The Remarks
For the week of January 31, 2012
Saint Mark United Methodist Church
Atlanta, Georgia
www.stmarkumc.org
Loving • Accepting • Serving
The Remarks
Saint Mark United Methodist Church Loving • Accepting • Serving |
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About The Remarks The Remarks is a weekly publication of Saint Mark United Methodist Church, Atlanta, Georgia. The email addresses used in this mailing were provided by the addressees for church use. To unsubscribe from our emails, follow the SafeUnsubscribe link at the bottom of this email. You can also update your email address for the eRemarks at the bottom of this email. To ensure that you continue to receive emails from us, add remarks@stmarkumc.org to your ISP address book & ISP safe list today. Click here to provide general updates to your church record. Please submit announcements for The Remarks to Christia Holloway, Remarks Editor, no later than the Friday prior to the week that the information should appear. Saint Mark |
The play centers on 2 characters, Melissa Gardner and Andrew Makepeace Ladd III, reading the notes, letters and cards that have passed between them throughout their separated lives. Tickets are $12 general admission for either show. On Sunday, arrangements have been made with Fifth Ivory (corner Juniper & 5th Streets) for general admission AND an after show prix fixe Valentine's Dinner - all for $30. Click here to buy your tickets online or call 1-800-838-3006. Am I the only one who is bothered by the lack of winter we seem to be having this year? Last year we had so much snow by this time Joe and Ellie were out of school for a week. This year winter seems to be passing us by entirely. Days are sixty degrees and nights get only into the forties. It seems as if January has decided not to be a winter month and I’m not sure February is going to take up the challenge either. Don’t get me wrong. I like nice weather, but there is something about the regular arrival of winter that makes me feel as if the world is operating in order. Not having winter feels odd to me, as if the earth is out of synchronization. I’m sure this odd feeling the weather is giving me is also connected to my relationship with time. Time is so much a part of how we perceive our world and move through our lives and yet it is such a changeable thing. For instance, I find that if I believe I have an unlimited supply of time to get something done, I tend not to do it. I only get down to doing something particular when I know the time to get it done is limited. Perhaps that has something to do with not wanting to do things before it’s time to do them—not wanting one thing to intrude into the time that should belong to something else. There is a time to do the laundry. There is time to help the kids with their homework. There is time to run errands. But more than getting everything done, there is the need to do things when the time is right. I don’t need to do errands when Joe and Ellie are at home. That’s the time I should be with them. I don’t need to pull them out of school to take them to run errands with me. That is the time they should be with their peers and learning. So perhaps my problem with the seasons this year is that nature seems to be giving me spring when it’s time for winter. If I dislike this phenomenon, then I should use it as a reminder for my own life - to strive to do things only when it is the right time to do them and to let myself be where I need to be at all times - relaxed in the knowledge that for everything there is a season, and a time for every purpose under heaven. Yours as Always, |
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Stewardship Update We are closing in on our 2012 proposed budget! We have closed our gap between pledges and the proposed budget from $106,000 to $87,000. We are still hoping for more pledges to come in, either from those who pledged in 2011 but have not yet pledged for 2012, or from those who have never pledged before! If you can help us fulfill our ministry goals for 2012 by making contributions in 2012, please go on line ... or email us ... or call Deana ... To make your pledge: click here to make your pledge online, or contact Deana Hilton, 404-873-2636 x14. If you are currently set for recurring online giving but have not made your 2012 pledge, please contact Deana to let her know your wishes. Thanks for all you do, Beth David Magazine Announces the Best of 2011
