A Letter from Rev. Quentisha Davis Wiles, MSW, ASW, MDIV, Senior Pastor
Volume: 110 | Issue: 8
Greetings, Saint Mark’s Community,
Can you believe we are already more than halfway through the year? It has been a season of twists and turns, joy and sorrow, challenges and new beginnings. Yet, through it all, we continue to press on in faith, with hope rooted in the love of Jesus Christ.
This month, I invite us to center our hearts on Living by Grace. Why grace? Because in turbulent times, grace is God’s unearned gift that meets us where we are, transforms who we are becoming, and empowers us to live as Christ has called us to live. Grace is not permission to remain the same; it is God’s power at work within us, shaping us to love, forgive, serve, and grow.
Jesus calls us to extend the same grace we have received, and the Apostle Paul reminds us, “Let your speech always be with grace” (Colossians 4:6) and “Walk by the Spirit” (Galatians 5:25). Grace teaches us to respond with wisdom instead of reaction, accountability instead of blame, and compassion instead of harm. It is God’s prescription for faithful living in every generation.
One simple way to receive and apply God’s grace each day is to begin every morning by asking, “Lord, help me to receive Your grace and extend it to everyone I encounter today.” As we practice this prayer, God’s grace becomes visible in our words, our relationships, and our witness.
I encourage you to invite a family member, friend, neighbor, or coworker to join us this month for our sermon series Living by Grace as we discover together what it truly means to be Living by Grace. I look forward to worshiping and growing with you as we experience God’s transforming grace together.
And remember, the grace of God will keep us where the Spirit of God leads us.
Grace and peace,
Did you know that singing in a choir is one of the best things you can do for your physical, emotional, and spiritual health? Many studies show the benefits, including this one outlining research at Oxford University: Choir singing improves health, happiness
Choir! You are welcome to join us for our Fall Choir Kickoff on Saturday, August 22, from 2 to 5 pm, to build community and sing through some of our upcoming music for the Fall. Our Fall Kickoff will be in Wesley Hall. This is a free, no-obligation trial and comes with a free pizza dinner!
Then join us on Thursday evenings (6:30 PM) and/or Sunday mornings (8:30 AM) beginning September 11. You don’t need to read music. You just need to want to have fun and help us make a joyful noise to enhance our worship.
Handbells! We are working on finding the best time for bell rehearsals. If you’re interested, let Rick know so we can try to include you in our schedule. Bell rehearsals will begin right after Labor Day
Band! We are looking for folk who may be open to helping us make music on Sunday mornings. We have some folk taking a break, so we are looking for you if you play drums, guitar, bass, or other instruments. We rehearse on Thursday evenings at 8pm following choir.
Soloists and Special Music! And we love as much variety as possible, so if you want to share your talents during a prelude, offertory, or postlude, please see Rick!
Please see Rick Schlosser or contact him at rschlosser@stmarksumc.com or 916-508-7797
On Sunday, August 30, we will celebrate another all-music Sunday with some of our favorite Disney songs! Plan to come enjoy the fun and if you have a favorite positive and uplifting Disney song you would like to share or suggest, please let Rick know.
Our word of the month is Scripture. The word Scripture refers to the sacred writings of Christians found both in the Old and New Testaments of the Bible. The Scriptures are often referred to as “the Word of God.” At Saint Mark’s when the scripture is read during the worship service, the reader ends by saying, The Word of God for the People of God and we reply, Thanks be to God. Each week we will use our Bibles to read some words of wisdom then have a fun activity to go with it. Come find out what the Wonder Box has in it to go along with the scriptures.
The month of August has 5 Sundays which means on the 5th Sunday, August 30, we will stay in church rather than go to our classroom. 5th Sundays are special Sundays designed for everyone to participate. We might even share a song that Mary Kohatsu will be teaching us.
We’re looking forward to seeing you!
~ Mary Maret & Margie Shunk, Teachers
~ Mary Kohatsu, Garden & Music Coordinator
The church office is looking for a few friendly faces to help during the week! This is a wonderful opportunity to serve the church in a simple but meaningful way—and no special skills or office experience are required.
