St. Mark’s Episcopal Church PARISH LIFE
All of these events require careful planning and work by our amazing staff. But they also need you! Say yes when asked to volunteer. Come and be with one another. Invite people to join you. Our community is at its best when we are together and centered in the love of Jesus Christ and when we share that love in the world.
The past few years have seen many disruptions in our routines, our physical spaces, and our spiritual rhythms. This year holds great promise as we regather and celebrate the ways in which we have been nurtured and formed in new ways.
Many of our regular offerings are returning with a special emphasis on fellowship and community building. Our choir is preparing for a residency in Scotland and England this summer. We will continue the important work of Sacred Ground through group study and opportunities to learn more about the history of our city. Exciting new offerings include “We Sail On in Darkness”, a theatrical production about female mystics; and the inaugural Stained Glass Sessions with Radney Foster.
“They devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching and fellowship, to the breaking of bread and the prayers.” –Acts 2:42
As I stood in the literal center of the world at the equator, draining water doesn’t spin clockwise or counter clockwise, it just goes straight down. A fun reminder of science class, it is also a metaphor for deep rootedness in Christ. We enact community by choosing to center our routines in prayer, fellowship, and life together. We discover the freshness of the Holy Spirit as we seek and see Christ in one another. This allows us to serve with joy and purpose.
A highlight of the fall, “Come and See: A Festival of Rededication”, will be held October 15-16. A festival on Saturday throughout the Parish House will be capped with a Texas BBQ. On Sunday, we will rededicate our spaces and unveil two surprises. In the evening, we will gather for our first Evensong of the season preceded by a recital by our new Assistant Director of Music and Organist, David Lim. You won’t want to miss this capstone to the weekend festivities.
Christ-CenteredCommunity
Peace,
We have hired energetic new staff members in areas of membership and community engagement, music, youth ministry, and communications. Make sure you meet and welcome Amy Ickes, David Lim, Aaron Smith, and Zach Leal.
Extended sabbatical this summer gave me time to think about the special gifts of the St. Mark’s community. Sabbath can be a bit elusive, both individually and communally. It is an invitation to step away, to reflect, and to rest. It is also full of surprises as we look intentionally at what it is that centers our life. Ultimately sabbath is about reminding ourselves that we are in God’s care, despite our tendency to strive for control.
Website
Our Core Vocation: Feeding San Antonio with the Bread of Life.
Church Office
I’m New
Throughout this Parish Life handbook, you’ll find information about the rhythms of our ministry and worship, and contact information for the clergy and staff who are excited to help you connect and make St. Mark’s your church home.
The church website is StMarks-SA.org. The website is a great place to find information about life events like baptisms and weddings, children, youth, and music programs, and adult Bible studies and classes. When you cannot attend in person, you can join us in worship and formation classes on the Watch Live page. You can also create your account for giving, access to the church directory, and to let us know when you’re ready to join St. Mark’s as a member. We hope this Parish Life handbook will be a great resource for you as you settle in and get to know us. We can’t wait to get to know you!
Attending a new church, especially a large one like St. Mark’s, can be overwhelming and confusing, but we’re here to help. Our hope for you is that the information in this handbook will help you feel at home very quickly. And of course, our staff and volunteers are always here to answer your questions, introduce you to other St. Mark’s people, and help you find the ministries where you can grow in your faith, connect with others, and serve our neighbors.
Each week, we send out our eNews with all kinds of information about upcoming events, important announcements, and a brief reflection from a member of our clergy or staff. The eNews is your weekly lifeline to all things St. Mark’s. Sign up for the eNews either by filling out a visitor card or at the bottom of any page on the website.
The church office is located in the Parish House, and is accessed through the double doors under the portico, opposite the church. When you enter, you’ll most likely be greeted by Ruby, our Facility Manager, who can help you find who you’re looking for. You’ll also get to talk to Ruby if you call the office at 210-226-2426. The office is open Monday-Friday, 9:00 am-5:00 pm.
eNews
Welcome to St. Mark’s Episcopal Church!
Newcomer Gatherings
“St. Mark’s has been a breath of fresh air for me and my family. I feel like I’m more theologically at home than I ever have been.”
We have two parking lots reserved for Sunday mornings and other St. Mark’s events: one at the corner of E. Pecan and Navarro and one at the corner of E. Pecan and Jefferson. Parking decals are available in the office for you to use when you’re here for a service, class, or meeting. We’ll also make sure you have one when you come to one of our newcomer gatherings. When attending other downtown events, please pay to park. Parking revenue makes up over 10% of our operating revenue.
The easiest, and most delicious, way to meet our clergy and some of our vestry, ministry leaders, and others who are new to St. Mark’s is at one of our newcomer gatherings. The dates for this year’s gatherings are October 23rd, February 5th, and April 23rd. Watch the eNews for more information and an RSVP form about a month before each gathering.
