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December 11, 2021

Joining together to support Afghan refugees

An illustration showing people holding hands in a circle

By Jan Sullivan

On November 14, more than two dozen St. Mark’s members and guests joined Rosi Crosby, chief strategy officer at Jewish Family Services of Delaware, to learn of the status of Afghan refugees arriving in Delaware. Those present included members of Good Shepherd, St. Stephen’s and St. Philip’s Lutheran Churches.

Jewish Family Services is the refugee resettlement agency in Delaware. Rosi reported that a few Afghan refugees have already arrived in Delaware and more are coming, possibly more than 30 by the end of the year. She explained volunteer “circles of care,” which are meant to support the refugees, including transportation and advice/support on settling in to the community.

St. Mark’s members donated more than a wagonload of towels, washcloths and bath products for refugees and their families and Rosi reported that all items were promptly distributed within a few days.

What can we do going forward? A lot! Consider one or more of these:

— Anyone who wishes to volunteer and/or join a “circle of care” could contact Jewish Family Services of Delaware at www.jfsdelaware.org/volunteer to complete a form, or e-mail volunteers@jfsdelaware.org. Learn more about JFS’ Refugee Integration Support Effort (RISE) and reach Rosi at rcrosby@jfsdelaware.org.

— If you wish to donate gently used furniture or household items, they cannot go directly to Jewish Family Services. Instead, take them to Habitat for Humanity’s ReStore, 3312 Seminole Avenue, Wilmington, DE 19808. Habitat’s phone number is (302) 652-5181. Call ahead and let them know you are bringing these items for Jewish Family Services or the Refugee Integration Support Effort (RISE).

— Used clothing in good condition can be taken to Friendship House Clothing Bank, 1603 Jessup Street, Suite 3, Wilmington, DE 19802 from 8:30 a.m. to 2 p.m. Monday through Thursday. The phone number there is (302) 654-1390. JFS will refer refugees there as needed. Monetary donations specifically for refugees can be forwarded to Jewish Family Services, earmarked RISE, and sent to 99 Passmore Road, Wilmington, DE 19803. Donations can also be made online at www.jfsdelaware.org.

— Additionally, Lutheran Immigration and Refugee Services encourages us to support the Afghan refugees by contacting our U.S. Congressional Delegation through a convenient form here: https://www.votervoice.net/LIRS/campaigns/89654/respond? Most of our Afghan neighbors are arriving with humanitarian parole, which only temporarily allows people fleeing danger to remain in the U.S. These Afghans will need to find another pathway to safety once their parole expires. To ensure that Afghans find real, lasting safety in the U.S., Congress must pass the Afghan Adjustment Act, which would allow Afghan humanitarian parolees to seek legal permanent residence in the United States.

December 4, 2021

Celebrate Christmas with us!

Join us as we celebrate the birth of our Savior, Jesus Christ!

We’ll have two services — a 5 p.m. family-oriented contemporary service and a 7 p.m. traditional service with Scripture, carols and a cantata.

On Sunday, December 26, we will have one Unity worship service at 10 a.m., with lessons and carols.

December 4, 2021

An update on interim leadership

Pastor David Mueller and Pastor Barbara Melosh

Dear St. Mark’s,

A few years ago, when St. Mark’s had lost our pastor, the Rev. David Mueller reached out to me offering his services for St. Mark’s. He had been in discussion with members of St. Mark’s who had a relationship with him and he felt called to be our interim pastor. Since that time, we have been in his capable hands. Originally, his intent was to stay until we found our new pastor.

Over the past few months, Pastor Mueller has found that his knee has given him increasing pain and lacks stability. Those of us attending services at St. Mark’s and via Zoom have seen him struggling to maneuver at the altar. He is scheduled for knee replacement surgery in early January.

Pastor Mueller reached out to the Council at our last meeting on November 16, letting us know that he will not be able to continue as our pastor in his current capacity. In the days following, he and I reached out to Bishop William Gohl to let him know the situation and ask for assistance. The Synod has found a pastor to assist over the coming weeks. While not a full-time role, this seems to be the best solution in the short term.

