St. Mark’s Messenger AUGUST 2014 “Saved by Grace, we are called to Celebrate, Serve and Make Disciples” St. Mark’s is happy to have the Casidays joining us as we begin the search for a new pastor! The Interim Committee hosted a lovely Farewell Celebration for Pastor Dennis and Hilda, and a Welcome Breakfast for Pastor Warren and Marie. Pam Birkholz is chairing this committee, and has handled numerous details during the planning of the events. Mary Niemeyer and Katelynn Bodin designed the invitations to both events. Brandon Pittman created the slide show of Pastor Dennis’ life and Craig Satterfeal was entertaining at the celebration. Each member of the Interim Committee has used their talents to make this transition a great time for the congregation, as well as the outgoing and incoming Pastor and his family. A huge thank you goes out to Corey Palm, Tom Sykstus, Tommy Jacobs and Sam Mullin for helping unload Pastor and Marie Casiday into their new home. You all did fine work! Thank you to our six Call Committee members who have agreed to serve! Roberts Abele Meredith Mullin David Provancha Brianna Sieja Norma Stagner Marty Volz
Transcript
St. Mark’s Messenger
AUGUST 201 4
“Saved by Grace, we are called to Celebrate, Serve and Make Disciples”
St. Mark’s is happy to have the Casidays joining us as we begin the search for a new pastor! The Interim Committee hosted a lovely Farewell Celebration for Pastor Dennis and Hilda, and a Welcome Breakfast for Pastor Warren and Marie. Pam Birkholz is chairing
this committee, and has handled numerous details during the planning of the events. Mary Niemeyer and Katelynn Bodin designed the invitations to both events. Brandon Pittman created the slide show of Pastor Dennis’ life and Craig Satterfeal was entertaining at the celebration. Each member of the Interim Committee has used their talents to make this transition a great time for the congregation, as well as the outgoing and incoming Pastor and his family. A huge thank you goes out to Corey Palm, Tom Sykstus, Tommy Jacobs and Sam Mullin for helping unload Pastor and Marie Casiday into their new home. You all did fine work! Thank you to our six Call Committee members who have agreed to serve! Roberts Abele Meredith Mullin David Provancha Brianna Sieja Norma Stagner Marty Volz
PAGE 2 ST. MAR K’ S MESSEN GER
Just a Note from Me to You!
Hello Friends,
What an honor and privilege it is for me to have become your Interim Pastor! I am
delighted to be part of such a phenomenal church as St. Mark’s.
I look forward to working with you as you search for your next pastor and I am absolutely
convinced that we are going to have some very exciting times together.
I still find it hard to believe that this process began just over 11 weeks ago. It has been my privilege to be the parliamentarian for the Southeastern Synod for 4 years. In checking in with Bishop Gordy before the Synod assembly, I mentioned that I had completed the
Intentional Interim Ministry Training from the Center for Congregational Health. He basically asked me if I was ready to go back to work. I had officially retired as a full time
pastor at the end of 2013.
After some very serious soul-searching and prayer, I told Bishop Gordy that I was ready to be considered as your Interim Pastor. And that is when it all became a bit of a blur.
Getting ready for Synod assembly, meeting with your Church Council, beginning to pack, leasing two climate controlled storage units to store about two-thirds of our stuff, deciding
to put our house up for sale in Rockwell, NC, driving here, meeting some of your finest members on the Unloading Team, getting the bed reassembled so we could actually collapse last Thursday evening, etc. Man, just typing all that almost makes me feel tired
again!
I am very excited to be here with you. I am looking forward to a very productive time together. And I look forward to meeting and getting to know more about each of you
during the time that I am privileged to be here with you.
To help you get to know me, I thought it might be helpful if I shared a little about myself
in this first newsletter column.
I was born and raised in Memphis, TN. I attended Cherokee Elementary School and graduated from Messick High School there. While it is true that both of those schools closed their doors shortly after I left them, I have a high level of confidence that my
attending them had nothing to do with their closings. Besides, the Jr. High School I
attended actually survived my being a student there.
I graduated from Oral Roberts University in 1972 with a degree in Religious Education.
My minor was in psychology.
ORU was still a small school of about a thousand students when I attended. While I
appreciate what I learned there, the most important thing about my going to ORU was I met and married the most wonderful lady in the world while I was there. I was truly
blessed when Marie agreed to become my wife. By the time you are reading this, we will
have celebrated our 44th wedding anniversary.
