Markings Newsletter
- October 2026
Volume: 112 | Issue: 10
A Letter from Rev. Quentisha Davis Wiles, MSW, ASW, MDIV, Senior Pastor
Happy Harvest Season, Saints!
I hope this message finds you well. This year has moved so quickly it’s sometimes a blur. Now harvest season is here, and with it comes a series of holidays.
I won’t pretend I have less to do. This is the season when I have to manage my calendar, my time, my energy, just to keep up. But this year, I’m doing something different. I’m slowing down. Cutting back. Paying attention to the sounds in the earth, the sounds of people. Whispers. Laughter. Crying. Yelling. Wonder. I’m making time to pause, to listen, to feel.
Yes, I have to make time to be present. Our culture doesn’t make room for that on its own. So I’m making room for something brewing, something life-giving, something affirming.
As we enter this harvest season, I invite you to ask: What seeds have I planted, nurtured, cultivated, or neglected? What do I need to pause or remove to make space for something deeper?
The harvest season invites us to recognize the culmination of months of hard work and the gathering of crops, and the celebration of produce, among other things. In this spirit, I invite you to read and reflect on the text below and notice how some cultures promote and value busyness and status over people. While this is not new, it begs the question: what are we cultivating, celebrating, and nurturing in our faith communities and in the world?
I invite us to consider what Jesus said when busyness and status seemed to affect care. The example he gave was: “A Samaritan, who was on a journey, came to where the man was. But when he saw him, he was moved with compassion.” Luke 10:33(CEB) Sit with that text. What do you notice? What comes to mind? What would you do in that moment?
Now ask it from the other side: If this happened to me, what would I want from humanity? It’s a loaded question, but it’s worth asking. What have you been taught about helping, caring, showing up for others? What is your heart telling you?
I know, it’s a lot to consider. But it’s worth asking. And the good news is you don’t have to wrestle with the questions or answers alone.
This month, I invite you into that kind of reflection and into worship with us, as we explore Christ Culture & the Culture of Love.
I believe Jesus’ teachings were never just beautiful stories. They were instructions to live in community, with all its friction on the journey to becoming who we’re called to be. And we don’t walk that road alone. The Spirit of God walks it with us, in the beloved community.
So come worship with us. Bring a friend. Mark your calendar: October 4th is both World Communion Sunday and Saint Mark’s 75th year in ministry. We have a special service and lunch planned, and we’d be honored to have you there.
I hope to see you. Until then, let’s meditate on the culture of Love.
World Communion Day and Saint Mark’s 75th Anniversary
Sunday October 4 | 10:00 AM Worship Service & 11:30 AM Luncheon
Seventy-five years ago, a small community of faith set out to build something that would outlast them — a church rooted in love, service, and the belief that God’s table has room for everyone. Since then, Saint Mark’s has baptized generations, celebrated marriages, walked with families through grief and joy, and remained a steady light through every season of change.
Fittingly, this milestone falls on World Communion Day — a reminder that believers across every continent and culture break bread together, and that the Body of Christ is far bigger than any one congregation.
Join us as we hold both celebrations together: a special worship presentation honoring Saint Mark’s history, followed by a World Communion lunch in MacMurdo Hall. Come be part of this milestone moment — a table set not just for us, but for all who’ve come before, and all who are yet to come.
Saint Mark’s family — it’s harvest season. And harvest season asks a question: what have you been planting?
Starting October 18th, we’re launching this year’s Stewardship Campaign around five dimensions: Time, Talent, Treasure, Testimony, and Ties to Community. Five seeds. Five ways we show up. Five ways we cultivate something bigger than ourselves.
This isn’t about obligation. It’s about what we choose to grow. “Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up” (Galatians 6:9 NIV). Stewardship is planting now, trusting the harvest.
Here’s what your seeds grow into:
- Meals for families facing food insecurity
- Resources and support for unhoused neighbors
- Care for the sick and elderly
- Advocacy for marginalized communities
- Mission work at home and abroad through VIMS
Every dimension matters. Your time cultivates relationships. Your talent cultivates ministry. Your treasure cultivates capacity. Your testimony cultivates faith. Your ties cultivate community. Together, they cultivate Saint Mark’s.
