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The
Gryphon’s Roar
"St. Mark's Newsletter"
| The Gryphon’s Roar | St. Mark's Newsletter |
| A message from the Rev. Battle Beasley |
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| People and Places |
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| View From Your Vestry by Susie McEwen |
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| THANK YOU! |
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| Thank you from Bishop Herlong |
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The Gryphon's Roar
[Back to the Main Page]If you'd like to keep up with the activities at St. Mark's, subscribe to receive our monthly bulletin which includes news and events at Saint Mark's Church.
If you would like to receive a copy, please e-mail our editor at submitgryphon@aol.com
In this Easter season you no doubt have noticed some changes in our Liturgy.
At the beginning of the service we are omitting the "Collect for Purity", p.355; Almighty God, to you all hearts are
open, all desires known, etc. We omit this for several reasons, primarily because it is Easter and in the Liturgy we
act out what the Church by God's Grace proclaims us to be; a new creation, freed from sin and death and so in no
need of reminding of our call to purity.
Instead of the Gloria for the song of praise we are singing Christ our Passover, p. 83 B.C.P., the canticle specifically
referring to our Easter theology, again proclaiming our newness of life. We are using Eucharistic prayer D, which
contains the oldest Eucharistic prayer in the Church, dating to 4 A.D.
In addition to the historical significance it contains the fullest theological statements of our faith and is the most
celebratory of the Eucharistic prayers. You will have noticed that it contains the prayers of the people in the
concluding phrases. We always invite your prayers in the midst of the "Remember" clauses, p.375 B.C.P. All our
Easter theology proclaims that we are free from sin, we are indeed the New Creation ('s) God has created us to be
from the beginning of our lives.
Our Liturgy helps us to live this out, to act as if it were indeed so. Thus you will also have noticed we do not say the
confession during Easter. Now we all know that we are not sinless during these 50 days but in our worship we remind
ourselves that this is the life we are called to live, this is the great calling and gift God has given us.
Finally the Easter Blessing is taken from the closing prayer of the Burial Office p.503 B.C.P. The God of peace, who
brought again from the dead our Lord Jesus Christ, etc. The tying together of our Easter celebration and our service
for the Burial of the dead is quite intentional. Our Burial Office is an Easter service because our life's meaning is
drawn from the life, death and resurrection of our Lord. So we use that prayer as our closing Blessing during Easter
to continually remind us of our Hope in God's promises to us.
I pray you a Blessed and Grace filled Easter tide.
God's Peace,
Battle +
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View From Your Vestry by Susie McEwen
At our vestry retreat earlier this year we thought it would be a good idea to "introduce" your
vestry through this medium. The vestry is not a secret organization but does most of its work
"behind the scenes". We make decisions about how the money is spent and the things that go on
in our facility. Sometimes you may not agree with some of those things. WE VALUE YOUR INPUT!
Vestry members wear nametags on Sunday that are printed in RED instead of black. Feel free to
tell any one of us your feelings, ideas or suggestions. We are here to serve you.
Personally, I have attended St. Mark's with my family since December 1990. My husband, Don, and
I have been married for 31 years and have 4 beautiful, married daughters and 3 wonderful
grandchildren. I love to read and garden and travel and have been involved in many of the
gardening projects around St. Mark’s.
I must say that your vestry is a bunch of dedicated, concerned people who are interested in doing
their best for St. Mark’s. My term will end at the end of this year and I must say that I have
enjoyed all of it. I have learned a lot about the business and the mission of the church. It has been
a privilege to serve and I would encourage anyone to consider serving as a vestry member.
THANK YOU!
From Battle
Many thanks to all who made Lent, Holy Week and Easter worship so extraordinary; especially Peggy Tucker and the members of the Choir. Pat Worsley and members of the Altar guild. Sandy Winters and those who donated flowers. All the acolytes, lectors, chalice bearers and Frank Brannon for preaching Maundy Thursday.
