The Remarks
For the week of February 28, 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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In This Issue
Quicklinks to stmarkumc.org
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 |
Ash Wednesday, February 22, marked the beginning of the season of Lent, the forty-day season leading up to Easter day and the Easter season. Because the church considers every Sunday to be a little Easter, Sundays are not counted as part of the forty days and instead are referred to as “Sundays in Lent.” During Lent, ancient Christians mourned and repented of their sins, so it was appropriate for them to show their sincerity by having ashes on their foreheads. This custom has persisted in the church as secular society has changed around us and is most appropriate on Ash Wednesday, when we begin a period of sober reflection, self-examination, and spiritual redirection. Lent is a season of encounter with Christ, of instruction, initiation, and growth as a church in common life and ministry. It is a “time for putting aside the sins and failures of the past in light of who we are yet to become by the grace of God.” Many people give up something for Lent as a spiritual practice/discipline. You might also consider taking on a new practice as a means of getting closer to God. Lent is a deep, rich time in which we prepare for the Easter season. Saint Mark will offer several Lenten opportunities for worship and reflection, including opportunities for Bible and book studies that have already begun (see page 2 for more details) as well as other worship resources to be offered later in the season. Lenten Opportunities at Saint Mark Saint Mark Lenten Devotionals Now Available The Lenten Devotional Guide written by members of the Saint Mark congregation is now available.
Reflections Class: Praying the Psalms The Reflections Class (who meet in room 210 Sunday mornings at 10:10) are hosting a short term study each Sunday in Lent. From now through April 8, we will be “Praying the Psalms.” Join us for conversation and contemplation on the emotions that are expressed in the Psalms. This study will be facilitated by Rev. Mandy Flemming and all are welcome to participate. Contact Lynn Ingram for more details. Click here for a complete listing of opportunities and resources during the lenten season.
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Phoenix Flies at Saint Mark
Saint Mark will open our doors on Saturdays March 10, 17 and 24 during the event from noon until three with a slide presentation offered at noon, 1:00 and 2:00. Saint Mark is a great addition to the tour for a number of reasons: our sanctuary was designed by noted architect Willis Franklin Denny II who also designed Rhodes Hall, First Methodist Church, and the Kriegshaber House (now the Wrecking Bar Brewpub). Our stained glass windows, original oak pews, Aeolian Skinner organ, and needlepoint altar kneelers are also highlights. Our Frances Winship Walters Chapel was designed by Francis P. Smith, the first head of Georgia Tech's architecture program. Smith also designed the Cox-Carlton Hotel (now the Hotel Indigo), Druid Hills Presbyterian Church, Northside United Methodist Church, and the chapel at St. Philips Cathedral. The stained glass windows and organ in our chapel are also of special note. We need your help in hosting the many visitors who are expected to visit during the Phoenix Flies events. Our tour will be self guided so volunteers will only need to greet and serve as hosts. Email stmarkspecialevents@gmail.com if you would like to volunteer at Saint Mark to serve one or more 2 hour shifts beginning at 11:30-1:30 or 1:30 to 3:30 on one of the Saturdays of Phoenix Flies. Church Calendar Updates Job Network News Join the Saint Mark UMC Job Network next Tuesday, March 6 at 6:30pm in room 206 to hear our guest presenter, Steve Hines, career counselor and author of “Atlanta Jobs” (www.ajobs.com) as he concludes his 2 part series What You Must Do To Get Hired In Today’s Job Market. Grief Group - Schedule Change Effective next month (March) the grief support group will temporarily conclude its regular meetings. Meetings will resume at a later date (to be announced). For more information, contact Rev. Josh Noblitt. Theology on Tap Returns Theology on Tap begins a new spring session this Wednesday, February 29. This session’s featured book is Dietrich Bonhoeffer’s Life Together: the Classic Exploration of Faith in Community. The 5 week series will meet every Wednesday night through March 28, 7:45 pm, at Fifth Ivory (corner Juniper & 5th Streets). For more information, contact Rev. Mandy Flemming. Invitation From the Job Network You are invited to attend the Saint Mark Job Network on Tuesday, March 6, 6:30pm, Room 206 to hear our guest presenter, Steve Hines, Career Counselor and author of Atlanta Jobs, as he presents the second of a two-part series entitled “What You Must Do To Get Hired In Today’s Job Market”. More information ... |
