st. mark's news: september 2014
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Episcopal Church NewsletterTRANSCRIPT
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September 2014
St. Mark’s News Volume 18/Issue 8
From the Assistant Rector
From my first moments on this campus this place has been special to me. Driving up to interview with
Elizabeth, seemingly a lifetime ago, the moment the church came into view I simply knew St. Mark’s was
where it would begin for me. Sitting with my soon-to-be-boss, nervous, sweaty, and extremely
unproven…I rested in the assurance this was where God wanted me to be. Both Suzanne and I knew we
belonged here. That afternoon has colored every day after.
That assurance was surely galvanized by you, each of you. I have never felt anything but loved by you.
These two years have been so dear to me. I am a better person for them and for you. It has all been a gift:
the Sunday morning coffee routine, every sermon, every service beside Elizabeth, each Eucharist with
you, every second with the youth, every time we cook, each ‘ah ha’ moment experienced, every Bible
Study, the quick chats between services, all the meaningful sit-downs during the week, the Day School’s
children’s chapels, the beer tours, the Well meetings, all the emails! I cherish it all, because of all of you.
I am humbled by how I am changed since that first interview. It is a
mystery to me how July of 2012 can seem so recent and yet seem like a
lifetime ago. So much life has happened since. Noah, our St. Mark’s
baby, was born just days after I began my curacy. Suz and I marvel how
he and Luke (who was barely walking then) horse around in the Parish
Hall and pine for butter cookies as they always have…only now they
reach for the cookies themselves when no one is looking. Our boys will
be constant reminders of our days here in Barton Hills. Your loving
ways have set a high bar; we leave a well-loved family.
I leave most grateful for being raised up by my rector, for being nurtured
by my curate committee, for being encouraged by the friends with whom
we have been gifted, for being inspired by the most incredible group of teens and pre-teens in all the
world. I leave changed by God through each of you. I leave more confident because of how seriously you
carried out your role as mentors and care-takers of my heart, our hearts. I leave ready, and a little heavy-
hearted, for the task God would have me to do. How does one begin to say thank you? How can I ever
express my appreciation?
While these answers will elude me for another lifetime, I imagine, I know that, in these final weeks, I will
stand before you, watching my beloved church family sing the processional hymns, admiring your
beautiful voices, and I will enjoy to the fullest the youth’s silly jokes and belly laughs (and hopefully
improved knife skills). I will joyfully fill coffee pots and turn on lights as I have these two years. Know
that I am thanking God for you during all of it.
In this Issue
From the Assistant Rector ......... 1
Vestry Highlights........................ 2
Outreach .................................... 3
Parish Life ................................. 4
Music Notes ............................... 5
Border Refugee Crisis ............... 6
Christian Formation ................... 7
Parishioner Highlights ................ 9
Celebrations ............................ 10
ROTA ...................................... 11
September 2014
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And whatever becomes of me, Suzanne, and the boys, your kindness and generosity of spirit, your
character, your charm, your indelible mark shall be upon us. You have loved us well. And we hope to
honor you in kind. And our leaving leads to another “hello” for us—one that also rests in the very same
assurance I felt a lifetime ago.
With my deepest gratitude and affection,
Travis
Vestry Highlights
The St. Mark’s Vestry met on Tuesday, August 19, at 6:00 p.m. in the Parish Hall. The meeting began
with prayer and a Whole Foods boxed meal arranged for by Jr. Warden, J.P. Kloninger. During dinner we
spent some time sharing “What I did on my summer vacation.”
The Finance Committee was not able to meet the week before the Vestry meeting, but Treasurer Lucy
Joyce provided a detailed summary of the financials for the month of July. July pledge income was under
budget, but the year-to-date income is well above the budgeted amount.
There was a $1,000 expenditure for repairs to the sprinkler system. The City of Austin is requiring
inspection of all commercial properties. Austex Sprinklers made necessary repairs. Next an inspector
approved by City of Austin will check the system and if they find anything else, Austex will return to
make any additional repairs.
St. Mark’s recently received two wonderful and most appreciated gifts: a new refrigerator for the kitchen,
and a $10,000 gift to help with the cost of re-siding the buildings. Charles Brewer presented bid
proposals for the work: one for replacing the siding with Hardie Board, and the other with stucco. The
decision was made to go with the stucco so that there would be continuity with the church and the Bennett
Wing. In addition to the stucco we have installed new double pane windows.
