The Messenger - November 2014

themessenger Monthly Newsletter of St. Mark’s Episcopal Church NOVEMBER 2014

VOLUME 103

ISSUE 10

FALL PARISH MEETING 2014

Vestry Class of 2017 Elected

Jan Briley

John McClung

Robert Pollom

At the 2014 Fall Parish meeting held on Sunday, October 26, 2014, 5 new members of the vestry were elected to the class of 2017. The new class consists of Jan Briley, John McClung, Robert Pollom, Elizabeth Raney, and Anne Rochelle.

Elizabeth Raney

Anne Rochelle

They join (class of 2015) Tina Kuykendall, Carl Leafstedt, Don Lucas, Nancy Reed, Suzy Tackett, and (class of 2016) Beverly Bryars, Cathy Dawson, Craig Donegan, Craig Stokes, and Jill Vassar.

FROM THE RECTOR—THE REV. BETH KNOWLTON

How are you fed at St Mark’s? How do you feed San Antonio and the world?

A

s I continue to reflect on our core vocation, I feel grateful that we have such a clear sense of vision in our community. We know ourselves to be called to feed the hungry with real food, to feed those hungry for knowledge and meaning, and to feed those hungry for beauty and creativity. We are blessed to have such a strong foundation for our ministry in the city and the world. We do many things well. I also sense an increased energy for living into this vocation more fully. We had eight wonderful candidates who offered themselves for ST. MARK’S EPISCOPAL CHURCH 315 E. Pecan St. San Antonio, Texas 78205 (210) 226-2426 www.stmarks-sa.org stmarks@stmarks-sa.org Office hours: Monday Friday 9:00a.m.-5:00p.m.

Emergency Pastoral Care: 210-507-0256

election to the vestry in a standing room only crowd. The five who were elected will contribute in important ways to this vocation in the coming years through vestry service.

The three who were not elected this year, will still continue to give of their leadership in the parish by serving on the Commission on Ministries, the Outreach Grants committee, and the Finance Committee.

(Continued on page 2)

IN THIS ISSUE:

New Bishop Coadjutor Elected ..........................................................................page 3 Vestry Report on Lenten Luncheons .................................................................page 4 Adult Formation ...................................................................................................page 5 Music Ministries News ........................................................................................page 7 Youth Ministries News ........................................................................................page 8 Ministry Spotlight: Altar Guild .......................................................................page 11 Children and Families Ministry News ............................................................page 12 St. Mark’s “Family News” (Birthdays, Departed, Memorials) ....................page 14

The Messenger is published monthly and is available in magazine format online at www.stmarks-sa.org.

Parish Clergy The Rev. Beth Knowlton Rector The Rev. Carol Morehead Associate Rector 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, The Work+Shop The Rev. Dr. Jane Patterson Co-Director, The Work+Shop The Rev. Linda Ricketts Assisting Priest Staff Todd Allison Youth Director Priscilla Briones Finance Manager Catherine Cardenas Children’s Ministry Intern Janet Carrizales Nursery Director Joseph Causby Director of Music & Organist Elaine Enloe Clergy Executive Administrator Database Manager Emmet Faulk Parish Business Administrator Erin Hughes Youth Ministries Assistant Director Gail Jackins Families & Children’s Ministries Director Marsha Kimura Music Department Administrator Jesse “Chuy” Mendoza Kitchen Manager/Chef Ruby Merrill Facilities Supervisor & Receptionist Pat Hutchison Noble Community of Care Amanda Quisenberry Youth Ministries Assistant Dr. Edwin A. Rieke Dir. of Music & Organist Emeritus Callie Sanchez Families & Children’s Ministries Intern Leah Thomas Special Events Coordinator

St. Mark’s Episcopal 315 E. Pecan St. San Antonio, TX 78205 www.stmarks-sa.org

(Continued from page 1)

We are in the midst of our formal stewardship campaign this month. On November 16th we will have an ingathering of our pledges where we commit in worship to our ongoing support of the parish in 2015. You will be receiving a mailing in the near future which is going to ask you to commit to this community and our mission. We have been moving at St. Mark’s towards a model of year round stewardship and giving from a posture of generosity and gratitude. We will continue to strengthen these efforts this year through our theme One Body, Many Members.

time for people to know me as their new rector and for me to hear your stories of faith and community. Finally we realized that using our core vocation as an organizing theme would increasingly give us a sense of priorities in the coming years.

When we ask when we have been fed and how we hope to feed others, we cannot help but be moved by the grace of being called to be a part of St. Mark’s. When we look to scripture, we all know the power of story. Who we are as the people of God is a theme that defines and sustains us throughout our lives. There are wonderful stories of witness and faith that unfold each day here at St. Mark’s. As we gather in small groups, I hope we will I recently met with the six co-chairs for share even more of those stories. We our stewardship efforts this year, Robert and Shea Pollom, George and Jill Vassar, become united as Christ’s one body when we see the many powerful connections we Ed Rieke, and Ann Coiner. As I mentioned in last month’s Messenger, one share as members of a faith community. I important part of our efforts together will hope you will participate in and embrace these gatherings. If you feel called to host be a series of intentional small group one, please contact one of our co-chairs. gatherings. These will be offered in a Thanks you as always for your open and variety of settings and times throughout generous spirit. God is powerfully the next calendar year. As we began to envision the small gatherings we will plan present in this community, and I continue to be grateful to serve here with all of you. for the coming year, we started to name our hopes for these times. One hope is that it gives all of us a chance to know one Peace, another in an informal setting of between 12 and 20 people outside of our regular church routines. Another is that it is a

Beth+

BUDGET REPORT

Priscilla Briones, Finance Manager pbriones@stmarks-sa.org

SEPTEMBER FINANCIAL REPORT Pledge Revenue $84,150 Non Pledge Giving & Open Plate $6,148 Other Revenue $24,679 ..........................................................................................

