NOVEMBER 17, 2010 VOLUME 99 ISSUE 11

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St. Mark’s Episcopal Church

315 E. Pecan St. San Antonio, TX 78205

(210) 226-2426 www.stmarks-sa.org

Pictured from left to right, The Rev. Mike Chalk, Karen Snyder, Ellen Williams, The Rt. Rev. Gary Lillibridge and Lyde Andrews. Karen and Lyde were confirmed by Bishop Lillibridge. Ellen was from the Roman Catholic Church.

I t is a distinct honor to introduce 45 new members of the St. Mark’s parish family. Since January, 2010, the following people have declared themselves members of St. Mark’s. Lyde Andrews, Mary Baldwin, Macon Cothren, Catherine Cruz, Jason Cruz, Susie Daniels,

Rick Daniels, Monica Fernandez, Maxwell Fisher, Michael Flores, Emma Frederick, Noah Frederick, Christie Fryatt, Henry Grellner, Catherine Hall, Deborah Hays, Steve Hays, Meredith Holmstrom, Travis Holmstrom, Zachariah Linson, Carolyn Lowery, Steve Matteson, Kate Park, Pam Priour, Caroline Rickards, J.P. Sargent, John Saunders, John T. Saunders, Lauren Saunders, Ben Scott, Kim Scott, Karen Snyder, Jonathan Somers, Ryan Somers, Amelie Sullivan, Eva Sullivan, Sara Talley, John Tarr, Robert Tisdal, Richard Tisdale, Devin Watson, Mary Carolyn Watson, Alex White and Ellen Williams. Of the people listed above, 21 joined by attending “New Connections” (13 of them stood before the community during the New Member Liturgy on October 24th), 11 became members by having their letter transferred from another Episcopal parish and 9 were received into the community by baptism. On Sunday, November 7th, three of the new members took the additional step of joining the greater Episcopal Church by being confirmed or received by Bishop Lillibridge. Lyde Andrews and Karen Snyder were confirmed and Ellen Williams was received. Please join me in welcoming all of them into the St. Mark’s family.

45 New Members to St. Mark’s Since January 2010 2 Confirmed and 1 Received as New Episcopalians

By Emmet Faulk, Community Formation Director

IN THIS ISSUE ● Christmas to the

Street

● From the Rector

● Christmas

Pageant

T here are two books that help frame our identity as the

People of God. The Bible is obviously paramount as we learn

and re-learn what following God means. The Bible is not an elective but primary to our understanding of what it means to be a disciple of Christ. With excellent teachers like The Rev. Dr. John Lewis and The Rev. Dr. Jane Patterson, our study of scripture has been enriched at St. Mark’s. The other book that frames our identity is The Book of Common Prayer. If we want to know what the Episcopal Church believes, this book expresses our beliefs in a clear and concise manner. In his book, A People Called Episcopalians, The Rev. Dr. John H. Westerhoff claims “Our primary identity is as a community of practice. That is, we are bound together by our liturgy rather than doctrinal emphasis…Orthodoxy for us is right worship…Our life of prayer shapes our beliefs and behaviors…our liturgy is at the heart of our identity and the basis for our theological and ethical convictions.” (pp.3-4) If individuals want to know who we are and what is important to us we usually invite them to worship with us. Worship is the place where people find a sense of our community and what we hope to accomplish in the world with the grace of God.

One of our most popular adult classes on Sunday morning is EpiscoBasics taught by The Rev. Jonathan Wickham. People want to learn more about the wonder and mystery of worship. There is a sense that there is so much to be gained by the corporate act of worship. In my class on The Spiritual Life, we give some time to reflect on what happened in worship that Sunday. We Episcopalians reflect on our convictions about faith and life by reflecting on our worship. Part of our reflection revolves around what difference our worship will make in our daily lives and work. In all of our small groups we discern our identity as God’s People as we “love God with all our heart, and with all our soul, and with all our mind.” The study of the Bible and worship with the Book of Common Prayer helps guide and strengthen us to be the People of God in the world. If we were to treat either of these books as optional, we would stand to lose our primary identity. As we enter the rich seasons of Advent and Christmas, I invite you to take part in one of our many Bible studies and worship with us as we celebrate the birth of Christ.

