To me, equations have always been magical, mystical, often perplexing in their simplicity and power. They often try and reduce reality to its essential truths. Einstein's E=MC², perhaps being the most well known. Like Relativity, they are often eclipsed by later insights into what, but, I would argue, they are all trying to get at the same thing. How do we understand and describe that which is ultimately incomprehensible; "that which passeth all understanding"?
How do you describe God?
Last Sunday, Paul's last with us, our Associate Rector, Justi, brilliantly captured some of what makes St. Mark's different than most other Episcopal churches, at least most of those she experienced before coming here. My take on the difference is this: St. Mark's is a church that is skeptical about religion, but that is more "church" than most churches.
Rather than trying to unpack that statement, let me try and explain my opening equation. For me, it is the quintessential distillation of who we are at St. Mark's as a faith community.
Most people who come into (I) St. Mark's for the first time do so almost by accident ('I happened to walk by.') They find us on the web, they hear about us or they come for someone else's life event. Perhaps too rarely (speaking only for me) they come at the invitation of someone who attends regularly.
Within (W) our sacred, historic, beautiful, flexible, fun and also consoling space, they begin to see something. Liken it to a cross between a religious rite and an ant colony- clearly everything has a certain solemnity on one level, yet there is also a frantic, yet purposeful pace that exists to serve a central purpose, their community, and in so doing, their Queen/God . They see a community of seekers who together (T) are not afraid to ask tough questions; who hold each other accountable while they hold each other up at the same time; who put children at the center of their communal life and dream the impossible. And by golly they often actually go out and do it. WOW!
Which brings me to the second, and perhaps most important part of the equation - the second IWT?
Once you've come into St. Mark's, somewhere along the way the great "I" starts to wonder if there isn't something more. It could be upon hearing a moving sermon, a Pub Lunch conversation, a Players performance, or a glorious solo with virtuoso accompaniment. Whatever it is, you feel a need to belong; to turn "I" into we (W).
I saw that most recently in the members of the Fall 2014 LCF class. Like all LCF classes before them, they were yearning to belong, but caught in the tension of wanting to be themselves. Or were they?
Well, anyone who saw them at Paul and Ponthy's farewell dinner, or at their commitment ceremony the next day, or heard them sing their class song, "Home," could see just how long being "themselves" must have lasted. Not long before I became we. And did you see the pure Glee (pun intended) on Paul's face as he joined the heavenly chorale. As a class facilitator I believe what they discovered early and practiced often, was how to be more authentic, with themselves and with each other.
To seek deep, honest and meaningful relationships. And in doing so, I saw them transformed (T), finding God's grace and spirit in themselves as never before.
Together, IWT² is St. Mark's (StM) at its best. It's finding the Divine in ourselves in relationship with others. That goes for making sandwiches together for Grate Patrol, or helping our youth rebuild New Orleans, or Evensong, or taking a dance or yoga class. Creating transformations that allow us to glimpse and dig deeper into what we are called to be, the divine always present in each of us. That is what we are all about at St. Mark's. That transcends religion. It is trying to live out the Gospel of Jesus as he did. Because here, if you so choose, you can
Soar on the Wings of a Lion!
Just ask this LCF class.
We Are Church, See You There,
Grady
From the Reverend Justi Schunior
Friends,
Last weekend was so glorious! I had such a great time celebrating Paul's ministry at St. Mark's. Thank you to all those who worked so very hard to make it so wonderful! I don't know many people who can say that they love their boss, but I really do. Paul has been a friend, mentor, and teacher to me over the past few years. Like all of you, I am going to miss him. Fortunately he still takes my phone calls, so I can still take advantage of his wisdom and experience.
The Discernment and Search Committee is working hard to help us call the next rector of St. Mark's. I'm so impressed with this group. They represent the diversity of St. Mark's in all its many strengths and I am excited to see what happens in this search process.
The vestry has voted to call an interim rector no later than June 1. Interim priests are great. They bring new eyes and fresh ideas; they have the power to shake things up. The search process for an interim is a little faster (it's not such a long commitment as a new rector), but we still want to make sure it's a good fit.
In the meantime, I am your Priest-in-Charge. This is a busy, exciting time at St. Mark's and it doesn't make sense for me to be the only cleric as we approach Lent, Holy Week, and Easter. Fortunately, a very qualified and excellent priest is available to be an ongoing supply clergy. The Reverend Josh Thomas (link to bio and pic) guest preached for us this past July. He also spoke about his work in the Middle East with our 20s/30s group. Josh is someone I've known for almost a decade. I'm thrilled to work with him over the next few weeks and I'm confident he can jump right into St. Mark's and be helpful not just on Sundays, but with all aspects of pastoral service.