Total Revenue $114,978 Total Expenses $204,048 .................................................................... .....................

September Revenue Under Expenses -$89,071 2

DIOCESE OF WEST TEXAS NEWS This section will feature important events of the Diocese including those of special interest to St. Mark’s.

Bishop Reed Elected Bishop Coadjutor

by Nancy Stinson

Pending consents of the Bishops and the Standing Committees of the majority of the dioceses in The Episcopal Church, Reed will be recognized as Bishop Coadjutor during the worship service at Diocesan Council in February 2015. The service will be held on Saturday morning, February 28, in San Marcos, and the Presiding Bishop of The Episcopal Church, the Most Rev. Katharine Jefferts Schori, will preside.

Reed is the first Bishop Suffragan of the diocese to be elected Bishop Coadjutor and then to go on to serve as Diocesan Bishop. Reed was ordained in 1983 when he graduated from the Seminary of the Southwest in Austin, Texas. Reed served as Assistant Rector of St. Alban’s, Harlingen, from 1983-1987; as Rector of St. Francis, Victoria, from 1987-1994; and as Rector of St. Alban’s, Harlingen, from 1994-2006. Bishop Reed was elected Bishop Suffragan of the diocese in 2006.

The other nominees were the Rev. Scott Brown, the Rev. Ram Lopez, the Rev. Jim Nelson, the Rev. David Read, and the Rev. Robert Woody.

The Rt. Rev. David M. Reed, Bishop Coadjutor‐Elect for the Diocese of West Texas.

The Rt. Rev. David Mitchell Reed was chosen Bishop Coadjutor-Elect of the Episcopal Diocese of West Texas at the Special Council of the diocese on Saturday, October 25, 2014, held at TMI – The Episcopal School of Texas in San Antonio. Reed, age 57, is currently the Bishop Suffragan (assistant) of the diocese, and was one of six nominees. Now as Bishop Coadjutor, Reed will continue to serve alongside Bishop Gary Lillibridge and upon the retirement of Lillibridge in 2017, Reed will become the tenth bishop of the Diocese of West Texas.

In order to be elected, a candidate needed to receive a simple majority of votes from both the clergy and the lay delegates, voting separately as “orders” on the same balloting round. Reed secured election on the first ballot, receiving 66 clergy votes and 207 lay votes, with 63 and 157 needed, respectively, for election.

Diocesan Opportunities Diocesan Weekly Eucharist Wednesdays, 10:00 a.m.

Chapel at the Bishop Jones Center 111 Torcido This weekly Eucharist is open to all members of the Diocese of West Texas and is led by clergy of the diocesan staff.

Diocesan Weekly Bible Study

Wednesdays, 11:00 a.m.

Mission Room at the Bishop Jones Center Following the Eucharist, there is a Bible study which is also open to all members of the Diocese. This study is coordinated by Julie Mock, a member of St. Mark’s and began as a St. Mark’s study. The group will study the Letters to Timothy, Titus, and Philemon, using William Barclay’s Study Bible as a guide. A portion is read each week before the class and then discussed as the group discerns how the readings apply to life today. Ends at noon.

Threads of Blessing Wednesdays, 10:00 a.m.

This sewing group is open to all and meets weekly at the Bishop Jones Center on Wednesdays at 10:00 a.m.

The Bishop Jones Center of the Diocese of West Texas is located at 111 Torcido Drive, 78209.

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FROM THE VESTRY Vestry Report on Lenten Luncheons

By Nancy Reed Vestry Liaison to the Commission on Ministries Lenten Luncheon ministry and how do the Luncheons fit into the Core Vocation of St. Mark’s.

At our Annual Parish Meeting, October 26, it was announced that the Vestry of St. Mark’s had approved a recommendation by the Commission on Ministries (COM) whereby: the Rector, in consultation with the Vestry, appoint a Task Force to discern a new direction for a Lenten Offering that builds on the traditions of St. Mark’s Episcopal Church and is in keeping with our Mission Statement and Core Vocation. This was not an easy decision as the Lenten Lunches have been a longstanding tradition of St. Mark’s but came about after much discussion and prayerful consideration. In July, a COM team met with the 2013 and 2014 Lenten Lunches Chairmen, Robin Voight and Susan Waltrip, along with a group of St. Mark’s members who have given generously of their time and talent to Lenten Lunches for the past several years. A number of issues precipitated this meeting: a decrease in attendance, the difficulty in securing volunteers and the escalating costs of the luncheon. The meeting was facilitated by John Lewis and Carol Morehead and revolved around the purpose and benefits of the Luncheons as a ministry of St. Mark’s and how they embody the ministry of Christ. Other questions posed were who are the beneficiaries of the

Following this meeting, a report was presented at the COM meeting in September and after further discussion by this group, the recommendation went forward to the Vestry that a Task Force be appointed by the Rector, in consultation with the Vestry, to determine the mission and purpose of the Lenten Offering. Further recommendations included: that there is transparency in the process, that there is a diversity of stakeholders on the Task Force representing many different groups in the parish including the staff, that the process is handled pastorally and that Lenten Luncheons not be held in the year 2015 to allow the Task Force time for its work and to give the parish the time to organize and put the Lenten Offering into place.

