St. Mark’s matters

Summary provided by Barb Fisher-Krueger

North Central Jurisdiction Quadrennial Meeting

The weekend of June 24-26, two St. Mark’s

UMW members traveled to Grand Rapids,

Michigan to attend the North Central

Jurisdiction United Methodist Women

Quadrennial Event (NCJ). Eileen

McPherson and Barb Fisher-Krueger were

part of the Iowa Conference group. There

were 12 conferences involved in the

gathering. The meeting’s two main

purposes were to elect 4 women as national

UMW directors and to install the NCJ team

that will plan the 2020 meeting. There were

workshops, displays, speakers and worship

opportunities. Among inspirational

Ingathering Submitted by Shirley Green

It is time to think about the Ingathering of 2016. As in previous years, we will focus on UMCOR

Health kits, UMCOR Sewing kits and UMCOR School kits, as well as Iowa Nigeria Partnership

Layette kits. Items for the kits are very similar to the items needed in previous years. A list of

items for the kits is posted on the UMCOR bulletin board in Fellowship Hall. *School supplies

will be on sale soon, so this is a good time to purchase those items. Thank you for your support

of this project.

presentations were a gospel quartet,

interpretive dancers and a flutist. One of the

highlights for me was Rev. Carolin Spragg,

a retired pastor from Michigan. She

presented 3 stories of women from the

Bible. The woman at the well, the woman

caught in adultery and Mary and Martha.

Her interpretations were powerful! There

was information on the legacy fund and

some good natured challenges to the 10

Bishops who were in attendance. We raised

over $13,000 for that fund. The NCJ

meeting was awesome, well planned and

only 4 years until our next meeting.

MONTHLY NEWSLETTER | ST MARKS UMC

AUGUST 2016

Church Events August 2nd - Grayye

Matters

August 6th - UMM Meeting & Breakfast

August 10th - Infinity Senior Group

August 16th - Good Lunch Bunch

August 15th - Free Lunch

August 24 - UMW Meeting

September 10th - Youth Mission Day at Adventureland

September 15th - Pork Chop BBQ

2016 Chicken BBQ Update

Submitted by Cory Berwald & Randy Krutzfield, Chicken BBQ co-chairs

THANK YOU!! THANK

YOU!! THANK YOU!!

The weather was perfect for

cooking chicken over an open

pit. The amazing enthusiasm,

energy ad fellowship made this

and AWESOME day. We had

such great volunteers throughout

the entire day. So much help

made for a smooth running

event. A very special thank you

to all of the area chairpersons,

the extra time that they put in is

really appreciated, and makes

our jobs easier. Thanks to the

youth for running the lunch

drive up! Thanks to everyone

for selling tickets and making

cakes.

Our sales were down a little this

year, 1519 meals, but on the

bright side those who need a

good meal at free lunch are

going to get a good one! “And

God’s people said...YES!”

If you still have ticket money,

please turn it in to the church

office ASAP so we can

determine this year’s profit.

Again, this would not have

been possible without YOU!!!!

God bless each and everyone

of you!!!!

We sincerely appreciate all the

volunteers who made this

fundraiser a success.

Grayye Matters Grayye Matters meets the first Tuesday of the month

at Pizza Ranch in the Iowa City Marketplace, formerly

Sycamore Mall.

At our July meeting we chose

our next books. August 2nd we

will discuss, Brain on Fire by

Susannah Cahalan, September 6,

Inside the O’Briens by Lisa

Genova, October 8, A Man

Called Ove by Frederik

Backman, November 8, Caleb’s

Crossing by Geraldine Brooks

and December 6 we will have

another potpourri.

There were several good

suggestions of books to read:

Heat and Sight by Jennifer

Haigh, The Nightingale by

Kristine Hannah, The Kitchen

House by Kathleen Grissom

Accused by Lisa Scottoline

The Melody of Secrets by

Jeffrey Stepakoff

The Midnight Rose by Lucinda

Riley, Just Mercy by Bryan

Stevenson

We welcome anyone to join us

for our lively discussions.