Labyrinth thanks to Don and Susie McEwen for edging the labyrinth and for work on St. Mary's garden!
Once again, the Altar Guild wishes to thank Max Torlay for his continuing gift of communion wine, and Pam Carr-Brannon for baking the communion bread. Max and Pam have provided these gifts to St. Mark’s for several years. We give thanks for these special people.
Pat Worsley
ST.
MARK'S CHAPTER of the DAUGHTER'S of the KING
WHO ARE WE?
Most of St. Mark’s parishioners are familiar with the bi-monthly Second Sunday Breakfasts prepared by the Daughters of the King, but the DOK is a lot more than that!
The mission of the daughters is the extension of Christ’s Kingdom through Prayer, Service, and Evangelism. Monthly meetings include devotional activities, study of the scripture, and prayer. Daughters offer their services to the church as acolytes, chalice bearers, by working in the nursery, and participation in other St. Mark’s projects.
Service to the greater community involves contributions to the Second Harvest Food Bank and Room in the Inn, both neighboring churches. In addition to these, there are several projects they have undertaken to spread God’s Kingdom, including taking altar flowers to members of the community, organizing Operation Backpack, which involves the collection and delivering of backpacks and sleeping bags to the homeless. We also made Episcopal Rosaries to donate to the church for fund raising and to give to others whose prayer lives might be enriched with their use.
We collect Prayer Cards, maintain a prayer list for those experiencing troubled times, sponsor an annual Quiet Day for prayer and meditation, and serve as diocesan DOK board members.
We welcome you to join us and help us to spread the good word.
Marcia and Pauline
Also see the DOK's web page click here
Father Forgive
The hatred which divides nation from nation, race from race, class from class Father Forgive
The covetous desires of men and nations to possess what is not their own Father Forgive
The greed which exploits the labours of men, and lays waste to the earth Father Forgive
Our envy of the welfare and happiness of others,
Father Forgive
Our indifference to the plight of the homeless and the refugee,
Father Forgive
The lust which uses for ignoble ends the bodies of men and women,
Father Forgive
The pride which leads us to trust in ourselves, and not in God,
Father Forgive
Be kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, as God in Christ forgave you.
Submitted by Pauline Hall
GROWING PLANS FOR ST. MARK’S
A Letter from the Vestry and the Rector:
Dear Members and Friends of St. Mark’s,
We are growing! Increasingly, we seem to be blessed with the problems of a nearly filled sanctuary (and parking lot) for Sunday Services. Godly Play can hardly fit in its closet sized space. The range of ages for children’s Christian Education is spanning beyond the single intermediate class, but there is no additional classroom space and even the present space is shared with the nursery. Adult Christian Education has to be sidelined anytime there is a function planned in Reynold’s Hall. I’m sure that each of you can probably think of an instance when space resources have not been available. Additionally, parts of our physical plant are aging (like the electrical system) and are due for a major overhaul.
While some characteristics of our congregation today are quite typical of the “average” or “typical” Episcopal Church, we believe that we are always challenged by God to reach beyond where we are comfortable today. (i.e. just because we resemble a typical size congregation today - doesn’t mean that we need to stay in a fixed mold.) The main theme studied at the vestry retreat this year was called “From Survival to Growth”. That theme was selected and studied because it was evident even last year that St. Mark’s has entered a time of growth. For the vestry to initiate an intelligent discussion with a planning (and design) professional to investigate possible directions for development, we need certain facts and projections about the direction of our church and congregation. Therefore, we requested that the Long-range Planning Committee (Chaired by John Seufert) consider the following questions:
1. Based on our current growth and the growth in the surrounding neighborhoods, project the number of St. Mark’s members by June 2006, June 2009 and June 2014. 2. For the same three planning dates, list specific areas of ministry that you project that we must consider as part of the planning process (especially for those which may need facilities – dedicated or multipurpose). Some specific examples may be: counseling center, Christian education class rooms, Mother’s Day Out, Respite Center (for caregivers to adults), child care, community garden (possibly in conjunction with the Campus for Human Development or other agency), Room in the Inn (actual on-site facilities), a Columbarium for member's last remains, meditation chapel, etc. This list is not intended to be limiting – or intended that the committee will necessarily choose all that are on this list. 3. Identify potential sources of grant or other assistance funding for any of these ministries. 4. Identify the top three ways in which we want to be identified in the Antioch community.
