CINCO de MAYO THURSDAY, MAY 5 MESSAGE FROM PASTOR ERIC DEBBIE OLSON IS NEW VOLUNTEER COORDINATOR. Spokane, WA April 2016 Vol. 2016, No.

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1 Spokane, WA April 2016 Vol. 2016, No. 4 MESSAGE FROM PASTOR ERIC Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your minds, so that you may discern what is the will of God what is good and acceptable and perfect. Romans 12:2. Versions of the word transform only appear four times in our canonical scripture. One of the times is what I quoted above. Still, I believe it is partly why we come to church. We come in hopes of having our lives transformed by God. I have heard it said that a church needs to be about the business of transforming lives and not holding on to the past. So, how are we doing? Maybe this is a dangerous question to ask. Too often churches look to some glory day in the past. Fear of the future and glorification of the past are a common practice. I am interested to note that one of our presidential candidates is running on the theme of making America great again. The truth that history seems to tell us is that what is great for someone is often not so great for another. I do believe that we learn lessons from the past. We just need to be very careful about how we glorify it. I remember taking a history class in college and learning that the glorious days of the 1950 s were far from glorious for everyone. So, rather than looking back, I am curious about how we as a church will continue to transform lives in the future. For instance, Dale Johnson and I recently sat down with Shelley Hahn from Lutheran Community Services and were filled in about their new Unaccompanied Refugee Minor Program. Refugees under the age of 17 will be coming to Spokane from around the world to be placed in foster homes. What a great opportunity for a community to transform lives. I encourage you to come to the adult forum on Sunday, April 24 th to hear more about continued page 2 DEBBIE OLSON IS NEW VOLUNTEER COORDINATOR Debbie Olson has agreed to serve as St. Mark s new Volunteer Coordinator beginning last month. Many of you know Debbie as an a c t i v e S t. M a r k s volunteer as well as wife to Tim and mom to Eli and Sofia. Hopefully, we will all make Debbie s new position easy and rewarding by saying yes when she calls asking for volunteers at church. We are also fortunate that Elaine Orness is remaining on staff as Parish Coordinator to s h a r e h e r w i s d o m a n d experience with us. Serving as S t. M a r k s f i r s t P a r i s h Administrator, Elaine has done most of the jobs at church and has been responsible for recruiting most of the lay staff and developing their job descriptions. She will probably be the first to say yes when Debbie calls. St. Mark s and the staff are very fortunate to have these two talented women working for us. CINCO de MAYO THURSDAY, MAY 5 Aurora and Alex Perez have generously agreed to host this fun Mexican-themed dinner at St. Mark s fellowship hall from 5:00 7:00 pm. There will be good food, games for children and adults, and of course, fellowship.

2 MESSAGE FROM PASTOR ERIC cont. from pg. 1 this program. Wouldn t it be a great ministry to support these young refugees who have been displaced from home and family? How is God calling us to move beyond politics and minister to the vulnerable in our midst? Scripture makes clear that it is God s will to always look at who is the vulnerable outsider in our midst. How do we provide hospitality, health, and hope? The truth is our lives are transformed when we are about the business of making things great for our neighbor no matter what size, shape and color that neighbor appears. As we come to church each week, we come to have our lives transformed and our minds renewed so that we might be in step with the will of God. I challenge you to consider where your life needs to be transformed. I invite you to come into this community expecting to consider where the needs around us meet our calling from God. I look forward to seeing what new thing God is up to at St. Mark s! Happy Easter! Pastor Eric ANNOUNCEMENTS Birth Boone Thomas Tribbett, son of Tommy and Lindsey Tribbett Baptized Whitney Caroline Forrester, daughter of Matthew and Sarah Forrester Death Arlyne Smith Sympathy The family of Arlyne Smith at the time of her death NOTE THIS! SUNDAY SCHOOL There will be no Sunday School on April 3 rd and April 10 th because of Spring Break. We ll see you again on April 17 th! CHURCH COUNCIL St. Mark s Church Council will meet on April 11, at 7:00 pm in the conference room. SOCIAL MINISTRY MEETING Join this very active social ministry group when they meet at the church on Sunday, April 17, at 12:00 noon. BLESSING OF NINTH GRADE CONFIRMANDS Mark your calendar parents! Blessing of the 9 th grade confirmands will be at worship on Sunday, May 8, (Mother s Day) at 8:30 am. Watch for more information in your mail. NEW MEMBER AND INQUIRERS CLASS N e w M e m b e r D i n n e r s & I n q u i r e r Classes begin on Sunday, April 3, at 5:00 pm, and continue for two additional weeks. Each week we will have dinner together with one of our pastors, staff members and a few church members, followed by informational classes about the Lutheran faith and what we do at St. Mark's. If you are already a member but know someone who might benefit from this information, please feel free to share it with them. If you are considering becoming a member of St. Mark's Lutheran Church on Sunday, April 24, please call Loris Stupel at or Loris at fundsoups@comcast.net. 2

