From Our Pastor

THE MARKINGS
MISSION: To share the love of Jesus with and through the people of Talbot County and beyond.
ST. MARK’S UNITED METHODIST CHURCH, 100 PEACHBLOSSOM ROAD, EASTON, MD 21601
NOVEMBER 2014
From Our Pastor
Will you share your email address with us? If you have an
email address and it is not registered with us or if your email
address has changed, would you
please share it with us by emailing
churchoffice@stmarkseaston.org.
We are sending this and future
issues to those of you with email
addresses if you have so requested. If you are interested in receiving your issues by email and
have not yet requested, please
contact the church office.
NOVEMBER
Dear St. Mark’s Family,
I came across this prayer and thought it was very timely and speaks
to our need to give God all praise and glory, especially in this time
of “Giving Thanks!” May you also be blessed by its words and
pass them on to others in the name of Christ.
O God of all Creation, You have car ed for the ear th, and have
filled it with your riches. Abundance flows in your steps, through
the pastures and wilderness. You provide for our land, softening it
with showers, bathing it in light, and blessing it with growth. The
hills sing with joy; the meadows are covered with flocks; the fields
deck themselves with wheat; and together they glorify your name!
On this occasion of our Thanksgiving, we as a nation take rest from our labors to consider your many blessings. We thank you for our freedoms, and for the opportunity to
contribute our skills, our attributes and our values toward the good of society. We
thank you for the mixture of our cultures, blending us into one people under God. Help
us to be a light unto other nations, and to further the cause of freedom and justice all
over the world.
We remember those who are less fortunate than we. We lift up in prayer the victims of
poverty and racism, and all those who suffer from forms of political and economic oppression. Let the word that goes forth from our mouths speak of your peace, and let us
proclaim our hope in Christ as Savior of all humankind.
We pray that you will bless all those who gather here, as we have come to experience
your presence among us. Give us your guidance, O God, and empower us for your
work. For we claim nothing for ourselves, but return all honor and glory unto you, and
offer our thanks and praise. Amen.
From "Prayers for God's People"
Thomas P. Roberts, editor
Blessings to you and yours,
Pastor Missy
Inside this issue:
SAY A GOOD WORD FOR GOD AND ST. MARK’S CHURCH!
Thomas Coke
2
Christmas Dinner and
Concert
3
REMINDER!
UMW, UMM
9
TURN YOUR CLOCKS BACK
THIS WEEK-END!
Meet Our Church
Family
Calendar
10
11
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THE MARKINGS
NOVEMBER 2014
Thomas Coke (Bishop) Father of Methodist Missions
Methodism comes to America
Thanks to John Wesley and Thomas Coke
John Wesley asked the Bishop of London to ordain ministers for the New World, but he declined.
In 1784, Wesley ordained Thomas Coke as superintendent, a title that was later replaced by Bishop.
Some interpret this consecration as the Equivalent of “Episcopal Consecration”.
Coke set sail for New York and read while sailing, “Augustine’s Confessions”, “Virgil’s Georgies”,
biographies of Francis Xavier (Jesuit missionary to India), David Brainard (a Puritan missionary to
North America aboriginals), and a treatise on episcopacy.
Thomas Coke, Francis Asbury and some ministers from America met at Barrett’s Chapel to plan a
meeting in Baltimore at Lovely Lane church. In 1784 Thomas Coke ordained deacons and presbyters and also consecrated Francis Asbury as Bishop. This American conference formally endorsed
the title of Bishop in 1787. Thomas Coke and Francis Asbury were jointly the first Bishops and
Superintendents of the Methodist Episcopal Church in America.
Thomas Coke returned to England in 1785 and made eight more visits to America with his final
visit in 1803. George Washington met Coke twice and asked him to preach to the U.S. Congress.
Thomas Coke spent months traveling throughout Great Britain and Ireland and made his first visit
to the West Indies in 1786; then again in 1788-1789, 1790 and 1792-1793.
After John Wesley died in 1791, Coke became Secretary to the English Conference in 1797 and
1805 and tried to persuade the higher beings to confer on him the title of Bishop. He then went to
Paris and preached in French. He established a mission in Gibraltar in 1803 and spent five years
traveling for Methodist Missions including missions in Sierra Leone, Canada and Scotland.
