Leprosy

While encumbered with the disease of leprosy, guilt and shame were additional burdens. The knowledge of bacteria and other microorganisms was unknown to early man. When the onset of leprosy became apparent in a person it was felt that the person had done something to displease God and was being punished for the transgression. Shunned and ousted by the community, lepers were brainwashed into the thinking of their society. Guilt and shame were the tenets imposed on lepers. Guilt involves knowing you have done wrong and feeling bad about it along with perhaps wanting to rectify the wrong. In order to have guilt a conscience is needed. Shame occurs when a person feels worthless for no apparent reason. While the disease of leprosy brought alienation the addition of shame was just as heavy. At some time or another we have all been victims of isolation be it gender, ethnic, religious or other. Being constantly treated in a repulsive manner often results in the person feeding into the beliefs of the tormentor causing shame. As in the story of Job, his friends become angry with him because he maintains that he has not committed a sin though they insist that he has. Shame and guilt leaves us with a multitude of negative emotions. Jesus loves us no matter what. He wants the best for us. Being washed in the Spirit and blood of Jesus we can be healed of uncleanness. We can only be clean if we allow God to live through us.
SCRIPTURES
2Kings 5:1-14
1 Corinthians 9:24-27
Mark 1:40-45
Psalm 30
LOOKING AHEAD
Scripture Lessons for February 22nd
2Kings 2:1-12
Psalm 50:1-62
Corinthians 4:3-6
Mark 9:2-9
OFFERTORY
Marietta Cameron-Sowell and Sundra Smith sang a duet of "Be Still"
ANNOUNCEMENTS

2009 Lenten Season
St. Mark’s Episcopal Church
228 Dennison Ave. SW
Birmingham, AL 35211
205 322-8449

Tuesday, February 24, 2009 6:00pm Shrove Tuesday PancakeSupper

Wednesday, February 25, 2009 Noon & 6:00pm Ash Wednesday Services

Wednesday, March 11, 2009 6:00pm - 7:30pm Program, Supper, and Compline
&nb sp; (Speakers to lead discussions)

Wednesday, March 25, 2009 6:00pm - 7:30pm Program, Supper, and Compline
(Speakers to lead discussions)
Sunday, April 5, 2009 10:00am Palm Sunday Service

Thursday, April 9, 2009 6:00pm Maundy Thursday Service

Friday, April 10, 2009 6:00pm Good Friday Service

Sunday, April 12, 2009 10:00am Easter Sunday Service
Easter Egg Hunt (After Service)
+If you have ideas for Christian Education for the youth please attend a meeting to be held after 10:00 am service on February 22nd.
+ Be reminded that Bishop Parsley’s annual visit to St. Mark’s will be March. 1, 2009. Anyone wanting to be baptized or confirmed should contact either Rev. Scott or Deacon Carolyn for further instructions and to prepare for the ceremony.
+The Diocesan Convention will be held in Montgomery, Alabama on February 19-21, 2009. Mark Smith and Heager Hill are St. Mark’s delegates.

+ The Second Annual Mother /Daughter Weekend will be held April 17-19, 2009 at Camp McDowell. The retreat will be led by Rev. Sara Scott. Cost for the weekend is $75. Deadline for registration is April 13th. For more information click here

+St. Mark’s ECW met after the 10:00 service with new President, Nikara Washington. Among items discussed was an outreach program for girls in the community with focus on Bible Study, health, self-esteem and other matters of importance.

*If you have not picked up your Girl Scout cookies, see one of the Nelms girls.

VISITORS

Visiting with St. Mark's were Marilyn McDonnell (left) from Cleveland, Ohio visiting with her sister Gretel Webster(far right) of Birmingham. Welcoming the visitors is Bertha Smith (2nd.left) and Mamie Hymes(3rd. left)
Ms. McDonnell came south to enjoy a warmer climate and to visit her sister Gretel. Both Episcopalians, Ms. McDonnell attends Trinity Cathedral in her home state of Ohio and Ms. Webster attends Cathedral of the Advent in Birmingham, Alabama.
FEBRUARY IS BLACK HISTORY MONTH
Wallace Augustus Rayfield (born May 10 or 11, 1872 (or 1873 or 1874) — died February 28, 1941) was the second formally educated practicing African American architect in the United States. He designed numerous notable structures in Birmingham and extended his practice across the United States and overseas through the sale of mail order plans and plan books. Rayfield graduated from Pratt Institute, Columbia University in 1899 with a Bachelor of Science in Architecture. Upon graduation, he was recruited by Booker T. Washington to the Directorship of the Architectural and Mechanical Drawing Department at Tuskegee Institute in Alabama. In 1907, Rayfield opened a professional office in Tuskegee from which he sold mail-order plans nationwide. He also advertised "branch offices" in Birmingham, Montgomery, Mobile and Talladega, Alabama... Among these notable structures in Birmingham are 16th Street Baptist Church, Pythian Temple, A.M. Brown home, A.H. Parker home and many others .
To see more of Mr. Rayfield's architecture click any of the links.
Some can be found here, here,
and here.
END