Games Night!
Friday, 21 November 2008, at 7:00 p.m.
     Come and socialize and play games with members and friends of St. Mark's. And, if you're so inclined, bring some snacks to share. We'll gather in Lehr Hall and hope to see you there!

News from the Neighborhood!
     Several years ago, the Station North Arts & Entertainment District was created in the area surrounding St. Mark's Church. Pastor Dusman serves on the Board of Directors for the District and has been involved with planning since its inception.
      The City of Baltimore announced exciting new plans for our neighborhood's development. Be sure to click here to see the full story from the Baltimore Sun.
     The district is an interesting mix of cultural and entertainment venues. One important component is the ever-growing number of artists who have studios spread throughout the 100 acre district.
      The presence of artists along with theatres, restaurants, businesses, and a growing number of residents, is making our neighborhood more exciting and interesting. Buildings are being renovated and new residential units are being constructed. There is growing excitement as we welcome new people and new business to the Station North Arts & Entertainment District. Look around for new growth. What has been seen for many years as a neglected area is now becoming a desirable neighborhood for investment.
     The Charles North Community Association, an integral part of the District's creation, often meets at our church.

Keen-Agers
Wednesday, 19 November 2008, 10:00 a.m.
“A Morning with the Saints!”
     We will meet in All Saints Chapel and have the opportunity to learn about the icons and stories about the saints. Our 120 icons make up our collection, and each provides a glimpse of the glory beyond the picture. Lunch will be served for a contribution of $5 each. If you are planning on joining us for lunch, please reserve a seat by calling the church office at 410.752.5804. Join us!

Thanksgiving Eucharist
Wednesday, 26 November 2008, 7:00 p.m.
     The Holy Eucharist will be celebrated in All Saints Chapel in observance of this national holiday of Thanksgiving.

Advent Giving Tree
     Beginning the first Sunday of Advent (30 November), we will again decorate a tree in Lehr Hall with mittens, gloves, hats, scarves, and other winter outerwear items to be distributed to those in need at Christmas. Please give prayerful consideration to this concern. Thank you!

Afterschool Children's Art Program
     Art class for 6-10 year-olds will be held at St. Mark's beginning 6 November through 19 December 2008. For more information, see page 7 of the full November newsletter.

Archives Committee seeks volunteers
     The Archives Committee has formed again, with plans to build on the great work done earlier. Tasks include sorting and filing historical documents and photographs, inventorying artifacts and books, and oral history interviews. We welcome previous volunteers back; we invite anyone else who is interested to participate. These efforts are especially important as we approach the 150th anniversary of the congregation in October 2010.

Parish Life Committee
     The Parish Life Committee is looking for new members and ideas, including help with disbursing benevolence funds on behalf of the congregation. For more information, please click on committees at the top of this page.

Coffee Project Continues and Expands
     We continue to participate in the Lutheran World Relief Coffee Project offering Equal Exchange Fair Traded Products, including coffee, chocolate, organic tea, and cocoa. Our latest addition is Espresso in regular and decaf beans.
     When most people think about Fair Trade, they're reminded of the guaranteed price that farmers get for their cocoa or coffee. And while price is an important aspect, it is Fair Trade's other components that empower people to work their way out of poverty -- on their own terms.
     Fair Trade changes the lives of producers, their communities, their families and the environment. Lutheran World Relief has supported Fair Trade for more than 11 years, pioneering the connection between Lutheran communities in the United States and producer cooperatives throughout the world. This connection has been forged through LWR's valued partnerships with Equal Exchange, Divine Chocolate and A Greater Gift/SERRV International.
     Traditional coffee growing and processing leads to deforestation and contaminate ground water. Lutheran World Relief works with small-scale cooperatives to:
* convert to organic farming,
* fund environmentally responsible coffee processing,
* train farmers in planting methods that increase biological diversity,
* encourage farmers to make and use organic compost,
* improve the quality of their coffee beans, and
* access international and Fair Trade coffee markets.
     Every day Fair Trade improves the lives of farmers, artisans, and their families by increasing incomes, improving working conditions, protecting the environment and promoting democratic principles.
     Contact Paul Walker with any questions or requests.

Service Opportunity
     If you would like to volunteer your time and talents in service to the church, please see the announcement by our Congregation Council here.

Nutrition and Weight Loss
     The Nutrition and Weight Loss Group meets monthly to discuss ideas on weight loss, improving nutrition, increasing physical activity, and related topics. If you have any questions, please contact our Parish Nurse, Penny Paul.

Thursday Evenings
     Each Thursday we celebrate the Holy Eucharist at 6:30 p.m. After receiving the Sacrament, you're welcome to join us for dinner.

Reading Classes
     The Greater Homewood Interfaith Alliance is sponsoring reading classes for our community each week at St. Mark's. For more information, call 410.261.3500.

OSSD
     St. Mark's is blessed to have several deacons called to volunteer their service and ministry. Members of The Order of St. Stephen, Deacon (OSSD) assist the pastor and congregation council in areas of leadership and service within the church and community. These classes are part of the ongoing education of our deacons.

Project PLASE
     St. Mark's is pleased to host meetings of Project PLASE, Inc., a non-profit helping the homeless and disadvantaged. Project PLASE addresses homelessness by providing transitional housing, permanent housing and supportive services to homeless adults. They serve the most vulnerable and underserved, including persons with mental illness, HIV/AIDS, addiction, developmental disabilities, and ex-offenders, etc. They believe it is important to treat, restore and rehabilitate the whole person.

The Holy Eucharist
     Our Sunday worship is set within the context of the Holy Communion liturgy. St. Mark's welcomes all to join us for worship. If you have questions about worship, please see our Frequently Asked Questions page by clicking here. Our congregation also celebrates the sacrament at the regular Thursday evening mass.

Estonian Service
     The Estonian congregation, EELK Baltimore Markuse Kogudus, gathers each month for worship on the third Sunday and as announced, at 1900 St. Paul Street, Baltimore. For more information on either this community or the Estonian Evangelical Lutheran Church, click here.

Silent Movie
     James Harp, Cantor of St. Mark's Church, accompanied the 1915 silent film sizzler "A Fool There Was," starring the legendary screen temptress Theda Bara. This was the film that initiated Ms. Bara into the cult of vamp movies. The film, based on Kipling's "The Vampire," details the story of a moral man who falls from grace at the insidious hands of the unrepentant seductress. Especially memorably was the immortal subtitle: "Kiss me, you fool!"
     The concert was sponsored by the St. Cecilia Society, founded in 1988 to support music appreciation and performance. Concerts feature fine musicians not only from our local region, but internationally recognized artists as well.

Misquoting Jesus
     The Book Club selected Misquoting Jesus: The Story Behind Who Changed the Bible and Why, by Bart D. Ehrman, for the discussion group which met November 16.