Events at St. Mark's Lutheran Church

A resolution passed unanimously by the Congregation Council
Whereas St. Mark's Evangelical Lutheran Church in the City of Baltimore has committed itself in its Mission Statement to embrace diversity, practice hospitality, and make known Christ’s presence in word and deed; and
Whereas St. Mark's Church has been a Reconciling in Christ congregation since 1985 and as such recognizes
First, all persons—regardless of race, color, age, economic condition, marital status, social class, physical or mental handicap, or affectional orientation—are welcome at St. Mark's Lutheran Church,
Second, we affirm with the apostle Paul that in Christ "there is no longer Jew or Greek, there is no longer slave or free, there is no longer male or female." (Galatians 2:38) Christ Jesus has made us one. We emphasize that this reconciliation extends also to those whose affectional orientation is toward a person of the same gender; and
Whereas St. Mark's congregation now welcomes among its regular worshippers same-gender couples who have been married in jurisdictions where that is legal as well as worshippers who are same-gender couples considering marriage;

Therefore be it resolved that the Congregation Council of St. Mark's Church urges the Maryland General Assembly to act positively on the Religious Freedom and Civil Marriage Protection Act which would allow same-gender couples to be married in Maryland while preserving the right of denominations, congregations and clergy to refuse to solemnize such marriages.

Approved by St. Mark's Congregation Council
24 January 2012

News on restoration of a neighbor of St. Mark's
The Art Deco theater on North Avenue at St Paul Street might one day soon be home to film screenings, studios, galleries and a restaurant, at least if a nonprofit developer financed by MICA and a private foundation have a say. See the recent story and photos in the Baltimore Sun here. More about the changes in our neighborhood can be found in a story lower on this page, "News from the neighborhood."

Keen-Agers
Wednesday, 15 February 2012, 10:00 a.m.
Keen-Agers will enjoy a delightful and informative program on a journey back in time to the origins of Celtic Christianity in Ireland and Britain. Lunch will be served ($5). Please call the church office to reserve a seat and know that all are welcome to join us!

Pancakes for Shrove Tuesday
Tuesday, 21 February 2012, 11:00 a.m. and 5:00 p.m.

      Shrove Tuesday (also known as Pancake Day, Pancake Tuesday, Fat Tuesday, and Mardi Gras) is a term used in English-speaking countries for the day preceding Ash Wednesday, the first day of the season of fasting and prayer called Lent.
      All Catholic and some Protestant countries traditionally call the day before Ash Wednesday Fat Tuesday or Mardi Gras. The name predated the Reformation and referred to the common Christian tradition of eating special rich foods before the fasting season of Lent. Other countries called it the Tuesday of Carnival, referring to the popular celebration of Carnival that became associated with the feasting.
      Pancakes are associated with the day preceding Lent because they were a way to use up rich foodstuffs such as eggs, milk, and sugar, before the fasting season of the 40 days of Lent. The liturgical fasting emphasized eating plainer food and refraining from food that would give pleasure: In many cultures, this means no meat, dairy, or eggs.
      Please join us for one of the two servings as we enjoy fresh pancakes and other festive food.

Ash Wednesday services
Wednesday, 22 February 2012, noon and 6:30 p.m.

      Ash Wednesday is February 22, thus beginning our 40-day journey in the wilderness. From the Anglo-Saxon for "spring", this penitential season is traditionally a time for candidates to prepare for Holy Baptism as well as a time for all Christians to reflect on the meaning of their baptism, a time of reconciliation with God, self and others and to consider the nature of the ministry of Jesus and what it means to be a disciple.
      In the gospel for Ash Wednesday, Jesus cautions us against public acts of piety--on the one day of the year we leave worship with a visible smudge on our foreheads, reminding everyone we see that we have been to church. What are you supposed to do, wipe the ashes off before stepping outside? Do you leave them on only to have the cashier at the grocery store say, "You've got something on your forehead"?
      Of course Jesus does not tell us to refrain from all acts of public piety. What Jesus seems concerned with is the why, not the what. Why do you pray in public? Why do you give alms? Why do you fast? If appearing faithful is a way to build yourself up before others, then it is not faithfulness but hypocrisy. On the other hand, if praying over a meal in a restaurant is something you do because praying at meals is part of your faith, by all means bow your head and pray.
      As the season of Lent begins each year, God's people are invited to take on three great disciplines: prayer, fasting, and alms-giving. You hear the invitation to prayer, fasting, and alms-giving in the reading from Joel. Jesus' words in the gospel remind us that our acts of faithfulness always come as a response to God's gifts. Remembering this gives a note of humility to all we do. Piety is not something to brag about. Piety is not something to be proud of. Piety is but acknowledgment of the one who first gave us everything.
      Finally, Paul makes it clear, as if there were ever any question: we only become righteous in Jesus. We know grace only because Jesus becomes our sin. This is the grounding for everything we do throughout the holy days of Lent.
      Please join us for one of the two services on this holy day. We will gather at noon and 6:30 for the imposition of ashes and the Holy Eucharist.

