And greetings on this foggy Autumn morning! I hope this finds everyone well, and remaining safe and careful as we enter into the colder months. Time for flu shots!
Although the Covid numbers are worsening in the states around us, Maryland is holding steady - and we are open! Come and be blessed by our beautiful House of Prayer, with the celebration of the Holy Eucharist (bread only). Masks and distancing continue to be required, of course, and, although we can't sing, we have David's beautiful music to enrich our worship. As you know, we also continue to livestream each Sunday's service, so that those who don't feel quite ready to come inside can join in worship and praise and prayer. Both services are at 10 am.
Our nation is coming into a pivotal time - Election Day is only ten days away now. Please take especially good care of yourselves, as personal and national anxieties run high. And know that on election day, Tuesday Nov. 3rd, the church will be open for prayer and quiet reflection from 11-3, with candlelight, light incense, and a beautiful icon of Christ the Pantocrator that I'll lend from my collection.
Soon it will be time for All Saint's Day, Thanksgiving, Ingathering Sunday, and our Christmas Bazaar, with a special guest appearance by St. Nicholas! We are busy bees preparing for these special events and services, and I hope you can all take part in them, in whatever way feels best to you. Please get out your calendars and mark these special days:
Sunday, Nov. 1: All Saint's Day, and the Commemoration of All Souls: 10:00 am with incense and memorial candlelighting. Please fill out your bulletin insert with the names you'd like read aloud during the service - and for those at home, just email me directly: juliafritts@gmail.com.
Monday, Nov. 2, 12:00 noon: Requiem Eucharist for Ray Buchanan. All are welcome to join in this beautiful service for our brother, a true friend of St. Mark's.
Tuesday, Nov. 3, 11-3pm: Election Day: Church open for prayer and quiet reflection.
Friday, Nov. 19: Pick up of Thanksgiving Turkey Dinner Boxes, and placing them in the church refrigerator (helpers welcome! Contact Vickie or Bunny)
Saturday, Nov. 20: Distribution of free Thanksgiving Turkey Dinner Boxes - we'll place them directly into the trunks of our hungry neighbors cars (helpers welcome! Contact Vickie or Bunny)
Sunday, Nov. 22: Ingathering Sunday: We'll celebrate the gathering in of our promises for the new year of time, talent, and treasure.
Saturday, Dec. 5: St. Mark's Christmas Bazaar 9-3 (Santa Hats provided, and helpers needed - contact Jerry Mayer) Be on the lookout for our special guest!
Tuesday, Dec. 22: Life Line Screening, a leading provider of community-based preventive health screenings will be in our community at St Mark's on the Hill. Ultrasound screenings to Identify risk factors for Cardiovascular disease include; Carotid Artery (plaque buildup-a leading cause of stroke), Abdominal Aortic Aneurysm (an enlargement or weak area in the main blood vessel that carries blood from the heart to the rest of the body), Peripheral Arterial Disease (hardening of the arteries in the legs), a Heart Rhythm Screening (an EKG to detect Atrial Fibrillation-irregular heartbeat) and an Osteoporosis Risk Assessment for men and women. Being proactive about your health by knowing your risks helps you and your doctor address problems early. Register online TODAY at www.lifelinescreening.com/communitycircle or call 1-866-229-0469 to receive your discount and preferred appointment time.
Our new website is coming along! Stay tuned for it's unveiling in time for the Holidays. Many thanks to David Gunning for his expertise!
I ask that you keep the following people in your prayers: Fr. Van Gardner, home again after surgery for a brain bleed, and for Gary Stone, recovering from hospitalization for blood clots. For Rick Tomlinson, suffering the sudden loss of his dear friend Ray Buchanan. For John Hopkins, Alyson's husband, struggling with heart and kidney failure. Cecelia Callaway, Marian's mother, in a nursing home in New Jersey. Margarita Martin, at home after a stent placement, David Kaplan, struggling with leg problems, and Dorothy Richards, recovering after a knee fracture and suffering the loss of her elder sister, Shirley. We pray also for David Lamkin, John and Eartha's son, diagnosed with a recurrence of leukemia, and for Martin Lamkin, navigating congestive heart failure. And we give thanks for the recovery of Assistant to the Bishop Bob Ihloff after double knee replacements. May they all feel the sure presence of God, the healing power of Christ, and the consolation of the Holy Spirit. Know that everyone on our Parish Prayer List is prayed for by name every day, led by Carolyn Workman of the BMT.
Please, of your kindness, don't delay in sending in your regular pledge every week. Simply mail your check to the church:
St. Mark's on the Hill Episcopal Church
1620 Reisterstown Road
Baltimore, MD 21208
...or pay your pledge online: simply click on this link:
episcopalmaryland.org/my-offering/
and under our church's name just put in your pledge amount. Thank you so much; we are hard pressed to meet our expenses during this challenging time, and your pledge makes all the difference.
Thank you for your prayers, phone calls, texts, and emails - it's a blessing to hear from you, and a blessing to continue to pray for you.
Blessings in this new season, and I'll "see" you on Sunday mornings at 10, either in person or on Facebook Live! Until then, know that God loves you so, and is always, always with you. Please stay vigilant and safe!
