The Online Lion from St. Mark's for March 6, 2011

Events & Announcements
Stack'a Pancakes

Fat Tuesday Pancake Supper is on the griddle! Mardi Gras games and fun - indulge yourself before Lent! March 8, 5-7p.m. in Morrill Hall. $5/person or $20/family - proceeds benefit the Sr. High mission trip to New Orleans. Featuring the debut of The Holy Smokers' Bell Tower BBQ Sauce!

Ash Wednesday marks the beginning of Lent. Our services on March 9 will be at 9:30am (regular service of Holy Eucharist with Healing and the Imposition of Ashes) and 7:30pm choral Holy Eucharist with Imposition of Ashes.

Navigating Later Life Challenges with Grace is a 3-part series, following church on Sundays and open to the community, sponsored by the St. Mark's Planned Giving Committee. Guest speakers will address the challenges we face as we and our loved ones age. Save these dates:
                      March 20:      Fr. Peter                A Lively Discussion about Funeral Planning
                      March 27:      Robert Sweet         Creative Ways of Giving
                      April 3:          Sam Starks            Navigating the Elder Care Maze

Prayer 101: An Informal Conversation   We all want to pray, but may not know how. On Saturday March 19 in the library, Fr. Peter leads a brief conversation about developing ways to pray that are satisfying to your soul. Refreshments at 9 a.m., conversation from 9:30-11:00 a.m. All are welcome!

Community Bridgebuilders/Habitat for Humanity: Sign up NOW on the Outreach bulletin board or directly with George Wright (gw4@pips.com /917-744-3950). We are working next

Friday and Saturday: March 18 and 19 at the Stamford site. Future dates are posted. All dates are open to all volunteers.

The Spiritual Life at St. Mark's: A Creative Conversation Fr. Peter reviews the process of spiritual transformation and talk about creative ways that St. Mark's can help people live a deeper life in Christ. From this we will create a commission to help oversee the ministry of spiritual development at St. Mark's. Join us on Saturday, March 26, 9:30-11:30 in the library.

Lenten Choral Concert on Sunday, March 27 at 5:00pm in lieu of the 5pm Holy Eucharist. The

St. Mark's Choir performs a Lenten Choral Concert under the direction of Brian-Paul Thomas. On the program are two less frequently performed works for choir and organ. Mendelssohn's Christus, also known as the unfinished oratorio, is a musically dramatic presentation of the Passion of Christ. Vierne's Solemn Mass is replete with the engaging harmonic language of late nineteenth /early twentieth century Paris, and is reminiscent of the luxurious harmonies of Debussy. Both works will be accompanied by gifted organist Mark Swicewood.

Chanticleer returns to St. Mark's on Monday, April 11 at
7:30 p.m. Come experience the "world's foremost men's accopella choir." Tickets ($40, Visa or MasterCard accepted) and are available at the Lion's Den Bookstore or on their website. Join the choir at the reception after the concert. For more information, visit chanticleer.org or contact parishioner Dudley Roski at dudley.roski@gmail.com.

Pysanky Easter Egg Making Workshop on Maundy Thursday, April 21, 9:15-noon in the Undercroft. Learn the meditative and ancient art of "Pysanky" - create your own ornamental pysanky egg

Ukrainian Easter Egg. Nadia Cwiach, our financial secretary leads a hands-on class. Space is limited to 14 so please reserve a spot now (participants must be 14 years and older). A fee ($25) covers the cost of supplies and a donation to the Ukrainian National Women's League of America.   Learn more on the website: www.stmarksnewcanaan.org/pysanky.asp
Reserve a spot now: 203.966.4515x111 / tmcgee@stmarksnewcanaan.org

Bereavement Group You are invited to walk with others in an eight week program. The group begins on Monday, March 21 at the First Presbyterian Church, 178 Oenoke Ridge Road, from 7:00 to 8:30 PM. This ecumenical program, with the combined caring concern of the Congregational, Episcopal, Lutheran and Methodist Churches, is based on the "New Day Journal." The program presents tools to promote an understanding of the grieving process, and establishes a strong sense of community with other members of the group. Please call 1st Presbyterian at (203) 966-0002, for more information. Anyone who is bearing the loss of a loved one is welcome.

Sunday Morning Greeters Needed. Sign-up sheets are outside the library or contact Judy Webb with your availability, and she will sign you up.   We need 2 sets of 2 greeters each week.

The Food Pantry is running low on supplies while the demands are increasing. Please help us restock our shelves. Donations should be brought to the Undercroft, down the ramp by the lower parking lot; food can be put on tables along far left wall of room.   Financial gifts should be made to Human Services of New Canaan with Food Pantry in the memo line.

Bottled Juice/Juice Boxes Coffee and Tea (regular or decaf)

Mayonnaise/Ketchup/Mustard Canned Pasta/ Pasta Sauce

Cooking Oil/ Salad Dressings Large Snacks (pretzels, etc)

Hash/ Stew / Chili Kids snacks (individually packaged for lunch)

Canned chicken (no tuna) Toiletries - Hair Care, Dental Products