The St. Mark's ROAR

News from St. Mark's Episcopal Church

October 2008

How does this sound to you - The Reverend John de Beer, Rector, St. Mark's Episcopal Church, Burlington? As John tells us, it's a phrase we can get used to.

The last three years have been a time of extraordinary challenge and change for our church. We all have much to celebrate as we honor our past and look forward to our future. Thanks be to God!

Letter from John de Beer

Dear Friends,

On Monday, September 22nd, the Vestry of St. Mark's called me to be your Rector. I am deeply honored by this call and intend to speedily accept. What remains is to write a letter of agreement which formalizes our common understanding and receives the blessing of the Diocese. I have been in good communication with the Congregational Development Office and I know Bishop Gayle is supportive of my work with you, so I expect the details will fall quickly into place.

There are several reasons why I am deeply pleased to become your Rector. From the beginning of my ministry here, you have made me welcome. I am able to be myself, without straining. You tell me that I allow you to be yourselves also and to be increasingly at peace with one another. That is a great blessing.

As you may have heard me say, my commitment is to strengthen each parishioner's sense of God's call. I do this in sermons, in one on one conversations and through the Connect?, Commit? and soon the Covenant! programs. I will continue to be half-time at St. Mark's which will allow me to develop these programs for use by others. Your response to my commitment has amazed me and filled me with a sense that God is at work among us. I anticipate that you will bear much fruit in the next several years and that St. Mark's will be a source of inspiration to parishes in this Diocese and perhaps beyond.

The paid staff and the lay leaders are a joy to work with. Susan Dearborn, Sarah Manly and now Senada Zaganjori are skilled, committed and fun to be with. Catherine Owens has been an absolute gem of a senior warden and is doing a great job of cutting the position down to size for the next incumbent. Jack Heidbrink has mobilized you to care for the buildings. Joan Frederick has a firm grasp on the finances and is building a treasury team to make her job manageable. Tracey Healey is passionate about the quality of education we give our children in Sunday School. I will stop naming names here, as otherwise I will need to go on for pages. You are the church, the body of Christ, and my role is to encourage you, appreciate you and help discern the direction in which God is calling us.

This direction is indicated by the mission statement which the vestry, in conversation with the congregation, adopted a year ago:

St. Mark's is a multigenerational parish in which we celebrate God, enjoy one another, and serve our neighbors. Our mission is to create a place of safety and support in which all God's people are given the opportunity to be transformed, as we explore our faith and our call to service.

I feel deeply aligned with this mission. I am grateful for the opportunity to be among you and to lead you in this next chapter of your life.

John de Beer

In This Issue

Letter from John de Beer

Multigenerational News

Fall Fair

Sunday School News

From the Senior Warden

Smile!

Vestry Notes

Treasurer's Report

Choir Notes

Parish Hall Thank You

Parish Lunches

Jubilee Walk & Worship

Quick Links

Diocese of Massachusetts

Multigenerational News

Welcome to fall! This is by far my favorite season of the year. I love to watch the leaves change color from bright green to deep reds and yellows. And while these new colors signify the end of summer I always like to think of it as a big going away party. All the plants get dressed up in their brightest hues to prepare for their winter hibernation.

It is with this joy that I went to Houston, TX last week for a conference on young adults. Sponsored by the Episcopal Church Center the conference, "A Brand New Way," focused on the many ways in which the church is and can be welcoming to people in their 20s and early 30s. I was astounded by all the stories of success and failures I heard from the 160 young adults gathered there. I attended two workshops: one on Stewardship entitled 'Treasures in Heaven' and one on Communications called 'The Pony Express.' In both we discussed the need to dismantle the culture of busyness in America. Even in this time of economic uncertainty it seems that people are more willing to write a check than give of their time and talents. This has stayed with me all week as I try to juggle two jobs.

I'm also happy to report that the young adults I spoke with were really excited by our ministries here at St. Marks. The strength of the Sunday school, adult Christian Education, and our once a month lntergenerational Service were all a big hit. But what most people were excited about was that we as a parish support the many ministries of all our members. We are blessed to be in a congregation with so many gifted leaders.

Lastly I would like to inform you of a slight change in the Intergenerational Service. After much thought and prayer the Liturgy team decided to rename the service, Story Sunday. The change came about for two reasons. First, the word "intergenerational" has little meaning to children who are part of our targeted audience. Also it reflects our desire to share the Good News of Christ in the form of story. Jesus' work in this world was highly dependent on the oral stories he told to his friends. So on Story Sunday we will continue in this beautiful tradition. You might see some new things and I hope you find them as exciting as I do!! As always we welcome your thoughts (both good and bad) on how these services are reaching you.

This week take just five minutes to look at the leaves and breathe in the crisp air. It might be the best five minutes of your week!

Peace,
Sarah

Fall Fair - October 18th

Save the Date! Join the fun!

