The Saint Mark's Messenger · Grace and peace, The “Miracle Team” at St. John’s Have you seen our playground? The Marge Wofford memorial playground has all new mulch. It is

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The Saint Mark's The Saint Mark's The Saint Mark's

Messenger Messenger Messenger

Look at the Church

Pastor Thomas S. Hanson

Our annual meeting adopted minor changes to our church’s constitution and bylaws. I thought it would be good to take a look at what the constitution says about us as a church.

Chapter 4 says: “The Church is a people created by God in Christ, empowered by the Holy Spirit, called and sent to bear witness to God’s creative, redeeming, and sanctify-ing activity in the world.” Before I tell you what I think, underline one or two verbs (action words) in that description you think are important. There are no wrong answers. I’ll wait while you do that.

Done? Now, write what you underlined on the margin of this page.

A First Look This definition is always a good corrective for me when I start thinking that the church is an organization that has leaders and followers, rules and goals, and measures of success or failure. It’s always easy to use the measuring stick of the world — either something measures up or it’s short (or too long). Instead, this definition starts by call-ing us “a people” and we know we cannot measure “people” because each person is different and unique.

We are “a people created by God in Christ,” not a business. God creates and forms us into his people. The church is not another organization like a club or a legislature. It is not voluntary nor is it maintained by its own authority. We are a people created by God and when God looks at his people, he sees Christ, not a sinner here and a sad person there. God sees us through Jesus Christ who has redeemed his people for God.

A Second Look As God’s people, we are created, empowered, called and sent. The power behind each of these words is not our own. We cannot “empower” ourselves or “call or send” our-selves. It is God’s Holy Spirit that marks the way ahead for us and it is marked with God’s purposes, not human purposes.

There is no talk of success, quotas, or guidelines. The way of God’s people is the way of God’s “creative, redeeming, and sanctifying activity in the world.” When those things happen among us, we know that the Spirit of Christ is among us.

A New Look Now look at the words you underlined. How do your selections help you see your place in the church? Whatever words you chose, you are the body of Christ and God promis-es that the Spirit will create in you what you need to fulfill his purposes, and in the same way, the whole people of God— the Church. Live that promise.

Church Office Hours

Mon, Tues, Thurs, & Fri 9:30-3:00

Wed 9:30 –1:30

Phone: (904) 396-9608

Fax: 396-3515

Website: www.stmarksjax.org

Email: [email protected]

Pastor:

Rev. Thomas Hanson

Phone: (904) 396-9608 x 14

Cell: 416-5341


Dir. of Ministry Administration

and Volunteers: Wendi Orr

Phone: (904) 396-9608


Director of Music Ministry:

Tony Cruz

Phone: (904) 396-9608 x 21


St Mark's Ark

Director: Patrice Roux-Neal

Phone: (904) 346-0404

Email: StMarksArk@

[email protected]

JAnuary 2014JAnuary 2014JAnuary 2014

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A Message from The Ark

UPDATE ON HISTORIC ST. JOHN’S LUTHERAN CHURCH

Dear Brothers and Sisters in Christ:

For the past three years, Lutherans from throughout the northeast Florida region have been part of a “Miracle Team” which has been working to restore and refurbish St. John’s Lutheran Church, located downtown in the historic Springfield neighborhood. Through various fundraising activities and successfully obtaining two grants, our team has raised nearly $50,000. This funding has been used to repair a leaking roof, repair indoor water damage, paint the sanctuary and perform numerous other restoration projects. The basic underlying purpose of the Miracle Team is to enable the important mission of St. John’s to continue by providing safe and secure buildings where the poor and needy can be served.

The Miracle Team is pleased to announce the upcoming dedication service for the newly refurbished sanctuary on Saturday,

January 25th, 2014 at 11am. Florida/Bahamas Synod Bishop Robert C. Schaefer will be attending and presiding over this event. A hot

brunch will be provided at 9:30 in the fellowship hall also. Please join us in this celebration and renewal of Jacksonville’s oldest Lutheran

church.

Many of the original pews were damaged by water and neglect over many decades. Most are being restored and will be used again. The

Miracle Team did choose to follow the synod consultant’s advice and plan to purchase wooden chairs for the sanctuary to allow for a plat-

form and altar facing the congregation to be constructed. This was an expense not budgeted and currently there are insufficient funds to

purchase them.