Amy Ickes Community Engagement Coordinator
Zachary Leal
Parking
Sundays at 7:45 am - Church Simple Rite I Liturgy With No Music
The Seasons of Advent, Christmas, and Summer
Sundays at 10:00 am - Church Rite II Liturgy With Various Choirs Providing The Music
September – May
Wednesdays at 5:30 pm - Bethlehem Chapel Simple Rite II Liturgy With No Music
Sundays at 9:00 am - Church Rite II Liturgy With Children’s Choirs
HOLY EUCHARIST SERVICES
Sundays at 11:15 am - Church Rite II Liturgy With Adult Choir
Sundays at 7:45 am - Church Simple Rite I Liturgy With No Music
Liturgical Volunteers
Liturgy
Holy Eucharist is the principal act of Episcopal worship and is the liturgy wherein we participate in and receive the sacrament of Christ’s body and blood. “Eucharist” comes from the Greek word “thanksgiving.” We gather weekly to hear and reflect on the Good News of Jesus Christ, to give thanks, to confess, and to offer the brokenness of the world to God. As we break bread around God’s table, our eyes are opened to the presence of Christ. By the power of the Holy Spirit, we become the Body of Christ sent forth to live the way of love in the world. Therefore, Eucharist is both the beginning of and the culmination of all we do as Episcopalians.
Evensong is a sung version of the Daily Office liturgy of Evening Prayer. The clergy and choir chant and sing this office in the ancient tradition of marking the hours of the day with prayer. Services of Evensong are offered at St. Mark’s monthly at 4:00 pm and are typically preceded by a concert or recital beginning at 3:30 pm.
Holy Days like Ash Wednesday and the liturgies of Holy Week give us ways to participate communally in the mysteries of Christ’s death and resurrection.
Life Events
St. Mark’s walks alongside you through the many stages of life. When it’s time for weddings, baptisms, or funerals, please consult our website to find guidelines for planning these liturgies.
Within our liturgies, there are ample opportunities for volunteers to become engaged in helping us lead worship. From Altar Guild members to acolytes, lectors to lay eucharistic ministers, choir members to ushers and greeters, there are ways and levels appropriate for everyone to participate.
WorshipRyanHolt
“I enjoy being involved with ushering because it engages me with the parishioners directly.”
Worship is the central act of the Episcopal Church and is what binds us together. Sacramental liturgy reflects the belief of incarnational theology, that tangible and finite things may reveal divine grace and glory.
Rev. Ann Fraser Associate Rector
Rev. Beth Knowlton Rector
Rev. Matthew Wise Associate Rector
Mind the Gap meets a few times each semester in two ways: Sunday Lunch Socials take place at local restaurants and are informal lunches intended to build connection and community; and Symposium meets in participants’ homes and offers dinner, instruction, and discussion on various topics. This offering is designed for young adults and parents who have children at home.
Formation ClassesRegular Offerings
The Newcomers’ Class meets a few times each year introducing newcomers to the community and practices of St. Mark’s.
The opportunities on this page are the most accessible options for participants who are new to the Episcopal Church or for those wanting to brush up on the basics of our faith. Typically, these offerings don’t require regular attendance, but stand alone and are entry points for engaging your Christian formation.
Looking for an entry point?
As Episcopalians we recognize intellectual engagement with our faith as a source of individual and communal growth. When we learn and reflect together, we are enacting the second branch of our core vocation: Feeding those who are hungry for knowledge and meaning. Curiosity, discovery, and study create a framework where we are drawn into God and closer to one another. Intentional and prayerful reflection invites us to make meaning out of our experiences, to challenge our assumptions, and to trust that God’s Spirit is always at work within and all around us. We approach formation as a lifelong practice. The following are opportunities for adults in our community.
“I have so much to learn about living as a faithful Christian. When we were searching for a new parish, finding a community of others with that same desire was one of our highest priorities. And I am blessed to have been learning from amazing people these past 6 years.”
Brian Zook
The Rector’s Forum meets during the formation hour on Sunday mornings in 4 to 6 week sessions and takes on topics of spirituality, theology, and Christian practice.
Time Out Bible Study meets on Thursday mornings in 4 to 6 week intervals and consider authorship, audience, and context in the interpretation and application of the scriptures.
The Lectionary Bible Study spends an hour every Monday morning exploring the scriptural readings assigned for the upcoming Sunday.
The Rector’s Bible Study meets with the Rector on Wednesday evenings and practice reading and studying the scriptures, typically one book at a time.
Deborah Hays
Overview
“Formation at St. Mark’s has shown me that, to grow in faith, both boundaries and fluidity are needed. More than any studying I have done, Time Out Bible Study has helped my understanding and appreciation for the Bible.”
Occasional Offerings
Images of the Divine in Film is a quarterly gathering where we watch a film and then have a facilitated discussion of the theological or faith-related themes of the movie. These events occur simultaneously with the children’s “Drive-in Movie” so that whole families can have a night out.
Curiosity Street is an occasional Wednesday evening gathering to explore current ideas in the context of our faith through book discussions, games, and conversation. Topics will be announced in advance of each session.
Ready to go deeper?
These offerings will help you engage your formation more deeply and require regular attendance. They often include work to be completed outside of class.
Education for Ministry (EfM) is a 4-year course offered through the School of Theology at Sewanee. St. Mark’s has two EfM groups that meet weekly August through May and practice theological reflection as they study the Hebrew Scriptures, the New Testament, Church History, and Theology.
Sacred Ground is a facilitated small group addressing personal and systemic racism in our nation’s history. This 11-session course encourages reflection and learning that moves us closer to being a beloved community where the dignity of every human being is not only acknowledged but is actively honored.
If you’d like more information about any of our formation offerings, email the Rev. Matthew Wise.
