The Lion's Roar
March, 2023
A Message from Father Rick...
We’re in the midst of our new Forum series on Exodus, and just this week we’re in chapter 3 where Moses meets God at the burning bush. When Moses sees the bush, he notes that it is “on fire” but it is “not consumed.”
The easy, traditional, interpretation of this is that this is a special fire—the presence of God—and this special fire does not burn up earthly fuel.
But, there’s another, quite intriguing, interpretation which says: with God, we may know the fire of suffering and hardship and stress, but we will not be burnt up. We go through the fire, but the fire will not finish us off.
I know that sometimes I am overwhelmed by what life throws at me. I am oftentimes emotionally overwhelmed by the work that comes my way being a priest, where people are struggling with death, loss, depression, anxiety, and fear.
To remember that we will not be consumed is a beautiful, and defiant, point. I will not be consumed. You will not be consumed.
Every day won’t be beautiful and easy, and we are never promised that. But, what God does promise us is that though we pass through fire we will emerge on the other side.
Peace, even in the fire,
Rick
This Coming Sunday
Saturday 5pm Holy Eucharist Rite
Sunday 8am Holy Eucharist Rite I
10am Holy Eucharist Rite II
9am The Forum, The Exodus
5pm Youth Group & Sunday School
Monthly Offfeings in March
Monday 10am Morning Prayer via Zoom
Wednesday 9am Holy Eucharist Rite II
7:30pm The Forum, The Exodus (on Zoom)
Daylight Savings Time - March 12th (Turn those clocks forward)
Mid-Lent Brunch - March 19th
Youth Group & Sunday School - March 5th & 19th
We are continuing youth group and Sunday school every other Sunday evening from 5-6:30, including dinner. Please check the calendar for dates.
Visit our website stmarksbr.org for links and schedules to all upcoming services, bulletins, music offerings, signups, and more.
Office Hours: Monday - Thursday, 9am-3pm. The office is closed on Friday.
Warden's Corner
You may have seen the letters ECS-NJ on Diocese level communications and wondered what it is about. It is an initiative to provide support and make connections and networks of charitable efforts that can be more effective in meeting the needs of New Jersey Communities, In the Fall of 2022, seven churches across 7 counties were the recipients of $83,330 in grants in support of new and existing ministries. I would like to offer an introduction to ECS-NJ by using the words from the Diocese of NJ website, and then provide examples of the works that have been made possible in a section further down this newsletter called “ECS-NJ News!”.
From the website:
Episcopal Community Services (ECS-NJ) is a new initiative that focuses on
proactively addressing human needs, such as food and shelter, and
relentlessly working against both social and racial injustice. We will accomplish these goals by providing grants to our ministries and projects, offering educational and training opportunities, opening crucial connections and networks, and advocating for meaningful systemic change.
proactively addressing human needs, such as food and shelter, and
relentlessly working against both social and racial injustice. We will accomplish these goals by providing grants to our ministries and projects, offering educational and training opportunities, opening crucial connections and networks, and advocating for meaningful systemic change.
The ECS-NJ grants are designed to expand existing charity and justice ministries of congregations in the Diocese and make new ones possible. Recipients are encouraged
- to meet human need in underserved and marginalized communities, especially communities of color
- To engage, collaborate, and partner with other organizations, including faith-based, secular, community, governmental, etc.
- To encourage advocacy for issues relating to social justice, including spearheading new advocacy efforts
We will continue to follow the progress and share news of ECS-NJ in our Lion’s Roar newsletters.
Martha Heiner
Senior Warden
2023 Mid-Lent Brunch - March 19th
It is time to plan the Mid Lent Brunch. Many hands make the work light.
In addition to bringing food, we need people to help with:
- Set up - the day before, 3/18, time TBD
- Kitchen help - entails heating food, setting up food, replenishing food when needed, making coffee, etc.
- Cleanup Crew
Please use this link to sign up to help and/or bring food.
