The Council met in special session on Monday, January 6, as well as on Sunday, January 12. The January 12 meeting was one week earlier than its usual third Sunday of each month meeting date to allow for final discussion of the proposed Annual Budget.

2025 Annual Meeting

Council invites the congregation to participate in the 2025 Annual Meeting, to be held in Sanctuary Hall on January 26 following the 10:00 am worship service. The Council wishes to remind our members that there will be no worship service on Saturday, January 25, and encourages everyone to attend worship on the 26th to bolster our coming together as a congregation for the Annual Meeting. The Annual Meeting is our opportunity to conduct important matters of business, including: 

• Approval of the 2025 Annual Budget

• Election of Council officers and members and new members of the Endowment Committee

• Information about the status of our search for a contract-status pastor and deacon

• Highlights from ministry areas

Pizza and salad will be served. A free-will offering will benefit our Outreach partner, The Neighbor Project. 

Budget

• Council approved the 2025 Outreach budget at its January 6 meeting. The Outreach budget is separate from the annual operating budget. 

• Council reviewed the most recent version of the working 2025 budget at its January 6 meeting and approved the annual budget to be presented to the congregation at the January 12 meeting. 

• Budget forum sessions are being planned for the following dates: 

     o January 18 – Following 5:00 pm worship service

     o January 19 – Following 10:00 am worship service

     o January 22 – 7:00 pm via Zoom

These sessions will provide information about the 2025 budget and allow members to ask questions prior to the Annual Meeting. Additional information will be provided in the Friday email message. 

• The final version of the budget will be presented to the congregation for approval at the Annual Meeting on January 26 following the 10:00 service. 

Leadership and Staffing

• Council approved job profiles for the contract status pastor and deacon positions to be used to support the search process for these pastoral leadership positions. 

• St. Mark’s is working directly with the synod to prepare materials, review Rostered Minister Profiles and meet with candidates for the contract-status pastor and deacon positions. An update will be provided at the Annual Meeting on January 26. 

• Until there are changes in our pastoral leadership, St. Mark’s will have guest pastors for two weekends per month to preach and preside at Saturday worship service and preach at the worship service on Sunday. 

Mission and Vision

• Council approved the work of the Mission / Vision Taskforce at its January 6 meeting. A graphic representing St. Mark’s mission, “Mission Pillars” and vision were shared in the Friday email on January 10 and will be presented with further detail at the Annual Meeting. 

Council Membership St. Mark’s acknowledges the contributions of Council members whose term ends with the Annual Meeting and expresses gratitude for their many contributions. 

Clodagh Creaney, Youth Representative

Tyler Mabrey

Carol Reiseck

Thank you for shining the light of your time and talent as members of the Council. We are grateful for your service to St. Mark’s. 

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.

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