Re“Mark”able News - October 23

Noticios Re"Mark"adas (Anuncios en Español)

Together in Faith: Jesus said, “Everyone who exalts themselves will be humbled, but all who humble themselves will be exalted.” Luke 18:14.

The gospels make it clear that Jesus had little tolerance for selfimportant people, probably because people who make themselves important usually do so at the expense of others. The role of a steward is the opposite: to celebrate God’s amazing generosity to all of God’s people. No one loses, everyone wins. What have I done today to exalt the people I meet?

Dia de los Muertos: During our All Saint’s Day mass next Sunday, we will recognize our loved ones who have passed during the offertory portion of the service. You may bring personal items, photographs, or mementos to place on the display altar tables near the front of the church. Please join us in this wonderful Latino cultural tradition that celebrates and honors in a joyous and beautiful way the lives of those whom we have lost.

Grief Group: A grief group has been created for anyone who wishes to attend, regardless of faith, that will be meeting at St. James Episcopal Church every Saturday at 1 pm beginning October 22nd for six weeks. If you would like more information, please contact Kate Bertrand at 480-544-6510. Anyone is free to drop in at will for the meetings, no registration or prior notice is necessary.

Christmas Compassion: This year St. Mark’s will sponsor five low income families with children at Christmas. We would like the families to enjoy a full beautiful Christmas with a tree, decorations, dinner, and gifts of clothes and toys. We will gather donations and purchase gift cards for groceries, gas, and department stores. This will facilitate the purchase of clothes and toys, to avoid sizes and gender lists. Pre-owned, good condition Christmas trees and decorations will be appreciated. Anyone willing to help with this project, please contact Fr. Gerardo Brambila or Gloria McManus in the office.

Thanksgiving Donations: Food Pantry volunteers will be in the Lion’s Den between services collecting donations toward the purchase of Thanksgiving gift cards this year. We are giving $10.00 Food City gift cards this year instead of turkeys. United Food Bank informed us they could not supply us with turkeys because the cost of turkeys had become prohibitive. We hope to give all our families a gift card, which they can use to purchase their choice of meat for Thanksgiving.

Transportation Ministry: As a church family, one of our first priorities is to ensure that our brothers and sisters in Christ are in our prayers and when the need arises, extend that love to a visit or even a ride. We are currently recruiting parishioners who are able to provide rides to others who would like to attend one of our many services but have limited or no means of transportation to do so. It is a great fellowship, deeply appreciated by those in need and allows us to grow deeper in faith and love with one another. Whether you are in need of a ride or may be able to provide transportation to someone in need, please contact Mayra Alvarado at 830-765-8088 and leave a detailed message.

Upcoming Ministry Meetings:

• Property Cleanup: TBD
• Bishop’s Committee: Tuesday, October 25th, 7 pm, Conference Room

Mark Your Calendars:

• Youth Christian Formation and Children’s Chapel each Sunday at 9:45 am.
• Halloween “Trunk or Treat”, Saturday, October 29th, 3 to 5 pm
• All Saints Day & Dia de los Muertos, October 30th, One Bilingual service, 10 am with potluck to follow in Knight Hall
• Cursillo Ultreya, Saturday, Nov. 12th, 1 pm—4 pm, Knight Hall, Potluck and all are welcome 

Full announcements (pdf)