We are having an appeal at this time to anyone interested in purchasing a wooden chair for the sanctuary. The cost is $100 per chair and

any person donating will be listed on a plaque inside the church. Chairs may be given in honor or memory of a loved one, which will also be

noted. Please consider this tax deductible donation and help fulfill our mission of restoring St. John’s to its original beauty and function as a

safe place for people to explore their faith and see God’s work through our hands in action.

Checks for the chairs or any other donations may be mailed to:

St. John’s Lutheran Church

1950 Silver Street

Jacksonville, FL 32206

Grace and peace, The “Miracle Team” at St. John’s

Have you seen our playground? The Marge Wofford memorial playground has all new mulch. It is like putting a new dress on your child. They glow. Our playground is glowing and we have several people to thank for that.

Ron Eckles donated the money to buy the mulch. It was a welcome gift because our budget is the tightest I have experienced, and I have been here for eleven years. The day the mulch was delivered, the dump truck tried to get it all on the playground. Most of it did land inside the fence. But, not all of it did, so we had to start spreading it in order to close the gates. Reuben Neal, Emmanuel Orr, Jane Daugherty, Wayne Golden, Mamy Rakotomandrindra, Tahiana Rakotomandrindra, Helena Neal, Bobby Connor, and I spread 15 cubic yards of mulch in just a few hours. None of these people expected to be doing this work on a sunny Friday. They just saw it needed to be done and pitched in.

Thank you to everyone who helped make our playground a little safer and a lot prettier for the children.

God’s peace, Patrice Roux-Neal

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Tony's Musical Notes

THE STEWING POT --- JANUARY---2013

A thought for you: An old Cherokee is teaching his grandson about life. “A fight is going on inside of me”, the old Cherokee said to his grandson. “It is a terrible fight and it is between two wolves.”

“One is evil—he is anger, envy, sorrow, regret, greed, arrogance, self-pity, guilt, resentment, inferiority, lies, false pride, superiority and ego.”

“The other is good—he is joy, peace, love, hope, serenity, humility, kindness, benevolence, empathy, gener-osity, truth, compassion and faith.”

“This same fight is going on inside of you, grandson, and also inside of every other person.”

The grandson thought for a moment then he asked, “Which wolf will win, Grandfather?”

The wise old Cherokee simply replied, “The one you feed.”

Uncle Stew

About 160 people attended our Bach Vespers service in November. There were 27 singers in the choir and 12 play-ers in the orchestra - so the church was pretty full! Thank you to all who attended.

Bach Vespers could not happen without financial support. I would also like to gratefully acknowledge the following contributions:

$1000.00 $250.00 $100.00 $1.00 - $25.00

St. Mark's Foundation Gregg Gerlach Carl Moser Barbara Morton

Ruth Copeland Jill Hillis Mary Cardell

Claire Scott

Kim Dodds

Kate Donnelly

________________________________

On Thursday, March 13th, we will host the choir of Lenoir-Rhyne University as it passes through Jacksonville on a recruiting tour. The time will be announced at a later date. There are about 40 students in the choir. We will need to provide an evening meal at the church, then overnight lodging in member homes for the students. Hosts will pro-vide breakfast for the students and bring them back to St. Mark's on Monday morning so that they may continue on the tour. Please contact Tony Cruz if you are able to provide overnight lodging .

___________________________________

We had a nice Christmas party for the choirs at the home of Marie Friedsam. I would like to thank the members of the choir for the cash gift. I appreciate it very much!

Tony Cruz

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Join The Lion’s Pride and...

We will hold our

Contemporary/Casual Worship services

Saturday, January 4th & 18th

at 5:30 PM in the Nave.

Please join us and bring

a friend.

The next meeting will be held on Friday, January 10 at 12 noon in Hart Hall. Our guest speaker is Dorothy Fletcher, author and former English teacher at Wolfson High School. Please bring your own sandwich and join us. Drinks and dessert will be furnished by our hostesses Marjorie Broward and Esther Hixon.

