Faith In Action                              February 8, 2012
Participate in these upcoming events and activities 
with your St. Mark family! 

Where there is love there is life. 

 

ADULT FORUM THIS SUNDAY  

 

Dr. Muzammil Siddiqi, Islamic scholar, theologian and chairman of the Fiqh Council of North America will be with us to lead a series on Islam at 8:45 A.M. in Fellowship Hall 

and 

In our adult education series on Palestine and Islam, we will hear from Nina Berman and Susan Seely at 11 a.m. in Fellowship Hall. 


 

Look out--for birds!

 

 The Great Backyard Bird Count will be observed at

 St. Mark next Sunday!. 

 

Experienced birders will help children and adults identify the birds at St. Mark and report them to the Cornell Lab of Ornithology. Check out the website for details about this citizen science adventure at http://www.birdsource.org/gbbc/ 


 
Join us to hear our friend Dr. Christopher Mitchell 
(Director of the Wade Center at Wheaton College premier C.S. Lewis scholar speak on:

 

 

C. S. Lewis and the Myth of 

the Dying God

 

Tuesday, March 6th at 7 - 8:30p.m. 

in Fellowship Hall


THIS IS THE LAST SUNDAY TO PURCHASE TICKETS! 

 

Pack of Lies - saturday, feb 25 6:30 p.m.

Newport Theatre Arts Center | Newport Beach | 

 

all proceeds benefit the 

Newport Community Counseling Center

Tickets $80 per person

appetizers, wine & dessert will be served

tickets available for purchase January 23, 2012

contact Kathy Haze for more information kathy2150@att.net



 

On January 19th Gary wrote "Our denomination has a long-standing position opposing the death penalty"... as do all major churches..... "it's part of our tradition as Presbyterians."

 

 

There will be a table on the patio on Sunday, February 12, gathering signatures for the Death Penalty Repeal Initiative. Please stop by the table and sign the petition.

 The only caveat, you must be registered to vote in California.

Pertinent information from the www.safecalifornia.org 

website includes:

  • Savings: Many people think that the death penalty is cheaper than life without parole.  That is just not true. California taxpayers will save well over $100 million every year without releasing a single prisoner.
  • Accountability: Convicted killers will be held accountable and pay for their crimes.  SAFE California requires persons convicted of murder to work and pay restitution into a victim's compensation fund.
  • Full Enforcement: The SAFE California Fund* takes $30 million a year for three years in budget savings and puts it into the investigation of unsolved rape and murder cases. Our limited law enforcement dollars should be used to solve more crimes, to get more criminals off our streets, and to protect our families.

*Money for the SAFE California Fund comes directly from closing three state agencies that currently handle expensive and extensive appeals for death penalty cases. The SAFE California Fund gives a temporary boost to local law enforcement budgets at a time of severe budget shortfalls.

 
 
 Embracing Emergence Christianity: Phyllis Tickle on the Church's Next Rummage 

2012 Wednesday Evening 
Lenten Study

 
Introduction - Ash Wednesday, February 22nd, 8:00-8:30 p.m.
 
Sessions 2-6 - February 29, March 7, 14, 21, & 28 7:00-8:30 p.m.

 
 
 
Author, historian and keen cultural observer Phyllis Tickle invites us
to join her in examining the changing face of Christianity and culture.
Phyllis surveys 2000 years of Western history, identifying the great
upheavals that occur in Western culture and Christianity every 500
years. The last was the Great Reformation of the 1500's; the next is
happening now.  What are the implications of this "Great Emergence," both culturally and spiritually? What are the key questions and issues that need to be addressed? Where might we be headed next? And, perhaps most importantly, where are you, at this moment? Might you be an emergence Christian?
 
Session 1: Emergence 101
Session 2: Where Now is the Authority?
Session 3: The 20th Century and Emergence
Session 4: Gifts from Other Times
Session 5: How Then Shall We Live?
Session 6: Hallmarks of Emergence


 Great Decisions 2012

WEEK 3.  Our foreign policy discussion series continues next Monday evening, Feb. 13 with "Mexico: transborder crime and governance."  Discussion leader:  Eric Piper.  TIME:  7 - 8:30 p.m. in the Fellowship Hall.  All are welcome!  For more information, email:  diana.light@rocketmail.com.




In this era of economic and political urgency, as critical decisions are being made about U.S. federal budget priorities and as national elections are fast approaching,

 

St. Mark Peace and Justice Commission is seeking out those interested in attending the 10th Annual Ecumenical Advocacy Days "Is This the Fast I Seek?" March 23-26, 2012, in Washington, DC (including a special
pre-conference Presbyterian Compassion Peace and Justice Training Day during the day on the 23rd). 

 

We are also accepting applications for a limited amount of scholarship aid and young adults can apply to EAD as they are encouraging YA this year.   Please contact Daniel Vigilante if interested.

 

 Exploration of the economy, livelihood and our national priorities will be examined through the lens of Isaiah 58.  Join other Christians in seeking a global economy and a national budget that break the yokes of injustice, poverty, hunger and unemployment throughout the world - heeding Isaiah's call to become "repairers of the breach and restorers of streets to live in."

 

Ecumenical Advocacy Days, Friday evening March 23 thru Monday, March 26 when visits to legislative offices will be made.  

Crystal City Double Tree Hotel - for more information, go to www.advocacydays.org

 

  Presbyterian Compassion, Peace, and Justice Training Day - New York Avenue Presbyterian Church "Presbyterians and Economic Justice"

8:30 - 5:00pm on March 23rd, 2012. 

 

 For more information,go to

http://gamc.pcusa.org/ministries/washington/compassion-peace-and-justice-training-day/


CARE CARDS
One of the ways that we can show we care for others is to remember our members who, because of their age, health, or situation, are unable to attend worship regularly.   
The Deacons invite you to visit the tables on the patio after Church this Sunday to write a note or to simply sign your name on the cards.  You do not need to know the people to care about them.  The Deacons will stamp, adress and mail the cards.  So join us Sunday to send Valentine greetings to these members.

Questions or comments?  Please call the church office at 949.644.1341.