The Remarks is a weekly publication of Saint Mark United Methodist Church, Atlanta, Georgia.
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Come Back ... When You are Not in Such a Hurry!

That's the banner that you will see in front of Saint Mark on March 30 as the ING Georgia Marathon passes Saint Mark on Fifth Street. This is such a great opportunity to show 15,000 runners & walkers the type of church that we are - the same way that we show the Pride Parade marchers. We will be offering water to the participants. During Sunday School time, all children (and their grown-ups and their teachers) are asked to be OUTSIDE, on the 5th Street sidewalk, as we CHEER for the ING marathon runners & walkers. Come help welcome these folks as they pass our church on that Sunday morning.

Study the map of the route carefully. Look for ways to get to church that do not require crossing the routes. Consider walking, biking, or taking MARTA to church.

All of our normal parking will be available except for street parking on 5th Street by the church. The north lane on 5th Street will be blocked off for the runners, and the south lane will be open to cars.

If you drive to church, use the interstate if at all possible. You can get to church without having to cross the marathon route by using the (northbound) Peachtree/Pine exit, Spring Street / W. Peachtree exit, or the 10th Street exit. Southbound on the interstate, take the 17th Street exit or the North Avenue exit. If you park at the 805 Peachtree lot keep in mind that you will have to walk across the marathon route.

The marathon will affect traffic on Ponce de Leon between Lullwater and Oakdale, and the half marathon crosses Ponce at N. Highland. Hopefully the latter should be clear by 9:45 am. Let’s work together to make this a great day at Saint Mark!

Let’s work together to make this a great day at Saint Mark!

Click here for more information about the ING Georgia Marathon.
Click here to go directly to the Marathon map.

Lights Out, Y'all! It’s Earth Hour

On Saturday, March 29, 8-9 pm, cities around the world will turn out their lights in a powerful demonstration of the need for strong action on climate change. Everyone can take part! This does not include safety lighting, but it does include interior lighting, façade and sign lighting. Atlanta is one of four cities around the nation chosen to participate in this bold action that calls for individual homes, congregations, businesses and local government throughout Atlanta to switch off their lights for one hour to demonstrate their concern and commitment to finding a solution to global climate change. In fact, Atlanta represents the entire Eastern Time zone in this effort, so we really want everyone to participate.

This demonstration will receive much local and national media coverage. Georgia Interfaith Power & Light (GIPL) wants to make sure that Atlanta and the nation know that religious leaders and faithful people care about the Earth and that global climate change is a faith issue.

Please turn out your lights so that we can be a witness to a faith that calls us to care deeply for this earth—an earth that is not ours to abuse and do with as we please, but is a reflection of our God and must be treated as such.

Click here to learn more about Earth Hour and to get some ideas for fun things to do in the dark.
Click here for more information about Georgia Interfaith Power & Light.

Remarks Announcements

AGO CONCERT AT SAINT MARK

Saint Mark is excited to host the Atlanta Chapter of the American Guild of Organists Young Organists Concert on Saturday, April 12! All are welcome to this free event to hear and encourage young students of AGO members as they express their talents on our glorious Aeolian Skinner pipe organ! Coffee will be offered at 10:30 am in the Narthex prior to the 11 am recital. Join us for a morning of beautiful music!

SURFIN’ www.stmarkumc.org - WORSHIP

Prepare for your worship experience by clicking on Worship at the top of www.stmarkumc.org.

• You can click on any scripture that you see listed on the website or in The eRemarks, and read that text. For instance, Acts 10:34-43.
• Whenever you see Communion or Baptism listed in the service, click to read and understand the significance of these rituals for the United Methodist Church - for you AND your children.
• PDF’s of all Sunday worship folders (bulletins) are archived for your reference.
• After the Sunday worship service, you can order CD’s of the service online – if you do not remember the exact date of the service that you would like, look through the Worship Details for a summary of each service.

Worship does not have to begin and end while you are inside the Sanctuary.

Click here to go Saint Mark's Worship section now.

SAINT MARK HAS A NEW LOGO

Saint Mark's Publicity & Promotions Committee has been working with a student at Savannah College of Art & Design to design a new logo for Saint Mark. In the coming weeks, you will begin seeing this new logo replace the current "shield" logo. It's contemporary & urban - reflecting Saint Mark in 2008. Notice the new banners along Peachtree & Fifth Streets as well as the posters hanging in the Narthex - all designed to help inform & direct visitors AND members.

Click here to read The Anatomy of Saint Mark Logo.

AN OPEN LETTER TO ST. PAUL'S PREBYSTERIAN CHURCH

The following letter is in the current issue of Southern Voice following St. Paul's contract cancellation for Club M.A.R.K.'s Saint Mark Gala in February.

