markings - St. Mark`s United Methodist Church

THE MARKINGS
MISSION: To share the love of Jesus with and through the people of Talbot County and beyond.
ST. MARK’S UNITED METHODIST CHURCH, 100 PEACHBLOSSOM ROAD, EASTON, MD 21601
APRIL 2015
From Our Pastor
Will you share your email address with us? If you have an
email address and it is not registered with us or if your email
address has changed, would you
please share it with us by emailing :
[email protected]
We are sending this and future
issues to those of you with email
addresses if you have so requested. If you are interested in receiving your issues by email and
have not yet requested, please
contact the church office.
Dear Easter People!
In our Wednesday night Easter Experience study, we have
learned that our lives serve a purpose beyond ourselves
when we take seriously the command to become servants,
like Jesus, willing to wash feet and offer grace and love to
others. We also learned that no matter what mistakes we
have made, our lives can be changed in an instant when
we humbly come to Almighty God and ask for forgiveness.
We can do this only by the blood of Christ who died for our
sins to make us new. Another lesson that we learned is that our suffering
is not in vain and when we think that we are the only person out there
who feels this way, we can turn to our Lord who has experienced our pain
and knows our every hurt. Jesus has compassion for us and tells us over
and over, “I know how you feel and I am here for you every moment of
your day.” God is working through all of our circumstances for His good,
even when we don’t see God’s plan unfolding the way we think it should.
God’s promises are true and trustworthy and we can rest secure in knowing that our hope comes from the One who made it all possible, Jesus
Christ. He is our hope for today and for eternity. This Easter let us gather as God’s people to rejoice and sing.
Blessings!
Pastor Missy
A PRIL
SAY A GOOD WORD FOR GOD AND ST. MARK’S CHURCH!
Inside this issue:
Confirmation Sunday
Easter Week Events
2
DAY APART
4
UMW, UMM
7
Important announcements
6,7
Is April 12th
Don’t forget to stop by the church
office to drop something off
(notes, cards, candy!) in the
confirmands’ love buckets!
PAGE 2
THE MARKINGS
APRIL 2015
Easter Events at St. Mark’s
All are welcome to come and worship with us!
24 Hour Prayer Vigil in the Chapel
Begins Wednesday, April 1 at 5:00 P.M.
and concludes Thursday, April 2 at 5:00 P.M.
Maundy Thursday, April 2
A commemoration of Jesus’ Last Supper with his disciples
6:00 P.M. Soup and Bread meal in Fellowship Hall prepared
by the United Methodist Women
7:15 P.M. Holy Communion in Sanctuary
Good Friday, April 3
Special Tenebrae Service with music and drama, 7:00 P.M. in Sanctuary
Easter, April 5
Sunrise Easter Service in St. Mark’s Chapel 7:00 A.M.
Breakfast following the Sunrise Service in Fellowship Hall prepared by the United
Methodist Men 7:30 A.M. – 10:00 A.M.
Worship Service Celebration of the Resurrection
8:15, 9:30 and 11:00 A.M.
Sunday School at 9:30 A.M.
PAGE 3
THE MARKINGS
APRIL 2015
SAVE THE DATES!
JUNE 14-19, 2015
We’re going on a mission trip! Spend a week of your summer immersed in
helping others and serving the Lord right here in Maryland.
Limited availability! Contact Pastor Missy or Erica McCreary @ 410-822-0001
We still have a few spots left. Mark your calendars for our Chicken dinner
carryout on Friday, May 8th. This is our first fundraiser for the mission trip.
Look for more to come!
St. Mark's newly restored & enhanced bells
were dedicated on Sunday, March 1st
immediately following church services.
The weather turned to a snowy mess but
we were able to carry on!!
Marjorie & Joe Rue standing with the
plaques that are located next to the Belfry.
Thank you to everyone who contributed to
bring our bells back so that they may ring
for the Glory of God!
St. Mark's said farewell to Judy
Lawrence as she makes her way into
retirement! We will still see her serving
as a volunteer. We wish Judy well!
