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May 2015
St. Mark’s News Volume 19/Issue 5
From the Rector
Among the many adjectives that describe St. Mark’s, on the top of the list is consistently the adjective
“generous.” The members of our parish are generous with their time, with their talent, and with their
treasure. You generously give to the mission and ministry of St. Mark’s – to ministries that support our
life together as a community of worship and formation, and to ministries that take us into the community.
You also give generously to causes outside the mission and ministry of St. Mark’s (Multiple Sclerosis,
Cystic Fibrosis, AIDS, Eating Disorders, Juvenile Diabetes, for example). Because of your faithful and
generous stewardship we were able to add a line item to the budget for 2015: Special Projects 2015 in the
amount of $31,604.00. It has been my conviction that we needed to be faithful and wise with this treasure
you have entrusted us with as we seek to serve God and God’s people. In general discussions about how
we might allocate the money we have talked about a two-fold focus: outreach and worship (particularly
worship at the 9:00 a.m. service).
The Austin ministry, Mobile Loaves and Fishes began when five parishioners of St. John Neumann
Catholic Church answered God’s call to “Love your neighbor as yourself.” Alan Graham and his friends
began delivering meals out of the back of a minivan to men and women living on the streets of the city.
That first trip was in September of 1998. Since that first delivery Mobile Loaves and Fishes has served
over 4 million meals, and with the support of more than 18,000
volunteers they are the largest prepared feeding program to the
homeless and working poor in Austin. Their newest venture is
the Community First! Village. Through their years of feeding
the homeless grew a vision for housing the homeless as well.
But the vision was larger than simply putting a roof over the
heads of those who needed shelter; the vision was one of
providing the chronically homeless with a community in which
to live. The vision is in the process of becoming a reality on 27
acres of land adjacent to the Expo Center.
In March, Donna Emery, the Director for Development for
Mobile Loaves and Fishes, came to St. Mark’s to talk to us about the Community First! Village, and to
invite us to be one of the first Episcopal churches in Austin to be involved with the project. As of
Saturday, April 25, there will have been three groups of St. Mark’s parishioners (about 40 of us) who
have had the opportunity to tour the site. Among the builders of the Village is our parishioner, Tim
Hendricks, who is the Senior VP for Cousins Properties.
The goal in the next two years is to provide housing for 250 – 300 homeless men and women. There will
be three housing options: 5th Wheel RV’s, Micro-Homes, and Canvas-Sided Cottages. In addition to
housing, the Community First Village will have:
In this Issue
From the Rector ......................... 1
Vestry Highlights ........................ 2
Parish Life .................................. 4
Music Notes ............................... 4
Christian Formation ................... 6
Parishioner Highlights ................ 9
Celebrations ............................ 11
Caffeine Ministry ...................... 11
ROTA ....................................... 12
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Places for Worship, Study, and Fellowship
A Memorial garden and columbarium
A community garden
Chickens, goats, bees
A medical facility for physical and mental health
Walking trails
An Alamo Drafthouse provided outdoor theater
A B&B for mission visits
So what does this mean for us at St. Mark’s? The Micro-Homes cost $20,000 each. At the Vestry
meeting on April 21, the vestry approved the recommendation that St. Mark’s purchase one of the Micro-
Homes for the Village. In addition to purchasing a home, there are, and will be, additional opportunities
for parish involvement in the Village. On Sunday, May 17 at 10:00 we will invite everyone who has
visited the Village (or is interested in doing so) to meet and brainstorm how else we can continue to be
involved in the months and years to come. I am excited about this “special project for 2015” and look
forward to seeing ways in which our own life together as a community of faith might be affected by
meeting and working alongside those people who are “least among us.”
St. Mark’s has responded to Christ’s mandate to love our neighbors as ourselves in innumerable ways.
We feed the hungry, we visit those in prison, we give homeless women the gift of a warm shower, we
purchase fans in the summer for the elderly and disabled, we collect diapers for those served by the
Diaper Bank, we have helped build homes with Habitat for Humanity….and this is not an exhaustive list.
And now we will give a chronically homeless person the gift of a home in a new community of hope and
dignity. The phrase that came to my mind during the tour of the Village was “passionate compassion.”
This passionate compassion is contagious and I am thankful we have been infected.
EZT+
Vestry Highlights
The St. Mark’s Vestry met in the Bennett Wing classroom at 7:00 p.m. on Tuesday, April 21. The meeting
opened with the Collect for St. Anselm, whose feast day it was. The agenda and minutes from the March
meeting were approved, with specification that teens under the age of 18 would need to be accompanied by a
parent for the Costa Rica trip.
