Ministries | St. Mark's Episcopal Church

Our Ministries

Worship And Music At St. Mark's

Come and see what God is doing at St. Mark’s! Worship is a fundamental part of St. Mark’s identity as a community of faith. Through ancient words and contemporary interpretation, St. Mark’s praises God together. Sunday morning worship at St. Mark’s takes the form of Holy Eucharist, in which we gather, hear scripture, pray together, sing together, share Holy Communion, and head our into the world renewed.The Communion table is open at St. Mark’s, and Jesus invites everyone to participate. We joyfully welcome children of all ages to fully participate in worship. If your child would benefit from a soft space during worship, please check out the “Prayground” in the back of the worship space. St. Mark’s has street parking, an accessible parking pad on the alley, and an elevator available on the Eastern end of the building.

Music is an important part of worship at St. Mark’s. With the support of our organist, the congregation sings together–often in four part harmony! The choir is small and mighty; if you are interested in joining the choir, contact the organist and choir director, Dr. Barbara Raedeke.

If you are interested in volunteering as a leader in worship, please contact the church office!

Join us on Sundays in person and online via our YouTube channel. We can’t wait to meet you!

Outreach In Our Parish

At St. Mark’s we follow Jesus out of the building and into our community. Explore the ways St. Mark’s engages in Outreach below:

DOORWAYS Interfaith Housing

DOORWAYS is an interfaith non-profit organization which provides housing and related supportive services to improve quality of life and health outcomes for people affected by HIV/AIDS. St. Mark’s is a Keystone Supporter of DOORWAYS, providing financial and volunteer assistance.

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Isaiah 58 Ministries

Many St. Markans regularly volunteer with Isaiah 58 Ministries, a cooperative ministry on the near south side of St. Louis. Since 1970 they have been dedicated to helping our neighbors in the city through providing food, clothing and connection to other needed services.

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Episcopal City Mission

ECM provides support, hope and healing to children in detention. St. Mark’s sponsors twice yearly visits to the St. Louis City Juvenile Detention Center to celebrate residents’ birthdays. These fun-filled celebrations serve as an affirming social time for the children.

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Advocacy

Through partnership with the Diocese of Missouri, St. Mark’s has a long history of responding to our faith through advocacy and working toward the common good.

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Ministry with Children

St. Mark’s is a vibrant, intergenerational parish. We welcome and celebrate the gifts and presence of children in worship and the life of the church.

Godly Play

The Godly Play program, a Montessori based curriculum, is a key part of St. Mark’s ministry with children. Through stories shared with easily manipulated figures and materials, the children are invited to wonder about the story, themselves, and God, then respond to the lesson. The children also enjoy working in the community garden, the Garden of Eatin’, located on the church property. The garden also provides an outdoor classroom for presenting lessons several times during the year. Throughout the year, the children make cards for shut-ins, participate in worship leadership, and create art for church publications. At the parish Christmas party, the children decorate the tree and sing Christmas carols.

The Godly Play class meets year-round begins at 9:30 AM each Sunday in the Undercroft (basement) of the Church. The class is open to children three years old and up.

Children in Worship

Children are welcome in worship at St. Mark’s. Each Sunday, the children are invited forward for a special “Children’s Time” in worship, and each fall, the children plan and lead Sunday worship. Younger children are welcome in worship through the Prayground, and when useful for families, St. Mark’s also has a staffed nursery on Sunday mornings.

Adult Christian Formation:

St. Mark’s provide opportunities for people of faith to grow throughout their life’s journey. Through educational offerings both in the parish and the diocese, St. Mark’s supports Christian formation for all ages.

From September-May, a group of St. Markans meet after worship to learn and grow through educational offerings ranging from Bible study to special topics.

Sunday Study

Daily Devotions

“Forward Day by Day” is a daily devotion book produced on a quarterly basis by Forward Movement, a ministry of the Episcopal Church. This resource is available free of charge in the back of the church.

Diocesan Events

St. Mark’s participates in formation through the Diocese of Missouri, including the ministry of the Episcopal Church Women.

Fellowship

St. Mark’s is more than a worshipping community. St. Mark’s is also a vibrant place for fellowship and connection. The community gathers throughout the year for time together, beyond weekly worship. All are welcome to join in the fun and fellowship throughout the year.

Sunday Coffee Hour

All are invited to join the community for refreshments and fellowship every Sunday after worship in the Parish Hall.

Francis Park Fellowship

St. Mark’s gets together for fellowship at the Rockwell Beer Garden in Francis Park from May-October.

Cafe Fellowship

All are invited to join the rector for coffee each month at an area coffee shop, where we get together for conversation and connection.

Christmas Party

On the fourth Sunday of Advent, the parish gets together for the annual Christmas Party, featuring a catered meal, fun traditions, and even a special guest from the North Pole!

Candy Cane Lane

Rooted in our St. Louis Hills neighborhood, St. Mark’s takes an annual stroll down Candy Cane Lane to admire the holiday lights and spend time together in community.