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September 2015

St. Mark’s News Volume 19/Issue 8

From the Rector

As I write this, families are posting photos of their children on their first day of school on Facebook. I

love seeing how these children have grown and are growing and I must admit to a bit of nostalgia that we

are now past those years of back-to-school shopping for clothes and school supplies since our daughter

has grown. I am thankful that I can, however, shop for back-to-school supplies for Austin children who

are in need of those supplies to begin their new school year. I am always thankful for the generosity of St.

Mark’s parishioners throughout the course of a year.

I love seasons of new beginnings – especially September and January. Every Tuesday at St. Mark’s,

during the program year, we have a noon Bible Study. We usually work our way rather systematically

through various books of the Bible. In 2015-2016 we have decided to study Luke, Jeremiah, and

Lamentations. September 8 will be a day for this new beginning for Bible Study. Not everyone is free to

join us midweek at noon, but each one of us can embark on a new beginning of Bible Study this

September.

On August 14 there was a helpful article written for The Living

Church by Bishop Daniel Martins entitled “Top 10 Rules for

Reading the Bible.” Bishop Martins prefaces his “rules” with this

reminder: “For Christians, the Holy Scriptures of the Old and

New Testaments are the foundational text of our faith, both the

ultimate source of illumination in our relationship with God and

the ultimate tether in our speculation about God and God’s ways.”

Here is a summary of that article/of those rules:

1. The Bible is the Church’s book. The texts of sacred

scripture arose organically out of the dynamic life of a community of people – first the community of

ancient Israel, then the community of the earliest Church. The only way reading the Bible can be an

“eye-opening experience” is when one reads it as an insider, as a member of the community which is

its natural home.

2. The Bible is many books – it is a collection of astonishingly diverse documents ranging in length

from the one-page brevity of Philemon to the enormous batch of poetry known as the Psalms. Each of

these documents has its own integrity, its own “voice.”

3. The Bible is one book, which is the bookend to #2 – both are essential and need to be held in

dynamic tension. Both the diversity and the essential unity of this array of documents must be

honored at the same time.

4. The Bible is God-breathed. We are not bound to accept a sort of crude dictation understanding of

the inspiration of Holy Scripture; the process was more artful and organic, working with and through

the natural proclivities of the various human authors. Nevertheless, the result is canonical – i.e. it

stands as a measuring stick, a rule of faith.

In this Issue

From the Rector ......................... 1

Vestry Highlights ........................ 2

Parish Life .................................. 4

Outreach .................................... 6

Christian Formation ................... 7

Parishioner Highlights .............. 10

Caffeine Ministry ...................... 11

Celebrations ............................ 11

ROTA....................................... 12

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5. The Bible that we read is a translation of Hebrew, Greek and some Aramaic. In personal and group

study it is best to consult a variety of translations.

6. The Bible contains different literary genres: poetry, hymnody, historical narrative, correspondence

that contains exhortation and teaching and theological explication, aphorisms, apocalyptic,

prophecies, legend and myth, and other genres. Each of these genres must be discerned and respected.

7. Each text in the Bible has a literary and historical context. Yes, God speaks to us through the

pages of Scripture as we read it today. But our ability to hear accurately what God intends to say is

tied at least in part to our willingness to understand what he also meant to say to the text’s original

readers.

8. Christian disciples read the Bible with the Church. 9. The Bible may profitably be read devotionally: there are ways of engaging biblical texts using

practices that are non-academic and prayerful. Christians should regularly encounter scripture in a

liturgical context as well as devotionally.

10. Not everything in the Bible is a positive example. The Bible speaks descriptively about numerous

patterns of behavior and social institutions, but does not condone such things as polygamy, slavery,

racial discrimination, monarchy, gratuitous violence, etc.

Bishop Martins concludes by saying, “It is meet and right that every literate Christian ‘read, mark, learn,

and inwardly digest’ the words of sacred Scripture. Those words then form the grammar and syntax and

vocabulary of our lives in Christ, they tutor us in our eventual destiny of living in the unmediated

presence of the Holy One. But reading the Bible is often a challenge. It can be confusing and troubling,

and it is easy to be deceived. These ten guidelines are not the Alpha and Omega of successful biblical

interpretation. But perhaps they are useful touchstones.”

So how do we go about it? One way is to read the Daily Office, which has daily readings from the Old

Testament, the Psalms, the New Testament, and a Gospel. I also recommend some version of “Through

the Bible in a Year.” I have a Bible that does just that: The NRSV Daily Bible. And another resource I like

is online: thecenterforbiblicalstudies.org – the Bible Challenge. On each day of the Bible Challenge you

read a few chapters of the Old Testament, a Psalm, and a chapter from the New Testament. Or, on your

own, you can simply read 3 chapters a day and that will get you through the Bible in a year.

