P OST M ARK The Newsletter of St. Mark’s Episcopal Church, Glen Ellyn In this issue Rector’s Message 2 Children’s Events 6-7 Get involved! 9 Spanish Language Ministry 4-5 Youth Update 8 Important Dates More information in weekly bulletins or at www.stmarksglenellyn.org. May 5 6 12 13 15 19 20 21 27 Cinco De Mayo 1st Communion CROP Walk Mother’s Day Rose Sale Confirmation Recognition rehearsal Mother’s day Rose Sale Graduating Seniors recognition Vestry meeting Deanery confirmation Confirmation Recognition Last Christian Education Hour Teacher Appreciation Mexico trip planning meeting DOK salad supper Pentecost Bienvenidos a Todos! St. Mark’s Cinco de Mayo Dinner and Silent Auction Saturday, May 5/sábado, el 5 de mayo ST. MARK’S MAHON HALL 6:00 p.m. - 9:00 p.m. $15 per adult / cada adulto $10 per student/ cada estudiante $5 per child under 10 years / menores de diez años May 2012 2012 CROP Hunger Walk Sunday, May 6 at 2:00 PM at Gary Methodist Church in downtown Wheaton. CROP Walk benefits the work of Church World Service as well as four local organizations, including two of our core outreach organizations – People’s Resource Center and the Glen Ellyn Food Pantry. Last year 18 St. Mark’s parishioners with members of 13 other religious raised a total of $28,400. We’ll have two routes to choose from – a 6-mile route and a shorter, stroller-friendly route of 3 miles. Join us this year for another fun walk! All donations that we receive online by April 30 will be applied to the Feinstein Foundation’s $1 million challenge – the more we raise by April 30, the more the Feinstein Foundation will donate to our CROP Walk. You can sign up or donate online at www.churchworldservice.org/goto/stmarksglenelly or look for information in the Narthex or link on the St. Mark’s website. For more information, please contact Don Sutherland at (630) 4698284 or [email protected]. For tickets / para comprar sus boletos: Call St. Mark's office/llame a la oficina (630) 858-1020 Or purchase at the door / también se puede comprar en la puerta. Most of the proceeds go to San Marcos and the Diocese of Southeast Mexico. Some will help support the 2012 St. Mark's Mexico Mission Trip to Nigromante. For 2011/2012, we sent over $7,000 to help with student scholarships, Padre Senobio’s salary, medical expenses for Padre Senobio, and more! From our Rector May 2012 The Elevator Speech “What is your elevator speech for the Episcopal Church?” It was a good question, and I stumbled around with my answer. I think I said a number of things like, “It’s a Church with Good News for everyone – it’s authentic and honest, it’s a place to find meaning and direction for you and your family. It welcomes your doubts, your faith, your flaws and your gifts.” The person nodded politely and the conversation changed to something else. But it made me think. What I said about the Church was true, but was it interesting? Was it compelling? Probably not. I think I could do better. An elevator speech, of course, is what you can tell someone about something in about thirty seconds, between the time the doors of the elevator open, you walk in, they close, you stare at your shoes and the doors open again and your time is up. The concept of the elevator speech is popular right now because people have so little time and there are so many messages competing for our attention. The best, clearest and most compelling messages win. Both business and not-for profits have them. Walgreens advertises, “There’s a way.” Catholic Charities proclaims, “All about help and just about everywhere.” There should be a good one for the Episcopal Church? What is it? I checked the Internet, and indeed, there is an official Episcopal Church elevator speech. Here it is: “For those looking for more meaning and deepened spirituality, The Episcopal Church offers honest and unconditional acceptance, which removes barriers to Jesus Christ and permits belonging to an authentic church community.” My reaction? Again, I guess it’s okay. There’s nothing objectionable about it. But would it inspire someone to take action and actually visit an Episcopal church or at least look up something more on the Internet? Probably not. To be honest, it seems boring. Perhaps the place to start is not with the Episcopal Church as a whole but with St. Mark’s. What would be a good elevator speech about us? Our vision statement (Rooted in baptism, Growing in Faith, Branching into the world) doesn’t do the job of an elevator speech. It should be longer than one sentence and be understandable to