The Lion's Roar
May Issue
Coming up...
Saturday 5pm Evening chapel service
The last Saturday service will be 5/27
and we will begin back up again in the fall
Sunday 8am Holy Eucharist Rite I
9am The Forum
10am Holy Eucharist & Rite II
5pm Youth Group & Sunday School
Monday 10am Morning Prayer via Zoom
Wednesday 9am Holy Eucharist Rite II
7:30 The Forum, via zoom
We are continuing youth group and Sunday school every other Sunday evening from 5-6:30, including dinner. Please check the calendar for dates.
Visit our website stmarksbr.org for links and schedules to all upcoming services, bulletins, music offerings, signups, and more.
Office Hours: Monday - Thursday, 9am-3pm. The office is closed on Friday.
Dear Friends,
The most watched event in human history… was a church service. Specifically, an Anglican (Episcopal) service: the funeral of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II. 4.1 Billion people watched it live, worldwide, which means that over half the population of the earth tuned in.
I’m not sure that King Charles III’s coronation on May 6th will garner such an audience, but I imagine the audience will be in the billions: and, again, it will be a service of (Anglican/Episcopal) Christian worship.
One feature that I think is important and interesting is the oil that will be used to coronate the King. From the days of the Old Testament, monarchs have been made monarchs by the anointing of sacred oil. King Saul was anointed with oil. King David was anointed with oil. The word “Christ” literally means “the Anointed One.” Oftentimes in the Book of Psalms the King of Judah/Israel were simply called “God’s Anointed.”
The oil that will be used at the upcoming coronation isn’t your standard EVOO from the Stop and Shop. The Archbishop of Canterbury, the head of the Church of England and Anglican Communion (who we pray for every week) took the opportunity to make the coronation oil something special. He wanted it to specifically link the coronation with the Holy Land, the Bible, and the life of Jesus.
The oil is from two different olive groves overseen by monasteries on the Mount of Olives—the place where Jesus prayed on the night before his crucifixion—and which overlooks the ancient city of Jerusalem. The oil is infused with sesame, rose, jasmine, cinnamon, neroli, benzoin, amber, and orange blossom—which is the same “recipe” that was used for Queen Elizabeth II’s coronation—and for many, many other coronations of British monarchs.
The oil was taken to the Church of the Holy Sepulcher—the church built over the spot where it is believed that Jesus was buried and resurrected from—to be prayed over by the Anglican Archbishop of Jerusalem and the Greek Orthodox Patriarch of Jerusalem. There’s a very moving picture of the Anglican Archbishop praying directly over the tomb of Jesus—praying for the new King and Queen, and for the goodwill of the whole earth.
If you’re one of the millions/billions who will watch this service taking place in Westminster Abbey, when we come to the moment where the King and Queen are anointed, remember the ancient kings of Israel, Jesus’ prayers on the Mount of Olives, and the place where Jesus rose from the dead.
Fr Rick
Mealtrain for Kit McLaughlan
Please follow this link if you are able to deliver a meal for Kit, beginning next week, as she continues her physical rehab and able to drive again. Thank you.
Kitchen Committee Gathering on Monday, 5/1
Please join St. Mark's crew for our "Kitchen Committee". Some light cleaning and comradery will be combined during this event.
We will continue the service to St. Mark's with two more meeting dates before the summer. We will meet on May 1st to take inventory of the linens and make some labels and then again on June 5th starting at 9:30am and ending by 11:30am.
Please come if you are able to join us either of these Mondays. It is a nice way to join parishioners for an activity with a purpose.
Warden's Corner
The month of May is here, and the Farewell Gala in honor of the Right Reverend William H Stokes and Susan Stokes, Canon Ann Notte, and Canon Mary Ann Rhoads will be held on May 21. The Keynote Speaker will be the Most Rev. Michael Curry. In order to enable as many people from across the Diocese as possible to participate, you can register for FREE access to the livestream portion of the event (7pm-8:30pm). Today is the last day to sign up! Follow this link, click on "purchase tickets here" and scroll down to the bottom to register.
God's Giving Garden
We have been working hard for the past two months to plan our beds, complete Spring clean-up, and plant our early cool-weather crops like broccoli, lettuce, peas and spinach. We have also expanded three existing beds and made one new one.