The new program year for Christian Education begins on Sunday, September 7 – when we also return to
our three-service Sunday schedule.
The youth have met both on Sundays after church and on Mondays for various field trips. Travis+ will be
greatly missed, but we also have dedicated lay persons who will ensure continuity with several ministries
he has overseen. There will be a farewell reception for Travis and his family on Sunday, September 28 at
noon. The vestry had the opportunity to hear from Travis about the call process for his new ministry in
Angleton.
Three Sunday Services Schedule
Resumes on September 7 SEPTEMBER 7, 2014 – MAY 31, 2015
7:30 a.m. Holy Eucharist, Rite I
9:00 a.m. Holy Eucharist, Rite II
10:00 a.m. Christian Formation for Adults and Youth
11:00 a.m. Holy Eucharist, Rite II*
*During the season of Lent our worship at the 11:00 service is according to Rite II.
September 2014
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Sunday, September 21 is Invitation Sunday!
Once again this year we are invited and encouraged to join with churches of all denominations across the
nation in Invitation Sunday. All that is asked of each of us is that we extend an invitation to a neighbor, to a
friend, or to a family member inviting them to join us for church on September 21. Statistics indicate that 82%
of those who are unchurched are somewhat likely to attend a church if they are invited, but only 2% of those
who have a church home extend an invitation.
I would like to encourage every one of us at St. Mark’s to take this challenge of evangelism. On Sunday
August 17 and 24 we were once again reminded of what a wonderful and lively parish St. Mark’s is. On
August 17 nearly 100 people gathered in the Parish Hall for our annual sandwich/salad potluck. As always,
there was more than enough food to feed the multitudes. It was a wonderful time for fellowship. And then on
August 24 we blessed backpacks and distributed crosses to returning students at the 10:00 service, followed by
Rally Day in the Parish Hall – an opportunity to offer our gifts to the various ministries at St. Mark’s.
Mission and Ministry Meals in October
It’s time to sign up to attend one of our three Mission and Ministry meals in October (12, 19,
and 26). We gather at noon for a meal in the Parish Hall for a presentation of the next year’s
budget and for distribution of pledge/commitment cards. Our program this year will be our
youth giving us a glimpse of what happens at Trinity Street Sunday meals. Sign-up sheets
will be in the Parish Hall every Sunday for the next month.
Outreach
We are volunteering with the Capital Area Food Bank on Saturday, September 13 from 1:30-4:30 pm. This
opportunity is for people 16 and older only. Sign up in the Parish Hall.
Sunday, September 28: Farewell to, and Thanksgiving for, Travis Smith+ and his Family at Noon
Travis Smith+ began his ordained ministry at St. Mark’s in July 2012. Only days later little Noah was born, so for the
past two years we have had the privilege of having Travis, Suzanne, Luke, and Noah be part of our St. Mark’s
community and family. Unfortunately for us there is a parish (Holy Comforter) in Angleton that has called Travis+ to
serve as their next rector. Travis has been a wonderful leader to our youth in the past two years. He has prepared
and served us (with lots of St. Mark’s parishioner help) delicious Cajun and Italian food. He has introduced some of
the men in the parish to the best beer, burgers, and chicken fried steak. Most important of all he has shared his deep
love for God and his faithfulness with us. We will miss him, and we will miss his dear family. Join us on September
28 as we say “thank you” and pray for God’s presence with them in their new home and ministry.
Save the Date! The 2014 Annual Retreat for Women on October 17, 18, and 19 at Camp Allen.
Hosted by Grace Church Georgetown and the Diocese of Texas ECW Board. All women in the
Diocese of Texas are invited! This year’s theme is Let Your Light Shine. For more information, visit
www.epicenter.org/ecw-annual-retreat/
September 2014
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Parish Life
Tuesday Brown Bag Bible Study - Noon in the Bennett Wing Classroom Our Tuesday Brown Bag Bible Study will resume on Tuesday, September 2. As is our custom, we will
begin the year not with a Brown Bag lunch, but with pizza! Our study will begin with the book of
Psalms. We will use as our resource a series of articles written by the Rev. Frank A. Spina, professor of
Old Testament at Seattle Pacific University.
First Friday Book Group - 11:00 a.m. in the Bennett Wing Classroom Join us for lively discussion of (mostly) novels the first Friday of each month.
