Markings Newsletter
Volume: 87 | Issue: 09
From Rev. Quentisha Davis Wiles, MSW, ASW, MDIV, Senior Pastor
Dear Saint Mark’s Community,
Greetings in the love and hope of Christ! As October unfolds and we approach year-end, we find ourselves reflecting on the shared journey during this eventful year. We’ve navigated social and political landscapes, welcomed new friends, bid farewell to others, and faced various life transitions. Many of us may feel weary, our hearts heavy as we witness the unfolding events in the world around us.
A Time for Reflection
In these moments of fatigue, when change seems slow and the world’s struggles persist, we might find ourselves asking, “What now, Lord? What would you have us do?” Our nation, a melting pot of cultures, grapples with wealth inequality, identity politics, and the challenge of humanizing others. It’s easy to feel exhausted by the toxicity and divisiveness that often surrounds us.
But let us remember the words of the great John Wesley, who asked his fellow disciples, “How is it with your soul?” This profound question invites us to look beyond our intellectual understandings and examine our thoughts, feelings, and actions (Matthew 22:37-40). Wesley also challenged us to consider, “Where did you do good, and where did you do harm?” These questions – though sometimes uncomfortable, are essential for our growth as disciples.
The Culture of Love
This October, we’re embarking on a new series: “The Culture of Love.” We invite you to join us as we explore our cultural values in relationship to our call to discipleship. Together, we’ll examine how we can respond to a world struggling with identity and belonging, all through the lens of Christ’s love.
Preparing Our Hearts and Minds
As we prepare for this journey, I encourage you to:
1. Practice daily self-reflection: Set aside time each day to ask yourself, “How is it with my soul?” Consider your thoughts, emotions, and actions through the light of God’s word.
2. Engage in cultural discernment: As you interact with various aspects of culture, ask yourself, “Does this align with God’s love and truth?” Seek wisdom through prayer and scripture to discern what is of God and what is not.
Let us approach this exploration with open hearts and minds, ready to grow in our understanding of God’s love for all people. May we be inspired to live out this love in our daily lives, becoming agents of positive change in our community and beyond.
Be encouraged, dear friends. Though the world may seem weary, we serve a God who renews our strength. Let us press on together, seeking to understand and embody the culture of love that Christ calls us to create.
Looking forward to seeing you soon,
Hugs and blessings, Pastor Q
Our Mission: Growing a thriving, inclusive, and diverse congregation that engages the broader community with compassionate acts.
Blessing of the Animals Saturday, October 5 - 10 AM
All are welcome to bring their furry, scaly, feathery, and faithful family members to Saint Mark’s on Saturday, October 5 at 10:00 AM for the Blessing of the Animals.
World Communion Day Mardi Gras Brunch Sunday, October 6th following Worship
Southern cuisine fare will include seafood gumbo, etouffee, green salad, fried catfish, not-so-sweet pecan pie, and King Cake along with other culinary delights. You’re invited to wear your respective cultural attire in honor of your ancestral heritage and God’s beauty in the world. Donations are gratefully accepted.
Calling All Kids!
Sunday Mornings are great when U are there! In October and November we will be exploring the Lord’s Prayer with lessons from Me and the Kin-dom. (You read that right, not Kingdom) What does the Lord’s Prayer mean? Why is it recited every week in church? Come find out! Of course we’ll continue to have trips out to our garden to plant and harvest, videos and things to make.
Hope to see you soon!
Mary Maret and Margie Shunk, teachers Jack Miller, Crystal Yates, and Sylvia Roberts, assistants Boni Fields, Church School Superintendent (who makes sure we always have everything we need on Sunday Morning!)
Sleeping Bag, Tent & Tarp Drive
As cold weather approaches, Saint Mark’s Mercy Pedalers are planning for distribution of sleeping bags, tents and tarps to unhoused persons who need them in Arden-Arcade. During the last year, the donations have been very generous: 56 tents, 40 tarps and 62 sleeping bags. Our goal for this year is to collect 40 tents, 40 tarps, and 40 sleeping bags.
Our current supplies are: 4 tents, 2 tarps, and 6 sleeping bags. Big 5 Sporting Goods at 3420 Arden Way, is again supporting our Drive by offering discount – you can download the coupon to use in store. Your support and generosity are greatly appreciated.
