Christmas Eve celebrations will be at 5:30PM (Family communion service with Lessons and Carols presented by the children) and 10:00PM (Lessons and Carols presented by the choir followed by a sung communion service with sermon). Christmas Day and New Years Day will follow the regular 9:30AM Sunday schedule of a sung communion service with sermon. Join us in celebrating the birth of Jesus!
Category Archives: Church Life
Thanksgiving Day Service at 9:30 a.m.
Join us for a said Eucharist at 9:30 AM on Thanksgiving Day
On Fr. Greg’s Departure…
At the request of several parishioners, Jeff G’s comments regarding Fr. Greg’s resignation are being posted here for those who may not have been in attendance on Sunday, 9/25.
Well… it’s been a big week here at St. Mark’s.
In case you didn’t get the message from Fr. Greg’s sermon this morning, or you didn’t receive the letter he mailed on Wednesday, Greg tendered his resignation to both me and Bill M. this past Monday.
I must tell you I was not expecting to hear what Fr. Greg had to say on Monday. There are some who have told me they weren’t surprised by the news, but I submit to you that I hadn’t anticipated this at all. I was totally surprised – blindsided, even.
My surprise was followed by dismay – “Now what? We have so many terrific things happening at St. Mark’s – what’s going to happen to this endeavor, and how will that project continue?” Most of you here are veterans when it comes to clergy moving into and out of the parish, but I managed to miss out on all of that, so I think you can understand my concerns.
Well, along about Wednesday, my surprise and dismay had been replaced by gratitude and encouragement.
I was reminded that people make the church. And I’m so grateful that God saw fit to bring Fr. Greg and his family to this group of people five years ago to help us grow as a church family. I’m so grateful we were given the opportunity to share St. Mark’s with the Pickens family and I’m grateful they chose to make St. Mark’s their church home for a brief time.
I’m also grateful God saw fit to bring us a spiritual leader with such commitment and generosity of spirit. It has been an honor to serve on the vestry as the “vicar’s warden,” and I think I speak for everyone when I say we are going to miss the Pickens family something awful.
But I’m also encouraged by what we have accomplished here at St. Mark’s during Fr. Greg’s tenure. We are a self-sustaining entity. As mentioned in his letter, the parish is financially sound, rich in ministry, and blessed with an active and committed vestry who love St. Mark’s and have a vision for the future of the parish. We as a parish family, with God’s help, have made this happen. There is a great deal of positive momentum already at work in what God has called us to carry out here at St. Mark’s. I know in my heart we will continue to support and encourage each other as well as whomever God delivers to us as our new rector as we continue our work here.
I spoke with Canon Neal Michell on Friday. Canon Michell is the Canon of the Ordinary for the diocese and is in charge of placement of clergy. I am happy to report the bishop already has someone in mind for us as an interim priest – a young priest from the Dallas area with a family (two young children!).
Greg’s last Sunday is October 30th. Canon Michell and Canon Heard will trade off Sundays for the first few weeks after Fr. Greg’s departure, and it is highly likely we’ll have an interim past that point. I will, of course, keep you posted.
I’m happy to report that Deacon Ashley will continue on with us. Additionally, all of our ministries will continue, as will the upgrades to the worship space.
Again, I will do my best to keep you all up to date regarding new developments.
Today is the Pot Luck Supper. I encourage everyone to come back and join us for a meal. Fr. Greg will be there to answer any questions you may have.
God bless Fr. Greg, Noralyn, and Annie. And God bless St. Mark’s.
Jeff Gardner
Senior Warden
Fall Festival Is Set For Saturday Oct. 15
Our Outreach Chair, Wende Burton, sent this along. Please read and get ready for a great time this year. Information is below. Fr. Greg
St. Mark’s 3rd Fall Festival for homeless children in partnership with Captain Hope’s Kids will be Saturday, October 15th from 10:30 to 2:00pm. We will be hosting homeless kids of all ages from agencies that provide housing for homeless families, providing them a safe place to enjoy themselves. We will be collecting books for kids of all ages (babies to teens) for a “book walk” and volunteers are needed for registration, games, and making our guests feel welcome! Also, we will be serving lunch, so you would like to contribute brownies or cookies, that would be appreciated as well! There will be a brief meeting after church on Sunday, October 8th to review last minute details! If you have questions, please contact Wende Burton or Kathy Whitgrove. Please note that volunteers must have completed Safe Church training in order to participate.
Thanks!
W.
