A Letter from Rev. Quentisha Davis Wiles, MSW, ASW, MDIV, Senior Pastor
Volume: 107 | Issue: 5
Greetings, Saint Mark’s Community,
There is something sacred about the season we are in together. Change is in the air — in our congregation, in our community, and in the world around us. And if we are honest, change can be unsettling. But let me remind you of something I know to be true: we have never walked this road alone, and we are not walking it alone now.
God is still God. The resurrection has already happened. And we are resurrection people. Before Jesus ascended, He left us with a commandment that was not new in name but radical in its demand. He said “I give you a new commandment: Love each other. Just as I have loved you, so you also must love each other.” John 13:34 (CEB)
This is our anchor. Not agreement on every issue. Not sameness of experience or perspective. Love is intentional, active, Christlike love is the measuring stick by which the world will know we are His disciples.
Renewed faith does not mean we ignore the tension we feel. It means we bring tension to the One who holds all things together. We pray with honesty. We worship with expectation. We trust that what God began in us, God will complete.
The Apostle Paul understood that community is not a luxury — it is the very nature of the body of Christ. He wrote to the church in Galatia with this word: “Brothers and sisters, if a person is caught doing something wrong, you who are spiritual should restore someone like this with a spirit of gentleness. Watch out for yourselves so you won’t be tempted too. Carry each other’s burdens and so you will fulfill the law of Christ.” Galatians 6:1–2 (CEB)
Did you catch that? Restore. With gentleness. That is our calling in this climate — not to condemn, not to cancel, not to retreat into comfortable silos, but to restore one another in love. That restoration requires presence. It requires patience. It requires the courage to stay in relationship even when it is hard.
Our intergenerational community is one of our greatest strengths. The wisdom of our elders and the energy of our young adults are not in competition they are in collaboration. The children in our pews are watching how we handle difficulty. The teenagers are measuring our authenticity. The seniors are trusting us to hold onto what is holy. Every generation has something to give and something to receive.
We can hold our convictions with confidence without becoming exclusive. We can stand in our truth without becoming harmful. We can disagree without becoming divided. The key is this: we must be more committed to one another than we are to being right.
In today’s social climate, the Church has an opportunity — and a responsibility — to model something the world is desperately searching for: belonging without condition, and accountability without cruelty.
Loving our way through change does not mean we tolerate harm. It means we name harm clearly and work together to heal it. It means we make room at the table for those who feel forgotten. It means we listen as much as we speak. It means we ask the Holy Spirit to search our hearts before we cast judgment on someone else’s.
This season, I invite you to commit to one act of loving restoration each month — not a program, not a committee, just one relationship.
That is how we ignite change: not with noise, but with nearness. Not with grand gestures alone, but with faithful, consistent love that refuses to give up on community.
We are not a perfect church. But we are a chosen people, called to reflect the love of Christ to a broken world. Let us be the kind of community that makes people believe again — in God, in each other, and in the possibility of something better.
Faith forward. Love out loud. Together.
In God’s Service,
Our church office is seeking friendly, dependable volunteers to help keep things running smoothly—and we could really use your support! Whether you’re available once a week, twice a month, or even just once a month, your time can make a big difference.
Volunteer shifts are flexible and can be scheduled on Mondays, Wednesdays, or as an on‑call substitute when needed. Time options include 9:00 AM–12:00 PM, 12:00–3:00 PM, or the full day from 9:00 AM–3:00 PM
Duties are intentionally simple and welcoming, perfect for first‑time volunteers:
If you enjoy helping behind the scenes and being a welcoming presence at church, this is a wonderful way to serve. Training and support are provided. Thank you for considering this important ministry!
A big thank you to everyone who helps care for our church grounds! In April, six dedicated volunteers made great progress, and we’re very grateful for their time and hard work.
Our next landscaping workday is May 2, from 8:00 – 11:00 AM, and we’d love more help.
Planned projects include weeding the vegetable garden and general upkeep. Special thanks to Allen Riker for flagging needed work near the playgrounds, which would benefit from additional wood chips.
Spring growth is in full swing, so if you enjoy being outdoors and helping keep our church beautiful, please consider joining us. All are welcome! For questions, contact Mary Kohatsu.
Join us to celebrate our music program!
