|
|
|
|
"But the seed falling on good soil refers to someone who hears the word and understands it. This is the one who produces a crop, yielding a hundred, sixty or thirty times what was sown.” -- Matthew 13:23
As we move closer to what might be called "the gathering"--slowly reconstituting in-person worship, this week's gospel might well be called "the scattering." Seeds, as most know, do absolutely nothing while gathered together and sealed up in a package. It is only when they are "scattered and sown" (to use a line from the hymn) that they yield a crop. The sermon you will hear on Sunday was "sown" (preached) more than six weeks ago. Who knows what will come of it this Sunday? Who knows what it will "plant" in YOU as you hear it this Sunday? What will the harvest be?
As we continue to grapple with the challenges of this pandemic, it is becoming increasingly clear that we will not all be gathered together for worship like seeds in a bag for many, many months. That makes me as sad as it likely makes you: it is GOOD to be together, at least under normal circumstances. I miss seeing you all, checking in with how you are doing, and simply saying "hello!" It is a challenge to be the pastor to an often unseen flock. That's why I've put so much emphasis on making sure that folks don't feel lost or alone, even in the midst of so much enforced isolation.
But just as seeds gathered together do little, if anything, as we are scattered to our various homes, jobs, and errands, we might well think of ourselves as either scattered seed or scatterers of seed. We might ask ourselves "How can I grow in God's grace and faith where I am planted?" or "How might I plant seeds of God's love and care in others?" What God is planting within us, and which we are called to plant in others, is the love of God and each other through the power of the Holy Spirit. That can be both nurtured within us (love of God) and spread to others (love of others). As Christians, we rejoice when we can come together in worship, but 90% of life in Christ is lived scattered into the world's cracks and crevices. Go forth and scatter, water, and let God give the growth!
--Tom+
|
|
|
BFF Brief: Inching (or Straining) Towards Completion
As shown in the above photos, projects continue to be completed, if more slowly than we would like. All of that bathrooms are up and working, just in time for our first in-person worship services on Sunday, July 19. There are still things like drawer pulls for the cabinets and stainless steel countertops in the kitchen to install, completion of the upstairs office sink hookup, and many other smaller jobs to complete. We continue to impatiently wait for the parish hall and library double doors to arrive, which is pretty much the last hurdle before the fire marshal and the rest of the inspectors sign off on our permanent Certificate of Occupancy. As our current temporary certificate runs out a week from today, it is likely that we will need an additional extension of our temporary certificate. Hopefully the last extension!
In spite of Reverend Tom's perpetually optimistic outlook, we are postponing our end-of-project celebration until we actually receive the final Certificate of Occupancy. Thus, we have, again, put off our celebration, this time until the fifth Sunday in August. This will give ample time for the construction to be completed as well as any preparations of the space (storage, decoration, etc...) to be done. So, enjoy your summer and perpare to celebrate after the 10 am service on Sunday, August 30.
We will continue to ask for contributions to our BFF Fund in the coming months and years as we pay off our various loans If you would like to pledge or contribute just click one of those links. Thanks again and keep praying!
-- The Building For the Future (BFF) Committee
|
|
|
UPCOMING EVENTS AND ANNOUNCEMENTS
|
|
RESUMING IN-PERSON WORSHIP: Sunday, July 19
8 & 10 am. Reservations now being taken and are required.
|
|
 As we enter July, we have been given permission to resume in-person worship and are preparing to do so. We will be resuming in-person worship with the Holy Eucharist, Rite II on Sunday, July 19 at 8 & 10 am. Reservations will be required. To reserve a spot at the 8 am service, click here or on the button below. To reserve a spot at the 10 am service, click here or on the button below. You may also contact the church office at (541) 773-3111 or email by clicking here to make your reservation. Masks will be required of anyone 12 years old and older and recommended for chidren 2 to 12 years old.
If you are having difficulty using the buttons below or links above, please contact the church office at the number or email above and we can manually add you to the list.
PLEASE NOTE: If you are 65 years old or older or have a pre-existing condition, the CDC recommends that you NOT join gatherings such as our in-person worship. Individuals are free to make their own choices, but attend at their own risk. We will continue to live-stream services at 10 am and encourage anyone who is at risk to join us via live-stream. If you are at all ill, please stay home! Thank you.
Please also note that the continuation of in-person services is at the discretion of the Rector and Vestry and depends on both our ability to maintain a safe environment and the number of infections in Jackson county. If we believe there is an increased risk to members, we will again suspend in-person worship. If we are able to handle 25 people at each service, we may expand that number in the coming weeks. We will continually evaluate our progress over the coming weeks and hopefully will come to a sustainable schedule by September.
|
|
|
|
 Fun for the Kids:
VBS at Home
is coming to you!
