What happens once I "join" the Church?
It is very likely that you will be invited to become more active in the Church or the community by using your interests, your time, and maybe even by exploring something new and meeting some new friends. The following is a list of ministries for you to consider:
Ministries for Worship
Acolyte Guild -- All ages, all services. Acolytes assist the Clergy by lighting candles, leading processions and assisting to prepare the table for Communion.
Altar Guild -- Five teams (we would love to have six!), set up and clean up the Altar area for all services.
Ushers -- Our door-keepers, who make sure everyone has a seat, a bulletin and a friendly welcome
Chalicists -- Who assist the Clergy by offering the Cup to those who come forward for Communion.
Choir -- Who lead us in song and offer anthems of praise to God. We have three choirs with opportunities for involvement and musical growth among adults and children of all ages.
Lectors -- Who read our lessons and lead the prayers for worship services.
Oblations Bearers -- Who bring the bread and wine forward, reminding us that we all are offering ourselves and our resources to God.
Altar Guild -- Five teams (we would love to have six!), set up and clean up the Altar area for all services.
Ushers -- Our door-keepers, who make sure everyone has a seat, a bulletin and a friendly welcome
Chalicists -- Who assist the Clergy by offering the Cup to those who come forward for Communion.
Choir -- Who lead us in song and offer anthems of praise to God. We have three choirs with opportunities for involvement and musical growth among adults and children of all ages.
Lectors -- Who read our lessons and lead the prayers for worship services.
Oblations Bearers -- Who bring the bread and wine forward, reminding us that we all are offering ourselves and our resources to God.
Ministries for Outreach
There are many opportunities to make a difference in the lives of others--and all you have to do is WANT to help! At nearby Rockland Woods School, our members serve as tutors, and we assist needy children and families in various ways. You may purchase food coupons for Weiss and Martins at the Church office, thereby donating 5% of your purchase to the St. Mark's Outreach fund. We collect food for local food pantries, send Christmas cards to troops overseas, pack boxes of supplies for those who visit the International Seafarers ministry in the Port of Baltimore, raise money for Episcopal Relief and Development (ERD), the United Thank Offering (UTO), collect supplies for the Humane Society, and hold periodic yard sales to benefit local charities or assist our Youth on their mission trips. One member even donates part of her "egg money" raised from the sale of fresh eggs laid by her chickens. You can see that Outreach is our "middle name!"
Groups for Fellowship and Fun
Daughters of the King (DOK) -- An Order (Official group of the Episcopal Church) of Episcopal Women who take a training course and make vows to pray and serve. They meet monthly for prayer and study.
Junior Daughters of the King -- Not yet old enough to be a member of the DOK, these J-Dok's aged 8-21 also take a course and training before making a vow to pray and serve for God's Kingdom.
St. Mark's Men -- Meeting monthly for a delicious breakfast cooked by a member, these men study the scriptures and pray for the Church and each other. They touch base for breakfast one morning a month at a local restaurant.
The Lydia Guild -- A daytime group for women. Once a month, they bring a lunch, share stories of our lives and take on service projects including the "baby bundles" consisting of layettes for women in need at Meritus Medical Center in Hagerstown. The guild takes its name from one of the stained glass windows in the Church, showig Lydia being Baptized by St. Paul. Lydia was a seller of expensive cloth and helped support the Christian mission in the first century.
St. Mark's Lions Softball Team -- They play in a Summertime Church League. Practice begins in April and closes out with a Tournament in August. The team welcomes anyone who wants to brave the diamond!
Alpha -- A ten-week course in "Christianity 101" offered every few years. Lots of great fun, food and a chance to ask all those questions you have wanted to ask, but never had a chance, or time, or place, or people that welcomed you!
Cursillo -- Sponsored by Cursillo of the Diocese of Maryland, this "Little Course in Christianity" offers a three-day retreat twice every year. For more information click here.
Junior Daughters of the King -- Not yet old enough to be a member of the DOK, these J-Dok's aged 8-21 also take a course and training before making a vow to pray and serve for God's Kingdom.
St. Mark's Men -- Meeting monthly for a delicious breakfast cooked by a member, these men study the scriptures and pray for the Church and each other. They touch base for breakfast one morning a month at a local restaurant.
The Lydia Guild -- A daytime group for women. Once a month, they bring a lunch, share stories of our lives and take on service projects including the "baby bundles" consisting of layettes for women in need at Meritus Medical Center in Hagerstown. The guild takes its name from one of the stained glass windows in the Church, showig Lydia being Baptized by St. Paul. Lydia was a seller of expensive cloth and helped support the Christian mission in the first century.
St. Mark's Lions Softball Team -- They play in a Summertime Church League. Practice begins in April and closes out with a Tournament in August. The team welcomes anyone who wants to brave the diamond!
Alpha -- A ten-week course in "Christianity 101" offered every few years. Lots of great fun, food and a chance to ask all those questions you have wanted to ask, but never had a chance, or time, or place, or people that welcomed you!
Cursillo -- Sponsored by Cursillo of the Diocese of Maryland, this "Little Course in Christianity" offers a three-day retreat twice every year. For more information click here.
Ministries of the Church
The Parish Nurse Ministry -- Supported by the Bill Bunnell Wellness Fund of St. Mark's, our two volunteer Parish Nurses provide regular blood pressure screenings, health and wellness ideas, articles for the newsletter, bulletin boards, health fairs and remind us all that our bodies are the temple of the Holy Spirit! They are wise and generous professionals who are ready to listen, give advice on health related issues, and take time to pray with you.
The Vestry -- More than the governing board, the Vestry oversees the financial and business end of things, provides direction and discernment, keeps one ear to the ground, funnels requests and issues from members and back to members, and faithfully attends worship. Three years is the commitment of time to attend meetings, an annual retreat and planning day, and provide leadership.
The Nursing Home Ministry -- St. Marks members visit two local Nursing Homes once a month to bring music, worship and Holy Communion to residents who have memory loss--but remember ALL THE WORDS of the old hymns and prayers!
Clean up Days, Holiday Festival Committee, Office Assistants and more....just ask!
The Vestry -- More than the governing board, the Vestry oversees the financial and business end of things, provides direction and discernment, keeps one ear to the ground, funnels requests and issues from members and back to members, and faithfully attends worship. Three years is the commitment of time to attend meetings, an annual retreat and planning day, and provide leadership.
The Nursing Home Ministry -- St. Marks members visit two local Nursing Homes once a month to bring music, worship and Holy Communion to residents who have memory loss--but remember ALL THE WORDS of the old hymns and prayers!
Clean up Days, Holiday Festival Committee, Office Assistants and more....just ask!