Stewardship and Administration at St. Mark's 

Stewardship and Administration at St. Mark's: The final week of our Fall Ministry Fair focuses on the work of all Christians to be faithful stewards and managers of our individual and collective gifts. Stewardship is more than time, talent and treasure. It really encompasses all the gifts we are given throughout our lives like skills; talents and abilities; material possessions, including money; family and relationships; our health; the planet and all of creation and especially the gift of faith. A Christian steward is one who receives God's gifts gratefully; cares for and nurtures God's gifts responsibly; shares God's gifts in justice and love and finally returns those gifts back to God with an increase. There are several parables in the Gospels that highlight these stewardship actions of receiving, nurturing, sharing and returning. Please join us in the Parish Commons to learn more about our stewardship and administration ministries. You can also pick up this year's edition of the Learn, Serve and Grow Ministry Opportunity booklet if you have not already picked on up at worship this month. See you at the Fair!

Children's Faith Formation

Children's Lesson for Sunday, October 9--"The Wedding Banquet" -- Matthew 22: 1-14  "God invites us all to love and be loved."  For family and group activities related to Sunday's children's lesson, download Spark Family Pages here:

 Spark Family Page

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.

"Coming to Christ's Table--Wondering About Communion"

On October 9 children (ages 4 through 6) along with their parents are invited to an experiential and instructional event from 11:00-12:00noon in CFC, Rm. 4.  Children together with their parents will learn about communion practices and the Lutheran perspective involving children at St. Mark's.  All are welcome at Christ's Table!  This event will be hosted by Pastor Rebecca Shjerven, Ingelaurie Lisher, AIM, and Char Leone.

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 (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 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. Our first course 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 Room. The faith life and story of Martin Luther with Ingelaurie and Bruce.
• Sunday School  9:45-10:45am in the Fireside Room with Mike and Zach.  "Is the New Testament more important than the Old Testament?" 
• ELCA Youth Gathering--New Orleans (July 18-22, 2012).  Talk to Ingelaurie ASAP if your son/daughter still wants to register for the Youth Gathering.   
• 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,  9:45-10:45am in the Youth Wing-- girls and guys will meet together.  Theme:  Food  in your Way to Live book.
• Corn Maze--Sunday, October 16 (4:00-8:30pm). Cost $10.00 per person. Sign up by October 9. 

JR/SR ALYVE (6-12th grade) -- LOL Thursday night music and arts starts this week on October 6.  Schedule is as follows:

• 5:30-6:15pm  Witness Choir (Parish Commons) or Culinary Arts (Kitchen)
• 6:15-6:45pm Youth Cafe' (we will be eating dinner together in the Narthex).  Donations are accepted.
• 6:45-7:00pm J.A.M. Band (Music Wing) or Visual Arts (downstairs in the Children's Faith Center)--this month we will be focusing on molding and shaping (yes, this is a change from the brochure), OR SR ALYVE (9-12th grade) Youth Group.

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

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

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].  Bill is generously offering the course at no charge. Learn more about him by visiting his web site http://www.thelincolninstitute.cc. 

The seminar will take place on three Saturdays - October 8, 15 and 22, from 8 a.m. - noon. Mid-morning coffee and refreshments will be provided by the Greater Tacoma Peace Prize Committee.  There is no fee for this course, but please register by contacting Rob Sievertsen 253-709-3916 / robs@precise-components.com. 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) -- 

If you are making items for the bazaar, you may now bring them to the Church Office.  If you have knitted items to be felted, bring them to the office and we will arrange a felting time.  Along with handmade items, don't forget used books, used jewelry and 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--

Information about Alzheimer's Disease

Early-Onset Alzheimer's Disease

• only 5% of all Alzheimer's cases
• mostly familial (inherited) type
• onset can occur in ages 40's and 50's
• highly genetic in causation
• genetic testing may be recommended

Late-Onset Alzheimer's Disease

• 95% of all Alzheimer's cases
• mostly sporadic type (non-inherited)
• onset usually age 65 or older
• unknown and multiple causation
• genetic testing usually not recommended
• nearly 5 million cases in the US now
• average survival is 8-10 years after diagnosis (can vary from 5-20 years)
• progressive decline from mild to moderate to severe impairment

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.  Join us on Sunday, November 13, 3:00-5:00pm 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. 

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

AND . . .

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!