a wide audience. What are the some of the qualities of St. Mark’s that should be communicated? Here is a list of attributes that I think should be communicated: welcome, warm, respect, prayer, Scripture, music, traditional, relational, humor, vulnerable, innovative, orthodox, progressive, worship, children, youth, inter-generational, art, change, authentic, Jesus, outreach, love and caring. What would you add? If you have just thirty seconds to tell someone about St. Mark’s, what would you say? Let me know. And because I don’t want to ask you to do something that I won’t do myself, here’s what I’ve come up with: Excuse me – can I tell you about the church I go to? It’s called St. Mark’s. it’s in Glen Ellyn on Main St. You can’t miss it, especially when the front lawn is overflowing with pumpkins in October. St. Mark’s is a church and a community that really feels welcoming. Everyone is welcome. In worship and in service to others, you get to put into practice a living, authentic faith. There’s a lot of energy and people of all ages. It’s traditional in some ways but not uptight. It’s a church with a sense of humor. If you want to see how people are encountering God in the heart of Glen Ellyn, come and visit. I don’t think there should be only one elevator speech. Everyone should have their own - something ready in their back pocket. So again, I repeat my request. What is your elevator speech for St. Mark’s? Let me know – e-mail it to [email protected]. Yours in Christ – George+ Page 2 May 2012 Adult Formation in May On the Liturgy—May 2012 May 17 is Ascension Day. In the liturgical year, we are now in the time between Christ’s Ascension and the coming of the Holy Spirit at Pentecost. The Ascension, or the risen Christ’s departure from this earth, is recounted for us in Luke 24:49-53 and Mark 16:915,19-20. The Collect for Ascension Day reads: Almighty God, whose blessed Son our Savior Jesus Christ ascended far above all heavens that he might fill all things: Mercifully give us faith to perceive that, according to his promise, he abides with his Church on earth, even to the end of the ages; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, in glory everlasting. Amen. The Sunday of Pentecost is May 27. Pentecost marks the coming of the Holy Spirit upon the church as told in the Acts of the Apostles, chapter 2. This is a fulfillment of Jesus’ promise in John 14:16, “I will ask the Father, and he will give you another Counselor to be with you forever.” It is also called Whitsunday, for the white vestments worn on this day. Pentecost is the longest season of the church year, and lasts until Advent. The liturgical color for this season is green, representing the growth of the church under the Spirit’s guidance. May 6 You’ve got Soul! Ms. Reeny Linstrom The Rev. Catharine Phillips May 13 Exercises in loving that make sense May 20 Choose a spiritual companion May 27 Preview of Summer Forum The Rev. Elizabeth Molitors Adult Formation sessions at 9:15 and 10:15 a.m. Sundays What would YOU like for forum topics? Contact Myrna Grant, [email protected]. Bible Exploration Through Video Trinity Sunday is June 3. Trinity Sunday, always the first Sunday after Pentecost, recalls for us that as Christians we confess that God exists as Three-in-One. The Episcopal Church stands squarely in the tradition of the church since earliest times, which asserts that God is Father, Son and Holy Spirit. This great truth is taught over and over again in our liturgy, in the service of Holy Communion, in the Creeds, in the Catechism, at the conclusion of every Collect, and in The Creed of Saint Athanasius (p. 864). The Collect "Of the Holy Trinity" reads as follows: The Men’s Group has begun a new DVD series entitled: Surprised by Hope with N.T. Wright. Our next meeting will be Saturday, May 12, the doors will open for coffee at 7:30 a.m., and we’ll begin the DVD around 8 a.m. A discussion will follow. This is a 6-part series, but each session stands alone, and you are welcome to attend whenever you can. Leo Lanzillo, [email protected]. Almighty God, you have revealed to your Church your eternal Being of glorious majesty and perfect love as one God in Trinity of Persons: Give us grace to continue steadfast in the confession of this faith, and constant in our worship of you, Father, Son, and Holy Spirit; for you live and reign, one God, now and for ever. Amen. --David Fletcher, [email protected] The Tuesday morning Bible Study has just begun a 6 part video series entitled "Surprised by Hope" featuring