Copies of the complete “Report of the Commission on Ministry Team on Lenten Lunches” is available through the Church office. Also, if you are interested in serving on this Task Force, please contact The Reverend Beth Knowlton (bknowlton@stmarks-sa.org) or Tom McGehee (tommcgehee@yahoo.com).

NURSERY NEWS Janet Carrizales | Nursery Manager | jcarrizales@stmarks-sa.org

Nursery Benefits from Donated Toys

The children in the nursery enjoy playing with the donated toys. A special thank you to Dr. Rod & Mrs. Vickey Haff and Mrs. Mary Margaret Amberson.

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ADULT FORMATION The Rev. Carol Morehead | Associate Rector | cmorehead@stmarks-sa.org

Our Adult Christian Formation continues with a wide range of options.

It’s not too late to join in! For more details, see our Fall Formation Booklet on the website.

Advent Wreath

The Life of Faith: Embodying Christian Practice in Our Daily Lives Festival The Rev. Elizabeth Knowlton, Gish Hall November 9th: Evil and Suffering: How Do We Hold Onto Faith When the World So Clearly Isn’t As It Should St Mark’s is pleased to hold our Be? annual Advent Wreath MultiGenerational Festival on Sunday, November 23rd: Freedom: What Does It Mean to be Free?

Advent Wreath Multi-generational Festival, November 30 at 10:10 a.m. in Gosnell Hall Mesa Rodonda: Reaching Out: Three Movements of the Spiritual Life Thursday Evenings, 5:30–7:30 p.m., Gosnell Hall/Room 102 November 6: Prayer of the Heart November 13: Community and Prayer November 20: Conclusion

November 30, at 10:10 a.m. in Gosnell Hall. Members all - families and individuals, young and old - are encouraged to join together in Gosnell Hall during the Christian formation hour beginning at 10:10 a.m. Come begin the season of expectation by making an Advent wreath for home to mark our time of joyful waiting.

Timeout Bible Study: The Gospel of Mark Thursday mornings, 10:00-11:30 a.m., Youth Suite (3rd floor) Wednesday Evening Bible Study November 5, 19; December 3, 10; 6:00 – 7:30 p.m., Dean Richardson Room (2nd Floor) Daughters of the King Book Study Wednesdays, 5:00, Room 305

Baptism Schedule for 2015 “Holy

Baptism is full initiation by water and the Holy Spirit into Christ's Body the Church. The bond which God establishes in Baptism is indissoluble. Holy Baptism is appropriately administered within the Eucharist as the chief service on a Sunday or other feast.” The Book of Common Prayer, 298.

In 2015, several Sundays are designated for Holy Baptism (see back cover). We will also have Baptism Preparation Class for parents, godparents, and sponsors at 9:30 a.m. on the Saturday preceding each of the designated baptismal Sundays. If you would like to be baptized, you may go to our website under Worship, click on Baptisms on the bottom corner, and then click to fill out a Baptism Request. Or you may speak with Rev. Beth or Rev. Carol.

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ORDER YOUR HOLIDAY TREATS FROM ST. MARK’S! Please return form & payment to St. Mark’s front desk.

Holiday Treats Order Name Best Phone # Primary Email Let Café Kairos bake your Thanksgiving pies or goodies!! Please return form & payment to St. Mark’s front desk.

Check #______ # of Pies/Treats

Pie/Treat Type

All sales benefit St. Mark’s Kitchen Ministries.

Total

Caramel Apple

$15 ea

=$

Old Fashioned Apple

$15 ea

=$

Pecan

$15 ea

=$

Pumpkin Praline

$15 ea

=$

Traditional Pumpkin

$15 ea

=$

Pumpkin Cheesecake

$15 ea

=$

Chocolate Toffee Pecan

$15 ea

=$

Buttermilk

$10 ea

=$

Cheese Straws

$10 p/box

=$

Toffee

$10 p/box

=$

Savory Stilton Cheesecake Appetizer

$15 ea

=$

Mini pies (9 per order; choose 3 flavors below)

$20

=$

Pick-up for pies & treats is Tuesday, November 25 10am-5pm.

Orders left after Tuesday, November 25 will not be available or refunded.

Cost per Item

PIES

DELIVERY/PICK-UP NOTICE: Order deadline is Wednesday, November 12 at noon.

