INTERGENERATIONAL STUDY PROGRAMS
CHILDREN: At this time we provide intergenerational activities for the children through individual resources to parents for their children's Christian education, and active participation in worship, music, and outreach activities. For example, we have a children's sermon for all children and the young-at-heart during our worship service!
We also invite you to check out a family Sunday School resource that is free from Sparkhouse! Feel free to share it with your children, grandchildren, nieces or nephews! The leaflets are downloadable and the lessons are on YouTube. It follows the same Bible readings (lectionary) that we use in church each Sunday.
We also invite you to check out a family Sunday School resource that is free from Sparkhouse! Feel free to share it with your children, grandchildren, nieces or nephews! The leaflets are downloadable and the lessons are on YouTube. It follows the same Bible readings (lectionary) that we use in church each Sunday.
YOUTH: Pastor Joe is not currently teaching Confirmation classes. Please contact the church office for any questions.
ADULT FORUMS: St. Mark's has adult forums during the coffee hour periodically throughout the year. Social justice issues and advocacy are of special interest to our congregation.
ADULT FORUMS: St. Mark's has adult forums during the coffee hour periodically throughout the year. Social justice issues and advocacy are of special interest to our congregation.
CURRENT EVENTS
ANTI-RACISM READING CIRCLE
Four Thursdays: October 29, November 5, 12 and 19, 2020; 7:00-8:00 pm on Zoom
Our Education Committee is offering a book discussion group based on Dear Church, A Love Letter from a Black Preacher to the Whitest Denomination in the U.S., by Pastor Lenny Duncan.
For more information, please follow the link below:
For more information, please follow the link below:
Speaking Up: A Multi-Generational Conversation about Race
July 12, 11:30-12:30pm, July 23, 12:00-1:00pm, and August 6, 6:30-7:30pm on Zoom
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In light of what is happening in our world – and in our own community – the Education Committee is introducing a series of discussions on racism. The first three sessions will be via Zoom and held at varied times to accommodate different ages and schedules. Selected chapters from Ijeoma Oluo’s book, So You Want To Talk About Race? will be available to enrich and expand our conversation. In her book, Oluo guides readers of all races through subjects ranging from intersectionality and affirmative action to “model minorities” in an attempt to create honest conversations about race and racism, and how they infect almost every aspect of American life.
Join us via Zoom* for one or more sessions:
*Please email the Church Office (admin@stmarkslutheranfargo.com) for the link to the Zoom meeting. Indicate if you would like a copy of the specific chapter. |
Refugee and Immigrant Narratives: "Displacement, Relocation, and Displacement" with Fahima Alizada
Sunday, April 19, 2020 at 10:45 am on Zoom
Back in January our inter-faith, multi-generational times focused on refugees and displaced persons. Due to weather, our third session has been moved to April 19.
We will gather via Zoom this Sunday, April 19 at 10:45 for conversation with Fahima Alizada, a Concordia senior, whose home country is Afghanistan. We will resume the conversation about displacement, resettlement, and resilience and also consider the role of faith in that journey.
You must register in advance for this meeting here: https://zoom.us/meeting/register/tZMpcOutqzIjELNIbn-_fUwAvM2rdj-Gtw
You may also RSVP to the event on Facebook by clicking the link in the button below.
We will gather via Zoom this Sunday, April 19 at 10:45 for conversation with Fahima Alizada, a Concordia senior, whose home country is Afghanistan. We will resume the conversation about displacement, resettlement, and resilience and also consider the role of faith in that journey.
You must register in advance for this meeting here: https://zoom.us/meeting/register/tZMpcOutqzIjELNIbn-_fUwAvM2rdj-Gtw
You may also RSVP to the event on Facebook by clicking the link in the button below.
Entering the Passion of Jesus
Wednesday evenings at 7 pm between March 25th and April 8th, 2020
During the season of Lent, St. Mark's is offering a book study that will be discussing Entering the Passion of Jesus: A Beginner’s Guide to Holy Week. The author is Amy-Jill Levine, who is a New Testament scholar and professor. She is also Jewish. Below is an outline of the series (we've already held the first 3 sessions.) Please read the assigned chapter before the discussion:
• March 1: “Risking Reputation: Jerusalem” - Intro & Chapter 1
• March 8: “Risking Righteous Anger: The Temple” - Chapter 2
• March 15: “Risking Challenge: Teachings” – Chapter 3
• Wed, March 25 at 7 pm: “Risking Dinners: The First Dinner” – Chapter 4 (ONLINE)
• Wed, April 1 at 7 pm: “Risking Dinners: The Last Supper” – Chapter 5 (ONLINE)
• Wed, April 8 at 7 pm: “Risking Temptation: Gethsemane” – Chapter 6 (ONLINE)
Each session will include a short video with narrative by Amy-Jill Levine, reading portions of each chapter, discussion questions and group activities. The sessions will be led by Pastor Joe and Tammy Lanaghan. The books are available at no cost. If you need one, please contact Pastor Joe.
