01.21.10
Posted in Uncategorized at 12:18 pm by robinbiffle
Jesus, Savior in times of storm,
when the waters of the deep are broken up
and all the landmarks crumble before our eyes,
come to our aid and hold us up.
Support the people of Haiti at this time
lest they sink in hopelessness and despair.
Empower those who are responding to their need;
uphold the bereaved in their grief;
and let your light shine in the present darkness
to lead us all to the city securely built on your love;
In Jesus’ name we pray. Amen.
Courtesy of Episcopalians for Global Reconciliation)
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01.20.10
Posted in Uncategorized at 1:27 pm by robinbiffle
“Lord, in your mercy, send your grace beyond bounds upon our sisters and brothers in Haiti. Enable us to do your work of relieving their misery.”
Because of its many decades of presence in Haiti, The Episcopal Church and her Episcopal Relief & Development were able to respond at once after last week’s quake. TEC continues to post updates, especially at The Episcopal Life’s site: http://www.episcopal-life.org/ and on a new page at http://www.episcopalchurch.org/haiti.php.
Please consider some of the following about the Diocese of Haiti and its people as we continue in our prayers and giving for the relief and rebuilding of this land in turmoil.
The Episcopal Diocese of Haiti is part of The Episcopal Church. Its website (in French, but translatable by Google) is http://www.egliseepiscopaledhaiti.org/. It was because of the presence of the Episcopal church in places outside the U.S., that in a recent General Convention, we changed our name from the “Episcopal Church in the United States of America, to “The Episcopal Church.”
With about 100,000 members Haiti is the largest and fastest-growing Diocese in The Episcopal Church. http://www.episcopalchurch.org/documents/2008 Table of Statistics of the Episcopal Church.pdf.
According to The Episcopal Church Annual, there are about 115 congregations and communities of faith in the Diocese of Haiti. According to the Haiti’s Diocesan website, the church there is served by about 40 priests. By comparison, The Diocese of Spokane (in which we are located) has about 7,000 members in 41 congregations and is served by more than 70 priests (some parochial, some providing “supply” and other special services).
The Bishop of Haiti The Rt. Rev. Zache Duracin was left homeless in the quake. His wife was injured. He has been offered the opportunity to leave Haiti for respite in the U.S. but has chosen to stay. He is living in a “tent city” with others whose homes were destroyed.
In Haiti, the Episcopal Church operates more than 200 Episcopal schools with more than 6000 students. http://www.episcopalchurch.org/documents/2008 Table of Statistics of the Episcopal Church.pdf.
According to a news article in Episcopal Life, TEC also operates “medical clinics; a renowned philharmonic orchestra and children’s choir based at the cathedral; agricultural, reforestation and other development projects and micro-financing efforts run in part with help from ERD; peace and reconciliation work, including the Desmond Tutu Center for Reconciliation and Peace and non-violence training provided by Episcopal Peace Fellowship (EPF).” (Source: http://ecusa.anglican.org/79901_118410_ENG_HTM.htm)
Donations can be made by check to St. Mark’s (Memo line: Haiti), at 111 S. Jefferson, Moscow, ID 83843. We are sending a check to ERD weekly. Last week alone we send $842.
Lord, in your mercy, hear our prayer.
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01.11.10
Posted in Uncategorized at 1:41 pm by robinbiffle
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Miles after his baptism wearing his baptismal scarf.
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Tami and daughter Katelyn
Is there any other kind!?? We baptized Katelyn Ainsley (one month old) and Miles Brendan (four years old)! Joy! Cynthia Mika knit Katelyn’s baptismal coverlet and Teresa Uhle knit Miles’ baptismal scarf and a memento for him to keep under his pillow.
If you would like to know more about baptism–”full initiation by water and the Holy Spirit into Christ’s Body the Church”–are interested in being baptized, or know someone else who might be, please talk with Mother Robin. In The Episcopal Church, baptisms are celebrated at any age! The next apt occasion for baptism will be during the Great Vigil of Easter–St. Mark’s Easter Day Sunrise Service–on April 4. Now is the time to start preparing!
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01.04.10
Posted in Uncategorized at 3:15 pm by robinbiffle
We have two celebrations of the Holy Eucharist on the Feast of the Epiphany, Wednesday January 6: a simple service at 12:10 pm (you’ll be back at work or school by 1 pm); the second at 5:30 pm. Please join us!
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01.01.10
Posted in Uncategorized at 11:21 am by robinbiffle
Our prayer is for 2010 to be a blessed, rich, fruitful year for all–a year marked by the passion and compassion that Jesus modeled for us.
This week at St. Mark’s we celebrate The Epiphany with Holy Eucharist at 5:30 p.m. All are welcome at this table. This feast is followed by a Parish Feast of the meat-and-potatoes kind:–cost $15 for adults, $7 for children. Call the church office SOON to make a reservation. All are welcome.
We mark the end of Christmastide with food and fellowship–and nurture of mind and spirit! After the Holy Days/holidays of Christmas, we resume our current classes: Confirmation (Monday at 6 p.m.); Celtic Spirituality (Tuesday at 7 p.m.); and the Sacred Art of Listening (in progress, Thursday at 6 p.m.).
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