Dear Friends:

Here is the news of the week:

• The Outreach Committee Needs Your Help!
  Covenant Soup Kitchen, serving love to so many in Willimantic, is asking for donations of food, baby supplies and feminine care products.  During Lent, can the parish fill the Covenant Donation Bin outside the kitchen with some of the following:  canned soup, pasta, beans, tuna, peanut butter, coffee, fruit juice, shampoo, soap, tooth brushes, plastic grocery bags, food storage bags, paper plates? It was overflowing last week.  Can you do it again? Thank you for your generosity.
• The Last Sunday Offering for March, collected next week, is designated to go to the Covenant Soup Kitchen.
• Looking for a new way to serve at St. Mark's?  The  next rota of Sunday ministers is almost ready but if you would like to try something new--reading or intercessing or doing the flowers or helping with ushering or coffee hour--please let the office know. 
• One way to serve is to be a reader of the Passion as part of the service  on Palm Sunday and /or Good Friday.  Please let the office know if you are available to "play" a role. 
• Married 50 years or more?
  The Episcopal Church in Connecticut wants to celebrate this milestone with you and other Episcopalians.  There will be a celebration on May 19th at Christ Church Cathedral in Hartford for all couples who reach this milestone in 2019.  Same sex couples who have been together for at least 50 years and are now married are also invited.  Please let the church office know if you would like an invitation to attend. 
• At Easter, St. Mark's is beautifully decorated in celebration of Christ's resurrection.  Donations to the flowers made be made in memory of departed friends and loved ones as well as in thanksgiving for special persons or events important to you. Your Sunday bulletin has all the details.  
• The first Lenten Soup and Bread supper had great support and stimulating conversation.  A new discussion takes place next Wednesday at 6 and you are invited.
• Last call for new adult sized flip-flops for the residents at the Mercy Home and Shelter in Hartford.  This is a project of the School of Nursing Class of 2021 and there is a collection bin in the lower hallway.
  
  
  

Best wishes, Linda

In addition to the Gospel, Rev. Brian's sermon touched on St. Patrick (today being his feast day) and both readings.
Recorded tracks:

1. Greeting, Announcements (Rev. Brian Blayer)
2. 1st Reading:  Genesis 15:1-12,17-18 (Acey Neel)
3. 2nd Reading:  Philippians 3:17-4:1 (Acey Neel)
4. Gospel: Luke 13:31-35 (Rev. Brian Blayer)
5. Sermon (Rev. Brian Blayer)

There are two Lenten offerings this week:

• Kathy Pepin and Mary Jo Tryba invite you to join a discussion group
  ⁕⁕TOMORROW⁕⁕, Tuesday, March 19 from 2-3pm in Goodwin Hall. 
  The group will be reading short excerpts from the ”Daily Lenten Devotions” written by Henri Nouwen.  With small paper books, which are provided, the discussion will focus on  thoughts about the passages. This is a “low key” gathering where attendees can express their ideas and reflections to each other in a quiet, trusting ways.   Please join the conversation. 
• Planning to attend the Wednesday night soup and bread suppers? 
  The first one is THIS WEDNESDAY from 6-7:30. 
  ​To facilitate food preparations, please RSVP to the office. 

Best wishes, Linda

(Left-click the download link to download, right-click to view.)

Dear Friends:

Here is the news of the week:

• Episcopal Questions and Episcopal Answers
  As part of the Lenten offerings at St. Mark’s, there will be Wednesday evening soup and bread suppers and discussion of “Episcopal Questions, Episcopal Answers.”   Dates are March 20, 27 and April 3 from 6-7:30pm.  The book is available on Amazon Smile which returns a percentage of purchase price to St. Mark’s. Hosts are needed for the soup and bread suppers.  Please RSVP to the office if you plan to attend so there will be soup and bread for all.  Many thanks to Madison Day, Mary Jo Tryba, and Wei Zhang and John Bovay for hosting these suppers.
• WAIM Work Day, April 6   9am-12 noon
  The biannual St. Mark's Work Day at WAIM is fast approaching. This is wonderful opportunity for families to work together and  uplift  members of local communities who need the support of WAIM for many basic items. Plan to meet at WAIM in Willimantic about 9am.  If you have any questions, please speak with Rev. Brian.
• Saturday, April 27      Spring Training and Gathering in Berlin       9am-4pm
• Join other Episcopalians from across Connecticut for a day of fellowship, learning, prayer and fun.  All are welcome—from people in the pews and vestry members to parish leaders and staff.  There will be more than 35 workshops offered.  Lunch provided.  Please ask Linda to register you.
• Covenant Soup Kitchen, serving love to so many in Willimantic, is asking for donations of food, baby supplies and feminine care products.  During Lent, can the parish fill the Covenant Donation Bin outside the kitchen with some of the following:  canned soup, pasta, beans, tuna, peanut butter, coffee, fruit juice, shampoo, soap, tooth brushes, plastic grocery bags, food storage bags, paper plates? Thank you for your generosity.
  