Bookmarks are available on the

UMW board in Fellowship Hall.

Fruitful Congregation Thank you to those who continue to donate items or donate

monetarily for the Blessing Bags ministry. We will meet again on

Monday, August 8 at 7:00 p.m.

Suggestions for donations are:

Granola bars, hot cocoa packets, cough drops, water bottles, raisins,

peanut butte crackers, trial size deodorant, Kleenex, hand sanitizer,

cereal bars

United Methodist Women

The next UMW meeting will be August 24th at 6:30 p.m. in

Fellowship Hall. June Judge of Iowa City will be our speaker.

June helped to establish the NAMI - National Alliance on Mental

Illness and developed an educational forum called Family to

Family.

She will be sharing her background and experience of teaching

children in the public schools as well as her personal story of her

family’s journey for help with mental illness. She will share

resources that are available for persons in need.

Please feel free to attend this informative meeting and hear June’s

story.

Where Are You? From Membership to Discipleship

Submitted by Deacon Chris Humrichouse

The mission of St. Mark’s UMC

is “making disciples of Jesus

Christ for the transformation of

the world.” Ever wonder where

you are on your discipleship

journey? Ever wonder what

“defines” or describes a disciple?

Now each of us can examine our

own growth in faith and

discipleship with a new survey

tool.

This online survey measures the

following marks of discipleship:

a life of worship; a life of

hospitality, a life open to Jesus;

a life of obeying Jesus; a life of

service; and a life of generosity.

By taking this simple survey,

you will identify whether you

are exploring, beginning,

growing or maturing in each of

these discipleship categories.

Only YOU will see your survey.

You will be able to print out

your results, so they can guide

you in going deeper in your

faith. There is also a companion

piece that can help you select

groups and ministries at and

through St. Mark’s that will help

deepen and strengthen your life

as a disciple. (See one of these

opportunities in the articles

below!)

The district office is currently

setting up our account. You

should be able to take the survey

starting next week. Watch your

email for instructions.

How goes it with your

Confirmation 2016-2017

Submitted by Deacon Chris Humrichouse

All kids sixth grade or above are

invited to join the next

Confirmation Class beginning

September 4 at St. Mark’s.

Class will be held each Sunday

at 9:30 on a.m. All families are

asked to attend Children First!

Worship at 9:30 on August 28 to

recognize the beginning of this

milestone in your faith and

receive confirmation pins. An

informational meeting for

confirmands and their parents

will be held at 10:30 that same

morning (immediately following

Children First! Worship) in

room 108/109 in the Education

Wing. Questions? Email

Deacon Chris at

deacon@stmarks-umc.net or

call 337-7201 ext. 103.

New Prayer Group Forming Now Would you like to gather with others for prayer? Do you feel called

to help keep our St. Mark’s prayer list current and active? Join us

on Tuesdays from 8:00-9:00 a.m. beginning August 9 in the

Fireside Room at St. Mark’s. Questions? Contact Deacon Chris at

deacon@stmarks-umc.net or 3317-7201 ext. 103.

Living on Purpose - Wesleyan Class Meetings for Everyone

How do I grow in my faith and live out a life of discipleship?

John Wesley believed that groups called “class meetings” were

helpful in creating the environment and opportunity for spiritual

growth.

Living on Purpose groups are forming right now at St. Mark’s. It

is our goal to have everyone connected with St. Mark’s find a

group. What are these groups about? Living on Purpose groups

will explore the Strengths Finder tools to help each other learn

our top 5 signature strengths and live our lives as the unique

individuals God created us to be. Your group will help you

explore Scripture, prayer, and service. Your group will help you

explore and address the question: “How is it with your soul?” In

general, your group will provide you with support and

accountability on your faith journey and help you live and grow

as a disciple of Jesus Christ.

Groups will meet at least once per month - but you can choose to

meet more often if you wish! Groups may meet any day of the

week and any time of the day. Groups may meet at the church, in

homes, or at your favorite local coffee shop or another gathering

place.