Elizabeth+ reported on a 3/24 meeting that she and Joanne attended (with our plumber included by conference
call) re. the still outstanding plumbing bill that was the result of damage done by Google Fiber to the main
waste water line. The dispute is still unresolved. Her report also included: the Meditation Trail cleanup went
well on 3/28 (having been rescheduled due to rain the previous week); the Good Friday Meditation Trail
service was well attended (@100); 565 people worshiped with us on Easter (30 at 7:30, 246 at 9:00, and 289 at
11:00); the parking lot was restriped on Easter Monday; Michele Bonner will meet with the Commission on
Ministry on 4/24 re. her application for the bi-vocational priesthood. Elizabeth+ then proposed that rather than
participating in the 2015 Habitat for Humanity build, we use the budgeted $6500 towards the purchase of a
$20,000 Micro-Home for the Community First! Village. In addition to that $6500 we have two other financial
sources from which to draw: $6900 in the designated Outreach fund (from which we have been funding mini-
grants) and the $31,600 line item for 2015 special projects. The vestry voted to approve the purchase of a
Micro-Home. The vestry also voted to approve sending Habitat $1000 for the 2015 Build.
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Nate+ reported on the MeetUp initiative and said that numbers dwindled the last two meetings. He also
reported on the Newcomers’ wine and cheese at the Turner’s home on 4/19. There were 29 people present and
they represented people who have been new to the parish in the past 3 years. There were three discussion
groups, and three questions to answer. Discussion was lively, interesting, and helpful. One of the findings was
that our Newcomers ministry does a good job of welcoming, but less so of connecting newcomers to various
ministry opportunities.
The Junior Warden, Diana Stangl, reported on recent Meditation Trail activity: the large cross in the outdoor
classroom space was knocked over by someone(s) the weekend of April 11, and the weekend of April 18
someone(s) marked the entire trail with pink ribbons tied around trees and Stations of the Cross markers. The
Senior Warden, JP Kloninger, reported that we have had to cancel the Costa Rica trip in July due to an
insufficient number of participants. Travis Smith+ has indicated interest in having people from his parish join
us during the summer of 2016, so we are going to reschedule for a year from now. Diana Stangl also gave the
Finance Committee report. Our financial contributions year to date are at 125%. The area in which we have
spent over budget is on our facilities: roof repairs and plumbing repairs to name two. For the month of March,
income exceeded expenses by $9,410.
Other reports included Education, Outreach, Parish Life, and Day School. The meeting concluded with
Compline.
Summer Worship Schedule Begins June 7
Sunday, May 31 is our last Sunday of three services. On June 7 we will begin our summer worship
schedule of Sunday services at 8:00 a.m. and 10:00 a.m.; Wednesday evenings at 6:00 p.m. in Grace
Chapel. We will resume our three service schedule on September 6.
Thomas Temperli prepares for a trip to Israel
As a result of both a seminary-required course on Ministry Across Cultures and my own long-standing personal
interest in contemporary culture and politics in Israel and Palestine, I will be going on a three week trip to Israel
this June. My time in Israel will be spent getting to know two Palestinian Episcopal priests and their parishioners,
both of whom minister to Arab-speaking parishes in the Episcopal Diocese of Jerusalem. Both priests minister to
groups of people who are ethnic and/or religious minorities.
I plan to spend the first half of my trip with Father Nael Abu Rahmoun at Christ Church in Nazareth, and the
second half of my trip with Father Fadi Diab at St Andrew’s Church in Ramallah in the occupied West Bank. I
expect that this trip will be highly informative in terms of understanding the Christian population in the Middle East
and understanding the effects that the current political situation has on Jews and Arabs alike. I look forward to
sharing what I learn with you all in the Fall.
Peace,
Thomas Temperli
To learn more about the Episcopal Diocese of Jerusalem, visit them on line at http://www.j-diocese.org/. If you
would like to make a financial contribution to this student travel opportunity, please contact Thomas.
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Parish Life
First Friday Book Group The First Friday Book Group meets on the first Friday of each month at 11:00 a.m. in the Bennett Wing
classroom. At our May meeting we will put together the list of “next to reads” for the next several
months. Here is what we are reading in May and June:
May 1 The Invention of Wings Sue Monk Kidd
June 5 Still Life with Bread Crumbs Anna Quindlen
p.s. We would love to hear from you what books you are reading and loving and we would love for you
to join us! Everyone is welcome to join us as her/his schedule allows.
Women's Group Our geranium/Fredericksburg Farm food fundraiser was a success! Thanks to everyone who ordered
geraniums, bought food items, or made a donation.
