THE MARKINGS MISSION: To share the love of Jesus with and through the people of Talbot County and beyond. ST. MARK’S UNITED METHODIST CHURCH, 100 PEACHBLOSSOM ROAD, EASTON, MD 21601 MARCH 2015 From Our Pastor Will you share your email address with us? If you have an email address and it is not registered with us or if your email address has changed, would you please share it with us by emailing churchoffice@stmarkseaston.org. We are sending this and future issues to those of you with email addresses if you have so requested. If you are interested in receiving your issues by email and have not yet requested, please contact the church office. MARCH Inside this issue: Easter Week Events Although Lent has already begun, I wanted to share once again the importance and meaning behind this liturgical season. Lent is the Christian season of preparation before Easter. In Western Christianity, Ash Wednesday marks the first day, or the start of the season of Lent, which begins 40 days prior to Easter (Sundays are not included in the count). Lent is a time when many Christians prepare for Easter by observing a period of fasting, repentance, moderation and spiritual discipline. We sometimes “give up” something so that we can spend that time with God. Some folks give up TV, Facebook, or particular foods that they enjoy as a sacrifice. Others like to “take up” something during Lent such as a spiritual discipline they’ve never practiced before like journaling or meditating on Scripture each day. You might want to pick up one of the Upper Room devotionals in the Gathering area or check out one online. The purpose is to set aside time for reflection on Jesus Christ - his suffer ing and his sacrifice, his life, death, burial and resurrection. Not all Christian churches observe Lent. Lent is mostly observed by the Lutheran, Methodist, Presbyterian and Anglican denominations, and also by Roman Catholics. Eastern Orthodox churches observe Lent, or Great Lent, during the 6 weeks or 40 days preceding Palm Sunday with fasting continuing during the Holy Week of Orthodox Easter. Lent for Eastern Orthodox churches begins on Monday (called Clean Monday), and Ash Wednesday is not observed. The Bible does not mention the custom of Lent; however, the practice of repentance and mourning in ashes is found in 2 Samuel 13:19, Esther 4:1, Job 2:8, Daniel 9:3, and Matthew 11:21. May we spend this Lenten season focused on Christ and learn from his words on how to live and love as his followers. 2 Our New Bells 5 Mission News 7 UMW, UMM 9 Calendar Dear St. Mark’s Family, 11 Blessings to you and yours, Pastor Missy TheVisionofSt.Mark’sUnitedMethodistChurchisto inspirepeopleofallages,throughactsofloveand service,toknowJesusChrist. PAGE 2 THE MARKINGS MARCH 2015 Easter Events at St. Mark’s UMC All are welcome to come and worship with us! 24 Hour Prayer Vigil in the Chapel Begins Wednesday, April 1 at 5:00 P.M. and concludes Thursday, April 2 at 5:00 P.M. Maundy Thursday, April 2 A commemoration of Jesus’ Last Supper with his disciples 6:00 P.M. Soup and Bread meal in Fellowship Hall prepared by the United Methodist Women 7:15 P.M. Holy Communion in Sanctuary Good Friday, April 3 Special Tenebrae Service with music & drama, 7:00P.M. in Sanctuary Easter, April 5 Sunrise Easter Service in St. Mark’s Chapel 7:00 A.M. Breakfast following the Sunrise Service in Fellowship Hall prepared by the United Methodist Men 7:30 A.M. – 10:00 A.M. Worship Service Celebration of the Resurrection 8:15, 9:30 and 11:00 A.M. Sunday School at 9:30 A.M. PAGE 3 THE MARKINGS MARCH 2015 THEEASTEREXPERIENCE Join us for a unique study, “The Easter Experience,” which brings the passion and resurrection of Jesus to life through storytelling and teaching. During this study we will feel …. meet …. enter the last few hours of Jesus’ natural life as well as the first hours of His resurrected life. Come to the Upper Room, walk beside him in Gethsemane, stand near him in Pilate’s courtyard, weep alongside his followers at Golgotha, and celebrate the empty tomb. The classes will be held on Wednesday nights beginning February 25th and ending on April 1st, from 6:30-7:45 p.m. in the Chapel. Come and experience Easter as you never have before! Pastor Missy Please note: This “Experience” will be our weekly meditation