We recognize and respect that any long-range planning process must be flexible and allow for periodic adjustment and corrections. However, the growth process will never begin until the first step is taken. We are grateful that John’s committee has accepted this challenge. Already, they have pointed out the eventual need for a specific, separate “Building Committee” once we enter that stage.
There is one additional area and concern for which we requested the committee to study and develop a plan and specific recommendations. That question is: “What do we need to do to maintain a level of small group closeness (as desired by many people at St. Mark’s) - within a healthy, growing church?” We have observed that people may have a real concern that growth will destroy the atmosphere of close knit community. The interpretation here is that one condition excludes the other. While that situation can occur, it is not automatic. The facts are that there are several successful models that design and plan to maintain close-knit community structures (and also depend on expanding and creating new ones). Two variations are discussed in “From Survival to Growth” and in “Growing Plans” (reviewed by the vestry last year).
We are now squarely in an exciting “window of opportunity”. The area around St. Mark’s is growing rapidly, and we see visitors every week. Let us not hide our “talent”. Instead, let’s embrace this opportunity to grow and share our talents, and St. Mark’s Christian community with those around us. This will be an exemplar for the application of healthy stewardship of the property and resources we have here in Antioch.
If you have questions or comments about this process, please contact the vestry. In particular, if you have ideas about any of the above questions being considered by the Long Range Planning Committee, please contact them. The members are listed below for your information. I’m sure we will all welcome your input.
Vestry members: Members George Kurz, Sr. Warden Greg Hall, Jr. Warden Frank Brannon Richard Hardison Lesley Branch Linda Clendening Susie McEwen Herb Stewart Sandy Winters
Long-Range Planning Comm.John Seufert, Candy Burger Gene Gwyn Iva Kurz Richard Hardison Andrea Tucker
THE RT. REV. BERTRAM NELSON HERLONG, D.D., BISHOP
April 7, 2004
The Rev. Battle Beasley St. Mark’s Church P.O. Box 741 Antioch,TN 37011
Dear Battle and members of St. Mark’s Church: I am writing to express my gratitude for your contribution of $225.00 to the Bishop’s Discretionary Fund. The Bishop’s Discretionary Fund is an extension of your ministry through the office of the Bishop. The Bishop’s Discretionary Fund is the source of support for special and unique situations in the diocese where no other funds are available. Thank you for helping make this ministry possible through your generosity. This comes with prayers for your continuing Christian ministry and service through the Episcopal Church.
Faithfully yours,
The Right Reverend Bertram Nelson Herlong, Bishop of Tennessee
Cindy Page 3
Mary O. Benedict 6
Elizabeth Gregory 8
Ann Honig 15
Ginger Maxwell 16
Melanie Pafford-Failor 22
Jordyn Elkins 23
Beth Lightsey 27
Dan Benedict 28
Ryan Garcia 28
Kim Tantaris 29
Kathy Larson 30
Cheryl Ann Mohr 30
Cullen Brown 31
May Anniversaries
Karen & John Seufert 02, 1987
Kate & Cullen Brown 26, 2001
Dave & Debbie Colvin 27, 1978
Herb & Shirley Stewart 27, 1955
Dan & Mary O. Benedict 31, 1963
Baby Shower
A baby shower for Amy and Battle is being planned. More information coming soon!