In 1805, at age 85, Coke married Penelope Smith who used her wealth to further his Missions. She
died in 1811, and he married a second time but she died the following year. Francis Asbury described Coke as “a gentleman, a scholar, a bishop to us and a Minister of Christ, in zeal, in labors,
in services, and the greatest man in the last century!
By Mary Bell Callahan
Thomas Coke was important to our Methodist Faith, so we have done his life in 2 months – the October
Markings and this conclusion in November. The Historical Committee: Bob Blades, Mary Bell Callahan
and Millie Parrott
PAGE 3
THE MARKINGS
NOVEMBER 2014
MARK YOUR CALENDARS
FOR THE ANNUAL
CHRISTMAS DINNER AND
CONCERT!
SUNDAY, DECEMBER 7
DINNER 5:00 P.M. IN FELLOWSHIP HALL
CONCERT 6:30 P.M. IN SANCTUARY
WATCH FOR DETAILS IN THE BULLETIN!!!
CHRISTMAS CRAFTS SHOP
SUNDAY, DECEMBER 7, ROOM 155
Shop Open 9:00am-12:30pm & 3:30 pm-6:30 pm
Jane Barton’s sweaters, American Girl doll clothes,
Christmas trees, knitted & crocheted items, Ravens
items, Jim Denny’s carved pin and more! This is your
chance to do all your Christmas shopping! All proceeds go toward paying down the debt principal!
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THE MARKINGS
NOVEMBER 2014
PRESCHOOL HAPPENINGS
“This is my commandment, that you love one another as I have loved you…” John 15:12
The holiday season is fast approaching and what better way to begin the season than by thinking of
others. We are always trying to teach the importance of thinking of others and loving one another
to our students. This year our children are learning to share and love others with the Operation
Christmas Child Shoeboxes and with a Christmas collection.
In Chapel, Ms. Claire has shared Operation Christmas Child with the children and has encouraged
each of them to pack one or more shoeboxes and bring them to Chapel. It’s a great way to get our
children thinking about other children that are not as fortunate.
This month our 4 year old class will begin its annual collection for the Star Democrat’s Brighter
Christmas Fund. Students are encouraged to bring in their spare change and place it in a collection jar each morning during “circle time.” Last year our students were able to donate around
$150. (That’s a lot of pennies!)
We pray each of you will also find it in your hearts this holiday season to see where/how your
“pennies and cans” can help others in need and show how we have loved one another!
Many BlessingsSarah Ewing, Director
YOUTH GROUP EVENTS
Much is happening with our
youth group! This Sunday, Nov.
2, we will be having a bake sale in
the Gathering Area during coffee
fellowship. This is a fundraiser
for our upcoming Youth Rally in
Ocean City Jan. 9-11, 2015. On
the first Sunday of each month,
we will serve as ushers and greeters for the 9:30 service. Please introduce yourselves to our youth!
We are planning a Lock-in at the
YMCA, date to be announced.
We meet every other Sunday at
6:00p.m. (This Sunday, Nov. 2 is a
meeting night). And we are planning a Mission trip for Youth in
June 2015! All youth of the
church and their friends are welcome to join us. Call Paula
Turner 410-822-6680 or Amber
Tefft 410-310-1239 for information.
Summary of Operating Fund: July 1-Sept. 30, 2014
2014-15
2013-14
Difference
Income
$111,493.42
$109,053.06
$2,440.36
Expenses
$112,668.87
$122,364.79
$9,695.92)
Difference
($1,175.45)
($13,311.73)
Missions Fund
$12,441.96
$11,453.50
$ 988.46
Bldg.Maint.
$ 9,506.46
$ 8,050.50
$ 1,455.96
Contributions:
Pictorial directories
are now available for
pick up in the church
office. Everyone who
had their family photo
taken will receive a
free copy. There are
a limited number of
copies available for
sale for $5.00 each.