The next meeting of the Women's Group will be Monday, May 4, at 6:30 p.m. at the church. We will be
watching the move Julie & Julia. Instead of a potluck meal we will order pizza for the group. Please let us
know if you are coming so we enough pizza for all. You may also bring your favorite beverage (tea,
water and coffee will be available). We look forward to seeing you on Monday, May 4.
Music Notes
Mark your calendars for a very special evening in July!
On Sunday evening, July 19, the Chapel Choir of Christ United Methodist Church in Pittsburgh will present a concert at
St. Mark’s as part of their annual summer choir tour.
Located in suburban Pittsburgh, the 3,200 member Christ United Methodist Church is one of the largest Methodist
congregations in the Northeast. Nearly 250 musicians participate in the church’s eleven choral and instrumental
ensembles. Before moving to Austin, Mark Reed served as Organist and Associate Director of Music at Christ Church for
seven years.
The Chapel Choir is comprised of approximately fifty 7th- through 12th-graders. During the academic year, the Chapel
Choir sings at the early service each Sunday morning. Every summer, the choir takes several of their favorite anthems
from the year “on the road,” visiting four or five churches. This will be their first visit to Texas.
Plan now to attend this exciting concert, and consider whether you might be willing to host two or more of the choir
members (or chaperones) at your home for the night. Host families will stick around after the concert to be introduced to
their houseguests. Host families should provide breakfast (cereal, bagels, pastries, or something simple is fine!) and then
transport their guests back to the church the following morning. The students are accustomed to various
accommodations such as couches, air mattresses, host family sleeping bags, etc., in addition to regular beds.
If you are interested in helping out by serving as a host home on Sunday night, July 19,
please contact Mark Reed by email at: [email protected]
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Men of St. Mark’s Fishing Trip: June 7-9, 2015
Become a part of the fishing tradition here at St. Mark’s! This trip is a valuable time for St. Mark’s men,
young and seasoned, to bond over exaggerated story-telling, cold beer and enjoying God’s creation. After
a long day on the boats, Captain’s Quarters Inn has a pool to lounge around
and relive the day and there are plenty of restaurant choices near the motel.
We will be leaving right after church on June 7 and carpool to the coast,
returning either late Monday evening or Tuesday afternoon (depending on
your schedule). Since it is a chartered trip, the more people that come, the
lower the price…so the more the merrier! Both deep-sea fishing and bay
fishing are available, and included in either excursion is rod, reel and guides. For more information,
please contact Jim Casparis (512) 444-3096, or Nate Lee+ (703) 599-5114 or
Heifer Living Gift Market on Sunday, May 31, at noon.
There will be a petting zoo and hotdogs and ice cream to help us celebrate the
end of the Church school year and our part in Heifer’s work around the world.
Watch for sign-up sheets later this month to find out how you can help “pass on
the gift” to others during our celebration on the lawn. More information about
Heifer can be found at www.Heifer.org.
12th Annual St. Mark’s Scholarship
Golf Tournament
The St Mark’s Episcopal Church Men’s Group will host our annual golf tournament, with proceeds to endow
scholarships for our high school graduates. This year’s tournament will be played at Roy Kizer Golf Course on
Saturday, June 27, with an 8:00 AM Shotgun Start. There are three opportunities to participate this year.
Players: Player Registration Forms will be available in an envelope on the bulletin board in the Parish Hall
Volunteers: This year we are looking for volunteers to staff two committees: Tournament Event Committee, which
will put on the event; and Sponsors and Gifts Committee, which will solicit and track sponsorship donations and gifts
– contact Phil Aboussie at [email protected].
Sponsors: We will begin soliciting sponsors for this year’s tournament in the coming weeks – we greatly appreciate
your past support and hope everyone will continue to support this worthy venture.
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Join our parishioners in the fight against Cystic Fibrosis
Great Strides Walk on May 2!
St. Mark's church is our parish, and our two children, Colt (5 years old) and Willow (4 years old), also attend the Day
School. Colt and Willow both have Cystic Fibrosis (CF), a life-threatening genetic disease that primarily affects the
lungs and digestive system. An estimated 30,000 children and young adults in the United States have CF. Patients
with CF have unusually thick, sticky mucus that clogs the lungs, leading to frequent respiratory infections and blocks
the pancreas from producing enzymes to break down food. In the 1950s, most children did not live to attend
elementary school, but now thanks to new medicines produced by research the predicted survival is to 41 years old.
