Learn, Serve and Gro€¦ · 5) Nurture a congregational culture which engages all generations in the faith development of children, youth and families. COME TO US, CREATIVE SPIRIT….as

6730 North 17th Street, Tacoma, Washington 98406Phone: 253.752.4966 Fax: 253.752.4990

email: [email protected]: www.smlutheran.org

God’s work, our hands.

Learn, Serve and Grow2010-2011 Ministry Opportunities at

St. Mark’s Lutheran Church by The Narrows

Our Mission StatementSt. Mark’s is a people and place for God’s grace. We are a baptized and believing people claimed by Christ. Therefore, we call all people to Worship and Witness, Learn and Serve, Share God’s Word and Sacraments, Reach Out with Words and Deeds of Love.

5 Ministry Goals1) Engage every member in transformational ministry.

2) Nurture communities of meaning, purpose, and care.

3) Strengthen administrative services to accomplish mission goals.

4) Link facility use and future plans for development with ministry and stewardship goals.

5) Nurture a congregational culture which engages all generations in the faith development of children, youth and families.

COME TO US, CREATIVE SPIRIT….as we renew our commitments of time and talent at St. Mark’s for the com-ing year!

This booklet is intended to help youth and adults learn about and reflect upon all the ministry opportunities at St. Mark’s Lutheran Church by The Narrows. All the enclosed opportunities are intended to help us grow in faith through learning and through serving in our seven ministry areas. One way a Christian steward uses the gift of time is to continually learn about our faith in order to grow in our love of God, and there are many such learning op-portunities in which to participate at St. Mark’s this year. Another way to commit to Christian Stewardship is to use your unique skills and talents to serve in a particular area of ministry. When you sign up to serve, you are agreeing to do the work to make that ministry flourish- a commitment of time and talent.

You will notice that the contact information for each opportunity is provided so that you can get your questions answered before filling out the enclosed form. Feel free to call the designated leader with your questions. Children have their own colorful form to complete (with the assistance of an adult) and every member of the family is encour-aged to submit a Learn, Serve, and Grow Commitment Form. We look forward to hearing from all of you!

Learn, Serve and Grow

Table of ContentsAdult Spiritual Growth 4

Children & Youth Faith Formation 5

Congregational Care 9

Outreach 11

Peace & Justice 12

Stewardship 14

Worship & Music Ministry 15

Elected & Appointed Positions 22

ADULT SPIRITUAL GROWTH

9:45 a.m. Adult Forum Series (September - June)

A lively, discussion-based gathering designed to challenge, enrich and engage us with the world around us. Topics and hosts vary week-to-week.

11:00 a.m. Making Sense of Scripture (Fall 2010)

Is the Bible true? How is the Bible the Word of God? Where did the Bible come from? How can I read the Bible with greater understanding?

Pastors Ruud and Shjerven will host a weekly exploration of these common questions, using insights from ancient and modern people of faith, including class participants.

Sunday Mornings (classes begin September 12th)-For specific information on topics, please check the bulletin board outside the Church Office

-Unless otherwise noted, all gatherings occur in Parish Commons classrooms

Tuesday 5:30 p.m. “Fully Alive” Women’s Bible Study (Fireside Room)

Begins Sept. 14 Childcare is provided as women come together to study scripture and offer care and support to one another. Hosted by Sherri Maiura.

Wednesday 9:30 a.m. Women’s Bible Study (Parish Hall Classroom 1)

Begins Oct. 13 Ruth Leistikow leads a study and discussion of various books of Scripture. All women are cordially invited to attend.

Wednesday noon Luncheon Bible Study (Fireside Room)

Begins Sept. 15 Share a salad luncheon, spirited conversation centered around scripture, and prayers for one another and for our world. Participants take turns providing salad luncheon; Pastor Shjerven hosts conversation.

Wednesday 6:00pm Midweek Study and Renewal

Begins Sept. 15 Adults gather around scripture for a time of refreshment, conversation and care in the middle of the week. Fall 2010: “The Way of Grace”-Jesus’ intimate con-versations in John’s gospel.

Wednesday 8:00 p.m. Devotional Classics Discussion Group (Parish Commons Classroom 1)

Begins Sept. 15 This is the weekly gathering for those who are reading “Devotional Classics: Se-lected Readings for Individuals and Groups” (edited by Richard Foster and James Bryan Smith).Together we will reflect on the questions of the text and share our own questions and observations. For more information on this resource, or to order yourself a copy, please check out www.renovare.org.

Midweek Gatherings (note start dates for each class)

Adult Spiritual Growth4

Adult Spiritual Growth TeamIf you enjoy deeper consideration and conversation about how adults form and grow in faith, please join the team of people who engage these questions and who plan spiritual growth opportunities for adults at St. Mark’s.

