By May of 1959, Rev. Dave MacMurdo’s annual assessment of his flock reported 646 members, 65 baptisms, and 15 weddings. He added that there was “a fine spirit throughout.” Staff included himself as senior pastor, Jun Jue as full time Director of Christian Education, Mrs. Arnold Fuson as a part-time secretary, and a part time custodian. The congregation was in debt over two hundred thousand dollars for the new sanctuary and parsonage.

Dave kept his members busy with six organizations. Christian Adventure Fellowship met every Sunday evening for social activities, worship programs, recreation and fellowship for 7th and 8th graders. There was much parent involvement! The Senior High Methodist Youth Fellowship also met on Sunday evenings with similar activities. The held a rummage sale, a car wash and other activities to raise money for their August trip to Camp Sierra. Double Harness was the fellowship group for young married couples. They each contributed 25 cents per month for mailing costs! Another group was the 49’ers Club, especially for those folks 49 and over. The third Sunday of each month they met for a potluck supper. The Building Council met quarterly to plan and carry out negotiations for the new sanctuary. The final organization was the Nominating which also appears on his list of Committees.

St. Mark’s official board consisted of the chairs of each of the committees. Some were similar or had the same function as committees we have currently. But others were unique to that time. There was a Parsonage Committee under Trustees whose job was to maintain and furnish the parsonage. They did the painting, landscaping, repairs, and generally maintained the property.

Mrs. Fred Loutensock (whom we know as Millie) chaired the Office Help Committee. She “assigned regular tasks to several volunteers, who then were responsible, under the direction of the church secretary, for maintaining [their] area of work.” Some of their tasks included address changes and mimeograph work.

The Fred Finch Children’s Home Committee was responsible for visiting the children’s home in Oakland as well as the Beulah Rest Home and reporting back to St. Mark’s so that there was better understanding of the work and operations and so appropriate support could be given.

The Methodist Union and Co-operation Committee represents St. Mark’s at the Sacramento Council of Churches and the Northern California-Nevada Council of Churches. It also served to represent our congregation, either in person or financially, with organizations such as the World Council of Churches, the Boy Scouts of America, and several others all of which had been chosen at the quarterly conference.

Church Campus Relations Committee helped to establish the Methodist sponsored student center at Sacramento State College and was looking into doing the same at American River Junior College.

The Public Relations Committee was concerned with “first impressions’ on visitors, as well as outside publicity such as getting stories and photos in the [Sacramento] Bee, and the Suburban Shopper about activities like the Women’s Society bazaar.

Reverend MacMurdo believed in keeping his congregation busy and involved, not just with St. Mark’s but with the wider community. He set us on a good path toward enriching our community and transforming the world through God’s love.