Before arriving at school or church, Colt and Willow wake up at 6:30 AM to start their treatments consisting of
four different inhaled medications while wearing a vibrating vest to break up the thick mucus that collects in their
lungs. All this is an attempt to minimize respiratory infections which lead to progressive damage to their lungs that
may eventually require them to get a lung transplant to survive. Twice daily treatments
are the norm when they are healthy. When they are sick, four treatments each day are
needed, which can take up to 3 hours! In addition to breathing treatments, Colt and
Willow swallow up to 25 pills throughout the day to help them digest their food and keep
them healthy.
To learn more about Colt’s and Willow's daily treatments and the latest research in CF,
please watch this video our family made: https://youtu.be/0zrW8PhdzV0
CF is classified as an orphan disease and does not qualify for significant governmental
funding. Thus, Colt and Willow are dependent upon their friends and families to fund
more research to help them breathe easier.
How to support Colt, Willow, and additional research for CF?
Take a few minutes to watch the video and learn more about the impact of CF on our
lives. https://youtu.be/0zrW8PhdzV0
Donate to help fund research by visiting the Aja's Great Strides page at www.fightcf.cff.org/goto/aja
Join us at the Great Strides 5K Walk for Cystic Fibrosis at the Austin Zoo May 2nd, 9 a.m. - This
year several families from St. Mark's will be walking with the Aja family (Dan, Nicole, Colt and Willow Aja)
(please sign up to join us by visiting our website: www.fightcf.cff.org/goto/aja )
Thank you for taking the time to learn more about CF and how it affects so many families!
Dan and Nicole Aja
Christian Formation for Adults
Adult Christian Formation for this program year concludes in May, so there are only three more Sunday
classes: May 3, 10, and 17 (there are no classes on the 24th or 31st). On May 3 and 10 Philip Turner will
conclude his series on British and American Christian Socialism in the 19th and 20th centuries. On May 17 we
will have a discussion about the Community First! Village – sharing ideas and visions for present and future
involvement in this ministry opportunity.
FYI the schedule for Adult Formation is drafted during the summer for the upcoming program year. If there
are any classes you would like to have taught, topics discussed, guests invited….contact Elizabeth+ so that she
can share your ideas with the committee (to which you are also invited to participate!).
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Christian Formation for Children by Cathy Nelson, DRE
We are just over halfway through the Season of Easter, also called The Great Fifty Days of Easter, which
runs from Easter Sunday to Pentecost Sunday. In the 4th century the church began to use this time to help
the newly baptized better understand the meaning of the sacraments and how to live their lives in Christ.
Today during this season, we still consider what Jesus’ passion, death, resurrection and ascension, the
paschal mystery of Christ, mean to us. These stories are found in the lectionary; and in readings from the
Acts of the Apostles, we learn of the healings, preaching and ministry within the early church and beyond
as they set out to change the world in the name of Jesus. We are meant to consider what this model leads
us to do and be in our time.
Many Christian educators use this time to challenge us to think about what this really means to us. One
writer says that our Easter celebration has become the “re-creation of the historical event” unlike the
Easter celebration of the early church when it was seen “as a ‘graduation’ day for new converts” and the
Great Fifty Days of Easter were used to “review and deepen their understanding of their faith—a faith
grounded in the resurrection.” http://www.reformedworship.org/author/victoria-cok
Others have pointed out that after the many preparations of Lent and Holy Week and the celebration of
Easter, life goes very quickly back to being ordinary, as though nothing has happened. And if, after the
fasting and feasting, we just go back to the status quo, we are missing the whole point.
A favorite author, Gretchen Wolff Pritchard, writes that if families take on a service project during Lent,
there is a danger that we may teach our children that caring for others is “a penitential discipline which
we take on temporarily during a season of special moral effort—the season of Christ’s suffering—and
then drop with relief when the Good News of the Resurrection is revealed and we can go back to being
happy and normal. This shows a badly distorted understanding of what the Good News is all about.”
Wolff Pritchard says that if we “set out to love our neighbor in Lent,” we should be overjoyed to continue
our efforts to follow Christ after the hearing the Good News of the Resurrection. And, she says, if you
didn’t begin in Lent, now is the perfect time to start! www.the-sunday-paper.com
In a blog titled “Jesus is risen? Now what?” the Rev. Drew Downs writes that on Easter Sunday life gets
back to normal – no more fasting or practicing Lenten disciplines, and the “Alleluias!” are back in church
again. “And yet, this is the day we celebrate the most revolutionary act in human/GOD history: the day
GOD changed the nature of the world.”
Downs says getting back to normal life doesn’t honor “the rebellious character of the Easter event or the
scope of the resurrection story.” If we can’t irrevocably change the nature of the world, then the least we
can do is change something about ourselves and about our community. We can sacrifice from our excess:
our clothes, our toys, our food.” He calls for us to act! Now!
