April May 2016 Messenger

The Messenger

from St. Mark’s

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April/May 2016

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Caring for One Another Children and Youth Ministries Fiesta Concert Restorative Justice

Life in Community—An Invitation to Christ-like Humility

The Rev. Beth Knowlton

“Let the same mind be in you that was in Christ Jesus, who though he was in the form of God, did not regard equality with God as something to be exploited, but emptied himself, taking the form of a slave, being born in human likeness.” Philippians 2: 5-7 We once again have walked the pilgrim way of Lent, culminating in a glorious Easter celebration. These deeply meaningful liturgies are powerful for so many reasons. They are richly rooted in our history and as we go through them each year, they gain new meaning and layers as we more fully experience the rhythms of our own human experience. They are also powerful because they are such a wonderful sacramental representation of the power of community. Literally hundreds of us are required to bring these services into their fullest expression.

There are those who work quietly behind the scenes to make sure all is in order.

Countless hours of preparation by our choirs, liturgical volunteers, and staff make these complicated services seem effortless. All of this would be for nothing though, without the gathering of the community to participate once again in the great mystery of life in Christ.

The Easter season gives us a continued opportunity to live in a new way. Christ’s conquering of death, not only for himself, but for each one of us may feel abstract at times—a wonderful thought— but I wonder how often we really let that reality transform the way we live our day-to-day lives? To really believe that Christ has conquered the finality of death is to be freed to live each day in a way different from a pre-resurrection understanding. It means we do not need to be driven by temporal agendas and can focus more deeply on relationships. It means we can adopt a posture of humility that allows us to care deeply for one another and the issues that are important to each one of us. It means we can spend time and effort engaged with one another, trusting that there is a holy purpose each time we gather in the name of Christ. We do not need to have an assurance of a particular outcome when we trust in the power of the Risen Christ, who promises to be present whenever two or three of us are gathered.

To fully put on the mind of Christ and be grounded in a humility that is based on his grace is not easy. It is something that is so profoundly counter cultural we have to trust in the providence of the Spirit to provide it to each one of us. This, in and of itself, is a grace. We cannot imagine we have done it through any power of our own. It is only accomplished by more deeply relying on the peace that passes all understanding.

We will have many opportunities in the coming weeks to engage as the community of St Mark’s to live more fully into the resurrected life we proclaim on Easter morning. By now you have received my letter on the parish wide conversations on same-sex marriage that are coming up in April and May. This is one important opportunity for us to gather. But, it is also not the only one. We have important conversations coming up as part of our ongoing work in children and youth ministry. Our Lenten Task Force has helped us to discern some wonderful new opportunities for next year; they will be forming committees to serve the city as a witness to the power of Christ’s love and humility. We will gather at Mustang Island for fellowship and fun at our parish-wide retreat. We will celebrate confirmation with Bishop Reed on the Feast of St. Mark’s. Our choirs will give a wonderful gift to the city of San Antonio with an official Fiesta event, a concert featuring Benjamin Britten’s Noye’s Fludde. There will be children and musicians from around the city including amazing artistic hats that will invite us to remember the many animals on the ark.

The gift of community is that whatever “event” we arrive for, there is always something much deeper at work. We begin each week at the altar and all we do is an ongoing manifestation of Christ: blessed, broken, given, and received in the world.

Peace,

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Fiesta Concert 2016 - Benjamin Britten’s Noye’s Fludde CALLING ALL ANIMALS...TWO BY TWO...

Preparations for our annual Fiesta Concert are underway, and this year’s concert proves to be history making - on several levels. The music is Benjamin Britten’s Noye’s Fludde (Noah’s Flood).

First performed on June 18, 1958, Britten based this work on the 15th-century miracle play, recounting the story of Noah, the ark, and the flood. Britten envisaged this as a community project utilizing both professional and amateur musicians. To the best of our knowledge, Noye’s Fludde was last presented in San Antonio in the 1960s at Trinity University. Several of our parishioners took part in this production as animals (children) on the ark.