Our entire service on Sunday, May 31 will celebrate our music program and include choir, band, handbells, solos, children, congregation, organ, piano, and more.
If you would like to participate and share your talents, please contact Rick Schlosser, rschlosser@stmarksumc.com
While the choir takes a break for the summer, we are looking for all who have artistic talents to share: music (solo, duets, small ensembles, instrumental), drama, poetry, and other arts. All are welcome and we appreciate sharing as much diversity as possible. All ages, genres, cultures, and styles welcome! Please contact Rick Schlosser, rschlosser@stmarksumc.com
With a garden theme, we’ll become gardeners to learn who we are, how to use our voice and share our gifts to encourage inclusion, justice and a sense of community. Storytelling, music, drama, crafts, recreation and of course snacks will all be a part of the fun that is planned. Older youth can earn community service hours. Registration online or at church will begin June 1.
Age groups will be 5-8, 9-11 and 12-15. Cost $15 per person.
Proclaim is our Word of the Month. Proclaim means to publicly announce something, often with great emphasis or celebration. This is exactly what Jesus’ disciple Peter did after Jesus was resurrected. He proclaimed the Good News of God’s love everywhere he went, but it got him into trouble. During the month of May we’ll hear Peter’s story and his adventures with his friends Timothy and Silas and how he survived a Shipwreck.
We look forward to seeing you!
Mary Maret & Margie Shunk, Teachers
Mary Kohatsu, Garden & Music Coordinator
Interested in learning more about Climate Justice? Looking to support communities of faith in taking bold and just action on climate change?
Please join the Shalom Circle on Tuesday, May 26 at 6:30 PM in the Fireside Room (E26) when Gregory Stevens, NorCal Director of CA interfaith Power and Light, speaks to this important mission impacting our surrounding neighborhood and community.
Gregory serves as the Northern California Director and has a BA in Religion and Gender Studies from the University of South Florida, a MDiv from Claremont School of Theology, and a MA in Anthropology from the California Institute of Integral Studies. The mission and vision of CA Interfaith Power and Light “is to inspire and mobilize individuals and communities of faith and conscience to take bold and just action on climate change. We are greening our houses of worship, teaching and preaching about caring for Earth, and advocating for just and equitable climate policies at the federal, state, and local levels”.
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The United States Overshoot Day was last month on March 14. A Country’s Overshoot Day marks the date when Earth Overshoot Day would be if all humanity lived like the people in that country. In other words, it is the day when the planet’s annual biocapacity budget would be used up if everyone on Earth consumed as much as the residents of that particular country.
This means humanity would have exhausted the annual regenerative resource budget the day after the 72nd day of 2026, which is March 14th. Also note: using up the entire budget would leave nothing for wild species. If everyone lived like the US, then humanity would need 5 earths to support itself.
On Tuesday, May12, United Women in Faith will hear the story of Family Promise of Sacramento. It was founded in April, 2005 with support from Saint Mark’s. Over 415 families have been guided to find safe and continued housing.
Leading this organization is Marsha Spell, who has been Executive Director since 2010. She has 45 plus years of nonprofit management experience and is a graduate of the University of Memphis where she graduated with honors.
Starting with overnight accommodations in church facilities and a day center, Family Promise continues to serve homeless families by placing them in hotels, tiny homes, and a new site while they participate in the program. Marsha will share how the program works as well as discussing the tremendous help to achieve their goal of helping families.
The UWF gathering begins at 9:45 am with refreshments in McMurdo Hall and newcomers are always welcome.
Join the Rainbow Alliance for a brunch after worship on Sunday, May 17, as we gather in fellowship while raising funds to support this year’s Pride events and expand our LGBTQ+ outreach.
Proceeds from the brunch will help strengthen our presence at Sacramento Pride and make it possible to host more Rainbow Alliance gatherings and events throughout the year. There will also be a sign‑up opportunity for those interested in participating in the Sacramento Pride March (June 13–14).
All are welcome, and every level of support makes a difference.
For questions or more information, please contact Sylvia or Denise Cruz at 408‑202‑9859.
We hope you’ll join us!
Tidbits from the Archive. . .
In 2017 Saint Mark’s did a deep dive into the question of becoming a sanctuary congregation.