The Messenger is published monthly and is available in magazine format

online at www.stmarks-sa.org

Parish Clergy

The Rev. Michael D. Chalk Rector The Rev. Jonathan Wickham Assistant Rector

Assis ng Clergy The Rev. Dr. John Lewis Co-director, The Work+Shop The Rev. Dr. Jane Pa erson Co-director, The Work+Shop

Making a Gi of Their Service

The Rev. Mary Earle Assis ng Priest

Staff

Jennifer Allison Children’s Ministries Co-Director Todd Allison Youth Director Priscilla Briones Accoun ng Janet Carrizales Nursery Coordinator Bill Edwards Parish Administrator Elaine Enloe Clergy Execu ve Administrator

Database Manager Sandy Falkenberg Cherub Choir Conductor Emmet Faulk Community Forma on Director CAYA Worship Coordinator Heather Herschell Children’s Ministries Co-Director Melanie Lizcano Communica ons Director Ruby Merrill Facili es Manager Pat Hutchison Noble Community of Care Grace Ohlenbusch Interim Organist Kris n Roach Interim Director of Music Sara Talley Asst. Director Youth Ministries

St. Mark’s Episcopal Church 315 East Pecan St.

San Antonio, TX 78205

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YÜÉÅ à{x exvàÉÜ Our Identity as the People of God

By The Rev. Mike Chalk

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R etreat Leader: The Rev. Mike Marsh, Rector of St. Philip’s Episcopal Church, Uvalde, Texas The Rev. Mike Chalk and the

Rev. Dr. Jane Patterson will assist with the morning. In the peaceful setting of The WorkShop, along the banks of Salado Creek, we will take some time out from the rush of the days before Christmas to focus on the spiritual significance of the season of Advent. Mike Marsh, who has studied and prayed with icons for many years, will guide us in an experience of praying with some of the traditional icons of the Church. Advent is a season for contemplating how the material and spiritual worlds are connected, and icons are one of the ways to experience how

material things may mediate the unfathomable love of God. Spoken reflections will alternate with times for prayer, walking, journaling. Bring a Bible, and anything you might want for your quiet time, such as a journal, art supplies, camera, etc. Coffee and light snacks will be provided. Please register by calling Katherine Buzzini at 210-599-4224, or e-mail kbuzzini@theworkshop-sa.org.

Advent Retreat: Praying with Icons By The Rev. Dr. Jane Patterson

Advent Retreat: Praying with Icons December 4, 2010, 8:30 to noon

The WorkShop at Los Patios 2015 NE Loop 410

San Antonio, TX 78217

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ADVENTADVENT Salvation has come.Salvation has come.

HOPE HOPE PEACE PEACE

JOYJOY LOVELOVE

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O n Friday, October 29, St. Mark’s youth ministries

hosted the annual “Jr. High Halloween Lock-In” from 9pm to 9am in the parish house. Joined by St. Thomas Episcopal Church, San Antonio and St. Helena’s Episcopal Church, Boerne, the walls of St. Mark’s were rattled of laughter and screams by the almost fifty participants that bonded together to explore the historic legends on the grounds of our downtown church. Lit merely by flickering candle light and eerie strobe lighting effects, the hallowed halls of St. Mark’s offered these youth, from all over the city, an experience they will not soon forget. This lock-in would not have been a success without the help of our faithful, dedicated, and energetic high school students who really took control of this event. This group of students set an amazing example for the junior high as they set up Gish Hall for sleeping arrangements, participated in games, and stayed an extra hour Saturday morning to make sure the church was clean and ready for Sunday morning worship services. Their hard work and dedication to this event was well worth it as they were let loose around midnight to set up for the evening’s big event.

As the junior high participants vigilantly wrapped their “mummies” in toilet paper in hopes of winning prize candy, the high school students disappeared into the darkened halls to hide items of clothing needed for the “scarecrow building contest” that was next on the agenda for the night. As the youth were separated into five teams on the third floor in Gish Hall, the high school team took their places around the church building. The instructions were simple; the first team to find all articles of clothing and return to Gish Hall to build their scarecrow would win….GO! And with that, all of the teams were off to scavenge for scarecrow parts. Almost immediately, screams from the

sanctuary shot all the way up the three floors to Gish Hall where the youth leaders were awaiting the students’ return. Soon after, both boys and girls poured into the light of the third floor room, gushing with stories and visions of Dean Richardson and shadows chasing them in the darkness! The students were encouraged to stay together as a team and sent back into the darkness. After their eyes adjusted, the teams learned that the shadow chasing them in the night was only Christina Howe in a gorilla costume, and in fact Dean Richardson had not come back to life, but was just being portrayed by Trevor Stokes with a painted face and a black robe. It is hard to believe that the

