Social Justice and Social Concerns at St. Mark's
The Social Justice Committee at St. Mark's is an expression of the vision of St. Mark's to be a "community of caring," not only for the members of our congregation, but also for the hungry of our neighborhood, the homeless, the poor and the sick. Only a handful of the community that makes us St. Mark's wears a collar, but our clergy cannot do the work of the Church alone, either here at home or in the wider world around us. They need us--all of us. All of us, as baptized Christians, are called with our various talents and gifts, to do Christ's work today. We have been given the privilege, and the duty to respect, reverence and serve the people of God--all people in attitude, word and action. As Teresa of Avila said "Christ has no hands but our hands to do his work today. . ."
Social Justice Committee Monthly Meetings
The Social Justice Committee meets monthly to discuss social justice issues and to serve as a clearinghouse for issues of concern to our community. We bring appeals for support and opportunities for participation in social justice actions to the congregation through our social justice bulletin board, the Sunday bulletin and the LION newsletter, through adult formation programs and through St. Marks' and Episcopal Church sponsored activities like the AIDS walk, prayer vigils, advocacy actions and prayers of the people.
St. Mark's Social Justice Group on Facebook
You can follow the work of St. Mark's Social Justice and Social Concerns Committee on Facebook. Please join our Facebook Group to get updates on our latest activities. The title of our Facebook group is "St Mark's Berkeley Social Justice & Social Concerns" Join us!
Monthly Collection for Social Outreach
InAsMuch Offering: Inasmuch as you have done it to one of the least of these my brothers and sisters, you have done it to me. (Matthew 25:40)
On the third Sunday of every month, St. Mark’s has a second collection for social outreach. The collection is for a different charity each month. The majority of these are either official Episcopal Charities or local organizations that address the needs of those on the margins of society.
In 2009 the InAsMuch offerings supported Episcopal Relief and Development, Episcopal Charities, Alameda County Food Bank, Our Family Coalition, An Episcopal Ministry to Convalescent Hospitals, Berkeley Free Clinic, Berkeley Food and Housing, St. Dorothy’s Rest, Berkeley Suitcase Clinic, Options Recovery Service, YEAH! (Youth Emergency Assistance Hostel), and Hot Meals.
Service Opportunities
Hot Meals for the Hungry: On the third Saturday of each month, volunteers from St. Mark's and the wider community cook for 120 guests. The volunteers work in two shifts. From 1:30-4 p.m. volunteers set tables, prepare and cook the meal, and prepare box lunches. From 4:30-6:30 p.m., volunteers serve the meal and clean up. All volunteers are welcome, including one-time or walk-in volunteers. Call (510) 848-5107 for further details or just show up and introduce yourself.
Prepare Dinner for Youth Shelter YEAH!: Once a month during the rainy season, a small group in the congregation cook and deliver a dinner to a nearby Berkeley shelter for homeless youth that hosts about 25 to 30 during the rainy season. This smaller program builds especially strong bonds among the band of volunteers. Contact the church office for more details on the date each month.
Convalescent Home Ministries: For more than twenty-five years, a team from St. Mark's has held Sunday worship services at Berkeley Pines Care Center. Contact the church office for more details on how to join this ministry. Click here to see this ministry in action and to find out more about this rewarding ministry
The Prayer Shawl Ministry: The Prayer Shawl Ministry is a national movement started in 1998 to provide shawls to people who are confined to a home, nursing home, or hospital and to those who have recently given birth or suffered a personal loss, as well as those celebrating joyous events in their lives. Under the guidance of the Deacon, Rev. Ellen Ekstrom, a group of avid knitters gather once a month to knit shawls or blankets for members of the congregation in need of this ministry. Leave a message for Ellen at 510-848-5107 or send an e-mail to office@stmarksberekely.org with Prayer Shawl Ministry in the subject line.