November 2018
St. Mark’s News Volume 22/Issue 10
100 Day Report Dear St. Mark’s family, I’ve just passed the 100 day mark as your Rector, and I must make a candid confession: I have never had more fun in my life. It seems to me that all of you who told me that St. Mark’s is a very special place were correct—well, it’s either that, or you are a people of remarkable endurance, for certainly normal people couldn’t fake such love and hospitality for over 100 days! I’ve said it before, but let me say it again: Thank you for welcoming Anna and me into your family. I’m happy to report that I’ve experienced my first leak in the roof! It is a peculiar rite of initiation, I’ll admit, but I felt like I have emerged out onto the other side more settled into this place, more officially your Rector—until, that is, I experienced the second and third leak in the roof. . . As the weather has cooled, I’ve also started exploring our property a bit more. Just yesterday I was walking the meditation trail and ran into two Day School classes on a mini-field trip over by the labyrinth. “Hi, Father Zac” they all screamed—another sign I’m settling in. They remember my name now! In this Issue I am somewhat embarrassed to share that I also got extremely lost in our woods recently. As my South Austin restaurant lunch tour continues (see September newsletter), I realized that there was a Taco Deli—my current favorite taco place in Austin—was just across Barton Creek. I wondered if I could walk there through the woods. Forty-five minutes later, I re-emerged at our Meditation Trail sign, scratched, sweaty, and grateful to be alive—and ravenously hungry. My second attempt, I’m happy to report, was much more successful. Taco Deli is a 9 minute walk through the woods! DO YOU KNOW HOW HAPPY THAT MAKES ME?? How this very important feature was left out of the parish profile is a mystery of all mysteries to me.
100 Day Report ......................... 1 Family Ministry .......................... 2 ECW .......................................... 4 Men’s Group .............................. 5 Altar Guild.................................. 5 Day School ................................ 5 Outreach.................................... 6 Caffeine Ministry ........................ 6 Celebrations .............................. 7 ROTA ................................. Insert
Love y’all. Z+
New Formation Class with Fr. Zac: November 11 at 10 a.m. in Grace Chapel According to a new study, 78% of parents believe raising kids today is more complicated than it was when they were young. Why? For the majority (65%), technology tops the list. How do we, as families and as individuals, faithfully navigate the world of screens and perpetual distraction? Join Fr. Zac for a safe-space, no-judging-allowed discussion about this principal conundrum of contemporary life.
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November 2018
Family Ministry November 4 – Ingathering Sunday, 10 a.m., Parish Hall: Youth Taco Sale A couple of times per year, the St. Mark’s youth seek to fund their outreach activities by bringing their culinary skills to bear with their famous Taco Sale. Tacos are a primary food group here at St. Mark’s, but these youth-made comestibles definitely raise the bar – they are “nachoâ€? ordinary tacos! Feel unique: every taco is made-to-order – you choose the fillings! Feel good – “inhale tacos, exhale negativity!â€? Feel fit – “fit’ness taco in your mouth!â€? All kidding aside, these soul-sustaining tacos are not only delicious, but the money raised will be used to purchase gifts for the Angel Tree in December. Opportunity alert: Support our youth by donating food items or purchasing a taco – or three! đ&#x;˜Š For more information, contact Cindy Cabler (ccabler@stmarksaustin.org) or Eric Panter (stmarkflions@gmail.com). Please note: There will be no Adult Formation classes or supervised play for children on November 4 so that everyone can enjoy Peace, Love & Tacos.
November 11, 18 & 25 – 10 a.m., Outside Deck: Family Taco Hour We are taking a break from the “usual� Taco Hour on the 4th, but we will resume on the 11th. As always, grab some tacos to enjoy with your family, then hang out with other families on the deck or attend an adult formation class, as you choose. You can relax as your kids enjoy supervised play on the playground (the whole shebang moves indoors in case of inclement weather). Opportunity alert: Volunteer (adult*) to help monitor the playground once a month or so. It’s a great way to get to know the kids and other parents, as well as St. Mark’s staff. *Requires SGC certification; see next item.
November 11 – noon, Bennett Wing Classroom: Safeguarding God’s Children Martin Luther King, Jr. once said, “Everybody can be great. Because anybody can serve,â€? ‌but you might need a Safeguarding God’s Children class first! St. Mark’s activities are fueled by volunteers‌and many of these activities involve our children and youth. Our Diocese requires adult volunteers (and youths 16 & up) who work with children and youth to be SGC certified. I recommend that every parent take the course, so that you are ready to pitch in whenever you see a need. The class takes about 2 hours, and lunch will be served. An added plus: the certification lasts 5 years (one year for youth). Opportunity alert: What are you waiting for? Get certified already! If you’ve never taken the class, or it has been awhile, please contact Cindy Cabler (ccabler@stmarksaustin.org) by November 5 if you would like to attend this training.
