POSTMARK The Newsletter of St. Mark’s Episcopal Church, Glen Ellyn April 2012

In this issue 2012 Rector’s Message 2 Children’s Events 6-7 April 1 Palm Sunday Spanish Language Ministry 4-5 8:00 a.m. Rite I Get involved! 8-9 9:15, 10:30 a.m. Rite II Eucharist with Procession of the Women’s Events 10-11 Palms lead by a live donkey from the lower Youth Update 6 parking lot, weather permitting. Important Dates 1 p.m. Santa Misa (Spanish) More information in weekly bulletins or at www.stmarksglenellyn.org. April 2 Monday in Holy Week 12:00 noon Rite II Eucharist, Chapel April 1-8 See Holy Week schedule at right April 3 Tuesday in Holy Week 11 Choristers resumes 12:00 noon Rite II Eucharist, Chapel 15 YLF 17 Vestry April 4 Wednesday in Holy Week 18 After Hours for Moms 12:00 noon Rite II Eucharist, Chapel

21 Spring cleaning and gardening April 5 Holy Thursday Paintball 6:00 p.m. meal 22 Youth/Mentor/Parent meeting 28 WTW Tea 7:30 p.m. Rite II Eucharist 9:00 p.m. of Repose to 7:00 a.m.

Semana Santa April 6 11 a.m. or 1 p.m. Good Friday for Children. Domingo de Ramos: Santa Misa a la 1pm These 40 minute retellings of the last hours Jueves Santo: of Jesus’ life are active and experiential. Cena de Agape de 6pm a 7:3-pm 11:50 a.m.-3 p.m. OneChurch Tre Ore worship Celebración del Jueves Santo de 7:30-8:30pm at Grace Lutheran Church. 7:30 p.m. Passion Narrative and reserve Sacrament. Viernes Santo: Servicio para niños y niñas ll:00 am y 1pm April 7 7:30 p.m. The Great Vigil of Easter with reception. Servicio del Viernes Santo en San Marcos de 7:30pm a 8:3opm April 8 Easter Day 9:00 a.m. Rite II Eucharist, brass and Servicio Ecuménico de las Siete Palabras . de 12pm a 3pm en 11:15 a.m. Rite II Eucharist, brass and Grace Lutheran Church choir. 493 Forestt Avenue Glen Ellyn Egg hunt follows both services Sábado de Gloria Celebración 7:30pm a 10:00pm 1 p.m. Santa Misa (Spanish) Búsqueda de huevintos Domingo de Pascua: Santa Misa a la 1pm de Pascua

Búsqueda de huevitos de Pascua Worship as a family. No Sunday School on Easter Day. April 2012

So, What Do Episcopalians Believe?

Many church web sites prominently feature a "What we believe" box for web surfers to click on. St. Mark's web site doesn’t have this, and neither do most Episcopal church web sites. And unlike many churches, you won't find a pamphlet lying around in the that says, "This is what we believe." The reason for this is both historical and intentional. In the years following the in Europe, the church in England held together bitter rivals - protestant-leaning and catholic-leaning factions. During this time, it was politically dangerous to be too specific about beliefs. The “Elizabethan Compromise” (named after Queen Elizabeth I) placed the focus on and church organization. Belief for Anglicans is summed up in the Latin "lex orandi, lex credendi" - which means “the law of prayer is the law of belief” or in other words "praying is believing." In worship, as opposed to a list of statements, belief is formed and nurtured. Through prayer, reading of Scripture, the sermon, confession of sin From From Rector our and the celebration of the Holy belief is formed

Having grown up in the Episcopal Church and attended several thousand worship services, I am convinced that belief and worship are intertwined. For someone to really know what Episcopalians believe, they need to attend an Episcopal church and participate in the Sunday liturgy. Because of this, I am hesitant to provide a list of "beliefs" on a web site or in a pamphlet. It would be going against the Episcopal grain. Some people are in a hurry and don't want to commit to worshiping for a number of Sundays in order to get an idea of our beliefs.

There are in fact a few shortcuts. In the , a section called the "Catechism" - "An Outline of the Faith" begins on page 845. It is set up as a series of questions and answers and covers such topics as Human Nature, God the Father, Son and Holy Spirit and Christian Hope. A shorter, ancient statement of faith is the , which is included in almost every Sunday worship service. It appears in the Prayer Book in several places, including pages 326 and 358.