“Who we are after Easter should be shaped by what we experienced before and through Easter: a new
revolution. A revolution that expects us to do some of the heavy lifting.”
http://drewdowns.net/2015/04/07/jesus-is-risen-now-what/
So, what are some ways families can live out this revolution? Try out new disciplines with your family or
continue with some of the Lenten practices you began in February.
Make a commitment to attend church more often.
Read Bible stories with your children from a children’s Bible.
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Practice random acts of kindness in your neighborhood.
Make a prayer list and pray for friends, family and others each day.
Use the Book of Common Prayer to find prayers to say alone or with your family during the day.
Begin the practice of blessing your children (To Bless a Child by Roy G. Pollina is on our bookshelf
in the Parish Hall.).
Join the Great Strides Walk to support the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation on May 2 with the Families
with Young Children.
Join the Church School families for another Church School Mission Sunday on May 17 at 10:00 a.m.
Participate in our Heifer Living Gift Market on May 31 to support www.Heifer.org.
Watch for information about St. Mark’s efforts to support the Community First! Village to see how
your family can help.
Shop for items needed in the food pantry at El Buen Samaritano.
Search the internet for sites that offer family-friendly activities, such as http://littlehelpinghands.org/.
Church School Schedule for May In our final Godly Play classes this year, the younger Godly Play class for Pre-Kindergartners and
Kindergartners will hear the stories The Good Shepherd and World Communion and The Synagogue and
the Upper Room. The Godly Play Two class for 1st through 5th Graders will hear the final stories about
saints of the Church, St. Elizabeth of Portugal, and St. Augustine of Hippo.
The Youth Class will meet in the Bennett Wing with Danielle Adkins, Jay Brown and Ellise Johnson for
Bible study over breakfast.
Mission Sunday, May 17 @ 10 a.m.: Instead of church school
classes, families are invited to participate in our spring Church
School Mission Sunday. The Rev. Cecilia Smith will join us to
celebrate Holy Eucharist with help from the children and adults,
and help lead us in a service project.
As our programs wind down for the summer, I want to
recognize and thank the many volunteers who gave their time
and energy to our children’s programs. Following is a list of the
people who helped with or led Chapel, Church School classes,
Youth Confirmation Class, Youth Group, Youth Lectors and
Acolytes. Not included, but equally important, are the many
parents, who assisted in meetings, services and Church School
classes. Thank you!
Also, special thanks to our many Vacation Bible School
volunteers whose names do not appear below since the roster
has not been finalized at this time. Those who work with St. Mark’s children provide our children and
youth with opportunities to experience the love and grace of God.
Danielle Akins
Ariston Awitan
Jennifer Baumgart
Clarence Bonnen
Susan Bonnen
Michelle Bonner
Anna Bryan-Borja
Bonnie Brode
Jay Brown
Kevin Cromack
Amy Farley
Scott Forrest
David Genet
Kathy Genet
Ellise Johnson
Nancy Kibler
Kim Kiplin
JP Kloninger
Michelle Lehrach
Henry Olivas
Carol Oppel
Eric Panter
Ellie Reshetniko
Vacation Bible School
registration deadline is May 1
Our program this year is Psalms and Songs
from PowerXpress. Attendees & volunteers:
please register through our website
www.stmarksaustin.org as soon as
possible! And don’t forget to tell us how you
will be helping us during the program! You
may turn your check and a copy of your
insurance information into the front office. If
you don’t have children in the program but
want to help, let Cathy Nelson know soon! You
will need to take Safeguarding God’s Children
training and go through the certification
process beforehand. It is a wonderful event
and we would love to have you join the fun!
May 2015
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Parishioner Highlights
Ronnie and Betty Lee live an extraordinarily busy life as they serve St. Mark’s and enjoy their occupations,
interests, and family. They passed their hard work ethic on to their children, and they keep going with their many
achievements. I have seen how patients react to their dog Chloe—I witnessed a true spiritual and emotional
transformation as Chloe brought peace, a smile, and many times even laughter and joy into the role of integrated
healing. So thank you both for all you do and are doing for our community and for St. Mark’s!
Beth Chenoweth
Ronnie and Betty Lee
We are the Ronnie and Betty Lee family. We have two
children and four grandchildren. Our
children are Lorri and Tony.
Lorri and her husband live in League
City and have two boys, Justin and
Andrew. She is a teacher and her
husband, Jody, is an engineer in the
oil industry. Justin just turned 18 and
will graduate from Clear Springs High School in June
with high honors. He has been accepted as a cadet at
West Point. He runs cross country and track. Andrew
is a junior at Clear Springs High School where he is on
the varsity golf team. He has been nominated to attend
Boys State in Austin this summer and is working on his
Eagle Scout project.