Cash

TREATS

TOTAL =$ RETURN TO: St. Mark’s Episcopal Church 315 East Pecan St. San Antonio tx 78205 ATTN: Leah Thomas 210‐226‐2426

Caramel Apple Old Fashioned Apple Pecan Check Pumpkin Praline 6

Traditional Pumpkin Pumpkin Cheesecake Chocolate Toffee Pecan Buttermilk

MUSIC NOTES Joseph Causby | Director of Music & Organist | jcausby@stmarks-sa.org

ST. CECILIA GUILD PRESENTS MUSIC FROM ST. MARK’S 2014-2015 All events are free and open to the public.

NOVEMBER 1, SATURDAY 5.00 pm

NOVEMBER 9, Sunday 5.00 pm

DECEMBER 7, Sunday 5.00 pm

DECEMBER 24, WEDNESDAY 3.45 pm 4.00 pm 10.00pm 10.30 pm

St. Mark’s Music Ministries ANNUAL COOKIE WALK

KLRN FESTIVAL OF LESSONS AND CAROLS St. Mark’s Choir, Choristers, and congregation take part in a video-taped service of Christmas Lessons and Carols to be aired on KLRN PBS Television in December 2014. Please contact the church office at your earliest convenience to reserve seating.

REMEMBRANCE SUNDAY, REQUIEM EUCHARIST The St. Mark’s Choir sings the Requiem by Maurice Duruflé to mark the 96th anniversary of the signing of the Armistice that ended World War I. We join with the Anglican Communion to remember those who have died in wars and conflicts throughout the world.

ADVENT LESSONS AND CAROLS The St. Mark’s Choir is joined by the Choristers and Youth Choir in a celebration of the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ.

CHRISTMAS EVE Prelude Holy Eucharist and Blessing of the Crèche, sung by the Choristers and Youth Choir.

PRELUDE Holy Eucharist (with incense) sung by the St. Mark’s Choir.

Sunday, December 21, 2014 Gosnell Hall

All of your holiday baking in one place!

It’s beginning to look a lot like Christmas!

The St. Mark’s Choirs will be taking orders for fresh cut Fraser Fir Christmas Trees and greenery in early November. The trees will be cut and shipped directly to St. Mark’s from a tree farm in the Virginia mountains. The trees will arrive in San Antonio and will be ready for collection the weekend of November 29th.

STAY TUNED FOR DETAILS! 7

YOUTH MINISTRIES Todd Allison, Youth Director | Erin Hughes, Assistant Youth Director | Amanda Quisenberry, Ministry Assist. | WWW.FACEBOOK.COM/SMCYOUTH

@SMYGSA

#SMYGSA

Youth Ministry 30 Hour Famine

By Todd Allison and Erin Hughes World Vision is a non-profit organization that raises funds for and provides food and health care to people in need around the world. For the second time youth of St. Mark’s, joined by friends from St. David’s San Antonio and St. John’s in New Braunfels, participated in a 30 Hour Famine in an effort to raise money for World Vision.

almost 9 hours the discussion wasn’t about the meals missed but the experience they just shared.

Once back at St. Mark’s the groups met in their tribes to reflect on the evening while enjoying juice before a few games of Free Zone, a lock-in staple and then a Compline service to wrap up the first 12 hours of our fast.

November 21‐23, St. Alban’s, Harlingen

Fri., December 19; Youth Lock‐In Sat., December 20; Barbeque Event

Youth, and their leaders, started their fast on their own at 11am Friday before arriving at St. Mark’s later in the evening. The group was split into 5 tribes representing different countries around the world. The groups would spend time over the next 24 hours in these tribes discussing, reflecting, and learning how famine impacts the world we might never see.

More juice awaited the group as they woke on Saturday morning and gathered in their tribes for another activity and to discuss how it felt to sleep hungry and wake up even more hungry. The groups then discussed how much money was raised from their tribe members and created a poster to illustrate the funds raised and how they could be used. The tribes were then put to a challenge.

As the groups wrapped up their initial meetings we set out for a walk in the cool fall air and made our way over to a vacant lot just a couple blocks off Broadway. They were joined by other volunteers and, under the direction of Taking it to the Streets Ministry out of Boerne, our group helped serve dinner to over 400 homeless or near homeless.

As the last meal was served and night began to fall our group began our walk back to St. Mark’s. And while our group had only juice in the last now

SAVE THE DATE(S)

Happening #129 (Sr. High)

Noticing the group was getting a bit restless, (and needing fresh air) a new challenge was presented. Divided into new teams with a youth leader and an iPhone, the teams hit the streets of downtown San Antonio for a photo scavenger hunt. Challenged to be creative and testing their knowledge of the city the teams made their way to the Alamo, the Riverwalk, and even (Continued on page 9)

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10th Annual Christmas to the Street

Mid‐Winter at Camp Capers (Sr. High)

Friday, January 9 – Sunday, January 11

Mid‐Winter at Camp Capers (Jr. High) Friday, January 16 – Sunday, January 18

Pancake Supper & Talent Show

Tuesday, February 17

Happening #130 (Sr. High)

March 6‐8; TBD

Sr. High Mustang Island Retreat

Monday, March 9 ‐Wednesday, March 11

Palm Sunday; Passion Narra ve

Sunday, March 29

Holy Week (Events TBD)

March 30‐April 4

Easter Sunday

Sunday, April 5

Youth Retreat @ Camp Eagle

Friday, April 10 – Sunday, April 12 th

7 Annual S.O.W. Fund Drive

April 13 – May 31

Youth Sunday/Senior Recogni on

Sunday, May 10

7th Annual Summer Outreach Weekend

Friday, June 5 ‐ Sunday, June 7

For addi onal informa on on youth events please visit www.stmarks‐sa.org or www.facebook.com/smcyouth

Many Bodies… One Spirit!