St. Mark’s production will involve our choirs, children from St. Paul’s Montessori School, members of the San Antonio Symphony, brass players from local schools, members of YOSA (Youth Orchestra of San Antonio), and the recorder ensemble from The Montessori School of San Antonio. All in all, we will have around 200 members in the cast and orchestra! Due to the unique circumstances of such a large production, we will offer two identical performances on April 24 at 5pm and 7pm. Admission is free and open to all.

Of special note are the children wearing animal hats who enter the ark - approximately 70 in number. Following Britten’s original designs, our team of animal designers (Susan Wilson, Patrice Oliver, Carrie Diel, Julie Van Zandt, Paula Chalk, and Nancy Jackson) have created hats that are second to none!

We are still in need of children, 2nd grade through 6th grade to join the animal brigade. You do not have to be a choir member or a parishioner to participate. Please contact Joseph Causby (jcausby@stmarks-sa.org ) no later than April 4 if you know of children who would enjoy this unique and exciting opportunity.

A promotional video is due for release following Easter. Be on the lookout, and invite your friends and neighbors to the final official event of Fiesta 2016!

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Caring For One Another

The Rev. Carol Morehead

One of the high calls of living together in community is the way we care for one another.

Often called pastoral care, this is a way of providing emotional and spiritual care for others, of walking along the journey with someone else. The term itself comes from the notion of a pastor, which is the Latin for shepherd, one who watches over and cares for a flock.

Traditional ideas about pastoral care often center around the clergy as the givers of care, and indeed, clergy care is essential and important in any gathering of believers. The old model of a priest as one who was often without personal attachments (spouse or children), who traveled throughout the parish and visited all the members in their homes, who spent long hours dividing their time between the cure of souls (caring for those in the parish) and the work of preaching and teaching, left little or no time for care of themselves. This old model was often held up to priests in training as the ideal to which one aspires and was exemplified

by Anglican priest from the 1630’s, George Herbert, and his famous book Priest to the Temple or, The County Parson His Character and Rule of Holy Life, which outlined the role of a parson in a rural parish. More recently, clergy have pushed back against this framework, finding it both unrealistic and unhealthy. In fact, a well know book to those in seminary is entitled If you Meet George Herbert on the Road, Kill Him: Radically Re-Thinking Priestly Ministry, a pithy title for a book which attempts to outline a more healthy and humane way of serving one’s parish.

There are many different models of how best to give pastoral care which utilize different concepts: caring as an extended family, forming a web of connections, serving as a mentor or coach, companioning with others on the faith journey, and prayerful support. Sometimes pastoral care refers to professional pastoral counseling or spiritual direction. No matter what framework we are talking about, it remains an important part of our life together – how we care for one another.

At St. Mark’s, we have been working to provide a more systematic way of meeting the needs of the community. Happily, much of this kind of care happens naturally when we stay in touch with others in the community, checking on one another and supporting one another through prayer, visits, meals, and caring conversations. In 2015, we formed a group called the Care Committee which meets monthly and is made up of a wide variety of people from many backgrounds – medical professionals, social workers, counselors, and caring members with the gift of walking with others – and we are working to be intentional at offering care within our parish. This group, which works in a completely confidential setting, reaches out to people on our prayer list as well as to members who may need any kind of care – physical, psychological, spiritual. One goal of the committee is to empower the laity in sharing the work of giving pastoral care. In the fall of 2016, we will be offering a training program, Community of Hope, which will provide a strong background and training to lay members who are called to work in this ministry. After the training, we will have ongoing supervision to support the work in the parish.

It is also important that we support one another in prayer. We have several different prayer lists in addition to the prayers of the people we share on Sundays. Sometimes we might want to add someone to the Sunday prayers at the last minute; if that is the case, please let a member of the clergy know, as there are sometimes pastoral concerns. Not everyone wants to be on the public prayers. During the week, to request a member or family member be on the Sunday prayer list, contact the church or one of the clergy, preferably by email so we can get names and spelling correctly. The Daughters of the King are also a wonderful resource for holding people in prayer. In addition, we pray for people as a staff each Tuesday. Because the Sunday prayer list is limited to parish members or family members of parish members, so we also keep a list to prayer for those other important people in our lives – friends and neighbors. We keep 24 hour pastoral an internal prayer list for those people who prefer not to be on the Sunday prayer list or are not care emergency members of the parish. We also work closely with Pat Hutchison-Noble, who works primarily phone with our senior members who often can no longer attend services on a regular basis.

