Markings Newsletter
Volume: 86 | Issue: 08
From Rev. Quentisha Davis Wiles, MSW, ASW, MDIV, Senior Pastor
Habari Ghani Saint Mark’s Community,
Greetings in the loving name of our God; I am honored to be reappointed to Saint Mark’s for a second year. I do not know all the things God has in store for us, but I know great things are underway and I am EXCITED!
God calls ordinary people to do extraordinary things. I wonder what spoke to you, challenged you or nudged you to take a closer look at your personal faith? These questions will propel us forward as we learn and thrive together in community.
Change is underway. According to the Christian calendar, we are living in “Ordinary Times,” except there is nothing ordinary about what is taking place in America today. We have been gifted with technology, social media, and the ability to share information almost immediately with millions of folks. That also means we have the capacity to share, enlighten, challenge, confuse and manipulate or be manipulated by ideas, images and optics.
We are people led by our senses: touch, taste, smell, sound, and sight. We are equally informed by past experiences and perceptions. That is why Jesus teaches the disciples to ask questions and know God for themselves. To seek out answers. Be willing to go out of one’s comfort zone to explore the mysteries of our faith. Once we’ve done the work of knowing God for ourselves, living our faith becomes automatic. We have entered a new way of life that will require us to utilize all our God-given senses to navigate the world with Love as our foundation, faith as our conductor and action as our vehicle.
Social media and all its outlets serve as a blessing and challenge. We can use our social platforms as instruments to spread love, safety, joy and hope or contribute to toxic optics and divisiveness.
Two things I invite us to keep an eye on as we go forth:
- Our ability to cast light and love in the world by using our senses, and
- Images, language, and people disguised as change agents for a “unified America” who actually use deceptive tactics called Christian Nationalism.
Christ never subjugated, discriminated, controlled, condemned, marginalized, or criminalized anyone. Instead, Christ was and is on the side of Agape Love which includes those considered social outcasts. The 21st century did not change Jesus’ call to discipleship. So, let’s follow Christ and demonstrate true love and justice by how we live.
This month join us as we witness how Jesus called ordinary people in unprecedented times to do extraordinary things. I believe the same spirit that dwelled in Jesus dwells with us.
I will be on vacation from August 7 – August 28. I know that you will be blessed by our guest preachers.
I am praying for your comfort, peace of mind and the power and presence of the holy Spirit to move in your lives and sustain you.
Hugs and Blessings~
Pastor Quentisha Davis Wiles, Senior Pastor
Equipping, Educating, Informing & Engaging
Heart and Hands Beat out the Heat to Refurbish Playgrounds - by Colleen Townsley Brinkmann
While most people sequestered indoors, a brave group of disciples arrived at Saint Mark’s at 7:00 AM on Saturday, July 6 to lay fresh wood chips in the playgrounds. This feat of servant leadership, sweat equity team work (literally), and dedication was even more impressive as temps hovered around 112 degrees.
So, how big a deal was this endeavor? Let these numbers sink in:
- 15 brave souls of all ages helped
- 2 playgrounds refilled
- 47 cubic yards (or 1,269 cubic feet in total) of wood chips
- 216 trips of filled wheelbarrows
- Countless drops of sweat and smiles
Speaking of disciple-making, a very special thanks to Eda and Adam who drove in from Rancho Cordova to help lay wood chips. Friends from our interfaith community, earlier this year they participated in the Iftar Interfaith Meal and shared their Islamic faith with us.
Saint Mark’s, YOUR pledges and gifts made this Playground Project happen. But it also helped grow disciples, as conveyed through this story. Thank you, Trustees, for leading and managing the many campus improvement initiatives – including this one.
Discipleship in Action, Mary Kohatsu - By Abby Jaske
In addition to a shared spiritual walk with a strong community, during the hot summer months one of the major things that visitors to Saint Mark’s seek out is SHADE. If you find yourself taking respite under a shady tree, one of the people to thank is Mary Kohatsu. Spotted on campus in a sunhat and gardening gloves at least once a week, Mary has been one of the most dedicated servants to the soil on campus for many years and has helped plant over 10 shade trees on the campus. When asked why she dedicates so much of her time to campus beautification she emphasizes the need to keep campus not only beautiful but also a healthy environment for all visitors. She not only helps keep the environment healthy, she also is a huge advocate for the children’s vegetable garden. She loves to see the joy and wonder that growing food sparks in children and is quick to make sure that the fruits of their labor goes rewarded through sending home their delicious crops. She also makes a priority to donate fresh food grown on campus back to the food closet. When asked what she enjoys most about the monthly landscaping work day, she says how much she enjoys working outside and especially working as part of a team. Mary also invites each person reading to come out to an all church work day and join her and others in their noble pursuit of a beautiful and healthy church campus.