The call committee may contact you. Otherwise, please call Bill Daugherty at 904-737-3218 by Tuesday, January 7, to reserve your seat.

A New Adult Sunday Class

Starting Soon

A new adult Sunday class will begin on January 12, 2014, entitled “ The life and writings of Dietrich Bonhoeffer”. This will be led by Jim Dennis and take approximately 8 weeks to complete. All are welcome to come and learn about this modern martyr and his teachings. Hope to see you there.

Priscilla Circle meets the second Thursday at

7:00 pm in the Church Library. The next meet-

ing is on January 9th.

Rebecca Circle meets the second Saturday of

each month at 10:00 am in Hart Hall. The next

meeting is January 11th.

Deborah Circle meets the second Tuesday at

9:30 am in Hart Hall. The next meeting is on

January 14th.

Our three circles were named after women in the

bible. Deborah was a leader of Israel; her story

is in Judges 4-5. Priscilla was an early evange-

list; her story is in Acts 18. Rebecca was the

wife of Isaac; her story is in Genesis 24 – 27.

All women are invited to participate in Circle meetings

and special events.

Contact Rachel Mumford or Joyce Wertz for more

information.

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St Marks Youth 2013 We had an amazing year of fun, fellowship and service. The youth worked hard in 2013 raising over $500 for Second Harvest’s backpack program, over $1500 for Family Promise, collecting canned goods and working hard over the summer painting a Family Promise transition home. Recently they gave parents at the Ark a day to themselves by offering free babysitting. We enjoyed a total of 12 little ones on two Saturdays while their parents shopped. 2014 will be just as amazing. We are planning a yard sale in April to raise money for a mission trip to Haiti in the summer and of course making big plans to raise even more money for Cardboard City. How blessed we are to have such amazing kids. Please pray for our youth as they show Gods love to the world. -Bridget Pudimat

St. Mark’s Youth Group News

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December 2013 Men In Mission

The Men In Mission this month was combined with the Celebrate Team's setting up and decorating the

Chrismon Tree and the Crèche outside. There were twenty-five people at different times helping. The

decorating progressed quickly with all the hands. Goodies were provided by the Celebrate Team.

We were also able to do some of the usual work during that time. A/C filters were changed as needed and

that work was accomplished by Ken and Paige Sohacki. Also we were able to replace some of the burned

out lights in the front.

The attendees from both teams were: Leslie Allen, Loree Mueller, Camelle Decker, Sharon Feingold, Robert and Aaron Brown, Ken, Cindy, and Paige Sohacki, Eric, Ellen, and Gina Olson, Mary Mittlestadt and Glen Knoot, Mike and Mary Swart, Bernie, Keels, Amelia, Sarah and Rebecca Jorn, Bridget, Gary, Nolan and Jordan Pudimant, and me. Hopefully I haven't missed anyone. The next Men In Mission Workday is Saturday, January 4, 2014. We continue to have small items such as

painting and small repairs. If you see something that you think you can do, let me or Ken know. We will

supply the materials and in some cases the extra hands.

We are always grateful for the help and willing hands on these workdays and at other times. This is His

House and your help in the maintenance is appreciated. Thank you all.

God's work, Our hands,

Bernie Giancola and the Property Committee

Lutheran Regional Men’s Gathering

The third annual Lutheran Regional Men’s Gathering will take place this year on Saturday, February 8, 2014, from 8:00 to 11:30am in the fellowship hall at St. Mark’s. This year’s guest speaker is Pastor Jim Graeser, previously the pastor at Cross+Road Lutheran Church and now Director of Evangelical Mission and Assistant to the Bishop for the Northern region of the Synod. Please mark this date on your calendar. A hot breakfast will be served and a new segment called “Bible Jeopardy”, added to the agenda. Hope to see you there.

Jim Dennis

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Notes of thanks were recently Notes of thanks were recently Notes of thanks were recently Notes of thanks were recently

received from the following:received from the following:received from the following:received from the following:

THE DRIP LINE---

January ---2013

The next blood drive at Saint Mark’s will occur on January 26, 2014 beginning at 8 a.m. If you are healthy and available please stop by to donate blood. Perhaps your donation may assist someone you know in the future. Thank you to all who donated 14 units at our last blood drive. Become a quiet hero and bring along a friend to donate as well as 2 pieces of identification!

