The Lion's Roar

September 2021

A Message from Father Rick...

With September’s arrival, there are always some grand events, and some new scheduling.

On September 12th the 10AM service will resume. On September 12th at 2PM there will be a service of Confirmation with The Rt Rev Neil Alexander, the retired Bishop of Atlanta, and a longtime friend of Karen and I.

September 17th and 18th, is, of course, the Rummage Sale—with the week prior dedicated to setting up, collecting rummage, and pricing and sorting.

September 19th beginning at 10AM will be the Annual Church picnic at Dunham Park.

September 24th will begin our new, experimental, fall schedule: Sunday 8AM, Sunday 10AM, and SUNDAY 5PM.

A few words about this: Yes, we are experimenting with moving the old Saturday evening service to Sunday evening through the fall. Mostly this is to accommodate the moving of our youth program to Sunday evening. And, doing this provides us with an opportunity. On 2 Sundays a month we’re going to follow the 5PM service with a 5:45PM Community Dinner—open to anyone and everyone who would like to come to share a meal with friends. At 6:15PM the youth groups will split off to meet, and the remainder will enjoy a program that Mr. Lyga is putting together, using short pieces of Pixar movies to explore issues of spirituality. It’s a curriculum that John was introduced to this summer, and that he’s really excited about.

We are really hoping that this 6:15-7PM timeframe will serve as the principal Christian Education time for St Mark’s—for youth, children, and adults. We will be finished by 7PM sharp, so that everyone can head home and get ready for Monday morning.

On Wednesday September 22, at 7:30PM we’re going to start the Adult Forum. It worked well last year doing it midweek, and for the time being I think it’s the right format. If and when everyone is ready to come back in-person on a Sunday morning, we’ll do it.

Rick+

Weekly Offerings in September

Wednesday 9am Holy Eucharist Rite II in the Sanctuary
Thursday 12noon Midday Mindfulness on Facebook

Sunday 8am Holy Eucharist Rite I

10am Holy Eucharist Rite II (beginning 9/12)

5pm Holy Eucharist (beginning 9/19)

5:45pm Community Dinner (beginning 9/19)

Most of our services are also broadcast on Youtube and can be seen directly from the front page of our website.

Visit our website, stmarksbr.org for links and schedules to all upcoming services, bulletins, music offerings, signups, and more.

Annual Church Picnic - Sunday, September 12 at 10am, Harry Dunham Park

Finance Report

2021 Year-to-Date (YTD, through July) Financial Results

God's Giving Garden

Lots of activity continues at the garden.

The harvest total has exceeded 1550 pounds so far!

The Food Bank, Food Pantry and the VA have all been grateful for the supply of fresh vegetables this summer.

Our regularly-scheduled work sessions are Tuesday, Thursday, and Saturday mornings from 9-noon, weather permitting. Come join us!

(and don't forget the sunscreen!

Outreach News

Saturdays in Somerville

Despite the pandemic, we will once again need volunteers to distribute food in Somerville every Saturday in September. If you are willing to participate, please email Jody Hough (jodyhough@yahoo.com) and let her know which Saturday(s) you are available. (9/4, 9/11, 9/18 & 9/25)

Ideally we need at least 6 volunteers there each Saturday to distribute food to the clients. High school teens are also welcome to volunteer, with adult chaperone (a great way to earn community service hours). Masks should be worn. Bring a water bottle and sun protection in case we will be serving outdoors.

Thank you!

9/11 Memorial Ceremony

The Township of Bernards invites you to join us in a memorial ceremony to honor and remember the men and woman who lost their lives on this 20th Anniversary.

