Bishop Williamson visits, and a New Year begins at St. Mark’s
January began with a wonderful visit from our Bishop, Jeremiah Williamson. He was accompanied by his wife, The Rev. Jennifer Williamson, and their two sons Oscar and Isaiah. The service was held in the main sanctuary, with the Christmas candles lit up in the window surrounding the nave. Here are some pictures taken by the Bishop at the end of the service. Click on the images below to see details.
Following the service a reception was held in the parish hall; sandwiches, fruit, cookies and all from Jean’s Place Diner in North Hoosick. In the course of the meal the Bishop led us in a discussion of our church’s mission. We had fun reflecting on the past and considering where God might be calling us in the future.
This was our last service in the sanctuary for a few months, as we move down into the Parish Hall for Sunday worship. Stay tuned for future updates.
What God is doing in our midst!
This will be a regular part of our newsletter (I hope); a chance for the people of St. Mark’s to share what the Lord has been doing in their lives.
Two weeks before Christmas 2024 I experienced what I believe to be a miracle! I thank God daily.
In mid September my annual physical revealed an abdominal mass which was confirmed by diagnostic tests. I had no symptoms.
Our planned European trip had to be cancelled. Family and friends who knew about that were asked for prayers when I shared my situation with them. I am a firm believer that God is in charge and knows what the plan is because we are clueless. Isaiah 15: 8-9 Philippians 4:6-7
Open abdominal surgery to remove the tumor, by an Albany cancer specialist, happened the third week of October as an inpatient with a two day stay. The tumor was deemed both inoperable and unable to be biopsied during surgery. I was given a cancer diagnosis the surgeon deemed as correct “because I have seen hundreds of these.” A biopsy through my back was to be “tried” to clarify treatment options. Psalm 23 became my prayer and my prayer partners were updated.
As a young nurse I worked on a post-surgical unit where “open and close” surgeries such as mine resulted in discharge to home on hospice. I did not share this information with my family but I did “turn it over” to God. Psalm 55:22
I was not keen to accept the Albany surgeon’s plan so I rejected the biopsy. I requested referral to a cancer specialty hospital in NYC. Of course it was a couple weeks before I received appointments.
At home three days after the surgery I developed fevers, severe intestinal distress and malaise. The Albany surgeon recommended over the counter medications. I could not sleep or eat and became weak enough that a wheelchair was needed to get me from the parking lot to the MD office for suture removal. The surgeon was unconcerned. I assumed this was because I was terminally ill from the cancer. God and my prayer partners supported me so that worries and anxieties were eliminated. I was muddled enough by the illness that the words for prayer would not come, so I relied on the Holy Spirit. Romans 8:26-27
After one ER visit for dehydration with continued symptoms I asked my family to put me on hospice so I could get comfort care. (I had been ill for 17 days with increasing weakness.) My family intervened on my behalf with local care providers. Diagnostics found I had an acquired hospital infection and antibiotic treatment began. Planned NYC referral was delayed by my illness.
Initial NYC MD assessment the end of November agreed with the Albany MD’s diagnosis, even sending me for diagnostics that day to see if it had spread.
Biopsy was done in NYC in early December, through my abdomen, under sedation as an outpatient. We stayed overnight and began planning for lodging during expected surgery or radiation/chemotherapy visits. Plans for Christmas celebration were put on hold. I was thankful for all the prayer support. The tumor remained asymptomatic.
Two weeks before Christmas the biopsy report revealed the tumor was a rare and BENIGN variety, not cancer. The NYC surgeon said since that kind rarely becomes malignant and was causing me no problems, the medical plan is to leave it alone and recheck in one year! Praise the Lord!
We could not have received a better Christmas present. I promptly shared the good news with prayer partners, asking them to rejoice and give thanks to the Lord with me!
Those three months were among the most challenging in my life. I wrote a thank you/update note to the Albany surgeon. The power of prayer seemed evident! It truly felt like a miracle! Psalm 9:1 Ephesians 5:20. Psalm 77:14
Grateful St. Mark’s parishioner