PAGE 4
THE MARKINGS
APRIL 2015
INVITING ALL WOMEN TO JOIN US FOR
WOMEN’S DAY APART
A SPIRITUAL DAY FOR WOMEN SPONSORED BY
ST. MARK’S UNITED METHODIST WOMEN
April 14, 2015
9:30 – 2:00
The Auditorium at William Hill Manor
501 Dutchmans Lane
Easton, Maryland
$15.00 per person―Lunch included
Guest Speaker
Tracy Harding
Tracy is an Ordained Minister who will be sharing a fascinating testimony of
Her near death experience and encounter with God.
Reservations must be in the church office by Sunday, April 5
Please make check payable to United Methodist Women with “Day Apart”
in the memo line.
********************************RESERVATION FORM****************************************
Name____________________ Phone___________Guest(s)_________________
PAGE 5
THE MARKINGS
APRIL 2015
Church Family News
PRAISES AND THANKSGIVING
Dear Scholarship Donors,
I wanted to thank you for the scholarship which was awarded to
me last fall. I was greatly honored to be a recipient of this
generous gift from the church. The cost of tuition and books is very
costly, but your gift has gone a long way in easing some of
this burden. I have obtained my Associate’s degree from Chesapeake College and I am now enrolled at Salisbury University
pursuing my Bachelor’s degree. Your gift has helped me in this
endeavor. Once again, thank you very much. Your generosity
is greatly appreciated.
Sincerely,
Nicholas Pippin
Dear Pastor Missy and SPRC,
Thank you so much for the lovely picture for me commemorating
my retirement from St. Mark’s. It has been a wonderful and fulfilling time of my life. I have met and worked with so many dear
people, and am truly blessed. Now it is time for our next adventure
of life. Bob and I look forward to spending more time and enjoying
our retirement.
Blessings and love,
Judy
George & Phyllis Carroll, on their 57th wedding anniver sar y,
April 12th
Sara D. Baynard, on her bir thday, Apr il 15th
Bill & Betty Fleming, on their 61st wedding anniver sar y,
April 17th
OUT OF STATE
Cardia Rehabilitation Pike Creek
3540 Three Little Bakers Blvd., Wilmington, DE 19808
Susan Horning
Mort Reed, 5 Hazel Glen Lane, Savannah, GA 31411
SERVING IN THE MILITARY
Sgt. Harold S. Brice, USMC
LCPL Nicholas G. White
PFC Sarah Jane Royer
OUR GLOBAL MISSIONS
Paul Webster, Zambia & Mujila Falls Ag Center
Bob & Jacque Harper, Pioneer Bible Translators
Quiggs Aviation Ministry
Africa University, Zimbabwe
Mulungwishi Seminary Scholarship
Lifetime Wells for Ghana, Kenny Wood
Six Special U.M. Sundays
African leadership resources, Rev. Labala
- LET US PRAY ATRIA SENIOR LIVING
Harry Jordan
HEARTFIELDS, Sara Baynard, Dee Moll
BAYLEIGH CHASE (Formerly Wm. Hill Gardens)
Elva Eareckson, Dot Jefferson
HOMESTEAD MANOR, Paul Lister
CORSICA HILL’S NURSING HOME
Jo Herron
THE PINES GENESIS ELDERCARE
NETWORK, Anita Fisher , Dor is Massey
LAKESIDE David Stavely
AT HOME (Easton unless noted)
Helen Witt
Eric Jorgensen
Dee Appler
Jan Middleton
Note: We have eliminated the addresses of our church
Ruby Carter
Shirley S. Walker
family so that we can post The Markings on our
church website with this page intact. We cannot show
addresses on the website as it is a public domain.
