St. Mark’s Lutheran Church 3976 Hendricks Avenue • Jacksonville, Florida 32207

Office: 904-396-9608 • Web: www.stmarksjax.org

The Messenger

Monthly Newsletter of St. Mark’s Evangelical Lutheran Church

June 2018

From the Pastor The Spirit is always up to some-

thing. This was my proclamation

from the pulpit on Pentecost Sun-

day, and I absolutely believe this

to be true. That being said, I can

only make this proclamation after

confessing my own personal “re-

spect-aversion” relationship with

the Holy Spirit. “Respect” rather

than “love” because not only does the English language

dilute the depth and honor of the word “love,” but re-

spect is defined as “a deep admiration for something

elicited by their abilities, qualities, or achievements.”

Respect best summarizes my experience of the Spirit in

times of joy—an admiration based on the Spirit’s abili-

ties. “Aversion” rather than “hate,” because something

feels wrong about hating the Spirit. Plus, aversion is

“something that arouses a strong feeling of dislike.” This

also summarizes well my experience of the Spirit in

times of frustration.

In 2007, my mother Susan died from cancer. I

wanted nothing to do with God. Even though I turned

away from faith, my silent treatment was no match for

the Spirit. In 2009, I graduated with a structural engi-

neering degree, determined to build the world’s best

bridges, and yet the Spirit led me to Lutheridge instead

of engineering internships. In 2012, I applied and was

accepted to seminary within 48 hours, before I even re-

ally knew what had happened. In 2015, ready to finish

senior year and wait for my first call, I (thankfully)

found myself married and in Malaysia. I never consid-

ered myself suitable to serve in global missions, but I

suppose the Spirit did. Last year I kicked, screamed, and

cried because Sarah and I were assigned to Florida, and

Florida was well beyond our top 20 preferences for as-

signment. Again, blow Spirit, blow.

The point here is not to glorify my own story or

suggest that I am privy to a more clear understanding of

the Spirit’s actions. Rather, I want you to know that I

don’t proclaim, “the Spirit is up to something” lightly. I

know that invoking the Spirit and opening ourselves to

the Spirit’s presence and action likely means that we will

grow, change, and transform in some (un)comfortable

ways. Obviously, these experiences have layers of neces-

sary unpacking as each are rich with lament, joy, and

struggle.

Recently I sat with a member and heard myself

pray, “God, even though I am hesitant to say this, please

fill us with your Spirit.” The hesitation is not so much in

my desire for the Spirit to fill my life, but rather my own

anxieties that accompany spiritual growth. Wherever you

find yourself on the “respect-aversion relationship spec-

trum” with the Spirit, allow me to share two things I

have learned: First, we do not and will not experience

the Spirit’s work alone. We are intricately connected as

the body of Christ through baptism. We are created as

relational beings to be in mutual care, support, and love

of one another and we accompany one another in the

journey of faith. Second, I believe that the Spirit has our

best interest in mind.

I sense that the Spirit continues to be up to something

new at St. Mark’s. There is a strong and positive stirring

within our community of faith and I am excited to see

where the Spirit leads us next. Sure, there might be

growing pains in the process, but that is a healthy and

natural response to transformation. So, with hesitation

and hope let us welcome the Spirit into our midst as we

implore: come, Holy Spirit.

—Pastor Daniel Locke

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From the Council President Dear St. Mark’s Members,

Your Congregation Council met on Tuesday, May

29 and took the following actions.

1. The Fellowship Committee is asking you to con-

sidering volunteering to provide refreshments af-

ter our Sunday service on a date convenient for

you. We have had Sundays when we have no vol-

unteers and we all enjoy having the opportunity to

have coffee, cookies, and conversation after the

service.

2. The ad hoc Information Storage, Retrieval, and

Archiving Committee has almost completed its

mission. It is now addressing procedures to ensure

that all future work within the church is preserved

in a safe digital format. At present, we are in a

much more secure position if we should experi-

ence a catastrophic loss of any of our PCs.