September 5 Orphan Train by Christina Baker Kline
October 3 State of Wonder by Ann Patchett
November 7 Wonder by R.J. Palacio
December 5 Someone by Alice McDermott
St. Mark's Men's Group Presents an “Italian Pasta Feast”
September 20, 2014, from 6 – 8 PM in the Parish Hall
Adults – $15.00 Children 6-16 $5.00 Tickets on sale in Parish Hall on Sundays or from any Men's Group Member.
All Proceeds benefit the St. Mark's Scholarship Fund
Women’s News September marks the beginning of the Christian Education and Activities year at St. Mark’s, and Rally Day,
August 24, brought out a lot of folks seeking opportunities to participate. Of particular importance to the
Women was the collection of dues which help underwrite our women’s group’s obligation for the assessment
request from the ECW of the Diocese of Texas. Thanks to all of you who have paid and for those who
haven’t, please pitch in to support their many charitable activities. It’s only $5.00 and the money does a lot of
good in many, many places.
Day Trip on September 13. Mark your calendar for September 13th when we will make a day trip to La
Grange to shop, lunch (and snack on kolaches) and visit local attractions like the well-respected Quilt
Museum. Details and sign-up sheets will be posted in the Parish Hall.
Bunco & Potluck: September 22 at 6:30. We’ll return to our regular monthly potluck and Bunco. This is a
really fun activity and if you are new to St. Marks or even a long-time member, who has never participated,
come join us. It’s always good food, a little wine and laughs all around. Hope to see you there.
Daughters of the King Fall Assembly
Friday, September 12 – Saturday, September 13 at Camp Allen
Saints Mary and Martha Chapter of the Daughters of the King at Holy Trinity in Dickinson invite our Sisters of the
Diocese of Texas to attend “Enhancing Your Spiritual Life and Connecting with God.”
Cost is $105.00. Please visit www.dokdot.org for more information.
September 2014
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Music Notes September is the perfect time to join a choir! Both choirs are gearing up for the season – starting new songs,
enjoying favorite tunes, visiting with familiar friends, and making new ones. If you are interested in singing
with us and being part of a smaller family within the larger community of the church, we invite you to join us
on Wednesday evening!
The St. Mark's Adult Choir. Open to high school students and adults. This choir sings challenging music in a
variety of styles, focusing on traditional sacred repertoire. We will be learning two major works this year in
addition to preparing our weekly anthems. We work hard and have lots of fun. Prior choral experience and
basic music reading skills are a plus but not necessary. Our choir members range from first-time singers to
professional musicians. No audition necessary!
The St. Mark's Choristers. Open to children in grades one and higher. (Depending on the individual child,
Kindergarteners may be able to join also.) The Choristers practice for 45 minutes each week and sing in church
approximately once a month during the school year. We learn how to sing together as an ensemble, we talk
about the meaning of the songs we sing, we play games, and we have lots of fun. Children in Choristers form
strong friendships that last throughout their time at St. Mark's. Singing in church choir helps builds musical
skills and engages children in worship in a unique way.
Choristers Practice is from 6:15 – 7:00 each Wednesday evening in the Common Room.
Adult Choir Practice is from 7:00 – 8:30 each Wednesday evening in the Parish Hall.
For more information, contact Mark Reed, Organist and Director of Music.
From the Garden
On Sunday, August 10th, Philip+ spoke about our use of the biblical phrase "walks on water" to infer that someone
is extraordinary in our lives. He mentioned Elizabeth+ as one who “walks on water” and of course, everyone
concurred. We are fortunate to have extraordinary people in our lives, who don’t literally super-navigate watery
expanses, but who, metaphorically, are extremely special and whose lives grace ours. There are many at St.
Mark’s who fit in this category for their giving spirit and the works they do. The Garden Guild has several.
The work of replacing our windows and rot-prone siding with lasting stucco began in mid-August. To prepare for
the work, we realized that the shrubbery would need to be moved or leveled to allow access to the exterior walls of
the building. The temperatures remained in triple digits for days, yet Al McKinney stepped up to save the church
expense by trimming the bushes back for the project. Al’s talent and vision is evident every day, but we never
cease to appreciate the heavy work he is willing to do along with the delicate beauty he also creates. After Al’s
work on the hedgerow of nandinas and Asiatic jasmine, there was a consensus that the trimming so improved the
walkway it should be maintained as such. He also trimmed the shrubbery alongside the other parts of the
building. McKinney Isle has flourished all summer; the driveway’s collection of altheas and lantana has remained
lovely, and the recently cleared undergrowth behind the barricade remains clean and clear. Thank you, Al, for
your endless gifts to our grounds.
