LION’S SHARE FOOD PANTRY

Jesus Christ certainly got people’s attention through sharing food. We follow his example wherever we can. The Lion’s Share Food Pantry at St Mark’s Episcopal Church in Jackson Heights is a volunteer-based organization. We have been operating for a decade. The most number of families we had served up to December 2019 was 123. In December 2020 we served 366 families. Our numbers grew exponentially since COVID -19 hit NYC. We distribute the second Saturday of the month to anyone in need. No questions asked. We distribute non-perishable items, toiletries, baby food, adult and baby diapers, as well as feminine products thanks to in-kind and monetary donations from our community. Here are two diagrams to show our growth and the need. Jesus said, “Feed my sheep,” and so we will. To find out more, please contact us at lionshare.stmarks@gmail.com

community gardens

Founded in 1927, the Garden at St. Mark's has been a place of quiet reflection for almost a century. People are drawn to the quiet and the butterflies and the birds and the swirling brick path with benches.  The revitalization of Historic Jackson Heights is mirrored in the garden. Under the stewardship of volunteers, the campus now boasts several distinct venues. The garden has become a surprising ministry and outreach for the church.  People of all faiths or none at all, pick up wheelbarrows, plant seeds and commune with one another.  The garden does what St. Mark’s wants to amplify and echo throughout the world: spread the good news of loving your neighbor as yourself.  The Community-Green is an open lawn available for gatherings and events. The Jerusalem Garden is a corner of calm for our neighbors. The award-winning Sacred Garden is the jewel of the neighborhood and a year-round source of serenity and natural beauty. Under copper beech trees and a weeping pine tree, the carefully tended world is perfect for watercolor-painting.  There is a herb garden and a garden of natural Native American grasses.  Consider your next event in one of our special spaces. With your continued support, the garden at St. Mark's will bloom and bloom as an oasis for another century.

AA & AL-ANON

According to the archivist at the Al-Anon Family Group headquarters in Virginia Beach, Virginia, it is thought extremely possible that Lois W., wife of Bill W., founder of Al-Anon, started some of the first Al-Anon Family Group meetings here at Saint Mark’s seventy years ago. Alcoholics Anonymous and Al-Anon, the sister program, for family members affected by someone’s drinking or drugging, began over seventy years ago and have flourished across the world. St. Mark’s proudly supports several meetings and many have found the 12 steps of AA and Al-Anon inform their Christian faith. The principle of anonymity and humility which are at the core of those programs spread like a fine perfume over St Mark’s and provide a warm and receptive environment to anyone who is struggling with addiction or knows someone struggling with addiction.

JACKSON HEIGHTS EARLY LEARNING CENTER

Right within our walls is a school for young children. The pre-school program, serving children ages 2-4 is currently located within our parish hall, and during the day the children have access to the back yard to run and play. The school and the parish office share a wall and it is not uncommon during pastoral care sessions for the priest to hear in the background the delightful glee of children laughing and playing. Children at The Jackson Heights Early Learning Centers get the tools and support they need for their healthy development. All activities are carefully designed to adequately nurture the emotional, intellectual, and physical growth of all kids. Through stimulating activities and hands-on learning opportunities, children are free to develop into bright young minds.

BOY SCOUTS

For nearly one hundred years Scouting has been part of the Saint Mark’s experience. It is fair to say that scouting is a tradition here and with its history of community service and engagement, high moral standards and the nurturing of reverence it is no wonder that the scout movement flourished here all these years.

Today, scouts are an integral part of church life. Be it by helping out with the Lion’s Share Food Pantry, the children’s carnival or the clothing drives scouts have done their part to contribute to the good work our congregation has endeavored to provide our community.  In turn our scouts are learning to be responsible for their fellow man and to care for the welfare of others when they are in need. 

Our scouting program is not only good works. It is also fun. Camping, hiking, cycling fishing and all that the great outdoors has to offer is part of the scouting experience for our boys and girls.  

Currently the church hosts four scouting units; 

Pack 201 for boys and girls from Kindergarten to 5th grade 

Cubmaster Eduardo Castro  - Jhpack201@gmail.com

Troop 201 for boys from 6th grade to their 18th birthday  

Scoutmaster Jose Schiffino  - Jhtroop201@gmail.com

Troop 1923 for girls from 6th grade top their 18th birthday

Scoutmaster Marlene Pandither Ozoria  - Jhtroop1923@gmail.com

Venture Crew 201 for boys and girls from 9th grade to their 21st birthday 

Crew Advisor Jose Schiffino  - Joseschiffino@gmail.com

FARM SPOT

Farm Spot is a Community Supported Agriculture (CSA) program started in Jackson Heights in 2006. Members of Farm Spot pay our farmers, Golden Earthworm located in Long Island, an annual membership fee to help cover the production costs of the farm. In turn, members receive a weekly share of the freshest local, certified organic produce during the growing season. The farm also contributes each week to Northern Boulevard Community Refrigerator. The primary share is a vegetable share which runs for 25 weeks June thru November.  We also offer a fruit share (grown on a neighboring farm, which runs for 14 weeks). Farm Spot members come to St. Mark’s Church (33-50 82nd Street) on Thursday evenings to pick up their produce.  For more information, please write to Farmspot@gmail.com or https://farmspot.org/ The farm generously contributes to the Northern Boulevard Community Refrigerator.

FREE ENGLISH CLASSES FOR NON-NATIVE SPEAKERS

Wednesday 6 to 7:30

Every Wednesday we offer English classes in the Father Checo Hall taught by volunteer church members who are native speakers. These classes are a humble communion in themselves, exchanging language that empowers our fellows. Join us for laughter and fellowship and learning!

OUR LITTLE ROSES home for girls

Saint Mark’s began to sponsor girls at Our Little Roses in 2020. The congregation currently sponsors four girls at the home for abandoned and abused girls in San Pedro Sula, Honduras. One of the young girls, Pamela, was sponsored in honor of Father Antonio Checo. This ministry is actively saving the lives of girl children in Honduras and raising them up as leaders in their communities. The ministry was started by Dr. Diana Frade over thirty years ago and have saved and transformed thousands of lives.

other important ministries / otros ministerios

Jackson Heights Art Club

Unity Stage

BKBP Indonesian Church

Queens Consort

Jackson Heights Orchestra

Democratic LGBTQI Club

Saint Mark’s Groups Calendar