The question "What do Episcopalians believe" really needs to be looked at in two ways. The first is that every individual Episcopalian has a unique opinion on belief. Based on the brief history mentioned above, The and The Episcopal Church in the United States have never tried to get everyone to adhere to a strict set of beliefs, either through memorization or threat of punishment. Some other Christian groups are frustrated by this, and roll their eyes at what they consider "wishy-washy" convictions. The second way to look at belief is what the Christian church has claimed for nearly two thousand years. The word "orthodox" is sometimes used to signal specific claims about God, Jesus, salvation, and so forth. As we enter the Easter season, some of these orthodox claims are good to remember. These include:

 God is the maker of heaven and earth.  God is a unity which we call the Trinity (Father, Son and Holy Spirit).  Jesus is both fully human and fully divine.  Jesus was bodily resurrected on the third day after his crucifixion.  In baptism, we are marked as “Christ’s own forever.”  In the Eucharist, Christ is “re-membered” – actually made present with us.  There will be a new heaven and a new earth, here on this earth.  The dead will be bodily resurrected and enter into the New Jerusalem.

All of these claims are represented in the Episcopal worship service. They go beyond our mental capacity for understanding, and it is through worship, that they become part of our being, hearts and minds. In worship, we discover, renew and deepen our relationship with each other and God. This process is a true mystery. Believe it or not, but you won't know until you try it.

Happy Easter,

Yours in Christ – George+

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On the Liturgy—April 2012 Adult Formation

Eastertide.--The church is now in , the Great Palm Sunday, April 1 Fifty Days. The Great Fifty Days continues until the Dr. Walter and Dr. day of Pentecost. The Great Fifty Days includes Dolores Dunnett Ascension Day, the day the risen Lord ascended into challenge us with the heaven. Ascension Day is forty days after Easter, and question, “The Triumphal is always on a Thursday. Entry?” The Great Fifty Days have long been associated with certain liturgical customs. Symbols include the , which is lit for every service, the liturgical color of white (except for Pentecost, which is red), and the Dr. Zondra Lindblade Swanson: use of flowers, particularly Easter lilies and anything Christian Life and Community else that speaks of beauty, spring, and new life. You April 15 How do cultural assumptions of “normal” affect will notice a distinctive feature of the Christian life and community? readings: a reading from the Book of Acts is part of April 22 Sociological Applications from the Biblical Record each Sunday’s readings, telling us of the immediate impact of Christ’s death and resurrection on his first followers. April 29 Open Forum The Great Fifty Days have long been a central part of The Rev. George Smith the , and were in fact celebrated much earlier than was Christmas. Like the whole church year they have a clear purpose: to proclaim and to participate in the incarnation, life, death, and resurrection of our Lord Jesus Christ. For several May 6 You’ve got Soul! weeks we will rejoice in the Resurrection of our Lord. Ms. Reeny Linstrom !

The Great Fifty Days include the Rogation Days. What are Rogation Days? Long before society had established Earth Day, the Church has had its own The Rev. Catharine Phillips "Earth Days." In medieval times the three days before May 13 Exercises in loving that make sense Ascension Day were set aside for prayer for the year's May 20 Choose a spiritual companion crops (rogare is Latin for "to pray"). The prayers were said in Spring because this time is crucial to the success of the year's harvest. Historically, prayers for fruitful harvest and industry were said in procession May 27 Preview of Summer Forum around the geographic boundaries of the parish. The Rev. Elizabeth Molitors

Rogation Days recognize our dependence on the earth and its goodness, reminding us that our faith is concerned with the basic matters of earthly life as well as with our eternal state. In modern times, the focus of Adult Formation sessions at Rogation Days has been expanded to include 9:15 and 10:15 a.m. Sundays commerce and the stewardship of creation as well as agriculture. The prayers for Rogation Days can be found on pages 258 and 259 of the Book of Common What would YOU like for forum topics? Contact Myrna Prayer. Grant, [email protected].

