Faith Formation at St. Mark's 

This week (September 11) our MINISTRY FAIR focuses on the many opportunities we have to be life-long learners of our faith and also to serve as teachers, leaders, and supporters of various classes or activities.  There are over 20 different classes offered each week for various age groups to help us continually learn and reflect upon the Bible and our rich faith tradition.  And each of those activities requires members who are willing to serve depending upon time availability and abilities.  We are grateful to all who serve us in this ministry and we encourage each member to be thinking of one way you will continue to grow in your faith this year.  Visit the Fair for more information!

September is NAME TAG Month at St. Mark's --

One of the signs of a hospitable church is the effort we take includes the efforts we take to get to know one another by name.  With over 300 members at worship each Sunday, creating an atmosphere of personal welcome can be a challenge, but a simple sticky label can help!  For the next few weeks, we invite all members to pick up your pre-printed name tag at the Welcome Center as you come to church and wear it throughout the morning.  Even if you have been a member for years and you think you know the names of every other member, chances are there is someone who has forgotten yours and will be grateful for this simple reminder!  (We also have blank labels available for visitors.)

Children's Faith Formation

2011-2012 Children's Sunday School begins September 11 --

Sunday School welcomes children age 3 through 5th grade.  It begins at 9:45am and ends at 10:45am.  Parents should plan for September 11 as a morning of connecting their child(ren) with their class locations and teachers by 9:45am in the Children's Faith Center.  Children's volunteers will be on hand by 9:30am to register children and answer questions regarding St. Mark's Sunday School programming.  Also, throughout the morning children and family ministry opportunities for learning, serving, and growing will be highlighted in the Faith Formation Ministry Fair going on in the Parish Commons.  Because we are also hosting the Watoto Children's Choir that morning, St. Mark's children will be treated to some interactive musical learning with the Watoto children in the Parish Commons, accompanied by their teachers. 

A letter is being mailed out this week to families with children.  It will include programming information and a registration form.

Children's Teacher Workshop, Saturday, September 10 --

All children's teachers are invited to attend a workshop for orientation to the year and curriculum, team scheduling, and an enrichment session on Creating Space for Holy Listening hosted by Pastor Shjerven and Char Leone.  We plan to meet from 9:30 until noon on Saturday, Sept. 10.  Coffee and continental breakfast will be available at 9:00am.  New teachers should plan to come at 9:00am for an orientation to Spark curriculum with Char.  Attendance is encouraged, but if you cannot attend, please contact Char to arrange for an alternate time to go over materials.

Adult Faith Formation

9:45am Adult Forum Schedule for September

• September 11 -- Fall Kickoff, hosted by Pastor Shjerven (Fireside Room)
• September 18 --  Who is my neighbor?  Hunger in Pierce County, hosted by Heidi Calhoun (Parish Commons Classroom 1)
• September 25 -- Who is my neighbor?  Housing needs in Pierce County, hosted by Mia Wells (PCC1)
 

11:00am Adult Class

New Series:  Making Sense of the Christian Faith:  Using materials by Dr. David Lose, we will examine the major classical teachings of Christianity, focusing on one topic each week.  Sunday, September 11 -- "God Talk:  What is Theology?", hosted by Pastor Shjerven (Fireside Room)

Youth  and Family News   --

SR ALYVE (9-12th grade):

• Youth Group begins Thursday, September 15, 6:15-8:00pm in the youth wing with Matt and Courtney.  Dinner provided.
• Sunday School begins September 18, 9:45-10:45am in the Fireside Room.
• JR/SR ALYVE Softball Game, Saturday, September 24, 3:00pm. Location--TBA.  BBQ to follow at the Taylor's home.
• ELCA Youth Gathering (July 18-22, 2012).  Second interest meeting Sunday, September 25, 11:00am in the Fireside Room.  Sign up on the Youth Board for more information.

JR ALYVE (6-8th grade):

• 6th grade Sunday School begins, September 11,  9:45am in the Youth Wing.
• 7/8th grade Confirmation begins, September 18,  9:45am in the Sanctuary.
• 7th grade Rite of Welcome, 9:45am service
• 8th grade Rite of Renewal, 11:00am service
• Youth Group begins Wednesday, September 21, 6-7:15pm in the Youth Wing.
• JR/SR ALYVE Softball Game, Saturday, September 24, 3:00pm.  Location--TBA.  BBQ to follow at the Taylor's home. 

September Family Fun Night -- Friday, September 16.  5:30-7:30pm  Board Game Bonanza!  Hot dogs provided, please bring a side dish to share.

Entertainment Books are on sale!  $25.00 each.  Discounts to Pomodoro, Steamers, The Hob Nob and much more. 

WATOTO Children's Choir Concert --

Come join the Watoto Children's Choir from Uganda, as they present a concert at St. Mark's on Saturday, September 10, 2011 at 7:00pm.    The Watoto organization care for and educates orphans with the mission to raise the future leaders of Uganda.  Learn more at their website:  www.watoto.com.

HELP NEEDED

The Watoto Children's Choir will be having a potluck lunch at church from 11-12:00 on Saturday and then rehearse all day Saturday for their concert at 7:00 p.m.  If you are able to drop by fruit, veggie tray, chips, crackers, or pretzels for them to snack on throughout the day as well as to make sure we have enough food for lunch, it would be greatly appreciated.  Please leave items on the kitchen counter or in the refrigerator marked "Watoto potluck."  Thank you!