theologian N.T. Wright. We watch a short video and then discuss its contents. This is a 6 part series, but each session stands alone, and all are welcome to attend. We gather at 9:00 a.m. and usually conclude around 10:30 a.m. Questions? Contact the Rev. George Smith, [email protected]. Page 3 May 2012 Spanish Language Ministry The Rev. Victor H. Conrado, Associate Rector for Spanish Ministries [email protected] Has vivido momentos magníficos, personales y con tu comunidad, experimentas sin dificultad la vida del Resucitado revitalizando nuestras relaciones, dinamizando nuestras reuniones, nuestras reflexiones, nuestros proyectos. Vivamos Pentecostés en la Parroquia de San Marcos “De repente vino del cielo un ruido, semejante a un viento impetuoso, y llenó toda la casa donde se encontraban. Entonces aparecieron lenguas como de fuego, que se repartían y se posaban sobre cada uno de ellos..." (Hch 2, 2- 3) Hay un gesto de contento permanentemente en tu rostro y te es fácil la expresión de alabanza y de bendición por todo cuanto descubres de iniciativa evangélica en tus hermanos y hermanas en esta hermosa comunidad parroquial de San Marcos. Este es el mes del Espíritu. Queremos invitarte a que celebremos juntos una gran fiesta de Pentecostés viviendo con nosotros nuestro primer retiro espiritual el día sábado 28 de mayo de 9 AM a 6 PM. En este retiro espiritual veremos como el Señor se ha mostrado maravilloso en nuestras vidas y como ahora nos invita a salir y proclamar la Buena Noticia a otras personas, especialmente a esas que están cerca de nosotros. Has acogido con ilusión y responsabilidad a los nuevos miembros de la Iglesia, profundizando en tu propio bautismo y en la dimensión eclesial de tu fe. Te vives acompañado, protegido, conducido... por ese buen pastor en quien confías, que te conoce por tu nombre, que está dispuesto a darlo todo por ti, que te lleva, sin duda, por donde hay buenas cosas y agua y pan y luz duraderos. Ese Buen Pastor que te ha recibido tal y como eres y te ha invitado a que lo receibas en los sacramentos del Bautismo, Eucaristia, Confirmacion y Reconciliacion. Como en el principio, el Espíritu de Dios está hoy también aleteando sobre las aguas de nuestro mundo, sobre nuestra Iglesia, sobre nuestra parroquia y sus estructuras, sobre cada uno de nosotros y de una manera particular sobre ti (cfr Gn 1,1). Contempla el paso de Dios por tu vida en estos últimos meses, la disposición a acogerle que Él mismo te ha facilitado... Ahora es tiempo de confirmar esa presencia sanadora y darla a otros y otras que la pueden necesitar asi como un dia te llego a ti. No pretende, sino como en aquella primera semana, gozarse de su obra, de su belleza, de su cohesión, de su misterioso dinamismo interior que se expande por alcanzar a su Creador, gozarse de la utilidad de lo creado y de la hermosura de su diferencia. No pretende sino descansarse gozándose en su semejante, que eres tú. Los frutos de tu fe, de tu compromiso, de tu comprensión y vivencia del evangelio tienen un marcado carácter social. Estás convencido de la fuerza transformadora del evangelio en medio de las situaciones de opresión y de injusticia, del convincente poder del testimonio de fraternidad con los más desfavorecidos de nuestra sociedad. Page 4 May 2012 Mother's Day Rose Sale in May! Fechas Importantes de este mes de mayo En este mes comenzaremos a ofrecer clases de Ingles como Segunda Lengua. Todos y todas son bienvenidos y te invitamos también a traer a otra persona para que pueda gozar de este gran beneficio. Help support our companion parish, San Marcos in Nigromante, Mexico, and the 2012 Mexico Mission Trip: Roses will be available at St. Mark's on Saturday morning, May 12, and Sunday, May 13 (Mother's Day). There will be a limited number of arrangements for $20. We will also have roses by the dozen for $20 and single roses for $3.00. Advanced orders can be placed -- contact Evelyn Cabrera (773) 716-7840 or([email protected]. Sábado 5 de mayo: Celebración del 5 de mayo en nuestra parroquia de 6PM a 9PM. Domingo 6 de mayo: Celebración de la Primera Comunión a la 1PM. Sábado 19 de mayo: Celebración de las Confirmaciones en la parroquia de St. Andrew in Downers Grove. Pentecost is the church’s birthday! Sábado 28 de mayo: Retiro Espiritual de Pentecostés desde las 8AM hasta 6PM. Participa e invita a otras personas a que participen de este regalo tan grande. May 27 is a day to celebrate the ongoing joy and work of God’s Kingdom here on earth. What better way than to read about the first exciting