How do you find a group? It is simple. Email Deacon Chris at

deacon@stmarks-umc.net and ask to be connected to a Living on

Purpose group. If you would like to facilitate a group of faith

friends as a Living on Purpose group, you should also email

Christ at the address listed above. Groups can range in size from

3-12. Groups may begin meeting as soon as facilitators and

meeting times have been set. Get connected today!

discipleship? Where are you on your

faith journey? Let’s find out and

grow together here at St. Mark’s!

Questions? Email Deacon Chris at:

deacon@stmarks-umc.net or call 337

-7201 ext. 103.

FaithWalk and Milestone Ministry Resume August 28

Submitted by Deacon Chris Humrichouse

Join us in Children First!

Worship at 9:30 a.m. Sunday,

August 28, as we recognize the

Faith Milestones for all ages.

Children will receive their

Milestone pins or Bibles and

celebrate in Fellowship Hall with

Milestone cookies and updated

Milestone Family Binders for

parents. Faith Milestones are as

follows:

3 year olds: beginning Sunday

school milestones (will receive

storybook Bibles)

4 year olds: prayer milestone

(receive pins in worship)

Kindergarten: worship

milestone (receive pins)

First Grade: baptism milestone

(receive pins)

Second Grade: communion

milestone (receive pins)

Third Grade: Bible Black Belts

milestone (receive Beginner’s

Bible)

Fourth Grade: liturgical church

year milestone (receive pins)

Fifth Grade: Mission and

Service milestone (receive pins)

Sixth Grade: Confirmation

Milestone (receive pins)

We will hold our parent/child

Confirmation Information

meeting after this worship at

10:30. Please join us to learn

about the confirmation process

at St. Mark’s. This special

worship also marks the

beginning of the New

Vacation Bible School was a success!

Submitted by Deacon Chris Humrichouse

Thanks to all the volunteers that

helped make Vacation Bible

School a success this year.

Thanks to our partner church,

First UMC of Iowa City! This

year we saw approximately 50

kids, ‘Catch the Wave of God’s

Amazing Love.”

Enjoy these photos. For more,

please visit our Facebook page

or the link on our website:

stmarksic.aboundant.com.

FaithWalk year (Sunday morning

spiritual formation classes for

children.) Regular age-group classes

begin the following Sunday,

September 4, in the Education Wing.

Questions? Email Deacon Chris at

deacon@stmarks-umc.net or call 337

-7201 ext. 103.

Prayer Shawl Quilts

Submitted by Barb Fisher-Krueger

New to the prayer shawl ministry

here at St. Mark’s are prayer

quilts.

This ministry was started in 1992

in California with the donation

of a quilt to a child with major

health issues.

Several quilts have been donated

and are ready to be given to

people in need of comfort.

There will be several in the

fireside room (in the prayer

shawl case.)

If you take one please include a

card and sign the notebook

provided. Names are optional,

but an indication of the reason

for giving would be appreciated.

This addition to our prayer

shawl ministry will allow people

who don’t knit or crochet to join

our ministry. If you need

additional information, please

contact Barb Fisher-Krueger.

Prayers, Joys & Concerns If you know of anyone in need of prayer, please speak with

Pastor Sean or Deacon Chris

Beverly Yoder for health

issues

Emily Lewis for treatment

of cancer

Dale Bream for health

issues

Judy Pierson for treatment

of uterine cancer

Diane Mattila & family for

the loss of her father

Jack Schintler and family

for the loss of his wife, Fern

Don Anderson’s mother,

Marge, entering Hospice

Sue Brenneman

Carla Melby-Oetken

Bill Thorne for health

issues

Nicholas Tang stationed

with the Air Force and his

wife, Andrea Haymond-

Tang

For all persons living in

war torn areas and for

peace and safety

throughout this country and

the world

Prayers for folks in nursing homes and homebound

Marilyn Matthews at home

Iva Sagert at home

Jim Lindemann in Solon

Eldon Prybil

Pauline Trout at Melrose Meadows

Phyllis Showalter at Crestview

Special Offerings for August

August 7 - Shelter House

August 14 - Stephen Ministry

August 21 - Habitat for Humanity

August 28 - Camp Sunday

Hearing Loss is Unique

Submitted by Lou Schooley, ICI

People with hearing loss are unique. We occupy an

awkward place in this world that spins on the sounds

of people, nature, and machines that most other

people can hear and understand. And it’s not always

easy to explain what it’s like to be in that place.