Over the next five weeks, we’ll dig into each one — asking, as Pastor Q has invited us to this season, what we’ve planted, nurtured, or neglected. We land on Commitment Sunday, November 15th — our harvest gathering, when we bring it all forward, together.
Are you all in?
Come Gather: United Women in Faith This October
Saint Mark’s United Women in Faith have two special gatherings coming up this month — come be part of the community, connection, and learning.
Notary & Legal Docs Gathering: Tuesday, October 13 | 9:45 AM | MacMurdo Hall
Join us for refreshments as we welcome Ellie Maturino, a licensed public notary, sharing helpful information on signing and notarizing documents like loan applications, trusts, wills, and estate documents. Come with your questions!
CA-NV Annual Conference Celebration: Saturday, October 17 | Loomis UMC
We’re excited to have a conference-wide UWF event so close to home! This year’s celebration features speaker Sally Vonner, General Secretary & CEO of UWF. Registration opens 8:30 AM, program at 9:30 AM. Carpools will be arranged around Saint Mark’s activities that day.
Register today at CANVUWF.org — we hope many of our Saint Mark’s family will join!
Celebrating a Legacy
Saturday, October 17 3:00 PM Gala Celebration & 5:30 Dinner
For nearly six decades, Jim and Jeanie Strathdee have inspired people around the world through a music ministry grounded in seeking justice, loving mercy, and walking humbly with God. Their songs have become woven into the life and worship of countless churches and communities — sung from pulpits and pews across generations, carrying messages of hope, justice, and faith to all who’ve heard them.
Now, we have the joy of celebrating Jim and Jeanie as they enter a new season of their lives. It’s hard to believe that in their mid-eighties, these two icons of music ministry are beginning to think about slowing down — and no, we did not say “retiring”! But their impact deserves nothing less than a celebration that reflects the extraordinary gift they’ve shared with so many of us over the decades.
Come be part of this special celebration — because the remarkable ministry they’ve built, the legacy of music, justice, and love, deserves to be celebrated by the very community it helped shape.
Get Involved: A Month of Action with What to Do
There’s power in showing up together. This October, What to Do, Saint Mark’s social justice group, invites our community into a season of action ahead of the November elections. Whether you march, make a sign, or simply listen — there’s a place for you.
Poster Party: Saturday, October 11 | 11:30 AM | Room E-4
Join us to make posters for next week’s protest. Even if you can’t attend, your poster can still carry the message.
No Kings Protest — Get Out the Vote: Friday, October 17
Gather with your sign near El Camino and Watt for the No Kings protest, focused on getting out the vote. We’ll spread out in groups of four to major intersections along Watt. New protest t-shirts available soon for $20.
Sac ACT Interfaith Vigil: Tuesday, October 21 | Noon at John E. Moss Federal Building & 6:30 PM in Wesley Hall
Terry Ratcliff, a weekly visitor to the California City Ice Prison, will be the guest speaker at SacACT’s Interfaith Vigil. That evening, she will join Saint Mark’s for an intimate evening of storytelling and questions alongside music and refreshments. Terry is brought to Saint Mark’s through her friendship with Jim and Jeanie Strathdee.
This is what democracy looks like when a community shows up for it — together. Whether it’s a poster, a sign, a conversation, or a shared meal, every act of participation matters. Join us for one event or all three — we hope to see you there.
— What to Do, Saint Mark’s Social Justice Group
Autumn Fest & Trunk-or-Treat: Volunteers Needed!
Mark your calendars — Saturday, October 31, 3:00–6:00 PM, Saint Mark’s is throwing our second annual Autumn Fest! It’s a community celebration for the whole family, with BBQ, bouncy houses, face painting, and the return of Trunk-or-Treating!
This fun-filled event doesn’t happen without you — and we need your help to make it a success!
We’re looking for:
- Trunk-or-Treat participants — Decorate your trunk and hand out treats to trick-or-treaters as they make their way through the lot. The more trunks, the more fun for our families!
- Candy donations — Help us stock up so every child leaves with a full bag of treats.
Whether you can decorate a trunk, donate a bag of candy, or both, every bit of help makes this celebration possible. Sign up in the Narthex today to be part of the fun!
