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"St. Mark's Newsletter"
| March 2005 |
St. Mark’s Episcopal Church
3100 Murfreesboro Pike
P. O. Box 741
Antioch, Tennessee 37011
615-361-4100
615-361-4100
“We at St. Mark’s are on a journey seeking God in you, ourselves and all creation”
Sundays 8:00 AM Holy Eucharist
9:15 AM Sunday School
10:30 AM Holy Eucharist
2nd Sunday 9:00 AM Breakfast
Wednesdays 6:00 PM Centering Prayer
7:00 PM Choir Rehearsal
Fridays 8:00 PM AA Meeting
Saturdays 8:00 AM Centering Prayer
The Right Reverend Bertram Herlong Bishop of Tennessee
The Reverend Battle Beasley Rector
Frank Brannon, M. Div. Pastoral Care Coordinator
George Kurz Senior Warden
Linda Clendening Junior Warden
Karen Seufert & Les Worsley Treasurers
Kelly Stovall Clerk of the Vestry
Next month deadline for submissions is Sunday, March 20th
Dear People of God,
I always think of Lent as a rather somber time. We start with Ash Wednesday
and on the first Sunday the praying of The Great Litany. Now if those two liturgies
don't give you pause, please come tell me your secret. While there is nothing wrong
with being somber at appropriate times, the season of Lent most probably being
one of those, it always bothers me when I'm in a Church the Bishop visits during Lent.
When the Bishop visits there are usually Baptisms, Confirmations, a fun reception and
in our case this year the commissioning of new members to the Daughters of the King.
In short a pretty major celebration. This seeming conflict in seasonal and liturgical
moods really is pretty much the order for our daily spiritual life. I mean most of us
wake up with things for which we give thanks, such as shelter, friends, family, work,
and food. Yet as we go through the day we are aware of those close to us and strangers
we notice who are lacking any number of these simple things that give life meaning. We
also might be aware of serious situations in our country and around the world that need
our faithful prayers and actions. All this probably puts us in a somber mood. When the
Bishop visits we will pray for the Church giving thanks for the many ministries carried
on here at St. Marks and around the world by The Episcopal Church with the help of our
Diocesan giving. And we will pray for the conflict, which wounds the Church both in our
own Diocese and across the world. I invite you as we continue our pilgrimage to the heart
of God to allow yourself to feel somber and celebratory, deeply reflective of our lives,
the Church, and the world in which we live.
God's Peace,
Battle +
Contact us:
St. Mark’s Website – http://www.stmarksantioch.org
The Reverend Battle Beasley via email: pathwayspartners@yahoo.com
Electronic submission to the Gryphon’s Roar: submitgryphon@aol.com or nanaljn@aol.com
THE GRYPHON
The Gryphon is the newsletter of St. Mark’s Episcopal Church and as such welcomes articles and suggestions from ALL parishioners. This is your venue for expressing thoughts you would like to share, important events in your families’ lives, suggestions you might have to make our parish life better. Please do not hesitate to use it.
Lorna Noren,
Editor
St. Mark’s Cottage Groups
Last year at the annual vestry retreat, it was discussed on how the St. Mark’s community could continue and enhance their warm, friendly and inclusive atmosphere. It was decided to initiate small groups where members and friends of St. Marks could get to know each other even better. As Father Battle talks about – we are pilgrims on a journey together and our cottage groups are a way to experience our journeys together on a monthly basis.
The vestry members took the initiative to start a small social group. Each group decides what they want to do socially and how often they want to meet. Some of the activities have been potluck meals, watching and discussing a movie, eating out and watching football games. I see so many benefits of our cottage groups.
Members and friends of St. Marks get to know each other from the different services, sharing our current aware nesses and concerns and having fun together.
Phase II now is in process. If you have not participated in a cottage group, I would invite you to join one. I will have a sign up sheet in the back of the church or you can give me a call .