We’re looking for volunteers who can help on Monday mornings, Wednesday afternoons, or serve as an on-call substitute when needed. Whether you can give one morning or afternoon a week, twice a month, or even just once a month, we’d be grateful for your help. Shifts are available from 9:00 AM.–12:00 PM, 12:00–3:00 PM, or 9:00 AM–3:00 PM
The responsibilities are intentionally simple:
Many people assume office volunteers need to know computers or handle detailed administrative work, but that’s not what we’re looking for. We simply need caring, dependable people to help keep the office running smoothly when Rachel and other staff members are away from their desks.
If you’ve been looking for an easy way to make a difference behind the scenes, this is a great opportunity. Your presence allows our staff to step away when needed, knowing the office is still welcoming and responsive.
If you’re interested or would like to learn more, please contact the church office. We’d love to have you join our team!
Saint Mark’s is proud to support Loaves & Fishes, an organization that provides more than 1,000 meals each day to our unhoused neighbors.
On the fourth Wednesday of every month, a dedicated team of 14–16 Saint Mark’s volunteers serves at Loaves & Fishes in two shifts:
This ministry is a meaningful way to share compassion through service, and new volunteers are always welcome. Whether you can help prepare food or serve meals, your time makes a difference.
If you’re interested in joining the team, please contact Allen Riker at 916-873-3779 or allen6630@att.net.
Mark your calendars for Friday, August 7 as First Friday Night Karaoke makes its return! Join us at 6:00 PM in Wesley Hall for an evening of music, laughter, fellowship, and great food.
Beverages will be provided, and you’re invited to bring a favorite snack or dessert to share. A freewill offering will be received to help offset the cost of our amazing DJs, Ted and Denise.
Whether you’re ready to sing or just cheer others on, everyone is welcome! For more info, contact Sharon Grieve or Ron West.
United Women in Faith is committed to learning about the world and supporting women, children, and youth so they can live fuller lives. Through educational opportunities that foster spiritual growth, personal development, and community, UWF equips members to create meaningful change. At Saint Mark’s, members use the books and response magazines on the UWF book cart to deepen their understanding of people and communities in the U.S. and around the world.
The UWF Reading Program encourages members to read, track, and share recommended resources through four reading plans. Listening to UWF podcasts, reading response magazine, and books in five categories all count toward participation. Report your reading to Marilyn Kissler, Saint Mark’s UWF Program Resources Chair. Members who complete the program and submit their report will be treated to lunch.
The next UWF Board Meeting is Wednesday, August 6, at 10:00 AM in E4, where plans for the 2026–27 year will be developed. Ideas and suggestions are welcome. The next general gathering of United Women in Faith is Tuesday, September 8.
Throughout the summer, members met in activity groups, served at Kids Camp (Vacation Bible School), enjoyed books and podcasts, and attended Mission u.
This year’s Mission u study, A Deep Knowing: Experiencing Emmanuel Through Every Part of Our Lives by Linda Furtado, explores how we encounter “God with us” throughout Scripture and in our daily lives. Study resources for adults, teens, and children are available through the UWF website.
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
Contributions Received 7/20/26 – 7/26/26
General = $3,364.05
Designated = $55.00
Annual General Budget = $777,723
Monthly Budget Requirement = $64,810
Year to Date through 6/30/2026
Total Income through June 2026 = $374,443.44
Total Expenses through June 2026 = $347,041.76
June 2026 Net Income/Loss $12,528.32
John Sibilsky for healing from a stroke and seizures. He is recovering at home.
Peace and comfort for Colleen Townsley Brinkmann, family and friends upon the passing of Barney Brinkmann. Barney passed away July 23, 2026.
Francoise and Joel Bulaya for success in their mission and for safe travels.
Rosemary Erlewine for health and healing following leg surgery
Neal Kohatsu for successful hip surgery, healing and recovery.
Vivian Noble-Klein for successful surgery, healing and recovery.