Interfaith Service of Prayer for Healing and Hope

Sunday, September 11, 2011

at St. Mark's Lutheran Church by The Narrows

• 5:30pm Video and Discussion followed by a light soup supper
• 7:00pm Service of Prayer (readings, songs, and prayers from many faith traditions will be shared as we gather by candlelight.  You are welcome to bring a sacred symbol from your own tradition to place on a table in the center of our worship space.

People of all faith traditions are invited to gather and pray together on the tenth anniversary of the terrorist attacks that took the lives of more than three thousand people in 2001.

Women of St. Mark's

Sign up this Sunday, September 11, for the Women's Retreat.  ALL WOMEN ARE INVITED!  Look for our table in the narthex or call the church office with your reservation.

September 17: Women's Retreat and Luncheon will be held at the home of Carol Paulson, 517 Monterey Lane, Fircrest.  We will begin at 9:30am.  Carpool from the church, if you like, at 9:15am.   The morning program will be "Stitches and Scripture."  Everyone will learn a bit about how knitting is frequently used in Scripture as a metaphor to describe God's creative and intimate relationship with us.  We will need a few knitters to demonstrate.  The study will be followed by a potluck lunch.  Sign-up betwen services on September 11.

HOLIDAY BAZAAR (November 5) --  We will again have a used jewelry sale and are taking donations of jewelry you no longer wear.  Donations may be given to Volly Grande on Sunday or brought to the church office.    We will also have a used book and collectible sale.  Pick up can be arranged by calling Bonnie Wascher (503-6765) or items for the bazaar can be dropped off at the church office after October 1.

December 3 -- Advent Brunch --9:30am  "Christmas in Norway"

The Quilters will begin meeting again on Monday, September 12 at 9:00am.  These people cut, sew, and create quilts for Lutheran World Relief.  If you are interested in joining the quilting group, please contact Vangie Billingsley at 253-756-7766.  If you cannot attend the weekly quilting times, there are many other tasks you can do at home, just ask!

"Let's Start Praying Again"

Study sessions at the Mortvedt Center, Tacoma Lutheran Retirement Comunity, will resume on Tuesday, September 13 at 11:00am and continue weekly at that time. Our first course on the subject "Let's Start Praying Again" will be taught by George Leone.  He has an excellent series planned and will teach with projected aids.  Later in the fall, Dick Rodning will lead a study of Dietrich Bonhoeffer's "Life Together."  Copies of the book are available.  For more information or to reserve a book, please call Dick at 761-9198.

Care of Creation 

Day Hikes -- You are invited to join the Care of Creation Team on our day hike on September 16th.  Please meet at the St. Mark's parking lot for these hikes at 8:00am in the morning unless otherwise directed in The Bridge and in the Parish Life insert.  Questions? Contact Tom Hulst at 253-460-2683 (thulst@live.com).  NOTE:  The September 9 hike has been cancelled.

From the Parish Nurses--

Once again, the Parish Nurses need your help. St. Mark's has had an active parish nurse ministry for five years already, and it is time for an evaluation, a look at our goals, and another look at how we can serve you better. The next 2 or 3 Sundays, you will find in your bulletin, a brief survey outlining the ways in which the Parish Nurses may or may not have touched or influenced your life. It would be so helpful to us to get your feedback and to hear your ideas. What have you like or appreciated? What do you wish we were doing that we are not? Would any of you like to learn how you can become a Health Minister? Please look for the survey, take a minute to fill it out and help us to decide how our ministry among you needs to evolve as we continue to serve our congregational family.  

Associated Ministries of Pierce County

HUNGER WALK  

October 2, 2011

St. Mark's will have one big team participating in the event!  The goal this year is higher because the need is greater.   Some of the activities planned (beginning August 28) include:

• CHANGE YOUR SOCKS... yes, change in your pocket can go into a sock and be emptied at the CHURCH SOCK the next Sunday.  You will find the CHURCH SOCK by the Church Van.
• In addition to filling the Church Sock with Change, help us fill the church van with food.  The van will carry 1,800 lbs of nonperishable goods easily.  Maybe even more!  No tickets, please -- JUST NON-PERISHABLE.  Don't forget toothpast, soap, Pampers, Poise, laundry soap, vinegar, dish soap. . .as well as food products.
• The ministry teams and other volunteers will be asking you to help raise $2,400.  Donations can be made to St. Mark's Lutheran Church (note Hunger Walk), to volunteers, or online.  For online donations, go to www.smlutheran.org and click on Hunger Walk.  Credit cards are accepted.
• Come to Ft. Steilacoom for a fun day or better yet---walk with us on October 2, 2011.

You can register online as part of the St. Mark's team at http://my.e2rm.com/TeamPage.aspx?teamID=256647&langPref=en-CA   Once registered you can seek online donations in your name that also contribute to the St. Mark's team goal of $2,400.

Church Pictorial Directory 

To all who have participated in our church directory project, thank you!  IF you elected to have your complimentary 8x10 photo sent back to St. Mark's for pick up, some of the portraits are now in the church office.  Please stop by to pick up your portrait.  If it is not here, it will be coming in a future shipment.

 If you have questions about the financial report, you may contact John Wascher, church treasurer (jwascher@mac.com).  

Member Notes . . .

Paul Baughman and Louise Lindeman will be married on Sunday, September 18 at the 10:30am service at First Lutheran Church. Tacoma.  All are welcome to attend this joyous event!  On September 25, at 2:00pm they will have a blessing and reception at the Tacoma Lutheran Retirement Center (in the chapel).  Please join them, if you are able.

Leischen Moore can be seen in Tacoma Little Theatre's production of "The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee."    www.tacomalittletheatre.com (phone:  253-272-2281).  This show is recommended for ages 13 and older.

 Submissions to the weekly Bridge are due in the church office by Tuesday of each week!