the saint mark messenger the newsletter of Saint Mark Presbyterian Church May 2012 Worship 9:30 and 11:00 AM Church School for all ages 9:30 AM www.saintmarkpresby.org Saying Grace… ...from Roy At the deacons’ meeting the other night, as we were engaged in bible study, one of the deacons said, ‘the person I am becoming through the church is showing up in other places, too.’ We were discussing the passages in the book of Acts that describe the church that was coming into being after the Easter. Rowan Williams, the former Archbishop of Canterbury, describes them as ‘resurrection communities.’ Acts 2:41-47 and Acts 4:32-35 describe a community that holds everything in common, gathers regularly for worship, prayer, meals and study and ensures that those in need have sufficient provisions. Our question was ‘what does in mean for Saint Mark to be a community of the resurrection?’ It was a lively, rich conversation that in some ways imitated the description of the early church gathering for study and prayer and a common meal. We talked about ensuring that those in our congregation who were in need had sufficient provisions, how best to serve our neighbors and be a witness to the grace of Christ. That is when the deacon, who had been baptized a few years ago, said ‘the person I am becoming through the church is showing up in other places.’ That really is the point isn’t it? This life in Christ that is being in us through prayer and service, worship and fellowship is for the sake of our neighbor. That same passage in Acts says that the surrounding community ‘looked upon them with favor’ and daily the Lord was adding to their number those who were being made whole.’ A week later the session gathered in the sanctuary for prayer and bible study on the same passages. We too had a remarkable conversation about what it means for Saint Mark to be a resurrection community. Stewardship of our goods and resources to ensure sufficient provisions for everyone generated a host of creative ideas. We concluded with prayers for the congregation. In a world shattered by violence near and afar, and the common good elusive to our politics, baptism is both gift and calling. The gift – we have been raised to new life in Christ – leads to our calling - that the people we are becoming in Church will show up in other places, too. Worship and Lectionary for May May 6: Spirit and Service Sunday: One service at 9:30 AM Acts 8:26-40; Ps. 22:25-31; I John 4:7-21; John 15:1-8 May 13: Acts 10:44-48; Ps. 98; I John 5:1-6; John 15:9-17 May 20: Acts 1:15-17, 21-26; Ps. 1: I John 5:9-13; John 17:6-19 May 27: Pentecost (wear red!) Acts 2:1-21 or Ezek. 37:1-14; Ps. 104:24-34; Rom. 8:22-27 or Acts 2:1-21; John 15:26-27, 16:4b-5 Summer worship begins: One service at 10:00 AM Join us in our newly renovated sanctuary!
Transcript
the saint mark messenger
the newsletter of Saint Mark Presbyterian Church May 2012
Worship 9:30 and 11:00 AM Church School for all ages 9:30 AM www.saintmarkpresby.org
Saying Grace… ...from Roy
At the deacons’ meeting the other night, as we were
engaged in bible study, one of the deacons said, ‘the
person I am becoming through the church is showing up
in other places, too.’ We were discussing the passages in
the book of Acts that describe the church that was coming
into being after the Easter. Rowan Williams, the former
Archbishop of Canterbury, describes them as ‘resurrection
communities.’ Acts 2:41-47 and Acts 4:32-35 describe a
community that holds everything in common, gathers
regularly for worship, prayer, meals and study and
ensures that those in need have sufficient provisions. Our
question was ‘what does in mean for Saint Mark to be a
community of the resurrection?’ It was a lively, rich
conversation that in some ways imitated the description of
the early church gathering for study and prayer and a
common meal. We talked about ensuring that those in our
congregation who were in need had sufficient provisions,
how best to serve our neighbors and be a witness to the
grace of Christ.
That is when the deacon, who had been baptized a few
years ago, said ‘the person I am becoming through the
church is showing up in other places.’ That really is the
point isn’t it? This life in Christ that is being in us through
prayer and service, worship and fellowship is for the sake
of our neighbor.
That same passage in Acts says that the surrounding
community ‘looked upon them with favor’ and daily the
Lord was adding to their number those who were being
made whole.’ A week later the session gathered in the
sanctuary for prayer and bible study on the same
passages. We too had a remarkable conversation about
what it means for Saint Mark to be a resurrection
community. Stewardship of our goods and resources to
ensure sufficient provisions for everyone generated a host
of creative ideas. We concluded with prayers for the
congregation.
In a world shattered by violence near and afar, and the
common good elusive to our politics, baptism is both gift
and calling. The gift – we have been raised to new life in
Christ – leads to our calling - that the people we are
becoming in Church will show up in other places, too.
