Community Ministry Fair at St. Mark's --

On Sunday, May 1, stop by the Parish Commons and find out which agencies are helped by the St. Mark's benevolence funds.  This is your chance to visit with representatives from Associated Ministries, Lutheran Volunteer Corps, Elbe Church, Lutheran Public Policy Office, Tacoma Community House, Lutehran Community Services, L'Arche and others.  Find out how your donations are serving the community.  L'Arche Community will also be selling flowers and plants (in time for Mother's Day).   

Sunday, May 1--Adult Faith Opportunities:

No Adult Forum this week.  Please visit the Community Ministry Fair in the Parish Commons.

Next week:  "Celebrate Poetry"  -- Emilie Rommel Shimkus will lead the forum with her mother, Margery Rommel, author and poet.

Youth  and Family News   --

SR ALYVE (9-12^th grade)

• Sunday School (May 1)--field trip to Forza Coffee.  Meet in the Youth Room at 9:45 with walking shoes, a jacket and money for a treat.

 JR ALYVE (6-8^th grade)

• 6^th grade Sunday School / Confirmation (May 1)- Jesus appears to the Disciples. 
• Youth Group will meet Wednesday, May 4 in the Youth Room, 6:00-7:15pm. 

Thank you for supporting the Continental Easter Breakfast sponsored by the Youth of St. Mark's on Easter.  We raised $500.00 to go toward the Montana Mission trip and other youth events.

Adult / Parent Volunteers are needed for the nursery on Sunday mornings in May.  May 8 -- 9:45-10:45am; May 15--9:45-10:45am; May 22 -- 8:30-9:30am and 9:45-10:45am;  May 29--8:30-9:30 and 9:45-10:45am.  Please sign up in the nursery if you are able to help or speak to Teresa Handy or Cindy Johnson for more information.  Thank you! 

Children's Faith Formation

   

 St. Mark's Directory of Skills and Talents

The Stewardship Ministry Team is organizing a new directory this Spring of member skills and talents to help us all appreciate and have greater access to the many gifts and abilities among our members.  Registration sheets are available in the Narthex.  The first edition of the Directory will be published Directory in time for Pentecost.  Any member who would like to share information about their particular skill is invited to participate.  Contact Carol Guenther for more details:  carolg@smlutheran.org

Women of St. Mark's

MARK YOUR CALENDARS...

June 24, July 29 and August 26 -- "Last Friday Craft Nights" --

Come and help us prepare for our Holiday Bazaar, learn new crafts, or bring your own projects.  6:30-9:30pm

September 17 -- Women's Retreat and Luncheon -- home of Carol Paulson.  9:30am.

November 5 -- Holiday Bazaar

December 3 -- Advent Brunch

"Come to Us Creative Spirit"

Poetry in the Month of May 

May is Poetry Month at St. Mark's--The artists-in-residence for the month of May are planning a celebration of poetry as part of our congregation's faith journey.  Some of the events planned include:

• Adult Forums -- each week focusing on reading, writing and enjoying poetry in different settings.
• Poetry in Worship -- hymns, prayers, etc. will be highlighted.
• Poetry Tree -- you may attach a poem to the tree (either one that you have written, or one that you especially like). 
• Sunday Poem  -- look for a new poem each Sunday introducing the video poetry readings (see below)
• Video Poetry Readings -- each week we will have a video of well known poets reading from their own works.
• Writing Workshop -- planned for Saturday, May 14. 
• E-mail "poem of the day" to those who are interested.
• More information is available from Tim Sherry at timsherry@comcast.net or 253-531-3480.

Sunday --Join with JAPAN... ELCA and LWR

May 1 -- 4:30-6:30pm - Potluck

Join us for a Japanese themed potluck on May 1 from 4:30-6:30pm.  Donations will be accepted and sent to the ELCA's Pacific Earthquake and Tsunami fund, 100% of which will be used for disaster response in Japan. 

We will assemble Health Care Kits for LWR...as the need is urgent to continue to supply these essential kits to those affected by disasters worldwide.  Sign-up for the potluck and look for our LWR box to collect Health Care Kit supplies.  All are welcome!  Thank you for your continued support of these events to help those in need, share in prayer and make a difference in our world. 

For the May shipment, the only items needed for Health Kits are hand towels, toothbrushes and bath size soap.   We have enough wash cloths, band aids, combs and fingernail files.  Please place items in the big red box.  May 1st is Quilt Sunday.  Financial donations are appreciated to help ship the quilts and kits.

Lutheran World Relief

Layettes -- we need baby caps and flannel (for diapers)

Health Kits-- we need toothbrushes and soap  (See article above about helping assemble Health Kits for Japan -- May 1 potluck).

May 1 is Quilt Sunday--Look for the table in the Narthex to see how you can help this important ministry of St. Mark's. 

Our next shipping date is May 6 -- contact Vangie Billingsley (or the church office) for other ways you can help our LWR efforts.

Get your tickets soon for the

Mexico Dinner and Auction!

Once again, we will enjoy a festive night together on Friday, May 6 when we gather to raise money for the building of small homes in Mexico.  The silent auction begins at 5:30pm.  A live Mariachi band will perform from 6:00-7:00pm while we enjoy a fantastic meal of tri-tip steak, chicken, and other favorite dishes.  The cost of the meal is only $5.00 per person, and tickets can be purchased on Sunday mornings or on weekdays during normal office hours.  Auction items range from trips, meals, ballgames and concerts to gift baskets, crafts, house and garden items and gift certificates to many local establishments.  Don't miss this great opportunity to support a worthy cause.  The money will be used to buy materials to build four houses for needy families that have been identified by the local Lutheran congregation in the neighborhood of El Florido.

Stewardship: Quarterly Financial Report 

Church Council is taking new steps to keep the congregation updated and informed about the financial status of St. Mark's.  Church Council, via the Finance Committee, will send out financial updates four times a year.  This statement includes quarter goals, actual income, and overages or shortfall for both the General Mission Fund and the Grace Upon Grace building fund.  Click here for the one page update. 

St. Mark's Community Work Party

May 7 -- 8:00am-1:00pm

Help is needed for some Spring cleaning in outdoor areas around the church that need some TLC.  We are looking for happy faces and a couple of hours of your time to share in the work of caring for God's acre at St. Mark's.  Come for as much of the time as you can.

Please bring your favorite yard or garden tool and work gloves.  Rakes and shovels are needed as well.  If you have a truck -- it will be the star of the show!!!

Project planner:  Joani Easterlund -- joani-e@att.net   Please e-mail Joani if you can help and be sure to identify the subject as "work party."

Cook's Club - Episode 4... 

We will meet in the July at the Paulson beach home.  Watch for details!