New Ministry Initiatives
In addition to the established Church in the World Ministry Groups, there is a process for New Ministry Initiatives. Some of these Initiatives are already formed and would welcome your involvement. If you have an idea for forming a new Justice Ministry (called “Church in the World Ministries” at Saint Mark’s), we’d also like to hear from you.
To learn more about the process for encouraging development of new ministry initiatives at Saint Mark’s, please contact CIW@saintmarks.org and ask to have a Church in the World Initiatives packet sent to you, or contact one of the Church in the World Coordinating Committee Co-chairs. Their names and contact information is listed on the Contact Us page.
Several new Ministry Initiatives are in various stages of getting organized at Saint Mark’s. These include:
*Blue Nile Children’s Organization
BNCO works with communities to define and solve problems that their children and communities face such as HIV/AIDS, malaria, and other afflictions that are causing staggering numbers of orphaned children throughout Ethiopia. We run a sponsorship program for over 70 children, improving access to basic needs such as food, housing, education and health care.
Contact:
- Selamawit Kifle,206.551.1300, africanethio@gmail.com
*Friday Film Night
FRIDAY FILM NIGHT aims to inform, to pique curiosity, to trigger discovery as well as to inspire. Each Friday evening at 7:30 p.m, a powerful drama, hilarious comedy,or insightful documentary is screened and discussed in the good company of our congregants, friends, and neighbors, at the Leffler House Living Room, next to the Gift Shop, south of the Cathedral, a mere stone's throw away. Suggested donation is $1.
Click here to learn more.
Contact:
- Jerry de Guzman, filmnight@saintmarks.org
*Homeless Advocacy Ministry
This Ministry’s focus is to provide community outreach in pursuit of making a difference in the battle to end homelessness in Seattle, spanning undertakings that include annual hosting of Tent City 3, broadening awareness of the plight of the homeless, and energizing collaborative efforts among area churches and key community organizations. These activities support the Ten-Year Plan of the Committee to End Homelessness in King County, as well as Saint Mark's longstanding service to the homeless, its advocacy for them and housing for all.
Contact:
- The Rev. Helen O. Harper, 206.708.3090, Homeless.in.Seattle@saintmarks.org
- Barry Johnson, 206.715.6846
*Oikocredit Support NW
Oikocredit is an international cooperative supporting responsible, sustainable development. Oikocredit Northwest volunteers inform and educate others about the benefits of ethical investing for maximum social impact. We work to promote global justice by challenging investors to share their resources through socially responsible investments and by empowering disadvantaged people with credit.
Contact:
- Rick Hodsdon, 206.784.6078, rhodsdon@oikocredit.org
* These groups have applied to become CIW ministries and have been formally adopted as Initiatives by the CIW Coordinating Committee.