Saint Mark is more than just a church, it’s a true community. In early 2011, “Saint Mark Church Conference voted overwhelmingly to affiliate with Reconciling Ministries Network,” a network of United Methodist who seek to unite churchgoers despite sexual or gender identity in order to transform the “world into the full expression of Christ’s inclusive love.” Saint Mark’s hosts many LGBT community events including this year’s 11th Annual Rustin/Lorde breakfast. Click here to see the others on David's list. Writers (Still) Needed for Lenten Devotional Guide We need just a few more people to write a 300 word devotion (not including text, but including a short prayer) for our 2012 Lenten Devotional Guide. This year's theme comes from Psalm 25:4-5: Make me to know your ways, O Lord; teach me your paths. Lead me in your truth, and teach me, for you are the God of my salvation; for you I wait all day long. If you would like to participate, contact Rev. Mandy Flemming. Completed devotionals are needed for publication by this Monday, February 6, so that they will be available on Ash Wednesday, February 22. If you have any artwork that would fit with a Lenten theme, please feel free to send it along, too! Usher Team Captain Needed We need a new usher team captain to coordinate usher needs during Morning Worship services for the months of February, May, August, and November. For more information, contact Head Usher Mark Haley, 404-374-7993. |
New Ministry at Saint Mark We are starting a prayer shawl ministry at Saint Mark and will meet on the second Monday of every month from 7-9 pm at the home of Mandy Flemming. Our next meeting will be Monday, February 13. If you knit, crochet, or are involved in some other craft that could be used to support those who are ill or shut in, please join us! For more information, contact Mandy Flemming or Christi Elliott-Earby. All are welcome to participate! Sermon Series Concludes This Sunday, we conclude our 6 week series of sermons on “The most important things in life.” Each pastor has spoken on the one thing that means the most to him/her, inviting us all to live during 2012 focused on those things that are really important. Come and join us!
Mark your calendars for a Worship Workshop! We are having a special worship workshop in February under the direction of Marcia McFee, the same worship designer who is coordinating worship services for General Conference this May. Marcia has come to many churches in the North Georgia Conference in recent months and will present a public worship workshop here on Saturday February 25, with two special sessions just for Saint Mark on Friday night February 24 and Sunday, February 26. Marcia’s specialty is designing worship that incorporates art and visuals into liturgy. She does some truly beautiful things and will be here to make suggestions for ways to enhance our worship experiences here at Saint Mark in ways that fit with our unique and beautiful worship space. If you are interested in being a part of this workshop, you are invited to come and participate. More information will be forthcoming between now and then, but mark your calendars now if this event sounds like it would be of interest to you. Theology on Tap Returns Theology on Tap will begin a new spring session on Wednesday, February 29. The 5 week series will meet every Wednesday night through March 28, 7:45-9:15pm, at Fifth Ivory (corner Juniper & 5th Streets). The featured book is Dietrich Bonhoeffer’s Life Together: the Classic Exploration of Faith in Community. This study is open to everyone. For more information, contact Rev. Mandy Flemming. Midtown Assistance Center Update 2011 was a very busy year at the Midtown Assistance Center. Over the course of the year, MAC was able to prevent 444 families from becoming homeless, prevented 652 utility bills from disconnection, helped 1,323 people get to a new job or interview, provided groceries to 1,469 families, and helped 141 individuals get Georgia ID’s for jobs. MAC is always in need of helping hands. We are constantly replenishing our food pantry and it is very difficult to keep up with the constant need. We are currently in need of individuals to help with data entry and crafty individuals who like to sew. We are also in need of someone to help organize the clothing closet, and pick up items for us at the food bank and grocery store. If any of these tickle your fancy, and you’d like to get more involved with MAC’s mission, contact Midtown Asistance Center. On behalf of MAC staff, board, and volunteers, we thank you for your continued support! |
Click here for a large, interactive calendar of events. Worship Attendance: 9:00 am - 170; 11:15 am - 268; Total - 438 Morning Worship: Holy Communion - Communion offering will benefit Trinity Table Children’s Sabbath - Children and youth to assist Kim Sorrells preaching Wednesday Fellowship Dinner February 1: Jackie Jenkins continues her presentation (with photos) of her pilgrimage along the Camino de Santiago, Spain. More information AND reservations, 404.873.2636 x16, or complete the registration form in the pews and place in the offering plate. Financial Report Year-to-Date Actual Operating Income/Expense Report: Through January 27, 2012: Capital Campaign IV Pledged to Date 1 252 511 |
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| ©2012 Saint Mark United Methodist Church | 781 Peachtree Street NE | Atlanta, Georgia 30308 | (404) 873-2636 |
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