3. The ad hoc Committee for the Maintenance, Re-

pair, and Modernization of the Physical Plant of

St. Mark’s has compiled a list of needs which

should be addressed over the next 5-10 years. We

are in the process of securing quotes for some of

these projects. We plan to have a ‘Town Hall”

meeting with the congregation to review the iden-

tified needs and to ask for your input in ranking

the priority which should be assigned to each

item. That meeting will be scheduled after we

have completed gathering information about the

cost of various projects on the list.

4. We have recently had some problems with our se-

curity and fire alarm systems and these will prob-

ably need to be replaced soon. This item is on the

list compiled by the ad hoc committee but it needs

to be treated as a priority. Jane Kilby has been so-

liciting bids for our consideration.

5. We are reviewing the work done by our current

cleaning service and soliciting bids for a new ven-

dor for these services.

6. In its meeting on May 24, the Executive Commit-

tee approved two weeks of paid paternity leave for

Pastor Locke.

Our next Council meeting will be held on Monday,

June 25 at 6:30 pm.

—Ray Booth, Council President (904) 673-0048 cell phone

RayBooth55@gmail.com

From the Ark Director Imitation is the sincerest form of

flattery. If this is so, Rusty and I

should be flattered. One of our

moms came into the office to tell

me that her son will either be

Rusty or me.

Avery loves to “play” Mr.

Rusty. He mows the floor. She

said he walks around with an im-

aginary blower, yelling blower

noises. Avery also put on a pair

of his mom’s high heels and said, “I Triece”!

Little people pay attention to us, even when we don’t

think they are. The mission of caring for and nurturing

the children in Jacksonville is a special one. I am glad St.

Mark’s is a part of that mission.

—Patrice Roux-Neal, Director of St. Mark’s Ark

Music Notes

Patricia DeWitt

Tony Cruz will be in Columbus, Ohio continuing

work in the Master of Arts in Church Music program at Trinity Lutheran Seminary for the first three weeks in

June. While he is gone, Patricia DeWitt (who has filled

in for Tony several times in recent years) will serve as

our organist and choir director. After studying organ and clarinet at the University of

Florida, Patricia DeWitt fell in love with early music

(Bach and before) at the University of Michigan while

completing a Ph.D. in Musicology. She was assistant di-

rector of the Collegium Musicum and directed music for

Medieval festivals in Ann Arbor, Michigan. For several

years, she performed with a Baroque ensemble at Shorter

College in Rome, Georgia, taught music history, and di-

rected the instrumental ensembles for its madrigal din-

ners. Pat gradually acquired a passion for the core of

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early music before the

Baroque, particularly

vocal polyphony. From

1989 to 2003 she re-

cruited and directed

chamber choral groups

performing sacred and

secular music of the Re-

naissance and music of

the 19th to 21st centuries

inspired by that tradi-

tion. These performances included productions intended

to put this music in it historical context, including com-

plete masses and dramatized madrigal entertainments.

These groups received several Georgia grants.

In 2012, she retired to Jacksonville from a significant

non-musical career as a college administrator, an organ-

ist/choirmaster position, and the Ensemble for the Play

of Herod in Atlanta. In 2015 she organized the Renais-

sance ensemble RareSong. Pat’s leadership has included

the founding of a state branch of the Association for In-

stitutional Research, holding office in a multi-college

data sharing organization, and serving on two state

boards of directors of the American Association of Uni-

versity Women.

Welcome, Singers!

During the summer months the Festival Choir takes a

break from Wednesday night rehearsals but is still in

place on Sunday mornings to lead the church's song. We

invite all singers to join us during the summer months

when we sing anthems that we can learn quickly in a

short rehearsal. Very often they are based on familiar

hymn tunes. Reading music is helpful, but isn't usually

necessary in the summer months.

We meet in the music suite on Sunday morning

at 9:00. I hope you will join us!

—Tony Cruz, Cantor

St. Mark’s Foundation It is St. Mark’s Foundation proposal time. If you are

interested in submitting a proposal for a grant considera-

tion, please pick up a form from the church office and re-

turn it to the office by Sunday, June 3, 2018. If you have

a question, please contact John M. Mumford at 904-730-

3880.