--David Fletcher, [email protected]

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The Rev. Victor H. Conrado, Associate Rector for Spanish Ministries [email protected]

El Señor esta vivo, Aleluya! acontecimiento del éxodo de Israel y su salida de Egipto hacia la tierra prometida se conmemoró Este tiempo Pascual nos recuerda a todos nosotros que mediante la institución pascual o el memorial de hemos sido invitados a tener parte en la vida de Nuestro liberación: salida hacia la libertad, final de la antigua Salvador que no se limita a un momento en la historia sino existencia y donación de nueva vida. Celebrada por que se sigue comunicando al mundo de hoy ahora a través las tribus en su lugar de asentamiento, la Pascua se de cada uno de nosotros. restringió más tarde a Jerusalén y al Templo, Veamos juntos un poco de la historia de esta celebración y convertidos en lugares de peregrinación. En tiempos como nos invita a transmitirla a las generaciones presentes de Jesús, la Pascua era la fiesta más importante de y futuras. los judíos. Según Ex 12 y Dt 16, la Pascua es el «paso a)La Pascua judía: Las fiestas principales judías eran de Dios» para salvar a su pueblo de la esclavitud y Pascua, Pentecostés y Tabernáculos, cuya celebración se llevarlo a la libertad. Según una tradición judía, la basaba en acontecimientos anualmente esperados por Pascua era asimismo aniversario de la creación. agricultores y ganaderos, relacionados desde siempre con El rito fundamental de la Pascua era la cena en Dios y, más tarde, con algunos hechos salvíficos históricos. familia o en fraternidad, a base de cordero (signo de De estas tres fiestas, la de la Pascua era la más antigua e la compasión de Dios), pan ázimo (miseria sufrida), importante de Israel. Recordemos que la palabra griega hierbas amargas (esclavitud) y salsa roja (trabajos pascha (en castellano pascua) es traducción del arameo forzados en Egipto). Se conmemoraba la liberación phasha y del hebreo pesah, que significan «paso» o de la servidumbre de Egipto, la alegría por la libertad «tránsito». adquirida y la espera de la venida salvadora del Así se emplea en el evangelio de San Juan (13,1): Mesías. Las muchedumbres se agolpaban en «Habiendo llegado la hora de pasar de este mundo al Jerusalén. Los padres de familia iban oportunamente Padre...». Naturalmente, el «paso» pascual significado no al templo con su correspondiente cordero para ser es cambio de lugar, sino transformación de existencia. Es degollado en la parasceve (preparación) por un existir de un modo nuevo. sacerdote. Era noche de rebelión y de «cuchillos Así como para los agricultores el comienzo del año era en largos» o de espadas. Pero, sobre todo, noche de otoño, para los nómadas empezaba en primavera. En todo esperanza escatológica en la liberación definitiva que caso, en Pascua florecían las primeras espigas, con cuya llevaría a cabo el Mesías. harina se obtenían los panes ázimos, es decir, los panes sin b) La Pascua de Cristo El evangelio de Juan alude a la levadura vieja perteneciente a la cosecha anterior. tres pascuas de Cristo: la que coincide con la Además, coincidiendo con el florecimiento del desierto, las expulsión de los mercaderes (Jn 2,12-22), la que pone ovejas tienen sus crías. La noche pascual tuvo su origen en de relieve el tema del pan (Jn 6) y la de la acogida la luna llena de primavera, momento en que los pastores se triunfal de Jesús, coincidiendo con el día en que se despedían con una comida (cordero, hierbas amargas, pan escogían los corderos pascuales (Jn 12ss), para ázimo), dispuestos a cambiar de lugar de pastos (vestido manifestar que Jesús es el verdadero «cordero de ceñido, sandalias y bastón). Precisamente cuando los Dios que quita el pecado del mundo». La palabra judíos preparaban sus panes ázimos para ofrecerlos a «pascua», en el NT, equivale a la fiesta de la Pascua o Yahvé, tuvo lugar el paso del ángel del Señor para salvar a de los Azimos, a la cena pascual y al cordero pascual. su pueblo de la esclavitud de Egipto. La pasión de Jesús se desarrolla en un contexto La Pascua judía era celebrada desde sus orígenes con una pascual, ya que en ese tiempo tuvo lugar la última comida. A los panes ázimos se añadió el rito del sacrificio y cena de Jesús, su prendimiento, su interrogatorio y su banquete de un cordero. Así se recordaría anualmente la condena. Según los sinópticos, Jesús fue condenado pascua del Señor, la liberación del pueblo. El en la noche de Pascua y crucificado al día siguiente. Page 4 April 2012

