The Online Lion for August 28, 2011

St. Mark's Episcopal Church August 28, 2011

New Canaan, CT 11 Pentecost

August 29th banner

Inclement Weather Plans

With the advent of Hurricane Irene on Sunday, please note that we will have both the 8 and 10 a.m. services regardless of conditions, but we ask that you use your best judgment and travel safely. If there is a pastoral or weather related emergency with you or someone you know, please contact Mother Anne at: 203.594.1898. We also ask that you stay in touch with elderly or single friends and neighbors and let us know if there is a need.

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).

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

Sunday schedule

Ministers of Communion Evelyn Luchs, Julie Brand, Deb Luchs, and Carlyn Tiefenthaler

8:00 a.m. Holy Eucharist Rite I -

chapel
9:00 a.m. Bible Study

10:00 a.m. Holy Eucharist Rite II
10:00 a.m. Summer Children's Program

11:15 a.m. Coffee Hour

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

Sunday Lectionary Bible Study convenes each Sunday during the summer, the preacher of the day leads a discussion on the Sunday Bible readings. 9:00-9:45am in the Library. All are welcome.

The Blessing of the Backpacks takes place this Sunday, August 28th at the 10:00 se rvice. We invite all children and youth to bring your backpacks or just yourself to church that morning for a special school year blessing. For those who cannot be here, please click here for the prayer for you to share at home..

Many Thanks to Jim Bettridge and his woodworking talent. Jim repaired, refinished and restored the narthex tables so they look like new once again.

Please keep the following people in your daily prayers: Tyler Everett Austin, Andy Baecker, Sam Bieler, Patty Bozzella, Diane, Margaret, Matthew Evans, Jacob, Janada, Victor Kravitsky, Martha, Laura Minchella, Margaret Paul, Barbara Porterfield, Ruthann Saphier, Alex Stolar, and Norman Toy.

Events & Announcements

10th Anniversary of September 11 We are planning to memorialize this anniversary with special prayers and music at our 8:00 a.m. and 10:00 a.m. services. At 5pm, we will gather on God's Acre for a town interfaith memorial service with combined choirs. (Our regular 5:00 p.m. Sunday service will resume the following Sunday, the 17th).

Parish Picnic Our annual picnic will take place on Kickoff Sunday, the 11th, after the 10am service. Nancy Kalal and Catharine Sturgess (Social Events Chairpersons) are coordinating it. Everyone please bring a side dish, a salad, or a dessert. Please be in touch with Nancy (nekalal@optonline.net) or Catharine (sturgess2268@gmail.com) if you can help with grilling, set-up, serving, or clean-up.

Cape Cod House on the Market The parish voted to sell our So. Dennis, MA, property in May.

This is the former residence of the late Rev. Grant Morrill, former rector of St. Mark's, and his wife, Marjorie. Mrs. Morrill moved to North Carolina this spring. We have listed this property with a local Cape Cod broker. It has two bedrooms, one bathroom and a two car garage. The asking price is $234,900. You may know someone who would be interested in looking at or buying this property. For further information, contact Jeremy Reifsnyder (reifsnyd@optimum.net) or Dick DePatie (rdepatie@stmarksnewcanaan.org).

The Gospel Garden has already yielded over 300 pounds of fresh produce this summer. Just this week, 115 pounds of the freshest organic cucumbers, tomatoes, herbs, eggplants, squash, Yukon Gold and Red Russet potatoes were delivered to the Food Pantry. The garden desperately needs garden elves to weed, harvest and deliver Mother Earth's gifts. If you can spare some time, please contact Brian Hollstein (bchollstein@optonline.net) or contact the church office.

September Photo Directory is going to press soon and the Faithbook Wall in Morrill Hall is

undergoing a "faithlift." Please send us a good quality digital photo you would like to have included (if you haven't in the past). The deadline for submission is this Monday, August 29th for inclusion in the directory and on the wall. Give us a call if you're not sure we have your photo. Send to: rmorrill@stmarksnewcanaan.org

Gospel Garden Altar Flowers.

The Flower Guild Invites You to Grow with Us! The St. Mark's Flower Guild is recruiting new members. Have you always admired the arrangements in church and wondered how they're done? As a new member of the Flower Guild, you'll be paired with one of our seasoned "pros", who will teach you--no prior experience or green thumb needed! Each team arranges about four Sundays a year. There are also opportunities to help with our Gospel Garden flower beds. Both men and women are welcome. It's a great way to learn a useful skill, make new friends, and give the gift of beauty to St. Mark's. Contact Maureen Mayer at mmayerct@optonline.net.

May Fair Donations have begun to come in. Please do not leave anything but books, CDs, DVDs, or records in the Parish House entranceway. If you have other items to donate, call the parish office for instructions. Please, do not donate anything that is dirty, worn-out or not in working condition.

May Fair Needs Space! We have already maxed out our storage space for White Elephant furniture and cannot pick up additional items until more is secured. If you have space in a garage, barn,or storage area we can "borrow" until May Fair, let us know. Also, we will need volunteers to help with White Elephant furniture pickup - any amount of time is welcome. Please let Dick DePatie know how you can help. (203.966.4515x112/rdepatie@stmarksnewcanaan.org)

Food Pantry Wish List: cold cereal, juice boxes, coffee - instant and drip, taco kits, laundry detergent and canned fruit. Donations should be brought to the Food Pantry in the undercroft. As always, financial gifts are appreciated. Please make your check out to: New Canaan Food Pantry, 77 Main St., New Canaan, CT 06840.

Search St. Mark's Episcopal Episcopal Church, New Canaan and "like us!"

Children and Family Ministries Contact Josh

St. Mark's Nursery School is accepting fall applications. We have room in our 3s program for Fall

The Milligans

2011-12. If you know parents looking for a 3s nursery school program, please have them call the school at 203.972-7888 or email: contact@smns.org. Please note when applying that 3s must be 3 by October 1, 2011. Check out our new website: www.smns.org

Sundays in the Summer! We offer fun activities for children in grades K-6th (rising) on Sunday mornings throughout the summer. Class meets in the library at 9:50am. If you'd like to lend a hand, please contact Josh.

Seeking New Church School Teachers. . . If you'd like to inquire about teaching in the Church School or working with children or youth in some capacity next year, please contact Josh

The Episcopal Church encourages all baptized children to receive the bread and wine of Holy Communion.
Nursery Care is available in the education wing from 8:45am-11:45pm for children up to age 5 (Summer only)
If you have questions about children's ministries, or if you'd like to inquire about teaching in the Church School, please contact Josh.

Youth Ministry Contact Josh

FIND US on Facebook: Search St. Mark's Episcopal Youth Community and Request to Join! We'll be sending updates through the summer on fun ways to get together from time to time.