Confirmation Class is designed for those who desire to join The Episcopal Church or who want to reaffirm their baptismal promises. The class covers many of the basics of our baptismal life lived out through the Episcopal tradition and is offered for 6 to 8 weeks each spring. Confirmation, Reception, or Reaffirmation are not required at the conclusion of the class, though the class is required for those rites.
How to Pledge
• Call the church at 210-226-2426.
Dina Aboul-Saad Director of Advancement
The ministry of lay persons is to represent Christ and his Church; to bear witness to him wherever they may be and, according to the gifts given them, to carry on Christ’s work of reconciliation in the world; and to take their place in the life, worship, and governance of the Church. (BCP p. 855)
• Pledge online at StMarks-SA.org/Give.
Ways to Pledge
Ministry in Community
• Pledge cards are available throughout the year at the front desk.
Giving in Gratitude
Why We Give
Marilou Moursund
“I think of stewardship as an active choice that blends components of spirituality, gratitude, and practicality. We are growing spiritually when we follow Christ’s teachings to help the poor and come together as a Christian community, and it also reflects my gratitude to God for my family, friends, gifts, and our St. Mark’s com munity. Also, we need to be able to turn on the lights and support our ministers and staff in order to pursue a closer relationship to God in fellowship with each other!”
• Stewardship mailing in October
Pledge cards are mailed to all members in October. Then we gather on a Sunday in early November to celebrate and bless our pledge offerings during worship services.
The Book of Common Prayer reminds us of who we are as a people of God and what it means to follow the teachings of Christ in our ordinary, day-to-day lives, grounded in gratitude.
In the fall, we ask all who identify St. Mark’s as their faith community to make a pledge of financial support for the following year. This support allows us to plan our worship and community offerings with confidence that, collectively, we will enable it. Whether you plan to pledge or give regularly without pledging, your annual gifts are the main support of our budget.
Accept, O Lord, our thanks and praise for all that you have done for us. We thank you for the splendor of the whole creation, for the beauty of this world, for the wonder of life, and for the mystery of love. We thank you for the blessing of family and friends, and for the loving care which surrounds us on every side. We thank you for setting us at tasks which demand our best efforts, and for leading us to accomplishments which satisfy and delight us. …. Grant us the gift of your Spirit, that we may know Christ and make him known; and through him, at all times and in all places, may give thanks to you in all things. Amen. (BCP p. 836)
As parishioners, we engage in year-round giving to support ministry within our community and beyond. Together we participate in the Gospel, bringing hope, relief, and peace to God’s kingdom. We do this by being formed as followers of Christ and through our generosity.
Mondays start with an early morning Bible study led by the Rector.
Most everyone knows what goes on at St. Mark’s on a Sunday morning. We gather for worship at 7:45, 9:00, or 11:15 am, either in person or online. Those from the early service might wave to 9 o’clockers in the parking lot as they change places. Those who attend 11:15 am might overlap with their earlier counterparts during formation classes or in the bookstore. During Advent, intergenerational activities and breakfast bring us together at 9:00 am, followed by a combined service at 10:00 am. That worship schedule continues through the Christmas season, and then it’s back to three services at Epiphany.
Wednesdays are the busiest. Starting at 4:30 pm, there’s a steady stream of choir rehearsals: Royal School of Church Music (RSCM) training, Novices (kindergartners and first graders), Choristers (second graders and up), and Trebles (advanced sopranos). There’s a Eucharist in Bethlehem Chapel at 5:30 pm, Education for Ministry (EfM) at 6:00 pm, and Bible study at 6:30 pm. Formation classes are occasionally offered in a series called Curiosity Street. Finance Committee meets the second Wednesday monthly. The Mental Health work group meets the third Wednesday monthly. And everyone gets fed courtesy of our stellar kitchen staff and Café Kairos.
Thursdays begin with Time Out Bible Study at 10:00 am. At 5:30 pm, a lighter version of Café Kairos serves the Thursday EfM group and the adult choir.
Baptisms, confirmation, weddings, and funerals throughout the year allow us to mark important phases of parish life. Cyclically, we convene the Vestry Discernment Committee, Investment Committee, and Stewardship volunteers. During the summer, we shift to Sunday services at 7:45 and 10:00 am, plan for the coming year, and perform repairs/upgrades to our historic property and technology platforms. Together, we work and play, rejoice, grieve, and care for one another day by day, week by week, year by year.
But lots of things happen here between Sundays, too.
Tuesdays there’s a staff Eucharist in the morning, followed by a number of staff meetings where we discuss upcoming events and review those just completed. At the same time, the art group meets. In the evening, the NAMI family support group meets the first Tuesday of the month. Vestry meets every third Tuesday and a Parent Posse meets monthly to support youth ministries.
Our Typical Week
When Jesus washed the feet of his disciples, he gave them a new commandment to love one another as he himself had loved them. This is the value that undergirds how we interact with our neighbors and serve Christ in the world. What flows out of being fed in Christian community is the desire to share that with others in loving service. We express this in the St. Mark’s Core Vocation, Feeding San Antonio with the Bread of Life.
