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We invite all people to our church home, to celebrate God's many gifts. Nourished by Christ Jesus, and driven by the Holy Spirit, we send enthusiastic servants to proclaim the hope and joy of life in Christ.
We strive to celebrate the rich diversity of God's people, welcoming all to be nourished in their faith journey. We exist not to serve ourselves but to live out our relationships with Christ in service to community.
• Hospitality • Excellence in Worship & Music • Christian Growth • Care of Youth • Leadership Development & Implementation • Faithful Stewardship • Compassion
St. Mark’s congregational leadership is carried out by the Congregational Council, a group of 12 elected members. Each year at the Congregational Annual Meeting, 4 new council members are elected to serve 3-year terms.
The council meets monthly to tend to the business of the church.
Quarterly Congregational Feedback Sessions are held between services, so the council can update the congregation on outstanding business and answer any questions.
Council members also lead teams that carry out St Mark's ministries, which are aligned with the key concepts in the St. Mark Mission statement:
We
invite
all people to our church home, to
celebrate
God's many gifts.
In addition, the Resource Committees of Property, Finance, Stewardship, Men in Mission, and Women of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America provide support for these Ministries.
Congregational Council
2008 Officers and Executive Committee Ted Carter, President Jeff Zeigler, Vice President Lynn Doiron, Secretary Lorie Aurand, Treasurer
Ministry Team Leaders Invite: Jim Dennis & Joan Snyder Celebrate: Loree Mueller, Leslie Allen Nourish: Jeff Zeigler Send: Nicki Hassell
Resource Committee Leaders Property: Jim Mitchell Finance: Ron Eckels Stewardship: Ryan Uitti Men in Mission: Jim Mitchell WELCA: Karen Kristopeit
St. Mark’s Evangelical Lutheran Church started with the dream of the Rev. William J. Ducker, Special Missionary of the Board of American Missions; the Rev. D.W.E. Pugh, President of the Florida Synod; and the Rev. C.F.H. Krueger, Chairman of the Missions Committee. The first meeting of the interested persons with these leaders was held at the J.H. Hinck home on July 6, 1938. The second meeting was held at the home of Dr. and Mrs. F.W. Krueger on July 13. Arrangements were made to hold the first service on July 17, 1938, in the Burns-Naugle Funeral Chapel. By November 13, 50 people were ready to organize the new Lutheran Church on the Southside.
On December 4, a Constitution was adopted. The congregation took possession of their first property (the South Jacksonville Presbyterian Church building) on February 1, 1939, at the corner of Hendricks Avenue and LaSalle Street. Plans for a new building were developed, and lots at 3976 Hendricks Avenue were purchased. In 1948, construction began. The new facilities were dedicated on February 13, 1949. At that time, there was a membership of 88 households, with 197 people.
Due to increasing attendance, two worship services were started in September 1951. An expansion program became imperative, requiring additional property. A master plot plan for adding a Fellowship Hall, Education Building and Nave was developed. The Education Building program became first priority, and dedication of the new facility was held July 24, 1955.
Renovations to provide more adequate educational administrative facilities took place in 1972-1973. During this period, faceted glass windows were added to the Chapel. The Vicar program was initiated in 1975. The decade concluded with a parish commitment of nearly $25,000 for the LCA Strength for Mission Appeal.
In 1984 over 600 people attended the dedication of the new worship and renovated fellowship space. Assistant Pastor Kathy Baines and cantor Jim Rindelaub joined the staff in 1985. The 50th anniversary observance in 1988 included a love offering of $50,000 for community ministry through Lutheran Social Services. Vision 21, a strategic plan for the 1990's was completed in 1989. St. Mark's Ark Child Development Center opened in 1990. A major capital funds campaign - A Gift for God's Children - occurred in 1994.
At the 1995 Synod Assembly, Pastor William Trexler was elected Bishop of the Florida-Bahamas Synod for a six-year term. Bishop Trexler took office August 1, 1995. The Bishop called Pastor Baines as one of his assistants, and on October 1, 1995 she began her new calling. Associate in Ministry Carol Schickel was elected to serve during the interim.
In May 1996, the Rev. Dr. William F. Scholl accepted a call to serve St. Mark’s as Senior Pastor. During his tenure, the church facilities were expanded to include a new fellowship hall, music suite, kitchen, and offices for the church staff. In July 1998, the Rev. Laura M. Wind accepted a call as Associate Pastor. In October 2000, Nancy Smith accepted the position of Director of Sacred Arts, Music, and Liturgy.
In 2002, Pr. Wind accepted a call to Epiphany Lutheran Church in Winston-Salem, N.C. After consideration of St. Mark’s needs, and the growing number of young families and youth, the congregation decided to call a rostered Associate in Ministry who would work primarily with children, youth and families. In 2002, Shelley Wiskirchen was called to the position of Director-Youth and Family Ministries. A highlight of 2003 was the purchase of a house on London Road immediately adjoining the church property, for future use as an Educational Building.
On October 31, 2004, after more than 8 years of faithful service to St. Mark’s, and more than 30 years in the ordained ministry, Pastor Scholl retired. In January 2005, Shelley Wiskirchen accepted a call as Admissions Associate at Southern Lutheran Seminary. In November 2005, Nancy Smith and her family moved to Atlanta, Ga.
During a time of great change, St. Mark’s was blessed to have the Rev. Don Reiter serve as interim pastor. Many members of St. Mark’s gave of themselves to keep ministries and programs running smoothly.
In August 2006, the Rev. Richard W. Dow accepted a call to serve as Senior Pastor. In November 2006, Tony Cruz accepted the position of Music Director.
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| Copyright 2007 St. Mark's Evangelical Lutheran Church |
