RE:MARK’S AUGUST 2018

SUNDAYS IN AUGUST

Greetings!

As we move into mid-summer, it seems things

begin to slow down. It may appear that way with

church business as well but, rest assured, your

Council members have been hard at work -

especially work related to the call process!

A Ministry Site Profile (MSP) task force has been appointed. The task

force has summarized input from the congregational study. Your

responses, along with additional information, has been used by the

MSP task force to generate a draft of the Ministry Site Profile. The

task force chair presented the draft at the July 9th Council meeting.

Council members were asked to review the document and provide

feedback to the task force by July 27. Plans are for the MSP and

accompanying documents to be submitted to Council for final

approval at the August 13th meeting.

Meanwhile, Council has suggested individuals to serve on our Call

Committee. A selection process is underway with the goal of

approving the Call Committee at the August 13th Council meeting.

The Call Committee will use the Ministry Site Profile in their training.

It is anticipated this training will take place in late August.

By mid-September or early October, the call committee should be

receiving candidate recommendations from the bishop and interviews/

conversations will begin. The Ministry Site Profile will be shared with

all candidates the call committee considers.

We are in alignment with the timeline presented by Bishop Smith to

Council at our April 28th meeting! This is good news! Please continue

praying for our congregation as we move through this process.

Sincerely In Christ,

Eve Kindley

Council President

Important Meeting—

For all St. Mark’s

members/friends:

Please join us Sunday, August 19th

at 9:45am in the fellowship hall for

an update on the progress made on

our “Vision 2020” Strategic Plan.

We’ll also provide an update on

where we are in the call process.

August 5th Pentecost XI

8:30 & 11:00 Holy Communion 9:45 Faith Formation

August 12th

Pentecost XII 8:30 & 11:00 Holy Communion

9:45 Faith Formation

August 19th Pentecost XIII

8:30 & 11:00 Holy Communion 9:45 Vision 2020 Update—

Fellowship Hall 9:45 Faith Formation

12:00 Faith Formation Team Meeting

August 26th

Pentecost XIV 8:30 & 11:00 Holy Communion

9:45 Faith Formation

CALL PROCESS UPDATE

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Dear St. Mark’s Disciples,

(The Very Rev. Ian Markham is the Dean and President of Virginia Theological Seminary.

He has given me permission to reprint his article from the Spring Issue of his seminary’s

magazine. In thanking him for his thoughts, I told him that I could have written the same

article. Therefore, I’ll substitute Lutherans for Episcopalians.)

Lutherans are all about balance. On the one hand, we must resist the temptation to turn our Lord Jesus Christ

into a member of the U.S. Congress from Galilee South who opines on every single injustice (as we see it)—

from the major to the minor—and turns every sermon into an extension of MSNBC. On the other hand, we

must resist the temptation to ignore the fact that social justice is a major theme of the Prophets and the

Gospels. It might be easier to imagine that Christianity is simply about life, individual moral behavior, and life

after death. The Church is not a social club for potluck suppers with all the right people. We need to find the

balance, the biblical balance.

So how do we find this balance? Let us start with the truth that we are in the business of cosmic truth. We

preach a God who created this vast universe, using the messy processes of evolution, to enable humanity to

have a close relationship with God. We preach the challenge of human frailty and brokenness which inflicts

hurt on those around us. We preach the Good News of an Incarnation that creates the gift of grace through the

cross that can, through no credit of our own, bring us into a right relationship with God and each other. We

locate this entire drama, the mystery of divine and human love, in the context of liturgy. It is this cosmic

framework that makes Sunday morning different. Unlike cable news, we locate our lives in a vast narrative

that locates our smallness within a perspective of cosmic love. Any preacher who loses sight of this framework

is failing the congregation.

Yet the task of the preacher is to connect with the congregation. Liturgically, the congregation has heard from

the written Word (in the form of the Old Testament, Psalm, and Epistle) and from the Eternal Word (in the

form of the Gospels). In the proclaimed Word, the preacher should now connect the written and Eternal Word

with the moment in which the congregation is located. Sometimes words of challenge; sometimes it is

instruction and clarification, grounded in the text of Scripture.

Balance is best found with a sense of perspective. The truth about the political is that there are many sides.

Part of the Lutheran ethos is to teach that being ethical is not simply a set of conclusions about God and

society; rather, the Lutheran ethos is about the process of reaching those conclusions and living with the

questions. In other words, we should witness to the need for civility—the capacity to understand different

viewpoints, the need for conversation, and the important imperative of not demonizing the other. We should

offer our political perspective with some humility, always recognizing that it is a deep sin to use the

proclaimed Word as a political tool.