EZT+

Vestry Highlights

The St. Mark’s Vestry met in the Bennett Wing Classroom at 7:00 p.m. on Tuesday, August 18, 2015.

The meeting opened with the Collect for William Porcher DuBose. The agenda and the July meeting

minutes were approved. The Rector’s report included:

Discussion about the Assistant search: Timothy McLeod and his wife Caitlin decided to stay in

Durham rather than relocate to Austin; Kai Ryan gave Elizabeth+ the name of a priest in Kansas and

a priest in California has contacted Elizabeth+ having seen the job opening on the Diocesan website.

Both men have been ordained for two years and Elizabeth+ will be following up with them in the next

several days.

July was an expensive repair month: $650 for the Parish Hall air conditioning and $1,000 for an

electrical repair.

We granted the Austin Diaper Bank a mini-grant for $500 and we sent Habitat for Humanity $1,000

for the Fall Faith Build (October 3 is St. Mark’s Day to participate).

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The Building Committee met on July 22 and agreed that we would do three things: get new lighting

for the church, get a new sound system for the church, and bring in a consultant to look at the Parish

Hall/Kitchen area to see how best to improve that space. On August 10 Jim Susman of STG Design

met with Elizabeth+, Tim Hendricks, and Amelia Sondgeroth to see the space. Jim has agreed to

work with us on a redesign that will raise the roof line, heighten the Parish Hall ceiling, improve the

kitchen, and provide more adequate bathroom space. This building project will involve initiating a

Capital Campaign in the Spring.

We return to our three service schedule on September 6.

The Day School has had a small drop in fall enrollment: it dropped from 102 to 98 but then rose again

to 101. The Day School has a capacity for 104 students.

Diana Stangl gave the Finance Committee Report:

At the most recent Finance Committee meeting we began work on the 2016 budget.

Pledge contributions have been below budget in both June and July, though overall we are still above

budget (if you are behind on your pledge please try to catch up in September).

The Men’s Scholarship Golf Tournament was very successful and netted @ $6,000 for the

scholarship fund

The parish was generous to Nate and Janna with financial gifts totaling $2,300.

We spent $1,793 on new hymnals for use at the 9:00 a.m. service (see Mark’s article in this

Newsletter)

The meeting concluded with the service of Compline.

A Homily for August 16, 2015, (Lectionary B, Proper 15) at the Trinity Center

On Sunday, August 16, our youth group led worship and served our Austin neighbors at the Trinity

Center. One of our young people, Claudia Janes, was the preacher that afternoon. Her text was a

portion of the Bread of Life discourse from the 6th chapter of John and she did a fine job of tackling a

difficult and obscure passage. Here is the text of Claudia’s sermon.

I tell you unless you eat of the Son of Man and drink his blood you have no life in you.

I got baptized when I was five. I had been bugging my parents for forever to finally let me. I

remember going up to the altar and kneeling in between my mother and grandmother watching as

both of them got communion while I got a blessing. I remember sitting in the car on the way home

from church, when my mom told me that in a month, I was going to get baptized. At the time, I

didn’t understand why people got baptized; I just knew I didn’t want to be left out anymore. Now, I

understand the sacrifice Jesus made for us. When we make the commitment to be baptized, we are

accepting the Christian faith as our own and being included in something so much bigger than all of

us. We are being included in the following of his teachings. He gave himself for us and that is what

communion reminds us of every Sunday. Without his body and blood there would be no life in us.

Every time we take the communion we’re reaffirming our faith in Jesus and renewing our eternal

life.

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Parish Life

First Friday Book Group

11:00 a.m. in the Bennett Wing Classroom

As your schedule allows, join us on the first Friday of each month for our First Friday Book Group. Here

is what we are scheduled to read for the remainder of 2015:

September 4 The Boys in the Boat Daniel James Brown

October 2 Beautiful Ruins Jess Walter

November 6 The Good Lord Bird James McBride

December 4 Girl Meets God Lauren Winner

A Letter from Our New Seminarian

St. Mark’s Community,

I am excited to be joining St. Mark's as its newest seminarian for the next two years. Jennifer and I have

enjoyed visiting St. Mark's this past year as guests, but we look forward to becoming a part of your community. I

am a middler seminarian (that means a second year student) at the Seminary of the Southwest, and I am also a

postulant (someone who is in the early process of becoming ordained) with the Diocese of Texas. I grew up in

East Texas in a small town called Van where oil, football, and big trucks reign (much to my chagrin). I did not

grow up in the Episcopal Church, but in an evangelical home, and it was only after college that I found the

Episcopal Church. I went to a Roman Catholic university in Dallas, called the University of Dallas, which was

founded by a group of Cistercian monks and where I studied English and classical literature. It was here that I

got my first taste of the liturgy, the sacraments, and the rich heritage of the catholic tradition. The Episcopal

Church immediately felt like home to me. I sensed that in the Episcopal Church I could be a sacramental

Christian without having to abandon my evangelical background with its own spiritual resources and insights.

