Blessing of the Pets (Sunday 10/1/2017) at St. Mark's
A wonderful St Francis and Blessing of the Pets Sunday! 30 humans, 18 dogs, 2 cats, 1 lovebird, 1 teddy bear hamster, and 1 blue tongued skink. Everyone behaved, especially the humans, for the 35 minutes service. We also had candles to light to remember those pets we have had who have passed on. A fabulous cake afterwards and treats for all. AND--we raised over $400 to give to Grays Harbor PAWS and the Freedom Tails dog training program at Stafford Creek Prison!
Annual Church Picnic (Sunday, 8/27/2017) at St. Mark's
A really inspiring day at and around St, Mark's! First, a nice uplifting summer Pentecost service with a great sermon by Corby Varness about some of the women in the Book of Exodus and how they persisted to raise Moses to greatness. Then a super "picnic" meal of pulled pork and many other dishes and desserts in our parish hall. And finally, bringing and helping serve the food at the Chaplains on the Harbor Sunday night dinner at St. Andrew's, Aberdeen. Thanks to all who prepared the meal, especially Corby and Kevin Varness, and for those who brought this wonderful meal together and helped serve it from St. Mark's--Mary Stubb, Bonnie Campbell, Lorna Wargo, Jim Campbell, Gail Rolfe, along with some of the regular supporters from St. Andrew's--Rob and Glen. Heaping plates of food--chicken pasta salad on greens, chips, pickles, Chinook prepared smoked salmon, rolls, watermelon, and brownies with ice cream. (We even took some food left over to folks camped down on the Chehalis River in Aberdeen.) Worshiping and following Christ!
Back to School Supplies Drive at St. Mark's (Month of August/2017)
This year the Montesano School District announced they would be paying for all students' school supplies. So, St. Mark's agreed to send $300 for the their emergency needs fund for the High school kids.
Pentecost Sunday (6/4/2017) 10am at St. Mark's
There was lots of Red--vestments, with some of the many flowers, on the old altar and ambo, and worn by most of the people. And red balloons this year! And then lots of treats!
Easter Season Events at St. Mark’s: (4/9-4/16/2017)
Palm Sunday Communion Service: April 9th, 10am—Included the blessing of the palms (actually fern frons) and a reading of the Gospel of Matthew Passion story.
Maundy Thursday Communion Service: April 13th, 6pm—14 people gathered for this service, including foot washing like Jesus did for his disciples, and a small soup/bread meal after the service.
Good Friday Service: April 14th, noon at St. Mark’s--5 of the faithful met for the Gospel of John reading of the Passion.
Good Friday Ecumenical Service: April 14th, 7:00PM to be held at Montesano United Methodist Church--about 80 attended, with Rev. Bonnie and Jim Campbell reading during the service.
Easter Sunday Communion Service: April 16th, 10:00am—celebration of the Risen Christ, renewal of Baptismal vows, and an Easter Egg hunt for kids, too! 37 attended, with Jeffrey Stubb being baptized and serving as an acolyte for the first time.
Ashes to Go on Ash Wednesday (3/1/2017) at the Montesano Post Office
Rev. Bonnie Campbell imposed ashes at the Montesano Post Office (including the drive through) to all comers from 2:30 to 4:30pm. Five of us from St. Mark’s also shared the Ash Wednesday service and meal with the Rev. Marc Rice and folks from the Church of God at their place.
107th Shrove Tuesday Pancake Day Event (2/28/2017) at St. Mark's
Our 107th Annual Shrove Tuesday Pancake Day event at St. Mark's was a major success again this year. Special thanks to all the volunteers (known and unknown) who help us make this happen. We raises over $1800 in gross proceeds, and thanks to most of the food expenses being covered, we will have over $1650 left to give to local groups—the Montesano Food Bank, the Children's Advocacy Center, and the Montesano Schools Kids Emergency Fund. A lot of pancakes, lots of fellowship, and plenty of tired feet--but a lot of fun, too for this Montesano community that comes together each year for this.
St. John’s, South Bend Has Decided to Close (1/29/2017)
Due to a change in plans by the First Lutheran School in South Bend, St. John’s no longer has a place to worship there and has decided to close after over 100 years in operation in South Bend. Their priest, The Rev. Gretchen Gunderson has decided to join us at St. Mark’s and agreed to become part of our worship team and a Bishop’s Committee member at our recent Annual Meeting in February. We also are bringing a few items related to worship to St. Mark’s to use, and we thankfully receive their Diocesan Investment Fund for future outreach use (to be determined).