THE FLYIN' LION - St. Mark's Episcopal Church
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Epiphany Issue January 2021
THE FLYIN’ LION
Newsletter of St. Mark’s Episcopal Church, Coldwater, Michigan—A. Davidson, Ed/Publ.
Poinsettia Alternative
In lieu of the purchase of a large number of
poinsettias for the Christmas season at St.
Mark’s, since we could not have in-person
worship, it was suggested that parishioners who From the Dioceses of Eastern and Western
Michigan
wished could make a donation to Episcopal
Relief and Development (ERD). Several families The Standing Committees have been hard at work,
did so in thanksgiving or in memory of loved fulfilling our responsibilities as the Ecclesiastical
ones, and we are happy to say that we were able Authority of each Diocese in the absence of a bishop.
to send $100.00 to ERD to help them in their We meet every other week via Zoom, often for an hour
efforts worldwide to alleviate hunger, create or more as a joint Standing Committee, and then
economic opportunities, respond to disasters, followed by an hour or two as the Western diocese.
promote health and strengthen communities. With the assistance of +Todd Ousley, who is Bishop of
the Office of Pastoral Development for The Episcopal
Church, a part of Presiding Bishop Curry’s staff, we have
been searching for someone to fill the role of Assisting
Bishop for both dioceses on a part-time, temporary
basis. +Todd has provided us with three names of
Bishops who are willing to be considered for this
position, and a team made up of members from each
Standing Committee and Diocesan Staff is conducting
interviews with the three bishops to determine the best
fit for us. The Assisting Bishop will provide support for
A Note of Thanks… the clergy, ordain deacons and priests as needed, and
other duties requiring a bishop. He or she will also
Fr. Paul and Judy Brisbane would like to thank provide support to the Standing Committees. Some
everyone for the prayers and cards they've have asked if the Diocese can support two bishops. The
received during his recovery from hip surgery. simple answer is “no”. The Assisting Bishop’s tenure is
Paul is home now and doing well as he continues only until Whayne returns or it is decided that he will
to heal. They are so thankful that they were not return. If he does not return, the Dioceses will find a
remembered by parishioners, and they wish Provisional Bishop to serve until we are ready to
everyone a very Merry Christmas and a Happy conduct a full search for a new Diocesan Bishop. Please
keep the Standing Committees in your prayers.
New Year!
1
Epiphany Issue January 2021
Words from our Senior Warden:
2021 IS HERE: THANKS BE TO GOD
Di and I love to receive Christmas cards and messages, especially from friends we do not see often. They allow us to
catch up with their lives and families, and occasionally they leave an inspiring message. This was the case when we
received Pat Wiltse’s Christmas letter. Pat is the spouse of the late Fr. Rod Wiltse, who was the rector of St. Mark’s in
the 1970’s when Di and I joined our church. Pat refers to the anxious times of 2020 and follows with “The light is at
the end of the tunnel, but we are still in the tunnel right now.” She goes on to say “I take comfort in the fact that I
know God is with us always, and thus, we are never alone.”
I totally agree with Pat. 2021 will bring brighter days for us individually, as well as a church family. When it is safe, we
will open the church for worship to celebrate God’s love for us and to carry on with our mission work to make our
community and world a better place. I also agree with Pat that God is always with us. Even in the dark, challenging
days of 2020 with all the closures and separation from the ones we love, I have felt the comfort of knowing God’s
presence, and especially the importance of having a church like St. Mark’s to enable my faith to grow in good times
as well as difficult times.
2021 will be a better year. Let us be inspired by the Christmas gift that God gave us, and look forward to the day we
can worship in person together. In the meantime, may the joy of Christmas fill you with hope and peace. Thanks be to
God.
Michael Pridgeon
Senior Warden
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Epiphany Issue January 2021
Napkin Scribbles
What awaits us as a church in 2021? We’ve endured a certain level of suffering and loneliness not being able to
gather with our friends and church family, so we’ve settled into a quarantined time of self-reflection and a “counting
our blessings.” Will our re-opening usher St. Mark’s into a more spiritually prosperous time?
It was Swiss psychiatrist Carl Jung who first popularized the phrase "the two halves of life” to describe how there are
two stages to the human and spiritual way we live. In other words, the first 40 years is about success; the second 40
years is about significance (I haven’t figured out what the third 40 years of life is about, perhaps it’s serenity &
transcendence to the next and glorious stage of life).
Maybe this forced break we’ve had will usher us into the second half of church. Maybe, if the axiom is true that
abstinence makes the heart grow fonder, when we gather again we will so appreciate being together it will seem
better than ever.
We are at the gate, ready to be back in action, prepared for corporate worship that we’ve missed so much. We have
discovered what is important to us as a church, what we’ve missed so much, and now we are going to own it as our
identity.
