The Missive 531 West College Avenue, Jonesboro, AR 72401 June 2018 A Message from Rev. Hannah... Last Sunday morning, at 8am, as I processed up to my seat to begin Eucharist, I noticed that light from our east-facing, St. George stained glass window was pouring in onto the carpet in front of me. It's a beautiful, colorful illusion, and it only happens during the first half of the summer. It's one of the first things I noticed when I started at St. Mark's, and I welcomed the light back last summer as it marked the first full year and liturgical cycle of my ordained ministry and my time in Jonesboro. Last Sunday, when the morning light returned to mark another year, it also announced that the season of my leave-taking is upon us. Little did I know that something as simple as light through a window could become such a powerful symbol of such important milestones in my life. It is so hard to believe that this is my 24th and final missive article to write, and as I pondered over what words could possibly be sufficient to sum up my time at St. Mark's and to say a good goodbye, I kept coming back to the best ending and goodbye that I know - the final chapter of Revelation. I am the Alpha and the Omega, the first and the last, the beginning and the end...the Spirit and the bride say, "Come." And let everyone who hears say, "Come." And let everyone who is thirsty come...amen. Come, Lord Jesus! The grace of the Lord Jesus be with all the saints. Amen. At a moment when the Church felt so far away from its God, so frightened, so unsure, God sent to John a vision, that when written down becomes a love letter to generations to come: although we are parted, we are together always, and will be together again. If I could leave you all with anything, it would be a love letter, to tell you all that it has been an honor, a privilege, an absolute blessing, to serve as your priest and pastor. St. Mark's is such a beautiful and unique place with such a mix of beautiful and unique (and quirky and passionate and loving) people. The Spirit is so alive here. You are a gift to Jonesboro and to the Episcopal Church. I have loved every minute ministry, and I will miss this place tremendously. I won't be far, and will always appreciate a call or a visit, but in this bittersweet moment, I find comfort in knowing that although we are parted, we are together always, and will be together again. Faithfully, Hannah
Reception for Reverend Hannah Hooker Sunday, June 17, 2018 After the 10 am service/ In the Parish Hall Sunday, June 17 will be Rev. Hannah Hooker s last Sunday at St. Mark s, we will have a reception that Sunday after the 10:00 am service in her honor and would like for everybody to plan on attending. We will be serving finger foods, there is a sign-up sheet on the table in the Narthex, please be sure and sign up! Also, we will decorate the parish hall the afternoon of Saturday, June 16 after Two Saints Kitchen. We look forward to seeing each of you at Rev. Hannah's Reception on Sunday, June 17 after the late service. Sincerely, St. Mark s Evening Prayer in a Time of Transition Change is inevitable in everyone's life, especially the life of a parish. As we prepare for Hannah's departure and Joshua's arrival, a season of reflection, thanksgiving and preparation is in order. Join us in the John Robert's Chapel on Thursday evenings in June, at 5:30 p.m., for a service of evening worship. Here we will invite the Holy Spirit to move in our parish and in Joshua's life, and for the congregation in Little Rock as Hannah begins her ministry there.
May 2018 Baptisms Pictured: Rev. Hannah Hooker, Scott Troutt, Baby Annette Hope Troutt, and Tiffany Troutt Pictured: Adam Weeks, Lillian Rose Weeks, Rev. Hannah Hooker, Tasha Weeks, and Baby Wilhelmina Catherine Ruth Weeks
ECW met May 12 with refreshment hospitality at 9:30 am. and meeting at 10:00 am. This was our last regular Saturday meeting until Sat., September 8, 2018 Men's Club - will meet Thursday June 21, 6:00@ In the church in the Parish Hall. Congratulations to Steve Replogle and Keith Pringle on winning the St. Mark s Men s Club Koontz Golf Tournament Beth Matthews to retire from Trinity Cathedral This June, after 44 years on the job, Beth Matthews is going to retire. We are beyond grateful for her expertise, patience, and dedication. You are welcome to drop by the office between 10 a.m. and 3 p.m. on Friday, June 15, or Monday, June 18, which will be Beth s last day working. We want to honor her for her expertise, patience, and dedication. You are invited to make a donation toward a retirement gift. We hope to present her with a significant check on her last day as one way of our saying thanks. You can be a part of this by donating online at episcopalarkansas.org/beth-retirement or by mailing your check, made payable to the Diocese of Arkansas, to James Matthews, P.O. Box 164668, LR, AR 72216-4668, with Beth s retirement in the memo line. (Do not address your envelope to Beth or send any information about your gift to Beth, as we want this gift to be a surprise.) And please note that these gifts are not tax deductible.
