Catching Up, pt.1

 Friends, 

 

Last weekend, we welcomed five new members into our church family and this weekend we will welcome four more. What a joy it is to welcome new members into our church. They bring gifts, wisdom, and curiosity. They have come to us by dint of God’s grace and calling, so now when we say, “St. Mark” we are speaking of them as well as those members who have been here for many years. What joy.

 

This week and next, I will lift up on a few things that are happening in our church life. 

 

We re-started our Brew Theology gatherings this week after a brief interlude, with a robust group and an engaging conversation around “My story, our story, God’s story.” 

 

Our Sunday morning worship continues to be powerful and meaningful, particularly with the music ministry under Ryan Yoder’s leadership and with Alicia Adams’ accompaniment. In addition, Debbie Fetterhoff and Alexei Rehorn have been leading our beautiful Handbell Ensemble. We always welcome new voices and ringers, so please feel free to contact the church office if you are interested in sharing your gifts. 

 

On Saturdays, our worship is very similar in its content but has a different vibe in its form. We have a smaller ensemble of musicians and singers, who show up faithfully each week to empower the music and liturgy with Ron Levy as our pianist and music director. Our “Life Together” gatherings and occasional “Meet Me at Muldoon’s” events (this Saturday!) have made this gathering more intimate and welcoming. 

 

Our Preschool is also doing exceptionally well. Under the excellent direction of Monica Heredia and Noemi Carrillo, we are operating at full capacity, offering tremendous opportunities for families and children to engage together in a wholistic, compassionate approach to early education. Our Governing Commission (5 church members with the director) and Parent Advisory Council (which also includes church members with parents) are doing great work are always exploring other ways of building our relationships. 

 

Another exciting thing that is happening these days is our exploration, with students at Cal-Poly, of ways to enhance and maintain our property. We love our canyon and our Facilities Commission have recently added Monarch butterfly habitats in its apron. Now, we are looking at more ways to lower fire risks, as well as ways to enhance the grounds surrounding the preschool. The process is early yet, but it has been wonderful to see landscape architectural students in conversation with our Facilities Commission about our commitment to environmental sustainability. 

 

There’s too much more to share, more to celebrate, and more to say, but for now I will just encourage you to read our 2025 Annual report and marvel at how faithful God has been among us as how faithful so many of our members have been in response. It is a joy to serve here.

 

See you in worship,

Mark of St. Mark