by Amber Stockbauer – May 6
One of the services St. Mark’s provides for our community is helping serve free evening meals at the Salvation Army on the 3rd and 4th Thursday each month.
Four people (junior high age and older) are needed for each of those two Thursdays every month. If you’re interested and occasionally available for this, please call
Maggie Elliott at (351-4056) or Janice Thorne (351-0047).
Time commitment for each Thursday is 4:45 to 6:30 p.m.
This is one of several services operating through our Church and Society Committee.
by Amber Stockbauer –
June 20-That is the day that the grills will be hot and the chicken will be cooking, and hopefully it won’t be raining! It is one of the most important days in our church and we hope that everyone can plan on helping and sharing in the fellowship that is the St. Marks Chicken BBQ.
Within the next month, signup sheets will be up and we will be asking for your help in filling spots in any of the following positions:
Pits
Cakes
Parking
Clean-up
Kitchen
Dining Room
Serving Line
Carry-out
We hope everyone can help plan on making this an enjoyable and profitable event. Have a new recipe you want to try or an all time favorite? We need your desserts to serve and of course brownies for drive thru. Please bring morning of the bbq and enjoy the wonderful smells!
If you have any questions, concerns or advice do not hesitate to contact us.
Cory Berwald (338-9812) and Randy Krutzfield (337-9311),
Chicken BBQ Co-Chairs
by Amber Stockbauer –
The Youth are challenging us, the congregation and friends of St. Mark’s, to a (fight) hunger drive. During the month of May we are collecting food for local area food-banks. As an added incentive, you will receive rewards for different levels achieved of donating non-perishable foods. If we as a congregation bring 500 items, the youth will treat us with popcorn and M&Ms. If we reach 1,000 items, the reward is bumped up to muffins for all. If we reach 1,500 items, the youth will sell cinnamon rolls* and if we reach 2,000 the youth will provide pancakes for the congregation on a Sunday! (other than a normal pancake Sunday) Thank you and may the odds be ever in our favor.
MOST NEEDED ITEMS:
Canned fruit & 100% fruit juice
Hearty soups & stews
Pasta & rice
Canned vegetables
Baby diapers (all sizes)
Baby formula & food
Toilet paper
Laundry detergent
Canned meats or fish (tuna, chicken, beef or sausage)
Peanut Butter
Beans (canned & dried)
Crackers (all types)
*Proceeds from Cinnamon rolls will also help feed the hungry!
by Amber Stockbauer –
Don’t forget our pancake breakfast here THIS Saturday, May 11th from 7am-12pm. Your minimum donation of $5/ticket goes to Imagine No Malaria. Other United Methodist churches in our area are helping and participating with this event.
by Amber Stockbauer – April 9
We will be changing our worship schedule at St. Mark’s this summer in response to the feedback the worship committee has been receiving since our survey last fall. Please plan to worship on Sundays with us during the months of June, July, and August in the following ways:
8:30 AM Traditional Worship
9:30 AM Sunday school
10:30 AM Contemporary Worship
12:30 PM San Marcos Worship
In cooperation with other committees of the congregation, we hope to offer Sunday school options for all ages as well as welcoming and gathering time together. We encourage you to invite your friends, neighbors, and co-workers to participate in all of the ministries of St. Mark’s throughout the summer. Thank you for being a part of the worship life of the church.
by Amber Stockbauer –
This is the time of year to sign up for a garden plot at St. Mark’s Taft Avenue property.
Each plot is about 10 ft x 30 ft. There is a 3 ft space between each plot. There are some people who have had gardens at this location in the past and those people have the first choice for a plot this year. On the other hand, there are some folks who will not be gardening with us this year, which leaves some vacancies to fill.
I urge those who are considering a garden plot to give me a call to get on the list. It will be a first come first served basis. I’ll also answer any questions you have in this regard.The garden will be tilled early in the Spring ready for you to get your hands in the dirt with some planting. We ask that you keep your space clear of weeds. At the end of the season you must remove all stakes, markers, plant supports, etc. before the middle of October.
Happy Gardening! Call Chuck Lindemann at 319-338-7126 or 530-7127. Email is acreage88@aol.com.
by Amber Stockbauer –
Over the past several months the Communication Task Force has made some changes, including new ways of communicating wonderful things happening at St. Mark’s, plus many opportunities for you to get involved. Two of the major changes are:
Bulletin Boards – New bulletin boards have been installed in Fellowship Hall to improve information from our ministry areas. In addition, changes to the two bulletin boards in the narthex.
The glass case features photos of our staff.
The information board identifies worship servants for the respective month, meetings for the upcoming week, Finance and Church Council information, and map of our church’s interior.
Newsletter – St. Mark’s Matters is changed to a monthly newsletter, eliminating redundant weekly information and cutting financial costs for staff time, paper, and postage.
We’d like to hear from you about what you like, perhaps don’t like, or changes you’d like to see for more and better communication within our church.