210-507-0256 Also, your clergy want to know how we can walk the journey with you. Too often we learn of someone being in need – in the hospital, in a stressful situation in their life, in need of counsel or support – but only after the fact. Sometime people think that hospitals will notify the church when members are there, but that is now a violation of HIPAA and cannot be done. Please know very clearly that we want to know and welcome your calls to the church! We love to visit people in the hospital or at home. When it comes to care, as my favorite theologians U2 sing in one song, we get to carry each other. We share in this fellowship – fellows in the same ship – and it is a joy and an honor to walk together through our journeys of faith in this life.

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From the Bookstore - Restorative Justice and Sister Helen Prejean RESTORATIVE JUSTICE CLASS - APRIL 4-MAY 2, MONDAYS AT 6:30PM in the Dean Richardson Room Restorative justice offers a refreshingly different framework for thinking about crime and other wrongdoing. It moves beyond the limitations of more traditional justice systems and embraces social justice principles. Prior to Sister Helen Prejean’s visit, a 5-week class on restorative justice will be facilitated by Penelope Harley. Restorative justice acknowledges the damaged relationships as well as injuries that result from wrongdoing and focuses on healing for all those involved. This course will be highly experiential in nature and will offer a taste of both the principles and practices of restorative justice. Space is limited. For more details or to reserve your place, email cmorehead@stmarks-sa.org.

Penelope Harley J.D. earned her undergraduate degree from Oxford University and a masters degree from the University of London. Penelope had a career as a high school teacher and administrator in central London before moving to Minnesota sixteen years ago and attending law school. She became an adjunct professor teaching mediation and restorative justice classes and was an active participant in various restorative justice initiatives in and around the Twin Cities. Building on her Rotary Foundation Scholarship studies in Palestine and her extensive travel in the region, Penelope also worked on an EU funded project to promote the use of arbitration and mediation in ten Middle East countries. She went on to teach restorative justice and reconciliation related classes at the School of International Studies, University of Denver.

In January 2010 Penelope and her family moved to San Antonio. Penelope has taught in the Political Science department at Trinity University and works with colleagues at UTSA to promote restorative justice related projects in the city – particularly the use of restorative measures in schools.

SISTER HELEN PREJEAN, WEDNESDAY, MAY 4, 7:00PM Join us for an evening lecture in the church, co-sponsored by the St. Mark’s Bookstore.

Author and lecturer Sister Helen Prejean offers a lecture entitled “Dead Man Walking The Journey Continues.” Sister Helen Prejean, C.S.J. has been instrumental in sparking a national dialogue on the death penalty and helping to shape the Catholic Church’s newly vigorous opposition to state executions. She travels around the world giving talks about her ministry. She considers herself a southern storyteller. Sister Helen is a member of the Congregation of St. Joseph. She spent her first years with the Sisters teaching religion to junior high school students. Realizing that being on the side of poor people is an essential part of the Gospel, she moved into the St. Thomas Housing Project in New Orleans and began working at Hope House from 1981 – 1984.

During this time, she was asked to correspond with a death row inmate Patrick Sonnier at Angola. She agreed and became his spiritual adviser. After witnessing his execution, she wrote a book about the experience. The result was Dead Man Walking: An Eyewitness Account of the Death Penalty in the United States. It became a movie, an opera and a play for high schools and colleges.

Since 1984, Sister Helen has divided her time between educating citizens about the death penalty and counseling individual death row prisoners. She has accompanied six men to their deaths. In doing so, she began to suspect that some of those executed were not guilty. This realization inspired her second book, The Death of Innocents: An Eyewitness Account of Wrongful Executions, which was released by Random House in December of 2004. Sister Helen is presently at work on another book – River of Fire: My Spiritual Journey.

SISTER HELEN PREJEAN AND BOOKSTORE LUNCHEON, THURSDAY, MAY 5, 11:00AM Sister Helen Prejean will speak in the Nave of St. Mark’s Episcopal Church, followed by a luncheon at noon in support of the St. Mark’s Bookstore. The lecture entitled “Encountering the Other: First Steps on a Journey of Shared Humanity” is free and all are welcome. Reservations for the luncheon can be made online at www.stmarks-sa.org or by calling 210-226-2426. Tickets are $30.