adventures of the disciples in the book of Acts! Live action reporting from Luke. For a new view, go to www.biblgateway.com and read Acts in a different translation, maybe NRSV or The Message. Find children’s books and videos on the stories of Peter and Paul as they struggled to carry on the work of Christ and establish the early church. These are stories to read and read again. We need everyone! What do we look for first in a phone book or directory? Our own names, of course, to make sure they are correct. St. Mark’s staff wants to get the new and colorful picture directory out as soon as possible , but we want it to be right! Watch your e-mail inbox for a note from [email protected] with your address and phone information. If there are any corrections (or if for some reason you do not receive the e-mail by May 15!) call the church office at (630) 858-1020. Thanks for your help! Page 5 May 2012 Children’s News Contact Jill Bednas [email protected] St. Mark's Vacation Bible School Adventures on Promise Island July 30 - August 3, 2012 9:30 a.m.- 12 noon (For children ages 4 through entering 5th grade) Please mark your calendars for Vacation Bible School on Promise Island where kids discover God's Lifesaving Love! amid the swaying palm trees, exotic wildlife, and welcoming sunshine. This very popular program will run July 30 - August 3, 2012 from 9:30 a.m.- 12 noon and tends to fill up so sign up soon and volunteer if you can. Please contact [email protected] with questions or to volunteer to help. Celebrate our youth! First Communion May 6 Graduating Seniors Recognition May 13 Confirmation Recognition Sunday May 20 Let them know how proud you are of them at every stage in life. Youth and Art During the Lenten Season on Wednesday evenings, children gathered in the undercroft for art, games, music and movies. Children used pastel chalks to create their own designs that were grouped together to make a beautiful Easter Landscape. Please view the finished product in the hallway outside the library. We will continue to incorporate group art projects into Children’s Ministry program. Thank you to Cecilia Smith and Cheryl Olsen who led the art activity. Communion Celebration is May 6 for 23 children of St Mark (10:30 a.m.) and our Spanish Congregation (1 p.m.) is on May 6. Welcome them! Page 6 May 2012 Drama & Music Camp for children and youth entering 3rd to 8th grade June 25 – 29 at St. Mark’s 9:30 a.m. – 12 noon Professional performer and musician, John Campen is the Director for this week-long camp. Your children will learn about the basics of live theater and vocal production (spoken & sung) through a combination of theater and improvisation games, vocal exercises, and group acting exercises. The week-long camp will culminate in a live production presented by the campers at St. Mark's on Friday evening. The cost is $50 per student for the week and sibling discounts are available. Camp will offer "two tracks" (3rd - 5th) and (6th - 8th). Come for the friendship, stay for the fun! For more information call Jill Bednas, Director Children’s Ministry at 630-858-1020 or email: [email protected] Registration Form Mail form with payment to St. Mark’s Episcopal Church, 393 N. Main Street, Glen Ellyn, IL 60137. The cost is $50 per student for the week and sibling discounts are available. Please make checks payable to St. Mark’s Church with “Drama & Music Camp” in the memo space. Registration deadline June 10, 2012. Child’s Full Name Birthdate Grade/ Fall 2012 Allergies/other* 1. 2. Parent/Guardian Name: E-mail Address: Home Address: Home Phone: City/Town: Cell Number: Work Number: Emergency Contact Name/Number: Last Christian Education class for the school year is May 20. Children’s worship and nursery continue through summer. Remember to thank your child’s teacher for a wonderful year! Page 7 May 2012 Youth Update Contact the Rev. Elizabeth Molitors at 630-858-1020 x226 or [email protected]. Seniors Recognition Sunday Attention Graduating High School Seniors: Sunday, May 13 is Seniors Recognition Sunday. Please plan to attend either the 8, 9:15 or 10:30 a.m. service so that the St. Mark’s community can offer you its prayers and good wishes. In next month’s Postmark, we’d like to publish senior pictures and a short description of your postgraduation plans, i.e. work, college, military. An email has gone out to the parents of all high school seniors requesting this information. Please reply by May 8 so that information about post-graduation plans can also be included in the May 13 bulletin. Crop Walk Please consider becoming a walker or sponsor in the annual Glen Ellyn / Wheaton Area CROP Hunger Walk on the afternoon of Sunday, May 6 at 2:00 p.m. at Gary Methodist Church in downtown Wheaton. CROP Walk benefits the work of Church World Service, which provides funds for sustainable development, disaster relief and assistance to refugees in 80 countries worldwide. 