Opportunities for Involvement
at St. Mark’s
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How to serve God, meet people, and have fun too!
The ministry of lay persons is to represent Christ and his Church; to bear witness to him wherever they may be; according to the gifts given them, to carry on Christ’s work of reconciliation in the world; and to take their place in the life, worship and governance of the Church.
Book of Common Prayer, pg. 855.
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ACOLYTE - Grade 6 and older. Carries cross, torches or Gospel Book. Once a month. Chris Chambers
ALTAR GUILD - Prepares the altar for worship. Work is done in teams of two people on one Saturday a month. Barbara Gessford.
EUCHARISTIC MINISTER - EM - Leads lessons and prayers; administers chalice at communion. Once a month. Cig Gessford
LECTOR – Reads first lesson and leads Psalm at worship. Once every 4 -6 weeks. Cig Gessford
MUSIC MINISTRY - CHOIRS - Provides music for worship. No auditions! Just come.
USHER - Greets arrivals at services; takes up collection; guides people at Communion. Serves once a month. Chuck Smith
EUCHARISTIC VISITOR - Takes communion to the homebound / hospitalized parishioners one Sunday a month. Harvey Flemister
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EVANGELISM - Welcoming People into our Community of Faith
EVANGELISM / NEWCOMER’S COMMITTEE - Plans for and welcomes new people to St. Mark’s. Helps to incorporate people into the life of the community. Hosts the newcomer’s dinner. Need greeters, food providers, delivery people, coffee hours hosts. Harvey Flemister
SEMINARIAN LAY COMMITTEE - Provides support and feed-back to the seminarian. Meets once a month during the program year. Mike Fearson, Convenor
RIDERWOOD - Provides an Episcopal presence in a nearby retirement community by the celebration of Holy Eucharist each Wednesday at 10 a.m. See the Associate Rector
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EDUCATION - Christian Formation for ALL AGES
NURSERY CAREGIVER - Cares for young children in the nursery during worship. Once every 6 - 8 weeks. Kris Taweel, Coordinator
SUNDAY SCHOOL TEACHER - In a team of two, prepares and teaches lessons to children on Sundays. Pre-school, grades 1-3, grades 4-6. Kris Taweel, Coordinator
SUNDAY SCHOOL SUPPORT - Help with crafts, shop for supplies, substitute teach, storytelling. Kris Taweel, Coordinator
JOURNEY TO ADULTHOOD LEADER - In a team of two, works with youth each Sunday and one evening a month. Helps to have a sense of humor, a demanding heart and relaxed demeanor. Kris Taweel, Coordinator
JOURNEY TO ADULTHOOD SUPPORT - Chaperone, provide food, transportation.
ADULT EDUCATION - Sunday morning classes/forums (9:15 a.m.), Monday evening classes (7:30 p.m.), Inquirer’s class. DOCC – Disciple of Christ in Community. Need those to teach and those to learn. Rick Ufford
CHRISTIAN FORMATION COMMITTEE - Provides input, oversight, and support for Christian Formation for all ages. Recruiting, long and short term planning.
VACATION BIBLE SCHOOL - One week each summer. Evenings only. Need those to teach and those to learn. People to provide crafts, materials, and food. Deena Groshong
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COMMUNITY – BUILDING and TENDING
PASTORAL CARE - Caring for one another
PASTORAL CARE COMMITTEE - Now forming. Plan for ways to provide support for parishioners who are hospitalized or recovering from illness. Could be card ministry, delivering casseroles, phone calls, follow-up. See the Associate Rector.
EUCHARISTIC VISITOR - Working in pairs, visits people who are home-bound or in the hospital. Harvey Flemister
PRAYER CHAIN - Prays daily for those who have requested our prayers. Need people to pray for those in need. Time commitment is 5-10 minutes a day. Kris Taweel
FELLOWSHIP - Food, Fellowship and Fun!
FELLOWSHIP - Prepares and serves food for parish events. Need people for room set up, food preparation, food shopping, serving, dishwashing, cleanup. Sheree Fearson, Diane Bush
LADIES NIGHT OUT - A night out for casual dinner at a local restaurant. No mess, no fuss, just fun, food, and fellowship. One night a month. Church Office
INTERGENERATIONAL EVENTS - include the annual Advent wreath-making activity and the All Parish Lenten Program. Celebrations and rituals help all generations find their own meanings in a common ground of experience. We believe that time spent together as a whole parish family will help the Body of Christ grow in understanding and "build itself up through love" (Ephesians 4:16).