• Campus Ministry News:
  • Flip Flop Drive:  The UConn School of Nursing, Class of 2021 is collecting new, adult size flip flops for the residents at the Mercy Housing and Shelter in Hartford.  There will be a collection box at St. Mark’s.  Dates for the collection are March 11-29.  Questions: Contact:  Lyman.nuttall@uconn.edu   
  • UConn Spring Break Next Week:  And that means no 5PM Campus Communion and Dinner.  Rev. Brian is looking for a host for dinner on March 31.  Please let the office know if you are interested in this campus ministry.
  • Spring brings  many UConn a cappella concerts to St.. Mark's.  Please check out the upcoming concerts posted on the bulletin board in the hallway.  
    
    

Best wishes, Linda

The Rev. Bruce Steinway is a parishioner and retired Lutheran priest. He filled in for our pastor, Rev. Brian, who was away.

Because Rev. Bruce's microphone wasn't turned on, the quality of his recordings is relatively poor. I had to use the sound picked up by wall-mounted microphones that also pick up the ambient sounds of the space. I attempted to improve the clarity of his voice during editing with Audacity software (ver. 2.3.1).

Recorded tracks:

Announcements (Rev. Bruce Steinway)

1st Reading:  Deuteronomy 26:1-11 (Mark Healey)

2nd Reading:  Romans 10:8b-13 (Mark Healey)

Gospel: Luke 4:1-13 (Rev. Bruce Steinway)  

Sermon (Rev. Bruce Steinway)

Rev. Brian’s sermon references both the Exodus and Corinthians readings as well as the Gospel.Recorded tracks:

1. Announcements (Rev. Brian Blayer)
2. 1st Reading:  Exodus 34:29-35 (Amanda Hanzlik)
3. 2nd Reading:  2 Corinthians 3:12-4:2 (Amanda Hanzlik)
4. Gospel: Luke 9:28-36 (Rev. Brian Blayer)   
5. Sermon (Rev. Brian Blayer

Here is the news of the week:
 

• First Friday Organ Recital is TOMORROW at noon.  Charlie, the one armed organist and violinist Priscilla Back will play music by Bach.  You are invited to bring a sandwich and a friend.
• Reminder:  Parish Meeting following the 10am service this Sunday to vote on changes to the by-laws.  Coffee and goodies served!
• Next Wednesday, March 6 is Ash Wednesday.  There will be two services with imposition of ashes at 12 noon and 7pm.  
• Episcopal Questions and Answers--you are invited to join the conversation on three Wednesdays--March 20, 27 and April 3.  Needed:  hosts for soup and bread suppers.  Please let the office know if you can host.
• Also needed:  hosts for coffee hour next Sunday, March 10.  Please let the office know if you can help.
• Quiet Corner Refugee Resettlement News:   Against all odds, QCRR has been offered the opportunity to resettle a Syrian refugee family of 4, arriving March 5th. They could use help furnishing the family’s new home. It is their practice to rely on their partner, WAIM, for furniture and household items as much as possible. Also needed is an assortment of general household cleaning tools and products. Move in date is Saturday, March 2 when furniture and household goods from WAIM will arrive. The house will be open for teams to finish their work on Sunday, March 3. Trucks and strong backs are needed for March 2.  Reach out to Julie Menard at jmenard2241@sbcglobal.net for more information.
• Flip Flop Drive:   The UConn School of Nursing, Class of 2021 is collecting
  new, adult size flip flops for the residents at the Mercy Housing and Shelter in Hartford.  There will be a collection box at St. Mark’s.  Dates for the collection are March 11-29.  Questions?  Contact:  Lyman.nuttall@uconn.edu
• Do you like to knit? Prayer shawls are given as a tangible example of God’s love and concern. A shawl is made of soft yarn so the recipients can wrap up in it and literally feel God’s arms around them. Please consider knitting a prayer shawl or two—you may have noticed that the shawl rack in Goodwin Hall is almost empty. This is truly an offering of love to someone celebrating a new baby or coping with an illness.   
• North East Region of ECCT News:  Are you a handcrafter in the NE Region? Do you want to learn a new handicraft? Are you curious about how crafting fits into your spirituality? Come to the NE Region Crafting as Spiritual Practice Day!  Bring your portable handicrafts with you as we spend time in prayer and practice, sharing stories and soaking up the wisdom of God as manifested in each of us and our crafts.  St. Mary’s Manchester is hosting this event on Saturday, March 30 from 9:30am-2pm. Bring your own lunch; coffee, tea and sweets provided by St. Mary’s. For more information, contact Maggie Breen, NE Region Missionary at mbreen@episcopalct.org
• As part of UConn's Metanoia, David Hogg, a survivor the Parkland School shooting tragedy will speak on Monday, March 4 at 7:30pm  in the Jorgensen Theater.  Free and open to the public.   
• Other UConn news:  True Colors Annual Conference for LGBTQ youth, students, parents and professionals, takes place on March 22-23.  For information about workshops, registration, vendors and ways to support the conference is available here:   https://www.ourtruecolors.org/conference/
• The previously announced dates for Vacation Bible School  (VBS) have been changed  due to an unforeseen conflict at Storrs Congregational. The new dates are  July 29-August 2.  Sunday, August 4, will be the date of the joint VBS worship service at Storrs Congregational.

