St. Mark’s Thrift Shop One of St. Mark’s historic ministries is the operation of a small thrift shop for our community. We have a reputation of a well run shop, full of opportunities and a helpful volunteer staff. With the economy continuing to offer challenges, we are pleased to offer great bargains in clothing and household goods.  We step forward to offer aid to those in the community that have fire, flood  or any other emergencies. We also embrace the concept of being “green”; we like recycling.  Our little shop is located in the basement of the rectory at 180 South Washington Street.  Open the 2nd Friday and Saturday of each month from 9:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. each day.  Donations and volunteers are always appreciated. If you have questions or wish to make a donation, contact Ruth Johnson, Margaret Place, Eleanor Schropp, Angela Bell or Shirley Morrison.

Second Sunday Breakfast The second Sunday of each month after the 9:00 a.m. worship service all are invited to breakfast in St. Mark’s Undercroft.  Volunteer teams - couples, friends, the men of the church in the month of May - take turns preparing the breakfasts. It’s good to be together, we have a strong sense of community. Good food and fellowship!  Beth Curtin organizes the volunteers to provide the monthly breakfast.

Outreach Ministry Public meeting space is a rare commodity in our little town. St. Mark’s has a solid tradition of sharing its Undercroft meeting room with those who need space. Our basement was barely completed when we loaned it for years to the local Senior Center to organize a hot lunch program. After many years they moved into a new center with a kitchen of there own. Sharing our space was firmly established.  Today, Alcoholics Anonymous uses the Undercroft for meetings three nights a week - 7:30 pm on Wednesday, Thursday and Saturday nights.  Narcotics Anonymous uses the Undercroft for meetings every Sunday night at 7:00 pm and Monday night at 8:00 pm. We share our building with other nonprofit groups from the local  garden club to the humane society.

Nuture Committee Taking care of members who are ill or going through a particularly difficult period is an important aspect of life at St. Mark’s.  The Nurture Committee meets monthly with the rector to discuss how best to reach out to those in special need through home visits, phone calls and cards.  The Committee also maintains a list of people who are remembered each Sunday in prayer.     Members read and discuss resources on pastoral care.  These include two books by Kenneth C. Haugk of Stephen Ministries: Christian Caregiving and Don't Sing Songs To A Heavy Heart.

Starting Point Ministry Volunteers from St. Mark’s prepare and serve a free hot meal on the fourth Friday of each month throughout the year at the Starting Point Resource Center's community kitchen in downtown Berkeley Springs. This is the only program of its kind in Morgan County. An average of 90 meals are served, an increase of over 32% in the last year. Meals are served on Monday, Tuesday and Friday from 3:00-6:00pm. Volunteers are always welcome. Coordinators - Arlene & Tony Verge 304-258-5660.

Adult Education The goal of our adult education program is two-pronged.  First, St. Mark’s seeks to help individuals deepen the spirituality that is the center of all life. The centering prayer program during Lent, as well as a mid-week Bible study and healing service, are important parts of this effort.  Second, we offer short courses to expand members’ knowledge of the wider world.  We have studied the historic roots of Judaism and Christianity and explored what we have in common with other faiths.  The program aims to ground adults in our own Christian tradition, while challenging us to respect and see the beauty in other paths.

PRAYER SHAWL MINISTRY The Prayer Shawl ministry is a recent addition to St. Mark's outreach.  Shawls are made with loving prayerful care by St. Mark's parishioners, blessed by the priest and distributed to those persons for whom requests have been made.  Those requests may be made for someone in need, someone who is ill or anticipating surgery, the birth of a child, a celebration in one's life.  The goal of the Ministry is to present every member of St. Mark's with a shawl at some point in time.