(Continued from page 8)

attempted to try on hats in Paris. Once each team felt they had completed every task to their best and most creative ability they returned to St. Mark’s where the photos were shared, laughed, and winners determined with their prize being first in line at dinner just a few hours away. Many realized just how much the lack of food drained them of

energy, and that even the walking just a few blocks around town really took a lot out of them.

Entering the last hour of the famine, the youth came together and reflected on their last 30 hours and prayed together before quickly heading downstairs, counting the minutes before dinner was served. Joined by parents and friends the group enjoyed a meal of pasta, salad,

and ice cream before heading home.

What an accomplishment and impressive commitment for our youth.

In all, nearly 40 youth and their leaders, participated in the Famine and raised funds to support the mission of World Vision to fight hunger around the world.

“New Beginnings” for DWTX Youth

By Erin Hughes After months of prayer and planning, the pilot weekend for New Beginnings, a middle school retreat, took place the weekend of October 3-5.

40 Youth from San Antonio area Episcopal churches attended the event, along with 34 high school youth leaders.

New Beginnings is a retreat, designed along the same models as Happening, Vocare, and Cursillo, but for middle school youth. The retreat gives middle school students the opportunity to meet and worship with other middle schoolers, discuss topics of masks, peer pressure, friends, family, and faith, participate in a talent show, and learn that they are not alone on their faith walk.

Friday, all of the staff and participants began the retreat with games and singing. Brown Hall, on the campus of Church of Reconciliation, was vibrating with excitement, and a little bit of anxiety as the youth did not know what to expect of the weekend ahead of them. Soon, the anxiety was gone as the youth were put into family groups and began getting to know other middle schoolers from the other churches, and seeing old friends from camp.

Sunday’s 10:10am – 11:10am in the Youth Suite On Sunday mornings youth will be split up into two groups; current 7th‐ 9th grades and current 10th ‐12th graders. Following some large group discussion youth will take a deeper look at the week’s readings and Gospel and to gain new insight and understanding into some of the stories of Jesus’ walk on this earth.

(Wednesday Nights, 5pm – 7pm—$5 Dinner) We will focus this fall on service and hot topics for discussion, talking about things like internet safety, bullying, and media tools. We will also take a lot of me to focus on hunger, and ways in which we can help to solve the world’s hunger problem both locally and interna onally. We will have plenty of fun too. Bring a friend and dinner is on us!

Before they knew it, it was Sunday afternoon, and time to say goodbye—the weekend wouldn’t be as amazing if we gave too much away—participants all shared how they would “pass it on” when they got back into their daily routines. Then staff, participants, and some parents all enjoyed a beautiful Eucharist before departing.

New Beginnings #1 was a success! We urge you to ask some of our youth about it, and encourage you to be on the lookout for information on New Beginnings #2.

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THE REV. CAROL MOREHEAD Wednesday, November 19 (5:45pm) Dinner ($6) in Youth Suite

Youth Lock‐In; Friday, Dec. 19 “No Ties Allowed” BBQ; Friday, Dec. 19 10th Annual

Christmas to the Street BBQ

Saturday, Dec. 20 Christmas to the Street began 10 years ago as an outreach ministry led by the St. Mark’s Youth and Kitchen Ministries. The goal was simple: provide a generous home‐cooked meal of brisket and sausage with all the fixin’s to our neighbors in downtown San Antonio. The response and support from the community has continued to grow each year.

Four years ago that vision was expanded as we embraced a new partnership with the Haven for Hope Center for services to the homeless community. In addition to the roughly 500 meals served by our youth and volunteers at St. Mark’s for lunch two teams serve over 1000 at the Haven for Hope campus through the partnership with St. Vincent de Paul and the San Antonio Food Bank. Altogether, Christmas to the Street 2014 will serve nearly 2000 warm meals to hungry men, women and children.

Most importantly, Christmas to the Street is completely operated from donations and volunteers. This continued effort is not possible without the generosity of our community partners, donors, volunteers, and the St. Mark’s parish family.

2014 Volunteer Opportunities (Please review the opportunities below and contact Todd Allison at tallison@stmarks‐sa.org for more details) No Ties Allowed Pit Crew (6pm Friday, December 19‐ 3pm Saturday, December 20) An annual tradition for the men of the parish. Volunteers will work in shifts of up to three teams to assist with the bbq and smoking of roughly 60 briskets, 4000 links of sausage, and a few other items. Things will kick‐off Friday evening, December 19, with a dinner and run through the end of lunch and clean up.

Kitchen Crew (Shifts: 9am‐11am, 11am‐1pm, 1pm‐3pm;Saturday, December 20) Preparing everything for over 2000 meals takes a lot of hands. Cleaning up from it does too. Three shifts of volunteers will work ‘behind the scenes’ in the kitchen on Saturday helping keep the serving line going.