EYC Spaghetti Dinner Fundraiser June 2, at 6:00pm in the Parish Hall, our youth (EYC) will be hosting a fundraiser dinner for the cost of camp this summer at Camp Mitchell. The menu will include salad, spaghetti, bread, wine, and dessert. Cost is $10 each or $30 per/ families of three or more. Camp Mitchell Summer Schedule/ 2018 June 10-15 June 17-22 June 24-29 July 8-13 July 15-20 July 15-20 Senior High (completed 9th-12th grade) Junior High (completed 6th-8th grade) Middler (completed 4th-5th grade) Primary (completed 1st-3rd grade) Creative Arts Camp (completed 6th-9th) Adventure (completed 9th-12th) To register please go to the Camp Mitchell website: www.campmitchell.org Vacation Bible School July 30 through August 2 is slated for St. Mark s Vacation Bible School Program and is for children entering Kindergarten through completing 5 th grade. Our theme is SonWest Roundup. Kids will have a Rip Roaring Good Time with Jesus. Keep your eyes and ears open for our special Registration Day for Vacation Bible School until then, please keep our VBS program in your prayers. We will be needing folks to help creating props and murals before VBS week. Volunteers are also need to help with games, crafts, music and sharing daily bible stories during VBS week. If you can help please contact Rose Mary Latanich (935-0236 or e-mail rosemarylatanich@gmail.com) Camp Mitchell Scholarships It's that time of year again! We would love for all of our young folks who want to attend camp to have that opportunity, so our fundraising efforts have begun! EYC will have fundraisers in the coming weeks and months, but if you would like to contribute to a camp scholarship or sponsor a child, it's easy! You simply make the check out to St. Mark's with "camp scholarship" in the memo line. We are grateful for all of your investment in our youth!
Christian Education Christian Education ended for the summer with a special end of year gathering on May 9. Our festivities included an ice cream social and light refreshments provided by parents. Afterwards, we recognized the children who participated in Children s Christian Education with Certificates of Attendance and end of year progress reports. There are so many folks to thank for helping make this year s Christian Ed program such a success. First, a special thank you to the folks who stepped up to teach: Chris Russell and Lydia Howard. These dedicated individuals shared their love of Christ and faith with the children every Wednesday evening. A big THANK YOU to all the parents and parishioners who supported Christian Education by providing delicious refreshments during community time. A special thank you to Sue McDoniel for postage stamps and donation of items used for our crafts in Christian Ed. Stepping out in faith and answering a call can be challenging but remember we don t ever do it alone. With Rev. Hannah s support and with God s help we are able to accomplish some awesome things. Please consider sharing your time and talents with Christian Education for children when classes resume next fall. We need you. For more information speak Rose Mary Latanich, the volunteer director of children s ministries. Christian Ed Students Liturgy of the Word with Children Many Episcopal churches are now celebrating liturgy of the word with children during Sunday services. Children listen to the same gospel reading that adults hear during Sunday worship but in a way that is understandable for a child. Liturgy with children, as with adults demands dignity, clarity, and simplicity. Our hope and goal at St. Mark s is to teach the Word of God in an age-appropriate way which will hopefully help nurture a child s spiritual journey at a child s own pace and time. Liturgy of the Word with Children is celebrated during our Sunday 10:00am service and is directed for children four years of age to 5 th grade. We have some great volunteers but would like to have more individuals helping so adult volunteers have the opportunity to celebrate Sunday liturgies in the big church. If you have an interest please speak with Rose Mary
June Birthdays June 01 Candace Robinson June 03 Janet Marks June 05 Erik Gilbert June 09 Alex Barnett June 12 Kade Vaughn June 14 Carol Neves June 18 Keith Pringle June 19 Clay Turner June 23 Marilyn Brown June 26 Lori Poston June 26 Bryan Robinette June 30 Kathryn Davis June 30 Rebecca Fundeerburg June Anniversaries June 26 Mike & Linda Cobb June 28 Austin & Alexis Zamora St. Mark s Day School St. Mark's started off the summer with a bang! The first day was May 21st and the last day will be July 27th. We will take off for Memorial day and Independence Day. The teachers have many fun activities planned and we are looking forward to a great summer! Peggy June 2 Team 5 June 9 Team 6 June 16 Team 7 June 23 Team 8 June 30 Team 9
Upcoming Events.June Thursday evenings in June, at 5:30 p.m.-evening Prayer in a Time of Transition June 2 Spaghetti Dinner Fundraiser at 6:00pm in the Parish Hall, for our youth June 11 7 pm Vestry Meeting June 17 Father s Day/Holy Eucharist / Rev. Hannah s Last Sunday with Reception to follow late service June 21 6pm Men s Club July 1 Father Joshua Daniel s First Sunday at St. Mark s Daughters of the King will NOT meet again until Sunday, August 26, 2018 Financial Update May Year to Date Pledges and Offerings Received $ 20,336 $ 113,227 Needed to meet budget $ 21,369 $ 118,650 Budget Surplus (Shortfall) ($ 1,033) ($ 5,422) Actual Expenses Paid $ 17,516 $ 98,774 Actual (Shortfall) $ 2,819 $ 17,746 Loan Balance $142,404