Women of the ELCA June Circle Meetings:

Priscilla Circle Annual Summer

Luncheon: Saturday, June 9 at 11:30

am at Bahama Breeze (at St. Johns

Town Center)

Deborah Circle: Tuesday, June 12 at 10:30 am in Li-

brary

All women are invited to participate in circle meetings

and special events. Contact Rachel Mumford at (904)

730-3880, or Joyce Wertz for more information.

Newsletter Change I have enjoyed assembling both of St. Mark’s news-

letters for the past three years. While time-consuming

and continual, the volunteer job has connected me to oth-

ers, guided me towards devotionals and prayers, and has

given me wonderful editing and communications experi-

ence.

In late August, I will begin working towards an MFA

(Masters in Fine Arts) in Creative Writing at Adelphi

University in Garden City, New York. Though I have

done most of my newsletter work without needing to

visit the church office (thanks to Lynette Weber), I can-

not reliably continue assembling newsletters from such a

long distance. It is preferable to work on newsletters

while seeing members of our St. Mark’s family weekly.

Therefore, Ashlyn Kendrick is filling my position.

I’ve shown her what I typically do and have invited her

to make changes. I feel confident that St. Mark’s congre-

gants will remain informed. You can always turn to the

online church calendar (stmarksjax.org/calendar.html)

and Ashlyn will take over the

stmarksjaxnews@gmail.com address. We will collabo-

rate on the June 25th Roar and in July, Ashlyn will take

over.

I will definitely return home periodically, but while

I’m in Garden City, I would love to keep in touch. So, if

you would like to have my new address, just let me

know in person or by email (ginaolson4@gmail.com).

Blessings,

Gina Olson

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Baby Shower Ladies of St. Mark's,

Please join us to shower Sarah and Pastor Daniel

with lots of love as they anticipate the arrival of their

sweet bundle of joy, Baby Boy Locke. We hope you'll

come enjoy hors-d'oeuvres and fellowship!

Monday, June 18 at 6:00 pm

Fellowship Hall

RSVP by June 10 through Evite* or to Jeanette Snyder at

268-2316

Hosted by: The Unofficial Baby Shower Committee

Registry with Amazon.com

*Evites sent to those with email addresses in the church

directory. If you didn't receive one, please email your

contact info to Elizabeth Jenkins at elizjen-

kins@gmail.com.

Aid for Veterans The following information is from UCOM. Please save it

and share it.

Supportive Services for Veteran Families (SSVF)

Anthony Wilson: SSVF questions

904-354-1100 x 414

awilson@changinghomelessness.org

James West: Employment specialist

904-354-1100 x 406

jwest@changinghomelessness.org

New Directory and/or Envelopes A church directory is available in PDF

format. If you would like one, please let

Loree Mueller, Financial Secretary,

know by email (loree1943@gmail.com)

or a written note (mailbox in church of-

fice). She can email you a copy or give you a

printed directory.

If you are out of your numbered en-

velopes, please contact Loree.

Social Media

What is social media? Google defines social media as “websites and appli-

cations that enable users to create and share content or to

participate in social networking.” Like many things on

the internet, social media has positive and negative as-

pects. At their best, social media websites answer the

question “What’s going on?” for users and then draw

them away from a brightly lit screen and towards other

people.

Is St. Mark’s on social media?

Yes. St. Mark’s has two groups on Facebook (private

and public) and an Instagram account.

Why should I follow, like, or join St. Mark’s on social media? By following St. Mark’s on social media, you can

supplement the information you read in The Lion’s Roar

and The Messenger. You can see photos of church and

community events, follow links to newspaper articles

shared by members, listen to Pastor Daniel’s sermons (or

sermons by guest preachers) uploaded to Facebook

weekly by Eric Olson, and you can write to others.

Facebook Page (Public): www.facebook.com/stmarksjax

Facebook Group (Private/Request to join): https://www.facebook.com/groups/94748356090/

Instagram: stmarksjaxelca

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Congratulations, Graduates! Congratulations to our 2018 high school graduates!