during Lent in lieu of Wednesday morning communion. Calling all dancers! We will begin practices for the Easter Sunday dance on Tuesday, March 3 at 6:00pm in the gathering area. See you then! SAVE THE DATES! JUNE 14-19, 2015 We’re going on a mission trip! Spend a week of your summer immersed in helping others and serving the Lord right here in Maryland. Limited availability! Contact Pastor Missy or Victoria Sydnor for more information. sydnorvictoria@gmail.com 410-463-4711 PAGE 4 THE MARKINGS MARCH 2015 Church Family News PRAISES AND THANKSGIVING - LET US PRAY Bob & Judy Lawrence on their 50th wedding ATRIA SENIOR LIVING Harry Jordan anniversary, March 20. Gene & Ann Butler on their 63r d wedding anniversar y, CANDLELIGHT COVE Fr an Saper stein March 23. HEARTFIELDS Sar a Baynar d, Dee Moll We would like to say thank you to our church family for HOMESTEAD MANOR Paul Lister their many expressions of sympathy during the loss of Harry’s father on January 23. The cards, phone calls and WILLIAM HILL GARDENS kind words spoken to us in church have meant so much to Elva Eareckson, Dot Jefferson all of us. Dad was 90 years old with several medical conditions that wouldn’t enable his health to improve. He THE PINES GENESIS ELDERCARE had accepted God’s calling to “come home” and he was NETWORK Anita Fisher, Doris Massey ready to be with his Lord and Savior. Even though we all miss him, it has brought us closer to God. We are at peace LAKESIDE David Stavely knowing that Dad is in his heavenly home. Thank you for CORSICA HILL’S NURSING HOME Jo Her r on your thoughts, prayers and concerns at this time. Love, Harry & Janice Nagel and Family. AT HOME (Easton unless noted) Eric Jorgensen We received thank you notes from the following residents Helen Witt of St. Mark’s Village for their Thanksgiving and Christmas Dee Appler food baskets: Libby Stinton, Alice & Ken Shearer, Anne Ruby Carter Tisher, Lois Haddaway, Dottie, Barbara McDonald, Jan Middleton Elizabeth Gay. Shirley S. Walker Dear All at St. Mark’s, On behalf of the entire Mid-Shore OUT OF STATE Community Band, we would like to thank you for your Cardia Rehabilitation Pike Creek generous contribution to our organization. We have Susan Horning enjoyed working with you and are so grateful for your continued support. With many thanks, Kim Hatt, MSCB Mort Reed, Savannah, GA Board Member and Flute Player. SERVING IN THE MILITARY Thank you to all who have done some early springSgt. Harold S. Brice, USMC cleaning and donated their unwanted shoes to the collection LCPL Nicholas G. White box outside the gathering area. We have already filled the PFC Sarah Jane Royer box once and started on a second round. The box will be available until April and we hope to gather enough shoes to OUR GLOBAL MISSIONS raise money for several new wells to be dug in developing Paul Lee Webster, Zambia & Mujila Falls Ag Center Bob & Jacque Harper, Pioneer Bible Translators countries. A simple well can mean better health and an easier life where the need is great, and our shoes can help! Quiggs Aviation Ministry Africa University, Zimbabwe Fran Gosser on behalf of the UMW African leadership resources, Rev. Labala Dear St. Mark’s Family, It has been a wonderful 5+ years Mulungwishi Seminary scholarship as your Program Administrator, and it is now time for me Lifetime Wells for Ghana, Kenny Wood to retire. Thank you all for your generous support, and I Six Special U.M. Sundays look forward to seeing each of you in church on Sundays. Judy Lawrence Note: We have eliminated the addresses of our church family so that we can post The Markings on our church website with this page intact. We cannot show addresses on the website as it is a public domain. PAGE 5 THE MARKINGS MARCH 2015 At Last We Can Hear the Bells Afteralongandarduousrepairandplacementprocess,ourbellsarenowringingmanuallyas wellastheenhancementofasystemwithastationarystrikerunitandacontrolpaneldesigned tosimulatetheringofswingingbellsinastationaryposition.Ifyouarenotlookingatthebells, youwouldthinktheywereactuallyswinging.Thesystemwasdesignedtoeliminatethestress onthetowercausedbyswingingbellswithoutsacriicingthegreatswingingbellsound. ThisStationaryStrikerSystemwillproduceaWeddingPeal,FuneralTollerforfuneralobservances—awirelessremotetoringthebellsforweddings,funeralsandhourstrikes. AnadditionalenhancementofaDigitalElectronicCarillonsystemisa64bellsystem.The