Good News. M onthly newsl ett er of S t. Mark's E pi sc opal C hurc h - One P ort er Road - East Longmeadow, MA 01028

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1 Good News Christ welcomed all, we welcome you. Vol. XXlV March 2018 M onthly newsl ett er of S t. Mark's E pi sc opal C hurc h - One P ort er Road - East Longmeadow, MA arks ma.org Holy Week at St. Mark s: Walking the Road with Jesus At the end of the journey of Lent stands a time of intense passion and deep meaning, Holy Week. It is a time that speaks of the mercy and love of God love which is stronger than even death. During those seven days we will have the opportunity to walk with Christ, to wait and see the ways that God s power shows up in the darkness. As the week draws to a close we can gain a glimpse of God s glory, grace and power. As we enter into Holy Week and experience the gift of God s action which transforms our world and gives us hope, let us prepare to shout with joy, Alleluia, Christ is risen! This year, Holy Week begins on March 25 th with Palm Sunday. PALM SUNDAY (3/25): The community gathers to welcome Jesus into Jerusalem as we wave palm branches and process round the church at both the 8 and 10 am services. We will be connected in spirit and prayer with the over 40 members of our community who will be on a couples retreat up at Barbara C Harris Conference Center. At both St. Mark s and the retreat we will welcome Jesus into our hearts and lives HOLY MONDAY (3/26): Gather at noon to listen to the words of Scripture as we begin to walk with Jesus towards his final days in Jerusalem. We meet and share the Eucharist in the Chapel HOLY WEDNESDAY (3/28) Gather at 12:00 noon to listen to words of the prophets who speak of Christ s future, words that speak to us of our future as well. Our worship service will take place in the chapel. At 6:30pm the Greek Orthodox Church of St. Luke (400 Prospect St.) is inviting members of St. Mark s to come and take part in an ancient pre-sanctified liturgy. Members of our youth group as well as Fr. Peter and other parishioners will be attending. Come and experience another form of Christian worship in the midst of Holy Week. MAUNDY THURSDAY (3/29): SEDER SERVICE: Gather at 6pm to retrace our Jewish roots and see how they run so deep in the last supper which Jesus shared with his disciple in a modified Seder service (led by Dan Tapper). Following this, we will enter the church, take part in the washing of feet, celebrate the final Eucharist of Holy Week, and then strip the church bare, preparing for Jesus burial. ALL NIGHT VIGIL: Immediately following the Maundy Thursday service we will wait with Jesus through the night (with consecrated Eucharist being kept in the St. Barnabas All Saints Chapel), just as his disciples waited with Jesus in the Garden of Gethsemane. This vigil will take place until 7:30 am in the morning on the 30th. (Continued on Pg 2)