Replacing the double doors and windows at the office entrance required disturbing the lovely aspidistra (iron
plants) that Joanne Foote planted last year. She willingly scooped them up to make way for the workers, who
lifting heavy windows, could dance around shrubbery. Thank you, Joanne for taking care of that replanting them,
too. The improvements to the building will certainly take the appearance or St. Mark’s to the next level. We
appreciate the vestry and Elizabeth+ investing in our building.
As Rally Day will have come and gone prior to the newsletter’s publishing, we cannot mention our newest
volunteers this month, but fresh ideas are always welcome, and new recruits delightfully received. There is work
large and small to do in the Garden Guild. Contact Becky Nolan if you are ready to “Adopt a Spot!”
The earth laughs in flowers... Ralph Waldo Emerson
September 2014
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The Border Refugee Crisis and Our Response: St. James Mission Trip
By Lisa Martin
There has been a lot of information in the media lately
regarding the refugee crisis at the Texas/Mexican
border. It is estimated that approximately 90,000
unaccompanied minor children from Guatemala,
Honduras and El Salvador will cross the border in
2014. Please note that this does not include the
many thousands of refugees that are coming across
as families. Many of the folks are fleeing from gang
violence and human trafficking concerns. In hopes of
lending assistance, St. James Episcopal Church
organized a mission trip to McAllen in late July to lend
a hand however possible.
The response that St. James received was amazing.
People from all corners of the community responded
with generous hearts and helping hands. Our
traveling team included about 45 people.
We departed from St. James on Sunday, July 27.
Our trip headquarters was at the La Union Del Pueblo
Entero (LUPE). LUPE is a community-based union
that organizes for dignity and human rights in the
colonias and low-income neighborhoods of Hidalgo
County. They focus on improved housing and living
conditions, health care, immigrant rights and building
the political power of colonia residents. Cesar Chavez
founded LUPE in the belief that members of the low-
income community have the responsibility and
obligation to organize themselves.
Each day our group was split up into different teams:
the Food Bank, with Proyecto Azteca, the Salvation
Army or Sacred Heart Catholic Charities. The RVG
Food Bank was where we spent our first day. All
donations going to aid the refugees are brought to the
Food Bank. The warehouse is huge with no air-
conditioning. The staff was more than happy to see
our group as donations had been pouring in that
needed to be sorted, labeled and repacked for later
distribution. It was hot! By the end of the day we were
a sweaty, filthy mess. However, we had sorted
through a huge amount of donations and felt that we
had made a significant contribution.
The next morning we toured the grounds of LUPE and
then set off to take a firsthand look at the colonias. In
the afternoon we had our first chance to work directly
with refugees. Sacred Heart Catholic Charities serves
150-200 people a day. At least 100 of these are
children. All of the folks that are served by Sacred
Heart are refugee parents and children who have
other relatives that already live in the U.S. The
refugees are either apprehended or turn themselves
in to the Border Patrol, and after going through the
processing center they are given a hearing date and
bus tickets to join their family while they wait for their
hearing. The majority of the refugees are single adults
(usually women) with one to three children. The
refugees we assisted were from Honduras and El
Salvador. They come to Sacred Heart dirty, tired, and
hungry.
When they enter the doors of Sacred Heart, all of the
volunteers stop what they are doing and applaud. You
could see the scared faces brighten as for the first
time the refugees are truly welcomed to our country.
They are offered a simple chicken soup with
vegetables and fresh fruit. While they are dining, the
volunteers find clothes and shoes for them. They are
then escorted to a trailer that houses eight showers.
They are then offered medical care, if needed, and go
through a very simple legal briefing. They are allowed
to make a telephone call and then most catch the bus
within the next hour. The adults are given one set of
clothes and the children are allowed two changes of
clothes. Babies are allowed three changes of clothes.
They are also given a backpack, toiletries, and snacks
for the bus ride.
On our last morning we worked with Proyecto Azteca
roofing a home and installing new windows. In the
afternoon, we went back to Sacred Heart. That
afternoon I assisted a mother and teenage daughter
from El Salvador. They left due to the daughter being
threatened if she didn't go into prostitution. They were
picked up in the middle of the river by the Border
Patrol and made to lay face down on the boat’s floor.