Our garlic is thriving, as you can see in this pic. We have already delivered just over 8 lbs of fresh asparagus, herbs and lettuce to God’s Co-op Pantry in Bernardsville.
As we enter May, we are gearing up to plant our summer crops. Please mark your calendars for our Garden Blessing Day on Sunday, May 21, immediately following our 10:00 church service. Head over to Ross Farm at 135 N Maple for light refreshments. Fr Rick and Pastor Beth will bless our giving garden for the season ahead.
Weekly work sessions begin in May every Tues, Thurs and Sat morning, 9- noon, weather-permitting.
Come join us!
Finance Report
2023 Year-to-Date (YTD, through March) Financial results
- Operating income was $118K versus the budget of $140K, or unfavorable by $22K. The difference relates to the timing of pledge and donation payments. These payments are on track to obtain our full year budget in 2023.
- Operating expenses were $95K or $3K favorable to the budget of $98K. Operating expenses are also tracking in line with our full year budget in 2023.
- Net operating income was $24K compared to the budget of $43K primarily driven by timing of operating income noted above.
ECS-NJ News
A few statements from the ECS-NJ 2022 Impact Report:
Since 2020, ECS-NJ has raised $650,000 and committed over $310,000 to twenty-five projects across our diocese. The Spring of 2022 recipients included St. James, Bradley Beach, who stated “Our Spring 2022 grant allowed us to make a variety of fresh produce available to those who come to our food pantry. As inflation has dramatically increased the price of food – and specifically the price of fresh produce – clients visiting our food pantry benefit from the availability of fresh fruits and vegetables. Sometimes the selection leads to a conversation and recipe-sharing. How many of us know what to do with kohlrabi, for example. When these conversations happen, we are slowly building relationships with our clients in a way that just isn’t possible when the choice is canned soup and ravioli. This program provides an opportunity for relationship.” Look for more information on ECS-NJ on this month’s “ECS Sunday” – May 7th.
Outreach News
A big Thank You to all who helped with the St. Mark’s spring rummage sale. I know it was a difficult time for some because of the school vacation week, but the St. Mark’s community managed to join together and pitch in when and where they could to get the job done. Our crew worked well together, helping others when needed including the newcomers.
A big Thank You also goes out to all the bakers and those who made phone calls. We had a great variety of baked goods this year including gluten free goodies, which sold quickly.
Another big Thank You goes out to all who donated all the items for the sale.
As a result of all the teamwork, both downstairs and upstairs, we had another successful rummage sale with a net total of little over $10,000!
Jody Hough
Harry Woods
Laughter in the Pews
May Birthdays
May 2 Sandy Lazo
May 3 Gerald Creighton
May 4 Sophie McDonnell
May 6 Colin Buesser
May 8 Amelia Kendall
Susan Richardson
May 9 Charles Knill
May 10 Suzanne Walczak
May 11 John Lazo
Jim Martucci
Owen Glass
Meg Lunny
May 13 Jeff Heiner
May 15 Bill Wilmer
May 16 Madeline West
May 18 Brett Sinofsky
May 20 Claudia Hughes
Doug Post
Megan Taylor
Carrie Kochek
May 23 Cindy Campbell
Roger Conover
Hannah Creighton
May 24 Avery Grace Licata
Kyle Winter
May 26 James Finger
May 25 Karin Centolanza
May 27 Pam Farley
May 28 Mark Iantosca
May 30 Bernard Jewson
May 31 Christina Creighton
Anniversaries
May 6 Laura & Tom Mooney
May 7 Marty & Mary Urbas
May 18 Lois & Ron Buesser
May 27 Rich & Christine Thoma
Fellowship News
Coffee hour is a great time for food and fellowship, so whether you have volunteered 100 times or never before, I strongly encourage you to sign up and help out with coffee and refreshments following the Sunday 10am service.
Please click here to sign up. If you have any questions about set up, please don’t hesitate to reach out at any time!