Peyton Harkrider Mandarin High School

Grace Maszy Stanton College Preparatory School

Nolan Pudimat Paxon School for Advanced Studies

Florida-Bahamas Synod Assembly News Dear brothers and sisters in Christ,

On behalf the Florida-Bahamas Synod Assembly,

Harbor House, and St. Mark’s Evangelical Lutheran

Church, I would like to thank all of you who contributed

to the Service Project! Our gifts, along with the gifts of

other churches in the Florida-Bahamas Synod, are mak-

ing a positive impact in the lives of those who use the

Harbor House services! Your contributions were greatly

appreciated!

—Debora Koepke

St. Mark’s Evangelical Lutheran Church’s Service Pro-

ject Gifts:

$49.72 total cash (to be used for a new generator)

$80.00 total gift cards

$129.72 total cash with gift cards

Plus:

4 large bath towels

2 large bath towels with 2 hand towels & 2 wash

cloths

5 sets of twin sheets

1 blanket

Send Team Update Don’t forget…The first Sunday of the month, you

will continue to see special offering envelopes on the

pews for UCOM donations. Every dollar adds up, so

please give a little extra if you are able. Our red food cart

is located by the front door of the church and you can

drop off any food items for distribution.

A Send Team planning meeting will be held on

Sunday, June 10 at 11:00 am in the library. We will

begin planning for a school supply drive in July, “God’s

Work. Our Hands.” Sunday in September, and discuss

other outreach opportunities. Please email or call me,

Tracy Williams, with any ideas: tracyb78@yahoo.com

or 904-655-0049.

OneBlood Blood Drive The blood mobile will be at St.

Mark’s on Sunday, June 10

from 8:30-11:30 am. Mark your

calendar and see if you can do-

nate. The bus will be parked

along the side of St. Mark’s

near the office. Please give if you are able.

Save The Date! “God’s Work. Our Hands.”

Sunday will be held on Sunday,

September 9. This is a day of ser-

vice that is recognized across the

country by all ELCA churches. It is

a day when we get to plan and fo-

cus on ways to give back to our

community.

In previous years, we have done yard work at local

non-profits, made toiletry kits, created cards for the mili-

tary, made cookies for our local fire station, and made

blankets for the homeless. All of our projects come from

you, the members of St. Mark’s. If you have ideas or

want to help plan, please come to an initial planning

meeting on Sunday, June 10 at 11:00 am. We will meet

in the library. If you cannot attend this first meeting,

don’t worry. We will have a few more opportunities to

plan events. You can also email or call me, Tracy Wil-

liams, with any ideas or thoughts for this day of service:

tracyb78@yahoo.com or 904-655-0049.

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Worship Assistant Schedule for June 2018 Date Assisting Minister Lector Altar Guild

