Diversity Celebration 2008
Saint Mark United Methodist Church has a long and rich history of spreading the true spirit of Jesus Christ to the midtown Atlanta community and well beyond. In the 1950's Saint Mark was one of the first churches in the city to racially integrate, in the 1970's the church became known for its outreach to the disadvantaged, and in 1992 it became one of the first “mainline” churches in Atlanta to fully welcome the LGBT community (for more history see a February 2007 article from the Atlanta Journal-Constitution).
This year, due to the drought, the Atlanta Pride Festival has been rescheduled for the weekend of July 4-6 and will move from Piedmont Park to the Atlanta Civic Center. The 2008 theme is Your Vote, Your Rights, Your Future.
Diversity Dinner, June 29, Wade Hall
Saint Mark will hold our annual Diversity Service on Sunday, June 29, 7 pm, following the Diversity Dinner in Wade Hall at 5:30 pm.
At this dinner, the Diversity Award will be presented to someone who has furthered the cause of diversity at Saint Mark, in Atlanta, or beyond. If you would like to recommend a deserving individual, email Rev. Phillip Thomason or Mark Haley with the individual's name and a brief explanation of their achievements. Recommendations must be received no later than Friday, June 20.
Dinner is $20 per person and the meal will be prepared by Keith Hand of Bridge Catering.
- Individual Pesto Torte Crostini Topped with Grilled Shrimp
- Herbed and Buttered Yeast Rolls
- Bridge Salad - Mixed Greens, Dried Cranberries, Feta and Candied Pecans and Raspberry Vinaigrette
- Haricots Vert Bundle
- Creamy Garlic Mashed Potatoes
- Sliced Beef Tenderloin and Chicken Française with Forest Mushroom Sauce
- Chocolate Tulips with Mocha Mousse, topped with Whipped Mascarpone and Fresh Raspberries on a swirl of Raspberry Coulis
Jackie Watson receives the 2008 Diversity Award.
Pride Sunday, July 6
We will also hold ONLY one worship service on the morning of July 6 (Pride Sunday) at 10:30 am.
Rev. Kathleen Weber, Associate Pastor Of Children and Youth Services at Blaine Memorial United Methodist Church in Seattle, Washington, will be the speaker. In October 2007, Rev. Weber announced during Sunday morning worship services that she is gay and has been as long as she can remember. After she made this announcement, many in her congregation surrounded her with a prayer of support. Rev. Weber is originally from the Atlanta area and was in church youth groups with Rev. Jimmy Moor's children. The Moor's and the Weber's are long-time family friends. Come & hear her story.
The worship service concludes with the congregation & choir singing for diversity, social justice, and full inclusion with Draw the Circle Wide. |
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Bridge Catering will be providing a buffet style luncheon in Wade Hall after the worship service, before the Pride parade - $7/Adults, $5/Children & Seniors. Please RSVP to the church office by Monday, June 30 - reservations are required. You are welcome to take your plate to the front of the church for the parade festivities.
- Fresh Fruit
- Mixed Greens with Salad Bar Fixings
- Assorted Breads/Roll/Croissants
- Pesto Pasta, Salad Potato Salad, Assorted Chips
- Chicken Salad Deli Platter (Ham, Turkey, Cheese)
- "Shirley’s" Baked Beans, Hot Dogs, Hamburgers
- Assorted Desserts
We will NOT have a booth at the Pride festival venue as we have in past years. We WILL be marching in the Pride parade so please make plans to join us. Water will be again provided by Bridge Catering. We will need volunteers to hand out water to our walkers in the parade!!
Saint Mark T-Shirts Are Now Available
The bright green Saint Mark t-shirt, made famous (or infamous) during the 2007 Atlanta Pride parade, is back! Besides being stylish, you are quietly inviting people that see you to find their home at Saint Mark. For more information, contact Mark Haley, 404-374-7993.
History of the Saint Mark Water Stop
Saint Mark was the first church on the Pride Parade route to offer water to participants in the parade. This simple gesture that began 15 years ago represents the vision that has enabled Saint Mark to continue to be a vibrant and growing church. Plan to join us in front of the church on Sunday to help continue this gesture of acceptance and God's love. Bring a cooler of ice, dress comfortably, enjoy the parade, and help us spread God's spirit as indicated in Mark 9:39-41 (The Message). Jesus wasn't pleased. “Don't stop him. No one can use My name to do something good and powerful, and in the next breath cut Me down. If he's not an enemy, he's an ally. Why, anyone by just giving you a cup of water in My name is on our side. Count on it that God will notice.”