La última cena de Jesús fue pascual (Mc 14,12-26 pascua semanal a la pascua anual. Algunos aseguran par). En cambio, según San Juan, todos estos que antes del año 50 se celebraba una vigilia pascual acontecimientos tuvieron lugar veinticuatro horas antes en las Iglesias de Roma, Corinto, Asia Menor y (Jn 18,28; 19,14), ya que Jesús murió cuando se Jerusalén; incluso hay quienes piensan que la Segunda degollaban los corderos de Pascua, en la tarde del 14 Carta de Pedro es una homilía pascual pronunciada en de Nisán. Los sinópticos ponen de relieve que la última Roma y dirigida a los cristianos de entonces como una cena es la Pascua nueva. Juan acentúa que Jesús es especie de primera encíclica. Son meras hipótesis. Lo el nuevo cordero. cierto es que desde finales del siglo II la Pascua anual es la fiesta más importante de la Iglesia. De hecho, Hoy se interpreta que la última cena de Jesús fue hubo en ese siglo, con respecto a la Pascua, dos banquete, con los gestos del ritual judío de la corrientes que originaron una tensa controversia. La comida, es decir, «bendición» del pan y «acción corriente oriental defendía que la Pascua debía de gracias» por el vino después de haber cenado. celebrarse el Viernes Santo, al atardecer, con una Los relatos de la eucaristía omiten la descripción eucaristía. La corriente occidental pensaba que había del ritual judío y ponen el énfasis en esos dos de festejarse en las primeras horas del domingo gestos. Fue también cena de despedida de Jesús siguiente a ese viernes. A finales del mencionado siglo, antes de la entrega. Todas las comidas de Jesús por decisión del papa Víctor, se impuso la tradición eran «buena noticia» que hacían presente ya, romana, y empezó a celebrarse la Pascua el Domingo aunque no en su plenitud, el banquete de Resurrección. El concilio de Nicea del año 325 escatológico del reino de Dios. Jesús comió con determinó que ese domingo fuera el siguiente a la luna los pobres, reconcilió en la mesa a pecadores y llena del equinocio de primavera (entre el 22 de marzo cenó diariamente con sus discípulos. La última y el 25 de abril). cena tuvo un relieve especial. Los cuatro relatos Desde entonces, la celebración de la Pascua anual en de la institución son adaptaciones litúrgicas de las toda la Iglesia fue ruptura del ayuno previo mediante la palabras y acciones de Jesús en la última cena. comida fraternal y eucarística; memorial de la pasión, En realidad no cuentan lo que Jesús hizo, sino es decir, de la muerte y resurrección del Señor o del cómo celebraban los primeros cristianos y qué triunfo de Cristo sobre la muerte y su retorno al Padre; sentido tiene la eucaristía. Los cuatro relatos vigilia nocturna con la comunidad despierta, a la espera coinciden en señalar lo que Jesús hizo y difieren del retorno del Señor. La celebración culminaba, pues, en precisar lo que dijo. Jesús se compara a sí con la eucaristía de la madrugada del domingo, a la mismo con el pan (cuerpo) y el vino (sangre). que pronto precedió el bautismo de los catecúmenos Según la antropología semita, el hombre es adultos. «carne»; la sangre era para los hebreos La razón de la importancia cristiana de la Pascua es «sustancia de la vida». El término «cuerpo», en obvia: la fe cristiana es fe en la muerte y resurrección contraste con «espíritu», se emplea para referirse del Señor, o Pascua de Cristo; por consiguiente, el a toda la persona. Está en conexión con el pan; la misterio pascual es el centro del cristianismo, de la sangre apunta a la muerte violenta. Iglesia, de la acción pastoral y de la vida espiritual Los dos gestos judíos de Jesús en la última cena cristiana. Por estas razones decimos que el bautismo pascual manifiestan el relieve eucarístico de la es sacramento de la fe o de la Pascua, y la eucaristía Pascua cristiana. Hay una bendición sobre el pan memorial pascual. y la copa; se ofrece el pan partido y la copa de vino, y se acompaña esta entrega con palabras significativas y eficaces. Uno de estos gestos, el de la fracción del pan, dará nombre a la eucaristía, denominada por Pablo «Cena del Señor». Confirmaciones c) La Pascua cristiana Es posible que desde los primeros orígenes cristianos hubiese una Tendremos las clases de preparacion para la celebración específica pascual cada año. conformacion desde el sabado 14 de abril de 3pm Recordemos que el domingo, día del Señor, fue a 5pm. fiesta pascual semanal. Pero no es fácil precisar cuándo se hizo el tránsito de la Page 5 April 2012

Youth Update Music News

Contact the Rev. Elizabeth Molitors at 630-858-1020 Contact Marsha Webster x226 or [email protected]. [email protected].

