New Jersey Together Against Gun Violence Assembly on Sunday, April 14 at Christ Episcopal Church in East Orange

Sunday, April 14, 2:00 pm

You are invited to join an interfaith assembly where people from New Jersey are working together to find solutions to gun violence. The New Jersey Together Against Gun Violence Assembly will be held on Sunday, April 14 at 2:00 pm at Christ Episcopal Church in East Orange. The assembly organizers expect at least 125 leaders from congregations across northern New Jersey to attend. The organizers' intention is to publicly launch a 60-day period of work on several common-sense, pragmatic strategies to reduce the number of lives lost, year after year, to gun violence in America. Among the proposed actions are to:

• Press our federal and state legislators to enact sensible measures to limit the sale of guns to criminals and limit civilians’ access to military-grade weapons and ammunition - while preserving and protecting legitimate gun ownership rights.


• Help our local and state officials to re-evaluate the way they purchase firearms - to demand better practices from the companies that make and sell guns. We, the taxpayers, buy 40 percent of all guns in America - 15 percent for our police, and 25 for our military. If we buy them smarter, and ask gun companies to fully cooperate with efforts to reduce gun violence, we can save some of the 30,000 American lives lost each year to gun violence.

The Family Promise Hike or Bike for Homeless Families of Bergen County is on Sunday, April 21

Sunday, April 21, starting at 1:00 pm

It's that time of year to put on your walking shoes or bike shorts and help homeless families by participating in the Family Promise Hike or Bike for Homeless Families of Bergen County, formally known as Bike Bergen.

We will be riding as Adam's Team - St. Mark's Teaneck. This year's walk/ride will take place in Ridgewood on April 21. The 15-mile ride begins at 1:00 pm. The 3-mile walk or ride begins at 1:30 pm. At the end of the route, we will gather for a picnic with food, clowns, lots of games for the kids, candy, prizes and much more!

This event is very important to the history of St. Mark's. When the late Adam Rosignolo was a high school freshman he revved up our whole congregation to get involved with this very important fundraiser. At various times our team won the gold cup for most members riding and most money raised. Not only did he get our congregation going, the effect rippled out to other organizations, making the real beneficiaries of Adam's enthusiasm the homeless families who were able to get help because of the funds raised through this event.

If you are interested in participating in the event, there are two ways to register:

• Pick up a pamphlet at the church or go to this link to download and print one. Ask your family, friends, and neighbors to contribute. Include the information that is listed on the pamphlet.


• Go to the Family Promise website, click on "Register," and create a page, making sure to add yourself to "Adam's Team - St. Mark's Teaneck." Ask family and friends to go there and donate using a credit card.

• Find someone who is participating, give them the dollar amount you would like to donate in cash or check and provide your name for their paper work


• Go to "Adam's Team - St. Mark's Teaneck" page on the Family Promise website, select the name of the team member who you would like to donate to, click on the "Donate" button and enter your information.

Bring Your Can to Church, Especially on the First Sunday Each Month!

Each Sunday at St. Mark's

The Outreach Committee encourages all St. Markers to think of those less fortunate and to support the Center for Food Action by bringing canned goods, Parmalat milk, cleaning supplies, and toiletries. These items are needed on an ongoing basis, but we will be making a special effort on the first Sunday of every month. If you have any questions, please see Audrey Mercer (201-836-3212) or speak with any member of the Outreach Committee. Thank you for your continuing support.

St. Mark's Quilters Invite You to Join Up!

See Schedule Below

St. Mark's Quilters invite you to join the group this spring. Each meeting will feature a time for fellowship, a quick lesson, show and tell, and planning for future projects. We are hoping to provide blankets for newborns and those who are homebound with long-term illnesses, as well as materials for the church school. Knitters and crocheters are welcome! Bring your personal projects or questions or curiosity and join us! All meetings are held in Room 6 from 7:30 to 9:00 pm. Our upcoming schedule is as follows:

• Monday, April 1
• Monday, April 15
• Saturday, May 4
• Saturday, May 18
• Saturday, June 1
• Saturday, June 15
• Saturday, July 6
• Saturday, July 20
• Saturday, August 3
• Saturday, August 17
• Saturday, September 7
• Saturday, September 21

St. Mark's Book Group, "Reading Between The Lines," continues on Saturday Mornings

Saturdays, 8:30 - 9:30 am

The Book Group has started a new book, "The Cloud of Unknowing," written by an anonymous person in the latter half of the 14th century. The book proposes that the only way to truly "know" God is to abandon all preconceived notions and beliefs or "knowledge" about God and be courageous enough to surrender your mind and ego to the realm of "unknowingness," at which point, you begin to glimpse the true nature of God. The Cloud of Unknowing draws on the Christian mystical tradition which focuses on the road to discovering God as a pure entity, beyond any capacity of mental conception and so without any definitive image or form. This way of praying dates from the earliest days of the church, and has its roots in the "Pray Always" command in the New Testament (Luke 21:36). The book counsels to put aside intellectual contemplation and seek direct experience of union with the Divine through the actions of the heart. Come join the discussion, there are no requirements for joining the Book Group. Speak with Tom Crotty if you would like a copy of the book.

Lion's Den Coffee House and Open Mic

Saturday, April 27, 7:00 pm

Musicians, poets, comedians and other performance artists are invited to the Lion's Den Coffee House, an open microphone venue in a relaxed, welcoming space. The next Lion's Den is scheduled for Saturday, April 27, starting at 7:00 p.m. The coffee house is open to people of all backgrounds and admission is free. Participants are invited to offer acoustic or lightly amplified music, poetry, comedy, dance, dramatic readings, or other types of performance art. Individuals and groups who wish to contribute may sign up that evening. Coffee, tea and other refreshments are provided by the organizing committee, and all are welcome to attend. This month we'll be serving up a selection of fine baked goods and the usual array of hot beverages, so bring your appetite. Lion's Dens are usually held on the last Saturday evening of each month, and they run about three hours. For more information on the Lion's Den Coffee House and its current schedule, call us at 201-928-0070, visit our web page, become a fan of our page on Facebook, and make sure to check out our YouTube channel, featuring performances from the recent past. All are welcome to come on down for an evening of fellowship and good times. Bohemia lives at the Lion's Den. We hope to see you there on April 27!

Help Needed for the WIC Play Group on Mondays

First Three Mondays Each Month, 9:00 am - 12:00 noon

The WIC Play Group Team needs additional volunteers. We supervise an informal play group for young children (ages 1 - 6) in the child care room when WIC clients are served at St. Mark's. WIC operates from 9:00 am-2:30 pm the first three Mondays of every month. Play Group volunteers usually provide 2-3 hours of service between 9:00 am and Noon (the busiest time) once a month. WIC parents and caregivers are most appreciative and generally help out a lot. A Read Now volunteer also comes in to read to the children regularly and distribute free books. If you would like to be a part of this ministry or know someone who might, please call Jeanette Adams at 201-836-5078.