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Dear Saint Mark Family,
God’s grace and peace be with each of you and your families.
This past Sunday we had our Church Conference with our District Superintendent, Dr. Michael McQueen. It was an opportunity for you to participate in electing members to serve as leaders in various capacities in the church for the 2024 to 2026 period. At the end of the conference there was an approved slate of new leaders. These persons who have been elected will begin their new roles January 1, 2024. They will join those who are already serving to work to ensure that Saint Mark is a thriving and fruitful church. Here is a link to the officiary with the names and areas in which each person will be serving, along with the tenure of their roles.
We have also received some valuable feedback and recommendations from you at the end of the Church Conference. These will be very helpful to your Nominations and Leadership Development Committee as we embark on this work again next year. Thank you to all who contributed.
Now that we have held our Church Conference, and have elected and approved the slate of members to serve, we will participate in our Cluster Charge Conference with Dr. McQueen, on Thursday, November 16, 2023, at 7:00PM. This will be an online gathering of approximately 16 local churches in our district, for final approval of all the required documents and information submitted by each church. If you are interest in being a part of the Saint Mark delegation at this cluster charge conference, please let me know or email the church office, so we can send you the Zoom information for joining. There are limited spaces available, so please let us know as soon as possible.
Have you ever wondered how is it possible for us to have a strong online worshiping community, and how they are able to view and participate in real time on a Sunday morning? Are you curious about what goes on in the balcony when I say, “A special welcome to those worshiping with us online,” and wave in that direction? Are you interested in having these questions answered and learning how to expand and enrich our online presence as we share the love of God to those who are not able to be physically with us? If you are, then here is an opportunity for you:
The Audio/Video team needs dedicated volunteers to help ensure the smooth broadcast of our weekly online worship service. From soundboard engineer to camera operator, your involvement is the key to making our virtual gatherings unforgettable. Step up and be part of the fun! Contact Johnny Sims at stmarkumc@techiebud.com for more information.
Tomorrow is Veteran's Day. To all of our veterans, thank you for your service to America and for all you did for our country. Those who live in freedom, we will always be grateful to those of you who helped preserve it.
This Sunday, we will continue our series “We Give Thanks,” and will have the joy of baptizing our newest baby, and received persons into membership. As I think of all the reasons for which I should give thanks, baptizing a baby is one that tops my list. Knowing that we are welcoming the newest member into the household of faith, even at such a tender age, is a reason to give thanks. Knowing that the community of faith will covenant to surround the child with steadfast love and forgiveness, and to pray for the child are reasons to give thanks. Knowing that this child will be welcomed and shaped and supported by Saint Mark as the child grows is a reason to give thanks.
These and others are many of the reasons I give thanks. What are some of yours?
I look forward to seeing you Sunday.
Blessings,
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