Every Sunday in November – 9 & 11 a.m.: Children’s Chapel/Godly Play Every Sunday we offer Children’s Chapel at both the 9am and 11am services. Children begin the service in the Sanctuary with their parents. After the opening Collect, the priest invites the children to gather behind the Children’s Chapel Crucifer to process out to their Chapel. They rejoin their parents after the Peace for Communion.
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November 2018 Have you ever wondered what the children are doing during their Chapel time? Godly Play, that’s what! If you are unfamiliar with this program, the Godly Play Foundation introduces it this way: Children have an innate sense of the presence of God. The Godly Play approach helps them to explore their faith through story, to gain religious language and to enhance their spiritual experience though wonder and play. Based on Montessori principles and developed using a spiral curriculum, the Godly Play method serves children through early, middle and late childhood and beyond. Through Godly Play, children are invited to listen to the storyteller tell the great stories of the Bible, and then to explore those stories through their “work”—by playing with the story props or making artwork or setting up the small altar for the feast. So far this fall we have heard the Creation story, learned about time and the Circle of the Church Year, followed God’s People on the Exodus, found out about the Ten Best Ways to Live, and more. Here are the stories we will encounter this month: November 4: Holy Baptism – In this favorite Godly Play story, we hear how people are baptized in the name of the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit. We will learn about the water, the promised made and the prayers said, then we will be invited to remember our own baptism or look forward to the day when we will be baptized. When we return to church, we will witness twin baptisms (both services)! November 11: The Ark and the Temple – When God gave the People of God the Ten Best Ways to Live (the Ten Commandments), He also told Moses how they were to be kept. This is the story of the Ark after God’s People came into the Promised Land. November 18: The Exile and the Return – We remember the time after Abraham, Moses and David when the Babylonians conquered Jerusalem and destroyed the Temple. Many of the Israelites were marched off to Babylon for a long exile. How could they be with God, who they believed was back in Jerusalem in the ruined Temple? November 25: The Prophets – The People of God were led out of slavery, ruled their own country, were defeated, were carried off into exile, and returned to rebuild the temple and Jerusalem. God was with them all the way – but they were not always with God. In this story, we learn about the prophets whose job was to show the people, the king and the priests when they turned away from God.
Opportunity alert: Volunteer (adult/youth) to help the storyteller set up before the 9am Chapel or put things away after the 11am. Volunteer (adult) to be the Children’s Crucifer/Doorkeeper (requires SGC certification); youth are also eligible to volunteer as Crucifer. If you enjoy telling stories, volunteer (adult) as Storyteller (requires SGC and Godly Play training).
Additional Opportunities: Nursery – Volunteer (adult) substitutes (requires SGC certification); Sundays, 8:45 a.m. until 12:15 p.m.; 1- or 2-hour shifts available. Office – Volunteer (adult/youth) to help put away books and other materials, set your own hours.
Page Turners Book Group December 7 Nonfiction: In the Shadow of Statues, Mitch Landrieu (2017) The New Orleans mayor who removed the Confederate statues confronts the racism that shapes us and argues for white America to reckon with its past. A passionate, personal, urgent book from the man who sparked a national debate. "There is a difference between remembrance of history and reverence for it.” Stay tuned for the 2019 list coming in December!
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November 2018
ECW: Women of St. Mark’s What a better way to get to know someone than over a cup of tea. No, not just any tea. We're talking a good, old-fashioned English tea time, with finger sandwiches, dainty china cups and all the formality a Downton Abbey lover could wish for. The women of St. Mark’s and their daughters are welcome to come and meet Anna Koons over a cup of tea on Saturday, December 1, from 11:00 a.m.--1:00 p.m. This will be a special day at St. Mark’s. Attendees are encouraged to bring a dish to share such as finger sandwiches and desserts. Wear your finest outfit and join us in welcoming Anna.
Afternoon Tea, 1886. Print Collector/Getty Images
Other upcoming events in November include: On Thursday, November 8, join us for lunch at noon, at the Texican Café, 4141 S. Capital of Texas Hwy in the Brodie Oaks Shopping Center. Feel free to bring a friend! On Monday, November 26, we will hold our regular bunco and potluck night at 6:30 p.m. in the church hall. Please bring a dish or beverage to share and $3. We will be voting on our new officers for the upcoming year during a brief meeting. Nominated officers include Debbie Thornal, President; Darlene Goodnight; Vice President; Dee Ann Thomasson, Secretary; and Pat Bullock, Treasurer. Officers will be installed at our annual brunch on January 12, 2019.
