Congregational Care and Outreach at St. Mark's 

This week our Ministry Fair focuses on the many opportunities we have to deepen our faith as well as serve our church through caring for our members and reaching out to invite newcomers to our congregation. From our quilters and knitters to Faith Journey companions to the critical support offered by our tech team, there are many opportunities to share your gifts in these simple, yet critical services.  Please look at pages 10, 11 and 14 in your Learn, Serve & Grow Ministry Booklet this week and stop by the Parish Commons this weekend to meet the folks who ensure these ministries run smoothly.  Newcomers are encouraged to learn about this important part of our life together in Christ.  It's also a great change for all of us to stop by and express our thanks for the hours of service given by so many.  See you at the Fair!

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.)

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 include:

• CHANGE ... empty your pocket change into the CHURCH SOCK.  You will find the CHURCH SOCK by the Church Van.
• Help us fill the church van with food.  The van will carry 1,800 lbs of nonperishable goods easily.  Maybe even more! 
• 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.

Children's Faith Formation

Sunday School welcomes children age 3 through 5th grade.  It begins at 9:45am and ends at 10:45am.   It is not to late to register your child(ren) for Sunday School.  Just go to the Children's Faith Formation Center (lower level -- Preschool wing) and look for the signs.

Adult Faith Formation

Tuesdays

• 5:15pm Fully Alive Women's Bible Study will begin October 11 (Fireside Room).

Wednesdays: 

• 9:30am -- Women's Bible Study (begins October 5) (PCC1)
• Noon Lunch and Bible Study (PCC1)
• 6:00pm "Spirited Sisters:  Women in the Early Church" (FR)  CANCELLED Wednesday, September 21.  We will resume next week. 

Sundays:

• 9:45am--Adult Forum Schedule for September
• September 25 -- Who is my neighbor?  Housing needs in Pierce County, hosted by Mia Wells (PCC1)
• 11:00am Adult Class
• 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. (PCC1)

Let's Start Praying Again  --- Study sessions at the Mortvedt Center, Tacoma Lutheran Retirement Comunity, meet on Tuesdays, at 11:00am and continue weekly. Our first course on the subject "Let's Start Praying Again" will be taught by George Leone. 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.

Youth  and Family News   --

SR ALYVE (9-12th grade):

• Youth Group Thursdays, 6:15-8:00pm in the youth wing with Matt and Courtney.  September 22, potluck dinner;  September 29, dinner provided.
• Sunday School  9:45-10:45am in the Fireside Room.
• 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.
• Corn Maze--Sunday, October 16 (4:00-8:30pm).  Cost $10.00 per person.  Sign up by October 9.

JR ALYVE (6-8th grade):

• 6th grade Sunday School  9:45am in the Youth Wing.
• 7/8th grade Confirmation,  9:45am in the Youth Wing.  Don't forget to turn your Hunger Walk information into Ingelaurie by this Sunday, September 25.
• Corn Maze--Sunday, October 16 (4:00-8:30pm). Cost $10.00 per person. Sign up by October 9. 

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

The Spirit and Skills of Negotiation:

Collaborative Planning Cooperative Problem Solving

This October St. Mark's is proud to offer an extensive course entitled "The Spirit and Skills of Negotiation" taught by Bill Lincoln, a world renowned conflict resolution practitioner and recipient of the 2006 Greater Tacoma Peace Prize. He is the former Executive Director of the Conflict Resolution, Research and Resource Institute [CRI], and his clients included the Department of Defense, Environmental Protection Agency and the Nuclear Regulatory Agency. Among his many international involvements were 1) his preparing the Sandinistas and the political opposition UNO for Nicaragua's transitional government negotiations, and 2) his facilitation of all the parties for the "Guatemala Peace Process." Bill is generously offering the course at no charge. Learn more about him by visiting his web site http://www.thelincolninstitute.cc.

This is a unique opportunity to participate in a world-class seminar and to acquire skills that will help participants both in their everyday lives and in their business and community activities. At the completion of the course participants will have acquired theory and skill for practical applications in the prevention, management and resolution of conflict via informal and formal utilization of negotiation and approaches.

The seminar will take place on three Saturdays - October 8th, October 15th and October 22nd, from 8 a.m. - noon. Mid-morning coffee and refreshments will be provided by the Greater Tacoma Peace Prize Committee.  Although there is no fee for this course, please register by contacting Rob Sievertsen 253-709-3916 / robs@precise-components.com. Include your name, phone number, and email address.  For further information, contact Rob or Pastor Rebecca Shjerven rebecca.shjerven@smlutheran.org / 253-752-4966. A detailed syllabus is available from Rob Sievertsen or Janet Ruud ruudj1norw@aol.com / 253-988-6825.

Women of St. Mark's

HOLIDAY BAZAAR (November 5) --  We will again have a used jewelry sale and are accepting 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 (253-503-6765) 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 meet each Monday at 9:00am to 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!

From the Parish Nurses--

Attention All Seniors, Caregivers, and Children of Older Parents!  Getting old isn't as simple as it used to be.  How can you best protect your assets so you can actually give you children an inheritance?  How much does long-term care really cost?  Is your spouse able to make important decisions?  What new laws affect the elderly?  And then there are the complexities of Medicare and Medicaid.  Are you really as prepared as you should be?  The Parish Nurses are sponsoring a panel discussion that will provide some of these answers for you.  Mark your calendars.  Sunday, November 13, 3:00-5:00pm in the afternoon at St. Mark's.  We hope to have some local professionals available in an informal setting to help you make some of the necessary decisions you will soon be facing.  Please plan to join us for this informative presentation.

Parish Nurse hours: Wednesday evenings (5:00-7:15pm), Thursday -- 9am-12noon or by appointment (call the church office @253-752-4966).

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.

Member Notes . . .

Paul Baughman and Louise Lindeman were married on Sunday, September 18. 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.

Looking Ahead -

Global Mission Event -- Saturday, November 12 at St. Mark's (more details later)

If you have questions about this report, please contact John Wascher, treasurer, at jwascher@mac.com.

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