Saturday, June 2 Loree Mueller Neil Daraskevich Marieanne Prokop & Ginger Hudson

Sunday, June 3 2nd Sunday after Pentecost

Ellen Olson Janet Gray Mary Cusick & Jeanette Snyder

Sunday, June 10 3rd Sunday after Pentecost

Steve Hicks Judy Batson Jeanette Snyder & Gina Olson

Saturday, June 16 Loree Mueller Leslie Allen Marieanne Prokop & Ginger Hudson

Sunday, June 17 4th Sunday after Pentecost

Gary Pudimat Gina Olson Nicki Hassell & Volunteer

Sunday, June 24 5th Sunday after Pentecost

Ron Eckels John Viescas Bonnye Bell & Nicki Hassell

Date Altar Flowers Order of St. John Nursery Volunteers Saturday, June 2

Sunday, June 3 2nd Sunday after Pentecost

Jane Daugherty Grace Maszy Angie Powell & Rachel Mumford

Sunday, June 10 3rd Sunday after Pentecost

Mark & Lynette We-

ber

Becca Jorn Angie & Gina Olson

Saturday, June 16

Sunday, June 17 4th Sunday after Pentecost

Bill & Sue Rust Miora Rambeloarisoa Angie Powell & Bridget Pudimat

Sunday, June 24 5th Sunday after Pentecost

Mary Cusick Nolan Pudimat Angie Powell & Francine Baker

Date Greeters Saturday, June 2

Sunday, June 3 2nd Sunday after Pentecost

Joyce & Larry Wertz

Sunday, June 10 3rd Sunday after Pentecost

Joyce & Larry Wertz

Saturday, June 16

Sunday, June 17 4th Sunday after Pentecost

Joyce & Larry Wertz

Sunday, June 24 5th Sunday after Pentecost

Mary & Mike Swart

June Ushers: Sue & Bill Rust

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June 2018

Sunday Monday Tuesday Wednesday Thursday Friday Saturday

1 Florida-Bahamas Synod Assembly @ Kissimmee, FL

2 Florida-Bahamas Synod Assembly @ Kissimmee, FL 5:30 pm Casual/Con-temporary Worship @ Nave

3 2nd Sunday after

Pentecost Florida-Bahamas Synod Assembly @ Kissimmee, FL 9:30 am Worship Service @ Nave 10:30 am Kindergarten through 3rd Grade Sunday School @ Ark Classroom next to “Nursery”

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5 10:00 am Ark Chapel @ Nave 6:00 pm Yoga @ Hart Hall 7:30 pm Community Band @ Fellowship Hall

6 No Evening Prayer

7 No Morning Prayer 6:00 pm Yoga @ Hart Hall

8 Youth Group Camp-ing

9 Youth Group Camping 11:30 am Priscilla Cir-cle Annual Luncheon @ Bahama Breeze (St. Johns Town Cen-ter)

10 3rd Sunday af-

ter Pentecost Youth Group Camping 8:30-11:30 am OneBlood Blood Drive @ Blood Mo-bile 9:30 am Worship Service @ Nave 10:30 am Kindergarten through 3rd Grade Sunday

School @ Classroom (Last class until fall.) 11:00 am Send Team Planning Meeting @ Li-brary

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12 10:00 am Ark Chapel

@ Nave 11:30 am Deborah Circle @ Library 6:00 pm Yoga @ Hart Hall 7:30 pm Community Band Rehearsal @ Fellowship Hall

13 PRIVATE SMCMS

Recording @ Nave 6:40 pm Evening Prayer @ Nave

14 PRIVATE SMCMS

Recording @ Nave No Morning Prayer 6:00 pm Yoga @ Hart Hall

15 DEADLINE

for July Mes-

senger

16 5:30 pm Casual/Con-

temporary Worship @ Nave

17 4th Sunday af-

ter Pentecost 9:30 am Worship Service

@ Nave

18 6:00 pm Baby Shower, Honoring Sarah Habermehl Locke & Pastor Dan-iel Locke @ Fellow-ship Hall

19 10:00 am Ark Chapel @ Nave 6:00 pm Yoga @ Hart Hall 6:30 pm Finance Committee Meeting @ Conference Room 7:30 pm Community Band @ Fellowship Hall

20 12:00 pm Staff & Committee Reports Due 6:40 pm Evening Prayer @ Nave

21 No Morning Prayer 6:00 pm Yoga @ Hart Hall 7:00 pm Executive Committee Meeting @ Library

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23

24 5th Sunday af-

ter Pentecost 9:30 am Worship Service @ Nave

25 ELCA Youth Gather-ing 2018 @ Houston, Texas 6:30 pm Council Meeting @ Library

26 ELCA Youth Gather-ing 2018 @ Houston, Texas 10:00 am Ark Chapel @ Nave 6:00 pm Yoga @ Hart Hall

7:00 pm Ark Board Meeting @ Library 7:30 pm Community Band @ Fellowship Hall

27 ELCA Youth Gather-ing 2018 @ Houston, Texas 6:40 pm Evening Prayer @ Nave

28 ELCA Youth Gather-ing 2018 @ Hou-ston, Texas 11:15 am Morning Prayer @ Nave 6:00 pm Yoga @ Hart Hall

29 ELCA Youth Gath-ering 2018 @ Hou-ston, Texas

30 ELCA Youth Gathering 2018 @ Houston, Texas

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June Birthdays

Saint Mark’s Evangelical Lutheran Church

Our Mission

We invite all people to our

church home to celebrate

God’s many gifts. Nourished

by Christ Jesus and led by the

Holy Spirit, we send enthusi-

astic servants to proclaim the

hope and joy of life in Christ.

