St. Mark’s Chapel audio for Nov. 18, 2018, the 26th Sunday after Pentecost:

• Welcoming remarks and highlighting of announcements by Rev. Brian Blayer
• 1st Reading: Daniel 12:1-3 (Anne Flemming)
  
• 2nd Reading:  Hebrews 10:11-14, (15-18), 19-25 (Anne Flemming)
  
• Gospel:  Mark 13:1-8 (Rev. Brian Blayer)
  
• Sermon (Rev. Brian Blayer)

Dear Friends:

Snow is the news of the week—much too early!

• And the snow is a reminder that the WAIM Walk for Warmth is this Sunday at 1:30 PM, starting at St. Joseph Church in Willimantic.  Please walk to help our neighbors keep their homes warm this winter.
• Also this Sunday is the annual Fire Drill, scheduled for about 10:15.  Please review the cards in your pew for directions on how to evacuate the building.  This is an important safety reminder for all.
• Have you returned your 2019 Pledge Card?  The Vestry is working on the budget for next year and hopes to hear from everyone promptly.  
• Celebration Sunday with a festive brunch will be on December 2 following the 10am service.  More details to come. 
• Plans are well underway for the next recital in the Brombaugh Organ Rededication Concert Series.  Friday, December 14 at 7pm—readings and carols featuring St. Mark's Organist, Charlie Houmard with Louis Hanzlik on trumpet.  Special guests include UConn's Brass Ensemble and two UConn A cappella groups--Extreme Measures and Chordials.  A festive holiday reception will follow.  Invite a friend.
• WAIM Work Day is scheduled for Saturday, December 8 from 9am-12noon.  This is a perfect family activity to boost others' holiday spirits.  Please speak with Rev. Brian for more information.
• And speaking of making holidays merry and bright--it is Adopt-a-Family time again.  Outreach committee members, Joan Doiron and Kathy Pepin, working with Town of Mansfield Social Services have put together a gift tree for three local families- Please take a tag or two, sign the sheet saying which tags you took and then wrap and return gifts to the office no later than December 10th. 
• Last Sunday Offering for November, collected next week, will go to Episcopal Relief and Development which provides aid world wide in health care, small business development, and relief for areas impacted by natural disasters.  ERD has received a matching grant that will double all donations to ERD during the holidays.  Please be generous. 
• Vestry News:  The Vestry is setting up two new committees—​Lion's Lift to provide rides to church for those unable to drive and a Fellowship Committee to plan parties and social events.  Interested?  Fill out and return the slip in your Sunday bulletin or speak with Rev. Brian.  
• The Advent Wreath Workshop  will be on Sunday, December 2 following the 10am.  Candles and forms will be provided.  Please bring greens, scissors and gloves.  If you still have a wreath form in your holiday box, please bring it in.  

Best wishes, Linda

St. Mark’s Chapel audio for Nov. 11, 2018, the 25th Sunday after Pentecost

Welcoming remarks and highlighting of announcements by Rev. Brian Blayer
1st Reading: Wisdom of Solomon 3:1-9 (Jim Morrow)
2nd Reading:  Revelation 21:1-6a  (Jim Morrow)
Gospel:  John 11:32-44 (Rev. Brian Blayer)
Sermon (Rev. Brian Blayer)

Here is the news of the week.  The calendar is filling up very quickly!

Abide in Love!  Have you returned your Pledge Card?  The Annual Stewardship Drive continues. This year’s stewardship committee members are Paul Belval, Bill Morgan and Steve Paasch and they will be happy to answer any questions you may have.  The Vestry is preparing the 2019 budget and hopes that your pledge card will be returned promptly.  If you did not receive a stewardship packet or yours has gone walkabout, there are extras in the narthex or lower hallway.  The office will also be happy to mail a packet to you. And please look for details to come about the Stewardship Celebration!

Dates to Note:

11/11-This Sunday,  5-8PM:   Spaghetti Dinner to raise funds for Holy Family Shelter.  Tickets at the door are $5 and there will be a raffle.  All welcome.  

From today to 11/13:  UConn Community Outreach Food Drive--help fill the shelves at local food pantries.  Donation box by the back door.