Worship and Lectionary for May
May 6: Spirit and Service Sunday: One service at 9:30 AM
Acts 8:26-40; Ps. 22:25-31; I John 4:7-21; John 15:1-8
May 13: Acts 10:44-48; Ps. 98;
I John 5:1-6; John 15:9-17
May 20: Acts 1:15-17, 21-26;
Ps. 1: I John 5:9-13; John 17:6-19
May 27: Pentecost (wear red!) Acts 2:1-21 or Ezek. 37:1-14;
Ps. 104:24-34; Rom. 8:22-27 or
Acts 2:1-21; John 15:26-27, 16:4b-5 Summer worship begins: One service at 10:00 AM
Join us in our newly renovated
sanctuary!
May 2012 Saint Mark Messenger
2
Local Mission
It’s Not To Late to Volunteer!
Rebuilding Together Montgomery County
Building Day: Saturday, April 28
Rebuilding Together Montgomery County (RTMC) is an
organization that facilitates community action aimed at
improving local low-income housing. Every year since
1989 (when Gordon Hawk and Jay Treadwell founded
the local chapter), Saint Mark has sponsored a home
project. This year, our family is the McLeods who live just
off of Georgia Ave. north of University (2501 Henderson
Ave. Wheaton, MD 20902) We have a number of tasks
awaiting us: a lot of outside painting and prep work;
landscaping; yard cleanup; installing 10 fence posts to
replace a privacy fence; building
a vehicle gate to secure the
yard; installing smoke detectors;
foundation grading….The point is
we have projects for volunteers
at all skill levels.
How Do I Volunteer? Go To:
www.rebuildingtogethermc.org
1. Click on the large green button on the home page
that says “2012 Volunteer Now”.
2. On the next page, fill out your name and contact
information and press Continue.
3. Provide emergency contact information, volunteer
group, dates you can work, answer other questions as
applicable.
4. Volunteer agreement: select your age range. If
between 14 and 18, you must print a hard copy of the
agreement, have it signed by a parent, and bring it with
you on the work day. If over 18, check the box to agree
and submit. You’ll receive a confirmation number, and an
The Scotland scholarship program gave five students
scholarships last year. All of them also received grants and scholarships from the Federal government and our State government to help them with their costs and are doing well in their programs. This year we have four high
school seniors from the Scotland area who have applied for funds, but only enough money to fund two at @$1,000 each. One young man's mother works as a relief
counselor for mentally disabled adults in a group home. He works with her on weekends helping them with a sports program. Another young woman tutors her neighbors in elementary school twice a week. Another
works two jobs after school to help her family because her father had a stroke and cannot work and her mother is his full time caregiver. These students will all be the first in
their families to attend college.
Will you please help? Checks should be made out to the Scotland Scholarship fund and sent to Saint Mark or put in
the Sunday collection. A student will really benefit from your help! Thanks to Elaine Arndt who has diligently been helping the students with scholarship applications
this year!
Saint Mark and Crossway Community Partnership
Thirty Saint Markers and friends from Walter Reed contributed to the very successful dinner for about 175
children and adults at Crossway Community’s Spring Festival. Different teams set up the room, brought food and then served the meal.
One of the teachers said: “This is the very first dinner I’ve ever enjoyed here, sitting with my families!”
Thanks to all of you who participated and especially to Teddy Ferguson who arranged for Chipotle to provide burritos.
Saint Mark Volunteers at Crossway Dinner
May 2012 Saint Mark Messenger
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Adult Education Class
Join leaders Alison Bennett and Angeline Butler for an
Adult Education class continuing through May 13. “And
God Saw that it Was Good,” a study of our world and
God’s word using excerpts from the PBS films by Ken
Burns The National Parks, America’s Best Idea. The
classes are designed so that each session is a discrete
unit, so if you have not yet attended do not be put off.
The purpose of the course is to use clips from the film to
learn more about our relationship with both the Creator
and creation.
Youth News The Youth Group had an active April,
and provided much help with both the
filling of Easter Eggs and their
subsequent hiding on Easter Sunday for
the Saint Mark annual Easter Egg Hunt.
Other activities during the month included joining the
Property Ministry in getting their hands dirty in the SMPC
Earth Day Clean Up (did you notice the 170 red geraniums
planted around the Saint Mark grounds?!) Their work
helped spruce up the property in preparation for the
Sanctuary dedication. The month was rounded out with a
cook-out for the Youth and their families at Pastor
LeAnn's.
