05/22
Alex Pugh
05/29
Mike Davis
05/10
Susan Keeler
05/16
Quinlyn Chun
05/22
Benjamin Martinez
05/31
Joanne Foote
05/10
Stephen Niemeyer
05/16
Katie Albers
05/23
Chuck Ragland
05/31
Harry Lipp
05/11
Meredith Shaw
05/16
Matthew Frederick
05/23
Greg Silver
05/31
May Anniversaries Kathy & David Genet
05/06
Alicia & Aaron Barker
05/21
Tara & Brett Pitt
05/27
Robin Bridgewater & Lee Wagner
05/07
Elizabeth & Martin Mufich
05/22
Susan Baxter-Harwell & Phillip Harwell
05/28
Alexia Rodriguez & Scott Hoopman
05/10
Kristen & Sean Williamson
05/23
Meridith & Ed Schmittou
05/28
Maria & Michael Fuhrman
05/11
Mary Carole & Britt Sitzes
05/24
Jennifer & Glen Baumgart
05/29
Jean & Gene Main
05/11
Mary-Alis & Brian Kelly
05/25
Bev & Steve Hicks
05/30
Beth & Mike Brode
05/12
Elizabeth & Philip Turner
05/25
Sarah Stasney-Chun & David Chun
05/31
Bradley & Barron Johnson
05/13
Heather & Mehron Azarmehr
05/26
Megan & Matthew Frederick
05/31
Jennifer & Mark Santos
05/18
May Caffeine Ministry 5rd Early – Lisa Martin Late – Ryan Marquess and Shelly Botkin
12th Early – Karen Milton and Michael Meigs
19th Early – Al McKinney and Nancy Middlebrook
26th Early – Margaret Schlankey and Amity Worrell
Late – Jonathon and Laurie Mayor
Late – Jim and Becky Nolan
Late – Jack and Dolores Minor
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 May, David Johns.
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May 2013
May ROTA
MINISTRY
May 5
May 12 Youth Sunday
May 19
May 26 Youth Sunday
LECTOR
Jonea Raney
Pattie Rose
Jon Dullnig
Amelia Sondgeroth
LEM and ACOLYTE
Jill Collins
Nancy Middlebrook
Jill Collins
Pattie Rose
USHERS
Beth Chenoweth Mary Smith
Jonea Raney Jill Collins
Jon & Judith Dullnig
Danielle Adkins Stephen White
Ed Shipsey Al McKinney
LECTORS
Glenn Lightsey (1) Mike Thomasson (2)
Youth
Cindy Bogard (1) Lynn Edgerton (2)
Youth
Kevin Childs (1) Meredith Childs (2)
LEM
Kim Buckner Lynn Edgerton
Jonathan Hansen Carol Oppel
Bill Kibler Mike Thomasson
Mary Cromack Gary Taylor
Jay Brown Lynn Edgerton
Connor Lightsey Suzanne Lightsey Claire Dempsey Ryan Dempsey Carol, Kim B. Mark Breen Dee Ann Thomasson Dick Wells Dodie Wells Glen Baumgart
Carson Buckner Clara Bogard Abigail Goff Julia Comer Carol, Kim B.
Bennett Whalen Ariston Awitan IV Matthew Awitan Clara Bogard Carol, Mary
Connor Fuhrman Davis Fuhrman Ethan Fuhrman Clay Buckner Mary
Carey Stangl Matt Forrest Ben Forrest Sam Forrest
Mike Brode Phil Aboussie Ross Ramsey
Ken Whalen Ariston Awitan III Dan Bogard
John Edgerton Lynn Edgerton Kevin Cromack
Carolyn Wier James Wier Bo Overstreet Rick Tennant John DeMarines
Meredith Childs Kevin Cromack
Cindy & Dan Bogard
Kim Buckner Michael Meigs
Barbette & John Cooper
9:00 a.m.
