Parish Life

Ask any St Markan about what it means to be part of this congregation and they will say that parish life means a lot to them. But if you ask them to be more specific about it, you will discover that different people have different answers. St Mark's is a place where different kinds of people can find warm community, can discover a "place" where by sharing their gifts and talents or by just "hanging out" they can have a sense of knowing and being known by God and God's people.

For some, the social gatherings are the center of Parish Life. The Nurture Committee works hard to provide opportunities for people to get together. Receptions following big services on high days and holy days such as Easter and the bishop's visit, the Holiday party and other occasional gatherings, which over the years have included watching Rams playoffs and New Year's eve dinners, offer an opportunity for people to enjoy being together.

For some, the annual Float Trip, also organized by Nurture, is a high point of the year. Adults and children have fun together, camping and boating and gathering for fellowship around the campfire and enjoying Doug's awesome cookouts.

For some, the prayerful monthly meetings of the Shawl Ministry are a vital part of parish life. Knitting or crocheting helps to still the mind for prayer, and those prayers are knitted or crocheted into shawls which are given to people in crisis or transition, grief or illness.

For some, informal networks are a part of parish life. Parishioners notice an empty pew on Sunday and call the person who usually sits there to see if he or she is doing okay. They offer support to one another going through divorce, menopause, job loss, illness and other painful times. Children find a congregation full of adults who care about them and delight in their spontaneity and joy.

For some, Christian Education programs are a vital part of their experience of parish life. Children find a warm welcome in the Godly Play Room.Teens get together with their leaders to bake cookies to take to the Sunday Meal Program at Trinity Church and work on other projects. Adults who attend the after church Christian Education sessions and the occasional Dinners with Speaker and those who were part of this year's Lent Class find that exploring faith together becomes a way of building community.

For some, working together whether on projects like the occasional Property Committee Work Days or on fundraisers like Heart and Hands and Voices and the upcoming Trivia night is a vital part of Parish Life.

Choir, our local Oasis Chapter, the occasional gatherings of women to work on crafts, the almost monthly meetings of the Mark's Brother's men's group, and many other gatherings are additional places where people discover community at St Mark's Church.

One thing is sure. Whoever you are, you will find a place at St Mark's and if there is not a group or activity that works well for you, you can probably start one and discover people who want to join you!

We believe that God calls us to be:

• fully alive as children of God;

• fully in relationship as the body of God’s child, Jesus Christ, and

• fully awake in the Spirit.

God invites us on a journey to uncover and discover God’s on-going redemptive work in the world.

We believe God equips us for this journey with scripture, sacrament, song, and the witness of all God’s children throughout history. What St. Mark’s offers is inspiration, companionship and strength for the journey. We see ourselves as a progressive Anglican voice in our community. We haven’t all the answers, but we welcome all questions.

Because we believe God’s call to us may be found in the world around us, we commit ourselves daily to provide a welcome for all.