St Mark’s Council Members met on August 16, 2026.
Council Highlights
Devotional Activity
• Deacon David Webb led devotions. Like in the Children’s Message in worship he encouraged all to share good
words and to listen with our hearts.
Special Guest
• Guest Pastor Nixon Mwitula shared a lunch with the council members where they had the opportunity to ask him
questions and learn about his family and how he got his name “Nixon” and yes, he was named after our President.
He has four children and they all live in Tanzania, East Africa. They came to visit him earlier this year. Thank God
for technology, he does get to FaceTime with them daily and even help with homework. Pastor Nixon very much
appreciated our warm reception after worship and the cake was exceptional as he had just celebrated his birthday
on August 6th. He shared his “good words” in Swahili: Nakupenda = I love you and Asante = thank you.
The Minutes from July 19, 2026, Council Meeting were reviewed and accepted.
Treasurer’s Report for August 2026 was reviewed and accepted
Property Team
• Updates on the courtyard: Soon you will see construction starting in the courtyard for the grading and drainage, fire
feature and plantings, and a new glass door will be installed to admire our new courtyard from the Narthex. This
will be funded by the Endowment as approved at their meeting on 8/11.
• Council took a vote and unanimously approved the following work to be done - repair falling bricks in Columbarium
wall, replace metal cap on wall, due to excessive water usage likely caused by leaky flush valves replace all valve
cores in the bathrooms, Narthex lighting replacing with LED’s, replace Sanctuary Spotlights, also the parking lot
seal coating before winter, repair the damage to the Steeple roof with a metal roof; under review and investigation
roof leaks by the baptismal fountain and leak in basement after the last heavy rain.
Landscape Team
• If you haven’t noticed; a lot of digging has been happening to the west side of the front entrance. This is where the
Peace Pole will be installed. Our landscape and garden team have been busy cleaning up the area and removing
some overgrowth and getting it ready for new plants/flowers and the Peace Pole; estimated time of completion
Rally Day
Stewardship Committee
• TThe Stewardship Committee is working on completing the annual update of the member roster. We should have an
updated member count by next month.
• The Stewardship Report outlined the plan for its 2026 Stewardship Season. The 2026 Giving/Pledging Season is
Good Soil. In addition to members making pledges towards the general fund, members will also be encouraged to
give towards the “Building for the Future”. The campaign’s goal is to retire the mortgage in January of 2028. The
2027 Pledge Card will have two designations in which to pledge—general fund and “Building” for the Future Fund.
The “Building” for the Future Fund will have two threshold challenges. The Stewardship Season begins the
weekend of September 19/20
Strategic Planning Team
• The Strategic Planning Team is planning a forum for members to continue discussions around the four mission
pillars: Worship, Community Engagement, Spiritual Growth, and Fellowship and how St. Mark’s can continue to
grow in them. The event is set for this Sunday, August 23, from 11:30 – 1:00 PM. A box lunch will be provided all
are invited to come and share your vision with us.
Children, Youth, & Family
• Registration for FDL has started and Rally Day is set for September 13th, planning on a taco lunch and sign up is
online and in the Narthex. We will be doing a service project according to the ELCA initiative-”God’s Work, Our
Hands” – we will gather, pack and deliver groceries for refugees in our community. On Rally Day we will need to
pack the donations and volunteers will deliver to families. Lars from Exodus World Service is working with us to
obtain a list of needed items and families in need. We will also have an intergenerational art project, card making
and the famous cake walk. The first day of FDL and Youth Group will be on Wednesday, September 16th.
There is a schedule change the start time for all grade levels including youth group will be at 5:30 pm with dinner.
Confirmation is planned for Sunday, October 25th – more information as time gets closer will be shared.
Pastor's Report
• Pastor Krista announced that John Themanson plans to retire by the end of 2026 after 18 years of faithful service
to St. Mark’s. The Council accepted John’s letter of retirement and expressed deep gratitude for his dedication
and the many transitions he has helped the congregation navigate.
• The Executive and Finance Teams have been evaluating how best to steward church resources, particularly
finances and staffing. This change is part of the ongoing financial improvements which have included:
consolidating accounts, updating fiduciary practices, improving counting procedures, and preparing for a full audit
in early 2027. Leadership believes partnering with an accounting firm will strengthen financial management for St.
Mark’s. Rather than hiring a new staff member, we believe transitioning to an accounting firm will create less
disruption for the staff team and provide the financial management needed at this time and for the future. John
Themanson has graciously agreed to assist with the transition process. The Finance Team took recommendations
from other local churches and non-profit organizations. Supportive Strategies is recommended and used by other
local Lutheran churches. Supportive Strategies has a large non-profit division with experts who collaborate in the
areas we need. Supportive Strategies will streamline, update, and automate our financial practices.
• The council approved a contract with Supportive Strategies, an accounting firm which will handle our
finances. With the help of John Themanson, Beth Benson, our Financial Secretary and Rob Creaney, our
Council Treasurer, the transition will occur this fall.
New Business:
Be the next star of St. Mark’s! Volunteers Needed for an Exciting Drone Video Project
We are in the beginning stages of creating a special drone video highlighting the "before and after" of our recent
outdoor landscaping projects to share on Facebook and other social media platforms. To make this project even
more special, it was suggested that we also capture the vibrant life inside our building - including footage of
congregants mingling in the narthex, gathering in the courtyard, and filling the sanctuary.
To bring this idea to life, **we need “actors” to play the part! ** Who knows, someone in our congregation might
just be the next movie star.
All kidding aside, we are in the initial stages of partnering with filmmaker Sean Lane to direct a continuous,
cinematic indoor drone flythrough that showcases our welcoming community, our beautiful architecture, and our
handbell and choir ensembles. No acting experience is required; you simply need to chat in the lobby, sit in the
pews, or participate in the music as you naturally would!
When: Date to be determined (Total time commitment for volunteers is roughly 2 hours).
Where: Gather in the main Narthex/Lobby/Sanctuary
What to Wear: Business casual or "Sunday-best" clothing in warm tones, deep jewel tones (navy, dark green,
burgundy), or earthy neutrals. Please avoid solid neon colors, large logos, or fine pinstripes.
Is it safe? Absolutely. The aircraft being used is a specialized, lightweight "Cinewhoop" drone designed specifically
for indoor safety. The spinning blades are 100% enclosed within protective plastic guards, and a strict, professional
safety protocol will be enforced throughout the brief session.
More information about this project and how to sign up to volunteer will be in coming in future Friday Emails. This
project will highlight the beauty of our new landscaping and the warmth of the St. Mark's congregation!
The Council is committed to open communication and ongoing transparency with the congregation.
Please feel free to reach out to a Council member with your questions.
2026 Council Members
Randy Steinheimer (President) president@stmarksaurora.net
Gena Gerdin (Vice President) genagerdin@comcast.net
Julie Joerger (Congregational Secretary) julposada.60@gmail.com
Robert Creaney (Treasurer) rob.creaney@sbcglobal.net
Cassie Blickem blickem@mac.com
Matt Greising mpgreising@gmail.com
Gregg Kobliska grkobliska@yahoo.com
Mary Mandel marymandel610@gmail.com
Melvin Smith kg70gp@gmail.com
Pastor Krista Zimmerman kzimmerman@stmarksaurora.net
Deacon David Webb dwebb@stmarksaurora.net