Thank you and see you there!

Jan

Dear St. Mark’s Staff and Volunteers,

Just a note to thank you all for the lovely plant and all the

hard work you did to make everything go smoothly and for

helping to make everyone so comfortable at Marianne

Steere’s funeral.

God Bless You All!

The Family of Marianne Steere

________________________________________________________________________________________

Dear Friends in Christ,

Thank you for your gift of $117.50 in support of

Luther Springs. This brings your giving for 2013 to

$285.00. Your support, and that of many others

enables youth and adults to experience the joy and

faith-building experience of a weekend at camp. All

others who benefit from the programs, and the Board

of Directors join me in expressing their appreciation

for your partnership.

We pray the joys of Christmas be with you through

this season and 2014!

Sincerely in Christ,

John M. Corneilson

Luther Springs Director

____________________

Dear Friends,

St. Mark’s Lutheran Church has been exceptionally

generous in supporting the ELCA Malaria Campaign,

and we wanted to share our appreciation with you in

the form of the certificate (located in Hart Hall.) The

gifts from St. Mark’s Lutheran Church total $6068 so

far. In terms of giving to the ELCA Malaria

Campaign, this puts you in the top 150 congregations

in the ELCA. Your generosity is an inspiration to

other congregations. Please accept the certificate as

a small token of our overwhelming gratitude for the

ministry of your congregation and for your

generosity to the ELCA Malaria Campaign.

In Christ,

Jessica Nipp Hacker

Coordinator, ELCA Malaria Campaign

St. Marks will join other volunteers from the Jacksonville area Saturday January 18, at the Second Harvest Food Bank, 1502 Jessie Street (32206) from 9:00 A.M. to Noon for a winter workday. Please RSVP Karl Stupski, Volunteer Coordinator at 737-0871 by Tuesday evening January 14, so we can provide the Food Bank with an idea of our participation. Please note that the Matthews Bridge is being painted, and as such the bridge is susceptible to weekend closures.

Love and thanks to all of St. Mark’s members who

called me, visited me, brought me flowers, communion,

the “beekind,” and made me feel missed all those

months that it took to heal those broken bones.

Happy New Year,

Lorraine Drummond

_______________

To my St. Mark's Friends:

Thank you for your prayers, phone calls, e-mails and visits during my recent hospitalizations. Your concerns and well wishes are greatly appreciated.

Bill VanAs

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Worship Assistant Schedule

Date/Service Time Assisting Minister Lector Server Altar Guild

Saturday, Jan 4 5:30 PM Sue Carter Ted Carter Ginger Hudson & Marieanne Prokop

Epiphany Sunday, Jan. 5

8:30 AM

11:00 AM

Steve Hicks Cynthia Syverson

Leslie Allen Gary Pudimat

Eddie Jackson Al Voss

Mary Cusick & Nicki Hassell Susan Jackson & Bridget Pudimat

Epiphany

Monday, Jan. 6 7:00 PM

Pastor Hanson Volunteer Needed Volunteer Needed TBD

Bap!sm of Our Lord

Sunday, Jan. 12 8:30 AM

1 1:00 AM

Bill Van As Barbara Brown

Pat Ainsley Neil Daraskevich

Susan Jackson Carol Daraskevich

Mary Cusick & Nicki Hassell Susan Jackson & Sue Carter

Saturday, Jan. 18 5:30 PM Larry Tallman Rose Tallman Ginger Hudson & Marieanne Prokop


