Celebrations

A Message from Pastor Vern

This week is a busy week filled with all kinds of celebrations, especially if you’re a Lutheran! Sunday is the celebration of Reformation, where we commemorate the work of Martin Luther and the reformers who wrestled with practices and statements by the church in Rome.

In addition to Reformation, Sunday at St. Mark’s we are celebrating “affirmation of baptism” (more commonly known as Confirmation) for nine wonderful young people. When these nine individuals were baptized, their parents and guardians and all God’s people who gathered around them at the time of their baptism, made promises. On Sunday, these nine folks will affirm those promises as they continue to grow in their Christian faith and life.

The celebrations don’t stop there! On Sunday, October 31, many folks observe Halloween (originally known as “All Hallows’ Eve”). Many of us know the celebration of Halloween through costumes, handing out candy at our homes, maybe even a Trunk or Treat event at church (like the one we’re having this Saturday the 30th from 4-7pm). However, the origin of All Hallows’ Eve was celebrated in preparation for All Saints Day. We will celebrate All Saints’ Sunday the following week on November 7, when we remember all the saints, especially those saints in our own lives who have died and gone before us.

One more celebration I want to share with you this week. This is a celebration of an event that has already passed, and still one that needs to be uplifted. Last Wed. Oct. 20, we hosted a “pumpkin painting/carving event” in the FLC at St. Mark’s. I am thrilled to celebrate with you all how much of a success that event was.

Many pumpkins were painted that night, some were carved. Many smiles, laughs, and conversations were shared. Many cookies, cups of hot chocolate, and marshmallows were consumed. Many “ooh’s” and “ahhh’s” were made towards neighborhood decorations while on a hayride to Bellingham park and back. New introductions were made and stories were shared.

As I share a little of the story from pumpkin painting/carving night, I also want to be sure to uplift a few specific voices that were essential in making this night successful. A special thanks to Travis and Terrie Tidwell (for putting together a trailer for a hayride, Susan Uzarski and Jeanne Proefrock (for their hours in helping plan the event), Stephanie Mattingly (for helping communicate the event with St. Mark’s Preschool families), Mandy Kinard (for helping kiddos get paint for their pumpkins), Al Hansen and Jimmy McLean (for helping pull out extra tables and chairs as folks arrived), and our communications coordinator Clare Kluck (for helping promote the event throughout the congregation and community)!

Pumpkin carving/painting was a night filled with fun and joy. Don’t just take my word for that; enjoy a few pictures from this event.