3 MONEY MATTERS February 2016 Operating Budget Year to Date Fund Giving Income Expenses Budgeted Net - YTD General $ 51, $ 106, $ 117, $ 123, $ -11, Mortgage $ 7, $ 14, , $ 11, $ 2, We ve renamed this article Money Matters, because it does matter. And our congregation is extremely aware of all that it takes to successfully run a church. Your regular giving helps keep us on track with monthly and capital expenditures. We recently had some major, unplanned expenses repairing our boilers and replacing the furnace for the fellowship hall. These important and necessary repairs will be paid out of the mortgage/capital account, so thank you to all those who support this fund. The February numbers are significantly better than in the last few years. Still, we would like to see the General Fund net a positive number. Easter giving is generous at St. Mark s, and I am confident that once those numbers are tallied, we ll be in a strong position for the start of April. Don t hesitate to contact me by phone or with questions regarding our Simply Giving automatic payment program. Loris Stupel Financial Secretary finance@stmarks-spokane.org 2016 GRADUATES We will be listing the 2016 graduates in the June Messenger Please fill out the information below, to be included in the newsletter, and return this form to St. Mark s either by placing it in the collection plate or dropping it off at the church office no later than Sunday, May 8. GRADUATE S NAME: NAME OF SCHOOL: DEGREE OBTAINED: HIGH SCHOOL COLLEGE/UNIVERSITY OTHER Plans for further education: Sunday, May 22, we will celebrate with Prayers and Blessings for the Graduates at the 10:45 am service. Graduates and their families please plan to attend. Yes, I plan to be at the worship on May 22 at 9:30 am. No, I do not plan to be at the worship on May 22. 3

4 ADULT FORUMS DISCUSS PSALMS, REFUGEES Join us for Adult Forum on Sundays at 9:45 am in the conference room. Here s the schedule: April 3 No Forum (Spring Break) April 10 No Forum (Spring Break) April 17 Psalm 37 April 24 Unaccompanied Refugee Minors, with Shelly Hahn, LCS May 1 No Forum (Bloomsday Weekend) May 8 Psalm 111 (Final Forum) SENIORS CELEBRATE DAY OUT It happens at Camp Lutherhaven on beautiful Lake Coeur d Alene. Spring Golden Agers Day Out is a one-day retreat especially for retirees, senior adults and older adult groups, a great day during a fabulous time of year at camp! Our very special guest will be Colonel Brian Newberry, Executive Director of Leadership Spokane and former Commander of the 92nd Air Refueling Wing at Fairchild Air Force Base. He's thrilled to be invited to speak to Lutherhaven's Golden Agers. "They built America to be a shining beacon, he says, "Put me down!" Gather with old and new friends at your favorite camp on Tuesday, April 26, from 10:00-2:00 at Camp Lutherhaven. Cost : $12, includes lunch & program Call Lutherhaven at x119 to reserve your space by Monday, April 25! Call the church office at if you want a ride. LCSNW HOLDS BENEFIT GALA Join us Saturday, April 16 th for champagne, chocolate, dinner & auction at the historic Davenport Hotel. Tickets are on sale now. All proceeds benefit the Sexual Assault & Family Trauma Center, a program of LCSNW. For more information, contact Karla Darcy at DATES SET FOR YOUTH SUMMER TRIPS Save the dates for two awesome trips this summer! JUNE 26-JULY 1 St. Mark s junior and senior high youth are invited to Idaho Servant Adventure. We will join other youth at Shoshone Base Camp in the Panhandle National Forest for a week of community-building, leadership, service, and outdoor adventure. Everyone will participate as part of a service team and a leadership team, working alongside other campers and folks in the communities in which we serve. Cost is $230. Scholarships are available! All youth are welcome regardless of ability to pay. Talk to Susan. Space is limited so please sign up by April 10. $50 deposit required. Youth entering 8th grade through high school are welcome. JULY We re hitting the road on July 24 th for a summer road trip. A four night/five day adventure is in the works for fun, fellowship, and service - a round trip journey across Washington state. Current plans are to be in Bellingham, Seattle, Tacoma and more. A ferry ride or two might be necessary. We ll have time to check out PLU. We ll stay in churches or retreat centers, complete service projects and take in the beauty of our state along the way! More information coming soon! THANK YOU Many thanks for the prayers and heartfelt wishes from Mary Cares and the other wonderful folks at St. Mark s before, during and after my knee replacement surgery. The prayer shawl went to the hospital with me and now is handy on my recliner. What a great congregation! Dick Thiel I want to say a heartfelt thank you to the St. Mark s Mary Cares group for the wonderful cards! Every few days I go back and look at them again, to lift up my spirits. Georgia Lang 4

