Pastor’s Blog

Planning, in the Bible and Now
September 29, 2023

Planning, in the Bible and Now

By Rev. Lynn Bartlow Are you a planner? I lamented recently that we don’t seem to be planning well in our household. It seems that I have been invited repeatedly lately to change my ways....


Thank You for Supporting Our Youth
September 22, 2023

Thank You for Supporting Our Youth

By Rachel Mosher Youth Ministries and Common Grounds Coordinator I have been on staff in the St. Mark’s youth department for 7 years now, and have been deeply involved for much longer than that! It...


Love and Concern Come in All Sizes
September 01, 2023

Love and Concern Come in All Sizes

By Pastor Kim Ogle Is there anything sweeter than kids’ art? Little kids don’t know whether their drawings are good or not-so-good. They just choose colors and create something. I’m pretty sure that what adults...


Being the Church
August 25, 2023

Being the Church

By Rev. Lynn Bartlow St. Mark’s has shown once more what an amazing community you are. You have lived out our mission to care for all people as you stepped in after Pastor Kim’s car...


At Home With God
August 18, 2023

At Home With God

By Rev. Kevin Lester Over the last 10 years, home renovation shows have become a phenomenon on television. Remember chanting “MOVE THAT BUS!” at the end of “Extreme Home Makeover” episodes? Since then, there have...


Blessed to be a Blessing
August 11, 2023

Blessed to be a Blessing

In worship this summer, we have followed the path of the patriarchs of the Jewish and Christian faiths. The Hebrew Scriptures — or Old Testament, as Christians have called it for generations — routinely talk...


God and Fire
August 04, 2023

God and Fire

What did the fireman say when the church caught on fire? Holy smoke! (Is it too early to joke?) As you know, we had a fire at the Wesley House early Wednesday morning. The fire...


Greetings From Daytona!
July 28, 2023

Greetings From Daytona!

By Rev. Kevin Lester It’s been a great week at Youth 2023! This is our national UMC conference just for youth that happens only once every four years (so it’s a big deal). We have...