Historically, the United Methodist Church has a legacy of being spiritual and social sanctuary to the early Dutch refugees from Indonesia who faced discrimination and segregation, to Central American refugees seeking asylum. Church ministries have offered a safe place to vulnerable communities including, LGBTQ, the unhoused, those seeking racial justice, healing and transformation, and to immigrants and refugees.
In 1975, church council explored the issue of assisting in resettlement of refugees from Vietnam. Concerns were expressed but most could not ignore that these are children of God who need food, shelter and clothing. It was decided that the congregation would sponsor two families, estimating their needs, and, with finance committee, deciding how to raise the necessary funds.
In the early 1980s, the Refugee Task Force sponsored two refugees from Eritrea. The congregation increased pledges so the refugees would not have to be on welfare. Berhane Tecleab remains a valued member of the congregation.
Mary Kasai joined Saint Mark’s in 1990 — the only person of Japanese ancestry in the congregation. Her oral history relates the family experience during the second World War being interned in Arkansas. Her father was separated from the rest of the family and sent to New Mexico. She attended school, got good medical care and was allowed to worship.
In 2017, the Sacramento Immigration Coalition trained about 60 volunteers to serve as legal observers during Immigration and Customs Enforcement actions. There was a 24-hour hotline to report ICE activity. Observers were to wear yellow hats featuring a black logo “Migra Observer” when responding to calls. “The coalition said fears of deportation have increased since Donald Trump became president. In Trump’s first 100 days in office, more than 30,000 convicted criminals across the nation were arrested, a 16% increase from the year before. . .” (The Sacramento Bee, 2 August 2017).
At Saint Mark’s, town halls were held to seek congregational consensus on becoming a Sanctuary Congregation. Questions of those attending related to: What is sanctuary? Who is seeking sanctuary? How do we declare Sanctuary? Are we jeopardizing our nonprofit status? Can we be fined? What would sanctuary at Saint Mark’s look like? If I don’t want to be involved, could I still be legally liable?
Ultimately the debate did not reach a conclusion on becoming a Sanctuary congregation. There were strong feelings on both sides of the issue. Our awareness, however, continues with the most recent protests against Immigration and Customs Enforcement
Post Script: As historian, I fairly frequently got inquiries from members of the congregation who share the discovery of some random piece of church history and wonder if the archive might like their find. I always say, “yes!” The information for this tidbit arrived from my own discovery in a room normally reserved for weaving. It is an entire binder full of documents, minutes, and notes that will have made their way to the Saint Mark’s Archive by the time you read this . . .
In-Person Worship:
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2391 St. Marks Way Sacramento, CA 95864
Vitals 4/13/26 – 4/19/26
Special Sunday’s = $0.00
Contributions Received 4/13/26 – 4/19/26
General = $8,004.55
Designated = $6,578.88
Annual General Budget = $777,723
Monthly Budget Requirement = $64,810
Year to Date through 3/31/2026
Total Income through Mar 2026 = $177,262.71
Total Expenses through Mar 2026 = $166,696.52
Mar 2026 Net Income/Loss $10,566.19
Erica and Quentisha Williams and the Williams family for comfort during their time of need as they grieve the loss of their father and loved one Eric Williams.
Richard Burns
John Fields for successful surgery, recovery and healing from pacemaker surgery.
Diane Paulson
Peace and comfort for the Loutensock family and friends upon the passing of Mildred Loutensock on Monday, March 31st.
Roger Staley for healing and comfort.
Adrian Diaz for protection and safety. He is serving in the Navy and
may be called to serve in Iran.
Peace and comfort for the Lawrence family and friends upon the
passing of Howard Lawrence on March 12.
Cecilia Cruz for comfort, healing and restoration following pacemaker implant surgery.
Bob Jacobs
Individuals, Families and Friends of loved ones suffering and living with mental illness.
Anne Smith for successful treatment and recovery from ovarian cancer.
Barney Brinkmann for successful treatment and recovery from lung cancer.
William Huckaby
Cathy Parker for healing and recovery from heart issues.
Bill and Mary Ann Gile
Ann and Gibbe Parsons
Prayers for world peace.
Prayers for caregivers and loved ones.
Prayers for our country, leadership and communities.
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!