A sense of perspective means that we make sure we distinguish between the major and the minor. Explicit

racism and the emergence of white supremacists are deep sins. You might hold strong views about health care

or tax reform, but these are second order issues compared to the deep sin of denying and the fundamental

equality of all. Getting the biblical balance means picking our moments. Our task is to focus on God, the

gospel, and sin in all its forms. Sometimes, occasionally, the confrontation is political, and, in keeping with the

cosmic theses of our preaching, those moments are always the fundamental questions, never the contestant

back and forth of the political debate of the country. May God help us to find that biblical balance.

Pastor Trexler

A WORD FROM OUR INTERIM

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1 Jean Castle

2 Sierra Chick, Samantha Kirby

3 Nate Mueller, David Schmidt

4 Nadia Miller

5 Kirk Johnson

8 Al Seale, Laura Van Tassel

9 Elizabeth Schneider

10 Spencer Stone

11 Brody Powell

12 Lauren Hefner, Naomi Otterness,

Bryan Short

14 Debbie Layne

17 Ryan Hutson, Sara Niedenthal

19 Bonnie Richards

21 Trudy Streilein

22 Doug Aanonsen

23 Claire Lewis

24 Allison Weems

26 Matthew Roe

27 Grace Schmidt

28 Ed Malkin

30 Mary Dudde

31 Erin Bonawitz-Roe, Aaron Neighbors

5 Jim & Trudy Streilein

6 Eric & Kristina Lewis

7 Bill & Anne Sites

11 Chris & Alice Brown

14 Norm & Bonnie Richards

Bill & Alice Silver

22 Randy & Kari Warren

Save the Date - Rally Day is

September 2nd!

Always Being Made New – Rally Day

2018 Get ready to kick off another year

of learning and growing in faith

together! During this intergenerational event, there

will be activities for adults, youth and children as we

remember our baptism, and practice

different ways to live lives of discipleship.

Join us in the Fellowship Hall on Sunday, September

2nd at 9:45. Children will also get to meet their

teachers, and adults will get a preview of what Faith

Formation classes will be offered this upcoming

year!

ST. MARK’S HAPPENINGS

Faith Formation Team Meeting

Sunday, August 19

The Faith Formation Team

(Children and Youth) will meet in

the Library on Sunday, August 19. Lunch will be

provided.

Please let Deacon Katie know if you are unable to

attend.

*New* Faith Formation Class—

August 5-26

Extraordinary Ordinary Plainchant,

polyphony, and pop tunes, oh my! Do

you crave counterpoint? Does flamenco

fire your feet? Then don’t miss Extraordinary

Ordinary, taught by Rev. James Aydelotte and

Cantor David Anderson. This class will examine the

mass ordinary, those parts of a worship service

which remain constant through the church year.

We will learn about the sources of the texts and their

function in the liturgy. We will also listen to how the

texts have been set to music, from the earliest

Gregorian chants to settings by contemporary

composers. This class meets in the library.

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SCOTTIE MILLER’S MATERNITY LEAVE DETAILS

Scottie is having a baby and will be taking maternity leave from mid-October through

December, returning in the New Year. In order to keep the ball rolling at St. Mark’s we

wanted to update you on who would be doing what while Scottie is away starting in October:

Phones/Door/Office Duties – We are very blessed to have a wonderful group of “Office

Angels” who help out when Scottie is on vacation. They are going above and beyond their duties to be in the

office for the full time Scottie is gone. These angels will be in the office from 9am-4pm Mon-Thurs and 9-12

on Friday. They will answer the phone and doors and help with general office needs. Please note that when

you come to the church, they will ask you who you are (as the camera makes it quite difficult to see who is

standing downstairs) – so don’t be surprised if this happens each time you visit St. Mark’s.

Calendar/Room Details – Deacon Katie has graciously agreed to be the Calendar Queen. Please

remember that what you may see online, is not always 100% accurate. If you need a room, now or in the

future, please contact the office to reserve your space. Katie can be reached through the office line or via

email—ph# 828.253.0043 or katierivers@stmarkslutheran.net

Communication – Cantor David will be your Communication Specialist for the time Scottie is out. This

includes: Website, emails (Mini marks), newsletters (Re:Mark’s), inserts (Markings), and Worship Assistants.

Please honor the deadline of the 15th of the month for the newsletter (Re:Mark’s) as David will need time to

organize everything – along with everything else he does. David can be reached through the office

828.253.0043 or cantordavid@stmarkslutheran.net

Finances – Henry Ulrichs (Treasurer) and Jim Bassler (Finance Chair) have wonderfully agreed to take on all

the finances. Including contributions, bill pay, monthly reports, and budgets. They understand the importance

of confidentially and will honor this during and even after their time as “Scottie”. If you need to get in contact

with them, please do so through the church – 828.253.0043.

Prayer Lists – Alice Silver has agreed to be the sole contact for the Prayer Lists requests – she can be

contacted via phone or email—ph#828.776.4375 or aliceslvr2007@yahoo.com.