Outreach: Loving Others as Christ Loves Us
Some of our companions in ministry are non-profits that have been long-term partners or share roots with St. Mark’s. Additionally, our Outreach Grants Committee engages each year with applicants to award several grants to organizations whose work aligns with our Core Vocation. Grant recipients become partners for the following year, providing our members avenues to engage in meaningful work and thereby investing in our partners’ mission. Our aim is not to be a grantmaking foundation—the pool of funds and scope of awards remain purposefully modest. Instead, we value the opportunity to discover important work happening in our community and the means to support and share in it.
It does real and holy good in the world and in our souls when one who has plenty shares with another who is experiencing a lack. We risk a kind of spiritual danger, however, when we see ourselves only as benefactors, doers of good, and others as beneficiaries or recipients. We not only risk making objects of our neighbors but deny ourselves and others the better part of blessing, a more dimensional relationship with, and understanding of, one another, and a sense of gratitude for the ways Christ feeds and sustains us all. We need one another.
There is a place for the gifts of all in the St. Mark’s community. The weekly eNews is an up-to-date source of information on opportunities to love our neighbors as Christ has loved us. Looking for a way to contribute? Contact the Rev. Ann Faser.
With Our Neighbors
The call to love others as Christ has loved us takes shape in concrete ways. We share this love in word and deed, with compassion and a desire to see the peace and justice of God’s kingdom in our time. Relationships are the starting point for ministry together.
Ministry With, Rather Than Ministry To
Carrie Spencer Polly Spencer
Caring for one another in community is part of how we are the Church. At St. Mark’s, community care includes specific ministries of clergy and laity within a culture of loving attention to one another.
Our life together in Christ invites us to be present with one another. We do this by phone calls, visits, note writing, and the simple, loving act of asking about and listening to one another. Visitors make rounds to share communion with members who have difficulty getting out. Members of the Community of Hope are trained in the spiritual art of pastoral presence, to serve as regular visitors for a period of time, such as a season of illness or bereavement. When you welcome a child by birth or adoption, a member of the clergy will be happy to visit and offer a blessing. The Flower Delivery Ministry delivers smaller arrangements of Sunday altar flowers to share joy and encouragement with others.
Growing Our Support for Mental Wellness
Several members of St. Mark’s have undergone training to build capacity in the way we respond to mental health needs in our congregation and beyond. Know that you have fellow parishioners who care about mental health, who care about you, and who want you to have the support you need. We are invited into the healing presence of the risen Christ, and we bear witness to, and for, one another when we make space for health and fullness.
Prayer
Companionship
Prayer is an important part of our care for one another. Our public Sunday prayer list includes names of members and relatives of members. The Daughters of the King, an order of laywomen who have undertaken a Rule of Prayer, maintain an unpublished list to be prayed for daily. You may request that a prayer concern be included on this list. Any person may be included in the Sunday prayers for those who have died.
“I am joyfully involved in the Community of Hope because it enables me to grow in my Christian life, while I keep in regular touch with a home-bound and precious member of St. Mark’s and a beloved child of God.”
We want to hear from you. Let the church know when you have a need for prayer or companionship in a difficult time. Request a visit from a priest or notify the church of a hospitalization. The easiest way to share a need, whether urgent or not, is by calling the church. After hours, you’ll find an option to press 7 to reach the priest on call. We welcome any call, for whatever reason a member is led to be in contact, and we value the deep relationships that form as we share one another’s sorrows and joys.
Community Care
Together we seek to provide compassionate and confidential spiritual support to the St. Mark’s community. If you are interested in serving in caring ministries, please email the Rev. Ann Fraser.
Gillian Cook
“Carrie died very unexpectedly December 30, 2020 – just after COVID Christmas. Very few people could actually come to see us, but very many sent notes, made contributions, and surrounded us with loving care.”
Jon Johnson Director of Music and Organist
People are involved in St. Mark’s choirs for similar reasons they attend church; they are ultimately seeking community. Music-making is greater than ourselves, and the power of music-making in a choir not only provides musical enrichment, but also serves as Christian formation and spiritual development. Our choirs include children and youth of all ages, adult volunteers, staff singers, and choral scholars (high school and college students who commit to spending a year of musical formation in the St. Mark’s music program). Together they provide music for the many services that are offered throughout the year.
St. Mark’s Choir Thursdays 6:30-8:45 pm
The St. Mark’s Choir, comprised of youth and adults, sings at the 11:15 am service each Sunday during the program year, September through May. The St. Mark’s Choir also sings at choral evensongs, concerts, lessons and carols, and major holy days. We welcome new singers at any time of the year by a brief audition and meeting. To find out more information, contact Jon or see the website.
St. Mark’s enjoys a great tradition of music in worship and in concert. Music exists to glorify God, to inspire the congregation, and is an essential feature of Episcopal liturgy. Everyone has a musical role in the liturgy which includes the singing of service music and hymns by the congregation, anthems and psalms sung by the choir, the clergy chanting the Sursum Corda during the Holy Eucharist, and the voluntaries performed on the Austin-Kegg pipe organ.
Additionally, we invite the San Antonio community to experience the beauty of worship and creativity through the Music from St. Mark’s offerings. These programs, free to all with complimentary parking, provide musical outreach to the San Antonio community thanks to the generous support of the St. Cecilia Guild.