Interestingly, one of the groomsmen in my wedding is now an ordained Presbyterian minister and another is an

ordained Roman Catholic priest. I guess I split the difference!

It was also at that Catholic university that I first met my lovely wife, Jennifer, who attended the University of

North Texas but often visited UD to see a mutual friend. We dated through college and have been married now

for five years. We both came to the Episcopal Church together and have strikingly similar religious backgrounds.

She was born and raised just outside of Fort Worth, and as a result, can clearly and passionately delineate the

differences between Dallas and Fort Worth to anyone who might make the mistake of conflating the two cities.

She currently works from home with an organization called Mercy Ships, a non-profit that provides free medical

and surgical care in Africa through a hospital ship. If you get a chance, ask her about her family's connection to

France.

Prior to seminary, Jennifer and I lived in Tyler and attended Christ Church Episcopal. Our first year of marriage

was spent in a cabin by a small lake with no internet and little cell reception, and my job at the time was driving

a tractor (putting my English degree and classical Greek to good use). However, for three years I was a high

school English teacher and soccer coach at a boarding school in Tyler. I loved teaching and think that it will

continue to have a place in my vocation in the future.

Jennifer and I both love travel, food and cooking, good movies and books and exploring Austin with our Cocker

Spaniel Molly, who is terrified of water but loves perilous heights. We both look forward to getting to know

everyone at St. Mark's and are excited for the next two years!

- Neal McGowan

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Youth Happenings

September 6 Bowling! – 12:00pm – 3:00pm

Bowling and lunch at Dart Bowl

September 13 Lunch and Fellowship

September 20 Eric’s Going Away Party – 12:00pm – 3:00pm

Potluck lunch after the 11:00am service. Parents are invited to attend.

September 27 Lunch and Fellowship

Music Notes

A New Hymnal for 9:00 We will begin using a new hymnal at the 9:00 service this September. Entitled Worship & Rejoice, it

is an inclusive collection drawn from traditional and contemporary sources, with a special focus on

hymns that can be sung effectively by smaller congregations. The hymns are drawn from the best

of traditional Anglican and Protestant hymnody; from the American Spiritual, gospel, and folk

repertoire; from the Catholic renewal music that flourished after Vatican II, from the monastic

community at Taizé, and from several multicultural sources.

This new hymnal will replace the “Red Book” supplement that we made ourselves a few years ago.

Worship & Rejoice includes many of our favorite hymns from the “Red Book” and The Hymnal

1982, but adds an outstanding breadth and variety. This will enable it to serve as the primary

songbook for the 9:00 service. It is an exciting and useful collection of hymns, and I trust that it will

enrich our worship.

Choir Rehearsals Resume The first Adult Choir (open to youth!) rehearsal of the season will be Wednesday, September 2

from 7-8:30 p.m. in the Parish Hall. We welcome singers with varying levels of experience. While

some music reading ability is helpful, several first-time choir members sing in the group.

The first Choristers (primarily elementary school kids) rehearsal will be Wednesday, September 9

from 6:15-7:00 p.m. in the Common Room. By participating in Choristers, children not only

develop their musical skills, but they also strengthen their faith by joining a community and building

friendships within the church. They sing approximately once a month at the 9:00 a.m. service during

the academic year.

I hope that you will consider singing with us! Please contact Mark Reed by email

(mreed1685@gmail.com) or phone (512-203-1780) for more information.

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Women’s News

The salad/sandwich lunch was a great way to end the summer and reconnect with those we haven't seen in

a while. Thanks to everyone who pitched in and helped make this a fun and relaxing lunch, with special

thanks to Brenda White, Dee Ann Thomasson, and Karen Dulaney Smith for the Saturday set-up.

September 28 is our next potluck and bunco. Bring a dish to share and $3 for bunco.

2015 Women's Retreat at Camp Allen

St. Mark's Women's Group is the host church for the annual women's retreat at Camp Allen this year.