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7 FAMILY NIGHT AT SECOND HARVEST PLANNED Tuesday, April 19, 5:30-7:30 p.m. Registration is now open for the 2016 June Bug Fun Run! Start/Finish: Spokane Community College 1810 N Green St. Fees: $20 without T-shirt $25 with T-shirt (RAISE PLEDGES and earn GREAT PRIZES) REGISTER HERE : junebugrun/ St. Mark s families are again invited to participate in Family Help the Hungry Sort Night at Second Harvest. We will join other volunteers to help sort and pack produce, food drive, or bulk food items in preparation for delivery to emergency food outlets. Volunteers must be age 9+ to participate in this event. St. Mark s has a limited number of spots available to us so please RSVP by ing Susan Hagen at youth@stmarksspokane.org or signing up on the Youth Board in the narthex. Once you RSVP, Susan will provide you with registration instructions for your family. Fun for all ages! ANNUAL DINNER BENEFITS EWU LUTHERAN CAMPUS MINISTRY You are cordially invited to the Lutheran Campus Ministry at EWU Annual Benefit Dinner April 30, Doors open at 5:00 pm with dinner at approximately 6:00 pm at Advent Lutheran Church, E. Broadway, Spokane. The dinner of pulled pork and fixings is complimentary. Beer and wine will be available with donation. Guests will be asked to donate to the ministry. A dessert auction plus a silent and live auction will be held. Handcrafted items, new items or gift cards are greatly appreciated for the auction. Tickets are available at or call Help fill the room! Gather your friends and family. Host a table of 8! Requested dress is bright casual clothing. Your tax-deductible donation goes towards preserving and growing this ministry that serves all students attending EWU. We appreciate your support! THANK YOU St. Mark s, Thank you for all the cards you sent to Mary Pry for her 95 th birthday. They are greatly appreciated. God Bless You. Carol Kamm and family of Mary Pry Dear St. Mark s and St. Mark s Prayer Shawl Ministry, God s richest blessings to all our friends and family at St. Mark s this Easter season. Norman and I would like to thank your group for the prayer shawl Norman received. We feel the prayers given during the creation of the shawl and our prayers have given Norman strength to fight this disease. Norman is so much stronger and feels much better. (Update: Norman s doctor tells us there is no evidence of disease!). We celebrate with joy! Thank you, Norman and Mary Hagen 7

8 Social Ministry Opportunities to Serve Submitted by Patti Berg ST. MARK S FEEDS AND CLOTHES PEOPLE SPEAR kids and families are in great need of toothbrushes, toothpaste, shampoo, soaps, including dish soap and laundry soap, and feminine hygiene products. Please put these items in the basket designated in the narthex. ALL SAINTS LUTHERAN SOUP SUPPER All Saints Lutheran Church not only is a community center now, they still serve soup suppers every Tuesday night, with St. Mark s helping on the fourth Tuesday of the month. This ministry serves low-income downtown and Browne s Addition residents and homeless people. Our next opportunities are March 22 and April 26. Call Steve Nash at if you are able to help. CROSSWALK St. Mark s provides the food and volunteer cooks for Crosswalk on the fourth Thursday of each month. Watch for sign-up sheets in church if you are able to contribute food for this meal. Crosswalk is a Volunteers of America program serving street kids downtown. DINING WITH DIGNITY Volunteers are needed to help with the meal program at Central United Methodist Church. Helping hands are needed to serve breakfast Monday through Thursday, 7:15-8:45 am. Deidre Jacobson at healingpen@comcast.net to learn about opportunities to help homeless and low-income downtown residents. If you can t volunteer, please consider donating gently used men s and women s clothing for the clothing closet at Shalom, part of the ministry of Central UMC. ST. ANNE S SUNDAY LUNCH St. Mark s volunteers cook and serve a full meal to those in need approximately every eight weeks at St. Anne s Catholic Church. The next opportunity to serve is April 10, at 12:00 noon. Please contact Kathy Hammonds at if you are able to help. SOCIAL MINISTRY COMMITTEE Do you want to get involved in social outreach program at St. Mark s but don t know where to start? Our next meeting is April 17, at noon in the office study at St. Mark s. It has been a joy working with all of the volunteers this past year and a half. You have all been very gracious when I have called and asked for you to volunteer. From the time you enter the church you are greeted by volunteers, then handed worship folders by the ushers who volunteer. During the worship services our volunteers are acolytes, those reading the Lesson, Creed and Prayers, and Altar Guild people assisting with the trays during communion. There is also a coordinator for each service who makes sure the people who have volunteered are there. Our services run so smoothly that we take it for granted and do not realize that it takes all of these people to help make it happen Between the two Sunday services and Saturday night service it does take 125 volunteers per month. You will enjoy working with Debbie Olson and I do hope some people come forward to volunteer for the above. It all happens while you are already at church. The more volunteers we have the less amount of time you will be asked to serve. Again, I truly love all at St. Mark s and it has been a blessing serving you in this capacity. Elaine Orness Volunteers Opportunities to Serve 8