The readings and sermon for St. Mark’s Chapel’s 10 am service on 02-17-2019. The Rev. Sara Anderson, who is a parishioner and a Lutheran priest, celebrated the service and delivered the sermon. It was also the first time parishioner Laurie Gypson was the lector.
Recorded tracks:

1. 1st Reading: Jeremiah 17:5-10 (Laurie Gypson)
   
2. 2nd Reading:  1 Corinthians 15:12-20 (Laurie Gypson)
   
3. Gospel: Luke 6:17-26 (Rev. Sara Anderson)
   
4. Sermon (Rev. Sara Anderson)

Dear Friends:

Happy Valentine's Day!  As you celebrate love, may the chocolate be tempting, the roses ever so fragrant and the champagne pink and bubbly!  

Here is the news of the week:

• Needed:  An intercessor for 10am this Sunday.  Please let the office know your availability.  
• Parish Meeting on March 3—Amended By-Laws
  The Vestry approved changes to the description of the Treasurer duties. Of note, the wording was amended to eliminate certain inaccurate wording and add other important responsibilities of this position. There will be a special meeting held after the 10:00am service to officially vote to adopt the changes. Should you have any questions about these changes, please contact Steve Paasch.
• Episcopal Questions and Episcopal Answers
  Lent begins on Ash Wednesday, March 6, with two services offering imposition of ashes, one at 12 noon and the other at 7pm.  As part of the Lenten offerings, there will be Wednesday evening soup and bread suppers and discussion of “Episcopal Questions, Episcopal Answers.”   Dates are March 20, 27 and April 3 from 6-7:30pm.  The book is available on Amazon Smile which returns a percentage of purchase price to St. Mark’s. Hosts are needed for the soup and bread suppers.  Please RSVP to the office.
• Last Sunday Offering for February
  This month’s Last Sunday Offering,  collected next week, is designated to go to the No Freeze Shelter in Willimantic which supports the homeless population by providing a warm bed, showers and laundry facilities.  Envelopes for donations can be found in the pews.  Thank you for your generosity.
• Rev. Brian on Vacation
  Rev. Brian will be on vacation until February 25  Please notify the Warden with any concerns.  Ben Brockman will be available for pastoral emergencies.  Pastor Sara Anderson will be leading worship this Sunday. 
  Thank you, Sara.  And thanks also to Justin He who is covering for Charlie Houmard this Sunday. 

Best wishes, Linda

Audio for St. Mark’s Chapel’s 10 am service for Feb. 10,2019, the 5th Sunday after the Epiphany. Sermon by the Rev. Aaron Geddis of the Apostolic Fellowship Church in Bloomfield
Recorded tracks:

1. Welcoming remarks and highlighting of announcements by Rev. Brian Blayer
2. 1st Reading: Isaiah 6:1-8 (Mark Healey)
3. 2nd Reading:  1 Corinthians 15:1-11 (Mark Healey
4.  Gospel: Luke 5:1-11 (Rev. Brian Blayer)
5. Sermon (Rev. Aaron Geddis)

Dear Friends:

Here is the news of the week:

