The Lion's Roar
June 2021
A Message from Father Rick...
Examen after the Pandemic
What a difference a year makes. This time last year we were just getting ready to begin in-person services again. We were dotting all our “i’s” and crossing all our “t’s,” and wondering if anyone was actually going to show up.
And now because so many of us are vaccinated, we’re able to put our masks away. Or burn them.
It might ALSO be a time for prayer.
A few weeks ago, I preached a sermon that ended with an introduction to a particular kind of prayer called the Examen. It’s a prayer-form that is most used to help look at the day that is past and prepare for the day that is to come. This kind of praying was formally developed by St Ignatius of Loyola in the 16th century, and some of Ignatius’ modern-day students, the Jesuits, have created a form of the Examen to be used as we transition away from the pandemic.
Here’s how it goes:
First, as in any Examen, you invite God to be with you.
Or, perhaps even better, you realize that you are already in the Presence of God. And you invite God to help you look over the last year. Perhaps you could imagine sitting in a movie theatre with Jesus, watching a movie of your life over the last year.
Second, you prayerfully recall the past year. What events stand out? What people stand out? What thoughts stand out? Who or what helped you cope and thrive? Where can you see the Presence of God, who has been with you through it all—the good, the bad, and the ugly.
Third, ask God where He is leading you. What does God want you to know, to do, to be? Were there blessings tucked in with all the difficulties of the last year that tell you something about who God is, and who God is shaping you to be?
Fourth, thank God for God’s enduring Presence, especially in this time of prayer. Perhaps conclude with the Lord’s Prayer.
Fr Rick Morley
Major changes to COVID Protocols here at St. Mark's
We send out a letter yesterday with regard to the changes in protocols made by the Episcopal Diocese of NJ following the recent CDC guidance.
Weekly Offerings in June
June is Curbing Hunger Month
Monday Morning Prayer, on Facebook and YouTube
Wednesday 9am Holy Eucharist Rite II in the Sanctuary
7pm The Forum:
The Ten: A course on the Ten Commandments, on Zoom
Thursday 12noon Midday Mindfulness on Facebook
Thursday 12noon Midday Mindfulness on Facebook
Saturday 5pm Holy Eucharist Rite II
Sunday 8am Holy Eucharist Rite I
10am Holy Eucharist Rite II
(Summer schedule beginning 6/20, 9:15am)
All our services are also broadcast on Youtube and Facebook. In addition, they can be seen directly from the front page of our website.
Visit our website, stmarksbr.org for links and schedules to all upcoming services, music offerings, signups, and more.
Finance Report
2021 Year-to-Date (YTD, through April) Financial Results
- Operating Income is $181K, $16K (or 10%) above budget, driven by favorable pledge income and donations received YTD.
- Operating Expenses is $121K, -$2K (or -1%) above budget, driven by higher Grounds Maintenance expenses from snow removal, additional worship service expenses (e.g. Easter tent rental), and timing of expenses.
- Operating Net Income is $60K, $15K above budget, driven by favorable pledge income and donations.
Outreach News
Thank you all for the donations of plastic bags! We still need them coming. I am working on the next stage, which is making ropes of 20 bags in length! This process is not difficult, but the slip knots need to be pulled straight to prevent a crooked line. We would love to have some help with this step. We are working on a video of the process. Please let Dawn Knill if you are interested.
Jody Hough
Fellowship News
Parishioners enjoyed coffee at the outdoor service in May at Harry Dunham Park. We hope you can enjoy some further fellowship at the regular Sunday services soon as well.
Please consider joining your Fellowship Chair Sandy Gogerty in planning future events. A fellowship committee will be forming in the near future. We are looking forward to more outdoor activities this spring and summer with the better weather.
Building News
With warm weather upon us and COVID beaten back it is TIME for us to get our St. Marks Handy Person group socializing again with hammer in hand. There are a number of smallish projects around the church and rectory that need some TLC that we want to start work on. The list of projects and work dates will be coming out sometime this month. If you can lend a hand, let us know. The one major project we are contracting out that is starting soon is repairing the crumbling Hardieboard in the rear section building nearest the parking lot.