Music at St. Marks
Adult Choir
Becca Morgan Children’s Music Assistant
David Lim Assistant Director of Music and Organist
The Chorister program is an educational opportunity for children that integrates musical training and Christian formation. These choirs are open to boys and girls, grades K-12, and are joined by St. Mark’s staff singers to provide music for the 9:00 am worship service throughout the program year. These children learn about liturgy and the seasons of the church year as they rehearse service music, hymns, and anthems. Children involved in a choir learn and develop in their role as leaders in worship, being part of a team, building self-confidence, and maturing in their musical skills and formation. All choirs are affiliated with, and based on, the Royal School of Church Music America (RSCMA) model. These choirs rehearse on Sundays at 8:15 am in the choir room for the 9:00 am service.
Treble Choir (Grades 4-12) Wednesdays 5:30-7:00 pm
Children and Youth Choirs
Choristers of all ages work on music theory, aural skills, and vocal development during this time. Snacks are provided.
RSCMA training (Royal School of Church Music America) Wednesdays 4:30-5:00 pm
The Novice Choir is led by Becca Morgan. This preparatory group sings one Sunday a month. To find out more information, contact Becca or see the website.
The Treble Choir is led by Jon Johnson and David Lim. Entry into the Treble Choir is through a brief audition and is a continuation of the musical skills gained as a Chorister. To find out more information, contact Jon or see the website.
The Choristers are led by David Lim. To find out more information, contact David or see the website.
Novices (Grades K-2) Wednesdays 5:00-5:45 pm
Choristers (Grades 2-6) Wednesdays 5:00-6:00 pm
Wednesday 7th Thursday 8th 10 SundayAM 11th 7:45, 9, 11:15 AM 10:10 AM 4-6 MondayPM 12th 7 Fr-SaAM Friday5-710:10Sunday16th-17th18thAMPM23rd Wednesday Programming Resumes Time Out Bible Study Resumes Homecoming Sunday / Baptisms Regular Worship Schedule Resumes Welcome Back Sabbatical Reception Homecoming Picnic Lectionary Bible Study Resumes FormationHymnathonClasses Resume Youth Group Resumes Images of the Divine in Film Drive-In Movie for Children 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 30 SEPTEMBER Su Mo Tu We Th Fr Sa • Event • Office Closed
Sunday 2nd Wednesday54PMPM 5th 6:30 WednesdaySundayPM9th 12th 5:30 7Friday5Wednesday12:30Sunday43:30SundaySa--SuPM15th-16th16thPMPM23rdPM26thPM28thPM Stuffed Pet Adoption Begins Drive-Through Animal Blessing Animal Blessing Liturgy Curiosity Street Little Hands at the Altar Eucharist Includes Pregnancy & Infant Loss Prayers Come and See: A Festival of Rededication Recital: David Lim Choral HalloweenHalloweenNoNewcomerEvensongGatheringMid-weekEucharistFestivalSpooktacular: Phantom of the Opera 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 30 31 Su Mo Tu We Th Fr Sa OCTOBER • Event • Office Closed
Tuesday 1st Sunday 6th 4 WednesdayPM 9th Sunday 13th 10:10 AM 4 FridayPM 5:30Wednesday97:45SundayWednesday9Monday18th21stAM23rd27thAM,10AMAM30thPM All Saints’ Day Daylight Saving Time Ends All Saints’ Sunday Baptisms, Reading of Necrology Concert: Rutter Requiem Curiosity Street Pledge Ingathering at All Services Annual Parish Meeting Concert: J.S. Bach Goldberg ImagesVariationsof the Divine in Film Drive-In Movie for Children Yanaguana Mission Heritage Tour No Wednesday Night AdventProgrammingService Times Advent Wreath Making Advent Quiet Evening 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 30 Su Mo Tu We Th Fr Sa NOVEMBER • Event • Office Closed
Friday 2nd 6 SundayPM 4th 9 Fr-SaAM 10Sunday4,Saturday49SundayFriday5:30Wednesday11:30Tuesday49Sunday9th-10th11thAMPM13thAM14thPM16th18thAMPM24th8,10:30PM25thAMOnly River Barge Caroling Advent Service Times Advent II – Las Posadas with Mariachis Christmas to the Street Advent Service Times Advent III – Living Nativity Christmas Pops Concert Women of St. Mark’s Luncheon Final Wednesday Night Programming Until Jan. A Light in the Darkness: A Service for Grief During the Holidays Mind the Gap Christmas Party Advent Service Times Advent IV - Greening of the Church Festival of Nine Lessons & Carols Christmas Eve Services Christmas Day Holy Eucharist 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 30 31 Su Mo Tu We Th Fr Sa DECEMBER • Event • Office Closed
Sunday 1st 10 SundayAM 8th 7:45, 9, 11:15 AM 10:10 WednesdayAM 11th Thursday 12th 10 FridayAM 43:30Sunday13th29thPMPM Holy Eucharist - No Formation FeastClassesof the Baptism of our Lord Regular Worship Schedule Resumes DOK Baby WednesdayShowerNight Programming TimeResumesOut Bible Study Resumes Gala for Choir Pilgrimage Recital: Nadia Soree Choral Evensong 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 30 31 Su Mo Tu We Th Fr Sa JANUARY • Event • Office Closed
ShroveTh-Sa312:30Sunday9th-18th5thPMPM16th-18thTuesday 21st 5:30-7 WednesdayPM 22nd 7 AM, 12 PM 7 5:30PM 43:30SundayPM26thPMPM Theatrical Production – We Sail On in NewcomerDarkness Gathering Black History River Tour Annual Diocesan Council Bishop Election Mardi Gras Festival Ash Wednesday Services Family Ash Wednesday Liturgy Recital: Viatorum Choral Evensong 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 Su Mo Tu We Th Fr Sa FEBRUARY • Event • Office Closed