The daughter was unbelievably frightened. She
brighten a little as the afternoon went on, but it will be
a long time before she can put this behind her. They
were both grateful to get cleaned up, and then they
were on their way to Boston.
Every family had a different story. One family
explained that they left their home country because
they awoke to find their neighbor had been beheaded
and his head was sitting on his front porch. Others
were escaping the threat of human trafficking. The
stories go on and on. I was certainly humbled to
assist the sweet souls on their journey. May God
bless them all.
Month YEAR
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Christian Formation for Children by Cathy Nelson, DRE
Once again St. Mark's begins another year of programming! And St. Mark's parishioners are ready to meet the
new challenges.
This fall, we have some significant changes in our children’s programs. We will be saying good-bye to the
Rev. Travis Smith. He has been an important part of our children’s ministry, along with many other aspects of
St. Mark’s life. He will be missed! Thankfully though, Travis leaves behind wonderful teams of leaders to
continue the work with the youth in the Church School class and the Youth Group.
A second change is that David Genet will be out of town working on a project through the fall and will not be
able to lead our 3rd, 4th and 5th grade class. David has been the long-time, faithful and much appreciated
teacher for this group, and he also will be greatly missed!
In preparation for these changes, Travis and I and the teams of teachers discussed how best to continue the
work of these two leaders. Travis has asked some of the teens to take a leadership role in the classroom,
leading Bible study and making choices about curriculum. And they have agreed! Our children and youth
continue to inspire us by taking seriously their roles as members of St. Mark's and the greater Church, with
gifts to share and jobs to do, within the community and outside our walls. We see them working as acolytes,
lectors, choristers, and assistants in Children's Chapel and as volunteers in outreach activities. This kind of
leadership and participation makes us proud, and should encourage us as we make our own efforts to
participate in the work of the Church.
The Rev. Drew Downs, the rector of St. Paul's Episcopal Church in St. Claire, Michigan, writes about these
efforts in blogs about the roles of all ages in the church. Together, these blogs are in a collection titled
“Engaging Everyone in Church.” http://drewdowns.net/2011/10/25/engaging-everyone-in-church/ Downs
introduces his series with these primary operating assumptions:
Church is the people not the building.
Every part of the church (the people) is essential.
Every person has gifts.
In baptism, we are all equal.
Our expression of church should match our operating assumptions.
As I read his suggestions concerning children, pre-teens and youth, I realized that many of them have been in
place at St. Mark's for a long time. Still, we might benefit from considering some of his ideas about how we
each fit into the life of the church. In each blog, recurring themes are found: everyone needs a space, but also
to be integrated into the congregation and have a say in what and how we are the Church; leadership is
expected of each group, not just within the group, also amongst the groups; discussion of difficult questions is
necessary, not just asking what, but why; and we should all learn from each other.
Here at St. Mark’s, we are blessed to have many adults involved with our programs for children and youth.
But others are welcome, of course, along with ideas for what engaging everyone in St. Mark’s might look like!
Both the 3rd, 4th and 5th grade class and the Youth Class have had wonderful adult leaders who encouraged
frank discussions about the Bible stories, concepts and theology. They have had asked difficult questions and
shared their own ideas about Christianity. Now, with Travis and David's absence this fall, we plan to continue
with this kind of programming.
While David is out, the 3rd, 4th and 5th Grade Class will join the 1st and 2nd graders in the Godly Play Two
class. Although the stories told in this class will be more sophisticated, this move will be a challenge for the
teachers and the older children. But the multi-age class will allow the older children to interact with different
age groups, share different perspectives and take on leadership roles. And as recommended by the Rev.
September 2014
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Downs, they will have a say about the class structure and response time.
In the Youth Class, Ellise Johnson, youth member of the class, will take the lead in discussions of some of the
difficult questions about faith using the Sticky Faith curriculum, Can I Ask That?, and curriculum from Rob
Bell's Nooma videos. Travis has been working with her and other youth to prepare them to take responsibility
of the class, along with other adult leaders.
Christian Formation classes for children and youth from Pre-Kindergarten through 12th grade will
resume on September 7, offering education to children in Pre-Kindergarten through 12th grade at 10:00
a.m.
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 7 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 stories about God’s presence
among his people in the story of Creation and The Flood and the Ark. The storytellers for this class are Jen
Baumgart, Scott Forrest and JP Kloninger.