Laughter in the Pews
Birthdays
June 1 Megan Sinofsky
June 2 Zoe Morley
June 6 T.J. Lazo
June 7 Jane Nishimura
June 10 Jody Hough
June 11 Nicky Sant Foster
June 12 Kenny Sinofsky
Hudson Lettow
June 14 Martin Hale
June 15 Conor O’Shea
June 18 Brian Marston
June 20 Joe Lyga
Emma Lanese
June 21 Taylor Keenan
June 25 Reid Marston
Elizabeth Seitz
June 27 Hannah Timm
June 30 Erin Taylor
Anniversaries
June 9 Roger & Adi Conover
June 10 John & Marilyn Lyga
June 12 Eliot & Millicent Knight
June 13 Jim & Patty Lunny
June 18 Norm & Joan Graff
Dev & Anju Ittycheria
June 19 Bruce & Lauren Walker
June 20 Sean & Sandy Gogerty
June 24 Matthew &
Emma Lanese
June 24 Rick & Karen Morley
June 26 Bill & Susan Richardson
June 28 Chuck & Dawn Knill
Giving Garden at Ross Farm
In this, our seventh season, our Giving Garden at Ross Farm is once again planted with Spring and Summer seeds and seedlings that will provide badly-needed fresh produce to those in need in our community. In fact, we have already harvested close to 50 lbs. of lettuce, spinach, radishes and herbs and delivered to the Food Bank of Somerset County and Community Hope at the VA.
We are on pace with last season, when Covid-19-related restrictions led to a small team of garden leaders running the garden without additional volunteers. We managed to harvest 2,459 lbs., a record for the garden! As a result, we have raised our annual goal for this season from 2,000 lbs. to 2,500 lbs.!
We hope to open back up for volunteers to work garden sessions during the next month or two, so watch for future announcements.
Keansburg Soup Kitchen
We are headed down to Keansburg next Wednesday, June 2. Please click here to view our needs list as we require some (you guessed it!) meatloaves.
Thank you!
Donations to Altar Guild
Fresh flowers are always a welcome site on Sunday mornings. Please contact the office if you would like to dedicate altar flowers in memory or celebration of a loved one.
Our Online Directory
Have you downloaded our online directory app to your smart phone or tablet yet? It's really easy and so convenient to have! Follow this link for step-by-step instructions.
Prefer to use your computer? No problem! Click here for instructions on how to get connected with your computer.
Once you are in the directory you will be able to update your own information and even upload a new photo.
Give the office a call if you need any assistance.
Just a reminder, we have over 50 puzzles here in the office...our own "Puzzle Library". Feel free to come and borrow as many as you like!
GroupMe Prayer Group
Are you looking for a way to stay connected with your fellow parishioners? Well, look no further! St. Mark’s now has a group prayer chat through an app/website called GroupMe. GroupMe is a text messaging app/website that can be used on a phone, tablet, or computer. Join the group to chat and pray with other parishioners. Click the following link to join and create an account (if you don’t have one already): https://groupme.com/join_group/66032125/ewp7m7zH
Vestry Members:
Rector: The Rev. Richard M.C. Morley
Senior Warden: Jeff West
Junior Warden: Sean Gogerty
Grounds: Pete Kochek
Buildings: John Lyga
Outreach: Jody Hough
Finance: Matt Seitz
Stewardship: Shirley Baker
Christian Ed. Laura Mooney
Comm. / Evangelism: Marliese Knill
Senior Warden: Jeff West
Junior Warden: Sean Gogerty
Grounds: Pete Kochek
Buildings: John Lyga
Outreach: Jody Hough
Finance: Matt Seitz
Stewardship: Shirley Baker
Christian Ed. Laura Mooney
Comm. / Evangelism: Marliese Knill
Fellowship: Sandy Gogerty
Membership: Marcie Hanhart
Membership: Marcie Hanhart
Non-Vestry Positions:
Warden Emeritus:Joan Graff
Treasurer: Teri Passarello
Recording Treasurer: Doug Post
Assistant Treasurer: Bruce Walker
Sunday School Director: John Lyga
J2A Coordinator: Chip Rubendall
Music Director: Mike McCormick