Thank you all for being patient with everyone that is helping out in Scottie’s absence. It takes a village!

If there are questions regarding any of the above, please contact Scottie (828.253.0043) – she

will be in the office until mid-October. Scottie will resume her duties in January 2019.

ST. MARK’S HAPPENINGS

Weekly Book Study starts back up—Monday, August 13th at 1:30pm

Daughter of the Reformation - "How would you like to have been married to Martin

Luther? Ask any woman and she might say, "Heaven forbid!" He was such a towering figure

that any lesser human being might be suffocated. Daughter of the Reformation, by Mary R.

Jackson helps us understand how Catharina von Bora emerged to become not only Luther's

soul mate, but his partner in the Reformation.

We welcome all to join our weekly discussion of this book as Book Study resumes at 1:30 on Monday, August

13th in the Library.

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It was a super busy summer for the

Racial Healing Team (RHT).

Here’s a rundown of everything that

happened:

Saturday, June 23rd we had a tremendously fun joint

VBS Celebration with our WNC Baptist Fellowship

friends. Kids and adults from both congregations

had so much fun playing games, sharing a lunch

together and enjoying snow cones. Many thanks to

Deb Layne, Kathryn Laveck, Mary Dudde, and

Barbara Bassler for being on the St. Mark’s half of

the planning committee.

In addition to this joint celebration several St.

Mark’s members participated for a second year in

the Urban Interdenominational VBS held at

Kenilworth Church. Under the planning and

direction of Joan Galvin, St. Marks planned and

taught the craft sessions for children, ages 3 – 17,

including making prayer journals, suncatchers, and

pocket crosses, supporting this year’s theme of

“Community”. Craft materials for 50+ children

were provided thanks to a Thrivent Grant.

The RHT also welcomed Father Jim Abbott to talk

about the history of black people in Western North

Carolina from pre-Civil War through to modern day.

Plus, we watched “Traces of the Trade” together and

discussed it. Together we took more steps together

to understand racism and ourselves.

Here’s what’s coming up in August and September,

please save the dates!

Saturday morning, August 23rd--We will have

another joint breakfast with WNCBF followed by

another offering of the Dismantling Racism course

taught by Christians for a Unity Community.

Sunday morning, September 16th--We will have

an awesome joint Sunday School and Service with

our WNCBF brothers and sisters downtown at the

Roger McGuire Green on Pack Square downtown.

More to come about both of these great events.

HOW ST. MARK’S IS INVOLVED IN THE COMMUNITY…

GET INVOLVED

August ABCCM Collection:

Food & Supplies Ingathering.

You will find a grocery bag in

your pew on Sunday, August 5.

Why?

We hope you will fill it with food items and other

supplies for the ABCCM Crisis Ministry.

Here are some things that are needed:

Self -rising flour

Cans of corn, baked beans, peas and beans

Cans of tuna fish and chicken

Bags of sugar

Jars of peanut butter and jelly

Roll of paper towels and toilet paper

Hygiene products

Used clothing in good condition

Please place your bags at the bottom of the stairs.

Thank you. Christian Action Team (CAT)

RACIAL HEALING TEAM

AUGUST SCRIPTURE

Sunday Scripture Lessons: Sunday, August 5th: Exodus 16:2-4,

9-15; Psalm 78:23-29; Ephesians 4:1-

16; John 6:24-35

Sunday, August 12th: 1 Kings 19:4-8; Psalm 34:1-

8; Ephesians 4:25—5:2; John 6:35, 41-51

Sunday, August 19th: Proverbs 9:1-6; Psalm 34:9-

14; Ephesians 5:15-20; John 6:51-58

Sunday August 26th: Joshua 24: 1-2a, 14-18;

Psalm 34:15-22; Ephesians 6:10-20; John 6:56-69

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CHUCKLE CORNER

NEWS AND UPDATES

FINANCIAL REPORT JUNE 2018

Operating Fund June YTD Income budgeted $42,533 $255,198 Gifts received $47,793 $260,616 Expenditures $37,388 $231,806 Difference $ 10,405 $ 28,810 Building Fund June YTD Gifts received $ 8,841 $37,673 Amount needed $ 2,201 $13,849 Difference $ 6,640 $23,824 Loan balance 6/30/18 $281,134 Rooted in Faith: Balance of funds as of 6/30/18: $217,893 Bills paid as of 6/30/18: $513,122

Mid-Year Financial Statements

In our efforts to continue to “Go

Green”, we will not be printing out

mid-year financial statements.

If you would like to know where you stand with

your giving’s and pledges, please contact Scottie at

828.253.0043 or stop by the office. She will be

happy to provide any information you may need.

Rummage Sale Success!

God’s Work, Our Hands.