His first Sunday with us will be on February 15. Because of his busy travel schedule, he will not be with us every Sunday. But he will be preaching, presiding, teaching, and available for pastoral care over the next few months.
I look forward to you meeting Josh, and I will continue to update you with information about our search for an interim.
Peace,
Justi
From the Vestry
PARISH ELECTIONS, 2015--On March 15 St. Mark's will elect a Sr. Warden, a Jr. Warden, 3 vestry members, and a Diocesan Delegate. All must be pledging members of St. Mark's. The Delegate must also be a confirmed Episcopalian.
DEADLINE FOR NOMINATIONS IS FEBRUARY 15, 2015, AT 12:30 PM. Candidates need ten (10) nominations from pledging members of the parish to stand for election. Nominations may be given to Amy Kovac, Pam Lacey, or Jim Steed, or put in the offering plate. Wet-ink signatures; no emails. Nomination forms are in the tract racks. Nominations will also be accepted from the floor at the Annual Meeting. This is an unusually important election. Be sure to make your voice heard.
From the Director of Music
Dear St. Marks,
Please make note of the upcoming Choral Evensong Service on Sunday, February 15th @ 5pm in the Nave. The Chancel Choir will offer special music by Stanford, Martinson, and others.
Also, I'd like to remind you that we are always looking for more people to participate in the music program at St. Mark's! Whether you're itching to sing in the Chancel Choir, try out the Handbell Choir, or have your child sing with the Boys & Girls Choir, we have numerous opportunities for you to get involved. Go for it - if it's been on your mind for some time, take a moment now to send me a quick e-mail or call me to let me know what interests you!
Peace, JEFF
Youth & Family Ministry Update
THANKS FOR AN AMAZING JOB DONE BY THE ST MARK'S YOUTH serving at last Saturday night's farewell to Paul and Pontheolla. A remarkably awesome group of kids came - some of them had volunteered to help serve dinner plates and cake. With the wonderfully positive response for the dinner, serving ended up being for 350! Almost every teen in attendance (more than 20!), and some even younger - then rose to the task of the enormously large job of both taking orders from, and serving the entire assembled group that very snuggly filled every open space in the Nave! Our remarkable youth jumped in to help because they were asked to do so, and we are grateful for it (and yes, they did still find some time to enjoy being at the party too!) Please take a minute to thank them personally for pulling off a truly great feat. THREE CHEERS for the youth of St Marks!
Jackie Abramowitz, Josh Abramowitz, Duncan Andrews, Hanna Andrews, Teddy Ammon, Jasper Barnett, John Bayliss, Michael Bayliss, Kate Billings, Alice Billings, Celia Caldwell & Stacie, Eva Dalzell, Maggie Dalzell, Eleanor Doyon, Joseph Edwards, Dana Garner, Nathaniel Monahan, Will Monahan, Macray Murray, Arrington Peterson, Stella Peterson, James Sleigh, Alyssa Stanford, and Kellie Waye.
Prelude Excerpt from Sonata Op. 28 No. 15, I. Allegro, Ludwig van Beethoven -
(11:15) Peter Nye, pianist
Opening Hymn
LEVAS 1 Lift Every Voice and Sing, Words by James Weldon Johnson, Music by J. Rosamond Johnson
Offertory Anthem
Balm in Gilead, Traditional Spiritual, arranged by Jack Schrader - Chancel Choir
Presentation Hymn 119 v. 1, adapted, Tune: Dix
Sanctus S 128 William Mathias
Music During Communion
LEVAS 148 I'm a-Going to Eat at the Welcome Table, African American Spiritual
Hymn 336 Come with us, O blessed Jesus, Tune: Werde munter
Hymn 333 Now the silence, Tune: Now
Closing Hymn
344 Lord, dismiss us with thy blessing, Tune: Sicilian Mariners
Postlude
Processional, Charles Hutchings (1910-1964)
Schedule of Services
Sunday, February 1, 2015
The Fourth Sunday after the Epiphany
9:00 am Holy Eucharist + Laying on of Hands
The Reverend Justi Schunior, Presider
9:00 am Children's Chapel
Ms. Emily Williams Guffey, Leader
10:00 am Sermon Seminar
The Reverend Justi Schunior, Preacher
11:15 am Holy Eucharist + Laying on of Hands
The Reverend Justi Schunior, Presider and Preacher
5:00 pm Contemplative Eucharist
The Reverend Justi Schunior, Presider and Homilist
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