From today to 11/15:  UConn Paper Towel Drive to benefit the No Freeze Shelter.  Donation box outside the office door.

11/14  7PM:  Sex and the Bible Discussion Group here at St. Mark's

11/17  10-11AM:  A conversation about CLICC --  a presentation and information session about CLICC (Connecting through Literacy: Incarcerated Parents, their Children and Caregivers).   If you wish to share your love of reading with children needing extra support, this is a great program to learn about.

11/18  10:15 AM - Annual Fire Drill.  Many thanks to Fred Day-Lewis and Steve Paasch to coordinating this important safety check.

11/18  1PM -Walk for Warmth--WAIM's annual fundraiser to raise funds to help people keep the lights on and their homes warm.  

12/2:  Advent Wreath Making --Following the 10am service on Sunday, December 2, Goodwin Hall will be transformed into an Advent Wreath workshop.  Forms and candles will be provided.  Please bring scissors, gloves and greens to make a wreath to take home.  And if you can find last year’s wreath form, please return it for use this year. 

12/8:   Semi-annual Work Day at WAIM.  Go to WAIM from 9:00am-12 noon to help sort donated clothes and kitchen items.  Families and children are welcome to participate.  WAIM is located at 866 Main Street in Willimantic.  For more information, please speak with Rev. Brian.

Did you know there is a monthly Regional Newsletter for the North East Region of ECCT?
Maggie Breen, the North East Regional Missionary has a newsletter that describes happenings at the churches of the region and interesting events throughout ECCT. More information can be found at: https://www.episcopalct.org/t3/northeast-region/region-news/  Check it out!

And finally--many, many thanks to Gloria Sykes who cleaned up the back patio and put the gardens to bed for the winter.  The gardens will look lovely come spring--if the deer leave the hostas alone. And she even found buried in the garden a St. Mark's key and chain from many, many years ago. 
​
Best wishes, Linda

St. Mark’s Chapel audio for Nov. 4, 2018 All Saints' Sunday. I recorded these at the 8 am service.
Welcoming remarks and highlighting of announcements by Rev. Brian Blayer
1st Reading: Wisdom of Solomon 3:1-9 (Jim Morrow)
2nd Reading:  Revelation 21:1-6a  (Jim Morrow)
Gospel:  John 11:32-44 (Rev. Brian Blayer)
Sermon (Rev. Brian Blayer)

Dear Friends:

From All Hallows to All Saints', here is the news of the week.  Hope your ghosts, goblins, witches, press people, and beasties that go bump in the night, had a great time as little beggars.

• UConn Community Outreach is having a food drive from now until November 13--let's fill a box with canned goods in support of the students. The decorated box  is right inside the back door.  Food will distributed to local food pantries. An extra can of soup, box of rice, bag of beans  will fill the box quickly and can mean so much to people struggling to feed their families.
• November 7 is the date of the next Creative Writing Workshop--poetry, short stories, memoir--spiritual topics to explore the soul.  7-8pm.
• Sex and the Bible: scripture considers human sexuality quite a bit and our society’s values and ideas have been shaped through these stories and figures.  Join us for an exploration of the Bible’s tales, people, rules and regulations regarding human sexuality on November 14 from 7-9 pm. Refreshments served.
• The Walk for Warmth needs you!  The date is Sunday, November 18  Sign up and walk to support those who need extra help keeping their homes warm this winter.  The sign up sheet is on the bulletin board near the kitchen. The Walk starts at 2:15 from St. Joseph's Church in Willimantic.  Registration and activities start at 1pm. 
• And walkers need energy and refreshment!  Please see the list on the link and sign up to bring something.  They are expecting about 300 walkers.  https://www.signupgenius.com/go/5080F4AA4AE2FA4F58-26th
• UConn Communications Class Spaghetti Dinner:  On Sunday, November 11, a UConn Communications class is hosting a spaghetti dinner here at St. Mark’s as a benefit for the Holy Family Shelter in Willimantic which serves those families whose circumstances have presented housing and employment challenges.  Dinner will be served from 5-8pm and the students hope St. Mark’s families will come to the feast. 
• Temple Bnai Israel is holding a service of healing for the soul and the world and solidarity this Friday evening at 7:30pm. Everyone is welcome.
• You are invited to Celtic Christian Worship--the Feast of All Hallows-All Souls-around the ring fire in the garden  at St. Paul's Windham Center this Saturday afternoon at 4pm.  Bring a lawn chair, lap blanket, brown bag picnic, instruments and your voice. 
• Campus Communion and Dinner happen again this Sunday at 5.  Everyone is welcome.
• And remember, it is time to fall back this Saturday.  Avoid the horror of arriving early for church.