The retreat is scheduled for November 20-22, and committee chairs are:

Pat Bullock - Host Church committee chair

Tina Stonebarger - Goodie Bag Chair

Beth Brode - Decorations Chair

Laura Merritt and Bradley Johnson - Cookie Co-Chairs

Elizabeth Turner and Lisa Martin - Worship Co-Chairs

Pat Bullock - Greeters Chair

Our theme for the retreat is "And who is my neighbor?" Tina Stonegarber and her committee have the

goodie bags and items for these bag purchased, and Beth Brode and her committee are beginning to work

on ideas for decorations. Laura Merritt and Bradley Johnson are rounding up volunteers to help in

baking cake pops for the Friday evening convocation gathering, reception with Bishop Fisher, and the 500

cookies needed for the retreat. So, your help is needed! Please sign up to bake cake pops or cookies

and help with decorations and then join us at Camp Allen to participate in making the retreat a wonderful

experience for all those attending.

Irit Umani, Executive Director of Trinity Center, will be the opening plenary speaker and will also be the

speaker at one of our workshops on Saturday. Donna Emery, Development Director at Mobile Loaves &

Fishes, will be the closing plenary speaker on Sunday. The Shower Ministry is the outreach project for

this year and registrants are asked to bring donations of gift cards from Target and Walmart to the retreat.

In addition to being the host church for the retreat, we will also have a booth in the marketplace/vendor

area. We are looking for crafters and creative types to help us supply our booth with handmade items,

such as holiday decorations, pillows, table runners, place mats, napkins, scarves, etc.

Registration opens on September 6 and closes November 6 - there is a limit of 150 so get your

registration in early!

Outreach

St. Mark's is hosting a blood drive on September 13, between 10 a.m.-1 p.m.! We need a minimum of

18 participants for them to send out their mobile unit. Please sign-up on the sheet posted in the Parish

Hall near the kitchen. All donors must be in good health, at least 17 years old, and

weigh at least 115 pounds to donate whole blood, or weigh at least 110 lbs. to donate

platelets. If you have questions, contact the operations manager at 512‐206‐1108 or

whocandonate@inyourhands.org.

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Christian Formation for Children and Youth, by Cathy Nelson, DRE

As we approach the beginning of the school year and the return to our normal Church schedule, St. Mark’s is

having a face-lift, as it were. Most of us know that St. Mark’s has a vibrant and loving day school, but many

never see it in action. As I write this article, there is much action in the Day School hallways! Our

hardworking sexton and her husband, Irma and Tim Glover, have freshly waxed the floors, and soon the

carpets will be cleaned. The teachers are cleaning and arranging the classrooms. Nametags and signs are

being printed and laminated. Each child’s appearance in the rooms is being anticipated and planned for with

pleasure. St. Mark’s Day School Director and teachers are amazing and their work and excitement is filling

the building with fresh energy.

Somewhere I read that the beginning of the school year is the best time for families to make New Year’s

resolutions. When you experience the energy put into getting back to school after the long summer break, you

know this to be true. The new school supplies, fresh new clothing, new teachers and new students, new friends

A Letter from Janna and Nate Lee

We would like to thank you, the people of St. Mark's, for being such a big part of our journey and for all of your

generous and loving support. We feel truly blessed for having been a part of such a special place with such great

people. What we are going to miss most will be the relationships that we have built. I asked Nate what his favorite

memory from St. Mark's this past year was, to which he replied that it was not just one specific memory, but that it

was the people that we were going to be leaving (especially the men's group). During our short tenure you have

touched our lives and have left a lasting legacy on our hearts.

We would like to thank you for your generosity and support of us as we begin a new stage of life. The shower that

Brenda and the Martha's threw for us was incredible and made us feel so loved. We were even able to use the

flowers and mason jars for our wedding ceremony! We are so thankful of all the kitchen goods that we received,

as well as the generous donations that you made to us. It is going to help so much as we make this cross country

move and get settled down.

We also want to say a special thank you to Elizabeth and Philip. Nate and I look up to both of you and are so

thankful to have you in our lives. Thank you for helping in our wedding ceremony, for hosting us our last weekend

in Austin, and for your continued love and support extended towards us. You have been great mentors to both of

us and thank you for the wisdom and advice you have given through different situations.

During our wedding season people from across the church helped to support us and ensure that we had a great

ceremony. Millie and Jim, thank you for taking great care of our sweet puppy Molly, for your friendship, and for

hosting us on our return from our honeymoon. Bo, thank you for all of your help, including making sure that we

had everything we needed and everything returned and for taking great care of Nate's car. Abby, thank you for

making 590 cake balls and for your friendship the past few months. Michele, thank you for helping decorate and

for clearing out the church. Brenda (and Rex) thank you for your support and for all the help in the decorating. We

could not have done it without you. J.P. and Laura thank you for allowing us to use your place in Costa Rica, it

was incredible! To all the staff, thank you for putting up with Nate and me during the last few weeks of wedding

planning. There are many more who have touched our lives as well.