Contact: Pastor Rebecca Shjerven, [email protected]

CHILDREN & YOUTH FAITH FORMATION

Children & Youth Faith Formation TeamAll Ages

This team of leaders works together to design, nurture and care for the faith formation of our children and youth.

Contact: Char Leone

[email protected]

Breakfast Club

Come for fellowship and food.

Contact: Ingelaurie Lisher

[email protected]

Grades 9-12

Meets: 4th Sunday of each month at 11:00 a.m. in the Fireside Room, beginning in 2011.

Christmas ProgramAges: Preschool - 5th Grade

All children Preschool through 5th grade are invited to participate in this program that takes place during the yearly Advent Festival, an intergenerational event. Chil-dren present the Christmas story through music and drama, incor-porating Advent and Christmas carols from around the world. Practices take place during Sunday School as well as on Wednesday evenings during children’s choir practices. This program is part of a congregational event that includes a meal, fellowship and additional music from other St. Mark’s music ensembles.

Contact: Danielle Lemieux, [email protected] or

Char Leone, [email protected], 253-566-1050


Confirmation Ministry

Grades: 7th-9th

7th and 8th grade stu-dents meet on Sunday mornings in small groups.

Ninth grade students meet September to Octo-ber to write a Faith State-ment. They also attend a fall retreat, and serve a meal at Peace Community Center. The Affirmation of Baptism service is held on Reformation Sunday.

Contact: Ingelaurie Lisher, [email protected]

Meets every Sunday from from 9:45 to 10:45 a.m. in the Youth Faith Forma-tion Center.

High School Sunday School

Grades 9th-12th

Thematic discussions on faith and life.


Meets every Sunday from 9:45 - 10:45 a.m. in the Fireside Room

JR ALYVE

Grades: 6th-8th

This is a time of fellow-ship, discussion, prayer and fun.

The JR ALYVE group also meets at various times throughought the year for fellowship and service activities.

Contact:

Linda Wimberley

[email protected]

Meets: 6:00 - 7:15 p.m. 1st & 3rd Wednesday in the Youth Room.

Kids Club

Ages: elementary

Bible stories, activies and service projects

Contact:

Ingelaurie Lisher

[email protected]

Meets: Wednesday s 6:00 - 7:15 p.m. in the Children’s Faith Formation Center.

Children & Youth Faith Formation6

Ages: 3 - PreK

Learning, growing, and sharing in God’s love is at the heart of St. Mark’s Preschool philosophy.

We emphasize the hands-on approach for all of our learning experienc-es. We support a developmentally appropriate program which allows children to grow and develop at their own rate.

It is the philosophy of St. Mark’s Preschool that early childhood should be a time of fun, warmth, security, exploring, and discovery. Pre-school children are creative and receptive; the staff strives to nurture and encourage these qualities in the children who attend. St. Mark’s curriculum includes sharing and conversation time; stories, songs, and fingerplays; activities and crafts; games and large muscle activities; field trips throughout the community; baking, science and nature activities; family nights; chapel; exposure to shapes, colors, numbers, and letters; and celebration of birthdays, holidays, and cultural events.

Contact: Laura Ollerich, [email protected], 752-4929

Preschool

Nursery Care ProgramSundays: 8:00 to 12:30 p.m.12:30-2:00 p.m. (during Faith Journey)

3rd Monday of each month:6:00 - 8:00 p.m. Tuesdays: 5:15-7:00 p.m.

Shrove Tuesday Pancake FeastAll Ages

Children, youth and adults of all ages are invited to join us the Tuesday before Ash Wednesday as we prepare for the beginning of the Lenten season. In addition to feast-ing on pancakes, craft activities are available for the children. Contact: Ingelaurie Lisher, [email protected]

Wednesdays: 5:00-8:00 p.m.

1st Saturday of each month: 9:00-11:00 a.m.

Contact: Cindy Johnson, [email protected], 253-565-3335 or

Teresa Handy, [email protected], 253-566-5971

Grades: 6th-9th

This July mission trip is for youth grades 6-9 (completed). The trip pro-vides opportunities for Middle School youth to learn leadership skills, build relationships and serve the larger church by helping the commu-nity of Our Saviour’s Lutheran Church on the Rocky Boy Reservation.

Contact: Bruce Sadler

[email protected]

253-564-4071

Montana Mission


Ages: 3 - Grade 5

Sunday School provides children from age 3 through 5th grade with a weekly faith-forming experience that engages them in both large group opening time and age-grouped classroom learning as they experience singing, sharing, praying, serving, and exploring God’s word together. Children gather with trained and committed volunteers each Sunday morning at 9:30 in the Children’s Faith Center. Children learn us-ing the new lectionary-based “Spark” curriculum designed to actively engage them with the Bible. Children grow in friendship with one another and in relationship with God. They participate in the commu-nity of faith with intergenerational activities, opportunities for service, and by joining with the congregation during communion twice each month.