2 The Good News March Page 2- MISSION STATEMENT: St. Mark's is called to serve all people in greater Springfield, MA. as a guiding light and a spiritual home where Jesus spirit is known through inclusive, joyful worship, spirited formation, thriving ministries of service, and powerful outreach. Christ welcomed all, we welcome you. St. Mark's Episcopal Church One Porter Road East Longmeadow, MA office@stmarksma.org Web: Office Hours: Mon-Thurs 9am-3pm Sunday Worship: 8am & 10am, 6:30 p.m. Wednesday Worship: 12:00 p.m. Eucharist Rector- Rev. Peter Swarr Sr. Warden - Sue Schneider Jr. Warden - Peter Fairman Director of Music - Nancy Gagne Parish Administrator - Diane Chandler Good News Editor - Diane Chandler I.T./Webmaster - Lester Sill The Good News is published monthly by St. Mark's Church. The deadline is usually the 3rd Tuesday of every month unless otherwise noted. Next deadline is Tuesday, Mar 20th Submit articles to: Diane Chandler, Good News Editor office@stmarksma.org GOOD FRIDAY (3/30) MORNING PRAYER will be said in the Chapel at 7:30am. STATIONS OF THE CROSS: Walk the path with Jesus beginning at 12:00 noon in the church sanctuary. A second opportunity to walk the stations will be available at 6:15 pm before the evening liturgy. GOOD FRIDAY LITURGY: will begin at 7:00pm in which we venerate the Cross, reflect on the extravagance of God s self-giving love, and recognize that Christ has died and we wait. Holy Saturday dawns with Christ still in the tomb. And the church simply waits in silence, waiting, longing, hoping for Resurrection to dawn. HOLY SATURDAY (3/31) MORNING PRAYER: Meet at 9am in the church for prayer as church members gather to prepare the church for our Easter celebrations. COMMUNITY EASTER VIGIL FIRE LIGHTING: Beginning at 5:30 pm Catholics, Lutherans, Congregationalists, Episcopalians, and Methodists will assemble in East Longmeadow at the Congregational Church s front lawn (on the traffic circle) to kindle the new fire of Easter together. Each faith tradition will take from the new fire to start their own new Easter fire. ST. MARK S EASTER VIGIL: At 7 pm, with the new Easter fire light ing our way, we will listen to story after story which tells us of God s surprising action to bring new life out of places of hopelessness. A festive reception will follow the Vigil. EASTER SUNDAY (4/1) 8 am EUCHARIST: Celebration with organ music at the 8am service. 10 am EUCHARIST: Celebration with festive choral music and other instruments followed by festive refreshments served in the Great Hall CONTEMPORARY SERVICE CONTINUES On Sunday, March 18 th from 6:15-7:00 pm St. Mark s will offer a Eucharist with contemporary music. Musicians from the parish, including Jake Berry, Michael and Janet Hakanson-Stacy, and Cele Schmaelzle help lead youth and adults in a time of singing and praise. We then gather around the Altar to receive Christ s presence and blessing made known to us in bread and wine. All are welcome to come and be part of this time of prayer, praise, and singing. Come and sing a new song to the Lord! If you are interested in learning more about this service or would like to take part in playing, please speak with Fr. Peter.

3 The Good News March Page 3- LENTEN TAIZÉ SERVICES CONTINUE ON WEDNESDAY NIGHTS Taizé is a style of chant which involves simple passages of scripture or prayers being repeated over and over again. In many ways, Taizé singing is deeply calming and meditative and can often help people sense deep peace and connect with God s presence. Additionally, Taizé services usually involve candles, candle lighting to signify prayers, icons (religious images which can help focus and direct the prayers of those gathered), and moments of silence. If you haven t yet had the chance to attend one of these services, the following opportunities are still available 3/07 at St. Paul Lutheran Church located at 181 Elm St. 3/14 at St. Mark s Episcopal Church located at 1 Porter Rd. 3/21 at the First Congregational Church located on the Rotary In addition, on 3/28 the Greek Orthodox church of St. Luke (400 Prospect St) invites us to continue our experiences with varied evening prayer during Lent on Wednesday evenings. While worshiping at St. Luke s we will be invited to be part of a presanctified liturgy. This type of liturgy is an ancient Lenten practice including chant and readings and communion from the reserve sacrament which is offered to Greek Orthodox church members and lasts a little over an hour in length. Come, pray, and join your voices with fellow Christians beginning at 6:30pm FUNDRAISING PLANNING MEETING: MARCH 10 A T 9AM IN THE GREAT HALL At Annual Meeting the people of St. Mark s spoke. As a congregation we expressed ideas, hopes and dreams for new ways for us to be faithful in loving God by reaching out to our neighbors, welcoming the stranger into our midst and FUNDRAISING?!? No really, at Annual Meeting we did consider how this community might augment, support, and enhance the already excellent fundraising which takes place at our church. So, to faithfully live into our mission to welcome, love, and reach out to all AND to help raise needed funds, you are invited to be part of a fundraising planning meeting. At this time we will work to discern the ways our parish should move forward with future fundraising. Breakfast will be waiting for you, so sign up in the great hall and let us know you are coming. Let s put our heads together to discover the path we are being lead on and do the work God has given us to do. Daylight Saving Time begins at 2am on Sunday, March 11th. Don t forget to set your clocks ahead one hour before bedtime on Saturday night!