St. Mark's is a tough place to leave. Neither of us had been in a parish this happy or healthy. It encourages us as

we continue in ministry. Sometimes we reflect back and wonder why we are leaving, but we know that St. Mark's

is going to continue to flourish. God speed and if you are ever in the Washington D.C. area, please let us know.

Thank you,

Janna and Nate Lee

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and renewed friendships with old friends combined with the anticipation and hope of another year of

exploration and growth make it the perfect time to begin anew.

It is a time of fresh beginnings for St. Mark’s Church as well. Along with the spruced-up facilities, there is

fresh fall programming for Church School and Adult Ed classes, new music for the Choir and Choristers, new

and returning Youth Lectors and Acolytes, and the list goes on. And, we are blessed by our families who with

their renewed energy and hope make efforts to attend church and Church School more regularly and volunteer

to be part of the many ministries, committees and groups that are so important to St. Mark’s.

A fresh, new beginning at home seems possible at this time too. As you adapt to different schedules and

activities at school and church, families are more open to adding something new into daily routines, especially

when doing so brings more family time together. Families can make a resolution to add one or two faith

rituals or traditions during this transition. There are plenty of ideas on the web and on our bookshelves, but

these simple ideas might be easier to turn from a resolution into a practice. If you like to explore links, I have

included some sites I stopped to read. http://vibrantfaith.org/2015/01/resolve-practice-faith-home/

As you drop off your children at school or send them out to the bus stop, say a brief blessing such as, “God

bless you and keep you, God make his face to shine upon you, and be with you always.”. Other prayers can

be found in our library book, To Bless a Child, by Roy G. Pollina.

Begin saying a prayer together at meals, school drop-off, sports games, bath or bedtime. Whenever you

feel most comfortable. Your children might have a prayer or song they would like to use.

http://www.vibrantfaithathome.org/library/library-by-category-col-150/library-category-prayer

Read a chapter of the Bible together after dinner. This article in The Briefing, a digital magazine produced

by Matthias Media, an evangelical publisher in Australia has some good suggestions.

http://matthiasmedia.com/briefing/2011/10/reading-the-bible-with-kids-even-the-hard-bits/#fnref-12343-29

A variation of this could be to ask one family member to tell a story from the Bible during dinner. It is hard

to resist a good story! You may be surprised how many your children already know how to tell themselves.

Tips for Doing Rituals and Traditions, from Vibrant Faith Ministries.

https://player.vimeo.com/video/38927780

As with resolution, these will take some work and if the whole family is involved in choosing the ritual or

tradition you wish to add you can support each other when someone forgets or is too tired or it’s too late. Most

importantly, choose something that works with your lifestyle and schedules. And don’t worry if you miss a

time or two, just try again when the right moment presents itself.

Christian Formation classes begin September 6

Classes for children and youth from Pre-Kindergarten through 12th grade will resume on September 6,

at 10:00 a.m. St. Mark’s wonderful Church School teachers are planning for and anticipating the appearance

of our children in the classes too!

The Godly Play class for children in Pre-Kindergarten and Kindergarten meets in the Common

Room. This class will have an orientation on Sunday, September 6 to introduce the children and parents to the

program. They will hear the story The Circle of the Church Year. The following Sundays, the class will hear

The Holy Family, which is told each time we begin a new season of the Church year, and Creation and The

Flood and the Ark, stories about God’s presence among his people. The storytellers for this class are Scott

Forrest, Pam Johns and JP Kloninger. Parent volunteers will continue to be class helpers.

The Godly Play Two class for 1st and 2nd graders will meet in the Parish hall behind the portable walls. This

group will hear many new stories this year. In stories from Volume 6 of Godly Play, we dig deeper into the

lives of many of the central figures of the Old Testament stories. In September, following the story of The

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Circle of the Church Year, the children will hear Creation, The Second Creation: “The Falling Apart” and The

Great Family. Henry Olivas and I are the storytellers for this class. Parent volunteers will continue to be class

helpers.

Christian formation for 3rd, 4th, and 5th graders will once again be led by David Genet. We are so very glad

to have David back with this group! The Youth Class will continue to meet for

breakfast and discussion with Ellise Johnson in the Bennett Wing classroom. Danielle

Adkins and Jay Brown will help lead the class.

Confirmation Classes begin September 20

For 7th graders (and up) wanting to be confirmed, class will meet on September 20, 27,

October 4, 11, 18, and 25 September 20, 27, October 4, 11, 18, and 25. We have

postponed the Confirmation Class so all teens can attend the Adult Formation Class on September 6 and 13 to

learn a little about Thom Temperli and Neal McGowen, our seminarians who will be leading the Confirmation

Class. Confirmation is on January 31.

