December 18, 2023

Dear Fellow Parishioner,

“It is God who is at work in you, both to will and to work for His good pleasure” (Philippians 2:13)

Many of us remember when St. Mark’s Episcopal Church was a more robust organization with higher weekly attendance. More than 100 years old, it seemed to be a solid, permanent institution.

But everything changes. There was division in the diocese; the number of families with children declined. Then there was the COVID epidemic and, when services resumed, we were scattered and participating remotely.

Now our priest-in-charge, Mother Nancy, has reached the age of retirement, and is only allowed to serve the congregation with the permission of Bishop Ketlen Solak. At the recommendation of Bishop Ketlen, St. Mark’s is planning to share a priest-in-charge with St. Francis-in-the-Fields, 30 miles away in Somerset – yet more change and uncertainty! We are unclear what it will be like to share a priest with a partner parish, and we will have many details to work out.

Yet God is not done with St. Mark’s Church. We are seeking to discern His will and find what God will do with us:

“Let us not expect the worst. Behold, I will do a new thing, now it shall spring forth; Shall you not know it? I will even make a road in the wilderness and rivers in the desert.” Isaiah (43:10)

As we work to discern God’s will for St. Mark’s Church and build our community, we must meet our financial responsibilities. We continue to reach too deep into St. Mark’s investments, which have already declined because of losses in financial markets.

Please join the Vestry, clergy, and the stewardship team in making a commitment to sustaining our beloved St. Mark’s Church while we work to discern what God will have us do!

Thank you for considering a generous commitment, and many thanks for those who have demonstrated such amazing generosity over the years.

Included with this mailing is a pledge card for the 2024 Annual Pledge Campaign. We ask that you return your pledge card by January 14, 2024.

If you have any questions, please call the Church Office and a member of the Stewardship Committee will contact you.

In Christ,

The Rev. Nancy Threadgill, Priest in Charge
The Stewardship Team:
Richard Burkert	Lyssa Nickle-Madden
The Vestry:
Lisa Bell-Loncella, Senior Warden	Michael Teore, Junior Warden
Catty Anne McCloskey	Lyssa Nickle-Madden	Nicole Hastings
Sue W Kelly	Cindy Leap
Tina Grata	Richard Burkert