Ministries
•St. Mark’s is a community of Worship
Acolytes are generally young people in 6th through 12th grade, who serve on the altar at each worship service. Acolytes lead the procession with a cross and two torches. They assist in the service by giving the offering plates to the ushers and they reverently bring the bread and wine to the altar for the Priest to consecrate at the time of the Eucharist. They light and extinguish the altar candles, before and after the service. Their final duty is to ring the church bells at the end of each service.
Eucharistic Minister is a lay person who is trained and licensed by the Diocese to administer wine during any Celebration of the Holy Eucharist. This person also participates in Sunday services by reading the appointed Lessons, Psalms, and the Prayers of the People.
Eucharistic Visitor is a lay person who is trained and licensed by the Diocese to be able to bring Communion (pre-consecrated elements) to the shut-ins and ill.
Lector is a lay person who participates in the liturgical service by reading the appointed lessons.
Choir are lay people who use the gift of music to glorify God. They lead the congregation in singing of hymns and praise God through the anthems. This is a group of talented people who honor God by leading the congregation in song to help deepen the congregation's faith spiritually. The choir rehearses on Thursday evenings at 7:30 pm.
Musicians are the talented people who are willing to share their gift by playing an instrument to enhance the musical offerings of a service.
Altar Guild reverently take care of the sanctuary and prepare the altar vessels and vestments for service.
Ushers are lay persons who serve God and the people of St. Mark’s at regular and special worship occasions by greeting the community at services, collecting good will offerings, and leading the congregation to Holy Eucharist.
•St. Mark’s is a community of Prayer.
Contemplative Prayer Group meets weekly to study and practice the gift of praying in God's presence through being vigilantly quiet and listening to God through the concentration of silence.
Prayer Group meets weekly to pray for the needs and concerns of all, to give thanks, and to learn more about the power of prayer.
Prayer Telephone Chain connects by phone and passes along prayer requests for those in the congregation or its families, friends, or neighbors who are in immediate need or trouble.
Prayer Shawl Ministry is a group who knits or crochets Prayer Shawls by saying a prayer with each stitch that is made. Prayer Shawls, upon completion, are then prayed over by the congregation and blessed by the Priest. These Prayer Shawls that were woven in yarn and prayer are given to someone for comfort or in celebration of a life event.
•St. Mark’s is a community of Spiritual Growth and Development.
Church School Teachers are dedicated individuals giving of their time and talents to teach religious instruction. They assist the younger members of St. Mark’s in learning what it means to be a Christian in today’s world. These special people are excellent role models for our young people. They are provided with curriculum and materials, and supported by the Director of Religious Education.
Nursery is a co-op program. Young families (or grandparents) oversee the scheduling and care of the infants and toddlers during the 10:00 a.m. Sunday services.
Alpha is for people interested in investigating Christianity, newcomers to the church, new Christians, couples preparing for marriage, or for Christians who want to "brush up" on the basics. Alpha is led by a group of dedicated parishioners at St. Mark's.
Bible Study Group meets weekly to study the Bible in order to deepen Christian understanding and knowledge.
Women's Retreat is an annual tradition at St. Mark's, usually held the last weekend in January. The women of St. Mark's experience an overnight spiritual retreat and Christian fellowship. The retreat begins on Friday evening for dinner and fellowship followed by an introduction to the program that a Spiritual Leader has planned. Saturday morning begins with Morning Prayer and the program continues with the retreat closing around 3 p.m. with the Celebration of Holy Eucharist. Fellowship, great food, and sisterhood has been an enriching experience for many throughout the years.
Cursillo - a Spanish term for "short course." Cursillo is a renewal movement in many Christian denominations including the Episcopal Church. The Diocese of Western New York celebrated its 25th anniversary of the Cursillo movement in 2007. Many St. Mark’s parishioners are involved in deepening their spiritual lives in Christ through this renewal fourth day movement. It is a three day weekend of study, piety, and action learning how to take these elements into the larger community and world after the weekend.