‘GROWING TO SERVE’
Debt Reduction (year to date)
Monthly Payment:
$ 8,032.06
September giving:
$ 9,006.54
Principal Balance:
$1,315,993.51
PAGE 6
THE MARKINGS
♪ MUSIC IN MINISTRY ♪
NOVEMBER 2014
PAGE 7
THE MARKINGS
NOVEMBER 2014
NEWS FROM THE MISSIONS COMMITTEE
The Thrift Shop is now in full oper ation with
fall/winter clothing. They had very good sales that
first week following the change over--the best week
ever! Please remember as you do your seasonal
transition to identify clothing, shoes and household
items such as blankets and other bed linens, pots
and pans, glassware, dishes, and other household
knickknacks as well as CDs, jewelry, greeting
cards, and children’s toys and games in clean/good
condition that you can donate to the shop.
Help Your Card Ministry This impor tant ministry reaches those in our congregation whose activities are limited by health concerns. By sending
them an encouraging note once a month, they know
their Church Family continues to care about them.
Cards are also sent to those members in the hospitals or nursing homes. You can be a part of this
Ministry by bringing your unused cards to the
church office. We will be happy to recycle them for
you. Thank you,
Millie Parrott and Sara Lou Casson.
Habitat for Humanity Choptank St. Mark’s provided a small work crew for the Habitat build on
Port Street on Saturday, Oct. 5. They will have another build day on Saturday, Dec.6. Jim Scott is
now the coordinator for our work crew so if you
want to volunteer to help, please give him a call at
410-822-7336.
Holiday Food Baskets As I wr ite this in midOctober, Lee Royer already has the bags out to
begin collecting food items for the Holiday Food
Baskets. Just look for the bags in two large baskets—one near the door where you enter the church
under the covered entrance at the rear of the building and one in the gathering area. Each bag lists the
type of food and the number of these items to be
purchased, placed in the bag and returned to or beside one of the baskets. We need them to be returned by November 17. Lee and her committee
will be preparing and delivering 25 baskets to St.
Mark’s Village for Thanksgiving and 25 baskets for
Christmas.
The Thanksgiving delivery will be on Saturday,
November 22 from 1-3 p.m.
The Christmas delivery will be on Saturday,
December 20 from 1-3 p.m.
Please call Lee Royer at 410-829-8189 if you would
like to help prepare and deliver the baskets.
Della Andrew, Chair
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SAMARITAN’S PURSE OPERATION
CHRISTMAS CHILD IS NOW HAPPENING!
Please join us in blessing a needy child by packing
a shoe box with small toys, school supplies, &/or
hygiene items, & bringing your filled box to church
on or before Sunday, Nov. 16. Wr ap the box with
Christmas paper (top and bottom separately or
wrapped so top can still be opened) if you can, but
you may bring it unwrapped. This year we will
have the red and green boxes available for you at
50 cents each. These boxes do not need to be
wrapped! Check the br ochur e hand-out for
guideline dos & don'ts on buying, packing, wrapping, putting a personal note inside, and how to
track your box to find out where it goes. Don't forget to pray over your gift choices and the child who
will receive your box. If you do need an empty
shoe box, pick one up in the Gathering Area (until
they're gone). Last year St. Mark's congregation
sent over 277 shoeboxes, but we believe we can
do even better this year! Won't you help?! If you
would like to help with preparing the boxes for
shipment, we are meeting in Fellowship Hall on
November 17 at 10:30a.m. Have no time to shop
and pack a box? Financial donations are also welcome! Checks should be made out to either
“Samaritan’s Purse” or “St. Mark’s UMC” with a
reference to “Samaritan’s Purse”.
Becky VanGilder
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PAGE 8
THE MARKINGS
NOVEMBER 2014
National Documentary Premiere!
IN PLAIN SIGHT
Stories of Hope and Freedom
Featuring 6 abolitionists fighting against sex trafficking in
our nation including the life-changing work of
The Samaritan Women
at St. Mark’s UMC
Monday, November 17, 2014
6:30 pm Dessert
7:00—9:00 Program
Free will offering
All proceeds support victims of trafficking who are in
The Samaritan Women’s residential program
Sponsored by St. Mark’s UMW
For information: spowers@goeaston.net or 410-822-7852
Find us on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/thesamaritanwomen
PAGE 9
THE MARKINGS
UNITED METHODIST WOMEN
Circle Meetings for November
Mary Circle: Tues., Nov. 4, 10:00am at home of
Shari Powers, 29891 Grasswell Rd. Call 410-8227852 for information.