Note: Because the remaining sessions will be held online in an app called Zoom, please look over these steps (below) for how to join a Zoom meeting. This is a simple process!
Steps
1. Download the Zoom app from Zoom's Download Center, linked in the button immediately underneath.
2. To join on a computer, simply click the link for the meeting below in the button, "Book Study Meeting Link," in the email that Pastor Joe sent out, or here: https://zoom.us/j/471600858?pwd=REtUZFNabjFhdEw1T3VhaGtQcDI1Zz09
Meeting ID: 471 600 858
Password: 111282
You can also phone in to the meeting at:
+1 253 215 8782
3. You may be asked to type in your name when joining the meeting.
4. For other devices, please click the link below in the button, "Additional Instructions on Zoom," to see the steps to join. They are all very simple and quick.
NOTE: You will be muted on entry into Zoom, but you can unmute yourself if you so desire. We are also disabling being able to join before the host (St. Mark's) to prevent anyone from sharing inappropriate material.
• March 1: “Risking Reputation: Jerusalem” - Intro & Chapter 1
• March 8: “Risking Righteous Anger: The Temple” - Chapter 2
• March 15: “Risking Challenge: Teachings” – Chapter 3
• Wed, March 25 at 7 pm: “Risking Dinners: The First Dinner” – Chapter 4 (ONLINE)
• Wed, April 1 at 7 pm: “Risking Dinners: The Last Supper” – Chapter 5 (ONLINE)
• Wed, April 8 at 7 pm: “Risking Temptation: Gethsemane” – Chapter 6 (ONLINE)
Each session will include a short video with narrative by Amy-Jill Levine, reading portions of each chapter, discussion questions and group activities. The sessions will be led by Pastor Joe and Tammy Lanaghan. The books are available at no cost. If you need one, please contact Pastor Joe.
Note: Because the remaining sessions will be held online in an app called Zoom, please look over these steps (below) for how to join a Zoom meeting. This is a simple process!
Steps
1. Download the Zoom app from Zoom's Download Center, linked in the button immediately underneath.
2. To join on a computer, simply click the link for the meeting below in the button, "Book Study Meeting Link," in the email that Pastor Joe sent out, or here: https://zoom.us/j/471600858?pwd=REtUZFNabjFhdEw1T3VhaGtQcDI1Zz09
Meeting ID: 471 600 858
Password: 111282
You can also phone in to the meeting at:
+1 253 215 8782
3. You may be asked to type in your name when joining the meeting.
4. For other devices, please click the link below in the button, "Additional Instructions on Zoom," to see the steps to join. They are all very simple and quick.
NOTE: You will be muted on entry into Zoom, but you can unmute yourself if you so desire. We are also disabling being able to join before the host (St. Mark's) to prevent anyone from sharing inappropriate material.
2020
February Theme: Jewish Festivals
February 9 and 16, 2020
The St. Mark’s Education Committee is planning two educational events this month.
On February 9 we’ll be celebrating a Jewish festival called “the birthday of the trees” or Tu B’shevat. Activities for all ages are being planned by Ilene Cohen-Pearson of Temple Beth El and Elna Solvang.
On Sunday, February 16, we will learn about Purim, the festival celebrating the deliverance of the Jews in Persia from genocide. The actual dates of Purim this year are March 9-11, but we will celebrate it a little early! This session involves lots of audience interaction as the story of Esther is shared.
On February 9 we’ll be celebrating a Jewish festival called “the birthday of the trees” or Tu B’shevat. Activities for all ages are being planned by Ilene Cohen-Pearson of Temple Beth El and Elna Solvang.
On Sunday, February 16, we will learn about Purim, the festival celebrating the deliverance of the Jews in Persia from genocide. The actual dates of Purim this year are March 9-11, but we will celebrate it a little early! This session involves lots of audience interaction as the story of Esther is shared.
