Happy Labor Day weekend! 

The church will be closed on Monday, September 2nd in observance.

Announcements and Celebrations

Division Avenue is Open to Our Gate!

Division Ave may look blocked off, but we have been promised access around any barriers.

Both colleges are back in session, so we expect to keep the chains at the back of the lot up except on Sundays.

On your way in, enjoy our beautiful landscaping!

21^st Annual Mayors’

Grand River Cleanup:

Register by this Sunday!

Wednesday, September 11 @ Highland Park from 5:15- 6:45 p.m.

(No one had registered for this site as of early this week, so site may be canceled:

Saturday, September 14 @ Wingate Apartments in Kentwood, 9-10:30 a.m.)

The Creation Care Ministry invites you to this fun, rewarding annual event. Registration link and waiver are here! The name of our team is "St. Mark's Episcopal Church". Choose the park site for children under 12.



After you have registered, please email Jeff and Anne which date/site you will attend, so we know how many supplies to have on hand and to send detailed instructions: jeffatgrey@gmail.com and alhiskes@gmail.com.

Much to Look Forward To!

September 11    

Midweek Eucharist resumes at noon

Open Table meal partnership resumes, 11 a.m.—1 p.m.

(Invite any local college students, faculty or staff to join us!)

September 15          

Welcome Back Sunday, with Choir

September 22      

Annual Parish Picnic in the Social Hall

October 13             

Anniversary Dinner at Kent Country Club (our spring celebration was last year's)

October 18—19 

Convention of the Episcopal Diocese of the Great Lakes, in Mt. Pleasant

ArtPrize is September 13-28, 2024

As you plan your art exploration, consider enjoying the ArtPrize Closing Ceremony from our front porch on the evening of Friday, September 27th!

There is no formal St. Mark's event planned, but it takes place right across the street on the Kendall College of the Arts patio across the street and along Division Avenue (which will be closed to traffic). In their words, "This one-of-a-kind bash will also feature food trucks, a cash bar, spectacular light-and-laser show, and a larger-than-life circus performance."

Book Club Starting September 15th

The Dismantling Racism Ministry is leading a book study on Jim Wallis’ new book ’The False White Gospel’ : Rejecting Christian Nationalism, Reclaiming True Faith and Refounding Democracy. More details to follow but please reserve the following Sunday afternoons in your calendar: Sept 15, Sept 29 and Oct. 13. We will meet by ZOOM from 1-3:30 pm. Julie Connors will have 9 copies of the book for purchase during coffee hour at $9.00 each. Sign up with her or email Karen Hunter at Meyermay52@gmail.com to register. The discussions will be led by Penny Larsen and Wendy Wenner. Should be lively time!

If you want to do some early reading, read the following passages from the Bible. Wallis will discuss these: Luke 10:25-37, Genesis 1:26, John 8 :32, Matthew 25: 31-46, Matthew 5:9 and Galatians 3:28

Update on the Building Renovation Project

 We are very happy to report significant news about our project. As we have been in the phase of gaining public and some lead gift support, we have received a challenge lead gift from Phyllis Rood, the late Dr. Robert Rood and their family. With their pledge and revenue from the State of Michigan and the church, we are at the 3 million dollar mark, which is over half way to the goal. This is all prior to launching the official Capital Campaign. This is truly a springboard for the success of our project and the future of St. Mark's.    

Sharing the Bounty Walk,

October 6th, 1—3 p.m. Mark your calendars!

This is a major fundraiser for St. Mark’s Breakfast Café and Westminster’s Downtown Food Pantry. It is a 1.5 mile guided walk through the Heartside neighborhood. Our goal is to get 20 walkers and double the amount of pledges raised last year. Please join walkers from LaGrave CRC, Westminster Presbyterian, First United Methodist, Fountain Street Church and St. Andrew’s Cathedral. Sign up sheets will be available early in September. 

Safety and Security Monthly Ministry Update



Back to School Road Safety Tips Watch here. From local ABC 13 and the Michigan State Police.



Parents - Is your child is going to a new school for the first time, or taking a cell phone for the first time? Here is what the Red Cross recommends to make sure your kids know. Like, do they have the kid-safe severe weather alert app?

Do You Want to Stay “In the Know” with Vestry Activities? Great!

Vestry Person of the Day: Bring your questions or ideas to the Welcome Desk, to Dan McDonald or Brian Topolewski after the 8:00 a.m. Service, or Dawn Buller after the 10:30 a.m. Service. The Vestry also welcomes any parishioner to Vestry meetings that are held on the fourth Tuesday of each month (with the exception of July) at 6:30 p.m. Vestry Minutes from each previous month’s meetings are always posted on the bulletin board next to the main entrance.

Is Education for Ministry (EfM) for You? EfM offers you a small, mentored group setting for college level study of our Christian tradition. EfM is for adults of any age, and no prior knowledge of scripture or theology is required. The four-year curriculum fosters spiritual growth through study, reflection, prayer and worship. It develops a theologically informed, reflective and articulate laity. Contact the church office or Doug Karsen for more information.

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.

St. Mark's partners with Westminster's Downtown Food Pantry. Items needed for September are macaroni and cheese, rice a roni and pasta mixes.

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!

Clothing Donations: The Outreach Ministry welcomes donations of belts, jeans, shirts and sweatshirts, to be given out to our unhoused neighbors at Breakfast Café. There is a basket in the coat room for these items.

Downtown Food Pantry: We so appreciate all your contributions and urge you to continue helping if you can. The Downtown Food Pantry’s Director, Becky Stein-Wells, suffered a stroke earlier this summer and can use our help and prayers as she continues to recover. See below for the needed food items for the month, although all food items are appreciated and used! Just bring your cans or boxes to church with you and leave them by the basket just inside the Sanctuary doors. ~Outreach Ministry

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 Faith Formation 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