The Godly Play Two class for 1st through 5th 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. Once a month, the class will hear a
story about the saints of the church. In September, following the
story of The Circle of the Church Year and the Communion of
Saints, which introduces the seasons of the church year and the
twelve saints included in the series of stories about saints, the
children will hear St. Teresa of Calcutta, The Second Creation:
“The Falling Apart” and The Story of Abraham. Henry Olivas and
I are the storytellers for this class. Parent volunteers will continue
to be class helpers.
The Youth Class will continue to meet for breakfast and
discussion using new, exciting resources in the Bennett Wing
classroom. Ellise Johnson, Kathy Genet, Danielle Adkins, and Jay
Brown will lead the class.
There will be a Confirmation Class for 7th graders wanting to be confirmed. The class will meet on Sunday
mornings in October and November during the 10:00 a.m. Christian Formation class period (October 5, 12, 19,
26, November 9 and 16). We have postponed the Confirmation Class so all teens can attend the Youth Class
in September. Confirmation is on January 25.
When we return to three services on September 7, 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 Nancy Bachschmid, Anna Bryan-Borja, Kevin Cromack, Amy
Farley, Henry Olivas, Cathy Nelson, and Ellie Reshetnikov.
Once again, welcome back! And thank you for supporting our children’s programs.
Adult Formation in September Adult Formation resumes on Sunday,
September 7, at 10:00 a.m. in Grace Chapel.
September 7: Meet our new Middler
Seminarian, Thom Temperli
September 14: Faith in the Public Square
(Ross Ramsey)
September 21: Faith in the Public Square
(Bee Morehead)
September 28: Witness – What I Believe, Why
I Believe, and How it Matters (Lisa Martin)
September 2014
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Parishioner Highlights
Diane Silver is a fascinating parishioners who has had multiple careers. As one door closed another opened due to
her insight and initiative in looking at careers and foreseeing what the future held. I think you will agree she continues
to lead a fascinating life as it relates to the field of education. We also thank Diane for all her support of St. Mark's.
Beth Chenoweth
Diane Silver
My family (including daughter, Julie, and son, Greg)
moved from central Illinois to Austin and into our new
home in Barton Hills in 1971.
History at St. Mark’s. I was raised in the Methodist
Church and was very active through college. While I
was a graduate student in Bloomington, Indiana, a
roommate invited me to Trinity Episcopal Church. I
loved the service, especially the music and singing
the liturgical responses. I was confirmed in 1966 and
attended the Episcopal Church until I married. (My
ex-husband was of a different faith, so we chose to be
married by a Unitarian minister. We attended
Unitarian churches sporadically in Kansas and Illinois,
but failed to find a sense of connection with the
congregation in Austin.)
I began coming to St. Mark’s shortly after the arrival of
Fr. Scotty Innes as priest in 1984. The people were
warm and welcoming, and I became increasingly
involved in programs and activities. I served on the
Altar Guild for over eight years, filled an unexpired
term on the Vestry, was a member of the Red Door
Players, and am a member of the Daughters of the
King. I was reconfirmed at St. Mark’s in 1988. Both
Greg and Julie were baptized during their college
years, and Julie and her husband (Dante) were
married in the church by Fr. Scotty in 1993.
Despite moving to Allendale in north central Austin in
1991, I remain a member of St. Mark’s.
Unfortunately, the explosion in both Austin’s
population and traffic makes it much more difficult to
be as involved in church activities as I would like.
However, it is always the case that when I enter the
sanctuary I feel that I’m coming home.
States lived in and careers. I was born in Louisville,
Kentucky, and lived there until leaving home to attend
Berea College in Berea, Kentucky. After receiving my
B.A. in Psychology, I spent the next four years at
Indiana University in Bloomington, Indiana, working
on my doctorate. I lived for one year in Kansas City,
Kansas, while completing my clinical Internship at
Western Missouri Mental Health Center and then
moved with my (then) husband and my daughter,
Julie, to Illinois State University in Normal, Illinois.
During college and graduate school, I had a variety of
jobs and student assistantships – things ranging from
a summer Public Health Internship in
Reno, Nevada, to two summers as a
staff Psychologist at the state reception
center for delinquent youth in Louisville,
Kentucky. While at ISU, I taught as an
Adjunct Professor and was a Staff
Psychologist at the University Student
Counseling Center and at Family
Services of McLean County.
In Austin, once both children were in school, I worked
for the Texas Association for Children with Learning
Disabilities (TACLD) to set up the state headquarters
office in Austin. My work at TACLD led to
involvement with parents of all types of special needs
children and a term as president of the local ACLD
chapter. My involvement in these organizations
continued long after leaving TACLD.