Haven for Hope Crew(s) (3pm‐7pm; Saturday, December 20) For our third year volunteers will provide and help serve roughly 1200 meals at Haven for Hope in partnership with the San Antonio Food Bank and St. Vincent de Paul Society. Volunteers will meet at St. Mark’s at 3pm on Saturday, December 20 to load the food and transport it to the Haven for Hope campus. Following set up and serving dinner in the main dining hall and in Prospects Courtyard teams will wrap things up around 7pm.

Due to security and space this opportunity is limited to volunteers ages 18 and older and you must have a valid ID. To sign up please contact Pat Bridwell at pbridwell@att.net DONATIONS If you would like to help make Christmas to the Street a continued success for years to come by making a financial contribution, donations can be sent to: St. Mark's Episcopal Church Attn: Christmas to the Street 315 E. Pecan, SA TX, 78205 Event Coordinator: Todd Allison tallison@stmarks‐sa.org 10

MINISTRY SPOTLIGHT ALTAR GUILD

Practice and Practicality: An Altar Guild Workshop

By Dee Whiteside St. Mark’s Altar Guild Director On Saturday, October 11, the Altar Guild of St. Mark’s hosted a Workshop for members of Altar Guilds across the Diocese of West Texas. In attendance were fifty-two Altar Guild members, nineteen from our own church and thirty-three from parishes within the diocese, some even traveling the distance from Texas border towns.

The workshop sessions began with an Instructed Eucharist officiated by The Reverend Beth Knowlton and assisted

by The Reverend Carol Morehead, Barbara Ward as Eucharist Minister, and Jennifer Merritt as lay reader. It was a remarkably inspiring service.

Many attendees indicated they had not attended an Instructed Eucharist and discovered a new awareness of observing and participating in a Holy Eucharist.

Officers of the National Altar Guild Association (NAGA) presented three workshops, and joined Beth in a roundtable discussion.

Two workshops were held simultaneously.

The “Care of Linens” workshop, held in Bethlehem Chapel, was conducted by Alice Scarbrough, a member of the Board of Director of NAGA and a member of the Diocese of Texas. This workshop was invaluable in showing members how to remove wine and other stains from fair linens, caring for altar hangings, and preparing linens such as purificators and corporals that are used in Holy Eucharist services.

Guilds struggling with challenges in their respective parishes.

Many of them have difficulty recruiting members, experience a lack of organization, and/or a lack of direction in performing their ministries.

The third workshop, “Peak and Plunge,” was a Power Point presentation by Katrina Packard, President of NAGA. Katrina’s information centered on how the National Altar Guild Association can be helpful to all Altar Guild ministries and she urged members to join NAGA either individually or by parish. A publication, The Epistle, is published monthly and has helpful hints, as well as articles on activities of other Altar Guilds across the nation.

One project NAGA is currently involved in is making camouflage stoles for our Episcopal priests who are serving in war areas; another is making up small, portable Eucharist kits for churches who have experienced a natural disaster, such as a fire or a hurricane, so that parishioners can still celebrate communion if their church and sanctuary have been destroyed.

Bishop Gary Lillibridge joined our workshop for lunch. He gave a short talk, emphasizing the significance of the Altar Guild’s ministry to the church and to its clergy.

A roundtable discussion was held the last hour of the workshop day and many questions regarding Altar Guild procedures and other matters were answered by Beth and our NAGA presenters. There was also a tour of St. Mark’s offered at the end of the day, led by Agatha Wade, a St. Mark’s docent and an Altar Guild member.

Many of our own Altar Guild members stepped up to help plan this workshop and to assist our guests. We are hopeful that the Altar Guilds in our diocese represented here will be revitalized and this workshop will help resolve the challenges they are facing in creating beautiful and spiritual services in their parishes.

The second workshop, “Ministry, Not a Job,” headed by Ellen Martin, our own Altar Guild member and a member of the Board of Directors of NAGA, Fran Schrader, Director of Altar Guild for the Diocese of West Texas, and Joan Konecny, Altar Guild Director of the Diocese of Texas and Vice President of NAGA, provided a question-and- answer medium for Altar 11

FAMILIES & CHILDREN Gail Jackins | Director of Children and Families Ministries | gjackins@stmarks-sa.org

LEGO NIGHT at St. Mark’s!

November 14, 2014 Date — November 14, Friday Time — 5:30 to 8:00 p.m.

Place — Gosnell Hall, enter through Tucker Courtyard Food — We’ll provide pizza and lemonade, you bring snacks Info — RSVP by Nov 12 so we’ll know how much pizza to order!

Bring your Legos, or use St Mark’s supply. Bring your friends (age 4 and older) because everyone likes Legos!

Make your own creation, or re-create Bible scenes with Lego blocks! While we’re creating and snacking and talking, the Lego movie will be showing on a large tv. We’ll have a nursery for infants, if you contact Janet by November 9. RSVP to gjackins@stmarks-sa.org for this is fun familyfriendly event! Get to know other families at St Mark’s!

