MISSION COMMITTEE It was with overwhelming support from the St. Mark Congregation that the Mission Committee was able to accomplish all stated in this report.
• Each month the food pantry “Most Wanted” list was included in worship bulletins and the monthly Messenger newsletter. During the year, over three tons or 6,000 pounds of food as well as almost 1,000 pounds of personal care products were contributed for donation to Circle of Concern and Isaiah 58. Underwear was collected for Isaiah 58 and the winter coat drive yielded over three hundred new and “like new” coats for Isaiah 58.
• Discover Mission Sunday was held in February. Eight mission partners were highlighted with guest speakers participating in the worship service. Circle of Concern, Isaiah 58 Ministries, Lafayette Industries, Marion Medical Mission, Mound Ridge, Newborns in Need, Peace Meal Project, and Presbyterian Children’s Homes and Services were represented.
• The annual Lent Water Challenge began with Ash Wednesday and concluded at Easter. During the challenge, we drink only clean tap water for the 40 days of Lent and donate the money not spent on other beverages to support the building of clean water wells in Africa. We were blessed to be able to contribute enough funds to drill ten wells.
• St. Mark’s first Rise Against Hunger meal packing event was held in June. It was a huge success with an intergenerational group of over 80 participants from the congregation and neighborhood. In a joyful and spirited two hours 14,000 meals were packed and were later sent to the Ukraine.
• In August, after a week of many members working together sorting and organizing donated items, St. Mark hosted the annual Attic Basement Closet (ABC) rummage sale. The ABC sale is our major fundraiser for our local mission partners. It takes much planning and can only be accomplished with vast St. Mark member support. Approximately $13,000 was raised.
• Equal Exchange sales at the church occur one Sunday of each month. These sales support long-term trade partnerships that are economically just and environmentally sustainable between small farmers and consumers. Throughout the year, articles in the worship bulletins and the monthly Messenger newsletter introduced the congregation to some of the farmers and their environmental farming methods.
• Rev. Jed Koball, a mission co-partner supported by St. Mark through Christmas Alternatives, presented the program for our October Potluck. Jed assists the Peru Joining Hands Network in working to overcome environmental contamination issues.
• Christmas Alternatives was created 23 years ago to address the challenge of finding the perfect gift for someone who everything by making a donation in honor of the recipient to designated international mission partners that help deserving people who have so little but need so much. This year over $11,000 was raised which was donated to PCUSA mission co-workers Chenoa Stock and Jenny and Rev. Jed Koball, scholarships to Plan Grande Dos in Nicaragua, Medical Benevolence Foundation, Marion Medical Mission, Presbyterian Children’s Homes, and Services, and PCUSA Agriculture missions.
• Christmas gifts were collected and donated to children supported by Isaiah 58 and Presbyterian Children’s Homes and Services (PCHAS). This was a partnership with St. Mark Presbyterian Women who contributed sixty-five gifts collected for children who receive services from PCHAS. The Children’s Ministry Angel tree collected eighty gifts for Isaiah 58. In addition, members of the congregation donated another three hundred gifts to Isaiah 58 for their holiday store.
• In addition to the activities mentioned above, local mission partners received $14,000 in monetary grants. The funds were procured by proceeds from the ABC sale, designated and undesignated mission donations, along with special offerings. Recipients were Lafayette Industries, Mound Ridge, Presbyterian Children’s Homes, and Services (PCHAS), Peace Meal, Circle of Concern, and Isaiah 58. Presbyterian Women also make monetary donations to mission partners and that activity is reflected in their section of the annual report. St. Mark members donated many hours each week volunteering directly at Circle of Concern, and Isaiah 58. Throughout the year our members also volunteered at Peace Meal (coordinated by Bruce Cranston) and Lafayette Industries.
It is with much gratitude that this report is submitted by the Mission Committee. Thank you, St. Mark members for your faithful mission support.
WORSHIP SUPPORT COMMITTEE – Your Worship Support committees have been busy this summer. The head of our usher teams reviewed old procedures and met with Pastor MP and the Safety Team. The result was a new list of instructions/procedures that usher teams follow before, during and after services. As we have moved into a post Covid Communion setting, the Communion Committee worked with Pastor MP and Clerk of Session Cay Noble to review and update Communion procedures. In an effort of inclusivity, all Communion elements are now gluten free.. As we moved into fall and winter, we created signups for Sunday service Liturgists. Our Pastors prepare readings: Call to Worship, Offertory prayer, etc. for the liturgist to read. Individuals who signed up are contacted several days prior to their dates and given the material.
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