St. Mark and All Saints Parish Newsletter March 2020

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March Brackets: For more than college basketball

In LentMadness, 32 saints compete to earn the ‘Golden Halo’

For the past 10 years, Episcopalians and others around the country have taken part in a unique Lenten devotion, LentMadness.org, a novel approach to learning the lives of the saints. Based on the same idea as the March Madness college basketball tournament, 32 saints are placed into elimination brackets. Details about their lives are posted online and in a companion book, and people vote for their favorite in each day’s matchup. The “winners” move forward to face their next competitor through rounds such as the “Saintly 16,” and “Elate 8,” until they reach the “Faithful Four” when one claims the top prize, the “Golden Halo.”

LentMadness is the brainchild of an Episcopal priest, Rev. Tim Schenck, who combined his love of sports with his passion for the lives of the saints. The idea began on Schenck’s blog, “Clergy Confidential,” and is now supported by Forward Movement, an Episcopal ministry which developed the LentMadness.org website. “As Lent Madness continues to grow and evolve, what won’t change is the essence: allowing people to get to know some amazing people who have come before us in faith and reminding one another that there’s no reason for a dreary Lenten discipline,” reads the explanation on the

organizations’ website.

THE LION429 S. Pitney Rd. Galloway Twp., NJ 08205 |609-652-6222 | smasnj.com | smaslion@aol.com

SMAS on Facebookby Kay Stadlier

Do you know that our church has a Facebook page? If you haven't visited,

please check it out! While you're there, it would be great if you would take a moment to "like" the page. This way you'll receive

notifications of new posts and when the church goes LIVE. 

LIVE? What's that? Each Monday evening at 8:30, Fr. Terry comes to us via Facebook Live with Compline Online. Compline is an opportunity for us to gather for evening prayer. It's 10 minutes of peace and contemplation at the end of the day. 

Please, check out the SMAS Facebook page. If you use the app, search for smasnj. You can also put this URL in a web browser: www.facebook.com/smasnj

Continued on page 2

Holy Week 2020 Palm Sunday, April 5

Stations of the Cross, Wed., April 8

Holy Thursday, April 9

Good Friday, April 10

Easter Sunday, April 12

St. Mark and All Saints Parish Newsletter March 2020

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Greetings from our Senior WardenDear SMAS Family,

The Lenten Season is upon us. I like Lent because it makes me reflect on my own spiritual journey. During this time I enjoy various Bible studies and daily devotions. Some people prefer to "give something up" for Lent that might be a struggle for them to do without. I prefer to donate personal items....usually 40 items

of clothes. There are other ways to prepare yourself for Easter. We have our weekly Compline Service online, there is Wednesday Noon service worship every other week, and there is our Lenten Bible study. We had a great time with fellow parishioners when we served Valentine Dinner at the Assisted Living Facility in Pleasantville. A fun time was had by all at our Annual Shrove Tuesday Pancake Supper. Kudos to those who were brave enough to wear their pajamas!

We continue to have various projects being completed that are helping our church to be functional and inviting for a very long time. Thank you to all of you for being patient and flexible during this time. I would like to welcome our new Mission Committee members and thank all outgoing and current members for their commitment to the future vision for SMAS. “Grow your faith, and you will discover that there is no longer the need to have a sense of control, that things will flow as they will, and that you will flow with them, to your great delight and benefit.” Emmanuel Teney.

Vicki Sharp, Sr. Warden

Pastor’s Corner

Dear Brothers & Sisters in Christ:

On Ash Wednesday, the Church season of Lent officially began for us. The season lasts approximately 40 days, concluding just before Easter Sunday. Lent is a holy time to prepare ourselves for Easter in various ways. During Lent, we are called to “return to the Lord.” We can do so through prayer, seeking forgiveness from God (and making things right with others), as well as giving to those in need—to name a few practices often associated with Lent.

During Lent, some people decide to make a sacrifice by giving up something they enjoy regularly. Some will fast on holy days such as Good Friday, while others may abstain from eating meat on Fridays. The practices of people during Lent are varied according to many factors, including—but not limited to—faith background…family customs…personal piety…etc.

While some people choose to give up something, there are others who may choose to do something differently—like take on a new ministry or work that helps others. Some may choose to increase time spent reading the Bible. And there will be some who may take on a specific act by volunteering at a soup kitchen, attending additional services, or even participating in a Bible study.

There is no one “correct” way to commemorate Lent. Find a practice or two that works best for you. Basically, any practice that brings one closer to Christ and helps better prepare oneself for Easter is a good thing! I encourage you to do what works best for you; and I invite ALL to join me in observing a holy Lent.

Blessings to you and yours as we journey together to the cross and ultimately, to the empty tomb!