Fellowship News
Coffee hour is a great time for food and fellowship, so whether you have volunteered 100 times or never before, I strongly encourage you to sign up and help out with coffee and refreshments following the Sunday 10am service.
Please click here to sign up. If you have any questions about set up, please don’t hesitate to reach out at any time!
Emma Lanese (908) 625-2953
Rummage Sale - April 21st & 22nd
Now is a great time to start gathering your donations for our upcoming sale!
We will begin accepting donations on Sunday, April 16th through Wednesday the 19th.
Please stay tuned for volunteer opportunities...setup, sorting, pricing and working the sale days. If you are not available during the day to help out, you can join a few of the volunteers who come at night for a bit to lighten the load for the morning crew.
This is our largest fundraiser and outreach event. Please consider joining the team!
ITEMS WE CANNOT ACCEPT AS DONATIONS FOR RUMMAGE SALE:
Mattresses, box springs
Electronics over 5+ years
Cribs, baby equipment over 5+ years
Sporting equipment over 5+ years
Exercise equipment
Suitcases without wheels
Analog TVs, VHS tapes or cassettes
Gas-operated machinery
Upholstered furniture
Pressboard furniture
Large entertainment cabinets
Books-only current, children's books & historical books
St. Mark's Women's Group to meet March 23rd
Last month was our first women's group in over two years and by the attendance count of 14, it was surely missed.
Please join us on Thursday, March 23rd for food and fellowship beginning at 6:30 pm in the St. Mark's kitchen and Heritage room. (This month we cannot use the hall as it will be occupied) Thank you to Marcie Hanhart for agreeing to be this month's host
If you need a ride, please contact Jody Hough at 978-290-1262.
Still have questions? Contact Dawn Knill at 908-303-7351 or dkknill@hotmail.com.
Please use this link below to RSVP and sign up. Please review the available slots and click on the button to sign up. In the notes section indicate the food you will be bringing as this will help us eliminate duplicates.
Can-Test Benefiting Curbing Hunger
Welcome to a world of fun, imagination and amazing engineering! This local competition is now an annual event where design meets a dream to complete in building structures made out of full cans/boxes of food. Your creation will be on display to the public and then ultimately will go to the Somerset County Food Bank.
You can build at home or come use the Narthex and Sanctuary space for your project between 3/7 – 3/11. Judging will be held on Monday, March 13th at St. Mark’s. (If you build offsite, please submit photos of your structure.)
Category Suggestions:
- Most imaginative
- Best structural ingenuity
- Most nutritious
- Best colors
- Most cans/boxes
- Best junior entry
If you have any questions, please reach out to Barbara Long, barbara@wabbatravel.com
ECS-NJ News!
One of the Fall 2022 Grant recipients is Grace Church, Plainfield
To Support: Plainfield Community Outreach Language Learning Center
Grant Amount: $15,000
The Community Outreach Language Learning Center will bridge the gap between two communities in the Plainfield area, by bringing together English speakers and Spanish speakers who have children or work with children in the Plainfield Community Outreach VIP after school program. The Plainfield community has changed dramatically over the past several years and has gone from predominantly African American to predominantly Latinx. This ministry advocates not only for the Spanish speaking population but equally advocates for the English speaking population, which desires to communicate with the Spanish speaking population in their community. This grant will provide funding to staff high-quality educational and enrichment programs that will enable parents and staff to improve communication and promote positive, appropriate social interaction with peers and other adults. The classes will start in January 2023 and will involve about 40 adult students by the end of the year.
Finance Report
January 2023 Financial Results
- Operating income was $65K, $8K less than Budget of $73K for the month. The variance was primarily due a timing difference of pledges of $6k at the end of the month.
- Operating expenses were $33K or $1K less than the Budget of $34K. Detailed expenses were in line with the Budget.
- Net operating income was $32K compared to the $39K Budget. The $7K variance resulted from the pledge deposit timing difference noted above.
