2008 Annual Report Highlights

: Liturgical dancers in worship

“Surely, the presence of the Lord is in this place!”

I never cease to be in awe of God’s abiding presence so keenly felt week in and week out at St. Mark’s. On All Saints Sunday, 2008 when we remembered the two “saints of St. Mark’s” who joined the company of saints in the past year, there was a palpable sense of God’s presence and the presence of all the saints of St. Mark’s since its founding in 1909. During the year 17 new members have been added to the roll – some from the homeless population who have found a sanctuary among us. St. Mark’s inclusivity of diversity includes two infants, several recent college graduates, professors, middle agers, retirees, Caucasian, Hispanic, African American, the homeless and homosexuals. When I look out each Sunday morning on our congregation, I see a rainbow representing the promise of hope for all God’s children and I am deeply humbled and grateful to serve as pastor and fellow sojourner as we together proclaim the mystery of faith.

The following are some of the highlights of 2008 I included in my Pastor’s Report for the Annual Audit :

the growth of our congregation in membership and attendance – from 43 to 59 members and average attendance from approximately 67 in 2007 to 89 + in 2008.
a Rummage Sale, a cooperative fundraising endeavor with the North Rampart Community Center
involving partners in ministry an average of three Sundays a month in our weekly feeding of the homeless which included on Easter Sunday the former District Superintendent and his wife, Rev. & Mrs. Ralph Ford
dedicating gifts in memory of Carolyn Ricks to a remodeled serving area made possible through memorial contributions
the installation of a sound system made possible through the generosity of members of Munholland United Methodist Church
a Reconciling Weekend that featured Jorge Lockward from the General Board of Global Ministries conducting a Global Music workshop on Saturday and leading us in worship on Sunday

: Advent 2008

Since writing that report, we have seen our attendance grow to more than 100 each Sunday. The number of hungry people who we are feeding immediately following worship has also grown to more than 100. God is faithful to pour out blessings on St. Mark’s through the generosity of our Partners in Ministry, many from across the country who have connected with our social justice mission. Without these wonderful brothers and sisters in Christ, our ability to serve this growing number would certainly be limited.

In this our Centennial year as we celebrate St. Mark’s rich history we look forward to the new things God will do through the faithful people of St. Mark’s who take seriously the words of Jesus: “As you have done to the least of these, you have done unto me.”