The next All Church Workday will be Saturday, August 3 from 7:30AM – 11:30AM. As always, many hands make light work, so come when you can and leave when you must. For more info., reach out to Mary herself.
Interfaith Update - Miriam & John McCormack, Interfaith Team Coordinators
While the world remains in conflict with ongoing misunderstandings, conflict, war and hatred, Saint Mark’s attempts to live out Christ’s vision of transforming the world through acceptance of all people. The mission of the Interfaith committee is to facilitate events and programs which create increased understanding of other faith traditions.
After a successful Thanksgiving Iftar dinner in 2023 where Pacifica Institute, a Turkish Muslim community shared a meal at Saint Mark’s, Pacifica members invited us into their homes for dinner and fellowship in the spring of 2024. This past June, friends from Pacifica and Saint Mark’s met for a lovely picnic – getting to know each other better and sharing life stories. We look forward to more events in the future.
Recently, we attended an event hosted by the B’hai Community – where we learned about their beliefs and they learned more about ours. We were able to inform members of this group about Saint Mark’s – they knew little about us or our beliefs; and we found we have much in common. Since then, we have been invited to B’hai small group gatherings; these are a chance to get even better acquainted. This faith (which began in Iran) emphasizes love, acceptance, equality and compassion.
In February, a team of 12 Saint Mark’s members worked for one day at the Habitat for Humanity “Build for Unity” event, helping deserving families complete their homes in Oak Park, Saint Mark’s has worked for many years with Sacramento Habitat for Humanity, which supports God’s children in owning their own homes, regardless of religion or ethnicity. Celebrating people for who they are, and letting them know we honor them, is so very important; especially at this time.
Our mission is not to force others to believe exactly as we do, but to deepen our understanding of other faith traditions and find common ground and humanity. While the work of Saint Mark’s may have a little or no direct effect on world geopolitics, we can be an example of love and acceptance to others. God loves and has a place at the table for all his children; we can do no less!!
Volunteers in Mission - West Angola
In June of 2012 Joel Bulaya of St. Mark’s first made contact with the West Angola Annual Conference. In his capacity as an engineer Joel went to Bom Jesus to assess a church property. His contact at the conference there was Joao da Graca — whom you may remember from his most recent visit to Saint Mark’s.
Joel provided a site description, observations and recommendations. In his conclusions, Joel noted the erosion around the building’s foundation. He also suggested the installation of a temporary sump pump to assist in providing water to the site.
In the conference committee report in 2015, the stated purpose of the VIM trip was to rehabilitate and support a clinic for treatment and prevention of malaria. The conference offering raised more than $68,000 and UMCOR provided another $60,000. The West Angola conference Development Program coordinator, Joao da Graca, visited California in September 2013. Joel, Jose Fernandes and Rev. Donna Van Maanen from Colusa made a trip to Angola in October 2014 to observe progress on the clinic, and develop a shared plan for next steps.
The report to conference in 2016 noted that the price of oil (a major component in the Angolan economy) had taken a steep decline and in turn halted the planned government component of the clinic budget. At least one return trip by the VIM volunteers did not happen, probably because of financial limitations and visa difficulties. At that time the emphasis shifted to health care delivery and small-plot agriculture
In 2018, Joel made the trip again, with Francoise, and Mama Shimba. They carried with them the nutrition manual Shimba had written, with versions in English and Portuguese. A two-hour Nutrition Workshop for 63 participants was held. They were happy to have the nutrition manual, but had hoped it might be available in Kimbundu and Umbundu — translations which as of this date still have not happened.
In 2019 Joel and Francoise returned to Angola. At that time, they made the acquaintance of missionary Fatuma Olangi Katembo (Nana) who is a graduate of Africa University (where classes are taught in English). Her mission includes the Bom Jesus Micro Agriculture Project. The Saint Mark’s team brought seeds for tomatoes and other vegetables. The nutrition manual was already in use in schools there!
The women of Bom Jesus face dependency, poverty and hunger on a daily basis. The years since 2020 have been especially difficult; they were cut off from the capital of Luanda and from supplies such as sugar, salt, cooking oil, and soap. Subsistence farming is more difficult with a lack of proper tools. The mission goals for 2022 included: crop production, making soap, basic literacy and skill improvement in traditional areas such as knitting and sewing.