Friday 4PM3:30SundaySaturdayMo-FrSunday4SundaySaturday3rd4th5thPM12th13th-17th25th26thPM Images of the Divine in Film Drive-In Movie for Children Lenten Quiet Day Recital: David Higgs Daylight Savings Time Begins High School Spring Break Trip Day of Prayer and Service Recital: Meg Harper Choral Evensong 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 30 31 Su Mo Tu We Th Fr Sa MARCH • Event • Office Closed
Sunday 2nd 10:10 Wednesday412:30Sunday9,6Sunday111Saturday1127Friday975:30Thursday12Mo-WeAM3rd-5thPM6thPMPMPM-7AM7thAMPMPM8thAMPM9thAM11:15AM23rdPMPM26th Palm Sunday Liturgies Petting Zoo Holy Week Eucharists Family Maundy Thursday Liturgy Maundy Thursday Liturgy Gethsemane Overnight Prayer Vigil Good Friday Eucharist Good Friday Liturgy Stations of the Cross Easter Egg Hunt Holy Saturday Liturgy Great Vigil of Easter Easter Day Liturgies Feast of St. Mark Newcomer Gathering Concert: SA Harmonie No Wednesday Programs 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 30 Su Mo Tu We Th Fr Sa APRIL • Event • Office Closed
Friday 5th 12 SundayPM Wednesday7th 10th Friday 7:45,Sunday4:003:30Sunday12th14thPMPM28th10AM Bookstore Luncheon Youth Sunday Final Wednesday Evening Programming Until Fall Stained Glass Sessions Mother’s SummerDayRecital:RecognitionDaySundayBruceNeswickChoralEvensongofPentecost/BaptismsScheduleBegins 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 30 31 Su Mo Tu We Th Fr Sa MAY • Event • Office Closed
Choral Eucharist For Choir Send Off
Ministry Fair of
Blessing
the Backpacks
Coming up in July...
24th - Choir Pilgrimage to UK • Event • Office Closed
Coming up in August...
Office Closed
July 7th -
July 2nd -
Sunday 4th 3:30 pm 4 Mo-FrPM Sunday5th-9th18th Recital: Violin and Piano Duo Choral Father’sVacationEvensongBibleSchoolDay 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 30 Su Mo Tu We Th Fr Sa JUNE
July 4th -
Get to know your vestry members in their own words on the website.
Five candidates are presented as a slate to the congregation at the annual meeting in November for affirmation by members of St. Mark’s. Shortly after the new Vestry takes office, they spend a weekend in retreat with senior staff under the direction of a facilitator. Although practical in nature, vestry service is also a spiritual practice, and the group starts off the year recognizing that aspect of the role and learning how best to fulfill it. Each monthly meeting during the year begins and ends with prayer. After a reflection on a Bible passage or other writing, the group moves on to discuss the work at hand. Most of the budget details are handled by the Finance Committee, and the Vestry reviews and approves their work. There is usually a report from a ministry area—children, music, outreach, etc.—with questions and discussion. Any decisions are made by discernment and consensus, not win-or-lose voting. There have been frequent updates from the facilities end of things as reconstruction has continued. For the most part, though, your Vestry spends time considering how to be the best stewards of this historic place, the community, and our Core Vocation of Feeding San Antonio with the Bread of Life.
But Vestry is so much more than this. Your vestry members are carefully selected by the Vestry Discernment Committee to represent the broadest possible swath of people and interests in the parish. So, your Vestry is made up of a diverse group of people with different skills, qualities, and wide experience who have all demonstrated, in one way or many, devotion to the vision of St. Mark’s Episcopal Church as expressed in our Core Vocation.
Vestry
Feeding San Antonio with the Bread of Life Feeding the hungry with real food; Feeding those who are hungry for knowledge and meaning; Feeding those who are hungry for beauty and creativity.
The Vestry is the legal representative of the parish with regard to all matters pertaining to its corporate property. At St. Mark’s, the number of vestry members is 15 and the term of office is 3 years. The presiding officer of the Vestry is the Rector. There are two wardens who have additional leadership responsibilities in support of the Rector. A treasurer and a secretary act in support of the Vestry and may or may not be vestry members. The basic responsibilities of the Vestry are to help define and articulate the vision of the congregation; to support the church’s mission by word and deed; and to attend to finances and other business matters.
Aaron YouthDirectorSmithofMinistries
Responding to the spiritual needs of teenagers is, first and foremost, about building trusting relationships. Through formation classes, outreach opportunities, and social events designed for community building, we create and nurture the space for our youth to safely explore their faith and more fully discover who they are and want to become as they transition from children to young adults. Witnessing and affirming God’s presence in the chaos of adolescence, recognizing students’ gifts for ministry, and raising them up as fully engaged young people is the work of the whole church, encouraged and modeled by our youth Theministry.focus
Youth Ministry
“I have a wide range of interests, including history and theater arts. My special love, however, is sports. I am excited to get to know all the youth and the St. Mark’s community. I am also excited about playing the ULTIMATE game of sardines that I’ve already heard about from youth and their parents!”