175th ANNIVERSARY CELEBRATION
Don’t forget about the Anniversary Celebration that the Diocese is planning. Congregations have been asked to set aside June 27th for their own celebrations at their churches. Thursday, July 1st will be a corporate celebration to include a procession from the original Masonic Lodge at 5th Avenue and Church to Christ Church Cathedral in the late afternoon followed by a Service of Thanksgiving at the Cathedral. A reception will follow the service. Please plan to be a part of this celebration. Below is a prayer that Bishop Herlong is requesting to be ready during the Prayers of the People every Sunday now through July 4, 2004
Prayer for the 175th Anniversary of the Diocese of Tennessee
O God, by your grace you have called us in the Diocese of Tennessee to a goodly fellowship of faith. We thank you for your presence with us since our founding in 1829. As we celebrate our 175th anniversary, continue to inspire our witness to your Son Jesus Christ, that all may know the power of this forgiveness and the hope of his resurrection. Bless our Bishop, Bertram, and other clergy, and all our people. Grant that your Word may be truly preached and truly heard, your Sacraments faithfully administered and faithfully received. By your Spirit, fashion our lives according to the example of your Son, and grant that we may show the power of your love to all whom we live; through Jesus Christ our Lord.
Amen
ST. LUKE’S COMMUNITY HOUSE
St. Mark’s received a letter of thanks from Carol Lynn McCarty, Development Director of St. Luke’s Community House for the generous donations during the Christmas holiday season. St. Mark’s contribution was $156.22. This helps to support the programs and services which St. Luke’s offers to low income families and seniors of West Nashville for hope and assistance.
Also, you will be hearing more about St. Luke’s bread which is available at both Provence Bread and Café locations. It can be purchased for $5.00 there and at many Episcopal churches in the area.
Another way to support St. Luke’s is to hold a St. Luke’s Day at our parish and invite Doug Anderson to speak at our services or in an education class.
St. Luke’s is also asking churches to hang a Red Door at one of the entrances to the church. It will be hung and removed by volunteers from St. Luke’s between March 29 – April 5.
ROOM IN THE INN
Charles Strobel from the Campus for Human Development has sent an end-of-the-season “thanks” for continued support of their ministry. In Charles’ own words, “Congregations like yours are the heart of Room In The Inn and I know that we could not do it without you.”
The Campus for Human Development realizes that education is critical to ending homelessness. Teachers volunteer their time by offering classes such as GED, job readiness and substance abuse prevention. Students earn points which can be spent in the Campus store. You can help keep the store stocked with white tube socks for men and disposable razors.
Did you know that St. Patrick was also one of the great saints of the downtrodden, the very people you welcome at Room in the Inn?
Room in the Inn has just ended its 18th year and has been a big success thanks to congregations like St. Mark’s who have opened their hearts to the homeless with food and shelter.
It's Spring! And gardeners know that it is time to work,
work, work. We need to do a little of that in St. Mary's Garden right now. It
really just needs a little weeding and a gas powered weedeater and maybe a
little raking to spiff it up.
How about getting together at 9AM on Saturday, April 17, for a couple hours of
socializing, communing with nature, and fixing up our garden. I'll bring the
donuts! See you then...
Susie McEwen
DAUGHTERS OF THE KING
The Daughters of the King would like to thank the
congregation for their support and help with the Bishop's Reception on March
7th. Together we made it a wonderful event. We couldn't have done it without
you. We are grateful.
Debbie Colvin
Altar Flowers
The St. Marks Chapter of the Daughters of the King would like to share the beauty of Sunday’s altar flowers with those in our community who are experiencing troubled times in their lives. Each Sunday, we will personally deliver the flowers to a member of the church or to a resident of a nursing home as a token of the love and concern of St. Marks parishioners. If you have donated the altar flowers and wish us to deliver them to a special person or want to take them yourself, please let us know. E-mail Marcia Williams at (MamBNA@aol.com) to let us know your wishes. If you don’t have someone in mind, we will rely on our priest and vestry to let us know to whom the flowers will be delivered. We began this practice in February.