PAGE 6
THE MARKINGS
APRIL 2015
NEWS FROM THE MISSIONS COMMITTEE
Thrift Shop The shop’s change over fr om winter to
spring clothing occurred in March. On Saturday the 14th,
the left over winter things were packed up and moved out
and the shop was cleaned. Then on Monday the 16th, the
shelves and racks were re-stocked. So the shop is now
ready to receive your spring/summer clothes that you no
longer wear/use that are in clean/good condition. In
addition, they are in need of household things, which
include bed linens, towels and washcloths, pots and pans,
glassware, dishes, and other knickknacks. They can also
sell personal items such as CDs, jewelry, greeting cards,
and children’s toys and games. When you drop off your
donations, take a few minutes to check out the shop’s
merchandise; you just might find, as I sometimes do, a
good buy of something you were looking for. Also, if you
have a little time to volunteer and would like to be a part
of this mission outreach into our community, please call
Lee Royer at 410-829-8189. She can tell you about the
various days/times and types of activities that you could
do to get involved there. I think you would find it most
rewarding.
Thanks to the hard work of the following people:
Dick Van Gilder
Della & Herbie Andrew
Gary Royer
Nancy Henry
Jane Sullivan
Elsie Garey
Amber & Elizabeth Tefft Joyce Delaney
Janice Dudrow
Please remember to donate to our shop as you are spring
cleaning….towels, linens, dishes, silverware, kitchen
items, gardening tools, lawn accessories and things you
don’t use anymore !!!
Thank you.
Lee Royer 410-829-8189
St. Mark’s Food Pantry The pantr y is well stocked at
this point, what with donations from the UMW
circles,other church members, and the annual donations
each February from Boy/Cub Scout Troop 190. In
addition to keeping the pantry at St.,Mark’s Village
stocked, we donate large cans of vegetables, pasta, and
dried beans to Asbury Church for their soup kitchen as
well as respond to requests from individuals; as we are
able.
Nancy Harrison
Board of Child Care Denton Campus As of March 9th
there were 13 residents at the BOCC. The boys are very
active in the community. The BOCC is sponsoring a “St.
Patrick’s run” in Denton this month. They have received a
grant for “Enchanted Haven”, a horse camp in Ridgely,
which some of the interested boys will be able to attend.
Karen McGee, the Director of Campus Life will be
coming to St. Mark’s to speak on the “Big Brother”
program and give an update of the latest at the BOCC.
The date will be announced.
Open Table Initiative Our “Open Table” pr ogr am,
comprising of eight St. Mark’s congregational members,
continues to meet weekly with James and his family. Our
intensive meetings have resulted in substantial progress in
coming alongside James in meeting his priority “Life
Plan” goals. James and his family have been present at
several of our Sunday services. Please greet and welcome
him when the opportunity presents itself.
Stephen Radis, OT Coordinator
ST. MARK’S WOMEN Sign up to attend the Pen-Del
Conference, “Deaf Ministry With Church and Society” April
Habitat for Humanity Choptank St. Mar k’s wor k 25, 2015 @ Newark United Methodist Church, 69 East Main
Street, Newark, DE 19711. We will carpool from St. Mark’s at
crew’s next build day is Saturday, April 4th. They
7:15 AM and return 12:45. Call Shari 410-822-7852.
normally work from 9am to 12 noon; occasionally if they
are in the middle of a task, they could go a little later or
the opposite, could stop a little before noon if a task is
completed. Jim Scott is the coordinator for our work crew;
so if you want to volunteer to help, give him a call at 410822-7336.
Riverview Retreat Center pledge The balance due of
$24,394.70 was reported last in the March newsletter on
our initial pledge of $45,000, that our church made in
2011 to furnish the dining room at the
Riverview Retreat Center. A payment
of
$2,525.00 ($2500. from the missions
funds plus a $25. specific donation to
RRC); leaving a current balance of
$20,869.70.
SAVE THE DATE!
St. Mark’s UMW
Annual Spring Dinner
May 19, 2015
Featuring Jerry Jones
Dinner at 6:00 p.m.
Concert at 7:00 p.m.