The month of May is busy for our youth with their end of
school year studies, field trips and performances, but they
will also want to make time for the fun Youth Group
events scheduled during May. Any questions? Please
The Annual Easter Breakfast was again a success thanks to all the Saint Marks who brought food and helped set up and clean up! There are too many to name…Thanks to all!
Property Ministry
Working within our decreased 2012 budget, the Property
Ministry has re-negotiated the annual contract with our
landscape company, Valley Crest, lowering those costs by
15%. In addition, we did not renew our contract with
Office Care which provided janitorial and set-up services
over the past 2 years. The Property Ministry Team is
doing a complete contract review, going contract by
contract to assure we are being billed correctly and that
the contract pricing and terms are fair and reasonable.
We have hired Gladis Fuentes, an independent
contractor, to provide custodial services 25 hours a week.
Gladis came highly recommended and is thrilled to be
taking care of Saint Mark. She takes great pride in her
work, as evidenced by her scrubbing of the kitchen during
her first week on the job. If you notice any area that
needs attention as we work with Gladis, please fill out a
work order form that is located in the main office. The
work order forms should also be completed if you notice
leaky faucets and toilets, burned out lights or other non-
functioning items so that Ron Wolfe, our part-time
facilities manager, can fix them. The Property Ministry
Team has a suggestion box on the bulletin board outside
of the parlor, it is the green dinosaur box. You cannot
miss it!! Please feel free to drop in any suggestions or
requests and we will work it from there.
Thanks to Harvey Long,
the Saint Mark grounds once
again will be adorned with
cheerful red geraniums. The
youth and their parents
assisted with the planting on
April 22.
The Property Ministry Team meets each Spirit and Service
Sunday and is always looking for new members. Please
the transforming, redeeming love of God that makes the
impossible possible.
The Pentecost Offering is one of the four Special Offerings
of the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) and is traditionally
received on Pentecost Sunday (May 27, 2012). When you
give to the Pentecost Offering during Sunday morning
worship, you help bring God’s transforming, redeeming
love to children at risk, guide and nurture young people’s
growing faith and provide opportunities for young adults
to become spiritual leaders—all in the name of Jesus
Christ.
Saint Mark will keep 40% of the Offering to support
ministries benefiting these age groups in their
communities. The General Assembly’s portion (60
percent) provides leadership development opportunities
for Presbyterian youth and young adults and supports
children-at-risk programs at the national level.
Saint Mark Book Lovers
Book Lovers meet the third
Monday of the month at 7:30 PM throughout the year in the parlor at Saint Mark. Below is our list of
books for the coming months. Please join us! Everyone welcome!
• May 19: Unbroken, A World War II Story of
Survival, Resillience and Redemption by Laura
Hildenbrand. Pastor Roy Howard will be leading the
discussion. His father was is the same Japanese prisoner
of war camp as described in the book.
• June 18: Potluck Supper to choose books
for 2012-2013
Join the All Church Retreat
"Becoming a Sailboat Church"
at the Claggett Center, Buckeystown, Md. Fellow sailors and parishioners, You’ve been given a lot of dates lately.
Please remember these three: Friday, May 18, Saturday, May 19
and Sunday, May 20. These are the
Join in the excitement, Pick up one of our Retreat registration forms - available at church or on the website at
http://www.saintmarkpresby.org/2012/02/all-church-retreat-may-16-18/ You can pick which days you attend with the Extended or
Core Options. We just want you to share prayer, fun and worship with us at this beautiful place! Here are a few schedule details.
Extended Session starts Friday at 5:30 PM through Sunday at 1:00 PM Core Session Starts Saturday at 9:00 AM through
Sunday at 1:00 PM • Friday, May 18:
Dinner: 6:15 - 7:00 PM and evening programs
• Saturday, May 19 Morning
Breakfast from 7:45 AM- 8:30 AM and free time 9:00 AM with:
Stimulating program for Adults led by Pastor Roy Fascinating program for Youth led by Pastor Leann Fun Program for Children with the Rev. Maggie
Hayward Our special health guru, Jennifer Ferguson, has promised a surprise
Lunch buffet: 12:00 noon – 1:00 PM Afternoon programs for each group with alternative break out activities and free time Dinner Buffet: 5:30 - 6:30 PM
Evening: Choices to include a campfire • Sunday, May 20 Morning
Breakfast Buffet: 7:45 - 8:30 AM
Activities building to Worship Service Lunch Buffet: 12 Noon – 1:00 PM Depart
Remember early registrations save $15 each; so turn yours in by Sunday, April 29! Elizabeth H. Bono
#1200 Highwood Rd.