Bring the whole family, invite your neighbors, and let’s make this Autumn Fest one to remember.
Save the Date: All Saints & All Souls Sunday November 1
On Sunday, November 1, we will gather to observe All Saints Day and All Souls Day, a sacred time when we remember those who have gone before us, both the great historical saints and the everyday saints who shaped our lives with love, faith, and grace.
As in years past, we will honor this season with our traditional ofrenda, an altar in the Narthex adorned with photos of loved ones we’ve lost. We will start collecting loved ones photos two weeks before November 1.
More details to come — we look forward to gathering in community, memory, and hope, trusting that love never dies.
In-Person Worship:
Drop gifts in the offering plate during worship on Sundays
Secure Text to Give:
Text a numerical amount to 916.299.5706
Mail:
2391 St. Marks Way Sacramento, CA 95864
August Finances
Contributions Received 9/14/26 – 9/20/26
General = $14,188.68
Designated = $745.00
Annual General Budget = $777,723
Monthly Budget Requirement = $64,810
Year to Date through 8/31/2026
Total Income through August 2026 = $472,783.68
Total Expenses through August 2026 = $466,243.62
August 2026 Net Income/Loss $6,540.06
New Prayer Requests
Peace and comfort for the Sibilsky Family and friends for the loss of John Sibilsky, who passed away September 12, 2026.
Peace and comfort for the Taylor Family and friends for the loss of Pam Taylor, who passed away September 4, 2026.
Peace and comfort for the Esquivel Family and friends for the loss of Mary Esquivel, who passed away August 2026.
James Udell for healing, strength and recovery.
Holding in Prayer
Ava Watkins for healing after surgery.
Abby Jaske’s uncle Tom Mohamed who has recently been diagnosed with incurable esophageal cancer.
Margot Perry for healing.
Rosemary Erlewine
Hezekiah Wiles for healing, wisdom & strength.
Sandra Kristensen
William Huckaby
Cathy Parker for healing from heart issues.
Bill and Mary Ann Gile
Ann and Gibbe Parsons
Prayers for world peace.
Individuals, Families and Friends of loved ones suffering and living with mental illness.
Tidbits for the Archive . . .
“We did what we believe Jesus would do in this situation . . .’
This statement from Don Fado, Alan Jones, Phil Lawson, and Jim Lockwood-Stweart and Renae Extrum-Fernandez, proclaimed their faithfulness to Christ in officiating in the Holy Union of Jeanne Barnett and Ellie Charlton on January 16, 1999. The service was attended by between 700 and 1000 people and officiated by 68 active clergy in the California Nevada Annual Conference, with others from outside both the conference and the denomination, in absentia.
The 1996 Methodist Book of Discipline, paragraph 65C states, “ceremonies that celebrate homosexual unions shall not be conducted by our ministers and shall not be conducted in our churches.” In August of 1998, the Judicial Council ruled that “conduct in violation [of paragraph 65C]…renders a pastor liable to a charge of disobedience…” Melvin Talbert, the Bishop of the California Nevada Annual Conference, expressed his sorrow and disappointment, but, never the less, said he would abide by decision and referred the clergy to the Committee on Investigation.
Don Fado, senior pastor at Saint Mark’s, had come to his understanding of inclusion over several years. While at Hanford UMC, that congregation became one of the first Reconciling Congregations in the United States. He also worked for integrated housing, ending the Vietnam war, refugees rights and sex education. It was when his long friend Bob Cary (who had been Conference Youth Director) came out as gay that Don’s own view had been challenged. In his October 4, 1998 sermon, Don affirmed that he would never turn away anyone seeking a blessing if he considered them sincere, that refusing would be an act of ecclesiastical disobedience. He invited other pastors, who felt the same, to join him. Shortly after that it was clear to him that preforming a ceremony for Jeanne (Conference lay leader) and Ellie (trustee), both active members of Saint Mark’s, would be consistent with his beliefs.
While the Holy Union was taking place, about a dozen protestors were kept across the street. Police on horseback kept a careful watch. The holy union continued to be a controversial issue not just for the United Methodist church. In the spring of 2000, the Episcopal Church and the Presbyterian Church (USA) both revisited the debate. The Evangelical Lutheran Church, the United Church of Christ as well as Reform Judaism all confronted the issue. By 2004, the Presbyterians had voted not to prohibit holy unions. The Episcopal church decided to leave the blessing of same-sex unions to the discretion of local bishops. The Catholic church and the Southern Baptist Convention resolved to oppose it.