The littlest preschoolers (3 and 4 year olds) actively participate in multi-sensory hands-on activities and an engaging Bible story time.

Volunteers are needed to be part of teaching teams for each grade level.

Meets every Sunday from 9:30 a.m. - 10:45 a.m.

Contact: Char Leone, [email protected]

Sunday School

Ages: 4 - Grade 6

When: 1st full week of August

Each year at the beginning of August, we reach out into the community around us to share the good news of Jesus. All parts of our facility are used as members and non-members alike, of all ages, learn while having a great deal of fun. Teachers, assistants, craft leaders and helpers, snack providers, and musicians all are needed.


Vacation Bible School

Grades: 6th

Discussion is focused on the Catechism and how it applies to everyday life.

Meets: Sunday mornings from 9:45-10:45 a.m. in the Youth Wing.


Sixth Grade Sunday School

Grades: 9th-12th

SR ALYVE Youth Group meets at various times throughout the year for fellowship and service activities.


SR ALYVE

Children & Youth Faith Formation8

CONGREGATIONAL CARE

All Ages

This organization meets monthly for a potluck and discussion. The GSA group’s identity statement is: “We are an intergenerational gathering of St. Mark’s mem-bers and friends who acknowledge and celebrate human diversity, particularly sexual orientation and gender identity, as an expression of God’s creative purpose. We journey together in gratitude for God’s love, which reconciles and makes us all one in Christ. We seek to strengthen our church community by sharing our experience, encouraging, enjoying and learning from one another. We acknowledge injustice and strive to make this gathering a place of safety and healing for all who participate.”Contact: Pastor Jan Ruud, [email protected] or

Paula Friedmann, [email protected], 253-759-3881

Meets: 3rd Monday, 6:00 p.m. - 8:00 p.m.

Gay Straight Alliance

Congregational Care TeamAges: all confirmed members

The Congregational Care Team encourages the development and maintenance of a sense of belong-ing, assisting all members to participate in the ministries of mutual care, fellowship and love so as to manifest the unity given to the people of God in Christ. It is concerned with the physical, spiritual and social wellbeing of the people, with the visiting of the sick and lonely, reaching out to inactive members, supporting people through various life situations, social activities and celebration.

Contact: Karen Grams, [email protected]

Baptismal QuiltsSt. Mark’s gives the gift of a quilt to those who are baptized here. Do you quilt? If you would be inter-ested in making baptismal quilts please contact the church office, 253-752-4966.

Hospitality AssistanceAll Ages

St. Mark’s regularly offers coffee hour (with donuts) on Sunday morning and a meal on Wednesday evenings from 5:15-7:15 p.m.. Volunteers also help with set up, serving, clean up and providing food for funeral/memorial receptions.

Contact: Becki Christian, [email protected], 253-301-4052

Lutheran Home Bus DriverAges: 25-69

St. Mark’s offers transportation on Sunday mornings for people who are unable to drive. The Tacoma Lutheran Retirement Center allows qualified drivers to use one of their buses. More drivers are needed. If you are accustomed to driving larger vehicles and are between the ages of 25 and 69, please consider joining this team.

Contact: Rolf Morstad, [email protected], 253-759-0563

or Arlyn Saathoff, [email protected], 253-851-1584

Congregational Care 9

Parish Nursing

Registered Nurses

As a member of the pasto-ral care team, the parish nurse works to address the physical, emotional, and spiritual needs of the congregation. Con-gregational parish nurses are not expected to be primary health care givers, rather they coordinate health programs and fa-cilitate the use of church and community resources.Contact: Ruth [email protected]

253-851-1584

Prayer Shawl Ministry

When you combine knit-ting and praying, what do you get? A tangible, warm, beautiful sign of God’s love to wrap around someone who is hurting. Can be done at home, while waiting for appoint-ments or in groups.Contact: Jan Pence, [email protected]

All Ages

Stephen Ministry

Stephen Ministers supple-ment the pastoral staff by providing one-on-one care to people experiencing life transitions and challenges (for example: impend-ing death, recovery from illness, loss of a job or a relationship, dealing with a chronic illness). Contact: Sarah Callow253-566-9233

Ages: 18 and older

Women of St. Mark’s

This active group of women hosts a fall retreat, an Advent brunch, and a spring luncheon, all with wonderful programs.

In addition, the support the ongoing work of Lu-theran World Relief and share their talents with many of the ministries of St. Mark’s.