The Rev. Barbara Melosh has been at St. Mark’s before and was introduced last month to assist in our transition. Pastor Mueller will continue to be present in a part-time capacity through January 9.

Please join me in welcoming Pastor Melosh to our St. Mark’s family. She will be serving during worship and with Pastor Mueller, providing pastoral care through the end of the year. After the new year we will have a combination of Pastor Melosh and supply pastors for our Sunday Worship.

Please let me know if you have any questions and continue to contact the office for any pastoral needs. Also, please continue to pray for our Call Committee!

Thank you,

Kitty Dombroski

President, St. Mark’s Congregational Council

December 4, 2021December 4, 2021

Delaware Legislative Night

State Representative Debra Heffernan and State Senator Sarah McBride

Please join us at 7 p.m. Monday, December 20 for a 40-minute Zoom session with the two state legislators who represent our area.

State Senator Sarah McBride and State Representative Debra Heffernan will discuss the upcoming legislative session and take your questions. This is a valuable session even if you don’t live in the same Senatorial District or Representative District which serves our church home. Don’t miss this opportunity to share your thoughts and learn about the work these lawmakers are doing in Dover.

If you have questions about this event or need the Zoom link, please contact Jan Sullivan.

December 4, 2021December 4, 2021

Christmas Carols together — singing and sharing!

Christmas Carols + You + Me: Join us at 10 a.m. in the Great Room for this Adult Education class as we share personal stories of the role Christmas carols have played in our lives. All are invited to share a carol that has a special memory or has shaped your faith in some way. This class is designed as an opportunity to learn more about each other and to reflect upon the significance and meaning that Christmas carols have had in our lives. Cliff Smith will facilitate the discussion.

Christmas Carol sing: We’ll gather outside at 2:30 p.m. Sunday, December 5 (weather permitting), as our St. Mark’s family joins together for a Christmas carol sing.

November 21, 2021

A Call to Prayer

Join us as we gather for a Prayer Vigil on Saturday morning, December 4. The sanctuary will be open from 9 a.m. to noon. You may come for any portion of that that time — or all of it! Between 10 and 11 a.m., we will focus our prayers on St. Mark’s.

Here’s why: Prayer is woven throughout the entire Bible. As believers in God, we believe that as we pray God listens, responds, heals, guides, blesses, anoints, forgives, provides, protects, redeems, leads, directs, empowers, nourishes, unites and much more.

We want to make our praises and prayer requests known. Whether we do that privately, corporately, silently or out loud, we believe God will be listening.

Come and pray silently in the pews. Come to the altar to kneel and pray. Speak your prayer aloud for others to hear. Submit a prayer to be read by someone else. (You may submit these written prayers to the prayer collection envelope in the sanctuary.) Or join us in prayer while you are at home.

A prayer guide will be provided.

If you have questions contact anyone on the prayer team: Cecilia Cronk, Margie Dodson, Vicki McDowell, Beth Miller, Nancy Myers, Cliff Smith or Jan Sullivan.

We hope you’ll join us!

October 30, 2021October 30, 2021

Support for Afghan refugees

Please join us Sunday, November 14 at 10 a.m. in the Great Room as we welcome special guest Rosi Crosby, chief strategy officer at Jewish Family Services of Delaware.

Jewish Family Services is in charge of welcoming Afghan refugees to Delaware. Approximately 30 refugees are arriving before the end of the year and more may be coming next year.

During her visit, Ms. Crosby will provide more information about this effort, including opportunities for community members to help welcome and support these new neighbors.

As part of the November 14 program, we will host a “Shower for Showers.” Please consider purchasing and bringing a gift of a new neutral-colored bath towel and matching washcloth, plus possibly a new two-in-one (shampoo and creme rinse) or three in one (shampoo, creme rinse and liquid soap) bath product of your choice. (Three-in-one products are usually found in the stores with children’s grooming products.)

If you have questions, please contact Jan Sullivan.

October 30, 2021October 30, 2021

A glorious Homecoming Sunday!