Best wishes, Linda
​

There was no sermon recording because the Sunday School students made a presentation that was done without mics.

Dear Friends:

Here is the news of the week:

• You are invited to return the tear off on the All Saints’ Day letter sent by Rev. Brian so that loved ones and friends who have died may be remembered in the church’s celebration of the communion of saints.  You may also call the office to give a list of those you wish remembered. All Saints' Day is Sunday, November 4.
  You can also download and print a PDF version of the form from the link at the end of this posting
• Your pledge packet for Stewardship will be available for pick up on Sunday.  Please ask the usher for your packet.  Returning your pledge card promptly aids the vestry as they begin the process of creating a new budget for 2019.  Thank you for  investing in  your spiritual journey and in St. Mark's. 
• Last Sunday Offering for October, collected this Sunday, goes to WAIM's Walk for Warmth.  Loose money and designated checks in the offering will go to the Walk.  St. Mark’s hopes to win the Golden Shoe Award again this year as the faith community that raises the most money. Thank you for your generosity.  
• On November 17, there will be a presentation and information session about CLICC (Connecting through Literacy: Incarcerated Parents, their Children and Caregivers).  CLICC uses reading, fun literacy activities and mentoring to increase communication and strengthen relationships between incarcerated parents and their children. CLICC works pre- and post-release with parents in 6 CT state prisons and with their children all across Connecticut.  CLICC needs volunteers to mentor children (5-17) with incarcerated parents who live in northeastern Connecticut. You would meet one to one with a child for one hour, once a week, at a library or other community location. A one-year commitment and completion of the CLICC training program is required.  The information session is from 10-11am at St. Mark's.
• NEWS from WAIM:   The Walk for Warmth is on Sunday November 18.  Join the St. Mark's team as we walk to raise funds to help neighbors who struggle with utility bills in the winter months.  A signup sheet is on the bulletin board by the kitchen door.  And if you have a student needing community service hours, this is a great opportunity.
  WAIM Work Day:   St. Mark's Day at WAIM is December 8 from 9-12.  Join the group that helps with the assigned task of the day!  Perfect way for kids to learn about giving back. And if you have a student needing community service hours, this is an  ideal situation for them.  
• Time Notices:   The Fire Drill has been rescheduled to November 18 at the 10am service.   And Daylight Savings Time ends on November 4.  Do remember to fall back!

Best wishes, Linda

St. Mark’s Chapel audio for Oct. 14, 2018 10 am Sunday Service.
Welcoming remarks and highlighting of announcements by Rev. Brian Blayer
1st Reading: Amos 5:6-7,10-15 (Bruce Steinway)
2nd Reading:  Hebrews 4:12-16 (Bruce Steinway)
Gospel:  Mark 10:17-31 (Rev. Brian Blayer)
Sermon (Rev. Brian Blayer)

St. Mark’s Chapel audio for Oct. 7, 2018 10 am Sunday Service. 
The sermon was an interactive exercise led by Maggie Breen, our regional missionary. Parishioners in small groups examined and discussed the Letter to the Hebrews.

Welcoming remarks and highlighting of announcements by Rev. Brian Blayer

1st Reading: Genesis 2:18-24 (Mark Healey)

2nd Reading:  Hebrews 1:1-4; 2:5-12 (Mark Healey)

Gospel:  Mark 10:2-16 (Rev. Brian Blayer)

Interactive Reflection on the Hebrews reading (Maggie Breen, Regional Missionary)

St. Mark’s Chapel audio for Sept. 30, 2018 10 am Sunday Family Service.
With the exception of altar guild, the Sunday Service ministries, including the 
1st and 2nd readings were done by the  Sunday School students. 