Pictures from the Annual ECW Retreat at Camp Allen Diana Stangl named as ECW Woman of the Year (pictured left) Pat Bullock, below, right, is the new Diocesan ECW Secretary, Pictured with her is Diocesan ECW President Trish Johnston (middle), and outgoing secretary Karen Wesley (left).
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November 2018
Men’s Group: 2nd Monday of the Month The St. Mark’s Men’s Group meets on the second Monday of (most) every month, for dinner, conversation, and a little business! Currently, five cooking teams rotate through the schedule and provide meals on their team’s designated date. If you are interested in getting on the monthly Men’s Group email, and/or possibly lending your culinary skills, or being the guy that does the beverage run, please contact Bob Peterek: rpeterek6468@att.net, or 512-627-2231. Meeting schedule for November: November 12th, 6:30 p.m.
Altar Guild: Thank you, Jay Brown! Talent: What a blessing that so many fellow parishioners have lent their talents to the St. Mark’s Altar Guild. Some are gifted in woodwork, others with sewing machines. Jay Brown comes with organizational skills and church knowledge. If you came to the installation of Father Zac, you saw a tightly choreographed service where the Holy Spirit could flow without impediment. Jay’s hand was in almost every movement. Even in our regular Sunday services, Jay’s careful eye catches whatever could be a problem and he gently unknots it. Always the teacher, he shares freely from his fount of church knowledge with acolytes, with the Altar Guild, and with anybody who wants to know. Jay isn’t officially on the Altar Guild, but he will always be the honorary member on whom we rely. Thank you, Jay Brown! Karen Milton
Day School Lion’s Pride As we enter our 55th year of operations you will hear the pitter patter of feet, the sounds of children’s voices fill the Day School and Church. We began the fall session in August and have not slowed down since. Each day is filled with adventures of learning and discovery. The children love all the extracurricular activities that they participate in each week including Chapel, Music and Gym Magic. We have seven classrooms: two classrooms for 2-year-olds, two classrooms for 3-year-olds, and three classrooms for 4 and 5-year-olds. Currently we do have a few openings in our 2-year-old program and our 4/5year-old program. If you know anyone looking for a wonderful play-based preschool please direct them our way. The school and our board of directors are eager to develop and broaden the warm relationship between the school and church. In January we look forward to holding a Preschool Sunday on January 27, where children and families will be invited to attend a worship service. We invite members of the church to stop by for a tour, or if you are interested in volunteering please contact Head of School Karon Hammond (headofschool@stmarksdayschoolaustin.org). Thank you for the support given by so many parishioners.
LEM/Lector Training: November 18 at 8:15 a.m. and 12:15 p.m. Calling all Lay Eucharist Ministers and Lectors—join Fr. Zac for a training/review on processes and procedures.
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November 2018
Outreach El Buen Samaritano Episcopal Mission is hosting its 27th annual Hands for Hope meal drive on November 17, with the goal to provide Thanksgiving care packages to more than 1,000 families this year. This event is a wonderful way for the Episcopal community to come together to provide all the trimmings for a delicious meal to families in need during the holidays! Our parish is participating in a fundraising campaign to raise the money for turkeys and pies, while our Episcopal schools are collecting canned goods. All donations will be matched 2:1 by the Moody Foundation, which means that El Buen’s food pantry can remain stocked all year round! The campaign officially kicks off on October 21. You can donate 3 ways: 1. Slip your envelope with cash or check in the brown box by the Turkey poster on Sunday. 2. Take an envelope home with you and mail it directly to El Buen. 3. Donate online at elbuen.org. Thank you for participating in the Austin Partners in Education's school supply drive for Crockett High School and helping teachers and students have access to needed materials! We collected about $230 worth of scissors, notebooks, lined paper, glue sticks, poster board, and construction paper. El Buen Samaritano's November food pantry item is canned soup (low sodium). If you would like more information about volunteering at El Buen or in the food pantry, email Sara Dupont at sdupont@elbuen.org.
Caffeine Ministry Vestry Contact: Pattie Rose 4
Kristen & Evan Kochelek
11
Pam & David Johns
18
Lori & Keith Kreither
25
Angelica & Ben Joyce
Daylight Savings Time Ends Sunday, November 4, at 2 a.m. Don’t forget to set your clocks back Saturday night before you go to bed!
