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GOOD NEWS |
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LIFE TOGETHER |
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What a glorious celebration of Easter! The children were terrific, the church was filled with the Spirit of God, and everyone seemed to enjoy the joy of song and festive thanksgiving after a somber and reflective Holy Week. Many thanks to everyone who worked to make this season of resurrection to new life such a good experience. As we move ahead during the coming weeks we can look forward to many programs in our parish community. Among them are the May breakfast, the bi-annual Senior Luncheon and celebration of Holy Eucharist, Church School recognition, and a combined Service of Evensong on the Sunday after the Ascension, May 20th at St. Matthew’s Church, West Barrington. There is more about these events in this newsletter. We are now on the verge of a new venture for the life of St. Mark’s Church and our nearby parishes of St. Mary’s and St. Matthew’s. A Strategic Planning Committee of five people from each parish is to begin a ten meeting process of discerning what God is calling us to be and do as the Episcopal Church in the greater East Providence area of our Diocese. This is a disciplined process of prayer and study that will explore many options before us. We will be doing an analysis of the strengths and weaknesses of each parish, the programs and resources we have, and what may be required to assure the future work of the ministry and mission we share as Christians. |
We are called to be ambassadors of reconciliation, to carry on Christ’s work of ministering to the needs of others, to feed the hungry, visit the sick, and comfort the bereaved. It is all about our worship and praise of God, the giver of life and the sustainer of souls. The question we must consider is how can we be most effective in carrying out this wonderful ministry of love and service. Following the work of the Strategic Planning Committee, a written document will be presented to our respective vestries and to the congregations. After discussion and acceptance we will begin to implement findings and recommendations. It should be an exciting time for members of all three churches, and we should look forward to a new level of energy and life together in our work on behalf of the Kingdom of God. We are all aware that change is difficult and that it is a constant phenomenon in life. We are never the same tomorrow as we were yesterday. New experiences and new opportunities are always part of who we are. What is important is how we embrace the opportunities and challenges that come our way. By listening, being open, responsive, and participating in the process we can live with renewed hope and vitality. We are bonded together through our baptism and grafted into the fellowship of the Holy Spirit. May we continue to grow in love and support of one another? The Rev. David A. Ames |
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DID YOU KNOW?: When we were at St. John’s Church in Barrington recently for the Deanery service of Confirmation and Reception, the Rector gave me copies of the first newsletters for St. Mark’s Church. Wow! Did you know that the first newsletter was dated February, 1892 and was called “St. Mark’s Herald? Here is an excerpt from the April, 1892 edition: “At last evening’s 5 o’clock service in St. John’s Chapel, Rev. Mr. Hardy, who has accepted a call to mission work in Riverside, R.I., near Providence, uttered the affecting words which separated him from a people who love and respect him and whose prayers for the complete success of his ministry, will accompany him to his new home. The Times desires to go on record in appreciation of Rev. Mr. Hardy’s character and attainments, and cordially supplements the united wish of Portsmouth people for a prosperous and exceptionally pleasant life work”. -- Portsmouth Times. Rev. David Ames PROPERTY COMMITTEE: We have finally completed the requirements for the new fire alarm code to the tune of $30,000. We are now in compliance and have a new antenna on the front of the church which is tested daily by the fire department. Rod Annis is currently working with Wood’s Heating to see what needs to be done there with the furnaces, etc. If anyone notices any property matters please call me or leave a note in the office.
PASTORAL CARE: We are alive and well and planning our annual Senior Luncheon for Saturday, May 19, 2007 at 12 Noon. ALL SENIORS are invited to have lunch with us and then The Rev. Ames will officiate at a Eucharist after the luncheon. PLEASE RSVP to the OFFICE 433-0211 by Wednesday, May 16, 2007. So we can plan appropriately (i.e. have enough food for all) We will have a very short meeting after the 10:00 AM service on Sunday, May 13, 2007. Please be there to make final preparations.
