"What (or Who) are you looking for?"
Sometimes it's just hard to know where to begin. Maybe you have not been in Church for many years. Maybe you think you will not be welcome, or will not belong or fit in. Maybe you are looking for a deeper spirituality without all the "religious" fuss.
St. Mark's offers a no-nonsense, gentle and open spirituality where people can "ease" their way into a new Church home. We believe that doubt is not the opposite of Faith, but a way to grow. Faith is not the same as certainty, but a living, dynamic way of life.
If you are seeking to deepen your spiritual life, St. Mark's offers you a place to begin. Instead of a Mission Statement, take a look at our "Core Values," and see if this is what you are looking for.
St. Mark's offers a no-nonsense, gentle and open spirituality where people can "ease" their way into a new Church home. We believe that doubt is not the opposite of Faith, but a way to grow. Faith is not the same as certainty, but a living, dynamic way of life.
If you are seeking to deepen your spiritual life, St. Mark's offers you a place to begin. Instead of a Mission Statement, take a look at our "Core Values," and see if this is what you are looking for.
Our Core Values: Welcome and Worship
1. We welcome seekers and encourage the exploration of the Bible and understanding of the Gospel of Jesus Christ.
2. We offer a variety of historical and contemporary Episcopal practices
Regular worship of God with a community of other people helps us form our identity and find our purpose. Worship in the Episcopal Church is based on The Book of Common Prayer, which contains a framework for the services, plus many other aids for practicing Christianity in daily life. Over 75 different members of all ages participate in leading our worship through the Choirs, Altar Guild, Acolytes, Lectors (Readers), and Ushers. (For more about these ministries, see our Groups and Ministries page.
St. Mark's provides a choice of three Sunday Services, each with its own mood:
The 7:45 AM service uses traditional "thee" and "thou" language. It is a quiet, contemplative service with a sermon but no music, perfect for someone who wants to begin their day with prayer and still have plenty of time for other activities.
The 9:00 AM service is relaxed, very inter-generational, and uses a blend of classical and contemporary music. The sermon is geared to a wide age-range, our Youth Choir sings for this service once a month, and young children (even wiggly babies!) are welcome. Beginning in early 2012, this service will be held in the new St. Mark's Fellowship Center, which is completely accessible, has a nursery and has plenty of space.
The 11:00 AM service uses the best of traditional and contemporary prayers. The sermon is practical and inspirational. Music is provided by our excellent Adult Choir and our Organist-Choirmaster.
Our Sunday service booklet is a complete resource with music and prayers in a section for each service, plus the Sunday Scripture readings, our announcements, a weekly calendar and our prayer list. Copies are available every Sunday to take home.
Our weekly announcements are sent out in an e-mail called the "E-pistle" every Friday. See our Communications page to sign up for the announcements.
Holy Communion (also called Holy Eucharist) is offered at every Sunday service. Every Baptized person is invited to receive Communion, no matter what your faith background. If you have not been Baptized, you are very welcome to come forward with everyone else and receive a blessing during the distribution of Communion.
2. We offer a variety of historical and contemporary Episcopal practices
Regular worship of God with a community of other people helps us form our identity and find our purpose. Worship in the Episcopal Church is based on The Book of Common Prayer, which contains a framework for the services, plus many other aids for practicing Christianity in daily life. Over 75 different members of all ages participate in leading our worship through the Choirs, Altar Guild, Acolytes, Lectors (Readers), and Ushers. (For more about these ministries, see our Groups and Ministries page.
St. Mark's provides a choice of three Sunday Services, each with its own mood:
The 7:45 AM service uses traditional "thee" and "thou" language. It is a quiet, contemplative service with a sermon but no music, perfect for someone who wants to begin their day with prayer and still have plenty of time for other activities.
The 9:00 AM service is relaxed, very inter-generational, and uses a blend of classical and contemporary music. The sermon is geared to a wide age-range, our Youth Choir sings for this service once a month, and young children (even wiggly babies!) are welcome. Beginning in early 2012, this service will be held in the new St. Mark's Fellowship Center, which is completely accessible, has a nursery and has plenty of space.