We have one son – Jason. He is married to the best daughter-in-law that we could have
hoped for – Sara. They have two lovely daughters – Katelyn and Elizabeth. We love all of them very much. When you do call your next pastor, our plans are to return to the Huntersville, NC, area so we can live closer to them. (So if I slip up and call this area
Huntersville, instead of Huntsville, I know you will understand!)
And I promise not to do the grandparent thing of bragging about them too much.
I went to The Divinity School at Duke University and finished my Masters of Divinity
there in December, 1979.
I received my Doctor of Ministry degree from Gordon-Conwell Theological Seminary in 2003. My doctoral thesis was on one of the most under-researched topics there is –
Prayer. The thesis was entitled: Developing a Healthy Prayer Life.
In 1975, I began filling the pulpits of pastors in the United Methodist Church (UMC) who needed to take off a Sunday. I entered full time ministry in the UMC in 1976. In 1990, I
felt God calling me to transfer my ministerial standing to the United Church of Christ (UCC). (The UCC is a completely different denomination than the Churches of Christ in
this area. The UCC was formed in 1957 with the merger of the Congregational Christian Churches and the Evangelical & Reformed Churches. I was privileged serve most of my ministry in the UCC in the old German Reformed Church side of the denomination in
North Carolina.)
If I can ever help or assist you in any way, please feel free to come by the office or give
me a call.
Again, I really count it a joy to be here with you as your Interim Pastor while you search for your new pastor. I am looking forward to a very productive time as we work together
to do the work of our God.
Shalom!
Pr. Warren
PAGE 4 ST. MAR K’ S MESSEN GER
Children & Family
2 by 2 Bible Study Will resume on August 22 at 9 AM in
Room #8. We will continue to read the
Chronological Bible throughout the year
and begin “Esther” by Beth Moore.
Coming Soon...
Sept. 14 Canoe Trip, 1 PM
(Tweeners - Sr. High)
Bowling, 2 PM
(Quarters)
Sept. 21 Confirmation Class
(w/parents ), 1:15 PM
August 17, 9:45 AM Start a new year of Sunday School!
Join us in the Fellowship Hall for snacks and introductions.
Time to begin a new year of Sunday School with the whole
church in the fellowship hall. After some cookies and punch,
we’ll go to the chapel for some songs, announcements, and meet
teachers before heading to classrooms. At 10:45 AM, parents are
asked to pick up their kids and update contact information.
Youth Standards Class is on August 2 at 9 AM in the conference room. This class is for any who would like to work with children or youth and/or would like a refresher course.
August 10 Adult Teaching Team Mtg, 1 PM
August 24 ALL Teaching Team Mtg, 1 PM
Mark your calendar! Fall Festival on October 25, 10-1:00 PM
Another year of fun and fellowship:
get your costumes ready!
If you would like to help out with
games or activities this year,
please see Traci Billman.
September 7
One worship service, 10 AM
No Sunday School
Beginning with a pot-Luck lunch at
11:15 AM, we will have a day of
service for our community. All ages
will be able to participate—look for
signups and more details to come.
God’s Work, Our Hands
For a complete Children’s Ministry Calendar, go to ‘events’ under
‘children & youth’ at www.stmarkshsv.org
AUGUST 201 4 PAGE 5
Take a look at Vacation Bible School Fun...
PAGE 6 ST. MAR K’ S MESSEN GER
Altar guild announces the retirement of Linda Bennett and Joy Forst. We thank these ladies for the many years of dedicated service. We also welcome new members, Karen Cunningham, Shelby Billman, Helen Stark, Kathy Emmerson, and Rob and Didi Kearney. We thank you for stepping up to help us ensure the best worship experience for all!
Good Bye to Our Church Musician Friends!
Four of our church musicians, Kelly, Harold and
Jessica Peterson, and Phil Haberlen moved from Huntsville this summer, and we are already missing them.
Kelly, Harold and Jessica have been members of several music ministries at
St. Mark’s for many years, like St. Mark’s Choir, St. Mark’s & Friends Ringers handbell choir, Ukulele Community Choir, Cantors a Cappella Quartet, Soloist and Cantoring, and Sunday School Children’s Choir. And Phil has been a member of the St. Mark’s Choir and the St. Mark’s & Friends Ringers handbell choir.