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5 The Good News March Page 5 - THE START OF A NEW M INISTRY TEAM -THE INSIDE SCOOP During the 2018 Annual Meeting the Vestry proposed harnessing the wonderful asset we have in our property to reach out into the community as well as increasing our income. Those in attendance enthusiastically endorsed the concept and shared many thoughts for making this idea into a reality. On Tuesday, March 13, 2018 at 7:00 PM, the 1st Property Management Team meeting will be held. The goals of the meeting will be to discuss these aspects of this new ministry: Share how it supports our church's mission and vision. Discuss the various tasks needed for the successful functioning and sustainability. Identify the gifts, talents, skills and roles needed for the ministry. (include painting, woodworking, lighting and sound specialists, IT, coordinator/manager, greeters, advertisers/communications to name a few.) Determine the next steps for getting things rolling. So if you are interested in being part of this ministry or would just like to hear more, please join us on Tuesday, March 13 th. If you are unable to attend the meeting or have questions, please feel free to contact Jon Robichaud ( ) or Sue Schneider ( ). The future success of this ministry depends on assembling a team of willing volunteers with diverse gifts and talents. May God bless and prosper our work. LEGACY STEWARDSHIP Legacy stewardship offers a variety of ways in which you and all faithful people can look beyond this life and provide for the continuing financial support of your Christian community. Legacy stewardship is not just for the wealthy. Your legacy gift, whatever the amount, is a way of giving back for all God s blessings and a way to share those blessings with fellow parishioners well into the future. When we give from our generosity from our abundance we reflect the generosity and abundance of God. John and Priscilla made a legacy stewardship gift to St. Mark s through a charitable gift annuity issued by the Episcopal Church Foundation. The annuity provided income to John and Priscilla during their lifetimes, and upon their deaths, the remainder went to St. Mark s as the charitable beneficiary. There are many ways to make legacy stewardship gifts to St. Mark s. Through a bequest in your will By making St. Mark s a beneficiary of a life insurance policy By making St. Mark s a beneficiary, or one of the beneficiaries of your IRA or your 401(k) account Charitable gift annuity as John and Priscilla did If you are interested in learning more about legacy stewardship and the way in which you might plan a gift to support the future ministry of St. Mark s, please speak with the Rector, with Meg Schoenemann, with Bob Shaw, with Bruce Rockwell, or with Alan Druckenmiller.

6 The Good News March Page -6- ST. MARK S COUPLES RETREAT, MARCH AT THE BARBARA C. HARRIS CONFERENCE CENTER IN GREENFIELD, NEW HAMPSHIRE Thanks to a generous grant from the Diocese and the combined efforts of many in our congregation, St. Mark s is offering a retreat for couples in late March. Over 40 people, including members of our church and other area congregations, have signed up to take part in the 3 day event to be held on the beautiful lakeside grounds of the Barbara C. Harris Camp and Conference Center. This time away promises to provide the opportunity for couples to focus on communication with one another and with God by engaging in activities and shared experiences lead by both Fr. Peter and a guest presenter. Please hold all the couples in your prayers as they seek to honor each other and their relationship more deeply and strive to see Christ in each other. GIVING STATEMENTS Last month you should have received your final giving statement for We have been sending these statements on a quarterly basis for four reasons: To thank you for your offerings to St. Mark s To show ways the many ways in which your offerings are making a difference To comply with the IRS requirement that we send you such a statement To give you an opportunity to make sure your records agree with those of St. Mark s Some of you have asked if it is necessary to send statements four times a year. You have said you don t really need to see a statement four times a year and you think it would be a good stewardship decision to ask for a statement only once a year to save St. Mark s the postage expense and to save the environment by not using so much paper. We are happy to comply with those of you who feel that way. If you would like to receive a statement only once a year, at yearend, please notify the parish office of this fact or put your name on a list that is in the great hall. But if you would like to continue to receive quarterly statements, do nothing and we will continue to send you quarterly statements.

