The Online Lion from St. Mark's for April 10, 2011

St. Mark's Episcopal Church April 10, 2011

New Canaan, CT Fifth Lent

Lenten Altar

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

11:15 a.m. Navigating Later Years with Grace

11:15 a.m. Foundations Class

11:30 a.m. Jr. High Youth Group and Confirmation

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.

Holy Week Schedule

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 week Mother Anne discusses Paul's missionary journeys. Click here for the syllabus.

Tickets on Sale Sunday ($15) outside Morrill Hall for Sister Joan Chittister's guest appearance on April 14 at 7pm. This internationally known best-selling author and provocative religious leader will address "The Radical Christian Life: An Exercise in Spiritual Imagination." A reception will follow and she will sign copies of her newest book, The Monastery of the Heart: An Invitation to a Meaningful Life. (This book can be pre-ordered at the Lion's Den.) Tickets are available in the Lion's Den or on our website under the Bookstore tab: www.stmarksnewcanaan.org

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

The Lion's Den is ready for Easter with a delightful display of gifts, books and music. And hot off the press is Sister Joan Chittister's newest book The Monastery of the Heart: An Invitation to a Meaningful Life. Tickets for Sister Joan and Chanticleer, beautiful cards, fab volunteers - it's all at The Den so be sure to stop by!

Thank You to all those who have already committed to the 2012 Annual Campaign.To date over 309 pledges have been made totaling $1,298,113. 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, Matthew Evans, Eugene Foley, Joanie Johnson, The Loonie Family, Lynn, Laura Minchella, Romana Quiñones, Clara Recchia, Ruthann Saphier, Alex Stolar, Tommy and Norman Toy. We pray for the people of Japan, Libya and the Middle East. We pray for those who have died, especially Joe Sweet, husband of Jane Sweet.

Events & Announcements

The Spiritual Life at St. Mark's: A Creative Conversation continues. From this we will create a commission to help oversee the ministry of spiritual development at St. Mark's. Come be a part of the conversation as we discern creative ways that St. Mark's can help people live a deeper live in Christ. Join us on Saturday, April 16, 9:30-11:30 in the Outreach Center.

Easter Morning Coffee Hour is a huge festive gathering. We have a team of 6 SuperWomen coordinating this year's coffee hours (one after each service): Betsey Hedges, Susan Lovejoy, Melissa Engelsen, Lynn Donahue, Meredith Landis, and Catherine Sturgess. If you can help, please contact Catherine at 203.966.2747 or sturgess2268@gmail.com.

Easter Flowers and Music add beauty to our most glorious day of the year. Gifts in memory or thanksgiving for loved ones can be made by contacting Thea(tmcgee@stmarksnewcanaan.org or 966-4515) in our parish office. Dedications must be made by April 18 for inclusion in the Easter bulletins.

Save the Date- - - May Fair Kick-Off Dinner Friday April 29 at 6:30. Celebrate the 62nd year of May Fair with a fun get together & great food,

New Canaan Sewing Group Spring Sale features beautiful spring and Easter gifts and handcrafted items; the proceeds benefit area organizations. Don't miss this favorite annual event on Friday, April 15, 9-1:30m in Morrill Hall. Admission is free!

Maundy Thursday Vigil on April 1-2, 9pm Thursday-11:45 a.m. Friday. Sign up for one hour to fulfill the promise to stay awake with our Lord; the sign-up sheets are in the narthex and outside Morrill Hall.

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 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. Contact the church office: 203.966.4515x111 / tmcgee@stmarksnewcanaan.org Learn more on the website: www.stmarksnewcanaan.org/pysanky.asp

Baptism will be offered at the Easter Vigil, Saturday, April 23 at 8:00pm. Please contact Mother Anne if you have an infant (or an adult) to be baptized. The next two baptism dates are Pentecost (Sunday, June 12, at the 10am service); and All Saints Day (Sunday, November 6 at the 10am service).