• This Sunday:  Clergy and lay parish delegates at ECCT’s 2018 Annual Convention voted to enter a season of Racial Healing, Justice and Reconciliation of at least two years and named the second Sunday in February as a day to start a conversation in parishes.  To begin this conversation here at St. Mark’s, Rev. Brian has invited the Rev. Aaron Geddis from the Apostolic Fellowship Church in Bloomfield as our guest preacher on Sunday!  Welcome Rev. Geddis!
• Do you know about the Last Green Valley?  You’re in it! It was designated a National Heritage Corridor in 1994.  Its web site (http://www.thelastgreenvalley.org) states:  The Last Green Valley is not a traditional park. Instead, citizens, businesses, nonprofit cultural and environmental organizations, local and state governments, and the National Park Service work together to preserve and celebrate the region’s cultural, historical and natural heritage.  Maggie Breen, the North East Regional Missionary invites everyone to attend a gathering on Thursday, February 28  at Christ Church, Norwich at 6:30PM to learn about The Last Green Valley.  Maggie, along with Rev. Rachel Thomas, SE Region Missionary, are hosting this meeting to facilitate conversation between LGV and anyone who is interested in eco-justice, conservation, nature, etc.  Please do come! 
• The 2019 6th Annual Interfaith Film Series is presented in collaboration with the Connecticut Council for Inter-religious Understanding,  the National Conference for Community and Justice,  the Hartford Seminary, and the Wadsworth Atheneum of Art and  takes place the first three Sundays in March.  Dates are March 3, 10 and 17 and films will be shown at the Wadsworth Atheneum.  More information is available in your Sunday bulletin or from Bruce Steinway.  
• Rev. Brian will be on vacation from February 14-25.  For pastoral emergencies, please contact the warden. 

Best wishes, Linda

Audio for our 10 am service for 01-27-2019, Family Service for the 3rd Sunday after the Epiphany
Recorded tracks:
1) Welcoming remarks and highlighting of announcements by Rev. Brian Blayer
2) 1st Reading: Nehemiah 8:1-3, 5-6, 8-10 (Lydia Wilderman)
3) Psalm: Psalm 19 (Ethan Hanzlik)
4) 2nd Reading: 1 Corinthians 12:21-31a (Lydia Wilderman)
5) Gospel: Luke 4:14-21 (Rev. Brian Blayer) 
6) Sermon (Rev. Brian Blayer)

Dear Friends:

It has been an exciting week―not good but exciting.  Yesterday afternoon a sprinkler head/pipe burst in the storage closet by the nursery.  Water from a 2-inch pipe flowed rapidly down the hall into all three rooms in the back hall.  The church office was awash as was the kitchen and parts of Goodwin Hall.  Fire Department arrived to shut off main water value and P and J Sprinkler had a quick response.  As of this morning, the only power in the offices are the ceiling lights (read no heat) and the carpeting is squishy with water. ServPro was here yesterday to do an assessment and is now working on cleaning up the mess. Large fans are being set up throughout the lower level. Power cannot be restored until some of the water has been pulled out of carpets. The insurance adjuster will be here on Monday.

In other news:

• This Sunday is the Annual Meeting following the 10am service.  Your Vestry will serve brunch.  Please join the conversation about plans for 2019 and review of the budget.
• The third in the series of organ concerts celebrating the restoration of the Brombaugh, Opus 21 is on Wednesday, February 6 at 7PM.  The artist, David von Behren comes from Yale and is a masters candidate in Organ Performance.  He will play music by Bach and Mendelssohn. Suggested donation of $20 or $3 for students goes to support the organ maintenance fund.
• Souper Bowl of Caring Sunday, February 3―​all youth of the parish and their parents are invited to watch the game at the home of Madison and Bob Day.  Come at 6:30 and stay until half time.  

Dear Friends:

It appears winter is about to make an appearance.  Rev. Brian does not plan to cancel church on Sunday.  If it is safe to drive, put on those  warm boots and go forth.

Here is the news of the week and, for January in the Quiet Corner, it is anything but.