A Cursillo Story – Paulette Austin
As many of you know, our own Paulette Austin went to All Saint’s Camp to participate in a diocese-wide Christian retreat last week. Upon her return, she wrote this piece below. If you have questions about her experience or the Cursillo movement, please contact Paulette or any of the other St. Markians who have been through this program.
Paulette writes:
Cursillo #291 (September 15 – 18, 2011)
As I contemplated the idea of a church retreat, I envisaged a group of Episcopalians engaged in Bible study and discussion each day with a leader tasked to interpret and explain the significance of each lesson. How wrong did I turn out to be!
Father Greg and I made our way to All Saints Camp last Thursday evening, after he enlightened me that I would need a flashlight for the weekend. As we arrived in Pottsboro, he pointed out the Episcopal church in town and referred to a skeet shoot which was engineered by the current rector – these were all clues which I failed to grasp at the time.
However, All Saints Camp, located in the beautiful setting of Lake Texoma, soon revealed itself in all its rustic glory!! After we were welcomed by members of the Cursillo Team, Father Greg left and eventually some thirteen (13) participants assembled for our first gathering. We concentrated initially on church affiliation which included St. Mark’s (Irving), Good Shepherd (Dallas), St. Michael & All Angels (Dallas), St. Peter (McKinney), St. Luke in the Meadow (Fort Worth), St. Peter & St. Paul (Arlington), St. Anne (DeSoto) and St. Luke (Denison).
I started to take note of the group with whom I was slated to spend the next three days. Housed in cabins, we ate meals together in the common dining room, assembled for our program in the meeting room and had our morning and evening devotions in the chapel, presided over by Fr. Bill Taylor (Good Shepherd, Dallas) and by Rev. Susan Slaughter (St. Luke in the Meadow, Fort Worth).
The Cursillo movement began in a monastery on the island of Majorca, off the coast of Spain, as an aftermath of the Spanish Civil War that ended in 1939. It involved a pilgrimage to the Shrine of St. James oat Compostella that provided an opportunity for renewal. Started in Texas in 1972, Cursillo weekends are now organized jointly by the Dioceses of Dallas and Fort Worth.
As I look back on the experience, I must admit that it was truly a spiritual awakening which, if continually nourished, could serve to enrich the rest of my life experience. On the basis of exchanges with my fellow participants, and after listening to some fifteen presentations, I am convinced that it is through reaching within oneself that one will be able to effectively serve others.
Since it is incumbent upon me to share some of the insight gained from this experience, I wish to outline below some general impressions gleaned that could serve as guide posts:
1. The need to create an intentional pattern for our everyday life
2. The need to work steadily at creating the ideal Christian life, which will move us closer to God
3. Through our acts of piety, through study and action, we will discern God’s power within us
4. We are all endowed with grace i.e. the love and favor of God towards humankind.
5. Each layperson holds a unique position since we are all commissioned to proclaim, by word and example, the Good News of God in Christ
6. Faith i.e. total trust in the covenant relationship with God, serves as the engine to fire up a life devoted to God’s control
7. The Sacraments (Baptismal, Confirmation, Eucharist, marriage and unction) are all ways in which God works through our material world to make HIS presence known
The past weekend of spiritual awakening will provide the inspiration needed to seek greater meaning as I perform tasks within my church community and the general environment. I remain convinced that our relationship with God affects our relationship with each other. I intend to seek spiritual counsel and to follow the Cursillo Plan for spiritual growth, in order that the momentum will not be lost. I trust that I may share this journey with some of my fellow parishioners.
Finally, I wish to thank Father Greg Pickens, Noralyn, Kathy Gates and Carolyn Lane (Cursillistas – Cursillo veterans) for the messages of encouragement and prayers that they so generously bestowed on me during the event.
Paulette Austin
Summer 2011 Parish Update
We have had a busy spring and beginning of summer at St. Mark’s. After our Easter celebration, we had a rapid succession of fellowship events including our Mother’s Day invitational and two weeks later our All Church Family Picnic that honored the hard work of our Sunday School teachers.
In June, we held our Vacation Bible School and it was fantastic. Two days of intensive fun centering on our understanding of the Holy Spirit and His coming on the day of Pentecost. Both teachers and kids had a wonderful time identifying ways the Holy Spirit presents Himself in the lives of believers.
