S T M A R K S E P I S C O P A L C H U R C H

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The CallMay the words of our mouths and the mediations of our hearts be acceptable in thy sight oh Lord our

strength and our redeemer.

Worship Summer WorshipMeet our InternsDeacon’s Retirement

Pages 2-4

FormationYouth SundayYouth PageYouth Calendar

Pages 5-7

ParishTransitionsKanugaAdult Game NightWINE

Pages 7-10

OutreachFarmworkers ExperienceFarmworkers Mission Loaves and Fishes

Pages 8 & 11

A Monthly Newsletter Issue - July 2015

Dear  Friends,

As  we  enjoy  the  blessings  and  grace  that  summer  breaks  offer,  let  us  use  some  of  the  time  freed  up  to  grow  our  intention  to  live  the  great  commandment,  to  love  God  more  deeply  and  neighbor  more  expansively.    We  can  do  that  beginning  in  our  prayer  life.    We  start  with  prayers  for  those  we  know  and  love  best  and  then  grow  the  circle  and  as  we  grow  the  circle  of  those  we  name  to  God’s  care,  we  raise  their  needs  and  importance  in  our  consciousness.    Here  are  three  prayers  to  get  us  started.

Father,  this  summer  will  be  full  of  new  experiences  for  me  and  my  friends:  new  jobs,  exciting  mission  trips,  and  vacations  to  places  we've  never  been  before.  Grow  us,  stretch  us  through  whatever  we  do,  and  through  wherever  we  go,  so  that  we'll  end  the  summer  just  a  little  more  like  you.  Amen.  

           

Lord,  help  me  to  rest  awhile  in  the  cooling  shade  of  your  presence.  Slow  down  my  restless  heart  and  fill  me  with  gentle  compassion  for  all  your  people.  Amen.

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Heavenly  Father,  we  are  grateful  for  the  summer  months  ahead,  and  grateful  for  the  summer  joys  and  the  laughter  of  the  children  in  our  families,  our  schools  and  our  parishes.  Bless  our  children  during  these  next  months;  may  they  grow  in  grace  through  play  and  picnics,  camps  and  friendships,  family  visits  and  vacations.  

We  pray  too  for  children  in  our  global  community,  especially  for  children  being  scarred  by  the  violence  of  conflict,  the  horror  of  war,  of  life  on  the  run,  and  the  violence  of  child  labor.  For  them,  the  summer  holds  no  promise  nor  relief.  

Bless  our  children  during  the  months  ahead,  all  our  children:  in  Iraq,  Afghanistan,  Pakistan,  the  Middle  East,  in  Darfur,  and  in  every  place  where  the  sounds  of  guns  and  bombs  continue  to  be  heard  and  continue  to  silence  the  sounds  of  children’s  laughter  and  childhood  dreams.  Bless  our  children  in  every  country  where  children  labor  through  long  days  and  never  know  the  peace  of  economic  security  or  freedom.  

God  of  Grace,  May  these  children  know  comfort  and  healing,  through  your  compassion  and  through  our  efforts  to  bring  peace  and  justice  to  the  global  village  we  all  call  home.  Amen.  

                 

SUMMER WORSHIP

We will continue with 2 services through the Summer months.8:30a.m. & 11:00 a.m. With coffee hour in between

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Meet our Interns

ANDREW ANCONA

Andrew is a student at UNCC currently studying architecture.

He plans to go to seminary following graduation.

He is currently enjoying a trip home to Connecticut and will join us at St. Marks on July 12th until his classes

resume in August

During his time with us Andrew will be assisting with Children’s Chapel

as well as the Youth.

MARION SPROTT-GOLDSTON

Marion (Mae) Sprott-Goldson is happy to be spending the next six

months at St. Mark's for her internship as part of the

discernment process towards the priesthood. She has degrees in

piano performance from the University of South Carolina and formerly worked at the Fine Arts Center, a performing arts high

school in Greenville, SC. Currently she is the Parish Administrator at

St. Martin's Episcopal Church.

Since beginning to discern God's call in her life, Mae has been drawn to the life of the church. She enjoys serving as a Eucharistic Minister and as a lector, is interested in pastoral care, and loves conversations about faith and spirituality.

She looks forward to getting to know the people of St. Mark's and is grateful for the opportunity to serve God in this community as part of her discernment journey. Mae lives in Charlotte with her wife, Amanda, and their spoiled cockapoo, Bennett.

