The Gospel According to St. Mark's

The Christmas season started off wonderfully when a group of talented and hardworking volunteers greened the Nave beautifully. Valeri Byrd, Jessie Babcock, and Michael Knipe took the lead and were joined by a host of others including Mary Cooper and her nephew Derek who did their traditional decorating of the two Christmas trees near the Baptismal Font. Maureen Shea as usual was everywhere making sure that things went well while Kenn Allen set up coffee for all the volunteers. An equally energetic crew de-greened the church after the 11:15 am service last Sunday. Many thanks to all.

The Vestry is Hard at Work on Selecting the Next Rector

The Vestry has created a plan to evaluate the Rector candidates proposed by the Discernment and Search Committee. We ought to be in a position to report our progress by the end of the month.

Some Very Important Volunteer Slots Need Filling for Maundy Thursday

Maundy Thursday, March 24th, is one of major events of our year when we have a reception in Baxter Hall, foot washing, dinner in the Nave and a Tenebrae service. Raiford Gaffney has generously agreed to co-host the dinner in the Nave but needs a co-host partner to help round up volunteers and make sure that dinner goes well. We also need some person or group to volunteer to organize the reception before dinner. This means organizing people to bring hors d'oeuvres and drinks. If being of service for either of these opportunities appeals to you just let me know.

Calling All Vestry Candidates

Vestry service is an important contribution to the life of the church. The Vestry sets policy, approves the annual budget, calls a new Rector, and keeps a close eye on how the congregation is doing during the year in all aspects of our life together. This year three remarkable women, Gwen Dillard, Nora Howell and Mary Thuell are retiring after three years of service. I encourage you all to think about whether serving on the Vestry is something that you want to pursue. If so, then think about attending the next few Vestry meetings to get up to speed and start thinking about what you want to say in your written statement that the Nominating Committee will be asking for next month. We will elect three new Vestry members at the annual meeting.

Hugs all around.

Peter

From Doris Burton, Junior Warden

around the house...from the JW

2016 brings some changes in our facility use practices.

Effective Jan 1, 2016, restaurants and church coffee hours (DC and Montgomery County) no longer can use Styrofoam. Our kitchen has already moved in this direction: we have ceramic mugs (and will happily take more*) as well as paper hot cups. Jane Byrne is our resident dishwasher and appreciates cups emptied and returned to the racks in Baxter Hall (not the kitchen).

Now to get rid of all that plastic ware!

Did you know...

1. if you don't want to use non-disposable plates and cutlery for your special event, biodegradable cutlery, plates (Chinet, etc.) and cold cups are available at cost by simply contacting the JW. Please don't buy any! We still have a lot to use or donate.

2. renters for 2016 will be told they can no longer use plastic or Styrofoam, and that we will supply their needs at cost.

3. Kleenex should never be tossed into toilets. It contains fibers that don't degrade in septic systems, water treatment plants, or the environment.

4. micro-beads in skin care products, cosmetics (and toothpaste!) are so tiny they slip thru water treatment facility filters and end up in the watershed. New data shows that the Great Lakes have up to 1.7 million micro-plastic particles per square mile of surface water. Fortunately, President Obama just signed a new law (see today's Post) that will ban the selling of environmentally damaging micro-beads in soaps and toothpastes by July of 2017. In the meantime, go to onepercentfortheplanet.org for a list of products to avoid

5. plastic water/soda bottles are generally recyclable. You just have to remember to put them in the recycling bin instead of in the trash (remind your kids, too!)

6. many people expressed concern about excessive lighting during off hours: the Fabric Committee (and Monarc) heard you! Smaller lights that meet code have been installed (and some are security lights).

7. the Green Lions developed a list of effective and affordable green cleaning products that have been in use in the facility for the past year.

The "Green Lions" continue to work with me to reduce our impact on the planet. If you are interested, please join them or send ideas for activities, to Christina Herman, GL Chair, at Christina.Herman55@gmail.com.

(*Contributed ceramic coffee cups should be no taller than 3 ½" to allow for stacking and equal access to coffee supply. No giant mugs, please!)

From Jeff Kempskie, Director of Music

Dear St. Mark's,

Please join us this Saturday January 9th, 2016 at 7:30pm for our annual Twelfth Night Concert. The concert is titled "Heavenly Vision: a concert in celebration of Epiphany and the Winter Solstice." Early music ensemble Armonia Nova is made up of period instruments and voices specializing in music of the 12th-17th centuries. Performers include Constance Whiteside, artistic director, medieval & baroque triple-strung harps, Craig Resta, vielle & baroque violin, and Jay White, countertenor. Free-will offering. No tickets required. All are welcome.

Our next Choral Evensong Service will be Sunday February 7th at 5:00pm.

Peace,

JEFF

Service Notes and Music

Prelude

Prélude sur l'Introït de l'Épiphanie, Maurice Duruflé (1902-1986)

Opening Hymn

117 Brightest and best of the stars of the morning, Tune: Morning Star

Procession to the Font

Down to the River to Pray, Traditional, arr. Sheldon Curry

Offertory Anthem

Arise, Shine, For Your Light Has Come, Music by Martin How

- Chancel Choir

Presentation Hymn

119 v. 1, adapted, Tune: Dix

Sanctus S 128 William Mathias

(11:15) Fraction Anthem S 152 Ambrosian chant, adapt. Mason Martens

Music During Communion

Hymn 124 What star is this, with beams so bright, Tune: Puer nobis

(9:00) A New Year Carol, Words Anon., Music by Benjamin Britten

- Boy & Girls Choir; Elizabeth Rivera, director

Hymn 98 Unto us a boy is born! Tune: Puer nobis nascitur

(9:00) This Little Light of Mine, African American Spiritual

Closing Hymn

128 We three kings of Orient are, Tune: Three Kings of Orient

Postlude

Brightest and Best of the Stars of the Morning, Tune: Morning Star

arr. Wayne L. Wold (b. 1954)

Schedule of Services

Sunday, January 10, 2015

The First Sunday after the Epiphany

9:00 am Holy Baptism + Family Eucharist

The Reverend Michele H. Morgan, Presider

N.B. There is no Sunday School January 3; the Nursery is open.

10:00 am Sermon Seminar

The Reverend Michele H. Morgan, Preacher

11:15 am Holy Baptism + Holy Eucharist

The Reverend Michele H. Morgan, Presider and Preacher

5:00 pm Contemplative Eucharist

The Reverend Michele H. Morgan, Presider and Homilist

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