Emma Lanese (908) 625-2953
VBS this Summer - June 19-23, 9am-12noon
We don't have everything firmed up yet, but mark your calendars and visit the signup for the upcoming Vacation Bible School! https://stmarksbr.org/vbs/
LONJ Presents "First Take" - May 28th
Rule #1, The Brooklynaires, and Vocal Synergy will be appearing on May 28th at 3pm here at St. Mark's. Tickets are $20-$35 Click here for tickets
Afterglow after party immediately following on site
Join our "Tech" Team
As many of you know, here at St Mark's we stream our 10AM Sunday services each week. We are looking for anyone interested in being a part of the group to assist in running the live stream. We will create a schedule ahead of time similar to the reading schedule. You can volunteer to do this as frequently as you like. There is no prior advanced technology experience required as the software is very user friendly. A tutorial will be provided for those interested. If you are interested in more information and being a part of the group please respond to this email or email Marliese Knill at knillmarliese@gmail.com
SOMERSET COUNTY NATIONAL DAY OF PRAYER
THURSDAY, MAY 4, 2023
You are invited to attend the Somerset County observance of this day at the Somerset County Historic Courthouse steps in Somerville from 6:30 pm – 7:30 pm (7:00-8:00 pm at the Somerville YMCA if it rains)
This is an opportunity for Christians from all over Somerset County to worship and pray together. Reaching across denominational lines, pastors and others from local congregations will be leading prayers for our government, our nation and its leaders, our homes, communities, youth, and our institutions.
As a community service, we will be collecting food for the Feeding Hands Food Pantry.
The Membership Team has been busy updating the online directory with new photos and updated contact information. It is a great tool to have the St. Mark's families easily accessible on your phone or computer. Please take a look at your entry and let us know if you would like any edits made. And remember - YOU can make any changes yourself whether it's changing out a photo or updating member information. Below are links with instructions for anyone who is not yet set up.
What do these three things have in common?
1) the Keansburg Meatloaf Recipe
2) a diagram of parking around the church campus
3) the address of Ross Farm
Answer: They're all included in the activities pages of St. Mark's Online Directory.
For more info: https://stmarksbr.org/on-line-directory/
For personalized help downloading the app to your phone or laptop email bethtechstevedore@gmail.com
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.
Why Become a Hospice Volunteer?
The simplest gifts are often the most profound. If you’ve got time, empathy, and compassion, you have the ability to support those nearing end of life. If you have been searching for meaningful ways to spend your time, we invite you to explore the role of hospice volunteer with Robert Wood Johnson/VNA Health Group.
Companionship visits in patient’s homes or facilities in Somerset, Middlesex & Mercer Counties, administrative projects, or comforting phone calls from our North Brunswick office, are just some of the ways in which our volunteers support patients and their families. Training will be provided by members of the RWJ/VNA Hospice Team, on 3 consecutive Mondays:
May 1, 8th & 15th 2023 10:00 am – 3:00 pm
Advanced registration is required. Volunteers must attend all 3 sessions.
972 Shoppes Blvd., North Brunswick, NJ 08902
To register or for more information please contact:
Pauline De Palma, BSW Director Volunteer Services (732) 224-6933
The Bernards Township Health Department will be offering Bivalent Omicron booster doses in May.
May COVID-19 vaccine clinics are scheduled as follows:
Bivalent Omicron Boosters for Pfizer (ages 5-11 and 12+) and Moderna (ages 18+) will be given on the following Tuesdays:
- May 2nd from 3:00-5:00pm
- May 9th from 3:00-5:00pm
- May 23rd from 3:00-5:00pm
- May 30th from 3:00-5:00pm
All clinics will take place at Saint James Church, 184 S. Finley Ave, Basking Ridge, NJ 07920
Visit https://www.signupgenius.com/go/bthdpfizerkids to make your pediatric Pfizer (ages 5-11) appointment.
Visit https://www.signupgenius.com/go/bthdpfizer to make your Pfizer (ages 12+) appointment.
Visit https://www.signupgenius.com/go/bthdmoderna to make your Moderna (ages 18+) appointment.
If you plan to get a booster for any COVID-19 vaccine, please review your eligibility here or at bernardshealth.org before making your appointment.
PLEASE NOTE: Adults aged 65+ and/or those who are immunocompromised are now eligible to receive an ADDITIONAL updated (bivalent) booster dose.
For all clinics:
Walk-in spots may be available but are not guaranteed.
Bring your original vaccination card with you.
No identification or insurance card required.
Please wear a mask and social distance upon arrival.
Anyone under 18 must be accompanied by a parent/guardian.
If you have questions or need help making an appointment, please call 908-204-2520.