Six months ago, I started writing articles for the St.

Mark’s UMC newsletter. It has been a challenge to

write one page articles with all the information on

hearing loss. I pray you all take this serious. Do not

ignore any of these conversations I have talked to

you about. So, if you recognize hearing loss in

yourself or others take these steps to take the stress

out of everyday life, I encourage you to see an

audiologist. Once you cross over to that “awkward

place” there is no going back to normal hearing!

Only one-fifth of people who could benefit from a

hearing aid, seek intervention. Even among hearing

aid users, most have lived with hearing loss for more

than ten years before seeking a hearing aid and by

then, their impairment had progressed to moderate-to

-severe hearing levels. Factors that influence

whether a person chooses to wear a hearing aid

include the perceived versus actual benefits, cost,

stigma, and value (benefit relative to price) of

hearing aids, as well as the person’s accessibility to

hearing health care.

Hearing loss in adults has a number of contributing

factors, including age, genetics, noise exposure, and

chronic disease. Age-related hearing loss or

presbycusis is generally a slow, progressive hearing

loss that affects both ears equally. Presbycusis

begins in the high frequencies and later affects the

lower frequencies. One of the first signs of hearing

loss is often an inability to hear and understand

speech in noisy environments. Because of this slow

progression, adults with Presbycusis do not readily

acknowledge their hearing loss, considering it a

normal sign of aging. Usually the spouse or

significant other has been frustrated by the hearing

loss long before the individual with the hearing loss

even acknowledges it.

Why do individuals delay in seeking hearing health

services? Gagne, Southhall and Jennings (2011)

pointed out that stigma is the main cause of delays in

hearing health. “In order to live well with hearing

loss, one must recognize and accept hearing loss.

Specifically, many people must overcome the

misplaced shame and poor self-esteem that they

may experience.” The fitting of the hearing aids

need to be part of a larger treatment program that

included the individual and his/her significant

other(s). Rehabilitation programs tailored to the

individual’s communication needs have been

shown to help create feelings of acceptance and

confidence. When you or a family realize it is

time to go see an audiologists, or you have your

hearing aids collecting dust on the night stand,

remember you are learning new habits, or rather,

learning old habits in a new setting. Go back and

reread my June and July newsletters and start

using adaptive behaviors, communication will be

easier for your family, friends and going out in

public.

This is life with hearing loss, our constant

companion.

United Methodist Men

Please join the United Methodist Men on Saturday,

August 6, 2016 at 7:30 a.m. in Fellowship Hall.

Breakfast will be served at 7:30 with the program to

follow at 8:00. This month our speaker will be Ryan

Roberts, Store Manager, of the First Avenue Hyvee

in Iowa City. All are welcome to attend.

Financial News

Submitted by Finance Team

Summer continues to be HOT!! However, our

income has cooled off. For the first time this year

our actual pledged income received was less than we

had budgeted. Nothing to panic about but something

we all need to be aware of. Our expenses continue to

be less than budgeted which is good.

Some options for staying connected with your St.

Mark’s family while out of town include:

Check out the church webpage (http://

stmarksic.aboundant.com) for:

Upcoming events and dates

Pastor Sean’s sermons

News for adults, youth and children

Newsletters and much more

To continue routine schedule of giving to the

church, contributions can be:

Mailed to the church (2675 E. Washington St.)

Automatic withdrawal (anyone on the Finance

Team would be happy to assist you in getting

this set up)

Electronic giving is a link on the church website

and very easy to use

These donations will be credited to you just as

they are when you drop them in the offering

plate. This will save having to play catch-up this

fall.

July featured some AMAZING children and youth

activities….Vacation Bible School and Mountain

Top Mission Trip. These exciting opportunities for

our young disciples would not be possible without

your financial support, food and supply donations

and giving of your time to make their experience of

learning about the love of God and sharing his

wonderful love with others.

