The Transfiguration

SCRIPTURES
2Kings 2:1-12
Psalm 50:1-62
Corinthians 4:3-6
Mark 9:2-9

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 Pancake Supper
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)
OVERVIEW FROM THE DIOCESAN CONVENTION
Mark Smith and Heager Hill attended the Diocesan Convention held this year in Montgomery, Alabama on February 19-20, 2009.
Heager Hill
Heager Hill began his report by saying that the Convention was a smooth one. It was one without the high octane issues that usually require generous discussion and voting. Ponderance of the dinner meal was solved when delegates were extended and accepted a dinner invitation at the Good Shepherd Episcopal Church. One of the sessions Heager attended involved the role of the church in the Hispanic community. Thought to be a very religious people many churches have allowed the Hispanic community to use their facilities for worship forming a liaison between the congregations. Though there may be a language barrier it was expressed that Latinos visiting should be welcomed in a warm and friendly manner. Denise Servant has been an employee at the Advent for twenty-five years. A resolution was presented in her honor. The church has been active in working toward no taxation for food.
Mark Smith
Mark Smith recognized those who’ve been involved with the decision making in the Diocese. He acknowledged Heager Hill as being a part of the Standing Committee. Rev. Sara is one of the judges on the Ecclesiastical Court. Carolyn Foster lends her efforts with Race Relations. If court representation is needed, Anthony Joseph will be the legal envoy. The Diocesan budget was passed. Ministry to Haiti will continue. Two new parishes have been added. They are Trinity in Clanton and St. Catherine’s in Chelsea. Mark encouraged everyone to listen to the powerful speeches made by the Bishops . Next year’s Convention will be held in Florence, Alabama.
ANNOUNCEMENTS
+Anyone wanting to be baptized or confirmed should contact either Rev. Scott or Deacon Carolyn for further instructions and how to prepare for the ceremony when Bishop Parsley makes his annual visit to St. Mark’s on March. 1, 2009

+Intergenerational Sunday School will begin March 1st in the Parish Hall from 9:00-9:45 a.m. All ages are welcome. During this time the children will be involved in Easter practice.

+ Maundy Thursday observes the Last Supper of Jesus Christ with his Disciples.
During Lent we will be sponsoring a food drive. There will be collection boxes in the narthex. How fitting to distribute food to those who are hungry on Maundy Thursday. More details to come.

+DISCOVER THE ROOTS OF ST. MARK'S
on Wednesday March 11th. A special program from 6:00p.m. until 7:30 p.m. on the History of St. Mark’s will be presented by a guest speaker. Supper will follow the special program.
VISITORS
St. Mark’s was pleased to welcome Courtney Snelling. He is a friend of Titus Battle. Mr. Snelling hails from Chicago but also has familial ties in Birmingham. As a Sr. Financial Services Officer Mr. Snelling plays a sizeable part in small businesses obtaining the necessary funds needed to get started.

Charles Townsend welcomes Courtney Snelling to St. Mark's

FEBRUARY IS BLACK HISTORY MONTH
Rev. James Theodore Holly

Born in 1829 in Washington, DC, James Theodore Holly was the descendant of freed slaves. During his early years in Washington, D. C. and Brooklyn, NY he joined with Frederick Douglass and other Black abolitionists. He was active in anti-slavery conventions in the free states in the United States participating in abolitionist activities. Rev. James Theodore Holly was the founder of the PROTESTANT EPISCOPAL SOCIETY FOR PROMOTING THE EXTENSION OF THE CHURCH AMONG COLORED PEOPLE. Along with four other clergy , seven congregations and a female auxiliary known as the Good Angels, Rev. Holly and his companions fought against the exclusion of Blacks from Episcopal seminaries, Conventions and the Episcopal church’s refusal to stand against slavery. The division within the SOCIETY was whether to emigrate to Africa or Canada where immediate freedom existed or to remain in the U.S. and hope for freedom. Rev. Holly left the U.S. in 1861 with his family and moved to Haiti. He was ordained a bishop in 1874 by the American Church Missionary Society. The mainstream Episcopal Church, refused to ordain a black missionary bishop. He was later named Bishop of the Anglican Orthodox Episcopal Church of Haiti. He attended the Lambert Convention as a bishop of the Church. He died in Haiti on March 13,1911. For more information click here
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