When we return to three services on September 6, Children’s Chapel services for 4 to 6 year olds will be

available during both the 9:00 a.m. and 11:00 a.m. services. In order to provide a safe environment in which

our children can worship and play, we will continue to ask a parent to help our Chapel leaders during each

Chapel service. Chapel leaders this year are Anna Bryan-Borja, Kevin Cromack, Amy Farley, Henry Olivas,

Cathy Nelson, and Ellie Reshetnikov.

Christian Formation for Adults

Sunday Mornings. Christian Formation classes for adults and young people resume on Sunday, September 6

at 10:00 a.m. The Adult Christian Formation class meets in Grace Chapel each Sunday. I hope you will plan

on scheduling two hours for church each Sunday for the entire family: one hour for worship and another for

education. Cathy Nelson does a wonderful job of planning Christian Formation classes for our young people,

and the adult classes offer an array of interesting topics for discussion. Classes for 2015-2016 will include

Ross Ramsey talking about politics, local and national; Rich Oppel moderating a panel discussion on race

relations; Philip Turner signing and discussing his about-to-be published book, Christian Ethics and the

Church; Ecclesial Foundations for Moral Thought and Pratice; Greg Garrett discussing his book Entertaining

Judgment; a Lenten series on the Seven Deadly Sins; and a two-week class on the Creeds. We will also hear

from our seminarians, Michael Meigs will teach a two-week series, and we will have a class on end-of-life

considerations.

Here is the schedule for September:

September 6: Meet our new Middler seminarian, Neal McGowan

September 13: Our Senior seminarian, Thom Temperli, will talk to us about his time in Israel this summer.

September 20: We will discuss some of the General Convention resolutions

September 27 and October 4: Ross Ramsey will talk to us about local and national politics.

Tuesdays at Noon: Brown Bag Bible Study. Every Tuesday at noon we gather in the Bennett Wing

classroom for Bible Study. We call it the Brown Bag Bible Study so that participants can bring their lunch

should they choose to do so. Few of us do, however – instead we snack on popcorn, mixed nuts, and Chex mix

(except on the first and last sessions of the year when we have a pizza lunch). Bible study resumes on

Tuesday, September 8. Philip Turner will be leading us through the Gospel of Luke from September through

December.

Welcome back! And

thank you for

supporting our

children’s programs!

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Parishioner Highlights

As I read this fascinating article about Karen and Michael my mind went to movies I have seen with themes of

espionage and famous people in history. From their lives as well as their children’s and their adventures abroad

I thought how fascinating and what fun and memorable experiences. We are so fortunate that they have kept

their ties with St. Mark’s after relocating to Northwest Hills. As you can see they have been valuable members

not only of our parish but also of the community and we thank them for all that they have contributed.

Beth Chenoweth

Karen Milton and Michael Meigs

Members of St. Mark’s since they moved to Austin

eight years ago, Karen Milton and Michael Meigs

have been shaped by language and by languages.

They met as Peace Corps volunteers teaching

English in French-speaking schools in the Ivory Coast

(now known as Côte d’Ivoire) and were married there.

After graduate

studies in New

York their career

with the United

States Foreign

Service included

three-year

assignments in

South America,

Africa, the

Mediterranean,

Europe and the Caribbean. Both speak French and

Spanish. Karen teaches English to speakers of other

languages. Michael served as an economic officer

and political-economic counselor. He’s now self-

employed as a free-lance literary translator, primarily

from Swedish to English. He edits and publishes the

arts website www.CTXLiveTheatre.com, serves as

secretary and bursar of the Gilbert & Sullivan Society

of Austin, and does pro bono interpretation and

translation for refugees and asylum seekers.

Their adult children Nina and Lamar grew up mostly

abroad, attended French-language schools, and now

pursue professional careers in Boston and in

Chicago.

The family’s church history began anew in Central

Africa, thanks in part to activities with Christian

missionaries. The Milton-Meigs family was assigned

subsequently to Washington, DC, and became

involved with St. Frances Church, Potomac; their later

church homes were Emmanuel Church in Geneva,

Switzerland, Emmanuel Cathedral in Santo Domingo,

Dominican Republic, and a mission church in the

nearby poverty-stricken beachfront town of Boca

Chica.

Here in Austin they moved from Oak Hill to Northwest

Hills, happily maintaining their ties with St. Mark’s.

Both have served on the vestry. Karen’s a member of

the altar guild and is beginning her fourth year of

Education for Ministry. Michael’s on a men’s group

cooking team; he also participates with the St. Mark’s

finance committee, stewardship committee, and

newcomers’ committee. From time to time he has

identified opportunities for St. Mark’s parishioners to

enjoy fellowship and entertainment at theatre events

in Austin.

