Update on Stewardship - Giving Thanks for God's Gifts, Supporting Our Ministries

Last Sunday's Ministry Fair was a smashing success (check out these pictures!), and the Stewardship Committee extends sincere thanks to everyone who participated. We received many new commitments of time and talent to the ministries of St. Mark's. Many thanks also to all who have pledged to support the ministries of St. Mark's in 2014! Currently we have 63 pledges representing a total of $154,582. We invite everyone to help support our parish and we ask that you prayerfully consider your commitment of time, talent, and treasure for the year. The Finance Committee and the Vestry are currently working to finalize the 2014 budget, keeping in mind that our budget should be an expression of our ministerial priorities. Pledge cards and envelopes can be found on the Mission and Ministry table outside the parish hall.

The Spring 2014 Edition of St. Mark's Newsletter is Now Available - Check It Out!

The spring 2014 edition of St. Mark's Newsletter is now available! You may find it online (in PDF format) or on the welcome table in the foyer. If you would like a copy mailed to your home, please notify the church office. Special thanks to Mary Coogan for all her work in collecting articles and putting them together so beautifully.

Shrove Tuesday Pancake Supper THIS Tuesday, March 4

Tuesday, March 4, 5:00 - 6:45 pm

Leave that New Year's resolution diet behind. Syrup, Butter, Sausage, Bacon and Pancakes - time to live it up before Lent! Join St. Mark's Youth Group as they host this year's Shrove Tuesday Pancake Supper on Tuesday, March 4th from 5:00 to 6:45 pm. Suggested donation is $10 per person, with proceeds going to future youth events. After dinner the kids will burn last year's palms (how fun is that!) to make ashes for the following day's Ash Wednesday services. Please bring your dried palms!

Lent at St. Mark's

March 5 through April 19

What is Lent? Early Christians observed "a season of penitence and fasting" in preparation for the Paschal feast, or Pascha. The season now known as Lent (from an Old English word meaning "spring," the time of lengthening days) has a long history. Originally, in places where Pascha was celebrated on a Sunday, the Paschal feast followed a fast of up to two days. In the third century this fast was lengthened to six days. Eventually this fast became attached to, or overlapped, another fast of forty days, in imitation of Christ's fasting in the wilderness. The forty-day fast was especially important for converts to the faith who were preparing for baptism, and for those guilty of notorious sins who were being restored to the Christian assembly. In the western church the forty days of Lent extend from Ash Wednesday through Holy Saturday, omitting Sundays. The last three days of Lent are the sacred Triduum of Maundy Thursday, Good Friday, and Holy Saturday. Today Lent has reacquired its significance as the final preparation of adult candidates for baptism. Joining with them, all Christians are invited "to the observance of a holy Lent, by self-examination and repentance; by prayer, fasting, and self-denial; and by reading and meditating on God's holy Word." We invite all to join with us at St. Mark's in a full schedule of Lenten worship and other opportunities for reflection, preparation, and prayer.

Wednesday, March 5 - Ash Wednesday services with imposition of ashes at 7:00 am (led by Karen Booth), and solemn services at 12:00 noon and 7:30 pm - Ash Wednesday marks the beginning of Lent. There will be three services at St. Mark's. All are invited to find time in their schedules to join us and mark the beginning of Lent.

Sunday, March 9 through April 6, starting at 5:00 pm - Journey to Adulthood Lent Program - St. Mark's Youth are invited to participate with the Rite 13/J2A/YAC groups in a Lent program of discussion, reflection, and worship, featuring Stations of the Cross and other activities. See the Lent Web Guide compiled by Anglican Youth Minister Erik E. Willits for some online youth-oriented resources.

Sunday, March 9 at 6:30 pm - Healing Service - You are invited to gather with fellow parishioners for a time of healing as we walk into God's hopeful future together. Whether it's healing and forgiveness related to the recent events at St. Mark's or for other areas in your life, all are welcome. We will gather in Carroll Hall at 6:30 pm on Sunday, March 9 for a simple service of Holy Eucharist. You will then be invited to experience different prayer stations throughout the church. Individual prayer and anointing with Fr. Andrew will be available in private for those desiring to participate. Please invite anyone outside the parish community who would benefit from this experience.

Tuesday Morning Prayer Services at 8:30 am - Morning Prayer gives us an opportunity to make a connection with God through centering ourselves in prayer, meditation and reflection on scripture. Please consider participating in this prayer service...stop by on your way to work, school or the rest of your day. The first week of Lenten Morning Prayer observance at St. Mark's starts the week of March 9. Morning Prayer takes about 30 minutes. This Lent, Ben Miller will be leading Morning Prayer. All are invited.

Wednesdays, starting March 5 through April 16 at 6:15 pm - Labyrinth Walk with Stations of the Cross - Every Wednesday during Lent, beginning on Ash Wednesday, join Pam Malone and Jane Donaldson at 6:30 pm as they lead you in this ancient meditative practice. Stations of the Cross will also be included.

Adult Forum on Sunday, March 9 - Learn About a Pilgrimage to Civil Rights Site with The Rev. Dr. Michelle White

Sunday, March 9, following the 10:00 am service

On March 9 at 11:45 am, The Rev. Dr. Michelle White, Vicar-in-Charge of Christ Church, Teaneck, will present "A Pilgrimage to Civil Rights Sites." Last summer, Rev. White took some of her parishioners to the Pettus Bridge, the Martin Luther King Homestead, and other places well-known from the civil rights period of the 1960s. During the week-long pilgrimage, participants engaged in service and received much hospitality. Come and learn more about this summer's pilgrimage and how you could be a part.

Math Adventures and Word Play Continues on Saturday Mornings

Saturdays, 10:30 am - Noon

The fall session of Math Adventures and Word Play (MAWP) has begun! The 90-minute free tutoring program held on Saturdays is open to the entire community and offers hands-on instruction in math, reading and writing for young people in grades 2 through 12.

The MAWP "Parent Center" also provides open forums to discuss relevant education topics such as the academic achievement gap, navigating the public school system, and the importance of parent involvement.

Whether help is needed for one week or parents are interested in registering their children for the entire season, it’s never too late to participate. Registration is ongoing. Math Adventures and Word Play is a volunteer based program established 11 years ago. The successful growth of this program has also increased the need for more volunteers. Students and adults who are interested in donating their time are encouraged to join us. For more information about the program or volunteering please contact Ardie Walser at (201) 287- 1234 or email walser@ccny.cuny.edu or contact St. Mark’s church at 201-836-7275 or email office at stmarksteaneck dot org

Help Needed for the WIC Play Group on Mondays

First Three Mondays Each Month, 9:00 am - 12:00 noon

The WIC Play Group Team needs additional volunteers. We supervise an informal play group for young children (ages 1 - 6) in the child care room when WIC clients are served at St. Mark's. WIC operates from 9:00 am-2:30 pm the first three Mondays of every month. Play Group volunteers usually provide 2-3 hours of service between 9:00 am and Noon (the busiest time) once a month. WIC parents and caregivers are most appreciative and generally help out a lot. A Read Now volunteer also comes in to read to the children regularly and distribute free books. If you would like to be a part of this ministry or know someone who might, please call Jeanette Adams at 201-836-5078.