Jeanne Mason |
SENIOR WARDEN: I want to update all of you on a couple of things we discussed at the Annual Meeting. We are putting finishing touches on the Parish Profile (a.k.a. the Self-Assessment Study) and hope to have the Vestry review it at its May meeting. After that I would like to have a Town Meeting to discuss the profile and any other issues on the minds of parishioners. Stay tuned for date and time. In May we shall be gathering representatives from St. Mark’s St. Mary’s East Providence and St. Matthew’s, West Barrington to begin a formal process of discussing possible shared ministry among the three parishes. Each parish is appointing five people (including the respective senior wardens, the rectors to a committee. We plan to meet twice a month for 90 minute’s each meeting over the next five months and see where the road leads. At the end of the process (sometime this fall) we will report our findings. I know many of you are asked why we have not entered a search for a new rector ? It’s the No. 1 question I am asked, and do not mind trying to answer as often as I can: Part of the reason is financial. Right now, even with a part-time rector we are still running a $35,000 deficit, bridged by endowment funds to help with day-to-day expenses. More importantly, we are not sure where this shared ministry process is going. It could result in a new identity -- we just won’t know until the process is completed. To go out and look for someone now I believe is not advisable because we are not sure what the clergy need will be and because a potential clergy candidate’s first question would be where our parish is headed and where he/she sees us in the future. It is a question we cannot answer right now. Please pray for this committee that we will approach the process with clear minds and no hidden agendas. Finally, we will be resuming our ``Every Member Visit'' this Spring - a chance for representatives from the Vestry and Stewardship Committee to hear the needs and concerns of parishioners. We were not able to make it to everyone last fall, so we are visiting again in the coming months. But we need your help: If you were not visited and would like somebody to come, please call the office (433-0211). We will put you at the head of the list. Either way we look forward to seeing
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EPISCOPAL CHURCH WOMEN: The Episcopal Church Women of St. Mark’s will meet on Tuesday, May 1st at 7:00 PM. Judith Hoskin will give a presentation of her trip to Australia. Everyone is welcome. Come and see the beautiful pictures of Australia. The next bake sale will be Sunday, May 6th. The Annual Banquet is Saturday, June 9th at Old Grist Mill in Seekonk, MA. Meetings are on the first Tuesday of the month at 7:00 PM. |
We sometimes sing that wonderful hymn: “Spread, O spread, thou mighty word, spread the kingdom of the Lord, that to earth’s remotest bound all may heed the joyful sound.” So, invite and bring a friend. We shall welcome all who come. |
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There are sign up sheets outside the office for help in this set-up which we will be doing on Friday, May 4, 2007 at 7:00pm, and for help on the day of the event. If you are unable to help on either of those times, a contribution of food items is needed, such as juices, milk, cream, paper goods, etc. There is a sign up list for these items outside the office. We are also going to have advertisement placemats again this year (IN COLOR). If you or someone you know would like to place an ad on these placemats, seen by at least 200, people please let me know. Business size card ads are $15. Larger ads are $20. Ad requests and payments need to be in no later than Friday April 27, 2007. We look forward to seeing you!!!
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The following week, June 3rd, the Rev. J. Daniel Burke will celebrate and preach. Our Interim Rector, David Ames and his wife Carol will be attending their niece’s graduation from Bard College on May 27, and the following week will be in Geneva, Switzerland as guests of our US Trade Representative to the World Trade Organization. |
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VACATION BIBLE SCHOOL: Vacation Bible School is Monday, July 23rd to Friday 27th 9: 00 AM to 12 Noon, and our closing program on Sunday, July 29th at the 9:00 AM service. Registration forms are on the small table near the library. Ages pre-school to 5th grade may enroll. Older teens are welcome and needed to help with the Crews. Please see Myra Duhamel if you can help. |
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New youth group schedules can be picked up in Mr. Hummel’s class room or call the church 433-0211 and one will be mailed to you. |
BRING A FRIEND
SUNDAY
MAY BREAKFAST:
GUEST
PREACHERS ARE COMING: 
SUNDAY SCHOOL:
The Sunday school is doing well. We have had
a good year. On Sunday, May 6th
we will be taking our annual picture.
Sunday, May 13th will be the last
day for classes downstairs and we shall
have. May 20th is Family Sunday
and the children will take part in the
service and will also sing..gif){kind=logo}
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E.C.W. Meeting: Tuesday, May 1st 7:00 PM. Strategic Planning Committee: Meeting Thursday, May 3rd at 7:00 PM at St. Matthew’s. Vestry Meeting: Second Tuesday of the month, May 8th at 7:00 PM. Cook In ~ Cook Out: Saturday night May 12th at 6:30 PM. Sign up sheets located in the Library for our 1st Annual Cook in/Cook out Strategic Planning Committee: Meeting Thursday, May 17th at 7:00 PM. Senior Luncheon: Saturday, May 19th at 12 noon, a service of Holy Eucharist will follow. Colt Park: Sunday, June 24th a combined service and picnic with St. Mary’s, St. Matthew’s, & St. Mark’s. |
May Breakfast: “You have been to the rest now come to the best.” May Breakfast! On Saturday, May 5th from 7:00 to 11:00 AM. Tickets are now on sale $7.00 for Adults, $4.00 for children 12 - 6, and children 5 and under eat free. Commissions Meeting: Sunday, May 6th after the 10:00 AM service. All parishioners and committee members are welcome. Bring a friend Sunday: May 13th for both 8:00 & 10:00 AM services. Deadline for “Good News”: Tuesday, May 15th for the June newsletter. Evensong: At St. Matthew’s in West Barrington on Sunday, May 20th at 4:00 PM. Come join the choirs of Church of the Epiphany, St. Mark’s, and St. Matthew’s. Paw Sox Game: On Father’s Day June 17th the parish is going to McCoy Stadium at 1:05 PM. We have 2 tickets left, so please contact the office as soon as possible. |
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HAPPY MOTHER'S DAY -
SUNDAY MAY 13th |
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HELP WANTED |
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COFFEE HOUR HOST
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MONEY 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
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 |
EPISCOPAL CHURCH WOMEN Younger women are needed in order to maintain the important work of the E.C.W..
Meetings are on |
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WELCOME TO OUR ST. MARK'S FAMILY: Theresa L.C. Degrafft, and Aubrey McVay, who were baptized on Sunday, April 15, 2007. CONGRATULATIONS TO: Steven Atkinson, who was confirmed, and Joyce Reid, and Michael Rossi, who were received on Saturday, April 14, 2007 at St. John’s Church in Barrington. |
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