• Christology – Wednesday, January 23 at 7pm.  The early church had a lot to say about who Jesus Christ is, not just what he’s done. Some of what they have to say is perplexing, especially the writings from the Council of Chalcedon. For instance, Chalcedon says that Christ is visible and invisible, mutable and immutable, etc. How can all of that be true? In this talk, Jared Henderson will present a version of a paper he has recently had accepted for publication on Chalcedonian Christology. We will discuss what the early church said about Christ, why they said it, and what this means for us today. 
• Souper Bowl of Caring:   Youth of the parish and their parents are invited on Super Bowl Sunday, February 3 to watch the game at the home of Madison and Bob Day.  Come at 6:30 and stay until half time.  Bring a non-perishable food item for Covenant Soup Kitchen and a snack or beverage to share. 
• College Retreat at Camp Washington: Six UConn Students will be joining Rev. Brian on February 1-2 at Camp Washington for a retreat to learn about the practice of discernment.  This event is co-sponsored by Yale University and Trinity College.  If you wish to help underwrite the $100 cost of the weekend for students, please speak with Rev. Brian.
• Plunge  For Hunger:  Eastern Connecticut Rugby is sponsoring a plunge to benefit the Covenant Soup Kitchen on Saturday, February 2 at 12 noon in Lauter Park, Willimantic.  The plunge has a carnival-like electric atmosphere with outrageous costumes, crazy teams and amazing energy.  More information and how to pledge is available even if you do not plunge at:  covenantsoupkitchen.org  And the Ossen Family Foundation will match every dollar donated. 
• Gender Roles in Judaism, Islam and Christianity:  Three speakers will share scriptural readings and other insights from their respective faiths and discuss how women’s roles are—and traditionally have been—viewed with their religion. This program will be held at Temple Bnai Israel on Thursday, January 24 at 7pm.
• WAIM Flea Market –February 16 9am-12noon:  WAIM is looking for donations for a Flea Market and for abled bodied volunteers to help carry donations up and down stairs and to cars. Good opportunity for teens who need service hours and adults looking to help the WAIM community.  Please call Kathy Callahan for more information.  860-456-7270.
• I Am Not Your Negro:  Written by James Baldwin, the Willimantic/Windham branch of the NAACP will show this film on Saturday, January 26 at 2pm. The venue is the West Avenue Community Center, 645 Valley Street.  A discussion will follow the free showing.
• Thinking about piano lessons?  Organist Charlie Houmard is available for lessons here.  For more information, choumard@icloud.com

Stay safe with the coming weather challenges, please.

Best wishes, Linda
  

Audio for St. Mark’s Chapel’s 10 am service for 01-13-2019, the 1st Sunday after the Epiphany
Recorded tracks:

1. Welcoming remarks and highlighting of announcements by Rev. Brian Blayer
2. 1st Reading: Isaiah 43:1-7 (Amanda Hanzlik)
3. 2nd Reading:  Acts 8:14-17 (Amanda Hanzlik)
4. Gospel: Luke 3:15-17, 21-22 (Rev. Brian Blayer)
5. Sermon (Rev. Brian Blayer)
   

Dear Friends:

Here is the news of the week:

• Christology ― Wednesday, January 23 at 7pm
  The early church had a lot to say about who Jesus Christ is, not just what he’s done. Some of what they have to say is perplexing, especially the writings from the Council of Chalcedon. For instance, Chalcedon says that Christ is visible and invisible, mutable and immutable, etc. How can all of that be true? In this talk, Jared Henderson will present a version of a paper he has recently had accepted for publication on Chalcedonian Christology. We will discuss what the early church said about Christ, why they said it, and what this means for us today.
• The Annual Meeting ― Sunday, January 27 following the 10am service
  Join us for a light brunch and discussion of the plans for 2019, discussion of the budget and election of the new vestry class. 
• The next Brombaugh Organ Concert Series event ― WEDNESDAY, February 6 at 7pm 
  Organist David von Behren,  a master's degree student in organ performance at Yale will perform works by Bach and Mendelssohn.  David is also on the staff at Trinity on the Green, New Haven, where he works with boy and girl choristers.  Please bring a friend.
• UConn celebrates Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. ― January 24th from 3:30-5pm at the Jorgensen
  Martin Luther King’s legacy is celebrated annually at UConn and this year the event will be held on January 24th from 3:30-5pm at the Jorgensen.  The keynote speaker is Connecticut Chief Justice Richard Robinson.  It is free and open to the public.
• Are you involved with a new activity, receiving professional accolades, published a book?  Please let us share that information with the parish.  Harry and Sudie are again trodding the boards with the Opera House Players who are performing "A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Forum."  Performances will be in Enfield from February 8-24.  For more information. please visit:  www.operahouseplayers.org 
• Students in the Sunday School will be making care kits for the homeless on January 20.  They are requesting donations from our parishioners. Items can be brought in this Sunday or on the 20th.
  Items needed include:
  travel sized toothpaste tubes
  toothbrushes
  granola bars
  tiny (8 oz.) water bottles
  hand warmers
  chapsticks
  band aids
  socks
  travel pack of baby wipes or handi-wipes
  mints
• The Church Office will be closed from this afternoon until Wednesday morning.
  ​Rev. Brian is available for pastoral emergencies.  
  
  

Best wishes, Linda