7 The Good News March Page 7 - OUTREACH NEWS You may have noticed our Change The Babies jar before entering the sanctuary on Sundays where we have been collecting change for the Mampong Babies Home in Ghana. The Bishop from the Mampong region will be visiting our area this spring and we would like to present him with a check from our jar. Please consider bringing your spare change on Sundays and helping to fill the jar for the children of the Babies Home. Thank you to all who brought in items for Undie Sunday. 55 items were collected! We will be bringing the basket full of new underwear and socks to the Springfield Rescue Mission. Thanks to Marge Shaw for spearheading this drive. In the coming months, we will be joining with the Interfaith Council of Franklin County in collecting items for people who have been displaced from their homes in Syria. More information and a list of needed items will be forthcoming just in time for those of us doing spring cleaning. On Saturday, March 28, we have the opportunity to join with Revitalize Community Development Corp as they perform critical repairs, modifications and rehabilitation on the homes and non-profit facilities of low-income families with children, the elderly, military veterans and people with special needs on Manhattan Street in Springfield. This is a one-day only event and we will have a sign-up sheet in the Great Hall for all who may be interested. RAINBOW COMMUNITY GA RDEN You heard about the Rainbow Community Garden at the Annual Meeting. Doreen Tapper, Lori Decker, Don Edwards, Lester Sill, Claire Sygiel, and Fr. Peter are serving on an ecumenical steering committee that is hard at work making plans for the garden. Our old friend, Deacon Linda Taupier also serves on the steering committee along with people from other faith communities. The garden is yet another way in which St. Mark s strives to be a good steward. Watch this space in next month s newsletter as plans for the garden continue. OUR GARDEN OF GETHSE MANE If you have houseplants you would be willing to lend for a few days, I am looking for some to create our garden for the Night Watch (see pg 8) which will take place March I can also use dried grasses. We also need LED tea or votive lights (no real candles please). Please contact Meg Schoenemann at if you can help out. All plants will be returned as long as you label them with your name and phone number.

8 The Good News March Page 8- MAUNDY THURSDAY NIGH T WATCH Once again, we will sit watch with Jesus after the Last Supper in the Garden of Gethsemane when he begs God to save him but submits to God s will; yet not what I want but what you want Matt 26:39. The disciples could not stay awake, but we commit to Jesus that we will not leave him. We sit watch all night with Jesus in the reserved sacrament in the St. Barnabas and All Saints Chapel. There is a sign-up sheet in the Great Hall for one hour of your time or you can access the sign-up at this link: There are COULD YOU NOT STAY AWAKE WITH ME ONE HOUR? Matthew 26:40 Maundy Thursday Night Watch IN OUr GArDeN Of GeThSemANe

9 The Good News March Page 9- AGING GENTLY SUPPORT GROUP TO BEGIN AT S T. MARK S!

10 The Good News March Page 10- M A RCH 03/02 Gavin Rodrigo 03/04 Doreen Tapper Nathan Villani 03/06 Roy Butler 03/09 Faith Trombly Grace Trombly Hope Trombly 03/15 Marty Schoenemann Julia Decker Rita Robichaud 03/17 Oliver Michel 03/20 Bryan Boyd 03/21 Betty rennell Emily Conrad 03/22 Madeline Lister 03/24 Richard Stevens 03/25 Sarah Conrad 03/26 Gwen Rosengarten 03/07 Michael & Janet Solitario 03/12 Bob & Marge Shaw 03/12 Rob & Mishel Mitus BEMENT/WATERFIELD ED UCATIONAL GRANT DEADLINE MARCH 1, 2018 Just 2 days left to get your completed application in! Young people who are active members of parishes and missions in the Episcopal Diocese of Western Massachusetts are eligible to apply. All applicants must have the approval and endorsement of their parish clergy. If the congregation is currently relying on supply, the parish warden may give approval. CLICK HERE for application and instructions. It is a strict deadline so hurry, hurry!

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12 NON-PROFIT ORG. U.S. Postage East Longmeadow, MA St. Mark s Episcopal Church One Porter Road East Longmeadow, MA