Peace and Justice Ministry at St. Mark's 

This week our Ministry Fair focuses on the work of all Christians to be God's agents for justice in our hurting world. There are many opportunities throughout the year to deepen our faith as well as serve our church and world through extending care and compassion tothose affected by poverty and oppression.  At St.Mark's we seek to learn about and identify the complex causes of social injustice and we are challenged to provide positive actions to address these issues to help build God's reign of justice in Tacoma and across the globe.  Please look at pages 12 and 13 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 and thank them for the hours of service given on behalf of us all.    See you at the Fair!

Associated Ministries of Pierce County

HUNGER WALK  

Sunday, 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:

• Bring your change; bring your non-perishable goods; donate money; support the team; walk with the team.
• 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.

Thank you to all who donated food items during our Photo Sessions with Lifetouch Photography.  We received a check from Lifetouch for $214.00 which will be given to the Pierce County Hunger Walk. 

Children's Faith Formation

Children's Lesson for Sunday, October 2--"The Parable of the Vineyard" -- Matthew 21: 33-46  "How do we learn to take care of things and people?"  For family and group activities related to Sunday's children's lesson, download Spark Family Pages here:

 Sparks Page for October 2nd

We hope families with Sunday school children will be participating in the Pierce County Hunger Walk this Sunday, October 2.  Children are reminded to bring their coin offerings (collected in socks) and a food offering this week to Sunday school.

Children's Sunday school takes place in the Children's Faith Center from 9:45-10:45am, with gathering for making connections with children's teachers and leaders and conversations with one another starting at 9:30am in C4 (K-5th) and C6 (3's and 4's).  Please see Char Leone if you would like to register your child for Sunday school.

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) 

Sundays:

• 9:45am--Adult Forum Schedule for October -- "Christian Environmental Ethics and the State of Commencement Bay" (Parish Commons Classrooms)
• October 2 -- Dr. Lora Gross, of the Religion Dept. at PLU and member of St. Mark's leads off the series with an exploration of the Bible and Creation Theology (PCC1)
• October 9 -- Dr. Bob Stivers, Professor Emeritus of Christian Ethics at PLU, will use Prof. Gross' work as the foundation to develop guidelines for Christian Environmental Ethics (PCC1)
• October 16 -- Leslie Ann Rose, Senior Policy Analyst at Citizens for Healthy Bay (CHB), will give an overview of the State of Commencement Bay with the focus on a particularly difficult site at the mouth of the Hylebos Waterway. (PCC1)
• October 23 -- Leslie Ann Rose will continue her analysis of the state of the Bay with a focus on the Ruston Site.  The controversial project to covert this highly polluted site to a small town of high-end condos will be the focus. (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" is being 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 29, dinner provided.
• Sunday School  9:45-10:45am in the Fireside Room with Ingelaurie.  "Why does the Bible contradict itself at times?"
• ELCA Youth Gathering (July 18-22, 2012).  Deadline for deposit ($150.00) and registration fee TODAY!  
• 3rd Year Confirmation -- Retreat, Saturday, Oct. 8, 9:15am-4:00pm.
• 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,  attend worship on October 2 at 9:45am.   We will meet at 12:30pm to attend the Hunger Walk.  Please dress for the weather. 
• 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. 

Congratulations to Spencer Crenshaw who will be receiving his Eagle Scout Court of Honor on Friday, September 30.

Lutheran College Fair, Sunday, October 9 -- Messiah Lutheran Church (410 H Street NE, Auburn WA 98002). 

6:45pm -- Registration begins

7:00pm -- Financial Aid Seminar

7:30-9:00pm -- College Fair (Reception and hors d'oeuvres)

Our college fairs and workshops are designed to give you insight into the unique aspects of Lutheran higher education and a chance to meet representatives from some of our member colleges and universities.  There is no charge for any of this events and no ned to pre-register.  In addition, students who attend our events will receive four application fee waivers for use at our Lutheran colleges and universities.