Kelly and Harold were so inspirational to all of us with their devoted music
ministry work. When Kelly and Harold were expecting their baby Jessica, I “predicted” that because of their new life demands, they would no longer be able to participate on the church’s music ministries, and we would miss them very
much. But to everybody’s surprise, right after the pregnancy, all of them, including the weeks old Jessica, continued to attend every church and outreach music event, until at the very last day that they were in Huntsville!
Phil first joined the St. Mark’s Choir almost 7 years ago, when he was attending
church as a visitor. Later, Phil joined the St. Mark’s & Friends Ringers handbell choir, which he liked most and where he contributed so much with his special
musical talent. After several years of music ministry service as a visitor, Phil became a member of St. Mark’s.
Kelly, Harold, Jessica and Phil have filled our lives with so many precious memories of spiritual love and music, which we will cherish throughout all our life. May God lead all of them
through other successes in life, wherever they will continue to serve Him and His Son, Jesus Christ.
Ferdinand Murati, Music Director
Adult Education
1. Faith and Discovery: The last 100 pages!
"Faith and Discovery" Adult Sunday School Class continues to study the Reformation in Christianity: The First Three Thousand Years by Diarmaid MacCulloch. This text is an excellent source for understanding the "whys" of our theology and traditions. Led by Mike Hamilton.
2. DONUTS: Christian, It’s Not What You
Think Bible Study & DVD by Andy Stanley. What does is mean to be Christian? Curiously, the term is never used in Scripture. Instead, Christian was a label used by outsiders to define Jesus’ followers. Jesus referenced ‘disciple’ as the key word he used to describe his supporters along with the fact that they would be known for their love – a novel concept for their time – and ours today. Led by Marlin & Denise Williamson.
3. Lectionary Bible Study: What is a lectionary?
A lectionary is a list of scripture readings assigned to be read on a particular day. This class will study and discuss the week’s readings used in our Sunday worship. Led by Tom Duncan.
4. Bible Studies for Life: Too Busy Not to
Pray by Bill Hybels. Two truths haven't changed in twenty years: God is the same powerful, just, holy God he's always been; prayer that changes us and allows us to participate in God's work in the world can't happen on the fly. Led by Gwen Dornbos.
5. New! Adult Sunday School Class: Falling In
Love With Jesus. Authors Dee Brestin and Kathy Troccoli introduce readers to the ultimate love relationship of all time: a relationship with Jesus Christ. Using humor, contemporary love songs, real-life stories, and solid Biblical teaching, Dee and Kathy help women discover a life-changing intimacy with Jesus. No matter your age or marital status, you are His bride, the object of His affection. The secret to an abundant life lies not in ten steps, but in devel-oping a deep love relationship with Jesus, aban-doning yourself to the greatest romance of your life! Led by Louise Brooks.
6. Lost & Found: Jesus looked at him and loved
him. "One thing you lack," he said. "Go, sell everything you have and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven.” What did Jesus mean by this? How do we do this? Financial Peace. How do you plan for the future? What is enough? Stewardship. What does it mean? How can you be a better giver? Led by Jed Deason.
Adult Mid-Week Opportunities
Monday:
11 AM: Bible Study Class
Wednesday:
6:06 AM: Devotions, Prayer & Fellowship
Friday:
9AM: 2 by 2 Bible Study (begins 8/22)
(childcare available)
Sunday School
August 17, 9:45 AM Start a new year of
Sunday School! Join us in the Fellowship Hall for
snacks and introductions.
Ruth Circle will meet on August 6th at 9:00 AM at Magnolia Trace.
Deborah Circle will meet for lunch at Another Broken Egg in the Target Shopping Center on Carl T. Jones Drive on August 12 at 11:00 AM. All members are invited to join us there.
Martha Circle Martha circle will meet for dinner on Aug 14th at East 1892, at 6:30 Rachel Circle will meet on Monday, August 11 at 6:00 pm at Pane e Vino at the Huntsville Museum of Art downtown. Each member is asked to bring a package of brown paper lunch bags for the Community Free Clinic. We welcome visitors and new members
For addresses or directions to any of the circle meetings,
please call the church office at 256-539-4361
Circle Meetings
Check out the hand-painted gourd bird house near Pastor’s office window! It is located on the Longwood side of the church. This original piece of art was crafted by our friends at the Adult Day Care of the Senior Center. They did a great job and we truly appreciate their thoughtfulness.