On Sunday, April 28, we’ll be available in Fellowship Hall after the first (8 o’clock) and second (9:30) worship services to talk with anyone interested in talking with us about communication within our church. You may also use email, telephone, or message in our church mailbox to contact us.
We look forward to hearing from you!
Communication Task Force Co-Chairs
Kay Seagren alandkayseagren@msn.com
Bob Elliott elliottb53@aol.com
by Amber Stockbauer –
Do you ever wonder how your pledge dollars are spent, or why it is important to contribute by pledging (promising to contribute a certain dollar amount in a given year)?
The new series, Budget ABC’s, was recommended by Church Council to help create awareness and discussion about how pledge and offering dollars support the ministries and administration of St. Mark’s. Each month will focus on a different “letter” of the budget alphabet.
April brings you the letter “C” for Children and for Congregational Care.
Children’s Education budget = $ 5,855.
$ 3,250 pays for books, subscriptions, curriculum, materials, and supplies for Sunday School, Vacation Bible School, and Confirmation, and Bibles for 3rd graders.
$ 1,225 supports Children’s Ministry fellowship and outreach opportunities. 2012 events included:
Easter Eggstravaganza. Over 100 children from St. Mark’s, San Marcos, and neighborhood families enjoyed a fun Saturday morning of Easter crafts, games, stories, and an Easter egg hunt.
Family pool party. St. Mark’s Children’s Ministry rented the Rec Center pool and hosted a Friday night fellowship time for families and friends.
Teacher Appreciation breakfast.
Sunday School kick off.
Treats for Feet Halloween party.
$ 1,000 supplements the camp special offering taken each August to pay for a portion of tuition for St. Mark’s kids to attend a United Methodist summer resident camp.
$ 200 provides childcare for volunteer training or parent
$180 buys postage stamps.
Congregational Care budget = $ 3,166
$ 1,246 The Congregational Care team supports members during important life events by purchasing baptism gifts, sending flowers for hospitalizations, and mailing cards for birthdays, confirmation, graduation, sympathy, welcoming cards to visitors.
$1,000 pays for advertising to communicate worship opportunities, times, and location, especially for Easter and Christmas.
$ 720 Hospitality buys coffee and snacks not covered by donations.
$ 200 purchases Interpreter magazine subscriptions for committee leaders.
by Amber Stockbauer –
Health Ministry Sunday – April 21
Join us for this special morning of worship celebrating all aspects of health – physical, mental, emotional, spiritual. Blood pressure clinics and various health information booths will be available all morning and we will hear about exciting opportunities in health ministry. We will commission our new class of Stephen Ministers, hear wonderful music and worship God together. Don’t miss this joy-filled Sunday!
Dogsology Creative Opportunity!
This animal therapy ministry has a new name (thanks again Dan Fisher and Craig Gibson!); but it needs some visual help – that’s where you come in!
We are launching a logo contest for the Dogsology ministry group. When certified animal-therapy teams are visiting, we like to wear identifying clothing/tags/name badges.
Help us come up with a great logo so we can put it on our ministry gear! Submit all designs to Rev. Chris by April 21. Winners announced in worship and the newsletter – let’s use those creative talents!
Home Communion Team Opportunities Available
Gathering at table together is an important part of our faith life. Shut-in members who can no longer get here for worship really miss participating in this expression of faith. On the first Sunday of each month, we are looking for ministry volunteers to “extend the table” and take communion to members who would like to receive it. Each communion ministry member will receive an order of service for communion and a traveling communion “kit” with consecrated elements to share with your partner member. If you are interested in being a part of this vital ministry; please contact Rev. Chris at 337-7201 or healthminister@stmarks-umc.net The first training opportunity for ministry team members will be held Sunday, April 14 at 9:30 and 10:30.
Let’s Get Movin!
Zumba continues on Monday nights from 5:30-6:30 in Fellowship Hall. This is a fun exercise class based on Latin dance moves – no experience needed! We gather, work out and laugh together every week – join us! Watch for new exercise opportunities coming this month, including yoga. If you have an exercise suggestion, contact Rev. Chris. We are open to offering multiple classes at different times so we can all work on our physical health in the ways that appeal to each of us. All suggestions welcome!
New “Green Group” Ministry to begin
Concerned about healthy eating? Interested in local food purchasing options? Do you care about Creation Care and environmental health? How about community gardening? If any of these thoughts has been rolling around in your mind and heart, we want you! Join us for an informational meeting on the launch of an environmental health ministry here at St. Mark’s. We’ll gather on Wednesday, April 24 at 6:30 p.m to discuss the exciting possibilites. Interested in attending? Contact Rev. Chris at 337-7201 or healthminister@stmarks-umc.net
by Amber Stockbauer –
Safe Sanctuary training will be held on April 18th, at 6:30 in 108/109.
Safe Sanctuary training is mandatory for anyone who wishes to volunteer with our children or youth and must be renewed every three years. If you plan on being involved with VBS, Wesley Woods, youth group, the Youth Mission Trip, Sunday School, the nursery, or children’s or youth music, then you must be current on your training.
Please make every effort to attend this training session.
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