A monthly Bible study meets the 4th Tuesday of each month at Mordvet Center (at Tacoma Lu-theran Retirement Com-munity). This group uses “Lutheran Woman Today” as its resource and is lead by Sonja Yeager, [email protected].

Contact: Carol Paulson 253-564-6838 orHelen Conroy253-752-0465

All Ages

Office SupportAdults

Assist the office staff with occasional mailings, answering the phone and other office duties.

Contact: Jan Pence, [email protected], 253-752-4966

Congregational Care10

OUTREACH MINISTRY

Faith Journey CompanionsAges: Youth & Adults

Members of St. Mark’s walk side by side with new people in a Faith Journey that leads them to baptism or affirmation of baptism.

Contact: Pastor Jan Ruud, [email protected]

Outreach Ministry TeamAll Ages

Meets: 1st Tuesdays, 7:00 p.m.

The Outreach Ministry Team leads us in the ministry of extending the hospital-ity of Christ by inviting, welcoming, and walking with others in their journey of faith. This team also coordinates the work of communicating the mission of our congregation to newcomers and to the community at large via print and elec-tronic media.


Welcome CenterAll Ages

The Welcome Center is our one-stop information center for all who visit St. Mark’s on Sunday morning.

Key Duties for volunteers:

1. Point people in the right direction for Sunday morning activities such as preschool, Sunday school, youth meeting rooms, adult education, etc.

2. Know the layout of the facilities (meeting rooms, offices, kitchen, bathrooms, where tables and chairs are stored, etc.)

3. Keep a record of visitors using our registry guest book.

4. If prompted, share significant upcoming events such as music programs, guest lectures, and special ministry team events, etc.

Contact: Peter Postovoit, [email protected], 253-756-6946

Outreach Ministry 11

Technology TeamAges: Adults

This team works to support the mission of the congregation by helping us develop and maintain technological tools that will enhance our ministry. People who possess skills in computer technology, software, data processing, web de-sign, telecommunications, and other aspects of modern technology find this to be a great way to serve!

Contact: Peter Postovoit, [email protected], 253-756-6946

PhotographerAll Ages

We are always looking for people with photography skills to help us tell the story of ministry at St. Mark’s through images that can be used in our various print and electronic publications.

Contact: Lisa Lindholm, [email protected]

PEACE & JUSTICE MINISTRY

Volunteers gather to write letters to government leaders about hunger worldwide.

Contact:

Norm Orth

[email protected]

253-756-7633

Jonette Blakney

253-858-5465

All Ages

Bread For the World

Christmas Family ProjectAll Ages

St. Mark’s individuals are assigned to low income families in our area and help to provide a very merry Christmas.

Contact:

Judy Droubay

[email protected]

253-759-6720

Mary Jo Holum

253-752-3304

Cinco de Mayo AuctionAll Ages

This is the main fundrais-er for the Mexico Mission Trip. Donate and bid on others’ donations – lots of fun and you help us build houses too.

Contact:

Candy Gustafson

[email protected]

253-756-8088

Fair Trade

All Ages

Fairly Traded coffee, tea and chocolate are available for purchase the first of each month. Each fall a Fair Trade Bazaar is held at St. Mark’s where other items from all over the world may be purchased.

Contact:

Christine Harris,

Habitat for HumanityYouth & Adults

St. Mark’s builds as a group at least one day a year. Tom can also get you connected to work other days. Other opportunities come up also to work in a store or provide snacks or lunches.

Contact: Tom Geary, [email protected], 253-549-2668

Lutheran Volunteer Corps Support CommitteeAll Ages

Lutheran Volunteer Corps offers people a one-year opportunity for spiritual and personal exploration while working for social justice, living in intentional commu-nity and simplifying their lifestyles. The Local Support Committee provides ongo-ing hospitality and encouragement to the volunteers who are placed in Tacoma, addressing any needs that come up throughout the year and raising funds for the ongoing work of LVC.

Contact: Christine Harris

Peace & Justice12

A group meets weekly at St. Mark’s to sew and tie quilts. If you are not available on Mondays, you can work at home cutting fabric squares, sewing diapers or creating baby hats. The group also creates Quilts, Health Kits, School Kits, baby hats, Layettes and Midwife Kits. Donations can also be made to the Lutheran Boxcar Fund.

Contact:

Vangie Billingsley, 756-7766 or Elaine Rodning, 761-9198, [email protected]

Lutheran World ReliefAll Ages

Meets: Mondays, 9:00 a.m.-noonEvery year, St. Mark’s takes a crew to Mexico the last week of June to build houses and provide activities for the children in the neighborhood. This 9 day trip is intergenerational—high school age and older are invited to apply to participate.