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November 2018
November Celebrations Birthdays Thomas
Allen
Nov 1
Margaret
Delamater
Nov 11
Diane
Silver
Nov 20
Wes
Johns
Nov 1
Matt
Friedlander
Nov 12
Sam
Boudreau
Nov 21
Stephanie Pedro
Nov 1
Michael
Gehrig
Nov 12
Claudia
Janes
Nov 22
Greg
Stangl
Nov 1
Karen
Dulaney Smith
Nov 13
Elizabeth
Wood
Nov 22
Glen
Baumgart
Nov 3
John
Hicks
Nov 13
Mary Page Jones
Nov 23
Peter
Lambert
Nov 3
Clyde
Lambert
Nov 13
Mike
Thomasson
Nov 23
Marlo
Walpole
Nov 3
Harlem
Uwague
Nov 13
Susan
Albers
Nov 24
Allison
Camp
Nov 4
Caitlin
Van Cott
Nov 13
Nina
Erichson
Nov 24
Anne
Geraci
Nov 5
Dean
Denny
Nov 14
Anjuli
Martinez
Nov 24
Matthew
Shepard
Nov 5
Todd
Sanders
Nov 14
Nicole
Pike
Nov 24
Marjie
Lawrence
Nov 6
Melissa
Blanding
Nov 15
Jay
Doran
Nov 25
Dylan
Lewis
Nov 6
Bo
Overstreet
Nov 15
Cilla
Parkison
Nov 25
Ashley
Phillips
Nov 8
Beth
Chenoweth
Nov 16
Matthew
Cain
Nov 27
Adin
Kurak
Nov 9
John
De Marines
Nov 16
Amy
Farley
Nov 27
Dunaven
Kurak
Nov 9
Rose
Jennings
Nov 16
Jeffrey
Siegismund
Nov 27
Grant
Gehrig
Nov 9
William
Kelly
Nov 16
Ben
Crozier
Nov 28
Jace
Castleberry
Nov 10
Lindsay
Mullins
Nov 16
Amalia
de la Rosa
Nov 29
Resa
Dunn
Nov 10
Max
Peers
Nov 17
Christie
Stockstill
Nov 29
Lucie
Minne
Nov 10
Sharon
Voudouris-Ross
Nov 18
Susan
Erwin
Nov 30
Susan
Slattery
Nov 10
Daniel
Aja
Nov 20
Matthew
Forrest
Nov 30
Mary
Smith
Nov 10
Esme
Barker
Nov 20
Gabriella
Hartline
Nov 30
Grant
Hack
Nov 10
Christianne Castleberry
Nov 20
Anniversaries Christine & Carlos Kempff
Nov 1
Cindy & Dru Cabler
Nov 18
Lucy Joyce & Chase Almond
Nov 9
Angelica & Ben Joyce
Nov 22
Barbette & John Cooper
Nov 9
Brenda & Rex White
Nov 22
Andrea Michael & Chuck Ragland
Nov 10
Amalia & Manuel de la Rosa
Nov 24
Laurie & Jonathon Mayor
Nov 11
Marie & Bob Peterek
Nov 25
Jennifer & Todd Sanders
Nov 11
Marcy & Sam Greer
Nov 26
Yvette & Stephen Niemeyer
Nov 13
Carolyn Foote & Gregg La Montagne
Nov 28
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Vestry Melissa Blanding, Sr. Warden Scott Forrest, Jr. Warden Vestry members: Phil Aboussie, Dan Aja, Mike Brode, Dru Cabler, Meredith Childs, Kathy Genet, Marjie Lawrence, Ryan Marquess, Laura Merritt, Jennifer Payne, Susan Randle, and Pattie Rose.
Committees Acolytes: Jay Brown, Carol Oppel, Cindy Cabler, Kim Kiplin, Kim Buckner, and Nancy Bachschmid
Associate Rector The Rev. Dr. David W. Peters
Building Committee: Amelia Sondgeroth Family Ministries: Cindy Cabler
Family Ministry, Interim Cindy Cabler Organist/Director of Music Mark Reed
Daughters of the King: Judy Elkins Women of St. Mark’s: Lisa Martin
Parish Administrator Joanne Foote
Facilities: Scott Forrest Finance: Diana Stangl
Head of Day School Karon Hammond
Outreach: Laurie Mayor Deadline for the December 2018 St. Mark’s News is Thursday, November 15, 2018. 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
Rector The Rev. Zac Koons
Altar Guild: Karen Milton
Communications: Pattie Rose
To view the monthly calendar of events at St. Mark’s, visit our website: www.stmarksaustin.org.