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Update on the Renovation of Children and Youth Ministries

The Rev. Matt Wise

What is your favorite childhood memory of the Church? What did you not find appealing about the Church as a child? Who were the adults in your community of faith that you can still recall? What was your understanding of God as a young child, and what is your understanding of God now?

These are just a few of the questions that I recently posed as opening reflections for the first meetings of two new ministry teams at St. Mark's. The calling of the Youth Ministry Renovation Team and the Children's Ministry Renovation Team who will spend the next 18-months following specific ministry timelines were the first two steps in the process laid out for us by Ministry Architects. Many of you participated in the listening sessions hosted by these consultants whom St. Mark's has hired to facilitate more intentionality in the way we create space for, care for and lead our young people.

The underlying purpose in all of these efforts is a certain manifestation of our core vocation: we long to create a cohesive and meaningful arc of Christian formation from cradle to college. Consultants from Ministry Architects spent several days with us in October to begin the Children's Ministry process and returned again in January to begin the Youth Ministry process. With their full support, we have now combined these two processes into one larger effort with our two renovation teams leading the way. When you see them, please offer your grateful thanks to the lay leaders on these teams for the hard work they have already done and in anticipation of the hard work that lies ahead of them. The Children’s Ministry Renovation Team Co-Chairs are Shea Pollom and Elizabeth Raney and the members are: Greg Merritt, Katy McDonough, and Dell Villa. The Chair of the Youth Ministry Renovation Team is Jan Briley, and the members are: Don Lucas, Gene Alderman, Tina Kuykendall, and Ralph Voight.

As one of the first major benchmarks of a way forward in our ministry with young people, both teams are currently putting together volunteer pools of parishioners and parents. These are the groups of forty to sixty invested persons whom they will call upon for various kinds of support and leadership in the next several years. These volunteers will serve as teachers, youth sponsors, hosts, children’s chapel leaders, mission trip advisors, will provide hospitality, and will have many opportunities to practice the ministry of presence with our children and youth in the months and years to come. If you have not yet been contacted by one of our teams and would like to offer your love and time for the health and growth of our children and youth, please email Shea Pollom at sheapollom@hotmail.com and Elizabeth Raney at eraney@me.com (Children’s Ministry), or Jan Briley (Youth Ministry) at brileyjl@swbell.net.

We are currently making great progress in this holy and long-term work. Ministry Architects, with the information gathered in our listening sessions, has created and posted a job description calling for a full-time Director of Children’s Ministry. With a few resumes already submitted, we are well on our way to hiring a new staff member by June 30th. The Children’s Ministry Renovation Team will serve as an advising committee offering their input throughout the process leading to Beth issuing the call hopefully sometime early this summer. Todd Allison, our beloved Youth Director, has already implemented a few of the ideas brought forth in the listening sessions and with the support of the Youth Ministry Renovation Team, is moving forward into a new season for our 6th-12th graders.

The passion and excitement around these ministries’ growing edges is palpable around here, especially on Sunday mornings.

And we need to keep that energy alive and moving forward - as we remind ourselves almost daily, “this is a marathon and not a sprint.” Though we might like to see the harvest immediately, we are still very much in the seed planting stage of this transitional work. We invite your continued support and your prayers as we take these initial steps in what will be a long-term process of change and growth knowing that the work we do today with our young people has profound implications on our communal life together in the months, years and decades to come. More children’s and youth news on page 7 >> The Messenger, USPS 514-020 Vol 105, Issue 3, Published bi-monthly St. Mark’s Episcopal Church 315 E. Pecan Street San Antonio, Texas 78205

Phone: 210-226-2426 www.stmarks-sa.org Editor: communications@stmarks-sa.org Article Deadline: 3rd Monday of month preceeding bi-monthly issue

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Postage paid in San Antonio, TX POSTMASTER: Send address changes to St. Mark’s Episcopal Church Rector: The Rev. Beth Knowlton

Children and Youth VBS - Egypt:Joseph’s Journey from Prison to Palace Join us for Vacation Bible School half days June 20-23 for ages 4+. Registration is available online or by phone at 210-226-2426. Direct questions to Co-Chairs Renee Faulk (rfaulk@sbcglobal. net) or Rachel Doyle (doyle_ rachel@yahoo.com).

