Habitat for Humanity’s Kevin Smith

Kevin Smith of Habitat for Humanity

We are delighted to host Kevin Smith, chief executive officer of Habitat for Humanity of New Castle County, in our Adult Forum this week.

As you know, the U.S. housing market had an unprecedented number of foreclosures in 2008. Though the housing market has recovered, a new housing crisis looms across the country, in Delaware and in our community.

Habitat for Humanity brings a powerful remedy as volunteers and community partners join forces to develop and upgrade housing opportunities. New Castle County has many examples of Habitat’s life-changing impact.

Join us as we hear how Habitat is addressing the lack of affordable housing and helping to revitalize neighborhoods by putting God’s love into action.

Lutheran Volunteer Corps BOWLATHON

Bowling ball in the middle of the bowling alley

So you say you can bowl? We’ve got just the thing for you. And even if you can’t really knock ’em over, you can be a bowling powerhouse by supporting the Lutheran Volunteer Corps’ annual Bowlathon.

Planning is already underway, with five-person teams forming for youth, adults and combination teams. Individuals also are welcome to register. LVC will connect you with a team if you need one.

If you register by Wednesday, March 20, fees are: $10 for individuals, plus at least $30 in pledges; $50 for five-member teams, plus at least $150 in pledges. After that fees go to $15 for an individual, $70 for a team.

Bill Fuson is the coordinator for St. Mark’s participation. See him for registration forms and more information.

Come out and roll with us–or cheer us on with a donation!

Online donations are accepted, too.

All proceeds benefit the work of Lutheran Volunteer Corps, which you can learn much more about on its website.

Jewish-Christian Understanding

Peter Pettit

Peter Pettit, director of the Institute for Jewish-Christian Understanding at Muhlenberg College in Allentown, Pa., will visit to talk with us about efforts to build bridges of understanding between the Jewish and Christian faith traditions.

Dr. Pettit has been active in Christian-Jewish dialogue for more than 25 years, giving leadership in local, national and international settings.

He earned his Ph.D. and master’s degrees at Claremont (Calif.) Graduate University and a master of divinity degree from Lutheran Theological Seminary in Philadelphia.

Mardi Gras Potluck Festival

Mardi Gras items

Put on a Mardi Gras mask and come join the fun at St. Mark’s Mardi Gras Potluck Festival!

We’ll have a potluck dinner, so bring a dish or dessert to share.

And get a team together (five people on each team) for the Family Feud Tournament! We’re all one big family so ANYONE can be on your team.

Bring the kids! Bring family! Bring friends!

Zero Gravity Spaghetti Dinner

Spaghetti and meatballs

Here’s an evening you definitely don’t want to miss — Zero Gravity’s luscious spaghetti dinner fundraiser!

The kitchen lineup includes: Chef Leonard McClane, sous chef Jerry Schrack and coordinator Cecilia Schrack.

On the front lines will be servers Holly Schrack, Solomon Schrack and Matthew Bradley. These youth enjoy serving and they do a great job. Get to know them!

Bring your family and your friends. You can expect great food and a chance to hang around with your St. Mark’s family.

Tickets are on sale now at $12 each. The money raised will support Zero Gravity’s trips to Mar-Lu-Ridge Summer Christian Camp as well as a trip to the 2021 National ELCA Youth Conference.

Come out, enjoy a good time and help this awesome team get some traction this year!

Ash Wednesday Service

Bishop Peggy Johnson

Our Ash Wednesday service includes a special guest preacher, a deaf Bible drama, the imposition of ashes and holy communion.

Join us as we hear from Bishop Peggy A. Johnson, who serves as the episcopal leader of the United Methodist Church’s Philadelphia Area, which includes the Eastern Pennsylvania Annual Conference and the Peninsula-Delaware Annual Conference.

Her sermon title is: “Can You Keep A Secret?”

“I am looking forward to taking part in this service as we continue to model our ‘full communion’ relationship with the ELCA and the UMC,” she said. “My hope is that the deaf community’s involvement will spark some interest in deaf ministry at your church and further collaborations.”