Save the Date!! Mark your calendars on November 2, for the St. Mark’s Annual Birthday Bash! If you are interested in decorating a table for any month, please contact Debra Hammond @256-975-1384. Everyone will sit at their birth month table and enjoy a potluck lunch after the 11:00 service. No desserts required as each table will have a birthday cake to enjoy and share!
AUGUST 201 4 PAGE 9
St. Mark’s Faith & Fiction Book Group The book for August will be Still Life with Bread Crumbs by Anna
Quindlen, and for September, the pick will be The Goldfinch by Donna
Tartt. New book titles will be selected soon.
Group Meeting Notes:
Balance/Tai Chi classes resume August 7th and meeting every Thursday at 2PM in the Fellowship Hall. Join in the group!
The Monday Morning Bible Study resumes August 4th at 11AM in the Conference Room. Pastor Casiday is looking forward to meeting you all and leading a book of the Bible!
THANK YOU!!!
Hilda and I are overwhelmed and deeply humbled with the
amazing “going away” gift. How can we ever thank you? Wow!
Also, the Interim Committee (Pam Birkholz, [names]) did such an
amazing job for our reception Sunday afternoon, July 20. You are
all so clever, loving, and… WONDERFUL!
We will undoubtedly miss St. Mark’s (I can tell you our hearts ache already). But we will be
seeing you, I’m sure. We’ll be around town.
And, of course, we want to maintain your friendship. But one thing we cannot discuss with you
is St. Mark’s. Even though this congregation is our common core, I need to maintain pastoral
integrity by not discussing or influencing anything happening at St. Mark’s. I hope you also
understand that all pastoral acts on my part ended on the 20th. I am not permitted to make
hospital, shut in, or any other kinds of calls (even telephone calls dealing with pastoral issues).
I wish Pastor Warren the best. I’m already envious of him. He gets the privilege of leading a
wonderful congregation. Having met him, I feel confident he will serve the Lord and God’s
people well.
Finally, blessings to the talented, committed, and wonderful staff at St. Mark’s.
PAGE 10 ST. MAR K’ S MESSEN GER
God’s Work, Our Hands
To make things easier, we’ve complied ONE list for
items needed for various ministries. You will find three
blue collection bins in Communication Central for all
donations of new items. Please drop off your donations
here, and we will get them to the right place.
Opportunities to Serve
On September 7
Shopping List
Applesauce Cups
Baby Food
Baby Wipes
Batteries
Canned Fruit
Canned Meals
Canned Veggies
Cereal
Crackers
Cracker Packs
Deodorant
Diapers
Dried Beans
Fruit Cups
Gravy
Insect Repellent
Instant Potatoes
Jelly
Juice
Lotion
Mac & Cheese
Nutri Grain Bars
Pasta
Peanut Butter
Pet Food
Pop-top Soups
Pop Tarts
Powdered Formula
Powdered Milk
Pudding Cups
Rice
Shampoo/
Conditioner
Soap
Spaghetti Sauce
Toilet Paper
Tomato Paste
Toothbrushes
Toothpaste
Tuna Pouches
Water Bottles
100% Juice Boxes
God’s Work, Our Hands is an ongoing mission - we
are doing God’s work with our hands everyday.
St. Mark’s provides many opportunities for you to
serve including our next BIG day of service on
September 7. On this day, we will again
combine with churches synod-wide to go out and
serve our community. Please prayerfully
consider how you may be of service.
September 7
One worship service, 10 AM
No Sunday School
Beginning with a pot-Luck lunch at
11:15 AM, we will have a day of
service for our community. All ages
will be able to participate—look for
signups and more details to come.
Homeless Help - provide food and supplies to the local homeless
Rescue Mission Meal - serve lunch at the Downtown Rescue Mission
Litter Pick Up - pick up trash in our surrounding neighborhood
Collection Activities - pack hospice kits, pack Blessings in a Backpack, pack
visitor bags
Craft Activities - kid’s cards and pictures
Ongoing in August:
Food Pantry: food donations, stocking,
packing, and distribution (look for the
food pantry schedule in the bulletin)
Homeless Camps: next visit, August 10.
Blessings in a Backpack: food donations needed - we will begin again with the
start of the new school year on August 5.
AUGUST 201 4 PAGE 11
St. Mark's Supper Club
Whether you've been before or not, join us for August's
Supper Club night out! Mark your calendars and sign up on
the bulletin board across from the playground.