BUDGET - All ministry areas will spend the month

of August preparing their goals for 2017 and the

budget needed to accomplish their ministry. If you

have a mission or project you have always wished St.

Mark’s would become involved in PLEASE,

PLEASE, PLEASE, let Pastor Sean, Deacon Chris,

any member of the Executive Council know...or call

the office and Hillary will direct you to the

appropriate ministry area. This is a wonderful

opportunity for us to dream BIG

as we live out our mission

“making disciples of Jesus Christ

for the transformation of the

world.”

FINANCE TEAM:

Kay Seagren, Diane Berwald,

John Green, Ed Pierson (Financial

Secretary), Bob George

(Treasurer) and Chris Cheatum

(Lay Leader)

Gather, Grow, Go! Bulletin Board

Please see the Gather, Grow, Go! Bulletin board for

wonderful opportunities that St. Mark’s has to offer.

There are many ways to get connected. Direct any

inquiries to Deacon Chris or Hillary.

August Worship Servants

8:00 AM Ushers

8/7 - Tony & Pam Freund

Ed & Suzanne Krogh

8/14 - Jeff & Dianne Wasson

Jerry & Patti Mitchell

8/21 - Lavon & Nancy Rutt

Neil & Jeanne Bennett

8/28 - Pam Bleckwenn

Barb Fisher-Krueger

Chris McMorris

Barb Smith

8:00 AM Greeters

8/7 - Eleanor Carthey

Leonard Hixson

8/14 - Traci Huffman

Jen Lewis

8/21 - Clarence & Jean Skog

8/28 - Earl & Jeanne Phillips

8:00 AM Readers

8/7 - Sally Hoelscher

8/14 - Marlene Lake

8/21 - Dennis Preslicka

8/28 - Rebecca Weatherford

8/7 Communion Servers (8:00)

Rose Hanson

Melanie Rose Justice

Jan Soboroff

Barb Smith

Barb Fisher-Krueger

9:30 AM Ushers

8/7 - Bob & Diane DeWitt

Marlene Slaubaugh

Roberta Caris

8/14 -Mary Curtis

Kathy Harrison

8/21 - Judy Brookhaus

Mary Brown

Tom Shepherd

Eileen McPherson

8/28 - Jim & Mardee Wood

Bob & Maggie Elliott

9:30 AM Greeters

8/7 - Mark & Carolyn Brock

8/14 - Barbara Nelson

Jeremy Showers

8/21 - Gary & Jeanie Nagle

8/28 - Dennis Stevens

Wanda Stevens

9:30 AM Readers

8/7 - Lynn Dornfeld

8/14 - Chris McMorris

8/21 - Eileen McPherson

8/28 - Janice Thorne

8/7 Communion Servers (9:30)

