Construction Update -

Festival of the Arts this weekend

(click for event info)



Pearl Street is blocked east of Monroe Ave. So you can't get in our gate even if you are willing to test your tires on Division's gravel. The only access to our church parking lot is from the back way via the Winchester Place NE 'alley'. The chains are down.

If you do come in on Pearl, go south to Fulton, east to Ransom, north to Fountain or Lyon (Lyon may be easier due to the tower project at Fountain Street Church.)

At least this time the closure is for Festival of the Arts, not construction...

Reminder that Crescent Street is closed, so those coming from the north on Plainfield/Division can not use Crescent to loop down to Lyon at this time.

Please continue to plan an extra few minutes to arrive at St. Mark's and be an alert, defensive driver. Ongoing - and shifting- traffic backups are definitely causing us all some frustration. Thank you for your patience with it.

Two Chances to Hear West Michigan Gay Men’s Chorus!

June 8, 7 pm at the Festival of Arts' Calder Stage, donations accepted.

June 14, 7 pm, at St. Cecilia’s Music Center, $20 tickets wmgmchorus.org. 

These are always joyous concerts. Including our sexton Ronnie singing and signing ASL!

Pride Festival Booth, June 22, 12-6 pm

St. Mark's Supports Grand Rapids PRIDE! Our church proudly stands with our LGBTQ+ friends, family and neighbors. Come spread God's love for all people at our Pride Booth between 12-6 pm. Sign up for a time slot at the Welcome Desk or through Scot, s.gugle@comcast.net.

Bi-Diocesan Service Trip Camp to Louisville, KY, June 21-28

81st General Convention highlights to be streamed here, June 22-28

Announcements & Celebrations

Celebrating Our Grads

Elementary Grads:

Libby Stoppels-Hughes, Liam Hoyt, Stellan Muschiana

Middle School Grads:

Landyn York, Liv York

High School Graduates:

John Brewer graduated from Grand Rapids Christian High School and is headed to Kalamazoo College in the fall. He is the son of Christopher and Rachel Brewer.

Jacey Breck Doyle graduated from C. A. Frost Environmental Science Academy and will enter Grand Rapids Community College in the fall. She is the daughter of Joseph Doyle and the granddaughter of Judith Coby. 

Ella Todd graduated from Lowell High School and will be attending the University of Michigan this fall to study pre-dental. Among Ella’s accolades are that she had the 4th highest academic points in her class and was captain of varsity tennis. She is the daughter of Shannon Todd and granddaughter of Jim and Anne Todd.

Thank you to the Children’s Formation Team!

The important work of preparing our youngest to be God's hands and joy in our world

Lead teachers Laura Kozminski, Laura Rozeboom, Emily Krueger and Jackie Yam have all put in tremendous time and talents into children’s formation this year. Thank you for sharing your gifts.

These important experiences aren’t possible without our many volunteers:

Volunteers in the Nursery: Cat Gonzalez, Josh Gonzales, Joseph Weis, Javier Ronquillo, Meghan VanderMale, Dawn Buller

Youth volunteers: Natalie Gerlach, Rowan Kozminski, Sophia Rozeboom

Adult volunteers: Peggy Goetz, Rick Muschiana, Kelly Muschiana, Dawn Buller, Sarah Alberts, Patrick Alberts, Dorothy Hughes, Henry Hughes, Mark Rozeboom, Shawn Krueger, Dana Hoyt

Notes from the Active Attacker Seminar



17 people attended the Active Attacker Seminar at St. Mark's Church in May. We reviewed the major accomplishments of the Safety and Security Ministry Team since its inception about four years ago. Kent County Sheriff's Deputy Omar Dieppa gave an excellent presentation on the subject of Active Attackers and how to best respond to this threat. 

We should always examine possible exits when entering a building. Most people exit through the same doors they entered the building. In a crisis situation, the worst thing you can do is nothing. Attackers are now looking for soft targets now that schools have increased their security efforts.