What have you missed? Singing? Sacraments? Familiar faces? Grace? Coffee and sharing together with supportive
and positive friends (another sacrament in my opinion)? Putting hands to work for God’s kingdom through our
outreach ministries? Just sitting in the beautiful sanctuary experiencing God’s Presence and sacred ambience & that
deeply rooted feeling that this is home?
These are what I miss.
This is our church in 2021. Like the second half of life — song, sacrament, community, holiness, service, grace — this
will be our energy, our significance, our identity and future as a church. We shall rebuild upon this foundation… focus
on these spiritual values, and St. Mark’s Episcopal Church will strengthen and grow and flourish with God’s help.
Blessings,
Fr Rick
Birthdays Baptismal Anniversaries Wedding Anniversaries
McKenna Marteen 1/5 Valerie Albright 1/1
Craig & Mary Dally 1/3
Allison Butler 1/6 Christine Grahl 1/1
Steve & Robin Ellis 1/27
Austin Butler 1/6 Sabine Grahl 1/1
Eric Woodruff 1/9 Teresa Knauss 1/1
Kristi Schark 1/10 Ashley McCall 1/1
Luke Marteen 1/11 Joan Walsh 1/1
Glenn Wright 1/13 Allie VanStone 1/10
Ashley McCall 1/14 Alex McNall 1/11
Steve Ellis 1/16 Ethan Monroe 1/13
Jeremy Koenemann 1/17 Jack Tuley 1/13
Richard Smolinski 1/17 Kristi Schark 1/13
Noah Waterbury 1/25 Christopher Burr 1/30
Linda English 1/27 Ilene Hemingway 1/31
Sheila Ice 1/27
Gene Fry 1/28
Pat Hetrick 1/29
Dixie Koenemann 1/29
Teresa Knauss 1/30 3Epiphany Issue January 2021
The Giving Table . . . a monthly feature by Valerie Albright
Happy NewYear St. Mark’s,
We made it to 2021!
I pray that all of you are doing well, mentally, physically, and spiritually. It has not been an easy year. I am not sure what the reason is
for a PANDEMIC, but i do know that God is involved. Nothing is happening without his knowledge. With that, I have to have faith that
God’s will is being accomplished, whatever that is.This is where our faith comes in.Trusting that God will strengthen us duringTHESE
DIFFICULT times. One thing that I have found to be helpful to improve my outlook on these difficult times is having fun and laughing.
Looking for the funny things that happen everyday and appreciating that life can be very funny.The following article is about laughter
and I hope it will offer you some insight to brighten the new year.
Enjoy!
HOW LAUGHTER CAN HELP YOU AND YOUR SPOUSE DURING TOUGH TIMES By Drs. Les and Leslie Parrott December 16, 2020
Have you and your spouse taken time to laugh together lately? Laughter can be an incredible relief on an ordinary day,
but it’s especially important during difficult times. In order to endure tough times and come out stronger on the other
side, we must be able to laugh. Wondering how laughter can help you and your spouse during tough times? Let’s take a
look.
LAUGHTER LIGHTENS THE MOOD
Going through a time of prolonged challenge can make us prone to dark moods, negativity, and pessimism. When we
make an effort to laugh, we have the power to lighten the mood and help pull one another out of the gloom. Having a
tough time finding things to laugh about? Consider telling funny stories from the past, watching your favorite comedy
film, or pulling out old photos–anything that brings you joy. Sometimes, we have to cultivate our laughter and seek out
joy. If you’re in the middle of a difficult season in your life, we highly recommend searching for joy anywhere you can
find it.
LAUGHTER REDUCES STRESS
Focus on laughing more–both together and on your own. According to the Mayo Clinic, laughter really is medicine. The
ability to find humor despite difficult circumstances can help reduce the physical symptoms of stress. Laughing can increase
the flow of oxygen in the body, soothes your body’s stress response, and relieves tension in the body. Laughter boosts your
mood and can have long-term, positive effects on your immune system and overall health.
Laughter can help make a seemingly unbearable situation bearable. It can lift the spirit and redirect our focus from the things
we’re facing in day-to-day life. Because stress is so detrimental to our overall wellbeing, the ability to laugh could
ultimately preserve our health so we can get to the other side of a tough time with our wellness intact.
LAUGHTER HELPS YOU RECONNECT TO FUN AND PLAY
Laughing can spark playfulness–an important part of every happy marriage. Letting loose and playing together is healthy for
married couples. Fun and play have the power to dramatically change your day, and if you’re taking the time to play
together, you’ll be able to create that joy over and over again.
Play can look different from one couple to the next. It might mean shared activities, like playing tennis or riding bikes. It
could be playing board games or cooking together. Or, it could mean taking time for intimacy when you might otherwise let
life take over. Whatever play looks like for you, start seeking it out–you’ll be amazed at the difference it makes.
Sending you love, laughter, and happiness for 2021! May we be together soon, but until then God bless you
with Peace.
—Val
“The joy of the Lord is your strength.” …Nehemiah 8:10
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