YLF Choristers resumes on April 11 at 4:15 p.m.

St. Mark's middle school youth group - YLF (Youth Living Faith) - will meet in March and April on the following dates: April 15 and April 29 from 3:30-5 p.m. The group is open to all St. Mark's middle school youth, 6th thru 8th grade, and Afternoon any friends you want to bring along. Our time is a combination of service, group games and connecting the Openings for the words of our faith with how we live that faith the rest of the 2012-3 School Year week. Reminders about YLF will also be posted on the St.

Mark's Middle School Youth Facebook group St. Mark’s Preschool will be holding an Open House on Thursday, May 3 from 9:30 to 10:30 a.m. for families interested in learning more about our program for the upcoming school year. Save The Date We offer two mixed-age classes for three and four year Attention 7/8th grade youth, parents and mentors. Please olds. Classes are held Tuesday, Wednesday and mark your calendars for Sunday, April 22, 12 noon-1:30 Thursdays from 9:15 to 11:30 a.m. and 12:45 to 3:00 p.m. We will be gathering at St. Mark’s, in Mahon Hall, for a p.m. youth/mentor/parent lunch event and program. We are still accepting applications for our afternoon class. If you are interested in the morning class, we are happy to place you on our waiting list.

Confirmation For more information and an application, please visit

The Office of the Bishop has set a date for our 2012 our website, www.stmarksglenellyn.org/preschool or deanery-wide Confirmation, Saturday, May 19, at St. phone our Director, Meghan Kaplan at (630) 858- Andrew’s, Downer’s Grove. Confirmands will meet with 1020 ex 234. the bishop at 10 a.m,. prior to the service which begins at 11 a.m. The following day, Sunday, May 20 is Confirmand Recognition Sunday, where the just-confirmed youth will Teddy Bear Sunday attend all three morning worship services, filling the various March 11, 2012! liturgical roles (readers, , ushers, etc.) and offering Thank you everyone! their reflections on Confirmation during the sermon time.

PAINTBALL!! - Saturday, April 21 at Promised Land Paintball Park in Wilmot, Wisconsin. This is an all-day event (8 a.m.-5 p.m.) open to youth in grades 6-12, and any interested adults! The cost is $55/ person, which includes equipment rental, 500 paintballs, and lunch. There’s no charge for adults who want to come along to watch (not play), and lunch is included. Contact: Rev. Elizabeth Molitors, [email protected] or 630-858-1020 x226.

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Children’s News Contact Jill Bednas PDO News [email protected]

PDO Registration for 2012-13!

Parents Day Out (“PDO”) is a ministry of St. Mark’s that provides day care for children in our and Easter Observances community. Our program offers care five days a with Children week from 9:30 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. PDO provides a snack and children bring their own lunch. Children Follow Molly the donkey to Palm Sunday on are eligible to register for one or two days of our April 1 before the 9:15 and 10:30 a.m. services. program. Children between the ages of 2 and 4 Meet in the lower East parking lot. may register for Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday and/or Thursday. Our 4+ PDO program accepts One Church Events registrations for Fridays. All days also offer a On Friday, April 6 attend Grace Lutheran Church at substitute list. Registration is $50 for one child and 10:00 a.m., or St. Mark’s Episcopal at 11 a.m.. or 1 $75 for two or more children. Tuition is $25 per p.m. for Good Friday observances geared toward day for one child, $45 per day for two children, children, especially of school age. and $60 per day for three children. Financial Christ is Risen! Easter morning April 8 come to assistance may also be available through this family worship at 9 or 11 a..m. with Egg Hunt following ministry upon application to the PDO Director and each service! Board. The 2012-13 program’s first week will begin in September after Labor Day. Program applications are available through the Parish website, www.stmarksglenellyn.org, and in the St. Mark's Vacation School parlor and may be returned to the church office. Adventures on Promise Island Registration will begin for Parishioners on April 3rd. Returning families may submit registrations July 30 - August 3, 2012 beginning on April 10th. New families may register 9:30 a.m.- 12 noon beginning on April 17th. Questions: PDO Director (For children ages 3 through entering 5th grade) Kathy O’Rourke at 630/790-1229.