CATECHESIS OF THE GOOD SHEPHERD PRESCHOOL ROOM 205 GODLY PLAY KINDERGARTEN AND 1ST GRADE ROOM 206

Lego donations welcome

WHIRL 2ND AND 3RD GRADE ROOM 208

If your child has out-grown Lego building blocks, consider giving them to St Mark’s. They will be used to re-create Bible scenes and spark discussions. Instead of gathering dust in your closet, these blocks will be used as a tool for helping build a foundation of faith.

Perhaps grandparents have some in the attic. We especially need lots more Legos by November 14!

212 MINISTRY 4TH THROUGH 6TH GRADE ROOM 212

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Communion Instruction Save the date – Saturday, January 10 at 10:30 a.m. for a kid-friendly communion instruction opportunity with Reverend Beth! There will be lots more information in next month’s newsletter.

Thanks Teachers!

Our Sunday School teachers share their time, love, and faith with our children every week. We’re having a fantastic semester, so when you see these people give them a pat on the back!

Room 205 – Pre K Lou Taylor Julie VanZandt Room 206 – K and 1st Elizabeth Breazeale Verne Lee Cooper Nelda Greer Heather Lunsford Room 208 – 2nd and 3rd Dawna Boudreaux Andrew Goodenough David Grimes Greg Merritt

Collecting blankets

Room 212 – 4th, 5th, 6th Catherine Cardenas Gary Chambers David Cobb Denise Dahm Callie Sanchez

Please join us again this year as 212 Ministry collects new and gently-used clean blankets for those less fortunate.

Somewhere there is a person who is cold, and you can do something about it! It is that time of the year again when the temperatures are falling but the number of homeless people in the streets are increasing. Each year we collect more blankets than the last. Our goal this year is to collect over 400 blankets. Even one blanket can make a difference! We need your help to make that goal a reality and to ensure that those who are less fortunate are able to stay safe and warm during this winter. Bring your new or gently-used clean blankets to the 2nd floor anytime between now and mid-December. For your convenience, you can bring a gift card to Target or Walmart, and Gail will do the shopping for you. The blankets will be distributed at “Christmas to the Streets” on December 20 at St Mark’s.

Questions? Contact Gail Jackins.

St. Mark's Children and Family Ministry has a Facebook page, “like” it next time you’re on Facebook so you can keep up with what’s happening! https://www.facebook.com/stmarksfamily

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NEWS OF THE FAMILY NOVEMBER BIRTHDAYS November 9th

November 20th

Paul Cleek, Mark Judson, Lori Kingery, Marie Leinweber, Michael Lowry, Megan Steves

Mark Arnold, Jeff Breazeale, Jeane Crowson, William E. Donnell, Abigail Kirby, Lara Luce, Libni Ortiz, Mark Pope, Jim Redmond, Juanita Reyes, Mallory Rigney, Nate TorresLopez

November 10th Ariana Hamza, Kathleen Judson, Lorrie Uhl November 11th Robert Baker, Kristopher Kimura, Neel Lane, Raymond Ventura November 12th

November 1st

Jack Hebdon, Carol Hebdon, Ron Knowlton, Hamlet Newsom, Erin Smith, Rosalinda Vasquez

Park Lawrence November 2nd Hugh Fitzsimons, Anna Nau, Rachel Ruiz, Larry Vasquez, Christopher Waldrip November 3rd

November 13th Theresa Casiano, David Morgan, David Poinier, Adam Robledo

John Beauchamp, Robin Rae Bernhard, Kelly Carlisle, Harrison Cotton, Terry Denton, Ethan Faunce, Carolyn Klebaum, Emily Noble, Alexa Smith, James Zimmerhanzel, Linda Zimmerhanzel

November 14th

November 4th

November 15th

Matthew Carpenter, Ella Gunn, Nancy Russell, Andrew Thayer November 5th

Steven R. Bauernfeind, Emily Beauchamp, Julie Bender, Julie Carnahan, Taylor Dorris, Sandra Dreyer, Laura Johnson, Jelane Lodek, Jingle Robinson, Scott Uhl, Bebe Waller Blaise Bender, Flor Hernandez, Jack Ingram, Misae King, Derek Shively, Josephine Stillwell

Meredith Adkins, Wells Davidson, Kathy November 16th Kelly, Harriet Martin, Patsy Steves, Eva Kell Austin, Fiona Hall, Carol 'C.C.' Muir, Sullivan, Amelie Sullivan, Jessica Ungermann Nancy Scott Jones, Jill Smith, Alex Sugg November 6th November 17th Peggy Baetz, Gloria Dilley, Carol Fallon, Marji Gray, Tiffany Kimbrell, Cuatro Smith, Sandra Villarreal November 7th Mary Ann Boggs, Angie Ellis, Cassie Gainey, Kim Judd, Brenda Kingery, Claudia Maceo, Con Mims, Lucia Redmond, Sandra Woodall November 8th Victor Ban, Megan Carwise, Lisa Evans, Randy Fleisher