9 Faith and Fellowship Groups SATURDAY EVENING POTLUCK First Saturday, April 2, 6:30 pm On the first Saturday of the month you are welcome to join us for a potluck immediately following the 5:30 service. Bring your favorite dish (serving 8-10 people) and join this fun group for eating and fellowship! SCRIPTURE & COFFEE Every Tuesday, April 5, 12, 19, 26, 10:30 am Questions: church office, Looking for a stimulating discussion? Everyone is invited to meet weekly for a Biblebased conversation with Pastor Eric or Pastor Kate to study the Scripture texts for the following Sunday. Join them! EAT, PRAY, LAUGH First Tuesday, April 5, 7:00 pm Eat, Pray, Laugh will meet in the Parish House. All women are invited for conversation, laughter, and refreshments. WALKING CIRCLE Second Friday, April 8, 10:00 am Questions: Nancy Childre, childre37@gmail.com. Meet at the church for a walk to Manito Park. Coffee will be at Rockwood Bakery at 11:00 am. ST. MARK S MEN S GROUP Second Tuesday, April 12, 7:30 pm Men s Group will gather in the Parish House. Sheriff Ozzie Knezovich will be the guest. If you were here when Ozzie visited our group in the past, you know he can be very informative! You will not want to miss this one! As always bring a refreshment of your choice. DIAKONIA GUILD Second Tuesday, April 12, 12:00 pm Questions: church office, Diakonia is an auxiliary of Lutheran Community Services. The members meet monthly at various locations with a speaker from LCS. This month the group will meet for lunch at Emmanuel Lutheran in Cheney. SUNRISE SAINTS & SINNERS Second & Fourth Wednesday, April 13 & 27, 6:30 am Questions: Roger Chase, This men s group meets at The Chalet Restaurant on 30 th and Grand Blvd. In this group you'll have lots of laughs, crazy discussions about everything and a good breakfast. All men are welcomed, saints or sinners! MOVIE DAY Second Wednesday, April 13, 1:30 pm The Intern is a 2015 release starring Robert DeNiro and Anne Hathaway. Find out what happens when a 70-year old intern is invited by a fashion designer to participate in a community outreach program. Free popcorn to the first 15 attendees! Call the church office if you need a ride. RUTH CIRCLE Second Thursday, April 14, 10:00 am Questions: Pastor Kate, All women are welcome to join us for refreshments, very brief project discussion, and Bible study led by Pastor Kate or Pastor Eric. PARENTS WITH YOUNG CHILDREN Third Sunday, April 17, 9:45 a.m. Questions: Susan Hagen, or youth@stmarks-spokane.org This group of parents with infants and toddlers will meet in the fellowship hall. Bring your strollers and backpacks! We will take a walk to Manito Park together, weather permitting. THEOLOGY ON TAP Third Monday, April 18, 7:00 pm If you are 30 years or younger you are welcome to join this group at Two Seven Public House in Lincoln Heights. One of the pastors will lead the discussion and buy a few appetizers to share. continued page 8 9

10 FAITH AND FELLOWSHIP GROUPS continued from page 7 BOOK GROUP Last Wednesday, April 27, 7:00 am St. Mark s Book Group meets at Forza Coffee in Lincoln Heights. The book to be discussed on April 27 th is The Little Paris Bookshop by Nina George. For those wanting to read ahead, we plan to discuss Dreamland by Sam Quinones on May 25. All book lovers are welcome! GREAT COFFEE, TEA, CHOCOLATE GREAT PRICES GREAT CAUSE! If you don t already buy your coffee, tea, cocoa and treats at church, check out the supply on the stand in the narthex next to the kitchen. Prices are better than you ll find at the store, and your purchase helps small farmers in other countries receive a fair price for their crops and labor. And the quality is great! IFC MEET THE NEIGHBORS: BAHA I FAITH Tentatively scheduled for Thursday, April 21 from 6-8:00 pm at the Davenport Hotel. Check the Spokane Interfaith Council website and Facebook pages for confirmation. 10