Lenten Giving Tree

      During the season of Lent, the Parish Life Committee is asking members and friends of St. Mark's to help "bud" the Lenten Giving Tree. It is our hope that the bare branches of the tree will bud forth with Gift Cards from area super markets, drug stores, and fast food venues. These cards will in turn be distributed to persons who come to St. Mark's seeking assistance.
      Gift cards may be in amounts ranging from $5 to $25. The cards will not be hung on the tree; rather, a tag with the donor's name will be used. Gift cards may be given to Richard Spittel, Chair of the Parish Life Committee, or to Pastor Dusman for safe-keeping.
      Please be generous. In past years the response has been quite good, and we hope to at least match those totals. With 40 days of Lent, we are looking toward a goal of 40 cards. This endeavor may well be considered as an opportunity to practice "sacrificial giving" as we consider our Lenten discipline.

Morgan State Choir concert to benefit Lutheran Campus Ministry
Saturday, 3 March 2012, 3:00 p.m.

Baltimore Lutheran Campus Ministries is happy to present the Morgan State University Choir in concert at Christ Lutheran Church (701 S. Charles St., Baltimore). The concert is a fund-raiser for Lutheran Campus Ministry at Morgan State University. Tickets are $25 per person. For information and to order tickets, call the Rev. Laura Sinche 410-321-4484. Tickets may be ordered online here.

Congregation supper
Saturday, 24 March 2012
Mark your calendar, please, and reserve Saturday evening March 24, 2012. We will again host another congregational supper. This time, Chef Jane Parker will lead our culinary team in making a stuffed ham with trimmings. Plan to join us for supper and stay afterwards to socialize and play table games. More information on this supper will be forthcoming.

Quiz Night
Sunday, 5 May 2012

Mark your calendars for Saturday, 5 May 2012. St Mark's and First English Evangelical Lutheran Church will be collaborating, again, in a joint-fundraising Quiz Night event. Quiz Night will be an exciting evening where teams participate in quizzes, and a delicious supper will be provided in the price of your admission to the event.
Nancy DeBell is leading the St Mark's planning group with assistance from Suzi Surrey, Shawn McDowell, Marion Malcolm and Melanie Alfano. Keith Merkey has agreed to be the evening's master of ceremonies. The event has the potential of being a wonderfully exciting evening of mind teasing fun, fellowship and enjoyment including a great meal together. Make plans, now, to host a table or be present at one. More information will follow....

Remember our shut-ins! A number of St. Mark's members and friends are unable to worship with us regularly, if at all. Some are confined to nursing care. We urge everyone to keep these folks in your prayers, and also to remember them with a phone call or a "Thinking of You" card from time to time. Winter months are hard on us all, and especially for those who are unable to get out and about. Thank you!

Jim Harp at the organ
January marked the 25 anniversary of James Harp's service to St. Mark's Church as our Cantor. A good example of the gifts our cantor brings to St. Mark's is the following video is based on the Easter hymn, "Thine is the Glory." It is composed and played by James Harp.

Other recordings by Mr. Harp--including Wagner's lushly beautiful "Liebestod"--may be found by clicking here.

Sunday School in the Great Hall

The wolf will live with the lamb, the leopard will lie down with the goat,
the calf and the lion and the yearling together; and a little child will lead them. (Isaiah 11:6)

The St. Mark's Children's Sunday School meets the second and fourth Sundays during mass from September through May.

      We invite all children to join our Sunday School class, held in a historic space: St. Mark's Great Hall.
      We are visiting stories and following the gospel through the Old and New Testaments. We began our new year with "God Creates the World." The children follow these stories using their five senses. Stories come alive through readings, questions, art, music, drama, and cooking. The Sunday School classroom will transform into the heavens and the earth, the great flood or even the manger in Bethlehem.
      For more information about our Christian education program, please see Pastor Dusman or Nancy DeBell.

Congregation Council
The Congregation Council has listed its meetings for 2011-12. You can also see the officers and other members of your council and the various committee chairs by clicking here.