25% of the money raised locally benefits four area outreach organizations, including the Peoples’ Resource Center and the Glen Ellyn Food Pantry. Sign-up sheets to be a walker or sponsor are in the narthex, or you can donate online at http:// www.churchworldservice.org/ goto/stmarksglenellyn. Two routes - a 3-mile and 6-mile – are available. Confirmand Recognition Sunday Sunday, May 20, Confirmand Recognition Sunday, the eighth-grade youth who were confirmed on May 19 will be recognized at the three morning services. The youth will serve in the various ministry roles – ushers, readers, acolytes, etc. – and also offer reflections during the sermon time about why they wanted to be confirmed. A rehearsal for Confirmand Recognition Sunday will take place on Saturday, May 12, from 10-11:30 a.m. for the eighth-grade youth; please meet in the sanctuary. Confirmation On Saturday, May 19, Bishop Jeff Lee will visit St. Andrew’s, Downers Grove for the Aurora Deanery Confirmation. Seventeen eighth-grade youth from St. Mark’s will be among those confirmed that day. Confirmation is a sacrament that invites people to make an adult acceptance and affirmation of the baptismal promises that were made on their behalf at baptism. Confirmands will meet with the bishop beginning at 10 a.m., followed by the service at 11 a.m.; a reception follows the service in St. Andrew’s social hall. Please extend your congratulations to: Amelia Benich, Cooper Clynch, Arno Curtis, Erin Delany, Sarah Delany, Will Delany, Caroline Fry, Ian Gillespie, Lauren Glavin, Ian Grant-Funck, Molly Hughes, Caitlyn Reick, Maggie Schreck, Christina Sedall, Emily Sexauer, Geo Smith and Marin Walor. Page 8 May 2012 Book Club May Selection The Book Group’s next selection is Old Filth by Jane Gardam. This English author’s fiction “draws its material from the intricate web of manners and class peculiar to the inhabitants of her homeland.” Book Group will on May 20, 3:00 p.m. at the home of Fiona Miller. Glen Ellyn Public Library has one copy of Old Filth; paperbacks are available at a reduced price through Amazon plus audio and electronic versions are available. Loving Work of Human Hands All crafters and all crafts are welcome. Whatever your craft, join us Wednesday mornings at 10:00 in the church library. We will work, learn, chat, and snack together until noon. Questions? Contact Lea Forsman at [email protected] or Judy Jackson at [email protected]. Summer PADS Volunteers Needed St. Mark’s is entering into its fifth year of supporting the PADS Shelter for the homeless in DuPage County. Our team will run the shelter at the 1st Congregational Church in downtown Glen Ellyn on the second Sunday of each month from May until September. It takes a small army of volunteers to pull this off each month; from food donations to folks to fill each shift from Sunday evening through the following morning. Please continue to help us support this vital program by signing up to help for any slots that you can. Sign up sheets will be available in the Narthex throughout the spring and summer seasons. For any additional information, please contact Brian or Cindy Stepien at [email protected] or 630-858-2350. Thank you for your continued support! Ministry of Cooking Does your casserole always elicit rave reviews? Or are you an under-appreciated cook? The St. Mark’s Meal Ministry could use you! We need more volunteers who can bring a meal to a family or individual every once in a while, when there is a need. The food, and the care that come with it, is always appreciated. And the only commitment is the meal you sign up to provide! Please contact me so I can add you to my list of fabulous volunteers. You will make a big difference in someone’s day. Lisa Baker 630-682-4296 home; [email protected] . Can you share some time? Summer months mean well-deserved vacation for St. Mark’s office staff. Say “thank you” in a tangible way by offering your help this summer, especially the last weeks of July. Answer phone, greet, visitors, open mail. Contact Dellana at [email protected] and say “yes, I can help!” Save the date! St. Mark's Annual Parish Picnic Sunday, June 3 Worship 10:30 a.m. al