Welcoming remarks and highlighting of announcements by Rev. Brian Blayer
1st Reading: Numbers 11:4-6,10-16,24-29 (Lucas Anderson)
Psalm: Psalm 19:7-14 (Anne Flamming, cantor)
2nd Reading:  James 5:13-20 (Ethan Hanzlik)
Gospel:  Mark 9:38-50 (Rev. Brian Blayer)
Sermon (Rev. Brian Blayer)

Here is the latest news from St. Mark's:
 

• Have you RSVP'd to your invitation to lunch/dinners on October 19 and 20?  The Stewardship Committee is planning delicious dinners and would love to have you join the conversation.  Please let the office know if you wish to attend. 
• Mark your calendar for the Brombaugh Organ Rededication Series inaugural concert on Friday, October 12 at 7pm.  Ezequiel Menendez, organ and Louis Hanzlik, trumpet are the artists.  The series is supported in full by the Hartford Chapter AGO--American Guild of Organists.  A suggested donation of $20 will support the preservation of the organ, Brombaugh Opus 21.  Reception to follow.
• Next weekend is Parent's Weekend at UConn and St. Mark's is sponsoring at Voter Registration Drive. Those who register get ice cream! Volunteers are needed to host the signup table on both Friday and Saturday from 11-1.  Volunteers are also needed to pick up ice cream and cones/cups.  Let the office know if you want to be a scooper.
• Also next weekend is the Blessing of the Animals--Saturday, October 6 at 10am.  All well-mannered animals are welcome to receive a blessing.  There will be treats for four-legged and two-legged friends.
• The Last Sunday Offering for September will go to the No Freeze Shelter in Willimantic to help our neighbors who live on the street throughout the year.  The Shelter provides a haven for rest and warmth, hot showers, clean laundry and a safe bed.  Thank you for your generosity.
• Thank you to all who made last Sunday's visit with Bishop Ahrens such a wonderful success.  The brunch was lavish and enjoyed by all.  
• Did you see the story on the Mansfield Patch about a former UConn student who sang in choir?  Genevieve Nuttall, is now a Bird Conservation Program Associate at the Audubon CT.  She wrote of seeing a pink Rosate Spoonbill at Stratford Point.  This bird previously had not been seen this far north but changing climate and habitats may bring more birds north.   To see a picture of the magnificent creature go the Mansfield Patch for September 20.  

St. Mark’s Chapel audio for Sept. 23, 2018, 10 am Sunday service. 
Welcoming remarks and highlighting of announcements by Rev. Brian Blayer
1st Reading: Jeremiah 11:18-20 (Acey Neel
2nd Reading: James 3:13-4:3, 7-8a (Acey Neel)
Gospel:  Mark 9:30-37 (Rev. Brian Blayer)
Sermon (Bishop Laura Ahrens)

Here is the news of the week:

• This Saturday from 9-11 is the Eucharistic Ministers Training with Rev. Brian.  If you are a Eucharistic Ministers--on Sundays or a visiting minister, please make time to attend this training session.  
• And this Sunday, Bishop Laura Ahrens will be leading the worship at 10am followed by a brunch. Kathy Pepin is asking people to bring a food dish to share--quiche, bagels, muffins, or fruit.  Please let Kathy know how you can help.  860-458-0106.  Bishop Ahrens will also be meeting with the Vestry on Sunday.  
• Safe Church reminder:  If you participate in ministry by teaching Sunday School, Eucharistic visitors, are on the vestry Safe Church Training is  required by the Episcopal Church in CT.  The last nearby session to be offered this fall is at Christ Church Norwich on Saturday, September 29 from 9-4pm.  The office can register you.
• The Brombaugh Recital Series is about to be a reality!!  Friday, October 12 at 7pm is the date for the Organ Rededication Concert featuring Ezequiel Menendez, organ, and Louis  Hanzlik, trumpet.  The Brombaugh Concert Series is supported in full by the Marjorie Jolidan Fund of the Great Hartford Chapter-American Guild of Organists.
• Last Sunday Offering for September to be collected next Sunday is designated to support the No Freeze Shelter in Willimantic to help our neighbors who live on the streets throughout the year.  The Shelter provides a haven for rest and warmth, hot showers, clean laundry, and a safe bed.  Thank you for your generosity.
• Did you know that the nursery room is open on Sundays for parents who wish to use it?  It is located on the main parking level.
• The Loose Offering this Sunday will go to the Bishop’s Discretionary Fund for support of emergencies and non-budgeted ministries that arise in the course of the year.
• In an effort to keep the prayers up-to-date, if you would like to add someone’s name to the intercessions each week, please let the office know by Wednesday so that they can be listed in the Sunday bulletin.
• Youth Group News:  Watch this space for more information about apple picking in October!
• Dates to remember: 
  