Electronic contributions to St. Mark's
      St. Mark's is pleased to provide an electronic option for making regular offerings. Contributions can be debited automatically from your checking or savings account or processed using your credit or debit card. Our electronic giving program offers convenience for you and much-needed donation consistency for our congregation.
      If you are currently giving on a weekly basis, you need not write out 52 checks a year or prepare 52 envelopes. And, when travel, illness or other circumstances prevent you from attending services, this program allows your weekly offerings to continue on an uninterrupted basis.
      Online donations may be made to St. Mark's with safety and ease on your computer. To explore this convenient option, click here.
      After you register with a secure password, you will see you can choose between one-time and ongoing contributions. You can also select from several choices about designating where your donation goes. The donation page will help you to track your giving history.
      Thank you for prayerfully considering this way to respond generously to God's extravagant love in your life.

Our gifts to Dallas Nicholas School
Thank you to all who contributed non-perishable food items. Your gifts, plus a monetary gift, have been given to the food pantry at the Dallas Nicholas Elementary School. Please remember the food basket in the narthex. Ongoing gifts of food will allow us to periodically help replenish the food pantry at the School. Please be generous!

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.

Need some refreshment?
Café is an award-winning online magazine from Women of the ELCA that features timely articles about faith and life, Scripture reflections, and an opportunity for sharing your thoughts with others. The e-zine is addressed primarily to women ages 18 to 35, but its articles will inform and inspire women of all ages. Come to www.boldcafe.org and feel your spirit refreshed.
Some of the upcoming topics to be covered in Café are: addiction, sharing blessings and discovering unexpected growth out of loss. Some of Café's previous topics were: sharing blessings, addiction transfer, renewing the body and spirit, inviting people to church, the sound of your faith, keeping a flexible spirit, AIDS, Domestic hunger, Young women and voting, anger, the burden of credit card debt and its spiritual consequences, body image and negative self-talk, and forgiveness for good health.
Café--an online magazine from Women of the ELCA

Café--an online magazine from Women of the ELCA

      Café continues to be well received by young and older audiences alike in this church and beyond.
      Sign up now to get regular e-mail alerts when the latest issue of Café is published. It's free and can be easily passed on to circle members, friends, sisters, daughters, and granddaughters. If you know someone who doesn't have Internet access, print out the latest issue and share it.
      Have you heard Café's monthly audio program? Visit www.boldcafe.org/listen.html and listen to the MP3 file. Also follow the link "launch in iTunes" and add it as a podcast.

Education opportunities
Members of St. Mark's--along with some residents of the surrounding neighborhood--are participating in an enrichment program for the students of The Success Academy at the Baltimore City Board of Education Building on North Avenue. This program is designed to help the students and members of the community engage in areas of educational opportunities not part of a regular school curriculum. As the school year proceeds, we hope to involve more members in this exciting venture with local high school and middle school students. Watch this space for further news.

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. Contact Paul Walker with any questions or requests.
By selling through Fair Trade, farmers and artisans build a better future for themselves, their families and their communities. By supporting Fair Trade, we make choices in line with our religious beliefs and affirm human dignity by promoting:

* fair wages
* children's rights
* women's rights
* the right to organize
* environmental rights
* indigenous rights

Bishop Wolfgang Herz-Lane preaching in the All Saints Chapel

Thursday evening Eucharist
Each Thursday we celebrate the Holy Eucharist at 6:30 p.m. in the All Saints' Chapel on the main floor of St. Mark's Church. Immediately after worship, everyone is welcome for dinner ($7) and fellowship. It's a great way to meet new people. Please join us!

Project PLASE
St. Mark's Lutheran Church is pleased to host meetings of Baltimore's Project PLASE, Inc., a non-profit helping the homeless and disadvantaged. Project PLASE (People Lacking Ample Shelter and Employment) 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.

News from the Neighborhood!
     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.
      A few years ago, the City of Baltimore announced an exciting plan 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 (CNCA), an integral part of the District's creation, often meets at our church.

Keen-Agers
Wednesday, 15 February 2012, 10:00 a.m.
Keen-Agers will enjoy a delightful and informative program on a journey back in time to the origins of Celtic Christianity in Ireland ad Britain. Lunch will be served ($5). Please call the church office to reserve a seat and know that all are welcome to join us!

Estonian Service
The Estonian congregation, EELK Baltimore Markuse Kogudus, gathers each month for worship on the fourth 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. Tule jumalateenistuse koos meiega!

St Olaf Choir concert benefiting LVC
Monday, 6 February 2012, 7:30 p.m.
Fans of great choral music enjoyed a concert of the St Olaf Choir at the Music Center at the Strathmore, in North Bethesda. The concert was a fund-raiser for Lutheran Volunteer Corps.

Click here to see the current newsletter for St. Mark's Lutheran Church, Baltimore.