PDO June Summer Session Come join us for adventure on Back by popular demand, PDO is offering a 4 Promise Island where kids week summer session on Tuesday, Wednesday discover God's Lifesaving Love! and Thursday mornings from June 5th to 28th. This amid the swaying palm trees, program operates from 9:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m., exotic wildlife, and welcoming and provides a snack. You may register for one, sunshine. two or three days each week, and you register for each individual day in June that you would like to Informational Meeting and early Sign up is Sunday, April 29 have your child attend. The cost is $25 per day at 11:30 a.m. in classroom 204. This very popular program per child, due at the time of registration. A June tends to fill up so please mark your calendars and volunteer if signup sheet will be available at the PDO check in you can. table as follows: Registration will begin for Parishioners on April 3rd. Returning families may For questions or if you would like to help, please contact submit registrations beginning on April 10th. New [email protected]. For more families may register beginning on April 17th. information about our program theme, visit St. Mark's website. Questions: PDO Director Kathy O’Rourke at 630/790-1229.

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United Thank Offering – the little blue boxes. Give thanks for the blessings God has bestowed upon you. By participating in this offering, we participate in the worldwide reach of the Episcopal Church and assist others around the world in a myriad of important missions from Africa to Haiti to poverty-stricken areas in America. Return them on Easter, April 8.

Ministry of Cooking Mexico Trip in June

Does your casserole always elicit rave Also, are you interested in the 2012 St. Mark’s reviews? Or are you an under- Mexico Trip? The trip to San Marcos is scheduled for appreciated cook? The St. Mark’s Meal June 17 to 22. For more information, contact Kim Ministry could use you! We need more volunteers who can Reed at [email protected] or 630-545-0662. bring a meal to a family or individual every once in a while, when there is a need. The food, and the care that come with it, is always appreciated. And the only commitment is the meal Save the date! you sign up to provide! Please contact me so I can add you to Mexico Trip FUN event: my list of fabulous volunteers. You will make a big difference in The May 5th Cinco de Mayo Dinner and someone’s day. Lisa Baker 630-682-4296 home; Silent Auction! [email protected] .

Mother's Day Rose Sale in May!

Talent Night Help support our companion Thank You parish, San Marcos in Nigromante, Mexico, and the A huge thanks to all of you for making 2012 Mexico Mission Trip. Roses Talent Night such a fun and successful will be available for purchase at St. evening! We raised $1850 in scholarships for the St. Mark's on Saturday morning, May Mark's Preschool. Maybe this is obvious, but a scholarship 12, and Sunday morning, May 13 allows a child who would otherwise be unable to afford St. (Mother's Day). Contact Kim Reed Mark's Preschool attend. Since its beginning almost two [email protected]. years ago, St. Mark's Preschool has had a scholarship student. This young girl was identified by the Glen Ellyn Children's Resource Center as an ideal candidate for a St. Mark's Preschool scholarship. Her two year experience at St. Mark's Preschool, an important supplement to her attendance at Churchill Elementary Preschool, will give her a huge advantage and help with assimilation as she starts kindergarten next year. And equally as important, it gave the other children at the St. Mark's Preschool exposure to the Spanish language and to another culture. Thank you for making that happen! We look forward to seeing you again next year!

Gratefully, The Talent Night Crew (Cindy Flynn, Carrie Gowans, Cecilia Smith, Kim Reed)

