21
Apr 2023
On April 30 both the congregations of St. Mark’s and Sanctuary UMCs will vote on whether to merge. I have served as part of a task force team made up of Pastor Lynn, Marsha Dean and John Cecilia from St. Mark’s. Pastor Kevin, Kerry Powers and Bill Shafer from Sanctuary have also been a part of the team. This team has thoughtfully worked through many questions as to whether a merger is right for both churches. I have been heartened by the commitment and thoughtfulness of each team member and the approach......
Read More
‘All in,’ But Which Way?
At last Sunday’s Town Hall meeting about the potential merger with Sanctuary UMC, we were asked why a merger and why not just a shared ministry, a partnering, a cooperative model. This is an...
Read More
Grace / Sacraments
On Sunday as we join around the communion table, the pastors will pray, “Make us one with Christ, one with each other, and one in ministry to all the world until Christ comes in...
Read More
Denominational Update
What’s happening with the United Methodist Church? If you watch mainstream media, you might have seen articles about the church splintering or splitting. This isn’t entirely true, but it has some truth in its...
Read More
Taking Stock
With school back in session and summer winding down, programming here at St. Mark’s is beginning to wake up again. This Sunday we will hold our Rally Day—our kids will invite us to...
Read More
Learn. Love. Grow Together.
I have been asked to cover the blog this week by Pastor Lynn, who has been on vacation. She’s asked me to write about the “Learn. Love. Grow Together.” seminar scheduled for 9 a.m....
Read More
On Feelings and Science
By now you’ve received and hopefully read the letter from the Lay Leaders about the relaxing of the mandate for wearing masks in our church buildings. Each of our Lay Leaders is on the...
Read More
Being Brave
I grew up in northern Florida, lived in Florida all my life, lived just south of the “Space Coast” for a while, and I never saw a space shuttle launch. I can remember, however,...
Read More
Transitions
Recently I felt frustrated that I don’t seem to know my way around town. I had to look up how to get to my kids’ school from where I was. I was disoriented because...
Read More
A Year
Almost 525,600 minutes since March 15, 2020, when we closed our buildings for in-person worship and other gatherings. The song “Seasons of Love” from the stage musical Rent asks, “How do you measure...
Read More