The 11:00 AM service uses the best of traditional and contemporary prayers. The sermon is practical and inspirational. Music is provided by our excellent Adult Choir and our Organist-Choirmaster.
Our Sunday service booklet is a complete resource with music and prayers in a section for each service, plus the Sunday Scripture readings, our announcements, a weekly calendar and our prayer list. Copies are available every Sunday to take home.
Our weekly announcements are sent out in an e-mail called the "E-pistle" every Friday. See our Communications page to sign up for the announcements.
Holy Communion (also called Holy Eucharist) is offered at every Sunday service. Every Baptized person is invited to receive Communion, no matter what your faith background. If you have not been Baptized, you are very welcome to come forward with everyone else and receive a blessing during the distribution of Communion.
More Core Values: Nurture and Celebration
3. We nurture each member throughout the journey in life and faith
4. We embrace and celebrate the special gifts and needs of children as citizens of the Kingdom of God
St. Mark's does more than just provide Sunday School. We believe Christian formation occurs in many settings and in many places and times. Our practice of "God sightings" encourages each member to see God in daily life, in the middle of messy situations, in times of joy, or in times of pain or sorrow. Take a look at "what's here for your family" and you will see all the ways this Church supports, teaches, guides, encourages, and challenges each member to grow "into the full stature of Christ."
4. We embrace and celebrate the special gifts and needs of children as citizens of the Kingdom of God
St. Mark's does more than just provide Sunday School. We believe Christian formation occurs in many settings and in many places and times. Our practice of "God sightings" encourages each member to see God in daily life, in the middle of messy situations, in times of joy, or in times of pain or sorrow. Take a look at "what's here for your family" and you will see all the ways this Church supports, teaches, guides, encourages, and challenges each member to grow "into the full stature of Christ."
"The" Core Value: Mission
5. We challenge each member to practice faith in daily life, to build community, share gifts and talents and reach out in love and concern for others
Jesus commanded us to take care of those in need and make new disciples. Faith that is turned inward soon becomes stagnant. Faith that is lived out in helping others is a living faith that changes us to grow more and more into the image of Christ. We don't just "throw money" at the problems of poverty and hunger. We like to get our hands dirty and make a difference!
For example: St. Mark's sponsors youth mission trips during the summer. We raise funds to send a large group to perform home repairs, and we sponsor individual youth on trips to Honduras, through the Diocese of Maryland. You can see Leah and Andrea in this picture at a boys school in Honduras!
In our own neighborhood, St. Mark's supports Food Pantries, CASA (Citizens Assisting and Sheltering the Abused), the Community Free Clinic, and CROP Walk for Hunger (just to name a few). Members are tutors at Westfields Elementary School. The Daughters of the King provide Christmas gifts for "Girls, Inc." and our Sunday School has an annual Lenten project to collect funds for local and global charities. Many St. Mark's members are volunteers in our local area, contributing countless hours so that others might be supported and encouraged. If you want to be part of these ministries, check our "Groups and Ministries" page.
Jesus commanded us to take care of those in need and make new disciples. Faith that is turned inward soon becomes stagnant. Faith that is lived out in helping others is a living faith that changes us to grow more and more into the image of Christ. We don't just "throw money" at the problems of poverty and hunger. We like to get our hands dirty and make a difference!
For example: St. Mark's sponsors youth mission trips during the summer. We raise funds to send a large group to perform home repairs, and we sponsor individual youth on trips to Honduras, through the Diocese of Maryland. You can see Leah and Andrea in this picture at a boys school in Honduras!
In our own neighborhood, St. Mark's supports Food Pantries, CASA (Citizens Assisting and Sheltering the Abused), the Community Free Clinic, and CROP Walk for Hunger (just to name a few). Members are tutors at Westfields Elementary School. The Daughters of the King provide Christmas gifts for "Girls, Inc." and our Sunday School has an annual Lenten project to collect funds for local and global charities. Many St. Mark's members are volunteers in our local area, contributing countless hours so that others might be supported and encouraged. If you want to be part of these ministries, check our "Groups and Ministries" page.