We want and need your presence for many reasons.

#1. This a great way to give thanks that John de Beer has answered our call to be our Rector.

#2. This is a wonderful time to celebrate our unity as a multigenerational parish and to enjoy the company of one another.

#3. This year's Fall Fair is the beginning of the celebration of the 50th Anniversary of St. Mark's Church.

#4. Come on Friday to help us set up.

#5. Come early on Saturday ( to complete the set up) and stay to enjoy fund, fellowship and lunch!

#6. Come later for lunch, fellowship and shopping, and to help clean up.

#7. Just COME! Join the fun!

White Elephant 50/50 Raffle Baskets Luncheon counter Baked Goods Crafts & knitting Candies & Jams Apple Pies Children's Crafts & Games Boutique Books Silent Angels Silent Auction

Sunday School News

Sunday school has gotten off to a great start. It is never too late to register someone in preschool through high school. ALL children are welcome.

I would like to say a special thank you to our teachers, Victoria Kirchner, Sally Cassidy, and Lisa Blaney, and Sarah Manly for their part in enriching our young Christians. I would also like to thank Sarah, along with Alyssa and Ricky Healey, for all their help building, cleaning, and setting up our new Godly Play room.

On behalf of the teachers, we look forward to a great year with St. Mark's youth. As always, please feel free to contact me with and questions or problems at (781) 365-0693 or thealey202@earthlink.net.

God Bless.
- Tracey Healey

From the Senior Warden

I've had a lot of good times at St. Mark's but one of the best was working with Elizabeth Centauro on the Narthex transformation. It was wonderful to get to know her better as we worked together. Then I got to join the youth group while they painted the border for the Mission Statement hanging in the Narthex. I got to share in their energy and creativity, and spend some time with Sarah, Justin, and Juliette.

It will be a great tempation, when I am no longer Senior Warden, to try to weazle my way into a deeper relationship with the youth group (surely they need a part time grandmother?).

I've started thinking that way now - when I stop being Senior Warden. I'm not leaving because I'm burned out, but because I cannot apply to be admitted to the Diocesan ordination process while I hold a leadership position here. I'm giving a lot of thought to how I can continue to contribute, and have been talking with John about it. Communications is a natural for me - so that's probably one thing. I hope to continue to preach and to participate in our adult education programs. But it is going to be different. For one thing, it means I will only write three more letters to the ROAR as senior warden.

I've been contributing to the ROAR for the last six years and am not sure I would know how to stop. So I asked John if perhaps I could start writing about the discernment process and what it is like to be in seminary, so that you can share my journey. He agreed. This month's ROAR contains a new section, 'Notes from EDS.' I hope you will enjoy it

Peace!

Catherine

Smile!

How many Episcopalians does it take to change a lightbulb?

A) Two - one to call the electrician and another to mix the martinis.

B) We can't change that lightbulb - my grandfather donated it!

C) Change? Episcopalians hate change!

(Various answers offered at Episcopal Divinity School orientation.)

Vestry Notes

On September 8th the vestry discussed plans for the open house. Grace Baptist has asked to rent the church and parish hall on Wednesdays. There were no objections. We discussed space use and agreed that we needed to have locks on the doors of the three Godly play rooms. The financial policy changes made as a result of the last meeting were reviewed and the financial policy was accepted as written. John told us that, after the discernment process that included one on one meetings with parishioners, he would accept a call to be our rector.

On September 22, the vestry heard plans for the stewardship campaign. They reviewed and approved job descriptions for the wardens and for the rector. At 7:45 John left the meeting and the vestry discussed calling him to be our rector. The discussions included possible concerns and visions for the future. Every member of the vestry present, plus Tracey Healey by email, voted enthusiastically to call John to be our rector.

Minutes and treasurers reports are posted on the bulletin board outside of John's office.

Treasurer's Report

As of this writing, major changes are happening in the Treasurer's function. Thanks to Mark Lamourine, I now have remote access to the accounting files so I no longer have to work late by myself in the church office fighting with the copier, printer and PC to close and report the monthly financials. Mark also upgraded the accounting software from prehistoric to current day standards. Thank you, Mark, I am truly grateful for all your help.

Our office administrator, Senada Zaganjori, has taken over data entry and Karen Donahue as assistant treasurer is now taking over bookkeeping and other tasks which gives me more time to work with the Finance Committee and focus on next year's budget. These changes are all indicative of a healthy, growing organization.

General Fund, August 2008 YTD

                           Actuals       Budget         Favorable Variance
Contributions       $55,391        57,291
Rental Income    $26,589        22,450
Other                 $ 4,354       3,804
Total Income       $86,334        $83,545

Expenses           $(95,687)     $(101,069)

Net Loss YTD     $(9,353)    $(17,524)                $8,171

To meet the ROAR deadline, August financials are the most recent available. September is still open and indications are good that it will be a strong month as parishioners return from summer vacations and Sunday school kicks off another season.