Tony and his wife, Kim, live in Austin with their two
children, Courtney and Cameron. Courtney is at Texas
A&M majoring in allied health with an interest in either
veterinary science or nursing. She has her vet tech
certification and has worked part time with a vet.
Cameron is a sophomore at Bowie High School and
plays percussion in the Bowie band. He works part
time at the neighborhood pool. Tony is the CFO for a
large mechanical construction company and enjoys
playing soccer. Kim is a first grade teacher at Clayton
Elementary. She enjoys working in the yard with her
beautiful plants.
The other member of our family is Chloe. She is a
certified therapy dog, and we are members of the
Therapy Pet Pals of Texas. We take Chloe to the
Texas Neuro Rehab facility and the Regency Nursing
home where she visits and kisses the therapists,
patients, and residents. It is amazing what kind of
effect she has on the patients’ rehabilitation. They
really love to have her visit.
We have lived in Austin since 1973 in Whispering Oaks
on Greenland Street, the same street as church
member Nancy Middlebrook. We have been members
of St. Mark’s since we moved here. Ronnie served on
the vestry and was an usher. He also was one of the
cooks for the chicken BBQs for many years. Betty has
served as a Sunday school teacher. Our daughter was
the first female acolyte. Both Lorri and Tony were
acolytes and active in the youth group. We were
sponsors for the junior high youth. Tony was a
counselor at Camp Allen. When we first joined St.
Mark’s the sanctuary was where the present kitchen
and parish hall are located. We were in on the planning
and construction of our present sanctuary. We were
also involved with the planning of the first columbarium
inside the sanctuary building.
We met while attending UT. Betty graduated with a
Bachelor of Arts degree and also obtained her teaching
certificate. She taught in several school districts in
Corpus Christi, Houston, and Austin. She retired last
year and now volunteers at Clayton Elementary.
Ronnie attended UT studying an engineering route to
business. He first worked as a draftsman designing
A/C systems. He moved up to running that company.
We then moved to Corpus Christi where Ronnie
managed another A/C company. He was hired by
Carrier Corp. and travelled South Texas and Louisiana
until he had an opportunity to return to Austin as a
District Manager. Later we purchased a travel agency
and we were able to enjoy traveling abroad. We sold
the agency in 2004 and Ronnie retired.
Another interest of ours is the masonic and shrine
organizations. Ronnie is Past Master of Onion Creek
Masonic Lodge and a Past Potentate of Ben Hur
Shrine. He is also a Shrine Clown with the name of
“UmPahPah” and entertains at parades, parties,
hospitals, and nursing homes. He was in charge of the
Shrine Circus for 8 years and has just retired.
We now own a travel trailer and have taken extended
trips, the latest being thru Arkansas and north to Sue
St. Marie Michigan and back home through Wisconsin.
It took 6 weeks and we traveled 5,000 miles. We love
to visit the many state parks in Texas. We have also
celebrated Mardi Gras in Louisiana the last two years.
Chloe travels with us and loves to swim in any bodies
of waters we can find.
May 2015
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May Celebrations
Birthdays Herschel Carrico 05/02
Scott Forrest 05/02
Will Jennings 05/03
John Minne 05/03
Jane Sharpe 05/04
Kathy Genet 05/05
Eleanor Goff 05/05
Jana Kay Green 05/05
Lisa Leach 05/05
Matthew Miller 05/06