Tom Shepherd

Mary Brown

Jeremy Showers

Judy Brookhaus

10:50 AM Ushers

8/7 - Abbie Buhr

Joshua Cheatum

8/14 - Steve & Karen Laughlin

8/21 - John Green

Peg Horn

8/28 - Karen Miller

Laura Lage

10:50 AM Readers

8/7 - Rebecca Carver

8/14 - Jo Hoover

8/21 - Marsha Lowe

8/28 - Lou Schooley

10:50 AM Communion Servers

8/7 - Peg Horn

Mark Meyers

8/14 - Sue Brenneman

Karen Miller

8/21 - Steve & Karen Laughlin

8/28 - Jane Dohnrmann

Don Anderson

AUGUST BIRTHDAYS 1. Don Anderson, Gary Haymond

2. Regina Cheatum, Kathy Harrison, Tom Shepherd

3. Evelina Schnoebelen

4. Bill Pringle

5. Amelia Gibson, Sarah Beland

6. Sandy Spire

7. Tracey Hightshoe, Karen Laughlin, Luke Melby-Oetken

8. Siobhan Stevens

10. Nikolas Kronk, Courtney Roth, Hillary Grier

11. Bob Caris, Susan France

12. Wally Graff, Joseph Shahan

13. Eleanor Carthey, Gerald Miller, Linda Hoover

14. Nancy Rutt

15. Nickolas Kruger, Mark Meyers

16. Dennis Gaunt, Lynde Weatherford

17. Deb Starr

19. Betty Jensen, Melissa Cree

20. Sally Hoelscher

21. Calla Swenson

22. Daniel Jansen, Newell Nobbs, Carmen Nugent

23. Charles Lindemann, April Wilson

25. Frank Nelson

26. Verlee Hogan

27. Alan Elgar, Raymond Nugent

28. John Yoder, Amanda Stevens

29. Nancy Dole, Reid Salisbury

31. Sue McCracken

ANNOUNCEMENTS Infinity Senior Group - The next Senior Group meeting

will be on Wednesday, August 10 from 2 to 4 p.m. at St.

Mark’s. Lorna Cress will be presenting a program on

kaleidoscopes. She has over 200 and will bring some to

share with us, so it should be a fun afternoon. We will

follow with coffee, potluck snacks, and time for visiting.

Everyone is most warmly invited to come and join the

fellowship. If you have any questions, please contact Sage

at 319-354-5484 or sage-river@firstchurch.org.

Good Lunch Bunch (formerly Good Grief Lunch Bunch) -

If you are a senior and would like to go out with friends for

lunch and conversation once a month, please join us on the

3rd Tuesday at 11:30 a.m. We meet at various restaurants in

the Iowa City and Coralville area and we welcome your

suggestions. We will be meeting on August 16th at Hunan

Restaurant in Coralville. For more information and to get

on our calling list, contact Diane Mattila at 319-354-2271 or

Barb McCormick at 319-354-4583.

The Worship Committee would like to thank everyone

who has served as a greeter, usher, communion server,

scripture reader and AV operator. Your skills and

willingness to serve makes worship possible. We are in

need of your continued service as well as recruiting some

additional volunteers. Forms are available in Fellowship

Hall. After you have completed the form, please give to an

usher or drop by the office.

ST MARK’S WELCOMING STATEMENT

St. Mark’s Welcoming Statement

We affirm Jesus’ example of love without reservation and covenant to deal

compassionately and justly with one another. We welcome the full participation

of all people in the life and ministries of St. Mark’s United Methodist Church as

we journey toward reconciliation through Christ. Therefore, we celebrate the

uniqueness of individuals and believe this diversity enriches our journey

together in faith toward greater understanding, mutual respect, and Christian

love. We embrace persons of all ages, races, diversity of sexual orientations,

gender identities, family configurations, faith history, ethnicity, economic status,

marital status, physical and mental ability, and education. We recognize that

there are differences of opinion among us, but believe that we can love alike

even though we may not think alike. St. Mark’s is a place where ALL are

welcome and invited to join us in our faith journey toward greater love,

understanding, and mutual respect.

Please visit this link to receive notifications and updates on

how Judy Pierson is doing. caringbridge.org/visit/

judypiersonspage

Newsletter submissions are due no later than the 3rd

Monday of each month by 4:00 p.m. Special exceptions

will be made if the office is given notice.

Change a Child’s Story - United Methodists in Iowa are

participating in efforts to Change a Child’s Story. The

response of St. Mark’s to this ministry has been fantastic.

Thanks to your donations of money and new books, we have

already been able to give books to children in our

community. As a reminder, St. Mark’s goal is to give 2,500

new books to children in our community and spend 2,500

hours reading to children over the next two years. You can

check the progress by looking at the chart in the Sanctuary.

Chris McMorris has changed her telephone number. The

new one is: (425)-375-8620

Connecting with St. Mark’s UMC: Phone number is 319-

337-7201; web address is stmarksic.aboundant.com;

Facebook is St. Mark’s United Methodist Church; email is st

-marks@stmarks-umc.net

September 10th is Youth Day at Adventureland. Watch

your email for more information.

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St. Mark’s United Methodist Church

2675 E. Washington Street

Iowa City, IA 52245

www.stmarksic.aboundant.com