Newsletter of The Parish of St.

Mark the Evangelist

Hood River, Oregon
November 2022

Our Episcopal Diocese of Eastern Oregon held our 52nd convention at

Church of the Redeemer in Pendleton. Please approach Kelly, Dave, Mike
or Ruth with any questions about the convention or our diocese, especially
since we will support St Paul's, The Dalles, in hosting next year's
convention.

* Repudiation of the Doctrine of Discovery Repudiation. Pacific Northwest

author Sarah Augustine was our guide during the convention. The
Convention approved a resolution repudiating the Doctrine of Discovery. This doctrine was
enunciated by the Pope in the 15th century, stating that Christian princes may enslave and
take the lands of any non-Christian peoples they discover. The doctrine justified European
colonization of the New World. After throwing off colonial rule, the United States adopted
parts of this doctrine as law. This provided for the lands to be cleared of indigenous peoples,
leaving it empty for new owners. The Doctrine of Discovery came to constitute a legal and
philosophical framework of domination that - far from being a historical relic - structures our
world into the present and continues to devastate Indigenous cultures. The Church, including
the Episcopal Church, participated in this effort by operating Indian Schools. These were
paid for by the government, with intent to separate aboriginal children from their families and
culture. We discussed how while this generation did not actively participate in this process,
we continue to benefit from it.
As a Diocese, we resolved to repudiate the Doctrine because it is against the
teachings of Christ. We further resolved to walk together in justice with our indigenous
brothers and sister to seek healing and repair. It will be a long and difficult process. We will
need to discern what this means for Hood River and for our St Marks family. Our diocese
has made a significant financial commitment to invest $100,000 towards our path forward on
this process

* Universal Healthcare: We approved a resolution calling for universal healthcare. The

Resolution was to urge congregations to recognize universal healthcare as a fundamental
human right and a benefit to all, and to support the adoption of Universal Healthcare.

* We made elections to diocesan roles. Rev Kelly Mahon was elected to an additional 3 year
term on Standing Committee. In this role, Kelly will likely participate in calling a new bishop
with expectation of Bishop Pat's retirement in the next few years. David Kosar was elected
as one of four lay delegates to represent our diocese at the National Episcopal Convention
as well as to diocesan council. .

* Ascension School: The amazing staff of Ascension School camp and conference center in
Cove, Or gave us an amazing overview of the increasing success in holding summer camps
for youth, education for adults, and projects together with indigenous peoples. They have
raised nearly a half million dollars in grants

Upcoming EDEO conventions are OCT 20-22, 2023 at St Paul's, The Dalles and
OCT18-20, 2024 at Ascension School, Cove.
 Dear Friends,
I shared on Sunday last that
I was hired at Providence
Hood River as an on-call
chaplain. As of writing, I am
planning on being on-call Thursday nights
into Fridays mornings. There may be
times when I fill in and do a day shift here
and there, but mostly I will be availing
myself on a weekly basis to come in as
needed.
As some of you may recall, making lay
pastoral care visits and lay eucharistic
visits significantly informed my call to
ordained ministry and were big part of my
pre-seminary formation and experience. I
was blessed to do a chaplaincy internship
during the summer between my first and
second years of seminary. I absolutely
loved it, and didn’t want for it to end
frankly, but I needed to go back to Austin
and complete my next two years of
schooling.
In spring of 2018 , before I met Bishop Pat
and found my way here, I seriously
considered doing another long-term unit of
clinical pastoral education and working as
a chaplain. Happily The Spirit was at
work, and I landed here at St. Mark’s full-
time :-) All that’s to say: this kind of work
is life-giving to me. I am not anticipating
my work at Providence at all superseding
my responsibilities at St. Marks, but
complementing it. I haven’t started seeing
patients there yet, but I have done some
training modules in person at the hospital
over the last couple of weeks.
. If you or a neighbor find yourself at
Providence expectedly or unexpectedly
know that I can easily come for a visit! I
welcome your prayers as I embark on this
new journey. It is part of my desire to be a
life long learner and member of the greater
communityIn the words of St. Paul:
“Pray also for me, that whenever I speak,
words may be given me so that I will
fearlessly make known the mystery of the
gospel… Ephesians 6:19
Sincerely yours,
Rev. Kelly
As we approach stewardship of our
parish, are you called to share your time
and talent? Many times, when we hear
about giving towards the work of the
church, we attribute it only to financial
resources, but it is crucial to know that we
also serve with our time, using our talents,
skills and spiritual gifts.
There are so many ways to contribute to
our parish community. Some, such as
becoming a Vestry Member or
Bookkeeper, we will elect or appoint at
our annual meeting in January.
*The Vestry acts as the "Board of
Directors" for the parish.
*If you have a head for numbers, you
can become our Bookkeeper.
*Lay readers bring life to our scripture
readings.
*Chalice bearers or Lay Eucharistic
Ministers assist the priest at services.
*Ushers/Greeters provide a friendly
welcome.
*All things up at the altar are taken care
of by the Altar Guild members. Caring for
linens, candles, setting up communion for
both Sunday services, arranging flowers,
and decorating the church for Christmas
and Easter. The Altar Guild works quietly
in the background assuring things are
prepared and ready to go each and every
Sunday.
*Pastoral Care Committee needs
people who care: providing meals, visits,
listening, and support to parishioners in
times of need. Or there may be novel
contributions that you find in your heart.
*St Mark’s Women's’ Guild is a small
but mighty group of women who provide
hospitality at coffee hours, funerals,
baptisms, birthdays and the like. They
also spearhead fund-raising efforts to
benefit the church and outside
organizations.
*Transportation: help our friends who do
not drive come to worship.
*Altar flowers and coffee hour hosting.
As you can see, there is something for
everyone no matter your talent or time.
 The Annual Christmas Bazaar of St. Mark's Church will be held
again on the first weekend in December (December 3-4) in Browning
Hall. This is a tradition that goes back for generations here at St.
Mark's Church. People in the community look forward to this bazaar
every year. Some have been heard to say that it is the best bazaar in
Hood River. The eager and enthusiastic participation of many
parishioners is what makes this bazaar such a success.