annual Halloween Lock-In has already come and gone this year, but the stories are sure to last for many years to come! I know we are all finally having the opportunity to catch up on our lost sleep from this past event, but right around the corner is our Christmas to the Street service project, December 17th and 18th, that is guaranteed to be our biggest and best opportunity yet! Todd and I continue to be amazed at the wonderful group of kids and parents we have the privilege of working with here at St. Mark’s. We look forward to the continuing honor of guiding our youth to grow in relationships, service, and in Christ to truly be, “many bodies with one spirit.”

Photo submitted by Sara Talley Youth participants let loose in Gosnell Hall for a night of fun and fellow-ship.

An Eerie Night of Fun and Fellowship with the Youth at St. Mark’s By Sara Talley, Assistant Director of Youth Ministries

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Open to all youth and their friends currently in 6th -12th grade. FRIDAY, DECEMBER 17th at 8pm. COST: $25 (Includes late night snack, breakfast, lunch and 2010 Christmas to the Street 'Crew' T-Shirt) Arrive at St. Mark’s Church (please eat before arriving) for a night of fun and fellowship. While we will have plenty of fun the purpose of the night is to prepare for Saturday’s Christmas To The Street Community BBQ and Outreach Event. The youth will be assisting in preparing items for the meal, desserts, and setting up to serve lunch. The night’s work is a must for Saturday so please join us... and bring a friend. Registration forms are in the youth suite or available online at www.stmarks-sa.org/youth.kt.

Christmas to the Street: Youth Lock-In

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ADVENT SOLEMN EVENSONG with The Parish Choir Sunday, December 5, 2010 Music especially chosen for meditation in preparation for the holiday season. Service: Howells Collegium Regale Responses: Lehman Anthems: Tschenokoff Salvation is Created Mendelssohn: There shall be a star

RYO YANAGITANI, Concert Pianist Sunday, January 23, 2011 One of Canada’s most promising young concert artists makes his San Antonio recital debut at St. Mark’s after winning the Gold Medal at the 2009 San Antonio International Piano Competition, where he was also given special recognition for his performance of the complete Chopin ballades.

SOLEMN EVENSONG and HIGH TEA with The Parish Choir Sunday, February 13, 2011 Back by popular demand! Following the service, join the choir in Gosnell Hall for an elegant High Tea in the English tradition.

Upcoming Concerts All concerts are offered free of charge. Nursery & elementary school childcare are available by reservation only. Please call seven days in advance for childcare services. You may contact Janet Carrizales or Heather Herschell at (210) 226-2426 for reservations. Free Parking is available in the lot on the corner of Jefferson and Pecan Streets.

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Prepare the way of the Lord, make straight in the desert a highway for our God. Then the glory of the Lord shall be revealed, and all people shall see it together. Isaiah 40:3,5 The time has come for St. Mark’s 19th annual Christmas Pageant! Mark your calendars for December 12th, at the 9am service. NOW is the time to sign up if you would like to participate. Letters have been mailed. If you have not received one, there will be blank cards available at the church. We will need many volunteers this year, as our Children’s Ministries continue to grow! There will be three boxes available to return the response cards. One in the narthex of the church, one in the lobby of the Sunday school classrooms on the

2nd floor of the Parish House, and one in the church office. We look forward to this joyous re-telling of the Christmas Story in one of St. Mark’s most favorite traditions!

Rehearsals are as follows: December 4 December 11 9:00am-11:00am Pageant is December 12 at the 9:00am service.

2010 Christmas Pageant By Kristin Roach, Interim Music Director & 2010 Pageant Director

On Saturday, Dec. 11 from 11:00 am until 1:00 pm the Parish Choir will sponsor the Fifth Annual Cookie Walk. We are looking for many, many bakers of cookies. This event is a major fundraiser for the choir’s next residency at Exeter Cathedral in July 2013. Here are some guidelines to help you prepare: Please make at least 10 dozen

cookies of one kind. Please no store-bought cookies. Please put cookies in a marked

box, clearly marking the name of the cookie and if they contain nuts or not.

Cookies may be baked ahead of time and frozen. You may bring them to the church to be stored in the church’s freezer if you don’t have room at home.