Dear Neighbors,

Grace and peace to you in the name of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. We write this letter with hopes that we may mend the relationship between our congregations that has been damaged as well as become better neighbors to each other in the Midtown community.

Saint Mark UMC is proud of the fact that we welcome all people to our church regardless of sexual orientation or gender identity. We grieve the actions taken by your congregation to revoke the use of your facility and cancel our annual dance at the last minute, causing many in our congregation to feel disrespected and hurt, simply because you find same gendered dancing unacceptable.

We at Saint Mark do not find the same offense you do in loving relationships between consenting adults whether they happen to be of the same gender or different genders, and in fact, we celebrate such relationships.

We also grieve the fact that you judged our relationships and families as inferior without knowing anything about us. We are concerned that perhaps inaccurate, pre-conceived notions about gay, lesbian, bisexual, and transgendered people formed your decision to break your contract with us.

Our shared scriptural text says to us, “Welcome one another, just as Christ has welcomed you.” (Romans 15:7) With this scripture in mind, we would like to invite you to attend services at our church and experience the welcoming, loving Christ as we have. Also, we would like to invite you to a time of fellowship, food, music, worship and dialogue with each other. We want you to know us as the loving, Christ-centered people we are, and we want to know you too.

Table fellowship is something Jesus shared many times with his disciples, and he called his disciples to do the same after he was gone. Let us break bread together, share our stories together, and learn to love one another in spite of our differences. Perhaps hearts may be softened and we can be better neighbors to each other. Our relationship as members together in the body of Christ and as neighbors in the Midtown community has been damaged, but our prayer is that you will join us in working to heal it.

In Christ,

Rev. Jimmy Moor, Senior Pastor Rev. Phillip Thomason, Associate Minister Rev. Mandy Flemming, Associate Minister Rev. Josh Noblitt, Deacon Jane Burke, Minister of Fine Arts Rev. Jackie Jenkins, Children’s Minister Anjie Peek Woodworth, Youth Minister Deana Hilton, Business Administrator

Boyd Darsey, Staff Assistant Christia Holloway, Asst. to Rev. Moor John Richardson, Assoc. Dir. of Fine Arts/Organist Kathi Urban, Fine Arts Asst. Amy Holloway, Fine Arts Asst. Sherrie Graham, Chair, Admin. Council Mark Haley, Club M.A.R.K. Cheryl Thompson, Club M.A.R.K.

Click here to read Saint Mark wants dialogue with church that owns The Abbey in Southern Voice.

ADMINISTRATIVE COUNCIL MEETING

The Administrative Council will meet on Monday, March 31, 6:45 pm, following dinner in Wade Hall at 6 pm. To make your dinner reservation, contact Christia Holloway, cholloway@stmarkumc.org, 404.873.2636 x16, by Friday, March 28, noon.

EXPLORING GENERAL CONFERENCE

Anyone wanting to learn more about General Conference and how it works can take a free five-session online course called “Exploring General Conference” through the United Methodist Communications. The course includes multimedia lessons and quizzes about the history and purpose of General Conference, the role and election process for delegates to General Conference, the petition and decision process, the various social issues facing the UMC today, the highlights of the 2004 General Conference and what’s ahead for the 2008 General Conference. A suggested prerequisite to this course is United Methodism 101, an online course about the UMC, its history, structure and beliefs. Click here to learn more and to register.

Missions Opportunities & Ideas

TRIP DEADLINE TO HONDURAS APPROACHING

It’s time to make your commitment to join one of our 2008 Honduras Mission teams! The dates for this year’s 2 trips are May 24 - June 01 and June 21 - 27, and the deadline for purchasing group airline tickets is fast approaching. We still have a great need for a dentist, construction workers and Spanish speakers for the team. Contact Byron Pittman, 404.441.6588, bhpittman@aol.com, for additional information.

APPALACHIAN SERVICE PROJECT

This year’s ASP trip is scheduled for June 8-14. Contact Jackie Watson, jackie.m.watson@atl.frb.org, Angie Buysse, angiebuysse@gmail.com, or Steve Gutermuth, seg30033@yahoo.com. Click here to learn more about the Appalachian Service Project.

For more information about Missions at Saint Mark or if you have suggestions, contact Rev. Josh Noblitt, Deacon in Residence and Chair of Community Outreach & Missions, jnoblitt@stmarkumc.org, 404.739.5162, or Rev. Phillip Thomason, Minister of Outreach & Pastoral Care, pthomason@stmarkumc.org, 404.873.2636 x12.

Green Team Tip of the Week

Electronics Recycling Day Saturday, March 29 at Decatur High School Parking Lot

Be a part of this fast-growing, twice-annual event where, in March 2007, on ONE DAY, we diverted from landfill waste over 50 tons of electronics, styrofoam, and batteries. Volunteers are needed for a two hour shift where they direct traffic, unload recyclables from cars, and sort items. Sign up yourself or get a team together!! Perfect for a service project or a plain old good deed. Choose a shift from 8:30 - 11 am or 11 am - 1:30 pm.