In Christ’s Service, Fr. Terry+

“That is why the LORD says, “Turn to me now, while there is time. Give me your hearts. Come with fasting, weeping, and mourning. Don’t tear your clothing in your grief, but tear your hearts instead. Return to the LORD your God, for he is merciful and compassionate, slow to get angry and filled with unfailing love. He is eager to relent and not punish.” Joel 2:12-13 (NLT)

The Lion The monthly newsletter of St. Mark and All Saints Episcopal Church, Galloway Township, NJ. The Rev. Terrence O’Connor, Jr., Priest in Charge. frterry15@gmail.com. Pastoral Emergency: Call/Text 609-425-0459 The Rev. Rich Wisniewski, Deacon. richnewski@hotmail.com. Pastorla Emergency: Call/Text 732-322-0947 Vicki Sharp, Sr. Warden. smaswarden@aol.com. 609-652-8083 Issues publish on the first of each month except August. PDF copies are sent by email and through the U.S. mail. Submissions by parishioners are welcome. Email articles and photos by the 20th of the month and include contact information or drop items into The Lion mailbox in the foyer. We reserve the right to edit. Mary Galloway Dovey, Editor smaslion@aol.com

Madness, continued from page one “If this helps people connect with the risen Christ during this season of penitence and renewal, and have a bit of fun in the Lenten process, then it continues to be worthwhile.” To receive emails with the daily matchup and biographies of the saints, sign up at https://www.lentmadness.org/. See Deacon Rich or Father Terry for more information.

St. Mark and All Saints Parish Newsletter March 2020

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The Deacon’s Bench

Tradition by Deacon Rich

Join SMAS’ Lenten Book Study~ Hanging by a Thread: The Questions of the CrossJoin your friends and fellow parishioners Monday evenings this month for a study of Hanging By a Thread: The Questions of the Cross by Samuel Wells, an internationally known scholar and Anglican cleric. Wells’ book reflects on the challenges of our understanding of Christ’s

crucifixion, using contemporary ideas in history, biblical studies, and philosophy. In under 100 pages, the author poses questions that wrestle with many of our core beliefs, and writes in a style that is accessible, profound and uplifting according to reviewers. “Our time together will be short and conversational,” explains Fr. Terry. “Each week we will review and discuss a couple chapters from the book. The reading load won’t be heavy; the chapters are seven to eight pages.”

Led by Fr. Terry, the group will meet from 7 to 8 p.m. March 2, 9, 16, 23 and 30 at the church.

If you have not already purchased the book, you can still do so on your own. A Kindle version is

available for $6.99 through Amazon. To sign-up for the study, add your name to the bulletin board in the church foyer, or contact Alice Kohler, administrative assistant at 609-652-6222 or smasoffice@aol.com. If you leave a message, please be sure to include your name and a return phone number.

Racing with some help from their friends: St. Mark & All Saints Cub Scouts enjoy their annual Pine Wood Derby races in the Parish Hall on Saturday, Feb. 1

photo by Stan Kozlowski

I am about as far from a “young upstart kid” as one can be. And, as a member of the Clergy, I am well versed in the traditions of the church. With that said, I want you to know that just because “we have always done it that way” doesn’t mean that we can’t change things up.

I think about church architecture for example. The traditional cruciform layout for large cathedrals is indeed beautiful but there are also very beautiful church buildings and cathedrals that do not follow that style.

Do you remember the ‘Y2K’ panic when we worried about the potential of worldwide computer failures as the year 2000 approached? Many folks who are young adults now have no idea about all of the craziness that took place as institutions of all kinds around the world worked to correct this. Fortunately, the transition was seamless for most people.

Well, part of this “tradition thing” is indeed a feeling of comfort. Most of us like the comfort of things. You know that favorite article of clothing that is really getting “well worn” but is so comfortable that we don’t want to get rid of it. Or, maybe it is your favorite piece of furniture that is so “out of style” and doesn’t really match the other pieces but it is so comfy that the thought of replacing it is just too much, and of course, “they just don’t make them like they used to”!

I know some folks who are still upset over the 1979 Book of Common Prayer, and I have a feeling that some of them believe that it was the “downfall” of the Episcopal Church!

Traditions provide many of us with a sense of comfort and I get that. However, I also realize that just because “we’ve always done it that way” doesn’t mean that we can’t change it up.

St. Mark and All Saints Parish Newsletter March 2020

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St. Mark and All Saints Episcopal Church 429 S. Pitney Rd., Galloway, NJ 08205 Sunday Services: 8 and 10 a.m.

Noon Healing Service: Second and Fourth Wednesdays

Sprucing Up: Every inch of the Nave including our priceless organ and stained glass windows was covered in plastic recently while a talented team of painters provided a much-needed refresher. The work, headed by Junior Warden John Spencer, was completed in just days, insuring that everything was back in place for Sunday services. A new rug was installed shortly after.