  • September 26--Healing Service at 7pm
    
  • ​October 6--Blessing of the Animals at 10am   October 12--Organ and Trumpet Concert  at 7pm                             

Best wishes, Linda
​

09-14-2018
Here is the latest news from St. Mark's Chapel.

• It is always a joy to spend time with good friends--old and new. Please don’t forget to ​mark your calendars to attend one of the Stewardship dinners on 10/19 or 10/20, or lunch on 10/19. Please RSVP to the church office. admin@stmarkschapel.org
• More food news: Your Vestry is planning a brunch following the 10am service next Sunday, September 23, so we can break bread together with Bishop Ahrens who will be here to lead worship at the 10 am service and learn more about all the wonderful events happening at St. Mark's.
• The weekly sermon recordings and the announcements can be found on the church's website located here: www.stmarkschapel.org/this-week-at-st-marks Many thanks to Dave Doiron for posting these recordings each week.
• Needed: a coffee preparer for this Sunday's coffee hour. Goodies to be provided. Can you make the coffee? Please let the office know.
• In an effort to keep the Prayers of the People up-to-date, if you would like to add someone’s name to the intercessions each week, please let the office know by Wednesday so that they can be listed in the Sunday bulletin.
• Parishioners participating certain ministries of St. Mark’s should register for Safe Church Training. If you are teaching Sunday School, are on the Vestry, serve as a Eucharistic Minister, are bringing home communion to parishioners, or are a paid staff person, the Episcopal Church in CT requires attendance at a Safe Church Training course. The office can help you register for an upcoming session.
• Save the date!! The Organ Rededication Concert will be on Friday, October 12 at 7pm. The guest artists will be Ezequiel Menendez, organist at the Cathedral of St. Joseph in Hartford and St. Mark's and UConn's own Louis Hanzlik on trumpet. The entire parish made the organ restoration possible and this evening of majestic music will be a wonderful way to initiate the Brombaugh Recital Series with 7 concerts in the next 15 months. The series is supported in full by the Marjorie Jolidon Fund of the Greater Hartford Chapter of the American Guild of Organists.
• On Wednesday, September 19 at 7pm, Rev, Brian will lead a discussion of Diana Butler Bass’ book, "Christianity after Religion." Most Americans are aware that recent decades have been a time of change in religious belief, behaving, and belonging. Few people understand the complex concepts of these changes. This three part book explores these trends. Part 1, “The End of Religion,” considers the changes within the framework of decline of traditional measures, primarily focusing on the last decade. Part 2, “A New Vision,” captures the many and varied efforts to reshape Christianity for the future. Part 3, “Awakening,” moves from possibility to practice by arguing that the current experiences are a Fourth Great Awakening.
• A Service of Healing and Communion—Wednesday, September 26. This service seeks to enable people to acknowledge God's presence and to draw strength and encouragement as we share his healing power with one another. Please bring a friend.
• It is time to Bless the Animals so important to our lives! Saturday, October 6 at 10am on the front lawn. Bring your dogs, cats, birds, guinea pigs, chickens, lizards and all other pets most welcome as we celebrate St. Francis of Assisi. Treats for all!
• Please remember a donation of non-perishable food for the Covenant Soup Kitchen.