Brett Anthony
Peace and comfort for the Floy Taylor family and friends upon the sudden passing of Floy Taylor’s younger sister, Juanell Wiggins. Juanell Wiggins passed away June 29, 2026.
Hezekiah Wiles for healing, wisdom, guidance and strength.
Prayers for successful treatment, healing and recovery for Sandra Kristensen, who is undergoing treatment for esophageal 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.
Individuals, Families and Friends of loved ones suffering and living with mental illness.
On May 26th, 2026, Gregory Stevens, Northern California Director of California Interfaith Power and Light (CIPL), www.interfaithpower.org, gave a webinar presentation to Saint Mark’s’ Shalom Circle in the Fireside Room. The talk was followed by a brief discussion. CIPL’s mission and vision is to inspire and mobilize individuals and communities of faith and conscience to take bold and just action on climate change. They work to “green” houses of worship, teaching and preaching about caring for the earth and advocating for just and equitable climate policies at the federal, state and local levels.
CIPL lobbies for environmentally sustainable solutions to the earth’s climate crisis, with a faith-based focus on California’s environment. They work to preserve and enhance God’s creation. Because of California’s position as a world economic power, decisions made here regarding markets and their effect on our environment and human well-being are magnified. Also, many laws passed in California go on to become federal or worldwide voluntary guidelines or mandatory standards.
On June 24th, CIPL held its annual Advocacy Day. Approximately 40 volunteers and staffers met that morning at Saint John’s Lutheran at 2701 L Street in midtown. After a strategy briefing and group photos, several teams walked to the State Capital Annex at 10th and L Street to meet with representatives of the California State Assembly and Senate to advocate for progressive positions on five bills in the legislative pipeline. A short outline of each bill is included below.
1) Balcony Solar, SB 868, Wiener – Would streamline approvals and establish safety standards for portable solar energy devices, which can provide highly efficient electricity for homeowners and renters without using the grid. These solar panels can provide enough electricity to power light transportation vehicles (street carts, e-bikes, etc.) and supplement in-home power. Because the energy produced is off the grid, less total energy from other sources is needed. Passage of this bill would incentivize the sale of such solar panels nationwide. They can currently be purchased at moderate cost by consumers and if this bill is passed, the cost will continue to drop.
2) Gas Wells Cleanup, AB 2461, Hart – Would close sales loop holds and strengthen accountability of owners to do gas well cleanup, regardless of how possession of the well is transferred. California has thousands of fracking and gas well sites which pollute the environment.
3) Heat Pumps, SB 222, Wiener – Would streamline heat pump permitting to encourage permitting compliance. Heat pumps drastically reduce indoor air pollution and climate emissions, and lower energy costs overall.
4) Energy Autonomy, AB 2313, Berman – Would give consumers the choice to completely electrify their homes and discontinue gas service (PG&E) when such gas lines are due for scheduled maintenance. Gas providers would be required to offer this option to consumers.
5) CEQA – California Environmental Quality Act Safeguards, SB 954, Blakespear – CEQA is the enabling legislation which became law years ago and kick-started the modern California government environmental movement. This bill would review and clean up exemptions from the law to continue to support a clean and abundant future for Californians. FYI, James Roberts, husband of Saint Mark’s’ own Sylvia Roberts, was one of the original architects of CEQA.
John McCormack’s advocacy group included attorney Regina Q. Banks, Policy and Legislative Director, Lutheran Office of Public Policy, and LeslieAnn Grace and Brooke Purves of Lutheran Church of Our Redeemer (LCOR ). At each office stop, Regina and others gave brief explanations of the need for these state bills to become law. They also noted that their passage is in keeping with our faith mandate to protect God’s earth from harm and increase sustainability.
The original idea for involvement with this group and the meeting with Shalom Circle, came from Church Council Chair Ingrid Moeava. She was unable to attend the Lobby Day event but is interested in how Saint Marks can become more involved in this work through partnering with CIPL. Please contact Ingrid with your input and suggestions.
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!