Nassos Papalexandrou 05/06
Andrew Wood 05/07
Scottie Aplin 05/08
George DeMarines 05/09
Sookie Knapp 05/09
Nicolas Ruiz 05/09
Michael Davis 05/10
Joanne Foote 05/10
Harry Lipp 05/11
Pattie Rose 05/11
David Way 05/11
Matthew Awitan 05/12
Savannah Dew 05/12
Joseph Schmittou 05/13
Jean Severn 05/13
Jewellyn Forrest 05/14
Natalie Langham 05/14
Carl Niemeyer 05/14
Samuel Niemeyer 05/14
John Glover 05/15
Will Johnson 05/16
Stephen Niemeyer 05/16
Meredith Shaw 05/16
Erica Sondgeroth 05/16
Leo Paterra 05/17
Mark Reed 05/17
Vincent Geraci 05/18
Bev Hicks 05/18
Viviana Martinez 05/19
Beatrice Reshetnikov 05/19
Grace Borja 05/20
Alexis Chun 05/20
Michael Meigs 05/20
Gary Todd 05/20
Mary Tonsager 05/20
Jack Branscomb 05/22
Patrick Chandler 05/22
Quinlyn Chun 05/22
Katie Albers 05/23
Richard Branscomb 05/23
Matthew Frederick 05/23
Mary Ann Huston 05/23
Gavin Santos 05/23
Jessie Cromack 05/24
Emerson Dew 05/24
Corina Joyce 05/25
Dan Smith 05/25
Will Smith 05/25
Virginia Sullivan 05/25
Becky Nolan 05/26
Amy Papalexandrou 05/26
Robert Romero 05/26
Thomas Delamater 05/27
Glenn Peers 05/27
Kristin White 05/27
Jay Brown 05/29
Beatrice Dixon 05/29
Alex Pugh 05/29
Benjamin Martinez 05/31
Chuck Ragland 05/31
Greg Silver 05/31
Anniversaries Greta Gonzales & Kevin Brady 05/01
Kathy & David Genet 05/06
Robin Bridgewater & Lee Wagner 05/07
Ann & Roger Seyler 05/07
Maria & Michael Fuhrman 05/11
Jean & Gene Main 05/11
Beth & Mike Brode 05/12
Bradley & Barron Johnson 05/13
Jennifer & Mark Santos 05/18
Alicia & Aaron Barker 05/21
Elizabeth & Martin Mufich 05/22
Mary Carole & Britt Sitzes 05/24
Mary-Alis & Brian Kelly 05/25
Elizabeth & PhilipTurner 05/25
Heather & Mehron Azarmehr 05/26
Emily & Mark Mazac 05/27
Tara & Robert Pitt 05/27
Susan Baxter-Harwell & Phillip Harwell 05/28
Jennifer & Glen Baumgart 05/29
Sarah Stassney-Chun & David Chun 05/31
Megan & Matthew Frederick 05/31
Caffeine Ministry
3 Early Wes Raney 24 Early Ken and Jackie Whalen
Late Audrey and Evan Randall Late Carol and Gary Todd
10 Early Julie and Kyle Rush 31 Early Danielle Adkins
Late Emily and Clint Rogers Late Heifer Helpers
17 Early Sarah Tso and Dee Ann Thomasson
Late John and Randa Stephenson
Early: Arrive 15 minutes before 9 a.m. service, make lemonade, set out cookies, etc. (Coffee will already be
made.) Late: After 11 a.m. service, replenish cookies, and other supplies. After hospitality time, clean up all
containers. Complete instructions are in the kitchen above the coffee maker. *If you are unable to make your
time, contact the vestry member for May: David Randle.
May 2015
Page 11
May ROTA
TIME MINISTRY May 3 May 10
Youth Sunday May 17
May 24
Youth Sunday May 31
7:3
0
LECTOR Margarita Moreno Jon Dullnig Jonea Raney Nancy Middlebrook Jill Collins
LEM/ACOLYTE Jill Collins Jonea Raney Pattie Rose Wes Raney Margarita Moreno
USHERS Beth Chenoweth
Mary Smith
Danielle Adkins
Stephen White Judith & Jon Dullnig
Jonea Raney
Jill Collins
Ed Shipsey
Al McKinney
9:0
0
LECTORS Mike Fuhrman (1)
Dodie Wells (2)
Suzanne Lightsey
Ethan Fuhrman
Ginny Acker (1)
Phil Aboussie (2)
Will Kelly
Ryan Dempsey
Davis Fuhrman
Becky Janes (1)
Nancy Kibler (2)
LEM Thom Temperli
Lynn Edgerton Tom Schneider
Becky Janes
Pam Castles
Kim Buckner
Mike Thomasson
Bill Kibler
Lynn Edgerton
ACOLYTES
Claudia Janes
Ethan Fuhrman
Henry Janes
TBD
Carol, Kim K.
Aidan Brady
Meredith Childs
TBD
TBD
Kim K.
Ariston Awitan IV
TBD
Matthew Awitan
Henry Janes
Kim B.
Clay Buckner
Will Kelly
Hunter Rogers
Nora Kelly
Kim B., Kim K.
Suzanne Lightsey
Ethan Fuhrman
Henry Janes
TBD
Carol, Kim K.