Our Vision We strive to celebrate the rich diversity of God’s people, welcoming all to be nourished in their faith journeys. We live to serve others and fulfill our relationship with Christ in service to community.

Ministry Teams and Committees Invite: Bonnye Bell Celebrate: Eric Olson Nourish: Bridget Pudimat Send: Tracy Williams Stewardship: Jane Kilby Property: Jim Dennis Finance: Jane Kilby Fellowship: Leslie Allen

Caitlyn Kendrick June 3 Mark Eckels June 4 Jim Dennis June 9 Larry Tallman June 10 Eliza Solie June 11 Sue Rust June 12 DJ Royal June 14 Patrice Jenkins June 22 Marieanne Prokop June 29 Ashlyn Kendrick June 30

June Anniversaries Bill & Sue Rust June 10 Lynette & Mark Weber June 10 James & June Edwards June 11 Arold Rambeloarisoa & Mamy Rakotomandrindra June 20 Carl & Mary Lou Weidenmier June 21 Frank & Mary Jo Marjenhoff June 22 Joan & Rusty Snyder June 22 Jack & Mary Cusick June 26 Jill & Madison Hillis June 27 Al & Ruth Voss June 27 Luann & Tom Moore June 30

St. Mark’s Newsletters St. Mark’s has two newsletters. The Lion’s Roar is

distributed weekly and by email (E-Roar), and The Messenger is distributed monthly (primarily through email, but available in print upon request). Gina Olson has done layout and editing for both for the past three years. Starting in July, Ashlyn Kendrick will take over this job.

The deadline for The Lion’s Roar is by noon on each Wednesday, and The Messenger deadline is the 15th day of each month.

If you have an article for either newsletter, please send it to stmarksjaxnews@gmail.com.

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Worship & Office Hours

Contact us

Worship Services:

Saturdays (Casual/Contemporary)

1st and 3rd Saturdays at 5:30 pm

Sunday Morning at 9:30 am

Children are welcome in worship, but a nursery is available.

Office Hours: Monday through Thursday

9:00 am to 12:00 pm

The office is closed on national holidays.

Ministry Staff Pastor Daniel Locke Pastor

Phone: (828) 638-3280

Email: Pastor.Daniel.Locke@gmail.com

Tony Cruz Cantor

Office phone: 904-396-9608 x 103

Email: cantortonycruz@gmail.com

Congregational Council Ray Booth President (2019) Phone: (904) 673-0048 Email: RayBooth55@gmail.com

John Trainer Vice-President (2019)

Elizabeth Jenkins Secretary (2020)

Jane Kilby Treasurer (2018)

Tracy Williams (2018)

Bridget Pudimat (2018)

Leslie Allen (2018)

Jim Dennis (2019)

Alonzo Batson (2020)

Bonnye Bell (2020)

St. Mark’s Ark Preschool Patrice Roux-Neal

Director of St. Mark’s Ark Preschool

Office phone: 904-346-0404

Email: director@stmarksark.com

Web: www.stmarksark.com

Contact us

Church Office 3976 Hendricks Avenue

Jacksonville, FL 32207

Office phone: 904-396-9608 Fax: 904-396-3515 Email: admin@stmarksjax.org (for office and council) Web: www.stmarksjax.org

Facebook Page (Public): www.facebook.com/stmarksjax

Facebook Group (Private/Request to join): https://www.facebook.com/groups/94748356090/

The Lion’s Roar & The Messenger Gina Olson (through June 2018) Email: stmarksjaxnews@gmail.com