The Online Lion from St. Mark's for March 13, 2011

St. Mark's Episcopal Church March 13, 2011

New Canaan, CT First Lent

Scout Sunday - March 6

We welcome you and your family to St. Mark's
If you are seeking a church home, we would be honored to have you as a member of our parish family. Please speak to one of the clergy, or be in touch with us during the week to find out more about us (contact information below).

This Sunday's schedule:
   8:00 a.m.     Holy Eucharist Rite I - chapel
   9:00 a.m.     Year of the Story
   9:50 a.m. Church School (PK3-5th in library)
10:00 a.m.     Holy Eucharist Rite II
11:30 a.m.     Jr. High Youth Group and Confirmation Class
   4:00 p.m.     Sr. High Youth Group
   5:00 p.m.     Holy Eucharist Rite II

Nursery care is available for children under 3-years old from 9:00-11:45am in the nursery wing.

If you are interested in joining or finding out more about St. Mark's, please contact us or call the
church office: 203.966.4515. Visit our website to learn more: www.stmarksnewcanaan.org. Click here to read/hear recent sermons and for the current newsletter, The Lion's Roar If you have a pastoral concern, please contact Mother Anne Richards or Father Peter Walsh.

Sunday at St. Mark's

The Year of the Story continues Sunday in Morrill Hall from 9:00-9:45am as we take a year-long mountain-top tour of the Bible! Each Sunday we discuss a major Bible story, beginning with Genesis and ending with Revelation. This Sunday, Father Peter discusses the Resurrection.

Click here for the syllabus.

Thank You to all those who have already committed to the 2011 Annual Campaign.To date over 306 pledges have been made totaling $1,272,363. If you haven't already done so, please submit your pledge card asap. Click to Pledge/Click to Pay

Please keep these people in your prayers Tyler Everett Austin, Capt. Samuel Booth, Patty Bozzella, Loretta Chappell, Talbot Clarke, Matthew Evans, Eugene Foley, Joanie Johnson, Bill Laemmel, Lynn, Laura Minchella, Romana Quiñones, Ruthann Saphier, Alex Stolar. We pray for those who have died, especially for Mary Wells Detwiler Pern, mother of Tom White. We pray for the people of the Middle East and New Zealand.

Events & Announcements

Tuesday Tea Time, March 15 in the library from 9:15-11a.m. We welcome Cindy Rzasa Bess. Ph.D. speaking on "How Pressure to Perform and Excel in Childhood Impact Development." Cindy is a Developmental Psychologist and a recognized professional consultant to area early childhood programs. Tea Time is sponsored by St. Mark's Nursery School and welcomes everyone. Childcare provided.

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!

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

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.

The Lion's Den Book & Gift Store is honored to welcome back Joan Chittister on Thursday, April 14th at 7pm. A Benedictine Sister of Erie, Sister Joan is a best-selling author and well-known international lecturer on topics of justice, peace, human rights, women's issues, and contemporary spirituality in the Church and in society. Watch for more information in The Lion's Roar.

A Big Thank You to all who made the Fat Tuesday Pancakes-n-BBQ Supper a smashing success: Estella Haines, Cyra Borsy, David Shea, George Wright, JoAnne Kennedy, Bill and Meredith Landis, Liz Schmidt, Julie Williamson, Jane Hetherington, Jill and Michael Sautkulis, Caroline Tucker, Beth Goetz, Amy Reid, Cynnie and Eric Thunem, all the youth who worked, and all those who came to eat. Your generosity yielded $1500 towards the Youth Group Mission Trip goal of $7000. Mark your calendars for the next one: 2/21/2012!

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

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

Many thanks to our troop of office volunteers: Jane Corcoran, Molly DePatie, Ann Kelly, Karin Kyles, Margo Sisson, Breffny Walsh, Jenny Taraz, and Jonnie Wheeler who offer their help with a myriad of office tasks and always with a smile and good cheer.   Give Thea a call if you would like to help out on occasion, it's easy and fun! tmcgee@stmarksnewcanaan.org / 203.966.4515x111.

Every Sunday Morning is a Party! Our Coffee Hour is brimming with newcomers and friends these days and the Coffee Hour Guild could use your help in several ways (contact the church office for more info):

On Sunday morning, please bring in a platter of finger foods - sign up for a date outside of Morrill Hall
Consider co-hosting Coffee Hour on a Sunday or several Sundays
Join the Coffee Hour Guild and bring your fresh ideas to the table

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.

