At our first meeting on September 9, the men expressed interest in studying how we could assist with prison ministry as well as reactivating a local chapter of Lutheran Men in Mission.

At our October meeting we will explore these ideas further.

A Soup Potluck follows the meeting. Please use a crock pot to bring your favorite soup to share.

Please sign up on the sheet in the Fellowship Hall so we can avoid duplication.

CLEO will supply breads, crackers, fruits, and dessert to accompany the soups.

Sunday, November 16

After Fellowship

We continue our study of the Nooma video series by Rob Bell when we return.

We have coffee and other beverages with dessert at each session.

St. Mark’s Women of the ELCA

Monthly Meetings:

Third Saturday of the Month

10A at 219 Elm

Third Sunday of the Month

After Fellowship

On Saturday, 4 Oct., the Feast Day of St. Francis of Assisi, patron saint of animals, St. Mark’s Lutheran Church, Lumberton, NC held a Blessing of the Animals at Petsense in cooperation with Franny’s Friends, a local Lumberton animal rescue. 

The Blessing of the Animals was the culmination of St. Mark’s month-long “God’s work. Our hands.” “Cause for Paws” service project to fund and supply drive to benefit Franny’s Friends.

Presiding over the event was Cooper, who writes a column especially for children for our church newsletter and who presents our Children’s Sermons with help from his "mom & dad", Julie and Robert.

The Rev. Carl Rosenberg, retired ELCA minister & US Army chaplain, blessed the animals throughout the event. 

Each animal blessed received a collar tag, their choice of rescue bandana, and a brief Blessing Litany to do at home.

Also donated was $300 in supplies comprising dog and cat food, puppy and kitten chow, cat litter, and puppy training pads.

The day would also see two dogs, Carmel Latte and Black Coffee, adopted together, and two cats, Fluffy and Benny, adopted into their new forever homes.

Our congregation president, Robert presented Francis Stayton, the founder of Franny’s Friends, a check for the $260–equal to 1 year’s worth of $5 Fridays—that the congregation raised.

Also, the congregation donated rescue bandanas, two fund raising signs, and two sets of decorative blocks for Franny’s Friends to sell or raffle off to raise additional funds.

Assisting from St. Mark’s were Ruthanne & John, Julie, Deb, and Sandra.  The lead organizer for both St. Mark’s GWOH "Cause for Paws” service project and the Blessing of the Animals event was Doug.

The final tally for the day: 8 raffle tickets sold: $8; two dogs adopted: $620; 2 kittens, adopted: $380; 5 cakes sold: $197; St. Mark’s Lutheran raised $260; Hot dogs and plates sales: $220 comes to a grand total of $1,695 raised for the day, not counting the supplies donated!