I hope your summer has been fun and useful. Some brief notes on recent and upcoming topics.
Photography at St Marks
The Vestry has voted that no photographs may be taken during worship services in the Nave. Several people felt their privacy was being invaded and that some photographers were distracting during worship. A designated space in the Nave will be reserved for people who do not want their photograph taken under any circumstances. The full policy and accompanying guidelines on taking pictures on church property will be published soon in many formats including the website, in the Bulletin and on various bulletin boards. Exceptions to the photography policy will be made by the Clergy on a case-by-case basis for special services like weddings and funerals.
New Alcohol Policy
In December of 2014, Heather Cook, then the Suffragan Bishop (a kind of assistant bishop) of Maryland, was texting and driving drunk and killed a cyclist. This tragic incident led to a top to bottom look at the use of alcohol in church events here in our diocese. Bishop Mariann named a task force to recommend a policy governing alcohol use at Diocesan events. Then the General Convention passed a resolution to put those recommendations into effect and the Bishop asked each parish to develop their own policy by September. So the Vestry passed the St Mark's alcohol use policy that has a number of parts, including that we will offer non-alcoholic alternatives when we serve alcohol, that we will support people who are in recovery, and that we will try to keep our eyes peeled to support people who have had too much to drink. The new policy also will be published in a number of venues and sent routinely to church leaders who are sponsoring an event where alcohol is going to be served.
Sunday September 11th is the Annual Parish Picnic
On Sunday September 11th we will have a 10 am service (the 5pm service will take place as usual) followed by the annual Parish Picnic that is free to members and their guests. The church supplies hamburgers, hot dogs and rolls and parishioners supply drinks, side dishes, salads and dessert. Assignments are by alphabetical order according to your last name:
A-B 6-pack beer
C-D 2/6pk or 1-liter soda
E-G potato salad for 6-8
H-L pasta salad for 6-8
M-N sliced onions
O-R sliced tomatoes
S-T cole slaw for 6-8
U-Z 2 doz cookies or brownies(mark w/nuts)
It is always big fun for all ages and a chance for people attending all three services to form new relationships. So mark your calendars now.
Hugs,
Peter
From Doris Burton, Junior Warden
Around the House...
It's time to come home from vacation when you wake up thinking about all the projects waiting for you...
Parish Picnic Sept 11...This will be our 10th year of starting the academic year with a cookout. Please plan to join us!
We will need 'grillers'...and we have a treat for you! St. M now has our very own pop-up tent we can install to protect you from the sun (tho not from the smoke!) Please step forward to help that day (or notify me in advance).
We will also need some help cleaning up and will appreciate volunteers who can stay around to clear up.
Most important: Please take home anything left of what you bring. The kitchen is not like yours at home: we don't want to store a cup of left-over potato salad or 2 slices of tomato...Especially, please deliver food in/on disposable plates. Anything on non-disposables will go to Good Will.
AC...again One of the air handlers (delivers the cool air) serving the nave is, once again, giving us problems (it's 26 years old). The noise began last Sunday, mid-service, and turned out to be rather serious: the fan was about to fly off and destroy the unit. We will have limited AC on the east (garden) side of the nave for a few weeks. That doesn't mean the nave will be hot-it just won't be 'cold'...Please bear with us...again.
More publicity about our building: The fall issue of Architecture DC has a wonderful article about our new building including a good bit of history as well. It's very complimentary so please take the time to check it out: in the above link and it will be posted on the Info board for the next few weeks.
From Caroline McReynolds-Adams, Director of Youth and Family Ministry
Dear Parishioners,
You are each invited to the Youth Service Trips Celebration this Sunday, August 28 at 12:30pm in Baxter Hall! This celebration gives us the chance to honor and thank all of you who supported our service this summer financially or otherwise and will give you the opportunity to hear from some youth about their experiences in New York City and West Virginia. Lunch will be provided at no cost. Please join us for what we hope will be a wonderful intergenerational event!
Peace,
Caroline
From Jeff Kempskie, Director of Music
Choirs This Fall
Please don't hesitate to contact me if you're interested in singing with the Chancel Choir this fall or if you have a child who might enjoy being part of the Boys & Girls Choir or Teen Choir! Now is the perfect time to join! The Chancel Choir has a retreat and rehearsal time from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. at St. Mark's this Saturday, Aug. 27th to get a head start on this year's music. Regular Thursday night rehearsals will begin on September 1st from 7:30-9:30 p.m. The Boys & Girls Choir will start out the season with a retreat on Saturday, September 10th from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. The day will be spent rehearsing, playing some games, ice-breakers, etc with Director Libbi Rivera. Pizza & ice cream will be provided for lunch! ALL CHILDREN from reading age through 8th grade are welcome to join us for a commitment-free day of fun! Try out singing with no obligation to continue. The Teen Choir, led by Nadine Hathaway, is also planning on having a rehearsal/retreat on Sep. 10 with more details to follow. Please e-mail me if you have any questions.
Hymn Requests
This is the last week to get in your hymn requests! Write down the number of your favorite hymn (from the LEVAS hymnal only, this week) and drop it in the box by the organ pipes. During the clergy greeting we will pick one hymn from the box and sing it as the presentation hymn! Also know that the Director of Music will make note of hymn requests that do not get sung and he will consider using them at future services.
Hymns & Hoopla! All are invited you join us for Hymns & Hoopla on the evening of Wednesday, September 7th. Formerly known as Beer & Hymns, this hymn sing will include periodic breaks to eat and drink and socialize. We will have a variety of snacks and both alcoholic and non-alcoholic beverages. Social time starts at 6:30 p.m. and the singing starts around 7:00 p.m. Drop in any time. Please bring a drink or snack to share or $5.
Antiphon III, Op. 18, No. 3, Marcel Dupré (1886-1971)
Opening Hymn
WLP 812 I, the Lord of sea and sky, Daniel L. Schutte
First Reading
Jeremiah 2:4-14
Gospel
Luke 14: 1, 7-14
Offertory Music
"Domine Deus" from Mass in C minor, W. A. Mozart, Marjorie Coombs Wellman & Charmian Crawford, duet
Presentation Hymn
To Be Determined
Sanctus WLP 858 American folk melody; arr. Marcia Pruner
Fraction Anthem
WLP 876 Jack Warren Burnham
Music During Communion
LEVAS 148 I'm a-going to eat at the welcome table, African American Spiritual
O lieber Herre Gott, Heinrich Schutz - Charmian Crawford & Marjorie Coombs Wellman, duet
Closing Hymn
477 All praise to thee, for thou, O King divine, Tune: Engelberg
Postlude
Sortie, César Franck (1822-1890)
Schedule of Services
August 28, 2016
The Fifteenth Sunday after Pentecost
9:00 am Holy Eucharist
The Reverend Rebecca Justice Schunior, Presider
9:00 am Children's Chapel
Ms. Caroline Reynolds-Adams, Leader
10:00 am Sermon Seminar
The Reverend Rebecca Justice Schunior, Preacher
11:15 am Holy Eucharist
The Reverend Rebecca Justice Schunior, Preacher & Presider
5:00 pm Contemplative Eucharist
The Reverend Rebecca Justice Schunior, Presider & Homilist
About the Gospel
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