A Letter from Rev. Quentisha Davis Wiles, MSW, ASW, MDIV, Senior Pastor
Volume: 109 | Issue: 7
Greetings, Saint Mark’s Community!
I pray this letter finds you well body, mind, and spirit. These are trying times, and I want you to know that your spiritual, mental, and emotional health matters deeply. Please take care of yourselves. Drink water. Rest. Breathe. And if you need support, reach out to God, to this community, and to a professional when needed.
Speaking of heat, did you know that as of June 2026, the global average temperature for the year ranks as the second warmest on record? That is not just a weather report. That is a sign of the times. And it has me wondering: is there a correlation between the heat of the earth and the heat of the world?
Jesus anticipated this moment. In Matthew 24:10–14 (MSG), he warned his disciples plainly: “And then, going from bad to worse, it will be dog-eat-dog, everyone at each other’s throat, everyone hating each other… in the confusion, lying preachers will come forward and deceive a lot of people. For many others, the overwhelming spread of evil will do them nothing left of their love but a mound of ashes. Staying with it that’s what God requires. Stay with it to the end. You won’t be sorry, and you’ll be saved. All during this time, the good news the Message of the kingdom will be preached all over the world, a witness staked out in every country. And then the end will come” (MSG)
That is a mouthful! And it is the word for right now. Jesus was not caught off guard by conflict, corruption, or chaos. He named it. He told his disciples exactly what deception, division, and moral collapse would do to the world and to love itself. Evil, left unchecked, reduces love to ashes. But the antidote was never silence. The antidote was steadfastness. Stay with it. Stay the course. Stay in love! Does that sound familiar?.
The moral of this text is this: love is not passive. It is an act of holy resistance.
This July, the United States celebrates the 250th anniversary of the signing of the Declaration of Independence July 4, 1776. It is a milestone that calls us to pause and ask an honest question: Are we celebrating a living document, or commemorating a distant ideal?
I confess from where I stand, the Declaration is being violated, tarnished, and diminished by the very hands entrusted to uphold it. That is disheartening. And I will not pretend otherwise.
But I am not without hope. Because Jesus did not just teach us to endure, he showed us how.
He was steadfast in the face of adversity. He named the times. He stood with the marginalized and never once apologized when his message of love cost him followers. He did not lower the standard of love to accommodate the comfort of those unwilling to live by it. And he called us to do the same: hold fast, speak up, refuse to be silent in the face of injustice, and trust God even when the way forward is unclear.
That is the witness we are called to carry not just in church, but in the streets, in our families, in our communities, and in the voting booth. If you are wondering what you can do.
Here are a two ways to put our faith into action:
1. Practice Love as a Daily Act of Resistance.
In a culture of division, love is countercultural. This week, do one intentional act of love across different racial, generational, political, or economic lines. Call someone. Show up for someone. Speak kindly where harshness is expected. Let your love be visible.
2. Refuse to Be Quiet.
Christian witness is not just Sunday morning. It is Monday morning too. Write a letter to an elected official. Attend a community meeting. Share your faith through action. As Jesus modeled, the good news must be lived in every country, every community, and yes, every conversation. Speak truth. Stay in love. Do both at the same time.
Last, but certainly not least, come worship with Us.
This month, Saint Mark’s is living into our July theme Just-Love. We are exploring what it means to love justly, love boldly, and love without apology in a world that is desperate for exactly that.
We invite our congregation, our families, our friends, and our neighbors to worship with us, grow with us, and bear witness with us. Bring someone. Share this letter. Come as you are.
Because love is not just something we feel. It is something we do. Together.
Blessings~
Praise is our Word of the Month. Praise is an expression of respect or admiration. This month we will hear stories about praising God. We’ll hear first about King David and how he praised God through dancing. What are other ways we praise God? Come find out!
We look forward to seeing you!
Mary Maret & Margie Shunk, Teachers
Mary Kohatsu, Garden & Music Coordinator
On Sunday, July 26th We will celebrate the ministry of Pastor Quentisha Davis Wiles to the Community of St. Mark’s United Methodist Church which she has served for the past 5 years. It is truly hard to believe that much time has already passed in her ministry, and we have all been truly blessed.
As we Celebrate this Special Day there will be a wonderful luncheon in MacMurdo Hall after service beginning at 11:30 PM.
Baked BBQ Chicken
Potato Salad or Green Salad
Fresh Veggies
Vegetable Lasagna (limited)
Rolls
Dessert
This will be a great time of Fellowship, Gifts, and Sharing of stories. All are welcome!
So be sure to mark your calendars for this Very Special Day.
If you have any questions, please contact Christopher Harris at 916-502-1110 or email: charris@stmarksumc.com
The Summer Arts Festival is alive and going strong through Sunday, September 6 — and we want you in it! Whether you paint, sing, play, sculpt, dance, or create in any way, this is your moment to shine.
