The council met on Sunday, February 22nd, for its monthly meeting and welcomed Cassie Blickem and Gena Gerdin as new members of the 2026 Council. The primary focus of the meeting was to plan the Council’s worksheet for 2026. The following are highlights from the meeting.
Council Highlights
- Randy Steinheimer led devotions.
- Pastor Krista’s and Cassie Blickem’s birthdays were acknowledged.
- 2026 Council Member Contact info was presented.
- 2026 Council Meeting Dates were discussed/approved.
- New Council members, Cassie Blickem and Gena Gerdin, were welcomed.
- The 2026 Council Worksheet
Updating St. Mark’s Member Roster
Initiating an in-house Audit of St. Mark’s finances
Updating St. Mark’s job descriptions (to accompany the updated Personnel/Policy Guide completed in 2025)
Continuing with process of updating the St. Mark’s Constitution (a committee submitted a revised Constitution to the Synod in 2025;
waiting to hear back)
Investigating/Building our St. Mark’s website/social media peresence
Proceeding with the courtyard project
Reviewing the arrangement of the Fox Trail Home with LSSI
Sending Council representatives to Synod’s Lay Leadership Day on March 14
Sending St. Mark’s representatives to Metro East Chicago Synod Assembly on June 5/6
Continuing ongoing efforts to strengthen/grow St. Mark’s committees and ministries in 2026
The 2026 Council Worksheet is an active/working list of initiatives that will be monitored/adjusted at monthly Council meetings.
- The Council discussed the synod’s guidance on the Illinois Firearm Concealed Carry Act as it relates to places of worship. Churches in Illinois may prohibit the carrying of concealed weapons into a church as long as signs are posted in accordance with the Act. The discussion was tabled to allow for further investigation/information.
- Pastor Krista reported that the Synod has selected the partnership between St. Mark’s and the West Aurora School District to highlight in a video for the Synod Assembly.
Committee Highlights
Since the February meeting was dedicated to the discussion and planning of the 2026 Council Worksheet, the oral sharing of committee reports was suspended. Written committee reports are now attached to the meeting agenda and available for viewing upon request.
Upcoming dates:
- Council’s next meeting is Sunday, March 15, 2026.
- Bishop Wayne Miller will be leading worship at St. Mark’ on March 21/22.
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
Jeanne Flynn (Acting Vice President) --flynn64sq@sbcglobal.net
Julie Joerger (Congregational Secretary) julposada.60@gmail.com
Robert Creaney (Treasurer) rob.creaney@sbcglobal.net
Cassie Blickem blickem@mac.com
Gena Gerdin genagerdin@comcast.net
Matt Greising mpgreising@gmail.com
Mary Mandel marymandel610@gmail.com
Melvin Smith kg70gp@gmail.com
Gregg Kobliska grkobliska@yahoo.com
Pastor Krista Zimmerman (Pastor) kzimmerman@stmarksaurora.net
Deacon David Webb dwebb@stmarksaurora.net