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St. Mark's Episcopal Church and Academy

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	A Word (or Two) from the Rector A parishioner recently said to me "if someone is looking for a McChurch, St. Mark's is really not the place for them."  I suspect that is a somewhat accurate statement of fact.  I have never found Christianity to be like a quick meal consumed while on the go.  Rather, for me, Christianity is a hearty feast of many meals served over the journey of a lifetime.  I am well fed but not sated. Holy Scripture, the main course of Christianity, is rightly described as an Orchard of Holy Words.  In citrus country we know an orchard is of great benefit to those who pick, peel and finally taste the delicious fruit therein. The peeling back of layers of meaning is what is meant by the Tradition.  Tradition holds the many and varied efforts of Biblical interpretation passed down through the centuries.  Reason provides the inquisitiveness to make sense or merely attempt to make sense of these ancient words of Scripture and Tradition.  Scripture, Tradition and Reason are referred to as the three-legged stool of Anglicanism.  It takes such a stool to sit comfortably on rough terrain. I am comfortable sitting within the Episcopal Church.   My comfort is not because the Episcopal Church has all the answers to difficult questions.  Such answers are not always easy and many certainly beyond my ken to grasp.   I am comfortable within this church because many within are not fearful of asking difficult questions about the great moral and ethical dilemmas brought to us by modernity.  I am comfortable with the polity of our church.  It is bi-cameral and democratic.  Some, however, are not so comfortable with the results of our democratic governance.    They seem to be saying that if the elected representatives to the General Convention of the Episcopal Church do not vote their way they will have chosen to walk apart from the Anglican Communion.  Nothing could be further from the truth.   You can't sit on a three-legged stool if you are taking a stand…vote my way or else.  You will know them by their fruit. So here I sit tending an Orchard of Holy Words.  Democracy is at my side doing her work.  Taste and see that the Lord is good. Rev. Tom Gibson St. Mark's Rector

	A plaque presented in honor of Fr. Tom 6/15/14. Inscribed with Fr. Tom's words describing our community and faith. "We are an old established church. We go back to the founders of our country. We have a great Christian school in which young people are welcomed from all faith perspectives. We sing traditional hymns and hear beautiful music. The homilies encourage us to explore rather than explain faith. We push aside easy answers. We enjoy our fellowship. We meet interesting people. We view science as a partner, not an adversary. We share one bread and one cup. We share the joys and sadnesses that life presents and support each other on our journeys. We differ in belief, yet pray together!” (Click on image to enlarge).

	Affiliations: We are a parish and day school  within the Diocese of Central Florida , which is part of the  Protestant Episcopal Church of the United States of America and the world wide Anglican Communion. Information for Episcopalians: Our worship is traditional in style with Holy Eucharist Rite I and Rite II celebrated Sundays.  Congregational hymns are selected from the 1982 Hymnal and anthems selected from a variety of resources by our parish musician.   You will hear bells and smell smells on major Holy Days.  Homilies generally engage the Propers for the season and day.  They are never dull.  Well, almost never.  Please do come and visit. Not an Episcopalian? No problem.  The Episcopal Church Welcomes You!  Indeed, all baptized Christians are welcome to worship with us and receive the sacrament of the Lord's Table.   Our job is not to steal sheep but to feed them.  You are welcome at our family meal. Not a Christian?   Still no problem.  The Episcopal Church Welcomes You!  We strive to respect the dignity of every human being.  You are welcome if only to take a peek at what we do.  We extend our hand in friendship. We don't bite!

	Announcements DOOBIE BROTHERS PRE-CONCERT PARTY AT ST. MARK'S St. Mark's is offering a pre-concert* party on Sunday, March 1 at 3 PM. This event will help "Raise the Roof" for St. Mark's. $25 per person includes: * Private Parking * Great Barbecue * 1 Drink Ticket (beer & wine) Be sure to bring your lawn chair so you can sit on the playground and enjoy the weather and the beautiful view of the River. Invite your friends! This is open to all, but limited to the first 100 people. Sign up today. Questions? Delores Spearman: 321.537.3378 *The Doobie Brothers will be performing at Riverfront Park at 6:30 PM on Sunday, March 1. The gates will open at 2 PM. http://www.cocoapartyinthepark.com/ LENTEN STUDY February 24 - March 24, 2015 6:00 - 6:30 PM Potluck 6:30 - 7:30 PM Study Tuesdays in Thursby Hall Please join us in Thursby Hall as Susan Blakeslee and Lou Prudhomme lead us in discussion of "FIELDS OF BLOOD: Religion and the History of Violence" by Karen Armstrong. Please indicate your intent to attend by signing up on the sheet provided on the bulletin board in the front hall.   If you have questions or concerns, please contact Susan Blakeslee, ssblakeslee@icloud.com or 321.504.1134. All are welcome. DAYLIGHT SAVING TIME BEGINS MARCH 8, 2015 SPRING FLING YARD SALE Who: St. Mark's Episcopal Church What: Spring Fling Yard Sale When: March 27 & 28, 7 AM - 4 PM* Where: 4 Church Street, Cocoa, FL Thursby Hall Why: Raise the Roof (Roof repairs/Replacement) Questions? Peta Adovasio 2petag@gmail.com or 321.459.1860 We are looking for gently used items that you and your friends are willing to donate to be included in the sale. *There will be a special Preview Gala at 7 PM on Thursday, March 26.

We are located in Historic Cocoa Village    4 Church Street, Cocoa, FL 32922 Telephone: 321 636-3781 Fax: 321-632-9858 Click here to email us

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Schedule of Services: Sunday:     8:00 AM Holy Eucharist - Rite I   10:00 AM Holy Eucharist - Rite II Tuesday:     5:30 PM Holy Eucharist - Rite I Thursday:   10:00 AM Healing and Holy Eucharist During June, July, and August there is a single Sunday service of Holy Eucharist at 9:00 AM.