YOUTH NEWS - See the eNews and Sunday Announcements for info on New Beginnings (April 15-17), the Summer Outreach Weekend (June 3-5), and Camp Capers summer schedule. Scholarships available, call 210226-2426 for information.

The Youth Group is seeking addtional help to provide scholarships for the summer DC Youth Tour. $900 underwrites one youth. All gifts welcome online at www. stmarks-sa.org or by check.

Register at www. stmarks-sa.org, Calender&Events.

Outreach Spotlight - Morningside Ministries Chandler House Players In 2015, the Outreach Committee at St. Mark's gave Morningside Ministries a $5,000 grant to support the work of The Chandler House Players, a theatre group founded in 2010 by residents at the Laurel Heights campus.

Our Committee was treated to a performance, which included several short plays on speed dating, written and performed by the players.

With lively audience participation, it was a wonderful time of conversation, interaction, and fun, both for the players and the residents.

As one of the original cast members says, "The Chandler House Players helps me to exercise my mind and body, lifts up my spirit, and in the process, gives me a sense of purpose."

Since receiving St. Mark’s grant funds, the players have met dozens of times to select, read and practice a new series of plays. One of the members has even gotten into the habit of writing his own plays.

The players have already had three performances and they are looking forward to having a performance especially for the members of St. Mark's.

Alvin Loewenberg, the President & CEO at Morningside says, "Help from generous donors like St. Mark's makes it possible for Morningside Ministries to continue to carry out its commitment to serve older adults in care."

There are many ways for St. Mark’s members to volunteer at the three Morningside Ministries campuses on Babcock Road, in Laurel Heights, and in Boerne. Volunteer opportunities include helping with arts and crafts, singing in the chapel choir, reading inspirational verse, working with Spanish-speaking residents, or helping the men’s group develop new activities. Whether you would like to do any of those things, or simply sit with an older adult who needs company, there is a great need for volunteers. Please call Robert Kesl at Morningside at 210-734-1199 for more information.

The 18 players, who are between the ages of 75 and 92, act in plays, make costumes, and create props. They have performed in over 50 short plays, more than 120 times before several thousand audience members in locations all around San Antonio. Bill Gundry is the group's artistic director and has over 30 years of experience in the dramatic arts.

For older adults, remaining physically and mentally active is critical to maintaining and extending good health and general well being. The Chandler House Players provides participants with a meaningful activity that can have a very positive impact on health outcomes, mental well being, and their overall quality of life.

- Flor A. Hernandez, co-chair of St. Mark's Outreach Grant Committee

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Choral Evensong with Guest Conductor Dr. Wilma Jensen At 87 years young, Wilma Jensen has earned the title Wonder Woman Wilma! There are few, if any professional musicians still active at such an age, and Wilma is still teaching, learning, and growing. During the week of February 29 - March 6, Dr. Jensen was in residence at St. Mark’s for an English Cathedral Music Festival. Her time not only focused on working with our choirs; she also taught an organ master-class for local university organ students, led a new music reading session for the local chapter of the American Guild of Organists, prepared her own organ recital that preceded the Sunday evensong, and gave a radio interview with Nathan Cone for Texas Public Radio. You can find it on the St. Mark’s facebook page, posted on March 4th.

Dr. Jensen’s week with us fully embodied our core vocation of feeding those hungry for beauty and creativity - inside our own walls, and in our city. Her time with our choirs was transforming and affirming. Choir members graciously gave over eight hours during the week for rehearsals and two sung liturgies, all prepared and conducted by Dr. Jensen.

Her former assistant from St. George’s Episcopal Church, Elizabeth Smith, joined Dr. Jensen in San Antonio. In addition to Elizabeth’s work in Nashville as one of the city’s leading musicians, she is also

co-owner of the famed Lois Fyfe Music Company, one of the largest suppliers of church and organ music in the nation.

Elizabeth’s musical knowledge and advice is sought by musicians the world over.

