May 24, 2009

Seventh Sunday Easter




SCRIPTURES



John 5:9-13


ANNOUNCEMENTS
+ I like being able to send you such good news! An anonymous donor has offered to patch the roof on the rectory and replace the facia boards and soffets that have rotted. We will be responsible for painting the new wood. The donor's work should be completed by early summer, and we should be able to organize a work party soon after that to finish it off. As we move toward getting the rectory back in good shape, please pray about the ways in which God might have us use this space. I believe it will be a wonderful resource for outreach ministries and that it will be good space for Christian Education on Sundays. In addition, let us all give thanks to God for this wonderful gift. Peace to all. -Sara-Scott

+Congratulations to Anthony Joseph for being named one of the state's top attorneys in white collar criminal defense by "Alabama Super Lawyers " magazine.


+Below are the final Sunday School lessons before we break for the summer. Since most of you will be out of town for the next few weeks, I feel it would be best if we cancel these sessions, and pick up again in the Fall. Please let me know if you have any concerns about this. I have enjoyed this year of study and thank God for you! Have a blessed and wonderful summer, Joyce







+Vacation Bible School-Bible Challenge/Broadcasting the Stories of Moses June 8th,9th, and 10th, 4:00-6:00p.m.-Ages 3-13 (Younger children may come accompanied by an adult and we want our youth to participate by helping us to run the program). Expect this to be a fun filled celebration of three Moses stories: The Crossing of the Red Sea, Bread from Heaven, and Receiving the Ten Commandments . On the last day we will make a presentation of what has been learned broadcast news style. What we need- bring your children and their friends, volunteer to help, and let us know who’s coming.

Have you taken a moment of time out to invite a family member or friend to St. Marks Youth Bible Challenge 2009 : Operation Broadcast News? Have you followed up on your commitment for the event? Please update or RSVP to Jalete Nelms or Reverend Sara-Scott Wingo, so we're able to plan for each person and welcome guests on June 8! Your action will contribute to the success of our event so please respond today. Jalete Nelms


+Children and Youth Answer Your E-Mail- An e-mail has gone out either to you or your parents that we hope you will answer. We want to plan some activities for all age groups this summer that will provide us a way to have fun and fellowship together. We want your suggestions. Please make sure your parents show you the e-mail and then tell us what you want!


+On June 14th we will honor our high school graduates. Our college students as well as those already in the work force will have an opportunity to offer encouragement and advice to those who will enter an institute of higher learning or life’s work force. Be here to help honor them.



+Camp McDowell- will be having sessions for children all summer. Children will be greatly enriched having the opportunity to become more deeply rooted in the fellowship and traditions of the Episcopal Church. Scholarships are available. If your child is hesitant because they don’t know anyone, they can get a friend to come with them. Children from all denominations are welcomed and the camp is always happy to place friends in a cabin together. Applications are in the rector’s office and a schedule is on the bulletin board. Rev. Sara-Scott Wingo


+Summer Music- The summer is rapidly approaching and the choir will take a well deserved break for about two weeks. How special is their sharing of gifts of music and song. We are now looking for you to share your musical talents, either singing and /or playing an instrument, solo, duet, or trio, with St. Mark’s during the summer months. Contact Sundra Smith

+St. Mark's Bible Study is held every TUESDAY at 12 noon at the church




+Marc Smith has been elected to the General Convention for a fourth time. The General Convention is held for ten days with workdays lasting from early morning until late evening. Prepreparation is also necessary before attending. Let us pray for Marc has he begins this awesome task with the General Convention.


+Hunger is an issue that is very important to me and I have decided to get involved, along with the young men in the Young Lions Program and their mentors! We are walking in the CROP Hunger Walk and we need your help. Our donations will support life-saving programs around the world. Join us as we work together to solve this world-wide challenge. Locally, a portion of the money raised will go to Greater Birmingham Ministries Food Pantry. You can be the difference, and you can start by making a donation. Visit my personal page, where you can make a secure online credit card donation.Thank you!Deacon Carolyn Foster Click here to visit my personal page




"Memorial Day is a United States federal holiday observed on the last Monday of May (May 25 in 2009). Formerly known as Decoration Day, it commemorates U.S. men and women who died while in the military service. First enacted to honor Union soldiers of the American Civil War (it is celebrated near the day of reunification after the civil war), it was expanded after World War I to include American casualties of any war or military action.

According to Professor David Blight of the Yale University History Department, the first memorial day was observed in 1865 by liberated slaves at the historic Washington Race Course (today the location of Hampton Park) in Charleston. The site was a former Confederate prison camp as well as a mass grave for Union soldiers who died in captivity. The freed slaves disinterred the dead Union soldiers from the mass grave to be inhumed properly reposed with individual graves, built a fence around the graveyard with an entry arch, declaring it a Union graveyard. A daring action for freed slaves to take in the South just shortly after the Union's victory. On May 30, 1868, the freed slaves returned to the graveyard with flowers they had picked from the countryside and decorated the individual gravesites, thereby creating the first Decoration Day. Thousands of freed blacks and Union soldiers paraded from the area, followed by much patriotic singing and a picnic." From Wikipedia


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