Lenten Giving Tree
      Last year, during Lent, the Parish Life Committee initiated a Lenten Giving Tree and the response was exceptional. We will do the same again this year. This tree will be "decorated" with gift cards from area super markets, drug stores, and fast food venues. In turn these will be distributed to persons in need who come to our door at St. Mark's. Gifts cards should be in amounts ranging from $5 to $15 dollars for stores, and $5 for fast food locations. These cards will be carefully distributed to those persons who come seeking assistance. The cards will not be hung on the tree, rather a tag listing the name of the donor will be used. Gift cards may be given to John Bronson, Richard Spittel, or Pastor Dusman for safe keeping. Please be generous. With 40 days in Lent, we are looking to a goal of 40 gift cards! This might be considered an opportunity for "sacrificial giving," part of your personal Lenten discipline.

Please join us for Holy Week, March 28 - April 4
Palm Sunday - 11:00 a.m. (pre-service begins at 10:45, blessing palms at Lovely Lane Methodist Church)
Maundy Thursday - 7:30 p.m. (dinner at 6:00 p.m.)
Good Friday - noon at Lovely Lane
Good Friday - 7:30 p.m. (at St. Mark's)
Easter Vigil - 7:30 p.m. (followed by Reception)
Easter Sunday - 11:00 a.m.

Maundy Thursday parish dinner
Thursday, 1 April 2010, 6:00 p.m.
      You are invited to join us for a meal prior to the Liturgy for Maundy Thursday. Reservations for the dinner may be made on the sign-up sheet in the church's main hall.

Children's Education
      St. Mark's has Sunday School time for children during the 11:00 service. We are excited to have young children, along with their parents, involved in this learning time. It is most encouraging to have these families present and interested in the religious education of our young people. Please offer your encouragement and appreciation to them.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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 has 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, an integral part of the District's creation, often meets at our church.

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 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.

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. Tere tulemast!

Nutrition and Weight Loss Group
      Are you interested in food, fitness, and fellowship? If so, please join the Nutrition and Weight Loss Group for our next meeting. We are a group trying to improve the way we eat each day and to become more physically fit while enjoying each others company. Please join us! If you need more information, please contact Penny Paul.