Staff
Parish Life: Brenda White Pastoral Care/Health Ministry: Jonea C. S. Raney & Diana Stangl
Newsletter Editor Becky Janes
Stewardship: Amelia Sondgeroth, Dru Cabler Ushers: Ryan Marquess
CHANGE SERVICE REQUESTED
November 2018
November ROTA November 4
November 11 Youth Sunday
November 18
November 25
December 2 Advent!
LECTOR
Wes Raney
Nancy Middlebrook
Amelia Sondgeroth
Pattie Rose
Jonea Raney
LEM / ACOLYTE
Pattie Rose
Jonea Raney
Wes Raney
Margarita Moreno
Wes Raney
USHERS
Ed Shipsey Al McKinney
Beth Chenoweth Mary Smith
Danielle Adkins Stephen White
Jon & Judith Dullnig
Jonea Raney & Jill Collins
LECTORS
Cindy Bogard (1) Mike Thomasson (2)
YOUTH
Phil Aboussie (1) Dodie Wells (2)
Dru Cabler Christine Brunson
Becky Janes
7:30
TIME MINISTRY
LEM
ACOLYTES
Bill Kibler Carol Oppel Jay Brown Will Kelly Nora Kelly Sofia Mickler
Hunter Rogers Mairin Bachschmid
Dodie Wells (1) Meredith Childs (2) Bill Kibler Ann Seyler
Cindy Bogard (1) Christine Brunson (2)
Claudia Janes Ariston Awitan IV Matthew Awitan Henry Janes Kim K.
Connor Hanley Karen Milton Michael Meigs Mairin Bachschmid Nancy B.
Will Kelly Nora Kelly TBD TBD
Ken Whalen Stephen Wilson Barbara Wilson Henry Olivas
Wade Buckner Dan Bogard Lindy Siegismund Lee Siegismund
Carol Oppel
GREETERS
Shelly Botkin
Ryan Marquess
Diana Stangl
Michael Meigs
Shelly Botkin Ryan Marquess
LECTORS
Bill Willis (1) Jennifer Payne (2)
Barbara Dody (1) Rex White (2)
Chris Blanding (1) Melissa Blanding (2)
Liz Davis (1) Dave Elkins (2)
Michael Meigs (1) Karen Milton (2)
LEM
Dru Cabler
Roger Seyler Ann Seyler
Barbara Dody Liz Davis
Dru Cabler
Brenda White Rex White
ACOLYTES
Jay Brown Josef Genet Clara Baumgart Josie Baumgart Jay Brown
Ben Forrest Sam Forrest Nick Forrest Vivian Reshetnikov
Luke Thiessen Meredith Shaw Morgan Dew Sloane Shaw Jay
Josef Genet Claire Cabler Beatrice Reshetnikov Nick Forrest Cindy C.
Connor Hanley Jay Brown Morgan Dew TBD Jay
USHERS
Carolyn & James Wier Bo Overstreet Rick Tennant JP Kloninger
Charles Brewer Bob Peterek Manuel de la Rosa Jim Nolan Ryan Marquess
Yvonne Chavez Darlene Goodnight Debbie Thornal
Jodi Doran Jay Doran Pam Johns David Johns
Carolyn & James Wier Bo Overstreet Rick Tennant JP Kloninger
GREETERS
Barbara Dody
Steve Niemeyer
Laura Merritt
Jean & Frank Severn
Barbara Dody
Sat./Sun. 9:00
Jonea Raney-TC Jill Collins Carolyn Wier Pat Bullock
Dee Ann ThomassonTC Emma Kloninger Tina Stonebarger Karen Milton
Diana Stangl-TC Evelyn McMillen Dodie Wells Henry Olivas
Judy Elkins-TC Laurel Kelly Debbie Thornal Darlene Goodnight
Jonea Raney-TC Jill Collins Carolyn Wier Dodie Wells
WED. 6 p.m.
Bo Overstreet Al McKinney November 7
Jim Nolan Joe Moldenhauer November 14
Shelly Botkin Tina Stonebarger November 21
Al McKinney Tina Stonebarger November 28
Cecily Bennett Jennifer Shaw December 5
Lector
Dodie Wells
Jill Collins
Rex White
Pattie Rose
Jay Brown
9:00
Carol Manuel de la Rosa Dee Ann Thomasson Dodie Wells Amalia de la Rosa
Emma Kloninger TBD Kim K. Mike Brode Phil Aboussie Ross Ramsey Stephanie Young
ALTAR GUILD
11:00
USHERS
Depositor
Carol Manuel de la Rosa Dee Ann Thomasson Dodie Wells Amalia de la Rosa
Insert