Ruth Higgins
[email protected]
410-924-4175
PAGE 7
THE MARKINGS
UNITED METHODIST WOMEN
Circle Meetings for April
Ruth Circle: Monday, April 6, 10:00am, William
Hill Manor, 3rd floor library. Sharon 410-7705462
Deborah Circle: Tuesday, April 7, 9:30am, 6280
Hopkins Neck Rd. Anna 410-770-5145
Mary Circle: Tuesday, April 7, 10:00am, 7055
Thomas Lane, Easton. Nancy 410-770-4698
APRIL 2015
UNITED METHODIST MEN
Please join us for our monthly meetings which
are held at the church on the second Tuesday of
each month at 6:30pm. The UMM will be
preparing and serving the Easter breakfast in
Fellowship Hall from 7:30-10:00a.m. Please join
us! All men of St. Mark’s are welcome to join us
for fellowship and service!
Meetings begin at 6:30pm in Room 155. All men of St.
Mark’s are invited .
Sarah Circle: Tuesday, April 14, 7:00pm, Gathering Area, Nancy 410-745-9751
Call 410-822-7852 for more information
NEW MEMBERS ALWAYS WELCOME
The Prayer Shawl Ministry meets ever y thir d
Wednesday at 1:00 PM. If you are a knitter or a
person who crochets and would like to join our
group, you are more than welcome. We make
prayer shawls for people who are sick or just need
a “hug”, christening blankets, lap robes, and even
teddy bears !! We have a beautiful array of items .
Contact A nn Y ingling at 410-820-8592 for more
information.
Come Learn with Us! St. Mark' s Preschool is
still enrolling 3 year old's for our 2015-2016
school year. Please visit
www.stmarkspreschooleaston.net or call Sarah at
410-822-0078 for more information. (Our 2 & 4
year old programs are currently full, however we
are accepting children on wait-lists)
SUMMER CAMPS! St. Mark' s Preschool is now
enrolling for summer camps. Brochures can be
found on our website.
www.stmarkspreschooleaston.net.
2,3 & 4 year old programs. (2 year olds must have
turned 2 by August 30, 2014 in order to be eligible for camps.) $75 per week.
UMM—Volunteer Day at Camp
Pecometh is April 18, 2015 from
8:00am to 3:00pm. We will meet to
clean & repair St. Mark’s cabin and
to stain the “Soul Searching” swing.
All men of the church who are able,
young and old, are needed. Contact
Roger 410-463-0558
Week 1 (May 26-29) America.
Week 2 (J une 1-4) Mad Science
Classes are limited and on a first come
UMM— The Peninsula Conference United
Methodist Men Annual May gathering will
be Saturday, May 2, 2015 at: Prospect
United Methodist Church ...5183 Vernon
Rd., Harrington, DE from 8:30am—
12noon. Lunch included. $15 per person.
See Roger Eareckson or call him at 410463-0558
PAGE 8
THE MARKINGS
APRIL 2015
St. Mark’s Changes Through The Years
The three Methodist churches in Easton: Calvary Methodist, Ebenezer Methodist, and Trinity Methodist
joined together to form St. Mark’s Methodist Church on Peachblossom Rd. We moved into the building
on Peachblossom Rd. after much work had been done by some of our members prior to moving in
1958. At this time, our building consisted of Fellowship Hall and the Education Building. We met for
worship in the Fellowship Hall and attended Sunday School in the Education Building. In Fellowship
Hall, the Minister spoke from the stage and the choir and the organ also were found here.(Dorothy
Norris was the Choir Director and Sara Younkin was the Organist.) The Sanctuary was built and
dedicated in 1962 and worship was available there. It is much the same as it is now, except the choir
had pews on each side facing each other, with a “Pulpit” where the minister preached and sometimes
we had an Assistant Minister who spoke from the “lectern” with the organ console located in the left
hand corner and the Stained Glass Window in the center. The pipes for the organ were located above
the choir seats on the right and left sides and the whole area was called the Chancel. Hence the name
for our “Chancel Choir”. Down in front of the Chancel were the “Communion Rails” where we kneeled
for communion. The Congregation pews sat for as many as 500+ people in the pews downstairs and
the balcony.