Don Fado said, “What it comes down to is you have to follow your conscience…It’s hard but you have to do what you think is right.” Ultimately, no charges were brought against the clergy. And in 2024, the United Methodist General Conference removed the restrictions on same-sex marriage and issued a series of affirmations that all people should be treated with respect.
~ Barbara Eychaner, Historian
Who Should You Thank for Coffee Hour?
For a lot of us, part of Sunday worship includes enjoying a cup of coffee and a snack while interacting with like-minded folks at coffee hour. If you’ve never come to coffee hour, try it. You’ll like it! Every Sunday, a whole crew of volunteers strives to make coffee hour enjoyable.
Thank you to the many folks who faithfully sign up to bring food each Sunday. We always refrigerate or freeze leftovers for next time. Your donations are greatly needed and appreciated. We are always searching for more volunteers like you!
Thank you to the devoted volunteers who come early at least one Sunday a month to make coffee, and to place everything nicely on the serving table. Afterwards, they clean it all up and put it back in its place. Many thanks to the following people: Shirley Finster, Carolyn Holst, Marilyn Kissler, Joe and Andrew Maret, Shalom Circle, Margie and Dick Shunk, Marcy Steele, Cheri Ware and family. These folks also provide food at their own expense when not enough volunteers bring in food. We are in need of volunteers who can substitute for them if they can’t make it, or who can sign up to bring food on a chosen Sunday.
Thanks to all of you who contribute money when you come to coffee hour. The coffee alone costs more than what we usually collect, so please don’t forget to add your donation if you can.
Please contact Marilyn Kissler at 916–838–8809 about providing food, time, or money to help keep Saint Mark’s coffee hour alive!
Join the VIM team! Saturday, October 17 10:30 AM - Noon | E-25
This past August, our Volunteers in Mission (VIM) team traveled to Angola and Congo with a clear purpose: to strengthen partnerships and support sustainable, locally led ministries.
We are deeply grateful to Joel and Francoise Bulaya, who gave their time and hearts to this mission, to our church community for its ongoing support, and to the local leaders and partners whose hospitality, dedication, and faithful service made this work possible.
Now, we invite you to be part of what comes next. Join us Saturday, October 17, as we come together to discuss the mission and help decide how our church community should respond and move forward.
Please bring your questions, ideas, and candid guidance so we can decide the way forward together.
Sunday School Happenings!
Our Word of the Month is SEEKING. The word SEEKING might sound like you are looking for something. What kinds of things do you look for? This month we will look and discover our faith in God. Our bible verse is The Lord sees into the heart. 1 Samuel 16:76.
Come seek out new experiences and activities!
Mary Maret & Margie Shunk, Teachers
Mary Kohatsu, Garden & Music Coordinator
Mercy Pedalers: Tents, Tarps & Sleeping Bag Drive for Unhoused
Last year we supplied 40 people with camping equipment, tents, tarps and sleeping bags. Recipients know that we keep track of distribution and each person can get one of each item to last them the Winter. Big 5 is again offering a 20 percent discount through 12/31/26. The coupon has October 18th as the expiration date, but Frank, the Manager, said the store on Arden will honor the coupons through December 31st.
There appears to be a slightly smaller number of folks living outside this year, so our goal is to collect 35 of each item. We currently have 16 new sleeping bags and one new tent. So our goal is to collect 19 more new sleeping bags, and 34 more new tents and tarps. Harbor Freight has the best prices on tarps.
Our plan is to distribute items the end of October. In the meantime we will be making a list of those who need the items.
Thank you for your past support and for your interest and support for keeping our unhoused neighbors dry and warm this Winter.
Blessings,
Saint Mark’s Mercy Pedalers
Saint Mark’s is excited to launch Faith Unbound, a new podcast hosted by Pastor Quentisha—exploring bold, honest, and liberating faith.
Now available on Apple Podcasts and Spotify!
Listen, subscribe, and share!