Vanessa Hurd
“We support youth ministries at St. Mark’s because both Cliff and I grew up in church communities. The youth ministries were formative to our development and created a safe, welcome sanctuary during our teen years.”
of our youth ministry in the coming year will be re-engaging our middle school and high school students in the post-pandemic climate. Events and formation offerings will center around reconnecting with one another and finding a new rhythm with our incoming Director of Youth Ministries. Students can gather for dinner and reconnection time each Wednesday evening from 6:00-7:30 pm. Two formation opportunities will be offered on Sundays: Youth Formation Classes, 10:10-11:00 am, and Youth Group, 5:00-7:00 pm.
Aaron Smith has recently been hired as our new Director of Youth Ministries and began his work with us in late August. Aaron graduated with a Bachelor of Science degree majoring in Health Sciences and minoring in History and Physical Education from the University of the Ozarks in December of 2019. He has just completed a 2-year residency with Episcopal Service Corps, through which he has been serving as Assistant Youth Minister at St. Mark’s Episcopal Church in Philadelphia, PA. Aaron previously spent six summers working for the Episcopal Diocese of Pennsylvania’s City Camps in Philadelphia, though he grew up in Northwest Arkansas.
4 Years – 5th Grade
Cathy Villani Director of Children’s Ministries
Janet Carrizales Nursery Director
This fall our learning will be centered around Ephesians 3:18: “And may you have the power to understand, as all God’s people should, how wide, how long, how high, and how deep God’s love is.” Together we will explore the ways that God always loves us and practice recognizing God’s love in the world.
Children’s Chapel
Lifelong Formation
Kinder – 5th Grade
Infant – 4 Years
Nursery
Children’s Ministry
During the first half of the 9:00 am liturgy, our children are invited to gather in the Jerusalem Chapel on the second floor of the parish house. We use the Godly Play Montessori method to interact with the sacred stories and traditions of our faith. We realize that many children have had some experience of the mystery of God in their lives, but may lack the language, permission, and understanding to express and enjoy that in meaningful ways. Using Godly Play, we enter into the parables, into silence, and into the sacred liturgy to discover God, ourselves, one another, and the world around us.
Sunday School
A caring environment where your child is nurtured. Nursery staff are vaccinated and trained in Safeguarding God’s Children, CPR, and First Aid. Nursery care is offered every Sunday and for most parish events.
Feeding those who are hungry for knowledge and meaning is a lifelong process and begins with our youngest members. Our greatest hope is that our children learn early on that St. Mark’s is a safe and loving community where they can discover, explore, and grow. Even before they can walk, our children have an important place here.
• “Drive In” Movie Nights – Popcorn and drinks provided as we watch an age-appropriate movie from self-decorated cardboard cars. This runs simultaneously with Images of the Divine in Film on September 23 and November 18.
• Stuffed Pet Adoption and The Blessing of the Animals – Throughout the month of October, each child can “adopt” a stuffed animal to become their pet prayer partner who will accompany them to church all year.
• Blessing of the Costumes and Trunk or Treat – On Wednesday, October 26, we’ll have our annual festival for Halloween when we wear our costumes to church, share a meal, and get to play games with many of our parish ministry volunteers in the parking lot where they give us candy!
Special Events
This is an interactive learning experience designed especially for young children and their families on October 9th. This brief class dives into the rhythms and meaning of the Holy Eucharist. Together we will discuss the different parts of the service, handle and learn about the “holy hardware,” and better understand our sacred space. While certainly not a requirement, this class helps our children to be active participants on Sundays and prepares them to receive the bread and wine during the liturgy.
We also have several formation and community events throughout the year designed to engage our children. Some of our favorites include:
Little Hands at the Altar
Sacred Ground is a sensitive, prayerful resource that creates space for difficult but respectful and transformative dialogue on race and racism.
Sacred Ground
The Bookstore
“As a person of color, I was familiar with most of the material covered. I felt challenged by the need to reserve my input and listen to other members of my group.”
Dee Francis
Amanda Talaat
The St. Mark’s Bookstore was founded as a ministry to support you, our readers, in your spiritual growth though the lens of books and reading. Through books, we can spend days and days being guided by the most important spiritual guides of our times, or of any time. Find MaryEarle and Philip Newell on Celtic Christianity, biblical commentaries with solid scholarship, classic works by Walter Brueggeman, Abraham Heschel, and C.S. Lewis. Discover the works of Brené Brown, Anne Lamott, Mary Oliver, Richard Rohr, and other voices on our shelves. Need a prayer book, hymnal, or Bible? A liturgical calendar or other resource? We have those! Our children’s section is growing, filled with classic titles and new discoveries. And look for gifts from local artisans and fair-trade vendors.
“This was the hardest, most uncomfortable thing I have put myself through in a long time. And I am so glad that I did it. I want to continue working on myself and learn how to have these discussions with others.”
@stmarksbookstoresa @stmarksbookstoresawww.stmarksbookstore.com
The 11-part series is built around a powerful online curriculum of documentary films and readings that focus on Indigenous, Black, Latino, and Asian/Pacific American histories as they intersect with European American histories. It invites participants to walk back through history in order to peel away the layers that brought us to today, reflecting on family histories and stories, as well as important narratives that shape the collective American story.