Laughter in the Pews
March Birthdays
3/1 Nicholas Hale
3/3 Eli Seitz
3/4 Noel McCormick
3/5 Marcie Hanhart
Kaitlynn Vella
3/6 Andrew Phillips
Christopher Richardson
3/8 Louise Hale
Abigail Spindler
3/11 Caroline Graff
3/13 Lois Buesser
Jim DeCoste
Sharon Defeo
im Lunny
3/14 Nathaniel Pasquale
3/19 Kristen Glass
Julia Sanchez
3/23 Layston Badham
3/26 Gregory Heiner
James Heiner
3/27 Carol DeCoste
Martin Kendall
Ann Millan
3/28 Marilyn Lyga
Christina Iantosca
3/30 Hannah Solon
3/31 Bryan Centolanza
Anniversaries
3/5 Matthew & Elizabeth Seitz
3/7 Jeff & Libby West
3/21 Doug & Anne Post
3/23 Martin & Jean Kendall
Join our "Tech" Team
As many of you know, here at St Mark's we stream our 10AM Sunday services each week. We are looking for anyone interested in being a part of the group to assist in running the live stream. We will create a schedule ahead of time similar to the reading schedule. You can volunteer to do this as frequently as you like. There is no prior advanced technology experience required as the software is very user friendly. A tutorial will be provided for those interested. If you are interested in more information and being a part of the group please respond to this email or email Marliese Knill at knillmarliese@gmail.com
The Membership Team has been busy updating the online directory with new photos and updated contact information. It is a great tool to have the St. Mark's families easily accessible on your phone or computer. Please take a look at your entry and let us know if you would like any edits made. And remember - YOU can make any changes yourself whether it's changing out a photo or updating member information. Below are links with instructions for anyone who is not yet set up.
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.
Meal Train for the DeCoste Family
We are extending the meals for the DeCoste family for one more month, through the end of March. Please visit the link here if you are able to make a meal. This has been such a help!
Bernards Township Health Department - Upcoming Covid testing
THURSDAY, March 2nd : 9AM-1PM
THURSDAY, March 9th : 9AM-1PM
THURSDAY, March 16th : 9AM-1PM
THURSDAY, March 23rd : 9AM-1PM
THURSDAY, March 30th : 9AM-1PM
Location: Bernards Township Community Center: 289 South Maple Ave, Basking Ridge NJ, 07920
Please note: We will no longer be scheduling appointments. All testing clinics will be walk-in only. Please visit https://wellcaretccm.com to download 2 registration forms to bring with you on the day of testing.
Lenten Quiet Day/Retreat - Saturday, March 11th
All Saints' Church in Millington, NJ invites you to Praying the Psalms in Lent on 3/11 from 10am - 1:30pm. Sister Monica Clare from the Community of St. John Baptist in Mendham will lead the retreat.
This retreat day will be a time for quiet, reflection, and conversation; clearing away some of our day-to-day noise to listen to God and desires of our hearts.
Register by March 6th via email to The Rev. Vicki McGrath at allsaints_rector@hotmail.com or all 908-647-0067
Cost is $10; a simple lunch is included
Vestry Members:
Rector: The Rev. Richard M.C. Morley
Senior Warden: Martha Heiner
Junior Warden: Chuck Knill
Buildings: Ben Hargy
Christian Ed. Kristen Hauser
Comm. / Evangelism: Marliese Knill
Fellowship: Emma Lanese
Finance: Jamie Overley
Grounds: Steve Kujan
Membership: Lily Chan
Outreach: Jody Hough
Stewardship: Gerald Creighton
Non-Vestry Positions:
Warden Emeritus: Sean Gogerty
Treasurer: Teri Passarello
Recording Treasurer: Doug Post
Assistant Treasurer: Bruce Walker
Music Director: Mike McCormick
Warden Emeritus: Sean Gogerty
Treasurer: Teri Passarello
Recording Treasurer: Doug Post
Assistant Treasurer: Bruce Walker
Music Director: Mike McCormick
Parish Admin: Ann Millan