Last year Jim Eychaner accompanied Joel to Bom Jesus. They carried seeds, common pain medication, work gloves, spiritual books. With help from Nana, they were able to purchase locally salt, sugar, rice, oil and soap. They were also able to share liturgical robes from four donors here in Sacramento. And 182 dresses for girls, made by the women of Saint Mark’s, were also taken in response to a request from a missionary in Zimbabwe.
This September a team of five will again travel to Angola — Joel and Francoise, Jim Eychaner, Juanah Koker, and Jane Henderson. This year they will take a collection of the works of John Wesley as a donation to the university library. They have received a grant through the California-Nevada Annual Conference for Nana’s agricultural mission. Look for their report after the September trip to see how they have helped to transform the world through God’s love and engaged the broader community with compassionate acts!
Jazz Sunday Service - September 15, 2024
As part of Pastor Quentisha’s “Music is Life” sermon series, our service on September 15 will feature music from the jazz tradition. Jazz is recognized as an American art form that has deep roots in the Church through gospel, blues, and African American musical culture. Jazz is characterized by three features: (1) creativity through improvisation; (2) unique rhythms (e.g., swing and syncopation); and (3) non-traditional chords and harmonies. Just as jazz can bring fresh insights and interpretations to traditional music (including hymns), may the Holy Spirit open our hearts to new perspectives that enable our faith and love to grow.
We are delighted to welcome to the service, guest musicians, Dave and Tracey Wiltshire, members of Celtic Cross Church in Citrus Heights.
Food Closet Update & Continuous Needs
Thank you to everyone who has generously supported the Food Closet with donations of both food and money. Our cupboards as well as out bank account are looking much better! With your donations we are able to purchase more nutritious foods for our food insecure friends.
Continued giving is still necessary, however. Canned items (16 oz or smaller) are always needed. Healthy items for single people who live on the street with no cooking facilities are also needed. As your gardens and trees produce, and you need to get rid of the excess, please consider the Food Closet. Fresh produce is one of our clients’ favorite and most sought-after items.
During the summer months, more children accompany their parents to the Food Closet and we like being able to provide them with a treat or something to drink. Donations of small/single-sized beverages and snacks would be greatly appreciated.
Rather than throwing away egg cartons (1 dozen size), we need them to repackage eggs we buy in bulk. Bags of dinner rolls (24 in a bag for about $4 at Sam’s Club) are also very popular. We will gladly repackage those, too.
Again, thank you for your continued support. Our wonderful neighbors constantly express their gratitude for what we share and they desperately need.
~ Food Closet Team
Saint Mark's Mercy Pedalers
During the Summer, our team reaches out to 20 to 40 unhoused people each week. These folks are living on the streets of Arden-Arcade. The heat is very difficult on folks so they try to find a cool place to stay when possible. The Arcade Library has been very hospitable. The supplies that are needed most during the hot weather are: bottled waters, baby wipes, travel size toiletries, white low cut socks, men’s new or used color tees (M, L, XL, XXL, XXXL), and men’s new or used jeans, waist sizes 30, 32, 34, 36, and 38.. Food items we distribute weekly include breakfast bars, Capri Sun, Cheese filled crackers, fruit/applesauce cups, pudding cups, potato chips, and when we have them…raisins or bananas for potassium.
We have a great team of volunteers: Cheryl Fuller, Pam Cummings, Andrew Maret, Leslie and Wes Ingram, Jeanie and Pat Murphy, Curt and Erika Johnson, and Pam Irvin. Additional volunteers that step up when needed include Pat and Sherri Cannon, Ron West, Jan Lambert, Jan Posner, and others. All items distributed are donated, both by Saint Mark’s folks and many outside of Saint Mark’s.