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THE CURIOUS ASK ABOUT BUILDINGS AND GROUNDS

All Episcopalians love to have meetings. How suggestions they envision for improving or enhancing about St. Mark's Buildings and Grounds? our treasured buildings and grounds. You can The next Semi-Annual B & G Team Meeting will be communicate in person, by leaving a message at the held on Saturday, April 14, at 9 a.m. in the library. church office, or by calling or e-mailing. There will also Refreshments will be served. All interested are an opportunity to write in suggestions on a B & G Wish encouraged to attend. We will be focusing on current List posted in the Narthex during April. issues, our wish list, this year’s projects, our e-file progress, and the up-coming parish clean-up. St. Mark's is a big, complex and fascinating house of worship. The B & G Team be super to What's the scoop on the clean-up? Can anybody manage it all! Can anybody be a part of that? come? They certainly can! B & G believes in Team Building. The Parish Wide Spring Clean-up is on Saturday, Good stewardship includes taking care of this gift God April 21, from 8 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.. All are invited to has given us so that those yet to come may also enjoy come and support the parish by doing what they are the benefit of being here. B & G can always use more able to do and what they enjoy doing. Volunteers can good stewards. Come to the April 14 meeting, check select from outside or inside chores. Special projects us out, and see if this ministry is for you. If you are will depend on who and how many attend. Special aware of someone with a special talent or someone requests for projects should be submitted prior to April with the will and/or means to be involved, refer them to 14, if possible. Work gloves, yard and garden tools Cheryl Olsen or Father George. We can utilize should be brought from home if you have them. anyone's gifts, but currently there is a specific need for Fellowship is always great and lunch will be served! gardeners - you can pick your own assigned bed - and a Grounds Coordinator who would perform organizing Issues, projects and wish lists were mentioned. and communicating tasks with all gardeners. What's going on? Honey Do and Wish Lists are the sources of our If someone is really curious who should they current work and used for planning future projects. If contact? parishioners or guests notice that something needs Cheryl Olsen is the Buildings and Grounds Team attention due to disrepair or safety concerns, please Chair and Vestry Liaison. If you don't catch her in the take action by reporting it . Do not assume something building, leave a note in the B & G mail box outside already has already been reported. Also, we would the office, call 630-790-3741 (Leave a message!), or like to hear from parishioners about any wishes or email [email protected]. She really wants to hear from you!

Tuesday Bible Study and Men’s Group View Films

“In six transforming, faith-inspiring sessions, premier biblical scholar N.T. Wright opens your eyes to the amazing full scope of what God's Word has to say about the world to come and the world that is.“ This is a 6-part series, but each session stands alone, and you are welcome to attend whenever you can.

Bible study, Tuesdays, 9 a.m., George Smith, [email protected].

Men’s Group:, April 14, 28, 8 a.m., Leo Lanzillo, [email protected].

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W O M E N – T O – W O M E N fellowship for women of all ages Women-to-Women (W2W) is the umbrella group for all our Women’s Ministries. It is a fellowship for all women of St Mark’s and has fostered rich intergenerational relationships, helping all of us experience St. Mark’s as a parish “family.”

St. Mark's Women's Retreat Spring Tea

Glorious and Joyfully Warm Weather for Reflect, April 28, Refresh, Rejoice! 1:00 to 3:00 p.m.

March 16-18, thirty-three

of us happily retreated to The Women’s Spring Tea is a special annual event the The Abbey (resort and that is open to all women of St. Mark’s. This light spa) at Lake Geneva, for luncheon includes tea, scrumptious fare and lovely a relaxing few days desserts made by our very own parish women. together. Even up in Relax and enjoy the company of the amazing Wisconsin the warm community of St. Mark’s women while we learn weather held. We enjoyed about spring container gardening from a Master the indoor pool, sauna and other spa amenities, as well Gardener. Feel free to bring a friend, daughter, as soaking up the sun outdoors. Through personal mother, or sister to share this special event. Adults reflection, movement, and a movement meditation, $15.00 and children under 12 $8 to be collected at parishioners Karen Halvorsen Shreck and Kim Rothwell the door. Also, a selection of beautiful Sterling Silver helped us enjoy and discover a bit of new meaning in chains by silversmith James Avery, leftover from St our individual lives and our common life. Mark’s former gift shop, will be available for Sunday morning we gathered for Eucharist and wrap- purchase at the tea, at deep discounts from retail up in the fresh outdoor air along the sparkling shore of prices. Proceeds will help to close the gap on Lake Geneva. Other highlights included six new funding our new silver plated tea urns and storage retreaters coming along with us, the ever-fun ever- bags, and also support our women’s ministry exhilarating game-time, a star craft, and the joy of programming for the fall. Questions? Please contact catching up with long-time parishioner Kathleen Leid Bryn Wulf at [email protected] or Martha (currently living in Wisconsin.) Sound good? It was Pfefferman at [email protected]. good. And a great time of drawing closer to God and each other. Next year, how about you? Mark your calendar for the third weekend of March (when the retreat is generally held), 2013. N O V A

For a more concrete glimpse of our {daytime fellowship for parents of young time together look around church for our children} handiwork, a new set of transparent Nurturers of the Very Active (NOVA), our Thursday window stars. These beautiful stars morning group, offers activities and discussion topics reveal their glowing colors indoors by geared to parents of small children (primarily infant day, and outdoors by night. up to kindergarten). NOVA has been on hiatus during the winter months and will resume Thursday, A loving thanks to the retreat organizers Joyce April 8 at 9:30 a.m. in the parish library with Fletcher, Fiona Miller, Virginia Vagt , Rachel Alcorn, childcare provided. For detailed description of our Laura McGovern, and Caroline McAlpine for a programs see weekly bulletin. Questions? Contact wonderful weekend of sisterhood and spiritual growth. Elizabeth Lanzillo at [email protected].