11:00 AM

Pat Ainsley Jane Kilby

Eric Olson Al Voss

Ellen Olson Bridget Pudimat

Mary Cusick & Nicki Hassell Francine Baker & Sharon Feingold


11:00 AM

Ron Eckels Jane Kilby

Jan Berglund Carl Moser

Jack Hudson Dennis Doiron

Mary Cusick & Nicki Hassell Francine Baker & Sue Carter

Date/Service Time Order of St. John Fellowship Nursery Ushers

Saturday, Jan 4 5:30 PM

Epiphany Sunday, Jan. 5

8:30 AM

11:00 AM

A/T Paige Sohacki C/S Amelia Jorn S/T Gina Olson B/B Ken Sohacki

A/T Miora Rambeloarisoa C/S Nolan Pudimat S/T Grace Maszy B./B Adam Kilby

The Jorn Family

The Pudimat Family

Jeanette Snyder & Sue Hanson Bridget & Jordan Pudimat

Larry & Rose Tallman

Epiphany

Monday, Jan. 6 7:00 PM

Bap!sm of Our Lord


1 1:00 AM

A/S Max Cassella C/S Jack Cassella

A/S Jordan Pudimat C/S Jody Harkrider

The Williams Family

Margo Phillips & Phyllis Green

Ellen & Gina Olson

Arold Rambeloarisoa & Volunteer Needed


Saturday, Jan. 18 5:30 PM Leslie Allen


11:00 AM

A/S TBD C/S Gina Olson

A/S Marshall Bastien C/S Amelia Jorn

Mary Genung

Ray & Lynne Booth

Cindy & Paige Sohacki

Madison & Jill Hillis



11:00 AM

A/S TBD C/S Paige Sohacki

A/S Peyton Harkrider C/S A.J. Hardrider

Mary Mittelstadt & Glenn Knoot

Cynthia Syverson & Marshall Bastien

2 Volunteers Needed

John & Rachel Mumford

Altar Flowers/Festival Stands

Margo Phillips

Leslie Allen

The Brown Family

The Orr Family

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St. Mark's Wishes a Happy Birthday to

All of Our January

Birthdays:

Bill Requet January 1 Hilda Wickman January 2 Sue Carter January 5 Tom Moore January 9 Gina Olson January 10 Marvin Brown January 14 Jack Cassella January 15 Robert Brown January 20 Lee Ann Smith January 25 Alan Voss January 25 Kristen Kemp January 28 Laura Kate Snyder January 28

REMINDERS FROM

THE OFFICE

If your address, phone number, cell phone number, or e-

mail address changes at any time, please notify the church

office so the records can be accurate and your corrections

published in the Messenger, as well as the directory.

Note: Is your birthday or anniversary missing? Then it is

not in the church database. Let the Church office know of

any omissions so everyone can be remembered on their

special days. Thanks!

Calendar Items

Items to be included in the weekly Roars must be in by

Wednesday. Items to be included in the monthly

Messenger must be submitted by the 15th of each month.

Please keep messages brief. All articles, messages,

calendar info, etc. are subject to approval and may be

reformatted at the sole discretion of the church

administrator.

Submit all info. to Wendi Orr at (904) 396-9608 or

[email protected]. St. Mark’s Evangelical Lutheran Church

75th Anniversary Challenge Fund

During our 75th Anniversary year, we announced a challenge for our congregation. Let’s make this a meaningful celebration by raising $ 50,000 over the next six months to provide funding for both national (ELCA) and local outreach services.

Contribute whatever you can when you can in the coming months (ending with St. Mark’s Day 2014) by noting on your check or envelope “75th Anniversary Fund” and placing in the offering plate or sending to the church office.

50% of funds contributed will be designated for out-reach determined by the Send Ministry Team. 50% will be used for the Organ Refurbishment and capital asset replacement.

A sign indicating our progress has been placed in

Hart Hall. Come and join the excitement as we an-

nounce our outreach projects!!!!

Your St. Mark’s Council

MEMORIAL GIFTS

Memorial gifts were given in memory of:

Marianne Steere

Ron and Mary Lou Eckels

Bill & Jane Daughtery

John and Diane Peterson

James M. Barker IV

Clara Echerer

Bruce Reymond

Karen Reymond

Maybel Billingham (Ruth Voss’ Aunt)

Clara Echerer

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Sun Mon Tue Wed Thu Fri Sat

1 New Year’s Day

Church Office & St.