fresco under the pavilion at Herrick Lake. Page 9 May 2012 WOMEN–TO–WOMEN fellowship for women of all ages Women-to-Women (W2W) is the umbrella group for all our Women’s Ministries. It is a fellowship for all women of St Mark’s and has fostered rich intergenerational relationships, helping all of us experience St. Mark’s as a parish “family.” Looking Ahead: Planning for 2012-2013 Women’s ministries at St. Mark’s are growing and thriving! Our steering team will meet for our annual planning meeting Tuesday, May 8 at 7:30 pm in the parish library to map out events and programs for the coming calendar year. Have some ideas or would like to help? You can find our “I Can Help” survey located in the women’s resources section of our church website where you can share any ideas or talents you have for our women’s ministries. All women are invited to attend our meeting in May to listen and learn more about our ministries, share ideas or volunteer for an event. Contact Elizabeth Lanzillo at [email protected] or Caroline McAlpine at [email protected]. Something new in summer worship at St. Mark’s. Ever want to really discuss the message of Sundays’ sermon as soon as you hear it? Not in the car on the way home but with the person who just preached it? Here is your chance! Beginning June 10 our 9:15 a.m. worship order of service will be shifted: Entrance liturgy and readings Offering and announcements Holy Communion Dismissal Then those who wish may join the preacher in the library to hear the sermon and begin a discussion on it with the preacher and other members. Stay to gain further understanding and discuss how the message applies to your life. All ages are invited. This is a great way to engage kids in the sermon discussion and start a family habit for a lifetime. Summer worship schedule begins June 10 8 a.m. 9:15 a.m. 45-minute quiet worship with Holy Eucharist Holy Eucharist with the sermon and discussion following in the library 10:30 a.m. Worship with Holy Eucharist Page 10 Afternoon Openings for the 2012-13 School Year St. Mark's Preschool still has openings in our afternoon class for the 2012-3 school year. Our afternoon class is a mixed-age class for three and four year olds that meets Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Thursdays from 12:45 to 3:00 pm and our program is inspired by the Reggio Emilia philosophy of early childhood education. We will be holding a Drop-In Open House on Thursday. May 3, from 9:30-10:30 a.m. If you would like to make arrangements to visit on another date before school ends in May or would like additional information, please contact Meghan Kaplan, Director, St. Mark's Preschool, [email protected] or visit our website www.stmarksglenellyn.org/ preschool. May 2012 What a Week of Blessings! Palm Sunday and Easter 2012 PDO Registration for June Summer Session and 2012-13! PDO is offering its 4 week summer session (9:00 a.m. – noon) on Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Thursday mornings from June 5 to 28 – register for any or all days individually at $25/day. Registration will begin for parishioners on April 3. Returning families may submit registrations beginning on April 10. New families may register beginning on April 17. Registration is $50/child, or $75/ family. IMPORTANT! There are still openings for the 2012/2013 school year, especially in the Friday 4+ class! Parents’ Day Out (PDO) is a St. Mark’s ministry that has been providing care for children in our community for over 25 years and is offered five days a week from 9:30 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. Children can be registered for one or two days per week. Children between the ages of 2 and 4 may register for Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, and/or Thursday. Our 4+ PDO program accepts registrations for Fridays. All days also offer a substitute list. Questions: Contact PDO Director Kathy O’Rourke at [email protected]. Page 11 May 2012 A project involving the Lutheran and Episcopal churches in Glen Ellyn to promote cooperation in mission, service and ministry. “That they may all be one.” John 17:21 St. Barnabas Episcopal Church – 22W414 Butterfield Rd. Faith Evangelical Lutheran Church – 41 N Park Blvd. Grace Evangelical Lutheran Church – 493 Forest Ave. St. Luke Evangelical Lutheran Church – 23W080 Butterfield Rd. St. Mark’s Episcopal Church – 393 N. Main St. Printed on recycled paper. Non-Profit Org. U.S. Postage PAID Glen Ellyn, Illinois Permit No. 18 Page 12
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