Date: Saturday, September 11, 2021

Time: 10:00 AM

Location: Harry Dunham Park

Warden's Corner

Rocket Kit

Sign Up

Sign up to reserve your rocket kit

Laughter in the Pews

Birthdays

9/1 Melissa Fletcher

9/2 Jeffrey Hooper

9/3 Elliot Les

9/4 Rachel Post

9/5 Lauren Walker

9/6 Yeta Eweka

Andrew Walker

9/7 Doriann Sanchez

9/8 Marliese Knill

Doug Marston

Mike McCormick

9/9 Teri Passarello

9/10 Larena Lettow

9/14 Glenn West

Spenser Thoma

9/18 Linda Aul

9/20 Martha Heiner

Anju Ittycheria

Caroline Mooney

9/21 Jason Denechaud

Joe Layton

9/23 Stuart Pasquale

9/24 Laurie McManus

Jonathan Lupo

9/25 Janet Vaughan

9/26 Lucia Booth

9/27 Patricia Lanese

9/28 Lea O’Shea

Bridget Nishimura

9/29 Matthew McDonnell

Anniversaries

9/1 Rob & Nancy Brangaccio

9/7 Ken & Jennifer Solon

9/8 Martin & Louise Hale

9/15 Noyoze & Yeta Eweka

9/16 Tim & Lisa Keenan

9/17 Bill & Annabelle Wilmer

9/18 Jim & Michelle Martucci

9/22 Gerald & Lesley McDonnell

Pam & Bob Les

9/26 Jim & Therese Nishimura

Keansburg Soup Kitchen

We are headed down to Keansburg again on Wednesday, September 1st. Please click here to view our needs list as we require some (you guessed it!) meatloaves.

Thank you!

Rummage Sale this September 17th & 18th

The sale is back! After a long hiatus, we are once again ready to gather in the parish hall to enjoy some fellowship and sort the many donations you have been holding onto; however, please do not bring your treasurers to the church until the Sunday before the sale, September 12th, as we do not have sufficient storage prior to setting up in the parish hall.

We will accept donations from Sunday, 9/12 through Wednesday, 9/15

Please consider volunteering:

Set Up: Saturday, 9/11, 9:30

Sorting & Pricing: Sunday - Thursday

Sale Days: Friday & Saturday, 9am-2pm

If you have any questions about volunteering or donating, please reach out to someone on our team, Annabelle Wilmer, Harry Woods, Kit McLaughlan.

As a reminder, we cannot accept:

Large desks; Entertainment centers for non-flat screen TVs
Particle Board or Homemade Furniture
Bed Frames, Roll-a-way Beds, cribs, or Incomplete Beds
Upholstered furniture
sofas
Box Springs and Mattresses
Carpet and Padding (area rugs are okay – not larger than 6’ x 9’)
VCRs, VHS and Cassette Tapes
Children’s Car Seats or Booster Seats
Encyclopedias, Readers Digest Condensed Books, Magazines, or Periodicals
Charcoal and “Old-hookup” Propane BBQs
gas-powered equipment
Exercise Equipment
Skis, Ski Boots, or Ski Poles
Non-Durable Medical Goods
Wall and ceiling mounted lights
Luggage without wheels

STMARKetplace

We will send out a weekly email through rummage sale week to advertise any item you would like to donate towards this fundraiser.

Here's how it works...send us a photo of your item. We will post it and send it out to our members in a weekly email. Interested in an item? Contact the office and we will let you know where you can pick it up.

Donations to Altar Guild

Fresh flowers are always a welcome site on Sunday mornings. Please contact the office if you would like to dedicate altar flowers in memory or celebration of a loved one.

Our Online Directory

Have you downloaded our online directory app to your smart phone or tablet yet? It's really easy and so convenient to have! Follow this link for step-by-step instructions.

Prefer to use your computer? No problem! Click here for instructions on how to get connected with your computer.

Once you are in the directory you will be able to update your own information and even upload a new photo.

Give the office a call if you need any assistance.

Just a reminder, we have over 50 puzzles here in the office...our own "Puzzle Library". Feel free to come and borrow as many as you like!

We also have a few fun coloring books for the taking!

GroupMe Prayer Group

Are you looking for a way to stay connected with your fellow parishioners? Well, look no further! St. Mark’s now has a group prayer chat through an app/website called GroupMe. GroupMe is a text messaging app/website that can be used on a phone, tablet, or computer. Join the group to chat and pray with other parishioners. Click the following link to join and create an account (if you don’t have one already): https://groupme.com/join_group/66032125/ewp7m7zH

Vestry Members:

Rector: The Rev. Richard M.C. Morley
Senior Warden: Jeff West
Junior Warden: Sean Gogerty
Grounds: Pete Kochek
Buildings: John Lyga
Outreach: Jody Hough
Finance: Matt Seitz
Stewardship: Shirley Baker
Christian Ed. Laura Mooney
Comm. / Evangelism: Marliese Knill

Fellowship: Sandy Gogerty
Membership: Marcie Hanhart

Non-Vestry Positions:
Warden Emeritus:Joan Graff
Treasurer: Teri Passarello
Recording Treasurer: Doug Post
Assistant Treasurer: Bruce Walker
Sunday School Director: John Lyga
J2A Coordinator: Chip Rubendall
Music Director: Mike McCormick