Iva Kurz
Coordinator of Cottage Groups
VESTRY PROFILE - Herb Sievers
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Hello everyone. My name is Herb Sievers. I feel very blessed to be a member of this parish and honored to have been elected to the vestry. I was born in Brooklyn and raised on Long Island. I had a strong faith in God as I grew up. I attended a small Catholic church that named: St. Martha’s. It was, like St. Mark’s, very close knit. I didn’t realize it while I was attending St. Martha’s, but I was very spoiled as far as churches go. While not big or fancy, it had a very diverse congregation and a folk group the likes of which I still have not seen. I used to do the readings there and when I stood at the lectern and glanced out at the congregation, I used to think that it looked like a Norman Rockwell painting. People of different races and backgrounds were sitting amongst each other and you just got the feeling that you were among family. That is the feeling I get when I attend St. Mark’s. I did my best, during my late teens and early twenties, to run away from God, but he kept finding me. Even when it felt like I was in Hell, I knew that God had not abandoned me; it was the other way around. Well, it was a series of “coincidences” that saved my life and eventually brought me to St. Mark’s. (Somebody once told me that a coincidence is God’s way of remaining anonymous.) I was married and divorced on Long Island. My son Danny is the product of that marriage. In 1996, his mother took him, and his older brother Nicky, to Burns, Tennessee. I had begun dating and eventually married my beautiful wife, Theresé. I had known her since 1982. We had always been friends and I just thought she was too good looking for me. Like some of us, I have trouble seeing the good things that God has placed in my life. We had our first date in 1996, after she asked me out. I grew very tired of seeing Danny only 2 or 3 times a year and decided to move to Tennessee. We spent 10 months in Knoxville and enjoyed it there. I got to see Danny every other weekend but still wanted to transfer to Nashville. We moved to Nashville in February, 2002. I had been attending a spiritual church but noticed after some time that while the people were friendly enough to smile and say hello, nobody actually spoke to me beyond that. Theresé wanted to go to an Episcopal church and I wasn’t interested at that time. Another “coincidence” occurred during a conversation I had with an attorney one day. (I’m an attorney for an insurance company.) I don’t remember how we started talking about religion, but I was telling this man that I had decided to stop attending this spiritual church and was looking for somewhere else to worship. I told him that my wife was Episcopalian and that she hadn’t been going because she did not want to go alone. This gentleman attended an Episcopal church that he described as “high church.” He said that it was at least as strict as most Catholic churches. I was lukewarm about going there. He asked where I lived and when I said “Antioch,” he said that there was an Episcopal church in Antioch but that it was a little too liberal for him. I said that in spiritual matters I had become very liberal. He told me to try St. Mark’s I had Danny that weekend and Theresé, Danny and I came to the 10:30 service. I loved everything about the church: the Native American Stations of the Cross, the great choir, and most of all, the feeling of closeness I saw among the people at the service. Battle gave a great sermon that day, as usual. It wasn’t until after the sermon, however, that I found the truly unique thing about St. Mark’s that made me realize that I could fit in here: HECKLING! Most importantly to me, it was during the coffee hour that more people came up to myself, Theresé and Danny and truly welcomed us. I engaged in more conversations during that first coffee hour than I had in about 4 months of attending that spiritual church I had been attending. During my time here, I get the idea that this is what church is supposed to be. It was during the announcements that Battle said something funny, as he occasionally will. Everyone chuckled and he smiled and said: “I always wanted to be a preacher.” Somebody yelled out: “it’s not too late!” As we all laughed, he smiled and said: “thanks, I’ll keep that in mind.” That first Christmas Eve after we had joined, we brought Danny to the service and Battle gave one of the most beautiful sermons I have ever heard. He was talking to all of us, but it seemed as if he was looking right at Danny frequently and he put it in language that an 11 year old could understand. One of the readings for Ash Wednesday this year was from Isaiah, and it spoke of the fasting of which God approves: feeding the hungry, clothing and sheltering the poor, giving comfort to the sick. At the latest vestry meeting, Battle told us of a flyer he had received from a church that wanted us to join in a special collection of food for Second Harvest. This is a collection they were doing for lent. We agreed that we would not participate in the Lenten collection of food, since we collect food for Second Harvest all year, not just during Lent. Once a month, I am privileged to spend the night with a group of homeless men, and sometimes women, at St. Ignatius Catholic church on Bell Road. It is called: “Room at the Inn.” They have facilities big enough and with a shower and laundry, but we at St. Mark’s volunteer the second weekend of every month. Our weekend in February was the weekend of the 11th. When the homeless people arrived, there were almost as many volunteers from St. Mark’s as there were homeless people. There was more than enough good food donated and much good fellowship during the dinner and the rest of the night. I was proud to be a member of St. Mark’s. St. John tells us that: “God is love, and those that abide in love abide in God, and God in them.” I guess if I had to sum up St. Mark’s in one sentence, I would say that “love abides there.” I thank God for leading my family and me here to worship and love him with all of you, my St. Mark’s family. |
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Norman Baker |
11 |
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Becky Meyer |
20 |
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Phillip Simpson |
21 |
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Kitty McKee |
26 |
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Gary Abrahamson |
28 |
|
Theresé & Herb Sievers |
13 |
1998 |
Bishop Herlong will be with us on Sunday, March 6th for his annual visit and confirmation. Please plan to attend.