Confirmation for Adults will be offered on Saturday, May 21 at 10:30am at St. Mark's. The Bishop will be here to confirm our youth, and any adult who has not yet been confirmed in the Episcopal Church is welcome to be confirmed (or, in the case of confirmed Roman Catholics, to be "received" into the Episcopal Church). Contact Mother Anne if you would like to discuss this.

The Food Pantry is running low on supplies while the demands are increasing. Please help us restock our shelves with the items listed below. 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.

Large bags of snacks (nacho chips, pretzel)

White or Brown Rice

Herbal/decaf tea

Instant Decaf Coffee

Canned Fruit (low/no sugar)

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. 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): "Jesus the King"

Weaving God's Promises (3-5th): "All Are Welcome"

Youth Ministries Registration

Sunday in Youth Ministries:

Jr. High (6-7th) Total Chaos in the Name of the Lord Amen will meet in the undercroft at 11:30 and. All 6th and 7th graders are welcome.

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

Sr. High (9-12th) Our 6-week Maranatha House Church movie series, continues Sunday night. We meet at 5pm for church and will walk to Josh's house for dinner and a movie. Back to church by 8:30pm.

St. Mark's Episcopal Youth Community

Adult Education & Worship

Poetry Group....It's that time of year again. April is National Poetry Month and Mother Anne will convene an informal gathering of people who love poetry or who are curious about it. We will meet every Thursday in April from 4-5pm in the Library. Bring a favorite poem.

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 Outreach Center (small classroom and covering the basics of the faith including Jesus, the Bible, prayer, the sacraments, and church music. Fr. Peter leads the final session on Sunday. Child care provided.

New Monday Class continues...Along with Mother Anne, we are reading David C. Olsen's book, "The Spiritual Work of Marriage." All are welcome (married, formerly married, never married) - men and women, young, old, and in between. Copies of the book are in the Lions' Den at a 30% discount. Please read chapter 3 for Monday: "The Idolatry of Attempting to Change Your Partner." This class will run through May 23. Mondays in the library, 9:15-10:30am. Childcare provided.

Wednesday Morning Bible Study with Bishop Grein continues this week. The class is based on the weekly Sunday readings. Come when you can, the classes don't build on eachother. It is helpful to read the selections ahead of time; readings can be found starting on page 892 of the Book of Common Prayer or on the Episcopal Lectionary Website. All are welcome. Please note: there is no class during Holy Week. Sam Starks

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. Next discussion group is this Thursday from 10-11am in the Education Center. Read the gospel of John for this class. The reading schedule may be found online: www.stmarksnewcanaan.org/adulteducation.asp

May Fair 2011 Bulletin Board

Saturday White Elephant Movers:

April 9,16 & 23 - From 8AM-12PM (or as much as you can help!) Meet by the Church House

Save the Date:

May Fair Kick-Off Dinner Friday April 29 at 6:30. Celebrate the 62nd year of May Fair with a fun get together and great food

Calling All White Elephants!

All sales proceeds benefit non-profit organizations

All donations are tax-deductible

Donate Your Treasures! We need quality items that sell!

Toys Baby Equipment Flat screen TVs Baskets

Bicycles Books/Audio Books Fireplace Tools Linens

China Furniture & Rugs Kitchenware Games

Lamps Holiday Items Jewelry Outdoor Furniture

Crystal Electronics CDs/DVDs/Videos Collectibles

Silver Small Appliances Sports Equipment Strollers

Artwork Arts & Crafts Video Games Gift Items

We cannot accept clothing, mattresses, knives, old cribs or car seats, building materials, suitcases, file cabinets, thermoses, refrigerators, obsolete printers or computer monitors. Thank you for bringing in clean items that will sell!

If you cannot hold your donations until late April or you have special, high value items - please call the church office at 203-966-4515.

Photo Gallery

*April 3, Lent 4
March 27, Lent 3