CURRENT NEWS

Holy communion

… from the elements blessed at the Lord’s table at St. Mark’s on a recent Sunday, continues to be available by appoint. Click here to complete a short RSVP to be added to the distribution list and you will be contacted for an appointment. Holy communion is available in person at both Sunday services—at the 9:45 AM English service and the 12:15 PM Spanish service.

**********************************************************************************

St. Mark’s ESOL 2022-2023

English for Speakers of Other Languages has helped dozens of students improve their communication in everyday life. We are grateful to CarolSue Carlson-Jones and Elizabeth Mantilla for their dedication to teaching beginners. Summer classes will continue on Tuesday evenings in June and July. If you would like to volunteer for the 2023-2024 ESOL classes, kindly contact Yvette Moy, Director of New Connections at ymoy@stmarks-elca.org. There is need for teachers, substitutes, and other support positions.

**********************************************************************************

Help Spread the Word

Many folks know that Grace Casola, our Director of Youth and Family Ministry, is now serving a congregation in Rhode Island. Grace has served our congregation well in this capacity and she is missed. If you know of someone who is qualified and is interested in applying for the position, contact Karen Smith at Personnel@stmarks-elca.org.

Director of Youth and Family Ministry—Click hERE for Printed version.

Lutheran congregation in northern Virginia seeks a creative, energetic, and committed Christian to serve as its part-time Director of Youth and Family Ministry. This is a part-time position averaging 15 hours per week. Hours will be established and coordinated with the pastoral staff based on program needs.  Work will take place remotely, at St. Mark’s, and at offsite activity locations.

Please submit a resume and a short letter of introduction to hr@stmarks-elca.org. Open until filled.

Purpose

To provide youth and their families of the diverse St. Mark’s community with ministry pointing them to Christ, leading them into a deeper relationship with God, and integrating them into the life of our congregation.

Position Responsibilities

Tasks to meet these responsibilities will be developed in coordination with pastoral staff and St. Mark’s youth and their families.

1. Mentor St. Mark’s youth in their individual spiritual growth and as members of the St. Mark’s community.

2. Increase youth engagement in the life of the church with their peers and with St. Mark’s members through worship, lock-ins, service, fellowship opportunities, and other activities.

3. Increase congregation’s awareness of youth and family ministry activities.

4. Equip youth and families to foster lives of faith at home.

5. Discern needs and establish ministries, if absent, of our youth and their families.

Education/Experience Requirements

1. Commitment to the life of the church of Christ and to the community of faith at St. Mark’s, including regular worship attendance.

2. Fluency in stories of the Bible, Christian theology, tradition, and worship.

3. Preferred background and experience:

   • Bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university

   • Study in fields of education, psychology, or youth ministry

   • Experience planning and supervising youth programming and events

   • Willingness to obtain youth ministry certification

   • Experience and comfort with working in a multicultural, multi-generational environment

4. Comprehensive communication skills.

5. Passage of a background check, credit check, and a substance abuse screen prior to hire.

Time and Location

This is a part time position averaging 15 hours per week. Hours will be established and coordinated with the pastoral staff based on program needs.  Work will take place remotely, at St. Mark’s, and at offsite activity locations.

Supervision and Evaluation:

The Senior Pastor will conduct an annual evaluation.

Approved by Personnel Committee: 8-15-22

**********************************************************************************

When will we go back to two services?

Council has made no decision yet about going to multiple services. We have been watching the Congregation come back in increasing numbers since we restarted in-person services. Before the recent surge in COVID-19 cases from Delta variant, the attendance numbers were approaching the level where such a discussion about multiple services would make sense.

Adding an additional service is not a trivial matter in this pandemic. Council will work with the various stakeholders in the Congregation to plan for the time coming soon when we can support two services: the Pastors, Music Staff, Welcome Committee, Christian Education Committee, Worship Committee, and all of the associated volunteer coordinators. If you feel strongly about an early morning or late morning service, you can help make that possible by volunteering.

**********************************************************************************

St. Michaels Youth Endowment Board—Join Us!

The St. Michaels Youth Endowment Board is looking for new board members. We meet once a quarter and usually have an event on St. Michaels Sunday in September. Please consider giving of your time to a very important ministry for the youth of our church and surrounding areas. If you are interested, please contact Nancy Mower (nancyann1@aol.com) or Dan Ancona (dancona@perihq.com). For more information check out our website.

**********************************************************************************

Click HERE for photos from our February 10, 2019 Celebration!

For a quick summary of the 2021 Metro DC Synod Assembly, click HERE. For the Resolution proposed by Joseph Triolo on the Armenian, Assyrian, and Greek Genocide, which was adopted by the Assembly, click HERE.

Click HERE, print and fill out the GIFTS FOR MINISTRY form, then bring it to the office the next time you are at church.

Have news to share with the congregation?

Send it via email to communications@stmarks-elca.org to be published in the appropriate publication—E-Messenger, This Week, our website, and our Facebook page. Deadline is Tuesday at 5:00 PM, for same-week publishing.

**********************************************************************************