Seven Reasons to Hold a Christmas Bazaar

1. To make money for special needs of St. Mark's Church and for outreach donations to
worthy causes.
2. To make St. Mark's Church visible in the community/
3. To celebrate a major holy day in our faith with a special event.
4. To provide a place where people of limited means can buy nice gifts so they won't have to
face their families empty-handed on Christmas Day.
5. To (briefly) decorate the interior of St. Mark's Church and make it look merry and bright.
6. To work together as a group to accomplish something.
It's been a tradition at St. Mark's Church, a part of our identity for generations, to have a
bazaar.

Countdown to the St. Mark's Christmas Bazaar, December 2-4

From now on:

Bring goods to be sold at the Bazaar. Bring things that people would want to give as
Christmas gifts. Newly-made items, Like-new unused items. Christmas-themed items. High-
quality craft items, such as unused skeins of yarn. Lots of baked goods and tasty goodies of
all kinds. (Pies sell especially well; we always run out.) Jewelry is a good seller. Things for
children and pets.
The Bazaar is not a rummage sale. Do not bring old clothes or shabby
stuff. Exception to that last statement: the Handyman's Table is a good place for tools that
aren't sparkling new but are still in good shape People will buy them.
We will store donations in the Guild Room (downstairs, two doors to the north from the
room where Free Clothes for Kids bins are stored). You can leave bags or boxes of
donations in the office, and we will take them downstairs to the Guild Room.

Sunday, November 27 (the Sunday after Thanksgiving Day, also the First Sunday in
Advent):
After church we will bring all the boxes upstairs from the Guild Room to the room which is
on the north edge of Browning Hall and stack them next to the walls. This job will require a
lot of willing hands. Make yourself available after church to help with this. Many hands make
fast work!

During the Ensuing Week: We will pick a day for people to come to Browning Hall and
start pricing the donated goods. Date and time to be determined later.

Friday, December 2: 10:00 a.m. Set-up for the Bazaar. Setting up the tables, covering
them with tablecloths, laying out the goods. Any last-minute pricing. Putting up decorations
and signs. Come and help if you can. Many hands make fast work.
Finish your baking. Food items can be brought to the church today, or else on Saturday
morning early.

Saturday, December 3: The bazaar opens at 9:00 a.m. Customers will be waiting on the
porch. The Bazaar closes at 3:00 p.m. Sign-up sheets will be posted in advance for people
to sign up for shifts during the day.
Bazaar information continued……

Sunday, December 4: The Bazaar is open again after church during coffee hour for
parishioners to make last-minute purchases of whatever fine goods happen to be left
over. This usually takes about one hour.

Then comes the cleaning-up and putting-away! Many people are needed to stay after
coffee hour to clean things up, take down decorations, pack up unsold goods, take the boxes
downstairs, fold up tables, and so on. Please consider not scheduling an after-church brunch
date on this particular Sunday. The cast-of-thousands crew that set the Bazaar up on Friday
needs to be matched by a cast-of-thousands crew to take it all down on Sunday.

Things we will need: Donated paper bags of all sizes for customers to carry their
purchases home in. We will use some card tables as well as the church's banquet
tables. Put your name on the underside of your card table with a piece of masking
tape. Tablecloths in all sorts of holiday-appropriate colors. Put your name on your tablecloth
also with masking tape.

A huge Thank You to everyone who has worked on the Bazaar in the past, as well as
those who will be jumping in for the first time this year. You are all greatly
appreciated.