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Caffeine Ministry

You will notice a change on this Caffeine Ministry list. Dear and faithful Beth Chenoweth makes the lemonade and

sets out the cookies before the 7:30 service, so this schedule only has a team for cleaning up after the 11:00 service.

All that is asked is that the assigned team stays after coffee fellowship to wash coffee pots, put away leftover cookies,

and clean counters. (So, no early duty---help is now only needed after the 11 a.m. service.) And if you are unable to

help, please switch w/someone or contact the vestry member assigned for the month. Thank you! EZT+

September (David Johns) October (Jim Nolan) November (JP Kloninger)

6 Cindy & Dan Bogard 4 Diane & Charles Brewer 1 Kim & Wade Buckner

13 Cecily Bennett & Sue Borel 11 Beth & Mike Brode 8 Cindy & Dru Cabler

20 Shelly Botkin & Ryan Marquess 18 Becky Brownlee & Ross Ramsey 15 Kevin & Meredith Childs

27 David and Cookie Bowman 25 Chuck Bryant & Scottie Alpin 22 Barbette & John Cooper

29 Liz Davis & Linda Crannell

September Celebrations

Birthdays

Marty Clark 09/01

Miles Barker 09/02

Cindy Bogard 09/02

Kelly Vande Streek 09/02

Andrea Michael 09/03

Gregory Knapp 09/04

Frank Severn 09/04

Max Reshetnikov 09/05

Connor Fuhrman 09/06

Dillon Johns 09/06

Emily Lehrach 09/06

Jacob Sondgeroth 09/06

Anna Mazac 09/07

Rosemary Nolan 09/07

Harper Sanders 09/07

Dayna Blazey 09/09

Anna Bryan-Borja 09/09

Alexandra Geraci 09/10

Kemble White 09/10

Megan Frederick 09/11

Jackie Whalen 09/11

Barbara Dody 09/12

Al McKinney 09/13

Betty Lee 09/14

Kyle Way 09/14

Zephyr Gates 09/15

Dan Bogard 09/16

Sydney Doidge 09/16

Logan Pugh 09/16

Sonnie Barham 09/17

Kim Buckner 09/17

Olivia Rush 09/17

Lorraine Bowman 09/18

Clay Buckner 09/18

Jill Collins 09/18

Emily Rogers 09/18

Carolyn Wier 09/18

Elizabeth Turner 09/19

Raymond Gallardo III 09/20

Carol Oppel 09/20

Kyle Rush 09/20

Marsha Topham 09/21

Michael Fuhrman 09/22

Tim Glover 09/22

Adam Stockstill 09/22

Rick Tennant 09/22

Susan Baxter-Harwell 09/23

Trent Weems 09/23

Josephine Baumgart 09/24

Bryn Delfausse 09/24

Stella Kloninger 09/24

Emily Mazac 09/24

Kate Nogarede 09/24

Claire Cabler 09/25

Shannon Eaton 09/25

Estella Minne 09/25

Lansing Pugh 09/25

Suzann Dvorken 09/26

Katherine Frederick 09/26

Jim Nolan 09/26

Kathy Overstreet 09/26

Pam Johns 09/27

Benton Tso 09/27

Rex White 09/27

Christopher Elliott 09/28

Benjamin Forrest 09/28

Samuel Forrest 09/28

Mehron Azarmehr 09/29

Aaron Barker 09/29

Joey Genet 09/29

Laura Merritt 09/29

Diana Stangl 09/29

Henry Janes 09/30

Michelle Lehrach 09/30

Anniversaries

Mina Kumar & James Spindler 09/03

Diana & Greg Stangl 09/03

Nancy & John Hicks 09/07

Liz Badger & Lansing Pugh 09/09

Irma & Tim Glover 09/10

Jana Kay & Tim Green 09/12

Penny & Christopher Considine 09/14

Beth & John Chenoweth 09/19

September 2015

Page 12

September ROTA

TIME MINISTRY September 6 September 13 September 20 September 27

Youth Sunday

October 4

Choristers @ 9 a.m.

