HomeCreation Week CampMinistriesWhat's HappeningWorshipEducation OpportunitiesSermonsOur PeopleContact UsLinks
Ministries

Our Adopt-A-Highway Crew
RoadGang.jpg
Saturday, May 16, 2009

OUR MINISTRIES
Ministry is at the very heart of our faith.  We believe that God calls us all to ministry, and ordains us to do it through our Baptism.  Here are some of the many ministries that we are called to do here at St. Mark’s Church.

WORSHIP MINISTRIES
Our regular Sunday worship is the celebration of the Holy Eucharist with sermon at 8:00 am and 10:00 am.  Choir and organ provide musical leadership for the later service.  A nursery is available for young children at the late service. 

SOCIAL MINISTRIES
This committee meets regularly to plan and implement various social ministries in the community.  Ongoing activities include Habitat for Humanity
, Food for the Needy, Thanksgiving dinner for residents of St. Mark’s Terrace, The Closet of Hope, Thanksgiving and Christmas for the Needy.  We are also involved in political advocacy as needed, especially in the areas of migrant worker’s rights, health care for the poor, mental health care and advocacy in support of the gay and lesbian community. 

St. Mark’s founded St. Mark’s Terrace, a low income independent senior living community with buildings in Penn Yan and Dundee.  Our Pastor is Chair of the Board of St. Mark’s Terrace and members of the congregation also serve on the board.

CHRISTIAN EDUCATION MINISTRIES
A weekly Study Group meets every Wednesday afternoon from 3:30-5:00.  The Study Group engages in a variety of learning activities including book studies, and DVD and video presentations on a variety of topics.

Education for our young members takes place on Sunday mornings. Sunday school is offered during the first part of our 10am worship service, and children rejoin their families in time for Communion. Sunday school is offered on the 1st - 4th Sundays of every month. When there is a 5th Sunday in a month, we use that day as a Youth Sunday, and our 10am service is an interactive opportunity for all of us together - young and old alike - often times with our younger members taking roles of leadership in our worship.

Adult Forums are held periodically throughout the year on issues of interest to the congregation.

Periodically, we offer an Inquirer’s Class for those new to St. Mark’s and/or the Episcopal Church, and for those seeking confirmation or reception into the Episcopal church.

Hospitality is at the heart of who we are
Sharing Lunch after a Festive Ordination

HOSPITALITY MINISTRY
One of the many ways that we live out the Good News of God in Christ is to extend welcome and hospitality to those who are gathered.  Each Sunday our Hospitality Committee provides a coffee hour time for us to visit with each other after worship.  We also provide hospitality to visitors, to special events, and in times of need.

PASTORAL CARE MINISTRY
When people aren’t able to be connected to the Church on a regular basis, the Pastoral Care Committee helps to make that connection stay vital.  We provide phone calls, visits and cards for those who are not able to leave their homes.  We take Communion to those unable to come to Church.  And we help keep our community stay informed about how each other is doing.  Our priest also takes time to assist in providing this kind of care to parishioners and those in the community who would like it.

STEWARDSHIP MINISTRY
Believing that all that we have is a gift from God is central to our faith journey at St. Mark’s Church.  To that end, our Stewardship Committee helps remind us of the need to continually offer our thanks to God, and to give back to God a portion of our time, our energies, and our resources.  At St. Mark’s Church we like to be honest about the fact that it takes a great deal of time, talent and money to keep our ministries going, so from time to time we remind each other of that reality, and always give thanks to God for all the gifts of life that we enjoy.

2Campers.JPG
2 Sturdy Creation Week Campers

YOUTH MINISTRY
St. Mark’s runs a diocesan youth camp every year during the last week of June.  Creation Week Camp serves approximately 65 young people each year providing an experience of spiritual community and arts education.  The young people who attend Creation Camp sing its praises and return year after year.

..................................................................................................................

WHAT IS YOUR MINISTRY?
We welcome you to join us in any of these ministries, and to work with us in other ministries to which you feel you are called.  Won’t you consider St. Mark’s Church as your spiritual home?  We want you to feel welcomed here, and we want to share with you in the Baptismal work of ministry.