This week of education and outreach was sponsored by the generosity of the St. Cecilia Guild. Our corporate experience from working with both Wilma and Elizabeth will be felt for months to come, and we look forward to welcoming them both back to St. Mark’s and San Antonio in the future.

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Member Spotlight in Memoriam JACK HEBDON: A FAITHFUL PARTNER IN THE GOSPEL In Paul’s letter to his beloved congregation in Philippi, the apostle gives thanks for the Philippians’ partnership in the gospel of Jesus Christ from the very beginning of Paul’s ministry. Paul reminds the Philippians that they have been partners with him in God’s grace, sharing not only in the joys and fruit of the gospel, but also in the sufferings that the gospel sometimes requires. In all of this, Paul remains confident that the good work God has begun among them will be brought to completion by the day of Christ’s return.

Jack Hebdon was a consummate partner in the gospel of Jesus Christ and in God’s grace: whether in service to his family, in the practice of law, in his service as Chancellor of the Diocese of West Texas, or as a leader of the congregation at St. Mark’s. At the very core of his being, Jack understood and embodied the gospel of Christ, sharing generously in the joys and the sufferings occasioned by his commitment to the gospel.

I am confident in saying these things about Jack because I had the privilege of working with him in three of the four contexts listed above. I was Jack’s professional colleague and law partner for 17 years at Groce, Locke & Hebdon, where he was one of the two active senior partners in the firm. In his law practice Jack was always generous with his time, talent, and treasure. He was never too busy to listen to the concerns of employees in the firm or to give guidance to younger lawyers who consistently sought out his wisdom about a client, a judge, or an opposing counsel. He was often willing to reduce his income to ensure that less experienced lawyers were paid fairly for their work. Working on a case with Jack was a delight for less experienced lawyers in the firm because he would regularly share the case’s best projects with his associates. He practiced humility by acknowledging when and where he needed help, as well as wholeheartedly supporting decisions made by the firm’s leaders even when he was not part of the decision-making process.

In his work as Diocesan Chancellor and as a leader at St. Mark’s, Jack provided steady leadership with a deep wisdom borne from his decades of experience in law and life. Even in the midst of suffering through the various crises that would arise from time to time in the law firm and in the church, Jack’s unflappable demeanor and his steadfast witness of Christ frequently became channels of grace to reduce interpersonal tensions and help resolve conflict.

Although Jack is no longer physically present among us, his spirit and the fruit of his leadership, friendship, and ministry continue to live on in those of us who were privileged to learn from him. I am confident that the good work God began in Jack during his earthly pilgrimage has now been brought to completion with his membership in the heavenly Communion of Saints.

-- The Rev John Lewis, DPhil

Cursillo Cursillo (a Spanish word meaning little course) is a spiritual renewal weekend which gives church members the tools and "rules of life" to enthusiastically share the joys of knowing Christ with others in their everyday environments. Cursillo is patterned on Jesus' own example of searching out and calling groups of potential leaders, training them, and sending them out to bring the world. Cursillo #272 will be held Thursday-Sunday, May 12-15, at Mustang Island Conference Center. Our own Rev. Carol Morehead will be the Spiritual Director. For more information, contact Carol at cmorehead@stmarks-sa.org. Register online at http://www.dwtx.org/calendar-events/cursillo.

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Sunday Formation Classes During Eastertide THE RECTOR’S FORUM: THE SPIRITUAL JOURNEY – RHYTHMS OF GRACE AND RENEWAL Led by The Rev. Beth Knowlton

EPISCOPALIAN MUSIC HISTORY 101 – THE ROOTS OF OUR LITURGICAL MUSIC Led by Dr. Carl Leafstedt

April 10

April 17

May 1

May 8

May 15

May 22

April 3, 10, 17; May 1, 8, 15, 22

Searching for God, Right Where You Already Are: The Gift of Daily Life and Prayer Spiritual Friendship: How Do Others Guide U on the Way? Surrendering: Obedience, Acceptance, and Suffering (The Rev. Dr. Jane Patterson teaching) Why Can’t My Journey Look Like That?: Claiming Our Own Journey (The Rev. Dr. Jane Patterson co-teaching) Have I Lost My Faith?: Periods of Darkness in the Journey Discernment as a Way of Being: You Mean I’m Not Done Yet?