The average police response time now averages three to four minutes depending on location of the 911 call. In a crisis situation, follow your gut instincts.

 ~Safety and Security Ministry

Safety and Security Ministry Monthly Update

"Safety is Personal"

The National Safety Council teaches 4 safety topics in June.

This first week, watch a personal Safety Story from high-level folks in the Department of Defense, military, OSHA, or business. Then show and tell others at St. Mark's how important safety is to you.

Learn all 4 topics here.

Church Finance Information

As we enter the summer months, we kindly ask for your continued support through pledges and offerings. Additionally, the financials are available for your review on the bulletin board. Thank you for your ongoing support of St. Mark's mission and ministry!

Sign a Childcare Voter Card: As a church member of Together West Michigan, St. Mark’s continues to work toward solutions to the childcare crisis. Whether or not you submitted a postcard earlier in the campaign, please do so now. Then remember to vote for the Ready by 5 millage renewal on August 6.

~Together West Michigan core team, St. Mark's

All staff, Vestry and volunteers in contact with vulnerable youth or adults must re-certify with Safe Church every 3 years. For the online, self-directed platform, reach out to Kate or Jeff for instructions.

Zoom opportunities for this training are forthcoming from the diocese.

Annual Diaper Drive: Thank you to all who donated diapers for our community’s children! As we say, it takes a village. We're making a big impact!

Volunteer for Pride Table, June 22: St. Mark's Supports Grand Rapids PRIDE! Our church proudly stands with our LGBTQ+ friends, family and neighbors. Come spread God's love for all people at our Pride Booth between 12-6 pm. Sign up for a time slot at the Welcome Desk or through Scot, s.gugle@comcast.net.

St. Mark's partners with Westminster's Downtown Food Pantry. Items needed for June: beef stew; canned chicken, tuna and beef.

St. Mark's Volunteers:

St. Mark’s relies upon a significant volunteer effort to fulfill its mission – within the congregation and in the community. There is an online form to see volunteer opportunities you can fill out to alert staff and ministry leads. If you prefer a more personal option, do not hesitate to reach out to Mike or Kate, 616-456-1684. Thanks to all our ongoing volunteers!

Sunday Services at 8:00 a.m. and at 10:30 a.m. (recorded live)

Healing Prayer during Holy Communion, near the piano in the South Transept

Mid-week Eucharist at noon on Wednesdays from September-May

St. Mark's Episcopal Church is a growing, welcoming, and affirming community of faith in a vibrant urban community. In our worship and in our service to the community, we proclaim that all people are worthy of God's love. We celebrate and uphold the dignity of all people whose ethnicity, cultural heritage, and denominational traditions are examples and celebrations of God's love. We welcome visitors and parishioners from all social, political, and educational backgrounds, and all abilities, sexual orientations, and gender identities. We affirm all people and celebrate diversity, as we work to fulfill God's love for all people as a community of faith.  

Parking and Restrooms on Sundays

Please respect the handicap parking spaces at St. Mark’s, especially on Sundays. These are needed by many parishioners.

Consider the free metered parking on Pearl, Ionia, Lyon, Fountain and other streets near the church. The small Kendall College lot across Division from the church is available when the gate is open. Paid options include the upper and lower levels of the GRCC building on Fountain Street, and the Ellis Parking Lot at 210 Ionia just west of Lyon Street. For Sundays only, white validation tickets for the Ellis lot can be found from an usher or greeter.

Main floor restrooms are limited. The second floor has additional restrooms.

Sunday Children's Opportunities

During the 10:30 Service, in the Lower Level. 



For more info and to volunteer, contact the church office.

Grand Rapids Episcopal Youth

For info on virtual and in-person youth group meetings as well as events and activities, contact Jeff Brown, Director of Youth Ministries at jeffatgrey@gmail.com

St. Mark's Episcopal Church

134 N. Division Avenue

Grand Rapids, MI 49503

616-456-1684

https://www.stmarksgr.org

https://www.facebook.com/stmarksgr/

officeadmin@stmarksgr.org