Council met on Sunday, May 18 for its monthly meeting. 

Council Highlights Devotional Activity

• Mike Bauman opened the meeting with devotion and prayer. 

Agenda and Reports

• The Council continued to implement a new agenda format in which committee reports were directly linked to the agenda. This allowed Council members to access reports on their personal devices and reduce the use of paper. The aims of the new agenda format are to improve operational efficiency and document management. 

Deacon Search Update • Members of the Executive Team of the Council reported to the Council their findings and perceptions of a perspective Deacon candidate. The team favorably reflected upon the conversations held with the Deacon and the Deacon’s visit to St. Mark’s from May 6 – 8. After discussion, it was decided to invite the Deacon candidate to a ZOOM call for one more conversation, after which, the Council would discern the next steps in the process. 

• Deacon position will provide leadership for Children, Youth and Family Programs, preach and provide additional support as a rostered leader. The Council asks for our members to please pray for the candidate and the search team that the discernment process may lead to a successful outcome, one that is mutually beneficial to St. Mark’s and the candidate. 

Committee Highlights Children, Youth and Family Committee

• First Communion occurred on Sunday, April 27, on which 4 children/youth were prepared and received their first Communion. 

• A letter was sent to the congregation identifying the volunteers needed to hold VBS. The viability of offering VBS hinges on the response from members. Signup for volunteers will occur over the weekends of May 17/18 and 24/25, and a member of the CYF Committee will be at the Welcome Center before and after worship services to answer member questions. The CYF Committee will decide by June 1 whether to move forward with VBS based upon volunteer response. 

Worship and Arts Team

• The team discussed using “Sign-up Genius” for acolytes and worship assistants to volunteer. It offers an automatic reminder via text or email to volunteers. Temple Talks presented at worship on Saturday/Sunday worship services that explain the available opportunities are being planned. 

• The team decided upon a procedural change in communion distribution. Gluten free bread will be offered in the center space between the two leaders offering unleavened bread. On the outside of the unleavened bread stations there will be a server holding two chalices with one containing red wine and the other with white grape juice. Parishioners may choose from the chalice with either red wine or white grape juice to dip in their bread. 

Council Supported Ministries/Committees

• The Council reviewed a listing of the Council Supported Ministries/Committees at St. Mark’s. Per the St. Mark’s Constitution, Council members have the responsibility to lead and/or support the ministries and committees at St. Mark’s. The list reveals that the Council is indeed a working Council and is committed to keeping St. Mark’s strong. 

Seeking volunteers for working committees

• Council is seeking additional member interest in emerging committees for the review of the St. Mark’s Constitution and for Fellowship ministries. 

    o The St. Mark’s Constitution requires periodic review and updating. Our last review took place in 2019. 

    o Fellowship is now identified as a Mission Pillar in St. Mark’s Mission and Vision document. The Fellowship Committee is envisioned as a way to coordinate related ministries. 

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.