WHO AM I?
I am a child of God. John 1:12
I am the salt of the earth. Matt. 5:13
I am the light of the world. Matt. 5:14
I am part of the true vine, a channel of Christ's life;
I am Christ's friend. I am chosen and appointed by
Christ to bear His fruit. John 15:15, 16
I am a joint heir with Christ, sharing His inheritance
with Him Rom8:17
I am united to the Lord and am one spirit with Him.
I Cor. 6:17
I am a member of Christ's Body. I Cor. 12:27; Eph. 5:30
I am a new creation. 2 Cor. 5:17
I am reconciled to God and am a minister of reconciliation.
2 Cor. 5:18,19
I am a son (child) of God and one in Christ. Gal. 3:26,28
I am God's workmanship - His handiwork –
born anew in Christ to do His work. Eph.,2:10
I am righteous and holy. Eph. 4:24
I am a citizen of heaven,. seated in heaven right now.
Col. 3:3
I am hidden with Christ in God. Phil 3:20; Eph. 2:6
I am an expression of the life of Christ because
He is my life. Col. 3:4
I am chosen of God, holy and dearly loved. Col. 3:12
I am a son (child) of light and not of darkness. I Thess. 5:5
I am a holy partaker of a heavenly calling. Heb. 3:1
I am a partaker of Christ; I share in His life. Heb. 3:14
I am an enemy of the devil. I Pet. 5:8
I am born of God and the evil one, the devil, cannot
touch me. John 5:18
Printed for the March 1994 'How To Do' Inner Healing seminar by permission of Neil T. Anderson, author of Victory Over The Darkness, Publisher, Regal Books, Ventura, CA;
pages 45, 46, 47.
2005 Vestry Retreat
Summary of Goals – This is (and should be) Our Business! (do it with Passion!)
 | Maintain and grow our community |
| Know one another better |
| Focus on people, our congregation & visitors |
| Educate people about the value of their involvement (to themselves, St. Mark’s and the community) |
Parking Lot Issues:
 | Apprentice program – specifically for treasurer, - other functions? |
| Put descriptions of roles of Jr. & Sr. Warden in the Gryphon |
| Question raised about local Habitat office (S. Failor) |
| ?? Parking at the church?? |
| Next year’s retreat needs an outside facilitator |
| How do we better use the Book of Common Prayer? |
| For visitors – how about a laminated instruction guide card in the pew |
| Add a “legend” in the bulletin for BCP = Book of Common Prayer, etc. |
| We are still too “comfortable” – need a wider community |
| Vestry – make more available, better communication, with/from congregation, act as sounding board |
| Use a lapel pin for vestry for those who don’t like name tags |
| Need to work with other organizations & churches more |
| People need to be involved – but don’t know how (or procedures, etc. |
| Ice problem – Richard will do it!! |
| Labyrinth sign – marker w/ explanation? |
| Emergency response plan |
| (added later) – resolve the alarm system situation! |
| (added later) – add dedicated high speed line for computer to not mess up phone |
| added – sign |
| added - copier |
St. Mark’s Episcopal Church – Committees 2005
Administration – A. Tucker, B. Beasley
Annual Parish reports, Registration – Fr. Battle
Assisted by P. Worsley and K. Seufert
Address Listing – P. Worsley
Parish Calendar, Social Events – P. Worsley
Publications: Bulletin – P. Tucker, P. Worsley
Gryphon – L. Noren
Service Rotation
Phone Tree – P. Carr-Brannon
Long Range Planning – A. Tucker, G. Gwyn
Counseling Center – F. Brannon
St. Mark’s 25th Anniversary – November 23rd - ???