Our website is a fully operational online store. Our new space in the Parish House is down the first-floor hallway to the left. Please come and visit us!
It holds as a guiding star the vision of beloved community—where all people are honored and protected and nurtured as beloved children of God, where we weep at one another’s pain and seek one another’s flourishing.
We are currently open on Sunday mornings from 8:00 to 11:30 am and on Monday, Wednesday, and Friday afternoons from 1:00 to 4:00 pm.
Over the past two years, St. Mark’s has hosted seven Sacred Ground circles, small groups. Groups are forming for our third year of this engaging curriculum of spiritually grounded dialogue on race and racism. Taking part in a circle requires commitment to reading and preparation, and a willingness to be uncomfortable for the sake of deeper learning together. To participate, contact the Rev. Matt Wise.
• A parish-wide dinner at 5:30 pm on Saturday, a good ol’ South Texas BBQ with plenty of options for all.
• Lots of fun activities for children, including a balloon artist, crafts, singing, and snacks.
You will want to Come and See this special weekend celebration in October, where we will reconnect with friends we haven’t seen for a while, enjoy the beauty of the newly restored Parish House, participate in some creative offerings for all ages, and share a delicious meal together! The highlights of the Rededication Festival on Saturday, October 15, 2:00-5:00 pm, include visiting several rooms in the Parish House to enjoy:
On Sunday, October 16, don’t miss the reception in Gosnell Hall at 10:10 am when we will formally rededicate our newly restored spaces. Surprises will also be unveiled at this event; it’s a must-see!
This is sure to be one of the most fun, engaging, and uplifting events of the year. Come and See for yourself!
Jane Williams, Co-ChairKelly Cavender, Co-Chair
And to close out the weekend, our beloved St. Mark’s Choir will offer our first Choral Evensong of the year at 4:00 pm, preceded by a recital from our new Assistant Music Director, David Lim
A Festival of Rededication
• Tastings of our amazing St. Mark’s kitchen’s cheese straws and pies and an opportunity to pre-order for the holidays.
• A reveal of our restored Gish Hall featuring images from our distant and more recent history displayed on our new, state-of-the art A/V system.
• Musical offerings by YOSA, the San Antonio Children’s Chorus, and our very own Matt Wise and his fiddling friend, Gene Dowdy.
• An opportunity for youth and adults to interact with several of our outreach partners.
Come and See
Sacred Ground is a facilitated small group addressing personal and systemic racism in our nation’s history. This 11-session course encourages reflection and learning that moves us closer to being a beloved community where the dignity of every human being is not only acknowledged but is actively honored.
We Sail On In Darkness is a new play based on the writings of beloved mystics Hildegard of Bingen, Julian of Norwich, and the Desert Mothers. Using music, movement, and color, rediscover the courage, joy, and suffering of women whose stories are often overlooked. More information: WeSailOnInDarkness. com.
Come and See: A Festival of Rededication is a special weekend celebration October 15 and 16, where we will reconnect with friends we haven’t seen for a while, enjoy the beauty of the newly restored Parish House, participate in some creative offerings for all ages, and share a delicious meal together!
Highlighted Offerings
5.12.23
Hymnathon is a marathon singing event using the complete set of hymns found in the Hymnal 1982. This is your opportunity to sing all your favorite hymns, discover new tunes and hidden gems, and strengthen our collective understanding of this rich body of music.
Stained Glass Sessions is a free, musical evening with Radney Foster. Join us for some amazing music in a beloved and beautiful sanctuary.
Our Staff Senior Staff Rector The Rev. Elizabeth bknowlton@stmarks-sa.orgKnowlton Associate Rector for Liturgy, Formation, and Family Ministries The Rev. Matthew mwise@stmarks-sa.orgWise Associate Rector for Outreach, Pastoral Care, and Parish Life The Rev. Ann Benton afraser@stmarks-sa.orgFraser Director of Music and Organist Jon jjohnson@stmarks-sa.orgJohnson Director of Advancement Dina Aboul dsaad@stmarks-sa.orgSaad Programs Director of Youth Ministries Aaron asmith@stmarks-sa.orgSmith Director of Children’s Ministries Cathy cvillani@stmarks-sa.orgVillani Nursery Director Janet jcarrizales@stmarks-sa.orgCarrizales Community Engagement Coordinator Amy aickes@stmarks-sa.orgIckes Assistant Director of Music & Organist David dlim@stmarks-sa.orgLim Children’s Music Assistant Becca beccamorgan.music@gmail.comMorgan Music Department Administrator Marsha mkimura@stmarks-sa.orgKimura Administration Accounting Manager Priscilla pbriones@stmarks-sa.orgBriones Communications Specialist Zachary zleal@stmarks-sa.orgLeal Administrative Assistant Holly hzook@stmarks-sa.orgZook Operations Operations Manager Eric enelson@stmarksa.orgNelson Facility Manager Ruby rmerrill@stmarks-sa.orgMerrill Head Sexton Derek Shively Sexton John Aranda Kitchen Supervisor & Chef Chuy cmendoza@stmarks-sa.orgMendoza Chef Richard Maldonado
2022-2023 315 East Pecan Street San Antonio, TX 78205