We are grateful for all the volunteers, donations and support we receive. If you are interested in seeing Saint Mark’s Mercy Pedalers “in action”, or want to help in any way, please contact Jan Dell at jmuggles@sbcglobal.net
New Prayer Requests
Willie Richie and Maragert Lawson
Sandy Balkema for successful surgery and recovery
Ruth McElhinney
Kris Turmon upon the passing of Kris’s husband, Dennis Turmon
Cathy Eckstein
Jerry Davis, Jr. for healing in his right ear
Ashley Johnson for abundance
Juanah Koker and the Koker family upon the passing of Juanah’s sister, Erster Koker
Aubrielle Rylee Asprer, granddaughter of Leilanie Joy Asprer
Deanna Pootjes and Family
Sally Weinland upon the loss of her sister, Bev Mock
Jane Hines
Hezekiah Wiles
Erica Williams
Xavia Ortiz
Dejohn, Innes and John Davis
Billy Garner
Holding in Prayer
Willie Richie and Maragert Lawson
Sandy Balkema for successful surgery and recovery
Ruth McElhinney
Kris Turmon upon the passing of Kris’s husband, Dennis Turmon
Cathy Eckstein
Jerry Davis, Jr. for healing in his right ear
Ashley Johnson for abundance
Juanah Koker and the Koker family upon the passing of Juanah’s sister, Erster Koker
Aubrielle Rylee Asprer, granddaughter of Leilanie Joy Asprer
Deanna Pootjes and Family
Sally Weinland upon the loss of her sister, Bev Mock
Jane Hines
Hezekiah Wiles
Erica Williams
Xavia Ortiz
Dejohn, Innes and John Davis
Billy Garner
SacACT Response to U.S. Supreme Court Ruling: CITY OF GRANTS PASS, OREGON v. GLORIA JOHNSON, ET AL.
SacACT and its partners are profoundly disappointed by the Supreme Court’s decision in favor of the City of Grants Pass in the above matter. The Court held that local government ordinances with civil and criminal penalties for “camping on public land” do not constitute cruel and unusual punishment of homeless people. Falling in line with a disheartening pattern of recent years, the ruling will embolden local and state governments to move to criminalize poverty and dehumanize the most vulnerable members of our society.
Our organization is a coalition of Sacramento area faith groups, most of which provide direct services to our unhoused neighbors. Like the City of Grants Pass, our goal is that none of our neighbors should sleep on the streets. Unlike Grants Pass, our local governments and federally-funded agencies utilize federal, state and local funds to operate shelters and provide supportive services, and permanent supportive housing when necessary.
The concluding paragraph of the “Brief of Amici Curiae Kairos Center for Religions, Rights and Social Justice and Other Religious Organizations in Support of Respondents” summarizes our position:
“The universal bedrock beliefs of faith traditions have affirmed for centuries that punishing poor and homeless people for the effects of their poverty and homelessness fails to honor the holy nature of creation, and thereby fails society as a whole. The resilience of these interfaith religious principles over space and time demonstrates that “the evolving standards of decency” applicable to the punishment of the poor and unsheltered, who have nowhere else to go, are clear and urgent.”
Although the Supreme Court rejected the “cruel and unusual punishment” argument to restrain inappropriate actions by state and local government overreach, we have faith that here in Sacramento local governments will continue to pursue a compassionate approach. Advocates will continue to seek protection of our vulnerable neighbors’ safe space and, indeed, their very existence. SacACT will continue our work to influence our own local governments to operate from a place of compassion and to expand local efforts to end homelessness in our community. When everyone has a home, everyone in our community is better off, housed & unhoused alike.
Community Participation Opportunities in August with Sacramento ACT
Sacramento ACT (Area Congregations Together) works to create a more just world by teaching people of faith how to build and exercise their own power to address the root causes of the problems they face. In ACT, this struggle for justice is rooted in our shared faith vision. We use listening, research, & advocacy to identify & change conditions to create justice & equity.
Join us Wednesday, August 14, from 6 to 8 pm to share the Civic Engagement Kickoff, the exciting launch of our civic engagement program. We will gather with leaders across our organizing committees & the organization to set our goal for voter engagement, develop strategies to reach that goal and continue to build relationships together! Dinner will be provided, and we’re making sure everyone can participate with simultaneous interpretation and child care. We’re gathering at Parkside Community Church, 5700 S. Land Park Drive, Sacramento 95822. A follow up training will be Saturday, August 24.
The Housing and Homeless Local Organizing Committee will meet the following day, August 15, 6 pm, at Parkside Community Church.Subcommittees will report on their areas of responsibility.
Congregation and community members are invited to the August 21 tour the Sacramento County Board of Supervisors Chambers hosted by Supervisor Patrick Kennedy. The tour begins at 9 am at 700 H St. Register at bit.ly/CountyBoardVisit. Meet in the parking lot at Saint Mark’s at 8 am to carpool downtown; reserve your space by emailing cynthial141@aol.com.
More information on these activities can be learned from our ACT organizer hazel@sacact.org.