Ruth Circle: Mon., Nov. 3, 10:00am, William
Hill Manor, 3rd floor library, call Eleanor Polkinghorn, 410-820-9331 for information.
Deborah Circle: Tues., Nov. 4, 9:30am at home
of Audrey Brown, 700 Port St., #4201. Call 410822-0176 for information.
Sarah Circle: Tues., Nov. 11, 7:00pm in Room
155. Hostesses are June Billman and Jodi Ohler.
Call Sheila Scott (410-822-7336) for information.
NOVEMBER 2014
UNITED METHODIST MEN
November 14 & 15—Waterfowl
Festival fundraiser. Join the UMM
as they sell home made fish
chowder & oyster fritters. Sign up
to help in the gathering area or call
Bob Lawrence 410-819-8029 or Brad
Powers 410-822-7852. Many hands
are needed!
If you have questions or to register
for any UMMen event, contact Brad
Powers @410-822-7852.
REMINDER! DEADLINE FOR SARAH CIRCLE’S FALL RADA CUTLERY SALE IS
NOVEMBER 16! All profits benefit Mid-Shore Council on Family Violence which the circle supports
throughout the year. Since beginning this project in 2005, Sarah Circle’s contribution to them has
been over $3,900.00 including an initial donation of $1,500.00, and sponsoring a family each Christmas.
We also supply pantry items to them on a monthly basis. Because of your help, we are able to continue
this worthwhile project. In addition to cutlery products, other items included in the catalog are meal
starters, soups, cheeseballs, dips, stoneware, cookbooks, gift books, and cooking utensils. Catalogs,
which include ordering instructions, are available in the Gathering Area. If you have questions, please
call Ann Yingling @410-820-8592.
FIRST COMBINED PRAYER WALK
THIS SUNDAY, NOVEMBER 2
Our first combined Prayer Walk is happening this Sunday, Nov. 2 at
3:00pm in Easton’s Thompson Park (corner of Dover & Washington
streets—across the street from Clay Bakers). We will have an opening prayer and a chance to meet new friends as we then walk
throughout the town. Everyone is welcome so bring your friends to
come along! It’s tremendously rewarding and lots of fun! This will always happen on the first Sunday of each month from now on. Our
priority is honoring the Lord’s mandate to both love our neighbors
and pray for blessings. See you there!
PAGE 10
THE MARKINGS
NOVEMBER 2014
MEET OUR CHURCH FAMILY
Calvin and Marion Jackson
Natives of Pittsburgh, PA, Cal and Marion moved to Washington, D.C. shortly after their marriage. They also lived in
Frankfurt, Germany, for 5 years before returning to Columbia, MD, where they lived for 26 years and were active in
Locust UMC there. Their two sons and four grandchildren
still live in Columbia.
Cal is a graduate of U. of MD, with a degree in Accounting
and also holds an MBA from Boston University. Formerly
in the Air Force, assigned to the Presidential Wing at Andrews AFB, he then became an Auditor for the US Army
Audit Agency in Germany for 5 years. Back in the States,
he became Chief of Audit for the Star Wars Program and
later CFO for a software integration firm. He returned to
the Army Audit Agency as an Audit Manager and retired in
2005. Cal was President of the Easton Club East Community Board and is an avid photographer who has won many
awards and been on exhibit in galleries throughout the
Shore.
Marion also has a degree in Accounting from U. of MD, an
MBA in Finance from Johns Hopkins U., and is a CPA.
She was an auditor for a CPA firm in D.C. and then Head
of Accounting Services for Howard Co. Library for 20
years. Following her retirement she taught accounting part
time for two years for Howard Co. Community College.
Marion was very active at Locust UMC in Columbia and
continues to be here at St. Mark's, where she is a Lay Servant, teaches Bible study (as well as at Easton Club East),
and was co-chair of the Audit Committee for 2012/13.
She’s also a member of the Talbot Co. Free Library Foundation Board, Chair of Easton Club East Community Enrichment Team, and loves to read and play tennis.
The Jacksons love the Lord and being a part of St. Mark's
church family, where they’ve been members since 2006. If
you are not already acquainted, please greet them at the
8:15 service.
Paul and Dot Cosden
Some people like St. Mark's so well that they join twice!