Since this is a holiday event, cookies should be “holiday attractive” and your very best! Save the

Rice Krispies Treats, etc. for another time. Also, smaller cookies tend to fit better in the boxes. Please call or e-mail Kristin Roach or Grace Ohlenbusch if you intend to participate so that we can anticipate how many boxes and tables we will need. If you have any questions, please don’t hesitate to call Grace Ohlenbusch or any member of the Parish Choir. We will be updating you frequently as we get closer to December 11. Of course, we will also need buyers of cookies on the day of the event. This is a great way to help you prepare for your holiday

entertaining and gift-giving. Please help us make this year’s “Cookie Walk” the best yet by promoting this event to your friends and relatives.

Fifth Annual Cookie Walk

Photo by Emmet Faulk

By Kristin Roach, Interim Music Director & 2010 Pageant Director

Mark your calendars for the St. Mark’s annual Advent Wreath-Making event. This traditional event will take place on Sunday, November 28th in Gosnell hall during the 10:00 formation hour. Please plan to attend with your family for a wonderful Advent event as we welcome in the Advent Season. Questions? Contact Jennifer Allison or Heather Herschell at (210) 226-2426.

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I n case you didn’t notice, there were unusual creatures and characters spotted around St. Mark’s on Sunday October 31st. From the procession behind the children’s chapel cross, to the 58 costumed kids on the 2nd floor, our All Saints Celebration was a huge success. Many thanks to Lisa Westmoreland and Ellen Cotton for all of the hard work and preparation that made our day so special. Kids started in their Sunday School rooms then rotated through four different activities. In

one room, kids had to “ Guess the Goo” in four different containers. In another, kids made spiced tea to take home to share with their family. In the craft room, kids chose from three different masks to make and wear home. Several kittens and jack-o-lanterns could be seen exiting the second floor. The final room, was a “make and eat cupcake” snack. Thank you again to all who helped and participated in this wonderful fellowship event.

Children’s Ministries Celebrate All Saints’ Day By Jennifer Allison, Co-Director of Children’s Ministries

Photos submitted by Jennifer Allison

Family Advent Wreath-Making By Jennifer Allison, Co-Director of Children’s Ministries

Photo taken by Emmet Faulk

D NA E for LIFE

St. Mark’s Blood Drive In conjunction with the South Texas

Blood and Tissue Center Sunday, January 9, 2011

8:30am-12:30pm In Gosnell Hall

For more info, contact Elaine Enloe at 226-2426.

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Heads up Ladies! All Women of St. Mark’s are welcome to attend a Christmas Lunch Reserve December 15th, for lunch at The Argyle, 934 Patterson, at 11:30am. Ladies of St. Mark's will celebrate the coming of the Christmas season. Your check for $30.00 will be your reservation. Mail to Ellen Martin, 605 Skyforest, SA TX 78232 by December 10th. For information call Ellen Martin, 494-1495.

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Questions about birthdays or events on the calendar? Contact Elaine Enloe at 210-226-2426 or via email at eenloe@stmarks-sa.org.

December 1st Linda Trevino December 2nd Anne Godwin, Natalie Matthews, Susan Riordan, Susan Waltrip December 3rd Parker Cassidy December 4th Rowena Osborn, Joan Petty, Lucy Wilson December 5th Mary Margaret Johnson, Emma Lewis, Stephen Perez, Alan Radke December 6th Kendall Center, Matthew Conner, Tom Dukes, Georgia Jobes, John Reesman, Duncan Tobar December 7th Jonathan David Check, Bettye Dawson, Robert Heller, Marguerite Morgan, Harris Stephens December 8th Bill Bassett, Ben Bockerstette, Don Clausewitz, Peter Stanton, Lisa Uhl December 9th Joe Street December 10th Tara Lodek, Mary McClung, Chica Younger December 11th Bill Cothren, Carolyn Lane, Bryan Schiller, Arthur Uhl December 12th Carol Ann Baker, Paula Butt, Joyce Carothers, Mallory Geis, Katie McDonough, Eleanor Phelps, Natalia Weatherbie December 13th Linda Lang December 14th Aubrey Breazeale, Macky Lopez, Betsy O'Connell, Elsie Steg December 15th Kate Bryan, Robert Cote, Elizabeth Raney, Pam Slocum December 16th Rich Butler, Veronica Davila, David Estes, Phyllis Hall, Dwayne Ham, Mills Ligon December 17th Raymond Baird, Carlos Ibarra, Patsy Jordt, Carolyn Oatman, Adrianne Vaughn December 18th Michael Bain, Darin Digby, Lewis Fisher, Paul Parker, Gloria Williams