In 2006, plans were made by our minister, Gary Moore and the “building committee” to make changes
to St. Mark’s Methodist Church. Our Chapel was located right behind the Sanctuary and so plans were
made to build a new chapel and move our present chapel so it would become a “Gathering Room” (a
room to gather after each service for refreshments). The offices are centered near the Chapel and
people are able to enter through the South Doors under the cover of a “porte-cochere”. There is a
large room on the left near the offices used for meetings and Sunday School Classes. The Director of
Music’s office is down some steps from the offices located on the right and the Hand-bell Room is past
the Director’s office on the left. There is no stage in the Fellowship Hall, but there is a window on the
left side through which you can see a “Meditation Garden” that has benches labeled “Hope”, “Faith”,
and “Love” with a statue of Jesus made in China. You will see beautiful flowers in the spring and
summer. “Jesus” is right outside one of the windows when the Hand-Bells practice. The Boy Scouts
meet on Wednesday nights in Fellowship Hall. At the end of Fellowship Hall is a hallway that is an
entryway with Room 155 on the left of the hall for meetings. The Chapel was completed in February
2009 with a beautiful stained glass window. It is used for the 8:15 AM Service, Prayer Meetings,
Funerals, Sunday School and etc. There are 3 Services now: the 8:15AM Service in the Chapel, the
9:30AM Service which is a contemporary service in the Sanctuary during Sunday School, and the
11AM Service in the Sanctuary with the Methodist Chancel Choir. Best of all is the elevator that goes
to the basement, the first floor and the second floor.
Entering from the Trippe Ave. door is St. Mark’s Preschool which is a pre-school for 2 year olds, 3 year
olds, and 4 year old children which use many of the Sunday School Rooms downstairs and upstairs
during the week. The steeple was built as part of the Education Building. It was there when we moved
into St. Mark’s Methodist Church in 1958. We are not sure when the bells started to be rung, but they
were always rung by the 5th grade class and their teacher. They last rang the bells in May 2014. Now
the bells have been made safe to ring and embellished. The children will still be taught to ring the
bells. Listen for the new sounds of the bells. Read Jim Denny’s article in the March “Markings” to listen
for the new sounds coming from the bells.
St. Mark’s Church will inspire people of all
ages, through acts of love and service, to
know Jesus Christ.
PAGE 9
THE MARKINGS
APRIL 2015
Our Heritage of Bells— Steeple Bells to Handbells
By the Middle Ages, bells were everywhere in Europe and were closely linked to the
growth of Christianity. Most churches have had steeples since then; so too St. Mark’s.
Belgium and Holland became famous for their “great singing towers”. These towers
contained from 23 to 70 or more large tuned bells. These were called “carillons” played
by one person called a “carilloner”. His keyboard and pedal board were made of levers
rather than like the keys on a piano or organ. Carillons are mainly in Europe with some
in North America. The Riverside Church in New York City has a 72 bell carillo. Our Nation’s Capital has one at The National Cathedral and one in the National Cemetery at
Arlington, Virginia. Carillons failed to become popular in England. Those living near the
towers were disturbed during the early morning and evening by the practicing ringers.
So “Handbells” were designed for the practicing ringers during the 17th century as a
way to practice their “change ringing”.
In the 1830’s the Peake Family Ringers were the first to introduce English Handbells to
do bell concert tours throughout the United States. In 1923, Margaret Shurcliff organized the Beacon Hill Ringers in Boston. Interest in ringing handbells led to the organization of the New England Handbell Ringers in 1937. In 1954 the American Guild of
English Handbell Ringers (AGEHR) was formed. The AGEHR magazine, “The Overtones”
does much to promote the growth of handbells throughout the USA. In 2011, AGEHR
was renamed “Handbell Musicians of America”.
The Handbell Ringers of St. Mark’s
began in the Fall of 1984 as a result of memorial gifts by our congregation during 1983.