$4,304.73 raised for

Transformation Village

Thanks be to God that on July 21st, St. Mark’s was

alive with the Holy Spirit. It was a day of laughter,

music, food, Blue Light specials, and welcoming

new brothers and sisters into our church. It was a

day that encouraged many people to recycle and

realize the great joy and satisfaction in giving

“things” away and decluttering their lives. Over half

of the donations sold came from people outside our

church.

Before the sale, items were donated to individuals

and WNC Baptist Fellowship. Unsold items were

donated to:

Habitat for Humanity

Brother Wolf Animal Rescue

Methodist Church Bear Closets

ABCCM

Homeward Bound

Sister’s Attic (Marshall)

Praise God that so many people’s lives will be

touched by this project!

Thank you, thank you, thank you from the Christian

Action Team (CAT) to all the people who worked so

hard and so cheerfully to make this event happen.

Thank you for cleaning out your closets, for hours of

tagging and sorting, for prayers and heavy lifting!

Special thanks to those who stayed Saturday

afternoon to clean up.

Please continue to pray for our brothers and sisters

on the streets in Asheville and pray that we as a

church will be led to serve more neighbors.

If this project inspired you, please come join us at

the Christian Action Team meeting the first Monday

of each month at 6:30. Upcoming events are

Steadfast House meal on the third Friday of each

month and Crop Walk for Hunger on September

30th.

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ST. MARK’S PRAYER LIST August 2018

MEMBERS

SHUT-INS: Polly Book (Mars Hill Retirement Center), John Yoder (Brian Center), Natalia Gohdes (Mountain Valley), Jean Hackerson (The Baptist Home) HOSPITALIZED/REHAB: ILL/RECOVERING: Silas Noel, Jack Wilson, Becky Dyer, Alice Brown, Eleanor Kittel, Linda Palazzolo; Margie Ackley; Dorene Lassiter; Beverly Matter; Karen Longhouser; John Rauschenberger GRIEVING: Family and friends of 12-year old Derrick LaQuinn Lee Jr, a member of WNC Baptist, who was killed recently. SPECIAL REQUESTS: John Yoder is experiencing serious complications with infections; Blake Crownover—save and happy journey on the Appalachian Trail DEPLOYED: IN UNDERGRADUATE COLLEGE: Nicholas Dudde, Sierra Kindley, Julia Rhodes, Nancy Dodenhoff, Katherine Webb, Jamie Rhodes, Max Schmidt JOYS / CELEBRATIONS: Matt and Erin Bonawitz-Roe welcomed Annalise Emma Roe on Monday, July 23rd ; Vicar Matt and Samantha Gonzalez-Block are engaged; Scottie Miller is expecting a baby girl in October

RELATIVES Rev. Harold Miller, Carol Sturm’s uncle has lung cancer

Gary Stasko, Jill Hutson’s brother-in-law, diagnosed with an aggressive form of prostate cancer

Jane Hunt, Beverly Rauschenberger’s sister, diagnosed with cancer

FRIENDS The refugee crisis in Europe & the victims of terrorist attacks and their families

Our men and women serving in the military and their families

For racial healing here in Asheville

The victims and families of mass shootings here in the US and around the world

Grace Lutheran Church and all they are doing for the Latino community here in Asheville

The families and children who are from being separated

Allan Hermes, friend of Hildie & Ray Polasky and son of Karen Hermes. He had to have a foot amputated and facing dialysis. Edward Thompson, Carl Schreck’s friends 13 year old son, is recovering from a stem cell transplant to treat Lymphoma Rachel Kordonowy, Debbie Layne’s bosses daughter, has ongoing health issues and doctor’s cannot determine the cause Lonnie Guffie, Debbie Layne’s coworker, her father is experience heart issues

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St. Mark’s Lutheran Church PO Box 8608 Asheville, NC 28814

ST. MARK’S LUTHERAN CHURCH

10 N. Liberty Street, Asheville, NC 28801 Mail: P.O. Box 8608, Asheville, NC 28814 Phone: 828.253.0043 Fax: 828.252.1181

E-mail: admin@stmarkslutheran.net Website: www.stmarkslutheran.net

STAFF: Interim Senior Pastor: William B. Trexler

Director of Discipleship & Faith Formation: Deacon Katie Rivers

Cantor: David Anderson Parish Administrator: Scottie Miller

Pastor of Caring Ministries: The Rev. Linda McHenry

Seminary Intern: Vicar Mat Hoffman Facilities Manager: Eileen Cram

Custodian: Gage Hampton Ministry Coordinator: Debbie Layne

Nursery Director: Ginger Dixon

Church Office Hours: Mon—Thurs 8:30—4:30

Fri 8:30—12:30

OUR MISSION: Making disciples by loving Christ, growing in faith, serving all people

OUR VISION:

Transforming lives through God’s grace as an inclusive, intergenerational congregation

through Worship, Outreach, Learning and Fellowship