In 1978, I was accepted into the Women in Science
(WIS) program designed to teach programming to
women who already had college degrees. (Yes, girls
can code!) It resulted in a rather fortuitous and
seismic career shift for me since it was much easier to
find a job in IT than in psychology. After completing
the WIS program, I began a 30-year IT career in state
government. I spent the last twenty years as a Sr.
Project Manager leading teams that replaced old
systems with new automated solutions. A year after
taking a job with the state, I was awarded my Ph.D. in
Psychology. Shortly thereafter, I began teaching
evening classes in Psychology for ACC. Although I
recently retired from the state, I am still an Adjunct
Professor at ACC and continue to teach.
Hobbies and Interests. I have always been an avid
reader and now have time to enjoy neighborhood
book group. For eight years, I took classes to learn
the art of working with fused glass. When the Art
Glass Fusing Center closed, I shifted gears, and have
enjoyed taking classes in photography through the
Lifetime Learning Institute. I am also a member of
LAMP – one of the lifetime learning programs at UT.
I recently completed training and have begun doing
volunteer work at the Austin Assistance League.
Month YEAR
Page 10
September Celebrations
Birthdays
Marty Clark 09/01
Miles Barker 09/02
Cindy Bogard 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
Megan Crigger 09/07
Anna Mazac 09/07
Rosemary Nolan 09/07
Martin Mufich 09/08
Dayna Blazey 09/09
Anna Bryan-Borja 09/09
Alexandra Geraci 09/10
Kemble White 09/10
Chris Dammert 09/11
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
John Etue 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
Josef 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 & Tim Green 09/12
Suzanne & Travis Smith 09/13
Penny & Christopher Considine 09/14
Beth & John Chenoweth 09/19
Amity Worrel & Robert Chambers 09/20
September Caffeine Ministry
Early: Arrive 15 minutes before 9 a.m. service, make lemonade, set out cookies,
etc. (Coffee will already be made.) Late: After 11 a.m. service, replenish
cookies, and other supplies. After hospitality time, clean up all
containers. Complete instructions are in the kitchen above the coffee maker. *If
you are unable to make your time, contact the vestry member for September, Susan Bonnen.
7 Early Beth Chenoweth 21 Early Terry Dempsey and Marsha Topham
Late Susan Baxter-Harwell and Phil Harwell Late Clarence and Susan Bonnen
14 Early Danielle Adkins 28 Early Amelia Sondgeroth
Late Chris and Melissa Blanding Late Dru and Cindy Cabler
September 2014
Page 11
ROTA
TIME MINISTRY September 7 September 14 September 21 September 28
Youth Sunday October 5
7:3
0
SER
VIC
E LECTOR Amelia Sondgeroth Jill Collins Margarita Moreno Amelia Sondgeroth Jonea Raney
LEM /
ACOLYTE Jonea Raney Nancy Middlebrook Wes Raney Pattie Rose Jill Collins
USHERS Ed Shipsey
Al McKinney
Jonea Raney
Jill Collins
Beth Chenoweth
Mary Smith
Danielle Adkins
Stephen White Jon & Judith Dullnig
9:0
0 a
.m.
SER
VIC
E
LECTORS Phil Aboussie (1)
Cindy Bogard (2)
Kevin Childs (1)
Meredith Childs (2)
Lynn Edgerton (1)
Mike Fuhrman (2) YOUTH
Becky Janes (1)
Brian Kelly (2)
LEM Kim Buckner
Tom Schneider
Thom Temperli
Mike Thomasson
Tom Schneider
Gary Taylor
Mike Thomasson
Kim Buckner
Lynn Edgerton
Bill Kibler
ACOLYTES
Abbe Kelly
Will Kelly
Nora Kelly
TBD
Ariston Awitan IV
Abigail Goff
Eleanor Goff
Matthew Awitan
Kim B.
TBD
Clay Buckner
Claire Dempsey
Ryan Dempsey
Suzanne Lightsey
Ethan Fuhrman
Hunter Rogers
TBD
Kim B.
Abbe Kelly
Will Kelly
Nora Kelly
TBD
Kim B.