Rockville, MD 20851
May 2012 Saint Mark Messenger
6
Quill of the Clerk At our recent meetings, the Session:
• Continued its practice of sharing a
meal, Bible study, and prayer at the beginning of its stated meetings.
• Approved a contract with Valley Crest for landscaping
in 2012 and for an extension of that contract for the following two years • Approved the hiring, as a contractor, of Gladis
Fuentes as the Sexton for Saint Mark • Approved goals for itself for 2012, tied into Saint
Mark’s core values • Authorized the purchase of a used grand piano for
the sanctuary and the establishment of a Piano Fund.
• Approved a revised Saint Mark Policy on Sexual
Misconduct • Heard a report on the development of the playground
and authorized $5135 toward that effort
Sara Coe, Clerk of Session
Legacy Campaign
Status as of April 15, 2012 Pledges: $767,250 Receipts: $342,000
At long last, we have moved back into our beautiful, renovated sanctuary! We prayerfully ask that you
consider a special gift to the Legacy Campaign in honor of this special space of worship. If you have any questions or need additional information, please contact Jon Spargur
or Teresa Larson.
Easter Baptism 2012
Per Capita Request For where your treasure is, there will your heart be also.
Matthew 6:21
What is Per Capita?
Per Capita is an amount of money that each church pays
to the Presbytery, Synod and General Assembly for each active member of its church to support our three governing bodies’ operating costs. In the past, SMPC paid this from the general operating funds of the church.
However, most Presbyterian churches collect the Per Capita money from each member separately from the member's pledge. This year, the Session of SMPC voted
to follow the practice of most churches and request that each member pay the Per Capita fee separately.
How much is it?
The 2012 Per Capita Amount is $35.35 per member (not pledging unit). Session drafted Saint Mark's 2012 budget with the hope that $6300 would be collected as a special
offering to cover the Per Capita costs. If not reimbursed, these monies will have to come from the operating budget. Unfortunately, that would take away from what
we can do to strengthen our ministries or help neighbors in need (locally and globally). We ask that each member please donate $35.35 to cover
the Per Capita costs. Please pay this separately from your pledge for accounting purposes. You may use your regular offering envelop and note on the outside of the envelope
that this is a donation to cover your Per Capita costs. Alternatively, we have some special envelopes that you can use, if that is more convenient. You can ask an usher for those envelopes.
We appreciate that your separate gift to cover the Per Capita costs will help sustain the critical mission work of
Saint Mark Presbyterian Church.
Planned Giving
Why Make a Bequest?
Most of us would love to make a larger gift. While we may have significant assets in theory, in practice we are still using them - assets like our cars, houses, furniture,
investments. Yet one day we will have no further use for them, and so we plan on how we will pass them on to enrich those we love - family, church, and the causes that mean most to us. A bequest is the opportunity to lift to a
new level those we care about with all of our earthly "things" that we no longer need after we die. Have you planned your bequest?
May 2012 Saint Mark Messenger
7
National Capital Presbytery is seeking to fill the
position of Stated Clerk upon the retirement of current
Clerk Dick McFail. The position is envisioned as a 24-27
hour a week position (60%). We invite both Teaching
Elders and Ruling Elders to apply.
The new Clerk will begin work on or before October 1.
The Search Committee plans to receive applications
through June 15, 2012 and then proceed to conversations
Kayleigh Ericson Neveux arrived April 2, 2012 - 7 lbs 2 oz, 19.5 inches…..Proud parents are Emily and Kevin
Neveux….Proud grandmother is Phyllis Norrie…. We are saddened by the news of the death of Pam Gunn’s mother, Margaret Boswell, in Durham, North
Carolina….our prayers are with Pam, Wilson and their family……
We Get Letters……
Thanks so much to Roy, LeAnn and all my Saint Mark friends for their prayers, phone calls and cards after my recent surgery. Thank you also for the beautiful pink hydrangea on Easter Sunday. The loving support is truly a
large part of the healing process. Violet Smith
Regardless of race, class, marital status, sexual orientation, ability or disability.
Here you can find a home for your heart and an opportunity to serve
Address or eMail Change – Have you changed your
phone, email, or home address? Have you added new
family members to your household? Please update your
information. Otherwise, we pay the postage on returned