ACOLYTES
USHERS
11:00 a.m
GREETERS Barbette & John Cooper LECTORS
Andrew Poynot (1) Dodie Wells (2)
Christine Havens (1) Ginny Acker (2)
Matt Lamon (1) Kimberly Horne (2)
Michael Meigs (1) Karen Milton (2)
LEM
Jeremiah Griffin Jim Casparis
Jeremiah Griffin Mary Ann Huston
Rex White Brenda White
Jim Caspairs Dru Cabler
ACOLYTES
Patrick Camp Max Genet Josef Genet Evelyn Eaton Jay, Mary Ann
Wes Johns Katie Orndorff Asher Eaton Claudia Janes Jay, Mary Ann Jim Casparis Charles Brewer Bob Peterek Manuel de la Rosa Jim Nolan Ryan Marquess
Michael Brode Bonnie Brode Elijah Gallardo Evan Overstreet Jay, Mary Ann
Sara Thiessen Winston Baxter- Harwell Emmaline Baxter- Harwell
Luke Thiessen Jay
June 2 8 a.m. and 10 a.m.
8 a.m.
Jill Collins
10 a.m.
7:30 a.m..
TIME
Jonea Raney
Begin Summer Schedule No 11 a.m. service Services @ 8 & 10 a.m. only
GREETERS
Jean & Frank Severn
Jay Doran
Shelly Botkin & Ryan Marquess
Lark Anthony Barbara Dody
Sat. 9:00
Jonea Raney-TC Jill Collins Carolyn Wier Helen Anderson Cynthia Archer
Dee Ann Thomasson –TC Barbara Dody Bev Hicks Karen Milton Susan Baxter-Harwell
Diana Stangl-TC Dodie Wells Tina Stonebarger Henry Olivas Liz Davis
Meredith Childs-TC Millie Casparis Lynn Edgerton Pat Bullock Judy Elkins
Jonea Raney-TC Jill Collins Carolyn Wier Lynn Edgerton
Depositor
Diane Brewer
Jim Casparis
Bo Overstreet
John De Marines
Jim Nolan
WED. 6 p.m. Lector
May 1
May 8
May 15
May 22
May 29
Jonea Raney
Meredith Childs
Rex White
Jill Collins
Kevin Childs
ALTAR GUILD
USHERS
Carolyn Wier James Wier Bo Overstreet Rick Tennant John De Marines
Henry Olivas Lark Anthony Yvonne Chavez
Frank Severn Jean Severn Jay Doran Jodie Doran
Page 11
Vestry Andrew Poynot, Sr. Warden Kathy Genet, Jr. Warden
Vestry members: Dan Bogard, Susan Bonnen, Shelly Botkin, Kim Buckner, Lynn Edgerton, Becky Janes, David Johns, Nancy Kibler, J.P. Kloninger Jim Nolan, Bo Overstreet, Ross Ramsey, Rex White
Deadline for the June 2013 St. Mark’s News is Wednesday, May 15, 2013. Please submit your article by email as an attachment to: office@stmarksaustin.org.
St. Mark’s Episcopal Church 2128 Barton Hills Drive Austin, TX 78704 512.444.1449 www.stmarksaustin.org office@stmarksaustin.org
Committees
Staff
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: Jonea C.S. Raney Women of St. Mark’s: Yvonne Chavez and Judy Elkins Facilities: Ray Smith Finance: John Edgerton Outreach: Becky Poynot and Laurie Mayor Parish Life: Brenda White Pastoral Care/Health Ministry: Jonea C.S. Raney Stewardship: Amelia Sondgeroth Ushers: Henry Olivas
Rector The Rev. Elizabeth Zarelli Turner Curate The Rev. Travis Smith Director of Religious Education Cathy Nelson Organist/Director of Music Mark Reed Seminarians Jeremiah Griffin Jonathan Hansen Vivian Orndorff Head of Day School Gina Newton Parish Administrator Joanne Foote Newsletter Editor Becky Janes
CHANGE SERVICE REQUESTED