Thursday Evening Dinners
Each Thursday we celebrate the Holy Eucharist at 6:30 p.m. Beginning 4 September 2008, we will resume our Thursday dinners following the Eucharist. You're always welcome to join us!

Peace Path
11 September 2008, 4:00 - 6:00 p.m.
Join us and hundreds of other Baltimoreans for the Peace Path Vigil along Charles Street (from the Inner Harbor to the Beltway). Members and friends of St. Mark's are encouraged to witness for peace in our day, by lining up along Charles Street near your home or work, or joining a group of us here at St. Mark's Church. Come early and stay for the Eucharist at 6:30!

Member Installed as New Pastor in D.C.
14 September 2008, at 3:30 p.m.
The Rev. John Kidd will be installed as Pastor of Augustana Lutheran Church, Washington, DC, on Sunday 14 September 2008. All members and friends of St. Mark's are invited. The 4:00 service will be preceded by special music beginning at 3:30 p.m. The address of the church is 2100 New Hampshire Ave., NW.

Emergency Preparedness
17 September 2008, at 10:00 a.m. and
28 September 2008, at 12:30 p.m.
Our Parish Nurse, Penny Paul, will make two presentations on the subject of emergency preparedness. On Wednesday, 17 September 2008, the first presentation will be followed by lunch ($5 and reservations are requested -- call the church office). The second date is Sunday, 28 September, during the coffee hour in All Saints Chapel. These presentations are for everyone.

Game Night
19 September 2008, at 7:00 p.m
The Parish Life Committee will host a Game Night at St. Mark's on Friday, 19 September. Come and bring your favorite board/party games and enjoy the pleasure of the company of members and friends of St. Mark's. (Even if you don't think you want to play, you can still come and schmooze!) Light refreshments will be provided.

Walker's Group
20 September 2008, at 10:00 a.m.
St. Mark's Walkers' Group will tough through Hampden. This is a great opportunity to see some interesting sites tucked away in an area of Baltimore that is experiencing exciting rediscovery and revitalization. Following the walk, we will eat lunch at one of the local restaurants. Meet on the south end of the parking lot behind the Rotunda, at the Elm Street entrance (3800 block).

Nutrition and Weight Loss
21 September 2008, at 12:30 p.m
The Nutrition and Weight Loss Group meets monthly to discuss ideas on weight loss, improving nutrition, increasing physical activity, and related topics. You are invited to the next meeting. If you have any questions, please contact our Parish Nurse, Penny Paul.

Book Group Discussion
21 September 2008, at 7:00 p.m.
The St. Mark's Book Group will meet on the 21st, in the home of Gail Long. Our next selection is Old Filth by Jane Gardam. Copies of the book are available at a discount through Greg Szczeszek at the Ivy Bookshop.

Seminarian Support Sunday
28 September 2008, at 11:00
St. Mark's Church joins other congregations of the Delaware-Maryland Synod in setting aside the last Sunday of September to support seminarians in the church. Our own Theresa Langdon is currently pursuing a seminary education.

St. Michael and All Angels
28 September 2008, at 5:00 p.m.
Members and friends of St. Mark's are invited to Zion Lutheran Church, City Hall Plaza, for the celebration of the Feast of St. Michael and All Angels. This service of Evening Prayer will include festive music and a guest preacher.

Parish Life Committee
The Parish Life Committee is looking for new members and ideas, including help with disbursing benevolence funds on behalf of the congregation. For more information, please click on committees at the top of this page.

Parish Picnic
The annual parish picnic featured great food, swimming, croquet and other games, and a lovely country setting. Thanks to Dan Wilkey and David Foerschbeck for opening their home for an afternoon of food and fun!

Visioning Task Force
Even though the task force suspended activity during the summer months, the suggestion box will welcome your suggestions in any season! A considerable number of helpful suggestions have already come through the suggestion box, located just outside the rear entrance to Lehr Hall.

Service Opportunity
If you would like to volunteer your time and talents in service to the church, please see the announcement by our Congregation Council here.

Birth Announcement
The Rev. Arwyn Gohl and the Rev. William Gohl announced the birth of their child on 3 September.
Joyanne Grace came into this world at 8 pounds, 11 ounces. Bill and Arwyn are long-time friends of the congregation. Congratulations!

Pastors recognized for 55 years of ministry
At this summer's synod assembly, two clergy connected to St. Mark's were recognized for fifty-five years as ordained pastors.
     The Rev. John Yost, who served as pastor of St. Mark's from 1959 to 1970, retired after serving Epiphany Lutheran Church.
     The Rev. Carl Heim Greenawald, after serving congregations in Pennsylvania, was Director of Pastoral Care Services, at the University of Maryland Medical Center in Baltimore from 1967 to 1998.

Synod offers trip to Finland and Estonia
The Delaware-Maryland Synod Companion Synod Program with the Diocese of Tampere (Finland) and the Diocese of Estonia will be sponsoring a trip to both countries, 16-30 September 2008.
     This program provides the opportunity to visit Estonia and Finland with the people who live there, to practice our faith with them, and to establish lasting relationships with our fellow synod travelers as well as those in Finland and Estonia. In different ways, both countries are extremely beautiful and interesting.
     The full amount of the trip is estimated to be $1,500. Pastor Matt Furhman will be leading this trip.