soundingsproducedaredigitalsamplingofrealbells.ThesystemhasbeenaddedtotheStationaryController. TheApolloIIunitoffersamicrochip-designedsystemwithcapacitytoholdover127melodies andcanbeprogrammedtoringatsettimesofthedayorholidayseason.TheApolloIICarillon isdesignedtocouplewithanexternalampliierthatisconnectedtotowerspeakers. Thissystemissettohaveseasonalhymns,ChristmasandEaster,andatnormaltimessetupto playhymnsatcertaintimeseachday.WealsohavetheoptionofaWestminsterChimeandhour strike.Inaddition,thechurchwillbeabletoplayitsownsetofhymnswiththeminikeyboard included. Noneofthiscouldhavebeenaccomplishedwithoutthegenerousdonationsofourcongregation (forrepairs)andJoeandMargaretRue(forEnhancements). TheTrustees,theAdministrativeBoardandIthankeveryonefortheirgeneroushelpandtoBill Guntherforhispatience. JimDenny,Facilitator The Art of Marriage A Six-Session Video Event Sponsored by Family Life March 20 (7-9:30pm) & March 21 (9am-4pm) @The Milestone, Easton $50.00 per couple (payable in advance) Registration Forms with additional information can be found in the Gathering Area Deadline to register: March 17, 2015 PAGE 6 THE MARKINGS MARCH 2015 MUSICMINISTRY To the St. Mark’s Congregation: The music program of St. Mark’s has been a part of my life. I feel like I have “come home for a reason now”. I would like to welcome our new soprano—Linda Spano. I also am glad that Ellen Grunden and Mark Higginbottom have re-joined the Chancel Choir. I am so glad to have such a wonderful group of people to work with. I remember when Bill Wharton started at St. Mark’s. We are lucky to have his talents at the organ. (Actually we also have Debbie and Mark who can step from the choir to the organ and help with rehearsals.) I am proud of how the Chancel and Jubilee choirs are dedicated to doing their best to “send the message to those who need it through music.” We have wonderful voices and dedication in the choirs. When asked to direct the Chancel and Jubilee choirs until someone is hired, I hesitated for a moment and then said “YES!”...and if you have heard our choirs since then and have seen me in action, you know what the result has been. I feel blessed to be a part of it. It has also done something major for me...I can laugh again and enjoy what I love to do for the 7pm Thursday night Chancel rehearsals in the downstairs choir room, and the last two Sundays of the month practices for the Jubilee Choir rehearsals at 7:30am in the Chapel. I met with Pastor Missy to help the choir anthems support her sermon topics. (You may notice that in the words and also in the music.) The choirs are very dedicated to their calling through music. Please don’t hesitate to come to one of our rehearsals. We have room….it is a wonderful group of dedicated people who sing the sermon through song. I feel blessed. JOB DESCRIPTION – MUSIC DIRECTOR Overview: The Music Director at St. Mar k’s UMC is an accomplished musician who will oversee the music programs of the congregation, including, but not limited to: Chancel Choir, Bell Choir, soloists, ensembles and special music presentations. The Director will be available approximately 20-25 hours a week, including four hours each Sunday morning. Required Experience, Education, Skills and Competencies: Must be a mature Christian 2+ years in a leadership role as a Director or Assistant Director or equivalent Minimum of a Bachelor’s Degree in a related field Must be skilled at teaching and preparing choirs and teams for worship Must have effective worship programming knowledge and skills Must be able to develop and motivate others Must have excellent communications skills Must be experienced in working with a volunteer group Able to work with all levels, ages, and talents Preferred: Experience with music in a congregational setting (choral, praise, ensembles, bells/chimes, youth choirs) FOR A COMPLETE DESCRIPTION please go to our website at www.stmarkseaston.org or Facebook page https://www.facebook.com/pages/StMarks-United-Methodist-Church Electronic submissions are acceptable at: churchoffice@stmarkseaston.org Joan Collier-Fogg UPCOMING CONCERTS AT ST. MARK’S—SUNDAYS AT 3:00PM March 15: “I love Paris”, Stef Scagggieri, piano April 12: Katie Reimer, piano, program to be announced PAGE 7 THE MARKINGS MARCH 2015 NEWS FROM THE MISSIONS COMMITTEE The Mission Committee met on Febr uar y 9 with a full agenda. Updated profile forms from our 20 Local Mission Partners had been received and were provided to individual committee members to visit them to update us on their organizations. We reviewed our six month - December 2014 financial statement, the Needy Fund report for the period 101-13 through 9-30-14, and the missions’ draft budget for 2015. Mission funds for the church’s financial year ending 6-30-14 were up, and the committee was able to approve a payment of $2500 on the RRC pledge. Eric Steward updated us on the current status of our foreign missions projects which was then followed by reports from committee members on our various projects. These included the Open Table, our food pantry, the Thrift Shop, HFH Choptank, the Interfaith Hunger Coalition, the Talbot Association of Clergy & Laity, Campbell Labels for Education, Board of Child Care – Eastern Shore Campus, the Talbot Interfaith Shelter, the Samaritan Purse Christmas shoe boxes, the Thanksgiving & Christmas food baskets at St. Mark’s Village, donations of ground venison, donations of left over bread from Panera, and local activity on the National Aging in Place Council. We only meet three times a year, which means we have a lot to update and review for the actual work that goes on outside of the meetings. It was a ‘fruitful’ meeting with lots of sharing of ideas on all the many areas that we are engaged in as we carry out the mission outreach of St. Mark’s. Riverview Retreat Center pledge The balance due of $24,894.70 was reported last in the February newsletter on our initial pledge of $45,000 that our church made in 2011 to furnish the dining room at the Riverview Retreat Center. Through donations totaling $500 received in December & January and submitted in February, the current balance due is now $24,394.70. Many thanks to those who have been able to support our church’s pledge to RRC. If you would like to contribute to this project, just mark your check: RRC pledge. The Thrift Shop Sales at the shop have continued to be very good, so please keep donating any clothing and household things that you no longer wear/use that are in clean/good condition. Household items include bed linens, towels & wash cloths, pots & pans, glassware, dishes, and other knickknacks. They can also sell personal items such as CDs, jewelry, greeting cards, and children’s toys & games. When you drop off your donations, take a few minutes to check out the shop’s merchandise; you just might find, as I sometimes do, a good buy of something you were looking for. Also, if you have a little time to volunteer and would like to be a part of this mission outreach into our community, please call Lee Royer at 410-8298189. She can tell you about the various days/times and types of activities that you could do to get involved there. I think you would find it most rewarding. The change-over date from winter to spring clothHabitat for Humanity Choptank St. Mar k’s work crew helped with a build day on Saturday, ing will be sometime in March, with the date anFebruary 7th. Participating were Jim Scott, Herby nounced in the bulletin. The left over clothing will Andrew and Dick VanGilder. They normally work be bagged up on a Saturday and donated to another from 9am to 12 noon. Occasionally, if they are in location and the shop cleaned. Then on Monthe middle of a task, they can go a little later; or day, lots of volunteers are needed to restock the they can stop a little before noon if a task is comracks & shelves. If you have a couple of hours that pleted. The next build day will be Saturday, April day, come and be a part of this mission project. Della Andrew, Chairperson 4th. Jim Scott is the coordinator for our work crew. If you want to volunteer to help, give him a call at 410-822-7336. PAGE 8 THE MARKINGS MARCH 2015 Preschool Happenings February has been a very busy month for us We began enrolling for the 2015-2016 school year on February 2. The response has been wonderful. We are full in all of our programs except our 3 year old class. We still have a couple of openings in our T,W,Th and M-Th programs. Don’t miss out on the opportunity to