Contact: Pastor Jan Ruud

[email protected]

Mexico MissionAges: Youth & Adults Ages: Youth & Adults

St. Mark’s serves a hearty, healthy mid-day meal every 4th Saturday to an average of 200 people at this drop in day shelter in Taco-ma. This is a great way for fami-lies to serve together and really make a difference in the lives of those who are less fortunate. If you are unable to serve the meal, you may donate bottles of juice or cookies (homemade especially desired). Place in the bin in the narthex the week before we serve. Donations of clothing are occa-sionally needed—watch the Parish Life for updates.

Contact:

Melanie Summerour

[email protected]

857-8872

Nativity House

All Ages

The Peace & Justice Ministry Team equips, motivates and sup-ports the members of St. Mark’s in extending expressions of Christian compassion to the poor and oppressed and to persons in need. We look out to Tacoma and the world to identify social injustice and need; we connect with social service agencies and other groups who are addressing these challenges; we provide op-portunities for St. Marks people to learn about these issues and to get involved.

Contact: Melanie Summerour, [email protected], 253-857-8872

Peace & Justice Standing Committee

All Ages

Located on the hilltop in Ta-coma, Peace Community Center has been a key companion with St Marks for years. Twice a year St. Mark’s members prepare and serve a meal at the Center. St. Mark’s members are also in-volved with tutoring local stu-dents each week.

Contact: Phil Birkeland, [email protected], 253-564-9109 (tutoring)

John Wascher, jwascher@mac, 253-503-6765

Peace Community Center

Ages: 6th grade and older

Volunteers spend time with Somali Refugees tutoring them in various types of school work. There is also need for people to provide healthy snacks and occa-sionally there is a special request for clothing or school items.

Contact: John Summerour, [email protected], 253-857-8872

Meets: Tuesday evenings, off site

Somali-Bantu Tutoring

Peace & Justice 13

STEWARDSHIP MINISTRY

Finance TeamConfirmed Members, appointed by Church Council

The Finance Team is responsible for overseeing the financial records of the congregation. This includes oversight of an annual audit process and implementation procedures for sound fiscal management of all organizations and ministries of the congregation. The committee is responsible to insure accurate record keeping of the contributions of members and appropriate reporting of the same. It oversees the counting of offerings and financial gifts. The committee also insures the accurate reporting of the congregation’s financial activities to the Congregation Council and the congregation. It prepares an annual budget, with appropriate input from other committees for submission to the Congregation Council for congregational approval. The Finance Committee is responsible for recommending adequate insurance coverage of all kinds to the Congregation Council. It monitors the invested assets of the congregation, making recom-mendations as appropriate.

Contact: John Wascher, jwascher@mac, 503-6765

Meets: second Monday of each month at 7:00 p.m.

Property TeamThe Property Care Team helps us to be good stewards of all the physical proper-ties that have been entrusted to us. This includes regular maintenance and im-provements to the building and grounds. You can join them on a weekly basis or choose a special task and do it on your own time schedule. Currently there is a Thursday crew which gathers every week to do a variety of tasks, both indoors and out. They also enjoy good fellowship around the coffee pot in the kitchen. There are also periodic clean up and special project days scheduled as needed. If you can’t share your maintenance and cleaning skills every week, maybe you can help out a couple of days a years using a building skill of your choice.

Contact: Chuck Droubay, 253-759-6720

Meets: Thursday mornings

All Ages

The Stewardship Ministry Team emphasizes stewardship as faithful, conscientious, thankful response to God’s gifts given to us. They promote growth in stewardship of time, abilities, and financial resources through educational and inspirational opportunities and lifts up to us the mission of this church, locally, nationally, and globally as challenges for witness and service. The Stewardship Ministry team also collects and provides information to appropriate committees, the Congregation Council, and the congregation regarding commitment of time, abilities, and financial resources.

Contact: Carol Guenther, [email protected]

Meets: 2nd Tuesday monthly at 6:30 p.m.

Stewardship Ministry Team

All Ages

The purpose of the Care of Creation team is to provide leadership to the St. Mark’s family in fostering and modeling environmental stewardship within the church community as well as within the broader community. Past activites have included showing the film “Inconvenient Truth” on global warming, a field trip to the Skagit River to see wintering bald eagles, eco-friendly gardening tips and activities leading up to Earth Day. The team welcomes suggestions for future activities that celebrate God’s creation and encourages all members to join in our activities.

