Visitors ~ Newcomers ~ How to Join Our Parish
If you are planning a visit to St. Mark's, we welcome you!  Please introduce yourself to a greeter, who can be identified by his or her name tag.  A greeter will be happy to answer your questions and help you find your way around the church.  If you are new to the Episcopal Church, please feel free to ask an usher (or your neighbor in the pew!) for assistance in participating in the service.  Don't forget to sign the Visitor's Register located near the entrance to the church or chapel.  We invite you to join us for a cup of coffee in the Fellowship Hall so we can get to know you!

If you are seeking more information about St. Mark's or the Episcopal Church in general, plan on attending an Inquirer’s Class. These classes, led by our Rector, are held several times throughout the year, and serve as an introduction to the Episcopal Church, the Christian faith in general, and worship at St. Mark's in particular.  Please call the parish office for information on the next scheduled class.

In order to officially join our parish as a member, please call the parish office to arrange to fill out an information sheet. If you are transferring membership from another parish, please notify our office staff at that time, and we will assist you with this process.
 

Baptisms
Members of St. Mark’s and non-members are welcomed to receive the sacrament of Holy Baptism at St. Mark’s.  Persons of any age, from infant to adult, may be baptized.  Parents who wish to have their child baptized, and adults who wish baptism for themselves, are required to attend Baptism Counseling Classes which generally occur one evening a week for 4 weeks prior to the date of baptism.  These meetings are led by a member of our clergy staff, and serve as an opportunity to get to know your family as well as to provide you with important information about the sacrament of baptism.  Please call the parish office to inquire about the next baptism date and classes.

Confirmation
At St. Mark’s, the sacrament of Confirmation is normally administered to youth around the age of 16; however, parents may use their discretion to determine the point at which their child has attained the level of spiritual maturity required to take this important step.  Persons seeking Confirmation must be baptized Christians.  Adults of any age may receive confirmation.  Adults seeking confirmation are required to attend Inquirer’s Classes taught by the Rector, which meet for a period of 6 weeks prior to the confirmation date.  These classes focus on the basics of the Christian faith, an introduction to the Anglican and Episcopal Church as a whole, and life at St. Mark’s in particular.  Please call the parish office to inquire about the next confirmation date and Inquirer’s Classes.

Weddings
Members of St. Mark’s, as well as non-members, are welcomed to inquire about holding their wedding in our church or chapel.  Our Rector generally wishes to meet with the couple for several sessions of pre-marital counseling, which may be scheduled at times suitable for all involved.  Please call the parish office to inquire about available dates and times, and for further information.

Prayer List
We would be privileged to add you, or your loved one, to our Parish Prayer List if you are in need of prayer. There is a Red Intercessory Prayer Book located in the narthex; please feel free to add your prayer request. Individuals in this book are prayed for during the services as well as during the week by Prayer Ministers. During the 9:00 and 10:30 services, Prayer Ministers are available to pray with you during Communion; there is a prayer station located at the back of the church. Individual healing prayer and laying-on-of-hands are also offered at our Wednesday morning Eucharist.

Pastoral Counseling
If you are in need of pastoral counseling or spiritual direction, please speak with a clergy member in order to make an appointment. While our clergy generally does not engage in long-term counseling, they will be happy to meet with you in order to determine your needs, or to make a referral to a resource or agency as appropriate.

Private Confession
Although there are no regularly scheduled times of private confession at St. Mark's, a special appointment can be made with a member of our clergy. Please speak with a clergy member or call the church office in order to schedule a private confession.

Hospital Visit / Ministration of the Sick
If you or a loved one is hospitalized or shut-in and would like a visit from a member of our clergy, please contact the parish office. New state guidelines no longer allow our clergy to access information at the hospital about current patients, so you will need to contact the parish office with all pertinent details. Our clergy and Prayer Ministers would be happy to visit you and pray with you while you are recuperating.

Lay Eucharist Ministers are available to bring you Communion, if you are a shut-in or are in the hospital. Please contact the parish office if you wish to receive Communion in your home or hospital room.

Funerals
Notify one of the clergy or phone the parish office to inform of a death in the family. Our parish clergy will meet with the family to arrange for a funeral and for bereavement counseling, and to provide information about our Columbarium.