A Word From the Pastor

“For surely you know the plans I have for you, says the Lord, plans for your welfare and not for harm, to give you a future with hope.” Jeremiah 29:11

It is the beginning of a new year, and 2017 promises to be an exciting year in the life and ministry of St. Mark. We begin the year with a sense of hopeful expectation that God’s spirit will be at work in our church and in our lives. The signs of the Holy Spirit’s activity abound.

At some point this year, St. Mark will welcome a new installed pastor and begin a new season of
ministry. The Pastor Nominating Committee (PNC) has been hard at work since October 2016. St. Mark’s Ministry Information Form (MIF), which is essentially the church’s job posting, has been active since December 2016, and the PNC has been reviewing resumes and sermon samples from interested applicants. They will begin conducting interviews very soon.

 As a church, the Spirit has gifted us with a bright financial outlook for the coming year. The congregation generously responded to our stewardship campaign for 2017 themed, “Building Our Future Hope.” Our season of stewardship resulted in the over $762,000 in pledges for the year, the highest total in 11 years. The average pledge was just over $3,500 the second highest average pledge in the past 10 years. As a result, the congregation will be presented with a balanced budget at the Congregational Meeting on January 29, for the second consecutive year. I am grateful for all those who pledged and feel this is a sign of enthusiasm about St. Mark’s future.

In preparation for the arrival of a new pastor, the Session has been hard at work examining our ministry structure. The elders are studying ways to become more effective in balancing the energies required to pursue the new things God is calling St. Mark to do while maintaining church life and ensuring all programs produce positive results. Their purpose is to better align the church’s structure with congregation’s strengths, passions, and purpose as identified in the Mission Study Report so the new pastor can hit the ground running upon her/his arrival...

Indeed, 2017 promises to be an exciting year for our church and for our lives. In what ways do you anticipate God’s spirit to be active in your life this year? I would love to hear how you are feeling God’s call to you for 2017. I am praying that you will feel God’s presence alongside you through all of the adventures of the coming year. Grace & peace Pastor Jim