The Cooking Crew is a group of amazing ladies and men who volunteer their time to prepare meals as a group for those less fortunate. The monthly food we cook is used by the Shreveport-Bossier Community Renewal Friendship Houses (there are 5 neighborhoods, all of which have 2 houses), The McDade House, and Project YES, which serves approximately 150 children after school every day. During the holidays, we prepare complete holiday meals for not only the Friendship Houses, The McDade House, and Project YES, but also for Woody’s Veteran Home and The Beacon House.
We cook throughout the year from August to May. Four different crews of ladies cook a ½ day each month. Our men’s cooking crew jumps in to help with the extra days of cooking which include days for Thanksgiving, Christmas, Parish Dinners, and other special occasions. For More information contact Jennifer Beruvides Jennifer@stmarkscathedral,net
EFM
EfM is a four-year theological education program offered “at a distance” by the School of Theology at the University of the South at Sewanee. Participants commit to one year at a time, and meet weekly in seminars led by a trained mentor. Over the four years, participants study the Bible, church history, and theology, while learning to engage in theological reflection. This provides a solid education in the foundations of our Christian faith.
The seminar group is the nucleus of the Education for Ministry program. A group consists of six to twelve participants and a trained mentor who meet weekly over the course of a nine-month academic year. These meetings are usually from 2.5-3 hours in length. Mentor certification to form and facilitate an EfM group requires 18 contact hours of basic/inservice or formation training annually (minimally every 18 months) and approval by the trainer.
Participants are given weekly assignments to study with the help of resource guides. Students are responsible for setting their own learning goals. They spend between two and four hours in study and preparation each week. In the seminars members have an opportunity to share their insights and discoveries as well as to discuss questions which the study materials raise for them. Through discussion and guided reflection, the seminars furnish an opportunity to deepen understanding of the reading materials.
More important is the development of skills in theological reflection. The goal is to learn to think theologically. By examining their own beliefs and their relationship to our culture and the tradition of our Christian faith, participants can learn what it means to be effective ministers in the world. In coming to terms with the notion that everything we do has potential for manifesting the love of Christ, we discover that our ministry is at hand wherever we turn.
The seminar is supported by a life of prayer and regular worship. EfM groups are encouraged to develop a pattern of worship appropriate to their situations. Liturgical materials are furnished with the course materials.
Over the years, many people have participated in EfM at St. Mark’s Cathedral. More than 80 dioceses of The Episcopal Church, as well as other denominations, participate in EfM. If you would like to be part of EfM, please contact Fr. Thomas Nsubuga thomas@stmarkscathedral.net
Stephen Ministry
Our Stephen Ministers are all members of St.Mark’s who have received special training to provide one to one Christian care. They walk alongside one who has had a loss or is going through any of life’s transitions or difficulties. Such difficulties include grief and loss of all kinds, including deaths, divorce, illness, “empty nest,” disability, retirement, and any other of a myriad of life’s transitions that can be painful.
Stephen Ministers listen, care, encourage, and provide emotional and spiritual support on a one to one basis that is confidential, free and empathic. They do not try to fix a situation nor give advice; rather their attentive listening and acceptance provide comfort and healing. Stephen Ministers simply seek to be fully present and prayerful that God will bring healing.
Those who receive care from our Stephen Ministers do not need to be affiliated with St. Mark’s; this ministry is available to those from other churches and those without a church home. Please contact Canon Rowena White rowena@stmarkscathedral.net for more information regarding this program.
Adult Sunday School
Adult Sunday School in the Garden Room- Dean Alston will be leading a journey through Christian history in it discernment and conversations regarding teachings deemed heretical. He will use books and videos from Know the Heretics by Justin Holcomb; and History fo Christianity: The First Three Thousand Years, by Diamaid MacCulloch. As in the past, our time together will be a mixture of video, lecture and conversation. We will meet at 9:30 am.
Adult Sunday School in the Cathedral Library- This Fall, Father Thomas will guide discussions each week about parenting and other aspects of home life. For more information contact Seth Thibodeaux at rseth@gmail.com
Women’s Bible Study
The Women’s Bible Study meets weekly on Wednesday mornings from September to May in room 101 of the Ministry Center at 10:30 am. Our discussion is around the lectionary readings for the upcoming Sunday. We hear the Word, and learn about the historical, political and cultural context during which the scripture was written. We talk about how the readings impact our lives and we take what we learn out into the world as members of the body of Christ. Please contact Canon Rowena White for more information. Rowena@stmarkscathedral.net
Men’s Bible Study
The Men’s Bible Study meets each Wednesday at noon in room 101 of the Ministry Center. Bring a sack lunch and join the clergy of the cathedral in a study of scripture, commentaries and devotional literature.
The group will be reading and discussing The Cost of Discipleship by Dietrich Bonhoeffer. Bonhoeffer was a German Lutheran pastor, theologian and anti-Nazi dissident who helped found the Confessing Church. His theology stressed personal and collective piety and revived the idea of imitation of Christ arguing that Christians should not retreat from the world but act within it. The book compels readers to face himself and God in any situation and asks “What can the call to discipleship, the adherence to the word of Jesus, mean today to the businessman, the soldier, the laborer, or the government worker? What did Jesus mean to say to us? What is his will for us today?” Dietrich’s practice of his faith lead to his execution on April 9, 1945 in Flossenburg concentration camp by the Nazis. For more information, please contact William Weaver at william.weaver@uhsinc.com or by calling (302) 276-3750.
Spiritual Direction Group
The Spiritual Direction Group meets weekly on Wednesdays at 11:45 am in the Cathedral Library. This is not a Bible Study; it is active participation in a Rule of Life that can be life changing. We each make a commitment to follow the prescribed Rule of Life, which includes immersion in the daily reading of the gospel text and committing to a daily prayer form of praise and self-offering. Another aspect is setting aside on a weekly basis, special time for listening for the word of Christ in our daily life. Participants then meet weekly to share their experiences, in an environment that is accepting and supportive of our spiritual growth. Besides developing a deeper knowledge of Christ, one grows in awareness of God’s love and active presence in our lives. All are welcome to come see if this is a group that suits your needs and desires! If enough interest is shown, it is possible that an additional group can be offered at a more convenient time for those whose schedules prevent from coming at this time. For more info contact Canon Rowena White – Rowen@stmarkscathedral.net
Wednesday Night Book Club
Wednesday, April 3 – Wednesday, May 8 for our Eastertide study we will be reading the Paul’s letter to the Ephesians. There are 6 chapters so we will cover a new chapter each week. There is no need to purchase a book.
For more information, please contact William Weaver at william.weaver@uhsinc.com or by calling (302) 276-3750.
Friends of Faith Women’s Study
They are currently reading “The Ruthless Elimination of Hurry” by John Mark Comer this fall. They are planning to meet through early November, then take a break until the spring. They will start back up for 8-10 weeks again mid to late January. We will pick a new book as a group in January!
For More Info contact Jorie O’Brien jorieobrien@gmail.com