USHERS
Mark Breen
Dee Ann Thomason
Dodie Wells
Glen Baumgart
Mike Brode
Phil Aboussie
Ross Ramsey
Ken Whalen
Ariston Awitan
Dan Bogard
John Edgerton
Lynn Edgerton
Kevin Cromack
Mark Breen
Dee Ann Thomason
Dodie Wells
Glen Baumgart
GREETERS Maria & Mike Fuhrman Meredith Childs
Kevin Cromack Cindy & Dan Bogard
Kim Buckner
Michael Meigs
Maria & Mike
Fuhrman
11
:00
a.m
.
SER
VIC
E
LECTORS Michael Meigs (1)
Karen Milton (2)
Chris Blanding(1)
Melissa Blanding (2)
Kay Brown (1)
Barbara Dody (2)
Liz Davis (1)
Dave Elkins (2)
Michael Meigs (1)
Karen Milton (2)
LEM Dru Cabler
Michele Bonner
Rex White
Brenda White
Jay Brown
Thom Temperli
Ann Seyler
Roger Seyler
ThomTemperli
Sandy Sterzing
ACOLYTES
Winston Baxter-Harwell
Asher Eaton Emmaline Baxter-Harwell
Evelyn Eaton
Cindy, Jay
Bonnie Brode
Elijah Gallardo
Evan Overstreet
TBD
Cindy, Jay
Katey Orndorff
Ethan Fuhrman
Hunter Rogers
TBD
Cindy
Jay Brown
Max Genet
Claire Dempsey
Ryan Dempsey
Matt Forrest
Ben Forrest
Sam Forrest
TBD
Cindy, Jay
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
Lark Anthony
Yvonne Chavez
Darlene Goodnight
Debbie Thornal
Frank Severn
Jean Severn
Jay Doran
Jodi Doran
Pam Johns
David Johns
Carolyn Wier
James Wier
Bo Overstreet
Rick Tennant
John De Marines
John Works
GREETERS Jean & Frank Severn Jay Doran
Diana Stangl
Shelly Botkin &
Ryan Marquess
Lark Anthony
Barbara Dody Jean & Frank Severn
ALT
AR
GU
ILD
Sat.
9:00
Jonea Raney-TC
Jill Collins
Carolyn Wier
Pat Bullock
Lynn Edgerton
Diana Stangl-TC
Liz Davis
Judy Elkins
Henry Olivas
Susan Baxter-
Harwell
Dee Ann Thomasson-
TC
Dodie Wells
Tina Stonebarger
Darlene Goodnight
Debbie Thornal
Helen Anders
Meredith Childs-TC
Millie Casparis
Cynthia Archer
Elijah Gallardo
Karen Milton
Barbara Dody
Jonea Raney-TC
Jill Collins
Carolyn Wier
Pat Bullock
Liz Davis
Depositor Al McKinney Frank Severn Diane Brewer Jim Casparis John De Marines
WED. 6 p.m. September 3 September 10 September 17 September 24 October 1
Lectors Rex White Kevin Childs Jill Collins Pattie Rose Jonea Raney
September 2014
Page 12
Vestry Committees Staff
Kathy Genet, Sr. Warden
J.P. Kloninger, Jr. Warden
Vestry members:
Dan Bogard, Susan Bonnen,
Shelly Botkin, Mark Breen,
Suzann Dvorken, Becky
Janes, David Johns, Nancy
Kibler, Karen Milton, Jim
Nolan, Bo Overstreet, David
Randle, and Diana Stangl
Acolytes: Jay Brown, Carol Oppel,
Mary Cromack, Kim Kiplin, and Kim
Buckner
Altar Guild: Millie Casparis
Building Committee:
Amelia Sondgeroth
Christian Formation:
Cathy Nelson
Communications:
Pattie Rose
Daughters of the King:
Lisa Martin
Women of St. Mark’s:
Dee Ann Thomasson
Facilities: Ray Smith
Finance: John Edgerton
Outreach: Becky Poynot and
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
Assistant Rector
The Rev. Travis Smith
Director of Religious Education
Cathy Nelson
Organist/Director of Music
Mark Reed
Seminarians
Tom Schneider
Thom Temperli
Head of Day School
Anne Wingler
Parish Administrator
Joanne Foote
Newsletter Editor
Becky Janes
Deadline for the October 2014 St.
Mark’s News is Monday,
September 15, 2014. Please
submit your article by email as an
attachment to:
St. Mark’s Episcopal Church
2128 Barton Hills Drive
Austin, TX 78704
512.444.1449
www.stmarksaustin.org
CHANGE SERVICE REQUESTED