2020
January Theme: Refugee and Immigrant Narratives
January 9, 12, and 19, 2020
Join us on January 9th, when a fun and interactive children’s activity is planned during the International Potluck at Temple Beth El.
On Sunday January 12 and 19 from 11:30 am to 12:30 pm (after worship), all are welcome to join us for the first of two sessions of our next intergenerational educational series on faith and displacement. The goal of this series is to come to a deeper understanding of the ways faith contributes to resilience, and of the skills needed to negotiate displacement and resettlement, especially for people from other countries and cultures.
On Sunday January 12 and 19 from 11:30 am to 12:30 pm (after worship), all are welcome to join us for the first of two sessions of our next intergenerational educational series on faith and displacement. The goal of this series is to come to a deeper understanding of the ways faith contributes to resilience, and of the skills needed to negotiate displacement and resettlement, especially for people from other countries and cultures.
January 12, 2020
Our guest speaker this Sunday, January 12, is Matuar Aliar, a member and community leader of South Sudanese Lutheran Church here in Fargo. The event will begin at about 11:15 am and will be held in the lower level of Temple Beth El Synagogue (where we worship.)
Our hope is that the adults and the children of our congregations might contribute in positive ways to discussions about immigrants and refugees, and to live as good neighbors in this community. The conversations are open to others beyond our congregations, so feel free to invite others. These are designed to be inter-generational, as well as interfaith, so children and teenagers are welcome!
Our hope is that the adults and the children of our congregations might contribute in positive ways to discussions about immigrants and refugees, and to live as good neighbors in this community. The conversations are open to others beyond our congregations, so feel free to invite others. These are designed to be inter-generational, as well as interfaith, so children and teenagers are welcome!
January 19, 2020*
Join us on January 19th for our second discussion about faith and refugees in our community. For Sunday’s interfaith, multi-generational education time, we have invited Fahima Alizada to talk about her experience of displacement, resettlement and living in another culture. Fahima is studying in the United States and is a senior at Concordia College. Her family is in Afghanistan. When she was younger her family had to relocate because of violence. There are still challenges to safety and well-being. The session will begin around 11:30 am in our fellowship hall in the lower level of the synagogue.
*Postponed as of January 18, 2020 due to weather issues.
*Postponed as of January 18, 2020 due to weather issues.
PREVIOUS EVENTS
2019
November Theme: Querying Scripture
November 10 and 17, 2019
St. Mark’s Lutheran Church and Temple Beth El Synagogue will begin a two-part interfaith series focusing on scripture passages often used to exclude LGBTQ+ people from full participation in faith communities. Join us at 11:30 am on November 10 and 17 in our shared fellowship hall at 809 11th Avenue South in Fargo. Our discussion on November 10th will focus on the story of Sodom and Gomorrah in Genesis 19, and then the two "clobber passages" from Leviticus on November 17th.
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Clobber Passages
November 17, 2019
We had a great turnout for our Querying Scripture interfaith discussion after worship about the verses in Leviticus that have been used as "clobber passages" for LGBTQ individuals. Thanks to everyone who participated!
PREVIOUS EVENTS
2019
October Theme: Reflection on the Hebrew Bible
October 13 to 27, 2019
Last spring St. Mark's offered a series of intergenerational learning sessions after church. During those times we (from young children to older adults) explored biblical texts, reflected on the world around us, and expressed in words and through art what we receive from scripture and what we might contribute to the world.
St. Mark's move to Temple Beth El opens our eyes to new symbols on the walls and windows and invites questions about how Jewish and Christian scriptures and values connect and contribute to justice in the world.
In October we will look at the stories behind one of the windows in the sanctuary - the window representing the Jewish festival of Sukkot. This is tied to the journey of the Israelites in the desert - between escape from slavery in Egypt and entry into the Promised Land of Canaan. We will look not only at how God sustained the Israelites in that journey, but at how that slavery began, how it was challenged, and God's instructions to form a community that will be a counter-community to slavery.
The sessions will be designed as intergenerational (i.e., across ages) and intersectional (i.e., welcoming whatever questions, knowledge, insights, and experience you have). The sessions will meet during coffee hour after worship (be sure to get coffee and treats) on October 13, 20, and 27.
If you are interested in contributing your knowledge, insight, and creativity to October's or future intergenerational learning sessions, do not hesitate to let Pastor Joe or a member of the Church Council know.
Remember October 13, 20, and 27!
Elna Solvang
St. Mark's move to Temple Beth El opens our eyes to new symbols on the walls and windows and invites questions about how Jewish and Christian scriptures and values connect and contribute to justice in the world.