enroll your child or grandchild. Our students enjoy chapel time, swim lessons/or Kindergym, music class and much more. Help us fulfill St. Mark’s mission, “To share the love of Jesus with and through the people of Talbot County and beyond.” Classes are filling quickly! Please contact Sarah Ewing, 410-822-0078 or stmarkspreschooleaston@gmail.com for more information and to schedule a tour. You can also visit our website www.stmarkspreschooleaston.net for more details on our program. On February 4, we welcomed “The Juggling Hoffmans.” They gave a fantastic performance. Both children and teachers were delighted by the juggling talents of the performers. On February 7, we held our annual Applebee’s Pancake Breakfast. We want to extend a BIG THANK YOU to all who purchased tickets and those who helped us serve on the day of the event. We raised $1,905 for our school! We cannot thank everyone enough for their support! Our Three Year Olds began swim lessons on February 12 at the YMCA and our Two Year Olds began Kindergym at the YMCA on January 21. We are looking forward to warmer temperatures so we can get back outside! Please continue to keep an eye out for us when you pull into the parking lot. We appreciate your patience as we try to get our children to and from the playground and the YMCA safely. SarahEwing,Director Our pre-school enjoying the antics of “The Juggling Hoffmans” on Feb. 4! CHRISTIAN EDUCATION Thank you to all of those who attended our Meet and Greet on Sunday, February 8. It was wonderful to be able to introduce myself and begin learning about each one of you. I am very excited to begin my journey here at St. Mark’s. I look forward to getting to know all of you and see where the Lord will lead us! Erica McCreary, Director of Christian Education St. Mark’s Sunday School teachers greet Erica McCreary. PAGE 9 THE MARKINGS UNITED METHODIST WOMEN Circle Meetings for March Ruth Circle: Mon., Mar ch 2, 10:00am, William Hill Manor, 2nd floor library. Call Sharon Maisano, 410-770-5462 for information. Deborah Circle and Mary Circle: Tuesday, March 3, 10:00am, Room 155. Call Anna Fichtner, 410-770-5145 for information. Sarah Circle: Tuesday, Mar ch 10, 7:00pm, Room 155. Call Bobbi Ayers, 410-745-9751 for information. MARCH 2015 UNITED METHODIST MEN Please join us for our monthly meetings which are held at the church on the second Tuesday of each month at 7:00pm. The UMM will be preparing and serving the Easter breakfast in Fellowship Hall from 7:30-10:00a.m. Please join us! All men of St. Mark’s are welcome to join us for fellowship and service! We are active and engaged in helping men to grow in Christ and to serve our Lord and church membership. Roger Eareckson, President Call Shari Powers, President, for information on the UMW. 410-822-7852 or spowers@goeaston.net. INVITING ALL WOMEN TO JOIN US FOR WOMEN’S DAY APART A SPIRITUAL DAY FOR WOMEN SPONSORED BY ST. MARK’S UNITED METHODIST WOMEN April 14, 2015 9:30 – 2:00 The Auditorium at William Hill Manor 501 Dutchmans Lane Easton, Maryland $15.00 per person – Lunch Included Guest Speaker: Tracy Harding, an Ordained Minister Her Topic: “Miracles Still Happen”, a testimony of her near death experience and encounter with God Reservations must be in to the church office by Sunday, April 5. Please make check payable to United Methodist Women with “Day Apart” in the memo line. RESERVATION FORM Name_____________________________Phone________________ Guest(s)______________________ ____________________________ PAGE 10 THE MARKINGS MARCH 2015 MEET OUR CHURCH FAMILY Bette Kenzie Born and raised in the Philadelphia suburbs, Bette graduated from Bucknell University, where she met her late husband Al. She went on to earn a Master’s Degree in Biology from Cornell in preparation to teach. She taught AP Biology in Baltimore at Roland Park Country School, Boy’s Latin, Garrison Forest School, and St. Paul’s School for Girls. Because of Al’s career with Merrill Lynch, they lived on a farm north of Philadelphia, on Long Island Sound in CT, and suburban Baltimore before retiring to the Eastern Shore in 1993. Their two sons and daughter followed in their parents’ footsteps by becoming teachers and a financial advisor. Bette’s extended family includes 12 wonderful grandchildren of whom she is quite