July brought the introduction of our new Curate, Deacon Ashley Classen. He will be with us for some time as he works his way toward ordination to the priesthood. In the mean time, Deacon Ashley will be busy with his ministry to us through our teaching and preaching rota as well as his presence among us on Sundays. Last Sunday, on July 24, Deacon Ash began a several session program with the Adult Forum that meets at 8:30am on Sunday mornings. He is leading a discussion of the book “Radical, Taking Back Your Faith From the American Dream”. This is a fantastic study on how to reclaim a full and lively faith in a culture that exalts the individual. I hope you will join us.
On July 17 we had a baptism where we welcomed the son of members Christopher and Sara into the family of God. We had a wonderful turnout and for those present, you had the opportunity to reaffirm our Baptismal vows to the Most High.
As for Outreach, our parish has been busy. St. Mark’s has had a number of opportunities to serve others outside of our walls. The annual Diaper Drive was a complete success and we fielded a team of parishioners on the 15th who gathered to sort and store items for Captain Hope. Look for at least two more opportunities in August to serve. Thanks to Wende and Kathy W. for keeping us focused on the service projects that have the most impact in our part of the world.
Bylaws. The Vestry has just ratified a new set of Bylaws for our parish. There were just a few changes and updates that needed to be made. They will be up on this website soon but in the mean time, hard copies are available on the half-round table in the parish hall.
Last Sunday, on the 24th, you heard about the plans for our worship space. A few months ago, the Vestry began to move forward on some much needed maintenance of our worship space as well as add a few architectural touches. Phase I will include wall repair, painting, electrical work, and some wood work. I am very excited about the project and please take some time to look at the concept drawings in the parish hall.
2011 Tribute To Mothers Special Event Sunday!
Fr. Robert Young, husband of Liz Young, recently completed his tour of duty as Force Chaplain with the Combined Joint Task Force-Horn of Africa. CJTF-HOA is a multinational Task Force which trains and assists the armed forces of East African nations and conducts social, political and economic programs to strengthen them and their ties with the United States in a region the size of the Continental united States. Chaplain Young has also been deployed to Iraq, and Afghanistan during the War on Terrorism.
As a tribute to mothers of sons who are currently serving or have served in the military, and wives whose husbands are currently serving, the chaplain will offer a first-hand account of his experience in dealing with the diplomatic, military, and religious communities (Christian and Muslim) in east Africa.
The event will take place Sunday, May 8, beginning with the Holy Eucharist service at 9:30am. Brunch will be served following the service, prepared by Liz, as her way of thanking the members of St. Mark’s for being here for her during her husband’s deployment.
Please join us for this special event to celebrate and give thanks for our mothers on Mother’s Day!
St. Mark’s Booth Draws a Crowd at the 2011 Irving Community Fest
On Saturday, March 26th, St. Mark’s parishioners participated in the 2011 Community Fest event at Senter Park in Irving, TX.
This year, the St. Mark’s booth featured a free raffle. Prizes included five $50 Kroger Gift Cards and an XBOX 360 video game console.
Over 250 raffle entries were received and approximately 125 invitations to visit St. Mark’s were extended to event attendees.
St. Mark’s Paints, Scrapes, and Panels at the 2011 Great Days of Service
On Saturday, March 26, 2011, and intrepid group of St. Markians joined volunteers from other Irving Churches and charitable organizations in the 2011 Great Days of Service event.
The St. Mark’s crews scraped, painted, and helped affix new siding at homes in the local neighborhood.
Great Days of Service is a faith-based, interdenominational association of Irving churches which are united in serving God and community by renewing neighborhoods and aiding homeowners in the restoration of their properties.
Children’s Ministry To Host Traditional Seder Dinner
The Children’s Ministry will be hosting a Passover Haggadah (traditional Seder dinner) on Sunday, April 17th, following the 9:30am service.
The Passover Seder is a Jewish ritual feast that marks the beginning of the Jewish holiday of Passover and is a ritual performed by a community or by multiple generations of a family, involving a retelling of the story of the liberation of the Israelites from slavery in ancient Egypt.
This Seder is a learning opportunity for the children and adults of our parish as we recognize the common Jewish heritage shared by all Christians. This is NOT a pot luck. The food will be prepared and served in the Passover tradition along with the rituals. The entire event will take about 2 hours.
Everyone is invited to join us! We would very much like to have an idea of the number who would like to add this event to their Lenten season, so please add your name to the sign-up sheet in the parish hall if you would like to attend.
If you have questions, please contact Anne C., Wende B or Noralyn P.
The Passover Seder Plate is a special plate containing symbolic foods eaten or
displayed at the Passover Seder.