Requiescant in Pace
Our sympathy is expressed to the family and friends of Pamela Johnson, whose mother died 2 September.

Farewell and Godspeed to…
…Nicole and Greg Weddig, who haved moved to the West Coast. We're grateful for their faithful service to St. Mark's. Greg deserves credit for the beautiful large photo on the home page of this web site.
…the Rev. Kate and John Kidd, who have moved to Washington, DC, where John has been called to serve as pastor of Augustana Lutheran Church. (See related announcement above.) We have appreciated their teaching and service to the congregation and hope to see them from time to time.

Synod Assembly
The Delaware-Maryland Synod gathered this summer at Gettysburg's Eisenhower Center. Our congregation was represented at the assembly by Pastor Dusman, Theresa Langdon, and Brad Schlegel.
     Anti-racism was the focus throughout the assembly, manifested especially in the theme, "Come to the Table: An Invitation Across Race, Culture and Class."
     The Rev. John Nunes, president and CEO of Lutheran World Relief, used his experience with LWR as the basis for a Bible study on the theme. "I want to commend you," he told a rapt audience, "for daring to tackle one of the most difficult topics in America." Using passages from Revelation, Luke and 1 Corinthians, Nunes talked about "A Healing That Splashes," "A Word That Smashes," and "A Ministry That Crashes."

St. Cecilia Society
The St. Cecilia Society met to to elect a Leadership Team. This will now consist of Dick Behrens, Carole Conors, Markie Greenawald, Barbara Hanson, Jim Harp, Shawn McDowell, Elsa Jane Siegmund (President Emerita), and Jack Siegmund.

The 2008-09 concert schedule will feature:


James Harp accompanying the silent film, "A Fool There Was" starring Theda Bara.



A Maryland Colonial Christmas with chamber musicians from St. Mark's.



A recital by the renowned organist Peter Richard Conte.



The silent film "Ben-Hur: A Tale of the Christ" (1926), accompanied by Mr. Harp.



Music of Handel sung by the choir of St. Mark's Church, accompanied by organ and chamber orchestra.

Augsburg's Transformation Project
Augsburg Lutheran Home of Maryland is setting the stage for a "Transformation Project" that will change nursing care. The goal is to transform an institutionally focused service provider to one that is person focused. Our congregation has been invited to participate in the project.
     On July 16, a forum was held at St. Mark's to learn of this proposed project. Members and friends were urged to attend.
     Having Augsburg located in Northwest Baltimore is a great asset for us when persons need skilled nursing care, assisted living, or independent living.

Coffee Project Continues and Expands
We continue to participate in the Lutheran World Relief Coffee Project offering Equal Exchange Fair Traded Products, including coffee, chocolate, organic tea, and cocoa. Our latest addition is Espresso in regular and decaf beans.
     Hear are the voices -- and faces -- of some of the producers:
* Blanca Rosa, General Manager of Promotora de Desarollo Cooperativo de las Segovias (PRODECOOP), Nicaragua: "Coffee farming forms the principal economy of the country, but until recently women did not enter into it. Now women form a significant portion of coffee producers: thirty-six percent. We are found within the management structure, we are in the administration, and this is very important. Fair Trade allowed this to happen."
* Tadesse Meskela, General Manager of Oromia Coffee Farmers Cooperative Union (OCFCU), Ethiopia: "Fair Trade is just asking a fair price for our product. The price of coffee has stayed low while the price of other commodities has increased. We don’t ask for charity; we ask for the right price for our product."
* Rocío Motato, Organizer of the Small-Scale Coffee Farmers Association (ASPROCAFE) in Ingrumá, Colombia: "We deeply appreciate Equal Exchange. Our relationship with them is much more than commercial; it is very human. Why? Because Equal Exchange has visited us, and they understand the producers' reality. They have linked us with other organizations like Lutheran World Relief, which has helped us to develop the youth animal project, improving productivity on coffee farms. Our youth raise animals to produce more fertilizer for crops. This project is very important for us because we are in a zone of conflict. The project motivates youth to stay on farms and not join one of the armed groups."
     The prices charged at St. Mark's reflect the cost and are not set to raise additional funds. Our project is designed to bring us quality products while helping others. Please patronize our Equal Exchange display in Lehr Hall. For more information on fair trade, click here for an LWR brochure.
     Contact Paul Walker with any questions or requests.

News from the Neighborhood!
Several years ago, the Station North Arts & Entertainment District was created in the area surrounding St. Mark's Church. The district is an interesting mix of cultural and entertainment venues. One important component is the ever-growing number of artists who have studios spread throughout the 100 acre district. In fact, one of the artists who has space in the Load of Fun Gallery at 120 West North Avenue is Rebecca Siegmund, daughter of Paul, and granddaughter of Elsa Jane and Jack Siegmund.
      The presence of artists along with theatres, restaurants, businesses, and a growing number of residents, is making our neighborhood more exciting and interesting. Buildings are being renovated and new residential units are being constructed. There is growing excitement as we welcome new people and new business to the Station North Arts & Entertainment District.
      Pastor Dusman serves on the Board of Directors for the District and has been involved with its planning since inception. Look around for new growth. What has been seen for many years as a neglected area is now becoming a desirable neighborhood for investment.