Friends,
For the last two weeks, I’ve been updating you on things that are happening here at St. Mark. Today, I want to share some news and then encourage you to consider something.
First, the news. Many of you have commented on how much you appreciate Kate Forer, who has preached for us on two occasions and has been part of our worship leadership on other occasions. I mentioned some time ago that Kate has initiated a new ministry as a Spiritual Director, which I will invite for her to describe for us in more detail in next week’s Extra. On Tuesday, our Session has voted to offer Kate an office on our campus for her practice and in return she will become part of our staff. As such, Kate will participate in our worship services, help with our 20-30 Something Young Adult group, and offer opportunities for introductory consultations with anyone interested in the work of Spiritual Direction. Kate also has a passion for leading retreats and is open to doing so with us. I am very excited about this door that is opening for us. In some ways, I feel like our staff is taking shape in a beautiful way.
With Kate working alongside of Ann Scott, our Parish Nurse, and Gretchen Carrilo, our Parish Counselor, we have a very strong team of holistic care of the body, mind, and spirit. While it is never possible, or even desirable, to fully separate the body, mind, and spirit, at times we tend to them separately and at times jointly. Anyone who has dealt with high blood pressure knows that the physical expression of our circulatory system can indicate a high degree of stress. We may take a pill to address the physical symptom and speak with a therapist to address the stress. The two actions are not exclusive, but complementary, because our circulatory, lymphatic, cardiovascular, and respiratory systems are not fully separable from our emotions, hopes, will, fears, and desires. Whether we need to name it, sleep on it, or pray about it, our trio of Parish Nurse, Parish Counselor, and Spiritual Director can provide resources and encouragement. Thanks be to God.
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Now, the consideration. In worship, you have heard about our plans for an Intergenerational summer camp, August 10-14, called MARC: Music, Art, Rhythm, and Community. I believe this is going to be a marvelous week. We are planning ways for the young and the young at heart to work together for a week of learning, community, play, and worship. Have you ever wanted to ring bells, but don’t read music? We will learn how. Have you ever wondered why we call a room “The Bonhoeffer Room?” We will explore Dietrich Bonhoeffer’s life together. Have you ever sat in our Memorial Garden and wondered who this or that person was, whose name is engraved in one of the shutters? We will spend some time there and explore what it means to be part of the community of saints. And did you know that of the nearly one hundred varieties of lilies in the world (the genus Lilium), about twenty are native to California? We will “consider the lilies” during this week. All these explorations will be intentionally intergenerational, providing opportunities for young and young at heart to learn together.
I encourage you to consider being part of our Summer MARC. You can contact SueJeanne Koh here for more information or to indicate your interest in helping. It has been a while since we have had a week-long summer event, so we don’t have either “the usual suspects” or “the usual process” to lean on. And I say that approvingly. This is a new opportunity, and I hope you will consider being a part of it.
See you in worship,
Mark of St. Mark