Children’s Ministries News A Day on the Farm! Join us on Saturday, March 24, 1-4pm, and spend a day on the farm in Senoia at the home of the Ritts/Whitlock family! You will have the chance to enjoy a petting area featuring donkeys, goats, chickens, and ducks. There will be a hay ride and a chance to go fishing, along with games and a campfire. Bring your camera and some snacks to share. For more information, contact Kim Sorrells. Donations Needed for Easter Egg Hunt Mark your calendars - our children will once again enjoy an Easter Egg Hunt at McKoy Park in Decatur on Saturday morning, April 7. Please consider donating candy (no chocolate please) or money for the eggs and candy. You can drop off your donation on March 18, 25, and April 1 in the children's wing or in the Narthex. A Friendly Reminder about Wednesday Fellowship Dinner reservations Everyone is enjoying our fellowship dinners catered by Brown Bag Bistro, but to plan effectively, we need you to make your dinner reservations as soon as possible. Please contact the church office by noon on Monday to secure your seat for dinner on Wednesday night. Next week’s (March 7) menu: pulled pork, coleslaw, baked beans, potato salad, Brunswick stew, salad bar, assorted desserts. Keep in touch with Jennifer Hansen, our missionary in Uganda Our own Jennifer Hansen has created a blog to share her experiences of her missionary work in Uganda. To access her blog, follow the link on the main page of our church website or click here now. You can also e-mail her at jennifer.hansen2@gmail.com. While Jennifer maintains her blog, there will be either a headline link or a Quicklink on Saint Mark's main web page. Breaking Ground on LGBT Faith Be sure to check out the new edition of GA Voice, the Faith and Religion edition. Saint Mark is featured in their article entitled "Breaking Ground on LGBT Faith: meet seven congregations that took risks to make Atlanta more welcoming." Read the article now. Get LinkedIn to Saint Mark From time to time, we get calls in the church office from a church member who is looking for a church member who is also an accountant, or is a mechanic, or works for Coca-Cola, or went to Georgia Tech. For years we have hoped that our membership database system would grow to accommodate that type of information. Rather than waiting for that to happen OR rather than reinventing the wheel, we have decided to let LinkedIn handle this for us. LinkedIn is a business-related social networking site, listing its members' occupation, employers, and schools attended. We have created a Saint Mark United Methodist Church group. This could be an especially useful resource for those who ar self-employed (florists, hair salons, attorneys, etc.) or for those seeking employment. Join the group and get connected to other Saint Markers. Click here to go to the Saint Mark United Methodist Church LinkedIn group. |
Calendar of Events Click here for a large, interactive calendar of events. Worship Attendance: 9:00 am - 170; 11:15 am - 312; Total - 482 Morning Worship: Holy Communion - Communion offering will benefit CHRIS Kids Rev. Dr. Beth LaRocca-Pitts preaching Wednesday Fellowship Dinner February 29: CHRIS Kids – Beth Keller will present an overview of the program and a history of our connection and the Seasons of Love program 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 February 29, 2012: Capital Campaign IV Pledged to Date 1 252 511 Communion & Special Offerings Received Conference Homeless Offering - $ 1,334 |
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Congratulations, Amelia!
In Sympathy Rev. J. B. McNeil passed away on Thursday, February 23, in Menlo, Georgia, at the age of 81. Rev. McNeil served as Saint Mark's Senior Pastor from 1976-1982. A memorial service was held Sunday, February 26, at the Rome First United Methodist Church. Contributions can be made to St. Jude Research Hospital. Gift Acknowledgements The Faith Seekers class gave a gift to the Breakfast Club in memory of Marc O’Gwynn.
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| ©2012 Saint Mark United Methodist Church | 781 Peachtree Street NE | Atlanta, Georgia 30308 | (404) 873-2636 |
This year Saint Mark will be participating in the 9th annual Phoenix Flies program, a city-wide celebration of living landmarks sponsored by the Atlanta Preservation Center. From March 10-25, Atlanta residents and visitors will have an opportunity to tour 60 historic landmarks all over the city at no charge. 
On February 22, Amelia Powell, daughter of Christie Powell and Jennifer House, received the Coretta Scott King Award, which is given to one 3rd grade girl in each elementary school in the City of Decatur. Amelia was chosen by Winnona Park Elementary as a student who best exemplifies the character and beliefs of this civil rights leader. She was selected because of her kindness and compassion for others, but also her willingness to serve as a friend and advocate for all students. Congratulations, Amelia! We are so proud of you!