THE NEXT DOOR Efforts continue to develop a nursery at

BOYS
A while back, I got
the information from
Gina Stewart at The
Next Door about the
current situation
with the Birthday
Boys. She told me that we have not had
any Birthday Boys recently because they
are being discharged from foster care
shortly before their birthdays come
up. Just a coincidence, but that's how
it's been working out recently.
She said that the next Birthday Boy
would be in January, but he might be
discharged from foster care before his
birthday arrives. If, so, then our next
Birthday Boy would be in March.
Vicki Kelsey
St. Mark's to care for children during
Sunday services at 10am. We have
been blessed with two candidates to
serve as caregivers, and steps are
underway to familiarize them with St.
Mark's and their proposed duties in the
nursery. These candidates have met
with some members of the Vestry, with
our Rector, and visited St. Mark's. They
are also beginning the Safeguarding
God's Children curriculum required by
our Diocese.
In the coming weeks, we will continue to
work with our caregivers to ensure they
have everything needed to begin
serving St. Mark's families. Look for
more information introducing our new
caregivers and the nursery program in
the coming weeks.
With gratitude for your continued
support of this ministry,

Jennifer Meisberger
 St. Mark’s Women’s
Guild meets on
November 8th at 11:30
a.m. All ladies are
welcome. We
appreciate newcomers Donations of peanut butter, oil and sugar
and new ideas. are always welcome and can be placed in
the basket in the columbarium room or
dropped off at the FISH location at Spirit of
Grace Church on Tucker Road.
We could use your Rosauer’s paper bags.
Church-member Recycle them to FISH. Pet food is also
directories are accepted.
available on the
table in the parish
hall.

November 7 & 21 at
11:00 at St. Mark’s. All
are welcome. They are
reading “The Personal
Please help newcomers Librarian” by Marie
get to know us, and we Benedict and Victoria
them, by wearing your Christopher Murray.
nametag.

Altar Guild
St Mark’s Guild supports members will
Equal Exchange fairly traded be meeting at
coffee and chocolates. All are 9:00 a.m. on
available for purchase during the November 12
coffee hour. to discuss the
upcoming
church season
of Advent and
Christmas.

On Sunday, November 6th, we will be wrapping up our

pledge drive for 2023. Prayerfully consider your pledge
commitment to St. Mark’s for 2023. We will then send
information on to the Budget Committee so they can
begin their work setting next year’s budget.
 NOVEMBER Building Use
Sun Mon Tue Wed Thu Fri Sat
1 All Saints’ 2 3 4 5
Day
AA 8pm AA noon AA 10 am

AA 8 pm

6 All Saints’ 7 8 Women’s 9 10 11 12

Sunday Book Study Guild 11:30 Altar Guild
Group 11a AA noon AA noon AA 8pm AA noon Mtg 9am
8&10 HE AA 6p AA 10a
Pledge card AA noon Alanon 7p AA 8pm
ingathering AA 8p

13 14 15 16 17 18 19
8&10 HE AA noon
AA noon AA 6p AA noon AA 8pm AA noon AA 10a
Alanon 7p
AA 8p AA 8pm

20 21 22 23 24 25 26
8 &10 HE Book Study AA noon
Group 11a AA 6p AA noon AA 8pm AA noon
AA 10a
Alanon 7p
AA noon AA 8p
AA 8 pm

27 Advent I 28 29 30
AA noon
8 &10 HE AA noon AA 6p AA noon
Alanon 7p
AA 8p

Current vestry minutes

Friend us on Facebook: and treasurer’s report
www.facebook.com/ can be found on the
stmarks.hoodriver bulletin board in the
We are also on the Web at parish hall.
www.stmarks-hr.org

St Mark’s Episcopal Church

400 11th Street, Hood River, OR 97031
stmarks@gorge.net 541-386-2077
Office hours T, W, F 10am-2pm
The Rev. Kelly Mahon, Rector
revmahon@gorge.net
 Ministers of Worship for NOVEMBER

Nov 6 Nov 13 Nov 20 Nov 27

Celebrant Rev. Kelly Rev Kelly Rev Kelly Rev Kelly

Lay Eucharistic Vicki Kelsey Tim Sedgwick Kevin Liddiard Nick Kirby
Minister

Readers Bret Russell & Dale Bricker & Dave Anderson & Cathy Peck
Vicki Tim Kevin & Nick

Prayers Susan Lalor Martha Ashley Howe Ruth Tsu

Sedgwick
Greeters Monique Bricker Pravin & Dave & Ann Cal & Nealya
Sue Jenkins Jasinta Anderson Cargill
Rajamoney
Flowers Cargills Rajamoneys Cathy Peck Sue Jenkins

Altar Guild Barb Sigl/ Monique & Ruth Tsu Sue &
Jasinta Jasinta Jennifer Meisberger Lois Butler
Coffee Tom & Adele
Andrews
Driver Bret Russell Martha Bret
Sedgwick

There are all kinds of opportunities to

volunteer here—talk to Sue and she’ll
steer you in the right direction for Coffee Cathy Peck 11/2
hours, Flowers, readers, ushering, Paige Browning 11/4
chalice bearers. Amy Russell 11/9
Monique Bricker 11/9
Sarah Oaks 11/11
Gloria Miller 11/19
Kelly DiCicco 11/13
Carol Howe 11/13/28
Marilyn Roth 11/14
Shirley Bjelland 11/18
Georgia Giacobbe 11/28
St. Mark’s Episcopal Church
400 11th Street
Hood River, OR 97031
541-386-2077