In October we will look at the stories behind one of the windows in the sanctuary - the window representing the Jewish festival of Sukkot. This is tied to the journey of the Israelites in the desert - between escape from slavery in Egypt and entry into the Promised Land of Canaan. We will look not only at how God sustained the Israelites in that journey, but at how that slavery began, how it was challenged, and God's instructions to form a community that will be a counter-community to slavery.
The sessions will be designed as intergenerational (i.e., across ages) and intersectional (i.e., welcoming whatever questions, knowledge, insights, and experience you have). The sessions will meet during coffee hour after worship (be sure to get coffee and treats) on October 13, 20, and 27.
If you are interested in contributing your knowledge, insight, and creativity to October's or future intergenerational learning sessions, do not hesitate to let Pastor Joe or a member of the Church Council know.
Remember October 13, 20, and 27!
Elna Solvang
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Sukkot ("Booths")
October 13, 2019
Thanks to everyone who participated in our intergenerational learning time after worship today. We explored the Jewish festival of Sukkot ("booths"), which is reflected in one of the stained-glass windows in the synagogue's sanctuary. This festival is tied to the Israelites' 40 years of wandering in the desert. Special thanks to Elna Solvang for planning and leading this session. The booths (made out of graham crackers, pretzels, frosting and candy) were yummy!
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The Ten Commandments
October 20, 2019
We explored the Ten Commandments, which are represented in the two tablets depicted on the wall of the Jewish sanctuary where we worship (Temple Beth El, Fargo).
2019
Spring Theme: Crosswalks--A Journey to ComPassion
March 3 to April 14, 2019
YOUTH & ADULTS! Join us after Sunday worship for our intergenerational education series that will be devoted to an re-examination of the biblical texts that have been read during the service. During this series, we will wrestle with the themes of the biblical passages and how they provoke us to raise questions about our own lives.
This journey will take place during the seven Sundays of Lent, and address the following texts:
• March 3: Exodus 34:29-35; Psalm 99; 2 Corinthians 3:12-4:2; Luke 9:28-36
• March 10: Deuteronomy 26:1-11; Psalm 91:1-2. 9-16; Romans 10:8b-13; Luke 4:1-13
• March 17: Genesis 15:1-12, 17-18; Psalm 27; Philippians 3:17-4:1; Luke 13:31-35
• March 24: Isaiah 55:1-9; Psalm 63:1-8; 1 Corinthians 10:1-13; Luke 13:1-9
• March 31: Joshua 5:9-12; Psalm 32; 2 Corinthians 5:16-21; Luke 15:1-3, 11b-32
• April 7: Isaiah 43:16-21; Psalm 126; Philippians 3:4b-14; John 12:1-8
• April 14 - Passion/Palm Sunday: This will be culmination of the series, during which we will address the core idea of ComPassion as we reflect upon what we have learned.
The journey will be reflected in the artwork on the chapel walls which will change over the course of the series to reflect the conversations that the participants engage in. Each event will take place following the worship service. You are invited to get coffee and cookies and then return to the sanctuary for the 45 minute activity period. The intention of the series is to bring people of ALL ages together to learn from one another!
This journey will take place during the seven Sundays of Lent, and address the following texts:
• March 3: Exodus 34:29-35; Psalm 99; 2 Corinthians 3:12-4:2; Luke 9:28-36
• March 10: Deuteronomy 26:1-11; Psalm 91:1-2. 9-16; Romans 10:8b-13; Luke 4:1-13
• March 17: Genesis 15:1-12, 17-18; Psalm 27; Philippians 3:17-4:1; Luke 13:31-35
• March 24: Isaiah 55:1-9; Psalm 63:1-8; 1 Corinthians 10:1-13; Luke 13:1-9
• March 31: Joshua 5:9-12; Psalm 32; 2 Corinthians 5:16-21; Luke 15:1-3, 11b-32
• April 7: Isaiah 43:16-21; Psalm 126; Philippians 3:4b-14; John 12:1-8
• April 14 - Passion/Palm Sunday: This will be culmination of the series, during which we will address the core idea of ComPassion as we reflect upon what we have learned.
The journey will be reflected in the artwork on the chapel walls which will change over the course of the series to reflect the conversations that the participants engage in. Each event will take place following the worship service. You are invited to get coffee and cookies and then return to the sanctuary for the 45 minute activity period. The intention of the series is to bring people of ALL ages together to learn from one another!