Although expenses in the month of August exceeded income by $(887), the year to date net loss of ($9,353) compared to budget was $8,171 better than planned. Contributions have continued to grow even during the traditional slow months of summer. Our rental income is significant to our financial health. All our tenants are current on their payments. Some tenants have requested additional rental time and we also have signed contracts with new tenants. If we achieve the $5,500 of Fall Fair income as budgeted with no surprises on expenses, we will end the year in a much healthier position than originally anticipated.

Flower Fund - Current year to date is a loss of ($94).

Memorial Fund - Current year net benefit is $3,032 due to interest income and contributions.

Gregory Memorial Music Fund - Year to date interest income of $525 has been expended on music, guest musicians, and organ repairs.

Endowment Fund - Year to date activity in the stock market has adversely affected all investments in the Diocesan Investment Trust. We won't know the true impact until the next quarterly report, but we have seen the financial markets start to rebound and we are confident that the Diocese is managing these funds in a responsible and conservative manner.

Building Fund - Year to date is a net benefit of $1,346. This is due to increased overall contributions and many people making specific contributions for special projects. The property committee continues to maintain and improve all our buildings and grounds in a very frugal manner which allows us at St Mark's to enjoy our own facilities and to generate rental income while keeping expenses within budget. Emphasis was placed on the Rectory in the beginning of the year to have it ready for tenants on June 30. Now the property committee is focusing on other major areas before the weather turns cold. If you like what you see happening , please consider making an additional donation to the building fund so these improvements can continue.

STOKES LOANS - EPISCOPAL DIOCESE
St. Marks paid off one of two outstanding loans with the Diocese and has since accelerated payments on the second. This will save on interest expense and put us in a better position should the need arise for another loan to cover any unforeseen major expense.

If you have any questions about this report or the different funds and investments, please contact me.

Respectfully submitted
Joan Frederick

Choir Notes

Youth Choir

We are back in full swing, so our Youth Choir will be singing on the first and third Sundays of October. I want to remind any children who are interested in Youth Choir that our rehearsals are now on Sundays after the service until 11am. We hope that this rehearsal time means fewer scheduling conflicts so that more children can sing. We welcome any new and returning members, second grade or higher, who would like to join us. Come have some fun and sing with your Sunday School friends!

I am also on the lookout for any children who are playing a musical instrument and who think they would like to play during a service at St. Mark's. It would be great to have them be part of a future "Story Sunday" service (formerly our Intergenerational service held on the first Sunday of each month). Student musicians could play as part of an ensemble or as a soloist. There are plenty of possibilities, so if you are interested, please let me know and we'll get started on planning and rehearsing.

Adult Choir
You may have read about the highly rated television shows in England, "Last Choir Standing" and "Clash of the Choirs". Inspired by these shows, blogger Chloe Veltman compiled her thoughts on why she likes singing in a choir:

The feeling of being part of a team
Creating beautiful music
The physical benefits: improves breathing and posture
Clears my head; helps me connect my head with my body
Keeps me focused on the "now" rather than cogitating over the past or future
Social aspect, e.g. meeting new people
The challenge of learning tricky music
The sensation of hearing really unusual melodies and harmonies
The idea of lots of different voices and personalities all coming together and creating harmony
The sense of feeling both connected to myself and people around me

(Excerpted from the September 2, 2008 issue of The Arts Journal.)

Surely one of these benefits appeals to you! To add to the incentives listed above, October is the month when the Adult Choir begins preparing our Christmas music. If you enjoy singing the music of this season as much as we do, now would be the perfect time to think about joining the choir and experiencing the wonderful benefits of choral singing. We offer a very welcoming and supportive environment with lots of laughs. You don't have to read music, we just ask that you be able to attend regular choir rehearsals on Thursday evenings from 7:30 to 9. This would be the perfect way to do something special for yourself while sharing your talents with the parishioners of St. Mark's. We welcome anyone who would like to try us out by joining us for a rehearsal on Thursday. No pressure, but lots of fun!

- Susan Dearborn

St. Mark's Lions Roar in the Parish Hall

During the month of August, the parish hall walls were washed, scraped, patched and painted. Verticle blinds have been installed and new window treatments were made. The hall is brighter and cleaner and we have the following people (LIONESSES) to thank for all their hard work:

Chelsea Doiron Marge Douglass Catherine Owens

Emily Doiron Sue Thompson Emily Howser

Marcia Doiron Betsy Figenbum Christine Petersen

Great job, thanks,

Shirley Estrella

(The editor apologizes for leaving this out of the September ROAR)

Wednesday Parish Lunches

Wednesday Lunches will be held once a month for the October, November, December. Please come and join us for food and fellowship. Bring a friend if you would like.

October 8th