proud. Family get-togethers are very special times, especially when held on Bette’s farm here. In addition to having served on SPRC and the Strategic Planning Committee and currently the Finance Committee here at St. Mark’s, Bette is extremely active in community affairs. She is especially interested in education for African-American children and has personally provided scholarships as well as being on the Boards of BAAM (Building African-American Minds), Critchlow-Adkins Children’s Centers, Talbot Hospice, the YMCA, and the Academy Art Museum. When not involved in all of these activities, Bette loves playing golf and tennis and watching sports of all sorts. Please look for Bette at the 11:00 service and thank her for her wide-ranging support of St. Mark’s and the community at large over the past twenty+ years. Erica, Matt & Jaxson McCreary Our new Christian Education Director, Erica McCreary, was born and raised in Chester, MD, where she attended Kent Island UMC. Erica was very active there, teaching Bible Studies, going on mission trips to Costa Rica, and helping lead worship. She is a graduate of Salisbury University with a degree in Education and is currently pursuing her Master's in Christian Counseling at Liberty University. Erica and her husband Matt, who works for Hydrasearch in Stevensville, are proud parents of 8- month-old Jaxson. They moved to Easton in 2012. Erica has worked in Early Childhood Education for 6 years and is currently teaching PreSchool on Kent Island. She is also active in the Chesapeake Emmaus and Chrysalis Communities. In her spare time, she enjoys baking, playing guitar, spending time with family and being on the water. Until the end of the school year, Erica will be working parttime here at St. Mark's in her new position. Among her responsibilities will be the Christian Education of all age groups on Sundays and during the week, Vacation Bible School, Confirmation Classes, and also helping with the music for the Park Service. Please welcome Erica and her family to our Staff and church, and pray for her as she takes on this very important work. Also, please respond affirmatively when she asks for your help! PAGE 11 THE MARKINGS MARCH 2015 March 2015 Sun Mon Tue Wed Thu Fri Sat 1 World Day of Prayer 2 3 10:00am Deborah & Mary Circles 4 5 6 7 12 13 14 COMMUNION 10:00am Ruth Circle 2pm BELLS DEDICATION 8 DAYLIGHT SAVINGS TIME BEGINS! 9 6pm Confirmation Class 15 16 6pm Confirmation Class 23 6pm Confirmation Class 29 10 6:00pm Dance practice 6:30pm Letters of Paul class 7:00pm Sarah Circle 7:00pm UMM 11 17 18 1:00 Prayer Shawl Ministry 6:00pm Dance practice 6:30pm Letters of Paul class 3pm CONCERT 22 6:00pm Dance practice 6:30pm Letters of Paul class 30 PALM SUNDAY 6pm Confirmation Class 6:30pm The Easter Experience 6:30pm The Easter Experience 9:00am Easton Dist. UMW 19 FIRST DAY OF SPRING! 6:30pm The Easter Experience 24 25 6:00pm Dance practice 6:30pm Letters of Paul class 7:00pm Trustees 6:30pm The Easter Experience Men’s Emmaus week-end 26 31 6:00pm Dance practice 6:30pm Letters of Paul class Weekly Schedule SUNDAY THURSDAY 8:15am (Chapel); 9:30 & 11:00am (Sanctuary) Worship Services 9:30am Sunday school for all ages 9:15-11:00am Coffee Fellowship (Gathering Area) 7:00PM Chancel Choir Rehearsal WEDNESDAY 10:30am Prayer Group in chapel 20 27 21 Men’s Emmaus weekend 28 PAGE 12 THE MARKINGS St. Mark’s United Methodist Church 100 Peachblossom Road Easton, MD 21601 MARCH 2015 PRSRT Non-Profit U.S. POSTAGE PAID EASTON, MD PERMIT NO. 239 RETURN SERVICE REQUESTED Staff Rev. Missy Rekitzke, Pastor Dr. Gilbert Anderson, Minister of Visitation Dr. Jack Giguere, Teaching Pastor in Residence Erica McCreary, Chr istian Education Dir ector Joan Collier-Fogg, Inter im Music Dir ector Judy Lawrence, Pr ogr am Administr ator Sarah Ewing, Pr e-School Director Dr. William F. Wharton, Or ganist Ellen Barry Grunden, 9:30 Wor ship Leader Karen Reed, Office Manager Erica Kirby, Bookkeeper William Gunther, Building Super intendent Phone: 410-822-0001 Fax: 410-822-0002 Email: churchoffice@stmarkseaston.org Website: www.stmarkseaston.org PLEASE JOIN US FOR “THE EASTER EXPERIENCE” EVERY WEDNESDAY NIGHT DURING LENT 6:30 TO 7:45PM IN THE CHAPEL (See page 3 for more information!) This is in lieu of Wednesday morning communion services.