In this series of illustrated lectures, Trinity University music professor Carl Leafstedt and guests will explore the fascinating history of the liturgical music we encounter every Sunday at St. Mark’s. Over 1.200 years of music are represented in our hymnal. Our classes will also review the traditional features of the Medieval Christian mass – the Kyria, Gloria, Credo, Sanctus, and Agnus Dei – and how composers and church musicians of the past several centuries have approached the task of writing music for these central elements of the liturgy.

ADULT CONFIRMATION, RECEPTION, AND RE-AFFIRMATION OF BAPTISMAL VOW CLASS April 3rd, 10th, and 17th in the Dean Richardson room (2nd floor) during Sunday Christian Formation at 10.10am, as well as on Saturday, April 16th, from 9-2 at the Bishop Jones Center, including lunch with Bishop David Reed. All members of the class will be eligible to be received or confirmed as a part of the 11.15am service with Bishop Reed on April 24th. Register online or by phone welcome but not required.

Upcoming Events Mondays, April 4 - May 2 at 6.30pm, 5-week Restorative Justice Class facilitated by Penelope Harley.

Parish-Wide Process of "Study, Prayer, Teaching, and Conversation" in reference to Same Sex Marriage: Monday, April 11, 6.00 - 8.30pm; Saturday, April 16, 9.00 - 11.30am; Saturday, May 21, 9.00 - 11.30 am Sunday, April 24, 5.00pm and 7.00pm, Music from St. Mark's - Noye’s Fludde (an official Fiesta event).

April 29-May 1, Parish-wide Retreat at Mustang Island Conference Center: The theme is “The Dreams of God: Engaging Eden.” We will be playing with the creation narratives from Genesis with activities and teachings for all ages. Register online or by phone. Scholarships available, call 210-226-2426 for information.

REGISTRATION Registration for Adult Confirmation, Parish Retreat, Bookstore Luncheon, and Vacation Bible School is available online and by phone. Online, go to www.stmarkssa.org. Select Calendar&Events, then click on Registration in the lower navigation bar.

Or call 210-2262426.

Lecture by Sister Helen Prejean, author of Dead Man Walking, Wednesday, May 4, 7.00pm, and Bookstore Luncheon: Sister Helen Prejean, Thursday, May 5 (11.00am presentation, 12.00pm luncheon). Register for luncheon online or by phone.

Cursillo, Thursday-Sunday, May 12-15, at Mustang Island Conference Center Sunday, May 15, 5.00pm, Music from St. Mark's: Jacquelyn Matava, Mezzo Soprano will present a solo recital of art songs and arias.

Thursday, May 19, 2.00pm, Senior Tea Party: This party will be a special time to meet with the rector and talk with friends that perhaps you have not seen in a while. Invitations will be going out within the next month, however all are welcome.

Monday, June 20 - Friday, June 24, Vacation Bible School. Register online or by phone.

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In Remembrance and Thanksgiving (through March 21, 2016) MEMORIAL FUND Evelyn Bailey by Alamo Heights/Terrell Hills Garden Club, George & Ruth Bilbe, Stella Brown, Claude Koontz, Jill & George Vassar Donna Bruni by Geoffrey Connor Jeannine Campbell by George & Jill Vassar Colleen Goff by Pat Bridwell & John Lewis, Barbara Johnson, Linda & Tommy Wright Rupert Grisham by Robert Buchanan Jack Hebdon by Robert Muchanan, Paula & Dan Butt, Minnette & Schot Buzzini, Walter & Marilyn Church, Crofts & Callaway, Liz & Bobby Dewar, John & Martha Ann Franco, Pat & Tom Frost, Catherine Hellend, Virginia Huff, Ed & Ann Keetch, Laura & Weir LaBatt III, Myrna & David Langford, Dr. Milton & Anita Lindner, Jr, Joan Martin, Francis & Marie Matocha, Stan & Bobbie McCormick, Dr. & Mrs. Joe McFarlane, Annabelle McGee, Paul & Jean Parker, Camilla & Bill Parker, Jeff Rochelle, Stacy Smaistria, Marvin J. Smith III, Harry Swearingen, Louise Thomas, Eileen Urban, Jill & George Vassar, Susan Waltrip, Ann Watson, Clara Winfield, Barbara Wood Jamie Maverick by Ellen Dickson

