Council met on Sunday, April 13 for its monthly meeting.
Council Highlights
Devotional Activity
• Council members shared a personal object with the group and explained how it related to their own spiritual development and faith journey. This moving experience could be adapted by any ministry team; ask a Council member about the experience.
Enneagram Activity
• Council members continued their work with the Enneagram test of personality types by exploring and discussing with each other how their Enneagram types impact their communication to improve understanding and build positive team development.
Agenda and Reports
• Council introduced a new agenda format as the first step in improving operational efficiency and document management.
Lay Leadership Day
• Pastor Krista, Matt Greising, Julie Joerger, Melivn Smith, and Jeanne Flynn attended the Lay Leadership Day held on March 29 and shared their experiences.
Action Items
• Council discussed and approved an updated Safe Child Practices document, which includes a commitment to review and update the policy every three years. This policy is critical to our Children, Youth and Family ministries.
• Council discussed and approved a new policy on Giving Financial Assistance to those who request support from St. Mark’s.
Deacon Search Update
• St. Mark’s is in active conversation with a candidate for our new Deacon position to provide leadership for Children, Youth and Family Programs, preach and provide additional support as a rostered leader. 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
Property Team
• Matt Greising discussed preliminary conversations with District 129 regarding use of St. Mark’s playground by the district’s Early Learning Academy in exchange for upgraded equipment and other improvements. This discussion is in very early stages. Council approved a motion to continue discussions with District 129.
• A window in Sanctuary Hall has a significant crack and will need to be replaced. The fire extinguisher in the kitchen also needs replacement. Funds allocated to building maintenance will be used for these items.
• Several doors from downstairs storage rooms were used to replace solid surface doors for several staff offices. This change helps assure safety and security of staff members. Council thanks Al Lettow for making these changes without any expense to St. Mark’s.
Children, Youth and Family Committee
• VBS is happening this year IF a sufficient number of volunteers steps forward to help the program work. A list of roles and duties is being prepared and will be shared with the congregation. It takes a village of support to make VBS happen, so please consider how you can provide some of your time and talent to this valuable experience.
• 6 confirmation students have made commitments to attend the upcoming Confirmation Retreat.
Stewardship Committee
• Pastor Krista provided an update on LSSI Weekend, to occur May 3-4. LSSI Weekend highlights the role the LSSI plays in our community and more broadly throughout the world. St. Mark’s currently supports LSSI locally by our monthly food distribution ministry and through the use of our parsonage as a group home. Please plan to attend worship that weekend to learn more.
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.
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