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A F T E R H O U R S Looking Ahead: {evening fellowship for mothers} Planning for 2012-

After Hours for Moms (AH) is an evening gathering offering topics of 2013 interest to women in the child-rearing years. We get together on Women’s ministries at St. Mark’s occasional Wednesday evenings in the parish library, to hear a speaker, are growing and thriving! Our have a discussion, and enjoy refreshments and fellowship. Our topics are steering team will meet for our geared toward mothers in the childrearing years, but all women are annual planning meeting Tuesday, welcome. May 8 at 7:30 pm in the parish library to map out events and Mama Goes Green (April 18) programs for the coming calendar In the midst of carpools and play dates, does the idea of saving the planet year. Have some ideas or would feel like something else to feel guilty about not doing? Tracey Bianchi, like to help? You can find our “I author of Green Mama: The Guilt-Free Guide to Helping Can Help” survey located in the You and Your Kids Save the Planet puts green living women’s resources section of our within your reach. Tracey offers creative tips, tricks, and church website where you can resources that will benefit your kids and your community share any ideas or talents you and will draw you closer to God’s heart for this plan. have for our women’s ministries. Bianchi addresses a wide range of topics, from teaching All women are invited to attend one’s children to simply love the earth by learning about our meeting in May to listen and local animals and habitats to ways in which less chemical learn more about our ministries, -laden products can be used to clean our home. Join share ideas or volunteer for an Tracey as she talks with great wit about life, faith, the event. Questions? Contact planet and too much caffeine. Please RSVP by Evite, or if you have not Elizabeth Lanzillo at received an invitation, contact Caroline McAlpine at [email protected] or [email protected] to be added to our distribution list. A Caroline McAlpine at suggested donation of $5.00 is requested. [email protected].

St. Barnabas Episcopal Church – 22W414 Butterfield Rd. Faith Evangelical Lutheran Church – 41 N Park Blvd. Grace Evangelical Lutheran Church – 493 Forest Ave. St. Luke Evangelical Lutheran Church – 23W080 Butterfield Rd. St. Mark’s Episcopal Church – 393 N. Main St.

A project involving the Lutheran and Episcopal churches in Glen Ellyn to promote cooperation in mission, service and ministry.

“That they may all be one.” John 17:21

Next project: a joint Good Friday Worship Service, Friday, April 6 from noon to 3 p.m. (Tre Ore) at Grace Lutheran. Based on the seven last words of Christ, there are seven segments to the service. People are welcome to come and go as their schedules permit. St. Mark’s will be leading the 2nd word “Today you will be with me in paradise” and in Spanish, the 6th word “It is finished.” Page 11 April 2012

Lilies and St. Mark’s

Easter Brass Join in this ancient Christian tradition of sharing a simple meal on

Would you like to contribute to the Thursday, April 5 at 6:00 p.m. beauty of Easter at St. Mark’s? in Mahon Hall Choose Lilies ($15 PER PLANT) or Easter Brass Donations (any The Agape Feast is a beautiful evening of fellowship around a table spread amount). Include your name, phone with a simple meal consisting of bread, cheese, nuts, dried fruit, olives, wine, or e-mail and any memorial or grape juice, and water. The Agape Feast can be traced back to the early thanksgiving you would like noted. who met regularly for food and fellowship before the Eucharist.

Donations submitted by Palm Children and adults alike enjoy this memorable evening. No need to bring Sunday, April 1, will be listed in anything…a donation basket will be available to help defray expenses. the Easter Bulletin. Make check payable and mail to: St. Mark‘s The Maundy Thursday service begins at 7:30 p.m. when we will Episcopal Church , commemorate Jesus’ institution of Holy Communion at his , 393 North Main shortly before he was betrayed, arrested, and sent to the cross. Plan to be Street , Glen Ellyn, with us as we share a traditional Agape Feast meal and then participate in Illinois 60137-5068 the moving Maundy Thursday liturgy. Please RSVP to

[email protected] or the signup sheet in the narthex.

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