Newsletter 04-07

GOOD NEWS
April 2007

LIFE TOGETHER

Holy Week with the blessing and procession of palm branches, followed a few days later with our celebration of an Agape meal and the Holy Eucharist on Maundy Thursday, and then the Crucifixion on Good Friday with a dramatic reading of the Passion by our Youth Group, is a necessary prelude to the joyful festal celebrations on Easter Sunday.

All of us will prepare for these events in different ways. The Choir will make our songs of praise and thanksgiving a joyful offering to God. The Altar Guild and others who polish silver and decorate the church with Easter flowers will make our worship space reflect the new life of the Easter season. Those who read lessons and lead us in prayer; parishioners who will take plants and flowers to the sick and others who cannot come to Church; the acolytes; ushers, greeters, and all who participate in our life together, contribute in making our community a responsive and joyful place for spiritual nourishment and worship. Our thanks to one and all.

I was once asked how I manage to go from visiting with a dying patient in the hospital to officiating at a baptism or wedding almost immediately afterward. This question speaks to a whole range of human emotion from the deepest valley of feeling to the highest peak of celebration.

When engaged in pastoral care there are a couple of responses that come to mind: First, during the Easter season in our celebration of Christ's victory over death we remember and give thanks to God for the gift of new life to all creation. It is a wonderful gift and worthy of our gratitude. Second, on a more practical level, I have always found it helpful to take a few deep breaths and try to relax while driving away from the hospital or nursing home, reflecting on what happened during the visit and how family members and care-givers were coping.

Third, I recognize that the celebrations of weddings and baptisms are joyful events that inspire our greatest feelings of appreciation for intimate relationships. It is in those relationships that we begin to prepare for all the surprises that may happen to us along life's journey. Finally, I firmly believe, as St. Paul writes in the Letter to the Romans, nothing in all creation will be able to separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus our Lord.

For me, this knowledge of Gods love is the sustaining force in moving from birth to death and from deaths door to new and risen life. It will soon be Easter. Christ is Risen. Alleluia.

The Rev. David A. Ames

HELP WANTED
Are you looking for a is rewarding and joyful job ? St. Marks is in need of the following:

COFFEE HOUR HOST

For the past year and a half, we have had a small dedicated group baking or buying pastries from week- to- week. We would like to expand the base to have more participating every few months. See Laurie Aparicio, or sign up near the coffee pot on the kitchen counter.

MONEY
COUNTERS NEEDED

Anyone interested in becoming a money counter, please contact Rod Annis or Todd Hoskin.

Your ministry would be greatly appreciated. Counting the weekly offering is done after the 10:00 AM service.

CHOIR
MEMBERS NEEDED

Do you enjoy singing ? We wish to increase the number of voices in our St. Mark's Choir. The Choir supports the congregation in worship and is itself a fine opportunity for friendship and celebration.

Rehearsals are on Wednesday evenings at 7:00. Call the Church office at 433-0211 or speak to our Organist/Music Director Adam Schneider on a Sunday morning

MEALS ON WHEELS

Our 6 week rotation began on Saturday, April 6^th and runs until May 12^th.

We are in need of cooks for the meals & desserts, and drivers to deliver them.

A sign-up sheet is on the bookcase outside the office.

EPISCOPAL CHURCH WOMEN
Younger women are needed in order to maintain the important work of the E.C.W.. Meetings are on
the first Tuesday of the month at 7:00 PM. If you are moved to exercise your ministry in this way, please
contact the E.C.W. President, Linda Lawson at 433-4918.