•St. Mark’s is a community of Caring.
Pastoral Care may be the calling of both the Priest and Deacon of the Church. Many lay people at St. Mark's also live out their call to the Pastoral Care Ministry by visiting, praying, or caring for those who are sick or recovering from illness.
The International Order of St. Luke the Physician (OSL) is an interdenominational Christian group of clergy and lay people who believe in the apostolic practice of healing as taught by our Lord Jesus Christ. The order believes that God uses many avenues for healing, both spiritual and medical, and that they should be supportive of one another. Members learn how to pray for healing for themselves and others through prayer, anointing, and the laying on of hands. The Western New York Chapter meets at St. Mark’s on the first Monday of the month at 7:00 p.m. in the Vestry Room.
•St. Mark’s is a community of Family.
Fellowship shares their gift of hospitality as they serve the congregation each Sunday after the service during Coffee Hour. This provides the St. Mark’s community a social opportunity to bond in union as Christ’s family.
Hospitality Commission plans fellowship activities throughout the year. These special events are times for the St. Mark’s community to get together for fun, food, and fellowship.
Parish Picnic is on the second Sunday in June at a local park. There is an outdoor Eucharist Service. After the service there is a barbecue and outside activities and games for a day of fun and folly for all.
•St. Mark’s is a community of Outreach.
Episcopal Community Services (ECS) is the Diocese of Western New York’s organization to provide the help and hope people need to rise above adverse circumstances and improve their lives. ECS is one community with one call to: hunger, poverty, homelessness, chronic illness, drug abuse, and domestic violence.
United Thank Offering (UTO) is a ministry of the Episcopal Church that provides a way for all to give daily thanks to God. The discipline starts in the homes by dropping coins into a "Blue Box" (available at the church). These monetary gifts are used to help others. Every coin is used to support grants for missions and ministry.
Heifer Living Gift Market is an annual St. Mark’s project. Since 1944, Heifer Project International a nonprofit, ecumenical organization, has sent more than 75,000 food producing animals and over 3 million chicks and ducks to farmers in 109 countries and 32 states. Each recipient passes on the first offspring, or the produce from the gift, to another needy family.
Advent Family Project gives St. Mark’s parishioners an opportunity to share God’s abundant blessings with 6 to 8 needy families so that they may have a bountiful Christmas.
CROP Walk is a 10 K (about 6 miles) walk to raise money for the hungry. It takes place in the fall. Twenty-five per cent of the monies raised assist local food pantries and the remainder is distributed worldwide.
Habitat for Humanity is an international organization that builds affordable housing. Members of St. Mark’s regularly give of their time to help build more homes. Special Offerings are designated by the vestry for worthwhile organizations throughout the year.
Operation Good Neighbor is an interdenominational 25 year old Outreach Organization that serves the Lord by serving those in need. Operation Good Neighbor passes out the ingredients for 4,000 meals a week. The average recipient of food from this organization is living 41% below federally accepted poverty standards.
•St. Mark’s is a Community.
Vestry is "the board of directors" of St. Mark’s. They are elected at the Annual Meeting the first Sunday in May.They prayerfully vote and make the decisions for the Church, from hiring the Rector, the staff, balancing the funds, paying the bills, investing wisely, taking care of the building and grounds, to living out the mission of St. Mark's by spiritually growing as a community in Christ and taking care of our neighbors in Outreach both locally and in the world.
Property Committee is committed, talented, artistic, creative, handi-people who care for the buildings and grounds of St. Mark's Church and the Rectory. They beautify God's church (our parish family home), and keep it in a good running order. They love and care for the church as God loves and cares for the Church as his bride.
•St. Mark’s is Christian community that is alive and growing. New ministries spring forth and suggestions for other ministries are always welcome.
Last Modified: 2008-05-15 13:06:18