Contact: Tom Hulst, [email protected], 253-460-2683

Care of Creation

Stewardship Ministry14

WORSHIP & MUSIC MINISTRY

Altar GuildYouth & Adults

Altar guild members are responsible for making sure that linens are put out for communion each service, the chalices are filled with wine and grape juice, and the bread is ready to go each Sunday morning. There are two shifts that need to be filled each Sunday. The first shift is from 8:00 a.m. to 9:45 a.m., setting up before and cleaning after the 8:30 a.m. service and setting up communion for the 9:45 a.m. service. The second shift is from 10:30 a.m. to 12:00 p.m., cleaning after the 9:45 a.m. service and setting up and clean-ing after the 11:00 a.m. service.

If you cannot serve in these particular shifts, Altar Guild also has other important duties that need to be filled, such as refilling altar candles, replacing eternal candle (done once a week), putting up the appropri-ate banner for the church season, keeping wine/ white grape juice stocked in sacristy, checking once a year to make sure Eternal candles and candle oil is stocked, picking up Communion bread at Great Harvest, and cleaning/ironing Communion linens for all three services. Altar Guild is currently in need of a sched-uling coordinator as well.

Contact: Christine Anderson, 253-564-9114

AcolytesAges: Children (elementary age) thorough Adults

Acolytes assist with many different parts of a worship service and play many important roles each Sunday for worship:• Lighting and putting out Altar and Prayer Station candles (before and after worship)• Processing with pastors while bringing forth the cross• Bringing forth the Bible for the pastor to read during the gospel reading• Giving and collecting the plates during offering• Helping the pastor with the Rite of Holy Baptism (handing the candle, baptism napkin and quilt)• Assisting the Tenebrae service on Good Friday by putting out candles after each of the twelve readings.

Acolytes need to attend a training session and then are scheduled once a month (more or less depending on the Acolyte’s schedule). All children and youth are welcome to serve in this way! For 2010-2011, the acolyte schedule begins in October and goes through June.

Contact: Danielle Lemieux, [email protected] or Karen Grams, [email protected]


Worship & Music Ministry TeamAdults

Meets: 2nd Tuesday of each month, 5:30-6:45 PM (Library)

The Worship and Music Team assists in planning the worship and arts elements of services at St. Mark’s. The team discusses worship style, liturgical choices and arts, and anything pertaining to the worship experience, making sure that worship services are conducted regularly and in accordance with the worship practices of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America. For 2010-2011, the Worship and Music Ministry Team will be organizing a monthly artist-in-residence program to celebrate the role art has in our worship, faith and vocational life.


Worship & Music Ministry16

Celebration EnsembleAges: Adults

Celebration Ensemble is an ensemble of vocalists and instrumentalists that serve through musical leader-ship for the 8:30 a.m. worship service on Sunday mornings, September through June. Because this group only meets once a month, which means there is limited rehearsal time in which to learn the music, the group consists mainly of people who have good sight-reading skills and previous choral experience. Celebra-tion Ensemble members also collaborate several times a year with other St. Mark’s ensembles for special music.

Contact: Cooper Sherry, [email protected], 253-752-0554

Rehearsals: 1st Saturday of the month, 9:00 - 11:00 a.m. &

Sundays 8:00 a.m.

Service Leadership: 8:30 a.m. service, Sunday mornings

Chancel ChoirAges: Mature High School and Adults

The Chancel Choir is the music leadership group for St. Mark’s 11:00 a.m. service each Sunday morning, September through May. This ministry celebrates the choral heritage of the church, singing a variety of styles, with an emphasis on traditional classical music. Fellowship, devotional time and prayer are important aspects of this group’s weekly practice. Chancel Choir members also collaborate once or twice a year with other St. Mark’s ensembles for special events and services.


Rehearsals: Thursdays, 7:30 - 9:00 p.m., Sundays 10:20 a.m.

Service Leadership: 11:00 a.m. service Sunday mornings

Bells of St. Mark’sAges: Adults and Mature High School Youth (as determined by the director)

This group is the most advanced bell choir at St. Mark’s. To be successful, members need to know how to read music and commit to weekly rehearsals, missing when only absolutely necessary. No bell ringing experience is necessary to join - all bell techniques will be taught during rehearsals. If you would like to join but need to learn to read music, note-reading classes can be made available. The Bells of St. Mark’s rehearses weekly, September through May, playing for worship when music is ready. This choir is open to all adults, both members and non-members.

Contact: Danielle Lemieux, [email protected]

Rehearsals: Tuesdays from 7:00 – 8:30 p.m.

Ages: 0-2

Meets: Wednesdays 4:30-4:55 p.m., Choir Room (Starts September 15, 2010)

This group offers music for newborns to 2-year olds that utilizes music and move-ment techniques shown by research to have amazing benefits for developing children, encompassing musical, physical, emotional, social and cognitive growth. These classes teach parents/guardians and child music play that can extend to play at home. Parent and baby/toddler play each week together.