December 19th Rosalind Alderman, James Gonzalez, Keith Hughey, Marcella Whittaker December 20th Claudia Thornton December 21st Becky Duncan December 22nd Allyson Cavender, Marielle Holdsworth December 23rd Mike Chalk, Lewis Clements, Richard Gray, Norrie Schiller, Polly B. Triche, Phillip A. Yochem December 24th Chris Amberson, Phyllis Beinhorn, Gary Egmon, Cliff Emery, Bunny Matthews, Mary Sue Miranda, Jane Satel December 25th Annette Eicke, Sarah Lee Gilliland, Carol Muir December 26th Philip Allega, Randy Gladden December 27th Stuart Cavender, Blake Dobbins, Sonya Frederick, Tony Rogers December 28th Don Douglass, Caroline Hulett, Leah Thomas, Leslie Todd December 29th Madeleine Bousquet, Jenny Clements, Joyce Dean, Catherine Diel, Irene Diettrich, Linda Striekert December 30th Art Aiken, Donna Bruni, Josie Coiner, Matthew Gonzalez December 31st Josh Bockerstette, Kathy Timberlake A very special Happy Birthday to: Rowena Osborn on her 94th (12/4) Becky Duncan on her 90th (12/21) Phyllis Beinhorn on her 90th (12/24) In Compassion: Wallace E. McGee (October 19) Maidie Liebmann (October 28) Joseph Gray Street (November 13)

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Don Baca by Elise Townsend, Patsy Jordt, Margaret Fowler Josephine Colvin by Margaret Fowler Elmer Dolch by Margaret Fowler Lucille Laurence by Elise Townsend, Cliff and Bebe Waller Maidie Liebmann by Bill and Camilla Parker, Barbara and Pal Wenger Wallace McGee by Linda and Stephen Blount, Brazos Private Equity Partners, LLC, Robert T. Buchanan, Dan E. Butt, Bob and Charlotte Cook, Laurin and Bill Cothren, Kate Crone, Robert L. Dewar, Patrick McGee, Tookie and David Spoor Richard Williams by Elise Townsend ALTAR GUILD Don Baca by Jean and Harry Guidry Jo Colvin by Lee Yelton ST. CECILIA GUILD Don Baca by Mary Jane Lewis TUCKER COURTYARD Wallace McGee by Ann and Robert Tucker RUBY’S KITCHEN Wallace McGee by The McGee Family SPECIAL GIFTS A gift to Ruby’s Kitchen in honor of Jermane Taylor by Ann Madison Any questions about memorials can be addressed to Pat at the church, (210) 226-2426.

The Messenger (USPS 514-020)

Published Monthly (3rd Wednesday) ST. MARK’S EPISCOPAL CHURCH

315 East Pecan Street, San Antonio, Texas, 78205 Telephone: (210) 226-2426

Periodicals Postage paid at San Antonio, Texas POSTMASTER: Send address changes to THE MESSENGER c/o ST. MARK’S EPISCOPAL CHURCH

315 E. Pecan Street, San Antonio, Texas 78205 Rector: The Rev. Michael D. Chalk

Editor: Melanie Lizcano Layout & Graphic Design: Melanie Lizcano e-mail ar cles to mlizcano@stmarks-sa.org

Ar cle deadline is 2nd Wednesday of each month

Fall Worship ScheduleFall Worship Schedule

Service Times: 7:45am Rite I Eucharist (No Music) 9:00am Rite II Eucharist with Boy & Girl Choir & Children's Chapel 10:10am Christian Formation for All Ages 11:15am Rite II Eucharist with Parish Choir 12:15pm Tea Under the Trees (if inclement weather will move to Gosnell Hall) 11:11am Come As You Are Worship Service For more information contact the church office at (210)226-2426 or visit www.stmarks-sa.org.

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November 24 - Office closes at 2:00pm November 25 - THANKSGIVING DAY Office Closed All Day November 26 - Office Closed All Day

December December 24 - Christmas Eve Office Closes at 12:00pm December 25 - Christmas Day Office Closed All Day December 27 - Office Closed All Day December 31 - New Year’s Eve Office Closed All Day

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