Bishop Johnson is a native of Baltimore, Md. She is a graduate of Lebanon Valley College, Asbury Theological Seminary and Wesley Theological Seminary, where she earned the Doctor of Ministry degree.

Prior to her election to the episcopacy in 2008 she had served as a pastor in the Baltimore-Washington Conference for 28 years. Her churches included a four-point rural circuit in Frederick, Md., a suburban Baltimore congregation, a campus ministry at Gallaudet University in Washington, D.C., and for 20 years she was the pastor of the Christ United Methodist Church of the Deaf.

Bishop Johnson has a passion for ministry with people with disabilities and her years as the pastor of an all-deaf congregation led her on paths of experience with not only the deaf and deaf-blind communities but also with those who have mobility, intellectual and mental health challenges.

She is married to the Rev. Michael C. Johnson, a United Methodist pastor. They have two adult sons, Peter and Gabriel.

We hope to see you there!

Midweek Lenten Series: Unafraid

Boat on the Sea of Galilee

This is the final session of our Mid-Week Lenten Series, which has focused on Adam Hamilton’s book “Unafraid: Living with Courage and Hope in Uncertain Times.”

Throughout the series, we have gathered at a different church in the Brandywine Collaborative each Wednesday, starting with supper at 6 p.m., then a time of prayer and worship at 6:45 and a time of study and discussion from 7:15 to 8:15 p.m. This week, we’ll host the meeting at St. Mark’s, 501 Duncan Rd., Wilmington, Delaware 19809.

For anyone struggling with fear or wondering how families and communities can thrive in troubled times, “Unafraid” offers an informed and inspiring message full of practical solutions.

Join us as we conclude this conversation.

Family Night

Supper table illustration

The Family Night event planned for Friday, Feb. 1 at Calvary Episcopal Church has been CANCELLED. But we are hosting the next one on Friday, March 15.

These events are sponsored by the Brandywine Collaborative Ministries Group, which St. Mark’s is part of. The Brandywine Collaborative is a group of area churches linked to strengthen the community of faith in our area.

The Collaborative’s Family Nights are typically held on Friday nights and are meant to bring kids and adults together for supper, a brief worship service, activities for the kids and a time of discussion for parents. Families are the focus of these gatherings, but singles and all ages are welcome to participate.

There is no cost to attend. The evening typically goes from 6 to 7:30 p.m.

In addition to St. Mark’s, the collaborative includes Calvary Episcopal Church at 304 Lore Ave., Grace Episcopal Church at 4900 Concord Pike and Episcopal Church of the Ascension at 3717 Philadelphia Pike.

Connecting with EDGE for Tomorrow

Ginny Jones

Ginny Jones, executive director of EDGE For Tomorrow will be with us during the Adult Forum hour to bring us up to date on that ministry of our neighbors at Presbyterian Church of the Covenant.

Founded in 2009, EDGE For Tomorrow provides services, support and advocacy for social justice, education and empowerment for those living below the poverty level in our local communities.

The EDGE After-School program is almost 8 years old and now provides free after-school care for about 30 children four days each week. It touches the lives of more than 100 families with programs that address illiteracy, poverty, parent education, family assistance and early childhood education.

Join us Sunday to learn more about this ministry and see how you might be involved.

Twelfth Night Concert

Wilmington Handbell Ensemble

Our friends and neighbors at Presbyterian Church of the Covenant are hosting the Wilmington Handbell Ensemble for a “Twelfth Night” concert.

According to WHE’s website, the ensemble is celebrating its 19th season. It has performed at Longwood Gardens, First Night Wilmington, Christmas in Old New Castle, Christmas Open Houses in Salem and Woodstown, N.J., Brandywine River Museum and the Delaware Art Museum. The ensemble also has been featured with the Newark Symphony, the Rainbow Chorale of Delaware and the Wilmington Madrigal Singers.

All are welcome. A $15 donation is suggested.

PCOC is at 503 Duncan Road, just across Villa Place from St. Mark’s.