Babies of St. Mark’s


Choir LibrariansYouth & Adults

Help is needed sorting and filing music for various choirs. Training is offered for this roll.


Communion ServersYouth & Adults

Communion servers distribute the wine or juice, and the bread during the Lord’s Supper. Training is avail-able for this worsip volunteer position.

Contacts:

8:30 a.m. service: Marcia Moe, [email protected] or

Janet Grant, [email protected]

9:45 a.m. service: Darren Kerbs, [email protected]

11:00 a.m. service: Karen Grams, [email protected]

GreetersAll Ages

A greeter welcomes all worshipers as they enter the church for all three services on Sunday mornings. The greeter is the friendly face of St. Mark’s who warmly greets, welcomes, acknowledges and provides help and information as needed. Training is available for this worship volunteer position.

Contacts:

8:30 a.m. service: Marcia Moe, [email protected] or Janet Grant, [email protected]

9:45 a.m. service: Darren Kerbs, [email protected]

11:00 a.m. service: Karen Grams, [email protected]

J.A.M (Jesus and Me)Ages: 6th-12th grade

J.A.M. is a “band” for all youth who play an instrument (strings, brass, woodwinds, percussion). Music is arranged for the ensemble of instruments available and plays both for worship and as accompaniment to the musicals presented by the Youth Drama Team.

Rehearsals: Thursdays, 5:30-6:30 p.m., Choir Room (Starts October 7, 2010)


Joyful Noise ChoirAges: K, 1st, & 2nd grades

This choir learns to find and develop their singing voices through musical play and dance. Songs are presented during Sunday morning worship ser-vices as they are ready. Children also learn one musical based on a Biblical story.

Rehearsals: Wednesdays, 5:30-6:00 PM, Choir Room (Starts September 15, 2010)



Jubilation ChoirAges: 3rd-5th grades

Children learn to read music and use healthy vocal techniques to lift their voices to God. This choir incorporates all styles of music and learns one and two part vocal music as they are able for Sunday morning worship. Children also learn to play handchimes, both complete songs and as accompaniment to vocal anthems. Choir members lead a musical based on a Bible story once a year.

Rehearsals: Wednesdays, 6:00-7:15 PM, Choir Room (Starts September 15, 2010)


Little Angels ChoirAges: 3 years to Pre-K (4-5 years)

This group is for Pre-K children (3-5 year olds) and continues to utilize music and movement tech-niques to allow children to find their singing voices. Songs are shared with parents at the end of practices as they are ready.

Meets: Wednesdays, 5:00-5:25 p.m., Choir Room (Starts September 15, 2010)


Musicals AssistanceAges: Adult

With the various musicals presented by children and youth, we are in need of volunteers to help with all aspects of musicals production.


Projectionists

Youth & Adults

Hymns, prayers, and other images are project-ed onto the large screen in the sanctuary during all services. Volunteers are needed to run the projector. Training is available.

Contact: Darren Kerbs

[email protected]

ScriptureReaders

Volunteers read the lessons during the Sunday morning services. The lessons are sent to the volunteers the week before the service, so the readers may have time to practice.

Contact: 8:30 a.m.: Marcia Moe, [email protected] or Janet Grant, [email protected]:45 a.m.: Darren Kerbs,[email protected]:00 a.m.: Karen Grams,

[email protected]

All ages

Sound Assistants

A Sound Technician works during the wor-ship services on Sunday mornings and occasional-ly at other services. The Sound Technician will train Assistants (adults or youth) to help and be available for special events.

Contact:

Pastor Jan Ruud

[email protected]

Youth & Adults


Ushers

An usher greets and wel-comes all worshippers as they approach and enter the Sanctuary for all three Sunday morning services. The usher is a friendly face of St. Mark’s who warmly welcomes, distributes wor-ship bulletins, and over-sees the congregational physical well-being during worship. The Usher also directs/leads worship-ers to available seating, addresses emergencies, leads movement for of-ferings, communion, and paper requests (prayer/visitor cards). Training is available for this worship volunteer position.

Contact: 8:30 a.m.: Marcia Moe, [email protected] orJanet Grant, [email protected] 9:45 a.m.: Darren Kerbs, [email protected]:00 a.m.: Karen Grams, [email protected]

All ages


St. Mark’s RingersGrades 6-12

The St. Mark’s Ringers is a youth bell choir that meets weekly. Because each member is an important part of the whole, consistent weekly attendance is a must. To become a member of this group, it is good if you can read music. If you cannot read music, note-reading classes can be made available. Bell ringing technique is taught each week during rehearsals. The St. Mark’s Ringers play about once a month, when our music is ready, September through May.