Just like a good old-fashioned, high school homecoming weekend, the St. Mark’s Homecoming Sunday on October 3^rd was a glorious, festive and truly enjoyable time. The day started with a beautiful, spiritual Unity Service, with inspiring music and singing voices. Everyone then brought their delectable dishes outside for a picnic, where they were met with the aroma of grilling hamburgers and hot dogs. What a great gift to the smell senses. And God blessed us with great weather!

Grillmasters Dwight Novotny and Kevin Carr — Grillmasters Dwight Novotny (left) and Kevin Carr

Sitting down and spending time with our spiritual and loving church family was the highlight of the picnic. Grillmasters Kevin Carr and Dwight Novotny enjoyed the pleasure of chatting with everyone as they came to get their hamburgers and hot dogs.

Dwight said he didn’t mind being at the grill most of the time, “because I had the opportunity to share a little time with everyone, most of whom I haven’t seen in quite a while.”

The festivities included a visit by two special guests, London and Ava, who are members of Girl Scout Troop 1391, the troop that put in a gorgeous flower bed and donated the new picnic table to the church. Interim Pastor David Mueller blessed and dedicated the flower bed, the new picnic table as well as St. Mark’s new roof in a brief ceremony. A big thank you to these Girl Scouts!

Thank you, too, to St. Mark’s Worship & Music Committee and the Congregational Life and Outreach Committee for organizing this wonderful day!

September 30, 2021September 30, 2021

St. Mark’s helps LCS set fundraising record

The start of the Lutheran Community Services Walk/Run for Hunger

Whether you laced up your sneakers, recruited donors, wrote a check or cheered on those who walked the walk and ran the run, thank you for helping Lutheran Community Services exceed its fundraising goal at the annual Walk/Run, held Saturday, September 18.

LCS reported a record-setting total of $71,983.42, which was more than $10,000 beyond its $60,000 goal.

The money supports LCS’ food program.

St. Mark’s was listed as the top fundraiser, thanks largely to its link to the No. 1 fundraising individual, the intrepid Pastor Fred Melton, who raised $19,935. Pastor Melton retired as pastor of St. Mark’s several years ago and continues to inspire service and generosity in those who come within his force field.

Why does he do that? We asked, he answered.

“Every day before eating a meal, I remain rather humbled by the fact that I have never had to worry about a meal, about where the food will come from,” Fred said. “it’s a good fortune beyond calculation that is so easy to take for granted. So, as people of faith, sincere ‘giving thanks’ (that’s the table prayer) virtually begs us to do something to help others who are not so fortunate.

“I really cannot say a prayer without being reminded that helping others is both a response to God’s blessings to us and a virtual requirement for having such easy access to food. I recall a powerful quote from the speaker at my oldest son’s college graduation (from the University of Michigan), which was: “Service is the rent we pay for being alive.”

Souls On Fire, the praise band that leads St. Mark’s contemporary services, provided music before the event, which was hosted by Lutheran Church of the Good Shepherd.

September 11, 2021September 11, 2021

Returning to two services, 8:45 and 11:15 a.m.

St. Mark’s returns to two services on Sunday, September 12, with two important changes. Our traditional liturgical service now begins at 8:45 a.m. and our contemporary service starts at 11:15 a.m. We will continue to share communion using the kits through September. All are welcome.

In the absence of Interim Pastor David Mueller, the Rev. Barbara Melosh will lead us on Sunday, September 12. The Rev. Wes Hamlin will lead us on Sunday, September 19.

Join us, too, for our Unity Homecoming Service on Sunday, October 3. On this Sunday, we will all gather at 10 a.m. for this joyous homecoming. We hope to return to celebrating communion together at the front of the church on this day, too.

Immediately following the Unity Homecoming Service, we will celebrate with our church picnic! Bring your own chair and a side dish or dessert. Hot dogs, hamburgers, rolls, condiments, iced tea and water will be provided. Please sign up for this on the kiosk in the church narthex or by calling the church office at (302) 764-7488.