Paul and Dot were members back in the late 70s and early
80s when they first lived in Easton. Now they are back as
“new” members, after having lived in Delaware and Florida
in the interim.
Both Paul and Dot were born and raised in Queen Anne’s
County and graduated from Sudlersville High School. They
were both involved in all sports throughout high school and
continue to be avid golfers and college basketball fans.
They started their own hardware store in Smyrna, Delaware
when they were 23, moving on to Milford, Delaware to open
a second store. Dot also owned a Hallmark store in Milford,
as well as one in Easton for 10 years. After their 8 years in
Easton, they returned to Delaware to take care of a Sir
Speedy Printing business which their son had been running.
When he was called to the ministry, they took over the management of the business. In 1994, they retired and moved to
Florida to enjoy the year round golf and warmer weather.
After 17 years in Florida, they returned to be near their family, thus leading them back to our church family also.
Their family consists of their son Dale, who is a pastor of
the Williamsport, Maryland, Church of God, a daughter
Donna in Gambrills, Maryland, and a daughter Dawn who
lives in Easton. They are also proud of their six grandchildren and eight great-grandchildren (with another on the
way).
At the Clermont UMC in Florida, they were both active as
volunteers in many capacities, and Dot is currently one of
the morning office volunteers here at St. Mark’s. If you
haven’t met the Cosdens during their earlier time here or
recently, please look for them at the 9:30 service and welcome them back.
PAGE 11
THE MARKINGS
NOVEMBER 2014
November 2014
Sun
Mon
Tue
Wed
Thu
Fri
Sat
1
2 COMMUNION
6pm Youth
Group
3 10:00am Ruth
Circle
10:00am Mary
Circle
6:30pm Apostle
Paul’s Bible Study
Daylight savings
time ends!
9
16
10
17
3:00pm Concert
6
6:30pm Disciple
Bible Study
11
12
7:00pm UMM
7:00pm Sarah
Circle
6:30pm Apostle
Paul’s Bible Study
1:00 Prayer Shawl
Ministry
18 10:00am
UMW Bd.
19
24
26
25
6:30pm Apostle
Paul’s Bible Study
30
5
7
8
SIGHT &
SOUND BUS
TRIP
13
14
15
WATERFOWL
FESTIVAL
UMM FOOD
SALE!
WATERFOWL
FESTIVAL
UMM FOOD
SALE
20
21
22
27
28
29
6:30pm Apostle
Paul’s Bible Study
6-8pm Youth
Group
23
4 9:30am Deborah Circle
31
THANKSGIVING!
7:00pm Trustees
Weekly Schedule
SUNDAY
THURSDAY
8:15am (Chapel); 9:30 & 11:00am (Sanctuary) Worship Services
9:30am Sunday school for all ages
9:15-11:00am Coffee Fellowship (Gathering Area)
7:00PM Chancel Choir Rehearsal
WEDNESDAY
10:30am Prayer Group in chapel
PAGE 12
THE MARKINGS
St. Mark’s United Methodist Church
100 Peachblossom Road
Easton, MD 21601
NOVEMBER 2014
PRSRT Non-Profit
U.S. POSTAGE
PAID
EASTON, MD
PERMIT NO. 239
RETURN SERVICE
REQUESTED
Staff
Rev. Missy Rekitzke, Pastor
Dr. Gilbert Anderson, Minister of Visitation
Dr. Jack Giguere, Teaching Pastor in Residence
Robert Huntington, Dir ector of Music
Judy Lawrence, Pr ogr am Administr ator
Sarah Ewing, Pr e-School Director
Dr. William F. Wharton, Or ganist
Ellen Barry Grunden, 9:30 Wor ship Leader
Karen Reed, Office Manager
Erica Kirby, Bookkeeper
William Gunther, Building Super intendent
Phone: 410-822-0001
Fax: 410-822-0002
Email: churchoffice@stmarkseaston.org
Website: www.stmarkseaston.org
DON’T FORGET TO MARK YOUR
CALENDARS FOR THE ANNUAL CHRISTMAS
DINNER AND CONCERT AND CRAFT SHOP!
SUNDAY, DECEMBER 7
WATCH THE BULLETIN FOR MORE
INFORMATION AND SIGN UP IN THE
GATHERING AREA