Children's Christmas Program -- Auditions 

This year's Children's Christmas Program, led by the Sunday School and children's choirs members, will be Sunday, December 11 at 6:00pm.  Auditions for speaking and solo/duet roles will take place for all Kindergarten-5th graders who would like to be involved.  CHildren interested in a speaking or singing part will need to commit to Wednesday evening choir rehearsals from mid-October through the date of the program (5:30-6:30pm for K-2nd grades; 6:00-7:15pm for 3rd-5th grades).

Audition times are:

• Wednesday, October 5th, (Choir Room) -- 5:30-6:00pm for Kindergarten-2nd graders; 6:00-7:15pm for 3rd to 5th graders.
• Sunday, October 9th (Children's Faith Center) -- 9:45-10:15am for Kindergarden-5th graders.

To audition for a speaking role, please memorize part of any Bible story (up to 1 minute).  To audition for a singing role, please memorize and sing (acapella -- no piano or accompaniment) any Christmas song.  For ideas on stories and songs, please contact Miss Danielle at 752-4966, x105 or danielle@smlutheran.org   All are welcome to audition!

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 (Saturday,November 5--9:00am) --  Many are busy finishing lovely handmade items for our bazaar.  You may now bring your donations to the Church Office.  Along with handmade items, don't forget used books, used jewelry and collectibles.  What is a collectible?  Collectibles include antique or vintage items perhaps of glass, wood, or china:  anything gently used that someone might collect or treasure.  Check your closets, shelves, drawers for no longer needed collectibles.  We also need bakery items.  This may include cookies, breads, cakes, pies, and/or candy.  We will provide plastic containers to package your bakery items at our table in the narthex. 

• Carol Paulson is again our lefse chef, and she will need the following help:
  • Weds. evening, Nov. 2 -- bring 10 lbs. cooked russet potatoes
  • Thursday morning, Nov. 3 -- we need mixers, rollers, bakers, and packaging people
• John Wascher and the Cook's Club will also need help in the kitchen.  Sign up to help on Bazaar day.
• Set-up will be Friday, Nov. 4 at 9:00am

There are Volunteer Forms at our table in the narthex.  There are so many ways to help.   Last year over 50 people helped in some way.  We sold over $8,000 of donated items.  50% of the profits go to outreach and 50% of profits stay in-house.  Shop early for best selection. 

Questions?  Contact Bonnie Wascher (bwascher@mac.com or 253-503-6765) or Carol Paulson, Helen Conroy, or Mimi Graves.

Look for remaining items on Sunday, Nov. 6 between services.

Secret Pals -- Have you contacted your Secret Pal lately?  A note now and then is appreciated!

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).

AND . . .

Join us - LWR OKTOBERFEST Potluck! Sunday, October 16 (4:60-6:00pm)  All are welcome!  Join us for a Fall evening of assembling Personal Care Kits for Lutheran World Relief, and enjoy the tastes of our own Oktoberfest!  This will be the last assembly before the Fall shipment on October 21.  Sign up in the Narthex this Sunday to bring Sausage, Sauerkraut / Cabbage or Potato dishes.  Please label the type of sausage you are bringing.

Thank  you for all your help this year in assembling Personal Care Kits, Baby Layettes and School Kits.  We are looking forward to more events in 2012.

Congregational Challenge:  Help us by bringing in Personal Care Kit items over the next two weeks.  Starting this Sunday there will be a box in the Narthex.  Items Needed:  one light to medium-weight bath towel (approx. 52" x 27" or smaller), dark color recommended; two bath-sized bars of soap (4-5oz.); one adult-sized toothbrush in its original packaging; one sturdy comb (wide tooth); one metal nail clippers.

Looking Ahead

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

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.

The month of September ended with both the General Operating Fund and the Grace Upon Grace Fund short of budget by significant amounts.  We expect the summer months to be shorter on income than later in the year, but 2011 has been worse than normal.  We have received large bequests and matching gifts to the Grace Upon Grace Fund, allowing us to send over $40,000 in excess Principal payments against our mortgage, but it could have been closer to $75,000 if our budget levels of income had occurred and we weren't forced to use these additional monies to pay the monthly mortgage payments.  The Finance and Stewardship committees will pay close attention to income over the next 3 months, and expect St. Mark's members to step us as they usually do to bring our year-to-date giving back up to budget levels.

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!