Thon Preaches at St. Mark’s this Sunday!

We celebrate Thon Deng, our intern from the Academy for Vocational Leadership where he is in his second year of exploration toward priesthood. He has been involved in many aspects of worship and planning. This Sunday he will preach for the first time at St. Mark's.

Honoring God in Creation See image for Sunday's Proper/Collect, in honor of Earth Day and the work of our Creation Care Ministry.

Listen also for special Prayers of the People, Confession and Post-Communion Prayer. These all come from the Episcopal Church’s Liturgical Materials for Honoring God in Creation. 

Spa Day, April 20, 10 a.m.–1 p.m.: Sign-up at the Welcome Desk to help check-in, cut hair, provide nail care, socialize or otherwise support this looked-forward-to event for our unhoused neighbors (of all genders, this time).

Episcopal 101 Class starts April 21, on Sundays from 12:30-2 pm (with lunch). Meet in the St. Mary's Chapel.

Parish Education Sessions on the Building Project

Sundays, April 21, 28 and May 5, ~9:00 a.m.

These are being repeated for those who did not attend the first series. They will take place in-between the services. The first session this time will be entitled: "The History of Change." Chris Trevathan will walk us through a slide presentation on the significant physical changes to St. Mark's from the time of its inception in 1848.

"Redeemed" Ballet, Knickerbocker Theater at Hope College

April 25-27 at 7 pm or 2 pm Buy tickets now.

Our own youth Sophia Rozeboom is dancing in a spectacular new show “Redeemed” that tells the story of salvation. It is in Holland in a few weeks. It is the dramatic continuation of the winter ballet performance of Christ’s birth. This spring ballet showcases the rest of His life.

Despite its name, it's not actually a Catholic Mass but more of a theatrical pageant about challenging organized religion; losing and finding faith; and advocating for peace. More than 100 performers are involved, including singers from the community in addition to the Fountain Street Church and Aquinas College choirs, a children's choir, a 20-piece orchestra and the Deos Contemporary Ballet. A free will offering will be taken. More info. 

Anniversary Celebration, April 28, in the Parish Hall at Social Hour. Our Vestry invites you to celebrate our church’s 187-year Anniversary and the Feast Day of Saint Mark, Apostle and Evangelist with festive hors d’oeuvres! 

Safe Haven Training, Saturday, May 18,

8:30 a.m.–5:00 p.m. at St. Andrew's Episcopal Church

We can all help prevent and recognize domestic violence, relationship abuse and trafficking. This training will include learning activities as well as considering relevant policies and procedures for our church. Register at the Welcome Desk or online here. The $20 lunch fee is waived for St. Mark's parishioners. All training costs are sponsored by St. Mark's. Click here to read more.

Announcements & Celebrations

Test of the Emergency Alert System, April 28:

Next Sunday, there will be a brief test of the emergency alert system (which is separate from the fire alarm). You will not be required to move to a different location. In the event of a true weather or other non-fire emergency, an announcement with further instructions will be made from the pulpit. It will also be texted to all parishioners with mobile numbers on file. If your cell phone is not already listed in the Church Directory, and you would like it on the emergency-only contact list, see staff or the Welcome Desk. 

~ Safety and Security Ministry

Construction Update

Use Lyon Street, from either direction. You CAN get in the church lot from the gate off Division Avenue. The chains will be down on Sundays (or by request) to allow access from the Winchester Pl 'alley.'

Pearl Street is NO LONGER a viable route.

From the N or E, you may take any connecting street to Lyon St, to Division Ave. Note: the separate road closure on Lyon St east of Bostwick Ave is not active.



From the SW, you can take Fulton Street to Ionia Ave to Lyon St to Division Ave (because Lyon St is regularly two-way east until Division Ave).

From SE, take Fulton Street to Ransom Ave (just east of the Public Library) to Lyon St.

The Division Avenue at Crescent Street intersection (just north of the church and Lyon St) is open. This makes a helpful route east (from Northbound Division Ave) if you are leaving church or decide to go to the Winchester Pl 'alley' instead of the gate.

Baptisms on Pentecost, 10:30 a.m.

Our next opportunity for the Sacrament of Holy Baptism, for adults or children, will be on May 19. Contact Fr. David or the church office to join those participating in this important Sacrament.

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

Rector Search Committee Update

The official St. Mark's Rector posting is up on the Episcopal News Service job board as well as both the Western and Eastern Diocese websites, and will be included in the next edition of the Feast (e-newsletter). It is also being featured on our facebook page. If you participate on facebook, please help spread the word by "sharing" to gain more attention to our search (and encourage qualified candidates to apply)!

"Hope: A Song in a Weary Throat"

Celebrating the Rev. Dr. Pauli Murray



Two weeks ago, the Social Hour was hosted by the Dismantling Racism Ministry. People who weren’t already familiar with Rev. Dr. Pauli Murray learned, among other things, that she was the first African-American woman ordained as an Episcopal priest and that hers is the 11th coin in the American Women Quarters Program. In this 4-minute video Ruth Bader Ginsburg speaks about Pauli Murray’s influence on gender equality.

~Dismantling Racism Ministry

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.

ACCESS Walk May 5–15: The annual Walk For Good Food is fast approaching with a kick-off event on Sunday, May 5 from 2:00-4:00 p.m. at Richmond Park. As in the past few years, you may walk the routes that day, or walk on your own until May 15. St. Mark’s has a walk team which you can join, or you can donate online or by check can made out to “Access of West Michigan.” Contact Scot (s.gugle@comcast.net) or Jeff (jeffatgrey@gmail.com) for more information or visit the website givelively.org. 

St. Mark's partners with Westminster's Downtown Food Pantry. Items needed for April: pork and beans, ravioli, chili.

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