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Please join us on Sunday July 26th

at 9:30 in Founders Hall

For a Reception in Celebration of

Reverend Ty Smithdeal’s Retirement

After 11 years of service Deacon Ty will step back from his day to day duties as a Parish Deacon

However, he and Debra plan to continue at St Marks as parishioners & active members

Come and say “thank you” and “best wishes” as he begins the next phase of his journey here at St. Marks

*Donations toward a retirement gift are being accepted by the church office through July 19th. Please make checks payable to St. Marks and note Deacon Ty’s retirement in the memo

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Congratulations To All of our Graduating Seniors.

Katie Neumann, Elizabeth Brethen, Ethan Pestyk, Kaelyn Sparks, Leo Britt, Brandon Kathman, Bailey Ferguson, Ellie Wilson

(Pictured below with Reverend HollarKaelyn Sparks and Bailey Ferguson)

YOUTH SUNDAY

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Formation Information

ex·pe·ri·ence ˌikˈspirēƧns/ noun noun: experience 1.

practical contact with and observation of facts or events.

verb 1.

encounter or undergo (an event or occurrence).

Often when we think of mission it involves a trip. It seems this notion of a mission trip seems incomplete. When a trip is taken you simply go somewhere do whatever has been planned and return. Memories are made, fun is had, and things are accomplished. When a trip is over we return home and return to our normal lives.

Experiences create a whole different way of thinking. When we have missional experiences we are changed for ever. We encounter God in the world. We are the hands and feet of Christ. We are touched by the Holy Spirit. We get a glimpse of the Kingdom of God here on Earth, and we are not the same person we once were. Our lives are no longer normal we have a new outlook on the world and we interact with it in a different way.

This summer our youth will be creating mission experiences in different ways in different places around the world. As a part of these experiences, we are creating prayer partners for our youth. A partner says a specific prayer for a specific person the same time each day for the duration of the trip. If you would like to be one of these people please let Matt know and he will get you the name of a youth and let you know what he/she will be doing during their experience this summer.

Youth Mission Experiences: • July 12-15 Episcopal Outreach Camp (Middle School Mission) • July 20-25 HUGS Camp (Special Needs Camp) • July 28-Aug. 2 High School Mission Trip to Roanoke, VA • Aug. 15-22 Honduras Scouting Trip

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Summer Calendar 2015

July 12-15 Episcopal Outreach Camp $100 Register With Matt

17-19 Episcopal Farm Workers Mission Trip (Family Wide Trip) 28-Aug. 2 Roanoke Mission Trip

August 1-2 Roanoke Mission Trip 15-22 Honduras Scouting Trip 29-30 - Lock-In

September 4-7 Visioning Weekend Beach Retreat 13 - Celebration Day

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On  Sunday,  July  12th  at  9:30,  Chris*an  Forma*on,  Outreach  and  Young  Adult  Commi8ees  will  sponsor  a  Day  in  the  Life  of  Farm  Workers  experience  on  our  grounds.    They  will  present  an  award  winning  video,  offer  hands  on  simula*ons,  offer  personal  witness  and  serve  a  brunch  for  all  par*cipants.    In  the  *me  between  the  two  services,  ignorance  will  be  dispelled  and  we  will  be  be8er  informed  consumers  and  convicted  people  of  faith.

 On  July  17th  -­‐19th  Join  us  for:  

Farm  Workers  Mission  Trip  –  a  ministry  of  being  with  our  neighbors            

A  group  of  St.  Mark  parishioners  age  10  and  up  will  travel  to  Newton  Grove  with  the  Movable  Feast  food  truck  to  prepare  meals  for  farm  workers  and  their  families  allowing  them  to  feast,  relax  and  put  down  the  onerous  task  of  food  prepar*on  in  overcrowded  ill-­‐equipped  kitchens.    Preparing  meals  will  be  our  primary  responsibility;  however,  we  should  also  be  prepared  to  interact  with  the  families,  work  in  the  garden  and  possibly  sort  clothes.    Plan  for  modest  accomoda*ons,  hot  weather  and  a  wonderful  opportunity  to  serve.  

