St. Mark’s staff continues to work hard and are helping the ministries of St. Mark’s going forward during this world pandemic. They are putting in long hours to provide new ways to offer ministry.   For a long time St. Mark’s has been talking about wanting to go digital, and now we are doing it. See what the staff has been up to:

Alan Jones is busier than ever responding to phone calls, emails, texts, Zoom meetings, producing videos at least three times a week, responding to health crises in new ways since he can’t visit in person, writing a different kind of sermon for the videos… He is leading Confirmation and church meetings via Zoom. Alan still goes to the office a couple of times a week to check phone messages and to make sure the checks mailed in are locked up until they can be deposited. He told me he needs 10 more hours in each day!

Cath Fenimore-Brown has organized 47 (and counting) congregants to call at least 5 assigned people every week. Everyone in St. Mark’s should be getting a call. Then she responds to each caller as they report what they have found out.  Cath also is in contact with the music groups: St. Mark’s Choir, the Bell Choir, and the Worship Musicians.  Cath is contributing to the worship planning, and helping provide music for some of the videos Alan produces.

Irene Celedon continues her administrative work remotely. She is spending hours piecing the videos together that everyone enjoys. She continues to produce the Markings, which in April is digital. Irene is a very busy Administrator.

Denise Cruz works remotely and some time in the office, continuing to pay bills and keep the finances of St. Mark’s current. She has taken on extra duties that some of the volunteers normally do regarding finances, but aren’t able to come in and do.

Robert Rouch is providing everyone with his awesome music through videos. He works his “day job” remotely at home and then comes to church to practice in the evenings so he can provide St. Mark’s with music to uplift our spirits.

Elizabeth Cruz, the new Facilities Coordinator/Head Custodian has jumped in head-first learning about how St. Mark’s functions.  She started March 2 and has done so much already. The campus is getting a thorough cleaning/disinfecting between her and Adrian. She has been great about asking questions and forging ahead during these tough times. You are going to love her. She and Adrian are doing more cleaning out and organizing of areas on the campus.  Elizabeth is on campus 4 days a week.

Adrian Nelson is working diligently on cleaning every room on campus.  He truly loves to clean, and St. Mark’s appreciates that! You should see his smile!  Once he cleans, things stay clean since no one is on campus! His presence on campus 5 days a week seems to be helping greatly minimize the number of people camping out and doing vandalism to the campus.

Pam Taylor continues her Faith Community Nurse involvement. She is answering phone calls and is available for health questions. She is a calming, reassuring voice amongst the stress.

Tina Coutee is working at home with her school district.  She is very involved in the Union and helping make decisions happen for the teachers and children.  As we aren’t able to have church, she is not in the nursery! Her attitude is very upbeat.

Marilyn Erickson is a chaplain at Mercy San Juan Hospital. She has also volunteered to take on some of the Pastoral Care to help Pastor Alan. She is taking some of the stress off of Alan.

So, as you can see, the staff is all very involved in doing the work of St. Mark’s.  How are you involved?  Are you contacting people to make sure they hear a friendly voice or receive a card? Are you helping the Food Closet by making a financial donation?  The church is very much alive. We all ARE the church.  Let’s all do our part in contributing our time, talents, and finances.

On March 17, St. Mark’s staff met to discuss what church would look like during the COVID 19 restrictions.  As everyone sat in Wesley Hall, separated by the 6-foot guideline, lots of topics and ideas were discussed.  One of the main concerns was finding ways to keep alive the sense of community we share.  At the top of the list was the importance was regular contact with each family in the St. Mark’s community.  I offered to organize a team of callers to contact each family in the community every week.  The goal was to let folks know that the church cares about them and to check to see who might need help or supplies.  Present leaders in the congregation were contacted, along with others who might be available, to keep in contact with five families. United Methodist Women (UMW) group leaders were also contacted. There were over 300 families to call.  Presently, 47 people are making calls, in addition to the UMW leaders.  I have been keeping in touch with the callers each week, getting individual reports about calls and connecting with the callers as well.  Some callers have found out about health needs, others collect prayer requests, and others learn of interesting hobbies or shared pastimes. Some callers have only been able to leave messages, but do so knowing they reached out to one in the congregation.

In addition to having positive conversations and times of fellowship, making these calls has helped to update current church records.  Phone numbers have been disconnected, and email addresses are no longer active.  Callers who find that both phone and email are incorrect are sending a note to check for the right information.  As information is reported, the database is being updated.  The next church address directory will be more accurate because of this.

Many are expressing gratitude for Pastor Alan’s video emails each week.  They are a wonderful source of encouragement and a touchpoint with people in the congregation.  His contacts through the videos and these contacts made by the Calling Team are helping to keep us all connected.  As we navigate the weeks ahead, this Calling Team will continue to check in on families. My prayer is that when we come back together to share in the worship service, the fellowship will be even sweeter because of new and strengthened bonds made through the calls.

There are still a few families who need to be called, especially the callers.  If you’re interested in making calls, please contact me at cbrown@stmarksumc.com.  May God bless you and give you peace and health.

Jen Banghart introduced me to Rocks and Rubies during a recent  Confirmation Class gathering that was held online through Zoom.  Now that the youth have been home from school and pretty much limited to being inside, the following question was posed to them, “What has been hard for them (Rocks) and what have they found to be high points (Rubies).  I called some of our younger children to get their responses too.  There was a lot of agreement. The ROCKS were: dislike staying inside, miss connecting with my friends, don’t get to go outside as often and my Nana’s dog died.  The RUBIES were: spending more time with my brothers, spending more time with mom and dad, catching up on sleep, calling friends to say Hi, not having to go to school, and getting to play computer games.  So I ask you, “What has been your  Rocks and Rubies?”

Take care and stay healthy!