Click here to get additional information.
Click here to volunteer to help during the event.

To report a water restriction violation, call:

• City of Atlanta, 404.982.1414
• Fulton County, 770.640.3040
• Dekalb County, 770.270.6243
• Cobb County, 770.419.6278
• Gwinnett County, 678.376.7100

Click here for the Green Team's previous Tips of the Week.
Click here for more information about Saint Mark's Green Team.

Children's Corner

During Sunday School time on Sunday, March 30, all children (and their grown-ups and their SS teachers) are asked to be OUTSIDE, on the 5th Street sidewalk, as we CHEER for the ING marathon runners. There WILL be IMPROMPTU! at early service and Children’s Church at late service.

Click here for more information about the Children's Ministry,
or contact Jackie Jenkins, Children's Minister, 404.873.2636 x24.

Club M.A.R.K. - Making a Real Konnection

Book Club

The Book Club meets on the first Thursday of each month at Jason’s Deli (located at the corner of Piedmont and 10th St) at 7 pm. The next Book Club will meet on Thursday, April 3. All are invited to participate!

• April; Ecology of a Cracker Childhood by Janisse Ray; facilitator - Mary Abbott Waite
• May: Suite Française by Irène Némirovsky; facilitator - Laura McCrodden
• June: Book Lovers Trivia! The traditional Trivial Pursuit game geared for book lovers. We play teams, and it's always fun!

Click here for more information about the Club M.A.R.K. Book Club or contact Cheryl Thompson, cherylcrt@aol.com 404-918-9240.

Club M.A.R.K. events are open to everyone - all are invited to participate!
Click here for more information about Club M.A.R.K.

Remarks Reports

Worship Attendance, March 23

• Sunrise - 50; 8:45 am - 429; 11:15 am - 704; Total - 1183
• Click here for pictures & video of Palm Sunday & Easter

Morning Worship: Sunday, March 30

• Remember the ING Georgia Marathon
• Ministry Intern Meg Edmondson preaching

Wednesday Fellowship Dinner: Wade Hall, 6:15 pm

• March 26 - Compline Service; Compline means “evening prayers”. This worship service is offered on the fourth Wednesday of every month, 7 pm in the Chapel, following the Wednesday Fellowship Dinner.

Click here for more information about AND to make a reservation for a Wednesday Dinner program, call 404.873.2636 x50, or complete the registration form in the pews and place in the offering plate.

Financial Report

Year-to-Date Operating Budget through March 14, 2008:
Income: $ 208,052
Expenses: $ 248,428
Surplus/Deficit: $ 40,376

Click here to make a contribution securely online.
Click here to make your make your 2008 Operating Budget Pledge online.
Click here to make your make your Capital Campaign Pledge online.

Congregational Care

Coming up at Saint Mark

Click here to view the March 2008 calendar.

Links to www.stmarkumc.org

CONTACT US!

Please submit all 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 United Methodist Church

781 Peachtree Street NE
Atlanta GA 30308-1205
Phone: 404.873.2636
After hours emergency: 888.334.9490
Prayer line: 404.873.2636 x31 or prayer@stmarkumc.org
Fax: 404.873.2639
E-mail: office@stmarkumc.org
Web: www.stmarkumc.org

STAFF DIRECTORY

Rev. Jimmy Moor, Senior Pastor
  jmoor@stmarkumc.org, telephone extension 11

Rev. Phillip Thomason, Associate Minister of Outreach & Pastoral Care
  pthomason@stmarkumc.org, extension 12

Rev. Mandy S. Flemming, Associate Minister of Christian Education & Spiritual Formation
  mflemming@stmarkumc.org, extension 13

Rev. Joshua M. Noblitt, Deacon in Residence
  jnoblitt@stmarkumc.org, 404.739.5162

Jane Burke, Minister of Fine Arts
  jburke@stmarkumc.org, extension 15

Jackie Jenkins, Children's Minister
  jjenkins@stmarkumc.org, extension 24

Anjie Peek Woodworth, Interim Youth Director
  awoodworth@stmarkumc.org, extension 17

Boyd Darsey, Staff Assistant
  bdarsey@stmarkumc.org, extension 10

Deana Hilton, Business Administrator
  dhilton@stmarkumc.org, extension 14

Christia Holloway, Assistant to Rev. Moor
  cholloway@stmarkumc.org, extension 16

John Richardson, Associate Director of Fine Arts & Organist
  jrichardson@stmarkumc.org, extension 22

Amy Holloway, Fine Arts Assistant
  extension 22

Kathi Urban, Fine Arts Assistant
  kurban289@comcast.net, extension 22