If  you  are  unable  to  journey  with  us  on  this  trip  please  considering  offering  a  donaJon  of  goods  for  this  ministry.    Items  needed  prior  to  the  trip  are:

  Long  pants  (sizes  28,  30,  32  &  34)

  Long  sleeved  shirts

  Toiletries  (toothbrushes,  soap,  deodorant)

  Blankets

                                 

Come and Learn About

A Day in the Life of a Farmworker Discover how you can help through mission work, prayer & donations of goods

Program on July 12th in between services

Weekend Mission Trip for Ages 10 & up July 17th-19th

Sign up in Founders Hall(cost of mission trip $100 per person. Scholarships available: See Reverend Hollar)

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Birthdays Laura Fahey - 7/1 William Pearson -7/3 Richard Wisner - 7/4 Kenneth Huber - 7/5 Jan Angel – 7/7 Will Christman – 7/7 Page Faulk - 7/7 Elly Thompson - 7/8 Willard Osburn - 7/11 Ellie Rose - 7/11 Mary Schroeder - 7/11 Jack Stuart - 7/11 Richard Masline - 7/12 Jillian Townsend – 7/12 Jackie Jones - 7/13 Kellen Osburn - 7/13 Matthew Brethen - 7/14 Angelo Michel – 7/14 Brenna Grant – 7/16 Saunders Black - 7/20 Tonia Shelton - 7/20 Jennifer Johnson - 7/21 Ralph Fischer - 7/22 Anna Gambill - 7/24 Kennedy Hart – 7/24 Michael Ferguson - 7/25 Ellie Wilson - 7/25 Hope Barwick - 7/27 Sara Tinsley - 7/27 Duane Rose - 7/28 Katie Neumann - 7/29 Bob Brethen - 7/30

Panera Bread Pick–Up

Mark & Lacy Hamilton – 7/3 John Lavery/Robyn Englishman – 7/10

Alan & Lesli Kathman -7/17 Cheryl Jones – 7/24

Andrew & Libby James -7/31

Anniversaries Stephen & Debbie Eaton - 7/1

John & Stephanie Herrin - 7/6

Richard & Mandy Womack - 7/12

Prayers for continued healing:

Robin Mason Judith Hundertmark Alex Mondlak Mary Beth & Richard Masline Martha Ann Springer James Self Doris Nason Pat Pagola Larry Reilly Elena Michel Patricia Woolley Mary Anne Milholland Bob Weeks Julia Williams Betsy Hunt Anita Lewis-Pitt Doris Thrower Daphne & Robin Tetts Carol Fowler Kerri Mondlak Shirley Bruey & Family

New Members:

Samantha Bobkoskie & Michael Walseman

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Parish Retreat 2015

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W.I.N.E.

Women in Need of EntertainmentWINE scheduled for

July 20th @ 6:30

at the home of

Jordana Gheraibeh11314 Heritage Green Drive

Cornelius, NC 28031

Please contact Debbie Siegeldebbiesiegel@bellsouth.net

with any questions

ADULT GAME NIGHT

If you enjoy playing cards & board games join us

Friday, July 31 7:00p.m. in Osborne Hall.

Bring a snack to share if you wish and a favorite game.

We provide a few games but it is always fun to play a new one.

It is a great way to get acquainted with your church family!

If you have questions email me at jsanfo1@yahoo.com.

I hope to see you there. Jan Sanford Parish Life chair

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2015    Results  to  Date

**773  lbs**Total  for  May  2015  is  80  pounds  for  Loaves  &  Fishes.    

PLEASE   CONSIDER  HELPING   FEED   THE   HUNGRY!   If   you   are   able,  we   ask  that   you   con*nue  in   2015   to   remember   Loaves  &  Fishes  when   shopping  and  bring  contribu*ons  by  the   last   Sunday  of  each  month.    A  collec*on  bin  is  located  in   Founders  Hall  area.    Thank  you  for  your  generosity!

CHANGE  in  Priority  needs:      (No  glass  please;  preferably  PLASTIC  bags  with  handles.)

Canned  MeatsOatmeal,  Grits,  Boxed  Pasta  &  tomato  sauceCanned  Pasta  –  Spaghe_Os,  ravioli,  etc.Canned  Vegetables  (not  corn  or  green  beans)Canned  SoupCanned  Fruit  100%  juice

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St. Mark’s Episcopal Church8600 Mt. Holly-Huntersville, Rd.Huntersville, NC 28078www.stmarksnc.com704-399-5193