The Peace Pole on the east side of the sanctuary was dedicated in July 2008 in honor of Reverend Robert Moon. Bob served as senior pastor at St. Mark’s from 1966-1974. He was our second senior pastor.

Bob’s ministry was brimming with peace and justice. He and his wife, Dorrie, marched along side Dr. King during civil rights protests. He held leadership positions in the General Board of the National Council of Churches, the General Board of Christian Social Concerns, and was national chair of the Fellowship of Reconciliation. He said, “…church must help the people of the world find the way to world peace.

Ray and Dorothy Miller began lifting Heifer’s visibility in 1978 with huge yard sales. The parking was filled with tables piled high with clothing, collectables, etc all at bargain prices.

For the first two sales, items were collected and stored for two months prior to the sale. By the third sale in 1980, collection and storage began four months prior to the sale. With space limited, some items began to be stored in West Sacramento in a semi-trailer owned by a member of the congregation. Shortly after sale #3, Dorothy suggested collecting year-round. By sale #4, the proceeds had exceeded $10,000. Contributions for the sale came from churches through-out the county. They were collected, stored and sent to Saint Mark’s in time for the sale. Stores in the community contributed overstock items. Everything was categorized and displayed so well that some shoppers found it easier to shop at the Saint Mark’s yard sale than at a store!

The two-day sale required filling the parking lot with tables. Volunteers spent the night before the sale in RVs to watch over the merchandise. Cars filled the surrounding streets and some parked at Country Club Plaza and walked the three blocks to the sale. By 1987, proceeds from the sale had reached more than $23,000. Income from ten years of sales exceeded $120,000.

The community chipped in with added events. “Souper” Christmas offered lunch and sale of seasonal decorations after church service. “Mission Shoppe” was held annually for five years to sell Heifer t-shirts, cookbooks, Christmas cards, etc. and to provide alternative gift ideas of an animal or a share of an animal. “Rally for Heifer” was a mixed-doubles tennis tournament organized by Jane Henderson at El Camino High School to benefit Heifer.

Heifer adopted a new theme in 1995, “An Ark for Today’s World” — each ark contained 30 food-producing animals at a cost of $5000. In both 1995 and ’96, Saint Mark’s was able to purchase an ark. Sunday school children contributed coins in plastic ark banks. Children were sponsored for the number of books they read in the “Read to Feed” program. Youth groups held car washes and collected aluminum cans. Over 100 churches from the greater Sacramento area gathered at La Sierra Community Center for “Hunger Attack” — sales, silent auctions, donkey cart rides, goat milking contests, lunch and a variety of animals on display, all to benefit Heifer. Over the decades, Saint Mark’s contributed several arks!

Names you might recognize who enriched the broader community with compassionate acts through Heifer projects are Lori White, Vic and Patti Massagli, Rosemary Erlewine and, of course, Jane Henderson. Many others contributed as well.

Barbara Eychaner, Historian

Heifer International’s mission is to end global hunger and poverty by supporting local farmers and their communities. They partner with smallholder farmers – especially women farmers – to improve their families’ food security and increase their incomes. They offer tools, training and resources that help farmers work together to build profitable, sustainable businesses with strong market linkages.

Saint Mark’s involvement with the Heifer Project International began in the mid 1950s when Dr. Dillon Throckmorton, the newly retired district superintendent, became Director of Heifer Project’s Pacific West Regional. Throckmorton had been DS when Saint Mark’s was established in 1951 and had been invited to the pulpit on occasion and spoke of his commitment to Heifer. He inspired members to become “Heifer Helpers”. Sunday School children were soon engaged to do extra chores around the home to earn 25 cents which would provide a chicken to a needy family.

‘Round-Up ’76 For Heifer Project’ provided the entire congregation to become involved in supporting Heifer. Ray and Dorothy Miller (Jane Henderson’s parents) solicited donated animals from all over the conference. They were trucked to the fairground in Pleasanton and distributed to needy families in the United States and around the world. The Millers learned that a heifer could be purchased for $400, instead of the usual $600, from local owners with Methodist affiliation. The congregation’s generous response bought two heifers and three newborn kid goats. The goats came from a dairy in Elk Grove and Ray brought them back to Sacramento in the back of the family car.

In 1977, Rev. Dave Wolf sought permission from the Administrative Board to create a new position on Saint Mark’s Council of Ministries for a Heifer Project Representative. Ray and Dorothy were elected. The same year, the Commission on Missions adopted world hunger as a global mission priority with Heifer Project to receive support. The fund raiser was Barnyard Sale & Barbeque. Videos of project work were shown, goats were milked, men dressed as farmers, and the tempting aroma of barbequed beef and pork all helped to raise $2200.

The Sharing Table was also established in 1977. Every Sunday from June through August fresh produce, baked goods, handcrafts, books, plants, anything that could be sold was donated to benefit Heifer. Income from the summer averaged $1000.

Without a doubt Saint Mark’s was enriching community and transforming the world through God’s love . . . .to be continued . . . . .

Barbara Eychaner, Historian

Saint Mark’s first Family Camp, was held in 1973. In conjunction with the theme “The More We Get Together the Happier We’ll Be,” camp included guided geology hike and nature hikes, volleyball, horseshoes, campfires, games and stories.

It was held at a campground in Placer County, on 866 acres at 4,000 feet elevation. The fees varied depending on whether participants brought their own camper, tent, or preferred a cabin space. Instructions reminded campers to bring their own sleeping bags, and towels, and other necessities. There would be a Saturday pot luck, but other meals were available to purchase: as little as 75 cents for children and as much as $2/dinner. The agenda was similar for 1974.

In 1984 camp was in Sonoma County and included a tour of old Bloomfield, swimming, painting, a scavenger hunt, softball, campfire, a potluck dinner, and a pancake breakfast.

By June 1987 camp had moved closer to the coast and included a tour of Bodega Bay and spiritual time along with worship. An Eldertreat was held in 1990. Throughout the years family camp was growing a thriving, inclusive and diverse congregation that engaged with the broader community.

Post Script: Nothing more appears in the historic record, though Jim and I attended family camp after joining St. Mark’s in 2001. If anyone has records from years after 1990 that they would be willing to share, the archive would happily receive them.

Barbara Eychaner, Historian

During this quarter, we have experienced a highly productive period marked by several significant accomplishments. The Board of Trustees has overseen and successfully completed the installation of a new HVAC system in the Grace Café, ensuring improved comfort and climate control for all who use the facility. In addition, we completed the conversion of ceiling lights in Mac Murdo Hall to energy-efficient Fluorescent LED fixtures, which will help reduce energy consumption and maintenance needs. We also replaced missing ceiling tiles, restoring the hall’s aesthetic and functionality. All these projects were completed within the allocated budget, reflecting careful planning and resource management.

Our efforts, however, are ongoing. We are currently planning to address the replacement of floor tiles and to pursue upgrades in both the men’s and women’s restrooms. These improvements are part of our commitment to maintaining and enhancing the quality of our campus facilities. Furthermore, we are also preparing to focus on the exterior of the campus facility to ensure it remains welcoming and well-maintained.

We would like to extend special thanks to all the groups whose dedication and hard work help maintain our campus grounds. The Trustees could not have achieved these goals without your invaluable contributions and continued support.

Sincerely,
Board Chair & Vice Chair