Mid Lent Update

This email is part of an ongoing effort to keep you informed of things happening with St. Mark’s. We are

now about half-way through the season of Lent. As the days get longer and warmer, the snow is rapidly

going away and my thoughts turn to spending more time out of doors, (including being able to ride my

motorcycle). St. Mark’s continues to offer opportunities to worship God, fellowship together and help

you in your walk with Christ.

Regular Sunday services continue at 11 a.m. and a short mid-week Eucharist service is held on

Wednesdays starting shortly after 5 p.m.

This Sunday, March 31st, we will be focussing on the PWRDF. In many ways it is a traditional Anglican

service, but it will have a bit of a different flavour than you may be used to. It is also an opportunity to

learn about this particular ministry of the Anglican Church. I hope to see you there.

The end of the season of Lent brings a number of services. On Sunday, April 14th we celebrate what is

traditionally known as Palm Sunday. Maundy Thursday, when the Lord’s Supper was inaugurated, is

celebrated on April 18th with a service at 7 p.m. The crucifixion of Christ is the focus of Good Friday,

April 19th. There will be a Stations of the Cross service at St. Mark’s also at 7 p.m. There will be other

services in the community on Good Friday including an Ecumenical 10 a.m. service at the Alliance

Church. Christ’s resurrection is the focus of our Easter Sunday 11 a.m. service on April 21st.

We do other things besides worship services.

• The Food Bank and Soup Kitchen continue to run on Tuesdays and Thursdays. Your ongoing

support is most appreciated. If you would like to know how you can be more involved, please

talk to me.

• We will be having a Movie Night on Thursday, April 25th at 7 p.m. The movie for this evening is

“Doctrine of Discovery, Stolen Lands, Strong Hearts”. Donations will go to support the Diocese

of Abyei.

• Bishop David will be with us on Saturday, May 11th, from 9:45 a.m. until 4 p.m. This will be a

Visioning Day for our Parish and this part of the Diocese.

I believe that it is important to be as open in our operations as we can, including how we are doing

financially. All of our bills are up to date including stipend and our contribution towards diocesan

operations. The amount built up while we were without a minister has been used up. Our average

offerings do cover our average regular expenses (offerings average $28 per week more than expenses)

but there is no room for the unexpected or to take on new activities.

I mentioned donations to help support the Diocese of Abyei. This is an Anglican diocese in South Sudan

(in Africa). Bishop David has asked all parishes in our Diocese to consider a special collection to support

their bishop, Michael Deng Dol, and mission and ministry in that diocese. Bishop David shares:

Bishop Michael is envious of our Cathedral, ministry and life. They live in a harsh climate, with

very little resources. They proclaim the Gospel while being challenged by radical Islamic

neighbours. The ministry there is hard, and martyrdom a very real possibility.

Our current Bible study will end around Easter. I would like to run one more before taking a break over

the summer. Possibilities include looking at “The Parables of Jesus” or “The Apostles’ Creed”, or another

topic. If you are interested in participating or have a topic you would like to suggest, please let me

know.

Finally, I will be attending our Diocesan Clergy conference in Prince Rupert. I plan to leave after the

service on Sunday, April 28th and returning Saturday, May 4th. Please keep me and all participants in

your prayers, for safe travel and being renewed and refreshed at this event.

Your brother in Christ, Pastor Don

Upcoming Events at St. Mark’s

• March 31st PWRDF Sunday, 11 a.m.

• April 14th Sunday service of the Passion with the Liturgy of the Palms, 11 a.m.

• April 18th Maundy Thursday service, 7 p.m.

• April 19th Good Friday service, Stations of the Cross at St. Mark’s, 7 p.m.

• April 21st Easter Sunday service 11 a.m.

• April 25th Thursday Movie Night! 7 p.m.

• May 11th Visioning Day with Bishop David, 9:45 a.m. – 4 p.m.

Other Events

• April 12th Fraser Campbell Concert at the Alliance Church, 7 p.m.

• April 19th Good Friday Ministerial service at the Alliance Church, 10 a.m.