Dinner
Invitations
Building & Grounds
Property Maintenance – S. Failor, R. Hardison
Church Sexton
Building maintenance & repairs G. Hall
Yard mowing – S. Paige, R. Campbell
Parish work days inside & outside
St. Mary’s garden
Labryinth maintenance
Nature & walking trail
Christian Education – F. Brannon
Adult Sunday – F. Brannon, L. Kauppe
EFM
Companions in Christ
Children – Godly Play – G. Miller
Sunday intermediate
EYC & youth programs
Finance – G. Kurz
Comprehensive stewardship – time and talent
Fall pledge – G. Kurz
Parish Narrative
Outreach – H. Sievers, L. Branch
Companion Church Santiago Apostal
H. Granger, E. Gregory
Room at the Inn
2nd Harvest collection
St. Luke’s
Magdalen House
Adopted families at Thanksgiving & Christmas
Habitat for Humanity
Odyssey Hospice
Spiritual Growth – B. Beasley, L. Clendening
Labyrinth
Centering Prayer
Group Spiritual Direction
Companions in Christ
Inreach & some outreach components – H. Stewart
Daughters of the King
Pastoral Care
Food for the sick (Parish)
Visitation
Prayer list
Cottage Groups I. Kurz
Coffee Hosts
Worship – B. Beasley, L. Worsley, P. Worsley
Altar Guild
Choir
Readers
Chalice Bearers
Ushers
Nursery
Ministers of Healing
Weddings and receptions
Lay Eucharistic Ministers
Altar Flower Guild
Oblation Bearers
Acolytes
Evangelism – B. Beasley, G. Kurz
Community garden
Welcoming – G. Kurz, I. Kurz
Sunday Greeters – bags and bread
Visitor follow-up
Newcomers’ dinner
IT'S ALMOST GARDENING TIME AGAIN!
OK so I'm just a little early. But gardeners know that we can get pretty antsy at this time of the year...just itching to get outside and get our hands dirty. It is time to think of plowing the garden and adding whatever fertilizers are needed to get things to spring out of the ground in just a few short months. There are cool weather greens to be planted in March. Some seeds have been purchased (OK I can't help myself!) but more would be welcome.
Lots of help would be welcome, too. Please sign up now by giving Susie McEwen a call (793-6298). Once the garden is plowed we will need help to plant the seeds. But then the garden season continues with weeding, watering and eventually harvesting our crops. And once harvesting begins there are beans and squash and other things that need to be harvested every Monday, Wednesday and Saturday so it can be taken fresh to Second Harvest Food Bank at Hamilton United Methodist Church.
Please give me a call even if you just want to work 1day a month or for 1 month or whatever fits into your busy schedule.
TO ACHIEVE YOUR DREAMS, REMEMBER YOUR ABC's
- Avoid negative sources, people, places, things and habits.
- Believe in yourself.
- Consider things from every angle.
- Don't give up, and don't give in.
- Enjoy life today; yesterday is gone, and tomorrow may never come.
- Family and friends are hidden treasures. Seek them and enjoy their riches.
- Give more than you planned to give.
- Hang on to you dreams.
- Ignore those who try to discourage you.
- Just do it!
- Keep on trying. No matter how hard it seems, it will get easier.
- Love yourself first and most.
- Make it happen.
- Never lie, cheat or steal. Always strike a fair deal.
- Open your eyes and see things as they really are.
- Practice makes perfect.
- Quitters never win and winners never quit.
- Read, study and learn about everything important in your life.
- Stop procrastinating.
- Take control of your own destiny.
- Understand yourself in order to better understand others.
- Visualize it.
- Want it more than anything.
- Xccelerate your efforts.
- You are unique of all of God's creations. Nothing can replace you.
- Zero in on your target and go for it!
From a Dear Abby column; author Wanda Carter
Be a Pilgrim in July 2005
The Dioceses of Tennessee 2005 Medical Mission trips to Ecuador will be the weeks of July 11 to July 15 and July 18 to July 22. Our own St. Mark’s Committee met in November and decided the best dates for us to visit would be July 21 to July 28. That way if someone wants to also do the Medical Mission they can participate the second week and stay for the Santiago Apostal visit.
Thanks to everyone who signed greeting cards and brought calendars and stickers for our Christmas package to our friends at Santiago Apostal!