TABLE TALK DINNERS - Randomly formed groups of 7 - 9 people, who gather for dinner in homes for food and fellowship. Once in the Fall and once in the Spring. Church Office
COFFEE HOUR HOSTS and HOSTESSES – Volunteers to set-up and clean-up for coffee hour. Food is provided. Sign-up sheet is in the Parish Hall.
SHRINE MONT – In the Spring of each year members of the parish gather at a camp and conference center for a week-end of fun, fellowship, food and reflection.
ARTS - Now forming. Arranges for interested members of the parish to attend together various events such as a trip to the National Gallery of Art, a movie, music, etc.
ST. MARK’S GUILD - Women of St. Mark’s who occasionally meet socially. Historically provided funds for projects. Melva DiGirolamo
COMMUNICATION - Staying Connected with one another.
MARKSMAN - Collect, edit, and layout articles for publication. Need people to fold and prepare issues for mailing. Lee Biederman
TECHNICAL SUPPORT - Computer problem solving, training (also called getting the Rector out of trouble).
WEB SITE - www.stmarks-silverspring.org
Web page maintenance.
Webmaster
- Erik Kringen, knox1808@yahoo.com, or Church Office 301-622-5860.
BULLETINS, KIOSK, EMAIL - Contact Margi Edwards in the church office for postings or information.
SIGNAGE - Manages the messages on the exterior signs, including banners.
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STEWARDSHIP – Care of the Gifts that God has given us.
STEWARDSHIP COMMITTEE - Plans for year round awareness of stewardship of time, talent, and treasure. Implements the annual fall pledge campaign.
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FINANCIAL OVERSIGHT - Prudently Managing Financial Resources
FINANCIAL OVERSIGHT COMMITTEE - FOC - A committee of the vestry that oversees financial transactions, and makes recommendations for vestry approval. Katie Reed
ST. MARK’S CEMETERY - Two people appointed by the vestry who oversee all functions of the cemetery, including upkeep and improvements of the cemetery and church grounds. Also oversees the Cemetery Trust Fund. Charlie Morton, Cig Gessford.
MEMORIAL COMMITTEE – Determines how un-designated memorial gifts will be used. Ethel Rumke, or Father Ken Brown
COUNTERS – Count and record Sunday offerings. Need people who can work one Sunday a month following the 10:30 service. Bruce Gessford
GROCERY CERTIFICATES - A way for you to donate (at no cost to you) 4% of your grocery purchases. Gifts cards for Giant maybe purchased each Sunday morning in the parish hall. Elaine Davis or Beth Morton
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OUTREACH -- Service to the Community
OUTREACH COMMITTEE - Collects and distributes food, clothing, school supplies and donations for people in need.. Determines which charitable projects will be supported by budgeted funds. Need volunteers to shop, deliver collected goods. Gegi Leeger, Amanda Wells
THRIFT SHOP - Collects, sorts and sells donated goods. Need people to sort and sell. Daytime: Monday, Wed, & Sat.. Evenings: Tuesday & Thurs. Volunteers needed. Susie Grace
SPECIAL CHALLENGE CAMP - For ten years youth and adults from St. Mark’s have sponsored this camp for developmentally challenged adults. Held at The Claggett Center, near Buckeystown, MD, usually the first week in August. Need people to help with crafts, song, activities, for an afternoon, a day or the full week. Beth Walton
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BUILDINGS AND GROUNDS - Care of the Facilities.
BUILDING AND GROUNDS COMMITTEE - Oversees the maintenance of the buildings. Helps with minor repairs and upkeep. Ernie Dow
ST. MARK’S CEMETERY - Oversee all functions of the cemetery, including upkeep and improvements of the cemetery and church grounds. Also oversees the Cemetery Trust Fund. Charlie Morton, Cig Gessford.
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VESTRY - An elected body of committed Christians which oversees the business matters of the parish. Provides leadership for discerning and determining future direction of the parish.
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