Reach out to Rick Schlosser at rschlosser@stmarksumc.com to share your gifts with our community!
Exciting things are coming this fall! Mark your calendars for our Fall Choir Kickoff on August 22, a fun afternoon of singing, fellowship, and food for singers of all experience levels. Then join us on August 30 for a special Music Festival worship service celebrating uplifting Disney favorites.
Looking ahead, choir and handbell rehearsals will resume in September as we begin a new season of music ministry. Read next month’s Markings for full details, schedules, and ways to get involved!
First Friday Night Karaoke July Event CANCELLED
contact Ron West for details at jodeewest53@gmail.com
The next general gathering of United Women in Faith will be September 8. During the summer, members continue to meet in their activity groups, help at Vacation Bible School, read books from the UWF book cart, listen to UWF podcasts, and attend Mission u.
UWF members may check out books for the UWF Reading Program from the cart in Wesley Hall when the office is open. The cart may be on the Patio after the worship services. Treasurer’s Reports and Minutes of UWF meetings are in binders on the cart.
While enjoying walks and the outdoors or the air-conditioned indoors, podcasts offered by United Women in Faith can be opened at uwfaith.org/resources/podcasts/ . Three varieties are offered:
For more ideas, practical tips, and faith-based resources on caring for God’s creation, read the full article and explore additional materials at the United Methodist Creation Justice website.
As our 75th anniversary approaches, and most of us haven’t been part of the community that long, some review of the historical timeline seems appropriate.
The land had been used to herd goats in 1950 before the two and half acres were purchased for $18,000 to build the church. A survey was done to determine the needs. Rev. Dave MacMurdo was appointed as pastor by Bishop Donald Tippett. There were 79 charter members, most between the ages of 25 and 34; none over 65! A cross was constructed at the corner of Lusk and St. Mark’s Way.
The first services were held October 21, 1951 in the open-air lathe house as well as other available space including Wonder Bakery, Del Paso Manor school and Carmichael Community Presbyterian Church. Ground breaking took place September 7, 1952 for the Social Hall (now Wesley Hall). Greetings were read from Governor Earl Warren, Bishop Tippett, and Rev. Titus of the Sacramento Council of Churches. A pot-luck supper was scheduled for September 19. Volunteer labor, with union approval, helped with wiring, painting, and installing the heating system, saving thousands of dollars in labor costs. The first Sunday school class met earlier, on August 6, at the parsonage, taught by Dorothy MacMurdo. An adult group met in the parsonage’s one-car garage, which also served as the pastor’s study and the family’s laundry room. Three Sunday school classrooms were added in 1953. By 1957 membership had grown to 439 and Sunday school attendance topped 500. The pastor’s salary that year was $5700.
By 1959, when ground was broken for the sanctuary, membership had grown to 600 and there were 1200 children in Sunday school…
1960 – Bill and Esther Finster began their missionary work in Rhodesia.
1965 –Fellowship hall and choir room were completed.
1966 – Rev. Bob Moon was appointed senior pastor.
1968 – the Methodist Church and the United Brethren Church joined nationally to become the United Methodist Church.
1968 – ADVENTure began.
1972 – Summer Brunches were initiated.
1974 – Rev. Dave Wolf appointed senior pastor.
1975 – Sierra Service project launched.
1984 – Norman Calloway appointed senior pastor.
1987 – Donald Fado appointed senior pastor
2001 – Faith Whitmore appointed senior pastor
2011 – Alan Jones appointed senior pastor
2023 – Quentisha Davis-Wiles appointed senior pastor
These are only the tidbits, there are stories behind each of these events. More to come!
Barbara Eychaner, Historian
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
Vitals 6/8/26 – 6/14/26
Special Sunday’s = $50 Peace w/Justice
Contributions Received 6/8/26 – 6/14/26
General = $12,215.15
Designated = $892.00
Annual General Budget = $777,723
Monthly Budget Requirement = $64,810
Year to Date through 5/31/2026
Total Income through May 2026 = $298,752.11
Total Expenses through May 2026 = $284,578.75
May 2026 Net Income/Loss $14,173.36
Peace and comfort for Joan Bryant, Elsie Easley, family and friends upon the passing of Denitra Easley. Denitra Easley passed Friday, June 12th.
Jerry Tanquist for health and healing.
John Wargo for healing and recovery from a broken hip.
Jessica Rodrigez for healing and restoration.
Peace and comfort for the Morford family and friends upon the passing of Bobbie Morford. Bobbie Morford passed Saturday, June 6th.
Sorelle Townsend for comfort, healing and restoration.
Prayers for successful treatment, healing and recovery for Sandra Kristensen, who is undergoing treatment for esophageal cancer.
Richard Burns
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
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!