USHERS
Mark Breen
Dee Ann Thomasson
Dodie Wells
Glen Baumgart
Mike Brode
Phil Aboussie
Ross Ramsey
Ken Whalen
Michael Brown
Ariston Awitan III
John Edgerton
Lynn Edgerton
Kevin Cromack
Mark Breen
Mike Brode
Ken Whalen
John Edgerton
GREETERS Maria & Mike Fuhrman Meredith Childs
Kevin Cromack Kim Buckner
Michael Meigs
Diana Stangl Kim Buckner
11
:00
LECTORS Suzann Dvorken (1)
Michele Bonner (2)
Dave Elkins (1)
Roger Seyler (2)
Eric Panter (1)
Barbara Dody (2)
Kevin Childs (1)
Meredith Childs (2)
Suzann Dvorken (1)
Cindy Bogard (2)
LEM Rex White
Brenda White Thom Temperli
Dru Cabler
Jim Casparis
Sandy Sterzing
Liz Davis
Michelle Bonner
Jay Brown
ACOLYTES
Winston Baxter-Harwell
Asher Eaton
Evelyn Eaton
Emma Baxter-Harwell
Jay, Cindy
Bonnie Brode
TBD
Emma Kloninger
Meredith Shaw
Jay, Cindy
Matt Forrest
Karen Milton
Ben Forrest
Sam Forrest
Jay, Cindy
Sophie Lawrence
Luke Thiessen
Ryan Dempsey
Claire Dempsey
Jay, Cindy
Jim Casparis
Max Genet
Josef Genet
Elijah Gallardo
Jay, Cindy
USHERS
Carolyn & James Wier
Bo Overstreet
Rick Tennant
John De Marines
John Works
Jim Casparis
Charles Brewer
Bob Peterek
Manuel de la Rosa
Jim Nolan
Ryan Marquess
Henry Olivas
Yvonne Chavez
Darlene Goodnight
Debbie Thornal
Sandy Sterzing
Jean & Frank Severn
Jodi & Jay Doran
Pam & David Johns
Sue Borel
Carolyn Wier
Jim Casparis
Henry Olivas
Frank Severn
GREETERS Frank Severn
Laura Merritt
Shelly Botkin
Ryan Marquess
Yvette Webb
Jay Doran
Steve Niemeyer
Barbara Dody
Yvette Webb
Jay Doran
ALT
AR
GU
ILD
Sat.
9:00
Jonea Raney-TC
Jill Collins
Carolyn Wier
Pat Bullock
Dee Ann Thomasson-TC
Dodie Wells
Barbara Dody
Susan Baxter-Harwell
Millie Casparis-TC
Tina Stonebarger
Judy Elkins
Lynn Edgerton
Meredith Childs-TC
Helen Anderson
Henry Olivas
Cynthia Archer
Elijah Gallardo
Diana Stangle-TC
Karen Milton
Liz Davis
Darlene Goodnight
Debbie Thornal
Depositor Diane Brewer Jim Casparis John De Marines Bo Overstreet Jim Nolan
WED. 6 p.m. May 6 May 13 May 20 May 27 June 3
Lector Jill Collins Michele Bonner Rex White Jonea Raney Pattie Rose
May 2015
Page 12
Vestry Committees Staff
J.P. Kloninger, Sr. Warden
Diana Stangl, Jr. Warden
Vestry members:
Clarence Bonnen, Michele
Bonner, Shelly Botkin, Mark
Breen, Jill Collins, John
Cooper, Karen Dulaney Smith,
Suzann Dvorken, David Johns,
Nancy Kibler, Karen Milton,
Jim Nolan, and David Randle
Acolytes: Jay Brown, Carol
Oppel, Cindy Cabler, Kim Kiplin, and
Kim Buckner
Altar Guild: Millie Casparis
Building Committee:
Amelia Sondgeroth
Christian Formation:
Cathy Nelson
Communications:
Pattie Rose
Daughters of the King:
Lisa Martin
Women of St. Mark’s:
Pat Bullock
Facilities: Ray Smith
Finance: John Edgerton
Outreach: Becky Poynot and
Laurie Mayor
Parish Life: Brenda White
Pastoral Care/Health Ministry:
Jonea C.S. Raney
Stewardship:
Amelia Sondgeroth
Ushers: Henry Olivas
Rector
The Rev. Elizabeth Zarelli Turner
Assistant Rector
The Rev. Nathaniel Jung-Chul
Lee
Director of Religious Education
Cathy Nelson
Organist/Director of Music
Mark Reed
Seminarians
Tom Schneider
Thom Temperli
Head of Day School
Anne Wingler
Parish Administrator
Joanne Foote
Newsletter Editor
Becky Janes
Deadline for the June/July 2015
St. Mark’s News is Friday, May
15, 2015. Please submit your
article by email as an attachment
to: [email protected].
St. Mark’s Episcopal Church
2128 Barton Hills Drive
Austin, TX 78704
512.444.1449
www.stmarksaustin.org
CHANGE SERVICE REQUESTED