We purchased 3 octaves (37 bells) of Malmark Handbells to be rung by 11 ringers. In
1990 we purchased a 4th octave (11 bells) for a total of 48 bells which also can be rung
by 11 ringers. Later we added 3 octaves of tone chimes.
We would invite more of St. Mark’s people to join in this fun ministry. We NEED ringers—
part-time ringers——substitute ringers. Please contact the office at 410-822-0001 for
more information.
*Note: The Overtones practice on Wednesday evenings at 6:30 p.m. in the bell room
and share their gift of music on the 2nd Sunday of the month from September to May!
They are always well received and everyone enjoys hearing those bells ring!
Brooke Christensen is currently our interim bell director if you have any questions.
PAGE 10
THE MARKINGS
APRIL 2015
PAGE 11
THE MARKINGS
APRIL 2015
April 2015
Sun
Mon
Tue
Wed
Thu
Fri
Sat
1 5:00PM
24Hr.Prayer VigilChapel
6:30PM Overtones
Rehearsal
2 5:00PM Prayer
vigil ends-Chapel
6:00pm Maundy
Thurs. Soup &
Bread
7:15pm Communion in the
Sanctuary
3 GOOD
4
8 6:30pm
Overtones Rehearsal
9
10
11
17
18
24
25
6:30 A Easter Experience-Conf.
5
EASTER
7:30-10am
Easter Morning Breakfast
6
7
Church office
closed
7:00 pm Board of
Trustees Meeting
13 1
15 1:00pm
16
7:00pm Admin.
Board Meeting in
Conference Rm.
14 9:30am UMW
Day Apart at
Bayleigh Chase
6:30pm Disciple 3
Letters of Paul
Prayer Shawl Ministry Rm 155
6:30 Overtones
rehearsal
7:00pm
Chancel Choir
Rehearsal
19 7:30 Jubilee
Singers Rehearsal
Chapel
20
21
22
23
6:30pm Overtones
Rehearsal
7:00 pm
Chancel Choir
Rehearsal
26 7:30am
Jubilee Singers
Rehearsal-Chapel
27
28
29
30
7:00pm Board of
Trustee Meeting
6:30pm Overtones
Rehearsal
7:00pm
Chancel Choir
Rehearsal
FRIDAY !!!
7:00pm Good
Friday Service
in the Sanctuary
Sunrise service
7am
12 Communion
Sunday
Confirmation
Sunday
Weekly Schedule
SUNDAY
WEDNESDAY
8:15am (Chapel), 9:30 & 11:00am (Sanctuary) Worship Services
9:30am Sunday school for all ages
9:15-11:00am Coffee Fellowship (Gathering Area)
10:30am Prayer Group in chapel
6:30pm Overtones
TUESDAY
6:30PM Disciple III
THURSDAY
7pm Chancel Choir
PAGE 12
THE MARKINGS
St. Mark’s United Methodist Church
APRIL 2015
PRSRT Non-Profit
U.S. POSTAGE
PAID
EASTON, MD
PERMIT NO. 239
100 Peachblossom Road
Easton, MD 21601
RETURN SERVICE
REQUESTED
Staff
Rev. Missy Rekitzke, Pastor
Dr. Gilbert Anderson, Minister of Visitation
Laura Sydnor, Volunteer Coor dinator
Joan Collier-Fogg, Inter im Dir ector of Music
Erica McCreary, Dir ector of Chr istian Education
Sarah Ewing, Pr e-School Director
Dr. William F. Wharton, Or ganist
Ellen Barry Grunden, 9:30 Wor ship Leader
Karen Reed, Office Manager
Erica Kirby, Bookkeeper
William Gunther, Building Super intendent
Phone: 410-822-0001
Fax: 410-822-0002
Email: [email protected]
Website: www.stmarkseaston.org
The Markings:
Linda Spano, The Mar kings Editor
EASTER MORNING BREAKFAST
In Fellowship Hall
7:30—10:00 a.m.
Love Offering Will Be Taken
Pancakes, Scrambled Eggs, Sausage Links,
Bacon, Escalloped Apples

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