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St. Mark's Episcopal Church


Coleman, Texas



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On Good Friday, I had the pleasure of visiting with Jenna Deramus, whose family attended St. Mark's while living in Coleman, who was a CHS scholarship recipient in 2020.  She has just been accepted into Texas A&M's Veterinary Program for the fall 2024 semester.  She is also now engaged!



Way to go, Jenna!!!



There will be forms for Easter altar flowers and lily donations in the Narthex of the church and in the parish hall.  If you want to give, please fill one out and put in the offering plate or give to Carole Horne.  You can also mail it to St. Mark's, Box 838, Coleman, Texas 76834.



     St. Mark's Episcopal Church will hold its annual outdoor Stations of the Cross at 5 p.m. on Wednesdays throughout the Lenten Season from February 14 through March 27. Everyone in the community is welcome to participate.

     Victoria Tester is leading the Stations of the Cross this year.  During inclement weather the event will move indoors, where the stations have been reframed in red frames, which are much more visible.



Coleman High School held a signing ceremony for Jackie Horne on January 19, 2024.  She signed with Southwestern Oklahoma State University to run track for the Lady Bulldogs.  The entire student body, family and friends were in the gym to congratulate Jackie for her accomplishments.  (Coleman Today Photo)

While at CHS, Jackie competed in the Long Jump, 100 Meter Dash, 200 Dash, 400 and 800 meter relays, as well as being a top golfer.

Congratulations to Jackie and their parents, Kim and Lanham Horne!




Coleman High School Senior Jackie Horne signed with the Lady Bulldog track program for Southwestern Oklahoma State University this morning at the CHS gym.   Pictured are, front: coach Taylor Neal, Jackie Horne, her family, Kim, Haisten and Lanham Horne; rear: coaches Weldon Thompson, Cameron Lowman and AD John Elder.  (Coleman Today Photo)



Jackie Horne (center), family and Coleman High School friends and classmates.


DECEMBER 2023

Forms for Christmas Altar Flower donations are on the table in the Narthex.  If making a donation, please fill it out and put it in the offering plate or give to Carole Horne.

United Thank Offering Fall Ingathering
If you participate in the UTO offering project, please put your money in an envelope, label it UTO, and place it in the offering plate. 
This is a ministry of The Episcopal Church and a way for others to benefit from your blessings, both small and large.

Walter L. Prehn Elected as TLC’s Board President


Walter L. Prehn speaks in a promotional video for Saint James School in Maryland

The board of the Living Church Foundation has elected the Rev. Dr. Walter L. (Chip) Prehn, a veteran educator and education consultant, as its new president.  Be sure to read about Chip's thoughts of this position, at The Living Church online.  Chip is the Priest-in-Charge at St. Mark's in Coleman.



All Hands on Deck!!!

The annual ECW Spaghetti Luncheon will be held on October 15, beginning at 11:00 a.m.  Fr. Chip will be at St. Mark's that day, holding a Eucharistic Service beginning at 9:30 instead of 10:30.  I am sure all those hands know their jobs.  Christine Manley is the Chairwoman for the event.  There will be no Bible/Book study that morning.

An early reminder ... Bishop Mayer will be at St. Mark's on November 5.


September 2023 ... St. Mark's had not one, but two young people in the Coleman High School Homecoming courts this year ... both Homecoming Queen and Homecoming King Courts. 

These talented, friendly members of St. Mark's are both Seniors ...
 Jackie Horne, daughter of Kim and Lanham Horne and
Brent Bouldin, son of Amber and Monte Bouldin


  

Jackie Horne and her dad, Lanham at CHS Homecoming


           

Brent and his Mom, Amber Bouldin at the CHS Homecoming Pep Rally

Congratulations to both of these young people and their parents!




September 2023



Just 3 Episcopalians cooking in a baptist church kitchen ... Lunch for the CHS football team!

Kim Horne, Amber Bouldin, Kristin Barnett

(picture and story from Ann Watson)


A new Adult Bible Study will begin on Sunday, September 17th at 9:30am to 10:25am in the Parish Hall.  We will use a book authored by Chales Colson entitled Loving God.  The book has a study guide along with it.

You may know this author as Chuck Colson from the Nixon era and on several occasions speaks how his Watergate experience affected him as a Christian.  I have read this book numerous times and always find it interesting and challenging.  I've never used the study guide so this will be new for me and I'm looking forward to doing so.

This study will be a little different than past studies.  Each week you will need to read the chapters in the book that coincide with the study guide; otherwise, I think it will be difficult to engage in discussion.  The study guide questions reference the book and combined with the scriptures will not be as impactful if you've not read the assignment.

Let me know if you want a book and I will order them.  St. Mark's will cover the cost so there's no expense to you.

If I've not included everyone, please forgive me and be sure to forward them the e-mail.  Also, if you have a friend or family member that might benefit and be encouraged by a group study, please invite them.  Everyone is welcomed.

I look forward to hearing from you and to beginning what I think will be an interesting study.

Steven F. Neidigk


I received this from Amy Reynolds at 9:11 on the night of June 7!

"Baby BOY Reynolds made his way into the world (and delivered by Jack) at 4:47pm!

"He weighs the exact same weight that his big sis Rinny was at delivery - 8.15lbs!

"We are so tired but so happy and can’t believe he is here! Thank you God for a safe delivery of this precious soul.

"Now we just need to figure out his name hah"

    

Willie Weldon Reynolds

Willie is inspired by my grandmothers maiden name and my cousins first name, Wilson!
(Metta Ann Wilson Shudde and Wilson Shudde)

Weldon is in honor of my grandfather, Weldon Shudde and my brother, Weldon Grady Skelton.