This is for any and all adults at St. Mark's, young or old, parents or single,
we will all come together for some fun, food and fellowship. If you do have
children, there will be childcare at the church. Drop your kids off at 6pm
(after they have eaten) and join us at the restaurant at 6:30pm.
August
When: Saturday, August 23rd
Where: Drake's (4800 Whitesburg Dr)
What time: 6:30pm reservation (child drop off at 6pm at the church)
Who: Adults, couples, parents, singles, etc.
So we have an accurate headcount to make a reservation (and for child-
care purposes), please sign up in Communication Central (on the bulletin
All new donation items are collected in the blue, labeled bins in Communication Central. All recyclable items are collected in the blue, labeled bins under the mailboxes near the Chapel. There is a large green recycling bin on the left side of the coke machine for clean, emply plastic bottles, and there is a large can on the right side for clean, empty aluminum cans. Liquid in cans and bottles attract ants.
If you have borrowed a wheelchair from St. Mark’s and have finished using it, please return it to the church. You may leave it in the Old Narthex and we will put it away, or call the church to arrange for someone to pick it up from you. Several items collected at St. Mark’s need volunteers to take them to their homes. We need drivers to occasionally take items to the Downtown Rescue Mission, FirstStop and Senior Horizons at Huntsville Hospital. The church office will arrange getting these items to you, just give them a call! The church office needs your help! A volunteer is needed each Monday morning from 10-11AM to answer the phone and door during staff meetings. Please contact the office to volunteer.
NEWSLETTER DISTRIBUTION
Due to changes in the Postal Service regulations for bulk mailings and the cost to mail the Newsletter by other than bulk mail, we must change our methods of distribution of the monthly Newsletter. You therefore will be able to receive the Newsletter in one of several methods
The easiest and most convenient method is to have the Newsletter sent via email. If you a currently using email to receive the Newsletter there will be no change. If you want to begin to receive the Newsletter by email please send your email address to Emily at [email protected]. Visit the St. Mark’s website and go to resources. Copies of the Newsletter will be available for you to pick-up in Communication Central. For shut-ins and who do not have access to email the Newsletter will be mailed or delivered to you.
The Board of Administration is sorry that these changes are necessary. If you have questions please contact Jed Deason, Chair Board of Administration.
T.H.I.N.K. British evangelist Alan Redpath suggested these five helpful
questions to ask yourself before you speak:
T — Is it True?
H — Is it Helpful?
I — Is it Inspiring?
N — Is it Necessary?
K — Is it Kind?
These days, there’s a smartphone app for just about everything. But what about spiritual concerns? Where can you turn? • Depressed? Try the joy app. Read Isaiah 51:11. • Tired? Try the renewal app. Read Isaiah 40:30-31. • Unsettled? Try the peace app. Read Philippians 4:7. • Unloved? Try the love app. Read Romans 8:38-39. • Worried? Try the refuge app. Read Psalm 46:1. • Fearful? Try the power app. Read 2 Timothy 1:7. • Guilty? Try the forgiveness app. Read Colossians 1:13-14. • Praying? Try the prayer app. Read 1 John 5:14-15. The Scriptures are God’s storehouse of meaningful applications for what we face every day. Think of the Bible as the iTunes Store of spiritual apps. Best of all, everything’s free! —Timothy Merrill
August 3, 2014 8:30 11:00
Asst. Minister Volunteer Needed Jim Birkholz
Lector Gwen Dornbos Tom Duncan
Acolyte Felina Sarmiento Peyton Paulus
Server Mat Thies, Ryan Cunningham
Greeter Bob Dornbos Craig Satterfeal, Gloria Woody
Greeter Mary Grace Evans Jan Overton
Usher Mary Wiley Glenn Dasher
Usher Harry Wiley Jim Mullin
August 10, 2014 8:30 11:00
Asst. Minister Brenda Holsopple John Mahony
Lay Asst. Polly Falkenberg
Lector Judy Jung Andy Veren
Acolyte Robbie Caple Katie Folgmann
Server Maddie Price, Evan Jaramillo River Skrenes
Greeter Allen Krell, Penny Krell Craig Satterfeal, Gloria Woody
The St. Mark’s website is continuously updated. Check it out frequently to see what is happening. Governance documents, newsletter archives and many other useful tools are available there as well as the church calendar and upcoming events.
