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St. Mark’s Giving Tree Supporting the Rainbow Room 
Advent season is upon us and as we have done in the past, St. Mark’s Episcopal Church will be collecting gifts for the Rainbow Room who give abused and neglected children a ray of hope.  Beginning November 19, you will see our Giving Tree set up in the Narthex.  All of the children have been referred through the Texas Department of Family and Protective Services as children in need.  For most of these children, the gifts from the Rainbow Room Christmas Giving Tree Project are the only ones they receive all year.  White Tags will be placed on the tree with the child’s name and three gifts they have requested.  You may buy one, two or all three gifts for that child. The tags with green trim are for boys and the tags with red trim are for girls.    Be sure to put your name on the list next to the child’s name and indicate which one or all of the gifts you intend to purchase. The maximum spent on any one child is to be less than $150.00.  Unwrapped gifts with bows, or in a gift bag, labeled with the child’s name and agency ID number need to be in the Narthex by Sunday, December 10.  For those of you who are not able to shop, you can order the gift on-line and have it shipped to Rhonda Yamauchi letting her know via email to expect a package.  If you are having the gift shipped, a gift receipt with the child’s name on it will be very helpful in sorting the gifts. For more information, please contact Rhonda Yamauchi. Thank you for sharing your blessings with those in need this Christmas!  

Episcopal Relief and Development
In previous years St. Mark’s has participated in the Episcopal Relief and Development fund titled 1000 Days of Love.  That particular program no longer exists, but ERD has many areas of focus that as members of St. Mark’s we can donate to during this Christmas season.  ERD was first established in 1940 as the President Bishop’s Fund for World Relief.  ERD strives to facilitate heathier, more fulfilling lives in communities struggling with hunger, poverty, disaster and disease.  Their website will allow you to make a donation to many different funds including a Middle East Fund, Crisis Response and Gifts for Life which allows you to purchase a goat, a pig, a cow, help finance mons and newborns, support clean water options and many other programs.  The link below will take you to the ERD homepage where you are make a donation to a program of your choice.  Once you have made a donation to ERD, please contact Kim Hart in the church office and she will add your name to the list in the Christmas bulletin as one who has made a donation to ERD.  Kimberly will need to have all names by December 18.

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