Opportunities for Participation
Worshiping together:
There are various ways by which you may become formally involved in the
worship services:Acolytes: Any baptized person over 9 years of age or older is welcome to assist in the service as an acolyte. There are regularly scheduled training sessions for acolytes. Volunteers to help train and coordinate the program are welcome. Acolytes serve as Servers, Crucifers, Torchbearers and Banner bearers. Contact: Felicia Gressette.
Altar Guild: Membership is open to all, male and female. Duties include setting up the altar for Sundays and special occasions, polishing the brass and silver and keeping the linens clean. Contact: Deb Smith and JoAnn Roebuck.
Community Time: This group of people is responsible for preparing the coffee, juice and cookies or other goodies for the social time after the 10:30 service. Contact: Robin Pollock.
Lectors and Intercessors: This group reads the scriptures and leads the Prayers of the People. Participants in this ministry begin with a two-session workshop, usually offered twice a year, then are assigned to specific services (Sundays and other special days) by the lectors/intercessors co-chair. Contact: Paul Bamford.
Chalice Bearers and Lay Eucharistic Visitors: Upon completion of training in the parish, Chalice Bearers are licensed by the Bishop to assist the Clergy in administering the Holy Eucharist at St. Mark's. The diocese grants licenses for periods of 1-3 years. Additional training is offered for those called to the ministry of Lay Eucharistic Visitor (LEV). Those called to this ministry assist the Clergy by bringing Sunday Eucharist to members of St. Mark's who are either in the hospital or home-bound.
Singing: Although St. Mark's does not have a robed choir, those of us who enjoy singing meet together on Thursday nights to learn and practice as the "St. Mark's Singers." Contact: Allen Herther, Music Director.
Banners: St. Mark's has a variety of banners that are changed for the church seasons or for special occasions.
Bread Makers: Homemade bread is used at the Eucharist. Sign up on the bread-making schedule to celebrate a birthday, anniversary, other special occasion, or in thanksgiving to God by baking a loaf to be consecrated. Contact: Delores Ledford.
Flower Committee: Flowers can be given to the glory of God and as an expression of thanksgiving, happiness or remembrance. A sign-up sheet is posted in the concourse and a standard charge is made to flower donors.
Flower committee members are scheduled to handle flowers for the church on a weekly basis. They are responsible for selecting (often from their personal gardens) and arranging the flowers. After the service, they distribute the flowers to the sick or those celebrating a special occasion. Contact: Alice Both or Judi Matthis.
Ushers: Ushers make sure the sanctuary is properly set up for services, greet people those attending the service and distribute service bulletins, help seat those who need assistance, take up the offering and handle other duties at the Rector's request. Contact: John Tobie.
Large Print: Volunteers prepare loose-leaf notebooks containing the elements of the service in large print for those who are visually challenged or have special needs. Contact: Ruth Marsh
Liturgy Task Group: The clergy and a small group of lay members explore alternative liturgies and prayers to enrich our worship. Contact: Ruth Marsh
Learning together
We at St. Mark's share the good news in ways that encourage the spiritual growth of the whole congregation. We believe that faith formation is a life-long process which is a combination of instruction and experience.Further information on our leraning programs can be found in the following links to our Christian Education pages.
Sunday School for children and youth
Sunday morning adult offerings
Other adult offerings
Special Events: These include a variety of activities that are one-time occurrences during the church year. They often provide opportunities for families to participate together and for adults and children in the congregation to get to know one another better.
Spiritual Quest - meets on Thursday mornings.
Centering Prayer - Meets on first and third Mondays.
Being Together
Foyer Groups - The French word foyer means hearth. Here at St. Mark's, foyer means small, relaxed, short-term groups formed twice a year, starting in September and January/February. Each Foyer group of about eight adults meets for a couple of hours for a simple meal and relaxed conversation in the homes of members. Each group chooses its own monthly meeting time, usually for four months. Contact church office if interested in participation."20/30-Something" Group - for young adults (ages 20 through 39) Significant others who are older/younger are also welcome. Evening and weekend outings. Contact Julie Lee and Quinn Killough.
Softball - Join the St. Mark's Flying Lions for competition in the church league. Men, women and older teens (16 and above) are welcome. Games are played May-July, usually at Lion's Park, as part of the City of Raleigh Parks and Recreation Men's Church League program (we're one of a few churches that field a mixed team in the Men's league). Practices usually begin as soon as the weather allows in March. There is a shared fee to cover league registration, softballs and your team shirt (yours to keep). Contact Jim Melnyk.
Caring Together
Parish Area Care (PAC) Groups - Neighborhood gatherings in homes for fellowship and support including families, individuals, children. Meet for a potluck supper or lunch about every 6 weeks, usually on a Sunday.Call the church office for more information on a group to join.
"North Hillbillies" North Hills & Vicinity
"Northern Exposure" Northern Wake County
"RIBs" Reside Inside the Beltline (Sun. lunch)
"Northwest Territory" Northwestern Raleigh and Wake County
"East Enders" Area between Buffaloe Rd. and the church and east.
"Tenderloins" (aka Tenderlions) North of the Beltline, between Six Forks Rd. and Falls of Neuse Rd.
"South Siders" Cary and southern Wake County
Alcoholics Anonymous - Recovery-support group for alcoholics meets on Tuesdays and Saturdays weekly at 8:00 p.m. in the Community Life Center (CLC).
Stephen Ministry - One-on-one caring ministry which supports and compliments the Pastoral Care offered by the Clergy. Training to become a Stephen Minister takes place at St. Mark's about every other year. We can usually place candidates in an area training if it isn't taking place at St. Mark's. If you feel called to be a Stephen Minister, or if you need or know someone who needs a Stephen Minister please contact Joan-Ellen Deck, Susan Aycock or Jim Melnyk. For more information give us a call or see the Stephen Ministry brochures in the Concourse.
Serving Together
People at St. Mark's participate in a variety of activities that provide service to the community, such as those listed below. These and others are described more fully on the Social Concerns page.Habitat for Humanity - Building of low-cost housing.
Covenant for the Earth - Environmental concerns.
Meals On Wheels - Teams deliver noon meals to people in need.
All groups are open to new members.