Blessings,
St. Mark’s Mercy Pedalers: Pam Cummings, Cheryl Fuller, Andrew Maret. Wes & Leslie Ingram, Ron West, and Jan Dell.
A Message from Jim Eychaner
Bom Jesus, Angola, September 13, 11:00 AM.
Greetings ! The St. Mark’s mission team (Joel and Françoise Bulaya, Jane Henderson, and Jim Eychaner) arrived early Friday morning September 6 and checked in to an inexpensive hotel near the village of Bom Jesus. Our work began Saturday in conversation with our conference hosts, missionary Naná, João who visited St. Mark’s in May, and Eduardo the conference projects director.
We moved to the village for a welcome of singing and worship with 15 women and the pastor, who was on his final day after 5 years service. We showed video of Jim and Jean Strathdee leading What Does the Lord Require of You, and many women joined to sing some parts of it. Eduardo also directs a choir at his church and plans to have them sing it. Jim brought a fair translation to Portuguese, and Eduardo will change a few words to better match the musical timing.
We have been at Bom Jesus at least part of every day, although we moved to a better hotel in Luanda after four nights. Today will be our last visit to the village. We have been able to help the Bom Jesus church advance several projects:
— Improving an access bridge across an irrigation canal to reach the Women’s 2-acre farm. It had been just two poles that bounced differently at each step, but now a church member made it stronger, wider, and safer. Many other farmers in the area also use this bridge.
— Most of the women sew as beginners on two treadle sewing machines at the Mamã Shimba Center. We were able to support the cost of a sewing teacher and to buy two more machines. A church member welder installed security doors at the center, to protect the sewing machines and the Women’s other tools and supplies.
— We brought supplies and knowledge to improve their kitchen process for safe packaging of tomato paste. They grow tomatoes at the farm, but prices are low during harvest season. They hope to sell tomato paste later at higher prices. We also distributed groceries to more than 60 families.
In Luanda, we visited Bishop Domingos for an hour and exchanged church news. We hope that working as one church with one church will be more sustainable than trying to work conference to conference. We also brought books to the Methodist University library that they did not have — the Complete Works of John Wesley, among others.
We will have many more stories when we return. See you in church!
Trustee Report from Juanah Koker
Hi friends, I want to take this opportunity to express a heartfelt thanks to Richard Fox, John Grady, and Miriam McCormic for their work as members of Trustees who have cycled out. Our newest members are Erik Olson, David Jaske and Chanel Yates who will be joining Ron West, Becky Mintz, Bill Keye, Ron Martz and myself.
We are working within the available general budget and have had success in a few major projects. We have replaced the garbage disposal in the kitchen in MacMurdo Hall and repaired two major water main leaks. The most recent water main repair occurred near the gate that leads to the back parking lot where the root of a pine tree ruptured the pipe. We also replaced an AC unit in the education building.
Election Information Table
Information about registering to vote, items on the ballot, and more will be available at the Election Information Table on the patio before and after church Sunday mornings this October. Knowledgeable Saint Mark’s members will answer your questions and provide key information.
Sacramento ACT Hosts School Board Candidate Forum
Saturday, October 5, 1:00 – 2:30 PM
Sac City Unified School District Candidates
Parkside Community Church
Thursday, October 10, 5:00 – 6:30 PM
San Juan Unified School District Candidates
Saint Mark’s United Methodist Church
United Women in Faith is Back this Fall!
Unique adult education opportunity detailed at United Women in Faith October 8 meeting!
In MacMurdo Hall at 9:45 Tuesday, October 8, UWF members and welcome visitors can gather to learn about Highlands Community Charter School and Technical Schools which provides a variety of services for adults seeking to complete their education and prepare to enter the workforce. At various locations around Sacramento this charter school for adults offers education, job skills, English language and social and emotional skills for adults. Niccole Scrogins will introduce those attending to this innovative adult education opportunity.
Richard Fox, Coordinator of the Rainbow Alliance Invites You to a Viewing
“1946: The Mistranslation That Shifted Culture” is a feature documentary that follows the story of tireless researchers who trace the origins of the anti-gay movement among Christians to a grave mistranslation of the Bible in 1946. The film will be shown at First UMC on J Street, Sacramento on October 11th at 6:30 PM. Space is limited to the first 90 attendees. RSVP: bit.ly/1946-documentary