CHS Teacher and St. Mark's LEM and LR, Gary Strickland Flies High!

CHS Engineering, Research and Design students Neveah Eldred and Bethany Jones recently flew their official qualifying flights to enter the 2023 American Rocketry Challenge. TARC (The American Rocketry Challenge) is the world’s largest rocket contest, with nearly 5,000 students nationwide competing annually. The contest provides students in 6th-12th grades the opportunity to design, build, and launch model rockets and gain hands on experience solving engineering problems. After official qualification flights are submitted to TARC, the top 100 teams in the nation are invited to attend the National Finals in Washington, D.C. The teams selected for the national competition are selected based on their lowest combined qualifying scores. The teams invited to advance to the national contest will be announced April 12, 2023.


Each year the rules vary slightly to provide a new challenge to competitors. The 2023 rules require teams to design, build, and launch a model rocket that carries one raw egg to an altitude of 850 feet, stays airborne for 42-45 seconds, and return the rocket to the ground safely with the egg intact. The rocket must use two body sections, one containing a single raw egg and altimeter, and the second must contain the rocket motor. The two sections must separate after apogee and be recovered separately, with no harm to the egg, both by parachute. Teams are penalized for every foot above or below the goal altitude and for each second outside the airborne window.


The 2023 CHS rocketry team is comprised of seniors Neveah Eldred, Bethany Jones and junior Austin Graham. Gary Strickland is the CHS Engineering, Research and Design teacher who oversees the class and project. He stresses that the students do all of the work from design to launch. Coleman High School has competed in TARC since 2016 and has advanced two teams to nationals. In 2022, the CHS Team placed 5th at the National Contest and was awarded $7,500 in prize money. The students and Mr. Strickland would like to extend a special thank you to Barbara Cox for volunteering as the official NAR (National Association of Rocketry) observer for the qualifying flights.


                     


Greetings to everyone,

I have settled on the Book of Philippians for our next Sunday Morning Bible Study.  This study will have a familiar feel and look similar to the Luke study since it is authored by N. T. Wright as well.  I will be glad to order the lesson books but will need to know those who are interested in having one.

If you are interested in joining the study of Philippians and would like a lesson book, let me know so I can account for you in the order.  I'd like to order the books by the end of this week (March 10).  The books are in the $8.50 range.

Also, I would like to begin the study of Philippians on Sunday, March 19, 2023.

Steven F. Neidigk
Bible Study Leader
817-239-5125


     In celebration of Mardi Gras at St. Mark's Episcopal Church the Annual Shrove Tuesday Pancake Supper was hosted by the men of St. Mark's on Tuesday, February 21, 2003 from 5 to 7 p.m.  Men helping were Jack Horne (who is the organizer and lead worker), Mario Tanzi, Henry Dodson, Ralph Terry, Anthony Strawn, Gary Strickland and Ross Jones.  Much work goes into this night ... buying supplies and mixing batter ahead of time, making pancakes and coffee, serving visitors, waiting tables, gathering up and washing dirty dishes and cleaning up the hall afterwards.

      The number of visitors has been small since Covid-19, but over 40 people were served, with many carry outs, raising over $500 with meals and donations.  Fr. Chip Prehn came in during the evening.

     This annual fund raiser is held the night before Ash Wednesday to open the Church's season of Lent.  This night is held to get all the fat out of the house in preparation for fasting and self-discipline during Lent.  The Episcopal Church, Roman Catholics and many Protestant faiths, observe the season of Lent with self examination, self discipline, prayer, fasting, meditation, sacrifice and penance.  Lent comes to an end after the observances of Holy Week, which culminates with the resurrection celebration, on Easter Day.  The following day Ash Wednesday service was held at noon.

                
      





Jackie Horne was inducted into National Honor Society at Coleman High School
 on February 9. This young lady, who was confirmed at St. Mark's
in December, has it all ... beauty and brains! Way to GO, Jackie.
(Below is a picture from Kim of the family with Jackie.)





 


St. Mark's Phillip Tester

 in Brownwood Art Exhibit

Phillip Tester has had one of his saints sculptures, carved from mesquite,
accepted into the Stars of Texas Juried Art Show at the Brownwood Depot Civic and
 Cultural Center.  The VIP Reception and Awards Ceremony was held Saturday,
February 4th by invitation only. 

This Juried Art Exhibit has been held since 1999 by the
Arts Council of Brownwood.  An exhibit of paintings, sculptures and
 photographs will be on display at the Center from Sunday, February 5
 through Saturday, February 11.

More details later.


              Image from Victoria Tester





Coleman High School Hall of Honor 2023

The late Judia Terry will be honored as a 2023 inductee into the Coleman High School Hall of Honor on February 11.  She will be the sixth recipient of this distinction, who are or were members or spouses of members of St. Mark's.  Five past recipients from St. Mark's of only 20 in this select group ... Terry Scott, Charlotte Strawn, Ralph Terry, Marianna Wilson Jones, Jim Allison Smith (husband of Jare Horne Smith).



       Image of Judia Terry by Ralph Terry
                                                                                                                                                  

For more information about the Coleman High School Hall of Honor see:  ColemanToday and CHS Hall of Honor



Past Events of St. Mark's Episcopal Church


January 29, 2023 - St. Mark's Annual Meeting

December 18, 2022 - St. Mark's Confirmations with Bishop Mayer