ALTAR GUILD James Adams Williams by Raymond & Norma Baird ST. CECILIA GUILD Jack Hebdon by Sue Bain, Ann Coiner, Richard & Marjorie Parrigan Mary Jane Houston by Elsie Steg TUCKER COURTYARD Burton Barnes by Anne & Robert Tucker SPECIAL GIFTS To St. Mark’s in honor of Carl Leafstedt for his service as senior warden by Jill Vassar To St. Mark’s in honor of Suzy Tackett for her service as junior Warden by Jill Vassar To St. Mark’s in honor of Light Cummins on his 100th birthday by Dr. & Mrs. George Vassar & family To St. Mark’s Choir Trip by Sarah Joe LeMessurier

TRIBUTE GIFTS - George and I often make tribute gifts to St. Mark’s – donations in memory of or in honor of someone. It is our way of acknowledging the shared relationships we have with others in our church family; it is a tangible way to demonstrate our love. We want to note a significant event – the death of a loved one, a milestone for someone’s family – in a way that is meaningful and lets our friends know we are thinking of them. These gifts are over and above our pledge and reflect our communal life in a different way. It is a joy to give in this way. -- Jill Vassar

Stewardship Update and Financials $1,566,976 in 2016 Pledges • 309 Pledges • Average Pledge is $5,071 • Median Pledge is $2,750 Make gifts toward your pledge at www.stmarks-sa.org, click on Pledge/Give; or make your gift by mail. Contact Priscilla Briones at pbriones@stmarks-sa.org or 210-226-2426 with questions about your giving and pledges to date. Contact Dina Aboul Saad at dsaad@stmarks-sa.org or by phone to discuss stewardship, annual and endowment gifts, and planning giving.

2016 FINANCIAL REPORT as of 2/29/2016 16.7% of annual budget Actual (YTD) Budgeted (YTD) Pledge Revenue $563,766.60 $561,919.73 Non-Pledge Revenue $28,951.68 $14,771.78 Open Plate/Seasonal Giving $5,380.71 $4,019.73 Other Rev (parking lot, fees, carryover) $128,750.00 $141,051.28 Endowment/Fund Revenue $108,517.75 $47,054.76 Total Revenue $835,366.74 $768,817.28 Total Expenses $430,481.95 $456,144.05 Over/(Under) $404,884.79 $312,409.23

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PRSRT FIRST CLASS US POSTAGE PAID San Antonio, TX PERMIT NO. 634

Café Kairos April 6-7

April 13-14

April 20-21

April 27-28

Chicken Tenders Mac & Cheese Garden Salad Chocolate Cake

Chicken Enchilada Verdes Mexican Rice Charro Beans Garden Salad Tres Leches Cake

Pizza Garden Salad Cookies Tossed Salad

Penne Pasta with Meat Sauce Sautéed Green Beans Garlic Bread Sticks Caesar Salad Cheesecake

May 4-5

May 11-12

King Ranch Chicken Charro Beans Garden Salad Vanilla Cake with Chocolate Icing

Bar-B-Que Sliders Tater Tots Tossed Salad Blackberry Cobbler

Cafe Kairos resumes after summer

Photos Cover photo, Chapel of The Incarnate Word: Eric Nelson Photos in this issue provided by: Morningside Ministries, Eric Nelson, Patrice Oliver

Clergy at St. Mark’s Parish Clergy: The Rev. Elizabeth Knowlton, Rector; The Rev. Carol Morehead, Associate Rector for Liturgy, Adult Formation, and Pastoral Care; The Rev. Matthew Wise, Associate Rector for Outreach, Family Ministry, and Parish Life Making a Gift of Their Service: The Rev. C. Douglas Earle, Assisting Priest; The Rev. Mary Earle, Assisting Priest; The Rev. Dr. John Lewis, Co-director, St. Benedict’s Work+Shop; The Rev. Dr. Jane Patterson, Co-director, St. Benedict’s Work+Shop

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