Mark’s Ark Closed

2

10:00 Ark Chapel/N

5:15 Meditation/N

6:00 Yoga/HH

3 4

7:30 Men In Mission/

FH

9:00—10:30

Confirmation Class/

CR

5:30 Casual/

Contemporary

Worship/N

5 Epiphany

8:00 Matins Choir

Rehearsal/MS

8:30 & 11:00 Worship

9:45 BP Screening/C

9:45 Christian Ed

Classes

5:00 Youth Choir

Rehearsal/MS

5:45 Youth Group

Meeting/HH

6

7:00 Epiphany

Worship Service/N

7:00 Volleyball/FH

7

4:00—7:00 Literacy

Partners/L

5:15 Meditation/N

6:00 Yoga/HH

7:30 Community

Band/FH

8

10:30 Bible Study/CR

5:30 St. Mark’s Ringers/N

6:15 Wednesday Vespers

Service/N

6:45 Alleluia Ringers/MS

7:30 Festival Choir/MS

9

10:00 Ark Chapel/N

5:15 Meditation/N

6:00 Yoga/HH

6:30 Property Com-

mittee/CR

7:00 Priscilla Circle/L

10

12:00 Lion’s

Pride/HH

11

9:00 Chrismon Tree

Removal

10:00 Rebecca

Circle/HH

12

Installation of Council

Officers

8:00 Matins Choir

Rehearsal/MS

8:30 & 11:00 Worship/N

9:30 WELCA Board

Meeting/L

9:45 BP Screening/L

9:45 Christian Ed

Classes

13

6:30 Nourish Team

Meeting/CR

6:30 Stewardship

Team/L

7:00 Volleyball/FH

14

9:30 Deborah Circle/

HH


Partners/L

5:15 Meditation/N

6:00 Celebrate

Meeting/CR

6:00 Yoga/HH

7:30 Community

Band/FH

15 Messenger

Submission Deadline




Service/N


7:00 Executive Committee/

CR


16

10:00 Ark Chapel/N

5:15 Meditation/N

6:00 Yoga/HH

17 18

9:00 Confirmation

Class/CR

9:00 St. Mark’s

Health & Nutrition

Support Group/HH

5:30 Casual/

Contemporary

Worship Service/N

19

8:00 Matins Choir

Rehearsal/MS

8:30 & 11:00 Worship

9:45 BP Screening/C

9:45 Christian Ed

20 Dr. Martin Luther

King, Jr. Day

Church Office & St.

Mark’s Ark Closed

6:30 Finance Team

Meeting/CR

7:00 Volleyball/FH

21


Partners/L

4:00-7:00 St. Mark’s

Ark Sweet Frog Fund-

raiser (University

Blvd)

5:00 Bishop Confer-

ence

7:00 Open Forum with

Bishop and Worship

5:15 Meditation/N

6:00 Yoga/HH

22




Service/N



23

10:00 Ark Chapel/N

5:15 Meditation/N

6:00 Yoga/HH

24 25

Council Retreat

11:00 Sanctuary

Dedication Service/

St. John’s Lutheran

26

8:00 Blood Drive/Front

Parking Lot

8:00 Matins Choir

Rehearsal/MS

8:30 & 11:00 Worship/N

9:45 BP Screening/L

9:45 Christian Ed

Classes

27

6:30 Council Meeting/

L

7:00 Volleyball/FH

28


Partners/L

5:15 Meditation/N

6:00 Yoga/HH

7:00 St. Mark’s Ark

Board Meeting/L

7:30 Community

Band/FH

29




Service/N



30

10:00 Ark Chapel/N

5:15 Meditation/N

6:00 Yoga/HH

January 2014

11

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St. Mark’s Evangelical Lutheran Church

3976 Hendricks Avenue

Jacksonville, FL 32207

Pastor: Rev. Thomas Hanson

904-396-9608 x 14


Dir. of Ministry Administration & Volunteers:

Wendi Orr

904-396-9608


or [email protected]

Director of Music Ministry: Tony Cruz

904-396-9608 x 21


Comptroller: Larry Tallman


Financial Secretary: Rose Tallman


ST. MARK'S EVANGELICAL LUTHERAN

CHURCH COUNCIL OFFICERS

President.............................Bob Wofford

Vice-President......................Bill VanAs

Secretary.............................Jan Berglund

Treasurer.............................Barbara Brown

Documents

The Saint Mark's Messenger · Grace and peace, The “Miracle Team” at St. John’s Have you seen our playground? The Marge Wofford memorial playground has all new mulch. It is