Where We Hope to Go
Programs for youth
Our parish survey – and common sense – tell us we need more youth involvement in church activities. We have 14 acolytes, two teen-age LEMs, and an average of eight little ones at Sunday School (where 32 are registered). We also have a week of Vacation Bible School (71 attended in 2015). We want to develop a youth education program, an EYC or some kind of fellowship opportunity, and volunteer activities for our young people.
We also are working on encouraging more church participation by our academy students and their parents. Recently we asked the academy chorus to sing and play bells at a 10 a.m. Sunday service; their parents came, too, and most stayed for coffee hour afterward. We hope to make this a regular event at St. Mark's. We also plan to include Academy singers and readers in future Lessons and Carols services and other special events.
Our parish survey – and common sense – tell us we need more youth involvement in church activities. We have 14 acolytes, two teen-age LEMs, and an average of eight little ones at Sunday School (where 32 are registered). We also have a week of Vacation Bible School (71 attended in 2015). We want to develop a youth education program, an EYC or some kind of fellowship opportunity, and volunteer activities for our young people.
We also are working on encouraging more church participation by our academy students and their parents. Recently we asked the academy chorus to sing and play bells at a 10 a.m. Sunday service; their parents came, too, and most stayed for coffee hour afterward. We hope to make this a regular event at St. Mark's. We also plan to include Academy singers and readers in future Lessons and Carols services and other special events.
We are looking for a rector who has the experience and desire to help us expand our youth offerings; who can inspire youth and bring them into the full life of the church.
Parishioner involvement
We also are looking for ways to increase church involvement for parishioners whom we don't see from Sunday to Sunday. We have a monthly “Wednesday Night at St. Mark's” dinner and educational program that is well attended, and we want to increase weekday activities.
We have developed a program to welcome visitors and new members to our church. In each pew we have cards we ask visitors to fill out, and we ask them to wear the yellow cross attached to each card. We would like hospitality to be a signature gift of St. Mark's Church.
We are looking for a rector who wants to lead an inclusive parish; who can help us both grow and expand our parishioners' involvement with St. Mark's.
Adult education
In 2015 our interim rector held a series of informal Advent adult “Sunday School” lessons, and we are planning a weekly Lenten audio-visual program. We would like to develop ongoing classes for purposes of Christian education and spiritual growth.
Almost 80 percent (96 people) of the respondents to our 2015 survey said they would like to see more adult-education offerings at St. Mark's.
We are looking for a rector who can help people of all ages to understand and live the Christian life through Christian education.
Parishioner involvement
We also are looking for ways to increase church involvement for parishioners whom we don't see from Sunday to Sunday. We have a monthly “Wednesday Night at St. Mark's” dinner and educational program that is well attended, and we want to increase weekday activities.
We have developed a program to welcome visitors and new members to our church. In each pew we have cards we ask visitors to fill out, and we ask them to wear the yellow cross attached to each card. We would like hospitality to be a signature gift of St. Mark's Church.
We are looking for a rector who wants to lead an inclusive parish; who can help us both grow and expand our parishioners' involvement with St. Mark's.
Adult education
In 2015 our interim rector held a series of informal Advent adult “Sunday School” lessons, and we are planning a weekly Lenten audio-visual program. We would like to develop ongoing classes for purposes of Christian education and spiritual growth.
Almost 80 percent (96 people) of the respondents to our 2015 survey said they would like to see more adult-education offerings at St. Mark's.
We are looking for a rector who can help people of all ages to understand and live the Christian life through Christian education.