Youth who are not members of St. Mark’s are also very welcome to join – this group is open to all youth who’d like to participate.


Rehearsals: Wednesdays, 7:15-8:00 p.m.

WitnessGrades: 6-12

Witness is a vocal choir for all youth who are interest-ed in singing. Opportunities for solos, duets, trios are also available. Youth sing for worship and as accom-paniment in the productions presented by the Youth Drama Team.

Rehearsals: Thursdays, 6:30-7:30 PM, Choir Room (Starts October 7, 2010)


Youth Drama TeamAges: 6th-12th grade

YDT is for all youth who are aspiring artists, both trained and un-trained, interested in the theater and movement (dance) performing arts. The team presents two short musicals, one in the Fall and one in the Spring. All youth are welcome to share any gifts they have in preparation for these productions, which includes an interest in backstage duties (such as running the lights and sound, making props/sets, etc.) as well as advertising, organizing post-show recep-tions, etc. Depending on interests and schedule, youth are welcome to devote a minimum of one hour or the full two hours each Thurs-day evening. There is a place for everyone in YDT.

Rehearsals: Thursdays, 5:30-7:30 PM, Parish Commons (Starts September 16, 2010)


Summer Arts Camp for YouthAges: All youth entering the 6th through 12th grades

This day camp is for youth entering the 6th through 12th grades the following academic year. All youth inter-ested in either performance arts (theater, vocal choir, instrumental ensemble, dance) or visual arts (drawing, painting, sewing, crafts, computer graphics, etc.) are welcome to partcipate at any level they are able, whether just beginning or highly experienced! All campers pick three arts areas they’d like to be involved in and are coached by professional or semi-professional artists from the Tacoma area. Each year’s theme focuses on a dif-ferent part of our world (in 2010, campers focused on Africa).

There is a small fee for participating in this camp which covers all arts supplies and music plus a camp t-shirt for the final performance and art show. Scholarships are available to those who need them. Registration ma-terials are made available by early May each year and can be downloaded from the St. Mark’s website at www.smlutheran.org.


When: 2nd full week of August, 1:00-6:00 p.m.

Worship TeamAges: Adults

The Worship Team is for adults 18 years and older with a desire to lead worship and praise God through contemporary Christian popular music. Their repertoire of music also reaches to other music genres, including blended, gospel and global. This group leads worship at the 9:45 a.m. service and rehearses every week, year-round. Worship Team members also collaborate several times a year with other St. Mark’s ensembles for special music.

Contact: Darren Kerbs, [email protected]

Rehearsals: Wednesdays, 6:00-7:30 p.m., Sundays, 9:00 a.m.

Service Leadership: 9:45 a.m. service Sunday mornings


Elected & Appointed Opportunities22

ELECTED & APPOINTED POSITIONS

Church CouncilConfirmed Members, elected by the congregation

The Church Council has general oversight of the life and activities of this congrega-tion. The Council leads the congregation in stating its mission, does long range planning, sets goals and priorities, and evaluates its activities in light of its mission and goals.


Endowment Fund TeamConfirmed Members, elected by the congregation

The Endowment Fund Team meets quarterly in the evening to manage St. Mark’s endowment funds and plan educational events about wills and estate planning.

Contacts: Everett Holum, [email protected], 253-752-3304

Nominating TeamConfirmed Members, elected by the congregation

Identifies and nominates candidates for congregationally elected positions

Contacts: Kim Meade, [email protected], 253-759-9817

Memorial CommitteeConfirmed Members, appointed by Church Council

The Memorial Committee keeps track of all memorial gifts given to St. Mark’s.

Contact: Sharon Steen, [email protected], 756-8925

Leadership Development TeamConfirmed Members, appointed by Church Council

Leadership Development Team seeks to strengthen the work of the staff and of congregational leaders by providing useful resources, mentoring, orientation and training, facilitation of meetings and retreats, and on-going support as it is needed.


Elected & Appointed Opportunities 23

These leaders, elected at the May congregational meeting, make policies and oversee the health of St. Mark’s Preschool.

Contact: Katie Jones ([email protected]), Board Chair

Preschool Board

Scholarship TeamConfirmed Members, elected by the congregation

This team offers financial support to students who seek to further their education and sense of vocation through Lutheran higher education. Members of the committee are elected at the May congregational meeting. The scholarship process takes place in May and June.

Contact: Char Leone, [email protected]

6730 North 17th Street Tacoma, Washington 98406Phone: 253.752.4966 Fax: 253.752.4990email: [email protected]: www.smlutheran.org

A Place for Grace

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Learn, Serve and Gro€¦ · 5) Nurture a congregational culture which engages all generations in the faith development of children, youth and families. COME TO US, CREATIVE SPIRIT….as