EPISCOPAL CHURCH WOMEN'S OUTREACH FOR 2007

Rector's Discretionary Fund $300.00

Shaw's Food Cards for needy $600.00

Amos House $100.00

East Bay Coalition $100.00

Episcopal Conference Center $100.00

Bishops Wedding Gift $100.00

F.A.C.T.S. $100.00

Impossible Dreams $100.00

Episcopal Relief & Development $100.00

R. I. Food Bank $100.00

Salvation Army $100.00

The Seaman's Church Institute $100.00

Sexual Assault & Trauma Center $100.00

Crossroads $100.00

American Red Cross $100.00

Heating Oil St. Marks $3000.00

Vacation Bible School $500.00

St. Mark's Tutoring Program $50.00

Flowers (front of church) $30.00

Station Fire Night Club Fund $100.00

Total $5930.00

HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO
Lauire Aparicio	Sandy Lawnsby
John Ball	Betty McVay
Katherine Bell	Sandra O'Grady
Prudence Bishop	David Ouellette
Kendra Lynn Dutra	Dorothy Rovane
Jessica Winfield	Hayley Vine
Barbara Gibbs	Anita Wheeler

SPRING IS HERE !!

At this time of year we make a point of thanking those who help our life together at St. Marks Church. A BIG THANKS goes out to the Acolytes---Altar Guild----Child Care providers----Choir----Church School Staff----Coffee Hour Hosts----Craft Ladies----Episcopal Church Women----Greeters----Lay Eucharist Ministers----Lay Eucharist Visitors----Lay Readers----Meals on Wheels cooks & drivers----Money Counters----Outreach----Pastoral Care Committee----Sexton----Tutors----Ushers----Vestry Members----and last but not lest----The Reverend David A. Ames.

CHRISTIANS

When I say... "I am a Christian"
I'm not shouting "I'm clean livin'."
I'm whispering "I was lost,
Now I'm found and forgiven."

When I say... "I am a Christian"
I don't speak of this with pride.
I'm confessing that I stumble
and need Christ to be my guide.

When I say... "I am a Christian"
I'm not trying to be strong.
I'm professing that I'm weak
And need His strength to carry on.

When I say... "I am a Christian"
I'm not bragging of success.
I'm admitting I have failed
And need God to clean my mess.

When I say... "I am a Christian"
I'm not claiming to be perfect,
My flaws are far too visible
But, God believes I am worth it.

When I say... "I am a Christian"
I still feel the sting of pain.
I have my share of heartaches
So I call upon His name.

When I say... "I am a Christian"
I'm not holier than thou,
I'm just a simple sinner
Who received God's good grace, somehow!

- By Maya Angelou

WHATS COMING UP AT ST. MARKS CHURCH

Easter Sunday: Nancy Adams has graciously invited the congregation to her house for a sunrise service at 6:00 AM. We will have our regular 8 & 10 oclock services at St. Marks Church. The 10:00 AM service will be a Festival Family Eucharist.

Confirmation: Will be held at St. Johns Church, Barrington on Saturday, April 14^th at 4:00 PM.

Evensong: Sunday, April 29^th at 4:00 PM. St. Marks choir sings to the Lord with joyful voices. Come join us!

May Breakfast: St. Marks May breakfast, will be held on Saturday, May 5^th from 7:00 to 11:00 AM. Tickets are $7.00 for adults, $4.00 for children 12 - 6, and children 5 and under are free. Ticket prices are in advance and will be .50 more at the door, so get them early. We put our own placemats together. If you have a business or know someone who would like their logo on the placemat the fee is $15.00 for a business card size and $20.00 for a larger size. They must be in the office by Friday, April 27^th.

Please see Linda Vieira if you can help in the kitchen or serving breakfast. Our first meeting is Sunday, April 15^th after the 10:00 AM service.

Cook In ~ Cook Out: Saturday night May 12^th at 6:30 PM.

Senior Luncheon: The Pastoral Care Committee is inviting all St. Marks seniors to lunch on Saturday, May 19^th at 12 noon, a service of Holy Eucharist will follow. If you need a ride please contact the office at 433-0211.

Paw Sox: Take dad to a ball game for Fathers Day. We have box seats, $9.00 per person for Sunday, June 17^th. The game starts at 1:05 PM against the Ottawa Lynx (Philadelphia Phillies) and after the game the kids get to run the bases.

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