November 21st Todd Allison, Annabelle McGee, Jaclyn Townsend November 22nd Alicia Block, Alice Haney, Sister Huntress, Linda Jones, Tracy Kirby, Olivia Ribble, Jacob Schenk, Kristina Stoever November 23rd Courtney Bonner, Mary Cassell, Liz Chiego, Adele Edmunds, Benjamin Jones, Albert Persinger November 24th Carol Bousquet, Sarah Capra, Natalie Thayer November 25th Jes Gonzales, Anne Goodwin, Melissa Oatman, Carolyn Thornton November 26th Shannon Minister, Amanda Talaat November 27th Patrick Bowen, Nicholas Sherman, Catherine Taylor, Ralph Voight November 28th

Charles Dahm, Graham Matthews, Noah Stanton, Sissy Tietz, Elijah Torres-Lopez

Laura Butterfield, Cathy Casiano, Blair Davis, Emily Foster, Delaney Gunn, Betty Ludwig, Rob Robertson, John Younger

November 18th

November 29th

Nelson Allen, Benjamin De Vierville, Jenn Ham, Gail Harwood, Heather Klossner, Beth Knowlton, Elise Rubiola, Richard Tisdale, Francesca Torres

Liz Evans, Welda Hissner, Ditty Kindervater, Chris Lopez, Otis Parchman

November 19th Anne Church, Brittany Darragh, Leena Holmstrom, Celeste Montez, Johanna Sharp, Kelsie Westmoreland

Ruby s

November 30th Cathy Briggs, David Duesing, Mary Earle, Tricia Houston, Frances Lefkofsky, Jamie Maverick, Sue Carol McDonald, Sally Owens, Olga Perez, Ann Sahm, Martha Steves

Make plans to join in the celebra on of Ruby Merrill’s 20+ years (and s ll going!) of service at St. Mark’s!

20+ Years Celebration Barbecue Picnic 14

WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 12, 2014 5:30PM TUCKER COURTYARD Please RSVP by November 7th to Leah Thomas at lthomas@stmarks‐sa.org

SPECIAL BIRTHDAYS A very special happy birthday to:

Nursery Bake Sale 2014 Welda Hissner on her 99th (29-Nov) Marie Leinweber on her 96th (9-Nov) Peggy Baetz on her 95th (6-Nov) Julie Carnahan on her 94th (14-Nov) Frances Lefkofsky on her 94th (30-Nov) Angie Ellis on her 92nd (7-Nov) John Beauchamp on his 90th (3-Nov) Ditty Kindervater on her 90th (29-Nov)

The Nursery will hold their annual bake sale on Sunday, November 9th, 2014 in the plaza after the services.

Baked goods consist of homemade cakes, pies, cookies, cupcakes , etc.

Goodies are made by nursery staff and parents.

We have had successful sales with all your help.

Purchase items for your Thanksgiving feast, help at the tables, bring a baked item, or make a monetary donation.

All proceeds go to benefit the nursery ministry.

BIRTHS Santino Gabriel Sanchez, October 4 to Callie and Trinidad Sanchez Marshall Steves IV, October 14 Liam Everette David Fluke, October 25 to Dawna Boudreaux

This year we hope to get a camera and give the nursery staff gift cards for Christmas.

Please support the bake sale.

Café Kairos: ThanksgivingThemed Dinner

IN COMPA SSION

Wednesday, November 19, 2014 5:30 PM to 6:45 PM Gosnell Hall

For all who have died in the hope of the resurrection, and for all the departed, let us pray to the Lord.

(from the Prayers of the People Form 1)

Gib Austin, Jr., October 2 Alice Cummins, October 21 Van Howard III, September 27 Psalm-Angel Guadelupe Onstott, September 25 Billie LeClercq, October 25 Meredith Steves, October 23 Linda Striekert, October 26

Café Kairos will be serving turkey, dressing, cranberry sauce, green beans, mashed potatoes, gravy, rolls, salad, and dessert for the usual $8.00 fee.

Call the front desk at church to sign up 226-2426, or email gjackins@stmarks-sa.org by November 13 so we’ll know how much food to cook.

Questions? Contact Leah Thomas or Gail Jackins.

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The Messenger (USPS 514-020) Published Monthly (3rd Wednesday) ST. MARK’S EPISCOPAL CHURCH 315 East Pecan Street, San Antonio, Texas, 78205 Telephone: (210) 226-2426 Periodicals Postage paid at San Antonio, Texas POSTMASTER: Send address changes to THE MESSENGER c/o ST. MARK’S EPISCOPAL CHURCH 315 E. Pecan Street, San Antonio, Texas 78205 Rector/Editor-in-Chief: The Rev. Beth Knowlton Layout & Graphic Design: Emmet Faulk e-mail articles efaulkjr@stmarks-sa.org

Article deadline is 3rd Friday of each month

MARK YOUR CALENDAR! 2014 ROCK ‘N’ ROLL MARATHON & 1/2 SUNDAY, DECEMBER 7, 2014 Visit our website stmarks-sa.org and print map with access routes to St. Mark’s on race day.

WORSHIP SCHEDULE 7:45a.m. Rite I Eucharist 9:00a.m. Rite II Eucharist 10:00a.m. Formation for all ages 11:15a.m. Rite II Eucharist 4:00p.m. Rite III Service For a complete listing of upcoming events, meetings, and classes at St. Mark’s visit www.stmarks-sa.org.

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