Musical Instrument Drive by Lauren Tiefenthaler (granddaughter of Carlyn) is collecting school

band instruments - wind instruments and percussion, please no strings - to donate to the Bridgeport Public School Music Fund. Help give kids who are unable to supply their own instruments. Instruments will be fixed if necessary; condition does not matter. Please bring your donation to the church office by March 30.

Simple Solutions for Families in the Fast Lane March 28th 7-9pm at the New Canaan Outback Teen Center. Tickets $20 at the door. This town-wide event is a family-building workshop for parents with broad sponsorship from many churches and faith-based organizations in New Canaan, including St. Mark's. Pre-register to simplesolutionsworkshop@gmail.com.

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.

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

Children and Family Ministries Registration

In the Episcopal Church, all baptized children are invited to receive

the bread and wine of Holy Communion.

Nursery Care is available every Sunday in the education wing from 8:45-11:45am for children up to 36 months.

Church School begins at 9:50, and children rejoin their families for Holy Communion at The Peace. In the Episcopal Church, all baptized children are invited to receive the bread and wine of Holy Communion.   If you have questions about Children's programs, contact Joshua A. Hill, Director of Children's and Youth Ministries.

Sunday in Children's Ministries:
  *Godly Play (PK3-2nd): "The Lenten Puzzle"
  *Weaving God's Promises (3-5th): "Going to Church"

Youth Ministries Registration

*Jr. High (6-7th) Total Chaos in the Name of the Lord Amen meets in the undercroft today after church until 1pm.

*Confirmation (8th &up) Meets in the library after church until 1pm.

*Sr. High (9-12th) The Maranatha Film Festival , our 6-week Lenten series, begins tonight. We meet at 5pm for church and will walk to Josh's house for dinner and a movie. Back to church for pickup by 8pm.

St. Mark's Episcopal Youth Community

Adult Education & Worship

Foundations for Discipleship Class This is a class intended for newcomers and adults preparing for baptism or confirmation but open to everyone. The clergy leads 12 sessions spanning the program year from 11:15-noon in the Education Center and covering the basics of the faith including Jesus, the Bible, prayer, the sacraments, and church music. The next class is next Sunday, March 20. Mother Anne will discuss liturgy and the sacraments. Child care provided.

Monday Class "Finding Meaning in the Second Half of Life" is coming to an end. We will have a final session on this book tomorrow, March 14 from 9:15-10:30 in the library. New class begins March 28.

New Monday Class begins on March 28. (Note that we will take a one-week break before the start of this new class.) Along with Mother Anne, we will read David C. Olsen's book, "The Spiritual Work of Marriage." Sample chapter titles: The Longing to be Known; The Idolatry of Attempting to Change Your Partner; The Sins of the Fathers and the Longing for Redemption; Intimacy and Forgiveness. All are welcome (married, formerly married, never married) - men and women, young, old, and in between. Copies of the book will be in the Lions' Den soon. This class will run through May 23. Mondays in the library, 9:15-10:30am. Childcare provided.

Wednesday Morning Bible Study continues this week with Bishop Grein and an introduction to the Book of Matthew. All are welcome.

Meditation Group meets Thursday mornings from 9-9:30am in the Parlor in the Parish House. All levels of experience are welcome.

Bible Marathon Continues! Here is an opportunity to read through the Bible cover to cover (that's right, every word) in six months (October-April). Mother Anne holds a time for discussion twice a month on Thursdays. We have finished the Old Testament and are beginning the New Testament, so this is a good time to join. Next discussion group is this Thursday, March 17 from 10-11am in the Education Center. Read the gospel of Matthew for this class. The reading schedule may be found online: www.stmarksnewcanaan.org/adulteducation.asp

May Fair 2011 Bulletin Board

Wanted: Good with detail and last minute changes but don't have a lot of time to dedicated to May Fair this year? Take on the job of ordering signage. Almost everything takes place frenetically over the few days before May Fair. So if you want a short term/small scope but VERY important job, contact Elizabeth Ellsworth for more information at 972-1545 or at ellsworth@optonline.net.

Photo Gallery

*Fat Tuesday Pancake Supper

* March 6 - Last Epiphany

Sunday, February 27

February 13, Sunday at St. Mark's