Since we will likely be still under the shelter at home order, this summer's VBS can be celebrated with your family right in your own home! Curated by Episcopal youth leaders, themes include Dr. Suess, Nemo, and Hogwarts. More information at https://vbsonline.org/vbs2020/
|
|
THIS Sunday, July 12 at 10 am:
Pre-recorded Morning Prayer
and Music
with Rob, Kim, and Reverend Tom
|
|
 As we count down to resuming in-person worship (see above), THIS Sunday, July 12 at 10 am will be our last pre-recorded service of Morning Prayer and Music with Rob & Kim and Reverend Tom. Rev. Tom is working with Jerry Campbell to establish a sound and video desk in the church as we move to an in-person but continued live-streamed service. Stay tuned!
Questions? Contact Reverend Tom.
|
|
Our Food Pantry is
NOW OPEN Wednesdays
from 9 to 11:30 a.m.
(or until boxes run out)
|
|
 The St. Mark's Food Pantry has reopened as of Wednesday,
June 24.
We have changed from Thursdays to Wednesdays because there are no pantries that day in Medford. Distribution will start at 9 am and go until 11 am or we run out of boxes. Cars should enter the alley from 5th Street and stay to the right, so cars can pass on the left. Clients should remain in their vehicle. If walking you can join the line behind the last car in line. Everything will be pre-boxed and we will not offer choices at this time.
If you wish to volunteer to help with food box distribution, please contact Kit Nilles. We have limited volunteer space right now, so please be patient.
|
|
IMPORTANT NOTE: New Access to Building and Security System
Please turn in old keys!
|
|
UPDATE: The security system arming during the day has been suspended until after construction is completed. However, please turn in keys and get in the habit of entering through the front double-doors.
 When our buiding is completed, our security system will be enabled whenever there is no one in the building. This means both perimeter and motion detection will be actve. EVERYONE MUST ENTER THROUGH THE DOUBLE DOORS OFF THE COURTYARD. Once the alarm system is active, you will also have to disarm the alarm system before proceeding. Please note that you will need to disarm the alarm system separately after entering--the door keypad doesn't connect to the security system. Accessing the building from any other door will set off the alarm.
Please contact TieKara at the church office to get codes for the new key lock and security system as well as instructions on how to disarm and arm the system. Please return all church keys to our mailbox. All Staff have individual codes and the Vestry and Altar Guild have shared codes. Other people and groups will be assigned (or choose) lock and alarm codes. Questions? Contact Reverend Tom.
|
|
|
|
Zoom Book Study
"White Fragility:
Why It's So Hard for White People to Talk about Racism"
6 pm beginning Wednesday, July 15
Wednesdays in July and August
|
|
Beginning on Wednesday, July 15 our Book Study will be beginning a new book: "White Fragility: Why It's So Hard for White People to Talk about Racism" by Robin Diangelo. A timely topic and a well-known book. Please click here at 6 pm each Wednesday to join us!
 The book can be purchased from our online bookshop for $14.72 (we get 10%) by clicking here or via Amazon for $12.24 for paperback (may currently be out of stock) or Kindle for $9.99 (and we only get 0.5%) by clicking here. NOTE: This book is in high demand and may be out of stock In a variety of places. Check Amazon, our Bookshop, Barnes & Noble Online or other sources.
|
|
A Farewell to Bishop Michael!
Sunday afternoon, September 13 here at St. Mark's, Medford!
|
|
From the Diocese of Oregon
Celebrating Bishop Michael's Ministry Among Us: For 10 years Bishop Michael and Marla Hanley have lived and ministered in the Diocese of Oregon! Bishop Michael has helped us navigate difficulties and celebrate milestones, has supported congregations and clergy, and led us to this time of his well-earned retirement. During the next few months we will celebrate the Hanleys and their time with us in several ways. Follow this link for dates, locations, and details.
St. Mark's is hosting one of these celebrations on Sunday, September 13. Space is limited, so please contact Terry Hoffmann to reserve your spot. Bishop Michael will also be doing a brief ribbon-cutting at the beginning of the celebration. Join us!
|
|
Want to sing? Join the
Diocesan Virtual Choir!
Deadline July 22 to upload your part!
|
|
 Are you a St. Mark's choir member who longs to sing again? Are you a member of our congregation who wants to contribute to a diocesan-wide musical venture? Then join the Diocesan Virtual Choir! The Liturgy & Music Commission of the diocese is coordinating an effort to have voices from all over the diocese sing the hymn God of Grace and God of Glory, #594 in Hymnal 1982.
To add your voice to the mix please read the article at this link and download the instructions, record your part (soprano, alto, tenor or bass) and upload a video or audio recording of your singing to the link provided in the instructions no later than July 22. The compilation will be accessible to all churches and there will be others to come. Enjoy!
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Rector's Reflections
Covid-19 Coronavirus 
Haven't pledged yet, and don't want to deal with Realm?