7:3

0

SER

VIC

E

LECTOR Jonea Raney Amelia Sondgeroth Jill Collins Nancy Middlebrook Pattie Rose

LEM /

ACOLYTE Jill Collins Pattie Rose Jonea Raney Margarita Moreno Wes Raney

USHERS Danielle Adkins

Stephen White

Ed Shipsey

Al McKinney

Beth Chenoweth

Mary Smith

Jonea Raney

Jill Collins

Danielle Adkins

Stephen White

9:0

0 a

.m. S

ER

VIC

E

LECTORS Michael Brown (1)

Nancy Kibler (2)

Mike Thomasson (1)

Gary Taylor (2)

Mike Fuhrman (1)

Mike Thomasson (2) YOUTH

Ken Whalen (1)

Lynn Edgerton (2)

LEM Bill Kibler

Carol Oppel

Kim Buckner

Lynn Edgerton

Thom Temperli

Pam Castles

Neal McGowan

Becky Janes

Thom Temperli

Carol Oppel

ACOLYTES

Suzanne Lightsey

Ethan Fuhrman

Nora Kelly

Hunter Rogers

Carol

Karen Milton

Clay Buckner

Meredith Shaw

TBD

Kim K.

Ariston Awitan IV

Ethan Fuhrman

Matthew Awitan

Ryan Dempsey

Kim K.

Aidan Brady

Claudia Janes

Henry Janes

Hunter Rogers

Kim B., Kim K.

Abbe Kelly

Will Kelly

Nora Kelly

Meredith Shaw

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

Dee Ann Thomasson

Dodie Wells

Glen Baumgart

GREETERS Maria & Mike

Fuhrman

Meredith Childs

Kevin Cromack

Kim Buckner

Laura Merritt

Michael Meigs

Diana Stangl Maria & Mike Fuhrman

11

:00

a.m

. S

ER

VIC

E

LECTORS Beth Holmes (1)

Rex White (2)

Kevin Childs (1)

Meredith Childs (2)

Bill Willis (1)

Kimberly Horne (2)

Ann Seyler (1)

Roger Seyler (2)

Melissa Blanding (1)

Andrew Poynot (2)

LEM Ann Seyler

Roger Seyler

Neal McGowan

Brenda White

Thom Temperli

Liz Davis

Thom Temperli

Dru Cabler

Neal McGowan

Michele Bonner

ACOLYTES

Sophie Lawrence

Luke Thiessen

Ryan Dempsey

Claire Dempsey

Michele

Max Genet

Meredith Childs

Josef Genet

Emmaline Baxter-

Harwell

Jay, Cindy

Bonnie Brode

Claire Cabler

Emma Kloninger

Evan Overstreet

Jay, Cindy

Matt Forrest

Jay Brown

Ben Forrest

Sam Forrest

Jay, Michele

Jim Casparis

Michael Meigs

Meredith Childs

Karen Milton

Jay, Cindy

USHERS

Carolyn Wier

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

Frank & Jean Severn

Jay Doran

Jodi Doran

Pam Johns

David Johns

Sue Borel

Carolyn Wier

James Wier

Bo Overstreet

Rick Tennant

John De Marines

John Works

GREETERS Jean & Frank Severn Yvette Webb

Jay Doran

Shelly Botkin

Ryan Marquess

Steve Niemeyer

Barbara Dody Jean & Frank Severn

ALT

AR

GU

ILD

Sat.

9:00

Jonea Raney-TC

Jill Collins

Carolyn Wier

Pat Bullock

Susan Baxter-Harwell

Dee Ann Thomasson-TC

Dodie Wells

Barbara Dody

Judy Elkins

Lynn Edgerton

Diana Stangl-TC

Tina Stonebarger

Darlene Goodnight

Debbie Thornal

Liz Davis

Henry Olivas

Meredith Childs-TC

Millie Casparis

Karen Milton

Helen Anderson

Cynthia Archer

Elijah Gallardo

Jonea Raney-TC

Jill Collins

Carolyn Wier

Pat Bullock

Lynn Edgerton

Depositor John De Marines Bo Overstreet Jim Nolan Shelly Botkin Al McKinney

WED. 6 p.m. September 2 September 9 September 16 September 23 September 30

Lector Jonea Raney Eric Panter Meredith Childs Jill Collins Kevin Childs

September 2015

Page 13

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:

Pam Johns

Women of St. Mark’s:

Pat Bullock

Facilities: Ray Smith

Finance: John Edgerton

Outreach: 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

Director of Religious Education

Cathy Nelson

Organist/Director of Music

Mark Reed

Seminarians

Thom Temperli

Neal McGowan

Head of Day School

Anne Wingler

Parish Administrator

Joanne Foote

Newsletter Editor

Becky Janes

Deadline for the October 2015 St.

Mark’s News is Tuesday,

September 15, 2015. Please

submit your article by email as an

attachment to:

office@stmarksaustin.org.

St. Mark’s Episcopal Church

2128 Barton Hills Drive

Austin, TX 78704

512.444.1449

www.stmarksaustin.org

office@stmarksaustin.org

CHANGE SERVICE REQUESTED